Transcript Highlights:

• You can't get certain services such as housing, jobs, or credit.
• Senate Bill 1863 will strengthen our audits.
• Unlike other types of post-election audits, these procedural audits are a unique tool to ensure to the
• to be audited.
• The bill also gives the audited party an opportunity to address findings made after an audit, requires

Bills: SB801 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1717 , SB1862 , SB1863 , SB2216 , SB2681 , SB506 , SB2626 , SJR63 , SB 3

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• THE CLERKS AND COMPTROLLERS OF THE COUNTIES HAVE A LOT OF BUDGET OVERSIGHT AUDITING ABILITIES TO HOLD
• HAVE THEY BEEN AUDITED TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW? SOME SHOULD BE REDIRECTED TO THE CLERKS.
• SO THEY CAN LINK UP A DEBIT CARD OR CREDIT CARD.
• BUT IT IS ANOTHER DISCUSSION SENATOR I WOULD SAY SO THEY CAN LINK UP A DEBIT CARD OR CREDIT CARD.
• I THINK ALSO AN AUDIT WOULD BE MERITED IN MANY OF THESE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me ask you, what is the federal premium tax credit? What's the premium based on?
• So this federal reimbursement that we get for a tax credit that is just a reimbursable tax credit from
• a regular refundable tax credit.
• What type of... what does that audit show? Um, Mr.
• How many people had to kind of fix their premium tax credit when they filed again?

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• I myself have not audited anything.
• “You know, when you pay your insurance, it doesn't improve your credit, so why is your credit score relevant
• We're looking to Texas credit reports and credit scoring models are public information in Texas.
• compared to good credit.
• I've got exceptional credit. You know, we're not a credit risk.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the audit backup for this?
• Is this federal funds, and do they audit, or are they state funds and we audit?
• Is this federal funds, and do they audit or the state funds and we audit?
• What is the audit process? We have federal funds. We have state funds. How often are they audited?
• We've been through a slurf audit.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• These tax credits are very important, and there are many people relying on the tax credits.
• These tax credits are very important, and there are many people relying on the tax credits.
• These tax credits are very important, and there are many people relying on the tax credits.
• credits to incentivize.
• </c> recommendations of Staff credit recommendations of Staff credit committee<00:48:39.880><c> and</

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Of custody for post-election audits. Nothing in this bill is groundbreaking or expensive.
• cycle may not be selected in the current audit cycle.
• If a county randomly selected for a post-election audit fails that audit, SB 1541 allows the Secretary
• Post-election audits help them remediate their issues.
• I think this is a great thing to do, to have these hand-counted audits.

Bills: HB3097 , HB3691 , SB108 , SB827 , SB1541 , SB1862 , SB2166 , SB2216

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, number two, this is an unnecessary increase in this tax credit.
• We already have a data center tax credit.
• Number one, number two, this is an unnecessary increase in this tax credit.
• We already have a data center tax credit.
• </c> little bit more difficult with auditing little bit more difficult with auditing because<01:07:05.440

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The qualifying service station credit is another tax interaction relating to the capping of the motor
• </c><00:04:03.079><c> is</c> qualifying service station credit is qualifying service station credit is
• How does it reduce our competitiveness, and how does this service station credit kind of address that
• How does it reduce our competitiveness, and how does this service station credit kind of address that
• </c><00:56:36.000><c> card</c> keep in mind there's 3 Cent credit card keep in mind there's 3 Cent credit

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there was a question about the credit cards and so forth. I know I spoke long, Chairman.
• So I know risk management, I know audit.
• And my company, along with other companies in the space, have developed well-defined audit procedures
• Really, he deserves the credit, but he has worked so hard on this bill.
• another concept that would deliver direct relief to Floridians is some sort of earned income tax credit

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The qualifying service station credit is another tax interaction relating to the capping of the motor
• </c><00:04:24.600><c> is</c> qualifying service station credit is qualifying service station credit is
• How does it reduce our competitiveness, and how does this service station credit kind of address that
• </c><00:47:39.280><c> and</c> about the service station credit and about the service station credit and
• </c> keep in in mind there's 3 Cent credit keep in in mind there's 3 Cent credit card<00:56:57.680><c

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• tax credit.
• credit the Workforce<00:15:38.279><c> Development</c><00:15:38.759><c> tax</c><00:15:39.040><c> credit
• and if anybody want to use our credits and if anybody want to use our tax<00:20:58.360><c> credit</c
• > tax credit tax credit gu<00:20:59.320><c> said</c><00:20:59.880><c> it's</c><00:21:00.559><c> hard<
• The system was an audit, and then they cleaned it up, they improved on it. When was the audit?

