Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A31.
• The amendment is coded A22.
• pay the gas tax. pay the gas tax.
• The amendment is coded A38. The amendment is coded A38.
• amendment is coded A9. amendment is coded A9.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• taxing districts.
• taxing districts.
• tax.
• It says no income tax, no income tax about five times.
• On the sales tax side, retailers don't pay tax. Who pays tax?

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This chapter referring to traffic code may be cited as the traffic code of the City and County of Honolulu
• This chapter referring to traffic code may be cited as the traffic code of the City and County of Honolulu
• This chapter referring to traffic code may be cited as the traffic code of the City and County of Honolulu
• may be cited as traffic to traffic code may be cited as traffic code<00:24:13.440> of<00:24:13.559
• and no more than the estimate of a county fee tax.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1484 on transit-oriented development and HB 157 on transportation. For HB 1484, testimony included a request from the Hoi Community Development Authority to be removed from the measure while offering to assist if the transit-oriented development law is implemented, along with testimony in opposition and support from several individuals. The committees later recommended HB 1484 be passed with amendments, including an HD1, a defective date, deletion of a reference to section 225 on page 11, adoption of H-CDA’s proposed amendment, and related committee report changes. The vote was adopted in both committees, with Representatives Cochran and Lee excused and Representative Mora voting with reservations. HB 157 concerned the transfer and acceptance of roads in the Villages of Kapolei. HHFDC supported the bill’s intent and explained that the roads were originally self-permitted, the city had not accepted dedication, and HHFDC has been maintaining and upgrading the roads under an MOA that requires improvements to city standards before transfer. Testimony from the Villages of Kapolei Association and others described ongoing problems with non-emergency police services, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, and the need for city enforcement on roads that are open to the public. Committee members asked about the current holdup, the possibility of transferring roads in segments, and whether a cash settlement could resolve the issue; HHFDC said it was working in segments and that the city had mentioned a $60 million figure. The committees then recommended HB 157 pass with amendments, noting they were awaiting an Attorney General opinion on authority to compel the transfer and that the matter would continue to the Committee on Water and Land. The Transportation Committee also heard several additional bills. HB 1083, concerning vessels in state commercial harbors, drew support from the Department of Transportation and some industry groups and opposition from charter operators; HB 1159, which would require compliance with harbor master evacuation orders and increase penalties, drew DOT support and opposition from multiple vessel operators, who argued the bill was too broad and should define emergencies more clearly and use tiered penalties. HB 58, limiting civil liability for firefighting at commercial harbors, received DOT and Maritime Group support. HB 1165, on county disposal of ocean-bordering property and state highway acquisition, received DOT support. HB 938, a broad motor vehicle franchise and EV-related bill, drew support from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, but strong opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Tesla, Rivian, Scout Motors, and others; opponents argued it would restrict direct-to-consumer EV sales and innovation, while dealers said the bill was too broad and needed further stakeholder work. No final votes were taken on the Transportation Committee’s remaining measures in the portion provided, and the joint hearing was adjourned after decision-making on HB 1484 and HB 157.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the numbers that the LBB mentioned were our business tax and our employee tax. Mr.
• Some of the numbers that the LBB mentioned were our business tax and our employee tax.
• They're limited on codes and such there.
• Chair: ...limited on codes and such there.
• Again, the codes are mostly local jurisdictional codes, except when you get out into the county.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• Code 4, 1, 5, 6, 0, >> All right.
• We have a late filed Amendment bar code 4, 1, 1, 5, 6, 0, by Senator Pizzo Senator Pizzo.
• There is one amendment timely filed bar code 4, 6, 9, 6, 3, 0, by Senator Rodriguez.
• So this is a tax shift to all.
• A bar code 7, 0, 7,000. Timely filed amendment. >> Yep. Okay. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so the requester asked for an, uh, analysis of section 572021A3 of the government code as applied
• SBOE members were not barred from providing continuing education under 572021A3 of the government code
• The opinion also examined the application of Penal Code 3607A.
• Of course, uh, most state officers are required to file a PFS under Chapter 572 of the Government Code
• The federal tax law also draws a distinction between uniforms required for employment and clothes that

Transcript Highlights:

• Code 1232h as well?
• Code 1232h as well?
• code Title 20 section 1232g<00:34:25.040> and<00:34:25.359> code<00:34:25.599> of
• Code 1232h, which covers that.
• Code and the Code of Federal Regulations are to FERPA and FERPA’s implementing regulations regarding

Bills: HF1027, HF101, HF1021

Keywords: mortgage foreclosure, redemption, foreclosure surplus, sheriff's sale, junior lienholder, mortgagor, homeowner protections, loss mitigation, dual tracking, foreclosure redemption period, certificate of redemption, certificate of sale, sheriff, county recorder, registrar of titles, homeownership center, lien priority, real property, foreclosure by advertisement, surplus funds

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A15.
• The amendment is coded A15.
• The amendment is coded A14.
• The amendment is coded A3.
• The amendment is coded A5.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit from a closer presence, supply chain, and billions of dollars of investments coming to add to our tax
• I don’t say heaven because I’m just hoping a repentant Aggie tax-ex-tax collector senator can get there
• However, there are parts of the code that still require Texas institutions of higher education to be
• Senate Bill 530 simply cleans up Texas code to be in line with federal rules.
• Senate Bill 530 simply cleans up Texas code to be in line with federal rules and gives colleges and universities

Summary: The Senate Committee on K-16 met with 14 bills on the agenda and announced it would recess around 9:45 to attend the floor session, then resume afterward. The committee first took up Senate Bill 2361, which would transfer governance of the University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System and rename it Texas A&M University-Victoria. Senator Cole explained that the committee substitute added transition language for employee health benefits and ERS contributions. Supporters, including Texas A&M System officials, Victoria’s mayor, regional economic development leaders, a Formosa Plastics representative, a Victoria College trustee, and a local business owner, said the move would better align the university with regional industry needs, especially engineering, agriculture, and workforce development, while helping retain local students and support economic growth. A Texas A&M official also noted accreditation, data-system, and other transition challenges, but said the change was manageable. Because there was no quorum, the committee could not adopt the substitute, and SB 2361 was left pending subject to the call of the chair after public testimony closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 530 from Senator Sparks, which would update Texas higher education law to match federal rules allowing institutions to use any nationally recognized accreditor rather than only a regional accreditor. Sparks said the bill was a cleanup measure responding to a 2019 federal rule change and prior concerns had been addressed over the interim. Testimony in support came from a Texas Public Policy Foundation fellow, who said the bill would give universities flexibility, preserve quality standards, and simplify credit transfer and costs for students. With no opposition and no questions, public testimony closed and SB 530 was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 306 imposes a six year moratorium on new updates to the state building code that would
• Industry stakeholders estimate, for example, that the upfront cost of recent code changes made in just
• A pause, though, for five years in any new state building codes recognizes that we have.
• In our state building code, but today's bill only says that we won't do additional harm.
• Tax increment financing tools like enhanced infrastructure financing districts or EIFCs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , which focused on hands-on farming experience, efficient land use, and access to some agricultural tax
• 00:10:18.360> to<00:10:18.519> some<00:10:18.800> agricultural<00:10:19.480> tax
• and access to some agricultural tax and access to some agricultural tax exemptions<00:10:20.880>
• The member then asked who was responsible for updating that code, and the response was that it is the
• responsible for updating that code responsible for updating that code that's<00:41:58.079> the

Keywords: 00:00 -- Introduction 00:13 – Attendance Roll Call 08:25 – Discussion of HB 315 23:45 – Roll call vote on HB 315 26:35 – Discussion of HB 356 46:30 – Roll call vote on HB 356, 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee first spent much of the meeting recognizing the large number of 4-H and FFA students and guests in attendance, with members from several counties introducing their groups and praising the programs for developing future agricultural and civic leaders. Comments emphasized the value of youth involvement in agriculture, leadership, and public speaking, and several members noted their own 4-H or FFA backgrounds. The committee then took up House Bill 356, and adopted a committee substitute before hearing testimony on the revised measure. House Bill 356, sponsored by Representative Carney, would create the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative, expanding the original urban farming concept into broader agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, and work-ready skills. The substitute removed the requirement that participants have access to farmland, lowered the age floor from six to five, broadened participation, and established a pilot program with implementation left to Cooperative Extension. Supportive testimony came from a 4-H student and Kentucky 4-H representatives, who described how the program helps youth explore many interests and removes barriers for urban students. Members from both parties praised the bill as a way to reach more youth and strengthen agricultural education. The committee approved House Bill 356 as amended by the committee substitute on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes. The committee then heard House Bill 315 from Representative Sharp, a foreign adversary land bill intended to limit certain foreign entities’ ability to purchase Kentucky land. Before member questions, Tim Shank of the Kentucky Bankers Association testified in opposition to one section of the bill, saying banks already screen borrowers through federal systems and that Section 8’s reference to an Attorney General lien for “actual costs” was too vague. He warned the language could create uncertainty for mortgage holders and potentially affect credit availability for farmers. Representative Sharp said he had just learned of the concern and may need to work with the Attorney General’s office to address it. He also said the bill was largely the same as last year’s version, except for the removal of a leasing-related paragraph, and the committee began discussion of the bill after that testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we have—he serves as the legislative committee chair and a member of the Code Development Committee
• can't remove the covenants, and therefore the property can't be reused and basically comes off the tax
• The majority of them have an unsafe structures or a code enforcement board that is the one that takes
• And in most cases, there is a process, which means that that particular inspector in code enforcement
• Only painting and coding, only face leaps on the building.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on condominiums, focusing on recent statutory changes, building safety, reserve studies, inspections, insurance, and related enforcement issues. Pete Dunbar, speaking for the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, reviewed the evolution of Florida’s condominium law and recommended several refinements, including allowing boards to levy special assessments and borrow for post-inspection repairs, easing termination when repair costs exceed value, clarifying treatment of nonresidential condominiums, strengthening recall procedures, clarifying reserve and inspection standards, addressing conflicts of interest, improving electronic participation, and cleaning up notice and disclosure requirements. He also suggested revising insurance provisions so a third coverage option could be used more effectively. Ron Liseca and engineer Mr. Noguera explained the milestone inspection and Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SERS) process, emphasizing that milestone inspections assess structural deterioration while SERS estimates long-term repair and reserve funding needs. They described the 25- and 30-year inspection timelines, the lack of a central statewide database, and the practical challenges of finding qualified professionals and educating associations. Secretary Melanie Griffin said DBPR oversees 27,750 condominium associations, has increased outreach and complaint resolution, and has seen a 39% increase in complaints this fiscal year. She reported that about 11,270 associations self-reported buildings three stories or higher, and that as of early February DBPR had received 4,096 SERS completion submissions after follow-up outreach, with a median reported SERS cost of $6,000, though she cautioned that much of the optional data is unreliable. Emilio Rodriguez, a contractor, stressed the cost and capacity challenges facing associations and contractors, warning that some projects are delayed by board disputes, legal challenges, and a shortage of qualified labor, which can lead to higher assessments and repeated repairs. Members asked about enforcement, insurance availability, coastal deterioration, sinking and foundation issues, and private provider conflicts of interest. Witnesses generally supported more uniform standards, better local and state coordination, and possible tighter oversight of private providers, while cautioning against frequent statutory changes that could add confusion. In closing discussion, members highlighted the burden on older residents and fixed-income owners, the need to keep communities habitable, and the importance of clearer allocation of assessments and stronger board accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> does spending raises property taxes if does spending raises property taxes if we're<01:54:00.000><
• It has to do with fire codes.
• I'm not a tax attorney.
• a tax attorney um I file a business tax a tax attorney um I file a business tax return<05:17:04.080
• fixing is uh this the loan or tax fixing is uh this the loan or tax exemption exemption exemption

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the current tax rate in El Paso?
• The taxpayers with a general obligation tax or aforum tax.
• Their tax rate's 0.761405 out of 100, whereas the, the municipality I live in, Flower Mound, their tax
• I would take a look at the components of the tax rate.
• In, uh, decreasing the tax rate and the UMC El Paso is about 8% of the El Paso, uh, tax dollar.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got cigarette taxes, gas taxes, gaming tax, and revenue tax.
• Now, those homes, those lands are being put into trust so they can circumvent taxes, essentially.
• Hopefully, I'll find a QR code here by the end of this, but I'd like to share that with you.
• Right, we don't have building codes in a lot of them, but they make do. Right? There's no zoning.
• The community itself typically will not have building codes.

Transcript Highlights:

• allocate for parking for new building construction construction well that's all driven by uh county codes
• Tom Gamachica for the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.
• Tom Gamachica for the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.
• Tom Gamachica for<00:11:11.440> tax<00:11:11.760> foundation<00:11:12.240> of<00
• Uh we will for tax foundation of Hawaii.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 344 HD1, which would require new buildings to include electric vehicle charger-ready parking stalls. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the State Energy Office, Department of Accounting and General Services, the Disabilities and Communication Access Board, and others. Members asked about cost and infrastructure impacts; the State Energy Office said the added cost would likely be modest if planned from the start, but that electrical capacity remains a key challenge for expanding EV charging. The chairs proposed two amendments: extending the bill to cover on-grade parking lots and adding language for Level 1 or Level 3 charging when appropriate. After discussion, both committees voted to pass HB 344 HD1 with amendments. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, the chair voted aye, one member voted with reservation, and excused members were noted; the Government Operations committee also passed the measure, with one aye vote and one vote with reservations. The committees also heard House Bill 10001 HD1 SD1, relating to the Maui wildfire settlement trust fund. The Governor’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, Maui County, and the Tax Foundation testified in support. Members questioned Hawaii Electric Industries’ ability to fund its share of the settlement and whether the state should pay first or in tranches. The chair proposed amendments requiring all defendant parties to submit payment plans and proof of ability to pay, and requiring non-state defendants to fund their shares into escrow before the state releases its share. The committee adopted the amendments and passed the bill unanimously by the members present. Later, the committee deferred action on House Bill 229 HD1 until March 20 for clarification on amendments, then passed House Bill 860 HD1 with amendments addressing liability for limited resurfacing of disputed roads, and passed House Bill 1161 HD2 with amendments concerning highway fund use, formula calculations, and EV-related county fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A6. I recognize the member from Dakota, Representative Ryer.
• The amendment to the amendment is coded A.
• The amendment is coded A9. I recognize the member from Rice, Representative Purcell.
• People can donate to them, get tax exemptions, all kinds of things.
• I looked up some of these tax reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really taxing labor.
• I understand Colorado has unique taxation; their property taxes are lower than ours, their income taxes
• What isn't apples to apples is what we tax.
• If I look at Colorado, where the tax rate Is comparable; it's a little bit higher, but it's only taxed
• If I order lumber to the job site, I pay tax to the lumber provider, but there's no tax at the end of

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is not a permanent part of a tax code because it has become, in other states too, responsive to
• <03:15:25.200> code<03:15:25.760> security experience and uh good tax code security
• experience and uh good tax code security and<03:15:26.960> integrity.
• Adverse impact on taxpayer experience and also security and integrity of the tax code.
• That would create excellent taxpayer experience and good tax code security and integrity.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment repeals two taxes: the business rent tax, beginning October 1, and the aviation fuel tax
• The amendment repeals two taxes: the business rent tax, beginning October 1, and the aviation fuel tax
• For corporate income tax, the amendment exempts charitable trusts and adopts the Internal Revenue Code
• But because the state of Florida every year in its tax package adopts the IRS code for purposes of our
• But because the state of Florida every year in its tax package adopts the IRS code for purposes of our

Summary: The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1. The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7. HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.