Transcript Highlights:

• So this has led to a severe grape glut.
• So that is a severe challenge for growers.
• So, and we're doing that in several of the food and ag sector. What have you.
• So, and we're doing that in several of the food and ag sectors and what have you.
• They also leave behind several important revenue streams from a tax and an assessment standpoint that

Transcript Highlights:

• So this has led to a severe grape glut.
• So that is a severe challenge for growers.
• So, and we're doing that in several of the food and ag sector... What have you.
• So, and we're doing that in several of the food and ag sectors and what have you.
• They also leave behind several important revenue streams from a tax and an assessment standpoint that

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry held its first meeting at Napa Valley College, with opening remarks from Chair Senator Christopher Cabaldon and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry emphasizing the industry’s importance to California’s economy and communities. The chair said the hearing was intended to gather information and ideas, not to vote on legislation, and to inform future policy, budget, and oversight work. The first panel focused on research and trends, with speakers from Sonoma State, UC Davis, and Terrain describing the industry as facing structural change rather than a temporary downturn. Panelists said California wine is confronting falling consumption, rising costs, labor shortages, housing pressures, tariffs, and competition from imports. Dr. Damien Wilson argued the industry has relied too heavily on premiumization and must focus on attracting new consumers, especially younger generations, through more accessible products, better marketing, and evidence-based decision-making. UC Davis’s Ben Mumpeteet said grapevine disease, extreme weather, and water shortages require long-term research investment and stronger university-industry-state partnerships. Chris Bitter, a wine economist, reported that California wine sales are down about 25% since 2019, that large amounts of grapes have gone unpicked, and that vineyard removals and falling vineyard values reflect a severe supply-demand imbalance; he urged regulatory review, trade competitiveness analysis, and transition support for growers. The committee then heard from industry representatives. Michael Miller of the California Association of Wine Grape Growers described a crisis in which growers can produce high-quality fruit but have no buyers, leading to abandoned or removed vineyards, lost farm revenue, and pressure to restore market balance. Honor Comfort of the Wine Institute presented the Share Wine Co-Lab, an open-access marketing platform designed to help wineries better reach younger consumers through data-driven, collaborative outreach. Jane Lisa Tamayo of Family Winemakers of California discussed the burden on smaller wineries and growers, including regulatory and market challenges. Members and witnesses also discussed changing consumer preferences, the need to adapt to younger drinkers, and concerns about tariffs and trade policy, with the chair warning that broad tariff calls had harmed export markets such as Canada. A final panel addressed tourism, farmworker impacts, and water regulation. Visit Napa Valley’s Lindsay Gallagher said tourism remains strong in Napa but is increasingly dependent on broader destination marketing beyond wine, while international visitation has declined. Sonia DeLuca of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation said declining sales and rising costs reduce hours and income for farmworkers and urged targeted relief, wage-loss support, and continued bilingual training. State Water Board official Annalisa Kihar outlined the 2021 Winery General Order for winery process water, saying it was designed to streamline permitting, improve consistency, and reduce burdens on small wineries while protecting water quality; she reported 56 wineries enrolled and 122 under review, and said the board is working with industry partners on technical support and sustainability-based compliance pathways.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forth several times on this bill. I think we're all proud of this bill.
• ><c> will</c><00:10:27.839><c> be</c> are several actions that will be are several actions that will
• collected the preceding year from each of the participating taxing districts.
• </c> percentage of the total property tax percentage of the total property tax collected<00:13:45.920
• </c> of the participating taxing districts. of the participating taxing districts.

