Transcript Highlights:

• Is there additional fees that they, that they, that they would see?
• It might say, you know, infrastructure fees, upgrades to infrastructure fees.
• So that $71 includes any potential fees that they would see in Dallas.
• While we are large users of water, we are not large consumers of water.
• It was a tap fee and the bigger tap you had, the more you paid.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the fact is, members, that transportation is based on user fees, and motorists want EV drivers to
• But the fact is, members, that transportation is based on user fees, and motorists want EV drivers to
• So user fees do not fully cover the costs of our roads. I'm going to say that again.
• User fees do not fully cover the cost of our roads.
• And user fees, sure, they don't cover the entire cost of our road network.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• explanation for this fee. explanation for this fee.
• I don't think there be any misunderstanding about these fees.
• I don't think there be any misunderstanding about these fees.
• necessarily mean that they're low fees. necessarily mean that they're low fees.
• uh and I haven't found them very user uh and I haven't found them very user friendly.<00:49:19.760

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 10 minutes, and then handled a routine agenda of contracts and agreements. It deferred one Kentucky Educational Television contract to the August 2025 meeting because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State, and then approved the remaining routine items on the PSC green list and related contract lists without objection. The most detailed discussion involved two personal service contracts for the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. Officials from the Personnel Cabinet and Department of Employee Insurance explained that the contracts were designed to identify claims errors and overspending, with vendors paid a percentage of validated savings recovered for the plan. Senators asked how the savings were calculated and whether the contracts had changed plan processes; staff said the contracts had produced realized savings, some errors had been corrected going forward, and the vendors report quarterly. The committee approved those contracts. The committee then took up a retroactive Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority contract for a customized College Info Road Show bus. Members questioned why the contract was being presented months after execution, why it involved an out-of-state vendor, and whether the purchase was reasonable and timely. KHEAA staff said the delay stemmed from the need to finalize sustainability and safety details after the RFP, and acknowledged internal process and staffing issues. Several members criticized the retroactive approval process and said they could not validate the purchase from the information provided, but the committee ultimately approved the contract after debate. A final KHEAA discussion focused on the purpose and value of the mobile outreach bus. Staff said the bus supports college and financial aid outreach, especially in rural areas, and has been used for 26 years. Some members questioned the return on investment and whether the state should rely more on broadband and remote outreach, while others supported the program as a way to reach students and families. The committee approved the KHEAA contract, with Senator Douglas voting no and explaining concerns about whether such outreach programs are the proper role of government and whether they are the best use of public funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• that lensure fee. that lensure fee. 12280<00:05:03.600> is<00:05:03.759> being<00:
• <00:09:15.120> rule, occupational therapy compact fee rule, occupational therapy compact fee
• fee to the<00:24:48.640> 66.
• registration fee. registration fee. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay.
• <00:25:56.960> addresses additional fee addresses additional fee addresses >> and<00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met in August with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee then reviewed several regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection, and heard brief explanations from agency representatives on each item. The Board of Pharmacy regulations would clarify what registered and certified pharmacy technicians may do under supervision and what certified technicians may not do, while updating registration applications. The Board of Cosmetology package included changes to executive director authority, licensure and reciprocity rules, school requirements, training hours, instructor ratios, sanitation and disease-related rules, complaint procedures, and permit terms; members asked about straight razor language and the increase in student-to-instructor ratios, and the board explained that cosmetologists are not permitted to use straight razors and that the higher ratio was intended to give schools flexibility, especially for part-time students and schools with wait lists. The Occupational Therapy emergency compact regulation added four compact rules adopted in April 2025, and Senator West raised a technical question about certification requirements under House Bill 6; the agency said it had been instructed to file the regulation as submitted. The Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources presented a package covering wildlife management area rules, a northern pintail bag limit increase, reportable disease reporting, and a repeal tied to boat registration fees. After a brief explanation of the new wildlife disease reporting rule, the agency requested and received a deferral of 301 KAR 2:031 to avoid a gap while replacement language is finalized. The Economic Development Finance Authority explained an emergency regulation for the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, saying it was needed because the program had become oversubscribed and because administration was shifting to a new film office and council; members also asked about certification issues under House Bill 6, and the agency said it had filed the regulation as directed. The Department of Workplace Standards emergency PPE regulation was also discussed, with members asking about HB 6 certification language, and the agency gave the same response. The Department of Insurance regulation would create a $10,000 registration fee and a $1,000 annual licensing fee for pharmacy benefit manager licenses, with an agency amendment exempting PBMs that solely serve workers’ compensation plans. Members asked how many PBMs would be affected and why workers’ compensation PBMs were carved out; the agency said there were 70 registered PBMs total, four solely workers’ comp, and that workers’ comp rates are set by statute and could not absorb the fee. Finally, the Public Service Commission’s pole attachment regulation was summarized as a broadband-expansion measure that speeds application review, increases the number of poles allowed in a single application, and shortens dispute timelines; the commission explained it grew out of earlier legislative direction and subsequent emergency amendments, and the committee adopted the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• and would only provide a transaction fee and would only provide a transaction fee refund.<00:10:
• Kiosk users insert cash or a stores.
• <00:26:01.360> in to overlook these very high fees in to overlook these very high fees in
• So the transaction fee, the full amount.
• >> In addition, we have a voluntary fee >> In addition, we have a voluntary fee refund

Bills: HF3642, HF2700, HF3615

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosks, prohibition, customer payouts, cryptocurrency regulation, consumer privacy, data privacy, health data, sensitive data, Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act, personal data, data broker, targeted advertising, geofencing, location tracking, health care privacy, patient privacy, consent, minor privacy, children's privacy

Summary: The Commerce Finance and Policy Committee met on House File 3642, which would prohibit virtual currency kiosks in Minnesota. The bill was laid over, and the committee adopted a DE1 author’s amendment. Chair Kaggel and Representative Perryman described the measure as a response to widespread scams using crypto kiosks, especially against older adults and other vulnerable people, and said they would continue working with the Department of Commerce and other stakeholders. Testimony from law enforcement and advocates strongly supported the ban. A St. Cloud police sergeant and a Woodbury detective described cases in which victims lost large sums, said the current safeguards and refund rules are being bypassed, and argued that the kiosks are difficult to investigate because funds move quickly and often overseas. An AARP Minnesota volunteer also supported the bill, saying kiosks are a preferred tool for scammers and that existing protections have not kept pace with the problem. The Department of Commerce said it strongly supports the bill and reported that it has received 120 complaints over three years involving nearly $1 million in reported losses, with 2025 the worst year so far. The main opposition came from CoinFlip’s general counsel, who argued that the problem is fraud generally, not kiosks themselves, and said Minnesota already has consumer protections, including refunds for eligible victims. He urged stronger regulation rather than a ban, citing blockchain analytics, hold periods, and 24-hour customer service as alternatives. Committee members then asked questions about how long kiosks have operated in Minnesota, how many there are, who owns them, and the scale of losses; Commerce said there are hundreds statewide, operated by a variety of companies, and that reported losses are likely undercounts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you anticipate shifting more, trying to shift more RIDE users from...
• more RIDE users, or more paratransit customers, from the RIDE to HHS services?
• We're going to pay our fee, our costs under the contract. Not relying on the world markets.
• We're going to pay our fee, our costs under the contract.
• But if they're prohibited because of these interconnection fees, we're going to lose this battle.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization. MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades. Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:35.919> will contact who is the actual user will contact who is the actual user will
• <00:23:41.440> uh<00:23:41.679> access<00:23:42.480> that user login or user um
• uh access that user login or user um uh access that will<00:23:42.960> be<00:23:43.120> part
• <00:49:53.280> on um place a $100 administrative fee on um place a $100 administrative fee
• It's a small fee.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We remit tens of thousands of dollars in fees and building permits for stands and stores per year to
• We can only pay these fees and taxes if we're allowed to open.
• The problem is I'm, I'm sure you're a responsible seller, just the users are so irresponsible, you know
• The fees, court fees under 133 of the criminal code pay for the salary, so it's not.
• are already being collected and these fees are being collected by the very judges that are conducting

Transcript Highlights:

• To date, there have been more than 370,000 active users on My Texas Future.
• So they, they retain those fees even if the student is not accepted at the university. They do.
• But for, for other students, they, they do retain that application fee. Thank you.
• The only office that we had was in student life that was paid by student fees.
• We do have, um, 90% of our students are fully funded for tuition and fees at the same time.

Transcript Highlights:

• nearly a thousand statutory responsibilities they provide to our communities and depend highly on a fee-based
• Changes the distribution of certain fees for civil traffic violations that occur in a municipality to
• Representative Bankson: That wreaks havoc upon unsuspecting users.
• evil properties is that it cancels the effect of Representative Bankson: Narcan to resuscitate the users

Transcript Highlights:

• At the bottom of page 13, the report reviews Eastern's rising architectural and engineering fees.
• These fees now represent 13.5% of the project's maximum allowable construction costs.
• They provide recommended fees, and these are outlined in table 12.
• Eastern's engineering or architectural fees went from $799,000 to $3.5 million.
• , an application fee to process that to see if it's worthwhile.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the use of an administrative fee.
• They were able to leverage their existing fee-for-service infrastructure.
• There are payments directly from the state with a statewide fee schedule that is administered for...
• There have been no physician fee increases since 2007.
• What's the Medicaid rate for, what are the Medicaid users, the percentage of Medicaid users in Connecticut

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1971 will require the well owners to provide financial assurance or pay drilling permit fees
• the owners of closed-loop geothermal injection wells are not subject to additional drilling permit fees
• A waiver would be highly unusual for a new industry where the ultimate users of the treated product,
• I'm here as a witness today, talking about the end user of that product and the people whose surface
• Treaters, the users of produced water?

Bills: HB48, HB49, HB 1169, HB1971, HB2584, HB2663, HB2890, HB48, HB49

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• and the public both the private users and the public needs<01:41:53.280> for<01:41:53.520>
• <01:42:39.920> with housing affordability impact fee with housing affordability impact fee
• Klayola is one, and the other is the fee Makila housing.
• , consider this like any other impact fee, consider this like any other impact fee, do<02:18:36.000
• infrastructure, property tax and fee infrastructure, property tax and fee wavers.<02:20:13.600><

Bills: HB1721, HB1714, HB1718, HB1732, HB1740, HB1777, HB1842, HB1919, HB1701, HB1923, HB1741, HB1734, HB1739

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rehabilitation 2026, Elk Water User Rehabilitation 2026, Elk Water User Irrigation, Irrigation,
• And that debit card allows you to pay for tuition and fees, only tuition and fees, at the university
• , only tuition and for tuition and fees, only tuition and fees<01:26:45.120> at<01:26:45.679><
• their expected tuition and fees their expected tuition and fees increases<01:44:40.880> for
• <02:53:20.399> and the corporate annual corporate fee and the corporate annual corporate fee

