Transcript Highlights:

• <02:26:56.640> cuts big tech, for big egg, or big tax cuts big tech, for big egg, or big tax
• They get tax breaks.
• They get all the get tax breaks.
• Blanket tariffs are blanket taxes. They are taxes that the American people have paid.
• He taxed your groceries. He taxed your baby formula and your strollers.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the Code of Conduct itself.
• And this is the language in the current Code of Conduct as it was added into the Code of Conduct by the
• And this is the language in the current Code of Conduct as was added into the Code of Conduct last January
• Case, we were just looking at our current code of conduct.
• Okay, we're on a motion to essentially leave the current code of conduct as it is.

Transcript Highlights:

• ahead and move House File 2498 be laid over for possible inclusion, and there’s an author’s amendment coded
• ahead and move House File 2498 be laid over for possible inclusion, and there’s an author’s amendment coded
• it all goes into like you know the tax it all goes into like you know the tax system<00:20:11.120
• That's a tax of $30 or $40 million that could be going back to ratepayers.
• is it eliminating the RDA that's a tax is it eliminating the RDA that's a tax of<01:40:10.040>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , and taxed ourselves at 6.5?
• This innovative hospital tax approach. Mr.
• We have to reduce our tax, what we're taxing ourselves to get the federal rate every To a lower rate.
• The difference that that enhanced premium tax credit, the health care tax credit that we are talking
• But if you file taxes together, it counts as your tax household size.

Transcript Highlights:

• education system regardless of zip code education system regardless of zip code but<01:23:18.199
• determine how high the property tax determine how high the property tax burden<01:39:26.400>
• tax, the communication services enterprise tax, and meals and rooms tax.
• He pays taxes.
• He pays taxes.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 185, germane, thence referred to the Tax, Business and Transportation Committee.
• Senate Bill 189, germane, thence referred to the Tax, Business and Transportation Committee.
• Senate Bill 190, germane, thence referred to the Tax, Business and Transportation Committee.
• Senate Bill 190, germane, thence referred to the Tax, Business and Transportation Committee.
• Madam President, your Tax, Business and Transportation Committee, to whom has been referred Senate Bill

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT NEXT WEEK WE WILL VOTE ON A TAX PACKAGE INCLUDING A GUN SALES TAX HOLIDAY I
• WANT TO POINT OUT THAT NEXT WEEK WE WILL VOTE ON A TAX PACKAGE INCLUDING A GUN SALES TAX HOLIDAY TO ME
• ACTUALLY ADVOCATING FOR THE PURCHASE OF MORE GUNS AND AMMUNITION IN THE STATE BY SAYING YOU DO NOT NEED A TAX
• IT'S A FEASIBLE STUDY ALLOWING A UNIQUE PIN NUMBER OR CODE WORD TO PAIR WITH UNIQUELY GENERATED PHONE
• AND AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY IS A THIRD DEGREE FELONY ON THE CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT CODE SCORESHEET.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do ask unanimous consent to relax our dress code to allow jeans for our guests, not our members, just
• Seeing no objection, our dress code has been relaxed just for our guests on the floor.
• Respectfully submitted. and thence referred to the Tax Business and Transportation Committee.
• President, your Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee will be meeting at 4:30.
• President, your Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee will be meeting at 4:30.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 58:20.320> the<01:58:20.480> conduct judicial code of conduct, the conduct judicial code
• <03:10:20.800> of handcuff a suspect, um, a code of handcuff a suspect, um, a code of conduct
• Uh because they're taxes as well too.
• Insurance caps will will property taxes.
• <04:47:04.958> one under the uniform commercial code one under the uniform commercial code

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as noted, judicial code of conduct.
• of conduct would not allow judicial code of conduct would not allow for<01:43:43.359> that.
• Um, a judge who is acting properly within the judicial code of conduct and considering a case should
• It specifically says that tax exemption.
• collector was not properly securing the tax revenue of the citizens.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's funded by a hospital tax.
• It's funded by a hospital tax.
• But every city and county, last year we did a tax increase for Roswell.
• We are going to be talking about the proposed tax package.
• We are going to be talking about the proposed tax package.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just proven themselves to reach out not only to the metro area but, like I mentioned, over 72 zip codes
• just proven themselves to reach out not only to the metro area but, like I mentioned, over 72 zip codes
• over 72 zip codes over 17,000 people<00:02:02.000> last<00:02:02.320> year<00:02:03.040
• These power plants are the backbone of the tax base in each of these communities.
• In Becker's case, a share plant represents about 65% of the city's total tax base.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This report is issued under authority of Arkansas Code Annotated 10-3-2.
• And is it in code that can only be that one entity? No, it's in a special language.
• And is it in code that can only be that one entity? No, it's in a special language.
• That's the ACIS code for public school fund. Say that again?
• It's an accounting code representing public school fund.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is a recommendation that would require changes in North Dakota Century Code.
• And this would require administrative code changes.
• And so we all of the definitions in code that would need to change. And so we've got those.
• There is some Century Code things.
• And a QR code, and we requested that the providers share that with their clients.

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary: Senate Bill 1754 relating to the authority of a taxing unit to enter into an agreement to
• It adds three new codes: the Elections Code, the Penal Code, and the Health Senator Creighton: and Safety
• Code.

Transcript Highlights:

• you for your patience today, as we had some bills that we were presenting in different committees and Tax
• We'll have presenters Rick Owen, Senior Staff Counsel, Committee on Revision of the Penal Code; Francis
• I'm Senior Staff Counsel for the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code.
• crime, mainly under Penal Code Section, I mean, sorry, Health and Safety Code 11395.
• And now to the Penal Code...

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we can present a budget and tax plan where middle-class families receive an even larger tax cut
• When I last spoke on the budget and tax When I last spoke on the budget and tax plan,<01:02:54.799
• <04:37:13.680> credits repealing a bunch of other tax credits repealing a bunch of other tax
• avoiding conveyance taxes.
• can raise revenue by taxing empty homes. can raise revenue by taxing empty homes.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by funding uncertainty can result in shifting priorities, outdated designs, or changes to building codes
• However, we do have Education Code that directs districts to spend a percentage of their general fund
• It's in Education Code Section 84660, if you were interested in reading. Okay, thank you.
• I can imagine this is a very taxing endeavor right now. No pun intended. Yeah. Yeah.
• dollars with a..." "...and metrics going forward because it's a better utilization of tax dollars with

Summary: The committee’s first major discussion focused on higher education facilities across UC, CSU, and the community colleges, with Chair Alvarez framing the issue as a final budget hearing before the May Revise. The LAO presented findings that campuses have grown substantially in buildings and square footage, while classroom and lab utilization remains below legislative standards and deferred maintenance backlogs continue to rise. The LAO also emphasized that the state and segments lack comprehensive data on capital renewal spending and recommended better reporting, clearer funding targets, and long-term planning for renewal and maintenance. UC, CSU, and community college representatives each described large five-year capital plans, aging facilities, seismic and deferred maintenance needs, and the role of student housing, while noting that construction costs are rising faster than inflation. Members questioned the segments about debt service, utilization rates, and how projects are prioritized. UC said its debt service tied to state support is about $665 million annually and described a $30 billion five-year capital financial plan, including housing, medical centers, and building renewal. CSU said it has about $31 billion in five-year needs and more than $8 billion in deferred maintenance, with funding coming from a mix of state-related and one-time sources since the state shifted capital responsibility to CSU. Community colleges said their unmet facilities needs total about $33.5 billion and explained their use of a scoring matrix and FUSION system to rank projects. The chair and members pressed all three systems to better distinguish between projects that are truly shovel-ready and those that are long-term needs, and discussed whether facilities condition data, total cost of ownership, and more standardized metrics should guide future bond proposals. The committee then turned to Proposition 2 and the Governor’s proposed community college capital outlay projects. The Department of Finance said Prop. 2 provides $1.5 billion for community colleges and that the Governor’s budget proposes 29 projects, with two continuing Prop. 51 projects also included. The LAO supported the overall use of the funds but raised concerns about the current 65/35 split between modernization and growth, the unusually large share of gymnasium projects, and some scoring metrics that favor larger campuses and certain regions. Community college officials said the scoring system was developed through participatory governance and would take one to two years to revise, but they supported the funding and agreed to follow up on questions about project categories and the rationale for the weighting. Members also suggested giving more weight to modernization, regional access, and intersegmental or collaborative projects. A final item addressed the CalKids program. The Department of Finance proposed $56,000 ongoing General Fund for three positions, while the LAO recommended approving two positions but rejecting a manager position until the current $7.5 million marketing campaign is evaluated. ScholarShare’s executive director said CalKids has enrolled more than 5 million children, with nearly 600,000 claims and over $45 million distributed, and argued that additional staff and outreach are needed to reach a goal of 1 million claimed scholarships by the end of 2025 and to implement AB 2808. Members asked about marketing effectiveness, data sharing, and eligibility rules, and the program said it is expanding partnerships with Cradle to Career and CSAC. No final vote was taken in the hearing, and the chair indicated the facilities item would be held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, and that process started back in 2017.
• It's outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, and that process started back in 2017.
• It's outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, and that process started back in 2017.
• It's outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, and that process started back in 2017.
• the code of f regulations I could uh the code of f regulations I could uh bore<00:22:56.039> you

