Transcript Highlights:

• Who else are we exempting? Well, recharge of the actual aquifer, the actual aquifer zone.
• What aquifer are we exempting? It's the Maine-San Antonio aquifer. Sorry, name escapes me.
• You talked about an exemption. There is a specific exemption here says you can come down.
• A law firm is exempt when an influencer... Influencing the administrative action, essentially.
• And I think at the same time you ask me, why did Why did we exempt the Seraphs Association?

Bills: SCR5, SCR13, SB3, SB6, SB10, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB17, SB18, SB19, SB24, SB35, SB57, SB65, SB112, SB284, SB290, SB388, SB400, SB402, SB412, SB495, SB499, SB502, SB509, SB621, SB706, SB740, SB815, SB842, SB854, SB875, SB893, SB917, SB974, SB1025, SB1061, SB1073, SB1106, SB1268, SB1281, SB1300, SB1362, SB1379, SB1447, SB1451, SB1555, SB1902, SJR36, SJR12, SCR13, SCR25, SCR5, SCR22, SCR12, SCR24, SB495, SB412, SB10, SB18, SB565, SB372, SB842, SB765, SB62, SB19, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB290, SB13, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB917, SB925, SB388, SB1902, SB1121, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB35, SB6, SB815, SB3, SB1281, SB1379, SB1300, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB1451, SB1061, SB15, SB65, SB241, SB304, SB402, SB499, SB621, SB974, SB1023, SB1024, SB1025, SB1106, SB686, SB112, SB371, SB204, SB400, SB609, SB1447, SB670, SB502, SB427, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1555, SB1362, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB987, SB1539, SB893, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB509, SB985, SB965, SB17, SB1119, SB1505, SB12, SB24, SB57, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1532, SB1268, SB1302, SB856, SB650, SB583, SB673, SB840, SJR57, SCR8, SB213, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB610, SB918, SB1343, SB608, SB487, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB958, SB535, SB761, SB1, SB541, SB315, SB379, SB1018, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB3, SB6, SB15, SB35, SB290, SB706, SB842, SB917, SB1281, SB1451, SB1902, SB12, SB13, SB17, SB19, SB388, SR261, SR265, SR276, SR277, SR281, SR286, SR293, SCR5, SCR13, SB2425, SB2880, SB10, SB12, SB13, SB17, SB18, SB19, SB388, SB412, SB495, SB2425, SB2880

Keywords: SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming, education K-16, State Affairs, Texas Legislature, public school tribute, water rights

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1970, nonprofits were exempted from the gross receipts tax.
• Granted a grocery cease tax exemption for certain healthcare providers.
• We have about 356 credits, exemptions, and deductions.
• We have a hundred taxes and 350 exemptions. Wow, and people can't figure it out.
• The big exemption is ag. We don't tax ag, but we also don't know what they don't pay.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2084, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, tax-exempt status, do pass out on a B roll call.
• AB 2126, Elhawary, criminal background exemption, held in committee.
• AB 2022, Jeff Gonzalez, Property Tax Exemption, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 2069, CREL, sale and use tax exemption, held in committee.
• AB 1780, Michelle Rodriguez, CRV exemption for donated beverages, do pass.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Overdorf: transition and allows confidential exempt information to be used for personal gain or business
• Greco: exemption for information pertaining to the U.S.
• This exemption will automatically repeal October 2nd of this year if the bill does not become law.
• Existing general cyber security exemptions will repeal October 2nd, 2026, if this bill does not become
• This is House Bill 7021 expanding the public record exemption for education examination and assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill includes definitions, applicability, exemptions, consumer...
• The exemption section is... Now, I want to go through some...
• The exemptions section is intended to be comprehensive and narrow, which is very challenging.
• The House took extensive testimony over the past two years to determine these exemptions.
• There are five pages of exemptions.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to exempt financials.
• At the very least, make sure that we have the public records exemption to exempt financials for these
• Senate Bill 532 exempts 100% disabled...
• Senate Bill 532 exempts 100% disabled veterans from paying tolls in the state of Florida.
• The amendment adds Purple Heart recipients to those exempt from paying tolls on Florida roads.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to consider a full agenda of bills, beginning with CS/CS/SB 1662, the Department of Transportation agency bill. Senator Collins presented a strike-all amendment that retained creation of the Florida Transportation Academy, clarified the Florida Transportation Research Institute, restored legislative budget commission review for certain work program amendments, adjusted small-business and supply-chain grant provisions, added airport and seaport accountability measures, and allowed special blanket permits for oversized cranes to travel at night under FDOT safety protocols. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 574, allowing Florida Purple Heart license plate holders to pass tolls free, and CS/SB 824, creating a specialty plate supporting Florida Highway Patrol troopers and scholarships. The committee then took up CS/SB 324, which creates a revolving low-interest loan program at the Department of Commerce for small businesses harmed by significant public works construction. Senator Smith described a local example involving prolonged sewer work in Orlando that hurt businesses in the Lake Ivanhoe district. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, eligibility standards, proof of loss, business age, and whether financial records should be protected from public disclosure. The bill was amended to remove a hotline, add a webpage, and refine liability language, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 1714, requiring local housing assistance plans to include support for mobile home owners, including lot-rent assistance; CS/SB 766, revising registration requirements for agents and organizations tied to foreign countries of concern; and CS/SB 1024, creating specialty plates for the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. Additional measures approved included CS/SB 1246, authorizing a Save Coastal Wildlife specialty plate with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation; CS/SB 1644, expanding warning light use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and organ transport vehicles, with discussion focused on Hatzalah emergency services; SB 1152, increasing the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee to support conservation, research, and native seed industry development; and CS/SB 532, exempting 100% disabled veterans from tolls. An amendment to SB 532 also added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Several members requested to be recorded voting in the affirmative on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• A change in the substitute as compared to the introduced version is to exempt structures constructed
• So, I don't agree with that exemption, especially if it's for an expansion, because what I'm hearing
• Well, it's an exemption for space. Well, sorry, may I amend that to? What did you call them?
• Should we be exempting telecommunication lines as well since they don't have any moving parts?
• I mean, maybe we don't have any exemptions for anybody.

Bills: HB3129, HB3251, HB3556, HB3724, HB3887

Keywords: construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, HB 3887, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Parks and Wildlife Code, performance bond, payment bond, contractor bonding, public works, construction contracts, public building, procurement, bid security, subcontractors, suppliers, contractor payment protection, project completion

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Kenneth Bosle has asked us to look at this, and as we go forward, it's just changing an exempt
• They're flying to Mississippi and other states that have that tax exemption.
• So it's to provide a tax exemption for that. And I think Senator Carley has an amendment.
• And what this would do would exempt certain general aviation aircraft from ad valorem tax, those over
• It offers no transition plan, no exemptions, no Transition plan, no exemptions, no compensation.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 128, identification fees, homeless exemption, Appropriations, Transportation, Technology.
• SB 1192, license exemption basic first aid, Health and Human Services.
• SB 2027, prior authorized gold card exemption, Finance.
• SB 1119, state parks emission fees exemptions.
• SB 1161, appropriation, law exemption, Yuma County.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill relates to the exemption of tuition and lab fees at public institutions of higher education
• Senate Bill 750 by Senator Eckhardt is a bill that relates to the exemption of tuition and lab fees at
• Senator Bettencourt says his understanding is that this exemption already exists and is not a new exemption
• So again, this is not creating a new exemption.
• making sure that public institutions of higher education for certain paramedics are covered in the exemption

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of education-related bills, mostly from the House and several taken up in lieu of Senate measures. Early action included House Bill 27 on personal financial literacy for high school students, which was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also advanced House Bill 4 on public school accountability and assessment, House Bill 4687 on liability and immunity for certain charter school campuses or programs, House Bill 2598 on school psychologists, House Bill 3629 barring registered sex offenders from serving on ISD boards, House Bill 824 adding civics instruction to high school government curriculum, and House Bill 4236 creating a task force to review the comptroller’s school district property value study. Most of these bills were reported out unanimously or near-unanimously and several were certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard and advanced higher education and school governance measures, including House Bill 127 on protecting public higher education from foreign adversaries and trade secret theft; members adopted a committee substitute after explanation that it revised the Research Security Council, clarified definitions, adjusted gift restrictions, and removed redundant procurement language. House Bill 4361 on timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education, House Bill 1868 on studying dual credit funding and workforce capacity, House Bill 718 on restricting certain private partnerships for student housing, House Bill 4848 on competency-based/work-based/degree programs at public institutions, House Bill 2853 on student union building fees at UTEP, House Bill 100 on instructional materials adoption, and House Bill 2243 creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention were also reported favorably, with House Bill 2853 drawing one no vote. One bill was held pending further clarification: House Bill 1105, concerning tuition and lab fee exemptions for certain paramedics, after a member raised questions about whether the exemption already exists and whether the bill merely clarifies coverage for EMS first responders. The committee also discussed House Bill 100 as a companion to Senate Bill 451 and noted that House Bill 27 and House Bill 127 were being used in lieu of Senate bills. Overall, the committee reported most measures favorably, often by unanimous vote, and several were placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• LIMIT AND THIS IS TO OPT IN TO THE EXISTING EXEMPTION THAT EXISTS.
• Because we're not exempting greenhouse gases for power generation.
• It is the other forms that we are exempting from the calculation.
• BECAUSE, WE'RE NOT EXEMPTING GREENHOUSE GASES FOR POWER GENERATION.
• IT IS THE OTHER FORMS THAT WE ARE EXEMPTING FROM THE CALCULATION.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:31.680> for there's no sales tax exemption for there's no sales tax exemption for construction
• Senator Nelson. include the sales tax exemptions for the include the sales tax exemptions for the um<
• um are automatically sales tax exempt um are automatically sales tax exempt for<00:38:56.960>
• eligible for the sales tax exemptions.
• <00:40:13.599> for there is a sales tax exemption for there is a sales tax exemption for building

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, the definition of bona fide farm families, which are exempted, is one of the exemptions.
• <01:04:37.160> again<01:04:37.319> the definition exemptions again the definition exemptions
• it's one of um which are Exempted it's one of exemptions<01:04:42.720> uh<01:04:42.839> also
• <01:04:43.200> the<01:04:43.319> bill<01:04:44.279> exempts exemptions uh also
• the bill exempts exemptions uh also the bill exempts entities<01:04:45.160> that<01:04:45.319

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• and to authorize parishes to grant ad valorem tax exemptions for certain property.
• to authorize parishes to grant an avallarm tax exemptions for certain property.
• It's got exemptions for law enforcement and news agencies and stuff like that.
• So it just adds another exemption to the bill. I move adoption of the amendment.
• Members, House Bill 858 exempts GPS data on wildlife and aquatic life...

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:27:30.960> of<01:27:31.760> um about the exemption of um about the exemption of
• You don't get the exemption.
• you fall under this this farming exempt you fall under this this farming exempt exemption.<04:30
• Again, no definition of what exemption.
• has the exemptions for guardian dogs, has the exemptions for guardian dogs, but<04:46:58.080> do

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held an open work session on HB 1766-FN, a bill addressing cruelty to livestock, and focused on proposed language changes from the Department of Agriculture. Assistant State Veterinarian Nathan Harvey, speaking for the commissioner, explained concerns about the term “imminent danger,” arguing that the bill should allow seizure based on probable cause when an animal is starving or has a life-threatening condition, rather than tying action too closely to whether the owner is arrested. The department also proposed language on “extreme suffering” that would require euthanasia if the cost of treatment would exceed the allowable reimbursement amount under AGR rules, though members immediately raised concerns about using a dollar limit to require euthanasia. The department further suggested clarifying who may participate in investigations by allowing the state veterinarian or a designate, and noted that the current draft could be read too narrowly. Members discussed the $5,000 emergency care cap in the rules, with Josh Marshall confirming it is an aggregate emergency veterinary care limit. Several legislators said they were uncomfortable changing the bill from “may” to “shall” euthanize, arguing that treatment costs vary widely by species and condition and that a fixed monetary threshold could be too rigid. Representative Bixby also raised a separate concern that the bill’s language may be broader than intended and could apply to all animals rather than livestock only. The department agreed the bill should be limited to livestock and suggested using existing statutory definitions or adding a new section to make that clear. The discussion also turned to humane societies and other organizations that might investigate complaints or board seized animals. A representative from a humane organization said the groups with expertise in care often also have expertise useful to investigations, and that removing them entirely could be impractical because only a few facilities in the state can provide boarding. Members and witnesses explored alternative language that would allow for-profit and nonprofit organizations to participate in either the investigation or the care of livestock, but not both, to avoid conflicts of interest while preserving needed expertise. No votes were taken; the work session ended with agreement to consult the Office of Legislative Services and the department to refine the bill before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The exempt information applies only to consumer information.
• The exempt information applies only to consumer information. Insolvent insurance company.
• The exemption is narrowly tailored.
• The exemption is narrowly tailored and necessary to protect proprietary business information.
• The only items that must be held confidential and exempt from disclosure are the applicants' reasons

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions recognizing guests, family members, and a USF Day at the Capitol presentation. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where it first passed two Open Government Sunset Review bills: CS/SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008/HB 7003, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both measures passed unanimously. The Senate also passed CS/SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, a bill intended to help victims enforce judgments against terrorist entities, and CS/CS/SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, aimed at improving veterans’ access to benefits and transition support. Additional measures passed included CS/CS/CS/SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, CS/CS/CS/SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, and several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric and Jennifer Miles on behalf of EEM, and Marcus Button. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements also passed after an amendment making texting while driving a moving violation with points and a distracted-driving course requirement. The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 700, where senators discussed provisions on fluoride in drinking water, labeling of plant-based products, drone penalties, charity registration, agricultural housing, and other agriculture-related policy changes. Several amendments on fluoride were offered and defeated, while a technical amendment on financial institution definitions was adopted. Senators also briefly discussed the policy implications of the bill’s fluoride language and its relationship to local control and public health. Several other bills on the calendar were temporarily postponed, and at the end of the session the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and remove CS/SB 7016 from the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the 20%, 10%, you know, exemption in the bill.
• in the 20%, 10%, you know, exemption in the bill.
• Um, do your calculations include those exemptions or— >> Good, great question.
• > be<01:10:33.600> administered exemptions would need to be administered exemptions would
• They call them exemptions or credits.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Don Mayhew: What this bill boils down to, very simply, is that right now we give an exemption
• Another speaker: It's only their military pay that will be exempt from having to file on it.
• So then that way, that would exempt them from having the state income tax withheld over in Illinois.
• You're exempt from state income tax. Can you point to where that is?
• So we already gave them that full exemption on every single dollar earned in military service.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama has provided exemptions for solid waste service at your house all the way back in 1969 for those
• They do not qualify for the exemption because veterans are left out of that.
• Alabama has provided exemptions for solid waste service at your house all the way back in 1969 for those
• They do not qualify for the exemption because veterans are left out of that.
• because veterans are left out exemption because veterans are left out of<00:12:21.680> that.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Expanding the number of exempt positions will ensure that sheriffs can fill these essential roles more
• As mentioned, this seeks to increase the number of exempt positions from 10 to 18 for counties with a
• Using our own as an example, the San Antonio Police Department at present has 10 exempt positions for
• They probably have about 100 employees, and they have 10 exempt positions.
• What other positions would you include in this exemption? So I think...

Keywords: 1184, house, all