Bills: HB2431, HB2583, HB2278, HB2584, HB2610, HB2615

Keywords: HB 2431, Washington property tax, nonprofit exemption, public assembly hall, meeting place, fundraising activities, charitable organizations, property tax exemption, RCW, tax exemption, nonprofit hall, event venue, scheduled fundraising, limited use, rental of exempt property, loan of property, sunset clause, temporary tax law, Ways & Means, Finance Committee

Summary: House Finance heard several local tax and public-service bills. HB 2278 would remove the July 1, 2027 expiration on the extra $3-per-room-night tourism promotion area lodging charge; staff said it would increase local revenues by about $4 million in the 2027-29 biennium, and supporters from destination marketing groups said the funds have produced strong returns for tourism and events. HB 2224 would let certain cities form single-city fire protection districts with revised levy treatment and a partial exemption from the $5.90 aggregate property tax limit; city and fire interests supported it as a more workable funding tool, while firefighters and hospital districts raised concerns about governance and prorationing impacts. HB 2583 would expand which cities can impose a 4% special lodging tax and change public facilities district lodging-tax rules; Vancouver and SeaTac supported it for tourism and regional attractions, hospitality and short-term rental witnesses raised concerns about stakeholder input and equity, and one arts nonprofit said the bill was duplicative of an existing Vancouver performing arts center effort. The committee also heard HB 2431, which would increase from 15 to 50 days the number of days nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places may be used for regularly scheduled fundraising without losing their property tax exemption; the sponsor and the Grange supported it as a practical fix for community halls. HB 2325 would create a statewide tourism self-supported assessment program under the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, funded by industry assessments and overseen by a ratepayer board after a business referendum; tourism, hospitality, wine, and brewing groups supported it, while members asked about impacts on Seattle neighborhoods and other communities. After public hearing testimony, the committee moved into executive session and passed HB 2584, HB 2610, and HB 2615 out of committee with due pass recommendations by 14-0 votes, with one member excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um the consumption that time period.
• <c> for</c><00:43:03.839><c> data</c> exemption for electricity for data exemption for electricity for
• Minnesota already exempts significant Minnesota already exempts significant categories<01:08:40.480><
• already</c><01:09:11.440><c> exempt</c><01:09:11.839><c> in</c> clothing, which is already exempt in
• Exempting pens, beyond school age.

Bills: HF331, HF916

Keywords: school supplies, sales tax exemption, use tax, sales and use tax, back-to-school, classroom supplies, education tax relief, tax holiday, retail exemption, Minnesota sales tax, school materials, binders, calculators, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, book bags, local tax revenue, taxable sales base, income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative session, they exempted school districts if you remember.
• And they were within a municipality that had adopted the exemption.
• inspection, that the property is eligible for an exemption.
• While this exemption is important, it also creates challenges, as Mr.
• The 100% Disabled Veterans and spouse exemption accounts for 79% of all exemption losses of the ad valorem

Bills: HB511, HB972, HB 1035, HB2481, HB2723, HB2742, HB2894, HB2962, HB3077, HB3093, HB3307, HB3684, HJR67, HJR72

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• coming up doesn't give away any revenue, but it does bring some clarification to when we pass an exemption
• Number one, we have a fair amount of local sales tax exemption bills that have been put in this committee
• I don't know if it's going to work or not, but it's to deal with all the local sales tax exemptions for

Bills: SB1, SB83, SB159, SB160, SB1

Keywords: workers' compensation, public education, employee injury, insurance trust fund, on-the-job injury, administrative procedures, adult-size changing table, changing station, accessible restroom, public bathroom, public building, public entity, ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, accessibility, restroom renovation, new construction, grant program, state grant, local government facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• credit from 100,000, I think it was 180,000, to get that up to the $200,000 level that would be exempted
• To get that up to the $200,000 level that would be exempted when you figure the true and full value to
• What we'll do is we'll open up another application period and market just two mobile homes to get them

