Transcript Highlights:

• Some community-based restaurants saw sales go down to 90%.
• Some community-based restaurants saw sales go down to 90%.
• We are we were a growing our grow sales.
• </c> In the last six weeks, we have had sales losses totaling over $400,000, with sales being down 40%
• <00:53:10.480><c> in</c><00:53:10.880><c> $199,000</c> of sales, we took in $199,000 of sales, we took

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• This doesn't cost the state anything because the sales tax that they're collecting is sales tax we would
• tax and then we say, oh, we're going to expand it a little bit and get more sales tax.
• It has to be new sales tax dollars. So again, we're not collecting any of this money up front.
• And that's where the 60% comes from, the sales tax being collected. So that's your chairman.
• And that's where the 60% comes of the sales tax being collected.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• The LCB issues two licenses for retail sales of liquor at restaurants: a beer and/or wine restaurant
• The LCB issues two licenses for retail sales of liquor at restaurants: a beer and/or wine restaurant
• The LCB issues two licenses for retail sales of liquor at restaurants: a beer and/or wine restaurant
• The LCB issues two licenses for retail sales of liquor at restaurants: a beer and/or wine restaurant
• The LCB issues two licenses for retail sales of liquor at restaurants, a beer and or wine restaurant

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on several alcohol-related bills. HB 2128 would expand the sports entertainment facility liquor license to cover publicly or privately owned facilities where patrons engage in sports, amusement, or recreational activities, such as the Leavenworth Adventure Park. The prime sponsor and supporters said it would modernize the license while keeping LCB safety controls in place; one member questioned whether it amounted to an expansion of alcohol access. A fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, and the public hearing was closed without action. The committee then heard HB 2207, which would create a bonded beer warehouse license and make related changes to bonded wine warehouse law. The sponsor said it would help a Ridgefield logistics warehouse store beer the same way it can already store wine and spirits, while supporters from the Washington Brewers Guild said it would give breweries parity with wineries. Distributors and other opponents raised concerns about direct-to-consumer shipping, public access to warehouses, and federal tax-and-trade restrictions; the sponsor said amendments were being considered to address some of those issues. The hearing was closed without action. HB 2536 would allow wineries to hold spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses, or beer and/or wine restaurant licenses, at additional winery locations. The sponsor and winery representatives said the bill would reduce administrative burden and let wineries operate tasting rooms and restaurant-style spaces more flexibly, while opponents argued it could broaden alcohol access and create tied-house concerns. HB 2476 would remove the 120-seat-per-screen limit for theaters seeking a spirits, beer, and wine theater license; the sponsor and theater operators said existing alcohol control plans and other safeguards would remain in place, and the change would help theaters compete and attract patrons. The committee also heard HB 1701, which would allow multiple liquor licensees to operate within a shared facility and was described as a way to support a mixed-use winery/brewery/restaurant project; the sponsor said he was willing to remove the Public Records Act exemption again, and distributors urged transparency and guardrails. In executive action, the committee took up HB 2229, revising the Professional Engineers Registration Act. After adopting Amendment CLA 407 to restore current law on the board’s name, the committee voted to report the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation. Several members supported the bill as a modernization of registration and continuing-education provisions, while some members voted no, citing concerns about changes to board membership requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we doing any harm to firearm dealers or private sales? No.
• Currently in Yavapai County, we are seeing sales cases. ...drug of mass destruction.
• Currently in Yavapai County, we are seeing sales cases at 30 grams.
• He said they need to be able to go after them for sales cases and charge them accordingly.
• for sales, is only 30 grams, and that's about 300 pills.

Bills: HB2043 , HB2044 , HB2108 , HB2131 , HB2132

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Sales tax is on these fees. It is occurring right now. No. It is occurring right now.
• Sales tax is on these fees. Okay. It is occurring right now. Okay.
• Rounding only applies to final cash sales and electronic card payments.
• Rounding only applies to final cash sales and electronic card payments.
• They're looking at those sales. They're looking at how many bedrooms.

