Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 852 by Senator Helming: An act to amend the real property tax law in relation to enacting
• the Homebuyer Renovation Property Tax Exemption Act.
• Senate Bill 9650 by Senator Kruger: An act to amend the real property tax law in relation to prohibiting
• commercial to residential, you're making a lot of changes, and they would have to meet the building code

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee met in Albany and considered a series of housing and homeownership bills. Early actions included reporting S.852 (Homebuyer Renovation Property Tax Exemption Act) to Finance, S.955 on smart access systems to Internet and Technology, and S.7933A on registrations of residential mortgages in default. The committee also advanced S.8675, the CAREforce First-Time Homebuyers Act, after a lengthy discussion about whether the bill inappropriately targets a specific workforce; supporters said it addresses a documented shortage of human services workers and includes existing SONYMA income eligibility, while opponents raised concerns about favoring one occupation over others. The bill was reported with some members in the negative and others voting to advance without recommendation. Members then reported S.9650, which would prohibit landlords from including incorrect rent decontrol information in certain leases and standardize notices for Affordable New York Housing Program units, and S.9679, which would codify the Block-by-Block Home Ownership Program in state law. Both had prior Senate history and drew some negative or AWR votes. The committee also discussed and advanced S.9742, which would allow residential units in multiple dwellings to omit openable windows if they meet ASHRAE ventilation standards; supporters said the change is needed to facilitate office-to-residential conversions, while members raised questions about maintenance, egress, and the bill’s limited application to localities under the multiple dwelling law. Finally, the committee reported S.989, establishing the vacant rental improvement program, after noting it had previously passed the Senate and was being reintroduced. Throughout the meeting, several bills were described as reintroductions or prior Senate measures, and multiple motions were made to report bills either to Finance, the floor, or another committee, with several members voting in the negative or to advance without recommendation on selected measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state with respect to the film tax the state with respect to the film tax credit<00:31:40.120
• that they just cost money total tax that they just cost money total tax credit<00:32:49.559>
• creative industry we oversee the tax creative industry we oversee the tax credit<00:36:59.240>
• R&D tax credit if you up the prer R&D tax credit if you up the prer production<00:49:14.640><
• and then that is what's ultimately taxed and then that is what's ultimately taxed and<01:16:32.920

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures on agriculture, energy, stadium governance, and hotel consumer protections. On SB 448 relating to agriculture, Agra Business Development Corporation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of a proposed conservation easement acquisition in Central Oahu; the chair asked follow-up questions about the exact location, cost, and agricultural potential of the land, and the witness said the parcel had good soil and water and was former pineapple land, with cost still to be provided. On SB 827 relating to meat processing, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the state needs more meat-processing capacity and that any grant program should complement, not compete with, existing efforts; the Attorney General’s office warned the bill lacked legally sufficient standards for grants of public money under the state constitution and offered draft standards. Several industry and chamber witnesses supported the measure, while discussion focused on the need for brick-and-mortar or modular facilities, infrastructure costs, federal inspection needs, and access for hunters and neighbor islands. The committee then took up SB 1269 relating to geothermal resources, which drew broad support from county officials, energy consultants, utility representatives, and community advocates, with one witness opposing it. Supporters described geothermal as a viable, indigenous, firm baseload energy source that could help reduce Hawaii’s high electricity costs and support clean energy goals; one witness emphasized prior work in New Zealand and another urged the state to move forward with exploration. A DBEDT representative explained that the department is coordinating geothermal-related work with the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Energy Office, noting a prior $3 million appropriation, phase-one community engagement work, and plans to seek a contractor for geoscience and exploration in phase two. Members pressed DBEDT to explain how this bill fits with other geothermal measures moving through different committees, and the chair asked the department to review SB 993 and better coordinate the package of geothermal bills. On SB 1337 relating to the Stadium Authority, the stadium manager testified in support of clarifying quorum rules, explaining that the authority currently has eight seated voting members out of nine possible voting seats and that the bill would help ensure voting members are counted for quorum; he said meetings have not been delayed. Finally, on SB 883 relating to hotels, the Attorney General’s office raised First Amendment and contract-law concerns and recommended adding a purpose statement and a non-impairment savings clause. Unite Here Local 5 and other supporters said guests should be notified of hotel service disruptions such as construction, closures, or labor disputes, while opponents questioned who would enforce the law, what penalties would apply, and whether the measure could require hotels to pay damages even without a complaint. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also have our Lake County Tax Collector and his deputy, Mr.
• Bar code 277-549. Remove lines 217 through 235 and insert an amendment.
• Bar code 885139. Remove lines 34 through 102 and insert an amendment.
• Bar code 716683. Remove lines 124 through 125 and insert an amendment.
• Access to health care should never depend on a zip code, and this is the bill.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are hurting because of the taxes imposed on them.
• I ask for an I corporate bodies taxes. I ask for an I vote. vote. vote.
• To support these pieces of code into our law, I say, respectively, bring them again.
• To support these pieces of code into our law, I say, respectively, bring them again.
• c> that<01:48:11.440> order Until our code reflects that order Until our code reflects that

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the people who paid their taxes, really high property taxes, I think they deserve a break.
• <02:00:25.920> by people who didn't pay their taxes by people who didn't pay their taxes by
• their taxes, really high property<02:00:31.280> taxes,<02:00:32.560> they<02:00:32.800
• <03:18:07.359> that because they're the payroll taxes that because they're the payroll taxes
• And you know I look at tax and so on.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• income caps to make sure that the tax income caps to make sure that the tax credits<02:30:27.920
• <02:31:07.439> or deficit or having to raise taxes or deficit or having to raise taxes or
• Taxes. California is number one.
• tax rate of any state in the country. tax rate of any state in the country.
• <02:46:05.680> insistence<02:46:06.160> on taxes and regulations and insistence on taxes

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• homes are built to a federal HUD code homes are built to a federal HUD code which<00:42:55.760><
• non-code area a private or the state so non-code area a private or the state so one<01:11:26.520>
• Building Code uh to comply with as far Building Code uh to comply with as far as<01:15:05.239> the
• <01:15:17.600> um so it's it's not the same code um so it's it's not the same code um modifying
• These homes are a part of the State Building Code.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• o'clock in the morning trying to cut and paste why kids in certain school districts and certain zip codes
• what I wanted to do was actually expand my dashboard to be much more inclusive of the different zip codes
• And so they had a large tax bill. And what was happening then is that their other staff...
• Coleman and had everything to do with a tax situation that A.E.J.G. With Mr. Coleman?
• It had everything to do with a tax situation that A.E.J.G. was in? Yeah, Mr.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• :07.640> complete<00:21:08.080> at<00:21:08.280> this Charles Bush, we expect code
• expect Charles Bush uh we expect code review<00:21:25.600> uh<00:21:26.000> this<00:21
• You start talking about tax base and people leaving the community.
• base and people leaving the about tax base and people leaving the community<00:41:20.160> and
• <00:44:18.920> base<00:44:19.319> and<00:44:19.520> and his population is tax

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 Capitol Renovations Update 00:00:40 Damage from Recent Disaster Discussion 00:33:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $1 billion in state and local taxes every single year.
• We need to make California affordable by rolling back the disastrous policies, regulations and taxes
• more in federal taxes than we get back.
• Speaker, was the letter that was just read, will any of that the tax be in the legislation itself.
• Because it doesn't have the amendments that are required to protect our tax dollars.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The county auditor calculates taxes and computes the tax, and lastly the county treasurer mails the tax
• tax the property tax timeline is unique tax the property tax timeline is unique in<00:05:27.600>
• including this gross tax and other taxes including this gross tax and other taxes including the<00
• the Minnesota um tax taxing districts in the Minnesota um tax taxing districts in the state<01:09
• taxing authorities from the tax base the taxing authorities from the tax base that<01:17:18.000>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• …in state and local taxes, while contributing another $26 million to support local charities.
• A 4015 is the New Jersey Kids Code Act.
• We see that in terms of our property tax burdens being...
• So are things like property taxes included in that algorithm?
• I mean, we have the highest property taxes in the country, so...

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• tax, it's put into the special fund to be used to reinvest in tourism in the state.
• Tourism brings tax dollars into the state.
• Tourism brings tax dollars into the state, and I think that's why it's important.
• You pay the taxes because you couldn't get the taxes paid for a little while.
• Finally got the taxes paid. I want to go in and get legal.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the House Journal for the 64th day by a 125-0 roll call vote, and then spent much of the morning on personal privileges and introductions of guests, interns, students, and special recognitions. Members welcomed school groups, interns, a Savannah Bananas guest, and several family members, and also noted birthdays and Mother’s Day greetings. On legislation, the chamber first agreed to go to conference on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1421, appointing a House conference committee. The House then took up Senate Bill 1000, which reauthorizes the Missouri Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund and updates outdated tourism funding language; members from both parties spoke in support of tourism as an economic driver, and the bill passed 136-6. The House also considered House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1020, an omnibus Department of Revenue bill addressing fee office contracting, vehicle registration and related penalties, Real ID document retention, five-year license plates, and emissions-related provisions. Members adopted amendments reducing late-registration penalties, making document retention opt-in, restoring a five-year plate option, and removing cosmetic damage as a basis for rejecting rebuilt vehicles; despite debate over emissions testing and air quality, the bill passed 130-10. The chamber then moved to House Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 835 and 1111, a combined judiciary/civil legislation package. Members described it as a vehicle for several vetted measures, including anti-assignment-of-benefits language for insurance claims, the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, and court administration changes such as workers’ compensation procedures, judgeships, automation fees, law library surcharges, and expungement fund provisions. Amendments were offered and adopted to adjust attorney-fee language in the anti-SLAPP provisions and to add a St. Louis police legal-expense-fund provision, though the latter drew objections over procedure and whether it had received a hearing. The transcript cuts off while debate on that amendment is still underway, and no final vote on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, Republicans can give tax breaks to their millionaire buddies.
• Also, Republicans can give tax breaks to their millionaire buddies.
• that are being um funded by your tax that are being um funded by your tax dollars<03:12:11.319><
• > dollars dollars I understand your tax dollars dollars I understand your tax dollars these<03
• A perfect example would be Section 42 low-income tax credits.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 27, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Navajo and a daughter of a Navajo code talker.
• I'm also a daughter of a Navajo code talker, and that's how I got to meet Jean. ...a daughter of a Navajo
• code talker, and that's how I got to meet Jean through that organization when she was the secretary
• Currently, when we take into account the senior severance tax bond money that we have and the Water Trust

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Police pay take up Amendment bar code 2, 4, 3, 0, 0, 6, Thank you so much, Mister Chair and and committee
• Please take up Amendment bar code 9, 1, to 704. You're recognized.
• The Amendment bar code 8, 4, 8, 3, 9, 6, by Senator Rodriguez, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Mr.
• high quality wetlands and allows the parcel to be used for its highest and best use and return to the tax

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• underreporting of crashes involving distracted drivers, including differences in police crash report coding
• underreporting of crashes involving distracted drivers, including differences in police crash report coding
• , "Neither court cost nor fees<00:41:42.640> shall<00:41:42.880> be<00:41:43.040> taxed
• c><00:41:43.359> against<00:41:43.680> any<00:41:43.920> person fees shall be taxed
• against any person fees shall be taxed against any person violating<00:41:45.359> paragraph<00

Keywords: 01:09 Roll Call 02:11 SB 7 12:42 SB 7 Vote 13:48 SB 30 17:26 SB 30 Vote 19:56 SB 28 46:35 SB 28 vote, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for its first meeting of the 2026 regular session, welcomed new member Senator Gary Clemens and an intern, established a quorum, and took up several bills. Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Senator Aaron Reid, would let counties voluntarily handle driver’s license renewals and duplicates locally through county clerks, circuit clerks, sheriffs, or county judge/executive offices, with a $25 convenience fee retained locally and interlocal agreements allowed. Reid said the bill was meant to address long travel distances, long lines, and delays, especially in rural areas, and emphasized it was not a mandate or an unfunded requirement. Senators asked about fraud, local interest, and stakeholder views; Reid said the bill would not directly change fraud but would increase local accountability, and he said most agencies were neutral or supportive. The committee reported SB 7 favorably with a “shall pass” recommendation on a roll call vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 30, also sponsored by Senator Greg Elkins, a cleanup bill for the Motor Vehicle Commission that would allow restricted funds from license fees to carry forward from one fiscal year to the next instead of lapsing. Elkins said the change would let the commission use its own fee revenue for operations in future years, and the chair noted the commission’s work on dealer regulation and lemon law cases. Senator Burke asked what happened to the money under current law and whether there would be a cap on accumulation; Elkins said the bill would simply allow carryforward and did not set a cap. The committee approved SB 30 favorably with a “shall pass” recommendation. Finally, Vice Chair Douglas introduced Senate Bill 28, a hands-free/distracted driving bill sponsored by Senator Jimmy Higdon. Higdon said the measure was revised from prior versions to address concerns raised last year and would prohibit drivers from holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while driving, while still allowing hands-free use, navigation, emergency reporting, and certain device functions. He cited safety research, support from advocates, and the death of Kimberly Burns in a distracted-driving crash as motivation for the bill. The proposal also included enforcement limits, a $100 fine, no license points, signage at highway entry points, and distribution of fine revenue to trauma and veterans-related funds. The transcript cuts off during Higdon’s presentation before any committee questions or action on SB 28 are shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, did you know that March is designated by Virginia as Tax Withholding and Employer Contribution
• Sure, no new taxes, but just three new cost mandates on every employee.
• This bill does not tax your fantasy sports office pools, just so you know.
• And like sports betting now, it will have a 10% tax rate... Actually, it's 15%.
• And like sports betting now, it will have a 10% tax rate... Actually, it's 15%.

Keywords: March 13, 2026 - Regular Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, what you have before you today for consideration is a sales and use tax exemption for a 501(
• of<00:14:37.920> sales<00:14:38.160> and<00:14:38.399> use<00:14:38.639> tax
• for consideration of sales and use tax for consideration of sales and use tax exemption<00:14:39.440
• It does not exempt their sales tax, only the state. >> Okay.
• That's handled in Alabama's tax code, so we just removed all that unnecessary language from the bill.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• code does not punish them for receiving disability compensation.
• States that do not tax military retirement pay. Yes, we've had some movement.
• Danny Kando Kaiser here on behalf of the California Tax Reform Association.
• and fair tax base for the state and local government.
• and sales taxes and all the other things that will not only replace this tax benefit, but beyond that

Keywords: 988, house, all