Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, most people pay their property taxes.
• Under current law, most people pay their property taxes by February.
• Who's going to pay for that?
• They will pay. And that's really unfortunate.
• They're probably the ones that need it, but they're going to pay.

Bills: SB2397

Keywords: oil and gas, tax exemption, development incentive wells, gross production tax, flaring, 908, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up House Bill 1382, the gas tax bill. Members explained an amendment to ensure that the proposed three-cent gas tax distribution would include all counties and townships in oil-producing counties, rather than excluding non-oil-producing counties as in the original draft. The committee adopted the amendment unanimously, but then held the bill for the time being because of related work on the Department of Transportation budget in the House. The committee then turned to House Bill 1168, a large hoghouse amendment that combined the bill with the contents of House Bill 1176 and added technical corrections. The proposal would raise the primary residence property tax credit maximum from $1,250 to $1,650, keep the 75% cap with a $500 floor, and extend the credit to voter-approved levies while excluding special assessments. Other changes discussed included aligning the disabled veterans property tax credit with the $200,000 exemption level, adjusting budget and distribution dates so taxing districts are made whole sooner, exempting townships from a general-election vote requirement for levy increases, and modifying school funding formulas so schools are not shortchanged if mill levies are reduced under the cap. Testimony from the Association of Counties and the State Supervisor of Assessments was generally supportive of the technical cleanup and implementation changes, but they raised concerns about the June 1 distribution date, application timing, and the practicality of some programming and administrative changes. Committee members also discussed the policy and messaging implications of the 75%/floor structure and the difficulty of applying the credit to certain voter-approved levies. No final action was taken on House Bill 1168; the committee agreed to continue working on amendments and recessed until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We pay 12 to 20% of any payroll.
• </c><01:10:34.800><c> I</c> already paying in a small amount. I already paying in a small amount.
• 33.920><c> asked</c> Representative Pais Boschain is asked Representative Pais Boschain is asked for<
• ,</c> premiums, co-pays, premiums, co-pays, um<01:29:59.199><c> you</c><01:29:59.440><c> know</c><01:
• They increased co-pays. deductibles. They increased co-pays.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You pay 25%, and the federal government pays 75%.
• ><c> patients,</c> When combined with self-pay patients, When combined with self-pay patients, more<01
• </c> now the only debt that the hospital pays now the only debt that the hospital pays is<01:20:39.160
• </c> And when they come in, they cannot pay And when they come in, they cannot pay for<01:35:07.320><
• </c><01:45:43.840><c> rate</c> million loss in directed pay rate million loss in directed pay rate because

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pay for five days a month for absences.
• I think paying on enrollment versus attendance causes a lot of issues and potential for issues that paying
• I will say paying based on enrollment is how private payers have to pay.
• And again, if we are paying on enrollment versus attendance, you're paying for days for which care is
• Those dollars still factor into what we pay for children in child care subsidies, what we pay providers

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> as far as proficiency goes, it pays as far as proficiency goes, it pays school<00:08:09.280><c>
• If we go to the state, they will have to pay an increased amount of their take-home pay to be able to
• </c> that they can right now, they can pay that they can right now, they can pay the<01:04:10.400><c>
• ><01:04:22.960><c> the</c> amount of their take-home pay to the the amount of their take-home pay to
• </c><01:30:33.840><c> for</c> EGI cost rather than paying for EGI cost rather than paying for the<01:

Bills: SF0059, SF0053

Keywords: language proficiency, literacy education, reading interventions, dyslexia support, Montessori methods, individualized reading plans, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> already pay taxes? already pay taxes?
• No, now a a a decrease in our pay.
• Instead of pay see hiring freezes.
• </c> employers have to pay increased costs? employers have to pay increased costs?
• </c> They're not taking a rate pay decrease. They're not taking a rate pay decrease.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:33.679><c> And</c> pay yield it to holders. And pay yield it to holders.
• </c> even if they're not themselves pay even if they're not themselves pay paying<00:18:13.120><c> it
• I'll pay for it or I'll redeem.'
• I'll pay for it or I'll redeem.'
• I'll pay for it or what you're doing. I'll pay for it or I'll<01:14:38.960><c> redeem."

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and introductions of commission members and guests, followed by approval of the agenda and a motion to approve the February 10 minutes with a correction clarifying that one quoted statement was misattributed. The commission then moved into presentations. The main presentation came from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors on implementation of the federal GENIUS Act for stablecoins. The speaker reviewed the OCC’s recent 367-page proposed rule, noting it raises many open questions and design choices for states, and discussed expected upcoming rulemaking from the FDIC, Federal Reserve, and Treasury. The presentation focused on six areas: permissible issuer activities, reserve assets and redemption, risk management and supervision, treatment of state-qualified issuers, capital/operational backstops, and foreign issuers. It also flagged unresolved issues around Bank Secrecy Act/AML requirements and the meaning of “digital asset service provider” activities. A substantial portion of the discussion addressed yield restrictions, with the presenter explaining the OCC’s broad definition of yield and its rebuttable presumption against issuer-affiliated or related third-party yield arrangements. The speaker said this likely forecloses many existing white-label structures but leaves some room for third-party payments depending on distance from the issuer, and noted ongoing Senate debate over similar provisions. The presentation also covered reserve valuation, liquidity and diversification requirements, redemption timing, and supervisory expectations such as third-party oversight, IT security, exam cycles, and reporting. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I go way back to: why do government agencies pay taxes? Because they're paying with tax dollars.
• Why do government agencies pay Yeah. Why do government agencies pay taxes?
• </c> of that nature and expect them to pay of that nature and expect them to pay more,<00:37:04.880><
• /c> about what they pay us, um, pays me about what they pay us, um, pays me $22.38<01:32:31.600><c> for
• </c><01:33:44.960><c> And</c> to pay for this. And to pay for this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, $400,000 pay to a school school... Speaker, $400,000 pay to a school superintendent?
• They're still going to be able to have additional pay beyond this.
• Those are good, high-paying jobs. It's very automated. They employ 75 people.
• Those are good, high-paying jobs. It's very automated.
• One is that periodically it will pay interest or dividends.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House first took up Substitute Senate Bill 6225, a transportation bond measure. Supporters said it was needed to fund preservation and maintenance of Washington’s transportation system, including road upkeep and emergency repairs, while opponents argued the state had already addressed current needs through a recent unanimous budget and existing bond authority. The bill passed final passage 59-38, meeting the required three-fifths vote. The House then considered Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6260, an education budget-related bill with many floor amendments focused on transition to kindergarten, alternative learning experience (ALE) funding, local effort assistance (LEA), educational service district reserves, superintendent pay, MSOC funding, and collective bargaining limits. Most proposed amendments were rejected, though Amendment 2654 on TK priorities was adopted. After the committee amendment as amended was adopted, the bill advanced to third reading and then passed 50-47. Supporters described it as a necessary budget reduction and risk-management measure; opponents argued it cut K-12 funding too deeply, especially in rural and property-poor districts, and would worsen inequities and invite litigation. The House also concurred in Senate amendments and passed several other bills. House Bill 1796, about school construction financing and capital levy use, passed 95-2. Second Substitute House Bill 2105, dealing with immigrant worker protections, passed 58-38. Engrossed House Bill 2211, on food sourcing for a health-related program, passed unanimously. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225, regulating companion chatbots and child safety, passed 74-21. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, related to animal care, passed unanimously. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2418, streamlining permitting timelines to support housing affordability, also passed unanimously. The House then moved on to additional Senate-concurred bills, beginning with Second Substitute House Bill 1906.

Transcript Highlights:

• The project applicant would pay for these monitoring costs.
• We think that they should pay more.
• We think that they should pay more.
• We say we can pay our bills on it. That's labor-management negotiations.
• That’s what a first-year apprentice pays in addition to a base wage. We urge you to reject it.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• Low pay and rising costs will lead to greater turnover, uncompetitive job openings, diminished quality
• serious</c> without serious without serious consequences<00:05:08.560><c> low</c><00:05:08.880><c> pay
• c><00:05:09.080><c> and</c><00:05:09.240><c> Rising</c><00:05:09.639><c> costs</c> consequences low pay
• and Rising costs consequences low pay and Rising costs will<00:05:10.039><c> lead</c><00:05:10.240><
• These taxes are significantly higher than what plans pay in the self-insured market, which are around

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; Well, in transfer tax um the buyer pays &gt;&gt; Well, in transfer tax um the buyer pays
• What I need in Portsmouth is to pay our cops, to pay our firemen, to pay those that are driving the EMS
• </c> would ask, do we pay uh property taxes? would ask, do we pay uh property taxes?
• <01:16:33.920><c> our</c> is to pay our cops, to pay our our is to pay our cops, to pay our our firemen
• </c> that um when we're talking about paying that um when we're talking about paying our<01:17:43.199

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we actually went over and above, and thanks to Representative Louser, said, hey, we're willing to pay
• The State Fair can pay for part, and the state can pay for part. So, and I guess, you know, no.
• The State Fair can pay for part, and the state can pay for part.
• And, again, we're just keeping that in mind as far as what we're paying for.
• What we're paying for. Anybody else on the committee wants to say anything?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee for Senate Bill 2009 met to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions, focusing mainly on a $100,000 item tied to State Fair improvements. House members explained that the money was intended for facility upgrades such as locker rooms, showers, restrooms, concessions, and safety areas used by youth hockey, rodeo, and other events, and the House position remained that the State Fair should share costs on the fence and campground restroom-related work. Senate members said their priority was security improvements and argued that those safety provisions should be funded as a straight grant rather than requiring a match, though they were open to other matched items. After further discussion and a brief recess, the House proposed moving the $100,000 from the original line item into the security infrastructure funding, reducing the amount the State Fair would need to match on that project. Senate members indicated they were agreeable to that change and noted that State Fair personnel would likely prefer the money be directed to security. The committee did not take a final vote in the transcript, but members appeared to reach tentative agreement to shift the funding toward security and continue discussions on the remaining match requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of thought here: performance pay. You mentioned teachers.
• Which is the pay to teachers? Yes.
• Yeah, you're talking about merit pay.
• And so I've never thought that merit pay was the answer.
• So for under $2,000, we audit before we pay anything.

Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horn’s annual State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, school choice, teacher pay, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools and teacher preparation. Horn said the department has expanded school police officers, promoted Project Momentum and tutoring, supported cell phone restrictions in classrooms, and pushed for more phonics-based reading instruction and stronger university teacher-prep programs. Members questioned him about DEI complaints, cell phone implementation, ESA oversight, school safety funding, reading proficiency, and teacher compensation; Horn said ESA spending is reviewed and recovered when inappropriate, and argued teacher raises should come directly to teachers, not through districts. No formal action was taken on his presentation. The committee then considered HB 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues to professional library associations. Sponsor Representative Cooper argued the bill would keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while saying membership itself would still be allowed if paid privately. Opponents, including a former librarian, a school board member, and the ACLU of Arizona, said the bill would undermine professional development, local control, literacy support, and constitutional rights of association and petition. Supporters said associations promote ideological content and that free professional-development alternatives exist. After public testimony and debate, the committee voted to return HB 2008 with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to tax increases, these residents are also paying more for utilities and paying for the programs
• 25 to 31 cents that IOU customers pay.
• How will they be able to afford to pay opt-out fees?
• that Massachusetts residents already have to pay for energy.
• We already pay among the highest rates in the country.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of energy, utility, broadband, and municipal infrastructure bills. Representative Powell supported H 3466, which would create a task force to study public ownership of utilities and alternatives to investor-owned electric and gas systems. Representative Therber supported H 3574, which would use RGGI funds to reimburse cities and towns affected by power plant decommissioning, citing lost jobs, tax revenue, and service cuts in communities such as Somerset, Plymouth, Salem, and Everett. Several witnesses from municipal light plants and related organizations testified in support of mutual aid bills, including H 3486/S 2252 and H 3330/S 2277, saying the measures would clarify protections and liability coverage for MLP workers assisting in emergencies and non-emergency work. Jim Leiden of EMWIC opposed H 3514/S 2295, saying the proposed board and governance changes would reduce local control, add burdens, and weaken confidentiality protections. A committee member asked whether the mutual aid bills had been reviewed for municipal impacts, and the witnesses said they had done due diligence. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H 3551/S 2306, the smart meter opt-out bills. Supporters argued that smart meters emit harmful wireless radiation, that some residents have developed health problems or electromagnetic sensitivity, and that opt-outs should be available without fees or penalties; several witnesses urged notification, consent, and non-transmitting analog meter options. The committee also heard testimony from municipal officials and the Massachusetts Municipal Association in support of H 3462/S 2250, which would strengthen municipal authority to enforce timely removal of double utility poles, citing safety, accessibility, and construction-delay concerns. Derek Leffert of Gateway Fiber opposed H 3450, saying it would improperly shift broadband deployment costs to competitors. At the end of testimony, the chair closed the hearing by motion and vote, with members voting aye and no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the self-funded insurers would, of necessity, not bear this because they're not paying insurance;
• Now we pay more in taxes than we do for our members' primary care.
• And so the way it works is you pay the higher of the two: your home state, the state in which you're
• You pay their rate or your home state's rate.
• So, hence the $1.4 million retaliatory surcharge that we pay for Alaska.

