Transcript Highlights:

• U but the of a homestead exemption.
• >> exemption. >> exemption. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
• or an exemption need to be flushed out. or an exemption need to be flushed out.
• So 1648 is where there was a $300,000 $300,000 $300,000 exemption, exemption, exemption, >> right
• <00:36:38.560> Uh, these exemptions? Uh, these exemptions?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill boils down to, very simply, is right now we give an exemption for income tax for active
• It’s only their military pay that will be exempt from having to file on it.
• You're exempt from state income tax. Can you point to where that is?
• So we already gave them that full exemption on every single dollar earned in military service.
• So we already gave them that full exemption on every single dollar earned in military service.

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session and first took up Senate Bill 1032, a tax deduction bill tied to the birth or adoption of a child. Vice Chair Davis offered a committee amendment to broaden eligibility by changing the trigger from “gives birth or adopts” to “attains legal parentage,” expressly including surrogacy, adoption, and legal parent-child relationships by operation of law, while keeping the $2,400 deduction amount and limiting it to one claim per child. Members discussed the bill’s limited practical tax benefit, with supporters saying it would help families and opponents arguing the deduction would amount to only about $112.80 in reduced taxes and would not meaningfully change behavior. The committee adopted the amendment and substitute, but the final do-pass motion failed on a 4-4 vote, so House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1032 did not advance. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 3294, sponsored by Representative Mayhew, which would eliminate the need for active-duty military personnel to file a Missouri income tax return when their military pay is already exempt from state income tax. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would prevent unnecessary withholding and refund processing, reduce administrative work for the Department of Revenue, and leave service members with the same benefit but without paperwork. Members asked about residency, withholding, retirees, and how the change would work for service members stationed in or out of Missouri; the sponsor explained the bill applied only to active duty and that Missouri residents serving elsewhere would still be governed by residency rules. No vote was taken on House Bill 3294 before the committee adjourned, and the chair noted it was likely the last committee hearing of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, and looking toward the future, we think exempting small employers in their first year would
• Finally, and looking toward the future, we think exempting small employers in their first year would
• Chair. exempting small employees in their first exempting small employees in their first year<00:10:40.320
• Exempting people who are working over 50% of a normal work week will end up exempting many fully employed
• some of the additional exemptions some of the additional exemptions however<00:37:53.760> in<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing. Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Personal computers and tablets under $1,500 would also be exempt.
• Personal computers and tablets under $1,500 would also be exempt.
• By eliminating this exemption, it will allow the Commonwealth to offset, in this particular case, the
• Today we can eliminate the tax exemption on big tech and use the revenue to offset the gas tax.
• We have now this repeal of the data center sales and use tax exemption, which is very important.

Keywords: Scheduler, 972, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Separately, under CCA rule, entities can pursue emissions exemptions for sequestered and permanently
• Separately, under CCA rule, entities can pursue emissions exemptions for sequestered and permanently
• The process of developing guidance for exempting carbon emissions or for additional offset protocols
• Moderate risk waste is defined as solid waste limited to conditionally exempt small quantity generator
• Conditionally exempt small quantity generator waste are waste produced by businesses that exhibit the

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, interest accrued on these accounts would be tax exempt.
• The government unions, no, they have a sweetheart exemption.
• The government unions, no, they have a sweetheart exemption.
• Let's make sure we do this proxy tax and make sure nonprofits aren't exempted.
• veterans and exempting 100% of the property value for low-income disabled veterans.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills, with the chair explaining that measures with significant revenue impacts would be sent to the suspense file. AB 1726, which would create a catastrophe savings account for homeowners to save pre-tax dollars for disaster mitigation and recovery costs, drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, while the California Teachers Association opposed it because of the effect on the General Fund and Prop. 98. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 1768, authorizing Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to ask voters to approve a local transaction and use tax to offset federal funding cuts to health and social services, received broad support from county, health care, labor, and community groups. Opposition focused on the bill as a tax increase and on concerns about local spending priorities, while supporters argued it would preserve access to care and essential services. The committee approved the bill on a 5-2 vote and sent it to the Assembly Local Government Committee. AB 1790, which would repeal California’s water’s-edge corporate tax election and require worldwide combined reporting for multinational corporations, generated extensive testimony. Supporters argued it would close a major corporate tax loophole, raise billions in revenue, and make the tax system fairer; opponents warned of double taxation, compliance burdens, retaliation from foreign governments, and job losses. After lengthy debate, the committee referred the bill to suspense. The committee also heard AB 2020, providing a full property tax exemption for the primary residence of 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses, and AB 2069, creating a sales and use tax exemption to spur development on fairgrounds; both drew support but were referred to suspense. Finally, AB 2705, which would cap fees and require disclosures for third parties assisting with claims to excess proceeds from tax sales, was presented as a consumer protection measure and drew support from county officials, while asset-finder companies opposed it as too restrictive and harmful to claimants; the transcript ends during that item’s testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It just exempts a single industry from this delivery fee.
• It just exempts a single this bill.
• Exemptions were made for specific industries. An example is utilities.
• So in addition to which is tax exempt.
• 00:45:02.800> that other exemptions in statute that other exemptions in statute that actually<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• bill on on the agenda and if exemption bill on on the agenda and if they<00:26:47.919> don't<
• He would get the upfront exemption for the sales tax, and then the lumber that they don't use remains
• He would get the upfront exemption for the sales tax, and then the lumber that they don't use remains
• He would get the upfront exemption for the sales tax, and then the lumber that they don't use remains
• He would get the upfront exemption for the sales tax, and then the lumber that they don't use remains

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also update certain actions that are exempt from qualifying as coordinated expenditures.
• <00:06:41.400> from certain actions that are exempt from certain actions that are exempt from
• at the discretion of can be exempt at the discretion of Campaign<00:08:38.719> Finance<00:08:
• Um Um Um then<00:08:50.120> existing<00:08:50.600> exemption<00:08:51.240> from<
• 00:08:52.040> penalties then existing exemption from penalties then existing exemption from penalties

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• request the addition of exempting request the addition of exempting language<00:32:19.039> from
• the ordinance we even have an exemption the ordinance we even have an exemption from<00:34:47.879
• <00:41:47.839> um exemptions um exemptions um so<00:41:51.359> to<00:41:51.680> expedite
• <00:42:12.960> um with the zoning um and the exemptions um with the zoning um and the exemptions
• provides a state chapter of exemptions provides a state chapter of exemptions that<00:42:38.240>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first heard SB 443, which would require agricultural-district lands with solar energy facilities to also be certified as being used for a farming operation. DLNR, the State Energy Office, and the Agri-Business Development Corporation all supported the bill but recommended changes, including shifting the certifying authority from DLNR/BLNR to the Department of Agriculture. The Attorney General also recommended replacing the certification requirement with a condition that the land be used for a farming operation, citing the lack of a clear statutory framework for certification. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the measure but suggested using existing county agricultural dedication processes and raised concerns about conversion of agricultural land. The committees adopted amendments reflecting the Department of Agriculture as the certifying body and the Attorney General’s proposed language, then passed SB 443 with amendments. The committees then took up SB 79, relating to historic preservation reviews for state affordable housing projects. DLNR State Historic Preservation and DHHL supported the bill with amendments, including striking a redundant section and conforming the language to existing law. The committees agreed to those changes, and after a brief recess and decision-making, Water and Land, Housing, and Hawaiian Affairs each voted to pass SB 79 with amendments. The record notes that some members were excused and that the committees adopted the chair’s recommendations. Later, the joint Housing and Water and Land hearing considered SB 26, SB 867, and SB 1170. SB 26 would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within HCDA; HHFDC supported it, while HCDA suggested an alternative approach involving county coordination. The committees amended the bill to incorporate OPSD’s proposed language, add legislative and county representatives to the task force, and include an appropriation for the Mayor Wright project, then passed it with amendments. SB 867, which creates a working group to inventory water resources and streamline well permit approvals for affordable housing, drew broad support and was amended to specify the Department of Health director rather than the Clean Water Branch chief; it also passed with amendments. SB 1170, which would exempt certain Maui affordable rental housing projects from chapter 205A, drew support from housing interests but concern from the Attorney General that it could be unconstitutional; the AG suggested narrowing the bill to disaster recovery and limiting its scope. Testifiers also discussed the Weinberg Court Apartments project and other redevelopment concerns, but the transcript ends before final action on SB 1170 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• gets a set amount of federal tax-exempt gets a set amount of federal tax-exempt bonds.<00:02:17.920
• <00:43:26.360> for ends the sales tax exemption for ends the sales tax exemption for preferred
• It is a sales tax exemption on college or on stadium suites.
• It is a sales tax exemption on college or on stadium suites.
• It is a sales tax exemption on college or on stadium suites.

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is lower-income hourly employees, which are called non-exempt, and second, health care providers
• non-exempt hourly employees. non-exempt hourly employees.
• committee Your general and housing committee believes<00:16:02.959> the<00:16:03.199> non-exempt
• ><00:16:04.079> provision<00:16:04.639> is<00:16:05.040> in believes the non-exempt
• The Department of Corrections is exempted, and there is no policy at this time, despite some feeling

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with a moment of silence and then read H.C.R. 305, a resolution honoring former Representative Francis Matthew “Topper” McFaun for his public and community service. The resolution recounted his background, military and teaching service, work in Vermont state government, local civic leadership, coaching career, and nearly 11 terms in the House. The chamber also recognized McFaun’s family and marked several members’ birthdays with brief congratulatory remarks. The House then took up H.B. 921, an alcoholic beverages bill, and concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. The Senate changes limited certain fourth-class license locations to five, added recordkeeping and annual reporting requirements for malt direct distribution, deleted a prospective sunset on direct distribution, and added new caterer’s license provisions allowing service at the license holder’s own premises and limiting caterer-hosted functions to five per year. The committee reported hearing from legislative and industry stakeholders and recommended concurrence on a 9-0-2 straw poll. Next, the House considered H.B. 907 on legislative review of reporting requirements. Members explained that a Senate-related amendment was used to address a constitutional problem in the earlier bill by revising the sister-state program termination language so the governor retains sole authority to terminate an active partnership, while the committee may only propose termination by majority vote. The House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment with the further House amendment, then suspended rules to message the action to the Senate forthwith. Finally, the House took up S. 230, a miscellaneous labor bill on fair employment practices, and concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to the House amendment by roll call vote, 85-48. The main dispute concerned the Senate’s changes to House language restricting non-compete agreements for lower-income hourly employees and health care providers, and a separate provision directing the Department of Corrections and the Vermont State Employees Association to develop a proposal on solicitation in DOC parking lots. Supporters said the remaining language was acceptable and would facilitate discussion, while opponents objected to the DOC parking-lot provision. The House then recessed until 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we are... ...flexibility in terms of implementing those exemptions.
• We want to automate those exemptions, right?
• You know, is this part of the exemptions?
• exemptions?
• I would say, Sarah, are there exemptions specific to homelessness? No. Okay.

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the Assemblymember stated, the bill will allow for a very narrow exemption for the Advanced Clean
• This includes exemptions for daily usage needs where zero-emission vehicles cannot meet fleet needs,
• vehicle configuration availability exemptions, as well as emergency response contracts.
• I also referred to the current exemption process built into the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation when
• I do not believe that individual piecemeal exemptions are the solution.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several transportation-related bills, beginning with AB 431 on advanced air mobility. The author and supporters from AUVSI, Joby Aviation, United Airlines, Wisk Aero, the City of Long Beach, and Archer said the bill would create a statewide plan and technical framework for eVTOL/advanced air mobility infrastructure, public outreach, and local implementation. No opposition testified, and the bill passed the committee as amended to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call. Members then took up AB 630 on abandoned or hazardous RVs. The author and supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office, argued the bill would curb a cycle in which inoperable RVs are towed, auctioned cheaply, and returned to the streets by predatory buyers, while adding notice, recovery, and reporting requirements. Opponents from Western Center on Law and Poverty and ACLU California Action warned the bill would destroy RVs that serve as shelter for unhoused residents and could worsen homelessness. After discussion about the bill’s focus on dismantling rather than towing, the committee passed AB 630 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 314, which would support transit-oriented development around planned and existing high-speed rail stations; AB 1223, which gives Sacramento County communities more flexibility to use local transportation revenues for related infrastructure supporting infill development; AB 1111, which adds flexibility to the zero-emission school bus transition for rural and disadvantaged districts; AB 1190, which caps fees charged by DMV business partners and requires clearer disclosure of the official DMV site; AB 987, which limits unreasonable towing fees and related charges; and AB 911, which creates a narrow exemption from Advanced Clean Fleets rules for telecommunications bucket trucks and sail-on-wheels used in emergencies. Most bills drew support from local governments, industry, or consumer groups, while AB 1111 and AB 911 drew opposition from clean transportation and environmental advocates concerned about weakening emissions goals. All of the bills were reported out as amended to the Committee on Appropriations, with recorded roll-call votes and several members adding their names as co-authors or supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Somerville, House No. 3921, local approval received; a House bill relative to a real property exemption
• approval received; a House bill amending the town of Arlington's means-tested senior citizens property exemption
• House No. 4444; an act amending the town of Arlington's means-tested senior citizens property tax exemption
• An act, relative to a real property exemption for disabled persons in the town of Swampscott, house number
• An act amending the town of Arlington's mean-tested senior citizens property tax exemption, house number

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and local matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions commending the Sleep Apnea Awareness Initiative for recognizing March 2026 as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month and celebrating the commissioning of the USS Massachusetts; the House suspended the rules and adopted both resolutions. The House also concurred with a Senate petition to establish a sick leave bank for a Worcester County Sheriff’s Department employee, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a petition on condominium conversions of co-owned two-unit buildings to the Committee on Housing. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a series of local bills for consideration, including measures for Somerville’s affordable housing trust, property tax exemptions in Swampscott and Arlington, the Lexington Housing Assistance Board, a Lexington parkland exchange, and a charter for the town of Orange. The House ordered these bills to a third reading. It also passed to be enacted two engrossed bills: one waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer applicant, and another authorizing DCAMM to convey parcels of land in Brockton. Later, the House took up additional third-reading bills and passed them to be engrossed, including another Boston police age-waiver bill and a bill allowing Sean Duffy to take the firefighter civil service exam despite the maximum age requirement. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn to Wednesday at 11 a.m. in formal session, and notice of a Democratic caucus at noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• This property tax exemption would increase the number of parcels eligible for the exemption from three
• This property tax exemption would increase the number of parcels eligible for the exemption from three
• This property tax exemption would increase the number of parcels eligible for the exemption from three
• It's not a general exemption. Okay.
• is for rather than naming the exemption is for rather than naming the tribe. tribe. tribe.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• schools and request an exemption application.
• There's no need for us to have an exemption there.
• <01:25:24.360> institutions previously were Exempted institutions previously were Exempted
• and request an exemption and request an exemption application<01:25:33.080> that<01:25:33.440
• the bulk of the change from exempt the bulk of the change from exempt program<01:25:54.560> s

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• regulations allowing for small-scale slaughter plants to use the Federal Meat Inspection Act's custom-exempt
• rather than a completed exemption rather than a completed exemption because<00:41:49.960> uh<
• from LURE, so these freeze-dried foods would not be exempt from LURE.
• from LURE, so these freeze-dried foods would not be exempt from LURE.
• I think that the poultry slaughter exemption is working.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on HR 18, a resolution urging New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to seek federal changes that would let very small slaughter plants use custom-exempt inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present, so beef, pork, lamb, and goat could be sold as individual cuts directly to consumers. Representative Judy Aron said the resolution was drafted in lieu of state legislation because the issue is governed by USDA rules, and she noted she was also working on an amendment to ensure the measure covered federal “very small” plants. Representative Miner asked for clarification about custom slaughter versus retail sales, and Representative Scully supported the resolution while suggesting language to make clear it applied only to local end consumers. Joyce Brady of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the state’s four USDA slaughterhouses and the bottleneck in custom cutting made the issue important. After no further testimony, the chair closed the hearing. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. For HB 616, members discussed an amendment that had been revised after public comments and Commissioner Jasper’s feedback; Representative Guber said it balanced the competing positions, and Representative Penza and Representative Ger said the language now addressed concerns about animal suffering by allowing euthanasia if a treating veterinarian determines the animal is in extreme suffering. The committee then discussed HB 77, with Representative Penza describing changes to landfill-related standards, including replacing aquifer references with drinking water wells, removing a penalty section, changing discretionary language to mandatory language for the department, and adjusting an in situ soils standard. Members praised the compromise, though Representative Scully raised concerns about the 1,500-foot setback and suggested engineering controls such as berms; Penza responded that current rules do not include such controls and that the setback was intended to address surface spills. Several members said the bill reflected a hard-fought balance and should not be rewritten at the last minute. For HB 505, the freeze-dried food bill, Representative Aron explained that the amendment replaced a simple exemption with a requirement that homestead food operations selling freeze-dried foods from a farm stand, farmers market, or retail food store obtain a homestead food license under RSA 143-A:4. She said the amendment defines freeze-dried foods as fruits, vegetables, and commercially prepared dairy products, and delays the effective date 120 days to allow rulemaking. Members generally supported the approach as a light-touch oversight mechanism for potentially hazardous foods, though Representative Ktoa asked for clarification about how the amendment interacts with existing licensing and inspection exemptions, and Aron clarified that these products would not be exempt from licensing under the relevant law. The committee then turned to HB 250, concerning local authority over dog muzzling, where members broadly supported the amendment as a simple solution, while Representative Ktoa asked about the underlying definition of a vicious dog and whether all listed behaviors would warrant muzzling. The discussion noted that the amendment would allow towns to require muzzling for dogs meeting the statutory definition, while excluding hunting, working, herding, and similar dogs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes parish governing authorities to implement a property tax exemption for the rehabilitation
• And so it would stay, the exemption is not transferable.
• The minute he sells it to said young family, they get the property tax exemption for the remainder of
• I just want to be careful about the slippery slope of the exemptions, because it can get carried away
• The second step, after the freeze, they would be eligible for additional property tax exemption on top

Summary: The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs met on May 11, 2026, approved the April 27 minutes, and then took up several House bills. HB 618, by Rep. McMakin, would update Louisiana Economic Development fees and filing charges by indexing them to inflation and allowing some discretion to waive or reduce fees for small businesses; it was reported favorable. HB 732, by Rep. Owen, drew extensive discussion because it combined two issues: temporary OMV relief for a hospice-related ID problem and a suspension of the new hybrid vehicle road usage fee. Members and the OMV commissioner raised constitutional and drafting concerns about waiving or eliminating obligations, and the committee discussed how newer vehicle classifications blur the line between electric, hybrid, and gas-powered vehicles. The committee ultimately reported HB 732 favorable, with the understanding that amendments and further work would be needed before floor action. The committee also reported favorable on HB 217 and HB 214 by Rep. Henry, which would authorize local governments to grant property tax exemptions for the rehabilitation of blighted property and place the related constitutional amendment before voters. Testimony emphasized that the measure is permissive for local governments, applies only after a property is formally blighted and rehabilitated, and is intended to encourage redevelopment while preserving some tax revenue. Members discussed the exemption level, duration, and the need for clearer definitions of blight, but no objections were raised. HB 593, also by Rep. Henry, would raise the maximum service fee for OMV public tag agent offices statewide; the commissioner explained that many offices are locally operated and that the increase would help cover costs, and the bill was reported favorable. Later, HB 514 and HB 961, by Rep. Foreman, were reported favorable. HB 514 would allow local governments, by referendum, to provide additional property tax relief for seniors who meet income and freeze requirements, with phased age-based eligibility steps; HB 961 would extend a similar concept to certain homesteads held in trust. Members discussed the optional local nature of the program and the need to avoid overly broad rules. HB 908, by Rep. Mina, would increase certain Secretary of State business services fees to support operations and system upgrades; agency officials said the fees had not been comprehensively adjusted since 2013 and remained below regional averages, and the bill was reported favorable. The committee then heard an informational update on the capital outlay bill from the Division of Administration, including the use of bundled projects for universities and DOTD, the status of P1/P2/P5 funding, and available cash capacity. Finally, HB 1010, by Rep. Deshotel, was reported favorable after brief discussion; it would require assessors to report property tax collections to the Louisiana Tax Commission for centralized public reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the existing law is if you build a data center in Minnesota that you get a tax exemption for software
• After all of the special session bills are signed, the electricity exemption will go away, but the time
• Um and so that's uh for the exemptions.
• for software, hardware, tax exemption for software, hardware, and<00:09:03.560> electricity<00
• will go away, the electricity exemption will go away, but<00:09:15.120> the<00:09:15.360>

Keywords: 1183, house