Transcript Highlights:

• defensible space standards or agree the buyer will bring the home into compliance within a year of the sale
• While sales transactions are an ideal time to bring homes up to code, the fly in the ointment is that
• Currently, the bill would require the seller, upon sale of the property and before the close of escrow
• No, it's not a requirement upon sale that it be in compliance.
• I got to experience the sales part of it.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, beginning in 2035, it would prohibit the use, sale, and manufacture of all remaining registered
• Standardized templates will streamline the point-of-sale system coding and compliance verification and
• We also update the five-day turnaround time for programming point-of-sale systems to 60 days, as large
• point-of-sale systems have a wide variety of times that it takes to program, and it's a lot more than
• Siri is grateful to the member for Legacy point-of-sale systems.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1795, which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, remediation, and insurance handling of wildfire smoke damage in homes. The author and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said the bill is needed because survivors face inconsistent claims practices and no enforceable standards for determining when homes are safe. Supporters included the City of Los Angeles and a wildfire survivor who described health problems and disputed remediation results; opponents from the insurance industry said the bill could create broad new exposure and worsen affordability, though they continued to negotiate amendments. The committee recommended the bill do pass with urgency, and it passed on a 4-0 vote, with the roll held open for additional votes. The committee also heard AB 1612, which would create a centralized process for law enforcement to transfer seized controlled substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin to the Department of Justice for disposal after the state’s last in-state incineration facility closed. The author said the bill would address unsafe storage and inconsistent disposal pathways. There was no opposition in the room, and the committee sent the bill to the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a do pass vote. AB 2322 would standardize the definition of commercial, industrial, or institutional sites for municipal stormwater permits by tying it to assessor land-use codes and excluding residential parcels. Supporters said the bill would reduce patchwork enforcement and improve consistency, while stormwater and city representatives asked to keep working on regional flexibility concerns. The committee approved the bill 4-1 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 2245, a producer responsibility bill for vehicle lubricant products and their containers, intended to expand collection and recycling using existing household hazardous waste and used oil infrastructure. Supporters said it would reduce landfill disposal and align with existing EPR frameworks, while retailers and industry groups raised concerns about overlapping obligations, unclear definitions, and compliance costs. The author said negotiations would continue, and the committee sent the bill to Natural Resources on a do pass vote. The committee also heard AB 1603, which would phase out PFAS-containing pesticides over time and require disclosure and permitting for their use. Supporters argued PFAS pesticides contaminate food and water and pose health risks; agricultural and chemical industry opponents said the bill could remove many products from the market and lead to harmful substitutions. The chair expressed support for reducing PFAS but raised concerns about replacement chemicals, and the bill was sent to Appropriations on a do pass vote. Finally, AB 2034 was introduced to increase transparency around food additives and GRAS ingredients by creating a state database of chemicals that bypass FDA premarket review; supporters said it would close a federal loophole, while consumer brands opposed a duplicative state system and warned of costs and confusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Canada and operating direct-sales models across Europe and Asia.
• It closes the door on future direct consumer sales while accommodating the existing operations via a
• accommodating existing manufacturer-owned operations while drawing a firm line against new direct sales
• Accommodating existing manufacturer-owned operations while drawing a firm line against new direct sales
• They participate in the sales. They, the people buy their raffle tickets, whatever they're selling.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure is familiar with: Washington State provides two sets of tax preferences for data centers, a sales
• And initially outfitted with server equipment, and then a second sales tax exemption when that server
• But sales tax on services—our office had to pay for that because we do a lot of services, right?
• The first is that it does not propose to repeal the sales tax on temporary staffing services that has
• Their timber sale program is an important part of their revenue stream, and the agency can do more to

