Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 2525 clarifies the wording of the statutory property tax exemption for charitable
• organizations in order to preserve the tax-exempt status of a charitable organization that is engaged
• The secretary will read the caption: Committee Substitute House Bill 2525, relating to the exemption
• “It also limits the exemption to parks within one mile of the convention center.
• possible without providing any argument for those exemptions.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, adopted the prior day’s journal, received House messages, and adopted several resolutions and recognitions, including Senate Resolution 496 honoring Leadership Garland and resolutions 503 and 504. The chamber also recognized guests, including a North Dakota senator and the Doctor of the Day, and received gubernatorial nominations for the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board and the Nueces River Authority Board. The Senate then took up and passed a series of bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Measures approved included SB 614 on Texas Forensic Science Commission referrals to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs; SB 250 on municipal annexation across railroad rights-of-way; SB 1660 on toxicological evidence retention and destruction procedures; SB 2586 requiring property owners associations to file governing documents with the Texas Real Estate Commission; SB 1588 increasing penalties for certain failures to report child sexual abuse; HB 912 on compensation for distributed renewable generation outside ERCOT; SB 1957 setting eligibility standards for civilian oversight boards; HB 2525 clarifying a charitable property tax exemption; SB 1525 limiting repeated prior authorization for neurodegenerative disease drugs; SB 865 requiring CPR/AED training and cardiac emergency response planning in schools; SB 1212 elevating human trafficking penalties; SB 2690 on solicitations for Secretary of State documents; SB 1802 on landlord repair duties for ramps, elevators, and handrails; SB 905 on licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists; SB 2929 allowing removal of disruptive spectators at school athletic events; SB 2675 creating a narrow McAllen-specific parkland conveyance exception; SB 872 increasing punishment for burglary of a vehicle involving firearm theft; and SB 1113 clarifying sales rules for certain converter-license holders. Several bills drew extended debate. SB 2487, dealing with crisis and mental health services for homelessness, was amended to make the county model permissive rather than mandatory and to remove state funding/assistance requirements before passing 28-3. SB 2138, barring higher education funds from contracting with firms that boycott fossil fuels through ESG policies, also passed after questions about fiscal effects and First Amendment concerns. SB 2615, restricting remote work at public institutions of higher education, advanced 22-9. The Senate also began consideration of SB 3016, which would expand enforcement tools against local governments that fail to comply with state law, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to exempt the G on the supplier side to help our businesses remain competitive.
• With respect to section 22, it would repeal the G exemption for certain petroleum refiners who purchase
• Without an exemption, they could pass the cost to their customers.
• With respect to section 22, it would repeal the G exemption for certain petroleum refiners who purchase
• Without an exemption, they could pass the cost to their customers.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What's important here is business-to-business sales remain exempt.
• so if I have a farm remain exempt so if I have a farm business<00:12:33.920> and<00:12:34.079
• The biggest one that are exempt is tax preparation for claiming the child tax credit and the working
• family credit would still be exempt.
• probably the biggest one that are exempt probably the biggest one is<00:18:30.559> tax<00:18:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Senate and House of Representatives relative to instruments affecting sales and use tax exemptions
• of the Senate and House of Representatives relative to instruments affecting sales and use tax exemptions
• So currently there's only 43 exemptions.
• This would be the 44th exemption for tax records that are generally private, and this is going to be
• the 44th exemption.

Bills: SCR12, HB1259, HB221, HB509, HCR117, HCR58, SCR29, SCR33, SB295, SB312, SB326, SB348, SB485, SCR9, SCR58, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR32, HCR5, HCR95, HB75, HB198, HB244, HB302, HB325, HB623, HB719, HB749, HB755, HB761, HB797, HB823, HB1028, HB1049, HB1194, HB1199, HB1201, HB1222, HB17, HB27, HB36, HB41, HB73, HB140, HB166, HB181, HB211, HB223, HB226, HB271, HB308, HB337, HB399, HB410, HB487, HB690, HB712, HB730, HB750, HB759, HB762, HB775, HB906, HB966, HB968, HB1006, HB1009, HB1018, HB1036, HB1062, HB1081, HB1086, HB1098, HB1107, HB1112, HB1203, HB1215, HB1220, HB1242, HB1252, HB1256, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB283, SB300, SB341, SB382, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB449, SB469, HB74, HB119, HB134, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1117, HB1236, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB149, SB441, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB784

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB1259, mask penalty, masked felony, face covering, conceal identity, evade identification, sentencing enhancement, enhanced penalty, felony sentencing, crime deterrence, public safety, Louisiana criminal law, R.S. 14:313.2, R.S. 14:313, R.S. 14:329.7

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment exempts researchers from liability for any fraudulent scientific research that was published
• It exempts accredited universities from liability for any such fraudulent scientific research.
• It exempts drug manufacturers that are registered with the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy from liability
• It exempts accredited universities from liability for any such fraudulent scientific research.
• It exempts drug manufacturers that are registered with the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy from liability

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To the board and say, 'Hey, we would like an exemption.'
• There are five different categories of that exemption. One of those is a plan to grow the program.
• So, if they did that, they would put a plan of improvement together, and they could be exempted for that
• Over a rolling time period, and they can get several exemptions with that.
• Also, appropriate Agencies are exempt, but they still have to report mechanism to OMES for transparency

Bills: HB4104, HB3722, HB3787, HB3700, HB3701, HB3310, HB3404, HB2964, HB2398, HB3024, HB3499, HB3278, HB3279, HB3645, HB3649, HB2293, HB3260, HB3176, HB3177, HB3114, HB3172, HB3322, HB3323, HB4248, HB3720, HB2210, HB1322, HB1937, HB3301, HB4107

Keywords: Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson County, as a rural water corporation, became a special utility district to save money on tax-exempt
• The bill also ensures that the simplified process is exempt from the Government Code's formal hearing
• There have been concerns and confusion about whether small exempt wells, such as those used solely for
• livestock purposes, can be required to install meters or measuring devices, even though they are exempt
• Local Laws Code to explicitly prohibit the district from requiring meters on wells that are already exempt

Bills: HB3115, HB5671, HB5693, SB790, SB1055, SB1302, SB1504, SB1625, SB1663, SB2692

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• charter schools, provides that the construction of public facilities, including public schools, must be exempt
• Building Code, and prohibits local government from requiring a charter school to obtain a special exemption
• I want to look at the language as it pertains to requiring local governments to obtain a special exemption
• They're exempt from concurrency, and they're only subject to it when they decide to enter into an interlocal
• use for the site for a school, charter or otherwise, then you can't make us go through special exemptions

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several bills and amendments related to traffic safety, utilities, schools, and motor vehicle administration. Senator Pizzo’s SB 1782, as amended, expanded reckless driving per se to include certain high-speed behaviors; the late amendment removed impound language but kept mandatory court appearance, and the bill was reported favorably. Senator McLean’s SB 818 on utility relocation was amended to include an important state interest finding; after testimony from county groups opposing the cost shift to local governments and Charter Communications supporting the bill, it was also reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1644 on emergency vehicles, after a delete-all amendment broadened warning-signal use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and related vehicles. Senator Trumbull’s SB 1348 on DHSMV services was amended to streamline local delivery of motor vehicle services and remove certain fines, waiting periods, and CDL retesting provisions; it passed favorably with support from Florida Tax Collectors. Senator McLean’s SB 1188 on local governing authorities and charter schools drew the most debate, with supporters arguing local governments were using traffic and site-plan rules to block charter schools and opponents warning the bill would tie the hands of local governments and create a blanket preemption; it was reported favorably. The committee then passed SB 636, which limits use of the far-left lane on high-speed roads except for passing, exiting, move-over compliance, or traffic conditions, and requires FDOT signage. Senator Arrington’s SB 1152 increased the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee from $15 to $25 to raise more money for wildflower research and habitat programs; it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of multiple appointments to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Florida Transportation Commission, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• a taxing unit to enter an agreement under the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act to be exempt
• HB 3606 by Patterson relating to the exemption from teacher certification examinations for certain persons
• Exemption from taxation by each taxing unit that taxes the property for a portion of the appraised value
• HB 3646 by Caprion relating to the exemption from sales and use of taxes of certain information provided
• for the Committee on House Administration SB 4 by Betancourt relating to increasing the amount of exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 493 seeks to protect homeowners by eliminating an exemption on post-loss insurance payouts
• Thank you, Madam Chair and members, very pleased to present AB 462, which will exempt the construction
• of pleased to present AB 462, which will exempt the construction of accessory dwelling units or ADUs
• The bill also makes this exemption available to coastal communities that experience destruction from
• The bill also makes this exemption available to coastal communities that experience destruction from

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its committee rules unanimously, and then heard a series of housing, insurance, and disaster-recovery bills. Early bills focused on wildfire relief and insurance issues, including AB 238 on mortgage forbearance for Los Angeles County wildfire survivors, AB 493 on insurance payout interest for homeowners, AB 597 on consumer protections after disasters, and AB 226 on strengthening the California FAIR Plan’s liquidity tools. Supporters generally framed these measures as necessary protections for disaster survivors and market stability, while opponents and concerned witnesses raised issues such as investor guidelines, compliance conflicts, and market disruption. Several members also noted equity concerns and the need to balance relief with consistency across the state. The committee also heard a cluster of housing-production bills. AB 306 proposed a six-year pause on new state building code updates affecting residential construction and limits on local code modifications, drawing strong support from housing and building industry groups who argued it would reduce costs and improve predictability. It also drew opposition from code, environmental, and clean-energy advocates, who warned about safety, local control, and the loss of important code updates. AB 253 would allow licensed third-party professionals to perform plan checks if local review takes 30 days or more, and AB 301 would impose state-agency permitting timelines similar to those already applied to local governments; both were presented as ways to reduce delays and speed housing development. AB 462 would exempt ADU construction from coastal development permit requirements in Los Angeles County, especially to aid fire recovery and expand housing supply. After hearing testimony and brief member discussion on each measure, the committee placed the bills on suspense or advanced them as appropriate. In the suspense hearing at the end of the meeting, the committee took up the suspense-file bills and reported AB 226, AB 238, AB 301, and AB 306 out with due pass recommendations on roll call votes. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jones of Dallas are linked to the authority of the Commissioner's Court of a county to adopt an exemption
• HB 1370 by Raymond relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the appraised
• HB 1399 by Harris, relating to an exemption from an ad valerem.
• It will be 1483 by Gervin Hawkins relating to an exemption for ad valorem taxation.
• It will be 1483 by Gervin Hawkins relating to an exemption for ad valorem taxation. and refer to the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, one of the changes represented by the A3 is to reduce the small business exemption from
• And as I understand this, this would remove the micro business exemption that I worked so hard on.
• And as I understand this, this would remove the micro business exemption that I worked so hard on.
• And as I understand this, this would remove the micro business exemption that I worked so hard on.
• And as I understand this, this would remove the micro business exemption that I worked so hard on.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 66, section 34 from the OSS bill removes the exemption that allows untrained election judges
• On page 66, section 34 from the OSS bill removes the exemption that allows untrained election judges
• On page 66, section 34 from the OSS bill removes the exemption that allows untrained election judges
• On page 66, section 34 from the OSS bill removes the exemption that allows untrained election judges
• The broader expansion, um, some of the broader exemptions, uh, around, um, online ads exemptions, uh,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This exemption happens to be the only exemption that has a different date.
• All the other exemptions are in April.
• This exemption from October to April.
• exemption that happens to be the only exemption that has<00:32:04.799> a<00:32:05.039> different
• this particular exemption, the this particular exemption, the low-income<00:32:11.039> housing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 811 would exempt metal shredders... Opposition to this bill.
• If we could figure out a way, say, small guys, you're exempt.
• chemicals above regulatory thresholds to develop a risk management plan, clarifying that the CEQA exemption
• And lastly, exempting any future settlements for those Specific conditions.
• And lastly, exempting any future settlements for those who were evacuated from California taxation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sb 370, offers no real protections, no exemptions only if whimsy notification provision.
• I feel that we should not have blanket exemptions for the locked door requirements past in HB 1473 last
• Any exemptions needed must be carefully considered.
• Laws of the public records exemption established would be open to the Sunset Review Act and repeal on
• We are eliminating any exemption for background checks, for teachers, for teacher certification. >> Any

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously, food was exempt from the sales tax.
• Previously, food was exempt from the sales tax.
• <03:16:23.479> from communications tax they are exempt from communications tax they are exempt
• explain what is exempt so then it isn't explain what is exempt so then it isn't arai<03:20:29.920>
• justification for that exemption in our justification for that exemption in our property<03:22:31.800

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 135, introduced by Representative Michael Harrington. He said the bill would codify a portion of the New Hampshire Constitution to bar New Hampshire businesses from being required to collect sales or use taxes for other states unless Congress mandates it, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision created an onerous compliance burden for businesses. He described the patchwork of state and local sales tax rules, thresholds, and product exemptions as extremely complex and said the bill was intended to push the issue back toward Congress and the courts. Members questioned whether the bill’s reference to a “foreign government” would apply to other U.S. states, whether the proposal would conflict with the Supremacy Clause, and whether it would create standing for businesses to challenge Wayfair. Harrington responded that “foreign government” meant any government other than New Hampshire, that he believed the state could challenge the decision in court by passing a law contrary to Wayfair, and that businesses were already being harmed by compliance costs. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was an unfunded mandate or simply a private compliance burden, and Harrington argued that the state itself would not be collecting the taxes, but businesses would still face recordkeeping and administrative costs. Sam Garland of the Department of Justice then testified. He said the department was not taking a formal position on the bill, but offered technical comments. Garland acknowledged that Wayfair created significant compliance burdens and noted that states have become somewhat more uniform, with all states now having a $100,000 economic nexus threshold, though not all use the 200-transaction threshold and local tax variation remains substantial. He said the department’s concerns were legal, describing the issue as uncharted constitutional territory involving both vertical and horizontal federalism. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, does this policy, is there a differentiation between non-exempted payroll and exempted payroll?
• Exempt exemptions and overtime thing, that's a separate question.
• between non-exempted um payroll<01:08:24.480> and<01:08:24.719> exempted<01:08:25.240><
• <01:08:36.759> Exempt employees. They get their salary. Exempt employees.
• Exempt exemptions<01:08:37.839> and<01:08:37.960> overtime<01:08:38.480> thing,<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I have for your consideration Senate File 2765, a bill that would exempt small rural ambulance
• This bill proposes amendments to existing statutes to exempt small rural ambulance services, defined
• Today I have for your consideration Senate File 2765, a bill that would exempt small rural ambulance
• Right now volunteer ambulance services are exempt from this.
• ambulance services are exempt from this. ambulance services are exempt from this. uh<00:32:53.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that other um license types an exemption that other um license types already<01:05:25.520> have
• I don't know exactly why the three hours was chosen, but I think this was based on an exemption that
• It doesn't really exempt DHS because it doesn't apply to us right now.
• It doesn't really exempt DHS because it doesn't apply to us right now.
• It doesn't really exempt DHS because it doesn't apply to us right now.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all