Transcript Highlights:

• It’s a business-to-business transaction.
• This isn’t just a business-to-consumer, business-to-customer, it’s business-to-business.
• It's a business-to-business transaction.
• This isn't just a business-to-consumer, business-to-customer, it's business-to-business.
• So what happens when... ...business to customer. It's business to business.

Summary: The House debated a series of amendments to a major income tax bill, with repeated arguments over tax fairness, affordability, administrative feasibility, and the role of the Department of Revenue. Early motions to reconsider a failed child care amendment were rejected, and Amendment 2561, which would have restricted data sharing with the IRS, was also defeated after debate over privacy, federal relationships, and whether the proposal was administrable. Amendment 2579, which would have required annual reporting on the tax’s effects on filers, businesses, and charitable donations, likewise failed, with supporters emphasizing transparency and opponents arguing DOR was not the right agency and the report was too speculative. Amendment 2598, proposing to use half of new revenue for a broad sales tax cut, was rejected despite arguments that it would reduce regressivity and provide immediate relief; Amendment 2556, expanding sales tax exemptions for diapers and other child-care essentials to include adult diapers and earlier implementation, also failed after debate over scope and timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, being in the business myself, we have a business called Green Lake Cruises.
• Again, being in the business myself, we have a business called Green Lake Cruises.
• </c> world uh economics of small businesses world uh economics of small businesses and<00:21:23.600><
• There are small business grants to help those small businesses carry out this program when they lose
• /c><00:28:24.720><c> carry</c> help those small businesses uh to carry help those small businesses uh

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that is a tremendous burden to that business.
• Would the one in EBR be solely to the business that I'm doing in EBR or holistically my business as a
• Just the business you're doing in EBR.
• stress on that business.
• Any other business? No other business. I have a motion to adjourn. And there's Mr. Roger Wilder.

Bills: HB1039 , SB423 , SB436

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector, tax collector, prescriptive period, prescription waiver, interest suspension, delinquency penalties, estimated assessment, arbitrary assessment, certified mail notice, audit notice, taxpayer rights, installment agreement, Louisiana tax law, Title 47, revenue collection, tax administration

Transcript Highlights:

• One business has completed its project and is in tax-exempt status.
• And in a third tier, great businesses, large businesses are truly an anomaly.
• And in a third tier, great businesses, large businesses are truly an anomaly.
• , signage in stadiums, fixed signage on businesses.
• So with that, seeing no further business before the committee, we are adjourned.

Summary: House Finance heard bill briefings and testimony on several tax and property-tax measures. HB 2175 would exempt licensed nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from retail sales and use tax on items reasonably necessary to operate and provide care; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider described how the bill would help organizations that refurbish and donate wheelchairs, beds, walkers, and similar equipment, and staff noted a small Department of Revenue fiscal impact. The committee then heard HB 2608, which revises the targeted urban area property tax exemption for nuclear facility projects by requiring labor standards, including submission of a workforce or project labor agreement and related wage/apprenticeship information, and extending project-completion deadlines. Supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy and nuclear supply-chain investment and jobs, while opponents from construction groups, environmental advocates, and some public commenters objected to the PLA requirement, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the broader policy direction; tribal consultation concerns were also raised. No votes were taken on these bills in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 2227, which expands an existing REET exemption for affordable homeownership sales from self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs, including community land trusts. The sponsor and nonprofit witnesses said the change would lower transaction costs, improve affordability, and support permanently affordable resale models; staff clarified the exemption applies to the initial sale from the nonprofit to an income-qualified buyer, not later resales. HB 2528 would allow cities and counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to impose the second local REET without voter approval, aligning opt-in jurisdictions with those required to plan under GMA. Supporters from cities and counties said the revenue would help fund sidewalks, ADA upgrades, water, sewer, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise home-selling costs and bypass voters. Finally, the committee heard HB 2292, which would subject long-term capital gains from qualified small business stock to the state capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in FY 2027, while the sponsor and supporters argued the current QSBS exemption mainly benefits very wealthy investors and should be treated like other capital gains; opponents from the tech and startup community said the exemption helps founders attract investment, keep companies in Washington, and create jobs, and warned the bill would send a negative signal to entrepreneurs. The committee also heard HB 2257, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, largely to codify guidance from last year’s sales-tax-on-services law and make other clarifications; DOR said it was intended to provide certainty and had no fiscal impact. School groups testified that the 5814-related service-tax changes have increased costs for districts, especially for staffing and professional learning, and asked for relief or a broader exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we have two items of pending business.
• Bitcoin is already attracting high-quality businesses.
• It aims to explore ways to make it easier to do business in Texas.
• small businesses.
• This was one of the top complaints from our small businesses in Texas.

Bills: HB565 , HB3743 , HB4310 , HB5083 , HB5129 , HB5195 , HB5331 , HB5469 , SB21 , HB3185 , SB 21

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: constitutional amendment, fiscal impact, state budget, ballot measure, transparency in voting, management-to-staff ratio, state agencies, employee regulations, government efficiency, workforce management, public information, governing board, transparency, confidentiality, access rights, privacy, identifying information, state agency, consent, occupational license

Transcript Highlights:

• A majority being present, the House is now ready to do business.
• The House is at the Fifth Order of Business. January 28, 2026, Mr.
• The House is at the 7th order of business.
• The House is at the 7th order of business.
• The House is at the 11th Order of Business.

Summary: The House convened with 68 members present and approved the House Journal from the previous legislative day. The chamber also received notice of a temporary substitute for Legislative District 17, Seat B, and a Senate Joint Memorial transmitted from the Senate. House Concurrent Resolutions 23 and 24 were introduced and referred for printing; HCR 23 seeks a U.S. constitutional convention to impose congressional term limits, while HCR 24 honors fallen Kootenai County and Coeur d’Alene firefighters and supports Idaho first responders. Standing committee reports moved several bills forward. The Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee reported House Bills 532-539 printed and referred them to the Transportation, Local Government, and State Affairs committees as appropriate. The Business Committee recommended House Bill 514 do pass. The House also received first readings for a large group of bills, including measures on juvenile correction public records, child enticement, social media restrictions for children, public employee retirement contributions, military leave, counselor licensure for military chaplains, restroom access, cosmetology licensing, boating enforcement, hospital district dissolution petitions, midwifery authority and rules, and property tax assessment. On the Third Reading Calendar, Representative Ben Adams asked unanimous consent to hold House Bill 493 for one legislative day while the sponsor works with an affected stakeholder; there was no objection. During announcements, members welcomed visiting county officials, the Idaho Vacation Rental Alliance, nurses in the gallery, and noted upcoming meetings including the Rural Health Transformation Program and an Energy Caucus luncheon. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and recessed until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• First order of business: roll call. Clerk: Lock the machine. Members of the House are present.
• More than a majority being present, the House is now ready for business.
• The House will now advance to the third order of business: approval of the journal.
• The House will be in order, foregoing the use of the third order of business.
• The House will now advance to the 15th order of business, announcements.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority being present, the House is now ready for business.
• We're going to punt the ball to business.
• the business practice.
• See what their business practices are.
• The House is at the 14th order of business.

Summary: The House convened with 63 members present, approved the journal, and received Senate and governor messages, including enrolled House Bills 533, 502, 555 and several Senate bills for first reading. Standing committee reports advanced a number of bills, including House Bills 713, 723, 664, 667, 716, 650, and 717, and introduced a large slate of new House and Senate bills covering health care, taxation, education, public safety, alcohol regulation, tribal water rights, and other topics. In Committee of the Whole, members amended and advanced several bills. House Bill 570 on reckless driving was amended to clarify language about children and construction zones and reported back with amendments and without recommendation. House Bill 561 on flags was amended to add the Basque autonomous community flag and to prohibit certain political, religious, or ideological flags on government property; it was also reported back with amendments and without recommendation. House Bills 692, 575, and 562 were each amended with mostly clarifying changes and reported back with amendments and without recommendation. House Bills 530, 627, 598, and 673 were held in committee with progress reported and leave to sit again. The House then considered House Bill 704, which would require employers to use E-Verify to screen new hires for work authorization. Debate focused on immigration enforcement, labor shortages, agriculture, constitutional concerns, and whether the bill would burden businesses or displace workers. After extended debate, the House passed HB 704 by a vote of 43-26 with one absent and excused. House Bill 700, a related E-Verify measure with criminal penalties and broader application, also drew extensive debate on constitutionality, existing employees, labor impacts, and immigration policy; it passed 36-33 with one abstention and one excused. The House then adopted committee reports, held the remaining third-reading bills until Monday, received administrative rules letters, made announcements, and adjourned until March 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also for those businesses that turn a blind eye to six.
• For personal business, Assemblymember Stephanie.
• Our state is home to over 4 million small businesses.
• businesses and small businesses feel this most strongly.
• If we're truly committed to encouraging and empowering our small business businesses, let's work hard

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> infrastructure and business development. infrastructure and business development.
• </c> because what we've seen also businesses because what we've seen also businesses bet<00:53:49.520
• versus big business.
• </c> businesses um fit into this um strategy? businesses um fit into this um strategy?
• </c> businesses in the region and the state. businesses in the region and the state.

Bills: HF4862 , HF4598

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: apprenticeship, education, teacher training, grant program, labor and industry, workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician

Transcript Highlights:

• How do I create a business model or a business plan on a business that has been run out of business?
• How do I create a business model or a business plan on a business that has been run out of business?
• How do I create a business model or a business plan on a business that has been run out of business?
• How do I create a business model or a business plan on a business that has been run out of business?
• How do I create a business model or a business plan on a business that has been run out of business?

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As many businesses struggle to attract capital... ...business from 10% to 35%.
• Employee-owned business models are a promising and growing option, with two cannabis businesses having
• businesses.
• their businesses.
• I see businesses popping up. I see cultivation. I see stores.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed students from the Frederick C. Murphy School in Weymouth, along with other guests introduced by members. The chamber then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including proposals on alcohol labeling for beers consumed on premises, parity in funding for regional vocational and traditional public schools, and legal protections for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The main floor business was House No. 4187, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Laws, reported by Ways and Means as a substitute bill. Members speaking in support described it as a comprehensive overhaul of the Cannabis Control Commission and the state’s cannabis and hemp regulatory framework. The bill would reduce and restructure the CCC, expand options for cannabis businesses and social equity operators, raise license and ownership caps, remove the vertical integration requirement for medical marijuana, and create stronger rules for hemp and CBD products, including a ban on unregulated intoxicating hemp products and a new regulatory structure for allowable hemp beverages and CBD items. Several amendments were offered and adopted by roll call, including changes narrowing the hemp beverage ban from 11 ounces to 7.5 ounces, requiring out-of-state testing labs to be certified in good standing with the commission, and other technical revisions. After debate, the House passed H. 4187 to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 153-0. The chamber also passed to be engrossed two sick leave bank bills, for Andrew Satara and Dana Johnson, and ordered House No. 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Wenaka, to a third reading. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, that's a 10% hit on small businesses.
• This is a small business, medium-sized business income tax, if you want to characterize it as something
• The Association of Washington Business conducted a study of business owners in Washington and found that
• one in two business owners are now looking Owners in Washington and found that one in two business owners
• I know what folks in the business community sent in as feedback.

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders used the media availability to focus heavily on affordability and to criticize a newly unveiled Democratic income tax proposal. Leaders John Braun, Drew Stokesbary, and others argued the bill would function as a broader income tax, harm small and medium-sized businesses, include a marriage penalty, deny loss carryforwards, and ultimately raise costs for Washington residents. They also said the proposal would do little to offset regressive taxes and would not meaningfully improve affordability. In response to questions, they said the bill was a non-starter for Republicans and warned it could contribute to business and household outmigration. Republicans also highlighted a range of other bills they said would increase costs or worsen public safety, including proposals related to insurance, tires and 6PPD, textiles, local taxes, social media, cigarettes, and solid waste. They criticized housing-related bills on homelessness and camping near schools and parks, saying they could limit local control and expose cities to lawsuits. On public safety, they said Democratic leaders were not advancing Republican-backed bills on sexually violent predators, family safety, and related issues. Braun also said his bill on oversight of NGOs and suspected fraud had a good hearing and remained a priority, while Republicans said they were watching fraud-related bills and a SNAP-related bill on restricting purchases of unhealthy foods. The leaders said they were holding listening sessions on the initiatives because they believe the legislature must give them precedence, and they said they invited both supporters and opponents to participate. They also discussed Senate Bill 602 on automated license plate readers, saying it had bipartisan support in committee but still faced concerns from cities, counties, and law enforcement. On the governor’s statement that he could not support the income tax proposal as written, Republicans said it showed there may be room for negotiation within the Democratic side, but they doubted Republicans would be included in those talks. No votes were taken during the media availability.

Transcript Highlights:

• A quorum is present and the Senate is ready for business.
• Then the Senate will advance to the 10th Order of Business.
• President, is Senate Bill 1359 in this order of business?
• Senate Bill 1359 is in this order of business. Mr.
• Without objection, the Senate will advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for additional funding for Farm business for additional funding for Farm business management<00:
• </c> felt I could afford Farm business felt I could afford Farm business management<00:04:13.640><c>
• </c> employees I also know Farm business employees I also know Farm business management<00:05:17.039>
• He said the farm business management program improves farmers' business management skills and really
• I guess I would just say that the farm business management program really does improve farmers' business

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> right in to business taxes. right in to business taxes.
• </c> that may impact business profits. that may impact business profits.
• business business taxes?
• </c> busy in 2025. busy in 2025.
• business.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> committee is our five-year business committee is our five-year business survival<00:56:08.880><c
• </c> on the startup side of the business on the startup side of the business spectrum<00:56:30.480><c
• </c><00:59:12.400><c> to</c> about the appetite for businesses to about the appetite for businesses to
• </c> support a local immigrantled business. support a local immigrantled business.
• </c> can do to support our businesses can do to support our businesses statewide,<01:35:35.360><c> we

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we got a really fun, busy day.
• </c> 150 years ago the health of our business 150 years ago the health of our business depends<00:20:
• <01:04:25.760><c> businesses</c><01:04:26.240><c> and</c><01:04:26.440><c> supporters</c> business businesses
• I teach farmers more about the business aspect of their business.
• I teach farmers more about the business aspect of their business.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and small businesses.
• Businesses left.
• Individuals, the business-to-business sales remain exempt, and I think that's important because businesses
• to business.
• to business.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've supported 26,000 small businesses last year, $50 million— We've supported 26,000 small businesses
• Of course, that's great business.
• But, you know, when you look at small businesses, the federal designation of a small business is different
• But, you know, when you look at small businesses, the federal designation of a small business, will be
• But, you know, when you look at small businesses, the federal designation of a small business is different

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on March 11, 2026, opened with roll call and adoption of prior minutes, interim amendments, and the committee rules for the new session. Members then took up several bills, with technical amendments adopted on multiple measures before final committee action. The committee also deferred House Bill 267 because the author was absent. House Bill 853 by Representative McMakin, dealing with misleading solicitations by non-government entities, drew the most discussion. The committee adopted technical amendments and a concept amendment tying enforcement to the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, with members and Secretary of State Nancy Landry discussing the meaning of “may” versus “shall,” the scope of “foreign” entities, and whether the bill covered mail, email, and other digital solicitations. The Secretary of State’s office supported the bill as a consumer-protection measure against deceptive government-like mailings, and the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. House Bill 618, also by Representative McMakin, would adjust Louisiana Economic Development fees and related cost provisions. Secretary of LED gave a detailed presentation on the department’s recent restructuring, investment totals, job creation, small-business support, and the Source Louisiana platform, while members questioned fee impacts, hardship waivers, competitive effects, and how LED tracks incentives and job data. After adopting technical amendments and an amendment removing biannual inflationary adjustments, the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. House Bill 207 by Representative Henry, revising the Louisiana Auctioneer’s Licensing Board’s membership, domicile, and related provisions, was amended to keep consumer members and clarify venue in East Baton Rouge Parish before being reported favorably. House Bill 300 by Representative Riser, raising the appraisal threshold for certain state bank residential loans from $250,000 to $400,000, was reported favorably after discussion of federal alignment and appraisal safeguards. House Bill 464 by Representative Riser, requiring more centralized reporting of damaged utilities through 811 and related notifications, received support from utility and 811 representatives and was also reported favorably. The committee adjourned after adopting a motion to do so.