Summary: The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard an overview from OFM Director Katie Chapman See on Governor Ferguson’s 2026 supplemental budget proposal. She said the budget was built in response to higher caseloads and inflation, a roughly $390 million revenue forecast drop, new federal costs tied to H.R. 1, and a relatively small ending fund balance. The proposal would increase near general fund spending by about $1.1 billion and solve an estimated $2.3 billion two-year gap through about $800 million in reductions, revenue shifts and tax preference changes, use of other funds, and about $1 billion from the budget stabilization account. She also noted the budget is balanced over two years but not fully over four years under the state’s outlook rules. Chapman See highlighted reductions in Working Connections Child Care, including a soft cap on enrollment and holding subsidy rates at the 75th percentile, delays to long-term care and developmental disability-related changes, and across-the-board reductions to higher education and administrative spending. She also described investments in wildfire suppression and preparedness, affordability programs like utility rebates and home energy assistance, housing-related planning and permitting support, One Washington IT replacement, behavioral health workforce programs, and continued support for some K-12 initiatives such as ninth grade success and homeless student stability. In response to questions, she said some proposed cuts were based on the governor’s subjective judgment about what was critically necessary, that current child care enrollees would not be cut off immediately, and that the budget would maintain services for about 500 highest-acuity Medicaid clients who lost eligibility under federal changes. Public testimony was largely critical of the proposed cuts in K-12, early learning, and higher education. School officials, educators, nurses, and advocacy groups opposed reductions to Transition to Kindergarten, Local Effort Assistance, Running Start, MSOC, school leadership and support grants, and higher education funding, arguing the cuts would worsen existing funding gaps and harm student outcomes. Several witnesses supported restoring or maintaining funding for ninth grade success, Treehouse’s foster youth graduation program, homeless student stability, and Science on Wheels. In early learning, child care providers and advocates opposed the Working Connections cap and subsidy-rate reduction, warning it would reduce access and destabilize providers. In higher education, campus leaders and labor representatives opposed across-the-board cuts and fund shifts, while some institutions and advocates supported targeted investments such as behavioral health workforce programs and DigiPen aid restoration. In human services, Planned Parenthood advocates praised restored abortion access funding and Medicaid reimbursements. The committee took no votes or final action in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh there's also private gun sales.<00:08:58.720><c> Will</c><00:08:58.959><c> those</c><00:08:59.200>
• <c> private</c><00:09:00.000><c> gun</c><00:09:00.680><c> owners</c><00:09:01.680><c> do</c> sales.
• Will those private gun owners do sales.
• Will those private gun owners do their<00:09:02.519><c> sales?
• Will they have to provide their sales?

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on March 19, 2025, and heard testimony on several firearms-related bills. HB 125 would require firearm sellers or transferors to provide buyers notice about secure storage laws, expand secure-storage requirements, and clarify criminally negligent storage. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Education supported the bill. The Office of the Public Defender raised constitutional concerns under District of Columbia v. Heller and suggested narrowing the bill so a firearm need not be made inoperable when the lawful owner is home. Supporters, including Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, veterans, and other advocates, said secure storage would reduce accidental shootings, youth access, theft, suicides, and school shootings. Opponents argued the bill was redundant, could criminalize victims of theft, and imposed strict liability. The committee noted 24 individuals in support and 103 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 137, which would impose a mandatory prison term for violent felons who violate firearm or ammunition possession prohibitions. DLE, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, and the Hawaii County Prosecutor supported the measure, arguing it targets repeat offenders and strengthens public safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed mandatory sentencing, saying judges already have discretion to impose lengthy sentences and that mandatory terms can be inappropriate in some cases. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in a felony. DLE and the Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while the Public Defender and several opponents said parts of the bill were redundant or could create definitional problems; the committee recorded five supporters and 70 opponents. HB 995 would amend deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting by the Attorney General and county police chiefs. The Attorney General’s office and HPD supported the bill, with the Attorney General asking for more time for police departments to submit complete data and for the April 1 deadline to be removed. The committee also heard HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended consolidating the new office’s duties with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission to avoid duplication and possibly repealing the existing commission statute. DLE supported HB 664, while the Tax Foundation objected to the special fund. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This rebate applies to the mixed beverage gross receipts taxes and sales taxes.
• It is attributable to the sale of beer and wine in the fiscal the prior fiscal year to help support the
• Funding for these grants comes from the sale of these music specialty license plates, where $22 out of
• We've actually had, when our season passes, one on sale one year, the very first person to purchase one
• So some of these properties, I know one that had earnest money down on it. had to pull it out of sale

