Video & Transcript Research : 'Tax Code'
Page 209 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- All the other things, the building codes, the CEQA requirements, all of those would remain the same.
- board by dealing with the root cause of the problem, which are the regulations, the state building code
- We also have Assembly Bill 2881, which requires a full briefing on CalFresh, Earned Income Tax Credit
- , the Young Child Tax Credit, California Supplemental Special Food Program under WIC, the description
- So they'll look at the Welfare and Institutions Code there. Similar, sharp comments?
Summary:
The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee.
The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations.
AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (04/22/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- This is also known as a tort tax.
- This is also known as a tort tax. tax. tax.
- this a littering of our criminal codes this a littering of our criminal codes with<02:52:37.359>
- realize they set their own tax rate. realize they set their own tax rate.
- Terms of collecting taxes.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 1067-FN, which would formalize and expand mental health courts in New Hampshire and create a grant-based funding structure for them. Representative Mark Pearson, the prime sponsor, described the bill as a bipartisan, compassionate, and cost-effective approach that would connect people with mental illness to treatment and supervision instead of incarceration, while still holding them accountable. He said the proposal was developed with input from the judicial branch, law enforcement, corrections, mental health organizations, and others, and emphasized that local courts could tailor programs to their needs.
Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal note, whether the legislature had previously studied the issue, how the program would be funded, and whether the bill should more explicitly address treatment, prevention, and data collection. Representative Buzz Sher, who helped develop the bill, explained how mental health courts work, including referral, clinical and public-safety assessments, case management, goal-setting, and graduation from the program. He said existing New Hampshire mental health courts are mostly partial and county-funded, and that the bill would formalize them, set standards, and allow grant funding. He also cited data from Georgia and New Hampshire suggesting significant savings from reduced incarceration and related costs.
Members also raised concerns about due process, whether people not formally charged could be swept into the system, and whether individuals with violent offenses or domestic violence histories could be diverted inappropriately. Sher responded that only people already in the criminal justice process are eligible and that courts use safety assessments to screen out most violent cases. The committee requested that Sher file supporting financial data from other jurisdictions, and he agreed to do so. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Their deaths were classified under ICD-9 diagnosis code 632, missed abortion.
- I later called the office to learn that, you know, that's exactly what medical coding is.
- I later called the office to learn that, you know, that's exactly what medical coding is.
- Well, because the CPT codes are federally designated, we couldn't do that.
- And we also have sanitary code in our revised statutes that— So it's just if they say so?
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 and approved the minutes from the prior week before taking up a series of House bills, many of them with testimony from sponsors, agency officials, and stakeholders. Early action included HB 971, which would direct LDH to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; the sponsor described a significant payment disparity and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also deferred HB 1030 and HB 796 until the following week before moving to other items on the agenda.
Several bills dealing with Medicaid and provider regulation were advanced. HB 414, as amended, closes a loophole so health care providers cannot hire unlicensed workers with certain serious out-of-state convictions; amendments addressed effective dates, FBI background-check issues for therapeutic group homes, and delays for direct support professional applicants caused by minor record issues. HB 740, as amended, creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims disputes in the coordinated system of care for behavioral health providers, with amendments clarifying applicability dates and program definitions. HB 786, which prohibits extrapolation in managed care claims recoupments and requires recovery to be based on actual overpayments or underpayments, was also reported favorably. HB 915 set timelines and accountability standards for prior authorization and utilization management in Medicaid managed care and was reported favorably after testimony about delays in care.
The committee also heard and passed several bills affecting health professions and facilities. HB 405 simply updates the name of the national acupuncture certification body. HB 1095 allows nursing homes to use alternative power sources while keeping existing generator and fuel requirements. HB 557 defines long-term care pharmacies for policy purposes. HB 779 authorizes expedited partner therapy prescriptions for certain sexually transmitted diseases. HB 933 creates an optional commemorative birth certificate, with part of the fee going to the Office of Women’s Health. HB 796, carried by another representative for the author, establishes a chiropractic preceptorship program with on-site supervision requirements and was reported favorably after questions about student training and patient safety.
