Transcript Highlights:

• They also pay federal taxes.
• Could be taxing the plans, could be taxing something else.
• Dollars to our tax base.
• If you look at the way that our tax code is structured, worldwide international corporations have subsidiaries
• When we are begging for tax cuts, and tax cuts for corporations, for the wealthy, for people.

Transcript Highlights:

• That individual would need to meet the definition of veteran as stated in Chapter 115.
• So, are they going to access Chapter 115?
• So it’ll be a minute number of them accessing Chapter 115. But give us the opportunity.
• Well, the HERO Act expanded Chapter 115 definition of a veteran.
• The change to the Chapter 115 definition without the corresponding change in Chapter 4 creates a discrepancy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-26 session on recognitions, definitions, and designations related to veterans. Chairs John Velis and Joseph McGonagle opened the hybrid hearing with housekeeping rules and noted the committee’s reporting deadlines. The hearing focused on several bills honoring veterans and military-related service, including H. 3825 to include reserve components in flag half-staff recognition for service members killed in action, S. 2499 to place a State House marker honoring three Medal of Honor recipients from the war on terror, S. 2498 to add Merchant Marine recognition at veterans cemeteries and the State House and create a Massachusetts merchant mariner medal, and H. 2500/S. 2500 to have Massachusetts fly the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and fallen service members. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 3871 and S. 2467, which would update the Commonwealth’s definition of “veteran.” Testimony came from the Office of Veterans Services, veterans organizations, Public Health Service and NOAA representatives, National Guard and Reserve veterans, and Gold Star advocates. Witnesses argued the current state definition is inconsistent with federal law and excludes some service members who should be recognized, especially members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, reservists, and some National Guard members. Supporters said the bills would improve fairness, consistency, and access to benefits and services, while several speakers emphasized that service in uniform should be honored regardless of branch. Some testimony also urged a broader moral recognition of all who raised their right hand, while others focused on aligning state law with federal definitions and closing gaps in eligibility. Committee members asked questions about the practical and fiscal effects of broadening the definition, including how the proposed language would interact with existing federal standards and state benefit programs. Witnesses explained that the bills would remove the current 180-day and 90-day active-service calculations and instead recognize certain active service and six-year reserve or Guard commitments, though some members noted that this could create a broader state standard than the federal one. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the committee concluded after hearing from the final witness and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The relevant chapters of Minnesota statute for the EQB would be Chapter 116C.
• Relevant chapters for BWSR include Chapter 103B.
• The relevant chapters for the LCCMR would be Chapter 116P.
• And then Chapter 116Q.
• <00:18:33.039> is<00:18:33.320> chapter relevant chapter is chapter relevant chapter

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an organizational hearing of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several legislators noting their backgrounds in farming, mining, water management, and outdoor recreation, and the chair reviewed draft committee rules emphasizing decorum, quorum, timely starts, and submitting bill hearing requests to the committee administrator. The committee also heard from nonpartisan staff and caucus staff who will support the committee this session. House Research and House Fiscal staff then provided an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the major agencies and programs it oversees. The presentation covered the Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Quality Board, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Metropolitan Council regional parks and water resources, Conservation Corps of Minnesota, Minnesota Zoological Board, Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Staff summarized the main statutory chapters and subject areas under each, including wildlife, state lands, mining, water use, air and water permitting, environmental review, wetlands, drainage, and natural resources funding. The finance portion explained the committee’s appropriation types and major funding sources, including direct, statutory, and open appropriations. Staff highlighted the general fund, bonding, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Game and Fish Fund, and the Heritage Enhancement Account, along with how those dollars are typically used for parks and trails, habitat, land acquisition, flood and drainage projects, and agency operations. Members also discussed whether DNR and BWSR responsibilities in overlapping water statutes can conflict; staff said responsibilities are generally clear in statute, though conflicts can occur and are usually resolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• > um<02:11:03.520> is<02:11:03.679> a<02:11:03.840> good<02:11:04.000>
• And I'd like to<02:11:10.480> thank<02:11:10.800> uh<02:11:10.880> Senator<02:11
• c> I<02:11:19.040> think<02:11:19.199> when<02:11:19.360> we<02:11:19.520>
• I was<02:11:21.840> also<02:11:22.239> co-chair<02:11:22.639> on<02:11:22.719>
• that new code. that new code.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So First Amendment is bar code 1, 8, 7, 5, 8, 6, by Senator Deciglie.
• There is one Amendment bar code 377-5345. We fall Amendment by Senator Deciglie.
• Florida chapter waiving in support. Thank you.
• So the revisions and this bill clarifies that chapter 7.21.
• There is one amendment timely filed bar code 2, 4, 2, 3, 5, 8, by Senator McClain.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the New Mexico commercial Building Code, and those codes utilize the lumber grades or that standard
• tax.
• Oil is taxed at 3.15%, while natural gas is taxed at 4%.
• To do so, what it does is oil tax.
• So when we're talking about good tax policy and we can again export that tax liability.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2011, the legislature adopted Chapter 2267 of the Government Code, which is widely referred to as
• I've been working in the P3 industry for 18 years and was the primary author of Chapter 2267 and Chapter
• Had we used Chapter 2267 at the outset, or if we had a functioning P3 model, Chapter 2267 at the outset
• But it was a reform bill, Chapter 2267A.
• We have no taxing authority. We have no ordinance-making ability. We have no taxing authority.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• imposed by a taxing unit if the office of the collector for the taxing unit is closed on the delinquency
• In certain state and local taxes, the enactment of the uniform state sales tax and the related school
• Refer to the subcommittee on Property tax appraisals.
• The substitution of a county sale and use tax for all or a portion of the property taxes imposed by certain
• Of penalties that may be imposed for dealing with taxes and the tax reported to the application of the

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 63 doesn't raise taxes.
• But California’s tax code has not been updated to reflect these, making it impossible to fully take advantage
• SB 302 would bring California tax code into conformity with the provisions of the IRA, and allow renewable
• law to federal tax law.
• File item number 11, SB 359. File item number 11, SB 359, Nilo.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused on transit funding, veterans’ tax relief, clean energy incentives, housing development costs, and tax conformity. SB 63 would authorize a Bay Area regional sales tax measure for transit agencies facing fiscal shortfalls; supporters said it was needed to avoid major service cuts, while the California Taxpayers Association opposed it on Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 would exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, and SB 296 would expand property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses; both drew broad veterans’ support. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exemption program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit monetization provisions; both were backed by industry, labor, and clean energy advocates. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees on contaminated-soil remediation for infill and master-planned housing projects, with housing groups arguing the current fee structure can make projects infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to reduce complexity and inconsistencies with federal law, and was supported by tax professionals and business groups. Several bills were held or sent to suspense, while others advanced with amendments. After quorum was established, SB 63 passed the committee 4-2 and SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, and SB 711 were referred to suspense, with SB 86 and SB 302 later approved out of suspense with amendments. SB 56 was held in committee, SB 296 was made a two-year bill, and SB 284 and SB 723 were held. The committee also approved a number of additional suspense-file bills, including SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785, while SB 591 was approved with amendments and SB 353 was made a two-year bill. The hearing concluded with the committee adjournment after final roll calls and bill actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Building codes are frozen. This is not the time to roll back building codes. Thank you. Thank you.
• So instead of requiring chargers that look like this, the code or this, the code requires simply outlets
• Building codes are frozen. This is not the time to roll back building codes. Thank you. Thank you.
• did the building code moratorium freeze, by the way, which we had negotiated. state code change right
• Item 11, AB 2128. Item 11, AB 2128. Calosa, aye. Ta, no. Tangipa, no. Tangipa, no. Wicks, aye.

Summary: The committee heard a long housing agenda with several bills presented before quorum was established. AB 1725, as amended, would require disclosure of nearby oil wells and methane monitoring issues in a specific district; the author and community witnesses described serious health and safety risks in Vista Hermosa Heights, while the California Apartment Association, California Building Industry Association, and California Chamber of Commerce opposed, arguing the bill targeted the wrong industry and that the state should instead fix abandoned wells directly. AB 2110, a local finance tool to create tax increment districts for workforce housing for education, health care, manufacturing, and public safety workers, drew no witnesses in support or opposition and was presented as a way to help workers live closer to jobs. AB 1732 would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and college housing projects; UC and several housing and labor groups supported it, while housing advocates raised concerns about amendments affecting existing 100% affordable housing exemptions. AB 1771, amended into a study bill, would direct HCD to report on the long-standing resident manager requirement for apartment buildings with 16 or more units; the rental housing industry supported studying the issue, while the chair emphasized the need to consider tenant protections and the impact on current resident managers before changing the law. The committee also heard AB 2185, which would direct state affordable housing programs to update guidelines to better support factory-built housing; it drew broad support from housing, labor, technology, and local government groups, with no opposition. AB 2748 would delay new EV-readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing developments, keeping the prior 40% standard through 2035; supporters said the higher standard would add significant costs and threaten project feasibility, while clean air and transportation advocates argued the code changes are modest, important for equity, and should not be rolled back. Members split along those lines, with some emphasizing housing production and others urging more public subsidy for EV infrastructure rather than delaying the code. SB 417, a proposed $10 billion affordable housing bond for the November ballot, received extensive support from housing organizations, local governments, labor, and business groups, but Habitat for Humanity and the Los Angeles mayor’s office asked for specific allocations for CalHome and interim housing; the bill was ultimately moved to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, with members noting ongoing negotiations over funding priorities. Finally, AB 1740 would create an urban multimodal community designation for Santa Monica, allowing local approval of certain low-impact coastal-zone activities—such as some housing, bike and bus lanes, outdoor dining, and building changes—without Coastal Commission review. The author and Santa Monica officials said the bill would reduce delays and uncertainty for infill housing and local economic recovery while preserving protections for sensitive coastal resources; supporters included housing, business, and city groups. The Coastal Commission and environmental organizations opposed, saying the bill would carve out broad exemptions, weaken public access and appeal rights, and bypass the local coastal program process that Santa Monica has not completed. Committee members debated the Commission’s role, with some criticizing it for opposing legislation and others arguing the bill was a common-sense way to modernize coastal permitting. A motion and second were made on AB 1740, and the bill was left pending with the committee’s action to be taken when appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Camila Feibelman, Director of the Sierra Club's Rio Grande chapter. Thank you.
• About 11% of children in New Mexico foster care received federal benefits that year.
• New Mexico is a member of an 11-organization public safety coalition.
• So you just have to read this based on Chapter three.
• Chapter 21 and Chapter 22 of the New Mexico Civil Statutes to require public high schools and public

Transcript Highlights:

• If you don't serve more than 11 patients, you don't recognize it doesn't recognize more than 11 patients
• It could be a 10-digit, 11-digit.
• Our statutory authority is in Chapter 36 of the Human Resources Code, the Texas Health Care Program Fraud
• I think thanks to the enhancements to our statute, Chapter 32 of the Human Resources Code, from an administrative
• Texas Health Authority was established in 2007, Chapter 182, Health and Safety Code, really to promote

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 26 of the, of the tax code, whether it's the, um, no new revenue rate, the voter approval rate, the natural
• 26, uh, of the, of the tax code.
• Um, this bill would allow them to go much higher than, than what is currently allowed under the tax code
• tax reform.
• In the comptroller's biannual tax report, uh, property tax report 2023, property tax revenue declined

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.440> and<01:11:01.960> I<01:11:02.719> um<01:11:02.960> I<01:11:03.080
• because<01:11:10.880> it's<01:11:11.400> maybe<01:11:11.679> we<01:11:11.840
• :21.880> and<01:11:22.040> I<01:11:22.159> think<01:11:22.440> that<01:11
• 11:27.920> that<01:11:28.159> actually<01:11:28.480> gave<01:11:28.719> us
• ><01:11:36.920> we've<01:11:37.120> heard<01:11:37.520> a<01:11:37.600> lot

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><02:11:01.520> up<02:11:01.679> to<02:11:01.840> code<02:11:02.159> because<
• /c> bring our electrical up to code because bring our electrical up to code because it<02:11:03.119><
• owners wrong<02:11:07.119> did<02:11:07.280> not<02:11:07.760> code<02:11:08.000
• and wrong did not code the electricians and they<02:11:09.040> came<02:11:09.119> in<02
• 02:11:15.199> code it burns because you don't meet code it burns because you don't meet code anywhere

