Video & Transcript Research : 'voluntary contribution'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Today we will hear testimony on 10 bills concerning voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax,
- Today we will hear testimony on 10 bills concerning voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax,
- Today we will be hearing oral testimony on certain bills related to voluntary contributions, sales tax
- a fairly straightforward bill in that it allows a due checkoff from the income tax return to be contributed
- Well, that's been a long time since the Olympics was funded by public contributions.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 10 bills covering voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax, and economic development. Chair Adrian Madaro outlined the process, noted the July 12 reporting deadline for House-filed matters, and explained that written testimony would be accepted through July 7. Testimony was limited to three minutes per speaker, with questions from committee members after each witness.
Several local and statewide measures were presented in support. Melrose Mayor Jennifer Grigoratus supported H. 3979, which would authorize Melrose to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption tied to the state Senior Circuit Breaker credit; she said the program has helped 209 senior households and provides relief of several hundred to about a thousand dollars per household. Michael Memelow of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination supported H. 3109 and S. 2014, which would create a Massachusetts Against Discrimination Fund allowing voluntary donations, including through tax returns, to help offset uncertainty in federal funding that supports about 20% of MCAD’s operations. Tom Hurley of the Massachusetts Airport Management Association supported H. 3125, which would exempt runway and taxiway infrastructure at privately owned public-use airports from property tax, arguing it would address an economic fairness issue for 10 such airports.
Chris Gregory testified in support of H. 3037, a voluntary income tax checkoff for a least developed countries fund administered through Oxfam and the World Bank to support environmental work in the world’s poorest countries. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the number of Melrose households receiving the exemption, the scale and risk of MCAD’s federal funding, dual-filing procedures with the EEOC, the tax burden and local impact of privately owned airports, and the structure and administration of the least developed countries fund. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after testimony concluded.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Care Court was created to provide a structured, voluntary, coordinated pathway to treatment for individuals
- the issue of Care Court being coercive because it's important to recognize that Care Court is 100% voluntary
- see if they could file something with Care Court so that they could get involved in it, again, a voluntary
- , again, file actually something with care court so that they could get involved in it, again, a voluntary
- Meanwhile, so. health care even while contributing to our economy every day.
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on access to care, public health, and oversight. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, including firefighters and mental health advocates, said it would reduce barriers, while opponents argued Care Court is coercive, costly, and not yet proven effective. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more affordably; the author described personal experience with the drugs and supporters emphasized prevention and chronic disease management, while members asked about distribution, liability, and age limits. SB 1309 would eliminate cost sharing for medically necessary lung cancer follow-up care after abnormal screenings; cancer survivors and clinicians strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it, saying the bill could raise premiums and did not address low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to publish an annual report identifying large employers with workers enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimating taxpayer costs; supporters framed it as transparency and corporate accountability, while the chair and others linked it to broader budget and fairness concerns. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time, was presented as a public health measure to reduce sleep disruption and related harms, and it passed with support from the California Medical Association. The committee also took up SB 995, which would create a statewide inspection and enforcement framework for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and some youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while probation officials objected to overlap with existing oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee approved the measures it heard, with roll calls showing SB 989, SB 1089, SB 1309, SB 1284, SCR 7, and SB 995 all advancing out of committee, along with consent items and add-on votes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 15th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- It extends the Emergency Food for Families voluntary tax contribution through 2033.
- It extends the Emergency Food for Families voluntary tax contribution through 2033.
- important programs: the donated fruit and vegetables tax credit and the Emergency Food for Families voluntary
- tax contribution fund.
- SB 881 also extends the Emergency Food for Families voluntary tax contribution fund, which allows Californians
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and heard several tax-related bills, with initial items identified as suspense candidates because of their fiscal impact. SB 881 would extend the farmer-to-food-bank tax credit and the Emergency Food for Families voluntary tax contribution; the author and supporters from food banks, agricultural groups, local governments, and climate organizations said it would reduce food waste, help farmers donate surplus produce, and address rising food insecurity. No opposition was presented, but the bill was ultimately referred to suspense. SB 1406 would target the so-called Montana tax loophole used to avoid California taxes on luxury vehicles and similar purchases; supporters said it would recover revenue and improve fairness, while a business group opposed it unless amended, warning the shell-company language could affect legitimate small businesses and passive owners. That bill was also sent to suspense.
SB 1349, which directs the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major existing tax expenditures and evaluate whether they are meeting their goals, drew support from the California Teachers Association, tax reform advocates, school employees, local governments, and others who argued that California needs more accountability for billions in tax breaks. The committee later took a quorum and passed SB 1349 on a due pass as amended motion to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The committee also approved two consent items, SB 1436 and SB 1437, sending them forward on the agreed motions.
SB 1249 would provide a $3,000 tax deduction for seniors ages 86 to 90 through 2032, with the author and LeadingAge California describing it as targeted relief for older adults facing rising costs. The bill received supportive comments from a committee member but was referred to suspense. SB 1151 would codify the sales tax exemption for infant formula by expressly defining it as a food product; the author said this would remove uncertainty for families, and members cited the high cost of formula and the need for clarity. The committee passed SB 1151 on a motion to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. After completing the remaining business, the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Care Court was created to provide a structured, voluntary, coordinated pathway to treatment for individuals
- Care Court was created to provide a structured, voluntary, coordinated pathway to treatment for individuals
- issue of Care Court being coercive because it's important to recognize that, Care Court is 100% voluntary
- I just had a... ...contribute nothing.
- Meanwhile, some... ...health care even while contributing to our economy every day.
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- committee substitute for Senate Bill 2345 reforms the Austin Firefighter Retirement Fund based on the voluntary
- additional $31 million from the 2024 AFRF asset losses, over a 30-year period through increased contributions
- There needs to be shared sacrifice between the city putting in more contributions, membership having
- And depending upon how the fund performs, contributions can vary, and there's a share between the city
- APUs and PTOs operate while a vehicle is stationary and do not contribute to wear and tear on public
Bills:
HB135
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee heard Senate Bill 2345, as a committee substitute, which would reform the Austin Firefighter Retirement Fund. Senator Schwertner explained that the bill is based on an agreed voluntary funding soundness restoration plan between the City of Austin and the fund, and would create a new reduced benefit tier for firefighters hired on or after January 1, 2026, adjust COLAs for current retirees, establish an actuarially determined funding model to address legacy liabilities and 2024 asset losses over 30 years, and add new board seats. Mayor Kirk Watson, city finance staff, the fund executive director, trustees, and retired firefighters all testified in support, describing the measure as an agreed-to, fiscally responsible compromise that protects benefits, supports recruitment, and reduces risk to taxpayers. The committee adopted the committee substitute, but left SB 2345 pending.
The committee also heard House Bill 135, which clarifies tax treatment for exotic game or exotic livestock operations by defining them within agricultural exemptions and stating that sales of exotic livestock are not subject to sales and use taxes. Senator Flores described it as a clarification to provide consistency and fairness, and a witness for the Exotic Wildlife Association said it would resolve a Comptroller-related tax issue and benefit ranchers, landowners, and hunters. The committee closed public testimony and reported HB 135 favorably to the full Senate, with a motion to place it on the local and uncontested calendar.
Senate Bill 771, by Senator Hinojosa, was also heard and later reported favorably. The bill would allow diesel fuel used in auxiliary power units or power takeoff units to qualify for the same fuel tax credit or refund already available for gasoline, correcting an inadvertent exclusion from the 2003 motor fuel tax rewrite. A witness supported the bill as a matter of tax equity. The committee then considered House Bill 1109, the House companion to SB 935, which exempts counties from certain motor fuel taxes on fuel used in county vehicles; Senator Hall explained it as simply exempting government agencies from paying the tax on their own vehicles. HB 1109 was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee adjourned after completing its business.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) Feb 27th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Yet those behind-the-meter companies don't adequately contribute to the cost of that infrastructure.
- And that they're going to have a voluntary program that they can actually help pay for backup generation
- to contribute, I mean, is there an incentive backup, they're not co-located, to, I mean when they come
- We've had voluntary programs before that have not 725 Not only do they have a demand response, but they
- also contribute to the grid by using some of their backup.
Keywords:
hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- This is voluntary flexibility for move.
- >
relocation Instead, allowing a voluntary relocation Instead, allowing a voluntary relocation - startup costs and initial contributions startup costs and initial contributions and<01:51:40.159
- So you contributions to the account.
- for dollar like credit for contributions for dollar like credit for contributions up<02:09:20.239
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Farmers The Proposal utilizes a Farmers The Proposal utilizes a voluntary<00:05:42.680>
incentive< - What the bill will do, it takes a voluntary, incentive-based approach by providing financial support
- What the bill will do, it takes a voluntary, incentive-based approach by providing financial support
- So that's 30, 36 years ago now, and we have focused on the voluntary management practices.
- <00:14:53.680>
management after 36 years of voluntary management after 36 years of voluntary
Keywords:
HF363, property tax credit, agricultural water quality credit, Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program, clean water fund, class 2a, class 2b, certified acres, conservation incentive, water quality, agricultural property, county assessor, county auditor, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture, property tax reimbursement, school district reimbursement, legacy finance, taxes committee, southeastern Minnesota
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Nov 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And so that's the only, I think, contribution that I'll give to this, Mr. Chair and Senator.
- Under both of these policies, district participation may be voluntary or mandatory.
- States also demonstrate variation in which types of open enrollment are voluntary versus mandatory.
- Six states have both voluntary intradistrict and interdistrict policies.
- And this committee and others have made a huge contribution to that.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 24th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- This is entirely voluntary. For those who do, we pull their net earnings.
- Again, it's a voluntary instant fee similar to PayPal or Venmo.
- Um, and, and as mentioned, for the 1st 9 years of our existence, we, uh, only got voluntary contributions
- So, uh, voluntary contributions from our members. So we would say, here's, here's $100.
- Um, so, uh, so it was completely and 100% funded by voluntary contributions.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/04/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- State of New Hampshire they're voluntary State of New Hampshire they're voluntary members<01:28:
- um overrule um any existing um voluntary um overrule um any existing um voluntary payments<01:31
- to you it's 72 col 23- voluntary to you it's 72 col 23- voluntary payments<01:35:03.119>
in accept from such properties a voluntary accept from such properties a voluntary repayment<01:35: - decrease in the level of contribution decrease in the level of contribution and<02:06:02.719>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Honeybees have an annual contribution of $15 billion to the US economy.
- It contributed to an estimated 10 billion economic activity across the supply chain.
- You know, it seems like we have voluntary fire departments, uh, all over the state.
- This looks like a voluntary, um, um, you know, mission that we could perhaps put together.
- We have about 85,000 volunteers who contribute, uh, over 3 million.
Bills:
HB294
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- They create jobs and contribute significant tax revenue that bolsters the local economies as well.
- I am proud to present SB 1073, which provides California taxpayers a voluntary opportunity to support
- That is why SB 1073 is so important, because this bill allows Californians to make voluntary contributions
- One of the things I like about this is that it's voluntary.
- But it's voluntary. It's an opt-in, if you'd like.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- the county's contribution, you'll see that the city's far outweighs what the county is paying for.
- gives... ...preference to voluntary services.
- In fact, Haven for Hope is currently voluntary.
- In other parts of the world, countries are focusing on voluntary, respectful, rights-based treatment
- Well, personally, I feel like these services need to be voluntary.
Keywords:
dentistry, botulinum toxin, aesthetic treatments, dental regulation, training, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges, SB 672, Texas hospital emergency operations plan, hospital diversion, emergency department, cyberattack, cyber security, power outage, electrical outage, patient diversion, hospital preparedness
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/21/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- The contributions and innovations.
- They were all farmers that came to Minnesota to contribute.
- <01:08:54.480>
funding proposes a voluntary dedicated funding proposes a voluntary dedicated - It is voluntary, and it does not require any incentives.
- gross domestic product, contributing gross domestic product, contributing $450<01:36:30.880>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:56.519>
are annual labor income contributions are annual labor income contributions - There are some voluntary certifications that are attached to that exemption in HF 1277, and that's a
- There are some voluntary certifications that are attached to that exemption in HF 1277, and that's a
- There are some voluntary certifications that are attached to that exemption in HF 1277, and that's a
- <00:42:42.280>
to Industries significantly contributing to Industries significantly contributing
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight May 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Oh, and then the voluntary contributions. So have those been significant as part of the...?
- So the voluntary contributions have been very significant if you look at it as what was contributed in
- the moment that it was contributed, right?
- And that's what the voluntary contributions have primarily been about. That's right. Got it.
- Okay, so we made about a $3 billion contribution.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years.
The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains.
Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Feb 17th, 2026 at 05:06 pm
Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm sorry, agree to make contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs in New Mexico
- Madam Chair, so what's the public benefit for this mandatory contribution?
- contributing to.
- Their projects are funded 90% primarily by tax-paying dollars, and they don't want to contribute back
- This designation on driver's licenses is voluntary; it's optional. It is voluntary; it's optional.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (05/05/2026)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:08:31.919>
um the word voluntary um the word voluntary um it<00:08:33.440>we <00 - tipping is voluntary for the customer. tipping is voluntary for the customer.
- That's part of the voluntary.
- That's part of the voluntary.
- That's part of the voluntary.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Education (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- concentration emotional<00:04:10.879>
well-being <00:04:11.720>and <00:04:11.879>contribute - <00:04:12.319>
to <00:04:12.439>a emotional well-being and contribute to a emotional - well-being and contribute to a more<00:04:12.720>
respectful <00:04:13.480>and <00:04:13.680 - historical fact to our students can be incredibly valuable, alongside letting them know this is voluntary
- historical fact to our students can be incredibly valuable, alongside letting them know this is voluntary
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 19, which would require a daily moment of silence or reflection in Kentucky public schools and clarify that students may use the time as they choose without coercion or religious direction. The sponsor and supporters, including representatives of the Kentucky Jewish Council, argued the bill is nonsectarian, intended to promote calm and focus, and supported by research and prior bipartisan backing. Opponents from the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass said they supported the anti-coercion language but objected to making the moment of silence mandatory rather than permissive, citing concerns about the statute’s interaction with the Lord’s Prayer language already in law. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 19 unanimously with favorable expression.
The committee then considered SB 83, which revises the KEES scholarship program so homeschool and non-certified school students can receive awards using an ACT-to-GPA conversion and be treated more comparably to public school students. The sponsor described the bill as a recurring measure and walked through how the award amounts would be calculated under the substitute. There was no opposition raised during the hearing, and the committee adopted the substitute and passed SB 83 unanimously with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 55, directing Kentucky public postsecondary institutions to combat anti-Semitism. The resolution would require campuses to adopt policies using the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, notify students of Title VI and state-law complaint rights, recognize Jewish organizations as community resources on the same basis as other religious organizations, take action against student groups supporting designated terrorist organizations, and collect and report campus anti-Semitism data. The presenters and supporters described a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents on campuses after October 7 and said schools have not responded adequately. The committee adopted the substitute and began hearing testimony on the resolution, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on SJR 55.