Transcript Highlights:

• Washington imposes excise taxes on certain products, including tobacco and vapor products, but does not
• currently impose a state excise tax on kratom.
• Washington imposes excise taxes on certain products, including tobacco and vapor products, but does not
• currently impose a state excise tax on kratom.
• House appropriation staff last session estimated a $9 million loss in cannabis excise tax if just 2%

Bills: SB6196 , SB6204 , SB6195 , SB5882 , SB6134

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: kratom, taxation, regulated substances, health safety, state revenue, cannabis, marijuana, home grow, home cultivation, personal cultivation, adult use cannabis, recreational marijuana, 21 and older, controlled substances, RCW 69.50, Liquor and Cannabis Board, LCB, plant limits, cannabis possession, cannabis concentrates

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we used the combined state and local tax rates in King and Pierce counties to estimate total spending
• Okay, that brings us to the last review we'll cover today, and this is a real estate excise tax exemption
• Today, this is a real estate excise tax exemption for transfers of property used as housing for persons
• With this preference, the real estate excise tax does not apply when the parent or guardian of an adult
• Are there any questions on the real estate excise tax exemption for these types of transfers?

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Transcript Highlights:

• Third is to increase the local tax base by adding property to the tax rolls.
• Okay, that brings us to the last review we'll cover today, and this is a real estate excise tax exemption
• Today, and this is a real estate excise tax exemption for transfers of property used as housing for persons
• With this preference, the real estate excise tax does not apply when the parent or guardian of an adult
• Are there any questions on the real estate excise tax exemption for these types of transfers?

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 4, 2026, with all five commissioners present. The commission approved the May 26, 2026 minutes, welcomed new commissioner Diane Tabilius, and re-elected Andy Knopfsiger Meadows as chair and Dr. Sharon Keiko as vice chair. JLARC staff also introduced two Evans School interns who are assisting with preliminary research for the 2027 review cycle. JLARC presented preliminary findings on seven tax preference reviews, focusing most heavily on the Main Street communities credit, the Equitable Access to Credit Program, and the urban data center exemption. Staff concluded that the Main Street preference has helped increase the number of communities and businesses and recommended continuing it, while also recommending that DAHP collect more detailed and standardized business-count data. The Equitable Access to Credit Program was found to support underserved communities and was also recommended for continuation. The urban data center exemption was found to have been used only for refurbishment projects, not new construction, and staff recommended letting it expire; commissioners and Representative Paulette discussed the need for better performance measures, cost-per-job analysis, and clearer legislative intent language in tax preference statements. Staff then reviewed airplane modification, landfill biogas, automotive adaptive equipment, and housing for people with developmental disabilities. The airplane modification preference was found to likely support jobs and state tax revenue and was recommended for continuation. The landfill biogas preference was also recommended for continuation, with a suggestion for more detailed reporting on use and renewable natural gas production. The automotive adaptive equipment exemption was found to continue providing relief to disabled veterans and service members and was recommended for continuation, while the housing transfer exemption for adults with developmental disabilities had not been used and was recommended to expire. No public testimony was taken at this meeting, and the commission noted that public testimony would be heard at its September meeting before final comments are adopted in October.

Transcript Highlights:

• I focused on the tax policy.
• excise tax, and as session law stipulates, it is the legislative intent for fiscal year 2027 that the
• Regarding the Pinal County Transportation Excise Tax, as session law it states that all Pinal County
• Transportation Excise Tax monies that remain in an escrow account in the county or held by the Department
• But again, overall on taxes, $1.4 billion, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, giving standard deduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Lundstrom, we have for motor vehicle excise tax in fiscal year 2025, the department
• If you wanted to have general fund pay for personnel, you give them the motor vehicle excise tax.
• Because the motor vehicle excise tax is $291 million. Total personnel is $253.
• Senate Bill 2 modernizes transportation funding by updating motor vehicle excise tax brackets to better
• Chair, I just quickly mention the motor vehicle excise tax.

