Video & Transcript Research : 'SBA reforms'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Local government zoning authority 3/23/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ,<00:04:19.239>
frankly permitting reform for housing, frankly permitting reform for housing - Montana from implementing the reforms Montana from implementing the reforms that<00:42:10.720>
- .<00:42:14.600>
And <00:42:15.160>um reforms.- And um reforms.
- common-sense bipartisan housing reform common-sense bipartisan housing reform is<00:50:26.600>
- .<00:42:14.600>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This levy was created in 2001 as a part of a larger property tax reform effort in that year.
- effort in that year property tax reform effort in that year and<00:15:03.800>
um <00:15:03.920 - effort but it has changed a bit reform effort but it has changed a bit since<00:15:45.720>
then - One of the things that the reform effort did was that the school took over not only a larger share of
- That system that the reform effort created really was the basis for the system that we have today.
Summary:
The House Tax Committee met to hear a House Research presentation from Jared Swanson on Minnesota’s property tax system. Before the presentation, the chair announced that the committee would put the governor’s budget on hold until the department could provide the information needed for a proper hearing. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes without objection.
Swanson gave an overview of how property taxes are structured and collected in Minnesota, explaining that the state uses a levy-based system in which local governments set levies and counties collect and distribute payments. He described the property tax cycle, the difference between referendum market value and net tax capacity, and how classification rates shift tax burdens among property types. He also outlined the state general property tax, noting it is split between commercial-industrial property and seasonal recreational property, and reviewed how Minnesota compares with other states, with residential taxes generally around the middle and commercial-industrial taxes relatively higher.
The presentation also covered major property tax relief and aid programs. Swanson explained three broad relief mechanisms: shifting burdens through exclusions and classification rates, state-paid credits and refunds, and state aid to local governments or levy reductions. He discussed local government aid (LGA), township aid, and county program aid (CPA), including their funding levels, formulas, and general-purpose nature. Members asked why some cities receive no LGA and how the funds may be used; Swanson said cities with strong tax bases often receive zero aid and that the money generally can be used for the same purposes as property tax revenue. No votes were taken on the presentation itself.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- F, as we do the work of the state of Florida, dealing with a very important issue of property tax reform
- They deserve reform where reform is needed. But this bill is not reform. This bill is a gamble.
- They deserve reform where reform is needed. But this bill is not reform. This bill is a gamble.
- They deserve reform where reform is needed. But this bill is not reform. This bill is a gamble.
- Additionally, this bill takes an additional step at property tax reform.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee May 13th, 2026
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- We are here to discuss the California Earthquake Authority's SB 254 report and options for reforming
- . ...and volatility of claims via targeted damages and subrogation reform.
- We put inverse reform there as a continuing discussion.
- And then the second pillar is targeted damages reform and modifications to subrogation.
- Nossier Hernandez here on behalf of the Utility Reform Network.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and possible reforms to California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the high and growing wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh tradeoffs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The chair emphasized that the SB 254 report is an inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations, and that the Legislature’s role is to evaluate the options publicly.
The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described severe ongoing displacement, housing insecurity, delayed compensation, and frustration with what they characterized as opaque and unfair compensation structures. They argued for greater transparency, clearer accountability for utilities, stronger oversight of wildfire mitigation spending, and incentives tied to safety performance. They also urged faster survivor payments, but only if they are full, fair, and not financed by shifting more costs to taxpayers or ratepayers. Committee members asked about gaps in the SB 254 report, the meaning of “full” compensation, and how a fast-pay facility might work.
The second panel included the California Earthquake Authority, RAND, PG&E, LADWP, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Public Advocates Office. Tom Welsh of CEA explained the report’s process and the current wildfire fund structure, including that utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims, and prudency reviews can require reimbursement to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon outlined how roughly $38 billion has been paid to survivors, insurers, and public entities since 2017, and noted substantial litigation costs and cost-shifting among stakeholders. Utility representatives supported reforms that preserve financial stability and reduce risk, while consumer and public-interest advocates opposed shifting more costs to ratepayers and stressed accountability, audits, and safety-linked recovery. No votes or formal actions were taken in the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There have been ongoing efforts to address this through reform efforts, but those reform efforts have
- been difficult because of a lack of data on what those reform efforts would mean.
- And something as large and complicated and difficult as state benefit reform for millions of enrollees
- Get responses back and work through refinements is a way that the state could look at these reform efforts
- and get valuable insight as to the impact of its reforms on its state benefit plans and have that plan
Bills:
HB138
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill's all about reforming the process by which residential property insurers choose not to renew
- This bill is all about reforming the process by which residential property insurers choose not to renew
- SB 876 takes these lessons and experiences to reform the claims process by cutting red tape, improving
- These reforms work together to reduce... Have to start over.
- These reforms work together to reduce underinsurance, speed up recovery, and help communities rebuild
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- So this legislation seeks to reform our punitive system of suspending someone's driver's license solely
- So there's several key reforms in this bill.
- So this legislation seeks to reform our punitive system of suspending someone's driver's license solely
- So there's several key reforms in this bill.
- We, RBIJ, are an international nonprofit that works with businesses to advance justice reform.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on several bills related to driver’s license suspensions, junior operator training, online driver education, and regulation of e-bikes/scooters. A major focus was the Road to Opportunity Act (H. 3662/S. 2368), which would end license suspensions and registration holds for unpaid fines and fees unrelated to road safety, create hardship waivers and payment options, and replace suspension with nonrenewal in some cases. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, ACLU, CPCS, Greater Boston Legal Services, transportation and anti-poverty advocates, and several affected residents who described job loss, housing instability, and difficulty paying toll and fee debts. They argued the current system punishes poverty, disproportionately affects Black and Latino residents, and is costly to enforce. Some testimony also noted that the bill would preserve suspensions for dangerous driving offenses.
District Attorney Marion Ryan testified in favor of two bills: one allowing partial payment plans for certain RMV penalties and another closing a loophole that makes the penalty for violating a hardship license less severe than driving after a full suspension. Senator Sear and Representative Reed also spoke for the Road to Opportunity Act, while the AAG said the Attorney General supports it. Committee members asked about RMV implementation and whether the agency supports payment plans; Ryan said the RMV has been cooperative but believes legislation is needed. No votes were taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting young drivers. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a bill to create a junior operator license training fund, expand access for low- and moderate-income families, require refunds in some cases, and allow earlier passenger privileges. Another bill would make virtual instructor-led driver education permanent; AAA and several driving school owners supported it as an access and convenience measure, while other instructors opposed it, arguing in-person instruction is safer and more effective. Finally, Senator Collins and others testified for a transportation safety bill regulating motorized bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, and mopeds, increasing fines, requiring insurance for commercial use, and requiring public hearings and accessibility review for new bike lanes. Advocates for blind and disabled pedestrians supported that bill, while some transportation and business voices backed it as a safety and planning measure.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 2/16/26
Transcript Highlights:
- permitting reform and other changes<00:04:38.080>
to <00:04:38.400>support <00:04:38.800 - Well, it certainly isn't because of a lack of a need for housing reform.
- <00:18:31.679>
It's lack of a need for housing reform. - It's lack of a need for housing reform.
- <00:18:52.480>
to <00:18:52.720>ensure <00:18:53.039>that immigration reform
Summary:
House Republican leaders outlined their agenda for the tied legislative session, saying their priorities are to stop fraud, make Minnesota more affordable, safer, and more competitive, and reduce mandates while raising education standards. They highlighted several planned bills, including an independent inspector general (HF 1), a “Fraud Isn’t Free” measure to impose consequences on agencies and commissioners that allow fraud, and statutory guidelines for high-fraud-risk programs. They also said they want to lower health care costs through a permanent reinsurance program and cost defrayal for new mandates, study property tax increases, conform state tax law to federal changes on tips, overtime, and scholarship tax credits, and avoid any tax increases.
On public safety, Republicans said they will pursue tougher penalties for repeat offenders and repeat gun crimes, judicial accountability, and a school safety package that would support public and nonpublic schools, school safety personnel, and facility improvements. In education, they emphasized school choice tax credits, reading proficiency, and curriculum focused on basic academic fundamentals. They also said they want to protect and expand mining, reform permitting, end the nuclear moratorium, and make the state more attractive to businesses. On housing, one member said they are working on a more targeted affordable housing package rather than a broad sweeping bill.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on immigration and cooperation with federal authorities. Republicans said they want a statewide framework for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, referencing House File 16 and saying they are open to changes and bipartisan work. They argued that local and state cooperation would improve safety and prevent situations where criminal suspects are released into the community. They also said Democrats have blocked similar efforts in committee and on the House floor.
In response to questions, leaders said there is no current appetite for sports betting, bonding will be discussed but there are no promises, and they do not support the 2024 omnibus bill model. They said they are not interested in vaccine mandates, but will consider Medicaid funding impacts and other health-related proposals if bills are introduced. They also said election integrity measures such as voter ID, provisional ballots, and voter-roll cleanup will remain priorities. Throughout, leaders said they expect a bipartisan process in the tied House and expressed hope that both parties can work together on some issues.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, and uh, I guess I really haven't, I guess we're trying to consider against a lot of these reform
- Um, and uh, I guess I really haven't, I guess we're trying to consider against a lot of these reform
- Because I always tend to think once we, if we were to get true property tax reform in place, one would
- Um, and uh, I guess I really haven't, I guess we're trying to consider against a lot of these reform
- Because I always tend to think once we, if we were to get true property tax reform in place, one would
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- 2025 Minnesota reformer news article. 2025 Minnesota reformer news article.
- Reform is necessary. Reform is needed. I'd like to piggyback off Miss Gonzalez's story.
- Reform is necessary. Reform is needed. Reform is necessary. Reform is needed.
- <00:47:45.440>
Improving reform in this space. Improving reform in this space. - and settle on reasonable reforms. and settle on reasonable reforms.
Keywords:
common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- With the pilot reforms, that number from 270 over this 14-month period has gradually dropped steadily
- With the pilot reforms, that number from 270 over this 14-month period has gradually dropped steadily
- With the pilot reforms, that number from 270 over this 14-month period has gradually dropped steadily
- With the pilot reforms, that number from 270 over this 14-month period has gradually dropped steadily
- <00:32:05.600>
were, um the the main two pilot reforms were, um the the main two pilot reforms
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 790, the nomination of Karen T. Nakasone to serve as chief judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced that no vote would be taken that day and that the committee would vote on Thursday. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with the chair reading that there were 103 supporters, zero opposed, and one comment.
Supporters included current and retired judges, public defenders, bar association representatives, former elected officials, and community members. They described Nakasone as intelligent, fair, hardworking, well respected, and a strong leader with deep legal experience. Several speakers emphasized her judicial temperament, her work as an advocate and judge, and her community involvement, including leadership in civic and civil rights organizations. One pro se litigant also testified that she had been treated kindly and respectfully by Nakasone in prior interactions.
The Hawaii State Bar Association reported that it had conducted an interview and review process and found her qualified for the position. In her own remarks, Nakasone introduced family and colleagues, described her 30-year legal career, and said her first job after law school was as an ICA law clerk. She highlighted the court’s backlog reduction efforts under Acting Chief Judge Katherine Leonard, saying the number of older pending appeals had dropped significantly through team-based reforms, and stated that she would continue that work if confirmed. The hearing ended without questions from the committee and with the nomination held for a later vote.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice May 27th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't know systems reform the way these folks do.
- Bail reform went in.
- Also, police training reform. I'm, I'm committed to moving forward on police training reform.
- also getting back to DOC, uh, probation reform, there was a, a baby probation bill, probation reform
- I agree with juvenile justice reform.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The consequence of those reforms has been an acceleration of decarceration in the state.
- The consequence of those reforms has been an acceleration of decarceration in the state.
- Because the criminal justice reform of 2018 has certainly yielded some great results.
- that in the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 a lot of positive things came out of it.
- In 2018, we've shifted with the Criminal Justice Reform Act.
Summary:
The meeting was the third public session of the Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration. Members introduced themselves, and the commission approved the prior meeting minutes. The main presentation came from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association, led by several sheriffs, who described the role of sheriffs’ offices as independently elected county institutions that operate jails and houses of correction, regional lockups, civil process, 911 communications in some counties, school resource officers, and investigative units. They emphasized that most of their population is pretrial, that admissions and releases are far higher than the Department of Correction’s, and that their facilities now house more people overall than DOC despite having a smaller budget.
The sheriffs argued that their work has shifted toward rehabilitation, reentry, and public health, highlighting extensive programming in mental health, substance use treatment, medication-assisted treatment, education, vocational training, and gender-specific, trauma-informed services. They said standardized risk/needs assessments and better funding would help make services more consistent across counties. They also described specialized units and models such as regional evaluation and stabilization units, older-adult housing, emerging adult and gang-intervention programs, and reentry centers that connect people to housing, employment, family support, and community services. Several examples were cited, including Suffolk’s Project Evolve, Middlesex’s older-adult unit, Hampden’s MAGIC program, Worcester’s STOP program, and county reentry centers across the state.
A major theme was that these programs are expensive but, in the sheriffs’ view, reduce recidivism and improve safety by stabilizing people before release and supporting them afterward. They pointed to COVID-19 as a period when sheriffs adapted facilities for quarantine and medical care, and said they continue to work with public health partners. They also stressed that their facilities are heavily audited by state and federal agencies and that maintaining humane, safe conditions requires significant staffing and operating costs. Commission members responded favorably at points, noting the importance of the turnover in sheriff populations and the need to understand the different correctional mission compared with DOC. The meeting ended with discussion of future commission dates and a note that the presentation materials would be shared electronically.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Jul 18th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Finally, the first round of pension reform was passed in 2013.
- The reform was significant, but we... ...realized it wasn't quite enough.
- So in 2020, Pension Reform 2.0, in the form of Senate Bill 72, was also passed.
- Madam Chair talks about the two reforms that were done, Senate Bill 27 in 2013.
- Eligible, and you can kind of just see how that's grown since the reform happened.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Business and Insurance 2ND REVISED Feb 19th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Business and Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, I think you could debate this Quite a bit because many states have done a variety of reforms
- They weren't doing the smaller reforms that could have led to the changes needed.
- We would love to implement targeted litigation reform in this building, but it gets stopped somewhere
- We're going to have to get serious about tort reform, specifically targeted tort reform for insurance
- Any lawsuit reform needs to come with reforms that are centered on Oklahomans.
Bills:
SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364
Keywords:
massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Years has enacted historic reforms that have improved economic conditions and has addressed very difficult
- Because of these reforms, automobile insurance rates are scheduled to come down this year between 6 and
- , the fact is this, the Florida Legislature has devoted more time and effort to address insurance reforms
- We've also had many discussions about condominium reform.
- We've also had many discussions about condominium reform, and I know there were efforts to be made after
Summary:
The Florida House and Senate met in joint session to open the 2025 legislative session, receiving the Florida Cabinet, the Florida Supreme Court, and then Governor Ron DeSantis. The session included a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a motion to appoint a committee to notify the governor that the joint session was ready to receive his message. The committee was appointed, the governor was introduced, and the joint session recessed until his arrival.
In his address, Governor DeSantis highlighted Florida’s economic performance, low unemployment, business growth, tourism, and insurance reforms, and urged further action on property insurance, the My Safe Florida Home program, and tax relief. He also called for continued immigration enforcement, praised school choice and teacher pay initiatives, defended higher education reforms, and discussed Hope Florida, hurricane recovery, environmental restoration, and infrastructure. He specifically urged lawmakers to address petition fraud and the constitutional amendment process, condominium reform, and stronger Second Amendment protections.
The governor also reviewed prior legislative accomplishments, including tax cuts, parental rights and education measures, anti-DEI actions, law enforcement bonuses, and other conservative policy changes. He thanked legislative leaders and cabinet officials, encouraged continued cooperation over the next 60-day session, and closed by urging lawmakers to build on Florida’s record of productivity. After the governor departed, the joint session voted to dissolve.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-24-26)
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the reforms One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the reforms proposed<00:42:59.040
- I saw this with welfare reform in 1996.
- I saw this with welfare reform in 1996.
- I saw this with welfare reform in 1996.
- I saw this with welfare reform in 1996.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:15
HB 1 Discussion 00:02:00
HB 1 Vote 00:15:05
HB 2 Discussion 00:17:20
HB 2 Vote 01:13:20, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met on House Bill 1, which would implement Kentucky’s participation in the federal education freedom tax credit program. Sponsors said the bill would allow donors to receive a federal dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions to scholarship granting organizations, with no state dollars involved, and that public school districts could potentially create their own SGOs. Members asked about the removal of state tax language in the committee substitute, the meaning of the 11th Amendment waiver, whether SGOs could serve only public school students, and whether data collection could be added. The sponsors said the state tax language was unnecessary because the credit is federal, the waiver would allow federal-court litigation over the act, and a district could establish an SGO if it met federal requirements. The committee adopted the substitute and then reported HB 1 favorably with 16 yes votes, one nay, three pass votes, and one abstention.
The committee then took up House Bill 2, an act relating to Medicaid and making an appropriation. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal HR 1 and to concerns raised by the Medicaid oversight board, saying it would address program integrity, eligibility redeterminations, cost sharing, and managed care organization contracts. He said the bill would require periodic eligibility verification for expansion Medicaid enrollees, add modest cost-sharing for some services to encourage use of primary care over emergency rooms, and strengthen enforcement of MCO contracts, with penalties going into a restricted compliance fund. Members asked about the committee amendment, and the sponsor explained it restored flexibility on the number of MCOs in future procurement rather than locking in a reduction.
Members also asked whether the bill had gone before the Medicaid oversight advisory board and whether a fiscal note was available; the sponsor said the board’s recommendations were incorporated and fiscal notes were included in the packet. After discussion, the committee adopted committee amendment one to PHS2 and then adopted PHS2 as amended for consideration. The sponsor continued outlining the bill’s provisions, emphasizing that it applied to the expansion population and was intended to align Kentucky law with federal requirements while improving oversight and accountability.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 25th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have to reform that by cutting the mandates, the costly regulations.
- No reforms are contained in this bill. No reforms are contained in this bill.
- a bill right now that organized labor is trying to kill that would streamline construction—modest reforms
- We need reforms first before we take out the credit card and borrow money.
- give them several reforms to protect passengers and create greater accountability.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions to re-refer bills, suspend rules, and remove items from the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions recognizing family milestones, a youth leadership program from Assembly District 13, a delegation of Japanese business leaders, and a Michoacan delegation. Later, members adopted several resolutions and consent items, including California Craft Beer Week, the Freedom Flag as a 9/11 remembrance symbol, Probation Services Week, and California Wildfire Week, along with other consent-calendar measures.
The main floor debate centered on SB 417, a $10 billion housing bond for the ballot, with supporters emphasizing the state’s housing shortage, homelessness crisis, and funding for multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, tribal housing, infrastructure, and preservation of existing affordable units. Opponents criticized the proposal as adding debt without enough reform and objected to the use of veterans in the measure’s messaging. The Assembly passed SB 417 on urgency and on the measure, 54-7, and sent it to the Senate. Members then adopted ACA 20, which would expand and modernize the state Rainy Day Fund by increasing its cap and changing deposit rules; it passed 54-8 and was transmitted to the Senate.
The Assembly also approved SB 623, a transportation-related bill addressing rideshare safety and medical lien practices. Supporters said it would curb abusive billing, restrict attorney conflicts and kickbacks, require stronger background checks for TNC drivers, and allow women riders and drivers to request women-only matches. The measure passed unanimously, 67-0. Later, the House adopted ACA 21, which removes ACA 13 from the November ballot, by 62-0, and ACA 22, which amends a ballot measure affecting taxation and local fiscal resources, by 64-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Dr. Dorothy Viola Calvin, followed by announcements, recesses, and final adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jun 11th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I just want to provide a little brief background on why we think subdivision reform is important and
- We've been focused on subdivision reform because it can have a big impact.
- Second, we view subdivision reform as fundamentally a homeownership issue.
- We can defer the broader subdivision reform issues to a separate bill or to a separate session.
- Condominiums are I would love to see continued reform.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (02/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So what would happen if we did a bad tax reform?
- So what would happen if we did a bad tax reform?
- So what would happen if we did a bad tax reform?
- So what would happen if we did a bad tax reform?
- So what would happen if we did a bad tax reform?
Summary:
The committee first met in a revenue estimate work session to approve an LSR codifying the committee’s revenue estimates. Members reviewed the process for turning the LSR into a House Resolution and discussed how the adopted estimates would be used to amend House Bill 1. After a brief question-and-answer about current revenue splits and the governor’s proposed video lottery and tax-split changes, the committee voted 19-0 to approve the revenue estimates.
The committee then moved into executive session on HB 669, which would require all revenue from the statewide education property tax to be deposited into the education trust fund and set an equalized statewide tax rate. Supporters argued the bill would better direct education funding, while opponents said it was unnecessary or duplicative. The committee voted 12-7 to retain the bill (ITL), and a minority report was noted.
Next, the committee considered HB 290, which would raise cigarette and electronic cigarette taxes and create a study committee on tobacco and nicotine taxes. Testimony focused on revenue needs, inflation, public health, and concerns that a higher tax could reduce sales or drive purchases across state lines. The committee voted 11-8 to ITL the bill, with a minority report. The committee also ITL’d HB 402, dealing with whether Education Freedom Account payments are taxable income, after debate over unintended consequences and whether the bill’s language was misleading; that vote was 11-8 with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened HB 483, and Representative Tierney moved ITL, arguing the bill’s requirement that the scholarship organization be incorporated in New Hampshire would likely violate the Commerce Clause; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that bill.