Bills: SB2397

Keywords: oil and gas, tax exemption, development incentive wells, gross production tax, flaring, 908, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up House Bill 1382, the gas tax bill. Members explained an amendment to ensure that the proposed three-cent gas tax distribution would include all counties and townships in oil-producing counties, rather than excluding non-oil-producing counties as in the original draft. The committee adopted the amendment unanimously, but then held the bill for the time being because of related work on the Department of Transportation budget in the House. The committee then turned to House Bill 1168, a large hoghouse amendment that combined the bill with the contents of House Bill 1176 and added technical corrections. The proposal would raise the primary residence property tax credit maximum from $1,250 to $1,650, keep the 75% cap with a $500 floor, and extend the credit to voter-approved levies while excluding special assessments. Other changes discussed included aligning the disabled veterans property tax credit with the $200,000 exemption level, adjusting budget and distribution dates so taxing districts are made whole sooner, exempting townships from a general-election vote requirement for levy increases, and modifying school funding formulas so schools are not shortchanged if mill levies are reduced under the cap. Testimony from the Association of Counties and the State Supervisor of Assessments was generally supportive of the technical cleanup and implementation changes, but they raised concerns about the June 1 distribution date, application timing, and the practicality of some programming and administrative changes. Committee members also discussed the policy and messaging implications of the 75%/floor structure and the difficulty of applying the credit to certain voter-approved levies. No final action was taken on House Bill 1168; the committee agreed to continue working on amendments and recessed until later in the day.

Bills: SJR81

Keywords: tax exemption, ad valorem, tangible personal property, income production, constitutional amendment, 1185, senate, all

Bills: HB444, HB444

Keywords: HB444, vaccines, vaccine exemption, religious exemption, religious liberty, private school, church school, faith-based school, parochial school, school immunization, testing requirement, disease testing, parental rights, school enrollment, attendance requirements, CHOOSE Act, school choice, education funding, tax exemption, corporate income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Keel, I was waiting on Representative Alman to ask this question, but does this exempt
• In the states that do tax, they're exempt.

Bills: SB1, HB176, HB86, SB1, HB176, HB86

Keywords: workers' compensation, public education, employee injury, insurance trust fund, on-the-job injury, administrative procedures, HB176, Alabama sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax exemption, optical aids, eyeglasses, contact lenses, prescription glasses, vision care, optometrist, ophthalmologist, optician, medical devices, local option tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, under current law, to be exempt for a religious exemption in the K-12...
• For a religious exemption in the K-12 world, you have to go to the public health department in your county
• school and provide directly a notice that they're wanting their child, for religious reasons, to be exempt
• I mean that if you want the exemption, you have to go to the state.
• Just fill out a form, submit it to your local school, and say, "I request a religious exemption from

Bills: HB266, SB85, SB166, HB266, SB85, SB166

Keywords: education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, over a 10 year period. equal amounts.
• And lastly, we are developing and Registry to find, to really address those hot spots over a long period
• that it works well enough and that people don't have to be, you know, locked up for substantial... periods
• During the American Revolution period, all the turnpikes were privately built and you charged tolls to
• the past, they didn't feel like that you're going to give X dollars. for projects over a 10-year period

Bills: HB5, HJR3, HB155, HB513, HB5, HB155

Keywords: dementia, research, health care, Texas Institute, grants, medical breakthroughs, oversight, prevention, funding, healthcare, Texas, autopsy, confidentiality, public records, medical examiner, law enforcement, HB 513, surgical smoke, surgical plume, smoke evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• the semicolon the word “and”; and number two, on page 18, line 22, by inserting after the word “exempted
• ” and before the period the following language: Number five, the Board of County Commissioners may solicit
• the semicolon the word “and”; and number two, on page 18, line 22, by inserting after the word “exempted
• ” and before the period the following language: Number five, the Board of County Commissioners may solicit
• And then it says unless expressly exempted and says all acquisitions... ...expressly exempted and says

Bills: SB2130, SB2135

Keywords: municipal finance, audit exemption, biennial reporting, local government, transparency, county purchasing, purchase card, government accountability, emergency expenditures

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee heard two bills. Senate Bill 2135, as amended, would let county purchasing agents obtain purchase cards through a local bank instead of only through the current state program, while keeping existing competitive-bidding and other guardrails. Senator Reinhart said the amendment was developed with the State Auditor’s Office to add protections, and committee questions focused on sealed bids, public award of contracts, spending limits, and how the bill aligns with current state P-card rules. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill then advanced on a 10-0 roll call vote. The committee also considered Senate Bill 2130, a constituent-request bill aimed at helping very small towns qualify for grants by easing pre-grant audit requirements. Senator Murdoch explained that towns of 500 people or fewer with $50,000 or less in total funds would be exempt from having to obtain an audit before applying for a grant, though customary audits would still apply otherwise. Members discussed whether the bill could weaken fiscal oversight, whether other audit requirements would still apply, and whether agreed-upon procedures engagements might be a cheaper alternative. The chair and several members supported the measure as a way to help struggling rural communities, and the bill advanced on a 9-1 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• teens that come from all over to volunteer, and just being able to offer them a job, even for a short period

Bills: S0534, S7020

Keywords: food insecurity, hunger, college students, nutrition assistance, pilot program, open government, sunset review, aquaculture, public records, exemption

Summary: The committee met, called the roll, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. It first considered the appointment of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. No appearance forms were requested, and the committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Trunow explained that the exemption protects shellfish and submerged land lease records, supports compliance with federal partners and statutory requirements, and helps protect marketplace competition. A representative from the Department appeared in support, and the bill was moved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, Senator Bernard’s hunger-free campus pilot program bill. He described a pilot within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to identify campuses with high numbers of Pell-eligible students, develop a survey with the Hunger Task Force, designate staff to help students enroll in SNAP, expand campus food access, and require reporting on outcomes and future funding. The bill had one appearance form in support and was reported favorably without debate. The committee also received a presentation from the St. Pete Youth Farm, led by Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors. They described the farm as a youth-led community project on city-owned land that addresses food insecurity while providing leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness programming, composting, aquaponics, and community events. Senators praised the program, asked about possible expansion into a culinary kitchen and partnerships with schools, and the presenters said they hope to expand youth opportunities, food preparation training, and related programming. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Bills: HB543

Keywords: tax exemption, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, market value threshold, Alabama taxation laws, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State law provides a number of exemptions from REIT, including an exemption for the sale of self-help
• State law provides a number of exemptions from REIT, including an exemption for the sale of self-help
• small business stock exemption to the capital gains tax, or the QSBS exemption, benefits the wealthiest
• During this period, businesses may elect to treat the amounts received during the transition period as
• This is not a limit on an exemption.

Bills: HB2175, HB2227, HB2528, HB2292, HB2257, HB2608

Keywords: durable medical equipment, sales tax exemption, healthcare accessibility, cost reduction, nonprofit providers, affordable housing, real estate tax, exemption, housing policy, tax incentives, real estate excise tax, REET, growth management act, GMA, local government finance, capital facilities plan, comprehensive plan, county tax, city tax, voter approval

Summary: House Finance heard a series of bill briefings and public hearings on tax and revenue measures. HB 2175 would exempt free durable medical equipment providers from retail sales and use tax on certain equipment purchases; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider testified that the bill would help charitable organizations furnish wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, beds, and similar items at no cost to patients, while staff said the Department of Revenue expects a small general fund revenue loss and some administrative costs. HB 2608, a reintroduced version of last year’s HB 1210, would require nuclear facility projects seeking the targeted urban area property tax exemption to meet specified labor standards and allow cities extra time to complete projects; supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy manufacturing and jobs, while opponents from contractor groups, environmental advocates, and others objected to the PLA/labor requirements, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the potential impact on competition and local taxpayers. The committee also heard HB 2227, which would extend an existing REIT exemption for self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs such as community land trusts; sponsors and housing providers said it would lower closing costs and preserve long-term affordability, and staff said the exemption applies to the nonprofit-to-buyer sale, not later resales. HB 2528 would let counties and cities that voluntarily fully plan under the Growth Management Act impose the second local REIT without voter approval; supporters said it would give all GMA cities the same tools to fund sidewalks, ADA work, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise homeownership costs and remove voter approval for a tax increase. The committee then heard HB 2292, which would subject gains from qualified small business stock to Washington’s capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in fiscal year 2027, while the sponsor argued it closes a loophole that mainly benefits wealthy investors and does not affect the standard deduction or other existing exemptions. Testimony split sharply: tax policy advocates supported the bill as a way to make the tax code less regressive, while startup founders, venture and tech industry representatives, and small business groups warned it would discourage investment, hurt founders and early employees, and push innovation activity out of state. Finally, HB 2257 was briefed as a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative tax-code changes, largely to codify guidance tied to last year’s sales-tax-on-services legislation; staff said the changes are intended to clarify definitions, exclusions, sourcing, and related tax treatment, and DOR testified in support, explaining that the bill would give taxpayers statutory certainty for rules the department has already been enforcing administratively.