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:08.319><c> operational</c><00:02:09.039><c> challenge,</c> severe operational challenge, severe
• </c> up being the largest property tax up being the largest property tax increase<01:03:34.079><c> in
• and did not go to tax and was never heard in taxes.
• </c> committee on taxes. committee on taxes.
• There was never any from taxes.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that severability should have been applied there.
• It saves tax dollars.
• The State Tax Commission would secure an annual appropriation for the guide, and if The State Tax Commission
• Their taxes go up and they want to start screaming.
• Their taxes go up and they want to start screaming.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the House Journal by a 121-0 vote, and a brief suspension of business for the Speaker to sign HB 2014. Members also observed a moment of silence for Butler County Fire Protection District Sergeant Commander Jatin Warren, who died in the line of duty, and the chamber introduced several guest groups, including Missouri Council on Aging representatives and county clerks. A resolution was also presented honoring former state representative K. H. Steinmetz for her 18 years of service in the Missouri House. The House then received committee reports recommending passage of HB 2934, HB 1800, and HB 1707. On third reading, HB 2974 passed 136-0 on telehealth and licensure reciprocity; HB 2934 passed 121-24 on consolidating St. Louis convention center governance; HB 2057 passed 137-10 on entertainment districts for Osage Beach and Chesterfield; the combined HB 1839/2921/3015 passed 120-19 on age verification for harmful online content; HB 1707 passed 149-0 to bar the Department of Revenue from taxing credit card processing fees; HB 2819 passed 145-0 to set rounding rules as the penny is phased out; and HB 2600 passed 148-0 to allow ambulance districts to combine resources for coverage. HB 1800, which reduces the inflationary growth factor for certain taxing districts from 5% to 3% and adjusts assessment ranges, drew the most extended debate over its effect on schools, fire districts, and taxpayers; it ultimately passed 82-61. Members also perfected HB 2774, which bars state and local governments from restricting equipment sales or use based on fuel source, and HB 2383, a utility infrastructure protection bill adding wired/copper infrastructure to existing critical infrastructure protections and setting penalties for theft or damage; HB 2383 was amended to align with the Senate version and then perfected. Finally, the House began debate on a combined bill package including HB 1664, 1610, 1645, and 2182, which would extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil claims while also shortening the general personal injury statute of limitations from five years to three; the child sexual abuse provisions drew broad support, while the tort-reform portion prompted sharp disagreement over access to justice versus business certainty.

Transcript Highlights:

• them in that tax year.
• as they have tax liability.
• </c> what their tax liability is going to be. what their tax liability is going to be.
• Think of a tax credit, EV tax credit for a car. You know, you've seen the commercials.
• Think of a tax credit, EV tax credit for a car. You know, you've seen the commercials.

Transcript Highlights:

• is at the forefront, but it's at risk of losing fusion leadership and the fusion ecosystem, with several
• As you know, California has taken several steps over the past several years to support the growing fusion
• As you know, California has taken several steps over the past several years to support the growing fusion
• This is one of several efforts that he has made in this space, and I appreciate that commitment.
• As we're now facing severe energy price volatility, there is a need for fuel diversification.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, Revenue administers over 30 tax types that collect over 33 billion dollars to support the
• These tax types generate over 6 million transactions and share common operations, providing taxpayer
• Taxpayers needing assistance are often those who are not represented by tax professionals.
• voluntary compliance of individuals, businesses, and tax professionals.
• There are also several administrative changes we are proposing, which we think are fairly simple and

Bills: HF2783

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an ad valorem tax for North Baldwin Hospital, a rural hospital that this tax continues to help
• This will cap their homestead property tax.
• At 65, every year they have to go into the tax revenue to ...
• </c> will cap their homestead property tax will cap their homestead property tax won't<00:36:46.960><
• </c> is p possibility of some se severe is p possibility of some se severe weather<00:41:35.520><c> in

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4625 relates to the excise tax on property transfers and seeks to update the law in this area
• The strike-and-insert amendment simply added the aggravated offense and ensured that the joint and several
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5162, relating to the sales of tax liens, second reading
• Engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 5162 relating to the sales of tax liens, second reading
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4418, creating the Tax Efficiency Act of 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• instead of a sales tax.
• payroll tax, and it is a better business tax to have.
• But I would understand between the fuel excise tax and the tax on aircraft jet fuel, that that really
• I'll just close and say, again, I see very directly fuel excise taxes and other taxes that are applied
• A general tax, in this case sales and use tax, I'm going to need more research to understand whether

