Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to improve the program and help more taxpayers stay in the program.
• Basically, it's just a tracking burden on the taxpayer.
• Conformity will prevent taxpayer burden and confusion among taxpayers. ...and we're recommending approval
• Conformity will prevent taxpayer burden and confusion among taxpayers, and the revenue effects are very
• Lee, with the California Taxpayers Association and Opposition. Thank you.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did the governor fulfill his duty to protect taxpayer dollars? Did he uphold the law?
• </c> protect taxpayer dollars? protect taxpayer dollars?
• It was a choice, a political choice, that cost Minnesota taxpayers billions of dollars.
• </c><00:45:01.000><c> in</c> We are accountable to the taxpayers in We are accountable to the taxpayers
• It ticks me off a lot as a taxpayer who just paid thousands of dollars in taxes.

Transcript Highlights:

• forced to hand over millions of dollars, and those millions of dollars are generally paid by local taxpayers
• </c> local taxpayers, so local residents. local taxpayers, so local residents.
• So, there's a moral principle here of our local taxpayer dollars and local taxpayer funded facilities
• </c> principle here of our local taxpayer principle here of our local taxpayer dollars<01:04:15.400><
• and local taxpayer funded dollars and local taxpayer funded facilities<01:04:17.400><c> going</c><01

Transcript Highlights:

• The first exception is that the federal earned income credit requires taxpayers to have a Social Security
• To receive those advanced payments, taxpayers will have to opt into advanced payments when they file
• files and claims 2025 uh when a taxpayer files and claims this<00:02:11.319><c> credit</c><00:02:11.640
• to have a Social requires taxpayers to have a Social Security<00:02:43.840><c> number</c><00:02:44.040
• </c><00:02:49.599><c> are</c> second childless taxpayers are second childless taxpayers are ineligible

Bills: HF2254 , HF2302 , HF2502 , HF2315 , HF2475 , HF2086

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> time and taxpayer dollars. time and taxpayer dollars.
• </c><02:09:29.360><c> absent</c> unfairly imposed on taxpayers absent unfairly imposed on taxpayers absent
• ><c> protection,</c> This is property taxpayer protection, This is property taxpayer protection, local
• Is there things that can be done to save taxpayer dollars, or can you make your taxpayer dollars go further
• So, this option at taxpayer expense.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank all of the regulators and support staff that work for you and. the taxpayers and the
• We have to hold those agencies accountable for the money they are costing our taxpayers.
• We only have one source of income in state government, and that's through our taxpayers.
• And we have to protect those taxpayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would argue it's more important to have a liaison between you and the taxpayers.
• Let's handle the liaison with the taxpayers first.
• I would argue it's more important to have a liaison between you and the taxpayers.
• Let's handle the liaison with the taxpayers first.
• So he's doing that role. to educate people, not just the taxpayers, but assessors.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> by the commissioner to all taxpayers by the commissioner to all taxpayers claiming<00:04:50.039>
• taxpayers in any municipality or city.
• </c> the rest of the property taxpayers the rest of the property taxpayers especially<00:32:36.639><c
• <00:41:25.920><c> pretty</c><00:41:26.160><c> hard</c> taxpayers pretty hard taxpayers pretty hard thank
• </c> 20127 and shall apply to the taxpayers 20127 and shall apply to the taxpayers beginning<01:15:51.760