Bills: HB3880, HB3263, HB2970

Keywords: Oklahoma Today Magazine, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism promotion, advertising sales, commission pay, employee bonus, sales commission, digital publication, print publication, sponsorships, bulk subscriptions, newsstand sales, ancillary products, public records, procurement exemption, administrative procedures exemption, tourism magazine, revenue sharing, executive director, state agency compensation

Summary: The Tourism Committee met for its first meeting and considered three bills. House Bill 3880, presented by Representative Cantrell, would clarify that the Tourism Department’s in-house sales team handles advertising and sponsorships across publications, digital platforms, conferences, and events; members asked about how the work is currently divided between the department and Oklahoma Today magazine, and the bill passed 5-0. House Bill 3263, by Representative George, would designate the morel mushroom as the state mushroom; after light discussion, including a joking request for a tourism-related debut event, it also passed 5-0. Representative Rosecrans presented House Bill 2970, which would change the state fossil designation from Sorofaganax maximus to Soro Poseidon-Protelis because the current fossil has been reclassified and is no longer considered a valid species. Members asked about the science behind the change and whether the new fossil was a plant-eater; Rosecrans explained it is a sauropod and emphasized its tourism value because fossils are found in Oklahoma’s panhandle and southeast. The bill passed 5-0. After the votes, Rosecrans noted the reconstruction of the fossil is at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman and invited the committee to tour it. The chair announced that the Tourism Department would meet with the committee the following week at 10:00 a.m., and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you move to, you know, sales tax exemption on roads to a better standard or something along those
• marketplace currently include many of my members who allow for appraisal long after claims for a period
• marketplace currently include many of my members who allow for appraisal long after claims for a period
• So I strongly support for, for two, two, but it's a one-year period like that expanded because we are

Bills: HF4881, HF4867, HF4422, HF4223

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, regulation, financial institutions, prescription drug affordability, consumer protection, restitution account, financial compensation, attorney general, distributions, property insurance, homeowners insurance, fire and allied lines, hail insurance, appraisal clause, loss adjustment, alternative dispute resolution, insurance claims, claim valuation, actual cash value

Transcript Highlights:

• from an EA environmental is exempt from an EA environmental assessment<00:04:38.360><c> or</c><00:04
• We'll accept DOH and HAH as an amendment to exempt physicians and physician assistants credentialed by
• Clarify that the exemption from fingerprint-based background checks for individuals who have submitted
• We'll accept DOH and HAH as an amendment to exempt physicians and physician assistants credentialed by
• Clarify that the exemption from fingerprint-based background checks for individuals who have submitted

Bills: HB2592

Keywords: Mauna Kea, MKSOA, Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, University of Hawaii, UH, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 195H, land management, transition period, management plan, administrative rules, rulemaking, lease extension, sublease, public lands, Native Hawaiian rights, cultural stewardship

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on several decision-making agendas and first considered HB 1696, which would lower the minimum age for commercial driving in-state from 19 to 18 and adjust qualifying criteria. The committee agreed to accept amendments, including changes suggested by the Operating Engineers Union, and voted unanimously to pass the bill with amendments. HB 2333, which would authorize airport special districts and increase penalties for certain aeronautics violations, was deferred after concerns were raised about treatment of people outside airport security perimeters. On the next agenda, the committee passed HB 1710 with technical amendments only. That bill would allow the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct phase reviews of certain private-property projects and revise concurrence deadlines. HB 1737, clarifying allowable agricultural district uses related to farm dwellings and farm employee housing, also passed with technical amendments only. HB 1823, dealing with coastal zone management and excluding certain state- or county-funded infrastructure projects in Lahaina from the definition of development, passed with amendments from the Attorney General’s office. The committee then took up HB 1897, an alternative dispute resolution measure for condominium-related disputes, including facilitated mediation, evaluative mediation, and binding arbitration. Despite noting broad opposition and a reservation from Senator Buenaventura, the committee adopted the measure and moved it forward as is. Finally, HB 2576, which streamlines background check requirements for health care facilities and workers, passed with amendments reflecting input from OHA, HAH, and DOH. The meeting concluded with notice of a later joint agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maintaining the current $3 million exemption level is a good thing.
• The exemption expires January 1, 2028. The exemption expires January 1, 2028.
• Turning to some property tax exemptions, there are several exemptions from property tax available in
• The exemption applies if the housing for certain low-income persons.
• So I'm looking at the property tax exemption and the definition is changed.

Bills: SB6114, SB6244

Keywords: excise tax, definitions, tax law, taxation, fixtures, affixed, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So on the House side, in order to move the bill, we exempted real estate.
• Real estate is exempted in the bill.
• Real estate is exempt from this.
• It talks about a 30-day testing period, a right to cancel for the consumer.
• It has a three-day cooling-off period. For the consumer.

Bills: HCR66, HB387, HB617, HB797, HB950, HB975, HB1186, HB1222, HB1223, HB1228, HB1256

Keywords: economic development, rural communities, infrastructure, workforce training, Louisiana Economic Development, engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on April 20, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a series of bills and resolutions. It first advanced H. CR 66, which directs Louisiana Economic Development, working with the Governor’s Office of Rural Development, to study rural parish economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. The committee also moved HB 387, a clarification allowing the fire marshal to review architectural and engineering plans equally, and HB 1223, which seeks to promote clinical trials in Louisiana by having LED market the state’s research capacity and by adjusting internal review board procedures. HB 1228, a cleanup bill for hearing aid dealers that updates definitions, contracts, testing periods, licensing, and related requirements, was also reported favorably, as was HB 950, which would create an elderly consumer perception program through the Office of Elderly Affairs to help seniors recognize scams and fraud. The committee spent the most time on HB 617, a broad “hidden fees” consumer transparency bill. The author and supporters said it would require mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing so consumers can make informed choices, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups argued the bill was vague, overly broad, and likely to create compliance burdens and litigation risk. Housing advocates objected to the bill’s housing exemption, warning it could weaken renters’ ability to bring claims over undisclosed fees. After extensive debate over variable pricing, sales taxes, enforcement, and the scope of the bill, Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard HB 797, which would create a “Bayou Gold” certification program for certain gold vendors and transactional gold products. The sponsor said the program would encourage vendors to keep gold insured, segregated, and closer to Louisiana consumers, with the Treasury administering the certification through participant fees. Several senators and an outside witness raised concerns that the state seal could be mistaken for an endorsement, could create liability or consumer confusion, and would favor a narrow set of vendors. Despite opposition, the committee reported HB 797 favorably, with members noting it still had to go to Finance. Later, the committee advanced HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, add disciplinary authority, and impose a small permit fee to support the program, and HB 1222, which would let LED develop a grocery initiative to address food deserts and food insecurity. The meeting concluded with the committee hearing HB 1256 on abandoned digital assets, which would require dormant digital assets to be held in original form for three years so owners can reclaim them.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been tax exempt.
• Reason to believe the exemption is invalid.
• Period. Why?
• Period. So we're going to do something about it.
• Now, when we look at the three-year period, Robert, I think that may be too long of a period because

Bills: SB467, SB325, SB867, SB994, SB1052, SB1237, SB1449, SB1531, SB2063, SB2172, SB2173, SB2520, SB2529, SB2538, SB2541, SJR46, SJR84

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property