Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2946, relating to municipalities, counties, and development fees.
• having under consideration House Bill 2946, relating to municipalities, counties, and development fees
• if a municipality adopted the development fees before the effective date.
• Enactment section 946005-949-19-15-9-11-11-1-a-1-a-vice to line to head to development fees.
• The homeowners could end up having their mortgage payment increase over time.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in lower healthare costs and increase in lower healthare costs and increase productivity<00:06:03.039
• from Michael sonunu that any carbon fee from Michael sonunu that any carbon fee automatically<01
• incentives than they pay an increased incentives than they pay an increased energy<01:05:23.079>
• and dividend bill is carbon fee and dividend bill is increasing<01:08:47.600> by<01:08:47.799
• A carbon fee is a polluter fee, so those energy sources that don't pollute carbon don't pay the fee.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Things like public adjuster fees, management company fees that are being added onto the claim.
• Things like public adjuster fees, management company fees that are being added onto the claim.
• Things like public adjuster fees, management company fees that are being added onto the claim.
• Things like public adjuster fees, management company fees that are being added onto the claim.
• Things like public adjuster fees, management company fees that are being added onto the claim.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting on the insurance affordability crisis affecting single-family housing, common interest communities, and multifamily rental housing. Members and staff introduced themselves, including representatives from insurers, the Department of Commerce, housing advocates, affordable housing developers, and HOA/community association interests. Representative Steve Elkins was elected chair by roll call vote with 10 members in favor, after discussion that the Senate appointee’s formal appointment had not yet arrived; the group noted the intent to later move to co-chair leadership once that appointment is finalized. Staff reviewed the task force’s enabling statute and open meeting law requirements. The task force is charged with studying homeowners and commercial property insurance, property resilience and risk mitigation, liability laws and possible tort reform, notice and oversight issues, public reporting, and the state-supported insurance program, including possible expansion to a catastrophic reinsurance fund or self-insured pool. The final report is due February 15 and will go to the commissioners of commerce, housing finance, and employment and economic development, as well as relevant legislative committees. Members were also briefed on meeting logistics, a draft charter to be voted on at the second meeting, a resource page for shared materials, and the schedule of future meetings. The Department of Commerce then gave an overview of Minnesota’s property and casualty insurance market. Commerce described its regulatory role, the state’s competitiveness test, and how homeowners insurance is often filed under a “file and use” process rather than prior approval. The presentation emphasized that homeowners coverage has been under pressure for years: insurers have lost money in many recent years, premiums have risen, some consumers are taking on more risk through higher deductibles or reduced coverage, and some are moving into the surplus market. Commerce also highlighted the impact of severe weather losses, the growth in premiums since 2014, and gaps in oversight for homeowners associations and related policies. The meeting then shifted to brainstorming the problems the task force should address. Early discussion focused on climate and construction-related resilience, including hail and wind-driven rain damage, discontinued building materials, and whether stronger materials are reflected in insurance pricing. Members also raised the need to study programs like Alabama’s fortified roof model and Minnesota’s own Strengthen Minnesota Homes effort, along with questions about whether the construction industry is prepared to support broader resilience measures. No additional votes were taken during the discussion segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, those are our three increases in funding that we're asking for.
• number for salaries. it'd be an increase of about $14 million, yes, $13,865 if we had a net increase
• We are asking for a $5 increase on those.
• We would not ask to raise that fee.
• Can't remember what that fee is, but we're not asking for an increase to that.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It delays the imposition of increased Medi-Cal premiums.
• There is a new software tax increase, there's a new MCO tax increase, and the concern for me is if we're
• The increased age limit for the Cal Grant eligibility for our community college students increased from
• I just want to share with you guys on increase the costs...
• But adding slots alone is not enough without increased provider pay.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , if they don't cut the fees they can charge for these.
• So I wonder what that was included in regards to the fees.
• how the fees are calculated.
• But we are working way to approach on those fees going back.
• Chair in reference to 2 the fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a bill that would increase the emissions fee we charge at the DMV for forms certifying emission
• With increased costs in the program, the DMV can barely cover our expenses, and we're having trouble
• With the estimated revenue projections of the current fee, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will not
• With the estimated revenue projections of the current fee, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will not
• If this fee increase is not approved, there will not be sufficient funds available to distribute to the

