Video & Transcript : 'coast guard authorization' :
Page 469 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Tax authority to this county.
- Generally speaking, the laws created authorized certain municipalities to receive a rebate of the state
- Under the current law, in Subchapter C of Chapter 31 of the tax code, 66 Texas cities are authorized
- The City of Victoria is also authorized to collect a hotel occupancy tax within the city limits.
- In fact, we became the 11th city authorized under the program.
Bills:
HB 1039 , HB2289 , HB2370 , HB2404 , HB3066 , HB3076 , HB3117 , HB3118 , HB3169 , HB3178 , HB3179 , HB3182 , HB3196 , HB3241 , HB3377 , HB3500 , HB3567 , HB3715 , HB3954 , HB4098 , HB4109 , HB4222 , HB4226 , HB4412 , HB4659 , HB4682 , HB4683 , HB4755 , HB4926 , HB5165 , HB5562 , HB5596
Committee:
House Ways & Means
Keywords:
hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax authority, border counties, tax legislation, municipalities, hotel tax revenue, convention centers, economic development, local government authority, HB 2370, HOT tax, venue projects, convention center, municipal finance, local government code, Section 334.0082, tourism tax, debt financing, bond repayment
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AEN-PSM, AEN, AEN DEFER, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-07-2025
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- Council and expanding the duties of the Department to collaborate with and support the council, and authorizing
- law enforcement officers that are proposed here would not be armed and yet hold all the powers and authority
- Persons appointed and commissioned under this section may exercise all the powers and authority of a
- Persons appointed and commissioned under this section may exercise all the powers and authority of a
- Persons appointed and commissioned under this section may exercise all the powers and authority of a
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Environment
Summary:
The joint AEN-PSM hearing on February 7, 2025 focused primarily on three agriculture-related measures and one animal welfare bill, with additional discussion of pesticide drift monitoring, coffee labeling, and a gas-pump labeling bill. SB 762 would create an Agricultural Crimes Council and authorize agricultural crime investigators; testimony from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Law Enforcement, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and several members of the public was generally supportive, with repeated calls for stronger enforcement, community involvement, and in some cases allowing investigators to be armed. Some testifiers also urged changes to the appointment process for council members, preferring neighborhood boards or local officials over gubernatorial appointments. The committee discussed combining related agricultural crime bills and noted concerns about investigator safety in remote areas.
SB 763 would establish an agriculture enforcement program within the Department of Law Enforcement and a special fund. Testimony was strongly supportive from state agencies and farm groups, with speakers emphasizing the need for more effective response to agricultural theft, poaching, and related crimes. Several public testifiers linked the bill to broader community safety and asked for clearer funding, training, coordination, performance metrics, and technology use. The committee also heard SB 1022, which would prohibit leaving pets in dangerous conditions in vehicles and allow officers, firefighters, animal control, and in some cases private citizens to rescue animals; the Attorney General said existing cruelty statutes may already cover the conduct and suggested amendments, while HPD opposed the bill. Members asked about liability for rescuers and whether the proposal might affect property-crime enforcement.
The committee also heard SB 1304 on pesticide drift monitoring funding, with the Department of Agriculture supporting the measure and explaining it was needed to complete a required project under an EPA-related agreement. A Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action representative raised concerns about the methodology of prior studies, and a public testifier described a recent odor incident near a roadway and school. SB 1015, requiring labels on gas dispensing equipment warning about fossil fuel impacts, drew support from the Department of Agriculture and the Public Utilities Commission but opposition from the Hawaii Energy Marketers Association. SB 500 on coffee labeling and regional origin was also heard, with the Department of Agriculture in support. In decision-making, the committees adopted recommendations to pass SB 762 with amendments, SB 763 with amendments, SB 1022 with technical amendments, SB 1304 with technical amendments, and SB 1015 as is; SB 500 was not acted on in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (06/19/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- I've not found a PUC reg authority for this, but the energy does also doesn't have the authority to set
- > to</c><00:27:45.560><c> set</c> also doesn't have the authority to set also doesn't have the authority
- </c><00:30:36.600><c> to</c> doesn't have legislative authority to doesn't have legislative authority
- </c> no authority to set the fees. no authority to set the fees.
- </c> the authority to open rule making again. the authority to open rule making again.
