Video & Transcript : 'House Bill 1' :
Page 89 of 500
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2183. House Bill 2183.
- House Bill 2249. I mean, House Bill 22... House Bill 2249.
- House Bill 2384, amending sections 15-342-4-2-4-9-1 110-1, amending Title 41, Chapter 56, Article 1,
- House Bill 2771. House Bill 2771. House Bill 2771. House Bill 2771.
- House Bill 2770. House Bill 2770. House Bill 2787.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, guest introductions, and a proclamation recognizing March as International Women’s Celebration Month. Members also welcomed guests from several school districts and the Arizona FFA. The chamber then moved through first readings of numerous Senate bills and took up several motions, including reconsideration of HB 2169 and referral of HB 210 and HB 2103 to an additional Committee of the Whole for further amendment.
In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced HB 2100 and HB 2103 with technical amendments and due-pass recommendations. It then considered a series of bills on Calendar 2, including HB 2048, HB 2364, HB 2415, HB 2775, HB 2833, HB 2862, HB 2870, HB 2995, and HB 4067. Debate centered on election administration, sovereignty and international organizations, private school regulation, law enforcement face coverings, domestic violence and coercive control, and voter roll categories. HB 2862 drew the most procedural attention, with a division vote on a substitute amendment; the House rejected a motion to replace the adopted amendment, and the report was later adopted.
On Calendar 3, the House considered education bills. HB 2093, which repeals the requirement for K-12 health education to include mental health instruction, prompted extensive debate over student suicide prevention, school counseling, parental responsibility, and whether schools should provide mental health support; it received a due-pass recommendation by a 27-22 division vote. The House also advanced HB 2313, which was described as responding to a Tucson Unified School District work stoppage tied to a political protest, and HB 2423, HB 2478, and other education measures after amendments and, in one case, withdrawal of an appropriations amendment. The session continued into HB 2830 as the transcript ended.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- So, um, the reason why this bill House.
- That was the original Senate Bill 1 we had in 2022, and largely that's again the bill we have before
- That was the original Senate Bill 1 we had in 2022, and largely that's again the bill we have before
- ><00:41:09.920><c> governance</c> Senate Bill 1 is the same governance Senate Bill 1 is the same governance
- We would have had to Senate Bill 1.
Committee:
Senate Education
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- 10/1/2025. the bill expands the idd pilot program to all individuals and developmental disabilities
- And before the meeting started, I told Senator Smith that we would not be taking the House bill and this
- I'm not familiar with House Bill. Does that have >> Thank you. I'm not familiar with House Bill.
- I'm not sure or I don't recall exactly how the House bill as drafted were very different.
- Senator Trumbull relieved to hear that that we're not taking the House version of this tdt bill.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 57 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Kana of Shrewsbury now moves that the House stand in recess until the hour of 1 p.m.
- The House stands in recess until the hour of 1 p.m. Ms.
- The House stands in recess until the hour of 1 p.m.
- House No. 4683 reports recommending passage of a bill with the same title. House No. 5511.
- I rise in support of House Bill 5510, the Mass Ready Act.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed several student and community guests, including ambassadors from Robinson Middle School in Lowell, visitors honoring the Gaudet family and Patricia Rappucci, Scottish visitors celebrating Scotland’s World Cup appearance, Top-Notch Scholars students from Lawrence, and the King Philip Regional High School baseball team after its first state championship. The chamber also adopted several routine resolutions and orders, including extending the reporting deadline for the Health Care Financing Committee and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a condominium-related petition. The House then rejected concurrence with the Senate on the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act and instead voted to appoint a committee of conference.
The major policy action was on Senate Bill 3064, the Mass Ready Act, a large climate resilience and environmental bond bill. Members speaking in support emphasized flood protection, clean water, PFAS remediation, municipal vulnerability preparedness, coastal resilience, parks, trails, housing, and agricultural and food-system investments. The bill was described as authorizing roughly $3.8 billion in general obligation bonds, with discussion of specific funding for the Clean Water Trust, PFAS remediation, coastal infrastructure, biodiversity, healthy homes, and farmland preservation. A consolidated amendment was adopted, and after debate the House passed the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote.
The House also took up the conference report on H. 5511, the early literacy and teacher preparation bill. Supporters said the measure would require evidence-based reading instruction, move away from three-cueing approaches, support educator training and apprenticeships, and improve student literacy outcomes statewide. The conference report was accepted on a roll call vote of 152-0. Later, the House considered amendments to the Mass Ready Act, including one proposal to increase PFAS remediation funding that was ultimately withdrawn, and adopted another consolidated amendment before passing the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 151-0. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned to an informal session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 28th, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Last line: House Bill number 2606.
- bills clerk will read second gross substitute house bill number 15 last line house bill number 2606
- bill that didn't move forward, House Bill 1200.
- We voted yes for House Bill We voted yes for House Bill 2015.
- The theory of House Bill 2015 was such that the actual outcome of House Bill 2015 and its design was
Bills:
HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , HB2711 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then moved through caucuses and a series of transportation, elections, energy, historical records, cannabis, abortion-access, and fiscal bills. Members repeatedly emphasized that several measures were supplemental or technical updates to existing law, while others involved larger policy disputes over taxes, fees, clean energy, election security, and reproductive health. The chamber also received Senate messages on other bills and briefly recessed for caucus during the day.
The most prominent action was final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation budget, after adopting a technical amendment and a larger striker amendment. Supporters highlighted preservation and maintenance funding, rail investments, ferry maintenance, road safety, and continued work on major projects statewide; opponents largely reserved comments or noted concerns about future needs. The House passed the bill 93-0 with five excused. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711 on transportation resources, after adopting a technical amendment that removed the aircraft tax and delayed an RV-related tax change; supporters said it protected businesses and jobs, while opponents objected to trade-in treatment and other tax changes. That bill passed 83-10.
On elections, the House considered Senate Bill 5892 to protect the voter registration database. An amendment to reduce penalties from a felony to a civil infraction and remove the emergency clause failed, while the committee amendment passed 50-34. Supporters said the bill was needed to safeguard sensitive voter data and clarify access; opponents argued it created conflicts with federal law and imposed excessive penalties on local election officials. The bill then passed 57-36. On energy, Substitute Senate Bill 5982 updating consumer-owned utility provisions drew debate over carbon capture, resource adequacy, data centers, and clean energy policy. Amendments on carbon capture and blackout-triggered termination failed, while an amendment preserving cogeneration exceptions passed; the bill then passed 57-37.
The House also passed Senate Bill 5863 on preservation and inspection of state historical records, after rejecting an amendment to require longer retention but adopting the committee amendment; supporters stressed preserving the history of residential habilitation centers and the value to families seeking records. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing the Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor employer reporting errors, passed unanimously. Engrossed House Bill 2681, raising cannabis license fees while removing an escalator, passed 52-42. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5917 on access to abortion medications saw several failed amendments from opponents seeking to narrow, reframe, or add fiscal limits to the bill; supporters said it preserved flexibility to ensure access and avoid waste, and the bill passed 57-36.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 26th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Was there a House bill that was related to this bill?
- House Bill 8 is in our...
- Bill 8... is identical to House Bill 4 from the regular session as it passed the House.
- , House Bill 8.
- House Bill 8 does that.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of introductory House Bill number 56. of introductory House Bill number 56.
- House >> House Bill 1597. Delegate Hill. House rules. rules. rules.
- House Bill 272, food bill, please.
- </c><01:08:34.640><c> Bill</c> 35 votes in the negative, House Bill 35 votes in the negative, House Bill
- </c> meeting at 1:30 for bill hearings. meeting at 1:30 for bill hearings.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Nine - Wednesday, May 13
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, I move that the House concur with Senate Amendment 1 to House Committee substitute House Bill
- The Lady from Cass County has moved that the House concur in Senate Amendment No. 1 for House Bill 1839
- in Section 1 of House Bill 2596.
- differences in Section 1 for Senate substitute for House Bill 2596, as amended.
- Committee Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2596, as amended, on Section 1.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the prior day by a 123-0 roll call vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize National Police Week and honor fallen officers, and several members offered farewell tributes to departing colleagues and interns. The chamber also introduced a number of special guests, including the Hallsville FFA Barbecue Contest Team, Mizzou wheelchair basketball players, school groups, interns, and a visiting alderwoman and former representative.
The House received Senate messages and committee reports on several bills, then took up House Bill 1839, along with related bills 2921 and 3015, concerning online age verification for certain adult content and related matters. After a brief explanation that the Senate amendment was a technical fix, the House concurred in Senate Amendment 1 by 104-30 and then finally passed the combined bill package by 112-25. The chamber also adopted and then finally passed the conference committee report on House Bill 2596, which was described as a small-business health insurance measure that modernizes pooled plan language and includes a contraception coverage provision expanding private insurance coverage from a six-month to a 12-month supply; the report was adopted 120-26 and the bill was finally passed 119-27.
The most extended debate centered on Senate Bill 905, which would create the Missouri Ranger training program and allow school districts, if they choose, to place specially trained armed rangers on campus with narrow arrest powers. Supporters argued it would give districts a voluntary, locally controlled, and potentially low-cost option to improve school safety, especially where school resource officers are unavailable or response times are long. Opponents said schools already have other options, warned about liability, funding, training, and the lack of child-development or mental-health components, and argued that more armed personnel would make schools feel more like prisons and would not address the root causes of school violence. The transcript ends during continued questioning and debate on SB 905, before any final vote is shown.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 9 Jan 28th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House No. 4561. Question is on passing the bill to be engrossed.
- The House stands in recess until the hour of 1 p.m. The House will be in order. Mr.
- House Bill 3417. Question comes up on passing the bill to be engrossed.
- House Bill 4994. The Chair recognizes... House Bill 4994. The Chair recognizes Mr.
- The bill has passed to be engrossed. House will be in order.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
- two bills.
- The bill before you would end the exemption by July 1, 2026, for refurbishment only, and this gives operators
- From a historical perspective, many of you may remember in 2022 when we adopted House Bill 1846, and
- Senate Bill 6220 modifies the property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing.
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
Keywords:
aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, aeronautics, taxation, aircraft fuel, state funding, aviation fuel, hazardous substance tax, air quality, noise mitigation, environmental impact, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, data center
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Senate in Special Session E May 12th, 2026
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Read the House bill. House Bill 7031E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to taxation.
- Read the House bill.
- Read the House bill.
- Read the House bill.
- Read the House bill. Read the House bill.
Summary:
The Senate convened in special session for budget conference work, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and moments of silence honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to the budget, implementing bill, collective bargaining/state employee issues, retirement, DMS, law enforcement radio system, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, correctional facilities financing, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, fuel taxes, and taxation. Chair Hooper outlined the process for moving Senate and House budget conforming bills into conference posture, noting that conference meetings would be on one-hour notice.
The Senate then took up and passed a series of Senate conforming bills and House companion bills, generally by unanimous 32-0 votes, with delete-all amendments used to place Senate language onto House bills or to clear bills for conference. Measures addressed fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, judges, pre-K through 12 education, retirement, higher education, health care, government administration, correctional facilities financing and capital improvements, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, state employees/collective bargaining, and the implementing bill for the 2026-27 budget. Senators repeatedly moved that, when the House version was not passed as received, the Senate request conference or accede to the House’s request for conference.
The General Appropriations Bill was handled by substituting House Bill 5001E for Senate Bill 2500E, amending it with Senate substance, and passing it 32-0 before requesting conference. House Bill 7031E on taxation was also amended and debated; Senator Berman used the debate to urge consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax for summer relief, but the bill ultimately passed and the Senate requested conference after failing to pass the House version as received. The session ended with a motion to waive rules for publishing the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session, followed by adjournment upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other Senate business.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- House Communication number 885 informs the Senate that House Bill 1800 Conference Draft 1 passed final
- SB 2069 CD2 passes final reading. >> Final reading of House Bill 1334 >> Final reading of House Bill
- Senate Bill 3263 Conference Draft 1 fails.
- Draft 1 and 159 House Draft 2. >> Senator Wakai. >> Mr.
- Draft 1 and 172 House Draft 1. >> Senator Wakai. >> Mr.
Bills:
HB1800 , HB1860 , HB2250 , HB472 , HB649 , HB1391 , HB1481 , HB1509 , HB1511 , HB1515 , HB1518 , HB1541 , HB1548 , HB1576 , HB1618 , HB1642 , HB1643 , HB1661 , HB1667 , HB1678 , HB1682 , HB1688 , HB1692 , HB1707 , HB1710 , HB1711 , HB1713 , HB1718 , HB1721 , HB1728 , HB1737 , HB1740 , HB1741 , HB1785 , HB1801 , HB1802 , HB1804 , HB1810 , HB1815 , HB1824 , HB1838 , HB1839 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1864 , HB1870 , HB1881 , HB1888 , HB1890 , HB1891 , HB1894 , HB1920 , HB1959 , HB1960 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2023 , HB2050 , HB2078 , HB2094 , HB2095 , HB2104 , HB2137 , HB2152 , HB2158 , HB2171 , HB2207 , HB2218 , HB2246 , HB2270 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2279 , HB2282 , HB2289 , HB2293 , HB2297 , HB2300 , HB2309 , HB2310 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB2329 , HB2338 , HB2339 , HB2344 , HB2361 , HB2385 , HB2395 , HB2417 , HB2429 , HB2443 , HB2452 , HB2474 , HB2475 , HB2498 , HB2505 , HB2547 , HB2576
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-12 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Read the House bill. House Bill 7031E, a bill to be entitled, an act relating to taxation.
- Read the House bill.
- Read the House bill.
- Read the House bill.
- Read the House bill.
Summary:
The Senate convened in special session with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed moments of silence for Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to budget, implementing, collective bargaining, retirement, education, health, taxation, corrections, fuel tax, and related conference-report legislation. Chair Hooper then outlined the process for taking up Senate conforming bills first, followed by House bills once received, in preparation for budget conference.
The chamber passed several Senate bills and House companion bills, generally by 32-0 votes, after delete-all amendments were adopted to place the measures in proper posture for conference. Measures taken up included fuel taxes (SB 2506E), the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge (SB 2508E), judges (SB 2512E), pre-K-12 education (SB 2514E), retirement (SB 2E/HB 5205E), higher education (SB 2516E/HB 5601E), health care (SB 2518E/HB 5301E), collective bargaining/state employees (SB 2504E/HB 5201E), government administration (HB 5203E), correctional facilities financing and capital improvements (HB 5403E), documentary stamp tax distributions (HB 5501E), petroleum cleanup programs (HB 5701E), and the general appropriations and implementing bills (SB 2500E/HB 5001E and SB 2502E/HB 5003E). In each case, the Senate either passed the bill as amended or, after failing to pass the House version as received, requested conference with the House.
During debate on the tax package, Leader Berman urged lawmakers to consider suspending the motor fuel tax for the summer, citing high gas prices and the need for immediate relief at the pump. The Senate ultimately passed HB 7031E as a blank vehicle for conference and then requested conference with the House after failing to pass it as received. No substantive amendments were adopted beyond the conference-posture delete-all amendments, and no recorded opposition votes were cast on the measures considered.
At the end of the session, the Rules Chair announced the Special Order Calendar Group would not meet that day or the next, and the Senate adopted a motion to establish the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session by website publication and secretary announcement. The Senate then adjourned upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other business.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- intent to lay over the bill?
- This bill is a functioning bill.
- This is the correction to the 2025 appropriations and matches the bill that you've passed, House File
- and House File 2433.
- Members, before we conclude on House Bill 1388, I would like to have final closing comments and thank
Bills:
HF1388
Committee:
House Education Finance
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Mar 12, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 30
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 1153, House Draft 1.
- House bills passed third reading. Item No. 7, third reading bills.
- House Bill 300, House Draft 1, charts a strong course to tackle the choppy journey ahead and provides
- House Bill 300, House Draft 1, charts a strong course to tackle the choppy journey ahead and provides
- House Bill 300, House Draft 1, charts a strong course to tackle the choppy journey ahead and provides
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 29th, 2025 at 11:00 am
Nevada Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 4, the act becomes effective on July 1, 2025. End of bill. Senator Pazina. Thank you, Mr.
- The act becomes effective on July 1, 2025. End of bill. Senator Wynn. Thank you, Mr. President.
- The act becomes effective on July 1, 2025. End of bill. Senator Cannizzaro. Thank you, Mr.
- End of bill. Section 1. Are there any amendments? There are none. Section 6. End of bill.
- Section 1. Are there any amendments? There are none. Section 5. End of bill. Senator Buck.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-20 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Read the House bill: House Bill 5001, a bill to be entitled an act making appropriations.
- Read the bill third time: House Bill 5001, a bill to be entitled an act making appropriations.
- Read the House bill: House Bill 503, a bill to be entitled an act implementing the 2026-2027 General
- Read the House bill: House Bill 5201.
- Read the House bill: House Bill 5401, a bill to be entitled an act relating to trust funds of the state
Summary:
The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget and related implementing bills. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented a $115 billion General Appropriations Bill, saying it reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major budget areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental/agricultural agencies. Highlights included increased funding for school safety, teacher and scholarship funding, workforce education, Medicaid and kid care, corrections operations, judgeships, affordable housing, hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and arts and cultural grants.
Members asked detailed questions about several items. Senators discussed the Emergency Management Trust Fund, cultural arts grant allocations, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salary support, charter school capital outlay funding, Bright Futures and EASE funding, New College funding, DOC deficits and inmate health care/food service costs, the ADAP HIV drug program, Medicaid reductions for non-critical access hospitals, and the use of opioid settlement and COVID relief funds. Chairs explained that some apparent reductions reflected shifts below the line or reclassification, that the ADAP appropriation would only cover about six months, and that some vacant positions were being removed as part of a right-sizing effort. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed weapons permit processing, elections security funding, and arts grant selection and proviso language.
The Senate then substituted House bills for the Senate budget and implementing measures, amended them into the Senate posture, and passed them. HB 5001 (the appropriations bill), HB 503 (implementing bill), HB 5201 (collective bargaining), and HB 5205 (retirement) all passed 36-0 and were sent to conference. Other budget-related bills also passed, including SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, SB 2510 on court trust funds, SB 2512 creating 13 circuit and 12 county judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health. Most of these passed unanimously, with the Senate requesting the House either pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 4 May 19th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and what was originally House File 1.
- As many people know, the bill, House File 1, just sort of got stuck in State Government, and we made
- This bill was House File 1.
- The companion to this bill is not House File 1; it is a Democrat-led bill that you are saying is so good
- The author in the House is not me on this particular bill.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Jan 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2038.
- The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
- House Bill 2018 concerns the solid waste tax.
- That's where House Bill 2297 comes in.
- The AWB is in opposition to House Bill 2487.
Summary:
The committee heard briefings, sponsor presentations, and public testimony on several finance bills. HB 2038 would impose an additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms beginning in 2027 and create a youth behavioral health account funded by the tax. The sponsor argued the bill would help address youth mental health harms linked to social media and support implementation of the Washington Thriving plan. Supporters in testimony, including youth advocates and some public health voices, said social media contributes to youth anxiety and addiction and that the revenue should be used for behavioral health services. Opponents, including technology and business groups, argued the tax unfairly singles out one sector, could be passed on to consumers, and may violate federal internet tax law. The hearing on HB 2038 was suspended and later reopened for public testimony; no vote was taken.
HB 2297 would create tax incentives for grocery stores in underserved communities, including local B&O preferences, a sales tax exemption for security services, a 30-year property tax exemption program, a B&O tax credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to preserve and attract grocery stores in food deserts, especially after recent store closures, and to help communities with limited transportation and access to healthy food. County representatives supported the goal but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption and its effect on local revenues. Public testimony was largely supportive, with advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents describing grocery stores as essential community infrastructure. No action was taken.
HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco product taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to a time-sensitive emergency system, tobacco enforcement, and the foundational public health services account. The sponsor said the bill would generate needed revenue, support cancer research funding, and strengthen public health and enforcement. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce use and help cover long-term health costs, while some public health witnesses supported the revenue but suggested directing more funds to existing tobacco prevention accounts. Opponents from retail and industry groups argued the proposal is regressive, could increase illicit sales and cross-border purchasing, and would hurt small businesses and low-income consumers. The committee also heard HB 2487, a Department of Revenue request bill that would narrow the B&O exemption for insurers to clarify that it applies only to premium income subject to insurance premium tax, and apply the change retroactively to 2019. The sponsor and supporters said the bill closes a loophole created by a recent Supreme Court ruling and preserves tax equity, while insurers and business groups objected to the retroactive application, warning of higher premiums and unfair taxation. Finally, HB 2018 would increase the solid waste tax by 0.5% per year for five years and direct the new revenue to a local government solid waste assistance account for county and city waste management plans. County officials supported the bill as a way to stabilize funding for solid waste systems, and testimony emphasized rising disposal and infrastructure costs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2038.
- The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
- House Bill 2018 concerns the solid waste tax.
- That's where House Bill 2297 comes in.
- The AWB is in opposition to House Bill 2487.
Committee:
House Finance
Keywords:
HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding