Video & Transcript : 'natural disaster' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 23rd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Despite each rare disease's nature, patients struggle with common challenges, including frustrating barriers
- As a result of this natural disaster, California created the Seismic Safety Commission in 1975.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Commerce Feb 11th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- question I still had was regarding the federal community block development block grant discovery, disaster
- the ADA websites, and there is a time limit on there, but I consider that to be more frivolous in nature
- They’re conservative by nature.
Summary:
The Commerce Committee met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 2717 by a 7-0 vote. It then adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2465, described as changing a number from two to one, and passed the substitute bill 8-0. The committee also adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute for House Bill 1791, which adds an emergency permit provision allowing a 30-day extension to obtain a full permit, and passed that substitute 8-0. Representative Manser raised a question about whether the bill would align with federal disaster recovery grant requirements, and the chair said he would look into it further.
The committee then heard House Bill 2927, which would revise Missouri’s bad faith/time-limited settlement demand statute. Sponsor Representative Parker said the bill is intended to clarify that settlement demands used to support extra-contractual or bad faith claims must be in writing, remain open for at least 90 days, and reference the statute. Supporters, including representatives of the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Shelter Insurance, and health care and business groups, said the bill closes a loophole created when plaintiffs avoid the current “time-limited demand” language and instead use untimed or vaguely timed demands, which they argued increases litigation and insurance costs. Opponents, including attorney Blake Marcus, argued the bill would make it harder for injured people and policyholders to hold insurers accountable, would encourage delay, and would increase the need to hire lawyers earlier. No vote was taken on HB 2927 in the transcript.
The committee also heard House Bill 2057, a technical fix for an entertainment district in Osage Beach. Representative Vernetti said the bill corrects language from last year’s legislation after the Senate used the wrong population figure, and supporters said it would allow patrons to move between venues within the district under controlled alcohol rules similar to other Missouri entertainment zones. The committee then heard House Bill 1707, which would exempt credit card surcharge amounts from sales tax. Sponsor Representative Coleman and supporters from the business community said the Department of Revenue has been taxing these surcharges in audits, creating a burden for small businesses, and that the bill would clarify that fees tied to the extension of credit are not taxable. The committee adjourned after the hearings, and no further votes were taken on those bills in the transcript.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This is Senate Bill 840, land use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, by
- it's defined in statute, does it allow for any exceptions for, like, easements and things of that nature
Committee:
Senate Community Affairs
Summary:
The committee took up several bills related to public safety, housing, disaster recovery, construction, and land use. SB 330 clarified the heart disease presumption for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, aligned the definition of heart disease with medical practice, and allowed a transferring law enforcement officer to rely on a prior physical if the new agency does not provide one. An amendment stating the act serves an important state interest was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously after supportive testimony from law enforcement and fire groups. SB 594 expanded local housing assistance eligibility to residents of mobile home communities, including SHIP rental assistance for lot rent and rehabilitation/emergency repair programs for the home itself; it also passed unanimously after support from manufactured housing advocates.
SB 840 revised the hurricane-related land use limits enacted in prior legislation by sunsetting certain temporary restrictions on June 30, 2026, narrowing the affected area from 100 miles to 50 miles from a storm track, and exempting certain planning, water, wastewater, stormwater, and flood-related decisions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to fix unintended consequences of prior hurricane recovery legislation, and the measure was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. SB 526 addressed commercial construction projects by prohibiting “no damages for delay” clauses in public construction contracts, directing the Florida Building Commission to create a uniform commercial permit application, requiring permit fee reductions when private providers are used, and adding mitigation to product approval categories; county representatives raised concerns about implementation and fees, but the bill passed favorably.
The committee also approved SB 504 and SB 506, both by Senator Burgess, creating a framework for code inspector body camera use and a related public records exemption for recordings. Both were described as optional for local governments and were reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 354, a major “blue ribbon projects” bill creating a framework for very large developments that would reserve at least 60% of land for conservation, agriculture, recreation, utilities, and related uses in exchange for streamlined approval and state preemption over local land use controls. The bill drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing housing supply and land preservation and opponents warning about local control, sprawl, infrastructure costs, and weak conservation protections. Two amendments were adopted to define reserve areas more specifically and address conservation easements, and the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote, with Senator Passidomo voting no.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This is Senate Bill 840, land use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, by
- it's defined in statute, does it allow for any exceptions for, like, easements and things of that nature
Committee:
Senate Community Affairs
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And so as a numbers guy, I had a natural affinity for him because my brother is the CPA in the family
- Crazy tax-cutting, you know, disaster coming up from Houston because Houston's terrible.
