Transcript Highlights:

• Because we all agree the finance system is very complicated.
• The primary factor impacting, you know, my motor vehicle or motor fuel tax, vehicle registration, and
• A couple questions about the Texas Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
• So many communities need low-cost financing.
• Tremendous amount of short-term financing.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• a former renewable energy developer, I clearly understand the challenge when it comes to getting financing
• I clearly understand the challenge when it comes to getting financing.
• Allegedly bought $20 million worth of luxury vehicles to avoid paying over $1.8 million in California
• So this zero-emission vehicle initiative is a priority.
• So this zero-emission vehicle initiative is a priority.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax and revenue measures, beginning with SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment. The author and solar industry witnesses argued the bill would create a uniform statewide method, provide certainty for developers, and exclude tax credits and other intangibles from valuation; county assessors and several counties opposed it, saying it would reduce assessed value and depart from market-based appraisal. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1406 to close the “Montana tax loophole” used to avoid California vehicle taxes, with support from the California Teachers Association and no registered opposition; it passed 2-0 and was placed on call. SB 984, conforming California law to the federal tipped-income deduction, drew support from the restaurant industry, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and enrolled agents, and passed 3-0 to Appropriations, on call. Later, the committee considered wildfire- and energy-related tax credits. SB 1084 would create a fire-safe home tax credit for home hardening and defensible space improvements; supporters said it would reduce wildfire losses and insurance costs, and it passed 3-0 on call. SB 1118 would provide credits for backup generators and solar battery systems in high fire-threat areas; the author framed it as a resilience measure for households and small businesses, but members raised concerns about cost, diesel use, and whether the credit would reach lower-income households. The bill was moved 1-0 and placed on call, with the chair and other members noting unresolved budget and policy concerns. SB 1424, expanding a partial sales tax exemption to zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, received support from hydrogen and electric transportation groups and passed 4-0 on call. The committee also advanced SB 1249, a senior tax deduction for taxpayers ages 86 to 90, with support from LeadingAge California and senior advocates; members noted it was narrowly targeted and passed 4-0 on call. SB 1113, conforming California tax law to the federal tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flag international shipping companies, drew support from maritime industry groups and opposition from ILWU over the fiscal impact; it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1137, the Medical Expense Deduction Act, would allow a targeted deduction for medical expenses for lower-income taxpayers; supporters said it would help families facing high out-of-pocket costs, and it passed 4-0 on call. Finally, SB 1415 would extend a partial welfare property tax exemption to mixed-income housing that includes moderate-income units; supporters said it would help finance “missing middle” housing, while assessors and housing stakeholders requested amendments and guardrails. The bill was also moved forward on a committee vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• , as well as the increased penetration of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
• , proportional to the miles driven by vehicles.
• And so the issue of identical... ...there are not new vehicle inspections at all.
• And so the issue of identical there are not new vehicles to these questions at all.
• VMT tax on EV vehicles statewide? I believe it was. I believe it was for all people.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• , 23, Fong, 25, 24, Gibson, 26, 18, Connolly, 2719, Petrinoris, and 2795 Committee on Banking and Finance
• This bill simply brings boating enforcement in line with vehicle law by allowing trained peace officers
• I do just really quickly, I mean, I think that it was Department of Finance says it's an $11 million
• No other state imposes uncapped vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms.
• district to finance the development of workforce housing for education, manufacturing, health care,

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Finance Agency, the executive director, Tony Surteach, is here with us.
• I've been in affordable housing finance in California for 30 years.
• And the way I think about HDFC is kind of an all-weather vehicle.
• And the way I think about HDFC is kind of an all-weather vehicle.
• It's not just how do we finance it more quickly.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program would help directly support infrastructure improvements
• districts, a new tool to help local governments finance the infrastructure that makes infill housing
• And financing for that infrastructure funding for that infrastructure, to me, And financing for that
• one option: electric vehicles operated by electricity and infrastructure for charging stations.
• Read out on behalf of the Electric Vehicle Charging Association.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing, local government, and governance bills, beginning without a quorum and proceeding as a subcommittee until quorum was established. SB 1003, by Senator Grayson, would create an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infill housing infrastructure; supporters said infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while a senator questioned whether the state would actually fund the new program. The bill passed the committee 3-1 on call. The committee also adopted a consent calendar covering SB 1169, SB 1086, SB 1126, and SB 1439-1442, also 3-1 on call. SB 1014 would require local jurisdictions to provide early good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements and bar undisclosed later requirements; Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and housing advocates supported the bill, while the City of San Mateo opposed the preliminary-application timing. Members raised questions about the 30-business-day deadline and coordination with other agencies. The bill passed 4-2 on call. SB 1036, which would require fee credits for prior site uses when redeveloping a site with similar prior uses, drew broad support and no opposition and passed 5-0 on call. SB 1145, a district bill for the Concord Naval Weapons Station reuse project, would streamline CEQA and federal base-closure review for qualifying projects; labor, the city, and county supported it, while housing legal advocates opposed unless amended over Surplus Land Act concerns. The bill passed 6-0 on call after discussion of affordability and enforceability amendments. The committee then heard SB 908, which would streamline permits for energy-code-compliant residential window replacements and limit city/HOA design restrictions; supporters said it would let homeowners and affordable housing providers lower energy costs, while local government groups opposed, citing local control and design standards. It passed 3-1 on call. SB 1172, the Local Tax Savings Act, would add guardrails and transparency to local tax-sharing consultant agreements; the City of Shafter and League of California Cities supported it, and it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1379 would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death rates and public trust concerns, while the sheriff’s association and county representatives opposed on cost and local control grounds. The bill passed 4-1 on call. Finally, SB 1283 would expand streamlined permitting for EV charging stations to include canopies and on-site energy storage systems; EV industry supporters said the bill updates outdated rules, while cities and counties warned about safety review, liability, and litigation risk. Members discussed battery storage safety and local permitting authority, and the bill passed 4-0 on call. The committee also heard SB 1414, which would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County; supporters argued it would improve transparency and reduce political self-interest, while the county opposed due to its existing advisory commission and estimated implementation costs. The transcript cuts off during questioning on SB 1414, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, basically this works with the HOME part of the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency.
• Members, basically this works with the home part of the Oklahoma House Finance Agency.
• facilities, that financing cost is currently paid by taxpayers from all over the state currently.
• as opposed to my vehicle, which burns gasoline.
• as opposed to my vehicle, which burns gasoline.

Bills: HB2997 , HB2021 , HB3041 , HB1823 , HB3372 , HB1427 , HB3127 , HB3128 , HCR1020 , HB4198 , HB3000 , HB3001 , HB3002 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB3005 , HB3006 , HB3007 , HB3008 , SB392 , HB3320

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, heard an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests in the galleries and a special recognition of a doctor of the day and a state volleyball championship team. The chamber then took up a series of bills, with most receiving brief explanations and little or no debate. House Bill 2997, dealing with used-car bait-and-switch enforcement and higher fines, failed on final passage 47-39, and notice was given of a possible motion to reconsider. House Bill 2021, creating a DHS grant program for out-of-school programming through larger community-based organizations, passed 51-29 after questions about eligibility and partnerships. House Bill 3041, adjusting the cap on credit-card surcharges so retailers can recover actual processing costs up to 2%, passed 86-1 and its emergency was adopted. The House also passed House Bill 1823 on Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency compliance with federal HOME grant guidelines, 83-5, with the emergency adopted. House Bill 3372, creating lower-cost financing tools for high-performing charter schools, drew extensive questioning about taxpayer funding, ownership, default risk, and comparisons to public-school bonds, but ultimately passed 53-36. House Bill 1427, as amended by the Senate, was adopted and passed 57-20, codifying current clean-burning vehicle tax-credit practices tied to the bank privilege tax. House Bill 3127, which would have broadened employer drug-testing and zero-tolerance authority beyond current safety-sensitive positions for medical marijuana users, drew the most extended debate over worker protections, constitutionality, and testing standards, but failed narrowly 47-46; notice of reconsideration was given. Later measures passed with broad support, including House Bill 3128 creating a task force to identify workplace barriers and recommend administrative or legislative fixes, 73-21; House Bill 4198 allowing employers to seek protective orders against former employees who pose an imminent threat, 88-12; and a series of sunset-extension bills for professional and advisory boards. Those included House Bills 3000 through 3007, covering the cosmetology board, child death review board, county personnel training commission, chiropractic examiners, optometry board, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education, and DEQ natural resource advisory councils, with most also receiving emergency clauses. House Concurrent Resolution 1020, commending Team USA Olympic hockey teams for gold medals, was adopted by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:43.039><c> alcohol</c> to start a vehicle while having alcohol to start a vehicle while having
• </c> before the finance committee already. before the finance committee already.
• </c> Latz said that yeah, the Senate Finance Latz said that yeah, the Senate Finance Committee<00:14:
• </c> in a amendment in the finance committee. in a amendment in the finance committee.
• </c><00:47:10.640><c> to</c> committee report to finance to committee report to finance to incorporate

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3454 by Cummings relating to the liability of vehicle storage facility operator for money owed and
• HB 3460 by Dutton relating to the bilingual education allotment under the public school finance system
• by Hunter relating to the use or purchase of the acquisition of property under the Public Property Finance
• HB 3534 by Gates relating to the multi-family residential developments financed, owned or operated by
• vehicle who is pregnant, referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be a crucial factor in our ability to have stable finances in our town going forward.
• Next we'll hear testimony on H. 4722, an act promoting fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles.
• Our team at Highland leverages the power of both purchasing incentives and other financing mechanisms
• by capping those taxes at the level of a comparable diesel vehicle.
• By capping those taxes at the level of a comparable diesel vehicle.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 17 miscellaneous and late-file bills, with testimony focused on several local tax and policy measures. The first major item was H. 4687 for Watertown, which would make permanent a temporary tax classification adjustment allowing the city to maintain a 50% minimum residential factor and a 175% commercial shift. Watertown officials and legislators said the change is needed because the city’s commercial growth has triggered an old statutory formula that would otherwise push a larger share of the tax burden onto homeowners, especially seniors and fixed-income residents. They said the current temporary relief expires in fiscal 2027 and warned that, without permanent action, residential tax bills could rise sharply; committee members asked about the regional business impact, commercial taxpayers such as Alexandria Real Estate, and Watertown’s stabilization and free cash balances. The committee also heard H. 4435, a Charlemont bill authorizing a tax on commercial recreation services. Town officials said the measure would help a small rural town with a large tourism and recreation economy cover increased police, fire, and EMS costs caused by visitors, while reducing pressure on local property taxpayers. A committee member questioned whether the proposal fit within existing tax law and whether it was more like a tax on entry than on services; town witnesses responded that it would apply to recreation-related services such as guides and lifts and was modeled on the meals and rooms tax. Finally, testimony was taken on H. 4722, which would promote fair tax treatment for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including electric school buses and trucks, by capping sales and excise taxes at the level of comparable diesel vehicles. Supporters said the bill would remove an unintended tax penalty, help school districts and transportation providers afford electrification, and remain revenue-neutral. Representative Gentile also testified in support of H. 4722 and H. 4755, a Sudbury bill to amend the town’s means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption so the local program can continue without requiring a new special act if it lapses. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the specialty vehicles are about $125,000.
• That's just a complete upfit of the vehicles, naturally.
• And so, you know, we hope to have a replacement cycle for these vehicles, replacing the vehicles at 100,000
• But it's about $9,000 to upfit a basic patrol vehicle, up to $125,000 for a specialty vehicle. ...vehicle
• You'll see the DWS funding, and you'll see the MFA GAP financing.

Bills: SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:38.759><c> and</c> unfortunately this isn't the vehicle and unfortunately this isn't the vehicle
• </c><00:06:40.639><c> is</c> I just don't know what that vehicle is I just don't know what that vehicle
• And now I'll take it out. vehicles can do it but not anybody vehicles can do it but not anybody else<
• </c><00:26:48.480><c> that's</c> still goes to finance that's still goes to finance that's correct<00
• fleets of 50 or more vehicles.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Finance. Officers the military training. Government.
• Finance. As in 46, for coverage, family, family medical leave. Finance. Finance. Finance. Finance.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 1035, right-to-work repeal, Finance.
• officer. with a motor vehicle causing injuries to the officer.
• Finance at 1:30 is Senate Hearing Room 1.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions, including Arizona agricultural producers and suppliers and sixth graders from James W. Rice Elementary School. The chamber then moved through a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bill references and committee reports, with no substantive debate on those items recorded in the transcript. The main floor action centered on Senate Resolution 1036, which was converted from a concurrent resolution to a Senate resolution and brought forward under a suspension of rules. The resolution condemned Attorney General Chris Mays for public comments about the use of force and law enforcement, and called on her to retract, clarify, and resign. Senators debated whether the resolution was a necessary public safety response or a politically motivated stunt, with supporters arguing Mays’ remarks endangered officers and opponents saying the resolution misquoted her and was being rushed without committee review or public input. A floor amendment was adopted, and after extended debate the Senate passed SR 1036 on a 17-13 vote. After the resolution vote, the Senate briefly returned to personal privileges, including an introduction of visitors connected to civics education, and then recessed and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026. The transcript does not show any other bill final actions beyond the SR 1036 vote and the routine referral and reporting of other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts, a new tool to help local governments finance the infrastructure that makes infill housing
• And financing for that infrastructure funding for that infrastructure, to me, to speak in opposition
• And financing for that infrastructure funding for that infrastructure, to me, Senator Seyarto: And financing
• I have Reed Addis from the Electric Vehicle Charging Association as my key witness.
• Read out on behalf of the Electric Vehicle Charging Association.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes everything from infrastructure to connected and autonomous vehicles.
• This, sir, is in effect system financing—regional mobility made possible by developing.
• registration and impound Texas vehicles for failure to pay that toll.
• Right now, and we plan on financing this project in 2026.
• System financing is relatively new, over the past maybe two decades.

Bills: HJR58 , HJR63 , HB263 , HB542 , HB905 , HB 1288 , HB1402 , HB2003 , HB2262 , HB2323 , HB2429 , HB2876 , HB3019 , HB263

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• for notice and affecting the revenues of the state under Rule 31 is referred to the Committee on Finance
• referred to the under rule 31 is referred to the committee<00:05:40.560><c> on</c><00:05:40.800><c> finance
• </c> committee on finance. committee on finance.
• Listen to the first reading of the bill. to motor vehicles, introduced by the to motor vehicles, introduced
• Now, the bill has been read vehicles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 137 in the finance report. Senate Bill 137 in the finance report.
• To the Finance Report.
• The Finance Committee Report is adopted.
• </c> added um probably in the finance added um probably in the finance committee<00:52:16.720><c> and
• </c><01:14:08.520><c> Any</c> Care Policy and Financing. Any Care Policy and Financing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> where the tabs are paid and what vehicle where the tabs are paid and what vehicle that<00:19:02.920
• Yes, that is the committee of jurisdiction over the finance. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
• Yes, that is the committee of jurisdiction over the finance. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
• </c> jurisdiction over the finance. jurisdiction over the finance. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.
• </c> re-referred to the public safety finance re-referred to the public safety finance and<00:31:13.440

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will open this session of the Senate Finance Committee. And our first...
• </c> came downstairs from the House Finance came downstairs from the House Finance Committee,<00:07:09.759
• Uh my name is Senate Finance Committee.
• , uh, Finance Committee,<00:35:40.000><c> Senate</c><00:35:40.400><c> Finance</c><00:35:40.880><c> Committee
• For Committee, Senate Finance Committee.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Finance. Courtney Mascall, Department of Finance. Thank you.
• recreational vehicles at nine state off-highway vehicle parks.
• Department of Finance. David Jensen with the Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance. Yeah, Andrew Hill, at the Department of Finance.