Video & Transcript Research : 'fee increase'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 17th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The determination of fees, charges, and rates of certain benefits under Medicaid for the Community and
  • group home facilities, including optional county and municipal permitting requirements, authorizing a fee
  • of creating criminal offenses for the community. related to increasing the criminal penalty for the
  • Cole, relating to the provision. of solid waste disposal services by certain counties authorizing a fee
  • HB 2524 by Cook, relating to recovery fees.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • to community rehab program service providers and any revised procedure or standard for the service fee
  • to community rehab program service providers and any revised procedure or standard for the service fee
  • procedures and standards for service fee procedures and standards for service fee memos<00:14:32.120
  • And so we had raised it; we had rate structure with increased rates last week.
  • And so we had raised it; we had rate structure with increased rates last week.
Summary: The Senate Committee for Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor heard two bills. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, was presented with testimony from Major League Baseball in support of exempting minor league baseball players from Kentucky wage-and-hour treatment. Witnesses said the bill would preserve the negotiated collective bargaining structure for players, avoid impractical time-tracking requirements, and keep Kentucky aligned with other states. Senators discussed minor league salary levels, the importance of baseball to Kentucky communities, and the bill’s relationship to minimum wage law. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill with unanimous support from members present. The committee next heard Senate Bill 103 from Sen. Danny Carroll, which would require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to adopt regulations under Chapter 13A, limit reciprocal agreements with other states until in-state provider contracts are exhausted, establish procedures for service fee memos before a new fiscal year, and require an annual report with operating and financial information. Testimony from community rehabilitation providers and disability advocates emphasized that the bill would increase transparency, protect local providers, and improve services for people with disabilities seeking competitive employment. They said Kentucky has a large disability population, that many working-age individuals with disabilities are not employed, and that better oversight could help address workforce shortages and reduce reliance on public assistance. Senators asked about the disability population, age ranges served, funding, and recent changes to provider rates and selection processes. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 103 unanimously.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Elections - 03/12/26

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, it is a late fee or civil...
  • > campaign<00:03:42.239> spending massive increase in campaign spending massive increase
  • <00:04:09.120> or the CFB from waving any fees or the CFB from waving any fees or penalties
  • <00:05:10.560> uh Um and that goal is to help increase uh Um and that goal is to help increase
  • <00:10:44.000> and did grab a report of of late fees and did grab a report of of late fees
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AR
Transcript Highlights:
  • Are you increasing or are you decreasing?
  • And the federal government actually says, well, those are increases in income.
  • So it's not that old fee-for-service model.
  • The requirements of the statute say that the registrant has to pay a fee, and the amount of the fee was
  • One of the public comments was asking us to increase it.
Keywords: 1204, all
VA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Reed, are you looking at fees as well in other states and how they assess fees?
  • And there's a place for fees, especially if you're limited staff.
  • And there's a place for fees, especially if you're limited staff.
  • Reed mentioned fees, and there was a lot of work done on Senator Roem's bill.
  • It's not really what the fees are about.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jul 8th, 2025

Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:
  • Increasing barriers to access to care literally saves lives.
  • With that in mind, we created the Abandonment Grant Funding Program which would be funded by increases
  • to all fees under the Bureau's authority by a hundred and fifty percent.
  • So one hundred percent of the fees would go to the Bureau's operations and 50% would go to the actual
  • And even though individuals who've been buried, they've paid endowment fees, sometimes endowment fees
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 4th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there a ++ increase. Further objection could chair hear be none so ordered.
  • TSGE plays a vital role in increasing access to life-saving screenings and advancing medical education
  • Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child
  • HB 696 by Cortez relaying to the Waiver Committee. favors of state park interest fees and hunting and
  • Following a substantial school tax increase referred to the committee on ways and means.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Legacy Finance Committee 3/5/25

Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's protect and fee without PILT.
  • On the other extreme side of protect and fee with PILT, it would cost $9,600.
  • Other Extreme side of the protectant fee Other Extreme side of the protectant fee with<00:25:08.120
  • That being said, I hope that we increase those numbers as opposed to the acquisition numbers.
  • That being said, I hope that we increase those numbers as opposed to the acquisition numbers.
Bills: HF1250
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate May 20th, 2026

Louisiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Louisiana in 2025, with a 5.2% increase over 2024.
  • It's the same bill as last time, but there is a fee on this.
  • So with all of the amendments that were added in the House, there is a fee.
  • fees and court costs to deposit in the Judicial Expense Fund.
  • This bill just allows them to raise the fee by $3.50. I see no questions.
Keywords: 974, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • median home prices um have increased median home prices um have increased over<00:04:14.080>
  • in the community have only increased in the community have only increased 30%.<00:04:21.759>
  • For example, any small fees, any other funding models, or transfer fees during real estate transactions
  • fees during funding models or transfer fees during real<00:47:14.480> estate<00:47:14.960>
  • little bit about these increased costs. little bit about these increased costs.
Summary: The committee met without a quorum and began informally, with members noting this was the final information-gathering meeting on housing before a November meeting to discuss findings and report back to the LRC. The main presentation focused on the Lexington Affordable Housing Partnership, a public-private effort supported by a $10 million state allocation. Presenters described Fayette County’s housing shortage, citing a gap of more than 22,000 units, rising home prices, and the challenge of assembling land and capital for affordable projects. The partnership explained that five local banks created a $3 million capital investment fund to buy and hold land at no interest, with deed restrictions keeping the site at 80% or below area median income and allowing the banks to seek Community Reinvestment Act credit. The first project is a 12.5-acre former Transylvania University baseball field, planned for about 242 units, including detached homes, townhouses, garden-style apartments, and senior housing. Speakers said the project required extensive neighborhood engagement and zoning/development approvals, but that the planning phase is now largely complete and infrastructure work should begin soon. Financing details included roughly $64 million in additional funding through tax credit equity, market-rate loans, city support, Kentucky Housing Corporation resources, and donations from nonprofit partners. Developers said the multifamily bond applications are due to Kentucky Housing Corporation the next day, and they expect the land purchase to be repaid into the revolving fund once the property is entitled and closed, allowing the original $3 million to be redeployed for future projects. They estimated rental units could be filled within about six months of completion, while for-sale units would come online over 12 to 36 months. In discussion, members asked about regulatory barriers and project timelines. Presenters pointed to rising construction costs tied to new federal and state requirements, and one member highlighted the need to continue reviewing planning and zoning reforms to speed development plan approvals and reduce delays. The group also endorsed a possible statewide $20 million housing fund, a residential infrastructure fund, and efforts to avoid additional regulatory burdens on housing development.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 2/19/25

Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • ways to increase our revenue.
  • <00:29:51.519> social with problem gambling increase social with problem gambling increase
  • <00:30:07.559> rates<00:30:07.840> of increased rates of increased rates of bankruptcy<
  • revenues, increased sales, and increased revenues for vets and charities.
  • revenues, increased sales, and increased revenues for vets and charities.
Keywords: 1183, house
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment & Energy May 18th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is no fee for consumers on the covered products.
  • Paint Care is funded through a fee on new paint sales.
  • Costs will be internalized, with no fee to consumers.
  • Consumers are still paying a fee. Retailers are still collecting that fee.
  • Paying for the collection services we offer is increasing every year, with over a 20% increase in the
Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Crime and Public Safety May 5th, 2026

Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • They increase the size of that board.
  • They increase the size of that board.
  • Most definitely, I feel like it needs to be increased.
  • or at least the increase on to the customer.
  • or at least the increase on to the customer.
Summary: The Committee on Crime and Public Safety met in executive session with a quorum present and considered three measures. For Senate Bill 1652, members adopted a House committee substitute that clarified the bill’s language about creating an office within the Department of Public Safety rather than targeting women and girls directly. The bill, which relates to missing and trafficked women and girls, was then reported do pass by a vote of 12-1, with one member voting no because the bill was not all-inclusive enough for their preference. The committee next took up Senate Bill 1572, a retirement-related measure affecting the St. Louis Police Board and the St. Louis City teachers’ retirement system. Testimony explained that the substitute staggered board appointments, addressed quorum issues after board expansion, clarified overpayment recovery and refunds for small accounts, and made related retirement-system cleanup changes without altering benefit payments. The House committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported do pass unanimously, 16-0. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 3533, which was amended to remove sports betting language and focus on increasing the riverboat admission fee from $2 to $5.50. Members discussed the fee increase as overdue and noted the revenue distribution to veterans and developmental disability funds, while one member argued the increase was too large and another noted operators could pass the cost to consumers. The House committee substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported do pass by a vote of 9-7, with one member present.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate amendment modifies point nine in your bill as passed by the House to increase the business
  • And that's just that 12% increase. Thank you, Magali. I'm going to... ...$6.9 million in general.
  • And that's just that 12% increase. Thank you, Magali.
  • And that's just that 12% increase. Thank you, Magali.
  • HB 2946, municipalities, counties, development fees.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills that had returned from the Senate with amendments, with members repeatedly noting that sponsors intended to concur on most items. Topics included public health and vaccination rules (HB 2086, HB 2248), state investment in gold and silver (HB 2140), property records and voter-registration privacy (HB 2327), municipal and county regulation of business property and development fees (HB 2460, HB 2946, HB 2999), legislative subpoenas (HB 2745), cold plunge regulation (HB 2439), nursing-facility complaint timelines and licensed health aide rules (HB 2195, HB 2189), court-ordered treatment review (HB 2923), Access/Medicaid reimbursement and prior authorization for diagnostic services (HB 2932), inmate mental health study committee language (HB 2673), prenatal development instruction in schools (HB 2830), public records requests by legislators (HB 4056), parents’ rights and social transitioning in schools (HB 2249), school district financial compliance and facilities contracting (HB 2481, HB 2482), Native American language proficiency for graduation (HB 2895), advanced math auto-enrollment (HB 2423), special education and military-family procedures (HB 2621), AI rules for state agencies (HB 2592), eviction record sealing (HB 2244), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), shade structures in HOAs (HB 2342), homelessness-related community restitution (HB 2028), medical records timelines (HB 2557), PFAS firefighting foam restrictions (HB 2641), family-court expert testimony and prisoner transition services (HB 2662, HB 2440), address confidentiality protections (HB 2594), guardianship notice attestation (HB 2661), utilities for high-load customers (HB 2756), and nuclear-ready community planning (HB 2456). The committee also briefly moved to Caucus Calendar 19 for additional bills on mobile food vendors, school board training, out-of-state travel and meeting transparency, and a medical-intervention nondiscrimination bill. Several bills drew substantive discussion or criticism. Members debated HB 2932 at length, with staff explaining that Access said the bill would have a high fiscal impact because it would require reimbursement for non-contracted lab services and eliminate prior authorization for a broad range of diagnostic services, potentially increasing costs substantially. HB 2249 also prompted concern from members who argued it could force teachers to out students and create civil liability for using preferred pronouns or failing to notify parents about social transitioning. HB 2830 was criticized as requiring prenatal-development instruction while barring discussion of sexual activity or reproduction. HB 2028, which allows community restitution instead of a $20 probation assessment for people who are indigent and experiencing homelessness, was questioned as potentially punitive. HB 2481 was discussed as a way to help, rather than punish, small rural school districts struggling with financial-record compliance. The caucus also noted that several of the measures were sponsored by Democrats, which was highlighted as notable during the meeting. No formal votes were taken in the transcript. The caucus chair repeatedly asked for questions, and in most cases there were none, after which the sponsor was understood to intend concurrence with the Senate amendments. The meeting ended with adjournment after the caucus moved through the remaining calendar items.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HED Public Hearing - Fri Feb 7, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • So why support increasing the price of cigarettes?
