Transcript Highlights:

• c> set the preliminary levies are getting set the preliminary levies are getting set usually<00:09
• When county tax levies are lower and local government levies are generally lower, well, that's going
• are lower and local government levies are lower and local government levies<00:14:03.959> are
• Levy increases there about complimentary Levy increases there and<00:51:09.559> that's<00:51:
• anything from a 5% to a 15% uh Levy anything from a 5% to a 15% uh Levy increase<00:52:48.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And how that works is that if your property value goes up, that assessment limitation limits.
• I hear there is a 10% assessment limitation.
• It's a of a similar story for the school taxes levied.
• Levies has gone down from almost 9.
• But this story here is same as the non school levies has more taxes can be levied as a result of an increase

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A levy is the dollars.
• And then every other year we get the levy limitation schedule that comes out.
• And then every other year we get the levy limitation schedule that comes out after the legislative session
• The school relief was a mill levy rate, a mill levy, a mill rate that was bought down back in 2012.
• other levies.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met to begin its study of the feasibility and desirability of revising the content of the real estate tax statement to improve property tax transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive under House Bill 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, and the Legacy Fund portion of that credit. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual tax cycle, from county budgeting and valuation notices to budget hearing notices, levy certification, cap calculations, and final tax statement mailing. They emphasized that counties and auditors do extensive coordination with taxing districts and neighboring counties, and that the process is labor-intensive and often manual. Members discussed the limited public response to budget notices and tax statements, the difficulty of explaining the legislative tax relief line, the 3% cap and valuation issues, and whether more frequent assessments or different timing would improve understanding. Several members and witnesses noted that many taxpayers only engage when they receive their final bill, and that clarity may be more important than adding more detail. NDACO also presented a rough cost survey from eight counties, estimating an average tax statement cost of about 74 cents and a statewide total near $600,000 for printing and mailing tax statements alone, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing. Witnesses noted that House Bill 1176 added other mailings and notices, increasing county workload and cost beyond the statement itself. The committee then heard from software vendors, who explained how their systems handle tax billing, budget notices, valuation notices, primary residence credit processing, and tax levy calculations, and they identified the 1600/1685 primary residence credit and discount interaction as a current programming challenge. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• surprising considering the limited surprising considering the limited County<00:07:48.199> role
• which is equivalent to a 4% tax levy which is equivalent to a 4% tax levy increase<00:15:27.880>
• There is a portion of local levy dollars that go to those assessors, and so we are limited by the amount
• Thank you. calendar year and limiting calendar year and limiting individualized<00:58:12.480> home
• these limitations DHS created these limitations<01:36:27.960> along<01:36:28.239> with

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• instead of voter-approved school operating levies.
• The bill does not give school boards additional levy authority.
• At approximately 1,200 students, that levy would generate $720,000.
• Would pay in levy.
• that, that levy is spread across.

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• A levy is the dollars.
• And then every other year we get the levy limitation schedule that comes out.
• And then every other year we get the levy limitation schedule that comes out after the legislative session
• The school relief was a mill levy rate—a mill levy, a mill rate—that was bought down back in 2012.
• other levies.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met to begin its study of whether the content of the real estate tax statement should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive from HB 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, legacy fund share, discounts for early payment, and special assessments. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statewide statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from NDACO, including auditors from McKenzie and Richland counties, described the full annual property tax timeline from budgeting through mailing final statements. They explained how counties gather budgets, calculate levies, verify taxable values, handle centrally assessed property, and prepare required notices and statements. They also said public attendance at budget hearings is generally very low, though the notices and statements generate some calls, mostly about whether attendance is required or why taxes are changing. Several members questioned the usefulness of the legislative tax relief line and the complexity of the 5% discount calculation, and county officials said the current process can be confusing and depends on manual data entry and coordination among counties, vendors, and taxing districts. The committee also discussed assessment frequency, valuation equalization, the 3% cap, and whether more frequent reassessment would reduce large jumps in taxable value. County officials said they try to use rotating reassessments and sales-ratio reviews to keep values within statutory tolerance, but staffing, training, and local market changes make the work difficult. NDACO staff estimated, based on a small county survey, that tax statement preparation and mailing costs average about 74 cents per statement, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing, and said HB 1176 added some mailing and administrative costs even if the tax statement itself did not change dramatically. Software vendors from CPT and Tyler then began presentations showing how their systems handle budgeting, valuation notices, tax statement generation, primary residence credit processing, and levy worksheets, emphasizing that many of the required calculations and reports are still manually entered or verified by county staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• :01:34.119> operating<00:01:34.479> levies voter approved School operating levies voter
• attempt at passing an operation in Levy attempt at passing an operation in Levy was<00:07:30.599
• happen if we can pass an operating Levy happen if we can pass an operating Levy we<00:08:48.279>
• But in terms of the levy for that, the levy spread across the taxpayers of the Minona school district
• But in terms of the levy for that, the levy spread across the taxpayers of the Minona school district