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fees and property general revenue.
• User fees don't fully offset the cost to provide the array of recreational services, so there's probably
• a supplemental fee to put in there to be able to move.
• airports; they get charged a larger fee.
• airports, they get charged a larger fee.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 16, 2025, with one agenda item: PCB WMC-2502, the committee’s tax package. Chair Duggan presented the bill as a broad tax measure covering sales tax, tourist development taxes, ad valorem/VAB procedures, affordable housing property tax changes, tangible personal property, special assessments, fuel taxes, communication services taxes, corporate income tax updates, pari-mutuel/card room taxes, local incentives, and a redistribution of horse industry trust fund money. He also noted emergency rulemaking authority for the Department of Revenue and estimated a recurring state impact of $34.6 million in FY 2025-26. Members questioned several provisions, including the aviation fuel tax repeal, the delay of the natural gas fuel tax, the extension of the local communication services tax freeze, the charitable trust corporate income tax clarification, the reduction in card room taxes, and the affordable housing changes tied to the Live Local Act. Public testimony included support from airlines, UPS, child care management, and others, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association opposed the lifeguard/TDT change, the Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities opposed the missing-middle exemption changes, and local government representatives raised concerns about revenue impacts and the loss of local opt-out authority. The committee also adopted Amendment 1 by Representative Rizzo, which limits certain special assessments on RV parks when based on square footage. During debate, members split on some provisions but generally supported the package, with comments focused on aviation competitiveness, preschool assessment relief, lifeguard funding, affordable housing, and the horse industry funding shift. Representative Duggan closed by emphasizing that the bill was only the beginning of the process and would continue through conference and floor consideration. The committee then voted 16-1 to report PCB WMC-2502 favorably, with Representative Alvarez voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or do the fees cover the cost?
• Safety for the users, the operator, the Safety for the users, the operator, the people<04:26:11.600><
• <04:26:37.520> and matter of education for the users and matter of education for the users
• It's the user. It's the operator.
• It's the it's<04:31:48.720> the<04:31:48.880> user. it's the user. it's the user.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That fee has been stable at $75.
• years. that fee has been uh stable at<00:47:14.880> $75<00:47:15.680> fee.
• Uh those uh cars do just as at $75 fee.
• them for many years without collecting any fee.
• them for many years without collecting any fee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• may be construed as a tax we request fee may be construed as a tax we request that<00:10:06.240>
• fee should be established<00:10:36.839> in established in established in statute<00:10:39.000
• Anyway, just as a user of the area, and also I used to stay at the Hilton, I felt very deceived.
• Anyway, just as a user of the area, and also I used to stay at the Hilton, I felt very deceived.
• <01:05:41.799> of signs so anyway just as a as a user of signs so anyway just as a as a user

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 534, a measure concerning development in Kakaʻako Makai involving the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chairs explained that the hearing was decision-making only and no testimony would be accepted, though members could ask clarifying questions. The chair outlined amendments to clarify HCDA’s approval process, require an environmental impact statement before residential development proposals are submitted, require Department of Health documentation on hazardous substances, and specify that only OHA-owned parcels would be eligible for certain residential development with a 400-foot height limit and maximum floor area ratio of 10.0. The amendments also addressed affordability, owner-occupancy, association fees, and a special fund, while noting Attorney General concerns that the fee could be construed as a tax and suggesting further review by Judiciary and Ways and Means. Members discussed the affordability threshold, with one senator suggesting 160% AMI instead of 140% due to high housing costs and concern that essential workers could be priced out. Others raised concerns about Native Hawaiian affordability, the long-term effect of perpetuity restrictions, and whether the process would protect OHA’s interests. An HCDA representative said 140% AMI was used in existing reserve housing rules and that lower thresholds could make development economically infeasible. OHA and other supporters said the proposal was still early in planning and emphasized the need for public hearings, community input, and compliance with environmental and remediation standards. The committees voted to pass SB 534 with amendments: Water and Land approved it 4-1, and Hawaiian Affairs also adopted the chair’s recommendation, with one member excused and one voting no. The meeting then moved to SB 3, relating to water resource management. The bill would authorize the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel, create an executive director position, allow challenges to emergency orders under certain conditions, establish fines for water use offenses, and revise emergency and shortage declaration procedures; Red Hill-related provisions were noted as removed from this version. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, the Board of Water Supply, OHA, and Sierra Club, with OHA stressing the measure’s importance to Native Hawaiian water rights and past litigation. A Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representative supported the bill with amendments and recommended explicit language directing the commission chair or designee to advocate for water rights and reservations for homelands. The chair indicated the committees would use the prior Senate-passed version as the basis for further action, and the discussion then moved on to SB 130, a search-and-rescue reimbursement bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides for certain education expenses... ...including tuition fees at private schools, dual
• courses, industry... ...based certification training, high quality pre-kindergarten programs, textbooks, fees
• ... fees for classes and assessments, tutoring, uniforms, transportation to and from school... educational
• Priority 1, Priority 2, even Priority 3, and the majority of the users of this voucher program will be
• A state where a majority of the users were low income or weren't already in private school, couldn't

Bills: HB3, HB3

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management