Transcript Highlights:

• formally requests the refund.
• And we'd like to have statewide consistency on how these overpayments are refunded.
• You can request a refund and it must be processed within 60 days of the request.
• on overpayments not timely refunded.
• We immediately refund it. You don't have to ask us for the money. You get it back. It's yours.

Transcript Highlights:

• we have agreed to certain refund we have agreed to certain refund provisions<00:53:51.200> in
• refund if uh you are a victim of a scam. refund if uh you are a victim of a scam.
• And then if it does go through, um, we also do have a refund policy, um, like I said, to refund first
• And then if it does go through, um, we also do have a refund policy, um, like I said, to refund first
• And do they get that money refunded, or just the transaction? Yeah, the fees they get refunded.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on fraud in the community, with presenters from ARP, CoinFlip, HPD, the Hawaii Bankers Association, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, and the Department of Law Enforcement. The chair described widespread scams targeting kupuna and other residents, including impersonation of grandchildren, lottery/inheritance schemes, romance scams, online shopping fraud, investment scams, and tech-support scams. Members emphasized the emotional manipulation used by scammers, the difficulty of getting victims to report losses, and the need to educate the public on warning signs and available resources. ARP said scams are an epidemic and highlighted national data showing major losses among older adults, including $4.8 billion lost by people age 60 and over in 2024. ARP focused especially on cryptocurrency kiosks as a growing scam channel in Hawaii, citing 64 complaints totaling $922,000 in 2024 and noting that complaints nearly doubled from the prior year. ARP urged stronger safeguards such as limits on transactions, refunds, live customer support, and a law-enforcement contact for operators, and said its Fraud Watch Network can help victims freeze credit, identify next steps, and track current scams. The chair said he intends to introduce legislation to lower and ultimately eliminate the amount of Bitcoin that can be purchased through ATMs. CoinFlip said it supports consumer-protection regulation and described its compliance practices, including scam warning screens, anti-money-laundering controls, blockchain analytics, wallet pinning, transaction monitoring, and cooperation with law enforcement. The company said it is registered as a money services business, files suspicious activity and currency transaction reports, and holds money transmitter licenses in many jurisdictions. It also pointed to Illinois-style refund protections for new users and said it refunds fees to scam victims, though not the underlying funds. In response to committee questions, members and the company discussed whether crypto kiosks are necessary, how scams can be traced, and whether banks and kiosks can better intervene when suspicious activity is detected.

Transcript Highlights:

• refunding of of an existing bond. refunding of of an existing bond.
• This will refund a portion of the Kentucky driver's license system.
• Once we sell it, we'll know for sure on the refunding, but the $12.5 million goes to refunding, but the
• Series B will refund $134.325 million of existing debt for economic savings.
• And the first four are new money and the last two are refunding.

Keywords: 00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:45 Approval of Minutes 01:01 Information Items 06:25 Project Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions-KCTCS 10:50 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 18:08 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 27:12 Rpt from OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 33:56 Rpt from OFM – CED EDF Grants 47:20 Rpt from OFM – Office of Financial Mgmt 56:53 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including approval of the February meeting minutes and several information items. Those items covered university equipment purchases, school district and transportation-related debt issuances, Northern Kentucky University’s planned construction-manager/general-contractor delivery method for the medical examiner/crime lab relocation project, a lease-space advertisement, postsecondary asset preservation allocations, and lease-law compliance reports. Members then discussed the Northern Kentucky crime lab project in more detail; staff explained that the memorandum of agreement would cover the construction portion while the lease would cover operations, and members were told the project should move forward without procurement problems. The committee approved a Kentucky Community and Technical College System project to modify the fire academy maintenance building after the related dormitory project was set aside because of major cost overruns. KCTCS said the dormitory would be about $3 million over budget, so it would not be bid; instead, the maintenance building would be expanded to add showers and restroom/locker facilities, bringing that project from $2 million to about $3.2 million. The committee also approved a Transportation Cabinet project for the Hardin County I-65 southbound commercial motor vehicle station relocation, with members asking about the estimate, the lack of a direct prior example, and the fact that the loadometer equipment itself would be purchased separately and was not included in the construction estimate. Finance and Administration Cabinet lease items were then considered. The committee approved a Department of Public Advocacy lease in Christian County and a Transportation Cabinet vehicle regulation lease in Kenton County, both negotiated down from initial asking prices and both including utilities. Two lease modifications were reported without action: a Department of Revenue fit-up in Jefferson County and an expanded vehicle regulation lease in Adair County. Members also approved a package of Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items, including four loans and six Cleaner Water Program grant reallocations, covering sewer and water projects such as MSD’s Patty’s Run flood pumping station, Paducah-McCracken County’s wastewater treatment plant, Mount Washington’s lift station replacement, and Eminence’s wastewater plant expansion. Finally, the committee heard a batch of Kentucky Product Development Initiative economic development grants and approved the action items in one vote. The projects included due diligence and infrastructure work for industrial and site-development projects in multiple counties, with local match requirements and KEDFA approvals described for each. The committee also received three line-item water grants from House Bill 1 that required no action, and the meeting ended after the grant presentations and approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• not be able to get that money refunded not be able to get that money refunded in<00:58:56.079>
• is changed from an annual to a refund is changed from an annual to a quarterly<00:59:18.319> refund
• refund opportunity.
• annual refund to a quarterly refund annual refund to a quarterly refund opportunity.<01:02:53.119
• <01:09:38.400> So for the um u property tax refund. So for the um u property tax refund.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It increases the project cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and it also adds a refundability option for
• Right now, the tax credit is transferable, but by making it refundable, landowners get 100% of the value
• It includes the project cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and it also adds a refundability option for
• And changing this cap and making it refundable levels the playing field, Good afternoon, Madam Chair,
• And changing this cap and making it refundable levels the playing field, And making it refundable levels

Bills: HB186, HB92, HJM1

Keywords: tax credit, land conservation, biodiversity, agricultural preservation, historic preservation, natural resources, open space, tax exemption, Social Security, income, retirement, financial relief, Taiwan, trade, technology, education, international relations, economic partnership, New Mexico, United States

Transcript Highlights:

• Pharmacy refund timing.
• Pharmacy refund timing.
• . refund. refund.
• Um the R&D credit refundability refundability refundability uh<00:32:57.919> as<00:32:58.240
• Chair. ...freestanding refund to a refundable income tax credit.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not a refundable credit.
• It is not a refundable credit.
• It is not a refundable credit.
• It is not a refundable credit.
• It is not a refundable credit.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard presentation on HF 495, a bill intended to help families with rising child care costs by allowing a subtraction from taxable income for licensed child care expenses. The author said the measure would provide immediate relief to families while broader child care supply and affordability problems are addressed, citing a revenue analysis estimating about 81,700 returns affected and an average tax decrease of $639. The bill was described as applying only to licensed child care centers, family child care, or group family child care under chapter 142B. A virtual testifier, Annel Velasco of St. Paul, opposed the bill. She said child care is indeed expensive but argued the proposal is only a small patch that does not address structural problems such as provider closures, low teacher pay, and lack of available slots. She also said the subtraction would disproportionately benefit higher-income families and would not help providers or teachers. Members debated whether the bill should be more targeted. Representative Smith and Representative Lee argued the proposal is uncapped, expensive, and structured as a subtraction rather than a refundable credit, meaning it would mainly help higher-income households and could divert resources from other credits such as the working family tax credit or child tax credit. Representative Swedzinski supported the bill as allowing families to keep their own money and said child care costs are high across income levels. Chair Gomez and others emphasized that the child care system has broader structural failures, including low pay and lack of slots, and said this bill would address only one part of the problem. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Conversely, refundable credits and property tax refunds are among the most progressive tax policies we
• And then the property tax refunds, as we talked about, especially the renter refund, which has a pretty
• Um, conversely, refundable credits and Um, conversely, refundable credits and property<00:33:07.080><
• property tax refund. property tax refund.
• move of the renter property tax refund move of the renter property tax refund from<00:50:26.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And a refund would only occur after a fact-based court hearing determining a fair amount to be refunded
• and whether a refund is appropriate at all.
• Under this language, a refund isn't automatic.
• Under this language, a refund isn't automatic.
• Does this bill open the case up for ankle monitoring refunds?

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on criminal justice, public safety, and detention-related issues. SB 498 by Senator Becker would make electronic messaging free for incarcerated people in CDCR facilities and end 15-minute limits on voice calls; the author and supporters argued it would strengthen family ties and rehabilitation, while no opposition testified. SB 953 by Senator Niello would require two DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases even when diversion is granted; victims’ family members and law enforcement groups supported it as an accountability measure, while the ACLU and Debt-Free Justice California opposed it, arguing diversion should remain an incentive for rehabilitation and safer roads. The committee also heard SB 1306 by Senator Cortese, which would align state law with federal exemptions for certain GBL-containing chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing; the author and SEMI said it would reduce unnecessary regulation and protect California’s semiconductor industry, and there was no opposition testimony. Members also considered SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost. The author and supporters described high prices for basic necessities and poor conditions in private detention centers, while no opposition witnesses appeared. SB 691 by Senator Wahab would require law enforcement body-camera policies to include a process for EMS personnel to request redaction of recordings before public release when patients are receiving medical treatment; supporters said it would protect patient privacy, while the Sheriff’s Association opposed it as duplicative and potentially confusing. SB 562 by Senator Ashby would allow partial refunds of bail bond premiums when charges are not filed or are dropped early; supporters framed it as a fairness measure for low-income families, while bail industry representatives and victims’ advocates warned it could discourage bail agents from posting bonds and could affect domestic violence cases. The committee also took up several additional measures on consent or with no opposition testimony, including AB 2796, SB 891, SB 1012, and SB 1143. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 953, SB 1306, and SB 941, and to move SB 498, SB 691, and SB 562 forward as well, with some votes initially held open for absent members. Several bills were pulled by their authors and not heard, including SB 1004, SB 1208, SB 1338, and SB 1401. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning until the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and if the increase is more than $100, the refund is essentially 60% of the increase above 12%.
• Uh, under current law, there's also a limit on the refund of $1,000, and the bill would increase the
• limit on the refund to $2,500.
• It does that by reducing that threshold from 12% to 6% by increasing those maximum refunds to $2,500
• the targeting property tax refund the targeting property tax refund provides<00:03:31.760> direct

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The judgment of the court was that we were going to have to give the refunds back to the businesses who
• Pinal County held it in escrow and issued the refund.
• After the returns, all of the refunds have been submitted.
• So all of the refunds have been submitted. All of the refunds have been submitted.
• So all of the refunds have been submitted. Any other questions? All right. Mr.

Bills: HB2065, HB2066, HB2071, HB2106, HB2237, HB2258

Keywords: appropriation, housing, Apache Junction, affordable housing, rehabilitation, blight abatement, broadband, fiber optic, technology, connectivity, infrastructure, rural development, workforce hub, health services, tourism, recreation, Superstition trails, funding, HB2258, Arizona tourism

Summary: The Committee on Rural Economic Development met briefly, adopted its committee rules, and heard several bills focused largely on Apache Junction, La Paz County, broadband, transportation, and rural economic development. HB 2258 would add La Paz County to Area 4 for representation on the Tourism Advisory Council and was described as correcting an omission; it passed unanimously 7-0. HB 2065 appropriates $9.5 million for Apache Junction housing infrastructure, rehabilitation, and blight abatement; members discussed statewide housing shortages and the need for targeted rural-adjacent investment, and the bill passed 6-1. The committee then considered HB 2066, which appropriates $8 million for broadband and fiber optic expansion in Apache Junction. The sponsor emphasized rural connectivity and safety concerns, especially for the Navajo Nation and students, and expressed openness to federal BEAD funding and amendments; the bill passed 6-1. HB 2106, an emergency measure to direct undistributed county transportation excise tax revenues to ADOT for Pinal County road projects, was explained as a way to use escrowed funds for the voters’ intended purpose after litigation over the tax; it passed unanimously 7-0. Finally, HB 2071 would appropriate $15.5 million for a rural business and workforce hub, infrastructure revitalization, and a rural health and community services facility in Apache Junction. Members discussed whether the proposal should be broadened to other rural areas and the need for accountability and possible amendments, including for the Navajo Nation; it passed 6-1. The chair noted that one remaining bill would be held for the next agenda, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The conference committee adopted an amendment that stated the prorated refund only for digital goods
• if the terms of the license meet specified conditions and increases the rate at which the prorated refund
• The conference committee adopted an amendment that stated the prorated refund only for digital goods
• if the terms of the license meet specified conditions and increases the rate at which the prorated refund
• of the license meets conditions specified conditions and increases the rate at which the prorated refund

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would increase refunds by 12% for amounts above the amounts calculated for 2026.
• <00:06:48.040> This<00:06:48.280> would homestead credit refund.
• This would homestead credit refund.
• . refunds. refunds.
• or income tax property tax refunds or income tax deductions. deductions. deductions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the refund and refundability must go not... ...in refundability must go not to the occupant of a multi-unit
• expended nothing to be refunded.
• Well, refundability then for residential solar...
• But who gets the refundable?
• So the refundable, so I'm just saying the refunded money in that case does not go to the tenant.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on ways Massachusetts can accelerate solar deployment, lower costs, and preserve reliability as electricity demand rises and federal support for solar and other renewables changes. Chair Creem opened by emphasizing solar’s role in meeting climate mandates and peak demand, citing June heat-wave data showing behind-the-meter solar reduced wholesale prices and saved ratepayers money. Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney of DOER said Massachusetts has grown from 3 MW of solar in 2008 to 3.5 GW today, highlighted SMART 3.0 as a flexible, evergreen incentive program, and said DOER is working on updated rates, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, net crediting, and a petition to the DPU to speed implementation. She also said Massachusetts joined the lawsuit over canceled federal Solar for All funding. Committee members and witnesses discussed several policy changes to speed projects before federal tax credits expire, including automated permitting, remote inspections, faster interconnection, and changes to caps on municipal and regional solar development. Senator Barrett pressed Mahoney on whether the 10 MW municipal cap and regional caps should be lifted, and on whether the state should increase its solar tax credit to offset the loss of the federal residential credit. Mahoney said the municipal cap should be revisited and that interconnection cost allocation and other market issues need to be worked out before lifting broader caps. She also said DOER is open to automated permitting and is already developing a permitting portal under the 2024 climate law. Industry and advocacy witnesses largely supported streamlining measures. Sunrun’s Bronte Payne urged removal of a proposed requirement that all net-metered facilities enroll in SMART, and recommended automated permitting, remote inspections, flexible interconnection, better hosting-capacity information, consumer protections, and continued support for Connected Solutions and virtual power plants. Permit Power’s Hannah Bernbaum and Solar App’s Matthew McAllister argued that smart permitting and remote inspections can significantly reduce soft costs and delays, with McAllister saying Solar App now operates in over 320 jurisdictions and saves about three weeks on average. They said remote inspections are already common and can be done safely with photos, video, and qualified third parties. Community solar and clean energy advocates, including CCSA’s Kate Daniel and Vote Solar’s Lindsay Griffin, supported a 10 GW solar target by 2035, a higher refundable state tax credit for low-income households, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, and preserving the option to build outside SMART so projects can retain renewable energy certificates. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members requested follow-up materials and draft language from witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:38.880> I'm you have to apply and get a refund I'm you have to apply and get a refund
• paid upfront and then the data centers would apply for a refund.
• Pollock, is any data center able to get the refundable credit now in law?
• This process poses an unnecessary administrative burden on taxpayers to secure a refund.
• of the current refund model for large-scale data centers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• credit if it was a non-refundable credit if it was a refundable<00:36:19.280> credit<00:36:19.960
• credit then even though the refundable credit then even though the railroad<00:36:23.000> in<
• <00:41:34.920> beginning homeowner property tax refunds beginning homeowner property tax refunds
• non taxable income with which uh refund non taxable income with which uh this<00:41:58.960> would
• filing um system by which the refunds filing um system by which the refunds are<00:59:11.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just with regard to the refund policy from a takeout $100 in cash and it or, you know, just use an
• ATM machine, is there some sort of a similar refund policy worse if that transaction happened to be
• Also, it changes the refund requirement from the infant entire first transaction to all transaction fees
• So what we're doing in my amendment is making them refund any money they obtained through fraud.
• We didn't love the refund provision, but we agreed to it.

Transcript Highlights:

• End of the end-of-month January chart that shows the refunds? Um... it’s a large chart.
• the second long sheet was just uh refund the second long sheet was just uh refund analysis<03:03
• It looks like the refunds are going to be as high as they were last year.
• <03:10:12.399> but their in their uh ask for refunds but their in their uh ask for refunds
• of a you're going to still have refunds of a you're going to still have refunds no<03:12:16.160>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a work session on revenue estimates and reviewed updated spreadsheet pages for several tax categories, using prior agreements and new testimony to refine FY 2025-2027 estimates. Early discussion covered insurance tax estimates, where members reviewed a letter from the insurance commissioner saying he was comfortable with the numbers provided; the committee accepted those estimates without opposition. Members also discussed utility property tax, with testimony about recent infrastructure buildout, tariffs, depreciation, and the difficulty of forecasting future growth. After debate over whether to use the average of high and low estimates or lean lower, the committee unanimously adopted the utility property tax numbers. The committee then turned to real estate transfer tax and communications tax. For real estate transfer tax, members cited county input, housing market conditions, interest rates, lumber costs, and uncertainty about future policy; they agreed to use the averages and adopted those estimates unanimously. For communications tax, members noted the decline in landline-based revenue and the shift to data services. After discussion of whether to use the low estimate or the average, the committee settled on the average with a small rounding-down adjustment when the figure ended in .5, and adopted the numbers unanimously. The chair also clarified that these estimates remain subject to change until the final resolution is adopted. The committee next accepted interest and dividends estimates as presented, with members noting the decline in that revenue source and the lack of additional information beyond the department’s analysis. Finally, the committee began discussing tobacco tax revenue, with members noting long-term declines in smoking, offsetting effects from out-of-state sales, and a suggestion to take a slightly conservative approach by reducing the average by 0.5. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, so no final vote on tobacco is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:38.159> tax uh when you have a a refundable tax uh when you have a a refundable tax
• so by doing it as a non-refundable so by doing it as a non-refundable credit,<00:33:02.640> it's
• <00:33:18.320> tax you have uh if we did a refundable tax you have uh if we did a refundable
• If a tax credit is refundable<00:33:25.279> fully<00:33:25.679> refundable<00:33:26.320
• > that<00:33:26.480> means refundable fully refundable that means refundable fully refundable

Bills: HB2245, HB1618, HB1985, HB2079, HB1921, HB2232, HB1567, HB1984, HB2608, HB2435, HB1623, HB1774

Keywords: wastewater systems, denitrification, environment, pollution, coral reefs, nearshore waters, public health, shoreline regulations, cesspool conversion, cesspool replacement, wastewater, sewer connection, sewerage systems, septic system, pollution control, water pollution control revolving fund, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HGIA, low-interest loans, forgivable loans

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to cesspools, wastewater, and clean water protections. On HB 2245, which would require additional denitrification capacity in wastewater systems near shorelines, the Department of Health offered comments, DLNR supported the bill, and multiple environmental and ocean groups testified in strong support, emphasizing nitrogen pollution from cesspools, reef damage, and the need to prioritize shoreline systems. Testifiers said the bill should move forward, with technical issues such as GIS mapping to be worked out later. No member questions or votes were taken on this measure. On HB 1985, concerning the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and accessible conversion loans for cesspool homeowners, HGI supported the bill and suggested making the program a revolving loan fund; DLNR and the Public Utilities Commission also supported it, while the Department of Health supported the concept. Committee discussion focused on program design, possible forgivable loans for low-income homeowners, and whether the program should be administered through existing infrastructure rather than a new procurement process. The committee then moved to HB 1985’s companion discussion on cesspool conversion outreach and deadline extensions, where DLNR and DOH supported outreach but DLNR and ocean advocates expressed reservations about extending deadlines, especially for financial hardship, saying that issue would need careful work. The committee also heard testimony on HB 2079, which would reestablish the accessible upgrades inversion or connection income tax credit. The Department of Taxation raised administrative and fraud concerns about refundable credits, explaining that nonrefundable credits reduce tax debt while refundable credits can function like cash payments and require more oversight. DOH, DLNR, OPSD, counties, Hawaii Realtors, and environmental groups supported the bill, with one ocean coalition witness saying tax credits could help homeowners but grants would be preferable. Members asked about the difference between refundable credits and grants and about whether the credit would cover sewer connections versus individual wastewater systems. The committee then heard brief testimony on HB 1921, allowing certain priority-three cesspools to add a bedroom, with support from Hawaii Realtors and some other groups and no opposition discussion. HB 2232, preserving state water-quality protections at least as strong as the federal Clean Water Act, drew support from DOH and ocean advocates, with no questions. The committee also began hearing energy-related bills, including HB 1567 on energy equity and HB 1984 on self-certification for distributed energy resources, with a mix of support and some opposition or requested amendments, but no votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, if someone has their refund check stolen out of the mail, the IRS will replace that stolen
• In Representative Malliotakis's district alone, they have seen $8 million in IRS refund checks stolen
• Every year, millions of Americans eagerly await their tax refund, money they have rightfully earned.
• It happens not just in tax refunds, as my colleagues have indicated.
• DEADLINE TO CLAIM A TAX REFUND OR CREDIT FOR AT THAT TAX YEAR IS ALSO EXTENDED.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 31, 2025, 1012, house, all