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Long. taxpayers would benefit when agreements taxpayers would benefit when agreements are<01:03:51.039
• And it doesn't make any sense to me as a taxpayer.
• And it doesn't make any sense to me as a taxpayer.
• I'm representing Roniotti as a taxpayer.
• </c> representing Roniotti as a taxpayer. representing Roniotti as a taxpayer.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Summary: The committee opened its labor hearing on SB 655 and outlined the day’s schedule, including a later working session on SB 416 and an executive session planned for 2:30 p.m. Senator Dan Innis introduced SB 655, describing it as a technical bill affecting employee leasing companies/professional employer organizations (PEOs), workers’ compensation coverage, and a Senate-added minimum wage exemption for minor league baseball players covered by a collective bargaining agreement. He said the PEO change would let either the PEO or the client business hold workers’ comp coverage, while still requiring coverage, and argued it would align New Hampshire with most other states and reduce barriers for small businesses and multi-state employers. He also said the baseball provision would clarify wage treatment for minor league players and support the Manchester team. Justin Warell of Insperity testified in support of the PEO portion, explaining that PEOs provide HR, payroll, benefits administration, and workers’ compensation administration through a co-employment model. He said the bill would preserve mandatory coverage while allowing flexibility for the client or PEO to maintain the policy, which could help clients who already have preferred coverage or who face cost or administrative issues in multiple states. He noted that most clients would still remain under the PEO’s policy and said Insperity would submit written comments. Committee members asked about how the arrangement would work, whether the client or PEO would pay, and whether the bill would affect liability insurance packaging; Warell said the employer still bears the cost and that the bill mainly gives larger clients an option. One member asked him to remain available for possible follow-up after hearing from the labor department. Stephen Gonzalez of Major League Baseball testified in support of the minor league baseball exemption. He said MLB and the MLB Players Association negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that already provides players with salary, housing, meals, per diems, health and retirement benefits, disability continuation, tuition assistance, and signing bonuses. He argued that treating players as hourly workers creates impractical time-tracking problems because players do work-related activities on their own time, and said the bill would recognize them as salaried workers and avoid litigation over what counts as hours worked. Committee members questioned why the exemption was needed if players are already salaried and whether MLB could simply amend its CBA; Gonzalez said the bill would help prevent wage-and-hour lawsuits and noted that similar exemptions have been enacted in other states. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair indicated the bill would be considered for executive action later that afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a taxpayer from the seacoast of New Hampshire.
• Do you think you will be taxpayers?
• Spending taxpayer dollars in this 37.
• But what we truly lose is taxpayers.
• Chief, your time is taxpayers clearly.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• authority, which means more bureaucracy, more government jobs, more oversight, and more spending of taxpayer
• And as a matter of fact, we as taxpayers have abolished them as a public policy, a governmental policy
• This is building commercial properties on the taxpayer dime and on the shoulders of taxpayers.
• In my opinion, this bill is financing on the taxpayer dime.
• So the taxpayers are not being taken advantage of at all.

Committee: House Rules - Legislative

Transcript Highlights:

• Increasing the standard deduction and adjusting the brackets provides money back to the taxpayers' pocket
• 00:13:28.440><c> the</c> brackets provides money back to the brackets provides money back to the taxpayers
• ' pocket day to day, and they taxpayers' pocket day to day, and they never<00:13:32.280><c> have</c><
• Our taxpayers need relief now. What's happening right now?
• Our taxpayers need relief now. What's happening right now?

Bills: HB389 , HB469 , HB1510 , HB1573 , HB1705 , HB1858 , HB1875 , HB1946 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB2001 , HB2093 , HB2096 , HB2097

Transcript Highlights:

• not only to build these budgets but to ensure that They are built understanding how sacred these taxpayer
• And so I think it is in the best interest of the Taxpayers of the state of New Mexico and the legislature
• Very quickly, I agree with the idea or the sentiment that this legislature needs to adopt Is that taxpayer
• I'm looking for how did we protect the taxpayers of New Mexico?
• That the taxpayers of New Mexico send to us and then we put in the budget to spend.

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• programs that you say are alternatives, and they're probably more than $5,000 per individual of taxpayer
• To offset this cost and make homeownership more affordable, I introduced AB 1620 to allow taxpayers to
• Testifying with me today is Scott Kaufman of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
• The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is proud to support this measure and urges you to support it
• Providing deductions for insurance premiums means state taxpayers are called on to subsidize well-off