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have boat fee increases, state park fee increases. What did we hear this week?
• You have boat fee increases, state park fee increases. What did we hear this week?
• You have boat fee increases, state park fee increases. What did we hear this week?
• You have boat fee increases, state park fee increases. What did we hear this week?
• You have boat fee increases, state park fee increases. What did we hear this week?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 3279, the “Our Future Starts at Home” constitutional amendment, which would ask voters to approve a 3/8 of 1% statewide sales tax increase to create a dedicated housing revenue stream. Chair Howard said the proposal is intended to address Minnesota’s housing shortage through predictable, long-term funding, estimated at about $400 million annually for 25 years, and would be administered through a council that would fund housing vouchers, rental and supportive housing, and affordable homeownership. Supportive testimony came from coalition and nonprofit advocates, including Nelima Sitati Munene, Ben Helvick Anderson, Dakota Morgan, and Chris Berggren. They argued that Minnesota’s housing crisis requires permanent, sustained investment rather than one-time grants, and said the amendment could produce thousands of vouchers, supportive housing units, rental units, and starter homes over time. Testifiers also emphasized the need for community voice and lived-experience representation in how funds are distributed, and described the bill as a way to prevent homelessness and stabilize families statewide. Several members raised concerns that the proposal would add another regressive tax burden on residents already struggling with affordability. Representatives Johnson, Nash, Dotseth, and Myers argued that sales taxes hit lower-income Minnesotans hardest and said the state should focus more on zoning, regulatory reform, and other cost reductions instead of new taxes. Chair Howard responded that housing costs themselves are already highly regressive and that both policy reform and public investment are needed. The bill was laid over and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• the welcome trend of increasing the welcome trend of increasing enrollments<00:06:19.160> over
• Section 31, we're increasing the solicitor permit fee.
• Section 32, multiple-location fee also being increased.
• Section 31, we're increasing the solicitor permit fee.
• Section 32, multiple-location fee also being increased.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You know what was changed was the limit of liability increase from 50,000 to 250,000.
• This is a 31% increase over last year. These scams take many forms.
• So you see that 30% increase has happened. It's happening all the time.
• when those fees are incurred.
• In order for fees to be incurred, the client must owe the fees to their attorney, meaning that the attorneys

Transcript Highlights:

• Rule G is the increase to the administration fee for the RSV vaccination for children.
• It increases the administration fee only to the same price as well.
• It increases the administration fee only to the same price as what is currently allowed under the federal
• It is an increase to the administration fee.
• If you've seen any increase in number of failures due to the increased amount of water usage.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• must be paid, including towing fees and any fees owed to a body shop or other storage facilities.
• must be paid including touring fees and any fees owed to a body shop or other storage facilities with
• or impose a tax or fee.
• It also prohibits a provider from charging a late fee or compelling or...
• Madam Chair, members, HB 2265, courts fees assessments, prohibits the court from imposing certain fees

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fees in there. Pretty sneaky. All right. I see no hidden fees.
• It's a $2 fee for each renewal, which is about 50 cents a year.
• And this small fee does that. And I agree with what you said.
• I got to pay $60 for my hybrid fee this month.
• We keep adding money to the driver's license fee.

