Video & Transcript : 'cigarette regulation' :

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Feb 9th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • As a reminder, House Bill 2382 is the bill that increases the cigarette tax by $2 per pack and directs
  • This would direct the share of revenues from the additional cigarette tax that would be deposited into
  • And in this case, we have a tax policy around cigarettes, vapor products, and other tobacco products.
  • The amount of taxes that are on, or the cost of cigarettes, isn't what determines whether... ...that
  • are on, or the cost of cigarettes, isn't what determines whether or not somebody smokes.
Summary: House Finance held a bill briefing and executive session on a large set of tax and revenue measures, with staff outlining proposed substitutes and amendments for bills affecting grocery store incentives, insurance premium/B&O tax treatment, tobacco taxes, financial institutions, lodging taxes, fire district levy rules, local tax increment financing, limited equity cooperatives, tourism assessments, and sustainable aviation fuel credits. Members also heard brief summaries of bills on nonprofit assembly hall property tax exemptions and a city levy adjustment related to fire protection districts. Two bills scheduled for public hearing were not reached and may be rescheduled after House of Origin cutoff. In executive session, the committee adopted or rejected several amendments before voting bills out. HB 2297 on grocery stores in underserved communities advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the property tax exemption; the bill was reported out 9-5-1. HB 2487 on insurance tax treatment advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove retroactivity and clarify annuity treatment; it was reported out 8-6-1. HB 2382, which raises cigarette and other tobacco taxes and changes tobacco tax structures, adopted amendments redirecting some revenue to health accounts, excluding nicotine-free vapor products, and restoring current-law treatment for modified-risk tobacco products before passing 8-6-1. HB 2451 on tax increment financing, HB 2590 on limited equity cooperatives, HB 2325 on a tourism self-supported assessment program with a tribal opt-in amendment, HB 2278 extending a lodging tax charge, HB 2224 adjusting levy rules for fire protection districts, and HB 2322 on sustainable aviation fuel tax credits all advanced, with some by voice vote. During debate, supporters generally framed the bills as targeted incentives or clarifications to support food access, wildfire mitigation, tourism promotion, housing affordability, or clean fuel investment, while opponents raised concerns about tax shifts, affordability, retroactivity, and whether dedicated revenues should instead come from the general fund. Several members noted that some measures still needed further work before floor action, especially HB 2487 and HB 2382. The committee adjourned after reporting the listed bills out with due pass recommendations.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Banking and Insurance Jan 28th, 2026

Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of the major concerns with the crypto ATMs is that there are currently no regulations by the state
  • I would just like to advocate that Florida pass this bill and put in protections that would regulate
  • I think that this bill will make meaningful regulation to protect seniors from scammers and fraud.
  • We have Ash Mason, Office of Financial Regulation, waving in support.
  • We have Ash Mason, Office of Financial Regulation, waiving and support.
Bills: S0198 , S0570 , S0772 , S0808 , S1038 , S1040 , S1286 , S1440 , S1504 , S1668
Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286, which expands Florida’s first responder recruitment bonus program to include newly employed firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel, and establishes a PTSD institute within DFS. Supporters from the fire service and local government spoke in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks. After adopting a substitute amendment, members heard testimony from consumer advocates, industry representatives, and credit unions about scam prevention, elder financial exploitation, and the need for regulatory certainty. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Members also approved SB 772, which allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and SB 1504, which creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure through insurance and personal finance coursework. Later, the committee approved SB 1038 and SB 1040, which together create a Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve and the related trust fund, both with technical amendments. SB 1440, dealing with public records exemptions tied to cybersecurity events and financial regulation, was also reported favorably after amendment. The committee then heard SB 1668 on the NICA program, with testimony both supporting solvency reforms and raising concerns about benefits and retroactivity; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 570 created a task force on payment scams under DFS, was amended to reduce FDLE staffing requirements, and was reported favorably. The meeting ended after senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on certain bills and the committee adjourned.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Care & Wellness Jan 13th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Health Care & Wellness

