Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we're going to again start our revenue projections with the Department of Revenue Administration.
• to talk revenue estimates.
• tax revenue. tax revenue.
• it's just difficult revenue estimating. it's just difficult revenue estimating.
• The one source of revenue that you need to make a note for is the lottery revenue.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in revenue available to spend in each biennium is revenue collected during that biennium plus the remaining
• It will be general revenue in 26-27.
• this time is due to severance tax revenue that is retained in general revenue instead of going to the
• gas tax revenues as well.
• tax revenue in fiscal 24.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gross revenue?
• just gross revenue.
• Now, revenues by fund type.
• So that’s revenue loss that does not count natural growth in other revenues, but this is straight revenue
• And overall budget revenue, you have state-shared revenues, you have taxes, as we mentioned before, and

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels. The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenue source within the general fund.
• to do with those revenues.
• So, a little bit of headwinds for the revenues in the out years, but we're seeing a slowdown in revenues
• This revenue volatility: the black line is the revenue growth and the bars are the budgetary costs growth
• And those things, but in terms of revenue replacement. like a revenue replacement.

Transcript Highlights:

• So revenue is going to go like this; revenue from the tax is going to go like this.
• This is a general fund revenue source, so we are going to see a decrease in revenues in that line item
• But two important numbers are the gap between what revenue we have presently and what revenue we would
• See, the revenues decline.
• the state's non-recurring revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is included in the total revenue but not in the recurring revenue projection.
• Of revenue, which is definitely good news.
• We've seen a lot of revenue, or we're expecting a lot of revenue losses.
• You've overspent the revenues that you've collected.
• You've not spent all the recurring revenue.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• revenues are going down.
• this wrong it looks like your revenues this wrong it looks like your revenues are<00:06:02.039><
• Is that gross revenue or net?
• Sure, it's actually gross revenue, but in some cases, like for scratch tickets, this is gross revenue
• revenue of more like 400?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and CFO Jim Durus. McIntyre said the Lottery has more than tripled its return to the Education Trust Fund since 2011, from $62 million to $207 million in FY 24, while keeping expenses relatively flat over time. He explained that the Lottery operates like a business, is heavily audited, and that the governor’s budget raises the FY 26-27 revenue estimate to $185 million, up about $12 million annually from prior estimates. He attributed FY 24’s unusually strong results to record Powerball sales driven by a spike in billion-dollar jackpots tied to higher interest rates, and said scratch tickets still make up most gross sales, though Powerball is the highest-margin product. Members questioned the Lottery about the difference between gross revenue and profit, the steep rise in operating expenses, and the reasons for requested budget increases. McIntyre said the main drivers were payroll, benefits, advertising, added regulatory responsibilities from expanded gaming, and a new Salesforce customer-tracking system. He also described requested capital needs, including an outdated security system, building access and ADA improvements, and upgrades to the front office for employee safety. He said the security system is still running on an old Windows 7-based setup and that the requested upgrade would modernize cameras and add redundancy. The discussion also covered staffing and gaming expansion. McIntyre said the Lottery has 84 employees including three commissioners, with 13 funded vacancies, and that it plans to fill positions as two new gaming rooms come online in Rochester and Derry. He said the Lottery’s revenue estimates were revised upward because sports betting in Massachusetts had less impact than expected and historic horse racing machines have been more profitable than forecast. He also explained the governor’s proposal to shift historic horse racing toward slot-style machines, saying the physical machines would look largely the same but the content and math would change, and that the state’s revenue share would increase under the proposal. No votes were taken; the committee mainly asked questions and received explanations about the Lottery’s budget and revenue assumptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:12.600> 25 the official plan was for revenues 25 the official plan was for revenues
• revenue.
• revenues.
• revenues.
• and the impact on revenue.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken. Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales. Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to have the revenue forecast with Secretary of Taxation and Revenue, Stephanie Chardon-Clark
• Revenue sources. Then I'll turn it over to Mr.
• So inflation does raise revenues.
• You're looking at revenue stability.
• The first is revenue stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joint Committee on Revenue. My name is Adrian Madaro, the House Chair of the committee.
• Again, these revenue generators are not broad-based tax increases.
• There is more to this bill than raising revenues, however.
• Again, these revenue generators are not broad-based tax increases.
