Transcript Highlights:

• State programs and spending, economic development coordination, cost and benefits of tax incentives,
• Recognize that overreaching regulations, overburdensome taxes, and the impacts that has on our small
• President, your tax business. and Transportation Committee, to whom has been referred, Senate Bill 9,
• Tax, Business, and Transportation Committee, then to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• Providing a gross receipts tax deduction for the sale of medical equipment, supplies, and drugs. tax

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:56.039><c> or</c> dependent for taxes or dependent for taxes or not<00:23:58.000><c> I</c>
• </c><00:24:50.600><c> returns</c> bigger issue in so far as tax returns bigger issue in so far as tax
• have an income tax anymore.
• </c> first I don't I'm not as I said a tax first I don't I'm not as I said a tax expert<00:28:37.159>
• a tax person but I believe it the law or a tax person but I believe it the law or the<00:28:56.360><c

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:46.120><c> is</c> the uh real estate transfer tax is the uh real estate transfer tax is taking
• </c><03:28:47.880><c> have</c> time our citizens property taxes have time our citizens property taxes
• This is not a new tax. This is not a new tax rate.
• </c> New Hampshire can trust that the tax New Hampshire can trust that the tax system<04:01:59.960><c
• I'm standing for property tax relief. This is one out of the box approach of present tax revenue.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 530, a bill to increase funding for New Hampshire’s Affordable Housing Fund. Representative Jessica Lontine, the sponsor, described the state’s housing crisis, citing high rents, low vacancy, and the lack of affordable units. She said the bill would double the annual transfer-tax deposit into the fund from $5 million to $10 million, and she later presented an amendment to hold the Education Trust Fund harmless by directing the housing-fund deposit from remaining revenue after that trust fund is funded. She also explained a prospective appropriation idea tied to a possible future sale of the Laconia State School property, with the goal of supporting community housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Much of the testimony focused on the shortage of accessible and supportive housing for people with disabilities and aging family caregivers. Lontine, Ben Saul of Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, Lori McIntosh of Our Place NH, and Maddie Mandelbaum all described the difficulty families face in planning for adult children with disabilities as parents age or die. They emphasized that many people need not only affordable housing but accessible, supportive settings, and they argued that state investment would help nonprofit providers build such housing and prevent homelessness or inappropriate institutional placement. Several witnesses also noted that existing projects rely on capital funding and that operating revenues are limited because residents often depend on SSI and Medicaid. Committee members asked questions about the fiscal impact of the bill and amendment, including whether the proposal would shift money from the general fund or education trust fund and whether the Finance Committee should have final say over spending priorities. Lontine said she understood those concerns but argued that housing should be prioritized. Housing Action New Hampshire’s Tom Duroza also testified in support of the bill, saying the state’s housing shortage is driving record prices and vacancy rates below 1%, and that the Affordable Housing Fund has leveraged more than $500 million in private investment and helped build thousands of rental homes. He said his organization supported the underlying bill but had not yet reviewed the amendment. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So then zero tax is due.
• So then zero tax is due.
• So then zero tax is due.
• So then zero tax is due.
• So then zero tax is due.

Bills: SF0058 , SF0061 , SF0095 , SF0107

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we don't—we can't levy a property tax as a state.
• We're not supposed to levy a statewide property tax.
• That's what a property tax is. So it's one of the most onerous forms of taxes.
• Senate Bill 326 by Bettencourt, relating to the calculation of certain ad valorem tax rates of a taxing
• unit and the manner in which proposed ad valorem tax rates that exceed the voter approval tax rate are

Bills: SJR12 , SJR81 , SCR39 , SB22 , SB32 , SB241 , SB393 , SB414 , SB458 , SB464 , SB568 , SB583 , SB609 , SB660 , SB693 , SB731 , SB732 , SB746 , SB783 , SB785 , SB897 , SB993 , SB996 , SB1008 , SB1029 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1120 , SB1122 , SB1147 , SB1163 , SB1188 , SB1197 , SB1209 , SB1227 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1386 , SB1394 , SB1396 , SB1470 , SB1494 , SB1537 , SB1596 , SB1598 , SB1610 , SB1664 , SB1814 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1948 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2406 , SB2407

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, approval of routine motions, and the reading of gubernatorial nominations and several honorary resolutions. The chamber adopted resolutions recognizing Jack and Jill of America Day and DJ Daniel Day at the Capitol, with multiple senators offering remarks praising youth leadership, perseverance, and public service. The Senate also introduced the Doctor of the Day and then proceeded to a long series of floor actions on bills. A major focus was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 568, which overhauls special education funding and services in public schools by moving from a placement-based model to an intensity-based system tied to student needs and IEPs. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Menendez emphasized transparency, parent input, evaluation funding, dyslexia services, and better alignment of funding with actual services; Senator Hinojosa shared a personal story about dyslexia and the importance of early intervention. The bill was advanced on second and third reading and finally passed 30-0. The Senate also passed SB 1396 to prohibit national sex education standards in public schools, SB 2065 on the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, SB 1664 requiring clearer public disclosure of transmission and distribution utility rate changes, SB 1029 on advertising certain used motor vehicles, SB 1120 expanding rights for family violence victims, SB 1036 regulating residential solar retail transactions, SB 464 creating school-proximity restrictions and penalties for tobacco and vaping sales, SB 1035 giving farmers and ranchers equitable relief from certain local agricultural regulations, SB 1610 addressing civil commitment facility safety and prosecution issues, SB 1197 extending drone restrictions to spaceports, and SB 1386 changing legislative witness immunity from transactional to testimonial immunity. Another major bill was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1188, which updates electronic health record requirements. Senator Kolkhorst said the bill builds on Texas medical privacy law by requiring U.S.-based storage of EMR data, prohibiting recording of voter registration status and credit score information, requiring provider verification and disclosure for AI-assisted diagnosis or treatment recommendations, preserving parental access to minors’ records until age 18, and ensuring EMRs can capture metabolic health and biological sex information. A floor amendment clarified the bill’s scope and enforcement, and the bill passed 23-7. Several measures drew debate, especially SB 414 on bond ballot transparency, where Senators Eckhardt and Menendez questioned whether requiring estimated interest and total debt cost on ballots could be misleading or difficult to implement because interest rates and financing terms can change before issuance or over time. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final action shown on SB 414.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also continue to pay the lignite research tax.
• They also continue to pay the Legnite research tax.
• Under this amendment, we'd get some benefit from the tax.
• , and also from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors, and motorboat fuel tax.
• Electric motors and motorboat fuel tax.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes. On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it. On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I was looking at the Bismarck sales tax, $650,000 in 2025.
• So then I would be requesting more of that sales tax funding.
• And there's a big push to keep those tax levies the same.
• They don't want to increase property taxes.
• They don't want to increase property taxes.

Summary: The Government Finance Transportation Study Subcommittee met to review fixed-route transit systems and related funding needs. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the committee heard presentations from Cities Area Transit in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, Bisman Transit in Bismarck-Mandan, and MATBUS/Fargo, along with comments from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy. The transit agencies described their routes, paratransit services, ridership trends, fare structures, fleet replacement needs, and rising operating costs, emphasizing that transit supports access to work, school, medical care, and other essential services. Testimony also noted that ridership fell during the pandemic and has been recovering, while vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Grand Forks transit reported 17 routes, a recent fare increase, and operating costs that exceed fare revenue, with paratransit service extending beyond the federal minimum service area. Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions, local mill levies, sales tax support, and federal grant structure, and said it is seeking more stable funding and flexibility beyond paratransit-only support. Minot’s transit superintendent explained the state’s existing transit aid formula, the use of refurbished buses, and the challenges of driver recruitment and electric bus infrastructure. Fargo asked for additional state support for fixed-route urban transit. Committee members discussed whether ride-share services could replace transit, the cost per trip, local match requirements, and whether a separate state funding source should be recommended for the four urban fixed-route systems. The subcommittee ultimately approved a motion to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of its activities for inclusion in the full Government Finance Committee report, and members indicated they would seek more detailed funding figures from the transit agencies before making any specific recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over time, we're really concerned about tax-based stability and growth.
• Sales taxes are uncapped and can be very significant compared to residential property taxes, which are
• We become overly reliant on property tax revenues, which are capped at 1%.
• One such tax allows a jurisdiction to impose a 0.1% sales and use tax to fund housing and related services
• Another such tax is a local state-shared sales and use tax to fund affordable and supportive housing.

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 6026, which would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act with populations of 30,000 or more to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones and bar local governments from requiring ground-floor commercial or retail as a condition of housing approval, with exemptions for certain sensitive areas and a carve-out for transit-oriented development station areas. The prime sponsor, Senator Alvarado, and supporters from the governor’s office, Commerce, housing advocates, developers, and major employers argued the bill would unlock underused land, reduce costs, and help address the state’s housing shortage. Opponents and local government representatives from small towns, counties, and cities said the bill could harm commercial corridors, small businesses, tax base stability, and local planning flexibility, and asked for narrower exemptions or additional carve-outs. No vote was taken on SB 6026 during the hearing. The committee then held executive action on Senate Bill 5937 and Senate Bill 5938. SB 5937, dealing with smart access systems and tenant privacy, was amended to clarify that keypad-only entry is not covered, require written privacy policies within five days of installation, and add operational purposes to allowable data collection; the committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill with a due pass recommendation. SB 5938, which changes the foreclosure prevention fee and directs a Commerce study on a state homeowner assistance fund, was also amended to extend the study deadline and related expiration date; the committee adopted the amendment and moved the bill forward with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6018, which would expand and modernize the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including allowing direct mortgage lending to borrowers, extending bond counsel selection cycles, removing advance notice requirements for bond issuance, and repealing an outdated housing finance plan/program. The sponsor and the commission said the bill would improve efficiency and create new financing tools for affordable housing, while banking groups said they supported the goal but wanted clearer limits to ensure the commission would not enter first-mortgage lending for homebuyers. The sponsor and commission said they would work on clarifying language. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6027 and Senate Bill 6028. SB 6027 would expand the use of local housing sales taxes and the Affordable Housing for All account to support operations, maintenance, rehabilitation, and preservation of existing affordable housing, update REET exemption timing, and align the definition of emergency housing with the Growth Management Act; local governments, housing providers, and advocates strongly supported the bill as a way to preserve existing housing amid rising costs and federal funding uncertainty. SB 6028 would create a revolving loan fund administered by the Housing Finance Commission to finance mixed-income affordable homeownership projects with long-term affordability covenants; the sponsor said it would help builders who have entitled sites but face high capital costs, and the hearing began with staff briefing and sponsor testimony, with questions from members starting as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment aims to find a $100 tax increase to $200. A $100 tax increase to $200.
• So today, the gas tax is 31.8 cents per gallon.
• We can tax more to cover it.
• And property taxes are often used to pay for our local roads.
• system through a local sales tax.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Senate's Taxes Committee.
• The bill increases the state's top earners' individual income tax by 2.6%.
• </c> earners individual income tax by 2.6%. earners individual income tax by 2.6%.
• rate to what it was before President Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
• According to the Department of Revenue's 2024 tax incidence study, 77% of the 2024 tax incidence study

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we get the most out of those tax dollars? And we're investing tens and billions of dollars.
• We have to hold ourselves accountable for the best use of the tax dollars.
• ourselves accountable for the best use of the tax dollars and one way of doing that because we, that
• One of them is capturing value through tax increments or if IDs.
• I asked you specifically about the tax increment, but you noted some other items as well.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard an update from the California High-Speed Rail Authority on its draft 2026 business plan and related budget proposals. The Authority reported continued Central Valley construction progress, including completion of 59 of 92 major structures, 80 of 119 miles of guideway under construction, 93% utility relocation completion, and plans to begin track laying and electrification soon. It said the revised goal remains completing the Merced-to-Bakersfield early operating segment by 2032-33, while also pursuing ancillary revenue opportunities, a private partner through a co-development procurement, and two budget change proposals to reappropriate $423 million for Link Union Station and $246 million in federal trust funds before they expire. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said it had no specific concerns with the budget change proposals but raised major concerns about the draft business plan and the project’s broader fiscal outlook. LAO said the plan appears incomplete in several respects, that funding is likely insufficient to complete the revised initial operating segment and would leave a larger gap for expansion beyond the Central Valley, and that borrowing costs, optimistic assumptions, and uncertainty around future greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues could worsen the outlook. LAO suggested the Legislature could wait for a finalized business plan and highlighted unresolved questions about the scope of the project, borrowing, public-private partnerships, and proposed statutory changes. Members focused on whether the project can be delivered on time and what financial obligations the state could face. Senators questioned the need for tax increment financing, value capture, and other legislative changes, with concerns about impacts on local governments and school districts. The Authority said utility relocation authority is its top legislative priority and that value capture is a longer-term tool that would not affect civil construction of Merced-to-Bakersfield, but could affect payback timing. It also said the state’s $1 billion annual cap-and-invest funding through 2045 is currently assumed to cover the Central Valley segment, while private partners could either finance against that state commitment or invest additional capital in other segments. Public testimony was mixed: building trades and labor groups supported the project and the Authority’s request, while local government and special district representatives opposed tax increment proposals and urged consent from affected agencies; environmental and rail advocates supported the project and urged action on utility relocation. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have this 10.75% excise tax on cannabis.
• All cities and towns that collect the tax have opted to do the maximum 3%.
• So they take the money from their local cannabis tax and invest it into...
• in state income taxes, and has been the conduit for over $8.5 million in local taxes and fees to the
• They'd rather pay the 17% tax at the... ...dispensary.

Bills: H5005

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Keywords: environment, water conservation, natural resources, public funding, environmental justice

Transcript Highlights:

• We can match that tax credit."
• </c> "Hey, Minnesota's given this tax credit. "Hey, Minnesota's given this tax credit.
• So, what We can match that tax credit."
• That sends period of that tax credit.
• </c> want some check, but you can use a tax want some check, but you can use a tax attorney,<00:13:29.600

Transcript Highlights:

• You are only going to be covered in short by what is on those tax rolls.
• record of what's on your property because it's used not just for tax purposes but for other things.
• on an improvement for the current tax year or any prior tax year in which the improvement existed, and
• A Roth IRA is a tax-deferred, tax-free, post-payment-of-tax way to grow assets. ...post-payment-of-tax
• It would be moving tax-free education dollars into a tax-free retirement account.

Transcript Highlights:

• adjust resources and staffing to accommodate students whose families do not contribute to the local tax
• Local tax dollars meant to support community schools could end up following students to other districts
• and school budgets local property taxes and school budgets are<01:04:13.520><c> carefully</c><01:04:
• </c><01:05:52.400><c> base</c><01:05:53.400><c> local</c><01:05:53.799><c> tax</c> contribute to local
• tax base local tax contribute to local tax base local tax dollars<01:05:54.920><c> meant</c><01:05:55.160

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of a September 24th estate state tax of a September 24th estate state tax payment.<00:24:31.760>
• </c> and individual income tax was up 2.2%. and individual income tax was up 2.2%.
• Expands the child tax credit. No tax on tips or overtime for 2025 through 2028.
• </c><01:53:14.560><c> base</c> construction jobs and excise tax base construction jobs and excise tax
• ,</c> ask is a little different on the GT tax, ask is a little different on the GT tax, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• Into the ground with a tax, the super tax?
• Taxes. Taxes, taxes for Minnesotans.
• </c> super tax would. super tax would.
• Electric vehicle tax credits. Again, another tax credit. You guys should love those tax credits.
• <c> um</c> tax credit, clean energy tax pro um tax credit, clean energy tax pro um production<03:32:47.840

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pay to vote, that's called a pole tax. pay to vote, that's called a pole tax.
• If it's something that costs $40,000 and there's a 10% sales tax, then you'll see that there's a tax
• If it's something that costs $40,000 and there's a 10% sales tax, then you'll see that there's a tax
• You got a tax break from the break. You got a tax break from the president.
• </c> say to you, you have now a tax break. say to you, you have now a tax break.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet many residents rarely have access to these good union jobs and the productions that our tax dollars
• done so much work, many around this table, to ensure that we have the strongest film and television tax
• About two and a half years ago, we stood together to We need tracking in the film tax credit because
• Again, as you talked about taxes, we all pay taxes.
• of this program and further feedback to the legislature for continuous improvements. the important tax

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:28:53.440><c> and</c> 1085 which raises our tobacco tax and 1085 which raises our tobacco tax
• Now, the thing is, we haven't raised the taxes since 2011, and so the taxes remained at $3.20 a pack,
• Now, the thing is, we haven't raised the taxes since 2011, and so the taxes remained at $3.20 a pack,
• But in that same regard, if that is the goal... the tobacco tax is the tobacco tax is um<01:37:40.239
• </c> see with the decrease in the tobacco tax see with the decrease in the tobacco tax revenue<01:37:

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees. The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.