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's not a statement on the tax or if it's going up or down.
• And that's not a statement on the tax or if it's going up or down.
• One is total tax collections, right?
• than they are like underlying taxes.
• It's Chapter 90, but it's other things as well.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 55, the governor’s FY25 supplemental budget proposal to spend about $1.3 billion in surplus Fair Share revenue. House and Senate chairs framed the bill as a one-time opportunity to invest fairly in education and transportation, while also noting the need to protect the state’s long-term fiscal balance. Administration officials said the proposal should be considered alongside the FY26 budget and related bills, since the governor’s broader Fair Share plan aims for roughly an even split between education and transportation over time. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, and Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler outlined the administration’s priorities. Transportation funding would go mainly to the MBTA and related reserves, including money for the Federal Transit Administration reserve, MBTA stabilization reserve, low-income fares, winter resilience, RTA workforce support, MassDOT workforce and project delivery, and micro-transit grants. Education funding would support universal preschool expansion, early education and care capacity, early literacy tutoring, adult basic education and ESOL, early college and career technical education, MyCAP expansion, and special education circuit breaker funding. The administration emphasized that many of these investments are one-time or multi-year measures designed to address current needs without creating unsustainable recurring costs. Committee members raised concerns about regional equity, especially the large share of transportation money going to the MBTA versus regional transit authorities and rural areas. Several members asked for more detail on how the proposal would benefit Western Massachusetts and other non-MBTA regions, and whether micro-transit and Chapter 90-related investments would be sufficient. Education questions focused on special education reimbursement shortfalls, federal funding cuts to school districts, and how CTE and vocational investments would align students with workforce needs. The administration said it would provide additional data on MBTA versus RTA investment and explained that the special education circuit breaker and transportation reimbursement changes were intended to improve predictability and relief for districts. After the administration panel, Jessica Tang of AFT Massachusetts testified in support of using Fair Share funds to protect public education amid federal uncertainty and cuts. She argued that schools are facing a fiscal cliff, that vulnerable students would be hit hardest by funding losses, and that the Fair Share revenue should be used to preserve services and support students’ needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:49.920> Uh,<01:11:50.159> I<01:11:50.400> just<01:11:50.560> want<
• c><01:11:51.920> her<01:11:52.080> work.
• I'm very honored<01:11:54.560> to<01:11:54.719> have<01:11:54.880> her<01:11:55.040
• Uh,<01:11:56.560> and<01:11:56.640> just<01:11:56.880> to<01:11:57.040> take<
• /c><01:11:58.080> uh,<01:11:58.239> I<01:11:58.560> can't<01:11:58.719> imagine

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys. The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis. Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it was the '93, does it include taxes that you have to pay?
• Under Chapter 108 of the occupations Code, I want to be clear, this is not a rule we have.
• We have now 16 FTEs, but previous legislative session was at 11. 11 FTEs correct.
• I believe it was 10 or 11 years.
• you don't have a choice, that's a tax.

Transcript Highlights:

• TPDES permits are developed under Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code, which authorizes TCEQ to set requirements
• Thank you. of the code.
• So they want these... ...tools to write code.
• them normal, correct code.
• We had an 11-hour long one last summer.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 122 repeals Chapter 205, a statute dealing with local business tax, also known as the business
• tax receipts.
• Notwithstanding the repeal of Chapter 205, a municipality that imposes a business tax on merchants, which
• by statute, as well as communication services tax and the municipal utility service tax.
• We've gotten rid of sales tax, rent tax, business sales tax.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 on local business taxes while allowing municipalities to continue imposing a gross-receipts-based business tax on merchants. Senator Trumbull presented the bill for the sponsor, and committee members questioned what services local governments fund with local business tax revenue and whether the bill should be considered alongside broader property tax changes. County and city representatives opposed the bill, arguing that local business taxes are capped home-rule revenues used for general fund services such as public safety, zoning and licensure checks, economic development, and business support, and warning that repeal would shift costs to residential taxpayers and reduce local flexibility. Senator Shreve said he would vote no because of ongoing property tax discussions, while Senator Pizzo said he would support the bill but wanted clearer accounting of how the revenue is spent. The committee voted 5-1 to report SB 122 favorably. The committee then held a housing panel discussion focused on Florida’s housing shortage, affordability, and supply constraints. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven largely by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs roughly 100,000 additional units per year just to keep up with in-migration and that local planning systems often do not prioritize housing enough. He urged more emphasis on measurable impacts, streamlined permitting, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other market-responsive tools. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center said Florida is seeing more single-family and multifamily construction but that production is concentrated in a handful of counties, while condo construction remains limited; she also noted that rents and home prices spiked sharply in the early 2020s and remain above pre-2020 levels, with nearly 905,000 low-income renters cost-burdened. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research said the national housing market is slow, Florida has a severe affordability problem, and builders are lowering prices and offering incentives but still face high land, labor, materials, and insurance costs. In committee discussion, senators focused on whether Florida should encourage more density, including townhomes, build-to-rent products, modular housing, and redevelopment of existing sites rather than relying on large new subdivisions. Members also discussed the role of local zoning, impact fees, density bonuses, and state incentives tied to housing targets. Several senators said Florida’s growth and affordability challenges require updating land development codes and planning for where future residents will live without overbuilding rural or environmentally sensitive areas. The chair closed by emphasizing that density can support affordability and that Florida should use existing footprints more efficiently.