Video & Transcript Research : 'Tax Code Chapter 351'

Page 208 of 500
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Apr 11th, 2025 at 12:30 pm

North Dakota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the length of the state highway system. Mr.
  • We have safeguards and guardrails on property rights throughout the Century Code.
  • Nor is there anything in Century Code that says nothing in the hunting chapter applies to you unless
  • Dakota Century Code relating to non-federal easements granted on wetland areas.
  • Dakota Century Code, relating to the rights of sexual violence survivors.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then received a gubernatorial message listing numerous bills signed by the governor. The chamber also handled conference committee business, including appointing conferees for House Bills 1003 and 1169 after refusing to concur with Senate amendments, and adopting a conference committee report on House Bill 1053, which repealed a Century Code section related to the length of the state highway system. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2137, which would allow supplemental feed for hunting and include an expiration date. The House divided the proposed amendments into two parts. Division A, dealing with baiting limits and setbacks near livestock facilities, drew extensive debate over private property rights, enforceability, livestock protection, and hunting access, and failed 14-76. Division B, requiring chronic wasting disease surveillance and a report to Legislative Management, also drew debate over whether the reporting requirement was necessary or too late to be useful; it failed 44-46. With both divisions defeated, the House then passed the underlying bill 56-34. The House also laid over Senate Bills 2340, 2326, and 2289. Later, it defeated Senate Bill 2325, which would have created a process for non-federal easements on wetland areas, by a vote of 4-84. It passed Senate Bill 2210, directing a legislative management study on watershed-based water management, 85-3; Senate Bill 2387, establishing rights for sexual violence survivors, 89-0; and Senate Bill 269, allowing state agencies to satisfy legal notice requirements by posting on their websites if newspaper publication is missed, 72-17. The House then excused absent members and adjourned until Monday, April 14, 2025.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • State water code.
  • So you tax credits just poof disappears.
  • your permit gets pulled, your tax your permit gets pulled, your tax credits<02:03:08.800> get
  • >> Building code. >> Actually, we had this conversation.
  • >> Building<02:07:41.040> code. >> Building code. >> Building code.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation. The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown. For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/25/2026)

Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • care provider agreved under this chapter care provider agreved under this chapter may<01:36:14.639
  • sales tax, but they include items like candy and soda in the sales tax collection.
  • sales tax, but they include items like candy and soda in the sales tax collection.
  • called the streamlined sales tax called the streamlined sales tax definition<04:41:37.200> of
  • and soda in the sales in sales tax and soda in the sales in sales tax collection.<04:41:53.920><
Keywords: 1189, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 29th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Businesses are already facing record legal lawsuits, record taxes, record operating costs, and record
  • This bill extends the California Competes tax credit for an additional five years, helping our state
  • This bill extends the California Competes tax credit for an additional five years, helping our state
  • And I think that's because if it said tax credits, some people might not be able to vote for it.
  • Our numbering should remain as spelled out in state code, absolutely content neutral.
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son. On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction. The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Fish and Game and Marine Resources (02/03/2026)

Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • utilizing our hotels and our restaurants, and that generates revenue for the state through meals and meals tax
  • If you like conservation without new taxes, this is how you get it and this is how you keep it.
  • He also mentioned Wallop-Breaux and a 3 percent self-imposed tax on electric trolling motors.
  • levels tax almost 90 years ago. levels tax almost 90 years ago.
  • manufactured level uh self-imposed tax manufactured level uh self-imposed tax on<03:37:00.560>
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 03/17/26

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • This proposed project was given a code name, Project Bigfoot.
  • code name, Project<01:31:23.440> Bigfoot.
  • Cannot let code names, aliases, and NDAs become the norm in Minnesota.
  • > u<02:06:18.800> requires got chapter 13 which u requires got chapter 13 which u requires
  • Why is big tax so for his comments.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 24th, 2025

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

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.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • In fact, we had a cyberattack in Martin County, and our tax collector's records were all hacked into,
  • CS for SB 530 amends Chapter 24 of Florida Statutes relating to the Department of Lottery by making updates
  • Next up, we have tab 11 and Senator Leak, Florida Building Code. Come on up, you are recognized.
  • claims, but a good portion also can create jobs, can boost the economy of Florida, can create more tax
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and reported favorably several bills. CS/SB 800 would increase penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and create an engineering student loan assistance program funded by licensure fees and fines; Senator Sharif asked about restitution for victims, and the sponsor said the bill does not create a reimbursement mechanism. CS/SB 576 would create a local government cybersecurity protection program administered by Florida Digital Service, with state purchasing support, grant access, and data-sharing requirements; local government and cybersecurity groups waived in support. CS/SB 1078 would establish transition procedures between gubernatorial administrations, including liaisons, briefing books, office space, IT access, and access to agency records under a signed confidentiality agreement. The committee also reported favorably CS/SB 314 on payment stablecoin issuers, CS/SB 530 updating lottery operations and security rules, CS/SB 1614 giving JAC/LAC-related audit findings more enforcement effect for local governments seeking state funds, SB 990 authorizing protective cell captive insurance companies, SB 1588 beginning implementation of the prior gold-and-silver legal tender law, CS/SB 1440 adding cybersecurity-related exemptions and reporting provisions for financial institutions, and CS/SB 1568 creating a stablecoin pilot program for DFS fee payments. Several bills had support testimony from state agencies and industry groups, and some included technical or guardrail amendments that were adopted without objection. The committee also received a budget overview highlighting major funding items, including more than $350 million for Florida Forever, $738 million for Everglades restoration, more than $500 million for water quality projects outside the Everglades, $60 million for Farmers Feeding Florida, and more than $250 million for citrus recovery. Members asked questions about school lunch funding, state park improvements, land acquisition, water quality funding, gaming enforcement offices, and staffing for PERC. After the bills and budget discussion, members recorded a few affirmative votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

September 23, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • municipal taxes.
  • values, so that our tax base times tax rate simply equals revenue, property tax revenue for us, which
  • So instead of it being a 10-year tax, it's now a nine-year tax.
  • So I think we have to revisit the entire tax code in order to create flexibility for local governments
  • So I think we have to revisit the entire tax code in order to create flexibility of local governments
Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Jan 27th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • still have taxpayers putting the bill for $6,694 to make a $5,000 bonus because we pay the income taxes
  • Florida PVA, FHP chapter. You recognize. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
  • Florida PVA, FHP chapter. You recognize. Thank you. Thank you. FHP chapter. You recognize.
  • There's a point system with the criminal punishment code score sheet.
  • This is a level four offense, which is 22 points on the criminal punishment code score sheet, multiplied
Summary: The Appropriations Committee took up SB 2B, a major immigration bill by Senator Gruters, described by supporters as a Trump-aligned package to strengthen Florida’s role in immigration enforcement. The bill would create a grant program for local law enforcement, expand jail-ICE agreements beyond sheriff-operated jails, establish a chief immigration officer and a state immigration enforcement council, require more coordination on E-Verify and detention-bed reporting, allow immigration status to be considered in bail decisions, increase penalties for certain offenses tied to illegal reentry and voting, and repeal in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Much of the sponsor’s presentation and debate emphasized focusing on criminal offenders, improving coordination with federal authorities, and using state resources to support detention and enforcement. Committee questioning focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, reimbursement for jail costs, E-Verify coverage, and whether the bill could lead to street-level immigration enforcement in schools or churches. Senator Smith, Senator Pizzo, Senator Polsky, Senator Sharief, and others challenged the tuition repeal as unfair to students who were brought to Florida as children and argued for grandfathering current students or studying the fiscal impact first. Senator Fine defended the repeal as ending a state subsidy for people who are not lawfully present and argued the change would save tens of millions of dollars. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified that the bill was limited to jail-based enforcement, said there was no current street-level 287(g) program in Florida, and stated he did not believe the bill raised concerns for law enforcement or schools/churches. A representative of the Florida Supervisors of Elections supported the voting-related section, while a Florida Highway Patrol representative said state agencies would need additional funding if they were expected to take on more enforcement duties. The committee adopted Senator Gruters’ late-filed amendment correcting a drafting error. Senator Smith’s amendment to require an OPAGA study on the tuition-waiver policy was withdrawn after discussion, and his handwritten amendment to delete the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented students failed on a roll-call vote. The bill then advanced as amended, with several members speaking in debate both for and against it. Supporters framed it as a focused public-safety and enforcement measure; opponents criticized the special-session process, the cost, and the tuition repeal’s impact on students already enrolled.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/29/2025)

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • in the child’s bodily injury to the child or the child becomes a victim of any offense under RSA chapter
  • <00:37:09.760> 632a<00:37:10.760> or of any offense under RSA chapter 632a or of any
  • offense under RSA chapter 632a or 649a<00:37:13.560> as<00:37:13.720> a<00:37:13.920><
  • criminal code, I don't think that's a significant concern.
  • <03:36:08.800> are funds um and because you know taxes are funds um and because you know taxes
Keywords: 1189, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations Feb 19th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • tax bill but it a school board controls a tier two tax rate what you'll sometimes here referred to as
  • The Tier 1 tax, you're able to set up to 17%... pennies of tier two taxes.
  • So, Texas Education Code, Chapter 49, 154B, the legislature essentially has already addressed this problem
  • Taxpayers should be paying taxes. That's the plan for the districts in which the taxes are paid.
  • , vehicle registration tax... gets us to about 67% of the budget which the gas tax state gas tax portion
Keywords: 1184, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 14th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • idea that the author of this amendment said that somehow if you vote against it, you're for a poll tax
  • No one believes in a poll tax. That's a dirty argument to be making on this floor.
  • No one believes in a poll tax. That's a side. No one believes in a poll tax.
  • Although they didn't have to do a poll tax, a literacy tax, although my colleague talked about it on
  • These behaviors actually birthed Jim Crow-era laws by way of intimidation, district maps, poll taxes,
Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, then completed the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, journal motions, and a long series of procedural actions, including suspending rules to move bills and approve a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. Members also made several guest introductions, including Shannon Lee, district staff from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez’s office, and later guests tied to agritourism and education recognitions. The floor debate centered heavily on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent Supreme Court decisions and redistricting efforts in other states were weakening Black and other minority representation and that California should take a clear stand for voting rights. Opponents argued the measure promoted racial division, conflicted with equal protection principles, and that districts should be drawn based on place or communities of interest rather than race. After a contentious debate with repeated parliamentary warnings over decorum, the Assembly suspended the rules to take up the resolution, added coauthors, and passed AJR 31 by a vote of 58-8. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, generally approving them with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies; AB 1816 extending court supervision for certain sex-offender rehabilitation programs; AB 2561 protecting consumer privacy settings on phones and digital devices; ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day; ACR 190 recognizing California Day of the Teacher; AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students in public schools; AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and safety planning; AB 1665 requiring mental health training for school coaches; AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting; AB 1768 authorizing a local tax measure related to health funding; AB 1712 facilitating a water-system sale for Santa Fe Springs; AB 1792 addressing sexually exploitive AI imagery in health education; and AB 1822 prioritizing school projects that address extreme heat. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, several unanimously, and the resolution on agritourism and the teacher day were adopted by voice vote.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

LBT-CPN, LBT Public Hearings 03-23-2026

Labor and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • The tax that the benefits of that were overpaid to an individual is due for life.
  • the the benefits of that were tax that the the benefits of that were overpaid<00:09:51.040> to
  • Also, employers in the state of Hawaii receive the federal FUTA tax credit.
  • Without that FUTA tax credit, employers will be paying 6.4% FUTA tax instead of 0.06% FUTA tax on the
  • Without that FUTA tax credit, employers will be paying 6.4% FUTA tax instead of 0.06% FUTA tax on the
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2455, HD2, relating to employment practices. Testimony was limited, with support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and UPW; the committee noted nine support, zero opposition, and zero comments. No vote was taken on this bill during the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 2165, HD2, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law. DLIR supported the measure but requested an amendment moving language in Section 2 from subsection A to subsection C to preserve the legal structure. Members questioned DLIR about a January 8 U.S. Department of Labor letter and whether the bill would keep Hawaii in conformity with federal unemployment insurance requirements. DLIR said the federal guidance requires the state to remove the carve-out for labor-dispute claimants, though unions with hiring halls and members in good standing could still be exempt from work-search requirements under an authorized list. UNITE HERE Local 5 opposed the bill and said the current law already gives the department discretion to exempt striking workers. The committee recessed the bill before any final action was taken in the portion shown. In the joint hearing with Commerce and Consumer Protection, the committees heard House Bill 1509, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill, DHER offered comments and requested an amendment, UPW supported it, and one Zoom testifier described personal experience with delayed care and urged faster decisions. After testimony, the committees voted to pass the bill with amendments. The adopted amendments restored the 7-day treatment-plan deadline from 10 days, changed the effective date to January 1, 2077, and struck the proposed $500 fine for employers who fail to respond within 10 days. Back in the Labor and Technology agenda, the committee heard House Bill 1515, HD2, also relating to workers’ compensation, with testimony noting seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, but no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 1514, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation plans. A Zoom testifier opposed the bill, arguing the 120-day timeline was unrealistic for complex cases. DLIR said the bill would give the director discretion to extend the vocational rehabilitation plan timeline beyond 120 days with no cap on extensions, and the committee noted five support, four opposition, and zero comments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2458, HD3, relating to surveillance pricing. OCP said it stood on written testimony, while supporters argued the bill would prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices, especially for groceries. Retail and grocery interests opposed the measure, saying it was too broad and could restrict loyalty programs, promotions, and discounts; one witness asked that a loyalty-program exemption be restored.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • in the building code.
  • considering a violation in the building code doing his job he's he's following the code but the antiquated
  • It is a life safety issue and really has nothing to do with fire code.
  • Fourth, the bill risks conflict with existing building and fire codes.
  • 527 CMR state fire code.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused on a range of public safety bills, with especially emotional testimony on the Maggie Hubbard Rental Safety Act, which would require short-term rentals to be inspected for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and require platforms or agents to verify compliance before listing. Rep. Hadley Luddy, Sen. Julian Cyr, and the Hubbard and Waldron families described the fatal Airbnb fire that killed Shannon Hubbard and her daughter Maggie in New York, saying the deaths were preventable and that the bill would save lives. Committee members expressed sympathy and support for the families’ efforts to turn their loss into legislation. The committee also heard testimony on a proposed peace officer oath (S. 1680), described by Sen. Lydia Edwards as a binding ethical standard tied to certification and recertification, with discipline and annual reporting to promote accountability and de-escalation. Rep. Tom Walsh testified for a bill requiring hotel and motel workers to be trained to recognize human trafficking and to post hotline signage, and later testimony supported a school safety data grant program to provide first responders with standardized, up-to-date school maps for emergencies. Another major topic was a bill to allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings; supporters said the devices are removable, do not alter fire code, and could improve lockdown response during active shooter events. Additional bills discussed included measures to transfer the Office of Emergency Medical Services to EOPSS, increase penalties for unlicensed hood-system cleaning, expand membership on the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, and strengthen confidentiality for peer support and critical incident stress debriefings. Firefighters and fire chiefs also supported a bill to tighten penalties for violations of hot-work regulations, citing the 2014 Beacon Street fire that killed Lt. Walsh and Firefighter Kennedy. Law enforcement groups backed a package including a Blue Star plate and Blue Alert system for fallen officers’ families, stronger move-over penalties, and a memorial fund, while the State Police Association supported the move-over provisions but asked for further work on the special state police officer bill before final action. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill contains 14 sections related to workers' compensation in chapters 79, 175A, and 176.
  • The bill contains 14 sections related to workers' compensation in chapters 79, 175A, and 176.
  • <00:31:11.679> for<00:31:12.000> local<00:31:12.240> and also increases tax
  • pressure to raise taxes on existing residents<00:31:21.520> and<00:31:21.679> businesses.
  • <01:26:36.639> just<01:26:36.800> went tax model and property taxes just went tax model
Bills: HF4862, HF4598
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • The proposed legislation is a simple technical correction to Mass General Law, Chapter 6E, the police
  • The rights of victims and witnesses of crime as outlined in Chapter 258A of the Massachusetts General
  • That's a lot of people who could be paying taxes, they could be working.
  • This portion of the labor shortages, reduces consumer spending, and strengthens tax revenue.
  • Removing barriers reduces the need for long-term government support, thereby saving tax dollars.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a wide range of criminal justice, victim services, and records-sealing bills. Early testimony focused on H.1811, the Clean Slate automated record-sealing bill, with supporters arguing that automatic sealing after existing waiting periods would remove barriers to jobs, housing, and education without changing eligibility rules. Advocates from legal aid, business, and housing organizations said the current petition-based system is underused, burdensome, and costly, while opponents of expanding surveillance-related laws urged the committee to preserve privacy protections. The committee also heard testimony on H.1693, which would immediately seal records in cases ending without conviction and clarify the presumption of innocence, with speakers describing how dismissed cases still create lasting collateral consequences and prevent people from moving forward. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills centered on victim safety and domestic violence. Senator Michael Moore testified for S.1201, which would keep child-protective orders in effect even if the parent or guardian who filed them dies, and for S.1204, which would update the wiretap statute. Multiple survivors and advocates supported S.1215 and S.1222, arguing for a narrow wiretap defense for recordings made to document threats or abuse and for making GPS tampering a separate felony offense. Testifiers described situations in which GPS devices were cut off or disabled and said current law leaves victims at risk and gives abusers too much leeway. The committee also heard emotional testimony on H.1685/S.1238, a bill prompted by the suicide of Stavri Yanka in custody, with the sponsor, his mother, and the sheriff describing the need for better information-sharing so suicide-risk information follows a person into custody. Law enforcement and prosecutors supported several due-process and dangerousness-related bills. MassCOP, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the State Police Association backed H.1828/S.1039/S.1235, which would require de novo Superior Court review for POST Commission suspensions over two weeks or decertifications, arguing officers need a meaningful appeal beyond administrative review. The committee also heard support for H.1691, expanding the dangerousness statute to additional offenses; Bristol County District Attorney Quinn said the changes would let prosecutors seek detention in serious cases such as child rape and manslaughter when facts warrant it. In contrast, the Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed expanding dangerousness detention, warning that pretrial detention causes serious harms and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic defendants. The hearing also included testimony on H.1654/S.1063 to enhance victims’ rights and H.1525, which would rename and expand community corrections into community justice programs, with supporters emphasizing reentry, reduced stigma, and broader service access.
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

Public Health Aug 13th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • is the penal code is the penal code.
  • They've got QR codes.
  • under Chapter 122 in the Agriculture Code.
  • So intelligent regulation would include an excise tax to alleviate property taxes, raising the cost of
  • So intelligent regulation would include an excise tax to alleviate property taxes, raising the cost of
Summary: The House Committee on Public Health heard House Bill 5, a proposal to ban THC products outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and CBG products under tighter regulation. Chair Van Deaver gave a lengthy background on the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, arguing that the lack of guardrails allowed a large, unregulated THC market to develop. HB 5 would impose licensing fees, product registration, testing and inspection requirements, and restrictions intended to keep products away from children. Invited witnesses from law enforcement strongly supported the bill. Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and Brian Hawthorne of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued that THC consumables are widely mislabeled, often far more potent than advertised, and linked to youth access, impaired driving, and organized crime. Both said regulation would be ineffective and would amount to legalization, while a ban would be easier for officers to enforce. They also emphasized support for the Texas Compassionate Use Program and said medical THC should remain available. Dr. Peter Stout of the Texas Association of Crime Lab Directors and Alice Amelot of Texas DPS testified as resource witnesses about forensic testing. They said current lab resources are already stretched thin, that quantitative testing for THC and related cannabinoids is expensive and time-consuming, and that a ban would simplify enforcement because labs could focus on presence/absence testing rather than concentration. Amelot said DPS labs are neutral on the bill but explained that mislabeled products and inaccurate certificates of analysis are common. Committee members asked about traffic safety, impairment, youth use, and the costs of enforcement and lab testing; witnesses repeatedly said the bill would reduce complexity for law enforcement but that any approach would still require more resources for labs.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Judiciary Committee Apr 1st, 2026 at 09:00 am

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Century Code Section 50-12-1 or Chapter 50-2 where alcoholic beverages are sold, dispensed, and consumed
  • , and federal excise tax imposed under the Internal Revenue Code.
  • So federal excise tax and North Dakota state tax, which amounts to about 10%, is taken out in taxes.
  • And under North Dakota Century Code and North Dakota administrative code, a licensed distributor may
  • I'm here specifically to address Century Code 53-06 of the Century Code.
Keywords: 908, all