Video & Transcript : 'driving' :

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NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 14th, 2026 at 12:23 pm

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I drive fast, Madam President. I do.
  • But I was also taught how to drive defensively and how to drive with the other driver in mind.
  • We have people out there that are driving who are upset about something.
  • So I'm pretty adept at driving a big truck.
  • That is pertinent to that trailer or the implement that they are driving.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • These are industries that drive the economy back in my home district.
  • Assembly Bill 714 removes commercial driving from programs... Good afternoon.
  • We must ensure that commercial driving programs are properly regulated to ensure drivers are properly
  • My name is Steve Gold, and I own the 160 Driving Academy Truck Driving Schools.
  • The 160 Driving Academy is the largest commercial truck driving school in the country.
Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Fri Mar 28, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Driving my car, I can see the pedestrian because of that space.
  • my car can see The Pedestrian driving my car can see The Pedestrian because<00:06:51.199><c> of</c><
  • This measure prohibits persons under the age of 16 from driving a moped and persons under the age of
  • 21 from driving a moped. easy um easy um violation<00:17:13.640><c> um</c><00:17:13.959><c> I</c><00:
  • ><c> a</c><00:18:00.640><c> moped</c> The age of 21 from driving a moped without a helmet.
Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard several transportation and public safety measures on March 28, 2025. SB 1195 would prohibit parking within certain distances of crosswalks and intersections, direct parking fine revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund, and remove the need for signs or curb markings in some cases. The Department of Transportation, Department of Health, and Ulupono Initiative supported the bill, emphasizing improved visibility, pedestrian safety, and funding for school-route improvements; written testimony included both support and one opposition. No vote was taken during the hearing segment provided. The committee also heard SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit chief, which would set term-based appointment provisions for the airport division’s fire chief. DOT supported the measure, saying it would give the director flexibility to select leadership and adapt to changing needs, while a member asked about current removal procedures for underperforming employees. The bill was presented as a management and leadership measure, with no action taken in the excerpt. SB 1216, addressing noisy mufflers and safety inspection requirements, drew DOT support in principle but concern that existing rules already cover inspection standards and that enforcement after inspection remains difficult; DOT also described a planned noise-detection camera pilot on Oʻahu. Testimony included support from neighborhood and advocacy groups and opposition from three individuals. For SB 30, which would require helmets for moped riders under 21, DOT and HPD supported the bill, citing crash data and injury prevention; testimony was evenly split overall, with six in support and six in opposition. SB 344 would require helmets for skateboard users under 18; DOT supported it, and a DOT witness explained current helmet rules for other devices such as e-bikes, scooters, and motorcycles. SB 1095, increasing decal size limits for special number plates, drew DOT concerns that larger decals could interfere with plate readability and automated enforcement. SB 1522 would make proof of filing required vehicle-transfer notice forms a complete defense to actions arising from the vehicle’s later use or abandonment; the Judiciary said it had no position on the bill’s merits but objected to language requiring new court forms and raised access and legal-advice concerns, while Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services supported the measure. The committee then heard SB 597, extending the deadline for the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office to issue written review decisions. The Attorney General and DOT supported the extension, citing limited toxicology capacity and shipping delays for testing, and several law enforcement and public health entities also supported it. In contrast, the ADLRO hearing officer testified with serious concerns about due process, warning that eliminating or delaying the review process could create constitutional problems, disproportionately burden people without attorneys, and jeopardize thousands of cases. Finally, SB 1285 proposed a tiered revocation system for DUI arrests; ADLRO strongly opposed it on due process grounds, while DOT supported it as a safety measure and the Hawaii Public Health Institute commented that evidence is lacking for standalone mandatory revocation and suggested stronger impaired-driving standards instead. The committee had not yet taken final action in the portion provided.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Transportation Committee Jun 9th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • in the California Highway Patrol's procedures, Carlsbad's first responders are no longer allowed to drive
  • with decades of experience behind the wheel, now face unemployment with no path to restore their driving
  • Not only that, but there has been no showing that these drivers are not capable of continuing to drive
  • reinstate these drivers' credentials and for those who meet California's DMV standards to continue driving
  • reinstate these drivers' credentials and for those who meet California's DMV standards to continue driving
Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several measures, with most of the agenda taken up by AB 1944, AB 2453, and SJR 16 after a consent calendar of eight items was approved. AB 1944 by Assembly Member Alex Lee would delay the schedule for reducing the allowable axle weight limits for zero-emission buses while keeping the final cap in place, to give transit agencies and manufacturers more time to develop lighter buses with sufficient range. Supporters, including the California Transit Association and several transit districts, said the bill would help agencies comply with zero-emission bus mandates. Opponents, led by the League of California Cities, argued heavier buses would accelerate pavement damage and increase local maintenance costs. Senators raised concerns about infrastructure impacts and environmental tradeoffs, while others supported the bill as a practical adjustment to technology timelines. The bill passed on a 10-3 vote, with the roll left open and later completed. AB 2453 by Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez would clarify authority for first responders and peace officers to use off-highway vehicles in official duties, including limited travel on public roads to reach remote areas. The author and supporters, including the Carlsbad Fire Department and the City of Ontario, said the bill would improve response times for beaches, trails, deserts, and special events and reduce burdensome workarounds. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the Committee on Natural Resources and Water. SJR 16 by Senator Caballero urged Congress to act on federal actions affecting California commercial truck drivers after a fatal crash and subsequent federal scrutiny of California’s commercial licensing practices, including English-language proficiency standards and rescinded credentials. The author and Teamsters California said the federal response had unfairly harmed experienced drivers and the supply chain. No opposition was presented. The resolution passed on a 9-3 vote, with the roll also left open and later completed. The consent calendar items were adopted 13-0.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Apr 3rd, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Prior to the accident, the offender had eight driving unlicensed charges on his record, and the day he
  • For the ninth time driving unlicensed. Since that time, he's had five more unlicensed charges.
  • Driving unlicensed is no different than driving under the influence, in my opinion, of an intoxicating
  • Why is driving unlicensed treated as a lesser offense than other arguably equal offenses?
  • Speed limit is, and then asking them to drive accordingly.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment & Energy May 18th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So that obviously drives the costs, which you can kind of see in the range of costs.
  • So that concentration, of course, drives cost.
  • The last pathway is... ...which helps drive the economics of this.
  • All these pathways can drive benefits, but geological sequestration in Washington State...
  • And of course, this drives the economy. We talk a lot about the carbon economy.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • What's the main driving force of what you do?
  • What's the main driving force of what you do?
  • I've been known to go out and drive routes when necessary.
  • I've been known to go out and drive routes when necessary.
  • Drive in Minot when sometimes we get snow there. So any other questions for Jordan? Thank you.
Summary: The Government Finance Transportation Study committee heard detailed presentations from transit officials in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan (Bisman Transit), and Fargo about fixed-route and paratransit service. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s routes, fare structure, ridership recovery after COVID, fleet replacement needs, and rising costs, noting fares cover only a portion of expenses and that the system relies on local, state, federal, and university funding. Bisman Transit outlined its history, service hours, route structure, recent expansion of hours, fare levels, ridership growth, funding sources including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue, and major challenges such as aging buses, driver recruitment, and the need for more stable operating support. Fargo’s representative briefly reinforced the importance of public transit and asked the committee to consider additional funding for urban fixed-route systems.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Feb 10th, 2026

Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, and those types of lawsuits drive up insurance costs for the contractor.
  • You know, and those types of lawsuits drive up insurance costs for the contractor.
  • contractor and the driving public is an orange cone.
  • I've got teenagers driving.
  • There's also a lot of people who drive recklessly through those. Sure.
Summary: The Transportation Committee heard House Bill 2926, which would extend sovereign or derivative immunity and a liability cap to private contractors, subcontractors, and employees working on Missouri Department of Transportation projects. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to protect contractors from being named in lawsuits before they begin work, and to limit exposure when they are following MoDOT plans and specifications, arguing that contractors are often sued as “deep pockets” even when they did nothing wrong. Several members pressed the sponsor on the bill’s wording and timing, noting confusion over whether immunity applies only before work begins or throughout the project and after completion. Supporters, including representatives from asphalt, construction, insurance, and business groups, said the current system drives up insurance costs, increases legal expenses, and discourages firms from taking roadwork jobs. They cited examples of contractors being sued before starting work or after following approved traffic-control plans, and argued that the bill would align Missouri with other states that provide similar protections. Opponents, including trial attorneys and injured workers and family members, argued that the bill would improperly extend government immunity to private businesses, reduce accountability, and limit recovery for seriously injured people. They said existing tort law already protects non-negligent actors and warned that the bill could make it harder for injured parties to find counsel or recover full damages. Testimony also focused on the $500,000 state liability cap, with opponents calling it too low and supporters saying it is already the standard for public entities and should apply to contractors acting on the state’s behalf. Several witnesses described tragic crashes and work-zone incidents on MoDOT projects, while others emphasized that distracted drivers, not contractors, often cause the accidents. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee took only testimony and then adjourned after hearing from both proponents and opponents.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And so one of the questions here then is like what’s really driving this?
  • And so we can confidently say that what's driving these results is not discretionary overrides.
  • Because the question was looking at Figure 2, like what's driving that? Yeah.
  • And it was the actual discretionary override that was driving these results.
  • Okay, so it's the non-discretionary that are driving... ...the loss of predictive accuracy.
Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 and heard a presentation from Department of Correction officials and UMass Chan researchers on DOC’s objective point-based classification system. DOC described how the system, in place since 2007, uses standardized criteria to assign custody levels and is intended to balance public safety with reintegration. Officials reviewed the system’s initial and reclassification tools, the role of trained classification staff, and the use of non-discretionary restrictions and discretionary overrides. They said the current population is about 16% maximum security, 74% medium, and 10% minimum/pre-release, and that discretionary overrides remain within national guidance levels. UMass Chan presented findings from a multi-year NIJ-funded study using historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on male reclassification cases. Researchers said the scored custody level predicted institutional misconduct well, with stronger separation between minimum, medium, and maximum groups. They reported violent misconduct in the sample was under 5% over the follow-up period, while general misconduct ranged from about 30% to 45%. When DOC’s override-informed final custody levels were analyzed, predictive accuracy declined somewhat, and researchers said the reduction was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They noted that removing the non-discretionary restrictions, especially Code C civil-commitment-related restrictions, improved the model’s performance. Commission members and guests questioned whether the system overclassifies people into medium security, whether the low minimum-security rate reflects infrastructure and risk tolerance differences from other states, and how much historical practice and subjective judgment still affect placement. DOC officials said the restrictions are designed around safety concerns such as flight risk, serious legal issues, and medical needs, and that the system has been revised over time through revalidation. UMass researchers said there is no compelling evidence that release from minimum security is necessary for successful community outcomes once risk level is accounted for, and they emphasized that comparisons with other states are difficult because Massachusetts’ correctional structure is different. The commission asked members to submit follow-up questions for additional data, and a public commenter argued that the data suggest overclassification to medium security harms incarcerated people.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-19 (2:30PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, I live in Naples, and so I drive to, well, I used to drive; now I do the Delta and through
  • And so I drive to, well, I used to drive; now I do the Delta and through Atlanta, but when I used to
  • And to me, the most fun I had was driving up those rural roads.
  • You know, I live in Naples, and so I drive to, well, I used to drive now.
  • And so I drive to, well, I used to drive now, I do the Delta and through Atlanta, but when I used to
Summary: The Senate opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, the Red Mass, visiting students, school board members, veterans, and other guests. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed before and during the day’s proceedings. Committee and executive reports were largely absent, and the Senate proceeded directly to floor action on the listed bills. The Senate passed a number of mostly unanimous bills, including SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42 on Florida Statutes revision; CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub and related research; CS/SB 116 on veterans, expanding benefits coordination, mental health training, adult day health care, and other veterans services; SB 126 on mailing prescription hearing aids to adults; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice for certain serious cardiac conditions; SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property; SB 348 on ethics, including false military rank claims and collection of delinquent ethics fines; and CS/SB 7012 on child welfare workforce recruitment, treatment foster care pilots, and data collection for commercially sexually exploited children. Senate Memorial 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure was also adopted by voice vote. Two bills drew more extended debate. SB 118 on presidential libraries passed 36-3 after questions about local zoning, traffic, and whether the bill’s express preemption would limit county and municipal authority; supporters argued it would prevent local obstruction and help Florida attract a presidential library, while one senator said she would vote no because of concerns about local safety and planning issues. CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed 39-0 after an amendment clarifying contracted services; supporters said it would broaden pathways into the CPA profession and address workforce shortages. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures and CS/SB 110 on rural communities were temporarily postponed, then later taken up and passed after extensive debate, with SB 110 amended to prioritize certain rural transportation projects, expand housing, health care, broadband, and economic development support, and draw strong bipartisan praise for its focus on rural Florida. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, observed a moment of silence for former Surfside Chief John Healy, and made several closing announcements and recognitions.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Commerce and Economic Development Mar 3rd, 2025

House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • What's great about it, and when you drive through them, it really starts to dawn on you, is they don't
  • We have looked into this bill, and we believe credit scores are not indicative of driving history.
  • So if we can get more people driving with insurance, that uninsured motorist coverage that we're all
  • The state theoretically tracks, but as we can see, people are going to drive without insurance.
  • So people are going to continue to drive. Our society basically requires that.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • We're going to drive them out." No, they don't drive them out.
  • We're going to drive them out." No, they don't drive them out.
  • We're going to drive them out." No, they don't drive them out.
  • I know folks that literally drive to the border, place their bets, and then come home.
  • I know folks that literally drive to the border, place their bets, and then come home.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 1/22/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I also want to thank everyone in this chamber who made last year's drive the largest single donation
  • ><00:07:18.880><c> weeks</c><00:07:19.120><c> of</c><00:07:19.280><c> service</c><00:07:19.919><c> drive
  • </c><00:07:20.560><c> And</c><00:07:20.720><c> I</c> but two weeks of service drive.
  • And I but two weeks of service drive.
  • </c> chamber who made uh last year's drive chamber who made uh last year's drive the<00:07:26.080><c>
Summary: The House met in session with 127 members initially present, opened with prayer and the journal reading, and then took up introductory business. House Bills 394 through 444 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives Number Two was referred to Appropriations. The Speaker also announced and the House adopted appointments to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. Most of the meeting consisted of committee and delegation announcements. Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means all announced briefings later that day, while several other committees said they would not meet. Delegations from Frederick, Anne Arundel, the Eastern Shore, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Southern Maryland announced upcoming meetings, many by Zoom. A Montgomery County delegate also announced a Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee briefing on the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The floor included multiple guest and caucus recognitions. The Women’s Caucus promoted a service drive for hygiene, baby, and women’s products for the YMCA Druid Hill pantry, and the Legislative Black Caucus announced new leadership, with Chair N. Scott Phillips and Senate Vice Chair Shaneka Henson. The House welcomed visitors for Maryland Bankers Association Day, Transportation Association of Maryland advocacy day, the Maryland chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, CPA Day, and sportsmen and sportswomen day, along with student visitors and a guest of a Prince George’s County delegate. No substantive debate or recorded votes occurred beyond the adoption of committee appointments, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Jan 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Low-income and rural commuters who must drive farther and less efficient vehicles pay more, while others
  • And that erosion is happening despite people still driving, doing wear and tear on the roads, and our
  • And we're already seeing it, not just in the fact that people are driving fuel-efficient vehicles and
  • driving less, but we're spending more.
  • That's a lot easier to accomplish in a state like Hawaii, with no driving across state lines and so on
Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met and first took up AB 1091 on consent, which passed without discussion. The committee then heard AB 647 by Assemblymember Gonzalez, a cleanup/clarifying bill related to last year’s AB 630 pilot program for Los Angeles and Alameda Counties allowing local agencies to dispose of low-value, inoperable RVs that are public safety or environmental hazards. The author and supporters said the bill would clarify which local jurisdictions can use the pilot and help address abandoned RVs, while opponents argued it was a premature expansion that could destroy people’s only shelter and create a patchwork of local rules. Despite the opposition, the bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1421, which would create a research and information process around California’s long-term transportation funding challenges and possible road user charge or mileage-based funding options. The author and sponsor argued that declining gas-tax revenue from more fuel-efficient and zero-emission vehicles is making the system less stable and less equitable, and that the bill would support a transparent, research-driven transition without imposing a new tax. Many local government, labor, business, and industry groups testified in support, while no opposition speakers came forward during the hearing. Members raised questions about equity, rural drivers, privacy, double taxation, and whether any future revenue would be dedicated to transportation infrastructure; the author said the bill was intended to inform future decisions, not set a tax policy now. AB 1421 passed on a 12-1 vote and was re-referred to Appropriations, and the committee then adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Jan 12th, 2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Low-income and rural commuters who must drive farther and less efficient vehicles pay more, while others
  • And that erosion is happening despite people still driving, doing wear and tear on the roads, and our
  • The speaker said the state is already seeing the effects, including people driving more fuel-efficient
  • vehicles and driving less, while costs are rising.
  • In a state like Hawaii, no driving across state lines and so on and so forth, right?
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 119 Part 2 May 13th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And even though I know that this place drives me nuts, which then drives you nuts, thank you for letting
  • I mean, we just to drive long distances.
  • You drive I-70 that I drive twice a week during session.
  • All you got to do is drive some of these roads.
  • driving them away, this body should listen.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Feb 26th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also have—there are some parks in my community that, when you drive by, you don't necessarily see a
  • In the bill, a person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle may leave it standing unattended for up
  • The driving cat. You lost me. I'm sorry. You lost me. A night-night life?
  • A person who uses a personal electronic device while driving a motor vehicle ...on a public highway is
  • Just a point of personal privilege: I'm sorry, Todd Peterson is a constituent, and it's a long drive
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/03/26

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • > coverage</c><00:20:55.600><c> costs</c> policies that drive coverage costs policies that drive coverage
  • In closing, studies show that 340B drives up costs in multiple ways.
  • In closing, studies show that 340B drives up costs in multiple ways.
  • In closing, studies show that 340B drives up costs in multiple ways.
  • I think to drive up the costs over time.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • By driving up costs for this critical tool, H. 3208 would also limit grassroots campaigns and advocacy
  • These bills will harm Massachusetts retailers by driving adult consumers to buy in neighboring states
  • Customers will seek lower-cost options in the illicit market or simply make the short drive over the
  • At least when they drive outside the state, they take time, so hopefully they don't smoke.
  • Taxes are too high and always drive people to gray markets, where products are cheaper and often less
Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a long hybrid hearing on a wide range of tax bills, with testimony covering cigarette and tobacco taxes, nicotine pouches, contractor rental equipment exemptions, aircraft sales tax exemptions, rolling stock, advanced sales tax payments, a gun and ammunition excise tax, a digital services tax, and a psilocybin cultivation/tax proposal. Committee chairs outlined the hearing process and noted that 39 House-filed sales and excise tax bills were being heard for required reporting by November 28. No votes were taken during the hearing. On tobacco-related bills, supporters including Senator Keenan, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and Tobacco Free Mass backed higher cigarette taxes and closing the synthetic nicotine loophole, arguing the measures would reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and offset health care costs. Retailers, wholesalers, and convenience-store groups opposed the increases, warning of smuggling, out-of-state purchasing, and harm to small businesses; premium cigar representatives argued cigars should be treated separately from cigarettes. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3067 and related bills concerning nicotine pouches, with public health advocates supporting taxation and industry witnesses urging a lower, more competitive rate. Several other bills drew sharply divided testimony. United Rentals supported H. 3065 to simplify contractor rental equipment exemption paperwork, while airport and aviation groups opposed bills to repeal the aircraft sales tax exemption, saying it would hurt airport competitiveness and jobs. The Transportation Association of Massachusetts backed rolling stock tax exemptions, saying the current tax discourages fleet investment and interstate commerce. Restaurant industry representatives supported repealing advanced sales tax payments and changing penalty rules, saying businesses were hit with retroactive penalties after unclear pandemic-era changes. On H. 3082, an excise tax on guns and ammunition, gun violence prevention advocates, Roca, and Giffords supported the bill as a dedicated funding source for prevention and survivor services, while sportsmen’s groups opposed it as unfair to lawful gun owners and harmful to conservation funding. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3208, a digital advertising services tax, with Representative Paulino supporting it as a way to capture revenue from online advertising and fund public needs, while the Chamber of Progress opposed it as costly and burdensome for small businesses and campaigns. Finally, multiple witnesses testified on H. 4050 regarding psilocybin cultivation and taxation: advocates from Mass Healing, Roca, the Reason Foundation, and individuals describing personal medical benefits urged a regulated, permit-based system, while the hearing ended after all signed-up speakers were heard and the chair adjourned the meeting.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Jan 21st, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> Car driving through a crowd like that would be a dangerous instrument. Yes.
  • Uh, suppose I'm driving down the street and caught in a unruly crowd and I hit the accelerator to get
  • I didn't drive down that street to try to run over anybody.
  • </c> &gt;&gt; Car<00:11:50.000><c> driving</c><00:11:50.320><c> through</c><00:11:50.480><c> a</c><00
  • I didn't drive get out of the situation.
Bills: SB24 , SB83 , SB142 , SB140 , SB94 , SB24 , SB83 , SB142 , SB140 , SB94 , HB132 , HB37 , HB51 , HB105 , HB54 , HB7 , HB158 , HB188 , HB189 , HB111 , HB13 , HB192 , HB149 , HB132 , HB37 , HB51 , HB105 , HB54 , HB7 , HB158 , HB188 , HB189 , HB111 , HB13 , HB192 , HB149
Committee: Senate Judiciary