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we do water sales from four different reservoirs.
• Build it bigger than you need it, and when you have sufficient sales, you pay it back.
• Hey, that first money came in 1962, we have never had any sales to pay it back.
• It'll be a contract for sale. We will not sell the water, right?
• No more Super Sales. Okay, no more Super Sales. No more Blue Light Specials.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• How many of those projects are rentals, and how many of them are for sale?
• I'd have to determine that and get sale I'd have to determine that and get back<00:17:19.760><c> to<
• </c><00:17:38.200><c> that</c><00:17:38.280><c> were</c><00:17:38.440><c> for</c><00:17:38.840><c> sale
• </c><00:17:39.799><c> the</c> there were seven that were for sale the there were seven that were for
• There has to be a trigger for the tax, such as a conveyance or sale.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We were able to generate sales from online swag.
• The company nearly tripled their gross sales and more than doubled the number of employees.
• The company nearly tripled their gross sales and more than doubled the number of employees.
• The company nearly tripled their gross sales and more than doubled the number of employees.
• The company nearly tripled their gross sales and more than doubled the number of employees.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Many years ago, unable to resist the banner announcing a dollar day sale at an old school hardware store
• $94 billion annually through over 100 different tax expenditures, including tax credits, deductions, sales
• $94 billion annually through over 100 different tax expenditures, including tax credits, deductions, sales
• SB 661 establishes a dedicated framework for California to reinvest existing jet fuel sales tax revenues
• This measure closes a consumer protection gap in vehicle lien sales by ensuring surplus proceeds are

Transcript Highlights:

• part of the initial process, part of the gathering, at the wellhead, either to the point of first sale
• The gathering lines, the flow lines from the wellhead to the point of first sale, is a part of production
• The lines, the flow lines from the wellhead to the point of first sale, are a part of production.
• And then from that first point of sale or the boundary, whether it's a 640-acre spacing, 1,280, so forth
• A lot of folks pay sales taxes and they also pay income taxes, so to me it seems to be the same thing

Bills: SB1287 , SB1983 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1558 , SB2135 , SB483 , SB1198 , SB1265 , SB2154 , SB2139 , SB1552 , SB2118 , SB1775 , SB259 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB2007 , SB1572 , SB2074 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1833 , SB1561 , SB1555 , SB2044 , SB1749 , SB904 , SB1565 , SB1500 , SB667 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1644 , HR1045 , SB227 , SB1627 , SB1475 , SB1966 , SB2049 , SB1531 , SB80 , SB1734 , SB1630 , SB1894 , SB1975 , SB1432 , SB1437 , SB1812 , SB346 , SB710 , SB1489 , SB1614 , SB2045 , SB1250 , SB1304 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB592 , SB65 , SB1257 , SB444 , SB640 , SB2178 , SB1242 , SB1642

Summary: The House convened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then heard several introductions and special recognitions, including students and civic groups in the galleries, the Morris Eagles High School Academic Team, Calumet state champion teams, and Cherokee Nation Day at the Capitol. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. delivered extended remarks focused on tribal investments in public education, health care, housing, child care, rural infrastructure, and workforce development, and he urged lawmakers to preserve Medicaid expansion, saying it has brought major health-system revenue, jobs, and broader economic benefits to Oklahoma. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Abby Woods, and Nurse of the Day, Kara Delapena. Members made personal remarks about the Pauls Valley High School incident and a trooper accident, with prayers offered for those affected. Representative Rowe highlighted the courage of school officials and first responders in Pauls Valley and tied the event to the Legislature’s recurring school safety funding. On legislation, the House adopted House Resolution 1045 designating the second week of April as Lung Cancer Action Week. Senate Bill 227, dealing with gross production tax and ad valorem taxation of oil and gas production equipment and flow lines, drew extensive debate over alleged double taxation and fiscal impacts; it passed 76-14. Senate Bill 1627, a criminal statutes cleanup measure addressing duplicate sections from modernization, passed 89-0 and its emergency clause also passed 89-0. The House also approved motions to request further conference on House Bills 2155 and 2157, and then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• with Proposition 64, California has enacted a comprehensive regulatory framework to oversee cannabis sales
• with Proposition 64, California has enacted a comprehensive regulatory framework to oversee cannabis sales
• pawnbrokers are extremely proud of the efforts they've made to assist in this partnership to curtail the sale
• So another effect is the loss of sales tax to this state because when we buy items, When we buy items
• And when they're sold, we pay sales tax to the state of California.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows the board to approve and seek a ticket assessment fee and a capped 2% sales tax only on that
• property tax assessment, which allows them to put the ticket assessment, a ticket fee on it, and then the sales
• property tax assessment, which allows them to put the ticket assessment, a ticket fee on it, and then the sales
• property tax assessment, which allows them to put the ticket assessment, a ticket fee on it, and then the sales
• This deals with ammunition and firearms sales.” Lady from St. Louis City: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Summary: The Missouri House met with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for March 3, 2026 by a 122-0 roll call vote. The chamber also spent a long portion of the morning recognizing special guests, including Special Olympics athletes, occupational therapy and social work students and professionals, teachers, civic leaders, and other visitors in the gallery. On legislation, the House perfected and printed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2974, which would codify telehealth access within Missouri’s licensed reciprocity law. Supporters said it would help seniors and rural residents access care and ensure reciprocity licensees can provide telehealth services. The House also perfected and printed House Bill 2934, a bipartisan St. Louis convention-center governance bill that would merge existing entities, create a new board with city, county, and state appointments, and clarify funding and tax authority for the convention district. An amendment narrowing governor appointments to two city, two county, and one at-large member was adopted before final approval. The House likewise perfected and printed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2057, a technical fix allowing Osage Beach to create an entertainment district; supporters said it would promote tourism and economic development and align the city with similar districts elsewhere in Missouri. The most contentious debate was on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3515, which require age verification for pornographic websites. Supporters framed the measure as child protection and cited the Supreme Court’s Texas decision and the Attorney General’s enforcement rule; opponents raised privacy concerns, questioned effectiveness, and argued it could push users toward less scrupulous sites. A proposed amendment to extend the bill to firearms and ammunition websites was ruled not germane, the previous question was ordered 92-44, and the substitute was adopted. The combined bill package was then perfected and printed by a 104-16 vote with 20 present, and the House recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs are primarily financed by a one-dollar-per-head assessment on sales of domestic and foreign
• Chair and members, House Bill 2791 prohibits a person from offering for sale or selling cell-cultured
• House Bill 2791 prohibits a person from offering for sale or selling cell-cultured protein for human
• , but it would actually create the restaurant owner and turn her into a felon by offering this for sale
• Any... ...by offering this for sale. Okay. All right. That's true. That's helpful.

Bills: HB2155 , HB2156 , HB2162 , HB2762 , HB2791

Committees: House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs , House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Keywords: Arizona Beef Council, agriculture, market development, beef products, terminating council, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, game and fish commission, wildlife, appointment, commission membership, Arizona Revised Statutes, food labeling, cultivated cells, cell-cultured products, consumer information, food safety, cell-cultured protein

Transcript Highlights:

• Although snow is great news for the general fund with more skiers coming to Vermont, resulting in more sales
• This year, on top of property taxes, we'll use every dime of the sales tax, $641 million.
• every</c><00:14:45.519><c> dime</c><00:14:45.760><c> of</c><00:14:45.920><c> the</c><00:14:46.079><c> sales
• </c><00:14:46.320><c> tax,</c> we'll use every dime of the sales tax, we'll use every dime of the sales

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the funding of these small libraries come from donations, from bake sales, from grants.
• So it really provides a lot of different things in terms of healthy food access, but also increased sales
• for groups that maybe would like to add a little bit more sales.
• Whatever we want to call it, it would increase, of course, the sales, as you've mentioned, and we know—and
• Most of that is generated here by Chase Pecans, which has over $200 million in pecan sales to over 30

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• other taxes are permitted to the state, which means every other tax I levy, whether it's local option sales
• There's local option sales tax, tourist development tax.
• We can levy up to another 10 percent, call it a sales tax, if you will, or a transaction tax on your
• The local option sales tax is totally controlled by the county in 52 counties.
• And then lastly, with e-commerce revenues, the state has determined that those sales tax shares are retained

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels. The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a luxury tax and privilege tax because we already have a sales tax and use tax over 10% each.
• But the electric tax is basically on the sale of the aircraft in Washington.
• you're going to make the money on this, but that airplane didn't come here, that's $7 million worth of sales
• about—don't want to be an ambulance chaser—but if there's a fire this year, we make money off all the fuel sales
• What's the name of the person, the first person in the state of Washington to land an aircraft and a sale

Summary: The meeting was an Aviation Caucus gathering hosted at Paine Field and Boeing, with introductions from legislators, aviation organizations, airport officials, and industry representatives. Speakers emphasized the importance of aviation and aerospace to Washington’s economy and the need to better educate lawmakers and the public about the sector’s value. Several participants also highlighted the role of airports in business activity, emergency response, wildfire support, and medical services, and urged attendees to build relationships with legislators to protect and expand aviation funding. A major topic was opposition to the aviation-related tax provisions in Senate Bill 5801, described by speakers as a luxury and privilege tax on aircraft. Legislators and industry advocates argued the tax would discourage aircraft ownership and use in Washington, drive aircraft and business operations out of the state, and harm jobs and tax revenue. They said the caucus would continue working toward repeal of the aircraft tax provisions and broader solutions for aviation infrastructure funding, though they acknowledged the state budget situation makes new funding difficult this year. John Dobson presented data estimating aviation’s large share of state GDP, jobs, wages, and tax revenue, and also raised concerns about aviation fuel tax revenues being diverted away from aviation purposes. The meeting also featured updates on mental health efforts in aviation, with Brian Baumoff of the Pilot Mental Health Campaign describing federal legislation to improve access to treatment and transparency around medications, and a prior state bill aimed at helping pilots navigate medical leave and treatment costs. Haley Coffey of the Aerospace Futures Alliance encouraged participation in its upcoming Hill Day to strengthen aerospace advocacy in Olympia. Boeing representatives gave an overview of company safety and culture changes after recent incidents, workforce and supplier numbers in Washington, production plans including a permanent Moses Lake site and a future Everett narrow-body line, and workforce development programs such as Core Plus Aerospace and tuition support. The caucus also adopted a House resolution honoring Harry R. Anderson for becoming the first person to fly and sail solo to all seven continents, and attendees toured the Boeing facility after the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• leases of less than 30 days and when there is a temporary residential tenancy Tied to a real estate for sale
• residential lease term is for less than 30 days or where a temporary lease is created by a contract for sale
• I recently talked with a survivor whose ex-husband put his business in her name and didn't pay the sales
• tax, and she was left owing $80 000 in back sales taxes.
• the time of the filing and on the clerk's request, additional documentation such as a contract for sale

Bills: SB438 , SB512 , SB647 , SB648 , SB1495 , SB2121 , SB2145 , SB2154 , SB2167 , SB2184 , SB2211 , SB2268 , SB2349 , SB2443 , SB2629 , SB2702 , SB2902

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, voting favorably on SB 1612, SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789. SB 1612 was reported favorably with objections to the local and contested calendar, while SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789 were reported favorably, with SB 1642 and SB 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council; SB 1642 would add an executive director to the Texas Department of Insurance structure; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards and clarify PUC authority and remedies. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from CEO Pablo Vegas on the updated long-term load forecast, which showed a much higher unadjusted growth projection driven largely by data centers. ERCOT described an adjusted forecast using historical delays and lower realized build rates, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, and the importance of SB 6 for demand response and flexibility. The committee then heard and left pending SB 2629, which would allow condominium and property owners’ association meetings and voting by electronic means; SB 2702, which would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies without a separate TCEQ license; SB 2167, which would let TDLR pause new license applications tied to human trafficking emergency orders or pending SOAH cases; SB 2349, which would exempt short-term leases and certain leasebacks from flood disclosure requirements; SB 2121, which would tighten the data broker registry law; and SB 2443, which would authorize TDLR electronic delivery of notices and other documents. Testimony generally supported these bills as cleanup, modernization, or workforce-streamlining measures, with some members expressing caution about electronic meetings and emphasizing in-person accountability. The committee also heard SB 2902 on coerced debt and identity theft, with testimony from a law professor and family violence advocates supporting stronger protections for survivors and suggesting a police report as an additional proof option. SB 512, a refiled bill restricting money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2145 on allowing certain TIF boards to meet virtually in narrow circumstances, SB 2268 on extending Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in some cases, SB 1495 creating an EV supply equipment advisory board, SB 2154 regulating delivery network companies under a statewide framework, SB 2184 lowering the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18, SB 2211 on combining data centers, power generation, and produced-water desalination projects, and SB 647 on title theft protections and clerk authority to refuse fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after brief testimony and questions, with members focusing on reliability, regulation, and safeguards against fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pharmacy sales allow the tobacco industry to undermine public health messaging about its deadly products
• The tobacco industry uses pharmacies to promote product use through point-of-sale marketing.
• The tobacco industry uses pharmacies to promote product use through point-of-sale marketing tactics,
• So, you know, Californians overwhelmingly support prohibiting the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies
• School of Pharmacy, licensed pharmacist, and I was very active in San Francisco when we banned the sale

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742. Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility. The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.