Transcript Highlights:

• The vote does not prevail. >> Having voted on the prevailing side, I will move that House File 3127 be
• The vote does not prevail.
• >> Having voted on the prevailing side, I will move that house file. 31 27 to be brought before

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The House stands in recess. caucus immediately following rules.
• </c><00:06:20.800><c> The</c><00:06:21.039><c> motion</c><00:06:21.280><c> prevails.
• The motion prevails. The oppose say nay. The motion prevails.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion prevails. Amendment is adopted. Closing comments. Thank you, Mr.
• Motion<00:02:16.280><c> prevails.
• </c> Motion prevails. Amendment is adopted. Motion prevails. Amendment is adopted.

Bills: SF1959, HF2444, SF2298, HF2445, SF2216, HF2443, HF2130, HF1943, HF2436, HF2442

Keywords: veterans, military affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, omnibus veterans bill, appropriations, National Guard, state active service, armory, State Armory Building Commission, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, county veterans service office, Minnesota GI Bill, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, Secret War in Laos, Hmong veterans, Laos veterans, special guerrilla units

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails, and the amendment is adopted. amendment<00:04:10.079><c> if</c><00:04:10.280><c>
• oppose I I those oppose nay<00:04:15.959><c> the</c><00:04:16.120><c> motion</c><00:04:16.639><c> prevails
• </c><00:04:17.639><c> and</c><00:04:17.799><c> the</c> nay the motion prevails and the nay the motion
• prevails and the amendment<00:04:18.560><c> is</c> adopted<00:04:23.400><c> there</c><00:04:23.520><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You do not get 100% wage replacement under the law. Lower wage workers get more support.
• To be eligible for any benefits wage.
• </c> Employers still have to submit wage Employers still have to submit wage detail<00:10:41.440><c>
• And the wage test under the law.
• Is it typically lower-wage workers that are using the benefit? Is it higher-wage workers?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:37.200><c> wage</c><00:36:37.520><c> replacement</c> private sector earner. wage replacement
• </c> those uh WBAs for those lower wage those uh WBAs for those lower wage earners<00:58:11.040><c> because
• Taxable wage base right now is 14,000.
• </c> taxable wage base right now is 14,000. taxable wage base right now is 14,000.
• It's served us well. on the first 14,000 in annual wages. So on the first 14,000 in annual wages.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cost of living is soaring and wages have stagnated.
• Can't address housing without addressing wages and wealth building.
• And with the gender wage gap persisting 30 years after I first...
• The story of poverty is the story of low wages.
• Wages for low-income and middle-income workers have not risen in a real sense since 1980, while wages

Bills: H5085, H5286

Keywords: poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• But then it's like, but that's not enough because the wages are still low. It's minimum wage.
• But then it's like, but that's enough because the wages is still low. It's minimum wages.
• It's minimum wage.
• So we need something that—if we increase the wages from the minimum, what it does?
• Because who's going to do the low-wage jobs? Who's going to do the hard jobs?

Summary: The hearing focused first on how wildfires and other disasters affect child care providers, families, and early education infrastructure. State officials from the Department of Social Services and Department of Education described disaster response and preparedness efforts, including shelter coordination, licensing outreach, emergency waivers, distribution of supplies, and the statewide child care disaster plan. Testimony from providers and advocates emphasized major gaps in recovery funding, insurance coverage, rebuilding support, mental health services, and coordination with local rebuild plans. Several witnesses urged more dedicated disaster-recovery funding for child care facilities and suggested statutory changes, including allowing greater flexibility for rebuilding costs and requiring early childhood programs to be included in local disaster planning. The second panel addressed immigration enforcement and its impact on child care. Advocates from the Children's Partnership, Every Child California, and CHIRLA said enforcement activity is causing families to keep children home, disrupting continuity of care, reducing enrollment, and creating fear and trauma for children and providers. They argued that immigrant and mixed-status families need clearer protections, privacy safeguards, legal support, trauma-informed guidance, and safe-haven policies for child care settings. Speakers also stressed that the child care workforce is heavily immigrant and that recent state laws such as AB 49 and AB 495 will require funding, training, and technical assistance to implement effectively. Public commenters, including child care providers, described personal experiences with fire damage, displacement, permit delays, lost income, and the emotional toll of serving families during crises. Others described how immigration enforcement has made parents afraid to attend events, drop off children, or remain connected to providers. Committee members repeatedly noted that child care is often overlooked in emergencies and asked state officials how child care systems are being integrated into disaster planning and how local and state agencies can better coordinate. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> low unemployment and Rising real wages low unemployment and Rising real wages at<00:08:25.599><c
• Wage and salary income per worker is expected to continue to increase, while our estimates for wage growth
• is total wage and salary income<00:14:51.639><c> as</c><00:14:51.839><c> employers</c><00:14:52.399>
• and salary income per worker is wage and salary income per worker is expected<00:15:02.920><c> to</c
• </c> increase while our estimates for wage increase while our estimates for wage growth<00:15:07.279>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action. Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected. Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today because it's been 7,308 days since Pennsylvania last raised the minimum wage.
• It has now been 20 years since the General Assembly last raised the minimum wage. Thank you.
• Twenty years since the General Assembly last raised the minimum wage.
• The last time Pennsylvania acted was in 2006, when my minimum wage bill became law.
• The last time Pennsylvania acted was in 2006 when my minimum wage bill became law.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine administrative business, including approval of the June 1, 2026 journal and several leave requests. The chamber then took up a series of bills and committee referrals, with House Bill 1042 initially sent to Appropriations and later re-referred to Rules and Executive Nominations after committee action. Several other measures were either passed, held over in their order, or re-referred, including House Bills 36 and 513 to Appropriations and various Senate and House bills set aside for later consideration. The most substantive floor debate centered on House Bill 96, where Senator Yaw offered Amendment A4096 to clarify the legal effect of historic tax sales of unseated lands. The amendment would treat certain historic tax-sale deeds as conveying full fee simple ownership, including severed subsurface rights, unless those rights were separately assessed, and would require documentary proof for claims of redemption. The amendment passed 36-14. The Senate also adopted Amendment A4183 to House Bill 1862 after a ruling that Senator Rothman had no conflict of interest and was required to vote; that amendment passed 46-4. Later, Amendment A4173 to House Bill 2559 was adopted 49-1, and House Bill 2559 then passed as amended. Several bills received final passage by unanimous 50-0 votes, including House Bills 482, 1102, 1830, 1860, and 2426, while House Bill 1862 and House Bill 96 were advanced as amended. The Senate also returned a slate of gubernatorial nominations to the governor on motion of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. During petitions and remonstrances, Senator Tartaglione urged action to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, arguing the budget should not ignore low-wage workers. The session also included recognition remarks for Ed Sheehan’s retirement and a submission to the record on the Treaty of Paris. The Senate then recessed until July 12, 2026, at noon, and several bills were signed in the presence of the Senate before recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since payments are made primarily on non-wage income, or really just on non-wage income, it is likely
• You see the wage growth tracker here. Inflation has come well out of wages.
• We had really fast wage increases that impacted inflation.
• Wages ended up three and a half percent over December wages, which is a faster rate of growth than U.S
• . wages overall.

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee met for its January session to review Arizona revenue and economic conditions ahead of the budget process. JLBC staff presented the January baseline, noting projected positive cash balances through FY 2029 and about $577 million to $578 million in discretionary capacity, but also highlighting major unfunded items not included in the baseline, including federal tax conformity costs, ongoing one-time spending for state employee health insurance and school facility repairs, and administrative costs tied to H.R. 1. Staff also reviewed revenue trends by category, saying FY26 general fund revenues were running above forecast overall, with strength in retail, restaurants and bars, and individual income tax payments, while contracting and utility-related collections were weaker or flat. They also compared JLBC and executive revenue assumptions and discussed the executive’s proposed revenue changes, including border reimbursement assumptions, sports betting tax changes, data center-related tax and fee proposals, and other non-general fund measures. A major topic was income tax conformity with recent federal tax law changes. Staff explained that current Department of Revenue forms assume “straight conformity,” but the governor’s proposal and vetoed SB 1106 do not fully match those forms, creating possible amendment and timing issues for taxpayers and the department if the legislature adopts a different policy. Members also discussed the difficulty of forecasting revenues amid volatile monthly collections and uncertainty over how much of the current revenue strength will persist in the second half of the fiscal year. Danny Court of Elliott Pollack gave a broader national and state economic outlook, arguing that the U.S. has avoided recession despite several warning indicators, largely because of AI and data center investment, while employment growth has softened and inflation remains above the Fed’s target. He said Arizona remains relatively resilient, with strong population and job pipelines, but faces housing affordability constraints, slowing employment growth, and a more concentrated population forecast in the Phoenix area. Panelists generally agreed that Arizona remains in better shape than many states, though they cautioned that job growth is slowing, population estimates may be revised, and budget and revenue forecasts should be treated carefully given uncertainty in the data. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean 12 hours, 0 nays, the emotion prevails. The record reflects Mr. Gerdes is here.
• The motion prevails. The chair lays out SB 917.
• There've been 13 ayes, 0 nays, the motion prevails. The chair lays out SB 1254.
• Tapping 13 out of 0 nays, the motion prevails. The chair lays out SB 1255.
• Perez Romero Wally. 13 out of 0 nays, the motion prevails.

Bills: SB 28

Keywords: groundwater, groundwater conservation district, Water Code, Water Development Board, modeled available groundwater, aquifer, water permit, groundwater transfer, export groundwater, out-of-district transfer, management area, desired future conditions, well permit, retail public utility, potable water, emergency interconnect, subsidiary, controlled entity, aquifer management, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• If an owner prevails in an appeal, unless the owner files a change-in-use notice, the property is split
• I'm happy to amend it or to work through things that people have suggestions, but basically you prevail
• But basically you prevail on your appeal, you're good to go until the fourth year, when the assessor
• So when a rancher prevails on appeal at the State Board of Equalization—say your ag land is designated
• Once they prevail on that appeal, you would imagine perhaps that you might be secure for that four-year

Summary: The committee began with member, page, and staff introductions, then heard reminders about public testimony limits and moved to bills. House Bill 2016 would remove late-filing penalties from taxpayers who owe zero tax. The sponsor argued it was a fairness measure that would spare small businesses and individuals from automatic penalties for paperwork only. Members generally supported the bill, though one member noted the Department of Revenue already has waiver authority and another raised a fiscal-impact question. The bill passed 8-1 with a due pass recommendation; the lone no vote said current law already allows case-by-case waivers and that an automatic exemption could weaken compliance. The committee then took up House Bill 2104, which would bar county assessors from reclassifying agricultural property for four years after a taxpayer wins an appeal, unless there is a change in use, split, or ownership. The sponsor and supporters from the cattle and farm/ranch community said some owners repeatedly win appeals only to face the same fight the next year, creating unnecessary cost and instability. County Assessor Eddie Cook, speaking for the county assessors, opposed the bill, saying assessors must protect compliance and fairness, that some owners do not meet ag requirements, and that the State Board of Equalization is not the final avenue because further appeals are available. The State Board’s acting chairman said the board is neutral, receives annual training, and applies the law as written. After extensive debate, the bill passed 5-4 with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2105, which would require advance notice of certain property inspections and provide inspection reports to property owners. Supporters said the bill would give owners a chance to be present and better understand why agricultural status was denied, helping avoid disputes before appeals. Assessor Cook opposed the measure, saying assessors already send notices, use door hangers and business cards, and can share inspection information on request, but there is no standard inspection report and the added mailing burden would be costly. Members also raised concerns about the lack of an appropriation and the absence of a standardized form. The bill was moved for a due pass recommendation, but the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our health insurance system is Wage workers in our state.
• And they're more wage workers in our state.
• The lack of job-based coverage for low-wage workers has state budget impacts.
• Because when wages are improved through the statewide minimum wage, the $25 health care minimum wage,
• So it's playing a bigger role for lower-wage workers than for higher-wage workers in the folks that don't

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy Department of Health Care Services presentation on the governor’s Medi-Cal budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds proposal, projected Medi-Cal enrollment declines as redeterminations continue, and several major cost drivers such as managed care growth, Medicare-related costs, pharmacy spending, and changes tied to federal policy. Members focused heavily on the elimination of Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, questioning the likely impact on provider participation and utilization. DHCS said it is completing the required rate reduction/access analysis for CMS, has been holding stakeholder meetings and issuing provider bulletins, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect. The committee also discussed a $50 million savings proposal tied to new hospice utilization management authority and asked about possible effects on emergency dental care and provider participation. The hearing then moved through the November 2025 family health estimate and several county and program administration issues, including CCS, GHPP, and Every Woman Counts. DHCS said family health costs are rising despite slight caseload declines because of higher utilization and medical costs, and members raised concerns about CCS website accessibility, county administrative funding, and the transition of youth aging out of CCS. The department said most CCS beneficiaries are also on Medi-Cal, that counties have long raised funding concerns, and that it had clarified use of maintenance-and-operations dollars to address some county workload issues. Members also asked about Every Woman Counts potentially seeing higher demand as Medi-Cal changes take effect; DHCS said that is possible and that the program has multiple funding sources including General Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on provider taxes and federal changes under H.R. 1, especially the Medi-Cal managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 restricts new or increased health care-related taxes, phases down allowable tax levels over time, and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, which could sharply reduce the state’s ability to use the MCO tax for Medi-Cal financing. Members asked whether the Legislature could amend Prop. 35 or whether voters would need to act; DHCS said a three-fourths legislative amendment may be possible if it aligns with the measure’s purpose, but the department is still evaluating options. The committee also discussed hospital financing, with DHCS describing recent increases in state-directed payments and the effect of H.R. 1 in capping those payments at Medicare levels, and the LAO noting the tradeoff between preserving provider taxes and maintaining Medi-Cal funding. The subcommittee also reviewed a series of DHCS budget change proposals and trailer bill items, including managed care final-rule implementation, managed care operations, a hospital value strategy, a one-year extension of skilled nursing facility financing, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability/prior authorization requirements. Members repeatedly questioned the use of limited-term versus permanent positions, the overlap among proposals, and the timing of new financing reforms. DHCS said the SNF extension would preserve current workforce standards, sanctions, growth limits, and the SNF quality assurance fee while the department develops a broader 2027-28 redesign. No votes were taken; items were repeatedly held open for later action. Covered California then presented on the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit and the resulting affordability crisis. The agency said Californians will lose about $2.5 billion in premium assistance for 2026, average premiums could nearly double for many enrollees, and as many as 400,000 people could eventually leave marketplace coverage. Open enrollment ended with 1.9 million sign-ups, down 3% from the prior year, with especially steep declines among middle-income consumers and increased movement into bronze plans. Covered California said the state’s $190 million affordability subsidy is helping lower-income enrollees retain coverage, but cannot fully replace the lost federal assistance. Members also asked about the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund, repayment of loans from that fund, the status of federal review of California’s essential health benefits benchmark, and implementation of the new gender-affirming care benefit under AB 144.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is everybody on the prevailing side? I want to reconsider that vote. Mr. Speaker.
• The delegate from having voted on the prevailing side by which HB 661, or SB 661, failed to adopt the
• The delegate from having voted on the prevailing side by which HB 661, or SB 661, failed to adopt the
• I'd like to take it on the prevailing side by which SB 661 failed to adopt the conference report.
• Having voted on the prevailing side by which SB 661 failed to adopt the conference report, Delegate from

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session Part 4, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion prevails. The chair lays out Senate Bill 331; it's pending business.
• There being 11 ayes, 0 nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 11 ayes, 0 nays, the motion prevails. The chair lays out Senate Bill 261.
• There being seven ayes, four nays, the motion prevails. Thank you.
• The motion prevails. Members, that concludes today's agenda.

Bills: SB1117, SB1373, SB672, SB1986, SB1098, SB626, SB1784, SB2480, SB2487, SB437, SB660

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

Transcript Highlights:

• That tax at the state level is paid on the first $8,000 of each employee's annual wages.
• That's what we refer to as the taxable wage base.
• At the federal level, the taxable wage base is $7,000.
• While we are moving up in the ranks there, I want to go back to the taxable wage base.
• We have, and this is due in part to our low taxable wage base and also to our low tax rates.

Keywords: Commission on Unemployment Compensation, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion prevails. The amendment &gt;&gt; Opposed. Motion prevails.
• Motion prevails. The amendment &gt;&gt; Opposed. Motion prevails.
• All those in favor say aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed. >> Motion prevails. >> Motion prevails.
• Motion prevails. Thank you so much. We got you, Senator Westrom. The motion prevails.
• Motion prevails. The amendment &gt;&gt; Opposed. Motion prevails.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally is Second Substitute House Bill 2479, and it relates to the recovery of unpaid wages
• It creates the wage recovery program, and the wage recovery account is created, and that will have all
• the civil penalties under the wage complaints and the minimum wage account will be deposited into that
• their wages from the employer.
• We have Second Substitute House Bill 2479, unpaid wage recovery, before us.

Summary: The Labor and Commerce committee held its final executive session and took action on several House bills. On ESHB 1155, concerning noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements, the committee adopted the Stanford striking amendment and then advanced the bill to Rules on a two-pass recommendation; the King amendments on goodwill/ownership interests and specified executives were withdrawn. The committee also advanced SHB 1570, giving non-academic student employees at Western Washington University collective bargaining rights, to Ways and Means, and ESHB 2303, banning employer requests or coercion for employee microchipping, to Rules. SHB 2405, creating a PTSD workers’ compensation treatment pilot program, was sent to Rules, and 2SHB 2479, creating a wage recovery program and account to help advance unpaid wages to low-wage workers, was sent to Ways and Means. The committee also adopted amendments and moved forward several liquor and cannabis-related bills. EHB 1941, dealing with cannabis producer agricultural cooperatives, was amended with the Saldana striking amendment and sent to Rules. HB 1526, allowing snack bar liquor license holders to sell wine by the glass, was amended with a Saldana striking amendment and sent to Rules. ESHB 2476, expanding the theater liquor license to larger theaters and requiring alcohol control plans when minors are allowed, was also sent to Rules. In each case, members noted the bills’ policy goals and, where relevant, the need for further fiscal review or referral to the appropriate committee. During the session, members briefly discussed the policy rationale for the bills, including worker protections, faster recovery of unpaid wages, PTSD treatment access, and support for business investments in theaters. The committee also took a moment at the end of the meeting to thank staff for their work and heard remarks from Senator Conway reflecting on his long service on the committee and the importance of bipartisan labor-management problem solving. All bills reported out were approved subject to signatures, with referrals either to Rules or Ways and Means as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the tax is 5% of the total annual employee wages that exceed the Social Security wage limit.
• Costs have been increasing at a rate nearly double that of wages.
• Costs have been increasing at a rate nearly double that of wages.
• Contractors pay highly competitive wages, and this bill will... wages and with this this bill will the
• It will be a direct hit to job creation and worker wages.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2140 would exempt land sold or transferred to a governmental entity from additional tax when removed from open space classification in certain circumstances. Staff explained the current use property tax system and said the bill would likely have minimal but indeterminate revenue effects, with about $30,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Representative Lowe said the bill was intended to fix a niche problem where a farmer loses a small frontage strip to a county and is then charged back taxes despite no change in land use. FutureWise testified in support of the bill’s intent but asked for small language changes to ensure transferred land remains compatible with agricultural or open space use. The public hearing on HB 2140 was then closed. HB 2326 would allow a fire protection district that is partially overlapped by another district’s EMS levy to impose its own levy on the portion not already covered, subject to voter approval in the affected area. Staff said the bill would have no state general fund impact and about $28,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Fire district and fire chief representatives testified in support, describing situations in Clark County and Kittitas County where most residents cannot vote on an EMS levy because a small overlapping area already has one. Opponents, including Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill would add to property tax burdens. The hearing on HB 2326 then closed. HB 2334 would require rounding of cash transactions to the nearest five cents as pennies are phased out of circulation, while leaving non-cash payments unchanged. Staff said the bill would apply to the final total after taxes and fees, with an indeterminate but minimal state revenue impact and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The prime sponsor said the bill was needed because the federal government ended penny production without giving states guidance. Retail and grocery groups generally supported the concept but requested amendments for clarity, consumer protection, SNAP compliance, and flexibility while pennies remain in circulation; one witness opposed the bill as another tax burden. The hearing on HB 2334 was then closed. The committee then heard HB 2100, a proposed statewide payroll expense tax on large operating companies to fund a new Well Washington Fund for higher education, health care, cash assistance, energy, and housing. Staff said the proposed substitute would apply to employers with at least 250 employees and $7 million in annual payroll, exclude certain public and health care entities, and generate substantial revenue, with the fiscal note estimating about $7.6 billion to the general fund and $4.2 billion to the new fund in the 2027–29 biennium under the revised threshold. Supporters, including poverty, housing, labor, education, disability, and faith advocates, said the bill would help offset federal cuts and protect vulnerable residents. Business, retail, hospitality, construction, and technology groups opposed it, warning of job losses, higher costs, reduced competitiveness, and broader impacts on consumers and employers. The prime sponsor said the bill was a response to federal divestment and that the state needed a progressive revenue source now; no vote was taken in the transcript.