Transcript Highlights:

• various means, including acting as the state’s allocating agency for the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
• A mortgage is a credit card.
• Each year, Commerce must conduct random audits on 3% of projects and must report major findings from
• the database of projects and audits on the same timeline as the council reports out.
• Currently, embodied carbon savings in buildings are not given any credit toward energy codes or toward

Bills: HB2273 , SB5188 , HB2353 , HB2420 , HB2470

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, construction, environment, broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, capital budget, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning

Transcript Highlights:

• various means, including acting as the state's allocating agency for the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
• And so it really is a mortgage is a credit card.
• Each year, Commerce must conduct random audits on 3% of projects and must report major findings from
• the database of projects and audits on the same timeline as the council reports.
• Currently, embodied carbon savings in buildings are not given any credit toward energy codes or toward

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held public hearings on several bills. On Substitute House Bill 2236, staff explained changes to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including allowing direct mortgage loans for multifamily housing, clarifying it is not a retail mortgage lender, extending bond counsel terms, removing a notice requirement before bond issuance, and repealing outdated statutory provisions. Representative Zahn and commission staff said the bill modernizes the agency and would help finance affordable housing without using state general funds. Testimony was generally supportive, with questions focused on higher interest rates, down payment assistance, and equity for borrowers of color; the commission said it works with banks, administers programs such as Covenant Home Ownership, and aims to support both homebuyers and developers. The chair then closed the hearing on SHB 2236. The committee next heard House Bill 2273 on reducing embodied carbon emissions in buildings and building materials. Staff described requirements for the State Building Code Council to adopt phased embodied-carbon standards for large projects, with reporting, a public database, and Commerce educational resources; the fiscal note showed operating and capital costs. Representative Duerr said the bill responds to rising energy demand and could help lower building costs while supporting innovation, including Washington wood products. Supportive testimony came from environmental justice advocates and an architect, who said embodied carbon reductions are already feasible and often cost-neutral. Opponents, including the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill could raise costs, create sourcing and delay problems, and should not exempt schools. The hearing on HB 2273 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5188, which would let the Public Works Board issue loans for broadband infrastructure repair and replacement. Staff said the bill expands the existing broadband service expansion program to cover repair and replacement of middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure, with Commerce fiscal impacts noted. The Association of Washington Cities testified with concerns that the bill could signal further use of the Public Works Assistance Account, which has already seen sweeps and could affect future water, sewer, wastewater, and solid waste funding. A question from Representative Dye raised whether the program should instead be tied to the Curb Board; staff and the witness agreed to continue that discussion. The hearing was then closed. In executive session, the committee took up House Bill 2353, House Bill 2420, and House Bill 2470. HB 2353, which raises the predesign threshold for capital construction projects from $10 million to $15 million and indexes it to inflation, was reported out of committee 18-0 with one excused. The committee then adopted and reported out the proposed substitute for HB 2420, which increases the small works roster contract limit and changes the effective date to January 1, 2027, also by an 18-0 vote with one excused. Staff also briefed members on a proposed substitute for HB 2470 concerning school construction assistance for on-base schools, but no vote was taken in the transcript. The chair announced another hearing and executive session for Friday and asked members to submit amendments by the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some municipalities are doing never-ending audits that circumvent the Texas Prompt Pay Act.
• County clerks can gain instant auditable visibility.
• This means titles will be secure, verifiable, and auditable.
• Auditable. This reduces fraud and increases trust in the system.
• Chairman, on the federal tax credits, what amount are they, just offhand?

Bills: HB111

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:53.720><c> related</c> changes and audit related changes and audit related expenses<00:08:
• </c><00:09:09.480><c> our</c> locations in the event of an audit our locations in the event of an audit
• Almost 90% of my transactions are done on credit cards.
• Almost 90% of my transactions are done on credit cards.
• With rising credit card fees and inflation, I expect that number to grow.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• commission which is we get a audit commission which is we get a specific<00:36:09.040><c> topic.
• </c> between this committee, the audit between this committee, the audit commission,<00:36:25.520><c>
• You deserve so much credit. And the people of Minnesota, thank you.
• You deserve so much credit. And the people of Minnesota, thank you.
• You deserve so much credit. And the people of Minnesota, thank you.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1694, charter schools meeting reporting audits.
• SB 1702, qualified schools audit reporting requirements.
• SB 1719, nonprofit corporation audits. SB 1720, equal parenting time best interest.
• It's staff, technology, training, audits, and all of that takes money.
• It's staff, technology, training, audits, and all of that takes money.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 30 members present. The journal was approved, no guests were introduced at first, and the Governor’s signed bill HB 2022 was reported. The President also announced temporary committee substitutions for the Rules Committee on February 9. Senator Shamp introduced licensed naturopathic physicians in the gallery and highlighted SB 1178, which would expand their authority to administer certain intravenous drugs, including antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals. The chamber then read a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bills and resolutions covering elections, education, health care, water, criminal justice, housing, taxation, and other topics, with no floor action taken on those measures during the reading. The Senate recessed to recognize law enforcement personnel involved in the rescue of an eight-year-old boy from a human trafficking situation. A proclamation commended Deputies Gregory Sanders and Jacob Montoya, along with Cochise County and Border Patrol personnel, for their courage and professionalism. After returning to order, members made personal privilege remarks urging the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to review $2.85 million in election-related funding for the Secretary of State, and another senator spoke about water security and the need for long-term planning. Additional announcements included caucus and committee meeting notices, an invitation to Arizona Aerospace Day, and a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. The transcript ends as the chamber was considering adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1694, charter schools meeting reporting audits.
• SB 1702, qualified schools audit reporting requirements.
• SB 1719, nonprofit corporation audits. SB 1720, equal parenting time best interest.
• It's staff, technology, training, audits, and all of that takes money.
• It's staff, technology, training, audits, and all of that takes money.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> already established through our credit already established through our credit for<00:51:28.799><
• Our external auditors present the results of our previous fiscal year's audited financial statements,
• Our external auditors present the results of our previous fiscal year's audited financial statements,
• Our external auditors present the results of our previous fiscal year's audited financial statements,
• body as well as commission our crediting body as well as the<01:03:14.799><c> US</c><01:03:15.119><c

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy