Transcript Highlights:

• and fuel taxes.
• We should pass a gas tax.
• 320 million in severance tax bonds.
• tax and everything.
• tax, special fuel tax, the weight distance tax, vehicle registration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> increasing pressure on the property tax. increasing pressure on the property tax.
• </c> to about 1.4 cents per mile in gas tax. to about 1.4 cents per mile in gas tax.
• </c> implications of this complex new tax. implications of this complex new tax.
• </c><01:50:17.840><c> to</c><01:50:18.080><c> this</c> gas tax. tax I already paid to this gas tax. tax
• </c> the hybrids that also have a gas tax. the hybrids that also have a gas tax.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a new tax, removing a tax preference, changes in fees, creating a tax preference, eliminating a fee
• and occupation tax, state property tax for schools, and others, and other revenue sources that may go
• and state tax.
• It's generally the case that the sales tax is a somewhat less volatile tax than the income tax.
• design of your taxes.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability

Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory charge under the 2026 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the committee is tasked with studying budget transparency and fiscal sustainability in two phases: first, revenue growth, spending assumptions, statutory cost drivers, and carryforward/maintenance levels; and later, staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting tools. The committee also discussed its goals, with members emphasizing a shared factual understanding of Washington’s fiscal situation, the causes of projected structural deficits, and possible paths to a more sustainable operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed operating budget basics presentation. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, explaining that most spending is concentrated in grants and client services, salaries and benefits, and goods and services, with K-12 education, DSHS, the Health Care Authority, DCYF, corrections, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They also walked through the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending; the role of caseload and per-capita forecasts; how maintenance level and policy level budgets are built; and how the four-year outlook works, including revenue forecasts, reversions, budget stabilization account reserves, and the official outlook adoption process. Members asked several questions about what is or is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care inflation, court-ordered liabilities, and whether the budget could better separate mandatory from discretionary spending over time. Staff said some of those questions would require follow-up and noted the existence of an outlook accuracy report. The committee then heard from Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts, who introduced Pew’s state fiscal work and its role as the nonprofit partner supporting the committee. He said Pew would help analyze long-term fiscal sustainability, reserve policies, recession preparedness, and practices from other states, and would draw on its 50-state data and subject-matter experts. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• tax.
• And make no mistake about it: unlike the president's tax cuts for the very wealthy, our tax cuts are
• </c> year, I'm proposing an unprecedented tax year, I'm proposing an unprecedented tax cut<00:24:00.960
• We've never the statewide sales tax.
• :24:13.520><c> the</c><00:24:13.679><c> very</c> president's tax cuts for the very president's tax cuts

Transcript Highlights:

• I saw that this has almost a million-dollar drop in sales tax revenue.
• I'm assuming that's just the state, so there'll also be local taxes that will be lost.
• And FY28, they say it's a 970,000 in state sales tax loss.
• And FY28, they say it's a 970,000 in state sales tax loss.
• The interest earned on these accounts is also exempt from income tax.

Bills: HB1590 , HB1242 , HB3818 , HB4305

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously approved the nomination of Keith Ventress to the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority and then to the Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority. Members noted his banking background and asked a brief question about the reference to old congressional district boundaries in the nomination materials, but there was no substantive opposition and both nominations advanced to the Senate. House Bill 1590, by Senator Daniels, would create an Oklahoma education infrastructure linked deposit program to provide reduced-interest loans for charter schools and nonprofit private schools for capital and building needs. Supporters said it would use existing state linked-deposit structures already used for agriculture and affordable housing, while opponents raised concerns about using taxpayer-backed funds for private schools, the bill’s broad nonprofit language, and whether it could lead to more state oversight of private education. The bill passed 9-2. House Bill 1242, which would add survey day to the list of agricultural sales tax exemption items, was discussed briefly but received no motion for a do pass recommendation and remained in committee. House Bill 3818, by Senator Coleman, would create tax-advantaged insurance loss savings accounts for homes and vehicles; members expressed concern about missing definitions, contribution limits, and the potential for abuse, but agreed the concept had promise and the bill passed 9-2 after the enacting clause was stricken for further work. House Bill 4305, as amended, clarified how affordable housing properties are assessed for ad valorem tax purposes by excluding certain income-based subsidies from valuation; after questions about prior court cases and assessment practices, it passed 6-5.

Transcript Highlights:

• and operation of science park districts in certain counties that may impose assessments, fees, and taxes
• the imposition of fees, requiring an occupational license, creating criminal offenses and imposing a tax
• HB 1251 by Martinez Fisher relating to the exemption from tax and uses of taxes for certain educational
• unit that taxes the property of the portion of the appraised value of the person's property that is
• determinations, referred to the Subcommittee on Property Tax Appraisals.

