Transcript Highlights:

• Percent hotel occupancy tax.
• The tax is collected by a Shreveport-Bossier Tourism Bureau.
• Just to clarify, this is not a new tax.
• This is just a renewal of a tax that was already put in place, correct?
• It clarifies how tax revenues should be collected.

Summary: The House Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committee heard and advanced a series of local and statewide measures. SB 430 would renew, every 12 years by voter approval, the Shreveport-Bossier hotel occupancy tax that supports tourism and sports-related entities; SB 286 updates the New Orleans Downtown Development District statute by clarifying its status as a political subdivision, streamlining tax collection, removing staggered board terms, and clarifying bond-election boundaries; SB 198 requires government projects in historic districts to follow local historic district guidelines for new construction; and SB 172 expands a planning-commission provision so smaller municipalities can waive certain subdivision formalities and costly studies in limited family land-split situations. Each of these bills was described as largely technical or permissive, with supporters emphasizing efficiency, local control, or reduced costs. The committee also advanced SB 439 to add pre-screening for esophageal/Barrett’s esophageal cancer for firefighters and fire service employees, with firefighters’ representatives explaining the test can detect pre-cancerous cells and prevent later, more serious cancer. SB 458 would allow a local tax for a proposed St. Tammany Parish Inspector General/ethics entity to be allocated and, if excess remains, transferred to the district attorney’s office; members discussed the parish-wide referendum process and the connection to state-required funding obligations. SB 447 changes Bossier City Police Department promotional seniority and civil service classification from competitive seniority to promotional seniority, and SB 281 expands the Baker Economic Development District boundary to include additional commercial areas near the airport and support blight removal and growth. Additional measures moved favorably included SB 385, which changes appointments to the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association board and allows City Park to opt out of certain state insurance coverage because it carries private insurance; HR 84, which urges Shreveport to create an interest-free loan program for TSA agents at the regional airport during federal shutdowns; and SB 417, which adds two members to the St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2A board. In each case, the committee heard brief testimony from sponsors and local officials or advocates, asked clarifying questions, and then approved the bills without objection. One member, Representative Murray, recused himself from the City Park bill because of his board membership. The committee then took a short recess, noting a few remaining bills would be deferred if sponsors did not appear.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> from failure to pay property taxes. from failure to pay property taxes.
• . taxes. taxes.
• </c> property tax expenses. Therefore, Mr. property tax expenses. Therefore, Mr.
• </c><02:31:34.480><c> They</c> during the last several months. They during the last several months.
• </c> taxes in to support all this. taxes in to support all this.

Transcript Highlights:

• It reduces your tax. Thank you for that question.
• It is on sales tax, but excise tax, they're still charging you the higher amount. Ifuggue.
• You've already paid that tax once when you bought that vehicle.
• A 10% reduction in excise tax relative to burn cigarettes. Is that correct?
• or excise tax.

Bills: HB1242 , HB1250 , HB1590 , HB1752 , HB1979 , HB1983 , HB2952 , HB2961 , HB2967 , HB2973 , HB2988 , HB3031 , HB3047 , HB3052 , HB3066 , HB3086 , HB3175 , HB3177 , HB3178 , HB3240 , HB3404 , HB3429 , HB3548 , HB3638 , HB3671 , HB3704 , HB3759 , HB3831 , HB3904 , HB3920 , HB3944 , HB3969 , HB3973 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3978 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB4092 , HB4118

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so it from losing the tax credits.
• </c><00:27:25.440><c> federal</c> We have had several funding federal We have had several funding federal
• So, it was kind of a tax credits.
• </c> your tax dollars. your tax dollars.
• We are getting paid back on our loan both by the state historical tax credits and the investment tax

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• CONSIDER TAX POLICY.
• WE TAX.
• TAX MORE OR SPEND LESS.
• THE SEVERANCE TAX REVENUE AND SOME OTHER TRANSFERS AND PAYMENT. >> Sen. Bernard: PERFECT.
• THE TOBACCO TAXES DECLINE AS A RESULT LOWER CIGARETTE CONSUMPTION RATES AND FINALLY, THE SEVERANCE TAX

Transcript Highlights:

• the tax year.
• </c> next tax year. next tax year.
• tax rates.
• </c> when their taxes go up or when the tax when their taxes go up or when the tax on<04:30:30.720><c
• To get an taxes based on 2024 tax rates.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Plaquemines has produced severance taxes to the State General Fund and an enormous amount dating back
• I missed the amount that you're sending in severance tax every year.
• I feel your pain on the severance tax. I'm sure you do in your area.
• I represent the Soda Parish, which sent $200 million in severance tax alone down here.
• cap on the severance tax, which is intended to help our locals, is untenable and not workable.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Finance Committee met on May 27, 2026, with six members present and took up a series of House bills, most of them dealing with education funding, criminal justice staffing, transportation, health care access, and economic development. HB 325 was reported favorably after testimony that it would expand TOPS eligibility by allowing dual-enrollment credits to satisfy eligibility criteria and by making part-time students eligible for TOPS Tech, with supporters saying the program has been underused and the change would help working students. HB 719 was amended and reported favorably to increase assistant district attorney positions in various judicial districts; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association said the changes were based on workload data and local input, and members discussed the need to coordinate any expansion with public defender funding. The committee also reported HB 749 favorably, which would move Louisiana’s 529 savings accounts to a more secure online platform after a cyber incident, and HB 1028 favorably, which concerns transportation reimbursement for providers and was described as already subject to appropriation. Several bills focused on food access and local economic development. HB 1222, the Grocery Initiative Act, was reported favorably to let LED use existing grant resources to map food deserts and develop a program, with members noting it could return for funding later if needed. HB 1194 was amended and reported favorably to define food deserts and direct the LSU AgCenter and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to identify and map them, with authors emphasizing it was a study and not a government-run grocery program. HB 755, which would create IDIQ contracting for architects and engineers on smaller state projects, was reported favorably with no fiscal impact. HB 823, a local diversion pilot for Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably after the fiscal note was revised to remove state impact and reflect only local costs. The committee spent substantial time on HB 488, a proposal from Plaquemines Parish to use severance-tax revenue to help buy out a private toll concession on the parish’s bridge. The author and local officials described severe toll burdens, economic harm to local businesses, and what they called an unfair contract, but members noted the bill was not funded and ultimately deferred it without a motion. HB 797, the Bayou Gold/Louisiana Sound Money Act, was amended to make implementation subject to appropriation and then reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 198, which would raise Medicaid reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers for certain outpatient procedures; after extensive discussion about fiscal notes, access to care, and potential long-term savings, the bill was amended to narrow its scope and make implementation subject to appropriation, then reported favorably as amended. The meeting ended with the chair noting it would be the committee’s last meeting and asking members to spread the word.

Transcript Highlights:

• Plaquemines has produced severance taxes to the State General Fund and an enormous amount dating back
• I missed the amount that you're sending in severance tax every year.
• I feel your pain on the severance tax. I'm sure you do in your area.
• I represent the Soda Parish, which sent $200 million in severance tax alone down here.
• And I agree with you wholeheartedly that the cap on the severance tax... ...that the cap on the severance

Bills: HB198 , HB325 , HB488 , HB719 , HB749 , HB755 , HB797 , HB823 , HB1028 , HB1194 , HB1222

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, tax relief for our senior citizens in their golden years.
• </c> of tax filers now have a simpler tax of tax filers now have a simpler tax code.<00:52:48.960><c>
• And a tax cut from no tax and overtime.
• tips, the expanded child tax credit, and other provisions. $10,000 tax refund thanks to the no tax on
• </c> your taxes increase 22%. your taxes increase 22%.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for community colleges, the largest non-state fund source is the local property tax revenue.
• So over the past several years, from that Prop 98 funding already in existence.
• So the UC would be able to use these tax credits and build housing.
• would be owned by the affordable housing developer and the tax credit investors.
• As the chair is going to present several bills, I'll take over as chair.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.

Transcript Highlights:

• but fails to pay property tax on the acquired property for two years.
• So, we're against this bill for several reasons. One is...
• We are still being billed property taxes every year. The business is closed.
• He probably supported as many, if not more, affordable housing bills over the last several years.
• We haven't had any interim hearings for this committee in the last several sessions.

Bills: HB407 , HB871 , HB882 , HB2011 , HB3572 , HB3578 , HB4038 , HB4866 , HB4897 , HB4978 , HB5380 , HB5555 , HB5668 , HB5670 , HB5674 , HB5676 , HB5679 , HB5688 , SB673

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Business and Professional Regulation... ...monthly excise tax.
• In Loudoun County, Virginia, more than half of the local tax revenue comes from data centers.
• In Grant County, Washington, property tax revenues have climbed 1,277% to $54 million.
• Tax-wise?
• But several provisions in the legislation before this committee go beyond consumer protection.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.

Transcript Highlights:

• as well, and he was using tax collector money to do that.
• Last night, the Senate offered $1.3 billion recurring tax relief and $1.5 billion non-recurring tax relief
• , including local taxes.
• The kind of tax relief that continues our work to make essentials tax-free here in Florida, helping keep
• But when there's a severe reaction, time really does matter.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions and introductions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then took up a motion to reconsider the prior day’s failed vote on CS for SB 1080 (local government land regulation), which was adopted without objection, and moved into the special order calendar. A series of bills were debated and mostly passed, often after substituting House companions. Measures approved included funding for expedited DNA testing grants, additional aggravating factors in capital cases, fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients, commuter rail indemnification, migrant vessel disposition, specialty license plates, an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign, relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter school changes, sexual offender registration updates, utility worker assault/battery penalties, juvenile justice revisions, student mental health outcome reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School changes, school readiness resources for children with disabilities, sexual images/child exploitation penalties, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county tax collector/property appraiser employees. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and brownfields. Debate centered on public safety, health care access, education, recovery housing, and government administration. Some of the most substantive discussion came on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered and defeated after extended debate over election-related communications and the proper scope of existing ethics laws. The certified recovery residences bill also drew extensive support and testimony about addiction recovery and housing stability. Most bills passed on strong bipartisan votes, with a few receiving notable opposition, including the charter schools bill, the aggravating factors bill, and the Office of Faith and Community bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It falls back on the employers, which creates an additional tax.
• That's just an additional tax on top of every other tax and every regulatory fee that employers, small
• cut and raise the taxes on the middle class.
• Then we raised taxes by $14 billion.
• He served in Afghanistan and received several accolades during his service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, it will lower taxes.
• Lower their taxes?
• The franchise tax was just a tax that said if you're doing...
• This is just maintaining the tax and excise tax exactly where it is for right now.
• or other taxes.

Bills: HB1427 , SB1403 , SB1448 , SB1489 , SB1546 , SB1557 , SB1614 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1439 , SB1630 , SB1632 , SB1696 , SB1796 , SB1824 , SB1362 , SB1849 , SB2066 , SB2071 , SB2104 , SB933 , SB1633 , SB1224 , SB1246 , SB1280 , SB1303 , SB1346

Transcript Highlights:

• It also does not apply in several cases. There are several bits of new language.
• This RS deals with the bed tax that we have.
• , their portion of a room tax?
• , their portion of a room tax?
• , their portion of a room tax?

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> highest point since 2019 lower taxes highest point since 2019 lower taxes Better<00:04:15.760><c
• </c><00:04:34.039><c> rates</c> with Minnesota's High state tax rates with Minnesota's High state tax
• without tax expand the tax base without tax increases<00:07:17.000><c> and</c><00:07:17.160><c> increase
• </c><00:08:37.640><c> rates</c> Entrepreneurship Minnesota's tax rates Entrepreneurship Minnesota's tax
• </c><00:08:51.680><c> rates</c> states have lowered their tax rates states have lowered their tax rates

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We started by cutting taxes for low-income Arkansans, eliminating taxes for 10,000.
• We started by cutting taxes for low-income Arkansans, eliminating taxes for tens of thousands in our
• We have to recognize that this corporate tax cut isn't tax relief for our Arkansans, but a giveaway of
• grocery tax savings from eliminating that, and then you add on the savings from the Trump tax cuts,
• Revent Tax.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first tax type is a net tax capacity-based property tax.
• The first tax type is a net tax capacity-based property tax.
• The first tax type is a net tax capacity-based property tax.
• The first tax type is a net tax capacity-based property tax.
• Open space properties are often subject to several other taxing jurisdictions, but for space purposes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is a realignment of taxes. is a realignment of taxes.
• </c> consumers are paying all the taxes now. consumers are paying all the taxes now.
• plus a 4% tax?
• So, for instance, sales tax remains sales tax at 6% before this bill and after this bill.
• Uh, we've been to several events.