Summary:
The meeting began with quorum and seating issues, including the temporary appointment of Representative Shaw to fill in for a House member, followed by approval of the previous minutes and the consent calendar. Two items were then postponed to next month: Mechanical Licensing Board item 25-241 and Board of Veterinarian item 25-223.
The committee then took up Department of Energy rulemaking on distributed energy resources interconnection procedures, including items 25-220 and related sections on fees, additional controls, and equipment. The Department explained revised language to address concerns that the original draft improperly suggested agency or PUC approval of utility fees; under the amended language, utilities would set fees designed to recover costs, with complaints handled through existing complaint procedures. Committee members and the Department discussed the statutory basis for that approach, including cost responsibility versus fee-setting authority.
Public testimony was mixed. A small solar developer argued the rules still exceed statutory authority, impose unfair costs on customer generators, and allow utilities to shift transmission-related study costs onto interconnecting customers. Clean energy advocates supported the Department’s revised language but asked for clearer limits on charging customers for later-added controls, arguing costs should be tied directly to the customer’s interconnection and not to later utility-driven changes. Eversource supported the revised fee language, said most prior concerns were resolved, and recommended conditional approval, while also suggesting a minor wording change in the “Additional Equipment” section to clarify that only operational performance is covered.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> sufficient bonding authority sufficient bonding authority um<00:09:12.800><c> so</c><00:09:13.040
- </c> know perhaps that bonding authority know perhaps that bonding authority could<00:09:23.040><c> be
- Authority. Authority. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
- </c> mightily to increase the the authority mightily to increase the the authority there.<02:00:53.199
- </c> through the housing finance authority through the housing finance authority and<02:01:50.080><c>
Committee:
Senate Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/22/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh we have this needs a bill author.
- I think your point legislative author.
- </c> Asmusson has a desire to um to author Asmusson has a desire to um to author this.<01:03:14.799><
- Representative Wolgamott, the author.
- </c><02:35:01.600><c> Um</c> author. Representative O'Driscoll. Um author.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And lastly, I'd like to point out that it does preserve state authority and flexibility, where the states
- to continue to discipline and set up the rules. ...board authority to continue to discipline and set
- agreement with the local authority for conducting health inspections.
- The local authority shall report suspected violations of state law to the department.
- Yeah, and so the local authority does still maintain some authority in this situation.
Committee:
House Economic Development
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Economic Development Mar 10th, 2026
Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And lastly, I'd like to point out that it does preserve state authority and flexibility, where the states
- to continue to discipline and set up the rules. ...board authority to continue to discipline and set
- agreement with the local authority for conducting health inspections.
- The local authority shall report suspected violations of state law to the department. ...a health or
- Yeah, and so the local authority does still maintain some authority in this situation.
Summary:
The Committee on Economic Development met with 13 members present and first went into executive session. It voted House Bill 3095 and House Bill 3249 do pass, both by 12-1 votes, and also adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 2142 that rolled in House Bill 2058 before voting the combined measure do pass by 12-1. The transcript does not describe the substance of those bills in detail, but records the committee’s favorable action on each.
The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 3262, Representative Peters’ proposal to create an interstate massage compact. Supporters, including the sponsor, a massage business operator, a former state massage board regulator, and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, said the compact would improve workforce mobility, reduce duplicate licensing and background checks, and preserve state authority over standards and discipline. An opponent argued interstate compacts are unconstitutional, could supersede state law, and raise concerns about gifts and closed meetings. No vote was taken on HB 3262 during the hearing.
The final hearing was on House Bill 3157, which would create a single statewide permit for mobile food vendors. The sponsor and supporters from the Institute for Justice and the food truck industry said the bill would reduce duplicative local permits and inspections, lower costs, and help food trucks operate across jurisdictions while keeping health and safety standards. Opponents, including Kansas City and Springfield-Greene County health officials, argued the bill would preempt local control, shift regulatory authority to the state, and create enforcement and fiscal concerns. Committee members raised questions about local inspection authority, fees, and a possible committee substitute, but no final action was taken in the hearing.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- I appreciate the author bringing this up, especially in the rural areas.
- But this says shall not be authorized, so that is, I guess, what concerns me.
- The way I interpret that... ...authorize for mining or blasting operations.