  • So why support increasing the price of cigarettes?
  • reducing state revenue and increasing reducing state revenue and increasing illegal<01:37:57.639
  • proven Public Health strategy increase proven Public Health strategy increase the<01:50:15.119><
  • They recently waived their application fee.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses. The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then. Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • We do support the efforts to increase the number of private examiners by increasing the uh...
  • As I indicated, we do support an increase in the number of examiners by increasing the pay and making
  • by increasing ing the pay examiners by increasing ing the pay making<00:42:28.640> the<00:42:
  • <01:05:13.160> can<01:05:13.440> fluctuate fees can fluctuate fees can fluctuate widely
  • an<01:42:34.199> artificial fees dispensing fees are an artificial fees dispensing fees are
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee first took up SB 1494 on hearing aids. Testimony was generally supportive of expanding hearing-aid coverage, with the Insurance Division raising concern about possible federal defrayment issues, SHPDA supporting the goal of hearing augmentation, DCAB strongly supporting the bill as an important access issue, and health plans and insurers asking for amendments. Kaiser Permanente and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans requested changes to add a medical-necessity standard and clarify annual notice language, while HMSA suggested the proposal should be studied by the auditor. The chair noted concerns about federal preemption and the lack of an audit, and deferred the bill in favor of a related resolution calling for a study. The committee then heard SB 1448, an emergency appropriation for the Hawaii State Hospital. DAGS and the Department of Health supported the measure, with the hospital administrator saying the funding would improve the environment of care, support cleaning, and allow a third-party review of the building. Committee members questioned the size of the request and the status of litigation against the design-builder. Administration witnesses said they were pursuing a comprehensive study involving destructive testing, had made a demand on the design-builder to fund the study, and were using different processes than before. They also said the roof work would be handled through a separate CIP request. No final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 1432, relating to the future responsibilities of the Department of Health and land issues at Kalaupapa after the last patient dies. DOH supported the bill in part but said its long-term role would be limited mainly to environmental cleanup, with operations expected to continue under the National Park Service and land-use decisions left to DHHL and beneficiary consultation. DHHL asked that the measure reflect that any land-use or zoning changes on homeland lands require commission approval and beneficiary consultation. Testifiers from Kalaupapa and Maui County, including Degra Vanderbilt-Papa and Council Member Keani Rollins-Fernandez, supported deferring the bill, saying there had been no meaningful community discussion about provisions affecting Kalaupapa’s future management and possible transfer of responsibilities to Maui County. The committee also read into the record written testimony from Gloria Marks emphasizing that Kalaupapa stakeholders must be included in future discussions. Finally, the committee heard SB 955 on fitness-to-proceed examinations. The Judiciary and the Public Defender’s Office both supported raising pay and standardizing expectations for private examiners, but opposed reducing felony fitness evaluations from three examiners to one and opposed expanding use of expedited reports. They argued that a single examiner would reduce reliability, create a more adversarial process, and likely increase costs and contested hearings, while expedited reports do not contain enough information for a proper fitness determination. The Department of Health also supported the bill’s intent but asked to preserve a three-examiner framework and said the goal was to reduce the number of people sent to the State Hospital, where admissions have reportedly risen about 20% year over year since Act 26. The bill remained under discussion in the excerpt, with no final vote shown.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Finance (02/04/2025)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Center uh but this alone would increase Center uh but this alone would increase 2<00:07:07.840><
  • address housing you'll see that increase address housing you'll see that increase through<01:19:
  • of the budget or get ahead of the governor on any fees issues.
  • of the budget or get ahead of the governor on any fees issues.
  • of the budget or get ahead of the governor on any fees issues.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

TASK FORCE ON AUTISM Apr 1st, 2026

TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Transcript Highlights:
  • I will add about the fee: the $5,000 fee that started, that was the fee in 2012, and it has not increased
  • I will add about the fee: the $5,000 fee that started, that was the fee in 2012, and it has not increased
  • an increase.
  • And then this is the fee that is for the program.
  • We think that's a pretty big rate increase in a single year.
Summary: The meeting opened with routine business, including approval of the January 13, 2026 minutes, and a brief recognition of Autism Awareness Month. The task force then heard a presentation from the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions on two student support programs: the Empower Program for non-degree-seeking students ages 18–24 with mild intellectual disabilities, and the Autism Support Program for degree-seeking students with autism. Speakers described academic coaching, peer and career coaching, residential supports, person-centered planning, internships, and scholarship/fee structures, noting that both programs charge a $5,000 per-semester fee and rely on scholarships and fundraising to offset costs. Members asked about dorm arrangements, individualized plans, and how students transition in and out of supports; presenters explained that Empower students remain in the program throughout, while Autism Support Program students may enter or leave services as needed. The committee next heard from Pulaski Technical College’s 3D program, a three-year transition and post-secondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities focused on culinary, baking, and hospitality training. Presenters outlined integrated classes with traditional students, faded support over time, internships, and outcomes such as 97 students enrolled since the program began, 57 graduates, strong completion rates, and many graduates obtaining and retaining jobs in the food service industry. Members asked about how success is measured, why rates are not 100 percent, the role of integrated classes, tuition, and community partnerships; staff explained that grading includes technical and professional skills, tuition is $5,700 per semester, and scholarships such as GETS and FAFSA help reduce costs. They also noted plans to expand offerings and pursue accreditation through the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. Finally, the task force received a presentation from SLS Community, a Fayetteville nonprofit serving neurodivergent adults through residential supports, supported employment, community activities, and advocacy. Leaders described a long-term vision tied to the Cato Springs mixed-use development, where housing, jobs, clinical services, and community amenities would be integrated in a “live, work, play” model. They discussed a residential program, a new vocational program called Program Forge, community events, and the challenges of the “services cliff” after age 21, especially for adults with complex support needs. Members and parents spoke about the importance of trained direct support professionals, ABA-based supports, and the need for better funding and service models for adults. The meeting ended with announcements about upcoming autism-related events and a request for future discussion on task force appointments and broader issues around ABA oversight and misuse.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/10/26

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • c> cases<00:03:26.800> of This leads to increased cases of This leads to increased cases of
  • <00:15:43.000> cost<00:15:44.000> uh an increasing cost uh an increasing cost uh And
  • She had to pay fees, fines.
  • fees for any scam victims.
  • to 50% increase. to 50% increase.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Apr 28th, 2026

Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • dispersion modeling to DNR to obtain a construction permit, making it easier to build a new gin or increase
  • I mean, does the person, the farmer that produces it, do they pay a fee?
  • or so that's going to go to the voters that would also, those sort of things may be subject to use fee
  • I mean, does the person, the farmer that produces it, do they pay a fee?
  • I just didn't know if you knew that or not or use fee or whatever.
Summary: The committee first met in executive session and approved Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 913 on a roll call vote of 16 ayes and 3 noes. The committee then opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 1033, presented by Senator Jason Bean. He said the bill would exempt certain older covered farm vehicles used in local farming operations from emissions inspection requirements, and would also ease permitting requirements for cotton gins by removing the need for air dispersion modeling in obtaining construction permits. He also noted the bill incorporated language from Senate Bill 953 to create an alternative funding stream for the state air pollution control program. Witnesses in support included representatives of Missouri cotton producers, Missouri Farm Bureau, Infra, the Missouri Mining Association, the Missouri Concrete Association, the American Council of Engineering Companies, Missouri Forest Products, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, the Missouri Soybean Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, and the Missouri Corn Growers Association. Supporters generally argued that the farm vehicle exemption would reduce costly regulatory burdens on low-use farm vehicles, and that the cotton gin permitting changes would help Missouri cotton remain competitive with neighboring states and encourage in-state gin construction and expansion. Several witnesses also backed the air pollution control funding language, saying the program is important to permit holders and could become insolvent in fiscal year 2028. Committee members asked questions about cotton gin services, the number of affected cotton farmers, and the details and fiscal impact of the proposed funding stream for the air pollution control program. A Department of Natural Resources representative confirmed the program is projected to become insolvent in FY 2028 and said she would follow up on some details. No witnesses appeared in opposition, and the hearing on Senate Bill 1033 was concluded without further action.