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• But they would fall under tax exemption.
• For starters, 501(c)(3) is an IRS designation that deals with income tax. Tax, not property tax.
• The tax code says something different.
• The affordable housing is being taxed, and the church is not and actually came onto the tax roll.
• My house was paying $150,000 in taxes a year, and it doesn't pay any taxes now.

Bills: HB24 , HB2015 , HB2149 , HB2559 , HB2701 , HB2797 , HB3172 , HB24

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, water conservation, municipal utility districts, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental regulation, groundwater management, nonconforming uses, zoning regulations, land use, property rights, municipal authority, municipal moratorium, development moratorium, property development, subdivision, site plan

Transcript Highlights:

• They are taxes on groceries, taxes on school supplies, taxes on building materials in the middle of a
• tax.
• You're calling this a tax? Wasn't the gas tax a tax? Isn't cap-and-trade a tax?
• after tax.
• tax right now being proposed by your party another tax here in California who's the party of taxes it

Transcript Highlights:

• It's supported by ad valorem taxes. Mr.
• I'm sorry, what was the figure of property taxes?
• I just have a question because I heard Representative Bentley mentioned the tax, property tax implication
• issue, it's a sales tax issue.
• Because if you have tourism, if you have people coming from all over... ...tax issue, it's a sales tax

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Transcript Highlights:

• One that comes to mind is the sales tax exemption on building materials.
• One of the tools that we use is a new market tax credit.
• will get the federal portion of their tax credit, but they do not receive a state tax credit.
• Program, which allows, A Live Local Contribution Tax Program, which allows corporations to get a tax
• property taxes.

Summary: The committee met to hear a panel on workforce and attainable housing, with presentations from Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Wendover Housing Partners, the City of Tallahassee, and Escambia County. Speakers described how state and local tools such as SHIP, the Live Local Act, land trusts, accessory dwelling units, infill development, and public-private partnerships are being used to expand housing supply and preserve long-term affordability. Several panelists emphasized that housing demand is rising across income levels, that workforce households often need subsidy to buy or rent, and that housing location, transportation access, and proximity to jobs and services are critical. They also highlighted challenges including rising construction costs, limited land, insurance, NIMBY opposition, and the need for more flexible financing tools and employer participation. Members asked about area median income thresholds, whether current programs are reaching the households most in need, and what additional tools might help. Florida Housing said its traditional rental programs generally serve households at or below 60% AMI, while need is increasingly reaching up to 80% AMI statewide and higher in some regions; staff also provided examples of AMI levels by county. Other discussion focused on the impact of local government opt-outs, tax abatements, corporate ownership of single-family homes, insurance costs, Fortified construction standards, and whether bonuses or other income calculations can unintentionally disqualify applicants. Panelists urged more political will, more local flexibility, and additional incentives for employers and landowners to support housing near jobs. The committee also used an anonymous interactive polling exercise, and members identified partnerships, SHIP funding, local government action, cost, and insurance as key issues. In closing, the chair said the committee would continue a member-driven process and likely hold a workshop on housing-related topics. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the meeting, and the session adjourned after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's for the local sales tax? Yes, I'm not, it is, that's what I'm referring to you.
• Would that be sort of underlying the confidence behind the loan and the tax measure?”
• This sales tax measure increase, can you specify how much tax you are trying to raise and how much that
• Will it be sufficient from existing tax and the tax increase, the tax plus fare revenue?
• I'm sure there are sales taxes and the portion.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• And then timber tax.
• taxes.
• enterprise tax, tobacco tax, and the real estate transfer tax.
• tax, business enterprise tax, profits tax, business enterprise tax, tobacco<01:45:14.560><c> tax,</c
• , and the real estate tobacco tax, and the real estate transfer<01:45:16.080><c> tax.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• A parcel tax is kind of an alternative property tax, or it goes alongside a property tax, and we don't
• It has to be distinct from the property tax. The city is not a tax.
• And that's tax increment financing.
• What the increment tax segment...
• Yeah, property taxes. There are governors on the increases in property tax allocations.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments Beyond do taxes amendments Beyond do taxes amendments<00:22:14.960><c> I</c><00:22:15.080>
• I think do taxes Amendment amendments I think do taxes Amendment will<00:22:16.559><c> clear</c><00:
• credit prior to the date a tax return or amended return claiming the tax credit is filed, and also the
• </c> the tax credit prior to the date a tax the tax credit prior to the date a tax return<00:49:44.280
• </c> increase the value of this forone tax increase the value of this forone tax revenue<00:50:23.319

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most witnesses supporting bills aimed at expanding affordable housing tools and financing. SB 1169, creating a Community Land Trust Equity pilot program, drew support from HHFDC and Nahal UI, which said revolving funds would help community land trusts build permanently affordable housing more efficiently. SB 1200, establishing a workforce housing regulatory sandbox within HHFDC, also received support from HHFDC and others, though HHFDC noted concerns about whether the measure could be read to preempt county permitting and zoning powers. SB 511, which would require county legislative bodies rather than HHFDC to approve certain housing project exemptions, prompted HHFDC to suggest revised language and a possible processing deadline for applications; the discussion focused on avoiding indefinite delays and clarifying county and state roles. SB 1283, creating an emergency home loan assistance revolving fund, was introduced with comments from the Department of Budget and Finance and HHFDC. SB 612, on rent-to-build equity agreements for exempt housing projects, drew support and questions about how many affected projects are rentals versus for-sale units. SB 944, extending and expanding low-income housing tax credit provisions, received support from Sugar Creek Capital, Hawaii Housing, and the Chamber of Commerce, while the Tax Foundation raised a technical concern about inconsistent use of the term “taxpayer.” HPHA-supported bills SB 1413 and SB 1412 were also heard, along with SB 1632, which would direct DBEDT to develop a comprehensive action plan for a local housing market; testimony on that measure was strongly supportive but included calls to examine constitutional and legal issues and broader market-structure concerns. The committee also began discussion of SB 1033 and noted it was closely related to SB 1131, with the chair indicating an inclination to move only one of the two similar tax proposals forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• How will this affect our taxes? Community taxes are 3.97% currently.
• I still do not understand why we're giving large tax rates to large corporations.
• Tax abatements attract investors, industries, and businesses to come to our town.
• So while they do get a tax abatement, the EDC has imposed PILOT taxes on the company, which are paid
• on an annual basis to replace some of the taxes that have been abated.

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The Agriculture Committee met with 11 members present and heard no bills for public hearing or executive action. Instead, the committee received a presentation from the Montgomery County R-2 FFA ag issues team on proposed data centers in their county, framed as a mock town hall discussion. The students and panel discussed the project’s scale, including roughly 1,760 acres across two sites, and debated concerns about eminent domain, noise, light pollution, water use, electricity demand, soil and wildlife impacts, recycling of equipment, and tax abatements versus projected school district revenue. The presentation featured sharply divided viewpoints: a county/economic development perspective emphasizing jobs, utility planning, and major tax revenue for schools; a community and environmental perspective raising concerns about farmland loss, groundwater and well impacts, property values, and long-term ecological effects; and a farmer’s perspective opposing the project to protect agricultural land and rural life. The panel cited figures such as about 50 million gallons of water annually, potential school district revenue of about $11 million in the first year of the initial phase and roughly $43 million annually when fully built out, and discussed PILOT payments and the Powering Missouri Growth Plan as ways to offset costs. Committee members then praised the students’ preparation and public speaking, and several offered policy and practical suggestions, including considering local construction labor, emergency service capacity, backup generator noise, and clearer context for water-usage numbers. One member asked what legislation could help, and the students suggested setting environmental-use limits such as water or light-pollution restrictions. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to be taxed.
• I want to repeat though um estate tax.
• Under our inheritance tax, you've got different classes of beneficiaries that are taxed at different
• today. under uh our inheritance tax you've got under uh our inheritance tax you've got different<00:
• </c> more of those into the no tax category. more of those into the no tax category.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We can move our tax structure to a different tax um on something that's much more progressive uh and
• </c> uh change our tax revenue? uh change our tax revenue?
• Chair, maybe Tom Yamama Chica from Tax Foundation of Hawaii? Tax Foundation of Hawaii is online?
• </c> income tax credit. income tax credit.
• </c> for these tax credits. for these tax credits. &gt;&gt; Okay.<01:58:33.840><c> Yeah.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to uh fund this with tax cap tax going to uh fund this with tax cap tax money<01:24:28.800><c>
• Um, as a tax-free entity, they would not pay a tax.
• it's called a fee or a tax?
• </c> it taxed our system to the max. it taxed our system to the max.
• </c> incurring debt or imposing new taxes incurring debt or imposing new taxes taxes<03:24:23.200><c>

Committee: Joint Select Water Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we have the section on a report on the provider tax and how the provider tax might be utilized effectively
• , but one of the biggest... ...property tax, but one of the biggest drivers of the property tax is health
• That'll help property tax loads. Well, thank you, Mr.
• penalty, all designed to keep the property tax low.
• That's several cents on the property tax rate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Issued by the DRA tax warrant.
• </c><01:30:46.800><c> that</c> not send over the property taxes that not send over the property taxes
• </c> Hampshire, the impact on property taxes Hampshire, the impact on property taxes and<02:24:30.240
• </c><04:58:30.400><c> Is</c> $6 million a year in tax credits. Is $6 million a year in tax credits.
• </c> tax credit of almost 2 million. tax credit of almost 2 million.

Committee: House Education Funding