Transcript Highlights:

• <01:35:21.320><c> of</c><01:35:21.440><c> Newport</c> taxpayers of Newport taxpayers of Newport questions
• </c><02:03:37.800><c> still</c> increase this year our taxpayers still increase this year our taxpayers
• </c> uh preco levels uh even as taxpayer uh preco levels uh even as taxpayer spending<04:06:48.439><c
• </c> focused their attention on taxpayer focused their attention on taxpayer Equity<05:03:21.280><c>
• </c> students and to the property taxpayers students and to the property taxpayers um<05:32:08.200><c

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which limits the maximum credits per course eligible for the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. Representative Ladd said the bill clarifies that eligible courses may not exceed four credits and was requested by the community college system. Representative Earth offered an amendment to make the bill effective on passage, which the committee adopted 18-0. The committee then approved HB 193 as amended by an 18-0 OTPA vote and placed it on the consent calendar. The committee next retained HB 295, concerning School Building Aid program funds, after Representative Spillsbury said the building aid bills were complex and needed more work. The motion to retain passed 18-0, with the chair explaining that retained bills can be revisited later and that related language could be moved among building aid bills. HB 354 was not acted on because the chair said the Department of Education and others had suggested possible changes that should be worked out first. HB 366, another school building aid bill, was also retained 18-0 for the same reasons as HB 295. The committee then considered HB 494, which funds the math learning communities program. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program, reducing the proposed increase by a net $50,000 and keeping funding at current levels for the biennium. After discussion about budget pressures and the program’s role in supporting math instruction and professional development, the amendment passed 18-0, and the bill as amended was approved 18-0 and placed on consent. Finally, the committee took up HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid. Representative Popovici-Muller moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing charter schools should not be treated differently from other public schools, while Representatives Luno and Damon opposed the motion, saying charter schools differ in governance and financial risk and should not receive limited state building aid. The motion failed 10-8, so HB 515 was sent to the regular calendar. The committee assigned Representative Damon to the minority report and Representative Popovici-Muller to the majority report, with a noon deadline the next day. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Representative Ladd described the program as a successful affordability measure that saves families money and supports college access. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program at current levels, reducing the proposed increase by $500,000 in each year of the biennium. Shannon Reed of the Community College System said the change could limit enrollment or the number of funded courses, though students could still take additional courses at their own expense. Representative Ladd explained the program’s tuition structure and said the funding would help meet demand; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 716.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whenever we are talking about taking taxpayers' dollars... ...talking about taking taxpayers' dollars
• to provide the education, which I already stated earlier, and how much is this going to cost the taxpayers
• who is entered into an installment agreement is not considered a delinquent taxpayer for purposes of
• who is entered into an installment agreement is not considered a delinquent taxpayer for purposes of
• who is entered into an installment agreement is not considered a delinquent taxpayer for purposes of

Summary: The Senate debated and passed Senate Bill 241, a child care assistance measure. Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s education requirements, residency definitions, sustainability if oil and gas revenues decline, fraud and misuse of funds, staffing needs for unannounced inspections, liability insurance, and whether the state would be left covering costs in a shortfall. Supporters argued the bill reflects the reality of working families, would expand access to child care, and includes guardrails and a five-year funding plan. After debate, the Senate passed the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 241, as amended, by a vote of 25-15. The chamber then received House messages announcing passage of several House bills and referred them to committees: HB 63 on water project funding to Senate Conservation, HB 64 on appropriations to Senate Finance, HB 165 on industrial revenue bond lease assessments to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation, HB 285 on disabled veteran property tax exemptions to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation, HB 184 on the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund to Senate Finance, and HB 291 on a range of tax and revenue changes to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation. Senate Memorial 30, requesting a study of safety and maintenance issues on U.S. Highway 491, was introduced and referred to Senate Rules. During announcements, members outlined upcoming committee meetings, including Rules, Tax, Business and Transportation, Education, Finance, Conservation, and others. The Senate also discussed the upcoming 100th Bill Party and related social events. The body then recessed until 11 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the fiscal problems associated with this tax shift to other taxpayers who are paying higher taxes
• state general fund, through state aid to schools, is what makes this whole deal work because the taxpayers
• You mentioned the tax shift to other taxpayers, and I understand that.
• Lawmakers who are not in those cities, your taxpayers are no longer subsidizing the economic development
• Or lawmakers who are not in those cities, your taxpayers are no longer subsidize it or lawmakers who

Bills: SB1221 , SB1293 , SB1294 , SB1430

Committees: House Ways & Means , House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Keywords: taxpayer protection, law interpretation, transparency, public hearings, tax policies, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, property tax, assessment, destruction, proration, Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona tax corrections act, transaction privilege tax, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• This essentially allows taxpayers to opt in to the ability to receive communications and notices about
• Also, being able to have that taxpayer accountability, there are some elements in this bill on the last
• page that allow some flexibility and the ability for taxpayers to pay ahead of time.
• taxpayers be able to make their bill and make their obligations just like we do as a local government
• those taxpayers that see the increase in their values, they're going to see the benefit of the levy