The committee also heard emotionally charged testimony on HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and patient communication. Several witnesses described the distress caused by current coding language, and supporters said the change would make records more compassionate and understandable; the bill was reported favorably. HB 403 increased the cottage food gross-sales cap, and after testimony from small producers and the committee’s discussion of other states’ higher limits, an amendment raised the cap to $150,000 before the bill was reported favorably. HB 930 modernizes cosmetic-product regulation and creates a small home-based producer exemption under a wholesale-sales threshold; it was also reported favorably. Finally, HB 1041, a no-mandate bill restricting discrimination based on medical intervention status, prompted extended debate over exemptions for schools, hospitals, and other entities, with one amendment failing on a roll-call vote and the discussion continuing over the scope of the bill and federal funding concerns.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 9, February 19, 2026-AM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's largely funded by our property tax, and it's money put to good use.
- tax and uh it's money put to good use. tax and uh it's money put to good use.
- the code of the west. the code of the west.
- <01:44:20.960>
Thank <01:44:21.119>you, election code violations. - Thank you, election code violations. Thank you, sir. sir. sir.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The administration anticipates the MCO tax would have a per member per month tax rate of $8.85.
- Sized MCO tax.
- They consider this a tax on MCOs.
- The digital sales tax is a direct increase on taxes on Californians, and then the MCO tax.
- Taxes post-2025. This is a new increase. This is a renewal of our existing MCO tax.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Health Committee and Senate Health Committee Aug 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Provider tax limitations: H.R. 1 does a few things related to provider taxes, such as our managed care
- organization tax and our hospital quality assurance fee.
- As enacted, this provision prohibits any provider tax that either imposes a lower tax rate on providers
- And so it depends on the category, their aid code category.
- If we just If we just institute taxes on the billionaires who got a tax break under Trump's law, we could
Summary:
The joint informational hearing focused on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s Medi-Cal program and on community health effects from recent immigration enforcement actions. Committee leaders said H.R. 1 would sharply reduce federal funding, increase administrative burdens, and worsen access to care, especially for Medi-Cal enrollees, immigrant families, rural communities, and reproductive health patients. The second half of the hearing examined how ICE raids and related federal actions are creating fear, reducing clinic and emergency department use, and disrupting children’s access to schools and early childhood education.
Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Bass outlined the main H.R. 1 provisions affecting Medi-Cal: work requirements, semiannual eligibility redeterminations, shorter retroactive coverage, new cost-sharing, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, reduced federal support for emergency and lawful immigrant coverage, and a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for prohibited abortion providers. She estimated millions could lose coverage, with tens of billions of dollars in federal funding at risk. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warned the defunding provision could force clinic closures, service reductions, and loss of access to family planning, STI testing, and cancer screenings. The California Hospital Association said the financing changes could cut hospital revenue by tens of billions over 10 years and threaten access, especially for rural and safety-net hospitals. The Western Center on Law and Poverty argued the law would increase churn, paperwork, and uninsured rates, disproportionately harming working adults and people experiencing homelessness.
Committee members asked about implementation timelines, notification systems, administrative costs, the effect on immigrant eligibility, and whether California could delay or mitigate some provisions. Bass said the state was still assessing federal guidance, planning county and provider outreach, and exploring a possible delay for work requirements and a transition period for provider-tax changes. Members also discussed how state budget actions may need to be revisited in light of H.R. 1, and how California might preserve access through state-only funding or other policy changes.
In the second panel, CHIRLA, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and the Children’s Partnership described the health consequences of immigration enforcement. Speakers said raids and data-sharing fears are causing anxiety, trauma, and avoidance of care, with Los Angeles County reporting declines in emergency, urgent care, and clinic visits after enforcement actions. The Children’s Partnership said school and early childhood absences are rising in some communities and that enforcement is undermining children’s emotional well-being and access to education. Members asked for more data and discussed possible state protections, telehealth, mobile care, and legal and policy responses to reduce fear and preserve access to health and education services.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas the County Treasurer has collected property taxes and maintained.
- Recompiling the Special Education Ombud Act in the Public School Code, making conforming amendments.
- Senate Bill 243, having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and to the Senate Tax, Business,
- Senate Bill 252, having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and referred to the Senate Tax,
- Does it also have a tax in there?
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Morning Session Apr 17th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the middle of a property tax crisis.
- tax request for any year shall not exceed the property tax request authorized as determined under the
- The city or the county where the event happens, using property taxes? Using property taxes.
- Another top priority is to keep taxes, especially property taxes, as low as possible.
- and lowering property taxes.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Agriculture Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Almost half a billion dollars and local and state taxes paid.
