Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is Senator Archuleta, SB 623, Property Taxation Exemptions. The action is due pass.
• Property Taxation, Family Homes and Farms. Oh, did I skip that one? Yeah, I saw that.
• Now we get to Senator Seyarto, SB 288, Property Taxation, Family Homes, and Farms.
• Senator Umberg, SB 342, Contractors Unlicensed Work. The action is due pass.
• You made the job a lot easier, and I think we worked great together as a team.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met in a vote-only suspense file hearing with no public testimony. The chair explained that measures would be taken up alphabetically, with some bills amended before voting and addendum analyses to follow on the committee website. A quorum was present, and the committee then moved through a long list of Senate bills covering topics such as battery recycling, property tax exemptions, rail safety, military protective orders, affordable housing and youth housing bonds, workers’ compensation, metal shredding facilities, elections, family research centers, electrical rates and political influence, AI standards, student health, air quality, abandoned electrical infrastructure, disaster preparedness, contracts bid preferences, presidential election qualifications, unlicensed contractor work, alcohol and drug programs, generative AI, kratom and nitrous oxide, unmanned aircraft, adoptees’ birth certificates, body-worn cameras, physician discipline, and deprivation of constitutional rights. Several bills were amended before passage, including measures on railroads, military protective orders, housing bonds, workers’ compensation, metal shredding facilities, youth housing, property taxation, kratom/nitrous oxide, adoptees’ birth certificates, and constitutional rights. The committee repeatedly substituted prior roll-call votes for similar measures, resulting in many bills passing on unanimous 7-0 votes or 5-2 votes with Republicans voting no. SB 691 on body-worn cameras passed on a 6-0 vote, and SB 742 on abandoned electrical facilities was approved after a brief roll-call correction. Overall, the committee advanced all measures heard that day and adjourned after the chair noted it was their last meeting presiding over Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• locations like school, work, or the grocery store.
• All of a sudden, we had one last shot to see if this could work.
• The Revenue and Taxation Committee is now adjourned.
• The Revenue and Taxation Committee is now adjourned.
• Thank you. taxation committee is now adjourned. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I want to thank you for continuing to work on this.
• It would have saved me about $160, $860 in taxation.
• I'll thank you for continuing to work on this.
• It would have saved me about $160, $860 in taxation.
• Chairman, we've worked with you, Mr.

Bills: SB32 , SB464 , SB996 , SB1163 , SB1173 , SB1277 , SB1452 , SB1453 , SB1548 , SB1882 , SB1883 , SB2016

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several bills by Senator Bettencourt focused on property tax and local government accountability. SB 32 would provide about $700 million in business tax relief by raising the business personal property exemption from $2,500 to $25,000 and continuing a 20% franchise tax credit for inventory taxes paid. Witnesses from NFIB, the Texas Retailers Association, and Texas Realtors supported the bill, saying business personal property and inventory taxes are burdensome and especially hard on small businesses. After no opposition testimony, SB 32 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 1453, which would change how interest and sinking tax rates are calculated by using only the minimum debt service required under bond schedules, while still allowing a higher rate with a 60% governing body vote and a public explanation. A witness from the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association supported the bill as a way to keep debt rates from rising as property values increase and to preserve tax relief. The bill was left pending after testimony. SB 1883 would tighten rules on local impact fees by requiring 60 days of public availability for capital improvement plans and land use assumptions, raising the approval threshold for adopting impact fees from a simple majority to two-thirds, limiting how often fees can be increased, and expanding notice requirements. Builders and developers testified in support, arguing that impact fees are often poorly reviewed, lack accountability, and are passed on to homebuyers, worsening housing affordability. Committee members discussed adding audit provisions and questioned the lack of city testimony. The bill was left pending with subcommittee action. SB 1452 would require a voter election to decide whether a municipal management district continues to exist, with dissolution if voters reject it; supporters said it would add accountability, while others noted some districts provide essential services and infrastructure. The committee heard testimony from district representatives and builders, then left SB 1452 pending before recessing.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 885, by the Revenue and Taxation Committee, is an act relating to taxation, amending Section
• House Bill 722, by the Revenue and Taxation Committee, regarding taxation.
• House Bill 722, by the Revenue and Taxation Committee, regarding taxation.
• It literally doesn’t work.
• to increase snowpack, and it has proven to work and work effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxation is still legislating money from one person's pocket to another.
• ><c> money</c><01:11:19.040><c> from</c> Taxation is still legislating money from Taxation is still legislating
• More spending, more debt, more taxation.
• More spending, more debt, more taxation.
• But I'm 100% all in to work for my constituents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Property Taxation, Family Homes and Farms. Oh, did I skip that one? Yeah, I saw that.
• Now we get to Senator Seyarto, SB 288, Property Taxation, Family Homes and Farms.
• Senator Umberg, SB 342, Contractors, Unlicensed Work. The action is due pass.
• You made the job a lot easier, and I think we worked great together as a team.
• You made the job a lot easier, and I think we worked great together as a team.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee held a vote-only suspense file hearing with no public testimony, taking up a long list of Senate bills and amendments. Measures discussed included battery recycling, property tax exemptions, railroad wayside detector systems, military protective orders, an affordable housing bond, fireworks permits, workers’ compensation earnings, metal shredding facilities, election system inspection, family research centers, electrical rates and political influence, AI standards and safety, youth housing bonds, student health, air quality standards for hydrogen sulfide, electrical infrastructure, disaster preparedness, property taxation for family homes and farms, state agency contract bid preferences, presidential election qualifications, unlicensed contractor work, alcohol and drug programs, generative AI in legal settings, kratom and nitrous oxide, unmanned aircraft, adoptees’ birth certificates, body-worn cameras, physician certificate revocation, and deprivation of constitutional rights. Several bills were amended before passage, including changes to bond measures, technical fixes, narrowed remedies, and other author-requested revisions. Most measures advanced on unanimous 7-0 votes, while a number of higher-profile or more controversial bills passed on 5-2 votes with Republicans voting no. SB 667 on railroads passed 4-2 after amendments; SB 691 on body-worn cameras passed 6-0; and SB 742 on permanently abandoned electrical infrastructure passed after a roll call that was corrected on the floor. The committee repeatedly substituted roll calls from earlier bills to record votes on many items, reflecting the suspense-file process. No testimony was taken, and the chair emphasized that all items had already been heard previously. At the end of the hearing, the chair announced it was their last meeting presiding over Appropriations, thanked the committee staff and members, and the committee adjourned after noting that results and addendum analyses would be posted online for amended bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Property taxation, family homes and farms. Oh, did I skip that one? Yeah, I saw that.
• Now we get to Senator Seyarto, SB 288, Property Taxation, Family Homes, and Farms.
• Senator Umberg, SB 342, Contractors Unlicensed Work. The action is due pass.
• You made the job a lot easier, and I think we worked great together as a team.
• You made the job a lot easier, and I think we worked great together as a team.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> representatives working on their behalf. representatives working on their behalf.
• I mean, since 2019, we've been working and addressing this issue, and it's working.
• <01:41:15.679><c> working.
• Is it working at the that it's working.
• </c> we'll make it work. we'll make it work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Working Connections is a larger program that ensures people can go to work or school and they can be
• So there's double work there.
• Sorry, I'm usually out there working with our clients on these projects.
• How will that work?
• How will that work?

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on nine bills. Senate Bill 5872 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic donations for ECAP preschool slots; supporters, including DCYF, the governor’s office, and early learning advocates, said it would help expand access to high-quality pre-K with a 10-year Ballmer Group commitment for up to 10,000 new seats annually. Senators asked how the money would flow, and staff and witnesses explained it would be governed by an MOU and deposited annually; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5879 would eliminate two JLARC studies, one on lodging tax reporting and one on training benefits; supporters said the reports were duplicative and burdensome, while the hospitality industry warned against losing transparency, and no action was taken. Senate Bill 6047 would permanently codify various capital budget administration rules, including minor works flexibility and early learning grant changes; testimony focused on technical cleanup and on provisions affecting co-located child care and community projects, with no vote taken. Senate Bill 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to charge fees for accrediting opioid treatment programs, with support from DOH and tribal/nontribal providers who want the state to continue providing the service; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5923 would allow Island Hospital in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital, with local hospital leaders and residents supporting the measure to improve reimbursement and sustain rural care; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5832 would raise the Lemon Law arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to fund the Attorney General’s consumer protection work, and the AG’s office, dealers, and the sponsor said the program is effective and underfunded; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5970 would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers, with AARP supporting the bill as a benefit to seniors and caregivers; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5994 would preserve timber tax distributions for school districts that recently had qualifying levies, and forest industry witnesses supported the bill while suggesting a possible amendment for state forest transfer lands; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5949 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses so it applies only to the entity paying the insurance premiums tax, retroactive to 2019; the Department of Revenue and bill supporters argued it restores tax equity, while insurers, health plans, and business groups opposed it as retroactive, ambiguous, and likely to raise premiums. The committee heard extensive testimony on that bill, but the transcript ends with adjournment and no recorded vote or executive action.

Transcript Highlights:

• . work.
• I'm very proud to work with the governor on this.
• I really appreciate the tax committee's work on this again.
• I know they worked so many long days, but thank you.
• But again, I thank the committee for their hard work.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does taxation statements.
• But, until that work is done, services.
• </c> way to work out some of the the books. way to work out some of the the books.
• She said early intervention matters because it works.
• She works at another school, Our Lady of She works at another school, Our Lady of Peace, Peace, Peace

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We will try to put that sergeant-at-arms to work in finding Mr. Carroll. Thank you.
• Next bill, please: House Bill 2289, an act amending sections relating to taxation and truth-in-taxation
• House Bill 2289, relating to truth in taxation bond notices.
• So, when we did the research, we did the work that I thought the sponsor could have done.
• and for dignity, equality, and fair working conditions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, thank you for all your guys' hard work. Okay. Thank you very much.
• </c> work. Okay. Thank you very much. work. Okay. Thank you very much.
• Moving on to the Department of Taxation. TAX 107, sequence 102-0001, Senate.
• Moving on to the Department of Taxation. TAX 107, sequence 102-0001, Senate.
• Moving on to the Department of Taxation. TAX 107, sequence 102-0001, Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our hard work is just going to wasted spending.
• We work statewide with working families as well as Latino-led small and micro-businesses whose workers
• I think there's just still some work to do. I'm working through this issue.
• We're encouraged by the work that's being done.
• solution that works for all jurisdictions.

Bills: SB6346 , SB6347 , SB6147 , SB6246 , SB5940 , SB5882 , SB6223 , SJR8206 , SB5762 , SB5828

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• They are very good to work with landowners on all kinds of things.
• In doing that, they work voluntarily with landowners to help those species on their land.
• They are very good to work with landowners on all kinds of things.
• So I went to work with people and got this changed.
• House Revenue and Taxation Committee will not meet Friday, February 27, Cannon, Chairman.

Transcript Highlights:

• It works.
• And that's how I would think that that would work.
• A lot of work has gone into this.
• House Revenue and Taxation stands adjourned. Representative Monks.
• House Revenue and Taxation stands adjourned. taxation stands adjourned.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, and use and taxation
• HB 1210 by Raymond relating to the adoption of uniform rules for hours of work of certain county employees
• relating to the authority of a county commissioner's court to adopt an exemption from ad valorem taxation
• amendment authorizing the commissioner's Court of a county to adopt an exemption from ad valorem taxation
• a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide an exemption from ad valorem taxation

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know he of work with the bill.
• That's how they just said that, look, we working on trying to work out this bill.
• And they're working on something. And they're working on something.
• All right, it'll work. Well, I'mma yield to this... It'll work.
• </c> So, how does that work? So, how does that work?

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened, heard a prayer and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the prior journal. The chamber received House messages, including referral of Senate Confirmation 89 for Rex Jones to the Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Trust Funds Management Board, and concurred in Senate Bill 231 after a 30-0 vote. Several local House bills were referred to the Committee on Local Legislation. During personal remarks, Senator Coleman-Madison recognized Women’s History Month and highlighted Alabama native Mary Ellen Jolly and her book, "Accidental Activist," praising women who support the legislature. The Senate then processed committee reports, including favorable reports on multiple Finance and Taxation General Fund bills (SB 143, 144, 145 with substitute, 152, 153, 154, 162, 226 with substitute, and 146 with substitute and one abstention), as well as confirmations for Nancy Sandford, Marty Abrams, and Jim Page to the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees, all of which were confirmed. Committee reports also advanced several county and municipal and local legislation measures, including SB 292, HB 351, HB 141, HB 273, HB 504, HB 488, SB 343, and SB 346. On the floor, SB 333 on class two municipalities passed after adoption of its BIR and committee amendment, and HB 308, a proposed constitutional amendment for Mobile County, passed after the Senate tabled the committee amendment, adopted a substitute amendment by Senator Figures, and approved the certification resolution. SB 334 for Shelby County, SB 339 for Crenshaw County, and HB 507 for Covington County also passed, with certification resolutions adopted where required. The governor returned SB 228 with an executive amendment, and the Senate concurred 33-0. The Rules Committee report set the special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing bills including SB 91, SB 280, SB 181, SB 237, SB 326, SB 255, HB 77, HB 104, HB 110, HB 271, HB 362, HB 332, HB 429, SB 211, HB 125, HB 122, HB 124, SB 140, SB 199, and SB 332. Senator Singleton spoke at length criticizing the handling of minority-sponsored bills and questioning several measures, and after debate the Senate adopted the special order calendar 34-0. SB 91 was then carried over at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• He truly inspired me to work hard on my career and my education.
• We need a government that works for working people, not just massive corporations.
• I think certainly as countries come to work with us, the ones that have chosen to work with President
• Working with, calling it an alliance or however it's termed, working with a group of countries that are
• With some working families receiving even less.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Commerce, International Trade, Tax Policy, Nominees, Inflation, Middle-class, Trade Practices, Economic Concerns

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and nominees, including the critical nominations of William Kimmett for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ken Keyes for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Discussions highlighted the nominees' roles in managing critical trade and tax policies amidst rising economic concerns, particularly focusing on inflation and its impact on American families. Members expressed both support and skepticism, emphasizing the significance of fostering fair trade practices and ensuring tax policies that benefit the middle-class amidst claims of an agenda favoring affluent individuals and corporations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to say I'm just very proud of the work that he's doing and the work that Española is doing
• Work on an acequia, start working at the Soil and Water District, become contractors, get their degrees
• Speaker, they know who does the work in New Mexico.
• How could that work? Mr.
• How will that work? Work with them. I know that recycling does create a lot of emissions. Mr.