Video & Transcript Research : 'Tax Code Chapter 327'

Page 153 of 500
UT

Utah 2025 Regular Session

Education Interim Committee - November 19, 2025

Education Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • In chapter three, we specifically focus on classroom...
  • I've heard that in the middle of a lesson, in the middle of a chapter...
  • So this is funded through, I believe, one of the taxes.
  • But it's a tax pool that sometimes fluctuates.
  • In that case, it wasn't a tax.
Keywords: 985, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • County jails are funded almost entirely by local property tax dollars.
  • First, it disrupts the uniform framework of chapter 14 without amending chapter 14 itself.
  • This bill mirrors a into chapter 14.
  • of chapter 14 without amending chapter of chapter 14 without amending chapter 14<00:52:21.520>
  • Are we Are we going to raise taxes?
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 9th, 2025 at 03:00 pm

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I'm a bit confused because is, you know, I didn't go back to Century Code, but is it defined what
  • I just, and I don't know if it refers back to another piece of code where it's defined.
  • committee, so regarding the administrative committee being mentioned as committee, the start of the chapter
  • And either way, those gaming taxes go into the general fund.
  • recommended moving forward for the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover those operating object codes
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2025, the Veterans Home/Veterans Affairs budget, and worked through the long sheet line by line. Members discussed base payroll, salary and health insurance increases, FTE pool adjustments, IT rate increases, operating expenses, transportation grants, the PTSD service dog program, salary equity requests, temporary help/intern funding, a Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, accrued leave, and several one-time or carryover items including the Fisher House, document scanning, and veterans medical transportation. The committee also reviewed proposed policy language that would shift governance authority for the Veterans Home and Department of Veterans Affairs from the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs to the governor, and would remove board authority over salary-setting and related hiring powers. A major portion of the meeting focused on clarifying the commissioner salary equity line and how the agency had shifted operating dollars to fund the commissioner’s current salary increase. After discussion with agency staff and Lonnie, the committee voted to remove the separate commissioner salary equity increase line and instead restore operating funding, ultimately setting the operating line at $50,000 above the prior amount rather than fully funding the executive request. The committee also approved funding for the Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, approved a carryforward/exemption for accrued leave, approved authority to accept $200,000 in federal transportation grant funds, approved the $500,000 transfers related to veterans homelessness, and approved the exemption language for certain federal/state fiscal recovery funds after discussing whether the funds were properly obligated. On the governance amendment, members expressed concern about making a major policy change in an appropriations bill, but also frustration over the board’s salary actions. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment transferring governance authority to the governor by a 7-1 vote. The committee also approved a smaller amount for veteran service officer salary equity than requested, and rejected funding for temporary salaries and an intern. The chair then directed staff to prepare the amended bill for further action, with the committee planning to revisit it once the revised version was ready.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • per Minnesota Statutes, Excise and Sales Tax, chapter 297A, section 297A.68.
  • and we should be having a completely different conversation to bring the tax code into compliance.
  • Minnesota statutes excise and sales tax Minnesota statutes excise and sales tax chapter<00:08:43.479
  • <00:09:12.680> code<00:09:12.920> into conversation to bring the tax code into conversation
  • to bring the tax code into compliance<00:09:13.959> but<00:09:14.120> discriminating<00
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House debate on MN emergency powers bill Feb 28th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The amendment is coded A1.
  • The amendment is coded A6.
  • coded coded A6<00:14:16.839> I<00:14:17.000> recognize<00:14:17.480> the<00:14:
  • The amendment is coded DE1.
  • 12 so chapter that are made to chapter 12 so chapter 12<00:40:36.160> is<00:40:36.440> the
Keywords: 1183, house
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

Senate Session (Part I) Aug 6th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • tax bills for school taxes across the state, and taxpayers have taken notice of it.
  • exceed their school tax bills.
  • taxing units.
  • taxing units.
  • Chapter 15.
Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and then handled several procedural matters, including a failed motion to excuse Senator Johnson’s absence after a roll-call vote. The chamber also postponed the reading and referral of bills until later in the calendar and adopted motions allowing the Education K-16 Committee to meet while the Senate was in session. The Senate then recessed until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 6. The main floor action centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 9, which lowers the voter-approval tax rate for certain cities and counties from 3.5% to 2.5% for maintenance and operations. Senator Bettencourt argued the bill would slow local property tax growth and align city and county limits more closely with school district limits, while Senators Hinojosa and Menendez raised concerns about reduced local revenue, public safety funding, and the short time for cities to assess the impact. The Senate suspended the regular order, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the constitutional three-day rule, and finally passed SB 9, with a clarification later entered that the final passage vote was 18-3. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, which sets state policy for the use of certain spaces and facilities according to biological sex and creates enforcement mechanisms for state agencies and political subdivisions. Supporters said the bill was needed to protect women and children in restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and schools, while opponents questioned the scope, enforcement, civil penalties, and possible conflicts with federal law and local control. After extensive questioning, the chamber adopted a clarifying amendment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed SB 7 by a vote of 19-2. Finally, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 15, which addresses deed fraud and real property theft by tightening recording requirements for certain property documents and creating new criminal offenses for real property theft and fraud. Senator Hinojosa explained that the bill combined civil and criminal provisions, added photo ID requirements for in-person filings, and included restitution and enhanced penalties for certain victims and properties; a floor amendment made cleanup changes, removed a training mandate, and clarified that electronic and mail filings were not affected. The Senate adopted the amendment, suspended the three-day rule, and passed SB 15 unanimously, 21-0.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Fatman, excise tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans. Senator Tarr. Mr....
  • Excise tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans. Senator Tarr. Mr.
  • Fattman: excise tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans.
  • Fattman: motor vehicle sales tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans.
  • Fattman: property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate began with routine formalities, then took up several final-passage and engrossment matters. It adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Iwanek, and House Bill 1024, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon. The Senate also passed to be enacted Senate Bill 2528, allowing Marblehead to establish fines related to parking violations, and adopted a pair of congratulatory resolutions. Later, it ordered several House bills to third reading, including measures for an additional off-premises alcohol license in Somerset and sick leave banks for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran, and concurred in a gubernatorial amendment to a vital statistics bill. The chamber then considered major committee reports and amendments on military and veterans issues. It advanced a Ways and Means substitute for a bill on free expression and a substitute for a bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, placing both on the Orders of the Day. The Senate also debated and amended Senate Bill 2503, the EASE Act for military-connected families, with remarks emphasizing school stability for military children, special education continuity, juvenile justice transfers, and use of military protective orders in domestic violence cases. Several proposed amendments were withdrawn or rejected, including tax relief proposals for 100% disabled veterans, while an amendment requiring tracking of veteran suicides was adopted. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed by roll call, 39-0. Another major item was Senate Bill 2501, clarifying the duties of the adjutant general. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means substitute and considered multiple amendments, including one withdrawn proposal on entry by non-federalized armed forces from other jurisdictions and another adopted amendment requiring recruit training on lawful orders; other amendments were withdrawn. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed House Bill 3388, designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. Throughout the session, members also offered and adopted several adjournment motions honoring the lives and service of Judge Leslie E. Harris, former Newton Mayor Seyi Warren, and Anthony P. Dwingnan, and the Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there a motion to adopt the amendments to chapter 10? Vice Chair Flood moves.
  • Is there a motion to adopt the proposed amendments in chapter 12? Vice Chair Flood moves.
  • The Federal Election Commission has, and the term member is not defined in election code.
  • Similar outcome with chapter with with Section 3902 of the penal code, you know, if, if they come by.
  • code.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Municipal and County Government (01/30/2026)

Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • it's done before the tax rate is set. it's done before the tax rate is set.
  • So in its next budget cycle, it would have less of a tax base to tax.
  • the tax base that exists in the towns. the tax base that exists in the towns.
  • tax taxes go up taxpayers seeing their tax taxes go up to<01:58:43.599> balance<01:58:43.920>
  • chapter 75 appraisal of<02:02:47.440> tax<02:02:48.239> taxable<02:02:48.800> property
Keywords: 1189, house, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

04/21/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The statutes go on to define what a foreign law is, which means any law, rule, legal code, or system
  • Senate Bill 1172, amending Title 41, Chapter 14, Article 1A, arrest, relating to Section 41-1971 and
  • Senate Bill 1172, amending Title 41, Chapter 14, Article 1A, arrest, by Section 41-1971, relating to
  • bills to taxpayers who complied with the tax code according to the way that it had historically been
  • Senate Bill 1400, amending Title 38, Chapter 8, Article 1.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day. Members also read a proclamation honoring the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and introduced several guests, including Alzheimer’s Association advocates and family members visiting the chamber. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider Senate bills. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced SB 1037, SB 1233, SB 1290, SB 1445, and SB 1814 was retained. SB 1037, SB 1290, and SB 1445 each received committee amendments before being recommended do pass; SB 1445 also received a subfloor amendment. SB 1233 was described as part of a broader set of HHS-related cleanup measures and was said to allow 72 hours to cure deficiencies and reduce red tape. After the committee report was adopted, the House later took up additional bills in Committee of the Whole, including SB 1015, SB 1055, SB 1274, SB 1502, and SB 1573, all of which were recommended do pass, with SB 1274 amended. Debate on SB 1015 focused on liability for providers involved in gender transition procedures on minors, SB 1055 on reporting unlawfully present individuals arrested for crimes to federal authorities, and SB 1573 on prohibiting state courts from applying foreign or religious sectarian law; all three drew partisan disagreement but were approved in committee. On third reading, the House passed SB 1168, SB 1172, SB 1290, SB 1221, and SB 1400. SB 1214 failed on the first vote, with supporters describing it as a stem cell therapy regulatory framework and opponents saying they were not comfortable with the bill; the House then reconsidered and placed it back on third reading. SB 1221 was supported as a transparency measure requiring public hearings before the Department of Revenue changes its application of tax law. SB 1400, relating to public safety employees, passed after concerns were raised about peer support and counseling protections. The House also granted Senate consent to adjourn after completing its labors, and the session ended with announcements and adjournment until April 22, 2026.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

04/21/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The statutes go on to define what a foreign law is, which means any law, rule, legal code, or system
  • Senate Bill 1172, amending Title 41, Chapter 14, Article 1A, arrest, relating to Section 41-1971 and
  • Senate Bill 1172, amending Title 41, Chapter 14, Article 1A, arrest, relating to Section 41-1971 and
  • bills to taxpayers who complied with the tax code according to the way that it had historically been
  • Senate Bill 1400, amending Title 38, Chapter 8, Article 1.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation honoring the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Members also welcomed the Doctor of the Day and several guest groups, including Alzheimer’s Association advocates. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several Senate bills. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced SB 1037, SB 1233, SB 1290, and SB 1445, adopting committee amendments where offered and giving each a do pass recommendation; SB 1814 was retained. Members discussed SB 1055, which would require reporting certain unlawfully present individuals arrested for crimes to federal immigration authorities, with Democrats raising concerns about profiling and civil liberties and Republicans arguing it simply enforces federal law; it also received a do pass recommendation. SB 1274, relating to transportation and infrastructure, was amended and recommended do pass, SB 1502 also advanced, and SB 1573, concerning foreign or religious sectarian law in state courts, prompted debate over whether it was necessary or duplicative but was likewise recommended do pass. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the measures were assigned accordingly. The House then took up third-reading votes. SB 1168 and SB 1172 passed overwhelmingly, SB 1290 passed after debate about HOA meeting openness, SB 1221 passed on a 32-24 vote after supporters said it would improve tax transparency, and SB 1400 passed 47-9 despite concerns about peer support and counseling protections. SB 1214, a medical practice bill involving stem cell regenerative therapies, failed 25-31 after some members said they were not comfortable with the measure; afterward, a motion to reconsider its failure was adopted, placing it back on the third-reading calendar. The House also granted the Senate permission to adjourn until April 27, and then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • This will bring new products under the cannabis excise tax and will likely expand tax revenue.
  • 25% excise tax increase.
  • this tax.
  • the fees, the city taxes, and the state taxes prove untenable.
  • And if we continue to raise the tax, we don't allow the industry to... ...to raise the tax.
Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of bills, with most measures drawing support from industry, professional, local government, and advocacy witnesses, and several receiving committee amendments before moving forward. AB 8 on hemp and cannabis drew the most extensive debate: supporters said it would close loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthen enforcement, and bring THC products into the regulated cannabis supply chain; opponents, including small cannabis farmers and environmental groups, warned it could undermine Proposition 64’s closed-loop system, harm California cultivators, and reduce tax revenues for youth, environmental, and law enforcement programs. The author said the bill was intended to protect consumers and children and to work further with stakeholders. AB 476 on copper theft was presented as a public safety and infrastructure bill to tighten reporting, documentation, and penalties for scrap metal theft; supporters from cities, utilities, broadband, and recycling-related groups described major losses and outages from copper theft, and the remaining opposition moved to neutral after amendments, with the bill advancing with committee support. The committee also heard AB 985, which would allow nationally certified anesthesiologist assistants to practice under direct supervision of licensed anesthesiologists to address anesthesia workforce shortages. Supporters, including the California Society of Anesthesiologists, medical groups, students, and patients, said it would expand access and bring California in line with other states; nurse anesthesiology groups expressed concerns and sought further clarification, but there was no formal opposition at the hearing. AB 506, aimed at online pet sales, would void contracts that fail to disclose an animal’s origin or veterinary records or that require non-refundable deposits; animal welfare groups said it would curb puppy mill pipelines and deceptive online sales, and there was no opposition. AB 876, on certified registered nurse anesthetists, generated the sharpest health care policy dispute: supporters said it would codify existing practice and clarify CRNA duties, while physicians and medical associations argued it would expand scope too far and reduce patient safety. After a roll call, AB 876 passed the committee 9-0, as amended, to Appropriations. Other bills advanced with broad support after amendments. AB 432, the Menopause Equity Act, would require continuing medical education on menopause-related care for certain physicians; the author and medical experts said the bill addresses widespread gaps in menopause treatment and research, while CMA and ACOG opposed the mandate as an inappropriate CME requirement, though they agreed the underlying problem is real. The bill passed on call, as amended, to Health. AB 759 would allow eligible architectural candidates to use the title “architect in training” to encourage completion of licensure and improve diversity in the profession; it passed unanimously, as amended, to Appropriations. AB 967 would create an optional expedited licensure fee for out-of-state physicians to reduce delays in bringing doctors into California’s workforce; supporters said it would help address shortages and improve patient access, and the bill was presented with support from medical stakeholders.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Rules Mar 12th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • that make changes to documents incorporated in a rule by reference to use misused underlining of new tax
  • So let's take up Amendment bar code 3, 8, 6, 5, or >> that amendment.
  • So and would building codes still be required to be followed in connection with this?
  • All state building codes. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions on the bill.
  • There are a number of appearance forms. >> Dr David Winchester, Florida, Chapter American College of
Keywords: 999, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships May 5th, 2025

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Transcript Highlights:
  • They're both amending this section 153 of the family code.
  • 34 of the Family Code.
  • Who are caring for a child through that Chapter 34 temporary authorization agreement, um, which allows
  • But what this is doing is adding those chapter 34, um, agreements.
  • In keeping with this principle, Texas Family Code Chapter 153 requires courts to prioritize the best
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Ways and Means (04/16/2025)

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • , home for not paying your property taxes, home for not paying your property taxes, for<00:09:07.279
  • files a chapter 7 bankruptcy petition,<00:15:50.480> the<00:15:50.800> chapter<00:15:51.199
  • 13, convert to Chapter 7, and lose their home.
  • There is also that provision in the federal code.
  • There is also that provision in the federal code.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • Taxes through the tax as well as their individual things. That's correct.
  • Taxes through the tax as well Correct.
  • I'll turn over to Gan on the tax-exempt question. We did not lose our tax-exempt status.
  • us to continue that tax exempt status. us to continue that tax exempt status.
  • Happy to do that. requirement for filing tax returns. Tax requirement for filing tax returns.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause. A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action. The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 20th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • of Health to study and consider amending provisions of the International Plumbing Code.
  • So, HCR 103, building codes, Mr. Speaker, Representative Cruz. Mr.
  • of Health, amending provisions of the International Plumbing Code.
  • , bond, and tax increment finance authority.
  • So I brought it up here and said, hey, look, we pay taxes.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 20th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HCR 103, building codes. Mr. Speaker, Representative Cruz. Mr.
  • of Health, and amending provisions of the International Plumbing Code.
  • of Health, and amending provisions of the International Plumbing Code.
  • bonds and tax increment finance authority.
  • So I brought it up here and said, hey, look, we pay taxes.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledge, and a quorum, then spent much of the day on recognitions and commemorative resolutions. Members honored coach Jeffrey Craig Whittington, tourism and the Louisiana Oil Makers Association, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Tangipahoa Parish Fair, Washington Parish festivals, ACOG’s 75th anniversary, Louisiana Tech women’s basketball, and Memorial Day. A major Memorial Day presentation commended Lane Frenchy Boudreau for helping recover the body of Army Sgt. First Class James H. Moore in Vietnam; the House observed a moment of silence and presented a flag to Moore’s family. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrolled bills, and committee reports, and introduced several new resolutions on topics including Pope Leo XIV, orphan wells, scenic rivers, Teche water quality, and the LaMelle family’s pilgrimage to Rome. The House then took up numerous resolutions and bills, often adopting them without objection. Among the measures adopted or advanced were studies on neighborhood crime prevention districts, parish solid waste and disaster resiliency in Washington Parish, the Louisiana Climate Action Plan, the Louisiana Maneuvers museum/trail, cash-rounding practices after penny production ends, residential construction costs and inspection practices, roundabout education, Taiwan relations, TSA worker loan assistance in Shreveport, human growth and development standards, and the state income tax credit for water utility customers. The chamber also adopted or concurred in several Senate amendments on bills dealing with financial disclosure, video voyeurism, personal information protections, online child safety, STEM advisory council changes, dual enrollment tuition, fleet vehicle registration, menhaden fishing rules, recording fees, amusement ride insurance, drone footage authentication, garbage and trash contracts, insurance prescription periods, retirement system changes, juror qualifications, fireworks, inspection stickers, employment discrimination, and inactive boards and commissions. Several measures drew discussion or division. H.B. 1199, requiring coverage for genetic testing and treatment for SCN2A-associated disorders, passed 94-0 after being discharged from Appropriations. H.B. 302, which would prohibit vape sales within 300 feet of schools, passed 86-4. H.B. 84, encouraging an interest-free loan program for TSA workers at Shreveport Regional Airport, passed 64-27. H.B. 1054 on self-authentication of law enforcement drone footage passed 78-12, and H.B. 1137 limiting employment discrimination protections to state employees passed 71-23. The House rejected Senate amendments on H.B. 468 (residential real property wholesaling), H.B. 1117 (insurance contractual payments and prescriptive periods), H.B. 956 (fireworks dates), and H.B. 74 (Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism), while concurring in or adopting amendments on many other bills. The session ended amid continued consideration of Senate Bill 56 on the West Bank/Lafitte levee governance structure, including an adopted amendment to ensure Lafitte-area representation on the board, with extended remarks about the history and accomplishments of the existing levee authority.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • tax forms and instructions.
  • the Tax Department's computerized tax administration system.
  • tax forms and instructions.
  • the Tax Department's computerized tax administration system.
  • tax forms and instructions.
Keywords: 910, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JDC Public Hearing 01-30-2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • our own and craft our own wealth tax code.
  • our own and craft our own wealth tax code.
  • our own and craft our own wealth tax code.
  • our own and craft our own wealth tax code.
  • <00:38:27.599> just own wealth tax code um we couldn't just own wealth tax code um we couldn't
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several bills on January 30. SB 286 and SB 287 both concerned supplemental funding for the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney: SB 286 for the career criminal prosecution unit and SB 287 for the victim witness assistance program. Testimony from the department explained that these bills are filed each year because the Attorney General’s core budget allocation may not be sufficient, though the department said the core had recently been increased and the supplemental request might no longer be necessary. For SB 287, the department also warned of a possible federal Victims of Crime Act funding freeze that could cut about $1.88 million and severely harm victim services. Both bills drew support from county and community witnesses, and members asked about prior-year funding and why the requests were limited to fiscal 2025-26; no votes were taken in the excerpt. SB 289, from the State Ethics Commission, would create a more uniform administrative fine process under the ethics code and lobbyist law. The commission said the measure would not change substantive enforcement but would let it issue a notice and order of fine first, with the respondent able to request a hearing within 20 days, which would speed up cases that are not factually disputed. Members questioned whether the bill would deny due process or function like an automatic parking ticket, and the commission responded that respondents could still challenge the fine and that the process would apply to violations with fines under $1,000. The committee also heard SB 304, which would add 11 positions for the First Circuit Adult Client Services Branch; Judiciary testimony said probation caseloads are high, with an average of 116 cases per officer, and the added staff would help meet national supervision standards and better serve higher-risk clients. Members asked whether the positions were already in the budget and about current staffing ratios; the witness said the positions were not already funded and that the Judiciary supported the bill with amendments. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment to exclude spending money to influence elections from protected free speech. Testimony was strongly divided: supporters argued that Citizens United has distorted elections and empowered special interests, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could affect nonprofit advocacy and grassroots groups. Finally, SB 313 would impose a 1% wealth asset tax on individuals with $20 million or more in assets. The Department of Taxation said it had concerns about the bill’s ambiguity and administration and noted it would require annual valuation and likely additional resources; opponents, including family business representatives and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued the tax would be difficult and costly to administer, would require sensitive business disclosures, and could force family businesses to pay from company cash. Supporters said wealthy residents should pay a fair share. The committee heard testimony and questions on these bills, but the excerpt does not show final committee votes or actions.