Bills: HF2446, HF2878, HF2667, HF1795, HF2683, HF2916

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Originally there were three taxes: the cultivation tax on the harvested plant, the excise tax on the
• So to encourage compliance, starting in 2022, AB 195 was passed and simplified the tax code.
• From CDTFA's perspective, we really have two... 22, AB195 was passed and simplified the tax code by doing
• So fuel taxes are one of the largest tax revenues.
• But most of their tax liability, we estimate, is in the fuel taxes and sort of the diesel excise tax

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several budget proposals from CDTFA, the Board of Equalization, and the Franchise Tax Board. The first panel focused on cannabis, hemp, flavored tobacco, and related enforcement. CDTFA requested ongoing funding to implement cannabis tax changes, enforce the new intoxicating hemp restrictions and flavored tobacco seizure authority, and continue compliance work. The department said it is targeting illicit product, protecting licensed businesses, and using referrals from the public and lawmakers to focus inspections. The LAO supported some of the proposals but urged the Legislature to treat them as part of a longer-term enforcement strategy and raised concerns about the use of General Fund support for cannabis enforcement. Public testimony on the cannabis item largely supported stronger enforcement and funding for the legal market. The committee also heard CDTFA’s request to reappropriate funds for an upgrade to the CROS tax collection system, which would improve taxpayer services, security, and software maintenance without adding new money. A separate CDTFA proposal would make all delivery network companies, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the change would reduce confusion for restaurants and improve compliance, while the LAO questioned whether the proposal functioned more like a tax increase because it would also capture service fees. Members raised affordability concerns, but the proposal was framed by the administration as a parity and compliance measure. The subcommittee then considered a governor’s proposal for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Finance argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation and support in-state production, while the LAO recommended rejection, citing cost, uncertainty about environmental benefits, possible diversion of diesel excise tax revenues from transportation programs, and concerns about consistency with voter-approved transportation funding rules. Testimony from airlines, labor unions, airports, and refinery workers strongly supported the credit, emphasizing union jobs, refinery conversions, and emissions reductions, while fuel retailers and some others warned about fiscal risk and higher fuel prices. The chair and some members expressed support for the proposal despite the funding concerns. Finally, the BOE presented an IT modernization project for state-assessed property administration, saying the current system is outdated and manual and that a new system is needed to improve accuracy, cybersecurity, and workflow efficiency, especially with a likely increase in workload from new VoIP assessments. The LAO asked for more justification for the timing, but BOE said the urgency stems from aging systems and growing workload. BOE also requested modest funding to implement SB 293 changes to intergenerational property transfers and wildfire relief guidance, which the LAO did not oppose. The Franchise Tax Board began its presentation on the final phase of its Enterprise Data to Revenue modernization effort, describing the project’s rollout across audit, collections, legal, and filing enforcement workloads and noting it is now in a warranty period.