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• Hour time limit on this meeting.
• All it does is it addresses all the, all the, this type of tax levy and this type of tax levy, or this
• suggesting that we lower those levies some more, so right now... ...suggesting that we lower those levies
• A school district may levy the operating levy for school purposes, required by subsection, less all adjustments
• A school district may levy the operating levy for school purposes, required by subsection, less all adjustments

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school districts to include summer term worker unemployment costs in their local unemployment insurance levy
• She is on remote, and uh, this is a good time for me to remind testifiers to please limit your comments
• <00:02:19.959> Authority unemployment insurance Levy Authority unemployment insurance Levy
• to remind testifiers to please limit to remind testifiers to please limit your<00:02:42.879>
• question is if we put this on the levies question is if we put this on the levies I<00:24:37.240

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So Levi is going to walk us through that and help us give a little bit of understanding. So Levi.
• Thank you, Levi. Any questions for Levi? There's a lot of good information on here.
• Thank you, Levi. Any questions for Levi? There's a lot of good information on here.
• A few that I'll highlight, though, is that limited access to funding and staffing is limiting program
• A few that I'll highlight, though, is that limited access to funding and staffing is limiting program

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• We went out for an operating levy increase as well as a capital projects levy.
• We went out for an operating levy increase as well as a capital projects levy.
• We went out for an operating levy increase as well as a capital projects levy.
• We went out for an operating levy increase as well as a capital projects levy.
• <00:49:02.720> But limited issue. But limited issue.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . levies. levies.
• <00:21:27.200> there So, anything that we don't levy there So, anything that we don't levy
• assessment times a mill levy.
• So that levy is going to have multiple levies per property in this proposal.
• the 25 ms in its levy.

Bills: SF0110, SF0044, SF0046

Keywords: property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This can be done through state aids to local governments and through levy limits.
• This can be done through state aids to local governments and through levy limits.
• I should note that while levy limits have been used in the past, there currently aren't any levy limits
• But the last time levy limits were in place was back in the property tax cycle in Minnesota.
• levies.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met to hear a House Research presentation from Jared Swanson on Minnesota’s property tax system. Before the presentation, the chair announced that the committee would put the governor’s budget on hold until the department could provide the information needed for a proper hearing. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. Swanson gave an overview of how property taxes are structured and collected in Minnesota, explaining that the state uses a levy-based system in which local governments set levies and counties collect and distribute payments. He described the property tax cycle, the difference between referendum market value and net tax capacity, and how classification rates shift tax burdens among property types. He also outlined the state general property tax, noting it is split between commercial-industrial property and seasonal recreational property, and reviewed how Minnesota compares with other states, with residential taxes generally around the middle and commercial-industrial taxes relatively higher. The presentation also covered major property tax relief and aid programs. Swanson explained three broad relief mechanisms: shifting burdens through exclusions and classification rates, state-paid credits and refunds, and state aid to local governments or levy reductions. He discussed local government aid (LGA), township aid, and county program aid (CPA), including their funding levels, formulas, and general-purpose nature. Members asked why some cities receive no LGA and how the funds may be used; Swanson said cities with strong tax bases often receive zero aid and that the money generally can be used for the same purposes as property tax revenue. No votes were taken on the presentation itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• their levies.
• their levies.
• their levies.
• their levies.
• their levies.

Bills: HF2254, HF2302, HF2502, HF2315, HF2475, HF2086

Keywords: HF2254, Minnesota child credit, baby bonus, child tax credit, income tax, individual income tax, tax relief, newborn, birth credit, family tax credit, tax refund, advance payment, Department of Revenue, taxable year, parenting, families with children, child credit, state regulations, families, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:03.720> and legislature has over these levies and legislature has over these levies
• > Levy<00:35:25.640> amounts<00:35:26.160> for voter approved Levy amounts for voter
• <00:35:36.839> were<00:35:37.079> up<00:35:37.359> by levies were up by levies were
• Just a little historic information about the state general levy: the state general levy generated about
• Just a little historic information about the state general levy: the state general levy generated about

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met to receive a presentation from House Fiscal staff Cynthia Templin and Katrina Heimark on state tax revenues, property tax aids and credits, and key budget terms and timelines. They explained the difference between fiscal years, tax years, biennia, the general fund, and dedicated funds, and reviewed the legislative budget calendar, including the governor’s January budget recommendation, the February forecast update, March budget resolution deadlines, and the expected end of session in May. The presentation focused on how Minnesota tax revenue is collected and where it goes. House Fiscal said fiscal 2024 total revenue for public services was about $102.5 billion, with $46.5 billion coming from state and local taxes. Of total state tax revenue, about 85% goes to the general fund and about 15% is dedicated to other funds. They noted that income and sales taxes make up the largest share of state collections, while local property taxes are the largest share of local revenue. They also reviewed constitutional and statutory dedications, including the Legacy sales tax dedication, the motor vehicle sales tax dedication to transportation, and the auto parts sales tax dedication that was changed in 2023 to a 100% transportation dedication phased in over 10 years. Members asked several questions about slowing income tax growth, possible effects of migration and corporate departures, and whether changes in population or wages were affecting revenue trends. Templin said she was not aware of recent independent or MMB studies tying revenue loss to migration, but would look into it. Members also discussed the sharp rise in tax receipts in fiscal 2021 and 2022 after the pandemic downturn, with staff explaining that the low fiscal 2020 base and a shift toward goods purchases during COVID helped drive the increase, especially in sales tax revenue. No bills were taken up and no votes were recorded during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would still keep the language in there that it's limited to...
• There’s the one mill levy, number 2109, which has to do, what I think...
• Oh, voter approved mill levies.
• No way to segregate out voter-approved mill levies for most of the voter-approved mill levies.
• So the removal of the voter-approved mill levies is a great move.

Bills: SB2397

Keywords: oil and gas, tax exemption, development incentive wells, gross production tax, flaring, 908, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up House Bill 1382, the gas tax bill. Members explained an amendment to ensure that the proposed three-cent gas tax distribution would include all counties and townships in oil-producing counties, rather than excluding non-oil-producing counties as in the original draft. The committee adopted the amendment unanimously, but then held the bill for the time being because of related work on the Department of Transportation budget in the House. The committee then turned to House Bill 1168, a large hoghouse amendment that combined the bill with the contents of House Bill 1176 and added technical corrections. The proposal would raise the primary residence property tax credit maximum from $1,250 to $1,650, keep the 75% cap with a $500 floor, and extend the credit to voter-approved levies while excluding special assessments. Other changes discussed included aligning the disabled veterans property tax credit with the $200,000 exemption level, adjusting budget and distribution dates so taxing districts are made whole sooner, exempting townships from a general-election vote requirement for levy increases, and modifying school funding formulas so schools are not shortchanged if mill levies are reduced under the cap. Testimony from the Association of Counties and the State Supervisor of Assessments was generally supportive of the technical cleanup and implementation changes, but they raised concerns about the June 1 distribution date, application timing, and the practicality of some programming and administrative changes. Committee members also discussed the policy and messaging implications of the 75%/floor structure and the difficulty of applying the credit to certain voter-approved levies. No final action was taken on House Bill 1168; the committee agreed to continue working on amendments and recessed until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there is no posted speed limit on a county road in our state, the default speed limit is 50 miles
• Maybe an average speed limit, or an average speed of 40 to 45 instead of the speed limit of 50.
• Some small number of cities have transportation levies and levy lid lifts, which allocate funding to
• We're finding, at least in the Wenatchee Valley, levies such as school district levies are failing.
• . ...statutory limits.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• These fees could be levied as a flat rate per vehicle.
• Levied by the four other states on a vehicle of 61,000 pounds.
• in New York, and lower than the rates levied by Connecticut and Oregon.
• Several states levy a VMT tax specifically on electric vehicles and/or hybrid vehicles rather than levy
• There are four states that levy a VMT tax on passenger vehicles and five states that levy a per mile

Transcript Highlights:

• It's important that we also make sure that the levies are moving, that the levies are not being targeted
• It's important that we also make sure that the levies are moving, that the levies are not being targeted
• The levy reassesses.
• cycle to take the levy.
• Approve a levy increase. They have that reassessment cycle to take the levy increase.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal for the prior day by a vote of 131-2, and the Speaker signed several enrolled measures, including HB 1768, HB 1866, HB 1870, HB 2180, and HJR 173 and 174. Members also made a series of guest introductions and personal announcements, including remarks recognizing National Infertility Awareness Week and HCR 28, as well as notices about upcoming themed dress days. The chamber then received Senate messages returning a number of budget bills and other measures with Senate amendments, and the House budget chair moved to refuse the Senate versions and send HB 2002 through HB 2013 to conference. Members discussed major budget differences, including child care subsidies, transportation funding, higher education funding, and the shifting of broadband grant dollars, but all of the motions to go to conference were approved. The House also took up Senate Bill 975, relating to ambulance districts and emergency medical services. An amendment was adopted to restore compromise language on community paramedics and make a minor change to first responder mental health provisions. The bill passed 136-7. Later, the House considered a property tax reform package on Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. Amendments were adopted to correct technical drafting issues, require uniform levy increases across property classes and timely use of voter-approved tax increases, and add assessor training, electronic taxpayer notification, and changes to how disputed assessments are paid. Debate centered on local control, transparency, and the impact on schools and other local taxing districts. The combined bill passed 83-61. The House then adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• To accommodate those who wish to testify, we're imposing a two-minute time limit. ... and we would ask
• we're going to kind of limit it to a misdemeanor when another parent entices or persuades the child
• Was that my time limit? Well, you got about 20 seconds. Okay, I'm sorry.
• However, current statute doesn't address burnouts, so it leaves law enforcement with limited tools to
• So this bill does not change the storage timeline; it's either two years or the statute of limitations

Bills: SB456, SB826, SB872, SB957, SB993, SB1660, SB2017, SB2611, SB2785, SB2794, SB442

Keywords: human organs, criminal penalties, physician license, medical ethics, illegal trade, SB 826, Texas, DWI, driving while intoxicated, intoxicated driving, school crossing zone, school zone, reduced speed limit, traffic safety, child safety, pedestrian safety, felony DWI, state jail felony, Penal Code Section 49.04, Transportation Code Section 541.302