Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, article three is the sales, excise, gross receipts, and local sales tax article
• excise gross receipts and local um sales excise gross receipts and local sales<00:49:34.880><c> tax<
• </c> distribution uh share for uh local sales distribution uh share for uh local sales taxes<01:04:35.440
• Paul local sales tax first to the St.
• </c> regressive tax like this like the sales regressive tax like this like the sales tax,<02:08:47.360

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> voters approve local sales taxes? voters approve local sales taxes?
• Now, if we were to say we don't want to extend the sales tax or we want to remove the sales tax, all
• Paul local sales tax revenue.
• Paul local sales tax revenue.
• Paul local sales tax revenue.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> would uh qualify for the tax the sales would uh qualify for the tax the sales tax<00:11:01.639><
• Pollock maybe had a clarification. um currently the sales tax exemption um currently the sales tax exemption
• </c><00:48:36.079><c> tax</c> consumption under current law sales tax consumption under current law sales
• </c><01:14:44.560><c> tax</c> HF 769 which would extend the sales tax HF 769 which would extend the sales
• </c><01:26:12.800><c> tax</c> a look at the um current um sales tax a look at the um current um sales

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that sales tax—that.
• Under this bill, cities would forfeit all of their sales tax.
• You know, we don't get a lot of sales tax.
• All sales taxes are.
• cities or its dedicated sales taxes.

Bills: HB5691 , SB427 , SB2623 , SB2858

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• They are buying houses, spending sales taxes, and generating other revenues here in the state.
• By instead of collecting the sales tax portion on the purchase of a vehicle, Collecting the sales tax
• SB 1314 would address the proliferation of these illegal sales by prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide
• So for those reasons, we're pleased to support SBPHA. law and curtail the sale of illicit products.
• I wrote my own ordinance to ban the sale of nitrous oxide in the unincorporated area in our county.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee heard several tax and revenue-related bills. SB 1277, by Senator Grove, proposed a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide direct relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, fuel, and utility costs. Supporters argued it would help families struggling with affordability, while opponents, including the California Tax Reform Association and CTA members, said California’s tax system already provides relief and that the bill would reduce General Fund revenue and harm schools. After extended debate, the bill was put on call and later failed on a 1-4 vote, though reconsideration was granted. SB 1287, by Senator Retado, would create a performance-based tax credit for short-line rail investments; supporters said it would improve freight efficiency, safety, emissions, and rural access, while opponents preferred direct grants. The bill was placed on call and later passed 5-0 to Transportation. SB 1407, by Senator Archuleta, would exempt military retirement pay and survivor benefits from state taxes; the author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups said it would help retain veterans and their economic contributions in California, while CTA and CTRA opposed on General Fund grounds. The bill passed 5-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1349, by Senator Gonzalez, would direct the LAO to review major tax expenditures for effectiveness and impacts on schools and the budget; CTA and CTRA supported it as a way to increase accountability, and it passed 4-1 to Governmental Organization. SB 1120, by Senator McNerney, would extend the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and make credits refundable for certain strategic industries; business and industry witnesses said this would help startups and manufacturers monetize credits and attract investment, and it passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 1275, also by Senator McNerney, proposed converting the state sales tax on vehicle purchases into a deductible vehicle license fee to reduce Californians’ federal tax burden; the LAO provided technical testimony, and the bill passed 4-0 to Transportation. The committee also heard SB 1078, by Senator Laird, to let Santa Cruz County voters consider a temporary local tax increase for health and safety-net services, but it was put on call. Later, the committee returned to SB 1314, by Senator Min, addressing youth tobacco and illicit smoke shop sales, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

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.
• did make sure that we did was not allow, which we saw with the data centers bill, when we said no sales
• But that's what... ...collect the sales tax on that. So it will not cost us anything.
• We're not taking any of our existing sales tax revenues to give to them.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• So it applies only to the state sales and use tax.
• So, in other words, under the amendment, the sale of biodiesel would still be exempt from state sales
• So it applies only to the state sales and use tax.
• So in other words, under the amendment, the sale of biodiesel would still be exempt from state sales
• Senate Bill 606, exempting food banks from the retail sales tax.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026, and worked through two large groups of bills, hearing staff briefings, caucusing, and then voting each measure out to the Rules Committee. In the first group, the committee advanced bills on state accounts (HB 2675, with an amendment creating an adult day service facilities account), immigrant worker protections (2SHB 2105, after adopting a striker and Amendment 8 while rejecting amendments that would have changed enforcement and private rights of action), voting rights compliance (E3SHB 1710, with all proposed amendments rejected), AI content provenance and notices (E2SHB 1170, with Amendment 19 adopted to exempt state/local/tribal governments and certain video-game and technical uses), public official protections (2SHB 233, with a technical amendment adopted), WOTEC civil service coverage (HB 2249), JLARC work plan changes (HB 2120), LEOFF Plan 1 termination/restatement (E2SHB 2034, with several amendments adopted including creation of a pension surplus holding account and study directives, while proposals to redirect funds to the Climate Commitment Act or provide a lump-sum payment were rejected or withdrawn), supplemental retirement bargaining (HB 1069, with a striker adopted), port employee retirement exclusions (EHB 2179, with a striker adopted), local government revenue flexibility (ESHB 2442, with Amendment 72 adopted to remove a county public utility tax and other amendments rejected), wildfire mitigation funding (SHB 2089), and timberland REET changes (HB 1983). The committee also noted that it would not take action on some items in the packet, including SHB 1833. In the second group, the committee advanced bills on local housing tax remittance programs (ESHB 1717), renewable energy tax incentives and grants (E3SHB 1960, with a striking amendment adopted that adjusted rates, timing, and related provisions), nonprofit fundraising hall property tax relief (HB 2431), food bank sales tax relief (SB 6006), local tax increment financing (E2SHB 2451), temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health entities (SB 6297), school and child care-related sales tax exemptions (SSB 6351, with a substitute adopted and the competing amendment made out of order), behavioral health work group extension and leadership council creation (2SHB 2429), Working Connections Child Care changes (SB 6353, with Amendment 43 adopted), language access guidelines for state agencies (SHB 2475), unpaid wage recovery (2SHB 2479), firearms background check fee authority (HB 2521, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided), public employee information sharing (HB 2091, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided), and Office of Independent Investigations jurisdiction changes (ESHB 2508, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided). Throughout the meeting, members and staff discussed fiscal notes, implementation costs, and whether amendments would increase or reduce state impacts, with several amendments aimed at narrowing scope, delaying implementation, or shifting enforcement and funding responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sales tax to the general fund differs from sales tax net revenue for a lot of different reasons.
• There's a lot that comes out of sales tax.
• as miscellaneous, it had been coded as sales tax?
• tax because the origin is sales tax.
• We're seeing retail sales are holding up.

Summary: The committee was convened to review Idaho’s economic outlook and general fund revenue projections for fiscal years 2025-2028, with members instructed to submit “homework” revenue estimates by noon the next day so staff could compile committee averages and medians for deliberations and a final recommendation to JFAC. Opening remarks emphasized the committee’s constitutional charge, the use of the binder materials and online packet, and that the committee would meet again the next day to discuss and vote on the revenue projection recommendation. Staff and agency presentations focused on the state’s budget and revenue picture. Legislative Services Office staff described structural imbalance concerns, noting that statutory spending changes and earmarked sales tax distributions have crowded out flexibility, while cash reserves remain substantial. The Division of Financial Management’s economist explained the official revenue forecast, including revised treatment of sales tax and tax relief fund accruals, and said the forecast largely held steady overall even as corporate and individual income tax categories shifted. She also discussed the impact of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act on SALT deductions and said recent corporate collections had rebounded sharply, suggesting timing and behavior changes rather than a broad economic downturn. Outside economists and labor experts painted a generally stable to positive economic picture. Zions Bank’s economist said the Federal Reserve is likely near the end of major rate cuts, long-term rates and mortgage rates remain elevated, tariffs have risen sharply, but inflation has not yet shown broad tariff-driven acceleration; he described the national labor market as slowing but not contracting and said 2026 could be a rebuilding year. The Idaho Department of Labor reported that Idaho’s unemployment remains historically low, job growth is steady, wage growth is moderating from overheated pandemic-era levels, and the state’s labor market remains healthier and more balanced than the national picture. The committee also heard from Idaho Power’s economist, who began a presentation on broader economic conditions and utility-related demand trends before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then you see the sales tax on auto parts is unchanged, and the rental tax...
• </c><00:15:19.839><c> from</c> there are also exemptions on sales from there are also exemptions on sales
• vehicle sales tax.
• So this brings me to the sales tax and the delivery fee.
• And so, transactions not subject to sales and use tax, except for clothing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Sales Systems must include Point of Sales Systems must include separate<00:09:25.240><c> classifications
• </c><00:15:41.360><c> from</c> there are also exemptions on sales from there are also exemptions on sales
• </c><00:18:23.520><c> tax</c> actually subject to the fee a sales tax actually subject to the fee a sales
• </c><00:18:30.799><c> tax</c> so in addition to collecting sales tax so in addition to collecting sales
• , and motor vehicle sales tax.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but sales or use to me seems to include the gas tax, so that's broad base for sure. >> Absolutely
• Um, the question is always around, you know, I'm going to cut right to shape, sales and income taxes,
• Um, but sales or use to me seems to include the gas tax, so that's broad base for sure. >> Absolutely
• </c><00:11:55.680><c> So</c><00:11:56.000><c> should</c> sales and income taxes, right?
• </c> there would be a sales tax on it. there would be a sales tax on it.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• tax to sales of electronically delivered pre-written software, and extend the sales tax to sales of
• So California sales tax law generally applies only to the sales of tangible goods, but not to their digital
• California sales tax law generally applies only to the sales of tangible goods, but not to their digital
• In recent years, many states have updated their sales tax laws by applying sales tax to electronically
• Evading the sales tax, yes. It's trying to understand that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, it removes the restriction for alcohol sales on the St. Paul campus.
• Lastly, it removes the restriction for alcohol sales on the St. Paul campus.
• Lastly, it removes the restriction for alcohol sales on the St. Paul campus.
• Alcohol sales would tightly controlled.
• Institutions nationwide have sales.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the sales on one side of January 1st and the sales on the other side of January 1st are going to
• We can take those 50 sales, the actual sale price. and compare them to the actual value on those 50 homes
• . because sales are, there's not a whole lot of arguing sales.
• But a sale is a sale. Was the MLS actually reflective of what the final process was? Right.
• time adjustments to those sales?

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the 'No Minor Sale' website, all of these organizations are included.
• Mexico doesn't have money right now for minimum legal sales insurance.
• 2023, and it showed a dip in sales along with that e-registry.
• for sale on the market that have no marketing.
• I do campaigns and work on 24-7 at No Minor Sale. I'm sorry, who are you?

Committee: House Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It is mostly about their advertising of land and material sales.
• It represents whichever trust the timber sale might be happening in.
• these timber sales out there and easier for us to move forward with them.
• I said, on average, the DNR timber sale program generates about $200 million a year.
• I said, on average, the DNR timber sale program generates about $200 million a year.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2104 would make permanent the Aviation Assurance Funding Program, which lets DNR provide aerial wildfire response resources to local fire departments during initial attack. The prime sponsor, Rep. Tom Dent, said the program helps small rural districts avoid costly state mobilization and keeps fires small; DNR and local fire officials testified in strong support, citing rapid response times, major property protection, and even a rescue of a trapped civilian. No opposition testimony was heard, and the sign-in record showed 215 pro and one con. HB 2348, a DNR request bill, would streamline timber and land sale procedures by allowing more online notice, changing where sales may be held, permitting re-offering of no-bid sales, and clarifying appraisal and fair-market-value standards for certain land transfers. DNR said the bill would improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden, while the American Forest Resource Council and Washington Forest Protection Association supported it as a modernization measure that preserves fiduciary protections for trust lands. Committee members asked about the scope of the trust-land language and potential savings; the sign-in record showed 43 pro and one con. HB 2454 would raise the surface mine reclamation threshold from three acres to seven acres of disturbed area, reducing the number of small gravel and aggregate operations subject to DNR permitting. Rep. Andrew Engel argued the change would help small rural producers compete against larger corporations and lower burdens on local material suppliers. DNR opposed the bill, saying acreage alone does not determine environmental risk and that the permit process provides important review, technical assistance, and reclamation planning; the agency said it was open to discussing alternative approaches. A remote industry witness supported the bill, saying it would help small sources remain viable while county regulation would still apply. The sign-in record showed 143 pro and three con. After the hearings, the committee adjourned without taking votes on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• sales by $320 million.
• sales by $320 million.
• sales by $320 million.
• sales by $320 million.
• sales by $320 million.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, well, if the sale didn't happen, what do we do?
• The other one is the construction sales tax.
• The other one is the construction sales tax.
• This is just negotiated sales.
• This is just negotiated sales.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the March 16, 2026 minutes and then heard testimony on several bills, with the chair noting that votes would be taken in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would increase the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion; Lucid Motors supported it as a rural economic development tool, while Senator Epstein questioned the fiscal note and whether the higher credit would actually attract new investment. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas funded by voluntary lodging assessments to support marketing and tourism promotion; the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix backed it as a competitive tool for rural and urban destinations, and committee members focused on whether participation was truly voluntary and how the assessments would be administered. HB 2780 made technical conforming changes to Arizona’s property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sale process, building on a prior law that created a mechanism for delinquent property owners to recover equity; the sponsor and a longtime constituent said the changes would fix timing and credit-bid language so qualified entity sales could work in practice. HB 2502 would let certain elected officials in ASRS retire at normal retirement age without resigning their office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate; ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor argued the bill would treat elected officials more like other ASRS members. The committee then adopted do-pass recommendations for HB 2502, HB 2780, HB 2950, and HB 2939, with each passing on split votes. The committee also adopted a striker to HB 2140, allowing the State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of state trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and the Sound Money Defense League argued it would diversify reserves and hedge against market disruption, while opponents said gold is volatile, costly to store, and not something taxpayers need the state to buy. HB 2140 then passed as amended on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2398, as amended, which requires commercial liability insurance for watercraft rentals and peer-to-peer boat sharing programs, with supporters saying it addresses uninsured rental boats and law enforcement concerns; the bill passed as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee also heard HB 2999, a major housing-finance bill creating state affordability infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure through bonds and assessments; proponents said it would lower housing costs by spreading infrastructure costs over time, while contractors and some senators raised concerns about payment risk, impact-fee treatment, and whether savings would reach homebuyers. After adopting a striker and hearing extensive questions, HB 2999 passed as amended on a 6-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds; House Bill 5097, an act authorizing the city of Salem to convert seasonal licenses for the sale
• An act authorizing the city of Salem to convert seasonal licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages
• to be drunk on the premises to annual licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the
• An act authorizing the city of Salem to convert seasonal licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages
• to be drunk on the premises to annual licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted resolutions congratulating Auburn on the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch and welcoming Boston’s new National Women’s Soccer League team, the Boston Legacy. The House also adopted orders extending the reporting deadlines for the Committee on Revenue on certain House documents into 2026. The chamber then suspended joint rules to allow several petitions to be referred to committees, including a proposal to regulate social media accounts for children under 16, a sick leave bank for a Department of Children and Families employee, creditable service for a probation employee, taxation of certain foreign government pension benefits, and a bill naming the American Lobster the official crustacean of the Commonwealth. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on private road maintenance in Gloucester, property valuation and tax assessment fairness, municipal tax collectors, historic resources in community preservation funds, and Salem alcohol license changes; the House suspended Rule 7A and ordered these bills to a third reading. The House then passed to be enacted several local bills, including legislation for Revere, Wellesley, and Hopkinton, and passed to be engrossed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a named applicant. The session also included a moment of silent tribute to Adrian Dolan of South Boston, a former correction officer and special state police officer. Finally, the House adopted an adjournment order and recessed until Thursday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the general sales tax from, I don't know, general stores.
• I did have some slides about sales tax because we did some very important things in the sales tax reform
• About sales tax because we did some very important things in the sales tax reform as well.
• The sales tax changes.
• When you look at the digital sales tax collections and you see sales taxes up, but you also have to be

Committee: House Ways & Means