- All of those are contrary to secular nature.
Bills:
SB27 , SB30 , SB293 , HB4 , HB2974 , HB5138 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB 1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB 111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB 123 , HB5606 , HB 1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Insurance Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- lawyer, but you might have a civil case under a 1099 if there was negligence or something of that nature
- lawyer, but you might have a civil case under a 1099 if there was negligence or something of that nature
- Legislature can take to help consumers save money on their insurance bills and reduce the risk of disaster
Summary:
The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee and heard several bills focused on insurance transparency, wildfire mitigation, market access, and workforce issues. AB 75 would require insurers to give homeowners 30 days’ notice before collecting aerial images of their property and allow homeowners to review those images; supporters said it would improve privacy and prevent inaccurate non-renewals, while consumer and industry groups both sought amendments. AB 234 would add the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tem, or designees, as non-voting members on the California FAIR Plan governing committee; the Department of Insurance supported it as an oversight measure, while Consumer Federation of California said it was only a small first step toward broader transparency reforms. AB 428 would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance, with supporters citing rising insurance costs for small water systems and no remaining opposition after amendments. AB 943 would streamline producer pre-licensing education by removing the 20-hour per-line requirement while keeping ethics training; industry sponsors said it would reduce barriers to entry, while consumer advocates warned it could lower professional standards. AB 1209 would create a pathway for cannabis employers to secure workers’ compensation coverage and related services through a state-coordinated network; supporters said it would help bring the industry into compliance, while one member raised concerns about creating a special carveout for a federally restricted industry. AB 1 would require periodic review of the state’s Safer from Wildfire regulations every five years, and it drew broad support from the department, insurers, local governments, and industry groups as a way to keep wildfire mitigation incentives current.
The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 69, AB 487, and AB 570, all of which were sent to Appropriations. The committee approved AB 75 to Privacy and Consumer Protection, AB 234 to the Assembly Floor, AB 428 to Local Government, AB 943 to Appropriations, AB 1209 to Business and Professions, and AB 1 to Appropriations. Most measures passed on strong or unanimous votes after members added coauthor requests and expressed support for the bills’ consumer protection, transparency, or wildfire-related goals.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/23/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- I've always just kind of been a natural kind of gal, so I utilize primarily my flower.
- kind of gal so um you been a natural kind of gal so um you know<01:22:49.679><c> I</c><01:22:49.880>
- zones, and I've seen what happens when natural disasters occur.
- We want patients to have access to natural cannabis. Cannabis is the scientific name for the plant.
- </c> to Natural to Natural cannabis<01:58:43.000><c> cannabis</c><01:58:44.000><c> is</c><01:58:44.480
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Very naturally.
- Very naturally. where does Maryland fit? Very naturally.
- </c> emergency and disaster preparedness. emergency and disaster preparedness.
- Uh natural aerial programs as specified.
- ,</c><01:15:17.120><c> we</c> police and things of that nature, we police and things of that nature,
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 06/04/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, this bill is pretty technical in its nature.
- Natural gas, we had to bring it in. Guess what? It was a necessity again.
- NATURAL GAS, WE HAD TO BRING IT IN. GUESS WHAT? IT WAS A NECESSITY AGAIN.
- It was a disaster.
- IT WAS A DISASTER.
Summary:
The Senate met on June 3, 2026, approved the prior day’s journal, and then moved through a long list of discharge motions and substitutions to place many bills on the third reading calendar. The chamber also adopted Resolution J.2314 honoring the New York chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, with remarks emphasizing domestic workers’ role in care work, labor organizing, and protections such as paid sick leave and family leave. Another adopted resolution, J.2298, mourned labor and social justice advocate Minerva Solla, with senators highlighting her work with 1199, the Young Lords, Puerto Rican solidarity efforts, and women’s organizing. A third resolution recognized Olympic curler Daniel Casper for representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Games.
The Senate then confirmed a large slate of judicial and executive nominations. It accepted the Judiciary Committee report and confirmed four interim Supreme Court justices, seven Court of Claims judges, and 21 reappointments/extensions by a vote of 44-12. The Finance Committee report was also accepted, and the Senate confirmed a broad set of appointments to state boards and authorities, including the MTA, State Commission of Correction, Power Authority, NYSERDA, Financial Control Board, public health councils, SUNY and Cornell boards, gaming and bridge authorities, and others. One notable confirmation was Alexander Dockery to the State Commission of Correction; supporters called it the first time a formerly incarcerated person had been confirmed to that commission, while Senator Murray criticized the practice of voting on large nomination blocks rather than individually.
The chamber then took up and passed many bills, mostly by wide margins, covering labor, health, education, transportation, public service, criminal justice, municipal, tax, insurance, and environmental topics. Several members explained their votes on major measures: Senator Ramos supported a bill modernizing temporary disability benefits and another protecting construction workers from lost pay when jobs are canceled; Senator Baskin spoke about a correction bill tied to the death of India Cummings; Senator Skoufis described a family-court custody bill intended to prioritize child safety; Senator Mayer backed a proposal to reimburse parents of medically fragile children for providing care; and Senator Hinchey defended a bill requiring employers to report AI-related job impacts, while Senator Borrello opposed it as burdensome. Most bills were passed, some were laid aside, and the session concluded with multiple roll-call votes and confirmations before adjournment-related business.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/11/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- and natural food availability.
- by, you know, natural factors, weather and<01:28:34.000><c> natural</c><01:28:34.239><c> food</c><01
- </c> natural rodent control. natural rodent control.
- Um, it's just the nature of the beast.
- Um it's just the nature of investments. Um it's just the nature of the<04:26:49.600><c> beast.
Committee:
House Environment and Agriculture
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources, now printed
- Representative Stauber is a natural leader of the Committee on Natural Resources who continues to swiftly
- Let the public understand the nature of the fight.
- Let the public understand the nature of the fight.
- Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 7194 offered by Mr. Bacon of Nebraska.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 3 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They took care of things that people had to worry about, the disaster assistance.
- things that people had to worry about, things that people had to worry about, the<00:12:22.400><c> disaster
- :23.960><c> And</c><00:12:24.080><c> if</c><00:12:24.200><c> you</c><00:12:24.760><c> if</c> the disaster
- And if you if the disaster assistance.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- briefing on this horrible Patuxent River sewer interceptor breakage that is causing an ecological disaster
- causing interceptor breakage uh that is causing an<00:12:12.560><c> ecological</c><00:12:13.200><c> disaster
- not</c><00:12:14.480><c> just</c><00:12:14.639><c> for</c><00:12:14.959><c> the</c> an ecological disaster
- not just for the an ecological disaster not just for the Washington<00:12:16.160><c> DC</c><00:12:16.560
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- say about the Kentucky National Guard, especially as you all have been doing incredible work in disaster
- c><00:21:03.200><c> in</c> have been doing incredible work in have been doing incredible work in disaster
- 05.280><c> Um,</c><00:21:06.559><c> but</c><00:21:06.799><c> the</c><00:21:06.960><c> concern</c> disaster
- Um, but the concern disaster recovery.
Committee:
House Transportation
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Good morning and welcome to the January 20th House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
- Seeing none, we're going to go ahead and invite one of our favorite visitors to the Ag and Natural Resources
- Well, what I love is that you have generated such a robust conversation here in the Ag and Natural Resources
- And we want to acknowledge this, I think, is your first time in the Ag and Natural Resources Committee
- But donations are by their nature somewhat seasonal and also reliant on the food producers to be in an
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2279, which would require the Department of Agriculture to create a program and criteria to evaluate PFAS chemicals in fertilizers and pesticides. The prime sponsor argued PFAS are persistent “forever chemicals” that are entering soil, water, wildlife, and people, and said Washington should begin acting now rather than waiting for federal action. WSDA said the bill is implementable but would require rulemaking, ongoing staff resources, and likely a 12-month extension to complete stakeholder engagement; it also noted the bill should be clarified to address all pesticides, not just new ones. Agricultural and industry witnesses opposed the bill as duplicative of EPA review and warned it could reduce product availability and put Washington farmers at a competitive disadvantage, while environmental advocates supported it as a needed food-safety and environmental measure. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then heard House Bill 2463, which would expand the Washington Commodity Donation Program and create a Farm to Food Pantry Program to help hunger-relief organizations buy Washington-grown food directly from farmers. The sponsor said the bill is part of a broader state response to reduced federal food-security support and is intended to keep families fed by strengthening local food purchasing. Testimony was largely supportive from food banks, food hubs, farmers, AARP, and hunger-relief groups, who said the programs help move surplus produce, dairy, protein, and other products to people in need while supporting local farms and reducing waste. Several witnesses, however, raised concerns about language limiting participation to organizations that “solely” function for food sourcing, saying it could exclude many existing regional organizations and reduce resilience; one tribal representative also requested an amendment to include tribally owned small-scale farms. No action was taken on HB 2463 during the hearing.
After the hearings, the committee went into caucus and then held executive session only on House Bill 1941, which authorizes licensed cannabis producers to form agricultural associations for collective processing, handling, and marketing. Supporters said it would help smaller cannabis producers cooperate and prepare for possible federal changes, while opponents argued it was premature given marijuana’s federal status and too broad in scope. The committee approved HB 1941 on a 6-5 vote and reported it out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. House Bill 2238 was deferred to the following day for further review of amendments.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It's natural that I might have a bias with the men and women who are down there struggling every day,
- The nature of the way I chair it is not adversarial, but I really want to see the disharmony.
- And we're also seeing an increase in what we call non-fishing mortality or natural mortality.
- And then there... ...of scallops, so the natural mortality may have increased.
- Chairman, we had an effective disaster with the mortality occurring from natural mortality because of
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, with particular attention to Massachusetts ports, federal scallop management, the proposed reopening of the Northern Edge on Georges Bank, and permit stacking/consolidation. The chair opened by noting the hearing would take written and oral testimony, that time was limited, and that the discussion was intended to inform legislative engagement with federal regulators rather than decide the issue directly. Dan McCarron of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council outlined the federal management structure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the role of annual catch limits and rotational closures, and the economic importance of scallops to New Bedford, Gloucester, and other Massachusetts ports. O’Keefe said the council’s current scallop framework is based on annual management, research surveys, and public input, and that recent environmental changes and uncertainty are affecting catch advice and biomass.
Dr. O’Keefe and later Dr. Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the fishery’s recent condition: abundance has increased in some areas, but biomass has fallen because many scallops are still too small to harvest, and changing ocean conditions and natural mortality are affecting the stock. They said the Northern Edge action was considered as a joint scallop/habitat framework but was discontinued in 2024 because the council could not reconcile competing objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and impacts on other species such as cod, lobster, and herring. Stokesbury emphasized the long-running collaborative survey work with industry, said the fishery remains highly productive, and argued that the science supports careful rotational management and that the Northern Edge could be highly productive for scallops, though he acknowledged habitat tradeoffs. Committee members pressed both witnesses on why the issue had remained unresolved for so long and whether the council could revisit it through a future framework.
Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, including attorney Drew Kavage, John Lees, Sam Blasley, and Tony Alvernes, urged support for reopening the Northern Edge and for permit stacking, which would allow more than one scallop permit on a vessel while keeping ownership caps in place. They argued the fishery is a major economic driver, that industry-funded research has supported sustainable management, and that stacking would help family-owned operators reduce costs, improve safety, and avoid financial distress. They also stressed the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure in New Bedford and other ports. The chair said he was not opposed to stacking in principle but wanted to avoid a slippery slope toward excessive consolidation or private equity control; he noted that any stacking change would require an amendment to the fishery management plan or federal action. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with an invitation for continued engagement and future updates on the council process.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/30/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Breast implants, the DAO that went through the courts and was thought to be a disaster.
- Turns out the science be a disaster.
- Other disasters that may befall us, we need not just transportation but treatment issues.
- We may need to be responsive if there is a disaster in Boston.
- It might be a center disaster in Boston.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/10/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- four of these five and disasters four of these five counties<00:04:09.400><c> are</c><00:04:09.599><
- That's going to be huge as we continue to face these catastrophes, whether they be natural or man-made
- That's going to be huge as we continue to face these catastrophes, whether they be natural or man-made
- That's going to be huge as we continue to face these catastrophes, whether they be natural or man-made
- Chairman. ...whether they be natural or man-made.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- drives away mid-career leaders, weakening our state's ability to meet homeland defense, wildfire, disaster
- least we can do is provide some in-depth examination of these losses and, despite the unbalanced nature
- million due to online sales tax and distribution centers, and we have $80 million in unreimbursed FEMA disaster
Committee:
Senate Revenue and Taxation
Summary:
The committee heard several tax and revenue measures. SB 1277, by Senator Grove, proposed a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide direct relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, gas, energy, and general living costs. Supporters said it would help working families, farmworkers, teachers, and others; opponents, including the California Tax Reform Association and the California Teachers Association, argued California already has a progressive tax system, that refundable credits are costly and can be difficult to administer, and that the bill would reduce General Fund revenues and Proposition 98 funding. The bill was held on call after extensive debate and no motion was made at that time.
The committee then heard SB 1287, which would create a targeted tax credit to encourage private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. The author and rail industry witnesses said the credit would support safety, bridge and track upgrades, emissions reductions, freight efficiency, and rural and agricultural supply chains, while opponents argued a direct grant program would be preferable to a tax credit. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call after a motion to move it forward.
SB 1407 would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax, with the author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups arguing it would help retain veterans in California, support second careers, and keep federal retirement dollars in the state. The California Teachers Association and California Tax Reform Association opposed it as another tax expenditure that would reduce General Fund revenue. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, with several members voting aye and others not voting, and the bill was placed on call.
The committee also heard SB 1349, which directs the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major tax expenditures and evaluate their costs, beneficiaries, and effectiveness. Supporters, including CTA, AFSCME, cities, counties, and many teachers, said the state needs more accountability for roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures and their impact on schools and the budget. The bill was moved with committee amendments and placed on call. Additional measures discussed included SB 1078, authorizing Santa Cruz County to seek voter approval for a temporary local sales tax increase to fund health care and safety-net services; SB 1120, extending the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and making it refundable for certain strategic industries; and SB 1275, which would convert the state sales tax on vehicle purchases into a deductible vehicle license fee to reduce Californians’ federal tax burden. SB 1120 and SB 1275 both received support from business and industry witnesses, with no opposition testimony noted, and were moved on call or with a due pass as amended vote as the committee continued through the file.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- drives away mid-career leaders, weakening our state's ability to meet homeland defense, wildfire, disaster
- least we can do is provide some in-depth examination of these losses and, despite the unbalanced nature
- million due to online sales tax and distribution centers, and we have $80 million in unreimbursed FEMA disaster
Summary:
The committee heard Senate Bill 1277, which would create a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide refundable relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, fuel, energy, and general living costs. Senator Grove and supporters, including the California Policy Center and some local government representatives, argued the bill would put direct relief into the hands of working families. Opposition came from the California Tax Reform Association and the California Teachers Association, which said California already has progressive tax credits and that the proposal would be costly to the General Fund and reduce money for schools and other services. After extended debate, the bill was not advanced; a roll call vote on a motion to pass it to Appropriations failed 1-4, and the bill was held/fails on the floor with a request for reconsideration noted.
The committee then heard SB 1287, which would create a capped tax credit to encourage private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. The author and rail industry witnesses said the measure would improve safety, reliability, emissions, and freight movement, especially for rural communities and agriculture, and that it was a public-private partnership rather than a handout. Opposition from CTA and the California Tax Reform Association argued a direct grant program would be preferable to a tax credit. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call without a final vote in the transcript.
Members also considered SB 1407, which would fully exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax, increasing the prior partial exemption. The author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups said the change would help retain veterans in California, support local economies, and align California with most other states. CTA and CTRA opposed on General Fund grounds. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, with the roll call showing support and the bill placed on call.
Later, the committee heard SB 1349, directing the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major tax expenditures and evaluate their goals, beneficiaries, and effects on revenues and Proposition 98 funding. CTA, CTRA, and several local government and labor supporters backed the bill as a way to improve accountability for roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1078, authorizing Santa Cruz County to ask voters for a temporary half-cent sales tax to help fund health care and safety-net services amid federal cuts; it was placed on call. SB 1120, extending the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and making it refundable for certain strategic industries, received strong support from business and manufacturing groups and was passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1275, which would replace the state sales tax on vehicle purchases with a vehicle license fee structure intended to increase federal deductibility for Californians, was passed 4-0 as amended to the Committee on Transportation.