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and economic bills. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exclusion program through 2031, raise the annual cap, and add fusion energy. The author, Treasurer Fiona Ma, and a Cepheid representative said the program has supported billions in clean-tech investment, thousands of jobs, and environmental benefits; local government groups opposed over revenue-loss concerns. The bill passed on a 12-aye vote and was held open for additional members to add on. SB 545 would direct Go-Biz to study economic development opportunities along the high-speed rail corridor, including land value, development incentives, and public-private partnerships. Supporters from labor and Fresno described the bill as a way to spur transit-oriented development and local investment. The committee approved it on a 9-aye, 1-no vote, with some members urging broader funding and development options. SB 63 would authorize a regional revenue measure to help stabilize Bay Area transit operations, with testimony from transit agencies, business groups, labor, and local governments describing severe fiscal cliffs and potential service cuts. Members discussed the need for more flexibility in revenue options, the counties that may participate, and the need for a detailed expenditure plan; the author said negotiations were ongoing. The bill passed on a 9-aye, 3-no vote and was held open. The committee also heard SB 263, which would require a state study of the impacts of tariffs on California’s economy, ports, workers, and consumers; supporters from shipping, retail, ports, and trucking backed the measure, and members discussed the need for timely data and possible broader supply-chain impacts. SB 661 would redirect existing jet fuel sales tax revenue back to airports for aviation purposes and to address FAA compliance; testimony focused on airport infrastructure, rural access, and how funds should be allocated among large and small airports. Both bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support and were advanced to their next committees. The committee also began hearing SB 274 on automated license plate readers, with the author warning about privacy and civil-liberty concerns from widespread data collection, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much. even pay property taxes. So, lot rank even pay property taxes.
• </c> the property taxes.
• Get our taxes to the property taxes.
• </c> simply that this bill would severely simply that this bill would severely diminish<01:15:09.199>
• Just property taxes, 10% next year.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've changed it several times.
• Their taxes could have gone down. Taxes on property are all based on a budget.
• Their taxes could have gone down. Taxes on property are all based on a budget.
• Taxing districts.
• “The property tax budget, if you don’t collect property tax money, that’s all done locally.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Decades of rising costs and underbuilding have created a severe lack of affordable housing.
• The reality is, without building have created a severe lack of affordable housing.
• Thank you. then they can possibly earn and possibly be charged in their taxes.
• So SB 623 does several following, several things to TNC accident cases and only TNC accident cases.
• make it give them several reforms to protect passengers and create greater accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've discussed this several times over the past few years.
• title tax, and seeks to add and clarify exemptions as well as the definition of a person.
• The bill adds three new exemptions from the transfer tax.
• So how does that... ...and not pay the tax on it. So how does that...
• provision at the beginning of the subsection addressing joint and several liability.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• And here are the several annexation methods in Washington State. Thank you.
• I am aware, however, that several larger-scale annexations have either been locally adopted or are in
• We have several hundred, and at least 300 mention both annexation and interlocal.
• That's why you saw the extension of the annexation sales tax... For everyone.
• that is credited against the sales tax collected by the state.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we should not be paying processing fees on sales tax or gratuity.
• We collect the Commonwealth's meals tax. We don't keep it.
• We collect the Commonwealth's meals tax. We don't keep it.
• bill or interchange prohibition just on the tax portion of a transaction.
• I've spoken in several of the commission's previous hearings.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission studying the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses held what leaders described as its last public hearing, though they said the commission would continue meeting to develop a report and recommendations. Chair Paul Feeney and other members noted the issue is complex and that they had sought testimony from a wide range of stakeholders before moving into a more deliberative phase. The commission adjourned after hearing from several in-person and virtual witnesses. Banking and card-industry witnesses, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Card Coalition, the Electronic Payments Coalition, and others, argued that payment cards provide major benefits to consumers and merchants, including convenience, fraud protection, fast settlement, and broad access to electronic commerce. They warned that state-level changes to interchange rules could create a patchwork of conflicting requirements, disrupt global payment systems, and especially affect state-chartered community banks and small businesses. Several also said recent federal actions and litigation, including OCC and NCUA preemption rules and the Illinois interchange-fee litigation, have limited the practical reach of state laws. Restaurant, retail, and convenience-store witnesses pushed for relief from swipe fees, saying independent businesses operate on thin margins and pay fees on amounts that are not really their revenue, such as sales tax and gratuities. They urged transparency, the ability to surcharge, vendor compensation for tax collection, and limits on interchange or related fees. Some witnesses said merchants bear significant fraud and chargeback costs and that banks and card networks have not offered enough direct relief. Commissioners asked questions about surcharging, fee regulation, fraud, and whether industry should share more of the burden. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adjourning the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For several years now, the labor movement has been in the forefront of our newest energy work, and we
• It has been passed out of TUE for the last several sessions.
• We do not need new taxes, new subsidies, or new fees on the bills.
• We do not need new taxes, new subsidies, or new feeds on the bills.
• So the tax impact of 100,000 heat pumps a year is not great.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of energy efficiency, building decarbonization, school modernization, and lighting bills. Testimony generally came from municipal leaders, labor unions, environmental groups, and advocates who supported measures such as H. 3529/S. 2294 on building energy and decarbonization, H. 3577/S. 2286 on a zero-carbon renovation fund, H. 3476/S. 2275 on healthy and sustainable schools, H. 3565 on Mass Save zero-carbon assessments, H. 3477 on clean lighting and appliance efficiency standards, and the Dark Sky bills on outdoor lighting. Supporters argued these bills would cut emissions, lower utility bills, improve indoor air quality and school conditions, and direct resources to environmental justice, gateway, and low-income communities. Witnesses emphasized that Massachusetts’ older building stock and school facilities need major upgrades, and that state funding and financing tools are needed to close gaps left by declining federal support. Mayors, labor leaders, and environmental advocates said the proposals would create local jobs, expand apprenticeships, and help municipalities and schools undertake retrofits, ventilation improvements, heat pump installations, and other decarbonization work. Several speakers also defended Mass Save as highly cost-effective while urging new funding sources beyond ratepayer bills for larger-scale building upgrades. One representative asked about the difference between current Mass Save audits and proposed zero-carbon assessments, and the sponsor explained the new assessments would include heat pumps, solar, storage, wiring upgrades, and rate-structure guidance. There was also testimony on the Dark Sky bill, with astronomers and museum representatives arguing that better-shielded, downward-facing lighting would reduce energy waste, protect wildlife and human health, and preserve night skies without compromising safety. Committee members raised concerns about pedestrian safety and whether education might be enough instead of legislation; supporters responded that the bill follows established lighting standards and targets only unnecessary glare and skyward light. On the school bill, an open-shop contractor group opposed the measure, arguing its PLA and apprenticeship requirements would restrict bidding and reduce competition, while labor organizations strongly supported the workforce standards and prevailing wage provisions. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony and several members asked clarifying questions, but the transcript does not show any final action or disposition on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several of them don't make it much past committee.
• In addition, it stacks taxes on top of each other.
• It's because that's the only tax. So there's no tax on the land.
• There's several.
• There's several.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up several executive-session items and voted H.J.R. 189 do pass by a roll call of 11 ayes, 1 no, and 1 present. It then adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 2139, with the substitute removing specific references to Sharia law and broadening the language to apply to foreign law generally; the committee then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2139 and HB 2175 do pass by 10 ayes and 2 noes. The committee also adopted a substitute for House Bill 3051 that removed manufacturer language and focused the bill on car dealers and the Department of Revenue, then voted that House Committee Substitute do pass by 7 ayes, 5 noes, and 1 present. Later, the committee adopted an amendment and substitute for House Bill 2908 and HB 2990 and voted that combined committee substitute do pass by 13 ayes and 1 no. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to House Bills 2388 and 2656, which would ban geoengineering, weather modification, and cloud seeding in Missouri. Sponsors and supporters argued the bills were needed to stop pollution, protect air, water, soil, agriculture, and public health, and to mirror laws or proposals in other states such as Tennessee, Florida, and Louisiana. Testimony from supporters included claims that these practices are already occurring, that federal and private actors are involved, and that the bills would provide a needed state-level prohibition and deterrent. Several witnesses also argued that weather modification and geoengineering raise consent, environmental, and health concerns, while a Missouri Farm Bureau representative said the organization opposes unregulated commercial weather modification as a proactive measure. The committee also heard extensive testimony on a solar-energy bill, House Bill 2478, presented as a vehicle for a committee substitute focused on safety issues around solar farms. The sponsor said the substitute would likely address setbacks, fire safety, alarms or notification systems, soil testing, and liability/decommissioning concerns, while trying to balance landowner rights with neighboring property owners’ safety. Witnesses in support raised concerns about fire risk, toxic materials, runoff, and the loss of agricultural land, and some urged stronger civil liability provisions. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be handled at the county level, whether existing legal recourse already exists for damaged neighbors, and which provisions would remain in the substitute. No final vote on HB 2478 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are making different assumptions around the severity and complexity.
• That's what we're paying the tax for. That's what the taxes are paid for.
• So it's collected by tax and revenue sort of collection on premiums.
• But the tax is applied on the marketplace.
• But the tax is applied on the marketplace.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance