Transcript Highlights:

• He spoke to the danger of further tax increases.
• More taxes.
• The Democrats claim our regressive tax system is the problem, yet they introduce new and higher taxes
• And when you tax jobs, you get fewer of them.
• And when you tax jobs, you get fewer of them.

Summary: This transcript is a Republican response to the Governor’s State of the State address, delivered by Sen. Keith Wagoner. The speaker argues that Washington is facing an affordability crisis driven by state policy, citing high costs for housing, fuel, food, and living expenses, along with concerns about outmigration, crime, homelessness, drug overdoses, and declining student outcomes. He also criticizes recent budget decisions, saying the 2025 budget cut Medicaid funding for seniors and people with disabilities while raising taxes to record levels. A major theme is opposition to new taxes. The speaker says Democrats are proposing regressive taxes on items like cell phones, storage units, fuel, and employers, and warns these measures could lead to a state income tax, which he says voters have rejected 11 times. He contrasts this with Republican proposals for property tax relief and a sustainable spending limit, which he says were rejected by Democrats. He also criticizes Governor Ferguson for signing a budget with tax increases after previously promising not to do so. No formal votes or committee actions are described. The speaker instead urges the public to participate in the legislative process by testifying, emailing lawmakers, and pressing the governor to pursue more fiscally conservative policies. The closing message is a call for Republicans and citizens to work together to oppose new taxes and make Washington more affordable.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> not being taxed by the M&amp;R tax. not being taxed by the M&amp;R tax. &gt;&gt; Okay.
• </c> subject to this tax. subject to this tax.
• </c> challenged for room meals tax? challenged for room meals tax?
• </c> how that works out in terms of tax how that works out in terms of tax taxes.<03:56:24.319><c> I<
• </c> &gt;&gt; with a tax credit? &gt;&gt; with a tax credit?

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• tax filers.
• Um, Tax Foundation of Hawaii All right. Um, Tax Foundation of Hawaii on<00:35:20.960><c> Zoom.
• </c> of the committee, Robert Abhal, do tax. of the committee, Robert Abhal, do tax.
• ><c> one</c><00:56:14.160><c> big</c> tax cuts, federal tax cuts that one big tax cuts, federal tax cuts
• </c> tax. Is that an accurate number? tax. Is that an accurate number?

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fewer than half of choice tax credits.
• </c> students without being penalized at tax students without being penalized at tax time.<00:04:07.439
• </c> Minnesota tax dollars for motans. Minnesota tax dollars for motans.
• know, aligning our tax code with the cuts on tips and taxes on tips and overtime.
• >> Anybody have a city with a proposed sales tax, local sales tax?

Summary: House Republican leaders outlined their agenda for the tied legislative session, saying their priorities are to stop fraud, make Minnesota more affordable, safer, and more competitive, and reduce mandates while raising education standards. They highlighted several planned bills, including an independent inspector general (HF 1), a “Fraud Isn’t Free” measure to impose consequences on agencies and commissioners that allow fraud, and statutory guidelines for high-fraud-risk programs. They also said they want to lower health care costs through a permanent reinsurance program and cost defrayal for new mandates, study property tax increases, conform state tax law to federal changes on tips, overtime, and scholarship tax credits, and avoid any tax increases. On public safety, Republicans said they will pursue tougher penalties for repeat offenders and repeat gun crimes, judicial accountability, and a school safety package that would support public and nonpublic schools, school safety personnel, and facility improvements. In education, they emphasized school choice tax credits, reading proficiency, and curriculum focused on basic academic fundamentals. They also said they want to protect and expand mining, reform permitting, end the nuclear moratorium, and make the state more attractive to businesses. On housing, one member said they are working on a more targeted affordable housing package rather than a broad sweeping bill. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on immigration and cooperation with federal authorities. Republicans said they want a statewide framework for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, referencing House File 16 and saying they are open to changes and bipartisan work. They argued that local and state cooperation would improve safety and prevent situations where criminal suspects are released into the community. They also said Democrats have blocked similar efforts in committee and on the House floor. In response to questions, leaders said there is no current appetite for sports betting, bonding will be discussed but there are no promises, and they do not support the 2024 omnibus bill model. They said they are not interested in vaccine mandates, but will consider Medicaid funding impacts and other health-related proposals if bills are introduced. They also said election integrity measures such as voter ID, provisional ballots, and voter-roll cleanup will remain priorities. Throughout, leaders said they expect a bipartisan process in the tied House and expressed hope that both parties can work together on some issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agricultural property for property taxes.
• Taxpayers sued the assessor and won in tax court.
• However, they affirmed the decision of the lower tax court. Mr.
• Now, taking it to tax court, they're going to have to prove it.
• Essentially, the tax treatment has always been that these textbooks are exempt from TPT sales tax, and

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee heard several tax-related bills. House Bill 2261, sponsored by Representative Griffin, would rename and clarify the agricultural real property classification statute and codify the income-based valuation approach for agricultural lands, especially permanent crops such as orchards and vineyards. Griffin and farm/ranch supporters said the bill simply reflects recent court rulings and would avoid further litigation costs, while county assessors and the Arizona Association of Counties opposed it, urging the committee to wait for the pending Arizona Supreme Court case. After discussion about the tax court and appellate rulings, the committee voted 5-3 with one absent to return HB 2261 with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2173, sponsored by Representative Livingston, would allow tax officers to accept and send certain notices electronically unless certified mail is required. County assessors supported the measure as a modernization that would reduce delays, postage, and paper use, and there was discussion about how to handle outdated email addresses. The committee voted 7-0 with one absent to return HB 2173 with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2120 would add the Social Security Administration to the definition of competent medical authority for property tax disability determinations; it was described as reducing the need for duplicate documentation. The committee approved HB 2120 on a 6-1 vote with one present and one absent. House Bill 2786 would extend a tax deduction for bookstore textbook rentals to include textbooks required by state universities or community colleges, including digital rentals as clarified in testimony from the University of Arizona. Members said it would provide relief to students, and the committee returned the bill with a do pass recommendation on an 8-0 vote with one absent. House Bill 2792, a cleanup bill related to the 100% property tax exemption for veterans with service-connected disabilities, was supported by assessors as necessary to resolve conflicting language and implement the exemption correctly. The committee voted 8-0 with one absent to return HB 2792 with a do pass recommendation, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our first tax increase of the day, and it's a sweetheart tax that only one town in New Jersey
• business taxes in America.
• tax.
• This is not a tax. I know someone's going to call this the fifth tax.
• taxes in America.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met on June 28, 2026 and considered a long list of budget and policy bills, reporting many of them out of committee, often with amendments. Early measures included AB 2550 on continued dependent health coverage for certain adults with disabilities, AB 4794 allowing tax data sharing with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and Secure Choice Savings Board, and AB 3381/SB 1493 updating occupational therapy licensure requirements. The committee also advanced AB 4014, creating a social media research center at a public four-year institution, though one member opposed it as unnecessary spending given existing research on social media harms. Another bill, AB 5048/SB 1281, would ban certain apparel and diaper products with intentionally added PFAS; some members opposed it over safety and cost concerns, especially for firefighter gear, but it was reported. The committee also moved AB 383, which promotes volunteerism to help FamilyCare and SNAP recipients meet eligibility requirements, and AB 4357, extending telehealth pay parity, though one member objected to parity between telehealth and in-person care. The committee then took up several energy, environmental, and housing-related bills. AB 5188, the Advanced Grid Technologies Act, was released despite opposition from some members and labor interests. AB 2524 would let dual-use solar projects participate in community solar, and AB 5236 would strengthen pediatric psychiatry and behavioral health services; both were reported. AB 5348, allowing temporary use of open-space and related funds for certain municipalities, drew sharp criticism as a diversion of preservation money to fill budget holes, but passed. AB 5280 returned unexpended county appropriations to Hudson County and authorized supplemental operating aid; it also passed despite objections about prior bidding violations. AB 5347 provided certain motor vehicle-related funding to municipalities and was reported, as was AB 5334/SB 4423, appropriating Green Acres and CBT revenues for local open space and park projects. A major portion of the meeting focused on tax and business-related bills. AB 5329 increased the child tax credit for 2026-2028, with testimony urging that the expansion be made permanent; it was reported. AB 3899, the General Contractor Licensing Act, also passed. AB 5310/SB 4406 clarified sentencing under certain circumstances and was reported. AB 5330, allowing temporary transfers in the pension system, drew testimony from NJEA warning that the State Health Benefits Program was in crisis and asking for a longer repayment period to avoid rate spikes; the bill was still reported. AB 1326 created a higher education governance and funding task force and was amended to add a Talmudic institution or theological seminary representative. Later, AB 5333/SB 4424 appropriated additional Green Acres and CBT funds for recreation and conservation projects and was reported. The committee also advanced several business and alcohol-related measures, including AB 5235 establishing the School-Based Partnership for Access and Resilience for Kids program, AB 5325 reducing business formation fees, AB 4836/SB 2368 on portable solar devices, AB 4881 establishing an advanced nuclear energy procurement program, AB 3974/SB 3183 revising renewable energy incentive and solar interconnection rules, AB 4013 creating a social media research center focused on addictive behavior, AB 5225 making temporary alcohol beverage provisions permanent, and AB 5295 revising alcoholic beverage licensing laws. The most contentious debate came on AB 4085, the Fair Price Protection Act, which would restrict “surveillance pricing” and regulate grocery pricing practices. Consumer advocates supported the bill as a protection against individualized pricing, while retailers and chambers of commerce argued the language was too broad and could undermine loyalty programs, discounts, and electronic shelf labels. Despite those objections, the committee voted to report the bill after amendments. Finally, AB 4530/SB 3739 on EV supply equipment standards was reported, and AB 5322 imposing a temporary cap on net operating loss deductions under the corporate business tax sparked strong opposition from business groups and a policy debate over whether legitimate losses and investment-related deductions should be limited; the bill was still moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• He does not need a tax break. Who needs a tax break?
• <02:45:39.760><c> new</c> fifth tier income tax and tax uh a new fifth tier income tax and tax uh a new
• out tax breaks and tax handing out tax breaks and tax advantages<02:54:23.040><c> and</c><02:54:23.439
• </c> shape our tax policy. shape our tax policy.
• Raise taxes. Just keep raising taxes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are voting for a property tax increase. are voting for a property tax increase.
• </c> property taxes a hundred or $200 a year. property taxes a hundred or $200 a year.
• income tax, I'm all for it.
• </c><00:53:28.800><c> uh</c> tax, the income tax, I'm all for it. uh tax, the income tax, I'm all for
• </c> beyond what we pay in taxes. beyond what we pay in taxes.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• We are making some tax changes. We are choosing. We are making some tax changes.
• So when we don't tax a widget at our level, the city also can't tax a widget.
• And if it's cheaper to pay the tax, they'll pay the tax.
• Real tax reform, Mr.
• And so, in a way, gross receipts tax was just, it's sort of another tax.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and agreed by unanimous consent to allow cameras on the floor and gallery, excuse several senators, and move to announcements and miscellaneous business. The chamber then adopted a ceremonial resolution honoring Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales for his years of service as Senate president and lieutenant governor, followed by extensive remarks from senators and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham praising his leadership, fairness, education advocacy, and personal kindness. Morales briefly responded, thanking members, the governor, and his family, and noting he would offer fuller remarks on his final day. After messages from the House were read, the Senate adopted several committee reports. These included favorable action on Senate Memorial 31; House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70; House Bill 124, referred to Finance; Senate Joint Resolution 6, referred to Judiciary; Senate Joint Resolution 7; House Bills 103, 154, 165, and 285 as amended; and the Finance Committee’s amended report on House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for House Bills 2 and 3. The Judiciary Committee also reported Senate Bill 104 as duly enrolled and engrossed, and the body noted that SB 104 had been signed in open session. During personal privilege, Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth discussed a State Ethics Commission advisory opinion on whether legislators who are attorneys may vote on medical malpractice cap legislation, arguing the issue is governed by Senate rules rather than the Governmental Conduct Act. He said he would continue to disclose his interests and vote under Rule 7-5, and also rejected a newspaper suggestion that he had a conflict in sponsoring a judgeship bill for the First Judicial District Court. The Senate then moved into third reading, beginning with Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 264, which Senator Duhigg explained as an election-security measure responding to concerns about federal interference, intimidation, and emergency election disruptions; Senator Nava then spoke in support as a co-sponsor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that assuming at some point that we may go to a centralized state sales tax collection?
• So that would have to be an agreement made by the taxpayer and the taxing authority.
• And they need to have that right to be able to audit businesses for their sales tax.
• Louisiana... ...Tax Board and Renee Ellender Robbery with Louisiana Remote Sales Tax Commission for
• Them to collect their sales tax.

Bills: HB1039 , SB423 , SB436

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• You hit $5,000 and one—do you pay taxes on the one? I need to pay taxes on the $5,001.
• when you do your normal taxes.
• when you do your normal taxes.
• to a kilowatt-hour property tax.
• And with that, House Reven Tax is adjourned.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically does four things: exempts sales tax, property tax, there's an investment tax credit of 35 percent
• We're not taking any of our existing sales tax revenues to give to them.
• going to prevent the collection of taxes associated with that.
• We're not taking any of our existing sales tax revenues to give to them.
• going to prevent the collection of taxes associated with that.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• year 2031 until tax year 2036.
• </c> on the um existing credit from uh tax on the um existing credit from uh tax year<00:21:26.520><c
• </c><00:42:05.160><c> have</c> as a federal uh tax credit do have as a federal uh tax credit do have
• He said the tax credit is not a forecasted tax credit; it is a tax credit allocated based on a capped
• ><c> a</c><01:24:43.920><c> tax</c> forecasted ta tax credit it is a tax forecasted ta tax credit it

Bills: HF1126 , HF967 , HF1066 , HF1669 , HF926

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Duhigg, an act relating to taxation, removing incremental increases to the cannabis excise tax.
• Senate Bill 89, having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and reserved to the Senate Tax, Business
• title, is ordered printed and referred to the Senate Health, Public Affairs Committee, then Senate Tax
• Income Tax Credit.
• Credit and Local News Printer Corporate Income Tax Credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we would delay until the next tax year.
• You imagine a different setup: we're like, they don't want to tax, fine, we'll do the taxing and we'll
• We collect about $10,000 from every resident tax filer. So, three times the taxing power.
• in the millionaires tax.
• And that affects not just capital gains; it affects the millionaires tax, the sales tax, the income tax

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we are not tax-based, or we receive no tax funds. We are self-funded through our licensures.
• Yes, we are not tax-based, or we receive no tax funds. We are self-funded through our licensures.
• The key there is the tax revenue.
• Property taxes was the big one.
• tax relief issue.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should they pay taxes on that? Tax policy is about values.
• Should they pay taxes on that? Tax policy is about values.
• </c><00:10:17.040><c> The</c> to tax social media companies. The to tax social media companies.
• </c> tax base. tax base.
• </c> Um, and it's hard to give state tax Um, and it's hard to give state tax dollars<00:18:35.520><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll use the illustration of personal property taxes.
• Otherwise, there's no reason to put a tax on them.
• And so if we're going to have a tax that we would call a use tax, you know, our participation in the
• We don't tax that, right?
• Those are just raw materials and those aren't taxed. Yeah.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• there paying property taxes to impose any tax.
• So, a part of this tax package again will include Section one, Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Could you tell us what the tax expenditure amount is for the foster child tax credit, Mr.
• tax policy.
• exemptions or tax, um.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House did not propose a sales tax cut because we have a sales tax problem.
• But the sales tax cut was a means, not an end. But the sales tax cut was a means, not an end.
• , the elimination of the communications services tax, the elimination of the gross receipts tax, and
• an increase in the exemption levels for the corporate income tax.
• These checks do not actually lower tax rates. These checks do not solve the property tax problem.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received a Senate message regarding SB 2510, the pre-K through grade 12 education conforming bill. Representative Persons-Mulicka explained that the bill was a Senate conforming measure tied to budget policy, including changes affecting acceleration course weighting and the CAPE program. The House adopted a strike-all amendment to place the bill in the proper posture for conference, then advanced and passed SB 2510 on final passage by a vote of 88 yeas to 10 nays. After SB 2510 passed, the House agreed to accede to the Senate’s request for a budget conference. Speaker Perez then delivered extended remarks criticizing the Senate for breaking the budget framework agreement and arguing that the state budget has grown too large. He said the House remained committed to reducing state spending and revenue, discussed possible budget and tax-cut alternatives, and emphasized that property tax reform and state revenue reduction were separate issues. He also noted the House’s work on property tax relief and said the chamber would continue negotiating. The House then took up HCR 1633, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular session until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. Representative Garrison explained that it was identical to an earlier extension resolution except for the new end date. The resolution was adopted, and the House then approved a motion to adjourn for committee and subcommittee meetings and other House business, to reconvene upon call of the chair.