Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure in this commercial code I'm sure in this committee<00:20:56.640> that's<00:20:56.880
• We pay about $70 million in state taxes through the insurance premium tax into the general fund every
• > the<00:48:20.960> insurance state taxes through the insurance state taxes through the
• fund every premium tax into the general fund every single<00:48:24.400> year.
• We are the largest payer of the premium tax in the state of Alabama.

Bills: HB55, SB15, SB247

Keywords: fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, sex offenders, employment restrictions, first responders, public safety, juvenile offenders, local laws, registration requirements, picketing, protesting, residential protest, noise amplification, amplified sound, residential picketing, harassment

Transcript Highlights:

• , the 2021 building code, and the 2023 electrical codes.
• code review board the local Town codes code review board the local Town codes must<00:38:47.000>
• our building codes.
• state fire code.
• <00:52:15.839> Senate<00:52:16.200> Bill Code and the state fire code Senate Bill Code

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 4% tax credits.
• It's when they start itemizing their taxes and realizing other rebates and tax credits and different
• We can look at the tax implications.
• We can look at the tax implications.
• Commission, Agency Code 605, and... Next is Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, Agency Code 605.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , sales taxes, and property taxes.
• It's bar code 340296 by Senator Berman. around property tax exemption amounts statutorily, but we can
• within our tax code.
• the tax code.
• taxes?'

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know it’s not directly tax dollars, but I think even tax dollars—you have to understand that tax
• I am not positive what the different tax ramifications are either.
• Each plan shall provide that a locked door shall not obstruct the egress or code.
• So it's previously only in Children's Code.
• So it's previously only in Children's Code.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It will lower costs and ensure code enforcement in underserved regions.
• It limits residential inspectors to one- and two-family homes per the Florida Building Code.
• It will enhance safety by matching licensees with specific skills and code requirements.
• definitions that carry excise taxes do not include HTPs.
• Code 4-50. Oh, Senator Bernard. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and heard several bills, with SB 1742 on condos temporarily postponed. SB 1298 on building construction was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about continuing education for building professionals, rural sharing of building officials, residential inspector limits, a planning examiner internship, permitting modernization, and contractor transition liability. SB 638 on home inspectors was also reported favorably after discussion of increasing required education from 120 to 200 hours, adding subject-specific exam and course requirements, and requiring $300,000 in errors and omissions insurance. SB 960 on elevator accessibility requirements was reported favorably, allowing additional shorter support rails in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. The committee adopted amendments and reported favorably CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms, aimed at stopping bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the bill, and members discussed how the measure would preserve direct restaurant-platform relationships like OpenTable and Resy while targeting third-party marketplaces that resell reservations. CS/SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was reported favorably after amendments that defined mRNA vaccine use and added a cosmetics-related amendment addressing harmful chemicals such as PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and mercury compounds; the Florida Retail Federation raised concerns but said it was working with the sponsor. CS/SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying the definition of heated tobacco products and excluding hookah, with support from the Florida Retail Federation and comments that the bill would distinguish these products from cigarettes for tax purposes. The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 1262 on construction contracting, which adds consumer protection and financial literacy topics to contractor continuing education, increases penalties for unlicensed contracting, creates a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and requires timely refunds and project completion standards; the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. Finally, CS/SB 1304 on solar facilities was reported favorably after extensive testimony from county commissioners and local officials supporting greater local oversight and decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar on agricultural land; the bill would remove the current statewide by-right treatment for solar on agricultural land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances. The meeting ended with members recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• or Administrative Code sections that provide authorization for those plans.
• There are caps on how much it'll give, and that is supported by taxes dedicated to that plan.
• North Dakota Century Code 54-03-03.28 is linked in your agenda.
• Currently, employees must renew these pre-tax elections each year during open enrollment.
• And I wondered if this was more related to tax code than it was to our health insurance, or maybe Derek

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave policies, labor market conditions, and prevailing wage issues, then later took up committee rules and bill-draft jurisdiction. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the state has paid the full family premium since 1979, described cost-control and benefit-enhancement changes over time, and explained current plan options, wellness incentives, employer wellness discounts, and the upcoming bid process for the 2027-29 contract. HRMS then presented compensation comparisons showing state classified pay generally trails private and regional markets, with larger gaps at higher-level jobs, and reviewed benefits and leave policies, including the new enhanced annual leave and new-hire leave, the state’s unpaid family leave structure, and varying tuition reimbursement practices. Job Service reported on labor force trends, low unemployment, high labor force participation, job openings, and wage growth, and OMB said there are no state prevailing-wage requirements beyond federal Davis-Bacon rules for federally funded projects. The committee then considered a proposed amendment to Joint Rule 211 to better align the health insurance mandate review process with recent statutory changes. Members discussed how the rule should reference both the committee’s required actuarial reports and the Legislative Council cost-benefit analysis, and the amendment was adopted on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed how its jurisdiction decisions affect whether a bill draft receives actuarial analysis, with staff explaining that a decision not to take jurisdiction means the bill is not treated as impacting the relevant retirement or health plans for purposes of that analysis. After that, the committee began reviewing bill drafts for jurisdiction. The first draft, bill draft 33, would automatically renew pre-tax elections for dental and vision coverage during open enrollment instead of requiring annual re-election. Members debated whether it had any actuarial impact, noting the state does not pay those premiums directly, and the discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to present House Bill 142, the tax increment districts.
• I'd like to present House Bill 142, the tax increment districts.
• It will be secure, just like we mentioned, either passcodes or key codes, security lighting, all that
• It will be secure, just like we mentioned, either passcodes or key codes, security lighting, all that
• We will get codes and things like that. We will get that<00:09:08.880> sorted.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT LOWERS COSTS AND ENSURES CODE ENFORCEMENT FOR UNDERSERVED REGIONS.
• WITH EXPERTISE AND LIMITS RESIDENTIAL INSPECTORS TO ONE AND TWO FAMILY HOMES PER THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE
• WORK BEYOND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND ENHANCES SAFETY BY MATCHING LICENSEES WITH SPECIFIC SKILLS AND CODE
• SENATE BILL 1418 WOULD FURTHER CUT FLORIDA LAW'S TAX TREATMENT OF HEATED TOBACCO PRODUCTS FOR HTP.
• EXCISE TAX AND DOES NOT INCLUDE HTP.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And license under the code of conduct?
• that's very critical to the property tax that's very critical to the property tax rate<02:56:22.080
• <03:01:37.520> rate received and would base the tax rate received and would base the tax rate
• And medical billing code moves forward.
• So the amount of code number changed.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee met to hear a non-germane amendment to House Bill 131, which concerns bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Representative Glenn Cordelli, the prime sponsor, said the amendment was intended to revise and improve language from last year’s SB 210 and to incorporate measures from a cyberbullying bill previously passed by the House. He described changes to school communication requirements, mandatory reporting of bullying and retaliation, stronger investigation and collaboration requirements for cross-district cases, added safety and remediation language, a required conference with the alleged perpetrator and parents if available, updated reporting deadlines, and disciplinary consequences for harassment, intimidation, retaliation, and false reports. He also noted a later amendment would be needed to insert the words “the perpetrator” in one section, and he explained that some changes were meant to align with prior legislation and legislative drafting suggestions. Committee members raised several concerns. Representative Murray questioned the treatment of private and parochial schools, the change from gross negligence to negligence, and the removal of a definition of bullying based on imbalance of power and perceived characteristics. Representative Damon also objected to deleting that definition, arguing it would narrow the scope of bullying too much. Representative Han spoke in opposition, saying the amendment was too broad, unnecessary in parts, and not ready for final action; he criticized the removal of the imbalance-of-power language, the conference requirement when parents may not participate, and the reporting obligations for bus drivers and others. Cordelli responded that some issues were already addressed in prior law or SB 210 and that private schools have their own policies. Michelle Wongran of New Hampshire Legal Assistance testified in opposition, saying the bill was being heard without enough notice and that it does far more than the committee analysis suggests. She said the amendment adds undefined retaliation language, imposes reporting duties on school vendors and contractors, may conflict with FERPA and other federal privacy rules, and includes provisions that could have serious implications for schools and students. She said she supports parental involvement and some conference provisions in concept, but urged the committee to reject the amendment or at least send it through the normal legislative process for fuller review. No vote was taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It uses a similar mechanism, leveraging the tax code through an innovative federal tax credit that will
• similar mechanism, leveraging the tax similar mechanism, leveraging the tax code<04:06:51.520>
• code through an innovative federal tax code through an innovative federal tax credit<04:06:53.600
• <04:55:36.000> code people who want to change the tax code people who want to change the tax
• Right now, there is a provision in the tax code called low-income housing tax credits.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in public accounting and tax leadership.
• After I retired, I was appointed to be a tax commissioner.
• I served for the tax commission for four years, three years as chair.
• At OSUokC, I teach legal aspects of code administration and legal liabilities of code administration.
• Departments are critical, and all aspects of code enforcement and administration.

Bills: HB1170

Keywords: fiduciary responsibility, proxy voting, public finance, Oklahoma statutes, pension plans, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, financial risk, Attorney General, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, tax dollars aren't our ATM. They're not our supplemental salary.
• The amendment is coded 3679 as amended. The amendment is coded A2. A2. A2.
• They're not tax dollars aren't our ATM.
• to pass bills that appropriate tax to pass bills that appropriate tax dollars<00:02:54.600> to
• breaks from the of dollars worth of tax breaks from the state?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3679, which would allow mandatory reports to legislative committees to be submitted electronically instead of on paper, was presented as a bipartisan efficiency measure by Representative Nash. The bill also carried an A1 amendment, adopted by voice vote, that addressed interim administrative authority for the Chief Clerk during a gap in caucus leadership and was described as a procedural fix worked out with caucus leaders. A second amendment, A2, offered by Representative Engen, sought to prohibit legislators from participating in appropriations to named nonprofit recipients that later employ or contract with them, arguing this created conflicts of interest and self-serving governance. Supporters said the amendment was needed for institutional integrity and taxpayer trust, while opponents argued it was too narrow, not well defined, and would unfairly single out certain jobs or industries; the debate included references to direct appropriations, conflict-of-interest rules, and examples involving nonprofits, law firms, farmers, teachers, and other outside employment. The A2 amendment was put to a roll call and failed on a 66-66 tie. After the amendment vote, the bill was read a third time and received broad support. Representatives Nash and Cleborne urged a green vote, and the House passed House File 3679 as amended by a vote of 132-0, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Representative, there is amendment bar code 883543.
• for developers continuing to levy taxes.
• It seems like quite a few cities are collecting this tax.
• McFarland: if this tax goes, there's no more building safety code enforcement inspections.
• McFarland: licenses, corporate income tax, when is it enough tax to levy on a business?

Transcript Highlights:

• Cineville. 721 by Hall relating to prohibiting the disbursement of certain economic and tax incentives
• Senate Bill 749 by cold course relating to the adoption of an ad valorum tax rate by certain special
• Senate Bill 771 by Hinojosa relating to a credit or refund for diesel fuel taxes paid on diesel fuel
• Senate Bill 785 Florida is relating to the regulation of new H HUD code manufactured housing to local
• for tax-exempt public activity bonds. to economic development.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or documentation... ...demands because of minor clerical, coding, or documentation errors.
• A missing diagnostic code on prior claims.
• The only thing missing was the gestational age code.
• The only thing missing was the gestational age code.
• And we had a lot of issues, I think, really defining that in our code on what that is, right?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're taxing themselves.
• And Marin County is really a leader in terms of taxing itself.
• So I think tax incentives and tax credits have been really helpful, like they have been in the energy
• You talked about tax incentives and the advantages of tax incentives. I talked about property tax.
• to make sure that our building code remains very viable.

Summary: The hearing focused on California wildfire resilience, with the first panel discussing statewide funding, policy, and strategic priorities, and the second panel shifting to home hardening and defensible space. The LAO outlined the state’s wildfire risk, the large increase in resilience spending in recent years, and the fact that most funding has been one-time rather than ongoing. Testimony emphasized that wildfire risk varies greatly by region, that the state must balance response spending with prevention, and that success should be measured more carefully than by acres treated alone. Witnesses also noted the importance of local, federal, utility, and Proposition 4 funding sources, as well as the need for long-term maintenance and strategic prioritization rather than scattered projects. Cal Fire leadership and other witnesses stressed that California’s wildfire problem is not uniform: forested areas, chaparral, and wildland-urban interface communities require different strategies. In Northern California and forested watersheds, speakers emphasized fuels reduction, prescribed and cultural burning, strategic fuel breaks, watershed protection, and maintaining forest health. In Southern California, testimony focused on wind-driven fires, ember intrusion, ignition prevention along roads and power lines, and the limits of large-scale vegetation clearing. Several witnesses argued that the state should invest where it can leverage local and regional partnerships, support capacity-building programs like Regional Forest and Fire Capacity, and improve data systems to track treatment effectiveness and project outcomes. Members repeatedly pressed witnesses on how to prioritize limited funds, asking what should be done more of, less of, and first. The chair argued that protecting homes and communities through hardening and defensible space should be a major priority, especially near structures, while also acknowledging the need for broader landscape work and watershed protection. There was discussion of incentives such as insurance discounts, property tax treatment, and community certification for hardened homes, along with the need for multiple payers rather than relying on the state alone. Cal Fire reported new and expanding data tools, including treatment trackers, defensible space inspection dashboards, and a fuels treatment effectiveness program that evaluates whether nearby treatments affected wildfire behavior. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• The revenue from the operators and the providers are receiving so the amount wagered, and then the tax
• gross gaming revenue, or adjusted gross revenue, which is subtracting out winnings and the FAL excise tax
• <00:04:59.240> the<00:04:59.680> FAL<00:04:59.919> excise<00:05:00.280> tax
• and the FAL excise tax okay so the<00:05:01.680> the<00:05:01.840> fiscal<00:05:02.240
• Tax to fund this, and we want to make sure it's treating patients.

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:37 KY Horse Racing and Gaming Corp. 08:32 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 35:28 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an update from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation on sports wagering revenue allocations and problem gaming funding. KHRGC reported that in fiscal year 2024, about $34.4 million was deposited to the pension fund and about $931,000 to the problem gaming assistance fund; fiscal year 2025 to date, the totals were about $18.5 million and $556,000, respectively, bringing all-time problem gaming funding to about $1.48 million. Members also discussed wagering volume, with KHRGC stating Kentucky had about $3.5 billion in wagers from September 2023 through December 2024 and about $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2025 to date. KHRGC explained that it tracks the funds sent to CHFS and the self-exclusion list, but does not track the number of people seeking help or the outcomes of those calls. The Division of Mental Health then described how the problem gambling assistance account is used. Patty Clark and Sarah Cooper said the fund supports education, counseling, public awareness, counselor certification, and treatment-related costs, with $50,000 reserved for administrative expenses. They said the department has spent the last 18 months establishing criteria, funding standards, performance measures, monitoring, and application procedures, and that it issued notices of funding opportunity in October. They reported about 1.49 million in the fund through the end of January, with awards including support for the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling conference, a public awareness campaign by Project Ricochet, and a youth-focused campaign by Shaunie Transformation Youth Coalition. Testimony also focused on the scope of problem gambling in Kentucky and how the helpline works. The department said fewer than 10 clinicians in Kentucky are specifically certified in problem gambling, though all addiction clinicians can provide services, and estimated about 165,000 adults show problem gambling behaviors, with 47,000 to 64,000 potentially meeting criteria for a gambling disorder. They said helpline calls rose to about 3,240 in 2024, but only about 25% were from people seeking help, with most callers seeking information about online wagering. Members asked about anonymity, follow-up, co-occurring alcohol or drug issues, and whether the fund should reimburse Medicaid or directly cover treatment costs. The presenters said calls are anonymous, outcomes are not tracked unless callers follow up, and the program is currently focused on building provider capacity and targeted outreach rather than direct reimbursement or a statewide campaign.

Transcript Highlights:

• the annual non-Medicaid tax liability under the tax at $36 million annually.
• We have the AB 19 tax that is subject to Proposition 35 and the increased tax levels authorized by SB
• The current MCO tax imposes most of the tax on Medi-Cal enrollment and has very little...
• The current MCO tax imposes most of the tax on Medi-Cal enrollment and has very little tax on private
• So I'll start with the MCO tax.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health heard presentations on several May Revision proposals, beginning with an overview from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance on the state’s budget condition and the administration’s efforts to reduce out-year deficits through a mix of revenue measures, fund shifts, and program reductions. The chair expressed support for some administration proposals, such as added health IT funding, county administration support, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some immigrants, and additional Covered California subsidy backfill, but also criticized proposed Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other cuts affecting counties, workforce, and rural access. The LAO said the budget still relies heavily on reserves and borrowing and urged more reserves and caution on new commitments. The Department of State Hospitals presented several proposals, including reduced county bed billing authority, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscriptions, reversion of unspent prior-year funds, additional lease revenue authority for the Metro Central Utility Plant replacement, funding for electronic health record implementation, and a shift of workforce development costs to Behavioral Health Services Act funds. The department also described savings and realignments in its IST and CONREP programs, including making the Independent Placement Panel permanent and adjusting funding for jail-based competency treatment and conditional release services. Members questioned the BHSA workforce funding swap, and the administration said it was part of a broader General Fund offset strategy. The Emergency Medical Services Authority requested funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for continued operation of its enterprise systems, and the Department of Managed Health Care sought funds to modernize its complaint system and claims settlement data systems. The largest debate centered on the administration’s proposed use of Behavioral Health Services Act revenues to offset General Fund spending and fund state-directed behavioral health programs. The Department of Finance said the proposal would support population-based prevention, workforce programs, mobile crisis services, and other state-directed uses, while the LAO said it was still reviewing whether the uses comply with Proposition 1 and whether the non-supplement and eligible-use requirements are met. The Commission for Behavioral Health strongly opposed proposed cuts to its Innovation Partnership Fund and community advocacy grants, arguing that both programs are central to community voice, culturally responsive services, and statewide innovation. Commissioners and many public commenters said the cuts would reduce grants to community-based organizations, tribal groups, veterans, LGBTQ communities, youth, and other underserved populations, and that the advocacy program helps communities participate in local planning and access services. The Department of Finance defended the reductions as a way to prioritize direct services and said the programs fit within Proposition 1, but members criticized the proposal as a midstream shift that would weaken community engagement and redirect funds away from prevention and advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• hearing, Wednesday, will mainly be proposals from the administration on housing and homelessness, taxes
• And the tax forms and the tax remittance are pending. That's what we are working on.
• The department is also proposing to amend the Labor Code via the trailer bill process.
• The department has two funding sources: the Cannabis Control Fund and the Cannabis Tax Fund.
• The Cannabis Tax Fund does not receive its allocation until mid-November.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.