Transcript Highlights:

• We have Debbie Johnson, John Nelson, Rich Templeman, Joe Solar, Tyler Carlson, Lacey Conlon, and then

Transcript Highlights:

• In Rhode Island, our state government reports that monies awarded to it under EPA's Solar for All program

Bills: SB347 , SB351

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: brownfields, brownfield cleanup, site remediation, environmental cleanup, contaminated property, redevelopment, revitalization, CERCLA, Superfund, EPA grants, state response programs, environmental justice, disadvantaged communities, small communities, local government grants, nonprofit eligibility, community engagement, Alaska Native tribes, Regional Corporations, Village Corporations

Transcript Highlights:

• By Representatives Zipanski and Roy Balcaviero, an act providing grants for solar energy systems, requiring

Transcript Highlights:

• regional retailers to national retailers.
• <00:58:37.079><c> okay</c><00:58:37.760><c> you're</c> retailer okay you're retailer okay you're good
• </c><00:59:49.559><c> delivery</c> against um the retail delivery against um the retail delivery fee<
• especially a small affects a retailer especially a small retailers<01:00:13.839><c> um</c><01:00:14.000
• Representative Murphy, you mentioned retailers.

Bills: HF5

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy

Transcript Highlights:

• to Senate Bill 237 provide a sunset date for the five-year manufacturing ad valorem exemption for solar
• We sat down with the fire marshal's office, the state fire marshal's office, retailers, wholesalers,

Bills: HJR1088 , HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HB1370 , SB2154 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1095 , HJR1099 , HJR1100 , HB3021 , SB893 , SB206 , SB248 , SB259 , SB423 , SB563 , SB604 , SB633 , HJR1077 , SB667 , SB1224 , SB1257 , SB1264 , SB1319 , SB1360 , SB1437 , SB1531 , SB1543 , SB1806 , HB3004 , SB1572 , HB4342 , SB1618 , SB2 , SB237 , SB1632 , SB1687 , SB1726 , SB1859 , SB1894 , SB1461 , HB4432 , SB1948 , SB1589 , SJR52 , SR46 , HCR1030 , SB2071 , SB2182 , SB1451

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and recognition of two student pages before taking up a long agenda of House joint resolutions and bills, mostly related to administrative rules and agency approvals. The chamber advanced and passed H.J.R. 1088, 1090, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1095, 1099, and 1100, which approved permanent rules for education, energy and agriculture, business and commerce, building code, health-related agencies, general government agencies, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and OMES. Several senators criticized the process for moving rule resolutions quickly and without committee vetting, while supporters said the calendar delays required direct consideration. The Senate also adopted conference committee reports and passed SB 206, SB 248, and HB 3021, with HB 3021 making small changes to graduation requirements, including science/math course language, Oklahoma history flexibility for some military families, and personal financial literacy counting toward math in some cases. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 1370, which was described by its author as repealing an automatic state trigger that would replace any federal gasoline tax if the federal government suspended it. Supporters argued the bill would prevent Oklahoma drivers from paying more if the federal gas tax were repealed and framed it as tax relief; opponents argued it could reduce highway and bridge funding and create a budget hole. The Senate suspended several rules to bring the bill up, but rejected a motion to suspend the fiscal-impact rule for a proposed amendment. After debate, the chamber passed the measure 41-7 and then approved it as an emergency measure. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 893, a conference report dealing with foreign ownership near critical infrastructure and agricultural land. The bill would restrict certain foreign adversary ownership or leasing within 10 miles of critical infrastructure, add training zones and other protected areas, delay implementation until July 1, 2027, and create an enforcement process involving Attorney General review and whistleblower-style reporting. Senators raised concerns about enforcement, possible misuse, and profiling, while the author said the bill was aimed at national security and infrastructure protection. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. Later, the Senate received notice that the House was ready to convene in joint session, and the chamber briefly stood at ease before returning to continue its work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kara Martinson with Capital Advocacy, on behalf of the Large-Scale Solar Association, would like to reiterate
• partnership with the JUM Farmer Collective and the LA Food Policy Council to build farm, distribution, and retail

Transcript Highlights:

• history, in making state-funded investments in early and emergent technologies, you know, i.e., rooftop solar
• Jack Yonis, on behalf of the California Fuels Convenience Alliance, representing fuel retailers and marketers

Summary: The meeting began with a budget subcommittee hearing on a proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit trailer bill. Assembly Members Ávila Farías and another member spoke in support, emphasizing union jobs, refinery investments, and the need to decarbonize aviation. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s proposal would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold in California from 2026 to 2036. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing it is a relatively expensive way to reduce emissions, has uncertain environmental benefits, could significantly reduce transportation revenues, and conflicts with the spirit of voter restrictions on transportation taxes. Committee members questioned whether the credit would mainly benefit out-of-state producers, whether firms would have diesel tax liability to use the credit, and whether the proposal would shift production away from renewable diesel and raise fuel prices. Administration and CARB staff said the credit is intended to support aviation decarbonization, preserve jobs, and help keep California on track toward its 2045 climate goals. LAO and UC Berkeley testimony countered that the policy could mostly subsidize existing technologies, that feedstock supply is limited, and that the net emissions benefit may be small relative to the cost. Members also asked about the effect on local streets and roads, SHOP, and trade corridor funding; Finance estimated a $165 million annual revenue impact would reduce those programs, while LAO said the reductions would mean fewer projects over time. No vote was taken, and the chair said the issue would remain open for further discussion. The committee then moved to a zero-emission vehicle incentive trailer bill proposing a one-time $200 million appropriation to CARB for a new point-of-sale incentive program focused on first-time buyers and leases of new and used light-duty ZEVs. Supporters said the program would help offset the loss of the federal EV tax credit, maintain momentum in California’s ZEV transition, and use a one-to-one match with participating automakers to double the state’s investment. LAO recommended rejection, saying the proposal does not meet the high budget bar this year, lacks enough program detail to evaluate, is unlikely to move sales significantly given the size of the appropriation, and could duplicate existing state and utility programs. Members asked about current incentives across light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors, the recent decline in ZEV sales, and whether the program would help lower-income buyers rather than subsidize purchases that would have happened anyway. CARB said the proposal is meant to fill a gap in the light-duty market, where sales fell sharply after the federal credit expired, and noted existing programs for other vehicle classes. The Department of Finance also addressed a separate question about the Motor Vehicle Account, saying a previously planned GGRF transfer was no longer needed because updated forecasts showed the fund had sufficient balances, though LAO said the account still has a structural long-term imbalance. The discussion ended before any vote or action on the ZEV proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• It goes into bridges, it goes into wind farms, solar farms, new electric generation, automobiles.
• the chair has taken, is that way back when we did the Wayfair legislation, 2019-ish, we took the retail

Bills: HB2003 , HB2057 , HB2109 , HB2111 , HB2112 , HB2114 , HB2256 , HB2259 , HB2317 , HB2323 , HB2398 , HB2443 , HB2446 , HB2574

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: driver education, instruction permit, underage drivers, motorcycle licenses, traffic regulations, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, driver license, examinations, motorcycle awareness, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And this will actually retail tax at 4%.
• Maybe they could tell you that is, but I'm not aware of that retail.
• </c><00:58:06.160><c> amount</c> or 4.6 6 GT that that retail amount or 4.6 6 GT that that retail amount
• </c> I'm not aware of that retail. I'm not aware of that retail.
• c><01:08:17.920><c> leasing</c> for a retail purpose, which is leasing for a retail purpose, which is

Bills: HB2410 , HB2235 , HB1904 , HB2201 , HB2349 , HB1972 , HB2007 , HB2385 , HB2444 , HB2391 , HB2575

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 2410 relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testifiers from HTDC and the Hawaii Food Industry Association stood on written testimony, and members discussed the funding request, which was described as $1 million each for three programs, for a total of $3 million. The measure appeared to have broad support, with no opposition noted. The committee then took up HB 2235 HD1 on the military and community relations office, where Lori Moore of MACC asked for additional funding to support local businesses and education-to-career initiatives statewide. Members asked about the amount, and the request was identified as $1.3 million total. HB 904 on space operations followed, with three supporters and one opponent, though no substantive testimony was captured beyond the vote counts. HB 2201 on state enterprise zones drew testimony from Georgia Skinner of DBEDT’s Creative Industries division, who said the measure would build on a well-run enterprise zone program and help make Hawaii’s film industry more competitive. Tom Yamashita of the Tax Foundation also provided comments. The committee then considered HB 2349 relating to DCCA and DBEDT coordination; DCCA explained it already provides links and information to DBEDT programs, while DBEDT argued that direct data sharing would allow more proactive outreach. Members raised privacy and cost concerns, and DBEDT said it would consider opt-in collection and acknowledged system changes and possible funding needs. The committee also heard two tax credit bills. HB 1972 HD1, on a caregiver tax credit, received strong support from AARP, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, who described caregivers as an “invisible workforce” and argued the credit would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce financial strain. The Tax Foundation suggested a grant or subsidy program might be more efficient than a tax credit and raised concerns about debarment provisions. HB 20007 HD1, on the household and dependent care services tax credit, also drew strong support from public health and family advocacy groups, who said Hawaii families face some of the nation’s highest child care costs and that the bill would better reflect current expenses; the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and debarment. Members asked about fiscal impacts, and testimony indicated the current credit costs about $6 million, with the bill expected to increase that amount. The committee then moved on to HB 2385 HD1 on housing, where the Deputy Attorney General began presenting written comments on whether the bill limits county authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• As banks receive fewer pennies, retailers are facing a growing challenge in providing exact change to
• and business um supporters of of retail and business um supporters of this<00:08:07.360><c> bill</c>
• But this is something that we need to do to move forward with this year with our retailers, etc.
• </c><00:09:31.040><c> Uh,</c> this year with our retailers, etc.
• Uh, this year with our retailers, etc.

Bills: HB545 , HB545

Committee: House Financial Services

Keywords: Escambia County, probate court, court fees, legal services, judicial legislation, HB545, legal tender, cash rounding, nearest five cents, nickel rounding, in-person cash transaction, cash transactions, change making, sales tax, Department of Revenue, merchant payments, consumer payments, currency rounding, cash payment, retail transactions

Transcript Highlights:

• Testing should always be the responsibility of the retailer.
• Each batch, or a retailer gets a product in. How do they know?
• On-premise retailers to sell the products as well.
• With the 8,000 retail locations.
• We have been in... ...licensed retailer in the state.

Bills: HB28 , SB3 , SB 3

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• You said it there at the first. 5,043 retail registrants.
• So we would love for the retailers to have to test their products.
• Otherwise, how would there be 7,700 retailers across the country?
• I'm a Marine Corps veteran, a hemp farmer, and a retail store owner.
• Last summer, we implemented a security team for our retail store.

Bills: SB3 , SB810 , SB965 , SB1073 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB 3

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Vice President of Minnesota Retailers Vice President of Minnesota Retailers to<00:09:02.200><c>
• ,</c> the register and collected by retailers, the register and collected by retailers, even<00:10:07.560
• :09.160><c> role</c><00:10:09.440><c> in</c> even though retailers have no role in even though retailers
• ><c> about</c><00:10:48.839><c> the</c> Retailers are also concerned about the Retailers are also concerned
• </c><00:11:43.640><c> That's</c> retailers to administer it. That's retailers to administer it.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• And so at those events, under this proposal, those cannabis retailers are usually very, very small retailers
• are usually very very small retailers are usually very very small retailers<00:25:03.200><c> uh</c><
• </c> retailers can download misinformation retailers can download misinformation from<00:40:59.359><c
• </c><00:48:21.119><c> operations</c> businesses with the retail operations businesses with the retail
• , with a retail operations endorsement, cannabis<00:48:26.480><c> retailers,</c><00:48:27.280><c> medical

Transcript Highlights:

• This excludes investigation services from the definition of retail sale for the purposes of retail sales
• This excludes the following from the definition of live presentations for the purposes of retail sales
• It also exempts schools, school districts, and educational service districts from retail sales and use
• This amendment exempts free public libraries from retail sales and use tax on certain services.
• This excludes investigative services from the definition of retail sale for the purpose of retail sales

Bills: SB5994 , SB6244

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: timber tax, school funding, levy failure, tax distribution, education funding, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing

Transcript Highlights:

• Parrot breeders and specialty retailers are often small family-run businesses.
• Elimination of bird retailers will push buyers to unregulated sources.
• Elimination of bird retailers will push buyers to unregulated sources to do.
• Pet stores will not close because of a retail ban.
• I hope we can support a retail ban because the situation as it stands now is not tenable and will not

Bills: H5432 , H5433 , S3093 , H5363 , H5137 , H5247

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on late-file bills, with testimony focused first on multiple home rule petitions seeking local authority to restrict anticoagulant rodenticides in towns including Andover, Topsfield, North Andover, Williamstown, Georgetown, Lexington, and others. Municipal officials, residents, wildlife advocates, and conservation groups described documented harm to hawks, owls, foxes, turtles, pets, and other wildlife, and argued that towns should be able to regulate these poisons locally. Several speakers said their towns had already voted to support restrictions and were using integrated pest management and other alternatives. Committee members noted that statewide rodenticide legislation had already advanced out of committee in both chambers and that the environmental bond bill was in conference committee, but no votes were taken during the hearing itself. The committee then heard testimony on H. 5137, a bill to prohibit the retail sale of parrots. Supporters, including animal welfare groups, veterinarians, rescue operators, and advocates, said parrots are often sourced from large breeding facilities with poor conditions, that many birds are surrendered because they are difficult long-term pets, and that rescues are overwhelmed. They argued the bill would encourage adoption, reduce demand for commercial breeding and trafficking, and improve bird welfare and public health. Opponents, including breeders, pet retailers, aviculture representatives, and rescue operators, said the bill would harm small businesses, reduce consumer access and transparency, and push sales to unregulated markets without improving welfare. Several speakers said the bill should instead focus on stronger standards and enforcement rather than banning sales. A separate bill, S. 310, designating the Marion Stoddard River Walk, was also briefly discussed in testimony supporting Marion Stoddard’s environmental work. The hearing ended after the committee finished taking testimony and adjourned; no roll-call votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the impacts of public safety and retail crime are very real for our stores and for other
• retailers and communities, and we feel like that issue fails to be addressed year after year in the
• For the record, Brandon Huskeeper here on behalf of the Northwest Grocery Retail Association, and in
• Additionally, a person who is aggrieved by a processor or retailer may bring a civil action for damages
• Retailers themselves have indicated they are not opposed to licensing or reasonable fees as proposed

Bills: SB5379 , SB6106 , SB6147 , SB6180 , SB5927 , SB6287

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, laid-off employees act, WARN notice, mass layoff, business closure, plant closing, worker adjustment and retraining notification, employment security department, employee notice, layoff notice, worker protections, job loss, employment loss, public records exemption, privacy, employee names and addresses

Transcript Highlights:

• So trying to not cause that great concern for retailers.
• And it was very interesting for me to listen to one particular grower, processor, and retailer here in
• We're the largest brick-and-mortar franchised CBD retailer in the United States.
• We're the largest brick and mortar franchised CBD retailer in the United States.
• It puts retail restrictions in place, and it does these because that's what states should do.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture heard a presentation from Florida FFA state officers Gabby Howell and Macy Jordan, who described FFA and agricultural education as a three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development. They highlighted FFA membership growth, Florida’s more than 60,000 members, industry certifications, and state funding that allows all agriculture education students to participate at no cost. Members praised the students and the organization’s role in developing future agricultural leaders. The committee then took up SB 438, which would regulate hemp and hemp extract products, including THC-infused beverages, by adding testing, labeling, retail location, age, and event restrictions, along with penalties and $2 million for testing equipment. Senator Burton said the bill is intended to address public safety, prevent products with illegal THC levels from reaching consumers, and respond to the governor’s prior veto concerns, especially store location and regulation. An amendment clarifying final batch testing was adopted without objection. Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including beverage distributors, law enforcement, and some hemp beverage businesses, backed regulation and said the bill would improve safety and clarity, though some asked for changes to avoid treating specialty beverage retailers like liquor stores. Opponents and some hemp industry representatives argued the bill was too restrictive, would hurt small businesses, and could push products into the black market; they also objected to THC limits, event restrictions, and the proposed regulatory structure. After debate, the committee voted 6-0 to report CS for SB 438 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson replied that, in code, a retailer is anyone who has more than two sales, and that yard sales
• Chairman, Representative Shepard, in code, it represents a retailer as anyone who has two of them more
• don't become identified as a retailer because of that exemption until they hit that $5,000 mark.
• in sales, then the rules of the retailers, which include the yard sales type transactions, would come
• The only concern will be wanting to make sure for the purpose of the retailers.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• What the amendment deals with that you have passed around is that the retailers and distributors shall
• It actually says the fuel is purchased at a retail motor fuel designated for off-road use.
• And that way, they kind of become a retailer in a way as well.
• And like I said, I'm willing to put changes to whatever we need to do to protect these retailers and
• So when you're purchasing fuel, you're essentially repaying that retailer who has already prepaid the

Committees: House Agriculture , House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources