Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's why it says subject to appropriation, because the tax credit is on their local property
• That's on their local property tax liability. I think it's how this one works.
• It specifically says 4A, Class 2 or Class 3. Okay.
• But that one in particular says that I can apply for tax credit as a class one railroad or class two
• I was going to say there's no class one railroad. Class two or three railroad.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2998 and adopted a House committee substitute that narrowed the bill to a study of the Upper Mississippi River Basin and the Rural Development Office, with a new date of December 1, 2029. Members asked about the fiscal note and whether the proposal was simply a study rather than a broader project. The committee then voted the substitute do pass on a 21-0 roll call. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 913, which would extend several agricultural tax credits for five years and add/adjust provisions for short-line railroads, biodiesel, rolling stock, meat processing, specialty crops, and related programs. Senator Gregory and supporters said the bill would provide certainty for agricultural investment, rural development, ethanol and biodiesel production, meat processors, and short-line rail infrastructure, with several witnesses emphasizing return on investment, competitiveness, and the importance of keeping Missouri agriculture strong. Some members also discussed the rolling stock credit and local tax backfill, with supporters saying it simply makes local political subdivisions whole and does not create a double payment. Opponents, led by the State Public Advocate, argued Missouri’s tax credit system is too large, costly, and insufficiently audited, and said the state could not afford the projected fiscal impact. They criticized the credits as giveaways and questioned whether the programs would happen without incentives. Despite those objections, the hearing featured broad support from farm, rail, banking, agribusiness, chamber, and commodity groups, and no vote was taken on SB 913 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• General funds or the local property General funds or the local property taxpayers<00:10:54.160><
• While wealthier school districts may absorb the cost with little disruption, property-poor communities
• While wealthier school districts may absorb the cost with little disruption, property-poor communities
• tax that's something I can property tax that's something I can afford<00:19:26.520> during<00
• that this class of workers should<00:20:46.120> have<00:20:46.240> been<00:20:46.440><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He said offshore wind farms can negatively impact property values and visitor rates.
• 01:36:18.320> for the offshore win is not eligible for the offshore win is not eligible for class
• 36:20.960> and<01:36:21.199> that<01:36:21.440> way<01:36:21.800> there class
• one treatment and that way there class one treatment and that way there would<01:36:22.159> be
• It's not State of New Hampshire property. We can do whatever the taxpayers of Seabrook want.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from personal injuries um property from personal injuries um property damage<00:21:48.480> which
• > necessarily fall into one class but not necessarily fall into one class but not necessarily
• add language that a class 3 e by<01:10:03.480> e<01:10:03.800> a<01:10:03.920> class
• the references to class one two class<01:13:10.600> 1<01:13:10.760> and<01:13:10.880>
• 1 and two ebikes and I will only class 1 and two ebikes and I will only retain<01:13:13.120> class

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• responsibility for its Highway property responsibility for its Highway property on<00:10:59.360>
• bought a piece of property.
• <00:25:17.960> five from a class one or two to a class five from a class one or two to a class
• know, the property impacts, physical property impacts to that property, say we're putting in some type
• impacts physical property the property impacts physical property impacts<01:29:04.280> to<01:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 561, sponsored by Representative Nancy Murphy, which would limit the state’s ability to discontinue, reclassify, or revert state-owned highway property to municipalities without local approval. Murphy and other supporters argued the bill would protect towns from unfunded mandates and prevent property tax increases caused by taking on costly road maintenance. Representative Wendy Thomas, Rosemarie Rung, Merrimack Town Council Chairman Finley Rothhouse, and Town Manager Paul McAuliffe all testified in support, describing the financial burden of the planned transfer of Continental Boulevard in Merrimack and warning it would set a harmful precedent for other communities. The Department of Transportation’s Steve Leon explained the department’s current authority and processes for discontinuance and reclassification, said active highways are not surplus property, and noted that the Supreme Court’s Town of Nelson decision held such reclassifications were not an unfunded mandate. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 561. The committee next took up House Bill 578, presented by Representative Mooney on behalf of Representative Bill Boyd, to require sound barriers along the F. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Supporters said widening the turnpike would increase noise in nearby neighborhoods and that a 2019 NHDOT study identified 17 neighborhoods with noise levels above federal standards, though only four were included for mitigation under the current project. They argued the remaining neighborhoods should also receive relief and cited quality-of-life and property-value concerns. Senator Tim McGuire also testified in support, saying residents were experiencing unexpected and severe noise impacts and urging the committee to act outside the usual criteria to approve the barriers. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or action on HB 578.

