Transcript Highlights:

• the cost, I know there's a budget cost thing there, but as a veteran myself, having had that tax deduction
• They do come back to the state through the sales tax of what we buy when we get that tax deduction. tax
• deduction, I didn't put it in tax deduction, I didn't put it in savings.<01:00:02.160> I<01:00
• know, what we buy when we get<01:00:14.400> that<01:00:14.640> tax<01:00:14.960> deduction

Bills: HB0026, HB0042, HB0067, HB0069

Keywords: tribal governments, vehicle registration, exemption, license plates, Wind River Indian Reservation, vehicle, accident, duty to stop, felony, personal injury, death, veterans property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax relief, military tax exemption, Wyoming National Guard, active duty, reserve members, surviving spouse, surviving parent

Transcript Highlights:

• This increases the tax credit for low-income household renters from $50 to $100 per deduction paid by
• This increases the tax credit for low-income household renters from $50 to $100 per deduction paid by
• $50<01:45:42.159> to<01:45:42.400> $100<01:45:42.719> per<01:45:42.880> deduction
• <01:45:43.600> paid<01:45:43.840> by<01:45:43.920> the $50 to $100 per deduction
• paid by the $50 to $100 per deduction paid by the taxpayer<01:45:44.960> twice.

Bills: HB1719, HB1742, HB1737, HB2049, HB1725, HB1726, HB1738, HB1799, HB1700

Keywords: housing crisis, manufactured homes, factory-built housing, zoning, relocatable housing units, farm employee housing, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes, agricultural districts, land use, regulation, renewable energy, community development, housing, affordable housing, real estate, state regulation, building codes, construction, permitting

Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many business people in the room know that most payroll goes out every other week, not weekly.
• was in the PVACD basin as well, and the same thing happened there where that percentage amount was deducted

Transcript Highlights:

• reported an improvement in their retirement income, and 20% of their retirement income is being deducted
• Yeah, he's back on the payroll. We don't get to make those HR decisions.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• My organization has an annual budget of about $3.2 million, with 82% of that being payroll costs.
• of your disputes when you have insurance is going to deal with what the coverage is, what your deductibles

Bills: HB3000, HB2622, HB2283, HB541, HB1776, HB1803, HB1669, HB2588, HB220, HB3415, HB50, HB1314, HB 107, HB220, HB50, HB107

Keywords: ambulance service, rural healthcare, grants, financial assistance, qualified counties, mental health, patient transport, female attendants, security measures, healthcare regulation, epinephrine, anaphylaxis, health care, school safety, training, emergency response, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services

Transcript Highlights:

• So there was much less equipment, capital, payroll, everything.
• holding customers funds in their accounts before paying the debt, paying the retailers and you're deducting

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, insurance providers have begun to raise premiums and deductibles and, in some cases, have
• Additionally, insurance providers have begun to raise premiums and deductibles and, in some cases, have
• providers have begun to raise premiums providers have begun to raise premiums and<01:42:42.639> deductibles
• and in some cases have and deductibles and in some cases have limited<01:42:45.480> coverage<
• Additionally, insurance providers have begun to raise premiums and deductibles and, in some cases, have

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• people either drop coverage or may enroll in a plan with a less expensive premium but with a higher deductible
• less expensive premium but with a with a less expensive premium but with a higher<00:08:15.560> deductible
• or<00:08:16.680> higher<00:08:16.960> cost<00:08:17.199> sharing higher deductible
• or higher cost sharing higher deductible or higher cost sharing making<00:08:18.199> it<00:08
• The premiums are one part of the cost, but out-of-pocket costs for deductibles and, you know, the full

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a reinsurance overview from Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer of the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the Minnesota Premium Security Plan. She explained that reinsurance helps stabilize premiums in the individual market by reimbursing insurers for high-cost claims, and said Minnesota’s program has lowered premiums, preserved carrier participation, and helped maintain consumer choice. She warned that without continued funding, the program would be depleted and individual-market premiums could rise by about 25%, with potential losses in coverage and access to care. She also described the program’s structure under a federal 1332 waiver, the role of MCHA in administering the program, and the state’s receipt of more than $650 million in federal pass-through funds to date. Dryer said the current program is funded through the end of 2025, though the federal waiver authority runs through 2027. The governor’s proposal would create a new assessment on insurers, estimated at roughly 2% to 3%, to fund the state share of the program and avoid another full waiver submission. She noted that the proposal assumes MinnesotaCare funding would be held harmless and that the program would be reduced if federal basic health plan funding were negatively affected. She also said projected costs changed because individual-market enrollment has grown and enhanced federal subsidies were removed from the estimate. Members raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on premiums and the history of the fund. Senator Rasmusson argued the new assessment amounts to a large tax increase on health insurance and questioned who would be assessed and whether the surcharge would be capped. Dryer responded that the assessment would be based on annual claims experience and market conditions, with final amounts determined at the end of each year, not monthly. Senator Duckworth and Senator Frentz supported reinsurance as a way to keep premiums lower, while also questioning how the program should be financed. Senator Green asked about the mechanics of the assessment and the role of the department in setting it, and Senator H questioned why the fiscal note assumed 12% annual growth for program costs when general premium growth was lower. No vote or formal action was taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• If any part of the remaining property benefits from the project, those benefits may only be deducted

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It lists the limits of coverage for each building, and you're covered accordingly with a certain deductible
• a certain deductible. a certain deductible.
• by reference, the 2026 Kentucky Employees Health Plan Benefit Selection Guide, to increase the deductible
• <01:03:07.359> and<01:03:07.599> maximum increase the deductible and maximum increase
• the deductible and maximum out-of-<01:03:08.319> pocket<01:03:08.640> amounts<01:03:08.960

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then recognized a staff member’s birthday and a guest shadowing Senator Adams. It then moved into informational review of Education and Labor Cabinet, Department of Education regulation 702 KAR 3:30, which sets insurance coverage requirements for school district buildings and structures. Department of Education officials explained that districts are expected to carry coverage at replacement cost and said they understand some districts participate in self-insurance pools with backup policies, but they deferred detailed insurance questions to the Department of Insurance. Senators raised concerns that pooled coverage could leave districts exposed if claims exceed pool limits, and the chair asked KDE to follow up with DOI to confirm districts are adequately covered, especially for bondholders. No vote was taken on the informational review. The committee then reviewed emergency ABC regulations 804 KAR 130:01 through 130:04 implementing Senate Bill 100’s new licensing requirements for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product businesses. ABC and Public Protection Cabinet representatives outlined the emergency rules governing enforcement, license applications, denial criteria, and transitional licenses. Retail industry witnesses Shannon Stiglet and Brian Clark said they support licensure in principle but argued the rules add duplicative requirements borrowed from alcohol licensing, create confusion about transitional licenses, and may be too burdensome for the roughly 7,000 affected businesses to meet by the January 1 deadline. They also said guidance has been inconsistent and requested the agency revise the regulations, remove requirements not grounded in law, and provide clearer, separate processes for new and existing businesses. Committee members asked whether the industry had worked directly with ABC and noted the public comment period was still open. Witnesses said they had communicated with ABC and the Public Protection Cabinet, but responses had been uneven and they wanted written guidance. Members expressed concern about the short timeline and the need to avoid disruption so businesses can operate legally on January 1. Representative Marzian asked for clarification that the discussion concerned emergency regulations already in effect while ordinary regulations remain in process. No formal action was taken beyond receiving the informational testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:42:20.599> off<00:42:20.760> the<00:42:20.920> standard<00:42:21.359> deduction
• <00:42:22.000> and<00:42:22.119> you take off the standard deduction and you take off
• the standard deduction and you have<00:42:22.559> a<00:42:22.800> you<00:42:22.920>
• to go back into an account that can then be sent back via income tax refunds, credits, one-time deductions
• tax refunds credits one times deductions tax refunds credits one times deductions same<00:49:46.079

Bills: HF25, HF4

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief

Transcript Highlights:

• > their<00:20:04.039> tax<00:20:04.360> so<00:20:04.640> it's getting a deduction
• in their tax so it's getting a deduction in their tax so it's it<00:20:05.039> it<00:20:05.120
• , and you'd probably end up taking a standard deduction.
• and you'd probably end up deduction and you'd probably end up taking<00:27:51.760> a<00:27:51.880
• a standard deduction, so there probably wouldn't be much.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He also noted that at the end of the year, a really important federal deduction, the federal small business
• deduction, which allows small business owners to deduct 20% of qualified business expenses, expires
• He also noted that at the end of the year, a really important federal deduction, the federal small business
• deduction, which allows small business owners to deduct 20% of qualified business expenses, expires
• He noted that the federal small business deduction, which allows small business owners to deduct 20%

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 135, introduced by Representative Michael Harrington. He said the bill would codify a portion of the New Hampshire Constitution to bar New Hampshire businesses from being required to collect sales or use taxes for other states unless Congress mandates it, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision created an onerous compliance burden for businesses. He described the patchwork of state and local sales tax rules, thresholds, and product exemptions as extremely complex and said the bill was intended to push the issue back toward Congress and the courts. Members questioned whether the bill’s reference to a “foreign government” would apply to other U.S. states, whether the proposal would conflict with the Supremacy Clause, and whether it would create standing for businesses to challenge Wayfair. Harrington responded that “foreign government” meant any government other than New Hampshire, that he believed the state could challenge the decision in court by passing a law contrary to Wayfair, and that businesses were already being harmed by compliance costs. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was an unfunded mandate or simply a private compliance burden, and Harrington argued that the state itself would not be collecting the taxes, but businesses would still face recordkeeping and administrative costs. Sam Garland of the Department of Justice then testified. He said the department was not taking a formal position on the bill, but offered technical comments. Garland acknowledged that Wayfair created significant compliance burdens and noted that states have become somewhat more uniform, with all states now having a $100,000 economic nexus threshold, though not all use the 200-transaction threshold and local tax variation remains substantial. He said the department’s concerns were legal, describing the issue as uncharted constitutional territory involving both vertical and horizontal federalism. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• did I understand you correctly to suggest that this bill would permit a business like Walmart to deduct
• That million dollars, this bill lets them deduct 50% of that, right, for two years.
• is and you can deduct it against what<00:23:10.080> you<00:23:10.400> owe<00:23:10.559
• <00:23:17.360> non<00:23:18.400> childc<00:23:18.799> care business to deduct
• um 50% of that, right, for them deduct um 50% of that, right, for two<00:23:50.559> years.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> House Bill 532, Delegate Salman, employment standards, firefighters, payment of wages, and payroll
• bill. >> House Bill 532, Delegate Salman, employment standards, firefighters, payment of wages, and payroll
• bill. >> House Bill 532, Delegate Salman, employment standards, firefighters, payment of wages, and payroll
• payment<00:26:24.480> of<00:26:24.640> wages,<00:26:24.880> and<00:26:25.039> payroll
• payment of wages, and payroll payment of wages, and payroll information<00:26:25.919> favorable

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and handled several ceremonial and introductory matters before moving into committee reports. The chamber welcomed the doctor of the day, recognized an intern and a guest in the gallery, extended birthday wishes to Senator Chris West, and received remarks from the Romanian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Andre Moraru, who emphasized Romania’s strategic partnership with the United States, NATO cooperation, investment ties, energy projects, and support for Ukraine. Senators also briefly noted Maryland’s military and diplomatic ties to Romania. The ambassador’s remarks were journalized, and members were given time to meet with him off the floor. The Senate then took up a series of second-reading bills, mostly from the Finance Committee, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection. Among the measures advanced were Senate Bill 39 on behavioral health reimbursement rate methodology and a work group for certified community behavioral health clinics and outpatient mental health centers; Senate Bill 605 directing the Public Service Commission to study broadband and VoIP oversight; Senate Bill 721, Ralph’s Act, providing expedited DDA/Medicaid eligibility for certain recently relocated individuals; and Senate Bill 891 on perinatal mental health screening, coverage, training, and reporting. Each was amended in committee and ordered printed for third reading. The Senate also advanced several House bills, including House Bill 427 extending the task force on responsible use of natural psychedelic substances and adding an HBCU representative; House Bill 480 requiring transportation network companies to maintain written deactivation policies; House Bill 532 requiring overtime pay for firefighters employed by governmental units after 168 hours in a 28-day period; House Bill 816 reducing the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund assessment cap from 3% to 1% and authorizing an affordability program; House Bill 829 requiring human trafficking awareness training for certain for-hire and rideshare drivers; House Bill 862 requiring a two-person crew for certain freight rail operations in shared corridors, contingent on similar action in neighboring states; and House Bill 999 revising Class 9 limited distillery license rules and production limits. Most of these bills were reported favorably, with no objections, and were ordered to third reading or passed for third reading as applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1203, income tax subtraction standard deduction.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IN FIVE PATIENTS SAY THEY WOULD NOT GO IN FOR RECOMMENDED FOLLOW-UP IMAGING IF THEY HAD TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE

Transcript Highlights:

• PROCEDURE OR UNTIL THE INDIVIDUAL LEAVES THE STATE HEALTH PLAN WHICH EVER COMES FIRST AND ALLOWS DEDUCTIBLES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is uh we used to be able to deduct the cost of at least a portion of the internet and all you know
• One is uh we used to be able to deduct the cost of at least a portion of the internet and all you know
• > the<03:40:10.960> cost<03:40:11.600> of<03:40:12.399> at to be able to deduct
• able to deduct. able to deduct. uh<03:40:32.560> that<03:40:32.880> is<03:40:33.120
• , but also I now fall have deductions, but also I now fall under<03:41:50.080> the<03:41:50.319

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• restaurant using a basic shift scheduling app or a trucking company using GPS fleet tracking for payroll
• 01:20:31.440> fleet<01:20:31.680> tracking<01:20:32.040> for<01:20:32.160> payroll
• using GPS fleet tracking for payroll using GPS fleet tracking for payroll purposes<01:20:33.560>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all