Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here representing the New Mexico chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association.
• It was more coded better in law.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the policy must also address and outline to its officers the ongoing standards enumerated in this chapter
• the policy must also address and outline to its officers the ongoing standards enumerated in this chapter
• the policy must also address and outline to its officers the ongoing standards enumerated in this chapter
• 01:28:12.080> enumerated<01:28:12.719> in<01:28:12.880> this<01:28:13.120> chapter
• <01:28:13.760> the standards enumerated in this chapter the standards enumerated in this chapter

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, chapter 317A, the nonprofit corporations act, chapter 508, the Torrens Act, 308B, the Cooperative
• Uh, chapter 317A, the areas of law.
• > chapter<00:11:02.399> 508, nonprofit corporations act, chapter 508, nonprofit corporations
• So, there's no chapter government data.
• So, there's no chapter 13<02:37:21.120> implication<02:37:21.680> here.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And currently, we are earning zero in tax revenue from the sale of EVTOLs.
• So this is not a new tax exemption that we are talking about.
• of an EVTOL aircraft from a manufacturer to an operator is exempt from sales tax and use tax.
• of an EVTOL aircraft from a manufacturer to an operator is exempt from sales tax and use tax.
• You talked about Chapter 27, I think, as the boating statute.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered a series of bills, beginning with SB 266, which would exempt sales and use tax on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sold from manufacturers to operators. Senator Harold said the measure is intended to help Florida attract an advanced air mobility industry and create jobs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of EVTOL aircraft and excluding drones, then reported the bill favorably. SB 350, by Senator DeSigley, was also reported favorably after a minor amendment; it allows local governments to permit vehicles to travel slowly on flooded streets without being treated as unlawfully impeding traffic. Supporters from the Florida PBA and Florida League of Cities waived in support. The committee next approved SB 706, designating part of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway. SB 628, Lucy’s Law, was heard with extensive emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s parents and others. The bill strengthens boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless boating, requiring boating safety education after certain violations, and aligning some boating penalties more closely with motor vehicle laws. A substitute amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 872, dealing with county and municipal price controls for the removal and storage of electric vehicles, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from towing industry representatives about the added costs and storage constraints posed by damaged EVs; the Florida Insurance Council spoke in opposition. The committee then approved SB 650, which expands hazardous walking condition criteria for elementary school students to include walkways along freeways, ramps, and interchanges, regardless of speed limit. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated substantial testimony from safety advocates and families affected by distracted driving; it would rename Florida’s texting law as a hands-free driving law and prohibit handheld use of wireless devices while driving. The committee also passed SB 994, increasing driver education requirements for standard and learner’s licenses, and SB 662, designating a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street. Several senators recorded affirmative votes on bills after the roll calls, and the meeting adjourned after all listed measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not creating a new tax.
• So, so is there a tax now that's in place? Because... So is there a tax now that's in place?
• Because it has ballot language here for to vote a tax, a sales tax.
• Now, I don't know what we're—are we talking about tax credits? Are we talking about sales tax?
• Old people who pay sales tax. If a sales tax is created, it would. Okay.” “Okay.

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session with a quorum present and took up House Bill 2379, first adopting a pre-distributed House Committee Substitute with no amendments. The sponsor explained that the substitute was revised to align with Senate language and would clarify definitions, limit applicability to certain counties, rename the fund the Early Childhood Education Fund, broaden eligible uses to include child care services, move fund custody to the county treasurer, expand eligible recipients, and prioritize children with the greatest financial need. Most of the discussion focused on how the bill would work in practice. Members asked whether the measure created a new tax; the sponsor repeatedly said it did not, but instead would govern how any local sales tax for early childhood education, if approved by voters in St. Louis City or St. Louis County, would be deposited and spent. Supporters said the bill would add transparency and ensure funds are dedicated to early childhood purposes rather than diverted to general revenue or other uses. Some members raised concerns about taxpayers, including seniors, paying a tax from which they would not directly benefit, while others said the bill simply clarifies management of already authorized local tax authority. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute by voice vote and then voted on the bill itself. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2379 was reported do pass by a roll call vote of seven ayes and two nos. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The question will be whether we will build them in certain areas here where we can get some job and tax
• <01:24:45.120> Project<01:24:45.520> Bigfoot, under code names.
• Project Bigfoot, under code names.
• It's chapter 13.
• It's chapter 13.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, it's merely a tax definition.
• It's just a tax status. Thanks. Yeah, thank you.
• <00:18:22.840> status right it's just a tax status right it's just a tax status thanks<00:
• nonprofit that's that that's their tax nonprofit that's that that's their tax status status status
• that this is um from chapter that this is um from chapter 41<01:32:33.960> we<01:32:34.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As an overview of our charge, Section 148 of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 established the Special
• these firearms, a majority of commissioners recommend that the Massachusetts General Court pursue sales tax
• commission recommends the Commonwealth study the rate of personalized firearm purchases during the sales tax
• I should note that the charge of this commission listed tax incentives as one of the possible ways to
• We will now read the second option: creating a sales tax exemption which sunsets after five years for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology held its final meeting to consider and vote on its report. The chairs reviewed the commission’s charge under the 2024 act to study intentional firearm microstamping and personalized firearms (“smart guns”), and noted that a dissenting policy brief from Senator Durant and Representative Berthiaume, as well as a report from Commissioner Lazot on microstamps, would be appended to the final report. On microstamping, the commission recommended that the General Court pursue legislation modeled on California and New York. The proposal would direct EOPSS to study feasibility and viability, set testing standards, require newly registered semi-automatic handguns to include microstamping once feasibility is established, create penalties for noncompliant manufacturers and for tampering, establish training/licensure for servicing microstamp-enabled firearms, and provide funding for implementation. The recommendation passed 9-3 with one abstention. On personalized firearms, the commission endorsed tax incentives to encourage purchase, including a five-year sales tax exemption for personalized firearms. Two versions were approved: one without a trade-in requirement, which passed 10-2 with one abstention, and one with a trade-in of a non-personalized firearm, which passed 7-5 with one abstention. The commission then unanimously enough approved the final report itself, voting 8-3 with two abstentions to submit it to the General Court and conclude its work.

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends tax code Section 151.462B repealing the requirement to include UPC in the RTS reports.
• For instance, Texas tax code, uh, 151.309 exempts political subdivisions from paying sales taxes.
• The MGRT, uh, defect in the tax code als also subjects individual taxes, uh, Texans to double or even
• These cemeteries were put up for sale due to a discrepancy between codes, as Section 1117 of the tax
• Nevertheless, this assumption of ownership within the tax code has led the comptroller's office.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll be speaking to the overarching comments but we also have little sub chapters on each chapter of
• You know, you all built a bond that has numerous chapters on several priorities.
• also, and the governor's directed us to advance what's called Zone Zero, which is really the next chapter
• I'm commenting on prop 4 chapter 8 Which has 700 million dollars for parks and access which is a very
• We want to make sure to encourage the committee to dedicate all of the funds in that chapter, except

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to work, they they pay taxes. to work, they they pay taxes.
• <01:46:37.840> and tax and tax and land. land. land.
• Um, for any employee who is offering this, they do get a tax credit against their business taxes.
• Or for this chapter, right?
• <01:59:49.480> RSA for chapter RSA for chapter RSA 149M,<01:59:52.800> right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:37.000> which<00:15:37.120> is local state or federal taxes which is local state
• of the Minnesota Farmers Union chapter of the Minnesota Farmers Union I'm<00:20:00.320> also<
• will change but that particular chapter will change but that particular chapter is<00:30:48.600>
• you go to the chapter it says it's<00:31:56.279> specific<00:31:56.840> so<00:31:57.320
• <00:48:12.800> 260c is because it references uh chapter 260c is because it references uh chapter

