Transcript Highlights:

• I know there's other legislation around capping out-of-state students.
• President salaries are capped at $200,000 with public dollars.
• But how much we spend on public dollars, that is capped at $200,000.
• So our institutions, they do vary, but that's why we have a system-wide cap, right?
• As a reminder, we have A system-wide cap of 10% of our system-wide students are from out of state, okay

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to pass legislation, and we've begun working on this with a 3.5% cap on spending. we need to
• Yes. was the appraisal cap down a few percent for all graduates.
• The appraisal cap eventually... only raises taxes.
• In fact, New Jersey has a 4% appraisal of cap and they have the highest property taxes in the country
• They don't move because they don't want to lose their cap and have it go up.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not actually looking to increase their FTE cap.
• So currently my position is at the cap within group two.
• group 5's proposed maximum cap in House Bill 1.
• You have to get caps, you have to update caps, create those new strategies and caps.
• Additionally, there's no recommended changes to the agency's staffing cap.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's subject to annual caps each year. It's subject to annual caps each year.
• an advalorum property tax credit capped an advalorum property tax credit capped at<00:56:42.640>
• It does not raise the cap. The cap remains the same.
• the not raise the cap.
• The cap remains the not raise the cap.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer by Reverend Max Smith of Jesus Name Tabernacle in Florence, and then led the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber quickly dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee reports, and then spent much of the morning recognizing guests, including multiple FFA groups, the Mississippi FFA state officer team, the Mississippi Food Bank Collaborative, optometrists visiting for Optometry Day, and representatives from engineering and fire service organizations. On the calendar, the Senate took up several finance-related bills. Senate Bill 2824, extending deadlines related to renewable energy fee-in-lieu agreements and construction start dates, was explained and adopted, then passed by use of the morning roll call with three no votes and one present. Senate Bill 2867, revising the income tax credit for employer-provided dependent child care or child care stipends, was explained as a targeted, capped credit for actual employer spending on licensed child care; it was adopted and passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 3109, clarifying that a nonprofit leasing and managing LaFleur’s Bluff State Park land is not subject to ad valorem taxes on state-owned park land, was adopted and passed by morning roll call with one no vote. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 2840, which would provide a 75% rebate or sales tax credit related to inventory taxes and eliminate local privilege taxes. After extended discussion, the committee substitute was adopted, a reverse repealer amendment was added, and the bill passed by morning roll call with one no vote. Senators discussed the burden of inventory taxes on retailers and the need for more data before fully implementing the proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 2868, creating a tax credit tied to employer contributions for individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs), was introduced and explained as a way to encourage employer-supported health coverage for small and midsize businesses; the transcript cuts off during the explanation before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, a recommendation to increase the current cap on retail licenses from three to six licenses, scaled
• We have heard from many in the industry about the difficulty the cap presents for small and social equity
• Next, the bill expands and provides an exemption to the cap for trustees of employee-owned businesses
• We are also increasing the marijuana establishment license cap, allowing licensees to hold up to six
• This provides greater opportunity for growth and market participation, and crucially, the license cap

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed students from the Frederick C. Murphy School in Weymouth, along with other guests introduced by members. The chamber then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including proposals on alcohol labeling for beers consumed on premises, parity in funding for regional vocational and traditional public schools, and legal protections for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The main floor business was House No. 4187, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Laws, reported by Ways and Means as a substitute bill. Members speaking in support described it as a comprehensive overhaul of the Cannabis Control Commission and the state’s cannabis and hemp regulatory framework. The bill would reduce and restructure the CCC, expand options for cannabis businesses and social equity operators, raise license and ownership caps, remove the vertical integration requirement for medical marijuana, and create stronger rules for hemp and CBD products, including a ban on unregulated intoxicating hemp products and a new regulatory structure for allowable hemp beverages and CBD items. Several amendments were offered and adopted by roll call, including changes narrowing the hemp beverage ban from 11 ounces to 7.5 ounces, requiring out-of-state testing labs to be certified in good standing with the commission, and other technical revisions. After debate, the House passed H. 4187 to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 153-0. The chamber also passed to be engrossed two sick leave bank bills, for Andrew Satara and Dana Johnson, and ordered House No. 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Wenaka, to a third reading. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• proposal which would the the kind of main feature of the governor's proposal is that it would raise the cap
• state relative to the governor's budget level so we have two recommendations the first is to raise the cap
• We think that an emphasis on the the most volatile sources of revenue whether it be cap gains or a broader
• examples from other states and as the LAO has pointed out but our volatility derives not just from cap
• Yeah, the voluntary option was always available, except with the cap, it wasn't.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cap has been eradicated.
• The cap has been eradicated.
• The the cap has been eradicated. The the cap has been eradicated.
• If you're going to go with this with the cap of 60 or any cap of one and a half or the current cap of
• of 60 or any cap of one and a half cap of 60 or any cap of one and a half or<01:05:47.200> the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:41.000> in, put a cap in because if we put a cap in, put a cap in because if we put
• a cap in, that<00:21:41.840> cap<00:21:42.320> could<00:21:43.200> exceed<00:21
• And the original amendment had 3,000 cap And the original amendment had 3,000 cap for<00:30:11.360>
• So, um >> But is 3,000 capped? >> But is 3,000 capped?
• <01:54:03.480> on<01:54:03.760> um um caps on um um caps on um on<01:54:05.120>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cap in Senate file 69, right? cap in Senate file 69, right?
• I believe that's million cap on there.
• <00:20:29.440> So, cap on that. So, cap on that.
• So, um you know, that<01:09:04.560> cap<01:09:04.880> is<01:09:05.120> is that cap
• <01:11:14.960> Is moved that we repeal the 4% cap. Is moved that we repeal the 4% cap.

Bills: SF0110, SF0044, SF0046

Keywords: property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And why is the maximum amount a person who is innocently harmed is capped at $500,000?
• That is not capped. If a person is injured, right, that is not capped.
• Only the general damages is capped. Is that correct? The general damages.
• I'm talking about the $500,000 cap. You said that's increased. When did it increase?
• Have we looked at Texas as far as the cap and the amount of cap that they have?

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a 20% co-pay for outpatient coverage and there's no cap on that.
• there are no caps on Medicaid Medicare. there are no caps on Medicaid Medicare.
• outpatient coverage and there's no cap outpatient coverage and there's no cap on<00:08:46.080>
• <00:08:56.480> So, hospital and there's no cap on that.
• So, hospital and there's no cap on that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a cap?
• Is there a cap?
• Is there a cap?
• Is there a cap?
• Is there a cap?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Tax Expenditure Review Commission met on June 17, 2026, approved the January 20, 2026 minutes, and then adopted updated commission procedures. The procedural changes, presented by Legislative Budget Office Director Christian Larson, required a quorum of voting members to complete evaluations before a formal recommendation vote, and allowed members to bundle or unbundle tax expenditures for voting. The commission approved the revised procedures by roll call vote, with five ayes and four excused. The commission then reviewed member evaluation summaries for tax expenditures presented in December 2025 and January 2026. It first considered the alcoholic beverage tax credits for small brewers and microdistilleries, and after discussion voted to recommend repeal of those two expenditures, while leaving the small winery credit for a later meeting because it lacked enough member responses under the new procedures. The vote on the repeal recommendation passed 4-1, with Commissioner Marquart voting no. The commission next approved the lawful gambling bundle, which included bingo, raffle, and related exemptions. Larson reported that most members recommended continuation for each item, and the commission voted to recommend continuing all six lawful gambling expenditures. It then reviewed the residential utility services bundle—residential heating fuels, residential water services, and sewer services—where members generally favored continuation but several noted possible modifications or caps for higher-income users; the commission voted to recommend continuation of the bundle. Finally, the commission reviewed the data center equipment sales tax exemption, which Larson said had an estimated annual revenue loss of $95 million and was intended to create jobs in construction and data center industries. Members raised questions about its effectiveness and whether the exemption should be modified or capped, but the commission ultimately voted to recommend continuation. The meeting concluded with these recommendations set to be included in the commission’s 2026 annual report.

Transcript Highlights:

• the $500 as a cap if that is the intent. the $500 as a cap if that is the intent.
• Aggregate the cap. Okay. >> To $500 at max. >> No.
• >> Are you going to aggregate the cap? >> Are you going to aggregate the cap?
• Aggregate the cap. Okay. >> Yes. Aggregate the cap. Okay.
• tax $500 aggregate cap plus the new<00:49:07.680> dates.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services opened its first hearing of the 2026 session and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing one-minute testimony, written submissions, and live streaming. For SB 768, relating to an alternative water source income tax credit, the Department of Taxation said a drafting issue needed clarification on the $500 cap and estimated a revenue loss of $6.8 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2028. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Libertarian Party opposed the bill as an unnecessary subsidy and tax-code complication, while one supporter was noted. A member questioned the size of the projected loss and suggested future analysis of net fiscal impacts and methodology. The committee then heard SB 389, which expands a general excise tax exemption to additional health-related providers and purchases. The Department of Taxation said the change would be a minimal code adjustment but would require public education; the Tax Foundation said the bill should be framed in light of the original physician-shortage rationale for the exemption. The Hawaii National Guard and Aloha Care supported the measure, along with several other organizations and individuals, while the Libertarian Party opposed it as favoritism and tax-code complexity. A member asked about administrative burden and potential tax impact, and the department said it did not yet have a calculation but was working on one. The committee also heard SB 877, which would appropriate funds to increase Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are maximized, and SB 1139, which would direct DHS to expand Medicaid eligibility for children from birth to age five regardless of household income. DHS stood on written testimony for both bills, and Aloha Care, the Hawaii Medical Association, disability advocates, children’s advocates, and CARES testified in support, arguing the measures would improve access and family stability. The Libertarian Party opposed both bills, warning of higher long-term costs, entitlement growth, and reduced private-sector options. Members questioned the fiscal and programmatic differences between crisis and warm-line services during discussion of SB 787, a bill to fund a Department of Health warm line; the department said the warm line would serve noncrisis callers more cheaply than crisis staffing, and that about 34.7% of 2024 Hawaii CARES contacts were mild issues that could have been routed to a warm line. Supporters cited mental health needs after the Lahaina wildfire and the affordability crisis, while opponents argued the service duplicated existing resources and expanded government involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to introduce Senate Bill 295 FN, which simply removes the income cap on Education Freedom
• So there are wildly different estimates of what lifting the income cap would mean, but one estimate is
• <00:33:51.080> would<00:33:51.440> mean what lifting the income cap would mean what
• lifting the income cap would mean um<00:33:53.559> but<00:33:54.639> one um but one um
• <01:42:03.440> New $530,000 without an income cap New $530,000 without an income cap New Hampshire

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, beginning with the proposal to cap provider work hours at 50 hours per week.
• Understanding that some of the providers will still work over time underneath the proposed cap.
• the proposed cap.
• The reference to the reduction of hours I'm going to assume is related to the overtime cap.
• Also oppose the IHSS caps to overtime and travel and cuts to the undocumented population.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature will be required to transfer $750 million each year until the fund hits that maximum cap
• So while the current bill says we have 4% of general revenue with a cap of 10%, this allows us to increase
• Stabilization Fund has been in our Constitution for quite some time, and at one time that number had a cap
• this year, as a side note, our payment to the Budget Stabilization Fund this year will put us at a 10% cap
• We can't put it into BSF because we'll already be at the 10% cap, so it'll be held until that decision

Summary: The Appropriations Committee heard three measures focused on state finances. SB 1906 by Senator Brodeur would add a ninth element to the state debt reduction strategy report and create a program to transfer $250 million annually from the General Revenue Fund to accelerate retirement of outstanding state debt, while exempting the Department of Transportation and Florida Turnpike Enterprise. Members questioned the fiscal tradeoffs and flexibility, but the bill was supported in debate and reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 1908 by Chair Hooper, which would amend the Constitution to raise the Budget Stabilization Fund cap from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections, require $750 million annual deposits until the cap is reached, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by separate bill with a two-thirds vote, while keeping existing rules for emergencies and revenue shortfalls. Testimony and debate centered on whether Florida already has sufficient reserves, how “critical state need” would be defined, and whether the new requirement would reduce flexibility during recessions or federal funding cuts. Despite opposition from advocacy groups and several senators, the resolution was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 7031 as the vehicle for the tax package and adopted a delete-everything amendment to place it in the proper posture for conference. As amended, the bill was described as reducing the state sales tax by 0.75%, lowering the commercial rent tax from 2% to 1.25%, eliminating the business rent tax, and creating permanent sales tax exemptions while preserving sales tax holidays. The amended bill was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amount is capped at $200 million.
• The bill changes the capped amount to a maximum of $75 million each fiscal year.
• It lowers the reimbursement cap from a large total pool to a controlled annual cap.
• The annual cap provides assurances to the legislative budget formulation.
• The annual cap provides assurances to the legislative budget formulation.

Bills: HB2128, HB2255, HB2397, HB2429, HB2591, HB2680, HB2834, HB2868, HB2911, HB2951, HB2979, HB2991, HB2996, HB2999, HB4001, HB4011, HB4017, HB4020, HB4026, HB4086, HB4088, HB2244, HB2342

Keywords: homeowners associations, condominiums, open meetings, governance, transparency, Arizona Teachers Academy, teacher preparation, education funding, public schools, scholarships, teacher certification, community colleges, HOA, homeowners association, planned community, condominium, CC&Rs, covenants, conditions and restrictions, resale disclosure, association disclosure

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several bills, mostly receiving due pass recommendations. HB 4020 would raise the maximum annual assessment on insurers that funds the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions fraud unit from $1,050 to $1,350. The sponsor and an industry witness said the increase would support fraud investigations, and the bill passed 9-1 after a roll call vote; the transcript later included a correction stating HB 4020 passed 10-0 with one absent. HB 2255 would extend Arizona Teachers Academy scholarship eligibility for community college students from two academic years/four semesters to four academic years/eight semesters. Maricopa Community Colleges supported the bill, saying it would let community college teacher candidates complete bachelor’s degrees with the same funding available to university students. It passed unanimously. HB 2591, as amended, revised the definition and administration of registered apprenticeships to align with U.S. Department of Labor standards and add requirements such as written agreements, structured training, wage progression, and safety supervision; it also passed unanimously. HB 2680, as amended, narrowed and revised workers’ compensation fraud-related provisions, including insurance disclosure requirements and proof of coverage. Supporters from labor and construction groups said it would help combat premium fraud and protect honest contractors, while the sponsor said the amendment narrowed the bill to address concerns. It passed 10-1. HB 2979 modernized credit union law regarding bylaws, name changes, principal office changes, and certain powers; credit union representatives supported it as a regulatory update, and it passed 11-0. HB 2868 required manufactured-home/mobile-home installation license applicants and renewals to show insurance and fingerprint clearance, and to allow the Department of Housing to set experience, exam, and enforcement rules; it passed 8-1 with two present. The committee also approved a strike-everything amendment to HB 2429 on short-term rentals, allowing local governments to regulate overnight occupancy, extending the violation window for suspending a license from 12 to 24 months, and allowing suspension after certain building code violations. The sponsor and city/county representatives described it as a compromise that restores some local control, while short-term rental advocates and neighborhood groups said it was a step forward but still too limited; the bill passed 8-2 with one present. HB 4011, without the proposed amendment, codified HOA duties to act reasonably and fairly in enforcing rules, and after testimony from attorneys, homeowners, and HOA advocates describing abusive enforcement and the need for clearer standards, it passed 11-0. HB 2397, as amended, required more complete HOA disclosure information to buyers and escrow agents, with supporters saying it would prevent surprise assessments and defects and critics warning some language was still broad; it passed 11-0. Finally, HB 4026 would change a public infrastructure reimbursement program for advanced manufacturing by replacing a $200 million total cap with a $75 million annual cap and adding website-posting requirements for agreements; Queen Creek and economic development witnesses said it was needed to support major manufacturing projects and related infrastructure, and the bill was being discussed when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just $150,000 cap. Okay.
• Just $150,000 cap. Okay. Was in the drop, right? Yeah. I think we're ready to vote then.
• Just<00:24:37.120> $150,000<00:24:37.919> cap.
• <00:24:38.400> $150,000<00:24:39.200> cap.<00:24:39.600> Okay.
• Just $150,000 cap. $150,000 cap. Okay. Just $150,000 cap. $150,000 cap. Okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee considered several conference measures on April 25, 2025, mostly waiting on FIN or Ways and Means releases before taking action. SB 25 on eviction mediation was agreed to and passed with amendments, with members voting aye except for one no vote recorded from Representative Pirk and several excused members. SB 1367 on installment loans was also taken up later in the meeting; a revised conference draft was noted to include a five-year timeframe, a $1 convenience fee, and a corrected effective date, and it passed unanimously among those voting. Other measures were repeatedly rolled to later times in Room 224 or 225 because releases were still pending, including SB 1044 on property insurance stabilization, SB 1220 on a renewable gas tariff, SB 500 on electric utilities, HB 1370 on liquor tax/draft beer definitions, HB 939 on alcohol/liquor tax changes, HB 1052 on the universal service program, and SB 1500 on electric utilities. When SB 1220 and SB 500 were eventually heard, both were described as creating or adjusting utility-related processes and both passed with amendments. HB 1370 also passed with amendments after the committee noted it would redefine draft beer for liquor tax purposes. SB 1044 drew the most detailed discussion: the conferees described major funding provisions, including a $30 million reimbursable general obligation bond appropriation for the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, a $20 million reimbursable GO bond appropriation to the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for a condominium loan program, and a $5 million appropriation for GAP reserves, along with 36-month assessment periods and a temporary recording fee up to $44. The bill passed with amendments. HB 1052 on the universal service program was described as allowing the Public Utilities Commission to use program funds to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities, with a $150,000 cap, and it also passed with a conference draft.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2778 raises the board approval threshold from $2,000 to a permissive cap of $50,000.
• This does not mandate the new cap for all ESDs, and... Cap of $50,000.
• This does not mandate the new cap for all ESDs.
• Boards can revisit or revise their cap at any time in a public meeting.
• This would be about a $10,000 cap now, roughly.

Bills: SB208, SB628, SB777, SB1042, SB2354, SB2477, SB2521, SB2523, SB2608, SB2703, SB2778, SB2835, SB2965, SB2367, SB3044

Keywords: workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum at the start, adopted a two-minute limit for public testimony, and heard a series of housing, local government, fire code, and district-governance bills. Several measures were laid out with committee substitutes, including SB 628 on county fire code administration through interlocal agreements with emergency service districts; SB 208 creating a Workforce Housing Capital Investment Fund for zero-interest loans to nonprofit builders; SB 2835 allowing cities to opt into single-stair apartment buildings; and SB 2477 easing office-to-residential conversions in certain cities. Other bills addressed ESD spending thresholds (SB 2778), hospital district updates (SB 1042), subdivision/platting issues (SB 1708), public housing tax credit eligibility (SB 2608), groundwater district representation for Marfa and Presidio (SB 3044), park board authority in Waller County (SB 2367), ETJ removal procedures (SB 2523), and reporting death certificates to appraisal districts to help address squatting and homestead issues (SB 2521). Testimony was largely supportive on the housing bills. Supporters of SB 208, including Habitat for Humanity affiliates, a Brownsville nonprofit developer, Texans for Housing, and an educator, said the revolving fund would help nonprofit builders finance land, infrastructure, and development costs for affordable homes, especially for families earning 30% to 80% of area median income. SB 2835 drew support from architects, planners, and housing advocates who argued that single-stair buildings can be safe, more efficient, and better suited to missing-middle housing, though the Texas APA registered qualified opposition, saying the proposal bypasses the usual code-development process and may not be sufficiently studied. SB 2477 also received broad support from housing groups and policy organizations, who said office conversions could help address vacancy and housing shortages, though Corpus Christi raised a concern about fee recovery and local cost reimbursement. The committee also heard support for SB 628 from a county fire marshal and an ESD representative, who said the bill would reduce duplicate fire-code enforcement and costs. SB 2778 was backed by a Bexar County ESD fire chief, who said the current $2,000 expenditure approval threshold is outdated and slows emergency purchases and repairs. SB 2608 was supported by the El Paso housing authority, which said adding certain Section 8 projects to the at-risk LIHTC set-aside would help renovate aging subsidized housing. SB 3044 was presented as a way to give Marfa and Presidio representation on the groundwater district board while preserving permitting authority. Each bill heard public testimony was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee recessed to reconvene after the Senate adjourns.

Transcript Highlights:

• 29. >> So, line 28 and 29, yeah, be $10,000. >> But that's a cap.
• 29. >> So, line 28 and 29, yeah, be $10,000. >> But that's a cap.
• 29. >> So, line 28 and 29, yeah, be $10,000. >> But that's a cap.
• As you aggregate cap on expenditures.
• We're very sensitive to caps these days.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all