Summary: The House met after a quorum was established and began with several introductions of special guests, including job shadows, 4-H participants, and interns. The chamber then moved to House Bills for Perfection, taking up HB 1707, which would stop sales tax from being imposed on credit card processing fees charged to vendors. Members asked for clarification about the bill’s scope and the title amendment, and the bill sponsor explained that the measure simply prevents tax from being charged on those fees. HB 1707 was then ordered perfected and printed. The House next considered HB 2819, a bill responding to the end of penny minting by authorizing rounding of cash sales to the nearest five cents. Supporters said the bill would give businesses a clear legal framework and reduce compliance risk. The chamber adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then took up HB 2103, a property-fraud and notary-fraud bill aimed at strengthening penalties, requiring warning signs in recorder of deeds offices, and speeding court review for alleged victims. Supporters said it was needed to deter fraudulent deed filings and protect homeowners, while opponents argued it focused too much on notaries and recorders rather than the people committing the fraud. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. The House also debated HB 1800, which would lower the inflationary cap on certain property-tax revenue growth from 5% to 3%. The discussion centered on whether the change would protect taxpayers or reduce funding for schools, fire districts, libraries, and other local services. An amendment was adopted that broadened the title and added property-assessment language, and the bill was then ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered HB 2600, dealing with ambulance district consolidation and governance. The bill was described as a response to struggling rural EMS systems, with provisions for consolidation plans, public hearings, and voter involvement. An amendment modified the process for subdistricts, at-large districts, timing, and merger procedures, and the committee substitute as amended was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then moved to announcements and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in Utah, the legislature provided additional one-off appropriations of sales tax funds.
• They enacted or extended a half-cent sales tax to 2045 just recently.
• All sales tax for new and used snowmobiles should go directly to sporting grooming.
• We should direct snowmobile sales tax to where they are being used.
• How many sled sales do we have in Washington each year?

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from NCSL staff on national transportation funding trends and alternative user-fee options as gas tax revenue declines. The presentation covered declining fuel-tax purchasing power, the effects of more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles, and a range of state responses including indexed gas taxes, EV and hybrid registration fees, voluntary and mandatory road usage charges, transportation network company fees, retail delivery fees, and per-kilowatt-hour EV charging fees. Members asked about Virginia’s mileage-fee program, enrollment rates, and whether states had reduced gas taxes alongside new fees; the presenters said they would follow up with additional information. Committee staff then presented a comparison of Washington’s transportation budget with Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, focusing on population, lane miles, road condition, fuel taxes, preservation spending, mega-projects, and governance structures. The discussion highlighted Washington’s unique transportation pressures, including ferries, fish-passage obligations, high debt service, and major capital projects. Members asked follow-up questions about debt service, interest costs, CCA impacts on fuel prices, and whether project costs differed by state. The committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2109 would allow vehicles being towed on trailers to use coverings to contain mud, rocks, or debris instead of requiring prior cleaning; the bill’s sponsor and construction witnesses supported it as a practical solution, and the fiscal note showed modest costs to WSP and WSDOT. House Bill 2139 would raise snowmobile registration fees to support snow park and trail grooming; State Parks, DNR, and several snowmobile advocates supported it, while some snowmobile users opposed it, arguing that enforcement of unregistered sleds should be addressed first. House Bill 2192 would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority and allow it to collect certain health data; the sponsor and agency supported the bill as a public-health tool, while one attorney raised concerns about limiting civil discovery and evidentiary access in fatal crash litigation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've gotten rid of sales tax, rent tax, business sales tax.
• We've gotten rid of sales rent, business sales tax.
• That means there are still sales.
• So this is sales agents that we do—all these proprietary surveys.
• And I know there's a lot of houses on the market right now for sale.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 on local business taxes while allowing municipalities to continue imposing a gross-receipts-based business tax on merchants. Senator Trumbull presented the bill for the sponsor, and committee members questioned what services local governments fund with local business tax revenue and whether the bill should be considered alongside broader property tax changes. County and city representatives opposed the bill, arguing that local business taxes are capped home-rule revenues used for general fund services such as public safety, zoning and licensure checks, economic development, and business support, and warning that repeal would shift costs to residential taxpayers and reduce local flexibility. Senator Shreve said he would vote no because of ongoing property tax discussions, while Senator Pizzo said he would support the bill but wanted clearer accounting of how the revenue is spent. The committee voted 5-1 to report SB 122 favorably. The committee then held a housing panel discussion focused on Florida’s housing shortage, affordability, and supply constraints. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven largely by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs roughly 100,000 additional units per year just to keep up with in-migration and that local planning systems often do not prioritize housing enough. He urged more emphasis on measurable impacts, streamlined permitting, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other market-responsive tools. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center said Florida is seeing more single-family and multifamily construction but that production is concentrated in a handful of counties, while condo construction remains limited; she also noted that rents and home prices spiked sharply in the early 2020s and remain above pre-2020 levels, with nearly 905,000 low-income renters cost-burdened. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research said the national housing market is slow, Florida has a severe affordability problem, and builders are lowering prices and offering incentives but still face high land, labor, materials, and insurance costs. In committee discussion, senators focused on whether Florida should encourage more density, including townhomes, build-to-rent products, modular housing, and redevelopment of existing sites rather than relying on large new subdivisions. Members also discussed the role of local zoning, impact fees, density bonuses, and state incentives tied to housing targets. Several senators said Florida’s growth and affordability challenges require updating land development codes and planning for where future residents will live without overbuilding rural or environmentally sensitive areas. The chair closed by emphasizing that density can support affordability and that Florida should use existing footprints more efficiently.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment would add a limited back-to-school sales tax holiday. Mr.
• The amendment establishes a two-week sales tax holiday across Pennsylvania that would take place from
• House Bill 2198, which came to us earlier today by a vote of 197 to 5, would repeal the sales and use
• We have now this repeal of the data center sales and use tax exemption, which is very important.
• We have now this repeal of the data center sales and use tax exemption, which is very important.

Summary: The Senate returned from recess and first handled routine calendar matters, laying several bills on the table or over in their order without objection. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 1400, which addresses sentencing for second-degree murder in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Commonwealth v. Lee decision. Senator Street offered an amendment to replace mandatory life without parole with parole eligibility after 25 years and individualized review, but the Senate tabled the amendment by a 26-24 roll call. The bill then advanced to final passage after extended debate over whether it adequately met the court’s constitutional ruling and how it would affect victims, culpability, and retroactivity. It initially passed 31-19, then after reconsideration and a correction to one member’s vote, passed 30-20 and was sent to the House. The Senate next considered Senate Bill 1212, which tightens the handling of sexual assault evidence kits by removing discretionary language that had contributed to inconsistent testing practices. Supporters said it would improve statewide consistency, preserve a survivor’s right to decline testing, and help reduce the rape kit backlog. The bill passed unanimously, 50-0, and was sent to the House. The chamber then moved through additional calendar items, including re-referrals of several House bills to Appropriations and multiple bills being passed over. Later, the Senate took up House Bill 1667 on a supplemental calendar after suspending the rules. The bill became the vehicle for several amendments tied to affordability and tax policy. Senators adopted a back-to-school sales tax holiday amendment, a data-center tax exemption repeal amendment, and a school-choice-related amendment transferring EITC provisions and increasing scholarships by $25 million. Other proposed amendments, including a digital advertising tax and a combined reporting corporate tax reform, were tabled. After further debate on the bill’s impact on electric bills, data centers, and the state budget, House Bill 1667 was agreed to as amended and the Senate recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Notably, about half of the allowances are used, the money from the sale of those allowances is used to
• And so just to highlight that these sales are important across our state.
• , and I think bottom up, so ranging from 11% to 15% of national sales in those different sectors.
• So those ones are pulling out sales and I think bottom up.
• So ranging from 11% to 15% of national sales in those different sectors.

Transcript Highlights:

• distributed to other heirs, it is incredibly difficult to unwind the sale of a home, unwind the sale
• Aita said Washington does not currently prohibit the possession or sale of nitrous oxide.
• as part of a manufacturing process or industrial operation; sale for automotive purposes; or filling
• The bill does prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide for personal consumption.
• But my hope is to really stop the sale of these products that are readily...

Bills: HB2543

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, beginning October 1st, 2025, grocery stores pay sales tax for security and investigative
• Part two of the bill allows sales made to grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other food retailers
• to be exempt from retail sales tax on security and investigative services.
• We do have one main concern left with the bill, on Section 201, the sales tax exemption that applies
• to both the state and local sales tax.

Bills: HB2038 , HB2297 , HB2382 , HB2487 , HB2018

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, beginning October 1, 2025, grocery stores pay sales tax for security and investigative
• Part two of the bill allows sales made to grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other food retailers
• to be exempt from retail sales tax on security and investigative services.
• We do have one main concern left with the bill: Section 201, the sales tax exemption that applies to
• both the state and local sales tax.