Summary: The committee first heard TRIP’s annual New Mexico transportation report from Carolyn Boniface Kelly, which described deteriorating roads and bridges, congestion, safety concerns, and a large transportation funding gap. The report said more than half of major roads statewide are in poor or mediocre condition, over 170 bridges are rated poor, congestion costs drivers significant time and money, and traffic crashes and road conditions impose billions in annual costs. Members broadly agreed the report underscored the need for more stable transportation funding, with several noting the state’s recurring underinvestment and the safety risks to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2, a transportation bonding and revenue package. Senator Gonzales and Governor’s office and NMDOT representatives said the bill would authorize about $1.5 billion in additional bond debt for ready-to-go highway projects, while also increasing certain motor vehicle excise, registration, weight-distance, and EV-related fees to help support debt service and transportation funding. Supporters, including contractors, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, the Department of Finance and Administration, and transportation officials, argued the bill would improve safety, economic development, project delivery, and funding stability, and help preserve federal dollars. Opponents, including the Rio Grande Foundation and some committee members, objected to the tax and fee increases, argued the state should use existing surpluses or other funds instead, and raised concerns about impacts on families, businesses, and local governments. Committee members questioned how projects would be selected, how the new fees were calculated, how EV surcharges would work, and whether local government distributions would be affected. NMDOT said the projects would be reported to the legislature annually, selected using crash data, asset management, and project readiness, but bond approval would remain with the State Transportation Commission. After debate, Representative Romero moved do pass on SB 2 as amended, Representative Hochman-Vigil seconded, and the committee approved the bill 7-2, with Representatives Brown and Dow voting no and several members expressing reservations despite supporting the need for transportation investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as Tina serve on the one voice committee I've also worked in Fort Bend County and Harris County
• Galveston County Sheriff's Office.
• Five counties in the state have.
• The counties that we currently...
• . in most counties.

Bills: SB476 , SB664 , SB745 , SB826 , SB989 , SB1080 , SB1171 , SB1320 , SB1437 , SB1727 , SB1809 , SB2289 , SB2320

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: education, funding, school infrastructure, public schools, teacher support, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, ignition interlock devices, youth offenders, vehicular homicide, Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice convened to address pressing issues surrounding oil field crime and safety on Texas highways. The meeting was initiated by Chair Flores, who emphasized the need for improved tools to combat repeat offenders having committed intoxicated driving, alongside tackling oil field theft that has escalated due to organized criminal activities. The committee heard public testimonies and engaged with various stakeholders, including law enforcement and industry representatives, who highlighted the complexities and dangers associated with these crimes. Notably, a significant focus was placed on Senate Bill 1320, which aims to establish a dedicated unit within the Department of Public Safety to investigate and address thefts specific to the oil and gas industry. This initiative seeks to strengthen coordination among various law enforcement agencies and improve training for local officers to combat these sophisticated theft operations more effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• tax on social um, imposes an excise tax on social media<00:15:41.839><c> companies</c><00:15:42.320>
• She said the bill would impose an excise tax based on the number of people who use their service in a
• </c><00:19:05.760><c> It's</c><00:19:06.000><c> based</c> would impose an excise tax.
• It's based would impose an excise tax.
• Counties can put a transportation tax in place without coming and asking for legislative approval.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• It also increases the aircraft excise tax.
• Aircraft excise taxes are essentially, generally on most non-commercial aircraft.
• It also imposes that aircraft excise tax on commercial drones.
• And then those aircraft excise taxes and the aircraft registration fees would then go up by 2%.
• time period, and then $4.4 million in total of aircraft excise tax and aircraft registration increases

Bills: SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenues come from multiple sources, including the watercraft excise tax, a portion of the state gas
• Revenues come from multiple sources, including the watercraft excise tax, a portion of the state gas
• Craft excise tax, a portion of the state gas tax that's called the marine fuel transfer, and registration
• For example, 25% of the watercraft excise tax is directed by statute to be spent on removing derelict
• The third and very crucial, and I know you guys heard me in the preliminary report, is that excise tax

Summary: The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. After confirming a quorum, members unanimously elected Representative Pollet as chair, Senator Wagoner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary for the 2025-27 biennium. The committee also approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously. Chair Pollet then outlined a commitment to more member input on audit scope and coordination with the State Auditor’s Office. Staff presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreation boating programs. They reported that six agencies administer boating-related activities, that the state collected about $108 million in boating-related revenue in 2021-23, and that $86 million was spent, mostly on infrastructure and water access, environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff said Washington’s boating laws and programs are broadly similar to other states and noted that the final report is expected in September. JLARC then reviewed several tax preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but did not meet emissions-reduction targets because fewer vessels and vehicles converted to natural gas than expected; staff recommended continuing some exemptions and modifying reporting requirements. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the preference continues to provide tax relief, but large beneficiaries’ savings are rising while small beneficiaries’ use is declining, leading to recommendations to continue the small-business rate and add or revise performance metrics. Staff also reviewed a nonprofit low-income housing property tax exemption, concluding it helps developers build homes as intended but that the performance metric should better reflect housing outcomes; they recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify it. Other reviews covered multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for pesticides, and silicon smelter energy preferences, with recommendations ranging from continuation to expiration depending on whether the stated objectives were met. The committee then adopted the final cannabis market study for distribution. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that inaccurate and incomplete reporting limits the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s ability to regulate the market. The board said it concurs with the recommendations, including developing a plan for a new data system and considering broader social equity options. Finally, staff presented the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff said DOH was late on most acute-care hospital inspections, had not fully verified third-party inspection standards, and did not adequately review adverse event correction plans or assess language access barriers in its complaint system. DOH said it concurs with all six recommendations and has already made some transparency improvements, including a public dashboard for adverse event reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We collect excise taxes.
• There are 29 ports of entry along the border. that we have staff at that collect excise taxes for folks
• That includes excise taxes and licenses. fees, 255 of that are going to be excise taxes, and then $56
• paying excise taxes are doing.
• That just shows over a 10-year period excise taxes amount of taxes collected by the state and that that

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, this was pushed by the mayors' County Mayor's Association.

Bills: HB575

Committee: House Baldwin County Legislation

Keywords: automated enforcement, speeding violations, civil fines, Baldwin County, municipal legislation, traffic safety, public awareness

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires a city or town to submit any proposed increase in a TPT or excise tax to the city or
• town's qualified electors and exempts a TPT or excise tax that is submitted to the voters from the rate
• Additionally, the bill prohibits a city or town from adopting a new TPT or excise tax, increasing an
• That would result in a windfall of tax revenue for each of those rural counties.
• So Pinal, Heela, Hila, Tax revenue for each of those rural counties.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and first held SB 1571. It then heard and advanced SB 1745, which would cap transaction privilege/excise tax rates in cities of 550,000 or more at 2.5% per classification unless voters approve a higher rate, with enforcement through the attorney general and state-shared revenue withholding for violations. Supporters argued it would protect taxpayers and restrain large-city tax increases; the bill was amended with a technical change and passed 4-3. The committee also advanced SB 1686, renaming Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza as the Wesley Bolin and Charlie Kirk Freedom Plaza and authorizing memorial placements for Don Bowles and Charlie Kirk, which passed 4-3. The committee then took up SB 1567 and SB 1435, both aimed at restricting public entities, schools, and libraries from exposing minors to sexually explicit materials and from using public facilities for sexually explicit filming or access. Supporters said the bills were needed to prevent children from being exposed to pornography and to keep taxpayer resources from facilitating such material; opponents, including the ACLU, warned the definitions were broad, could chill speech, and could criminalize librarians and educators for handling literary or educational works. Both bills were amended and passed 4-3. SB 1435 also drew testimony about library access, sex education, and the risk of overbroad enforcement. The committee next considered SB 1433 and SB 1434, which would reorganize Maricopa County boundaries. SB 1433 would move portions of Maricopa County into neighboring counties, while SB 1434 would split Maricopa County into three new counties with a transition board and special elections. Supporters argued Maricopa County had become too large and unmanageable and that smaller counties would improve representation and water and regional governance; opponents said the proposals were costly, disruptive, and politically motivated. Both measures received due pass recommendations, with SB 1433 passing 4-3 and SB 1434 passing 4-3 with one not voting. Finally, the committee approved SCR 1024, requiring legislators to live in their district for one year before election, and SCR 1025, moving the legislative session start to the fourth Monday in January; both resolutions passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I will first walk through article three, which is the sales tax and excise tax article.
• credit to file their alcohol excise tax returns annually without notifying the Department of Revenue
• Um, I will first walk through article three, which is the sales tax and excise tax article.
• credit to file their alcohol excise tax returns annually without notifying the Department of Revenue
• credit to file their alcohol excise tax returns annually without notifying the Department of Revenue

Bills: HF9

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Pinal County has experienced remarkable transformation over the past decade.
• The change in Pinal County has been especially striking.
• Pinal County offers something rare.
• Today, Pinal County is attracting industries that define the future.
• So we have families all across this county, Pinal County, where we have two and sometimes three families

Bills: HB2107 , HB2588 , HB2946 , HB2950

Committees: House Rural Economic Development , House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Keywords: SNAP, nutrition assistance, fast food, vitamins, waiver, food policy, municipal planning, homeowner association, building permits, single-family home, property rights, design standards, development fees, municipalities, infrastructure, public services, annual reporting, property development, tourism improvement area, TIA

Transcript Highlights:

• , Grant County, and parts of Adams and Douglas County.
• , Grant County, and parts of Adams and Douglas counties.
• Washington's aircraft excise tax has consequences.
• Please rescind the aircraft excise tax before more businesses and jobs leave our state.
• With fuel tax being high, the leasehold tax, building code, and now an excise tax, we are not a receptive

Bills: HB2347 , HB2410

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, HB2410, commercial truck safety, commercial vehicle safety, trucking industry, truck driver training, driver education, highway safety, traffic safety commission, Washington State, commercial motor vehicles, vehicle registration fee, IRP fee, state patrol highway account, safety enforcement fee, public-private partnership

Transcript Highlights:

• And now he's saying not only are you going to pay the tax, you're going to prepay the tax.
• your federal tax.
• pay the tax in the next year.
• your federal tax.
• pay the tax in the next year.

Bills: HB1175 , HB1376 , HB1500 , HB1796

Keywords: HB1175, small business, residential zoning, land use, zoning reform, neighborhood store, neighborhood cafe, convenience store, minimarket, corner store, mixed-use, local government, city zoning, town zoning, code city, parking regulations, hours of operation, alcohol service, food requirement, commercial use in residential areas

Bills: HB1175 , HB1376 , HB1500 , HB1796

Keywords: HB1175, small business, residential zoning, land use, zoning reform, neighborhood store, neighborhood cafe, convenience store, minimarket, corner store, mixed-use, local government, city zoning, town zoning, code city, parking regulations, hours of operation, alcohol service, food requirement, commercial use in residential areas

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we talk about the tax provisions, we have an increase in the child tax credit.
• And when we talk about the tax provisions, we have an increase in the child tax credit.
• transportation excise tax, and as session law stipulates, the legislative intent for fiscal year 2027
• transportation excise tax and as session law stipulates that the legislative intent for fiscal year
• conformity, full tax relief, because... ...providing full tax conformity, full tax relief provided by

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see those broken out by the sales tax, motor vehicle excise tax, individual income, and corporate
• , but a small decrease in motor vehicle excise tax, a small increase in individual income tax, and a
• tax.
• Some changes to the motor vehicle excise tax, as some of you are well aware of.
• In the last session, motor vehicle excise tax: 50% goes to the general fund, 25% goes to the highway

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership and approved the December 11 minutes. The committee first received an update from the Office of Management and Budget on the state general fund and major special funds. OMB reported revenues were tracking very close to forecast, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. Staff also reviewed balances in the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, along with oil tax collections and the current revenue picture. Legislative Council staff then summarized the special session budget changes and noted the updated beginning balance increased the projected ending balance for the next biennium. The Tax Department presented taxable sales and purchases data by county and industry, showing overall sales tax activity remained strong, with retail trade the largest sector and several counties posting notable gains. Commissioner Kraschis then reviewed federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and estimated their impact on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the figures were compared to the 2025 baseline and would be incorporated into future forecasts. Members asked about the overtime and tip exclusions, the senior standard deduction, and the primary residence property tax credit application count, which was running ahead of last year at more than 154,000 applications. The committee also heard from the Department of Transportation on fee schedules, with members focusing on driver’s license fees and the fact that current fees cover only about half of program costs, meaning the highway fund subsidizes the remainder. DOT also reported on specialty plate activity, including nearly 3,900 blackout plates issued, and noted increased state fleet usage. The Information Technology Department explained its internal service fund rate-setting process and discussed possible billing simplification, including annual billing and improved invoice detail. OMB also provided data on leased office space in the Bismarck-Mandan area and state workforce counts, and Legislative Council updated the committee on legislative branch space planning. Finally, subcommittee reports noted continued work on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including Burleigh-Morton’s new DOCR housing wing and ongoing overcrowding in state correctional facilities. No formal votes beyond the minutes approval were taken, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• tax and the realtor fee.
• tax and the realtor fee.
• Senate Bill 5868 relates to the number of Superior Court judges in Skagit in Yakima County.
• I'm Josh Weese here today on behalf of Skagit County.
• I am an assistant presiding judge for Yakima County Superior Court.

Bills: SB5536 , SB5868 , SJM8006 , SB6011

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: divorce, dissolution, marriage, domestic partnership, property division, real property, community property, separate property, liabilities, family law, equitable distribution, court order, personal jurisdiction, absent spouse, absent domestic partner, creditors, secured creditors, unsecured creditors, home equity, family home