Summary: House Finance heard several bills and took no recorded votes. HB 2367 would end special tax and emissions exemptions for the Centralia coal plant by limiting its Climate Commitment Act exemption to pre-2026 emissions, removing limits on additional greenhouse gas requirements, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. The sponsor, Rep. Fitzgibbon, said the bill would help keep the plant’s transition to cleaner natural gas generation on track; Climate Solutions supported it, while business and clean-energy groups raised concerns about allowance-market impacts and asked for amendments to adjust the cap-and-invest allowance budget. HB 1974 would authorize public housing authorities, public corporations, and nonprofits to operate as land banks for affordable housing, give them priority for tax-foreclosed properties, and provide property tax, leasehold excise tax, and REET exemptions for land bank transactions. Rep. Hill said the bill was narrowed to reduce fiscal impact and support existing land banking work in Spokane; supporters said it would lower land costs and speed affordable housing development, while questions focused on how public land would be used and whether affordability should be permanent rather than limited to 30 years. HB 2650, a Department of Revenue request, would standardize notice and effective dates for local REET and lodging tax changes and clarify documentation for an affordable housing sales tax deferral. DOR supported the bill as an administrative efficiency measure, and there was no opposition testimony. HB 2626 would raise the premium tax on health maintenance organizations, health care service contractors, and self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements from 2% to 3%, remove a dentistry-related exemption, and add a new 1% tax on certain disability and group stop-loss insurers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help fund Apple Health and subsidies amid federal funding concerns; insurers and business groups opposed it as a cost increase likely to be passed on to consumers and employers, while patient and advocacy groups supported the revenue idea but urged that funds be dedicated to subsidies or other health care supports and that pass-through to consumers be prevented.

Transcript Highlights:

• These individuals are tax-paying citizens that are, for the most part, productive in today's society,
• I met individuals who were able to work, pay taxes, as my colleague said, and were productive members
• They're not going to pay attention to me, so what's the point of me even paying attention to state politics
• Today I work, I pay taxes, I serve my community, I help other believe that they can change.
• I pay taxes, and whether you know it or not, incarcerated people pay sales tax while we are in prison

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are either job-seeking or they have jobs that pay taxes; their parents pay taxes that subsidize
• and pay for the state university system.
• I can't for a second... ...pay for the state university system.
• They also pay full tuition, which directly subsidizes our in-state students.
• paying for it the whole time?

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 1503, which would require general education courses that use technology to provide students opportunities to build digital literacy, including instruction on applications of artificial intelligence and related topics such as software engineering, computer networks, database systems, and cybersecurity as applicable to the course. It would also require high school computer science courses offered by school districts to include instruction on AI. There was no public testimony or debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1279, an education bill that the sponsor said was intended to improve consistency, oversight, and transparency while putting Florida students first. The bill drew extensive questioning and opposition over provisions affecting university admissions and funding, including a 95% Florida-resident first-time-in-college enrollment target tied to preeminent funding, a cap on nonresident students from any one country, standardized GPA weighting, limits on institution-wide graduation requirements, and changes related to accreditation references and other education programs. The sponsor argued these changes would open more seats for Florida students, preserve academic rigor, and align statutes with existing regulations and court action, while opponents said the bill would harm university competitiveness, research, revenue, faculty recruitment, and access for international and nontraditional students. Public testimony on HB 1279 was largely opposed. Speakers included a student advocate, a dental hygiene representative concerned about dual regulation of expanded-function dental programs, and faculty representatives from FSU and FAMU who warned the bill would politicize admissions and curriculum, reduce competitiveness, and create negative fiscal impacts. During debate, supporters emphasized taxpayer investment in Florida students and the need to prioritize in-state applicants, while opponents argued the bill would weaken the state university system and undermine its national standing. The committee reported PCS for HB 1279 favorably by a 12-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• the agency that can pay attorneys more.
• and pay for ice time, which makes no sense to me.
• So when we talk about expenses, it's paying staff, it's paying for the ETAB leases or ownership, and
• So when we talk about expenses, it's paying staff, it's paying for the ETAB leases or ownership, and
• They're paying them minimal money.

Summary: The committee met as the Commerce and Legal Services Division and first approved the minutes, then received a Legislative Council overview of the Attorney General’s current budget status and a blue-sheet summary of the AG’s base budget for the next biennium. Staff highlighted compliance with legislative intent items, including FTE changes, one-time funding updates, litigation pool spending, opioid settlement receipts, and continuing appropriations. Members asked about specific funds such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund and the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and staff explained the statutory basis and status of those items. The Attorney General’s office then presented an extensive overview of its divisions and budget pressures. Chief Deputy Attorney General Clare Ness described the office’s 14 divisions, the role of the office in defending the state and recouping funds, and concerns about attorney pay, recruitment, and retention. Members discussed whether attorney salaries should be benchmarked across state government and whether more legal work could be centralized in the AG’s office. The office also described challenges with the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, leased office space, and the criminal justice information systems used to connect law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts. The Crime Laboratory director gave a detailed update on space and infrastructure problems, saying the current lab is overcrowded and outdated, with safety, workflow, air-handling, glycol leak, alarm, and maintenance issues that can delay casework and risk evidence integrity. She said a 2024 study projected a need for a much larger facility and that the preferred option would be a new building on the current health department site, at an estimated cost of roughly $40 million to $45 million. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, firearms, fingerprint, and drug cases, though toxicology had recently developed a small backlog after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, gaming division, and BCI also provided updates. MFCU’s new director said the unit is federally funded 75/25, focuses on fraud, abuse, and neglect, and is seeking two attorney hires while continuing to work with federal partners on cases and recertification. Gaming staff reported continued growth in charitable gaming and electronic pull-tab activity, with concerns about site competition, large trust balances, possible ineligible expenditures, and the need for more scrutiny as revenues have grown. BCI outlined its staffing, drug task forces, ICAC work, and the Missing Indigenous Person Task Force, which is using its $250,000 appropriation to help tribal nations develop emergency response plans and purchase alerting tools such as IPAWS. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the more meals they provide, the more the local is on the hook to pay for the difference.
• Um, and risks rewarding inefficiencies if you're just paying for what's happening now.
• this $8. pay this $8.
• It says the state needs to step up and pay for lunch so the districts are not doing that.
• When you divide that into what you're paying for divide that into what you're paying for your labor costs

Keywords: 916, all