Summary: The committee heard briefings, sponsor presentations, and public testimony on several finance bills. HB 2038 would impose an additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms beginning in 2027 and create a youth behavioral health account funded by the tax. The sponsor argued the bill would help address youth mental health harms linked to social media and support implementation of the Washington Thriving plan. Supporters in testimony, including youth advocates and some public health voices, said social media contributes to youth anxiety and addiction and that the revenue should be used for behavioral health services. Opponents, including technology and business groups, argued the tax unfairly singles out one sector, could be passed on to consumers, and may violate federal internet tax law. The hearing on HB 2038 was suspended and later reopened for public testimony; no vote was taken. HB 2297 would create tax incentives for grocery stores in underserved communities, including local B&O preferences, a sales tax exemption for security services, a 30-year property tax exemption program, a B&O tax credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to preserve and attract grocery stores in food deserts, especially after recent store closures, and to help communities with limited transportation and access to healthy food. County representatives supported the goal but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption and its effect on local revenues. Public testimony was largely supportive, with advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents describing grocery stores as essential community infrastructure. No action was taken. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco product taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to a time-sensitive emergency system, tobacco enforcement, and the foundational public health services account. The sponsor said the bill would generate needed revenue, support cancer research funding, and strengthen public health and enforcement. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce use and help cover long-term health costs, while some public health witnesses supported the revenue but suggested directing more funds to existing tobacco prevention accounts. Opponents from retail and industry groups argued the proposal is regressive, could increase illicit sales and cross-border purchasing, and would hurt small businesses and low-income consumers. The committee also heard HB 2487, a Department of Revenue request bill that would narrow the B&O exemption for insurers to clarify that it applies only to premium income subject to insurance premium tax, and apply the change retroactively to 2019. The sponsor and supporters said the bill closes a loophole created by a recent Supreme Court ruling and preserves tax equity, while insurers and business groups objected to the retroactive application, warning of higher premiums and unfair taxation. Finally, HB 2018 would increase the solid waste tax by 0.5% per year for five years and direct the new revenue to a local government solid waste assistance account for county and city waste management plans. County officials supported the bill as a way to stabilize funding for solid waste systems, and testimony emphasized rising disposal and infrastructure costs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , from sales by investors and speculators to individuals.
• : one being sales made by a state or political subdivision and the other a sale by a single-owner LLC
• It adds two additional exempt contract for deed sales: one being sales made by a state or political subdivision
• </c><00:45:04.400><c> one</c><00:45:04.720><c> being</c><00:45:05.359><c> sales</c><00:45:05.760><c>
• made</c><00:45:06.000><c> by</c> for deed sales. one being sales made by for deed sales. one being sales

Transcript Highlights:

• out of the orders of the day: an act authorizing the town of Milford to convert a license for the sale
• of wine and malt beverages into a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be consumed
• a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be consumed on the premises.
• out of the orders of the day: an act authorizing the town of Milford to convert a license for the sale
• of wine and malt beverages into a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be consumed

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution congratulating John Leonard on his retirement from the Town of Milton Board of Appeals. The chamber then took up several local and individual bills, including an emergency preamble for a sick leave bank for Amy Tangway of the Trial Court, which was adopted by standing vote. The Senate passed to be engrossed a bill waiving the maximum age requirement for Boston police officer Cheryl Mullace, a bill allowing Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, and a bill authorizing Milford to convert a wine and malt beverage license to an all-alcohol license for off-premises consumption. On the Milford bill, Senator Rausch offered and the Senate adopted a substitute amendment before passing the bill. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a House petition concerning school choice and referred it to the Committee on Education. Later, the Senate enacted S. 2625 on revenue bonds for Quincy telecommunications facilities, H. 4210 removing the residency requirement for Dalton’s town manager, and H. 4647 establishing the sick leave bank for Amy Tangway, sending them to the Governor. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act authorizing the town of Westwood to reissue licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages not
• to be drunk on the premises, and grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk
• An act authorizing the town of Westwood to reissue licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages not
• to be drunk on the premises, and grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk
• An act authorizing the town of Westwood to reissue licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages not

