Transcript Highlights:

• This is the House Bill 30. 33, establishing an option for Texans to donate to a non-profit of benefit
• This is completely voluntary. program funded by these voluntary contributions is intended to serve as
• Except for derision, yeah I'm trying to wrap my mind around the donation part of it.
• Is this apparatus similar to when you fill out your income tax, you can donate a dollar to the presidential
• These are completely up to the the folks that are there to donate out of their generosity.

Bills: HB2034, HB2436, HB3010, HB3033, HB3138, HB3177, HB3426, HB3686, HB3858, HB4176, HB4257, HB4264, HB4804, HCR98

Keywords: groundwater, foreign ownership, national security, water permits, environmental health, deadly conduct, firearm, recklessness, peace officer, prosecution, Penal Code, Texas laws, disaster recovery, infrastructure, rural communities, grants, state funding, emergency management, HB 3033, Texas Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want other donations mysteriously hanging out there, so we struck 'other donation.'
• On page 23, line 17, here again we're striking the 'tip' or 'other donation.'
• We don't want some unstated other donations out in the realm of this regulation.
• The rest of that is striking the 'other' and 'donation' line.
• , as voluntary charges are not finance charges.

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.
• the Emergency Food for Families voluntary tax contribution fund.
• 15% tax credit for donating California-grown food to food banks.
• to donate a portion of their tax rebate to food banks.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It extends the emergency food for families voluntary tax contribution through 2033.
• the emergency food for families voluntary tax contribution fund.
• 15% tax credit for donating California-grown food to food banks.
• to donate a portion of their tax rebate to food banks.
• And in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, these donations have greatly increased.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met as a subcommittee, then later established a quorum and heard several tax-related bills. Chair Gibson reviewed committee procedures, including the suspense file for bills with revenue impacts over $150,000. SB 881 by Sen. McNerney would extend the farmer-to-food-bank tax credit through 2032 and the emergency food for families voluntary tax contribution through 2033; supporters from food banks, agricultural groups, local governments, and climate organizations said it would reduce food waste and help address food insecurity, with no opposition on the record. The bill was moved to suspense. SB 1406 by Sen. McNerney would target the so-called Montana tax loophole used to avoid California vehicle taxes and fees; supporters said it would recover up to $20 million annually and improve enforcement, while an opposition group warned the shell-company language could affect legitimate small businesses and passive owners. That bill was also sent to suspense. SB 1349 by Sen. Gonzalez would direct the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major state tax expenditures and evaluate whether they are meeting their intended goals. Supporters, including the California Teachers Association, tax reform advocates, school employees, and local governments, argued that California’s roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures need more accountability, especially given the state’s budget pressures. The committee approved SB 1349 on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also approved two consent items, SB 1436 and SB 1437, on a due-pass motion. Later, SB 1249 by Sen. Richardson proposed a $3,000 tax deduction for seniors ages 86 to 90 through 2032, with supporters from LeadingAge California saying it would help older adults cope with rising costs; the bill was referred to suspense. SB 1151 by Sen. Cervantes would codify infant formula as a food product for sales tax exemption purposes; the author and supporters said it would protect families from uncertainty and preserve tax relief for an essential product. Members discussed the high cost of formula, and the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations. The committee then completed its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2615 codifies the voluntary disclosure tax agreement program and authorizes temporary tax
• known as a VDA program, A voluntary disclosure agreement, otherwise known as a VDA program.
• Secondly, as Christina described, the bill proposes to codify a voluntary disclosure program.
• As Christina described, the bill proposes to codify a voluntary disclosure program.
• repair durable medical equipment and donate it or lend it to low-income disabled individuals.

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on several tax and property-related bills. HB 2584 would create a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm machinery and equipment purchased by eligible farmers, with supporters arguing it would ease financial pressure on farmers, encourage investment in more efficient and environmentally friendly equipment, and help rural economies. County officials opposed extending the exemption to local sales taxes, warning of cumulative revenue losses for local governments. HB 2376 would consolidate the state school property tax levy and expand property tax relief for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans by raising income thresholds, increasing exemption amounts, and simplifying the income calculation; county assessors and local officials supported the bill as a way to help residents age in place, while opponents argued it would raise taxes for others and weaken the 1% cap. HB 2610 would broaden the nonprofit homeownership development property tax exemption to allow limited interim rental or community use without losing the exemption, and testimony from affordable housing groups supported the change as a practical way to keep projects moving and reduce costs. HB 2615 would codify the Department of Revenue’s voluntary disclosure program and create a temporary tax amnesty period for certain unpaid business taxes; supporters said it would bring businesses into compliance and generate revenue, while one sponsor noted technical issues still needed to be resolved. In executive session, the committee advanced four bills. HB 2194, allowing a county and city within it to concurrently impose a cultural access program sales tax, passed 10-5. Substitute HB 2257, a broad tax code cleanup and technical changes bill, passed unanimously 15-0 after members said it clarified ambiguities from prior legislation. HB 2528, which would remove voter-approval requirements for certain cities to impose a local real estate excise tax, passed 11-4 despite objections that it reduced voter control over tax increases. HB 2175, exempting certain nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from sales tax on repair parts, also passed unanimously 15-0. The chair announced that HB 2584, HB 2610, and HB 2615 would be scheduled for executive action the following day, with no amendments allowed.

Transcript Highlights:

• system, and we think there'll be less than 1/4 of that every year that would probably stay in it's a voluntary

Bills: SB1806, SB1430, SB206, SB1547, SB1849, SB1428, SB1653, SB1984, SB1644, SB1561, SB1813, SB1570, SB1796

Keywords: foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, mental health, substance abuse, commissioner appointment, governor's authority, legislative consent, SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a voluntary program if they want to stay in the system or not.

Bills: SB1806, SB1430, SB206, SB1547, SB1849, SB1428, SB1653, SB1984, SB1644, SB1561, SB1813, SB1570, SB1796

Keywords: foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, mental health, substance abuse, commissioner appointment, governor's authority, legislative consent, SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard and advanced a series of health, licensing, and child welfare measures. Senate Bill 1806 would allow eligible individuals receiving Oklahoma Department of Human Services services to voluntarily remain in those services until age 21; the author said the title was struck while fiscal estimates were being revised, and the bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1430 would shift authority over hiring, supervising, and removing the commissioner of mental health from the governor to the governing board; it passed 8-2 after questions about removal provisions. Senate Bill 206, as amended, added tribal entities to EMS-related essential services to help draw down federal funding, and passed 10-0, while Senate Bill 1849 made a cleanup change allowing the State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners to approve medical marijuana education for continuing education credit and passed 11-0. The committee also approved Senate Bill 1428, creating an Office of Alzheimer’s and dementia-related services within the Department of Health; the author said outside funding would cover the first two years and the bill would have no state budget impact, and it passed 9-2. Senate Bill 1653 created the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact and passed 9-2 after discussion of closed meetings and compact operations. Senate Bill 1984 updated and clarified the Osteopathic Medicine Act and passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1644 required alpha-gal syndrome to be added to the reportable diseases list and passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1561, requested by regional EMS, added disciplinary steps for ambulance and EMT personnel to avoid automatic disqualification and passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1813 enacted the athletic trainer compact and passed 10-2. The committee then took up major child welfare restructuring. Senate Bill 1570 would create a Department of Child Safety and Well-Being by consolidating DHS Child Welfare Services and the Office of Juvenile Affairs, with a phased implementation timeline and a future board and interim commissioner; members discussed protecting ongoing cases and adding lived-experience representation on the board. The bill passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1796 shortened the period for informal foster care arrangements from seven days to 72 hours and added guardrails for temporary foster care placements; the author said it was intended to prevent harm when children are left with unvetted caregivers, and it also passed 12-0. The committee adjourned after distributing a handout related to the foster care/respite care changes.

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
• Simply put, these bills would create a fund that would allow individuals to donate to the MCAD to support
• can voluntarily donate to when filing their Massachusetts income taxes.

Keywords: 995, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Making voluntary blood donors the foundation of ensuring a safe and stable supply of blood available
• We hereby urge all citizens to celebrate the cause of blood donation.
• </c> To celebrate the cause of blood donation and recognize volunteer blood donors for their generous
• We further urge all eligible blood donors to donate regularly.
• single donation can help save many lives.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a box they could check out to donate a a box they could check out to donate a dollar<00:38:34.960><c
• </c><00:38:59.680><c> So,</c> kinds of individual donations. So, kinds of individual donations.
• It's completely voluntary.
• Um it supports completely voluntary.
• Um, let them see if we have any voluntary—any of these venues that's self-voluntary to come up and offer

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a voluntary bill, so a voluntary option for a county to look at this.
• This is a voluntary bill, so a voluntary option for a county to look at this.
• Uh this is a voluntary voluntary voluntary uh<00:36:29.560><c> bill,</c><00:36:29.960><c> so</c><00:36
• The next grouping is the egg donation provisions.
• </c> The next grouping is the egg donation The next grouping is the egg donation provisions.<01:18:19.920

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Its primary function is to preserve water resources for future generations by allowing... ...voluntary
• The bill encourages voluntary transfer of surface water rights. to the trust through lease, donation,
• The Texas Water Trust allows landowners to donate both groundwater and surface water rights currently
• This would really incentivize landowners who want to donate their groundwater rights.
• This is a first-ever donation.

Bills: HB143, HB4530, HB4931, HB5559, HB5560

Keywords: election, bonds, authorization, financial governance, public funding, HB 143, bond election, debt authorization, November uniform election date, Texas Election Code, emergency election, voter approval, municipal bonds, local government finance, public debt, school bonds, special election, uniform election date, bond issuance, water rights

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill will allow voluntary tax-deductible donations to be made directly into the VOCA account.
• This will create a financially responsible and voluntary tool to fund critical public safety services
• </c> The bill will allow voluntary The bill will allow voluntary tax-deductible<00:21:03.280><c> donations
• </c><00:21:03.880><c> to</c><00:21:03.960><c> be</c><00:21:04.080><c> made</c> tax-deductible donations
• tool to fund responsible and voluntary tool to fund critical<00:21:19.520><c> public</c><00:21:19.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have just a brief background here, the Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program serves as a voluntary
• A conservation easement in the program is a voluntary legal binding agreement that restricts the use
• Uh, we as an association critically recognize the importance of voluntary conservation easements as a
• current statute has not fully, uh, realized its purpose to enable and facilitate the purchase and donation
• Is that any, uh, it's any meat that's available from the culling of the of the of the herds is donated

Transcript Highlights:

• statewide elected officials, including members of the legislature, to solicit gifts, grants, or donations
• The bill before you requires agencies to collect voluntary self-identification demographic data using
• statewide elected officials, including members of the legislature, to solicit gifts, grants, or donations
• The bill before you requires agencies to collect voluntary cellars. on January 27th.
• The bill before you requires agencies to collect voluntary self-identification demographic data using

Bills: SB6084, SB6044, SB5950, SB6046, SB5763, SB6215, SB6160, SB6123, SB6049, SB6164, SB6313, SB5784, SB5046, SB5489

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections Committee met on February 3, 2026, first in executive session on 13 bills and then for a public hearing on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541. The executive session covered election rules, holiday designations, public disclosure exemptions, agency reporting changes, a Civil Air Patrol division, a law enforcement aviation grant program, JLARC review of audit and risk practices, demographic data collection, and a capital stewardship account. Several members noted concerns or support on specific bills, including objections to the cost of the aviation grant program and comments that the holiday bill should be more inclusive. Amendments were adopted on several measures, including changes to the law enforcement aviation bill, the JLARC audit review bill, the agency reports bill, the public disclosure bill, and the demographic data bill; one proposed amendment to the holiday bill was withdrawn. The committee then voted all 13 executive-session bills out with due-pass recommendations, sending most to the Rules Committee and the fiscal bills to Ways and Means. The chair announced each bill passed subject to signatures. Senate Bill 5950, expanding recognized non-legal holidays, passed despite a member stating he would be without recommendation because of a missing Buddhist observance. Senate Bill 5763, the aviation support grant program, and Senate Bills 6215 and 5784 were advanced with substitutes. Senate Bill 6160, on agency reports, was praised as a government-efficiency measure, and Senate Bill 5489, designating the Wilkinson sandstone as the state sandstone, also passed. In the public hearing, the committee heard testimony on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541, which revises the membership of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee by increasing at-large seats, reducing the number of VSO-designated seats, and allowing appointments to reflect broader military experience and personal attributes. The prime sponsor and a co-sponsor described the bill as a compromise reached after prior concerns, including representation for formerly justice-involved veterans, tribal veterans, and National Guard members. The director of the Department of Veterans Affairs testified in support, saying the changes would provide more flexibility in appointments and better reflect veteran communities. The hearing record noted 57 pro and one con sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing.

Bills: HB86, HB273, HB379, HB386, HB387, HB388, HB389, HB487, HB600, SB120, HB176

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, tax credits, qualified donations, Alabama Department of Revenue, HB273, Hunger-Free Campus Act, hunger free campus, food insecurity, college hunger, student hunger, campus pantry, food pantry, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, basic needs, student food assistance, meal vouchers, meal credits, food vouchers

Transcript Highlights:

• And that in other states has shown to increase the amount of people donating blood, which we know can
• And unfortunately, we are in a crisis of needing more blood to be donated to save people.
• And additionally, and only really in cases of emergency,... ...donated to save people.
• First of all, this is voluntary, correct? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• This is voluntary, correct? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Bills: HB4284, HB1250, HB4190, HB3086

Keywords: animal abuse, offender registry, public safety, animal welfare, criminal justice, Oklahoma legislation, local law enforcement, Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund, grants, state funding, law enforcement technology, cyber crime, fraud prevention, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, insurance fee, digital forensics, investigative support, revolving fund, prisons, corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• So they're voluntary, voluntarily donated for the benefit of these children, so eliminating the barriers
• So they're voluntary, voluntarily donated for the benefit of these children, so eliminating the barriers
• So they're voluntary, voluntarily donated for the benefit of these children, so eliminating the barriers
• </c> it doesn't apply so they're voluntary it doesn't apply so they're voluntary Don<00:37:43.839><c>
• </c> for example the private donations for example the private donations equaled<00:43:37.599><c> you

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Apparently, the studies show that whether it's voluntary or involuntary participation, the results are
• Apparently, the studies show that whether it's voluntary or involuntary participation, the results, the
• For Calcutt, and the specialty courts are voluntary.
• surrender of parental rights, as well as voluntary transfer of custody and custody in our immigration
• To donate a day or two of their compensation. Thank you for bringing the bill.

Summary: The committee took up several bills, beginning with HB 519, which would require special masters appointed in complex consolidated litigation to comply with judicial conduct and federal appointment/disqualification standards, subject to Louisiana law. After a technical amendment clarifying that the provision applies to cases designated under Supreme Court rules, the bill was moved favorably without objection. HB 29, creating the Ascension Parish Retired Employee Insurance Fund, was then heard and also advanced favorably without objection. The committee next considered HB 324 on judicial salaries. The bill would make the 2024 and 2025 judicial supplement stipend permanent and add future cost-of-living adjustments, subject to available funding and approval by the Louisiana Supreme Court and Judicial Budgetary Control Board. Members asked about funding sources and whether the stipend could be made permanent without a constitutional amendment; after discussion, the bill was moved favorably without objection. The longest discussion centered on HB 211, the Homelessness Court Program, later named the Streets to Success Act. Amendments were adopted to limit the bill to licensed group homes and to remove enforcement language that would have created civil actions against local governments for failing to remove encampments, while setting staggered effective dates. Supporters, including the bill author and governor’s office representatives, said the measure would create a coordinated court-and-services response for people experiencing homelessness, especially those with substance use or mental health issues, and would allow designated camping areas and diversion into treatment. Opponents, including housing advocates, legal aid groups, and people with lived experience, argued the bill would criminalize homelessness, increase jail and court involvement, and fail to address root causes such as unaffordable housing, lack of shelter capacity, and inadequate wraparound services. The bill drew extensive testimony but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the 1960s, the program remained voluntary.
• And as an organization, we started out in 1982 trying to find ways to get donated, truckload-sized donations
• It was in Carnation, so it was going to be donated to Hopelink.
• And we need to encourage food donation.
• for encouraging food donation statewide.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.