Video & Transcript Research : 'longevity pay'
Page 78 of 500
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- when you're paying ground rent? when you're paying ground rent?
- The incentive would be that the owner does not want to pay taxes as high or pay these penalties, and
- agreement with the Baldwin to pay agreement with the Baldwin to pay $410,000<05:38:23.120>
in - <05:59:50.160>
Um, they're paying the difference. Um, they're paying the difference. - affordable housing is all private pay affordable housing is all private pay which<06:12:24.400><
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 05/06/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- Just like housing costs are going up, or you pay more at the grocery store, or you pay $74 and $64 for
- That’s with other companies having to pay increased benefits and increased pay, which is a good thing
- We're paying for the CLCPA. We are paying for that law. for the CLCPA. We are paying for that law.
- to be able to pay their bills.
- Yeah, I don't like to pay any more ways to think.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications considered a large agenda focused mainly on energy affordability, the CLCPA, utility rates, and renewable energy siting. Senator Mattera and other Republican members argued that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act has driven up utility bills, harmed reliability, and imposed costs on ratepayers, while Democratic members pushed back that rising costs are also driven by natural gas markets, infrastructure costs, and broader economic factors. Several bills sought to repeal or pause CLCPA-related policies, create a CLCPA task force, impose studies or moratoriums on new energy taxes and fees, and increase transparency around utility surcharges and state energy spending. Supporters framed these measures as ratepayer relief and accountability; opponents said some proposals would undermine clean-energy policy and existing consumer-benefit programs.
The committee defeated S.1167, which would have repealed the All Electric Building Act, and S.1173, which would have created a CLCPA task force. It also failed S.5250, a bill to study CLCPA costs and impose a moratorium on new energy taxes, fees, or regulations, and S.7075, which would have prohibited the system benefits charge on utility bills. Several other bills advanced, including S.1236A on virtual access and electronic filing for Public Service Commission proceedings, S.1552 establishing reduced residential rates for low-income electric and natural gas customers, S.2484 directing a study of replacement timeframes for battery storage and renewable facilities, S.2638 on carbon allowance auction proceeds, S.3247 on electric vehicle charging stations, S.3553 requiring utilities to post promotional and educational materials on their websites, S.4571A creating a floating solar incentive education program, S.5518 shifting Public Service Commission funding to legislative appropriation, and S.6412A requiring itemized ratepayer disclosure of surcharges. S.9251, on labor-related legal costs, was referred to the Labor Committee. S.7710, which would have restricted energy storage systems near schools and homes in New York City, failed after concerns and support were debated. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator, how would they pay the tax?
- Would they still just have, would they be taxed, or would there be another mechanism to pay the tax?
- on the tax rolls, is making up for that by paying higher taxes.
- $100 million apartment unit, and they're not paying $6 million in tax.
- It's now paying $3.6 million to all taxing jurisdictions. Thank you for your time.
Keywords:
taxpayer protection, law interpretation, transparency, public hearings, tax policies, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, property tax, assessment, destruction, proration, Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona tax corrections act, transaction privilege tax, sales tax, use tax
Summary:
The House Ways and Means Committee heard several tax-related bills. SB 1293 would prohibit abating Government Property Lease Excise Tax revenues attributable to school districts, while still allowing abatements for counties, cities, towns, and community college districts. Supporters, including the sponsor, Arizona Tax Research Association, and NFIB, argued that GPLET shifts costs to other taxpayers and the state general fund through school aid backfill, while opponents from the City of Phoenix, City of Mesa, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns said GPLET is an important redevelopment tool that supports urban projects, housing, and long-term tax base growth. After extensive debate over tax shifts, school backfill, and local redevelopment impacts, the committee passed SB 1293 on a 5-3 vote.
The committee then considered SB 1294, a clarification to property tax classification rules for property destroyed by fire, flood, or other verifiable accident. The bill would allow assessors to keep the pre-destruction classification in place for up to five years or until a verifiable change in use occurs. The sponsor and Arizona Tax Research Association said the measure restores the prior intent of the law and corrects an inadvertent change. The committee approved SB 1294 with a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote, with one present and one absent.
Finally, the committee took up SB 1430, an annual technical corrections bill for tax statutes administered by the Department of Revenue. An amendment was adopted to remove a disputed unclaimed-property limitations provision after the sponsor said he would strip out any nontechnical item that drew concern. The Department of Revenue supported the bill and the amendment, and the committee passed SB 1430 as amended by a 7-0 vote, with one present and one absent.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 1/22/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- for this and who's not paying for it on the delivery fee specifically.
- forecasted previously as to who's paying forecasted previously as to who's paying it<00:14:06.279
- <00:42:29.119>
an tax to comp it indeed EV owners pay an tax to comp it indeed EV owners pay - tear from Vehicles which are not paying tear from Vehicles which are not paying their<00:43:40.839
- We should never force our citizens to pay interest on taxes. That's the wrong answer.
Summary:
The Minnesota House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee met on January 22, 2025, for its first meeting and took up House File 5, introduced by Representative Jim Joy and moved to the Tax Committee. Joy said the bill would make Minnesota more affordable by eliminating the Social Security tax, repealing the motor fuels tax inflator, removing the retail delivery fee, and changing vehicle-related taxes and metro-area sales tax allocations. Committee fiscal staff reviewed the bill’s fiscal effects, including impacts on the general fund, the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund, the Transportation Advancement Account, and the split between Metropolitan Council and metropolitan counties.
Testimony was largely divided along stakeholder lines. The Minnesota Grocers Association and Minnesota Propane Association supported repealing the retail delivery fee, arguing it creates administrative burdens, requires costly software changes, and raises costs that are passed on to consumers; propane representatives said the fee is especially burdensome because most of their deliveries are exempt but still require tracking and reporting. In contrast, the League of Minnesota Cities, Minnesota Association of Small Cities, Metro Cities, and Minnesota Association of Townships emphasized the need for stable, predictable transportation funding for local roads and said they support the Transportation Advancement Account and related revenue streams, though some were neutral on the exact source of funding. The League and small cities groups said local governments need reliable annual revenue and that past funding has been inconsistent.
Committee members asked about who pays the delivery fee, its exemptions, and how much revenue it has generated versus earlier forecasts. Fiscal staff said current estimates for delivery fee revenue are below original projections, and explained the fee’s exemptions and $100 transaction threshold. Representative Joy said his intent was to keep small cities and townships whole as the bill moves forward. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was heard and referred as noted at the outset.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (1-29-26) - Upon Adjournment
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:22:05.280>
I be paying too much, understandably so. - I be paying too much, understandably so.
- The current lease, we do not pay water and sewer for.
- lease we do not pay water and sewer<00:25:25.919>
for. - We do pay electric and gas. sewer for. We do pay electric and gas.
Summary:
The committee first approved the December meeting minutes and received several information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, University of Kentucky medical and equipment purchases, school district bond issue notices, and a University of Kentucky RFP for an enterprise services partner. Members also briefly discussed a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for student housing and dining, with comments that such arrangements may improve efficiency and use of taxpayer dollars during a difficult budget year.
The main substantive discussion centered on a new CHFS lease in Harlan County for the Department for Community Based Services. Members questioned the proposed annual cost of $25.62 per square foot, which was far above the county average cited in the meeting, and raised concerns about the one responsive bid, the long lease term through 2033, and whether a nearby hospital or other entity might have been interested. CHFS staff said the current office space is in poor condition, that the new lease includes needed construction and 60 parking spaces, and that the office is limited to considering only actual bidders. After debate over whether to rebid or negotiate, the committee voted to approve the lease, with some members supporting it because of the current facility’s condition and others recording reservations.
The committee then approved the remaining 10 lease renewals as a group. These included one renewal for the Commonwealth’s prosecutorial system and renewals for several CHFS offices, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Natural Resources. One member noted that seven of the 10 renewals were at or below the county average rate and said the overall package was substantially in line with local market conditions.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Feb 7th, 2026 at 09:05 am
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- How are the schools going to pay for these?
- amount to get $4.4.45,000, and you're wanting us to pay the..." "...and you're wanting us to pay the
- They need to be paying that GRT.
- Because if they're not paying taxes here, I think that's illegal.
- They don't pay GRT in our state. We know that. So we're just referencing that.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- It’s only their military pay that will be exempt from having to file on it.
- Yeah, so they’re basically currently paying money that they shouldn’t have to pay to get money.
- Would I be subject to paying state income tax on my earnings?
- Would I be subject to paying state income tax on my earnings?
- My neighbor goes to Scott for Air Force Reserves, and he pays Missouri taxes.
Summary:
The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session and first took up Senate Bill 1032, a tax deduction bill tied to the birth or adoption of a child. Vice Chair Davis offered a committee amendment to broaden eligibility by changing the trigger from “gives birth or adopts” to “attains legal parentage,” expressly including surrogacy, adoption, and legal parent-child relationships by operation of law, while keeping the $2,400 deduction amount and limiting it to one claim per child. Members discussed the bill’s limited practical tax benefit, with supporters saying it would help families and opponents arguing the deduction would amount to only about $112.80 in reduced taxes and would not meaningfully change behavior. The committee adopted the amendment and substitute, but the final do-pass motion failed on a 4-4 vote, so House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1032 did not advance.
The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 3294, sponsored by Representative Mayhew, which would eliminate the need for active-duty military personnel to file a Missouri income tax return when their military pay is already exempt from state income tax. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would prevent unnecessary withholding and refund processing, reduce administrative work for the Department of Revenue, and leave service members with the same benefit but without paperwork. Members asked about residency, withholding, retirees, and how the change would work for service members stationed in or out of Missouri; the sponsor explained the bill applied only to active duty and that Missouri residents serving elsewhere would still be governed by residency rules. No vote was taken on House Bill 3294 before the committee adjourned, and the chair noted it was likely the last committee hearing of the session.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (05/15/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Heard from a few people that are paying a few more bucks and complaining about it.
- So, it seems like that you have to pay more for fuel because of the war in Iran.
- Unfortunately, we pay the going rate, wholesale rate, for fuel.
- But we pay market rate for the contract that's in place.
- paying the rate. paying the rate. Thank<00:21:37.720>
you. Thank you.
Summary:
The Joint Fiscal Committee met on May 15 at 10:00 a.m. and first approved the April 17 minutes. It then took up a consent calendar covering tabs three through seven, with items 089 and 097 removed for separate discussion. The committee approved the remainder of the consent calendar and then adopted item 089, which involved Department of Safety/Homeland Security grant funding for active shooter incident management and school reunification training. Officials said the project is a mandatory Homeland Security grant set-aside, with training for public safety officials and school districts and internal social media used only to promote training schedules; members asked about marketing, outcomes, and how success would be measured.
The committee next considered item 097 for the Division of Historical Resources. Agency officials said the request was driven by a decade-long increase in Section 106 and state historic preservation reviews, many tied to disaster-related infrastructure work such as culvert and road repairs, and that the grant would add capacity to handle roughly 1,000 to 1,500 reviews per year. The committee approved the item after brief discussion.
Under the regular calendar, the Department of Transportation presented a fuel-related transfer. Members questioned the decline in the highway fund balance, which staff said was being affected by rising expenses, flat-to-moderate revenue, and a rough winter that increased maintenance costs. DOT officials said they were considering toll rate increases and noted the agency pays market wholesale fuel rates; they also discussed prior fuel hedging decisions and said they have authority to hedge again if it makes sense. The committee approved the DOT item, then approved a miscellaneous action item to fill a position at the LBA. Members also asked the chair to remind the Attorney General to appear at a future meeting regarding the YDC claims report. The committee set its next meeting for Friday, June 19 at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned after a brief note of appreciation for recent corrections and changes reported by the liquor commission.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES Jan 8th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
Transcript Highlights:
- to pay back yearly, that they would go ahead and approve it.
- So they're going to pay 10% back, but are they going to pay that 10% monthly or per year?
- So they would, the city would be required to pay $4,273 back per year. That's what this is.
- Can you pay $2,300 out of your general fund to the street fund annually?
- Can you pay $2,300 out of your general fund to the street fund annually?
Summary:
The committee first approved a motion by voice vote, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. For the 2012 reports, staff said five additional 2024 reports had been received since the December meeting, bringing the total to 17 with escrow funds released and 26 still escrowed. For the 2023 delinquent reports, two more had come in, leaving five outstanding; both reports were filed without objection.
The committee then focused on Act 709 repayment issues for the town of Daisy. Audit staff said Daisy had made unauthorized payments to a nonprofit and had used restricted street funds for fire-related expenses, and that the town had not yet adopted the required repayment ordinance. Mayor Lisa Cogburn said the council had not approved repayment because members disputed the amount, though she said the town had funds to pay. After discussion about the audit calculations and statutory repayment requirements, the committee adopted a motion requiring 10% repayment of the street fund under the statute and providing that failure to comply would result in withholding turnback funds. The Daisy report was then filed.
The committee reviewed numerous additional audit findings from cities, counties, and water departments. Several local officials appeared and described corrective steps, including reconciliation work in Harrison and Carroll County, revenue-code corrections in Izard County, monthly bond-pending reviews in Alexander, fixed-asset documentation and receipt procedures in the town of 56, and bookkeeping/receipt improvements in Ozan and Lee County. Some matters were deferred, including several private water and sewer reports and Green Forest, while others were filed. Reports involving more serious issues were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General, including Bull Shoals, Lone Oak County, Beaver, Central City, Gravette, Ralston Water Department, Thornton Waterworks, and others. The committee also filed 19 reports with resolved findings and 53 reports with no findings, and adjourned with the next meeting set for February 12, 2026.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 04/20/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Who pays for that plan? Through you, Mr.
- They got caught up in this frequency of pay issue.
- They got caught up in this frequency of pay issue.
- You pay, the person pays, and as a result, there is no foreclosure.
- YOU PAY, THE PERSON PAYS, AND AS Standard terms in a mortgage don't normally allow for foreclosure absent
Summary:
The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no.
The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship.
The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Within a deadline and the requesting entity must pay for it.
- These audits, or these reappraisals, and pay for them.
- Reasonable for them to have to pay twice to remedy that.
- And so we feel like because they're already paying. They shouldn't have to pay for something twice.
- They can't afford to pay their taxes. They're paying penalties and interest.
Keywords:
county appraisal district, board of directors, governance, taxing units, public representation, penalty, property report, taxation, timely filing, chief appraiser, appraisal district, ad valorem tax, property appraisal, tax protests, unequal appraisal, property rights, property tax, public employees, protest leave, appraisal review board
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 14, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We are paying a lot for insurance in Florida.
- So we do pay for the coverage.
- But the thing is, your consumers are paying more in premium. They are.
- So they're afraid and they're just paying for it on their own.
- So they're afraid and they're just paying for it on their own.
Summary:
The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin.
The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials.
Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Cmte on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability - 10/15/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Some Minnesotans and small businesses will pay 10% more for insurance next year, and some will pay up
- Uh, someone paying $400 a month right now is going to pay $700 a month.
- I try to pay really fair wages.
- I try to pay really fair wages.
- So, we will<01:53:00.639>
pay <01:53:01.040>$4,428 will pay $4,428 will pay $4,428 more
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 5th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- We're paying for that.
- And by doing, just like with our mortgage, by paying extra payments, by paying more.
- drug deductible and pay co-pays with their flexible spending account, absolutely.
- And HHSC was involved a little bit. bit, I guess, in terms of deciding whether to pay or not pay that
- But it boils down to, though, pay and chase. This is a pay and chase system.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- the... paying the forfeitures.
- "Hey, you pay me 10% cash, and you can get out," versus going to a...
- When you pay the court money... bonds when you pay the court, money goes in and fines and costs get paid
- "I can't afford to pay it." You had either a question or comment, one or the other?
- How much can you pay?
Keywords:
hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/25/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:16:00.000>
The in the multiplier is.95% of pay. The in the multiplier is.95% of pay. - Um, so it's it's state pays it."
- is just simply a pay as you go uh piece. is just simply a pay as you go uh piece.
- because of the um the pay as you go. because of the um the pay as you go.
- <01:29:16.480>
Is different things to pay. Is different things to pay.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- government pays 51.1 6% we pay 48. government pays 51.1 6% we pay 48. 84%<00:21:43.000>
for <01:19:57.560>- for it will pay too much because it's been wasted.
- 00:53:13.040>
too <00:53:13.280>much <00:53:13.839>because pay for it will pay too- much because pay for it will pay too much because it's<00:53:14.160>
been <00:53:14.599>wasted pay it it's just something I'll pay pay it it's just something I'll pay pay
Summary:
The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and staff roles. Nonpartisan House Research and House Fiscal staff explained that they draft bills and amendments, prepare bill summaries and background research, answer legal and fiscal questions, and help track revenue and budget effects. They also distributed a Budget Overview Brief intended to condense the larger budget materials into a more usable format for members.
Staff then walked through the Human Services budget and the committee’s areas of responsibility. They described the department structure, noting that DHS oversees administration, compliance, rulemaking, and county support, and that the overall Human Services budget is large, with medical assistance as the dominant program. They also explained recent and upcoming reorganizations: many children and family-related functions are moving to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Direct Care and Treatment is becoming its own agency, and some homelessness-related functions remain at DHS. Staff reviewed how the budget is organized by program and budget activity, the difference between direct appropriations and standing appropriations, and how forecasted programs and “tails” work in the budget process.
The presentation also covered Medicaid financing and long-term care. Staff explained the federal-state FMAP match, including Minnesota’s current 51.16% federal match for most Medicaid spending, the CHIP match, and the 90% federal share for the expansion population. For long-term care, they outlined Medical Assistance services for elderly and disabled people, state-funded long-term care supports, and Board on Aging programs. They highlighted the personal care assistance program’s phaseout and replacement by Community First Services and Supports, and reviewed the five home- and community-based waivers.
Members asked one question about refugee resettlement funding, specifically whether it covers flights; staff said they would need to follow up on the exact use of the federal funds. No bills were heard, and no formal votes or other committee actions were taken during this meeting.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Carbon Sequestration Programs Study Commission (06/05/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- You don't pay a tax on that.
- pay the timber tax. pay the timber tax.
- years and pay the yield tax. years and pay the yield tax.
- <01:14:02.720>
And pay a value on that. And pay a value on that. - I pay I pay property tax on the land.
Summary:
The meeting opened with a quorum present and approval of the April 17 minutes. The commission then heard a presentation from attorney Jacob Rhodes of Cleveland, Waters and Bass on the history and legal basis of New Hampshire’s timber tax, explaining that timber was historically treated as part of real property, that a 1913 case confirmed that view, and that a 1949 constitutional amendment created a separate timber yield tax to discourage clear-cutting and support forest conservation. He described the tax as a tax on the yield when timber is severed, not an income tax, and noted that towns are reimbursed through a system based on Department of Revenue Administration market data and local reports of cut.
Members and guests asked how “yield” is defined, how the timber tax interacts with current use, and whether carbon sequestration could be treated similarly. Testimony explained that current use generally is not affected by harvesting timber, that towns can tax standing timber under RSA 79:5 but rarely do because it is labor-intensive, and that carbon credits might be valued using a similar market-data approach. Several speakers discussed a prior bill drafted with DRA input that would have treated carbon more like timber, but noted it never fully advanced in the General Court and that the version ultimately discussed by the House differed from the earlier DRA-comfortable draft.
The discussion also covered whether carbon sequestration agreements are effectively long-term leases or transfers of timber rights, with Rhodes suggesting that 99-year arrangements could be taxable transfers of real property under DRA rules, though he had not reviewed specific agreements. DRA staff said they do not currently have a timber-like survey mechanism for carbon and would likely need access to proprietary market data or a subscription service to build one. No formal vote was taken beyond approving the minutes; the commission appeared to agree to revisit the carbon/timber valuation issue and the draft bill at a future meeting.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Legislative Administration (03/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- testimony and if the listener is paying testimony and if the listener is paying attention<00:24:
- <00:26:40.720>
a membership dues shall be used to pay a membership dues shall be used to pay - lobbyist or an organization that pays lobbyist or an organization that pays part<00:26:44.360>
- <00:27:22.919>
an pay an pay an organization<00:27:25.159>that <00:27:25.360>pays be used to pay a lobbyist okay um or pay be used to pay a lobbyist okay um or pay an<00:28:17.679 - <00:27:22.919>
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 118 in executive session and adopted Amendment 0882H, which would remove the House and Senate members from the Child Care Commission while leaving the commission in place. Members said the amendment was a continuation of earlier committee discussion and supported it as a needed change. The committee then voted 12-0 to recommend ought to pass as amended, and HB 118 was placed on consent.
The committee next considered House Bill 142, dealing with Gold Star Mother’s Day. The sponsor explained that the bill was unnecessary because existing statute already directs the governor to issue a proclamation for Gold Star Mother’s Day and to urge appropriate observance, including flag-related ceremonies. Several members discussed how to ensure the proclamation and flag observance would happen and whether the committee report should note the existing statute. Other members said they would oppose killing the bill because the recognition was important. The committee voted 9-3 to table/ITL the bill, and HB 142 was declared inexpedient to legislate.
The final major item was a public hearing on a non-germane amendment to House Bill 456, with a related draft amendment also discussed. The sponsor said the amendment would raise the annual membership allowance from $20 to $75, rename fees as dues, prohibit dues from being used to pay lobbyists, require NHMA dues to be brought before voters as a separate warrant article for transparency, and require separate accounting so lobbying funds are not co-mingled with other funds. Supporters said the goal was to keep taxpayer-derived money from funding lobbying while preserving non-lobbying services such as legal advice and training. Opponents argued the proposal was an overreach and would micromanage local towns. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, if I pay my estimated income taxes with a credit card, I'll have to pay over 2% more.
- For example, if I pay my estimated income taxes with a credit card, I'll have to pay over 2% more.
- For example, if I pay my estimated income taxes with a credit card, I'll have to pay over 2% more.
- For example, if I pay my estimated income taxes with a credit card, I'll have to pay over 2% more.
- pay cash off the that pay low wages or pay cash off the books<01:20:09.719>
local <01:20:10.080