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that incap dominium did there was tax that incap dominium did there was tax credits<00:15:43.839
• We also used low-income housing tax credits.
• We also used low-income housing tax credits.
• We also used low-income housing tax credits.
• We also used low-income housing tax credits.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard presentations focused on public housing and related funding needs, with testimony from Minnesota NAHRO and several local housing authorities. Melissa Taphorn described the role of housing authorities statewide, including public housing, vouchers, CDBG/HOME funds, Bridges, and HEAT, and emphasized that public housing serves over 36,000 low-income Minnesotans, many of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, or children. She said federal operating and capital funds are insufficient, creating deferred maintenance backlogs, and noted that Minnesota’s public housing capital needs over a five-year period were about $500 million, with nearly $200 million unmet. She also discussed federal uncertainty, including a recent HUD funding freeze notice, possible changes to fair housing requirements, RAD repositioning options, and Build America, Buy America costs. Committee members asked about tenant rent calculations and the populations served. Testimony clarified that public housing residents generally pay 30% of monthly income, with utility allowances factored in, and that the average tenant rent in Minnesota is about $399. Members also heard that about 65% of public housing households are seniors or people with disabilities, while about 35% are families. The committee then heard examples of how state POP grants have been used to preserve public housing stock. Kurt Kina of the Red Wing HRA described multiple POP-funded projects that replaced windows, upgraded heating and cooling, and modernized electrical systems in a 100-resident high-rise, saying the work was essential to keep the building viable. Louise Siba of the St. Paul PHA testified that St. Paul’s authority serves nearly 22,000 people through more than 4,200 public housing units and over 5,200 vouchers, with most townhomes and high-rises serving elderly or disabled residents. She said St. Paul PHA has received nearly $16 million in POP funding since 2012, including about $8.5 million last year, and that those funds enabled major life-safety and modernization projects such as the Denan Terrace renovation and boiler, plumbing, and interior upgrades in high-rises. Jill Keers of the Duluth HRA described a broader set of housing programs, including vouchers, rehab loans, emergency repair funds, construction training, and development. She said Duluth HRA is adding 128 housing units between 2023 and 2025, including mixed-income rentals, senior housing, and family townhomes, and stressed that state investment through POP and other programs is necessary to keep housing affordable and safe.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we are begging for tax cuts and tax cuts for corporations, for stop.
• When we are begging for tax When we are begging for tax cuts<00:22:07.919> and<00:22:08.799
• tax cuts, we can just blanket say that.
• Nothing to be proud of, but at least we're able to close this chapter.
• Nothing to be proud of, but at least we're able to close this chapter.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Payroll totals were provided to a CPA to prepare tax reports net of tax.
• No taxes were withheld from payroll checks.
• Payroll totals were provided to a CPA to prepare tax reports net of tax.
• No. were provided to a CPA to prepare tax reports net of tax.
• The sales tax monies that he’s referring to are general sales tax money, so they can be moved.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We now have a report from the committee on budget and tax. Uh, this is report number three.
• Uh, Chair of Budget and Tax. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, guess right after session.
• the documentary called Rosenwald to educate people about this extraordinary and too little known chapter
• <00:25:54.960> known extraordinary and too little known extraordinary and too little known chapter
• chapter in our civil rights history. chapter in our civil rights history.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, February 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Friday, February 27, with an invocation by Reverend Howard Travers and several guest introductions, including family members, defense organization leaders, a South Asian Herald editor, Eagleton Institute fellows, and physicians from Johns Hopkins. The chamber journalized the prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved into bill introductions, House messages, and committee reports. Several measures were advanced without objection, including Senate Bill 338 to extend a work group report deadline on transfer of retirement system member services, Senate Bill 448 authorizing Carroll County public facilities bonds up to $27 million, Senate Bill 453 clarifying that the Arabian horse race associated with Preakness can be run at Laurel Park, Senate Bill 614 allowing Dorchester County detention officers to join the correctional officers retirement system if the county opts in, and Senate Bill 724 making a technical emergency adjustment to cost-of-living calculations for retirees because October CPI data was unavailable during a government shutdown. Each of those bills received favorable committee reports and was ordered printed for third reading after no objections or amendments were offered. Two bills were postponed for later consideration: Senate Bill 538 on Baltimore City raffles tied to organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams was special ordered to Wednesday of the following week, and Senate Bill 108 on water resources and wetlands enforcement was special ordered to March 3 while members worked on possible amendments. Senate Bill 56 on the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center and third-party data sharing was also special ordered to the following Wednesday because committee discussion was ongoing. House Bill 6 and House Bill 372 were received and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate also took up Executive Nominations Committee Report No. 3 and, after no nominations were separated out, confirmed the executive nominations by a vote of 41 in the affirmative. Later, the chamber heard a personal privilege statement from a Montgomery County senator about Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald schools in Maryland, highlighting preservation efforts and an upcoming Scrabble tournament fundraiser at a Rosenwald school. The Senate then confirmed a quorum, and the Majority Leader moved that the Senate stand in recess until Monday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:38:05.080> 37, Section three amends 6 VSA chapter 37, Section three amends 6 VSA chapter
• <00:41:55.200> is compliance with this chapter is compliance with this chapter is unreasonable
• administer this chapter. administer this chapter.
• this chapter is a fine of up to $500. this chapter is a fine of up to $500.
• <00:58:43.920> in H. 410 also creates a new chapter in H. 410 also creates a new chapter in

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with routine business, including referral of Senate Bill 211 on motor vehicle inspections to the Transportation Committee and Senate Bill 298 creating the Vermont Voting Rights Act to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. The chamber also referred House bills reported by Ways and Means to Appropriations, including H. 211 on data brokers and personal information and H. 931 on miscellaneous education law changes. JRH9, a joint resolution urging the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to reconsider its opposition to rapid prompting method communication instruction for students with apraxia of speech or autism, was read and referred to Human Services. Several announcements followed, including a welcome to members of the Vermont chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, a reminder about an education reform meeting, and a correction regarding a prior reference to S. 138 of 2023 and the working group on student protections from harassment and discrimination in schools. The House also recognized guests in the gallery, including Donnie Kanovsky, who was described as a proponent of JRH9. The Speaker announced that H. 606 on firearms procedures, H. 642 on youthful offender proceedings, and later H. 585 would be bumped to later in the calendar. The House then took up H. 537, the right to grow vegetable gardens. The committee explained the bill would protect vegetable gardening in common interest communities and rental housing, while allowing reasonable restrictions and landlord or association oversight; witnesses included a South Burlington resident, HOA and landlord representatives, and legislative counsel. The committee reported an 8-0-0 vote, the House adopted the committee amendment, and ordered third reading. The chamber then passed H. 171 on Attorney General investigations into a law enforcement officer’s use of a firearm and H. 519 allowing Randolph police officers to enroll in Group C of the state retirement system. The House also passed H. 536 on toxic heavy metals in baby food products after extended debate over whether infant formula should be included. Supporters said the bill would help parents make informed choices and noted the amendment was intended to align with federal action; opponents argued formula-specific federal work was still underway and urged waiting. The chamber then passed H. 550 on gender equity in correctional facilities, H. 733 on franchise agreements, H. 775 on housing production tools, H. 887 on crime victim status under the Fair Employment Practices Act, H. 917 on military affairs, and H. 921 on alcoholic beverages. Action on H. 930 addressing chronic absenteeism was postponed one legislative day, and H. 942 on miscellaneous agricultural subjects began second reading with the committee outlining sections on water quality training, non-sewage waste management, and unit pricing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It increases the transient accommodations tax rates by 1 percentage point.
• chair Eliza from the Department of tax chair Eliza from the Department of tax we<00:11:40.240>
• we we move forward with yet another tax we we move forward with yet another tax increase<00:12:10.760
• Next up, we have the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.
• tax accommodation Transit 2026 increases tax accommodation Transit Accommodations<00:16:04.880> Tax

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism, Housing, and Economic Development and Technology began with House Bill 604, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by 1 percentage point starting January 1, 2026 and direct the revenue to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a source of consistent funding, while the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed it, warning that Hawaii already has very high tourism taxes and that further increases could hurt visitors, workers, and the broader economy. The committees later voted to pass HB 604 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date; the vote was adopted, with one member noted as having reservations in the housing committee vote and one no vote in that committee. The committees then heard House Bill 973, which would require transient accommodations brokers and others to display all resort fees, taxes, and government-imposed charges upfront in advertised prices and would establish penalties. The Office of Consumer Protection expressed concerns about the bill’s intent requirement and noted a forthcoming federal FTC rule on junk fees; the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the measure as promoting transparency and uniformity, and a public witness also supported price transparency while questioning the size of the penalties. After questions about federal rescission of the FTC rule and enforcement authority, the committees voted to pass HB 973 with amendments as an HD1, including removal of the intent requirement and technical changes, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. House Bill 594, relating to hotel service disruptions, would require hotel keepers to give notice of disruptions to guests and third-party vendors and allow damages. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to add a purpose section and savings clause to address First Amendment and contract clause issues, and Unite Here Local 5 supported the bill, saying guests are not always notified of disruptions and that the measure would improve transparency; the union agreed with the legal amendments. The committees voted to pass HB 594 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date, adopting the recommendation. The final measures were House Bill 448 and House Bill 449, both related to technology enablement and economic development for small businesses, including tourism-related businesses. HTDC strongly supported both bills but emphasized that technology should be targeted to the actual problem and coordinated with sister agencies rather than applied broadly; the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce also supported HB 448, and HB 449 received support from HTDC and HFIA. The committees adopted amendments to HB 448, including moving a $250,000 appropriation to the committee report, and to HB 449, including deleting duplicative language tied to HB 448 and moving a $500,000 appropriation to the committee report; both bills were passed as HD1s with deferred dates, and the hearing adjourned after the votes were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:56.559> tax<00:51:56.720> ation<00:51:56.880> board<00:51:57.079>
• of appeal before the tax tax ation board of appeal before the tax tax ation board of review<00:51
• :51:58.920> first<00:51:59.200> off<00:51:59.359> on review or tax appeals court
• <00:53:48.880> Foundation<00:53:49.280> ofo the court and as the tax Foundation ofo
• injuries negligent inflicted by tax injuries negligent inflicted by tax toxicated toxicated toxicated

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken. SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases. The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here representing the New Mexico chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association.
• This is all laid out by the code. I mean, not the code, I'm sorry, by their rules.
• So all of the dollars that we receive and that we spend are public dollars, their tax dollars.

Bills: SB246, SB146, SB300, SB301, SB309, SM17

Keywords: massage therapy, licensure, health and safety standards, continuing education, establishment licensing, civil rights, sovereign immunity, damages, public body, lawsuit limitations, legal notice, child welfare, computing infrastructure, data management, Department of Health, appropriation, foster care, Indian children, cultural competency, training services