- I appreciate the author bringing this up.
- I appreciate the author bringing this up.
Committee:
Senate Energy
Keywords:
environmental permitting, Oklahoma, Department of Environmental Quality, public participation, regulatory framework, administered applications, energy, wind energy, financial assurance, property restoration, environmental regulation, mining, blasting, residential protection, buffer zone, Department of Mines, public utilities, electric transmission lines, landowner rights, payment regulations
Summary:
The committee heard several energy, mining, and environmental bills. Senate Bill 1246, a DEQ request bill, was described as a permitting reform measure intended to reduce delays, increase transparency, and improve public notice; members discussed newspaper publication and digital alerts, and the bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1929 proposed a new framework for transmission lines that would compensate landowners with recurring payments for lines crossing their property; members raised concerns about eminent domain, ratepayer impacts, existing easements, and whether payments would transfer with land sales, but the bill passed 6-5 after the author said it was an idea to start a broader conversation.
Senate Bill 1510 addressed bonding requirements and reclamation standards, with the author saying the goal was to make bonds meaningful and ensure funds are available for cleanup if operators fail to reclaim sites. Members discussed bond levels, acceptable financial instruments, and the need to balance industry viability with land restoration; the bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1979, the Mining and Blasting Residential Protection Act, would create an 800-foot buffer around residences and sensitive facilities near mining and blasting operations and require notifications/signage; the author said it was a constituent-driven good-neighbor bill, but members worried it could affect existing mines, raise costs, and potentially be read to restrict current operations. After title was struck, the bill failed 2-8.
The committee also passed Senate Bill 1930, which creates a framework for compensating surface owners when iodine is recovered from produced water for commercial use, and Senate Bill 1976, which phases in surety requirements for small oil and gas producers to soften the impact of prior regulatory changes. Both bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously after brief discussion about balancing regulation with economic impacts. The meeting ended with adjournment.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Feb 24th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- And then RIAL 046 by Representative Schmidt authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries to hire
- L&I was asking for authority to increase their ability to write rules in regard to asbestos training,
- So that's what it restores, and instead authorizes L&I to adopt the rules that are equivalent to the
- So what we're saying is the underlying bill would give more authority to L&I, and this amendment would
- So what we're saying is the underlying bill would give more authority to L&I, and this amendment would
Committee:
House Labor & Workplace Standards
Keywords:
unemployment insurance, UI benefits, striking workers, strike, labor dispute, retroactive wages, overpayment assessment, overpayment recovery, Employment Security Department, ESD, claimant notice, benefit recoupment, Washington unemployment law, worker notice, federal unemployment tax credit, state unemployment fund, workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- First up, we have the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Thank you.
- Um, Caroline Anderson with the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
- Um, Caroline Anderson with the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
- Next up, we have the Hawaii Tourism Authority. >> Aloha, Caroline Anderson with HTA.
- Next up, we have the Hawaii Tourism<00:21:38.080><c> Authority.
Committee:
House Tourism
Keywords:
light pollution, outdoor lighting, fully shielded, Hawaii Revised Statutes, environmental protection, night sky, lighting fixtures, local control, exemptions, athletic facilities, wildlife conservation, Hawaiian culture, 910, house, all
Summary:
The House Committees on Tourism and Economic Development and Technology heard several measures on February 12, 2026. HB 1950 would dedicate 15% of transit accommodations tax revenue to a new state-led marketing and branding special fund and require an annual tourism management plan. HTA and DBEDT supported the bill as providing predictable funding for marketing and tourism management, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special fund structure as limiting legislative flexibility. Members discussed the size of the allocation and whether a tourism emergency fund would still be needed; the bill later advanced with amendments that removed some provisions and blanked out the 15% figure for further discussion, and it passed with amendments.
HB 2268 would add film production marketing and promotion to HTA’s powers. The governor’s office, HTA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, and several industry groups supported the measure, arguing that film and TV exposure drives tourism and generates significant spending and tax revenue, while one individual testified in opposition. In questions, HTA said it would use existing staff and did not have a separate cost estimate. The committee amended the bill to specify that film productions are primarily filmed in Hawaii and deferred the date to continue discussion; it then passed with amendments.
The committee also heard HB 2156, which would raise filing thresholds for general excise tax and transit accommodations tax filers. The Department of Taxation said the change could increase administrative burden if more filers shift from mandatory electronic filing to paper filing, while the Tax Foundation noted the filing threshold issue is separate from e-filing requirements. The bill was moved forward with a deferred date. HB 1946, concerning time-share registration renewals and amendments, drew support from ARDA and other industry testimony, with no opposition noted; DCCA was said to be in talks with the industry. It was also advanced with technical amendments and a deferred date.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Jan 20th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
Transcript Highlights:
- So in this work, I mean, it does, though, grant the authority for an automatic denial in B.
- My understanding is that the process that I described is what's authorized by the statute.
- I don't have the authority as their legal counsel to withdraw the actual rules.
- We'll have a user ID and a password for the different agencies, different levels of authority within
- So you have a main contact that is then able to delegate authority to different people below them to
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Texas Ethics Commission Dec 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- He authored and passed a complete revision of the Texas ethics laws described by Texas Monthly as, quote
- In the last legislative session, the General Appropriations Act gave the ethics Commission the authority
- All right, do I hear a motion to, uh, approve the executive director or authorize the executive director
- So again, do I hear a motion to approve or authorize executive director to enter into a contract for
- So the opinion looked at the statutory construction of the Harris County Houston Sports Authority to
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- After discussions with the author and the governor's office, we've crafted the substitute to address
- elections on a measure to authorize the issuance of bonds.
- of a brewers or nonresident brewers license holder, authorizing a fee increase.
- brewers or nonresident brewers license holder and authorizes a fee increase.
- I'd like to just work with the author further on the bill.
Bills:
HB223
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills, with most measures left pending after testimony and later taken up in a batch of votes. Early in the meeting, HB 5624 on liability protections for motocross/off-road vehicle tracks, HB 223 on requiring competitive procurement for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 3709 on post-election audit procedures, and HB 5081 on protecting personal information of judicial officers and court staff were all discussed and left pending after testimony. Witnesses on HB 223 supported greater transparency in municipal lobbying contracts. HB 3709 drew sharp opposition from an election integrity advocate who argued the bill would reduce precinct-level granularity and make it harder to detect ballot errors, while a Secretary of State resource witness said the bill would simplify and standardize the audit process by location. HB 5081 received strong support from court administration and a district judge who described prior threats and an attack tied to publicly available personal information.
The committee also heard HB 3546 on allowing school districts to move elections to November, HB 493 on barring certain felony offenders from serving as poll watchers, HB 5115 on increasing penalties for election fraud and related conduct, HB 4081 on trade secret filing procedures, HB 3909 on limiting restrictions on wireless devices at polling places, HB 2702 on limiting gubernatorial closure authority for certain veterans organizations during pandemics, HB 119 on foreign adversary lobbying, and HB 5138 on the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes. Several of these bills were explained with committee substitutes and then left pending before final action. Testimony on HB 493 and HB 5115 came from an election integrity advocate who supported both bills, saying the poll watcher restriction was appropriately narrowed and that the election fraud bill would help address invalid votes and refusal to count valid votes.
Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out a large number of bills, generally along party lines or with broad support. HB 186 on minors’ social media use, HB 229, HB 2885, HB 3909 as substituted, HB 4285, HB 1661, HB 2820, HB 3181, HB 4157, HB 223, HB 521, HB 640, HB 1234, HB 2253, HB 2294, HB 3053, HB 3697 as substituted, HB 4281, HB 4463, HB 4995, HB 5081 as substituted, HB 5624 as substituted, HB 119 as substituted, HB 3225, HB 5138 as substituted, HB 5115, HB 481 as substituted, HB 3546, HB 493, and HB 4145 were reported favorably to the full Senate, with several also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted committee substitutes for multiple bills, including HB 3909, HB 5081, HB 5624, HB 119, HB 5138, and HB 481. At the end, the chair noted another committee meeting would likely be needed before deadlines, possibly on a weekend, and recessed the committee subject to the call of the chair.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-16 (2:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Lastly, the bill authorizes public schools and private schools that participate in state scholarship
- This legislation authorizes a school district or charter school to acquire and maintain undesignated
- That authority must be a department, division, or other agency of the local government.
- It provides FDACS the authority to cover the cost of FFA dues.
- It provides FDACS the authority to cover the cost of FFA dues for Florida's public school students.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then moved to the special order calendar. Early bills passed included measures on the Florida Trust Code (SB 806/HB 1173), school district reporting requirements and educator misconduct reporting (SB 1374), debt collection email communications (SB 232), service of process updates (SB 576/HB 157), public lodging and food service establishments (SB 606), lien waivers and releases (SB 658), Crime Stoppers public records exemptions (SB 710), health care licensure and foreign-country business interests (SB 768, amended), diabetes management in schools (SB 772/HB 597), platting procedures (SB 784), fentanyl testing in hospitals (SB 1346/HB 1195), third-party reservation platforms (SB 940), electronic landlord-tenant notices (SB 1164/HB 615), leaving the scene of a crash restitution (SB 1378/HB 479), background screening for athletic coaches (SB 1546), surrendered infants and infant safety devices (SB 1690/HB 791), and affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (SB 1730, amended). Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on trespass, higher education, transportation services, the UCC, altered sexual depictions, firearms during emergencies, Brownfields, false reporting, health care billing, motor vehicles, utility services, and others.
Most of the debate centered on a few controversial bills. Senators debated the fentanyl testing bill in support of faster detection and life-saving treatment, and the surrendered infants bill drew opposition over safety, anonymity, and liability concerns, though supporters argued baby boxes provide a monitored safe surrender option. The affordable housing bill received an amendment and broad support as a continuation of the Live Local Act, with changes to zoning, parking, height, and litigation procedures. The day’s most contentious measure was the agriculture/consumer services package (SB 700), where senators argued over the bill’s fluoride-related preemption; opponents criticized the policy and process, while the sponsor emphasized broader agriculture, consumer protection, and FFA-related provisions. That bill passed 27-9.
Votes on the other major bills were largely bipartisan and often unanimous or near-unanimous, with several bills passing 35-37 yeas and few or no nays. The Senate also adopted a motion to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House. The session concluded with announcements recognizing visitors, including Taiwan representatives, and remarks about a lantern-lighting observance tied to the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 27, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- The proposed committee substitute first proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution to authorize
- The PCS also authorizes the Legislature to limit the increase in the assessed value of real property
- But this gives locals the ability and the authority to oversee and implement as they need.
- So that local authority then has the ability to cross-reference and do their research, because it does
- The bill empowers local action by authorizing local governments and trusts to lead redevelopment.
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee met on March 27, 2025 and first considered HJR 1257 and its implementing bill, HB 1259, which would create two $25,000 property tax exemptions and an assessment cap for long-term rental properties owned by Floridians who also have a homestead in the state. Supporters argued the measure would increase long-term rental supply and help Florida residents, while opponents from counties and cities warned of a large revenue loss, potential tax shifts to businesses, and weak guardrails against abuse. Members raised concerns about wealthy owners holding many condos, possible family-member workarounds, and whether savings would actually reach tenants. The committee adopted an amendment to the implementing bill, then reported both measures favorably after party-line-leaning debate and recorded votes.
The committee then unanimously reported HB 761, which limits deferred ad valorem and non-ad valorem tax relief to properties with a just value of $1 million or less and raises the minimum tax certificate sale amount from $250 to $500. Members also unanimously approved CS/HB 733 on brownfields, which expands and clarifies the state brownfields program, and two Osceola/Sunbridge local bills, CS/HB 4043 and HB 4059, dealing with special district infrastructure and district boundary expansion subject to voter approval. HB 995 on Areas of Critical State Concern, focused largely on the Florida Keys, was amended to remove the ad valorem tax exemption portion and to adjust the growth cap from 500 to 825 units, then was reported favorably.
Later, the committee approved HB 6021, which repeals sales tax on all bullion purchases of gold, silver, and platinum, with supporters calling it a sound-money measure and critics asking about future revenue effects if related legal-tender legislation passes. Finally, the committee passed HB 1339, which excludes wind-damage mitigation improvements from assessed value for property tax purposes, after adopting a clarifying amendment about secondary water barriers. Throughout the meeting, most bills were reported favorably, often after brief debate and with little or no public testimony beyond support or opposition from affected local-government and industry groups.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll go on to issue for the High-Speed Rail Authority.
- The project update report is the authority conducting that.
- The authority would perhaps put more information.
- My name is Jamie Metalka for the High-Speed Rail Authority.
- I think perhaps the authority can speak in more detail.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Page 31, technical adjustments for Texas Public Finance Authority. That's adopted.
- Rider, excuse me, unexpended balance authority for lease payments is adopted.
- It's adopted as well as the agency request number two to provide unexpended balance authority for Museum
- The first rider is for Unexpended Balance Authority for their research facility construction.
- Capital budget authority only was adopted. Moving to item number 5.
Bills:
SB 1
Committee:
Senate Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Taxes Committee considers HF4, bill proposing constitutional amendment 1/23/25
Transcript Highlights:
- then now, Representative Johnson, now members, this is an amendment to get the bill in the shape the author
- likes so we can debate the bill as the author wishes.
- Now we have House File 4 as amended in the shape the author ... could you please present your bill, and
- Now we have House File 4 as amended in the shape the author ... could you please present your bill, and
- present a very generally let the author present a very good<00:04:30.680><c> job</c><00:04:31.479><c
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4, first adopting the H004A1 amendment without objection. The author described the bill as a constitutional amendment intended to create a tax relief account funded from projected budget surpluses, defined as revenues exceeding 105% of projected expenditures based on the November forecast. Supporters framed the proposal as a way to return excess taxpayer money to families, homeowners, and seniors rather than allowing the state to retain or redirect it.
Testimony in support came from Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity, who praised the bill’s clarity and argued that taxpayers are overburdened and should receive surplus funds back; she also suggested broader tax and budget reforms, including rate reductions and tighter spending limits. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project testified in opposition, saying the legislature already has authority to use surpluses for rebates or tax cuts and warning that constitutionalizing tax policy would reduce flexibility, weaken accountability, and make it harder to respond to changing conditions, emergencies, or recessions.
Members then briefly commented, with Republicans expressing support for returning money to taxpayers and citing cost-of-living pressures and fixed incomes. The committee did not hear a formal department position. At the end of the hearing, Representative Johnson renewed the motion that House File 4, as amended, be recommended to pass and sent to the Ways and Means Committee; the motion prevailed on a voice vote.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 99 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- December 3, 2025, the time within which the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy is authorized
- accompanied by House Bill No. 4259, of Rob Gonzavo, that the Department of Conservation and Recreation be authorized
- House No. 4009, an act authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services
- An act authorizing the city of Quincy to enter into a lease extension to Quarry Hills Associates Limited
- House No. 4009, an act authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural and legislative matters. Members adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee on House Document 4654, and later suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition by Frank A. Moran for a commission studying topical steroid addiction and topical steroid syndrome to go to the Public Health Committee. The House also approved scheduling and advancing a local bill designating the tennis courts in Wether Park, Roslindale, as the Kim O’Connell Tennis Courts.
The chamber considered a Senate amendment to House No. 4615, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, but voted not to concur and instead appointed a conference committee. The House also moved several bills through second and third reading, including measures on child safety, loading light vehicles from car carriers on public ways, increasing penalties for passing stopped school buses, the retirement of Walter L. Gurn of Attleboro, and the Marlborough Ward 7 counselor office. Senate No. 2563, relating to individuals with disabilities, was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
On final action, the House adopted the emergency preamble and passed House No. 4009, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon, and passed House No. 3901, exempting the assistant fire chief position in Natick from civil service. It also engrossed House No. 3897, authorizing Quincy to extend a lease with Quarry Hills Associates, and House No. 4381, regulating the term of the Norwood town moderator. The House then adopted an order to adjourn until Wednesday at 11 a.m. and stood adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget 3rd Revision: SB2060 laid over 4/6, added to today's agenda Apr 7th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- such as fragmented infrastructure, limited public accountability, and restricted municipal zoning authority
- it, it was permissive in that any city council, such as where your city manager is, they have the authority
- Thank you for the question. council, such as where your city manager is, they have the authority and
- they have to direct what these developments look like prior to authorizing the creation of a district
- We're waiting on an author It will come back into session.
Committee:
House Appropriations and Budget
Keywords:
research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria