Transcript Highlights:

• That could jeopardize our tax-exempt status.
• Fees can often take up a significant amount of funding from the funds.
• The amount of fees will depend on what sector the manager is in.
• We are sensitive to fees. Again, our target is that net return. we know fees reduce that.
• Madam Chair, if I could go back to fees, one more comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will start with House File 1722. I will move House File 1722 to the Ways and Means Committee.
• Next, in relation to the following bill, House File 747, on the same topic—I'm sorry, that is House File
• Chair. renew the motion for you house file 1722 renew the motion for you house file 1722 to<00:09:57.079
• We're going to file on this narrow track. We're going to move forward.
• And lastly here, supportive of the safety exemptions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that have no exemptions. that have no exemptions.
• vaccine exemptions honored. vaccine exemptions honored.
• religious exemptions exemptions or religious exemptions without<00:54:08.079> any<00:54:09.119
• file claims themselves. they settle. file claims themselves. they settle.
• when<04:47:07.360> there's would file a public filing when there's would file a public filing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh originally was incomebased fee.
• This tax or this fee is similar to a lot of the other fees that basically stay flat.
• This tax or this fee is similar to a lot of the other fees that basically stay flat.
• This tax or this fee is similar to a lot of the other fees that basically stay flat.
• . fees. fees.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1596, which would raise New Hampshire’s cigarette excise tax from $1.78 per pack to about $2.80, using an inflation-based adjustment since the rate was last set in 2008. Representative Jerry Stringham, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would keep New Hampshire competitive with neighboring states, generate revenue, and help offset other budget pressures. He also described the bill as repealing an income-based premium charge in Medicaid/CHIP-related programs and restoring cuts to the University System of New Hampshire, arguing that the combined package would still leave the state in a positive fiscal position. He said the tobacco tax increase would likely have some cessation effect but would remain low relative to other New England states, and he cited prior testimony from health groups supporting a larger increase. Members questioned the sponsor about how the new rate was calculated, the prior tobacco tax reduction and restoration, whether tobacco companies would absorb or pass on the tax, and the fiscal note’s estimates for Medicaid premium revenue and UNH funding. Stringham said he used Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation data, that the earlier 10-cent reduction did not produce the expected sales increase, and that the current bill would eliminate the premium charges now in the budget. He later clarified that the Department of Medicaid Services had updated the revenue estimate, but said the bill still showed a surplus overall. He also said the federal government already imposes a $1-per-pack tax and that New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase. Two public witnesses testified in opposition to the tax increase. Anna Bettincourt, a tobacco category manager, argued that higher tobacco taxes would unfairly target smokers, reduce New Hampshire’s tax advantage, and likely shift purchases to other states or illicit markets rather than reduce use. She said tobacco companies generally do not lower prices and that Massachusetts’ flavor restrictions had not eliminated sales. In response to questions, she maintained that a smaller increase would still be harmful and that enforcement problems make bans ineffective. The sponsor and some members countered that smokers impose higher health costs and that tobacco taxes are a policy tool for both revenue and public health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 745 is a re-file of Senate Bill 726 from last session, which passed this body unanimously
• You're recognized on file. So move. Three ayes, no nays.
• Sometimes you have unscrupulous landlords that, if someone is one day late, then they file an eviction
• Two, cleans up the EV fee and two-year registration for new vehicles. 3.
• Cleans up dealer temporary license fee and 4. Allows denial to license. 3.

Keywords: legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40, Senate Bill 871, constitutional amendment, emergency powers, governor authority, legislative oversight

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was filed, I don't know how many weeks ago.
• This bill was filed, I don't know how many weeks ago.
• This is the bill filed. Members, any questions on the bill?
• If you do file that frivolous claims, that the judge can put damages on you for filing those claims.
• I'm going to file a lawsuit.' These are serious cases.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee heard and voted on four bills. HB 587 on self-storage spaces would let rental agreements include an alternate contact person and allow default notices to be published online instead of only in newspapers, while keeping existing notice timelines and servicemember protections. Newspaper and press witnesses opposed the online-notice change, arguing it could reduce public reach and transparency, especially in rural areas; the sponsor said newspapers could still be used and the bill was only adding another option. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to October 1, 2025, and then reported the bill favorably 12-2. HB 6033 would repeal the Florida Labor Pool Act. The sponsor argued the act duplicates other state and federal protections, while opponents said it contains unique safeguards for day laborers, including limits on fees, transportation charges, and deductions, and a private right of action. Testimony from labor advocates and workers warned repeal would reduce protections for vulnerable workers; the sponsor and supporters said other laws already cover the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably 11-3. HB 897, dealing with timeshare plan management, was presented as a clarification of conflicts created by recent condominium legislation and would require faster records responses, more disclosure of contracts, and clearer remedies for mismanagement. Support came from industry groups, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0. The final measure, PCS for HB 1385, created a civil remedy for parental abduction or unlawful withholding of a child in violation of a timesharing order. Family law attorneys opposed it over concerns about added litigation, child involvement, and overlap with existing remedies, while the sponsors and supporters said it would provide needed deterrence and compensation in serious cases. The committee adopted the PCS and reported it favorably 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, fee.
• This is something totally different. >> But that fee would not be tax exempt. >> Yes, sir.
• This is something totally different. >> But that fee would not be tax exempt. No, sir.
• would not be tax exempt.
• fee you mentioned?

Bills: SB59, SB221

Keywords: military families, immunization, education, public health, school enrollment, Mobile County, judge of probate, compensation, salary, expense allowance, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you don't do graphics, you don't pay graphic fees.
• <01:49:08.159> um working on some investment fee um working on some investment fee um transparency
• single fee program.
• All other of our fee programs are $77 million, and that's approximately 40 different fee programs, and
• It's primarily funded with fee programs.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will be hearing Senate File 3128, Senator McQuade's Senate File 3186, and then we'll hear testimony
• file are at Senate file 3128<00:01:13.840> and<00:01:14.640> we<00:01:14.880> are
• the governor's bill, Senate File the governor's bill, Senate File 2255.<00:37:01.200> We<
• A reduction in participant fees.
• A reduction in participant fees.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House File your bill. Thank you, Chair.
• <00:46:03.760> And File 3453. Thank you. Thank you. And File 3453. Thank you. Thank you.
• It is a Chair Pinto bill. over House File 3358 over House File 3358 as<01:28:30.640> amended.
• day is House File 1775. day is House File 1775.
• I hope that you'll recall House File I hope that you'll recall House File 1775. 1775. 1775.

Bills: HF3771, HF3658, HF3453, HF3358, HF1775

Keywords: disaster assistance, contingency account, Minnesota emergency management, public safety, state disaster aid, FEMA, federal cost-share, emergency relief, natural disaster, budget report, appropriations report, management and budget, local governments, utility cooperatives, public works, infrastructure repair, chapter 12B, chapter 12A, emergency management, disaster recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they going to hold off filing?
• Now, the tax filing season is set to begin. Pre-filing can already happen electronically.
• Does that mean that businesses who file, because there are going to be thousands who file no matter what
• And even your yearly tax filings... ...appears to have changed, and even your yearly tax filings have
• HB 2269, TPT exemption. Ways and Means. HB 2270, county sale authority. HB 2269, TPT exemption.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:25.280> 3217 House File 3217 House File 3217 to<00:01:27.200> be<00:01:27.280
• House File 2252. House File 2252. >> Thank<00:15:44.240> you.
• MBA supports House File 2252.
• MBA supports House File 2252, legislation to update and modernize Minnesota's allocation of federal tax-exempt
• federal tax exemption. federal tax exemption.

Bills: HF3217, HF2252

Keywords: bioindustrial facilities, economic development, renewable energy, advanced biofuels, state funding, HF2252, Minnesota bonding, volume cap, private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, public facility bonds, public facilities pool, unified pool, bond allocation, municipal finance, bond cap, housing bonds, residential rental projects, manufacturing bonds, enterprise zone bonds

Summary: The committee first approved the prior day’s minutes as amended, correcting the meeting number from the 46th to the 45th meeting. It then took up House File 3217, which would restore funding for the Minnesota Bioincentive Program. Representative Kisha argued the state should honor commitments made to companies that met program requirements and had not received full reimbursement. Testifiers from the Great Plains Institute and Minnesota Biofuels Association said the program has supported bioeconomy investment, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and generated strong economic returns, but has been underfunded, leaving unpaid claims. Members raised questions about whether the bill was retrospective and whether it should be reviewed by another committee; the bill was laid over for further consideration without a vote. The committee then heard House File 2252, a proposal to modernize Minnesota’s private activity bond volume cap by shifting unused allocation from the small issuer/manufacturing bucket to the public facilities bucket while leaving the overall cap unchanged. The bill’s public finance testifier said the current allocation formula is outdated, housing would remain the top priority, and the change would be budget neutral. Testifiers from the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and Minnesota Biofuels Association supported the bill, saying it would better align financing with rural infrastructure, clean water, manure management, renewable natural gas, dairy processing, and low-carbon fuel projects, and could lower borrowing costs for those sectors. Members questioned whether the bill fit the committee’s jurisdiction and noted it might be more appropriate for another committee; the bill was also laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• not built is not like a $10,000 fee. not built is not like a $10,000 fee.
• So that would be the fee.
• , with a cap on that fee at $40.
• It does not mandate a fee.
• filing right now 15 that I know about. filing right now 15 that I know about.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Projects was tax exempt, not only as to RTA, but also as to project partners.
• RITA as a state entity, has tax-exempt status under the New Mexico constitution.
• This structure allows a tax exemption just for RA owned properties, including the transmission lines
• The concern is that the legislature cannot create a property tax exemption.
• This bill clarifies the tax-exempt status of NMRDA to enable it to continue its vital mission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so there's an exemption on cleanup.
• Also, remediation oversight fees and things of that nature.
• you don't get an opportunity to file a fourth.
• has success in filing claims.
• They have been filing claims successfully and know exactly how to get it done.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:50:28.560> and you know, uh religious exemptions and you know, uh religious exemptions
• Is there a filing with, um, we have the charitable trust division that nonprofits have to file with?
• <04:45:37.840> in charitable trust uh, division filing in charitable trust uh, division filing
• Those the federal tax filing 990 forms.
• Uh the of ABOD discretionary exemptions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Next, we have **House File 2606**.
• A little bit of background on House File 2861...
• Senate File 820 as amended for possible inclusion of...
• We ask for your support of House File 3007. Thank you.
• I am here to express our support for House File 3007.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's a small fee. No one wants to pay fees; I've learned that in government. No one likes them.
• It would be a fee for the establishment, but likely would see an increase of fees across the massage
• So if someone files a complaint and tries to be anonymous, we say please file a complaint when you're
• There is a very small fee.
• >> it would it would be covered by fees >> it would it would be covered by fees from

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FAFSA filings are up across all ages in the lowest family income category.
• So the Dungeness water rule went into effect in 2013 and that regulates the permit-exempt uses and has
• a reservation set aside for future permit-exempt wells. ...uses and has a reservation set aside for
• future permit-exempt wells.
• permit exempt wells.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• Charge no origination fees, late fees, or interest.
• DailyPay's instant fee is $3.
• There's no cap on fees.
• These fees have gone up. Some didn't charge membership fees; now they do.
• With no mandatory fees. Correct. So you're funding those things through a fee that's a tip.

Bills: HB1453, HB1718, HB2043, HB2207, HB2798

Keywords: local governments, anticipation notes, certificates of obligation, public works, flood control, financial management, local government, municipal financing, private activity bonds, closing definition, real estate finance, bond issuance, government regulation, bond election, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, political subdivision, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds