Video & Transcript Research : 'Tax Code Chapter 351'

Page 164 of 500
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We don't raise the rent every time the taxes go up.
  • We did not even raise the rent this time when our taxes went up.
  • We don't raise the rent every time the taxes go up.
  • We did not even raise the rent this time when our taxes went up.
  • We do have a whole chapter in state statute that has laws related to manufactured housing.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
  • They are the federal tax and a state tax.
  • When employers are complying with paying state taxes, they get a discount on their federal taxes.
  • up front, When an employer is subject to an unemployment tax, their specific tax rate is determined
  • So the tax rate that Virginia businesses pay for this federal tax is 0.6%, which is, on an annual basis
  • The fund is primarily financed through the tax scheme that I explained a few slides ago, and those taxes
Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Legislative Administration (02/19/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just another question: your group, does that include the American Legion chapters and the VFW chapters
  • Just another question: your group, does that include the American Legion chapters and the VFW chapters
  • document that tracks um the the chapter document that tracks um the the chapter which<01:57:26.400
  • <04:00:10.199> may<04:00:10.399> be taxes while a taxing jurisdiction may be taxes
  • <05:05:18.440> taken gets taxes taken gets taxes taken out<05:05:20.558> you<05:05:
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first dealt with scheduling and housekeeping, including a plan to take a hard break at 2:00 p.m. for an early bill, hold a brief executive session, and then continue with the remaining afternoon bills. The chair also noted the next likely meeting date would be March 12, when the committee expected to take up the remaining bills before crossover deadlines. The main substantive item was House Bill 142, which would recognize the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and related remembrance purposes. Prime sponsor Rep. Michael Moffett described the bill as a bipartisan measure revised to address earlier concerns, arguing that the flag honors fallen service members, can be personalized with names, and complements rather than detracts from the American flag. He said many other states have already adopted it and suggested the committee could amend details such as the number of days and locations for display. He also raised practical issues about flag dimensions and whether the bill should use "shall" or "may" for display requirements. Testimony was divided. Janine Nutter opposed the bill, saying she supports Gold Star families but objected because the flag resembles the Viet Cong flag and because she believes the American flag should remain the sole symbol representing servicemembers. Kevin Grady, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee under RSA 115:8, also opposed the bill, saying the committee believes the American flag is the only symbol needed, while still praising the work of Honor and Remember in creating personalized flags for families. Committee members asked questions about where the flag would be flown, whether the State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen is already displaying it, and how the bill’s language would interact with cemetery policies and committee discretion. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Commerce (03/31/2026)

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • <01:04:17.839> increment TIFF cap captures future tax increment TIFF cap captures future tax
  • necessarily consider this an extra tax necessarily consider this an extra tax because<01:05:07.039
  • to see like this sort of tax. to see like this sort of tax.
  • As crown jewel, Uniform Commercial Code.
  • And uh, and the way we know it is that we just look at the beer tax, and we can see that the beer tax
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Feb 4th, 2025

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • Almost half a billion dollars in local and state taxes paid.
  • are in many ways like the pioneers who asked to establish these entities through the Florida Citrus Code
  • , Chapter 601, Florida Statutes.
  • There was a new law you guys passed under Chapter 601 that says that...
  • The districts are organized into four different groups, and we have them color-coded up on the map.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard an update on the Florida citrus industry from Matt Joyner of Florida Citrus Mutual and Shannon Shepp of the Department of Citrus. Both described the industry’s steep decline over the past two decades due to citrus greening (HLB), hurricanes, freezes, and aging groves, but emphasized ongoing recovery efforts through research, replanting, and new therapies. They highlighted promising tools such as plant growth regulators, protective screens and covers, direct oxytetracycline application, CRISPR-based breeding, and the CRAFT program, which has expanded to more than 10,000 acres of solid-set plantings and over 20,000 acres including resets. Members discussed disaster relief, property tax pressures, grower participation, and the need for assessment relief and other state support. No votes were taken on the citrus presentation. Shepp also outlined the Department of Citrus’s marketing and research role, noting strong consumer demand for Florida orange juice, global advertising efforts, and clinical research tied to health messaging. She said the industry remains a major economic contributor, with thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, and that the department is working to maintain demand while growers replant and reset groves. Senators asked about the CRAFT program, new grower participation, and how advertising and state policy could help sustain the industry. The committee then received a performance review of the Opa-locka Soil and Water Conservation Districts from David Jahossky of Malden and Jenkins. The review found wide variation among the 49 districts studied, with many lacking recurring revenue, staffing, proper meeting notices, records retention, formal performance goals, and timely financial reports. The report identified nearly 400 recommendations and noted that some districts had already dissolved or were considering dissolution. Senators questioned whether the districts were duplicative of other agencies and whether they still served a useful purpose; the presenter said there was overlap and collaboration but no duplication. A public commenter from Jefferson County argued that local boards still provide trusted, community-based support for producers and help connect them to cost-share and best management practice programs. The chair indicated the review would inform possible legislation to improve or restructure the districts, and the committee adjourned without taking a vote.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The health and safety code addresses certain areas, and then we expanded the government code in others
  • Obviously, I work in the Health and Safety Code a lot, and the camps are typically covered under Chapter
  • 141 of the Health and Safety Code.
  • It might be time to look at Chapter 26.
  • Flippin, Texas chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Feb 9th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, as she begins this next chapter, Tabitha looks forward to traveling when she's great. on special
  • Now, as she begins this next chapter, Tabitha looks forward to traveling when she's great.
  • You will be missed, and we wish you nothing but happiness and fulfillment in your next chapter.
  • I wish you to write the next chapter. You will be missed. But I wish you well.
  • And I want you to write the best chapter for your next life. I wish that you would write it big.
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, completed the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing visitors, students, and a long-serving committee secretary, Tabitha Volga-Sang, who was honored for 32 years of service. Members also took up a procedural motion by Assembly Member DeMaio to immediately consider ACA 14, the Taxpayer Protection Act, without reference to file; that motion failed on a 14-44 vote. The main policy debate centered on SB 106 by Senator Laird, a budget appropriation to provide $90 million in one-time funding for Planned Parenthood and related women’s health and family planning services after federal cuts. Assembly Member Tangipa offered amendments arguing the money should be directed more broadly to women’s health and hospitals, but the Assembly voted 41-13 to lay the amendments on the table. Supporters, including Gabriel, Sharp-Collins, Gibson, Krell, Bonta, and others, said the bill was needed to preserve access to cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing, and reproductive care, especially in rural and underserved communities, and to offset the effects of federal defunding. Opponents, including Johnson, DeMaio, Patterson, and Tangipa, criticized the bill as lacking transparency, favoring a politically connected organization, and diverting attention from hospital funding and other health needs. After extended floor debate, SB 106 passed the Assembly 55-10 and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. The chamber then took up H.R. 84, a resolution condemning racism after President Trump circulated racist imagery depicting former President Obama and Michelle Obama. Members from the Black, LGBTQ, Latino, AAPI, Jewish, Native American, and other caucuses spoke in support, saying the post normalized dehumanization and had real-world consequences; Assembly Member Tangipa also stated the post was wrong and apologized on the record. The transcript ends during continued debate on H.R. 84, before a final vote is shown.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/10/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 373, income tax refunds; veterans organizations.
  • HB 2939, qualified facilities tax credit amount.
  • HCR 2008, gas tax elimination. SCR 2004, Ford enforcement systems prohibition.
  • HCM 2008, gas tax elimination. SCR 2004, Ford enforcement systems prohibition.
  • Senate Bill 1054, an act amending Title 9, Chapter 4, and Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 4, Arizona Revised
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and welcomed several guest groups, including the City of Maricopa Youth Council, students from Alpha School in Scottsdale, Brianna Andrew, and students from Gilbert Edu-Prize. The chamber also adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and then adopted the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the President announced a temporary committee appointment for Senator Shamp and a request to adjourn after Wednesday’s session until Monday, March 16. The floor then considered a long list of bills, with several third-reading votes. Measures that passed included SB 1654 on elections funding, SB 1711 on school safety-related information, SB 1743 on campaign contribution address disclosure, SB 1747 on access technology content, SB 1284 on moving violations, SB 1336 on State Land Department issues, SB 1365 on property tax exemptions for veterans, SB 1655 on juror summons/poll worker service, SB 1662 on probation, SB 1803 on Department of Veterans’ Services claims assistance, SB 1494, SB 1497 on school insurance, SB 1503 on pension benefit plans, SB 1584 on Department of Corrections recruitment, SB 1632 on DES, SB 1723 on bail, SB 1206 on insurance claims, and SB 1827 on aviation. Several bills failed, including SCR 1047 on marijuana establishment licenses, SB 1134 on political signs before reconsideration, SB 1544 on probation, and SB 1585 on sex offender monitoring. SB 1134 was later reconsidered and passed. Many of these votes featured debate over elections administration, privacy, health care access, veterans’ benefits, probation, and public safety. The Senate then resolved into the Committee of the Whole for Calendar One and later Calendar Two. In Committee of the Whole, members adopted amendments and recommended do pass on SB 1009, SB 1050, SB 1054, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1317, SB 1461, and SB 1672, with discussion focusing on school training standards, veterans’ park passes, local measures, Arizona Rangers oversight, AHCCCS provider reimbursement, reentry programming, allied health workforce development, and anti-psychotic drug authorization. On Calendar Two, the committee also advanced SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1295, SB 1611, and SCR 1022 after amendments and extended debate, especially on AHCCCS fraud, juvenile court proceedings, inmate medical release, and the American Indian Health Program. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the bills were properly assigned, and committee announcements were made for the next day’s meetings.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 1 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Section 3 of Chapter 3 of the General Laws provides that on the first Wednesday in January, following
  • We cut taxes for the first time in 20 years.
  • We began by passing the largest tax cut Massachusetts has seen in a generation.
  • gains tax, and taxes on businesses located here in the Commonwealth.
  • That, under the authority of Section 22A of Chapter 3 of the General Laws, copies of the journal for
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House of Representatives convened on January 1, 2025, for the opening of the 194th General Court. The session began with the call to order, invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and National Anthem, followed by remarks from the Dean of the House, Governor Maura Healey, and Speaker Ron Mariano. Speakers highlighted the historic nature of the new session, the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence, and priorities such as public service, transparency, and continued collaboration between the House, Senate, and administration. The House received and filed the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s communication transmitting election returns, then adopted a special committee report confirming that the members-elect had been duly elected. The chamber also accepted the resignation/declination of Representative-elect Gerald Paracela, who had been nominated to the District Court. A committee was appointed to notify the Governor that a quorum of members-elect had assembled and were ready to be sworn in, after which the Governor administered the oaths of office to the members. The House then elected Ronald Mariano of Quincy as Speaker by roll-call vote, with 132 votes; Bradley H. Jones Jr. received 21 votes, Mark T. Lombardo 4, and the total vote count was 157. Timothy Carroll of Hull was elected Clerk by acclamation and sworn in, and he announced the appointment of assistant clerks. The House also adopted temporary rules to continue the prior session’s House rules and temporary joint rules, and agreed to a Senate order scheduling a convention for the following day to administer oaths to the Governor’s Council. The session concluded with a benediction and adjournment until the next day at 11 a.m.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, June 11, 2026 - PM

Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • I understand it's all coded and divvied out. My question is, who did the codes?
  • Who >> My question is who did the codes?
  • , fishing, and general recreational use chapter.
  • revenues from sales tax, revenues from property<01:31:04.400> tax<01:31:04.719> on<01:31
  • property tax on the private land, etc. property tax on the private land, etc. you<01:31:06.400><
Keywords: 916, all
VA

Virginia 2026 Regular Session

March 12, 2026 - Regular Session

Virginia House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Here's a problem: there's no definition in the code for electioneering.
  • policy options for reforming the litter tax study, expanded civil penalty.
  • policy options for reforming the litter tax study, expanded civil penalty.
  • The Senate substitute helps us clean up the language of the code.
  • The Senate made technical amendments to cross-reference other sections of the code.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary B May 27th, 2026

Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:
  • We don't tax gasoline loyalty points. We don't tax credit card loyalty points.
  • We don't tax when I use my Hilton Honors code and points. We don't tax those.
  • The state of Mississippi does not tax free play. Okay. Thank you.
  • The state of Mississippi does not tax free play. Okay. All right. Excellent.
  • So enjoy your next chapter of your life, but we really did enjoy your time here in the Senate.
Summary: The Senate Judiciary B Committee met on May 27 and first approved the minutes from the May 21 meeting. The committee then took up House Bill 75, as amended, which would increase the promotional play tax deduction for gaming facilities from $5 million to $7 million and apply the change to racetracks and other brick-and-mortar casino properties on a phased-in basis. The bill’s author and gaming industry witnesses said the measure would help Louisiana compete with neighboring states, drive visitation, and support horse racing purses and tourism. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 75 favorably. The committee next considered House Bill 623, which creates a three-tier system for vapor products and includes related technical changes, including a provision allowing in-person delivery of vapor, alternative nicotine, or smokeless tobacco products by third-party contractors from licensed Louisiana retailers with age verification. Amendments were adopted to correct language and address an effective-date issue tied to another bill. The committee then reported HB 623 with amendments. House Bill 302, which would prohibit the sale of vapor products near schools, was also amended and heard with testimony from the New Orleans Health Department and the American Lung Association. Both witnesses supported youth protections but urged clarifying language to ensure local governments can keep or adopt stricter rules and to avoid conflicts with existing local ordinances; the health department also noted concerns that the bill focuses only on vapor products while youth nicotine use is broader. After discussion, the committee reported HB 302 with amendments. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and members, and the committee adjourned without objection.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Federal tax provisions, specifically sections 45U... ...and 48E of the Internal Revenue Code play a vital
  • It's the only means of production tax credit in the entire tax code.
  • Just to edify here, Sections 45U, 45Y, and 45E of the Internal Revenue Code, not known in the tax code
  • No sir, 45U is a production tax credit for existing nuclear.
  • And then, 48E is an investment tax credit for new nuclear.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're a statewide grassroots advocacy group with chapters across the state, committed to fighting for
  • Chapter 15A.
  • I personally buy all my textbooks secondhand online, and these access codes make that impossible.
  • I personally buy all my textbooks secondhand online and these access codes make that impossible.
  • I personally buy all my textbooks secondhand online, and these access codes make that impossible.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes. The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further. Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • If you're going to do this, it will be done at the federal level through tax.
  • We just don't want that code. ...upfront funding, not the ongoing basis.
  • Sacramento and the Climate Reality Project chapters in Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley.
  • So even the smallest code-compliant projects would be pushed into years of discretionary review.
  • So even the smallest code-compliant process. definitions or parameters around the size.
Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 7, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:18:59.240> drastically raise local property taxes drastically raise local property taxes
  • Jackie Robinson, Navajo code talkers, Jackie Robinson, Navajo code talkers, and<00:55:28.400> yes,
  • This vote paves the way for meaningful action on securing the border, strengthening the tax code to support
  • This vote paves the way for meaningful action on securing the border, strengthening the tax code to support
  • <08:07:15.840> for taxes for taxes for buses
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy and Administration (01/30/2026)

Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> It just basically code the code enforcement to allow for public charter schools to be exempt from
  • It just basically code<03:31:30.640> the<03:31:30.960> code<03:31:31.200> enforcement
  • to allow for code the code enforcement to allow for public<03:31:32.800> charter<03:31:33.120
  • In addition to that, while this is not about code enforcement, we follow all building codes.
  • enforcement, we follow all about code enforcement, we follow all building<03:53:34.319> codes.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334. The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed. Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence May 7th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • The tort tax is dramatically increasing.
  • It amends Chapter 18 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to conform the statute to case law and to
  • , OK, which is the code that all doctors are supposed to use and it's the same thing.
  • It says in an action to which this chapter applies, it is reversible error.
  • We got into the chapter and verse.
IN

Indiana 2026 Regular Session

Friday, Feb. 27 part 6

Indiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Indiana Code says that they should report yearly. The code was to report quarterly.
  • This year, Senate Bill 80 also once again reflects a code enhancement approved by the Code Revision Commission
  • A code enhancement approved by the Code Revision Commission as a means to reorganize specific crowded
  • chapters in the Indiana Code.
  • The bill makes no substantive changes to the code.
Keywords: 964, all