Bills: HB316, HB549, HB646, HB752, HB824, HB873, HB1129, HB1157, HB1170

Keywords: literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 22 and took up several bills, beginning with House Bill 646 and its companion House Bill 824 by Chairman Beaulieu. HB 646 proposed a constitutional amendment limiting the amount of State General Fund recurring money that may be appropriated in a fiscal year, and HB 824 set the growth limit formula based on CPI, medical CPI, and population change. Amendments were adopted on both bills, including creation of a Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, and both bills were reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced House Bill 1157, which creates the Louisiana State Infrastructure Fund to support infrastructure-related projects through a bank-like financing structure. After a technical amendment, the bill was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 316 on student literacy was presented as a continuation of prior literacy reforms, with the Department of Education stating it would not require new funding; it was reported favorably. House Bill 549 created the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program to help employers train and upskill workers, with supporters from business groups saying it would be industry-supported and modeled on a successful Michigan program; it was also reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1129, dealing with the sale of state-owned surplus movable property, drew support from Louisiana auctioneers who argued local firms should be allowed to bid on the state’s auction contract instead of relying on an out-of-state vendor. Members questioned whether the state could receive more revenue and expressed support for giving Louisiana companies a chance to compete. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 873, which would add a $2 fee on driver’s license renewals to fund pursuit intervention technology and training for law enforcement, generated substantial concern about adding fees and whether the money should instead come from existing budgets. After discussion of the bill’s purpose, the technology involved, and the need for a sunset, the committee deferred the bill to work on revisions. Finally, House Bill 752, which would allow the timing and duration of regular legislative sessions to be set by joint rule, was reported without action after members noted the revised fiscal note showed a decrease in state general fund expenditures.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the fee related to the systems.
• on R86 were to go forward and the fees on R86 were to go forward and the fees were<00:12:04.880>
• language on and or if there was a fee language on and or if there was a fee increase<00:13:41.360
• It would establish a fee be inspected.
• fee fees associated to wouldn't be any fee fees associated to this<00:14:49.279> or<00:14:49.519

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fee.
• Ambrose County has seen non-renewals increase by 940%.
• increases of between 130% and 1,400%.
• In Ohio, Athens County has seen non-renewals increase by more than 250%.
• Of LNG increased dramatically, and we did increase dramatically our exports of LNG to Europe.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is not a cost increase.
• It's just a not a a cost increase.
• , recommend fees.
• , evaluate their um current fees, evaluate their um current fees, recommend<00:19:10.160> fees
• with the project, we review their fees with the project, we review their fees and<00:19:15.520><

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• to grant those fee waiverss. to grant those fee waiverss.
• they didn't collect um maintenance fees they didn't collect um maintenance fees So<00:40:00.160>
• <00:54:38.559> uh would be the ones setting the fees uh would be the ones setting the fees
• those additional fees go to the county. those additional fees go to the county.
• <02:24:09.439> risk criminogenic behaviors, increased risk criminogenic behaviors, increased

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• The increase kicks in July 1st, 2026, or has the increase already happened?
• The first is a 25% increase to vehicle registration fees. That's us; that's road users.
• The second tranche of increased revenue comes from a 35% increase to the weight distance tax, or about
• Instead of increasing the two funds, perhaps just increasing one.
• Very careful, so every time that we initiate salary increases and benefit increases, they have to come

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the other side on couriers, not only do they get to. charge a service fee, admin fee,
• Now, if anybody should be allowed to charge an administrative fee or an additional fee I think it would
• No, we do not increase to our customers who use debit card we eat that fee so you're not charging the
• And the transaction fee...
• We call it a fee and kind of get around.

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rents, labor costs, credit card swipe fees.
• These factors have led to a sharp increase in insurance premiums.
• To remain insured and to defray costs of increased premiums,...
• Why should the state government profit from a 40% increase in premium?
• They're going to get those rate increases.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met under suspense-file procedures, with the chair explaining limits on testimony, position letters, and that bills with fiscal impacts of $150,000 or more would generally be sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. Several bills were pulled from hearing, and a consent calendar of committee bills later passed 4-0. AB 761 by Addis, the only item initially slated for a vote, was ultimately held over to the next hearing. The committee heard testimony on a series of tax-related proposals. AB 232 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax money for wildfire, flood, or earthquake-related expenses; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, but was sent to suspense. AB 1443 would exempt tips from state income tax for five years and was supported by the California Restaurant Association and a restaurant owner, but also went to suspense. AB 1435 would provide relief to businesses and property owners facing cleanup and security costs from unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping; it received broad support from business, real estate, trucking, retail, and local government representatives, and was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1428, which would create a California Affordable Child Care Fund financed by a 0.5% tax on income above $10 million; child care workers and SEIU-backed witnesses supported it, while taxpayer and business groups opposed it as harmful to competitiveness and affordability. AB 691 proposed a tax credit for adopting shelter pets and covering veterinary costs, AB 1219 proposed a middle- and low-income personal income tax cut, AB 1354 proposed a credit for increased homeowners insurance premiums, AB 19 proposed an education savings account/voucher-style program, and AB 567 proposed insurance rate stabilization and related tax/fund changes; each drew testimony for and against where present, but all were referred to suspense. The meeting ended with the committee adjourning after the held-over AB 761 item was postponed.