• There is more to this bill than raising revenues, however.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on several property and local tax bills. The main focus was H.56, the Municipal Empowerment Act, which the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, MAPC, and Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo supported as a package of local options and administrative reforms. Supporters said municipalities need more tools to relieve pressure on property taxes and fund services, citing proposed increases to local meals and lodging taxes, a new local vehicle excise surcharge, senior property tax relief, one-year override flexibility for emergencies, and central valuation of telecom and utility property by DOR. The administration said the bill was based on municipal listening sessions and was intended to give cities and towns optional, not mandatory, revenue tools. Opponents, including the National Federation of Independent Businesses, argued the tax increases would hurt restaurants, hotels, tourism, and small businesses and add to affordability concerns. The committee also heard testimony on H.3211, dealing with deeds excise receipts, from Norfolk County Commissioner Richard Staidi. He said Norfolk County is financially stable but needs additional revenue for major capital needs at its agricultural school, especially a new cafeteria and other aging facilities, and also to support county programs such as veteran transportation services. On S.2020, a bill to allow settlements of tax liability, Greater Boston Legal Services, the Asian American Civic Association, and several individual taxpayers urged creation of a more workable offer-in-compromise process at DOR. They said the current system is too subjective, requires an unaffordable $5,000 threshold, lacks clear standards and appeal rights, and leaves low-income taxpayers stuck with unmanageable debt, license suspensions, or business closures. Supporters said the bill would give both taxpayers and DOR a practical way to resolve liabilities and bring people back into compliance. The committee also took testimony on S.1966, which would require nonprofits selling property to disclose any back-tax obligations to buyers. Senator Peter Durant said the bill was prompted by a personal experience in which a tax bill arrived after a nonprofit property purchase was already completed, and he argued the disclosure would prevent buyers from being surprised by retroactive tax liability. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed the session after hearing from all scheduled witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And while this is tax revenues.
• revenue source. revenue source.
• volatile revenue sources. volatile revenue sources.
• after the improvements to the revenue after the improvements to the revenue forecast. forecast.
• available revenues. available revenues.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget officials presented the February 2026 budget and economic forecast, saying the state remains in a strong financial position but faces continued structural imbalance and significant uncertainty. Commissioner Aaron Campbell said the FY 2026-27 balance is now projected at more than $3.7 billion, up about $1.3 billion from November, and the FY 2028-29 planning period is projected to end with a $377 million positive balance. He emphasized that the improvement comes largely from higher projected revenues, especially individual income and corporate franchise taxes, but warned that the state is increasingly reliant on more volatile sources such as capital gains, interest income, and corporate profits. State Economist Dr. Anthony Becker said the national outlook improved slightly, with stronger projected GDP, consumer spending, and investment, but weaker payroll growth and ongoing trade-policy uncertainty. He noted that the forecast was complicated by missing federal data because of the federal shutdown, and that tariffs, immigration policy, equity markets, and possible AI-related shifts all present risks. Revenue projections were raised for the current biennium, including individual income tax receipts, sales tax revenue, corporate franchise tax revenue, and other revenues, while Becker stressed that federal funding threats, especially involving Medicaid and other entitlement programs, could materially alter the outlook. State Budget Director Anna Mingi said general fund spending in the current biennium is projected to be $68 million lower than previously estimated, but planning-year spending is up $152 million. The biggest spending changes came from education, where special education costs rose sharply after updated local spending data, and from human services, where a new prepayment review process for certain Medicaid benefits reduced projected spending by $133 million this biennium and $105 million in the next. She also said discretionary inflation is now estimated at $1.04 billion, up $104 million from November. Campbell closed by saying the state’s reserve remains at a record $3.8 billion and that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy help protect against downturns. He cautioned, however, that the long-term structural imbalance remains about $3.4 billion in the planning years, or $2.3 billion excluding discretionary inflation, and urged policymakers to offset any new spending with reductions. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session on the forecast.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, investment income earnings will play a large part in our revenue growth and revenue available
• in the RRA revenues?
• In your revenue estimates, income tax revenues in 2026 declined by $197 million from 2025.
• Updated consensus revenue forecast.
• because it is real revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona ranks fifth in the nation in terms of tribal revenue sharing.
• When revenues are sufficient, both sources provide monies to the When revenues are sufficient, both sources
• When revenues are sufficient, both sources provide monies to the When revenues are sufficient, both sources
• And, above all, driving revenue through that building.
• And one of the major goals, if you will, is revenue generation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House Commerce Committee of Reference heard sunset reviews and a performance audit presentation for the Arizona Department of Gaming, the Racing Commission, the Boxing and MMA Commission, and later the Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board. The Auditor General reported that the Department of Gaming and the commissions generally met some statutory duties, but identified several problems: the department did not consistently obtain and review independent audits for event wagering and fantasy sports operators; the department and commissions had gaps in conflict-of-interest disclosures; the department and Boxing and MMA Commission lacked comprehensive complaint-handling processes; the department was late distributing some compact trust fund payments; and there were additional issues involving IT security, horse-racing license checks, fee reviews, public records practices, and licensing compliance. The Auditor General said the department agreed to implement all 36 recommendations, the Racing Commission agreed to six recommendations, and the Boxing and MMA Commission agreed to 13 recommendations. The department director said many fixes were already underway, including updated guidance, complaint tracking improvements, and a historical look-back on operator reporting, and she also discussed efforts to combat illegal gambling and educate minors and families about gambling risks. Committee members questioned the department about third-party audits, penalties for underpayments, public records handling, conflict-of-interest screening, and the department’s position on prediction markets and suitability standards for licensees. The director said the department would review past reports, could assess fines if violations were found, and would generally wait for final adjudication or final action in other jurisdictions before taking Arizona licensing action. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend the Department of Gaming be continued for two years until July 1, 2028, the Racing Commission for six years until July 1, 2032, and the Boxing and MMA Commission for six years until July 1, 2032. The Department of Gaming motion passed 7-4, the Racing Commission motion passed 10-1, and the Boxing and MMA Commission motion passed unanimously. The committee then heard the Auditor General’s report on the Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board. The audit found the board timely processed many licenses and complaints and had adopted curriculum rules, but it inconsistently applied its disciplinary guidelines, sometimes issuing different sanctions for similar violations without documenting the reasons for deviation. The report also found problems with reciprocity education requirements, application review controls, inspections, and compliance with open meeting, public records, and conflict-of-interest requirements, and it suggested possible statutory changes on aesthetics scope of practice, cease-and-desist authority, and training standards for I-LEST technicians. The board agreed with the findings and said it had already updated disciplinary parameters and documentation policies, with more recommendations in progress; committee members asked about discretion in discipline, audit funding, and service efficiency, and the board highlighted its licensing volume, call response, inspections, and complaint handling performance.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you start with your revenues.
• Revenue growth by source.
• I should clarify that this is a revenue estimate. So these are estimates to our revenues.
• If you have a revenue decline in the current and future years, you may have less revenue than you've
• Revenue in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second big bucket are energy revenues, direct energy revenues.
• revenue coming into the state, you increase your dependence on oil and gas revenue.
• What if revenues came in low?
• new state revenue?
• It includes foregone revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• > the<00:05:00.880> current Our revenue estimates for the current Our revenue estimates
• Becker to cover our economic and revenue outlook. spending will exceed revenues generated spending will
• <00:14:27.840> forecast, Now, turning to our revenue forecast, Now, turning to our revenue
• > current<00:14:41.560> biennium Total revenues for the current biennium Total revenues for
• > is<00:15:43.000> now General sales tax revenue is now General sales tax revenue is now

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going from zero dollars in new revenue to joining the Senate's call for over $5 billion in ongoing revenues
• We hit a recession, and we have declining revenues and a mismatch between revenues and expenditures,
• But to solve an increasing revenue challenge with increasing revenue even further just kind of doesn't
• In addressing what we feel is a shortage of revenue. We don't have a revenue shortage.
• So, distinct uses of the revenue.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of compensatory revenue. of compensatory revenue.
• compensatory revenue in their general education revenue.
• . revenue. revenue.
• integrate compensatory revenue and extended time revenue.
• to revenue to compensatory revenue to revenue to school<01:06:13.760> sites<01:06:14.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the Department of Revenue.
• with the Department of Revenue.
• Department of Revenue. Department of Revenue.
• >> It's revenue ruling. >> It's revenue ruling.
• Revenue ruling, of course. >> Oh. Revenue ruling, of course.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Joint Committee on Revenue. My name is Adrian Madaro.
• None of that is taxable under our revenue laws. Thank you. Taxable under our revenue laws.
• Seen a penny of revenue as that law has been held in courts.
• The tobacco tax revenue, not the taxless revenue pouring out of the state and the tobacco pouring in.
• Massachusetts will lose tax revenue as taxes are avoided.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a long hybrid hearing on a wide range of tax bills, with testimony covering cigarette and tobacco taxes, nicotine pouches, contractor rental equipment exemptions, aircraft sales tax exemptions, rolling stock, advanced sales tax payments, a gun and ammunition excise tax, a digital services tax, and a psilocybin cultivation/tax proposal. Committee chairs outlined the hearing process and noted that 39 House-filed sales and excise tax bills were being heard for required reporting by November 28. No votes were taken during the hearing. On tobacco-related bills, supporters including Senator Keenan, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and Tobacco Free Mass backed higher cigarette taxes and closing the synthetic nicotine loophole, arguing the measures would reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and offset health care costs. Retailers, wholesalers, and convenience-store groups opposed the increases, warning of smuggling, out-of-state purchasing, and harm to small businesses; premium cigar representatives argued cigars should be treated separately from cigarettes. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3067 and related bills concerning nicotine pouches, with public health advocates supporting taxation and industry witnesses urging a lower, more competitive rate. Several other bills drew sharply divided testimony. United Rentals supported H. 3065 to simplify contractor rental equipment exemption paperwork, while airport and aviation groups opposed bills to repeal the aircraft sales tax exemption, saying it would hurt airport competitiveness and jobs. The Transportation Association of Massachusetts backed rolling stock tax exemptions, saying the current tax discourages fleet investment and interstate commerce. Restaurant industry representatives supported repealing advanced sales tax payments and changing penalty rules, saying businesses were hit with retroactive penalties after unclear pandemic-era changes. On H. 3082, an excise tax on guns and ammunition, gun violence prevention advocates, Roca, and Giffords supported the bill as a dedicated funding source for prevention and survivor services, while sportsmen’s groups opposed it as unfair to lawful gun owners and harmful to conservation funding. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3208, a digital advertising services tax, with Representative Paulino supporting it as a way to capture revenue from online advertising and fund public needs, while the Chamber of Progress opposed it as costly and burdensome for small businesses and campaigns. Finally, multiple witnesses testified on H. 4050 regarding psilocybin cultivation and taxation: advocates from Mass Healing, Roca, the Reason Foundation, and individuals describing personal medical benefits urged a regulated, permit-based system, while the hearing ended after all signed-up speakers were heard and the chair adjourned the meeting.