Transcript Highlights:

• </c> let's Campaign Spending Commission. let's Campaign Spending Commission.
• Commission. Commission.
• Kristin Ching from Campaign Spending Commission. The commission supports the intent of the bill.
• </c> commission first. commission first.
• </c> instead of commission. instead of commission.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 3123, which would treat free tuition or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions as a conditional gift rather than a contractual obligation unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, and Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools strongly backed it, saying it would protect donor intent, preserve school-ohana relationships, and help maintain tuition assistance and educational access for families. A committee member commented favorably on the unity among school organizations, and there were no objections raised before the committee moved on. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2438, which creates a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion, with private and government enforcement options and protections for constitutionally protected speech. Testifiers from the Community Alliance on Prisons and a know-your-rights educator supported the measure as a civil rights protection grounded in the Hawaii Constitution. No opposition testimony was presented during the hearing, and the measure appeared to receive general support from those who testified. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 3142, which establishes offenses for dangerous and habitual dangerous intoxication and allows civil protective custody and emergency examination in lieu of arrest in certain cases. The Attorney General, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services supported the bill as a treatment-oriented diversion tool for people who are dangerously intoxicated and at risk to themselves or the public. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, warning it could expand police discretion, burden emergency rooms, and function as a loss of liberty without sufficient treatment resources, while committee members questioned whether the bill would simply cycle people through emergency rooms and back onto the street. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the chair said decision-making would occur at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission Commission um<04:22:15.119><c> that</c> um that um that includes<04:22:17.439><c> um</c><
• But I've seen with other commissions where we overload the commission with memberships and make the commission
• But I've seen with other commissions where we overload the commission with memberships and make the commission
• </c> special education advisory commission special education advisory commission which<04:28:37.479><
• </c> um statement I agreed that commissions um statement I agreed that commissions can<04:30:15.920><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 695, relating to school districts and medically related grants. The sponsor argued the bill was vague and could undermine existing law, and another member said it would add an unnecessary mandate for school districts. The committee voted to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the motion passed 18-0. Next, House Bill 765, which would consolidate school administrative units and make superintendent jobs elected positions, was also recommended inexpedient to legislate. Members said the bill raised too many questions, could duplicate other legislation, and would move away from local control. That motion likewise passed 18-0. House Bill 768, allowing public school districts to contract with approved private schools, drew more debate. Supporters described it as a language cleanup and an expansion of educational opportunity, while opponents raised concerns about the placement of the language and pending Supreme Court cases. The committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass, and then 10-8 to recommend ought to pass as amended, with a minority report noted. The committee then considered House Bill 446, dealing with parental notice for non-academic surveys. An amendment was offered to make the Youth Risk Behavior Survey opt-in rather than opt-out. Supporters said parents should be informed and should choose whether their children participate, while opponents argued the survey is an important tool for mental health data, grants, and school programming, and that opt-in would reduce participation and data quality. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report noted. Finally, the committee began House Bill 741, which would allow parents to send children to any school district they choose and expand open enrollment. The sponsor described it as broadening choice and keeping public funds in public schools, and an amendment was proposed to restore provisions for children of military personnel. Discussion on the amendment began, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on House Bill 741 or the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:27.120><c> for</c><00:18:27.320><c> securitization</c> Commission for securitization Commission
• Public Service Commission has determined that<00:19:17.040><c> it</c><00:19:17.200><c> is</c><00:19:
• I know that this freezes the base rate for 2 years, but will the Public Service Commission be able to
• </c> but will the Public Service Commission but will the Public Service Commission be<00:24:24.640><c
• </c><00:36:38.720><c> And</c> the new EPIC Commission as well. And the new EPIC Commission as well.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:25 HB 667 Discussion 01:21 HB 667 Roll Call Vote 03:56 HB 677 Discussion 05:01 HB 677 Roll Call Vote 11:51 HB 535 Discussion 13:33 HB 535 Roll Call Vote 34:46 HJR 77 Discussion 38:33 HJR 77 Roll Call Vote 44:23, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we don't really know the number the commission would set.
• Uh, we don't really know the number the commission would set.
• Uh, we don't really know the number the commission would set.
• Uh, we don't really know the number the commission would set.
• They want the commission to have these funds.

Committee: Joint Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 3:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we have seen, there's been a trade commission between Louisiana and Ireland that has brought a good
• They form this commission; what will the general purpose be?
• So will any of these members be paid to serve on this commission? No, sir.
• I serve on the Ireland Trade Commission. I've seen the benefits of it.
• What I did was I created a study commission for the Atchafalaya Basin with the water quality.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and first took up HCR 74 by Representative Beham, which would establish a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission. The author said the proposal would mirror the existing Louisiana-Ireland trade commission and serve as an umbrella group to promote exchanges in trade, academics, financial services, insurance, economic development, and the arts. Members asked about the commission’s purpose and whether members would be paid; the author said they would not be compensated. Representative Marcelle spoke in support, citing the benefits of the Ireland commission, and the committee reported HCR 74 favorably without objection. The committee then considered SCR 38 by Senator Klein-Peter, which repeals Joint Rule No. 7 relating to the Atchafalaya Basin Program Oversight Committee. Technical amendments to the title were offered and adopted. The senator explained the measure was tied to a separate study commission he had created to address water quality and sediment issues in the Atchafalaya Basin, which he said were contributing to stagnant hypoxia and harming the fishing industry. Members discussed sediment, dredging, runoff, and possible ways to manage river silt, and Representative Marcelle expressed interest in the water-quality effort. The resolution was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 495 by Senator Klein-Peter on campaign finance disclosures. The bill would raise the threshold for unitemized contributions from $200, change the definition of participation in elections to focus on making expenditures, extend the annual report deadline from February 28 to March 15, allow leadership PACs to pay for replacing or cleaning items damaged in connection with public office, and treat the second party primary as an election for filing purposes. The author said the bill was shortened from a much larger draft after working with ethics staff and was intended to make reporting more practical for campaigns and PACs. The transcript cuts off before any final action on SB 495 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, Senate Bill 1075 establishes the foreign entity review commission and outlines commission
• land, as well as the sale, lease, or sublease of state land to a hostile foreign entity without commission
• So what this one does is just like it was explained: it forms a commission to be able to determine whether
• a foreign entity, without approval of the commission, is approved.
• Chair and members, Senate Bill 1280 prohibits the Arizona Game and Fish Commission from transporting

Committee: House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee took up two bills. SB 1075 would create a foreign entity review commission and bar the conveyance, sale, lease, or sublease of state land to hostile foreign entities without commission approval, with penalties for violations. Supporters said it was needed to protect land and critical infrastructure from foreign ownership, while opponents argued it duplicated existing safeguards and could burden lawful property transactions. The bill passed on a 5-4 vote, with one member absent. The committee then heard SB 1280, which would prohibit the Arizona Game and Fish Commission from transporting Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona or using public funds or resources for that purpose. The sponsor and supporters said the state should not spend money importing wolves and argued the population had already reached recovery goals, while opponents from Sierra Club and Humane World for Animals said the bill would undermine science-based recovery efforts and genetic diversity for a highly endangered species. Members debated wolf recovery numbers, population status, and potential impacts on ranchers and public safety. After public testimony and member discussion, the committee voted SB 1280 out with a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote, with one member absent. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What happened after that is the Idaho State Tax Commission interpreted this to mean...
• What happened after that is the Idaho State Tax Commission interpreted this to mean that the exemption
• The Tax Commission ordered them to stop prorating. The counties then challenged that in court.
• that when the taxpayer or the retailer that gets dinged in that way appeals that, then the Tax Commission
• So this bill would give the Tax Commission authority to offer that credit and to make right the issue

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going to be— But what will happen that is different, normally if there is a regulatory advisory commission
• I'm the chair of the Delaware Native Species Commission, and I'm going to read a letter from the Commission
• Dear Chair Heffernan and committee members, the Delaware Native Species Commission was formed by the
• At the February 2026 meeting of the Delaware Native Species Commission, the commission voted unanimously
• On behalf of the members of the Delaware Native Species Commission, I thank you and the members of the

Bills: SB9

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two Senate bills. SB 321, with Senate Amendment 1, would change community solar billing so subscribers receive one consolidated utility bill instead of separate bills from the utility and the solar provider. Supporters said the bill would simplify enrollment and payment, improve customer retention—especially for low-income customers—and include safeguards such as guaranteed savings and an escrow mechanism to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. After public testimony from solar developers, the Public Advocate, the Sierra Club, and others, the committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, so the vote was circulated to absent members and the bill was later reported out for floor action. The committee then heard SB 9, with Senate Amendment 1, a long-negotiated wetlands protection bill. The sponsor and DNREC explained that it would create a state non-tidal wetlands program with exemptions for certain agricultural, conservation, and routine activities, general permits for some lower-impact projects, and individual permits for higher-value wetlands. Witnesses described the bill as a compromise among environmental, agricultural, development, and local government stakeholders, while some members raised questions about flooding, landowner impacts, wetland delineation, and the role of the regulatory advisory committee. Public testimony was broadly supportive from environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, builders, engineers, and affordable housing advocates. The committee then voted to release SB 9 from committee. At the end of the meeting, members offered thanks and remarks recognizing the chair’s service and leadership on environmental and energy issues. Both bills were ultimately released from committee and reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as I look at option A, which is an or, it says if the Federal Communications Commission permits a
• If the Federal Communications Commission permits a telephone corporation to discontinue service under
• And then it says that if the Idaho Public Utilities Commission shall recognize and adopt the Federal
• And that puts us in full reliance on the Federal Communications Commission and their processes.
• This is for the gubernatorial appointment, Skip Smeiser, the Idaho Lottery Commission.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard several print hearings and gubernatorial appointments, with most early legislation advancing without opposition. RS 33743, the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act, would require school applicants to disclose past investigations or disciplinary actions and require prior employers to respond; RS 33744 would move certain federally qualified and rural health center scope-of-practice rate changes into code; RS 33721 would extend certain state endowment land commercial leases from 49 to 99 years; and RS 33660 would expand disclosure requirements for paid signature gatherers and paid candidate advocates. All four RS measures were sent to print. The committee also heard from and later resumed testimony on several gubernatorial reappointments, including Jerry Doppie to the Endowment Fund Investment Board, Skip Smeiser to the Lottery Commission, and Nicaela Black Abrams to the Racing Commission; those votes were deferred to a later meeting. House Bill 674, which would remove the Public Utilities Commission’s role in reviewing certain telecommunications service discontinuances and rely on the FCC process instead, drew significant testimony. The sponsor and telecom representatives said it would eliminate a duplicative state process and speed broadband and infrastructure investment while preserving FCC protections. Opponents, including former telecom workers and a trial lawyers representative, warned it could leave rural copper-line customers and emergency users without adequate service or local oversight. After questions about the federal language and whether the bill might invert the current review process, the committee voted to hold HB 674 subject to the call of the chair. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1391, a technical fix preserving lawful entry authority for publicly employed land surveyors, and Senate Bill 1389, which would provide liability protection for churches, grange halls, and other property owners who voluntarily serve as polling places. HB 860, revising the medical parental rights law and related emergency treatment and hotline provisions, received supportive testimony from the Idaho Medical Association, a teen advocate, and the 988 crisis hotline director, and was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. HB 549, which would remove property-owner signatures from petitions to dissolve hospital taxing districts, drew divided testimony: supporters said the current process is unworkable in places like McCall, while the Idaho Hospital Association urged a higher threshold and warned of inconsistency with other district laws. The committee voted to send HB 549 to the 14th order for possible amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to clarify CODA stands for Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental
• For example, the Commission for Independent Education, which licenses all of our schools.
• After a preset number of states adopt the model legislation, compact commissions form.
• Compact commissions are the governing bodies of compacts and are composed of representatives from all
• Health care compact commissions can collect annual assessments from participating states, and states

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee heard and approved several health care bills. Senate Bill 68, by Senator Harrell, would require all hospital emergency departments to be prepared to treat children by maintaining pediatric equipment, staff training, written policies, a pediatric care coordinator, and completion/public posting of the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment. Senator Harrell said the bill is intended to improve pediatric emergency care in general hospitals, and the bill was supported by the Florida College of Emergency Physicians and the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It passed favorably. The committee also approved Senate Bill 154, which corrects the Mobile Act for dentists and dental hygienists by requiring graduates of out-of-state dental schools seeking licensure by endorsement to have attended a CODA-accredited school. The bill drew support from dental and dental hygienist groups and passed favorably. Senate Bill 40, by Senator Sharif, would require Medicaid managed care networks to ensure at least half of primary care providers offer appointments outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, to improve access and reduce emergency room use; it also passed favorably. A lengthy discussion centered on Senate Bill 254, also by Senator Harrell, which would tighten oversight of nursing education programs, create a temporary provisional license and preceptorship for new graduates awaiting NCLEX results, require remediation for low-performing programs, add standardized admission and exit-exam requirements, and allow the Department of Health to inspect programs unannounced. Supporters said the bill would improve quality and help students gain experience, while opponents warned it could reduce the number of nursing programs and worsen shortages, especially among private schools. After debate and testimony from nursing and school representatives, the bill passed favorably, with Senator Davis voting no. The committee then received an OPPAGA presentation on interstate health care licensure compacts. OPPAGA reviewed how Florida uses licensure by endorsement, telehealth registration, and compacts for nurses, psychologists, and physicians, and explained the potential benefits and drawbacks of joining additional compacts, including portability, data sharing, and emergency staffing versus costs, administrative burdens, and possible conflicts with Florida scope-of-practice laws. No action was taken on the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Davis requested to be recorded in support of SB 68 and SB 154.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:00.040><c> on</c><00:10:00.240><c> government</c> select Commission on government select Commission
• Next up, we have 372, and this is a State Naming Commission.
• </c><00:43:21.480><c> and</c> attached agency or border commission and attached agency or border commission
• so there's that question in commission so there's that question in terms<00:43:40.480><c> of</c><00:
• you know whether it be you commissions you know whether it be you know<00:43:49.440><c> being</c><00

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the used car commission, and we've added manufactured housing.
• It's the used car commission, and we've added manufactured housing and, gosh, everything to it.
• A good choice by the governor to fit this commission.
• I'm excited for the opportunity presented to serve on this commission.
• So is this all of our boards, commissions, and agencies? I lost count, kind of around page 35.

Bills: HB1675 , HB3242 , HB1739 , HB3320 , HB3047 , HB4434 , HJR1089 , HB4432 , HB3718 , HB3705

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Summary: The Rules Committee met to consider a long slate of executive nominations and several bills. All of the nominations received broad support and were advanced to the floor, including Lori Burns to the Redlands Community College Board of Regents, Lisa Daly to the Oklahoma State Credit Union, Juana Ellison to the Forensic Review Board, Haley Frick to the Regional University System of Oklahoma, Michael Hillary to the Wildlife Conservation Commission, Dustin Hillary to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, John Holt to the Used Motor Vehicle Dismantler and Manufactured Housing Commission, Brian Sweeney to the Capital Medical Center Improvement and Zoning Commission, and Cale Walker to the USAO Board of Regents. Most nominations passed unanimously; Brian Sweeney’s nomination passed 15-2. The committee then heard and passed several policy bills. HB 1675 created a severe-weather preparedness framework for youth camps and passed 16-1. HB 3242, the Women’s Safety and Protection Act covering shelters, schools, and higher education, passed 15-2 after questions about enforcement and legal remedies. HB 1739 increased state police pension benefits and employer contributions to help retain officers, passing 16-1. HB 3320 overhauled the sunset review process for boards and commissions and passed 15-2. HB 3047 designated LOFT as the central recipient for legislative reports and passed unanimously, and HB 4434 required the governor or acting governor to notify the next successor before leaving the state, also passing unanimously. The committee also advanced HB 4432, which would restore the ability to deduct gambling losses against gambling winnings for state income tax purposes; supporters said it would help ordinary taxpayers, while opponents raised fiscal concerns, and it passed 16-1. HB 3705 raised the parental choice tax credit cap from $250 million to $275 million and passed 13-3 after extended debate over school choice, public funding, and reporting. HB 3718 set timelines for school districts to process evaluations tied to the Lindsay Nicole Henry Scholarship program and passed 12-2, with critics arguing it could create a separate track and strain school psychology resources. HJR 1089, which would have sent voters a constitutional convention referendum, was laid over and not voted on. The meeting ended with adjournment after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want me to kind of jump into the commission specifically? Sure. Yeah.
• I've been a user of the commission in my final. 9281 of Ann T.
• I've been a user of the commission in my final. Husky.
• Well, it's such an important commission. Thanks. It's a pleasure. Thank you. Thank you.
• Well, it's such an important commission, and of course this is the housing committee.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee met on cutoff day and first considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Housing Finance Commission. Aaron T. McGrath and Ann T. Malone each testified about their housing finance and affordable housing backgrounds, their prior commission or sector experience, and their interest in improving housing affordability and equity. Senators asked brief questions and offered supportive comments, and both appointments were heard without objection. The committee then heard and later acted on a series of housing-related bills. ESHB 1500 would expand resale certificate requirements for common interest communities by adding reserve studies, audits, and governing documents, limiting certain fees, allowing rush service fees, and creating enforcement rights; testimony was split between Realtors, who supported the consumer-protection goals but sought clarifications and more time for rescission, and HOA/management representatives, who warned against limiting third-party processing tools and sought more flexibility. EHB 1501 would require associations to answer certified written inquiries from owners within 30 days, subject to reasonable association rules; the sponsor framed it as a basic right to a response, while HOA representatives supported the intent but asked for clearer limits and coordination with existing law. EHB 1345 would allow detached ADUs outside urban growth areas under detailed guardrails; builders, Realtors, counties, and housing advocates supported it as a rural housing tool, and the committee heard that it had been the product of years of negotiation. In executive session, the committee adopted amendments and advanced several bills. It approved a metering requirement for water use in SB 5470 on detached ADUs outside UGAs, narrowed SB 5729 to permit-review provisions, adopted a substitute for SB 6015 on permit-ready factory-built housing plans, and moved forward SB 6069 on transitional, supportive, and emergency housing with zoning and local process changes. It also advanced SB 1686 on deferred utility connection fees, SB 6200 on portable cooling devices for renters and mobile home occupants after rejecting an amendment to remove window units, SB 6201 creating tax exemptions for social housing agencies, SB 6214 establishing land bank authorities, and SB 6237 requiring flood-risk disclosures in rental housing. The committee then returned to public testimony on ESHB 1500, EHB 1501, and EHB 1345, hearing additional support and concerns, and adjourned after thanking staff for their work on cutoff day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we make referrals to the State Ethics Commission.
• It establishes a commission on the reduction of grocery costs.
• The commission will study this system, the entire system from our farmers and dairy producers and meat
• So, the commission will be a nine-member commission.
• The Commission will also take a look at inviting others as we've heard during the debates on the House

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The revenue is not generated and sent to the state; it's kept in local conservation commissions, and
• I just don't think it would really impact conservation commissions in towns the way that they're convinced
• and I think that's who we commissions and I think that's who we heard<00:09:00.320><c> from</c><00:09
• when we might conservation commissions when we might just<00:10:15.640><c> need</c><00:10:15.800><c>
• in towns the way that Commissions in towns the way that they're<00:11:06.320><c> convinced</c><00:11

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to the Blue Ribbon Commission. to the Blue Ribbon Commission.
• </c> mentioned to the Blue Ribbon Commission mentioned to the Blue Ribbon Commission uh<00:52:05.200>
• Reminder, the Blue Ribbon Commission was passed last session that would ask this commission of experts
• </c><01:20:08.240><c> and</c><01:20:08.360><c> all</c> Blue Ribbon Commission and all Blue Ribbon Commission
• </c> Commission on Special Education. Commission on Special Education.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or by a central collection commission, is that the centralized state commission?
• That's assuming we go to a statewide centralized commission or page two, and give me that line when we're
• To a statewide centralized commission or page two, and give me that line one more time: line 16, 17,
• If a tax authority is governed by a joint sales and use tax commission pursuant to R.S. 47:337 or by
• a central collection commission pursuant to R.S. 47:337, is that...

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered Senate Bill 436 by Senator Cloud, which revises how annual aviation fuel estimates are calculated for the Aviation Trust Fund. Senator Cloud explained that the fund supports airport and aviation projects and is used to draw down federal matching dollars, but its credited amount has remained flat for years despite changing fuel sales. The committee adopted a set of amendments allowing DOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce to use federal and other public data sources, requiring annual sales tax collection reports from the Department of Revenue, and making a technical change. The bill was then reported favorably as amended, with several supporters’ cards entered into the record. The committee next took up House Bill 1039 by Representative Desotel, dealing with local sales and use tax audit procedures. Desotel said the bill was intended to improve fairness, transparency, and consistency in local audits, especially where businesses face multiple simultaneous audits by different parishes. A nine-amendment set was offered; after discussion, the committee adopted all amendments except Amendment 4, which would have required private auditing firms to be domiciled in Louisiana, and authorized staff to make technical changes. Members raised concerns about whether the bill could unintentionally encourage delays in audits and about whether audits in one parish could trigger audits in others. Desotel said the goal was to add guardrails without harming parish taxing authority, and the bill was reported as amended. Several witnesses and committee members spoke in support of stronger limits on repeated parish audits, describing the burden on businesses and the need for a more uniform process. Support cards were read into the record from multiple individuals and organizations, including the Louisiana Retailers Association and NFIB. Senate Bill 423 was then voluntarily deferred, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• or by a central collection commission, is that the centralized state commission?
• That's assuming we go to a statewide centralized commission or page two, and give me that line when we're
• To a statewide centralized commission or page two, and give me that line one more time to line 16, 17
• , 18: If a taxing authority is governed by a joint sales and use tax commission pursuant to R.S. 47:337
• or by a central collection commission pursuant to R.S. 47:337, is that...

Bills: HB1039 , SB423 , SB436

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector, tax collector, prescriptive period, prescription waiver, interest suspension, delinquency penalties, estimated assessment, arbitrary assessment, certified mail notice, audit notice, taxpayer rights, installment agreement, Louisiana tax law, Title 47, revenue collection, tax administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Arkansas State Police and Sergeant Brady Baker, law enforcement for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
• Senate Bill 11 is also within the Department of Health for the Arkansas Minority Health Commission.
• Members, this is the appropriation for the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
• Members, this is the appropriation for the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
• This is their appropriation for the Workers' Compensation Commission.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum call, and several leave requests. Members then recognized guests and visitors, including law enforcement officers, a doctor and nurse of the day, and various constituent and advocacy groups in the galleries. The chamber adopted the consent calendar resolutions without objection. On the floor, House Resolution 1006 passed 92-0, authorizing introduction of a non-appropriation bill to raise the Homestead Property Tax Credit from $600 to $675. The sponsor said the increase was supported by the dedicated property tax relief fund and should not be delayed given current inflation and fuel costs. The House then took up appropriations bills, passing House Bill 1014 for DHS Provider Services Quality Assurance 82-9-2 and House Bill 1062 for the DHS Tobacco Settlement Program 87-4-2 after brief questions about what the funding covered. The House also considered a large batch of Senate appropriation bills. A grouped set of bills passed 92-0-1, while several were pulled out for separate votes. Senate Bill 5, funding the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission, failed 71-14-8. Senate Bills 9, 11, 12, 17, 18, 37, and 56 were then voted on individually; SB 9 passed 77-8-6, SB 11 passed 79-7-6, SB 12 passed 82-9-0, SB 17 passed 93-0-0, SB 18 passed 90-1-1, SB 37 passed 80-11-1, and SB 56 failed 30-52-4. The House then adjourned until Tuesday at 1:00 p.m., with committee meetings announced for Tuesday morning and after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• What happened after that is the Idaho State Tax Commission interpreted this to mean that the exemption
• What happened after that is the Idaho State Tax Commission interpreted this to mean that the exemption
• The Tax Commission ordered them to stop prorating. The counties then challenged that in court.
• when the taxpayer or when the retailer that gets dinged in that way appeals that, then the Tax Commission
• So this bill would give the Tax Commission authority to make that credit and to make right the issue

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved minutes from prior meetings and then heard House Bill 843, which would eliminate proration of the homeowners’ homestead exemption and make clear that the exemption applies for the full tax year beginning January 1 when a complete application is filed. Representative Manwaring explained the bill as a response to prior statutory changes, county disputes, and a Supreme Court decision, and said the measure would simplify administration for counties. Testimony from the Idaho Realtors and the Idaho Association of Counties supported the bill as the simplest option for homeowners and local officials. After discussion about the tax-cancellation process and a possible overlap when homeowners move, the committee voted to send HB 843 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered RS 33636, introduced by Chairman Cannon, which would address sales tax and use tax treatment for items incorporated into real property, such as boilers, refrigeration units, and fireplace inserts. Cannon said the bill would authorize the Tax Commission to credit sales tax already paid when an audit later determines use tax applies, and would make that credit available more broadly rather than only in appealed cases. Members discussed how sales tax and use tax can differ in practice because use tax is based on the retailer’s cost rather than the retail sale price, and a member noted a Rule 80 declaration due to business involvement with sales and use tax. The committee voted to introduce RS 33636, and then adjourned.