Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:50.360> map<00:06:50.600> key<00:06:50.760> numbers tax map key numbers tax
• We're not going to raise taxes on property owners or even empty homes taxes.
• <00:45:53.760> if should be raising property taxes if should be raising property taxes if
• It's just this even empty homes taxes.
• <02:21:32.800> empty their own revenue through taxing empty their own revenue through taxing

Bills: SB2613, SB2543, SB2398, SB2046, SB2800, SB2818, SB2973, SB2367, SB2907, SB3067, SB3053, SB2944, SB2074, SB2596

Keywords: public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Kaimuki Middle School, Wilcox Elementary School, school property

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2613, SD1, HD1, relating to public school land transfer. The Attorney General’s office and the Department of Education supported the bill’s technical cleanup of Act 307, but strongly opposed a new provision that would convey school parcels containing public and school library facilities to the Hawaii State Public Library System. They argued the added transfer language conflicted with Act 307’s purpose of consolidating school land for more efficient school operations, and said existing law already allows co-located library use through rights of entry, licenses, or other agreements. The library system supported the bill and said it was trying to resolve longstanding operational conflicts on shared school-campus libraries, especially where public access, construction, and campus safety issues arise. Members questioned whether the Board of Education should simply mediate the dispute, whether the bill was the right solution, and whether a formal memorandum of agreement might be a better approach than a land transfer. The library system described years of difficulty coordinating with DOE on projects and said it needed a clearer process to complete work and spend CIP funds. Discussion also touched on a Kauai parcel in the bill, identified as a tennis court, and whether resurfacing could be completed before any transfer. The Attorney General indicated that if the goal is to preserve library uses while keeping title with the state, DLNR or another documented arrangement may be more appropriate than transferring fee title to the library system. The committee then heard SB 2543 SD2 HD1, relating to state construction projects. DAGS supported the measure, and the Hawaii Ironworkers Stabilization Fund and Hawaii Building Construction Trade Council strongly supported it, saying the bill would help spot-check high-cost projects and reduce waste from overruns and delays. One testifier opposed the bill, arguing the proposed construction manager role was too limited and that DAGS needed more training, decentralized authority, and better internal decision-making rather than a new layer of oversight. Supporters said the bill was intended as a pilot program to address repeated cost overruns and improve accountability on state construction projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their deaths were classified under ICD-9 diagnosis code 632, missed abortion.
• I later called the office to learn that, you know, that's exactly what medical coding is.
• I later called the office to learn that, you know, that's exactly what medical coding is.
• Well, because the CPT codes are federally designated, we couldn't do that.
• Let's do what our dear friends in Texas are doing and bring it up to 150.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 and approved the minutes from the prior week before taking up a series of House bills, many of them with testimony from sponsors, agency officials, and stakeholders. Early action included HB 971, which would direct LDH to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; the sponsor described a significant payment disparity and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also deferred HB 1030 and HB 796 until the following week before moving to other items on the agenda. Several bills dealing with Medicaid and provider regulation were advanced. HB 414, as amended, closes a loophole so health care providers cannot hire unlicensed workers with certain serious out-of-state convictions; amendments addressed effective dates, FBI background-check issues for therapeutic group homes, and delays for direct support professional applicants caused by minor record issues. HB 740, as amended, creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims disputes in the coordinated system of care for behavioral health providers, with amendments clarifying applicability dates and program definitions. HB 786, which prohibits extrapolation in managed care claims recoupments and requires recovery to be based on actual overpayments or underpayments, was also reported favorably. HB 915 set timelines and accountability standards for prior authorization and utilization management in Medicaid managed care and was reported favorably after testimony about delays in care. The committee also heard and passed several bills affecting health professions and facilities. HB 405 simply updates the name of the national acupuncture certification body. HB 1095 allows nursing homes to use alternative power sources while keeping existing generator and fuel requirements. HB 557 defines long-term care pharmacies for policy purposes. HB 779 authorizes expedited partner therapy prescriptions for certain sexually transmitted diseases. HB 933 creates an optional commemorative birth certificate, with part of the fee going to the Office of Women’s Health. HB 796, carried by another representative for the author, establishes a chiropractic preceptorship program with on-site supervision requirements and was reported favorably after questions about student training and patient safety. The committee also heard emotionally charged testimony on HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and patient communication. Several witnesses described the distress caused by current coding language, and supporters said the change would make records more compassionate and understandable; the bill was reported favorably. HB 403 increased the cottage food gross-sales cap, and after testimony from small producers and the committee’s discussion of other states’ higher limits, an amendment raised the cap to $150,000 before the bill was reported favorably. HB 930 modernizes cosmetic-product regulation and creates a small home-based producer exemption under a wholesale-sales threshold; it was also reported favorably. Finally, HB 1041, a no-mandate bill restricting discrimination based on medical intervention status, prompted extended debate over exemptions for schools, hospitals, and other entities, with one amendment failing on a roll-call vote and the discussion continuing over the scope of the bill and federal funding concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we tax it? I'm not going there.
• Investment groups are wanting to buy water out of Toledo Bend and ship it to Texas, pump it to Texas.
• , pump it to Texas.
• So we're not reaping the benefits of taxes, federal taxes, that our own folks have paid here.
• So we're not reaping the benefits of taxes, federal taxes that our own folks have paid here.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we tax it? I'm not going there.
• “Investment groups are wanting to buy water out of Toledo Bend and ship it to Texas, pump it to Texas
• So we're not reaping the benefits of taxes, federal taxes that our own folks have paid here.
• So we're not reaping the benefits of taxes, federal taxes that our own folks have paid here.
• You got your deer tax? Oh, no, I'm hunting feral hogs.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1209, which would pause new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals after December 31, 2026, while allowing existing agreements to continue and renew through 2036. The author said the bill is intended to force a broader, data-driven review of Louisiana’s surface water management and to improve funding for aquatic plant control, especially giant salvinia. An amendment was adopted to broaden the description of how the aquatic plant control fund may be used and to require annual reporting on agreements, withdrawals, revenues, deposits, spending, and non-monetary consideration. Department officials said the current program is voluntary, underfunded for monitoring, and that the bill could create a gap for new users if no replacement mechanism is enacted. The bill was reported favorable as amended after testimony from supporters including the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and opposition concerns from industry representatives were noted but not formally presented. House Bill 599 was then heard, which would prohibit the sale of Louisiana running surface water outside the state. The author argued that out-of-state sales, especially involving Toledo Bend and Texas, would be short-sighted and could harm Louisiana’s long-term water interests. Supporters said Louisiana lacks a water budget and should preserve water for in-state needs, while the Department of Conservation and Energy noted that the state currently has no mandatory process for such agreements and that the bill would not affect Sabine River Authority authority. The committee reported the bill favorable. Finally, House Bill 1206, dealing with permitting and reporting of water usage at data centers, was discussed. The substitute bill and amendment would give the department authority to monitor and regulate groundwater and surface water withdrawals, require public hearings, and improve transparency through reporting and a universal project identifier. The author and supporters said the bill was prompted by concerns in communities affected by large data center projects and the lack of public hearings on water use. Department officials agreed that more comprehensive data and a clearer framework are needed, but the author voluntarily deferred the bill to continue working with the department on a broader measure for next session. The committee also heard House Bill 1171 on allowing airboats in the Mar-Paw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, but after extensive debate over noise, habitat impacts, and existing restrictions, the discussion was ongoing in the portion provided and no final action on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• > and<00:06:40.560> tax<00:06:40.880> on on tips, tax on overtime, and tax on on
• over 15 billion tax dollars uh in tax over 15 billion tax dollars uh in tax dollars.<04:44:54.798
• from Texas seek recognition? Mr. from Texas seek recognition? Mr.
• The proposal would weaponize the tax code to exacerbate wealth inequality, ignore the expertise of economists
• :25:10.320> code<07:25:10.558> to would weaponize the tax code to would weaponize the tax

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does using some magic words to describe Republican tax cuts mean that those tax cuts will deliver more
• is that 62% of people who file taxes every year will get a tax increase.
• stopping a tax increase.
• And there is frustration with coding.
• In West Texas, the South Plains of Texas, 223 cases.

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment would modernize the Tax Reform Code by taxing digital ads.
• This is a corporate revenue tax, not a tax passed through to families.
• Pennsylvania's tax code was written in 1971. The digital advertising economy didn't exist then.
• This amendment transfers EITC from the school code to the tax code, and it increases scholarships by
• In essence, the taxes data centers will pay will offset our gas tax.

Keywords: Scheduler, 972, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund pursuant to Texas statute.
• Business and Commerce Code.
• to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
• We are the 3rd largest school district in the state of Texas.
• As a matter of fact, back in the 1980s and 1990s, there was an organization in Texas called the Texas

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:26.320> dollars to the prohibited uses of tax dollars to the prohibited uses of tax
• this statute is that it requires tax this statute is that it requires tax dollars<00:05:11.680><
• there was a large school board tax there was a large school board tax increase<00:27:07.679>
• ,<01:16:16.080> um, in Austin, Texas, um, in Austin, Texas, um, nearby<01:16:18.719> our
• in Austin, Texas. in Austin, Texas.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• calls it, the one big beautiful tax cut. calls it, the one big beautiful tax cut.
• Texas seek recognition? Texas seek recognition?
• Nails, who's the from Texas, Mr.
• And we will not let it be stripped from us community by community, nor zip code by zip code.
• And we will not let it be stripped from us community by community, nor zip code by zip code.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• break showered in tax break after tax break showered in tax break after tax break while<02:42:22.399
• The gentleman from Texas, Mr. design. The gentleman from Texas, Mr.
• from Texas is recognized. from Texas is recognized.
• from Texas is recognized. from Texas is recognized.
• from Texas is recognized. from Texas is recognized.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hecht in his work with the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.
• Texas, Research Texas, and now Court Analytics Texas.
• The Texas government code to impose statutory deadlines or timeframes. on the amount of time that these
• The system is governed by the Texas disciplinary rules of professional conduct and the Texas rules of
• The executive director of the Texas State Law Library.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have no taxing authority. We have no ordinance-making ability. We have no taxing authority.
• Scenario confronting Texas.
• There are multiple lines going through West Texas and North Texas.
• And in Texas, the answer should be straightforward. We cannot raise costs for Texas families.
• We want it in Texas, and we want it to work for the people of Texas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will also update Texas Administrative Code rules.
• codes, the doctor codes, and the hospital codes.
• on to those procedure codes and hospital codes.
• codes were added to Procedure codes or admission codes.
• , the Medicaid codes, and the ERS-T-R-S codes.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the University of North Texas and the University of Texas, they both have a liberal to conservative
• And of course, the general curriculum code that's in... in the statute lays out a general code for what
• Make Texas higher education thrive.
• University of Texas at Austin.
• I recently graduated from Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas.

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• : Texas and the University of Texas, they both have a liberal conservative ratio of 4 to 1.
• Make Texas higher education, do not put a wrench in the works and make Texas higher education not the
• of Texas at Austin.
• and for the people of Texas.
• I recently graduated from Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas.

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• Code, you know, different things that we put in here.
• Code 36.
• I was trying to follow the sponsor, but it was kind of like listening to somebody talk about tax code
• I have an interesting... going to refund them, their taxes.
• Senator, you mentioned this is something that happened in Texas.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, Texas Penal Code Section 38.11 prohibits such things as alcohol, deadly weapons, cell phones
• Under Texas Penal Code Section 38.115, it is an offense to operate a drone below 400 feet on a correctional
• Under Texas Penal Code 38.115, it is an offense to operate a drone below 400 feet on a correctional facility
• And that individual has absolutely no authority to enforce the Transportation Code in Cedar Park, Texas
• We're out in West Texas, San Antonio, Central Texas.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to cases Coast to a small area in Texas to cases Coast to Coast<00:20:06.480> this<00:20:06.720
• and school budgets local property taxes and school budgets are<01:04:13.520> carefully<01:04:
• tax base local tax contribute to local tax base local tax dollars<01:05:54.920> meant<01:05:55.160
• We practice zip code discrimination in our public schools.
• Support ending zip code discrimination and expand education freedom by pressing the green button, Mr.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, they're doing property tax assessment. They're looking at my roof for insurance.
• <00:24:42.240> and property appraisal for taxes and property appraisal for taxes and environmental
• look at what Texas did, what's considered to be legal.
• I will say the Texas law was >> Thank you.
• that had enacted a law besides Texas that had enacted a law like<01:15:10.080> that.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all