Transcript Highlights:

• The Secretary mentioned earlier our fee inequality, specifically for service of process fees, and some
• But yes, depending on the appetite, we can do all-at-once fee raises, but all of our fees are set in
• So the fee that we pay to file for office is a real exception to the rule of your other fees?
• What's the fee I'm paying?
• Maybe fees should go down for them.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State’s office described its FY27 budget, emphasizing efficiency gains from technology, election security work, and business services. It said it is operating with fewer staff than a decade ago, but rising costs and outdated statutory fees are creating deficits in service of process and other operations. The office asked the committee to consider either increasing fees or allowing it to retain a larger share of business-service revenue, and it also proposed creating an Office of Entrepreneurship to help small businesses navigate state government, grants, permits, and related services. Committee members questioned the Secretary of State’s office about fee increases, the current 50-50 split of certain revenues with general revenue, and whether the proposed entrepreneurship office would duplicate existing services. The office said it would complement, not replace, Commerce, SBDC, or grant programs, and would report metrics and policy recommendations to the legislature. The Attorney General then requested a one-time $2 million special revenue appropriation to hire additional lawyers and support staff, citing increased litigation, federal and state legal work, and the need to defend new laws. He also discussed embedded DMV lawyers handling DUI revocation hearings and said the arrangement costs the office just over $200,000. The State Auditor reported that his office is largely self-funded through special revenue and said he wants to reduce reliance on general revenue over time. He highlighted savings from renegotiated leases and an open government contract, discussed the need for more auditors in the Chief Inspector’s Division, and described fraud recovery and P-card operations. A major topic was delinquent land sales: the auditor said the office sold about 17,000 parcels last year and believes online bidding and better marketing could generate substantially more revenue, with the surplus potentially shared among counties, the state, and other programs. Members also asked about securities fee changes, fairness hearings, fire department audits, IT/cybersecurity, and how surplus proceeds from delinquent land sales should be handled. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the way, there's a federal postcard application, which is what it's called under federal law.
• It actually has a line that asks the applicant if they intend to return.
• And that's so that's that's part of the federal application.
• It's not a completed application, and so therefore it goes back to be completed.
• Does that include fines and fees? Are there any other questions on the bill as amended?

Bills: HB2938, HB2939, HB3306, HB3722, HB4113, HB4123

Keywords: elections, national elections, state elections, voter intent, election reform, absentee voting, electronic communication, facsimile device, voting materials, military voters, campaign finance, ethics, political contributions, candidate committee, Oklahoma legislation, voter registration, political party affiliation, Independent designation, Oklahoma, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• retroactivity date so the residential subcommittee may stagger renewal and collection of licensing fees
• Amendments 12 and 13 provide that fees for the inspections on behalf of the subcommittee shall be set
• Amendment 17 adds a provision tying inspection fees by local government to the schedule used for site-built
• would come from the Manufactured Housing Commission currently for their licensing and enforcement fees
• Those fees would go up.

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills, a resolution, and one House bill. The committee reported favorably Senate Bill 79 to recreate Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to establish the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, Senate Bill 375 on firefighting foam with amendments clarifying use in declared emergencies, Senate Bill 398 moving manufactured and modular housing oversight under the Contractors Licensing Board with technical and substantive amendments, Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing with an amendment providing for federal preemption if Congress enacts a national licensing regime, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks with consumer-protection provisions and technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably House Resolution 197, as amended, urging the Public Service Commission to study distributed energy generation and storage resources with LSU involvement, and Senate Bill 54, which would allow estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services; that bill drew extensive testimony from supporters and opponents in the cosmetology and aesthetics industries before being reported favorably. Several bills prompted detailed discussion and testimony. On Senate Bill 398, the sponsor and Contractors Licensing Board representatives said the change would improve enforcement and consumer safety for manufactured-home installation, especially tie-downs, leveling, and foundation blocking, while not affecting HUD-regulated construction. On the virtual currency bills, OFI said it currently licenses 37 virtual currency businesses with 33 pending applications, and supporters described the kiosk bill as a response to fraud complaints by requiring clearer disclosures, refund procedures, live customer support, and reporting to OFI. For House Resolution 197, the sponsor, PSC officials, and energy stakeholders said the study would examine the value of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar and battery storage, in light of rising demand and grid reliability concerns; PSC staff and LSU energy experts described the study as focused on market value and avoided-cost benefits. House Bill 744, which would have shifted regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the PSC, generated discussion about constitutional history, rate impacts, and utility consolidation. PSC officials and the sponsor said the current city-council regulation is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921, and they argued that PSC regulation could reduce costs and simplify oversight, but the sponsor ultimately moved to defer the bill rather than force a floor fight, and the committee agreed. The committee then began consideration of Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, adopting technical amendments and then a larger amendment package that revised definitions and compliance provisions; the transcript ends while that bill’s amendment process is still underway, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not forgive any prior failures to file annual reports or unpaid fees
• Engrossed House Bill 5323, relating to indexing and license and stamp fees.
• authorizes the DNR director to propose legislative rules regarding the indexing of license and stamp fees
• The bill removes the prohibition precluding fee increases for license and stamp fees after January 1,
• This change will allow DNR to adjust its fee schedules for inflation. I urge passage of the bill.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• encourage a few adjustments to make sure farmers are not burdened by necessary. by keeping license fees
• Fees for the research permits cover the costs of the program, um, or before they exceed, or do we not
• Believe the bill requires the fees for the research permit. be the same price equal to the application
• fee, which is designed to. help fund the program.
• As a private business owner, many of us up here on this dais don't want to pay those fees.

Bills: HB147, HB 1113, HB 1203, HB 1269, HB 1276, HB 1277, HB1437, HB147

Keywords: livestock, brands, marks, earmarks, tattoos, electronic registry, Texas Animal Health Commission, county clerk, Agriculture Code, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, animal identification, brand registry, livestock traceability, electronic filing, rerecording, law enforcement access

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there are ways that in a program the state can do what we call a form of a fee schedule.
• We can have a fee schedule that they have to follow in certain instances.
• We can um have a a of a a fee schedule.
• We can um have a a fee<00:52:04.800> schedule<00:52:05.040> that<00:52:05.280> they<
• schedule that they have to follow in fee schedule that they have to follow in certain<00:52:06.960><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee to study long-term managed care met to approve the prior meeting minutes, with a clarification that “OB3” referred to the “one big beautiful bill.” The minutes were then approved. Chair Jim Kofalt outlined the day’s agenda, which included testimony from the Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, the New Hampshire Association of Counties, and later DHHS. He also noted that future meetings were expected soon and that the meetings were being livestreamed on YouTube. Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, represented by Kellyanne Totten and Amy Moore, urged inclusive planning and a cautious, phased approach if managed care is considered. They emphasized that home care providers are not uniform, with different licensing and service models, and said any pilot should include varied provider types, rural and southern regions, and agencies of different sizes. They warned that workforce shortages, inflation, and a possible 9% CMS cut to Medicare home health payments could force agencies to reduce service areas or service types. They also said the 2023 Medicaid CFI rate increase has begun to lose its effect. In response to questions, they said the rural health transformation fund may help with planning and telehealth but likely cannot be used directly for rates or recruitment/retention. They also described the New England Home Care Nurse Residency Program, a Department of Labor grant, as a way to bring new registered nurses into home care with added training and school partnerships. The New Hampshire Association of Counties, through county nursing home administrators Craig Labore and David Ross, revisited the earlier Step Two managed care discussions from 2016-2018. They said prior consultants found the long-term services and supports system was underfunded and needed investment to stabilize providers and expand community-based care. They argued the same concerns remain today and said a managed model would jeopardize the Medicaid quality incentive payment program and, for county nursing homes, the proportionate share payment program. Their testimony was generally opposed to moving forward with managed long-term services and supports without significant additional funding and safeguards.

Transcript Highlights:

• I assume they receive some kind of fee from you guys?
• Typically, I don't think we see that coming out of Legacy funds to pay fees.
• past, I don't know what their application fee is.
• <00:57:03.680> Miss application fee is it's something Miss application fee is it's something
• let you know what the administrative fee let you know what the administrative fee is<00:57:10.160

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if not, then we need to have a serious discussion about delaying the fee.
• But if not, then we need to have a serious discussion about delaying the fee.
• But if not, then we need to have a serious discussion about delaying the fee.
• But if not, then we need to have a serious discussion about delaying the fee.
• bipartisan basis if you can find a fee bipartisan basis if you can find a fee somewhere<02:11:20.159

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought that was the difference between a fee and a tax.
• <01:52:00.560> for<01:52:00.800> a application an application say for for a application
• Um we remember application for credit.
• fees.
• So, and getting rid of unnecessary fees.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends provisions related to forwarding agent applications and the tax collection requirements.
• In regard to motor vehicle fees, it provides a temporary reduction to certain motor vehicle registration
• fees.
• It aligns property appraiser requirements that must be met when an applicant's exemption application
• the middle—but in that era there was a discussion of a supersized homestead exemption that may be applicable

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee considered several tax-related measures. SB 674, allowing county property appraisers to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval, was supported by property appraisers and reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 318, as amended, would create a tangible personal property exemption for agricultural land used in agricultural production or agritourism; the amendment clarified the property’s location and allowed the Legislature to define conditions, and the resolution was reported favorably with support from Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber. The committee also advanced C.S. for SB 1664, as amended, which requires locally approved discretionary taxes to be reauthorized by voters when they expire and sets rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds. Local government and tourism-related groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, beach funding, transportation surtaxes, and long-term planning, while supporters argued voters should periodically reaffirm taxes; the bill was reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, were both amended to sharply narrow a proposed long-term lease property tax exemption to one qualifying property and to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominiums; counties and cities opposed the measures as tax shifts, but both were reported favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions for certain clothing and bullion, multiple tax holidays, a temporary motor vehicle fee reduction, a property tax study, corporate and insurance tax credit changes, a communications services tax freeze, and other tax provisions, with staff estimating $2.1 billion in total revenue reduction. Testimony included support for studying property taxes and strong opposition to the firearm and ammunition tax holiday from students and advocacy groups, who argued it was unsafe and inappropriate; others urged adding combined reporting or removing tourist development tax changes. After debate, the committee reported the package favorably and also approved a motion to submit it as a committee bill. The meeting ended after Senator Bernard recorded an affirmative vote on tab 5 and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• When landlords refuse to rent to people based solely on how they pay their rent, housing applications
• If landlords are permitted to continue rejecting applicants based solely on their income, people with
• For each individual applicant, you can still screen the tenants using the screening criteria that you
• Government that taxes businesses or assesses fees for the intended purpose of helping businesses need
• Part of the fee and the fine is to pay for the person who has to go and look at the actual problem, but

Bills: HB164, HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• When you come for a driver's license, one things we can do is take a voter application.
• We transmitted 1.2 million voter applications to the Department of State last year.
• And then behind the scenes, will pro rata share the registration fees and the fuel tax that we collect
• partner with private businesses large and small throughout our state partners, pay us a membership fee
• The Master credentials List application process continues to evolve based on stakeholder feedback. 2

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, as much as I am here to support our small venues, I think that this needs broader application
• I think that this needs broader application, and I think we need to make sure that every consumer is
• I'm presenting a bill where the industry themselves are asking to increase a fee, a fee that they would
• Very simply put, currently right now the fee is only $35 a year.
• This bill came up in response to a local government that announced they would be charging fees for 911

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving through the daily file. Several measures were taken up and passed, including bills on county jail accountability (AB 2257), claims against public agencies (AB 2529), affordable housing management metrics (AB 2689), digital wellness instruction in schools (AB 2071), pedestrian and bicycle safety project streamlining (AB 1976), manufactured home transport permits (AB 2012), a Surplus Land Act amendment tied to an Inland Empire soccer project (AB 2139), a Monterey Bay stewardship authority (AB 1548), online electrician licensing (AB 1707), a Caltrans study of navigation apps’ traffic impacts (AB 2105), coastal resiliency permitting reforms (AB 2051), downtown housing streamlining and financing (AB 2074), Cal Fire compensation (AB 2129), emergency care authority for Del Puerto Health Care District (AB 2282), charter school facilities hardship relief (AB 2316), theft by a peace officer under color of authority as serious misconduct (AB 2337), an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander-serving institution designation (AB 2374), energy and cannabis support bills (AB 2464, AB 2537), and a suicide prevention plan requirement for treatment facilities (AB 2562). Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan margins, and several were described as support bills with no opposition. The floor also debated a major criminal justice measure, AB 2727, which would raise the threshold for elderly parole eligibility for people serving sentences for violent sex offenses and add screening safeguards. Supporters from both parties emphasized child protection, survivor trauma, and specific local cases involving offenders who had become eligible for release; the bill passed 66-0. Another significant debate centered on AB 1958, which would clarify procedures under the California Racial Justice Act by refining how disparity claims are established and rebutted; the author said he would take Senate amendments to address concerns from district attorneys. The Assembly also considered AB 2313, a gas-to-electric transition bill allowing customers with planned service line replacements to opt out of gas service and use funds to electrify their homes. Members raised concerns about cost shifts and equity, and the author responded that the bill includes no-cost-shift language, larger credits for disadvantaged communities, and would not proceed if the math does not work; it passed 41-21. The final major item was AB 1709, a high-profile social media safety bill creating a minimum age of 16 for accounts on platforms using addictive features and establishing an e-safety commission. The author and many supporters from both parties framed the bill as a response to youth mental health harms, addictive design, and the need for age-based safeguards, while some members raised concerns about impacts on LGBTQ youth and other isolated young people who rely on online spaces. Supporters said the bill targets addictive design rather than speech and is intended to preserve safe online connection while limiting harmful features. The measure drew extensive bipartisan support and was still under debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so as much as I am here to support our small venues, I think that this needs broader application.
• , a fee that they would pay to be able to increase a consumer protection program.
• Very simply put, currently right now the fee is only $35 a year.
• This bill came up in response to a local government that announced they would be charging fees for 911
• The language in this bill specifically allows local governments to still be able to charge fees if aid

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in Title 51 relative to the regulation of certain broadband services, to provide for administration fees
• to amend Titles 42 and 17 relative to labor organizations, to provide relative to employee dues and fees
• the Office of Motor Vehicles to require the commissioner to temporarily waive or suspend fines and fees
• This deals with the suspension of the collection of the fee related to hybrids.
• This is the other part of the PBM bill dealing with dispensing fees. I ask you to adopt the report.

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, SB78, SB25, SB80, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB250, SB414, SB433, SB479, SB513, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR32, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB217, SB283, SB469, HB36, HB42, HB74, HB119, HB159, HB259, HB302, HB414, HB459, HB776, HB848, HB956, HB1017, HB1028, HB1095, SB208, SB312, SB382, SB389, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB368, HB468, HB552, HB732, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB1117, HB1236

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Transcript Highlights:

• The legal cannabis industry, which is subject to state and local taxes and fees, is coming...
• California's excise taxes and licensing fees are 124% and 162% higher, respectively, than Michigan's.
• And altogether, our taxes and fees account for about 77.5% of total wholesale value.
• They're funding the entire regulatory system through their fees.
• And now we... ...any of the fines and fees that aid in enforcement.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met with a delayed start while waiting for quorum, then heard several bills before moving to the suspense file. AB 564 by Assemblymember Haney would freeze the planned cannabis excise tax increase at 15% rather than allow it to rise to 25%; supporters argued the legal cannabis industry is struggling against the illicit market and high taxes, while opponents said the measure would reduce funding for children, youth programs, environmental restoration, and enforcement promised under Prop. 64. The bill was sent to suspense during regular order and later approved out of suspense on a 6-0 vote with amendments, including a five-year sunset and a reduced rate. AB 1265, also by Haney, would extend and expand the state historic tax credit to encourage rehabilitation of vacant historic buildings for housing and mixed-use projects; preservation and housing advocates supported it, and it was also sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee then heard AB 1377 by Assemblymember McKenna, which would require studios seeking optional diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility film tax credits to complete the plans they submit to the California Film Commission. Labor supporters said studios should do more than make good-faith efforts, and the bill passed 5-1 to Appropriations. AB 1416 by Vice Chair Ta would clarify disaster-related property tax deferrals for homeowners who have requested installment plans, and it passed 7-0 to the Assembly Floor. Afterward, the chair gave a general warning that the bills on suspense represented large revenue losses and emphasized the committee’s need to weigh tax expenditures against other state priorities. On the suspense file, the committee approved AB 27, AB 53, AB 97, AB 231, AB 232, AB 429, AB 613, AB 984, and AB 1485, mostly on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, while AB 547 passed 5-1. Several other bills, including AB 386, AB 389, AB 490, AB 6991, AB 814, AB 1057, AB 1219, AB 1282, AB 1354, AB 1431, AB 1435, and AB 1481, were held in committee. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after completing the suspense-file actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And receive reimbursement as well as may recover reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs if the
• either initially by petition and then lastly by a lawsuit if necessary with the award of attorneys' fees
• They prohibits from charging fees. We need clarification on what that really means.
• Is that just impact fees or if we have to run a road bond to pay for road upgrades.
• That is really not applicable.

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not able to access the tuition and fees. waiver.
• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 2342 relates to the application for appointment of a guardian, and
• Generally, Senate Bill 23. 42 would require applications for guardianship to include the phone number
• and date of birth if applicable. of the person or institution having the care and custody of the person
• It's tight and set up creates the duty on the guardian or the applicant to provide the names.

Bills: SB66, SB2165, SB2342, SB2878, SB2903

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, Texas Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child welfare, foster care, substitute care, missing child, missing from placement, permanency hearing, parent-child relationship, SAPCR, conservatorship

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not able to access the Sarah Crockett: tuition and fee waiver.
• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 2342 relates to the application for appointment of a guardian and to
• Generally, Senate Bill 2342 would require applications for guardianship to include the phone number and
• date of birth if applicable of the person or institution having the care and custody of the person under
• So this tightens that up, creates the duty on the guardian or the applicant to provide the names and

Transcript Highlights:

• We actually are looking at the wildlife habitat fee, the fishing habitat fee, and the game management
• fee all increasing.
• fee all increasing.
• wildlife habitat fee are in statute. wildlife habitat fee are in statute.
• you'd have to raise your fees even more? you'd have to raise your fees even more?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all