Transcript Highlights:

• 102 contract class.
• oversight of the unclaimed property oversight of the unclaimed property program<00:53:04.960>
• on a daily basis in terms of setting tax rates, assisting with property appraisal, utility property
• appraisal, utility property property appraisal, utility property tax,<01:33:53.280> and<01:33:
• taxes<01:40:18.000> that property values and property taxes that property values and property

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our property manager was assaulted on property.
• ,<00:03:41.200> provide redevelop blighted properties, provide redevelop blighted properties
• > service thirdparty property managers, service thirdparty property managers, service providers
• 04:58.000> on property manager was assaulted on property manager was assaulted on property.<00
• assaulted following a home buyer class. assaulted following a home buyer class.

Bills: HF4141, HF3951

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To property tax classifications in the city of Watertown.
• class, the CIP class, increased from 18.87 to 28 percent.
• This law establishes that the residential class has to pay the lowest percentage share of the tax levy
• This law establishes that the residential class has to pay the lowest percentage share of the tax levy
• The means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption in the town of Sudbury.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 17 late-file and miscellaneous bills, with testimony focused on several local tax and fee proposals. The first major item was H. 4687 for Watertown, which would permanently continue a special property tax classification allowing the city to maintain a 50% residential minimum factor and a 175% commercial shift. Watertown officials and local legislators said the measure is needed to prevent an estimated 18% residential tax increase when the current temporary authority expires, arguing that the city’s commercial growth and 1988 tax rules have created an unintended burden on homeowners, especially seniors. Committee members asked about the regional business impact, whether major taxpayers might leave, and why a permanent change was sought instead of another short extension; Watertown officials said the policy had not deterred commercial growth and that the city’s fiscal planning and stabilization funds were being used for schools, infrastructure, and bond rating support. The committee also heard H. 4435 from Charlemont, which would authorize a local tax on commercial recreation services. Town officials described Charlemont as a small rural community with a large visitor burden from skiing, rafting, and other recreation, saying police, fire, and EMS costs rise sharply during peak seasons and that the tax would help shift some of those costs to visitors rather than local residents. A committee member questioned the legal structure of taxing recreation services versus goods, but the town said the proposal was modeled on the meals and rooms tax and had local business support. Finally, testimony was taken on H. 4722, promoting fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles, especially electric school buses and Class 3-8 trucks. Supporters, including EV advocates, a school transportation company, and Rep. Gentile, said the bill would cap sales and excise taxes on EV vehicles at the level of comparable diesel vehicles to remove an unintended tax penalty, keep revenue neutral, and support the state’s climate goals while helping school districts and private bus operators manage higher upfront costs. Rep. Gentile also spoke in support of H. 4755, which would amend Sudbury’s means-tested senior property tax exemption so the town would not need new special legislation if the program is renewed again in the future. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after public testimony and committee questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is the bill for class one renewable energy classes.
• is the bill um for class one uh renewable<00:07:57.520> energy<00:07:58.000> classes.
• Now, I renewable energy classes.
• <00:08:04.080> for class one renewable energy classes for class one renewable energy classes
• Sources within class one.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• class ES or issue of concurrent class class ES or classes<01:02:27.960> that<01:02:28.079>
• any classes?
• any classes?
• any classes?
• any classes?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 362, which would give the Department of Education rulemaking authority over educator licensing and testing requirements, including professional education assessments. Representative Ladd argued the bill is meant to preserve New Hampshire’s higher standards for teacher preparation and to avoid lowering requirements for licensed educators, while also allowing flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) instructors who may have strong industry experience but not traditional classroom credentials. Members discussed whether the bill should preserve industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing while exempting CTE teachers from content exams; DOE Director Steven Appy said an amendment would clarify that the bill applies to initial licenses, exempt CTE teachers from the content-testing requirement, and keep current administrative practice on basic skills and industry credentials in statute. The committee also noted that an executive session would be scheduled later, likely the following week, to act on the bills and amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 90, dealing with the definition of part-time teachers. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is intended to let university and community college faculty teach limited hours in high school concurrent enrollment settings, especially in subjects like math and STEM where some schools cannot find locally certified teachers with a master’s degree. He said the measure is designed to expand student access to college-level courses, not to replace fully certified teachers or reduce standards, and emphasized that the bill is limited to faculty employed or contracted by the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire, with criminal background checks and ethics/conduct rules still applying. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the discussion ended with the understanding that further action would come in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our university is world-class in ocean science.
• Once a cart is stolen, the business is no longer in control of that property.
• Many retailers already invest property.
• As the law is written a class A felony.
• <01:07:05.920> C person should be charged with a class C person should be charged with a class

Bills: HB1629, HB1630, HB1631

Keywords: economic development, business, state statutes, Hawaii Revised Statutes, legislation, development strategy, state funding, infrastructure, employment opportunities, legislative intent, state legislation, development initiatives, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 1829 on marine affairs. Most testimony was in strong support, with speakers from state agencies, ocean-tech companies, startups, nonprofits, and community groups backing the creation of an Office of Marine Affairs and a marine affairs coordinator under HTDC. Supporters said the measure would better coordinate ocean policy, strengthen the blue economy, and help Hawaii capture jobs, investment, and innovation in marine-related industries. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HTDC-related measures, including HB 1615 and HB 1613, which also drew broad support from business, technology, and economic development interests. Testifiers said the bills would strengthen Hawaii’s technology and innovation ecosystem, support advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, and help build a more diversified economy with higher-wage jobs. The committee also heard HB 1607 on public procurement and HB 1772 on small business procurement; state procurement staff and several business groups supported efforts to expand opportunities for local firms, while one speaker from the city’s economic revitalization commission argued that a flat 5% preference could help keep more revenue and jobs in-state. On HB 1636 relating to shopping carts, the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition, saying the bill would penalize businesses for carts that are stolen rather than abandoned and would add costs that could especially burden small and local retailers. HB 1810 on charitable solicitation drew support from Goodwill Hawaii and other nonprofits, who said the bill would improve transparency around donation bins and protect donors from misleading for-profit collection practices; the Attorney General’s office asked for a delayed effective date to allow system changes and staffing. HB 1782 on AI and the protection of minors received broad support from state agencies, educators, and advocacy groups, but some business and retail representatives urged narrowing the definition of covered AI services so ordinary customer-service chatbots would not be swept in. Finally, HB 1759 on theft drew opposition from the Public Defender’s Office, which said the bill could create overly harsh penalties and should include defense representation on any task force; the office also noted existing laws already address conspiracy and related conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• Criminal penalties include class D felony for title fraud and a class C felony if the victim is over
• Criminal penalties include class D felony for title fraud and a class C felony if the victim is over
• Criminal penalties include class D felony for title fraud and a class C felony if the victim is over
• Criminal penalties include class D felony for title fraud and a class C felony if the victim is over
• Uh, included is theft of property in 13A-8-3 and 13A-8-4, theft of lost property.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all sorts of different uh properties all sorts of different uh properties abing<00:09:40.920>
• property.
• It's not the city's property. It's not the county's property. There's a developer that owns that.
• land they own it it's private property land they own it it's private property or<00:37:00.640>
• property it's not the County's property property it's not the County's property there's<00:37:46.839

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Property owner or someone authorized by the owner may camp on a property.
• of existing property like for usages of existing property like for example<01:35:35.119> lot<
• a class four or five a class six Road or a class four or five Road<01:51:24.400> I<01:51:24.440
• property property owner<01:51:55.119> no<01:51:56.079> that's<01:51:56.199> not
• more efficient they can walk to class more efficient they can walk to class and<03:46:03.120>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the class. sparks passion, too.
• <00:32:48.559> without to drop into an existing class without to drop into an existing class
• messing up the pacing of the class. messing up the pacing of the class.
• Uh, but happy National Unclaimed Property Day, everyone.
• Maybe you'll stumble across property.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A superintendent who violates the public safety policy requirements is guilty of a class six or class
• A class six or a class four felony for a superintendent or governing board members who don't want to,
• And to bring it back to this class four, class six felony, we're potentially making it difficult for
• We need kids in class, physically present in class, and this bill helps ensure that.
• Students did not walk out of classes because classes were not held that day, and I think that's important

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• parcel of the property tax exempt. parcel of the property tax exempt.
• <00:04:13.760> exempt into, uh, was given property tax exempt into, uh, was given property
• property taxes and LGA. property taxes and LGA.
• . properties. properties.
• The speaker continued, "Class warfare. That's all this is. This is class warfare.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, Miss McLofflin online kind of, uh, mentioned we have different property classes.
• I mean, Miss McLofflin online kind of, uh, mentioned we have different property classes.
• I mean, Miss McLofflin online kind of, uh, mentioned we have different property classes.
• I mean, Miss McLofflin online kind of, uh, mentioned we have different property classes.
• I mean, Miss McLofflin online kind of, uh, mentioned we have different property classes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• property.
• the road is our victim’s property.
• property.
• A and Class B biosolids.
• to minimize workers' contact with Class B biosolids and soils or dust containing Class B biosolids during

Summary: The committee hearing focused on biosolids, sewage sludge, and PFAS contamination, with the opening remarks and first three presenters arguing that land application of municipal sludge poses serious risks to soil, water, livestock, and human health. Representative Shaw cited EPA and state data on detected pollutants and PFAS in biosolids, while Denise Travick Poyer described her background in chemical engineering and PFAS work and said the EPA’s draft sewage sludge risk assessment shows unacceptable risk at very low PFOS/PFOA levels. She urged source reduction, more testing, and consideration of total organic fluorine, and noted examples from Michigan where industrial pretreatment and source reduction reduced PFAS in biosolids. Johnson County, Texas Commissioner Larry Woolley and Investigator Dana Ames presented a case study of alleged runoff from land-applied biosolids affecting a ranch, with high PFAS readings in soil, water, fish, cattle tissue, and a stillborn calf, and said the county and state had pursued investigations, lawsuits, and legislative responses. Sandra Trawick of Save Oklahoma Farms and Ranches argued that Oklahoma’s biosolids program relies heavily on Class B sludge, that current rules are outdated, and that land application exposes farms and rural communities to pathogens, chemicals, odors, flies, and runoff; she cited examples from Maine, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and Oklahoma to support calls for stronger regulation or a ban. After the testimony, members asked about sampling methods, lab testing, EPA limits, and whether the cited PFAS blood levels were comparable to the soil and sludge measurements. Witnesses said the Johnson County samples were collected by a Texas A&M PhD contractor and tested at a single lab, and they explained that the EPA’s 4 parts per trillion figure applied to municipal drinking water standards. Questions also addressed whether sludge is incorporated into soil; Trawick said it had often been left on the surface, though she had seen better disking after public scrutiny. Members asked how biosolids compare with manure and feedlot waste, and witnesses responded that municipal sludge is more contaminated because it includes industrial, hospital, and household waste streams, unlike animal manure. The committee then moved to alternative solutions, hearing from Doug McKinney of Advanced Microbial Solutions, who promoted biological sludge removal using bacteria to reduce sludge volumes and avoid land application, citing cost savings for wastewater plants and correctional facilities. Jason Jepsen of Eden Energy followed with a pitch for an eight-stage waste-to-energy system that converts mixed waste into clean energy, biochar, and reusable products, framing waste as an asset and presenting his company’s technology as a no-land-application alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• These class action type lawsuits are both disingenuous and hypocritical, These class action type lawsuits
• Otherwise, we may have a class action lawsuit on our hands.
• and then they had to take an online class and then they had to take an online class, and they had to
• the agency is the curator of that particular property.
• the agency is the curator of that particular property.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which was presented as a narrowly focused ban on climate-change damages lawsuits rather than a measure affecting emissions claims, pollution claims, or private property rights. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to stop speculative suits targeting energy producers, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and other businesses for global climate impacts, while preserving claims for actual legal violations under state or federal environmental and safety laws. After a substitute amendment was adopted to clarify and streamline the bill, the committee heard extensive support from oil and gas, chemical, business, port, and legal reform groups, along with a few opposition speakers who argued the bill could still be read to shield industry too broadly or weaken climate accountability. HB 804 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 802, as amended, which creates a watershed conservation fund tied to the Amite River Basin. The author explained that the bill was narrowed from a statewide proposal to a basin-specific program to reduce flood risk and restore watershed areas using existing severance revenue from sand mining, modeled in part on coastal restoration funding. Supporters from the concrete industry, landowners, levee boards, and conservation groups described it as a practical, low-cost, non-government solution to help remediate old sand and gravel pits and improve flood control. With no opposition cards and no objections, HB 802 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HB 934, as substituted, which would allow licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer fawns under specific conditions, including disease monitoring, release only within the same management zone, and other handling requirements. The author said the bill was meant to prevent the euthanizing of orphaned fawns that could be rehabilitated and to create a lawful pathway for licensed care. A supporter described her experience rescuing an orphaned fawn that was later confiscated and killed, while the Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed the measure, warning it could effectively create a captive deer program, undermine wildlife conservation principles, and lead to dangerous or inhumane facilities. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 934, before final committee action is shown.