Transcript Highlights:

• That will be the taxpayer.
• That will be the taxpayer.
• That will be the taxpayer.
• That will be the taxpayer.
• the<01:24:08.639><c> taxpayers</c> the taxpayers the taxpayers by<01:24:10.480><c> the</c><01:24:10.719

Transcript Highlights:

• Call an emergency meeting of the taxpayers and justify the extra spending, and I’m sure the taxpayers
• </c><00:46:37.440><c> and</c> emergency meeting of the taxpayers and emergency meeting of the taxpayers
• Taxpayers to the option of lowering.
• Thank you. taxpayers. And you always hear local taxpayers.
• Another thing I like the taxpayers.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:14.959><c> lunches</c> taxpayers to subsidize school lunches taxpayers to subsidize school
• It subsidizes a taxpayers.
• </c> stewards of our taxpayer dollars. stewards of our taxpayer dollars.
• It was about allocating taxpayer funds to programs to uplift the economy.
• </c> my district is against using taxpayer my district is against using taxpayer dollars<01:29:02.800

Bills: HB2117 , HB2155 , HB1832 , HB1601 , HB2297 , HB2397 , HB1893 , HB2533 , HB1890 , HB2004 , HB1810 , HB2323 , HB1691 , HB1671 , HB2619 , HB1481 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB2214 , HB2488 , HB2009 , HB2007 , HB1964 , HB2218 , HB1535 , HB1977 , HB2054 , HB2046 , HB146 , HB2094 , HB2181 , HB2515 , HB2444 , HB2385 , HB1724 , HB1733 , HB2416 , HB2001 , HB1603 , HB1753 , HB2140 , HB1962 , HB1963 , HB2096 , HB1959 , HB1960 , HB2293 , HB2288 , HB1752 , HB1573 , HB469 , HB2091 , HB1851 , HB1688 , HB1696 , HB2417 , HB2375 , HB2333 , HB2152 , HB1881 , HB2395 , HB1721 , HB1921 , HB1730 , HB1697 , HB1824 , HB2282 , HB2078 , HB2321 , HB2279 , HB1522 , HB2097 , HB2433 , HB2106 , HB2274 , HB2452 , HB1764 , HB2438 , HB1860 , HB2604 , HB2118 , HB2017 , HB2216 , HB1934 , HB2454 , HB2427 , HB2207 , HB1840 , HB1644 , HB1645 , HB1946 , HB1648 , HB2324 , HB1509 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB2164 , HB2165 , HB2283 , HB2386

Transcript Highlights:

• schools, especially rural schools, properly, and that we were putting an undue burden on the property taxpayer
• will allow them to do big construction needs, rebuilds, deferred maintenance without going to the taxpayers
• Needs, rebuilds, deferred maintenance without going to the taxpayers and essentially providing that relief
• for our taxpayers across the state.
• HB 636 strengthens fiscal discipline, modernizes facility funding, protects local taxpayers, and preserves

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We can secure a more stable future for Kentucky educators and taxpayers alike.
• > Kentucky</c> unfunded and ultimately born by Kentucky unfunded and ultimately born by Kentucky taxpayers
• 14:46.120><c> need</c><00:14:46.320><c> to</c><00:14:46.440><c> fix</c><00:14:46.800><c> the</c> taxpayers
• conclusion we need to fix the taxpayers conclusion we need to fix the siky<00:14:47.440><c> bucket</
• </c> Kentucky Educators and taxpayers Kentucky Educators and taxpayers alike<00:16:41.480><c> I</c><00

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first took up Senate Bill 193, described as a simple measure to restore a wallet card for jailers to carry when outside the jail. The chair noted the fiscal impact was essentially zero, there were no questions, and the committee voted to pass the bill 9-0. The committee then heard Senate Bill 9, a proposal focused on the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS). The sponsor argued TRS remains underfunded despite large state contributions, cited rising unfunded liability and negative cash flow, and said the bill is intended to standardize and limit what sick leave, personal leave, and annual leave can count toward retirement calculations. The bill would generally cap TRS retirement credit at 10 sick days and 2 personal days per year, prevent annual leave from being rolled into sick leave, require more uniform reporting and oversight from participating districts and agencies, and shift costs to districts that offer benefits beyond TRS limits. The sponsor also said the bill would add 30 maternity leave days, allow voluntary supplemental contributions for Tier Four teachers, and include a floor amendment directing the state auditor to audit TRS and report on agency leave policies. During the presentation, the sponsor emphasized fairness, transparency, and accountability, and used a hypothetical high-salary administrator to illustrate how leave payouts can increase retirement benefits and create additional unfunded liability. Senator Mills thanked the sponsor and said members had been working to understand the issue, but no committee action on Senate Bill 9 was completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prop. 36 continues to move forward, and we also have to bring light when we talk about taxpayers and
• We also have to bring light when we talk about taxpayers and their dollars moving forward in the state
• like rehabilitation, drug treatment, and... ...reentry services that will end up saving lives and taxpayer
• It is whether we are making decisions that recognize economic reality, treat all taxpayers fairly, and
• stays with the taxpayers.

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, and then completed the roll call, prayer, and pledge. Members observed a moment of silence for the fatal B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Assemblymember Lackey’s district. The body then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of numerous Senate bills to different committees, suspending rules for committee notices, and taking up the budget bill, AB 109, without reference to file for concurrence in Senate amendments. Debate on AB 109, the 2026 budget act, centered on competing views of the state’s fiscal condition and policy priorities. Supporters said the budget balances the current and next year’s budget, reduces the structural deficit, builds reserves, protects health care, schools, housing, food assistance, and other safety-net programs, and responds to federal cuts under H.R. 1. Opponents argued the budget increases taxes and costs, shortchanges schools, underfunds Proposition 36, relies on gimmicks, and does not adequately address public safety, cost of living, or long-term sustainability. Several members also highlighted specific provisions such as hospital support, Medi-Cal and IHSS protections, child care, immigrant legal services, prison closure, and funding for courts and victim services. A motion by Assemblymember DeMaio to return AB 109 to the Senate failed on a roll call vote, 13 ayes to 45 noes. The Assembly then voted on concurrence in the Senate amendments to AB 109; the measure passed, and the Senate amendments were concurred in without objection, with immediate transmittal to the Governor. Afterward, the Assembly moved to the daily file and took up SCR 89, a resolution affirming diversity, equity, and inclusion. Supporters from several caucuses framed DEI as a core California value and a response to federal attacks, while opponents criticized DEI as divisive. The transcript ends during debate on SCR 89, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• sure there's many of these that are very noble causes, but I do believe we should not be paying taxpayer
• I spent a little time this morning just picking a few and just seeing where my taxpayer dollars were
• I'm just saying that taxpayer dollars should not be spending $169,000.
• Now, they might, I have no problem if they want to lobby us, but they shouldn't be using taxpayer dollars
• I want to be involved in all $7 million of spending taxpayer dollars on this, but that's your decision

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I just, I'm always concerned when taxpayers are on the whole. unborrowed funds. Follow up?
• I just, I'm always concerned when taxpayers are on the whole. Is there any chance?
• I'm always concerned when taxpayers are on the hook for something, potentially.
• Is this something that is going to be funded by taxpayers?
• I fear that this is going to really be pushed on taxpayers.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met and first took up CS/SB 1422, as amended, which focused on coral reef protection and surface waters. The strike-all amendment redesignated coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure, emphasized their role in disaster mitigation and climate resilience, and was described as helping streamline permitting and access to federal restoration funding. Audubon Florida waived in support, and the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered SPB 7034, a rule ratification related to DEP’s minimum flows and levels recovery strategy for the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Priority Springs. Senators questioned the rule’s effects on consumptive use, funding, and whether utilities or taxpayers would bear costs. Several speakers from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates opposed the rule, arguing it delays restoration and relies too heavily on a single long-term wastewater reuse project, while DEP and utility representatives supported it. The committee approved the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. Next, the committee heard CS/SB 1510, which made changes to DEP-related programs including springs basin management action plans, septic system requirements, resilience cost-share eligibility, permitting procedures, and land acquisition governance. A late-filed strike-all removed biosolids provisions and other items, and the main public concern centered on a 60-day delay before B-MAP changes take effect, which opponents said could delay springs restoration and allow conventional septic systems to be installed before new restrictions apply. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 1196, which restricts new ash-producing incinerators and waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of certain federally authorized water impoundment areas, after debate over impacts on local waste disposal options and environmental protections; and CS/SB 912, the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, which creates a producer stewardship framework for battery collection and recycling, with support from industry and recycling groups citing battery fires and growing waste-stream concerns. Finally, the committee recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows a taxpayer that received a final action by the Value Adjustment Board to bring an action within
• It allows a taxpayer that received a final action by the Value Adjustment Board to bring an action within
• It allows a taxpayer that received a final action by the Value Adjustment Board to bring an action within
• It allows a taxpayer that received a final action by the Value Adjustment Board to bring an action within
• That's a taxpayer-funded retirement plan for private equity firms.

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reality of these climate fees could ultimately cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
• Stewart's taxpayer dollars. So I respectfully close and request favorable consideration.
• Revenue, so it's not a cost to the taxpayer whatsoever.
• I certainly wanted to make that clear—this is at no cost to the taxpayer.
• The issue is, ultimately, the taxpayer bears the cost of recruitment, hiring, retention, and training

Bills: HB158 , HB714 , HB 1198 , HB1630 , HB1998 , HB3509 , HB3788 , HB3875 , HB3948 , HB3977 , HB4097 , HB4313 , HB4314 , HB4317 , HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayers deserve to know how their dollars are spent and to have the option to renew these taxes.
• what it was intended and that it's bringing value to the taxpayers.
• Again, the fact that we need to look at where there is no accountability to the taxpayer.
• Again, the fact that we need to look at where there is no accountability to the taxpayer.
• He said taxpayers can get rid of this right now, and they don't.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 20, 2025, and first approved HB 4025, creating the Duke Farm Stewardship District in Lee County, on a 17-0 vote. The committee then advanced HJR 1215, which proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt agricultural tangible personal property from property tax, after extended debate about the fiscal impact on counties, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; it passed 16-1. HB 411 also passed unanimously after an amendment, extending affordable housing tax exemption treatment to certain nonprofit projects on leased land, including Habitat for Humanity projects. The committee likewise approved CS/HB 669, allowing local governments to purchase certain unrated bonds, and CS/HB 4017, codifying the Vermont Drainage District charter in Charlotte County, both without opposition. The committee also approved HJR 1039, which would let the Legislature prevent assessed-value increases for homestead properties that are improved to mitigate flood damage, and the related implementing bill HB 1041; both passed 17-0. Public testimony on these items included some opposition to the flood-related amendment, but no floor debate changed the outcome. The final major item was CS/HB 1221 by Rep. Miller, which would require local option taxes to be renewed by voter referendum every eight years, with longer terms allowed for bonded projects. That bill drew the most extensive testimony and debate, with counties, tourism groups, and local officials warning about impacts on tourism funding, infrastructure, schools, and public safety, while supporters argued for taxpayer accountability and periodic review. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a 13-4 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when you're using taxpayer dollars.
• 34.760><c> don't</c><00:37:35.040><c> have</c> The taxpayers of Minnesota don't have The taxpayers of
• to spend taxpayers' dollars to collect?
• </c> real victim is the Minnesota taxpayer. real victim is the Minnesota taxpayer.
• The taxpayer money to me is a problem.

Bills: HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• all, but also prudently manage the costs, as we know the people who finance government, i.e. the taxpayer
• remain an efficient and strong steward of taxpayer dollars.
• </c> and seek to responsibly invest taxpayer and seek to responsibly invest taxpayer dollars<00:26:39.039
• </c><01:13:55.159><c> and</c><01:13:55.360><c> if</c> to uh to the property taxpayers and if to uh to
• the property taxpayers and if there's<01:13:55.719><c> anything</c><01:13:56.040><c> that</c><01:13:

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• That has been a cost to Florida taxpayers of up to the billions.
• Over a half a billion dollars of our taxpayer money has already been spent.
• Over a half a billion dollars of our taxpayer money... ...taxpayer money has already been spent.
• It does it without burdening the taxpayers.
• I am a taxpayer that goes to my school district. I have a right to know these things.

Summary: The House convened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and recognition of Officer Cody Popple of the FSU Police Department for his actions during the April campus shooting. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker outlined the final week of session, noting that budget negotiations were still ongoing and that the House would continue taking up Senate bills and returning messages. The chamber then considered a series of mostly technical or sunset-review bills, including SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes, all of which passed unanimously. Several Open Government Sunset Review bills were also approved, extending or preserving public records and meeting exemptions for the Public Service Commission, the Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, cybersecurity records, emergency shelter information, conviction integrity units, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, and school testing materials; most passed with little opposition, though SB 7006, SB 7026, and SB 7022 drew some dissenting votes. The House also passed SB 7016 on small business loan records, SB 7008 on gaming commission records, SB 7000 on emergency shelter information, and SB 7004 on conviction integrity unit records. Members then moved into farewell remarks and recognitions, including an extended farewell speech by Representative Hart-Lowman reflecting on her service, family, district, and policy priorities such as criminal justice, housing, health care, and labor issues. The House also recognized visiting students from Osceola County and other guests in the galleries. Later, the House took up more substantive measures. SB 7040 recreated the emergency preparedness and response trust fund; after a lengthy debate over an amendment to let the fund expire and a strike-all restoring the House position, the bill passed 82-25. The chamber then passed CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, and CS/SB 474 on military affairs, all with broad support. The final portion of the transcript shifted to SB 488 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, where members debated vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and related amendments, including provisions for disabled veterans and dealer allocation rules, before the transcript ended mid-debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• That has been a cost of Florida taxpayers up to the billions.
• Over a half a billion dollars of our taxpayer money has already been spent.
• Over a half a billion dollars of our taxpayer money. Taxpayer money has already been spent.
• It does it without burdening the taxpayers.
• I am a taxpayer that goes to my school district. I have a right to know these things.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the House would focus on Senate bills and returning messages, and that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed by the end of the week. The chamber then adopted the special order calendar for the day. The House passed several technical and open-government bills, mostly on strong bipartisan votes. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and reviser changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public records or meeting exemptions involving the Public Service Commission, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety investigations, cybersecurity, small business loan records, trade secrets, emergency shelter locations, and conviction integrity units. Members asked questions on several of these bills, especially about the scope and purpose of the exemptions, but the bills generally advanced with little opposition. The chamber also took up more substantive measures. SB 7040 recreated the emergency preparedness and response trust fund and drew extended debate over whether the fund had been misused for the Everglades detention facility; an Escamani amendment to let the fund expire failed, while a Griffiths amendment adding limits and oversight was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 82-25. CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency passed unanimously after supporters highlighted nature-based shoreline protection and a Biscayne Bay provision. CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits passed after a House amendment aligned it with the House version. CS/SB 474 on military affairs passed unanimously after an amendment allowing local governments to extend Guard leave. SB 488 on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles was debated extensively over vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and I-94 documentation, with amendments including one for disabled veterans and another on dealer allocation; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The revenue estimates show negligible effect in favor of taxpayers.
• </c> uh in favor of um taxpayers uh in favor of um taxpayers um<00:02:02.759><c> and</c><00:02:03.560
• Another issue would be how the eligible taxpayer, which is a railroad in this case, if that taxpayer
• Another issue would be how the eligible taxpayer, which is a railroad in this case, if that taxpayer
• </c> would be um how the um eligible taxpayer would be um how the um eligible taxpayer which<00:35:13.960

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• That's taxpayer money again.
• dime and on the rate payer. to do everything possible on the taxpayer dime and on the rate payer dime
• These cascading costs ultimately hit all of us—ratepayers, homeowners, taxpayers, and the economy at
• Many of us are going to be asking the question about what are our ratepayers, what are our taxpayers
• Many of us are going to be asking the question about what are our ratepayers, what are our taxpayers

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• this would help the Commissioner's Court expedite and be better accountable to the citizens, to the taxpayers
• We're trying to provide for our county taxpayers.
• move projects along, but to move them along at the best expense that we have while managing our taxpayer
• I also serve as the assistant budget officer for the county, so So obviously, our taxpayer dollars are
• But we've got to make sure that our local taxpayer dollars are respected and that we look at every way

Bills: HB2814 , HB4477 , HB5084 , HB5108 , HB5127 , HB5383 , HB5611 , HB5663 , HB5664 , SB1563 , HB2668 , HB3841 , HB4114

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> who receive services and taxpayers. who receive services and taxpayers.
• </c> hardworking taxpayers across Minnesota. hardworking taxpayers across Minnesota.
• </c> work really hard for their taxpayers work really hard for their taxpayers dollars<00:58:49.119><
• </c> be a good steward of taxpayers dollars. be a good steward of taxpayers dollars.
• </c> agree that we've got to protect taxpayer agree that we've got to protect taxpayer dollars,<00:59

Bills: HF3423 , HF2354 , HF3634

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Refunds and tax reductions would be limited to taxpayers’ liability for tax.
• We applaud the proposal to return surplus funds to taxpayers.
• It can't be used for any purpose other than payments to taxpayers.
• It can't be used for any purpose other than payments to taxpayers.
• It can't be used for any purpose other than payments to taxpayers.

Committee: House Taxes