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform heard public testimony on House Bills 3253 and 3254, presented by Representatives Steinhoff and Jobe. The bills would expand assessor training and continuing education requirements, require physical inspections for large assessment increases on commercial property as well as residential property, allow greater use of technology and remote imagery in assessments, create optional electronic notices and communications for taxpayers, and move toward setting property tax levies by subclass with a small-parcel exception. The bill also included provisions to raise the per-parcel reimbursement floor for assessors, reimburse local governments for revenue losses tied to SB 190 and SB 3, provide payment options during appeals, and require counties to offer installment payment options for property taxes. The sponsors said the proposal was built from bipartisan committee discussions and statewide listening sessions, and they emphasized assessor professionalism, taxpayer flexibility, and fairness in the assessment process. Committee members asked about assessor training, the fiscal note, the parcel reimbursement formula, and how the subclass levy system would work in small jurisdictions. Witnesses from the Missouri Special Districts Association and school administrators generally supported the concepts of better assessor training, more resources, and taxpayer payment flexibility, while also warning about implementation burdens and the fiscal impact of state backfill for SB 190 and SB 3. Testimony also focused on the accuracy of ratio studies and the fairness of moving to subclass-based levies. Some members argued the current system can shift tax burdens unfairly between residential, commercial, and agricultural property owners, while others cautioned that the new structure could create winners and losers depending on local assessment practices. A representative from the State Tax Commission clarified that commissioners do receive training, corrected the parcel reimbursement discussion to note the first 20,000 parcels are treated differently under current law, and said the commission already provides assessor training. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayers can contact their assessor and ask for a recheck request, which is a process where the assessor
• staff goes out to meet the taxpayer in a meeting and address their concerns on the property.
• Like the property class in this bill among different property taxpayers, I just think it could get really
• It helps county assessors with their work because taxpayers can be available to open locked gates and
• so on when it comes to agricultural properties, which are common. ...taxpayers can be available to open

Transcript Highlights:

• "About financial obligations, stock owners have investments; so do taxpayers, okay?
• Do you fall back in favor of the taxpayer or do you fall back in the county?
• I heard over and over again firsthand from taxpayers. So I do know how they feel.
• We do not want to impose any more harm to the taxpayers than what they've already endured.
• In my opinion, the Hancock Amendment is a protection for taxpayers.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first took up House Bill 2709, including a substitute that combined language from HB 2709 and HB 2671. Members debated an amendment that would have separated the Hancock-by-subclass portion from a personal property tax provision; supporters said it would make the bill cleaner and preserve a separate property tax issue already addressed elsewhere, while opponents argued it would create inconsistency. The amendment failed, the substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2709 and HB 2671 was voted do pass by a roll call of 14 yes and 5 no. The committee then passed HB 1759 do pass by a vote of 12 yes and 7 no, with one member noting that additional tweaks were expected on the floor. Next, the committee considered HB 2925, where Representative Fowler offered Amendment 04H to remove the requirement that property tax elections be held in November and replace it with an affirmative-consent standard requiring both a majority of votes cast and at least 25% of registered voters voting yes. Supporters said the change would avoid forcing local tax elections into a narrow election window and would require broader voter buy-in for long-term tax obligations; opponents argued it would be a major change that should receive more public review and could distort local election participation. The amendment failed 5 yes to 14 no, and HB 2925 was then voted do pass 11 yes to 8 no. In public testimony, Representative Van Schoiack presented HB 2415, which would require assessors to use a cost approach rather than a market approach for valuing buildings, while still valuing land through the market approach. He said the bill was intended to address over-assessment in larger counties and under-assessment in rural counties, and to make valuations more objective. Testimony was mixed: a public advocate supported the idea as a way to address rising taxes and tax sales, while county assessors and other witnesses said assessors already use multiple approaches, that cost approach works best for new or rural properties but can be subjective for older buildings, and that forcing one method statewide could create inaccuracies and large valuation swings. No action was taken on HB 2415 during the hearing. The committee also heard HJR 148 and HJR 111, presented by Representatives Coleman and Taylor, to bring Kansas City Public Schools under Hancock limits like other districts. Sponsors said KCPS is the only district still operating under a special court-imposed arrangement from desegregation-era orders and that the proposal would keep the district at its current levy while requiring voter approval for future increases. KCPS Superintendent Jennifer Collier opposed the measure as written, saying the district does want to come under Hancock but needs to do so on its own timeline and with a planned April 2027 levy proposal that would maintain the current rate; she said the district is now fiscally stronger and has community support, including passage of an 85% bond issue. Committee members questioned the legal basis, the effect on KCPS and charter schools, and whether the proposal would interfere with the district’s planned ballot strategy.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's their taxpayers that are the ones doing the theft.
• It's an important protection for taxpayers and for taxpayer dollars, and so, members, I'm happy to address
• It's an important protection for taxpayers and for taxpayer dollars.
• State taxpayers are spending their money on.
• I'm a lifelong resident of Arizona and I'm a taxpayer.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior February meetings and then took up several measures. HCR 2013, designating June 2026 as “Celebrate Life Month” in Arizona, drew emotional testimony from Crystal Cooper and Bella Stockton about their lives with spina bifida and support for the resolution. Senator Kennedy and others questioned the purpose of the resolution, arguing the state should focus on concrete supports for families, but the motion passed 4-1 with two not voting. Members then advanced HB 2327, which clarifies protections for eligible persons’ identifying information in county recorder records, with an amendment excluding voter registration records; it passed 5-0 with two not voting. HB 2258, adding La Paz County to the Tourism Advisory Council’s geographic area, also passed unanimously among those voting. HB 2397, expanding HOA/COA disclosure requirements for prospective buyers, was amended twice and passed 5-1; supporters said it would improve transparency about assessments and defects, while opponents warned about cost and administrative burdens, especially for smaller associations. HB 2015, imposing penalties for late federal/state financial reporting by state organizations, passed 4-2 despite concerns that the automatic penalties were too harsh and could be out of agencies’ control. The committee also approved HB 4049, allowing DCS to hire its own counsel and directing the Attorney General to represent the state’s interest in certain cases involving alleged DCS misconduct, though some members argued current law already addresses conflicts and that DCS had not been consulted. HB 4087, authorizing placement of a Barbara Love memorial in the governmental wall, passed without opposition. HB 2100, allowing counties to authorize certain small land subdivisions, passed 4-2 amid debate over water adequacy and the risk of “wildcat” development. HB 2460, preempting local fees and penalties tied to abandoned or stolen movable business property such as shopping carts, passed 4-2 after extensive testimony from cities, retailers, and advocates over local control, costs, and theft prevention. Finally, HCR 2056, a proposed constitutional amendment recognizing a right to refuse medical mandates, began hearing testimony; supporters framed it as bodily autonomy, while opponents, including pediatric and public health advocates, warned it would weaken vaccine requirements and outbreak protections for schools and children.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> but is not fine for a a a taxpayer but is not fine for a a a taxpayer funded funded funded Grant
• </c> because I find it wrong to use taxpayer because I find it wrong to use taxpayer money<01:13:29.679
• Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding has increased by 43% since 2010.
• </c> Revenue planned parenthood's um taxpayer Revenue planned parenthood's um taxpayer funding<01:22:
• We give $24 million a year in state taxpayer dollars.

Transcript Highlights:

• , their real property taxpayers, are taking a big hit.
• That we're not making other taxpayers make up the difference of these property tax abatements, right?
• I have concerns about the fact that, you know, the taxpayers didn't, like, vote on the TIF.
• I have concerns about the fact that, you know, the taxpayers didn't, like, vote on the TIF.
• Hurts the taxpayers, Rep. Murphy said. Well, it did.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it allows a delinquent taxpayer to renew a license or permit if they are compliant with a Tax
• It also diverts tax revenues to pay attorney and collection fees, meaning taxpayer...
• Chair and Representative, I can't speak to any particular taxpayers' situation. and representative, I
• can't speak to any particular taxpayers situation without violating confidentiality.
• taxpayers.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it allows a delinquent taxpayer to renew a license or permit if they are—I don't know.
• Again, it allows a delinquent taxpayer to renew a license or permit if they are compliant with a Tax
• That reduces taxpayer protections.
• And I think this is something that, if we addressed it, would be more fair to our other taxpayers who
• taxpayers.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 108, which amends the Watershed District Act to fix a problem created by last year’s changes: appointed watershed district boards could not legally levy taxes, even though several districts already had mill levies. The sponsor and staff explained the bill would preserve the existing tax authority by tying it to the soil and water district responsible for the watershed district. There was no public opposition, and the committee voted do pass on HB 108 as amended. The committee then heard House Bill 154, a tax credit bill intended to decouple New Mexico’s Advanced Energy Equipment Tax Credit from changing federal definitions and to add fusion machines and related components to the state definition. Supporters from economic development, industry, utilities, and education argued the bill would provide certainty, attract advanced manufacturing, and help New Mexico compete for investment without changing the credit’s caps or fiscal impact. Members questioned why hydrogen, geothermal, and small modular reactors were not included; staff said those technologies were not in the federal definition and that adding them now could create unintended consequences. The committee voted do pass on HB 154, with one member voting reluctantly yes. House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax code cleanup bill, was then presented and amended twice. The first amendment preserved New Mexico’s independent definition of qualified research for the tech jobs and R&D credit. The second removed a proposed expansion of the film tax credit to certain tribal expenditures after concerns about fiscal impact; members discussed possible future approaches for tribal film activity and the film partner loophole. The bill also makes technical and policy changes including rounding certain payments to the nearest nickel, waiving interest when tax deadlines are extended for good cause, removing small late-filing penalties in some cases, allowing delinquent taxpayers to renew permits under installment agreements, intercepting excess delinquent property tax auction proceeds for other state tax debts, clarifying tobacco tax treatment for larger vape cartridges, and tightening film credit rules. After public opposition from business groups and discussion from members, the committee voted do pass on HB 291 as twice amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington taxpayers are required to purchase liability insurance.
• It could create a catastrophic situation for any Washington taxpayer that they didn't pay for, didn't
• That's the exposure for taxpayers.
• . portion of this proposal, and that would be a cost passed on to taxpayers.
• That's the exposure for taxpayers.

Bills: HB2095

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fraud that's going on against taxpayers fraud that's going on against taxpayers and<01:31:10.080
• </c> taxpayer dollars here in Minnesota. taxpayer dollars here in Minnesota.
• </c><01:31:28.159><c> dollars</c> the fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars the fraud and abuse of taxpayer
• . taxpayers. taxpayers.
• </c> stopping the taxpayer fraud. stopping the taxpayer fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're talented artists and craftspeople, and yes, California taxpayers, whose lives have been upended
• They're talented artists and craftspeople, and yes, California taxpayers, whose lives have been upended
• They're talented artists and craftspeople, and yes, California taxpayers, whose lives have been upended
• They're talented artists and craftspeople, and yes, California taxpayers, whose lives have been upended
• Just as importantly, this bill preserves taxpayer rights and due process.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayers have raised concerns that taxing units re-propose bond propositions and tax rate increases
• SB 2529 seeks to protect Texas taxpayers from excessive taxation by installing common sense safeguards
• Chairman and members, this bill would provide the needed... and critical protection to our taxpayers
• The fee is subject to payment by the taxpayers, I understand. It is a convenience charge.
• This is just an option for taxpayers if they want to use it. Okay, good. Thank you.

Bills: SB1277 , SB1531 , SB2452 , SB2520 , SB2521 , SB2529 , SB2538 , SB2539 , SB2541 , SB2873

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: municipal sales tax, street maintenance, local option tax, Tax Code Chapter 327, sales and use tax, street repair, sidewalk maintenance, water infrastructure, wastewater system, stormwater system, local election, ballot language, reauthorization, municipal finance, infrastructure funding, Texas municipalities, street and sidewalk tax, special district tax, public works, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a highly Minnesota taxpayers.
• These are taxpayers' dollars. Okay? So why do we have a U.S.
• </c> work really hard for their taxpayers work really hard for their taxpayers dollars<00:25:38.640><
• </c> be a good steward of taxpayers dollars. be a good steward of taxpayers dollars.
• </c> agree that we've got to protect taxpayer agree that we've got to protect taxpayer dollars,<00:26

Transcript Highlights:

• I have taxpayers are not well served.
• So, I'll right out right from taxpayers.
• </c><00:39:12.560><c> So</c><00:39:12.800><c> I'm</c> as it relates to our taxpayers.
• So I'm as it relates to our taxpayers.
• We are making sure that the taxpayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> taxpayers. We put it out on the website. taxpayers. We put it out on the website.
• The taxpayers do pay for that, and the taxpayers who are paying the bill should be notified in a timely
• The taxpayers do pay for that and<00:25:54.960><c> the</c><00:25:55.200><c> taxpayers</c><00:25:55.840
• My concern is for the taxpayers.
• That's all I'm saying. taxpayers not having the proper taxpayers not having the proper notification.<

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• The pass-through entity tax allows taxpayers to elect to file and pay at the entity level.
• At the state level, 100% of the tax that those pass-through entity taxpayers pay is refunded.
• so the tax at the state level is designed to be revenue neutral, while providing a state business taxpayer
• At the state level, 100% of the tax that those pass-through entity taxpayers pay is refunded.
• the tax at the state level is designed to be revenue neutral. ...while providing a state business taxpayer

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> again, these are hardworking taxpayer again, these are hardworking taxpayer dollars.<00:50:40.000
• </c> spend taxpayer money on was taxpayer spend taxpayer money on was taxpayer funded<00:57:40.400><c
• </c> would be paid by Minnesota taxpayers would be paid by Minnesota taxpayers with<01:17:19.920><c>
• </c> the taxpayers of the United States. the taxpayers of the United States.
• </c> hardworking taxpayers. hardworking taxpayers.