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation convened with a quorum, reviewed housekeeping rules for testimony and position letters, and reminded the public that bills with revenue impacts over $150,000 would be sent to the suspense file rather than voted on immediately. The chair noted that no bills on the agenda would be eligible for a vote that day because they would automatically be referred to suspense. The committee then heard several tax-related measures, with testimony generally split between bill authors/supporters emphasizing affordability, public safety, or conservation, and opponents arguing the proposals were inefficient tax expenditures better handled through existing programs or direct budget funding. AB 1565 proposed a $5,000 tax credit for small businesses that hire formerly incarcerated people within a year of release and keep them employed for at least six months. Supporters said the bill would reduce recidivism, help small businesses manage hiring risk, and save the state money by avoiding incarceration costs; one witness described personal experience overcoming a felony record. The California Tax Reform Association opposed the measure, arguing employment tax credits are ineffective and that existing programs are more targeted. Members from both parties expressed support, but the bill was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1596, which would create a five-year sales tax holiday for infant car seats; AB 1668, which would extend a welfare tax exemption for land trust-held open space; AB 1690, which would expand the Young Child Tax Credit to families with older children; AB 1698, which would create a tax credit for small restaurants that comply with food handler certification requirements; and AB 1620, which would allow a deduction for homeowners’ insurance premiums on primary residences. Supporters framed these bills as relief for families, small businesses, and land conservation efforts, while opponents repeatedly argued the tax code should not be used to subsidize these costs and that existing programs or market solutions were preferable. Each bill was ultimately referred to the suspense file, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts are still required to notify taxpayers of the referendum by mail before the election and are
• Districts are still required to<00:02:06.159><c> notify</c><00:02:06.640><c> taxpayers</c><00:02:07.200
• of</c><00:02:07.360><c> the</c><00:02:07.520><c> referendum</c><00:02:08.000><c> by</c> to notify taxpayers
• of the referendum by to notify taxpayers of the referendum by mail<00:02:08.640><c> before</c><00:02
• So every taxpayer should get a notice from their district via the mail.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of retirement systems, a lot of taxpayer dollars are turned over to these outfits, and there aren't
• Taxpayer dollars are turned over to these outfits, and there aren't the proper checks in place to make
• These are fixes, a start on the fixes for past misspending, overspending, fraud, or abuse of taxpayer
• For past misspending, overspending, fraud, or abuse of taxpayer dollars within the Central Purchasing
• at the House of Representatives, to make this as effective and efficient as possible to protect taxpayer

Bills: HB1739 , HB1784 , HB1889 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB3625 , HB2939 , HB3028 , HB3265 , HB3313 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3420 , HB3588 , HB3748 , HB3721 , HB3852 , HB4132 , HB4263 , HB4303 , HB4311 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB4434

Committee: House Government Oversight

Summary: The committee opened with prayer, laid over House Bill 1784 as dead, and then heard a long series of measures, many related to pensions, retirement systems, elections, and state procurement/reporting. Early bills included HB 3588 on debtor-creditor law updates, HB 3748 on county partnerships with four-year institutions, HB 4303 extending the municipal ordinance publication deadline from 15 to 30 days, HB 4311 increasing the treasurer’s share of the unclaimed property administration fee from 4% to 6%, and HB 3028 allowing CareerTech to charge processing fees. All of these advanced on due pass votes, with some opposition on HB 3588, HB 4311, and HB 3028. A major block of the meeting focused on retirement and pension policy. The committee advanced HB 4428 and HB 4429 on proxy advisor transparency and fiduciary voting standards for retirement systems, with the author arguing they would improve transparency and keep pension decisions focused on financial returns rather than ESG/DEI considerations. Other pension-related bills that passed included HB 4132 creating a cybersecurity safe harbor for local governments, HB 1889 fixing a COLA gap for certain retired police officers and firefighters, HB 3265 defining “mental health specialist” for disability applications, HB 1739 reinstating a half-pay provision in the state law enforcement retirement system, HB 3313 changing the Retirement Freedom Act by raising contribution and match rates and eliminating vesting, HB 2116 expanding eligibility for State Fire Marshal officers, HB 2206 allowing newly hired school resource officers to join OLEERS, HB 3625 expanding school district investment options, and HB 3721 creating a survivor-benefit election for children of certain public safety officers. Most of these passed with little or no debate, though HB 1739 drew questions about actuarial “safe harbor” language and pension funding. The latter part of the meeting centered on a package of government contracting and transparency bills from Representative Strom. HB 3413, HB 3414, HB 3415, HB 3416, HB 3417, HB 3418, and HB 3420 would require more detailed reporting of contracts, subcontractors, consulting services, and post-contract assessments; create public posting and reporting requirements through OMES and Central Purchasing; revise bidding rules for state, county, and municipal entities; require vendor ownership disclosures; allow live-streamed bid openings; and add misdemeanor penalties for violations of Central Purchasing rules. Strom said the package was intended to improve accountability, documentation, and protection of taxpayer dollars. The committee also passed HB 3852 clarifying poll worker list requirements for county election boards, HB 4434 requiring gubernatorial notice when out of state, and HB 2939 removing fax-machine references from statute. Most measures were adopted with policy recommendations and passed on strong votes, and the meeting ended with Chairman West thanking members for their work and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• For depreciation of qualified property, taxpayers would maintain the phase-down process of the TCJA,
• Taxpayers will add back the amount deducted at the federal level and subtract one-seventh for seven years
• deduction for business meals, and the increase in the amount of business interest that may be deducted, taxpayers
• years, In this bill, the provisions that allow depreciation over seven years may have some effect on taxpayers
• And ultimately what I'm trying to say is this isn't just about tax relief for corporate taxpayers in

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. The first, SPB 7046, was the Senate tax package. It included changes to Live Local property tax opt-outs, charter school distributions from voter-approved property tax levies, RV park special assessments, fiscally constrained county funding, a permanent sales tax exemption for small propane tanks, a hunting/fishing/camping sales tax holiday, and provisions barring governmental net zero policies. An amendment made the charter-school distribution change prospective starting July 1, 2026. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the charter-school language would divert money from traditional public schools and on the fiscal-constrained county formula. The bill was reported favorably as a committee bill after a roll call vote, with Senators Bernard and Jones voting no. The committee also considered SPB 7048, which updates Florida’s conformity to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and partially decouples from federal tax changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill addresses bonus depreciation, research and experimental expenses, business meal deductions, and the business interest deduction, with the Revenue Estimating Conference expected to review the fiscal impact later in the week. The Florida Chamber testified that the bill should better align with federal tax relief and reduce administrative burdens, while senators emphasized the need to balance business tax relief with state revenue constraints. SPB 7048 was also reported favorably as a committee bill by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our constituents and taxpayers' dimes.
• To shut out the elected county commissioners from oversight of contracts that they and our taxpayers
• But the constables are providing tremendous value to taxpayers and homeowners. citizens of all, making
• Ultimately, it could waste taxpayer money and create bureaucratic delays by requiring elections for even
• However, while allowing taxpayer dollars to be used on administrative benchmarks or other issues, releasing

Bills: SB 3 , SB 16 , SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB17 , SB 54 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB8 , HB25 , HB26 , HB192 , HB8 , HB25 , HB26 , HB48 , HB149 , HB192 , HB254 , HB17 , SB54 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB3 , SB16 , SB2 , SB5 , SB10

Transcript Highlights:

• requiring the comptroller to assess penalty and interest only on the net amount of tax due from a taxpayer
• overpayments to offset underpayments under a limited set of circumstances in which... ...to the taxpayer
• This makes sure that both the state and taxpayers are treated fairly.
• So we provide a critical service to our taxpayers.
• This has continued to put further strain on our local government and taxpayers.

Bills: SB868 , SB1337 , SB1371 , SB1377 , SB1426 , SB1620 , SB2064 , SB2065 , SJR4 , SJR 4

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• property taxpayers I know that<00:52:37.079><c> in</c><00:52:37.280><c> 2023</c><00:52:38.280><c> uh
• Accounting, tax preparation, and taxpayer representation.
• Many of our clients are seniors, immigrants, day laborers, and low-income families—the very taxpayers
• </c><01:09:18.799><c> and</c> broad cross-section of taxpayers and broad cross-section of taxpayers and
• </c> accounting tax preparation and taxpayer accounting tax preparation and taxpayer representation<01

Committee: House Taxes