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department of Health regulations require the ambulances providing these transports include a minimum
  • Federal CMS regulations already authorize PAs and APRNs to order these tests. House Bill 2113...
  • health care infrastructure in the area, and more familiar with direct patient safety guidelines and regulations
Bills: HB2110 , HB2113 , HB2122 , HB2152 , HB2168
TX
Bills: SB1211 , SB1574 , SB2774 , SB2873 , SB2900 , HJR4
Committee: Senate Finance
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1574 by Senator Zaffirini, which would codify the Texas Judicial Council’s Centers of Excellence Program for courts and judges. Testimony from judges and the Office of Court Administration emphasized that the program promotes transparency, procedural fairness, mentoring, and public trust. A committee substitute expanded eligibility to justices of the peace and municipal judges and removed a merit-pay reference to eliminate fiscal impact. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the substitute and later voted it out favorably, though it was not certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 2774 by Senator Hinojosa, which would amend the Tax Code’s retail trade definition to include industrial uniform and linen rental businesses so they qualify for the lower franchise tax rate. Supporters said the change would put rental textile businesses on equal footing with other rental industries and help Texas employers and customers. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate. Members then considered SB 1211 by Senator Perry, which would broaden the existing fracking-related sales tax exemption for equipment used with non-fresh water sources, including recycled, produced, and brine water. The bill’s supporters argued it would conserve freshwater and reduce litigation over water definitions, while the Comptroller’s office discussed the fiscal note and production-related revenue effects. The committee also heard SB 2873 and SB 2900, both by Senator Kolkhorst and presented by Senator Nichols; SB 2873 would require electronic filers to file electronically, and SB 2900 would eliminate certain Comptroller-related advisory committees and boards. Both were later adopted in committee substitute form and reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HJR 4, sponsored by Senator Parker, proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit new taxes on securities transfers or financial transaction processing. Supporters said it would protect investors, especially retirees, and help position Texas as a financial center. The committee voted to report HJR 4 favorably to the full Senate. In each recorded vote after quorum was present, the measures passed with nine ayes and no nays.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Energy Resources Apr 7th, 2025

Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • It took a couple of days for the regulators to deploy their folks.
  • The Railroad Commission regulates propane gas distribution.
  • The Commission regulates approximately 18,500 propane service lines.
  • We appreciate the focus and attention to regulations that help lower the number of orphan wells.
  • But the laws and the regulations come from right here, and through the regulatory agencies.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 24th, 2025

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • CoinFlip believes smart regulation is good for business.
  • I don't want to shut any business down, but there needs to be some regulation.
  • They're everywhere, and that's the thing: there's no regulation on them, and we need some sort of regulation
  • We have strong regulations for money services businesses.
  • I mean, two years ago, no states had regulated earned wage access at all.
Bills: HB1453 , HB1718 , HB2043 , HB2207 , HB2798
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Mar 13th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We currently regulate alcohol, tobacco, and cigarettes.
  • Why can't we regulate what's going on with social media and our kids?
  • If we're going to regulate tobacco in the state of Idaho, we absolutely can regulate social media and
  • If we're going to regulate tobacco in the state of Idaho, we absolutely can regulate social media and
  • This legislation regulates addictive features, not content.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • was adopted, wondering whether retailers could be held to the same level as a retailer selling cigarettes
  • was adopted, wondering whether retailers could be held to the same level as a retailer selling cigarettes
  • retailers could potentially be held to the same level as another retailer would be for selling cigarettes
  • to</c><00:40:25.400><c> a</c><00:40:25.520><c> minor</c><00:40:26.319><c> what</c> for selling cigarettes
  • to a minor what for selling cigarettes to a minor what are<00:40:26.520><c> we</c><00:40:26.680><c>
Summary: The committee took up House File 737, which would amend Minnesota’s lead- and cadmium-related product restrictions and was re-referred to the Committee on Environment, Finance and Policy. Representative Bjorn Olson said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could no longer make cadmium-based art supplies in Minnesota, and he argued the law unintentionally swept in professional art materials that are used safely and are important to Western art culture. The committee first adopted the author’s A2 amendment, which broadened the bill to include additional exemptions beyond paint and pastels, including certain pens, mechanical pencils, and vehicle keys/key fobs. Testimony in support came from Darren Reenie of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing, who said artist paint and related supplies account for a significant share of sales and that the ban threatens independent art supply businesses and artists’ access to essential pigments. Josh Fiser of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported the key and key fob exemption, saying the current law is overly broad, exposure risk is minimal, and Minnesota should align with California and European Union standards. Bill Morgan of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association also supported the amendment, arguing there was little scientific basis for including pens, mechanical pencils, and professional artist materials, and citing prior reviews in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Union. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through Assistant Commissioner Kirk Kadelka, opposed broad exemptions and emphasized that no amount of lead is safe for children. He said the law was based on evidence from consumer products associated with elevated blood lead levels and argued that safer alternatives exist for many of the items in the amendment, including pens, mechanical pencils, and some key components. He also raised concerns about exposure during production and disposal. Committee members questioned the scope of the exemptions and whether the industry had workable alternatives. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill was then advanced for further consideration and re-referred as noted by the chair.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/25/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • an ownership interest in a business organization that offers to the public professional services regulated
  • So to ask the board to regulate an entity they don't regulate seems peculiar.
  • It's our job as a government to facilitate that, but not to over-regulate.
  • But not to over-regulate.
  • Professional regulation and individual freedom, all while maintaining public safety.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/25/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you. ...agree in a bipartisan way that this should be banned and regulated properly.
  • It sounds like you—did you mean to say banned or regulated? How could it be banned and regulated?
  • is it it sounds like you did you mean to say banned or regulated how could be banned and regulated I'm
  • I think to be able to regulate and in some way control these types of drugs is important.
  • I think to be able to regulate and in some way control these types of drugs is important.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 30th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health & Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:
  • telehealth and could be construed to limit or invalidate other essential elements of professional regulation
  • It layers on expansive new reporting mandates while carriers and regulators are fully focused on implementing
  • Insurers are not complying with regulations about mental health parity.
  • Insurers will happily tell you this is too much regulation, too much paperwork for them.
  • pharmacists, pharmacies, pharmacy assistants, and pharmacy technicians, as well as enforcing and regulating
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Health & Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:
  • Long before it was named or regulated, this medicine was held in reverence within community.
  • I am here in support of a carefully regulated medical program.
  • Please ensure regulated care is one option, not the only legitimate one. Healing requires choice.
  • For instance, nine out of ten adults who smoke first tried cigarettes before the age of 18.
  • For instance, nine out of ten adults who smoke first tried cigarettes before the age of 18.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Jan 28th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is the independent state agency responsible for regulating Idaho's
  • The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is the independent state agency responsible for regulating Idaho's
  • And, you know, we could do those examples, buying cigarettes.
  • You can't just go to the drugstore and say, 'Hey, I swear I'm 18,' and they'll give you a pack of cigarettes
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EEP Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • Disposable e-cigarettes also have higher nicotine concentrations than previous generations of e-cigarettes
  • In addition to harming youth health, disposable e-cigarettes are creating an environmental crisis in
  • Disposable e-cigarettes are hazardous to the health of our people and our environment.
  • I'm here to testify in strong support of HB 2121 ending the sale of disposable e-cigarettes.
  • And last but not combustible cigarettes.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to waste, recycling, and environmental review. On HB 1924, which would establish a mattress stewardship program, the Department of Health said it stood on written testimony and offered comments, while Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and one individual supported the bill and the International Sleep Products Association opposed it. No questions were raised and the committee moved on. A large portion of the hearing focused on HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the measure but suggested the bill may be better placed in a different part of state law because the cited waste-management section regulates products after consumption, while still praising the effort to remove disposable vapes from the market and environment. Testimony in strong support came from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii Youth Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, the City and County of Honolulu, and many individuals; supporters emphasized youth vaping, toxic waste, lithium battery fire risks, and environmental harm. There was at least one opposing individual and the International Sleep Products Association was listed in opposition. The committee noted there were many written testimonies and no immediate vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 1928 on the deposit beverage container recycling program. The Department of Health stood on written testimony. The Solid Waste Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents and Upstream supported the bill but urged amendments to better integrate reuse and reusables, strengthen enforcement, clarify definitions, and protect existing redemption centers. The Hawaii Food Industry Association supported the concept of a backdrop program but preferred strengthening the existing program and raised concerns about undefined fees, existing infrastructure, and future audit costs. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the bill, and the chair said the measure needs work and that decision-making would occur in a few days. Finally, the committee took up HB 979 on environmental review and HB 1650 on environmental assessments. For HB 979, OPSD offered amendments, HCDA supported the bill but suggested clarifying the affordable-housing definition, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative supported it, and Earthjustice was asked about the court process for environmental challenges; the chair asked about shortening the challenge period and the relationship between environmental court, the intermediate court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. For HB 1650, OPSD and the State Historic Preservation Division stood on written testimony, OHA asked to retain historic sites, and several groups and individuals testified in support or opposition. Opponents argued that removing Wiki special district and historic sites from Chapter 343 trigger language would weaken environmental review and risk impacts to iwi kūpuna and historic resources.