- in many ways like the pioneers who is asked to establish these entities through the Florida Citrus codes
- things we can do to to encourage farmers to stay in the business, talk a little bit about property taxes
- Obviously, if the district had these contracts in place with that tax for Cs, they did have quite a bit
- The ones that typically did a better job for those that have a contract with have tax or nrcs mainly
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
PSM-WLA, PSM Public Hearings 02-04-2026
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The Water Code was passed in 1987.
- The Water Code was passed in 1987.
- Because the code we got. And and why?
- The person who wrote the water code 90s.
- ,<00:43:23.920>
which abiding by our state water code, which abiding by our state water code
Summary:
The joint committees heard testimony on several measures. SB 2723, which would designate April 27 as State Sheriff’s Day, was supported by the Department of Law Enforcement and a long-serving sheriff, who described the historical roots of Hawaii’s sheriffs in the Kingdom of Hawaii and said the bill would recognize that legacy. HGA submitted written comments, and there was no opposition or vote taken on the measure during the excerpt.
The committees then heard SB 17 on wildfire mitigation. The Public Utilities Commission, DLNR, the State Fire Council, OPSD, the Attorney General’s office, and Kamehameha Schools all testified, mostly in support of the bill’s intent but with suggested amendments. Several witnesses said the bill should better define the working group’s structure, staffing, and funding, and the Attorney General noted constitutional concerns about placing the group outside a principal department and pointed out possible overlap with Acts 302 and 303 from the prior year. Committee members questioned whether SB 17 duplicated earlier wildfire legislation, and witnesses generally said it did not directly conflict but overlapped with existing efforts.
On SB 2358, which would require reimbursement for search-and-rescue costs when people leave trails and enter closed areas, the State Fire Council and the Hawaii SAR Alliance testified in opposition or caution, arguing that reimbursement could deter people from calling for help and that Hawaii’s SAR system still has structural and administrative gaps. A committee member asked whether other jurisdictions had used similar measures without discouraging rescues; the Fire Council said Kauai has a similar law but it has not resulted in invoices being sent. No action was taken in the excerpt.
The final measure discussed was SB 2475 on Red Hill remediation funding and reimbursement from the Department of Defense. The Board of Water Supply, DLNR, and other testifiers supported the bill, emphasizing the need for long-term research, monitoring, and cleanup, while also noting the unique groundwater conditions and the importance of keeping the funds focused on Red Hill contamination response. Committee members asked about existing federal and state funding, whether the state had received any direct federal money, and what would happen if reimbursement is not obtained. DLNR said it was still working through the reimbursement mechanism and that some federal funding had gone to the Red Hill registry, but not directly to the state for this purpose.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Regulatory Division Jun 24th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The color coding there: the projects that you see in red were funded with 2022-23 money.
- This fund receives revenue from the oil extraction tax formula, $17.5 million a biennium.
- The funding source for CERC is the oil extraction tax formula.
- We've got approved funding of $7.5 million from the oil extraction tax formula, an estimate of about
- Our tax code is a mess in terms of enhanced oil recovery and the extraction tax.
Summary:
The committee received a compliance and status update on Industrial Commission programs and the Bank of North Dakota. Staff reviewed appropriations and spending for several Industrial Commission funds and grant programs, including lignite research, oil and gas research, clean sustainable energy, grid resiliency, salt cavern analysis, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members discussed the timing of reimbursements, uncommitted balances, and the structure of the pipeline capacity and enhanced oil recovery funding. The Industrial Commission also reported on its administrative budget, grant management system project, and recent leadership transitions across several agencies.
Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described active grant rounds and the status of major projects. She said the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority approved three projects in its sixth round, with remaining uncommitted cash and loan capacity still available, though no new funding was appropriated this session. She also said the Oil and Gas Research Council approved six enhanced oil recovery projects and expects additional funding after a federal Department of Energy award replaces one project’s state funding. For grid resiliency grants, she said some projects have been funded, some commitments were returned or reallocated, and some DOE funds remain pending. She also updated the committee on the salt cavern business case study, which replaced an earlier larger development proposal, and on the NDSU research park grant, where the nonmatching portion was paid and the matching portion has moved slowly because the match must be in cash.
Ron Ness then gave an extended presentation on enhanced oil recovery and North Dakota oil and gas trends. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, especially gas takeaway and projects like the Bakken East pipeline. He argued that enhanced oil recovery using CO2, natural gas, surfactants, and other methods could extend Bakken production for decades, but that the state needs more CO2 supply, better storage, and updated tax and regulatory incentives. Members asked about lateral lengths, CO2 availability, pipeline impacts, and the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Ness emphasized that the projects are intended to share technical learning across operators and attract follow-on investment.
The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and strategic update. President Don Morgan said the bank’s mission remains to support North Dakota agriculture, commerce, and industry while cooperating with the state’s financial sector. He reviewed the bank’s main business lines: participation lending with community institutions, student loans, disaster lending, mission-based programs, and a new fintech-focused effort. Morgan said deposits are flattening, so the bank is managing balance sheet growth carefully, while still reporting improved net income and strong efficiency. He also introduced Rough Rider Coin as a bank-to-bank payment rail, not a public cryptocurrency, intended to speed and modernize payments within North Dakota’s banking and credit union system. Committee members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster program use, and how credit lines and liquidity would be affected if deposits shrink.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:23:53.320>
money allowable expense of the use tax money allowable expense of the use tax - <00:30:18.880>
distribution ensure accurate sales tax distribution ensure accurate sales tax - back to the county since they get no walk-in sales tax and their only source of revenue is the tax your
- revenue is the tax your property? revenue is the tax your property?
- changes on who gets sales tax changes on who gets sales tax diversions.<00:31:39.640>
I <00
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Dr. Ryan Wade and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then handled routine business by dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports. Several guests were recognized, including Leadership Jackson County, Farm Bureau members, a doctor of the day, adult educators, and other visitors in the gallery. Senator Brumfield also announced support efforts for Senator Warren Barnett, asking members to contribute to him through Ms. Anita Jackson.
The chamber then considered a series of House bills, most of them taken up with strike-all amendments and passed by use of the morning roll call. Measures included HB 1390 on personal services funding allocations, HB 1571 on ARPA funds and unexpended balances, HB 1655 on the State Aid Road Construction director’s personnel status, HB 1650 on dormant state accounts and pooled investments, HB 1651 on state agencies using other agencies’ facilities and charging 50% of fair market value, HB 1345 on administrative forfeiture of illegal cigarette and vaping products, HB 1386 on allowing sidewalks as an eligible use of municipal infrastructure funds, HB 671 on alcoholic beverage delivery responsibility ending when retailers transfer possession to delivery services, and HB 1385 on eliminating paper-original homestead exemption submissions. Members asked questions on several bills, especially about whether the fairgrounds language in HB 1651 would affect youth livestock shows and whether HB 1386 or other measures would change county revenue; sponsors generally said the bills were intended to address state-agency use, municipal reporting, or administrative efficiency rather than alter those programs.
The Senate also advanced HB 898, creating a sales tax diversion study committee to review misallocated municipal sales tax revenues, assess impacts, examine technology and oversight, and recommend reforms by the 2027 session; Senator Hill questioned whether counties should be included, but the sponsor said that would be a separate policy decision. Later, the Senate reconsidered HB 1265, the Mississippi Debt Management Services Act extended repealer, adopted an amendment to remove the repealer instead of extending it, and then passed the bill. The body also took up SB 2632, the local governments disaster recovery emergency loan program, and voted not to concur and to invite conference. Finally, HB 1142 on bench warrant notices was called up; the sponsor explained a strike-all that would replace certified mail with personal service or electronic transmission and include a reverse repealer for further conference work.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- give you $2,000 based upon your zip code give you $2,000 based upon your zip code to<00:11:31.680
- Um, you would be collecting some tax Um, you would be collecting some tax rate<00:14:54.560>
- Plymouth tax rolls.
- So we building to pay local taxes on.
- their revenue from taxes from rent cars. their revenue from taxes from rent cars.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Tribal Relations, January 28, 2026
Select Committee on Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- within the tribal code. I'm not aware. within the tribal code. I'm not aware.
- is no buffalo in our game code. is no buffalo in our game code.
- That is going against any gaming code. That is going against any gaming code.
- c> that was adopting a code a game code we that was adopting a code a game code we didn't<02:24:19.520
- terms of tax revenues and other things. terms of tax revenues and other things.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (03/18/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the House actually voted to keep the Board of Tax and Land Appeals.
- So I just wanted of tax and net appeals.
- They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
- They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
- The classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Being a $2,400 tax deduction, based on our current tax rate of 4.7%, you will pay $112.80 less in taxes
- tax in the state of Missouri.
- State income taxes.
- Retirees are treated differently under our tax code.
- Income tax.
Summary:
The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session and first took up Senate Bill 1032, a tax deduction bill tied to the birth or adoption of a child. Vice Chair Davis offered a committee amendment to broaden eligibility by changing the trigger from “gives birth or adopts” to “attains legal parentage,” expressly including surrogacy, adoption, and legal parent-child relationships by operation of law, while keeping the $2,400 deduction amount and limiting it to one claim per child. Members discussed the bill’s limited practical tax benefit, with supporters saying it would help families and opponents arguing the deduction would amount to only about $112.80 in reduced taxes and would not meaningfully change behavior. The committee adopted the amendment and substitute, but the final do-pass motion failed on a 4-4 vote, so House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1032 did not advance.
The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 3294, sponsored by Representative Mayhew, which would eliminate the need for active-duty military personnel to file a Missouri income tax return when their military pay is already exempt from state income tax. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would prevent unnecessary withholding and refund processing, reduce administrative work for the Department of Revenue, and leave service members with the same benefit but without paperwork. Members asked about residency, withholding, retirees, and how the change would work for service members stationed in or out of Missouri; the sponsor explained the bill applied only to active duty and that Missouri residents serving elsewhere would still be governed by residency rules. No vote was taken on House Bill 3294 before the committee adjourned, and the chair noted it was likely the last committee hearing of the session.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Feb 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The tax cut is basically there, and that tax cut that our most vulnerable Californians are asked to pay
- So California already has tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Young Child Tax Credit, and
- other tax credits.
- And I would say, yes, let's try to find, you know, money within our tax system, a fairer tax system,
- To fund tax cuts for billionaires and the very wealthy.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/18/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- would really like the opportunity to meet all the mediation needs in every county and in every ZIP code
- would really like the opportunity to meet all the mediation needs in every county and in every ZIP code
- would really like the opportunity to meet all the mediation needs in every county and in every ZIP code
- would really like the opportunity to meet all the mediation needs in every county and in every ZIP code
- from this metrowide sales tax from this metrowide sales tax specifically<01:24:28.840>
for
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Jan 28, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- and the lobbyist law on this ethics code and the lobbyist law on this measure<00:27:14.000>
we - In the history of this provision being in the ethics code, I am not aware of it ever being exercised,
- which currently says that if code which currently says that if somebody<00:31:40.080>
acts <00 - <00:32:13.600>
I <00:32:13.679>am provision being in the ethics code I am provision - being in the ethics code I am not<00:32:13.960>
aware <00:32:14.200>of <00:32:14.279>
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held its first hearing of the 33rd Legislature and heard several measures, beginning with HB 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain purposes and direct the Office of Information Practices to adopt uniform rules. OIP supported the bill, saying it would help researchers access government records, while DLNR questioned whether the bill was necessary, raised concerns about costs and exemptions, and suggested a definition change regarding media. The Public First Law Center and other supporters said the bill would not remove existing exemptions or create new disclosure requirements, but would simply authorize rulemaking to create a clearer process for research access. Common Cause Hawaiʻi raised concern about including news media in the measure. The chair emphasized that the rulemaking process would allow agencies and the public to work through details, and the committee moved on without a recorded vote in the transcript.
The committee then heard HB 411, which would create uniform administrative penalty procedures under the state ethics code and lobbyist law, and HB 412, which would expand lobbying definitions to cover certain communications with high-level executive officials about procurement and make some contracts voidable if awarded through unethical lobbying. The Ethics Commission supported HB 411 as an efficiency measure that would streamline the charge process without changing substantive rights, while HB 412 was described as a narrow transparency measure modeled on other states. The State Procurement Office warned that voiding contracts could cause delays, warranty issues, third-party complications, and higher reprocurement costs. The Ethics Commission responded that any contract revocation would be at the Attorney General’s discretion and likely reserved for egregious cases, and that the threat of voiding a contract would help deter noncompliance. The committee also heard HB 413, which clarifies that lobbyist campaign contribution prohibitions apply during periods when both houses of the Legislature are in session; the Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission both supported the bill and the Ethics Commission requested amendments to clarify jurisdiction between state and county lobbyist enforcement.
Finally, the committee took up HB 149, which would require domestic and foreign corporations to report independent expenditures and political contributions to shareholders. The only testimony noted in the transcript was written comments from Matson, which said the requirement would be expensive and cumbersome and that the information is already publicly available through existing campaign finance reporting websites. No votes or final committee actions on the bills were recorded in the provided transcript.