Summary: The House convened, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed the Bellingham High School girls volleyball team, which had just won the 2025 Division III State Championship, the first state title in the school’s history. The House then suspended Joint Rule 12 on a joint petition from John Bartlett III regarding school choice, allowing the petition to go to the Committee on Education. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported several bills for House consideration, including measures on expanding ballot access for regional school district votes, authorizing Billerica to set an age limit for original appointment of police officers, improving business improvement districts, a Bridgewater charter amendment for gender-neutral language, and a Westwood alcohol licensing measure. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills up on second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber then passed several local bills: House 4173, regulating appointments to the Acton Memorial Library, was passed to be enacted, and House 3912, increasing the Melrose Board of Health from three to five members, was passed to be reenacted. On third reading, the House engrossed Senate 2625, authorizing Quincy revenue bonds for telecommunications facilities, and House 4504 and House 4505, both Nantucket-related measures involving gender-neutral charter language and conveyance of school streets. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to meet Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They regulate smoking through tobacco sales through licensing.
• They regulate smoking through tobacco sales through licensing.
• shall be considered as comparable market sales and their sales prices kept as public records.
• shall be considered as comparable market sales and their sales prices kept as public records.
• Speaker, your income tax decrease, sales tax increase plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• Francis Van Langendonk from Summerfield Sales Agency? Yes, recognized.
• I'm the president of Ocala Breeders' Sales Company.
• Todd Wojahuski, our director of sales, will get into more details on the sales company.
• We have 130 employees and $22 million in annual sales. It’s not really $3.2 billion in 34,000 jobs.
• I am the director of sales for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company, located in Ocala.

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The committee first handled Senate confirmations, hearing two support waivers from the Florida Swimming Pool Association, and then voted to recommend confirmation of all appointees in a block vote. It then took up several bills, adopting amendments and reporting each measure favorably: CS/SB 462 on transportation, which included FDOT authority over speed limits, EV-related funding, MPO changes, workforce grants, and an I-4 widening report; SB 1574 on energy infrastructure investment, creating a PSC mechanism for renewable natural gas infrastructure cost recovery; SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, limiting local government energy-source restrictions; and SB 726 on swatting, adding liability for prosecution/investigation costs and restitution for injuries or property damage. The committee also approved CS/SB 496 on timeshare management and CS/SB 1076 on roof contracting, both with technical or clarifying amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 408 on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling live racing from gaming licenses at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Senator Burgess presented a strike-all amendment that would delay decoupling for seven years, with a three-year notice period and a four-year guarantee of racing and current purse/breeder award structures. The sponsor and supporters said the longer runway was intended to create room for negotiations and align Florida with other pari-mutuel operations. The committee heard extensive public testimony, overwhelmingly opposed, from horsemen, breeders, veterinarians, farm owners, sales companies, and related businesses who warned the bill would reduce racing, depress breeding, threaten tens of thousands of jobs, and harm a major agricultural industry. A few speakers, including representatives of the Miccosukee Tribe, opposed the bill as a casino expansion that would benefit out-of-state interests and undermine existing gaming arrangements. No final vote on SB 408 was taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued public testimony after a recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has been can't pay your sales tax.
• Our sales is still not up. It's looking better, but not there yet. sales is still not up.
• It's looking sales is still not up.
• Restaurants depend on the sales of alcohol. uh these um uh sales taxes.
• </c><01:07:44.240><c> of</c> Restaurants depend on the sales of Restaurants depend on the sales of alcohol

Bills: HF4119 , HF3959 , HF3792 , HF3913 , HF3752

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2397 makes revisions to condominium and planned community statutes relating to the sale of
• House Bill 2397 makes revisions to condominium and planned community statutes relating to the sale of
• The Senate amendments added provisions that facilitate the sale of... 406. Mr.
• The Senate amendments added provisions that facilitate the sale of Thank you.
• in that particular spot and make it a destination, and unfortunately we can't release that land for sale

Summary: The committee heard concurrence and Senate-amendment explanations on a series of House measures. HCR 2001 would place a constitutional question before voters on election-related changes, including limiting voting to U.S. citizens, banning foreign national election contributions, requiring government-issued ID, and allowing ballot tabulation at the voting location; supporters described it as an election-security and faster-counting measure, while members noted possible county costs and the need for future appropriations if approved. HB 2305 on private towing was described as a statewide response to predatory towing, with Senate changes delaying local rate updates and creating a study/reporting framework for towing enforcement. HB 2321 would require DCS to place security freezes on children’s credit records, but the Senate removed the appropriation. HB 2397 revised HOA/condominium sale-notice procedures, and HB 2398 required insurance coverage for peer-to-peer or charter watercraft rentals while clarifying that ordinary boat ownership would not be mandated to carry insurance. The committee also reviewed HB 2406, which the Senate struck and replaced with confidentiality protections for records involving deceased minors and minor victims of child abuse; HB 2408, which revised nursing board complaint and expungement procedures, added complainant confidentiality protections, and required public posting of policy statements; and HB 2755, which was substantially rewritten to facilitate the sale of underperforming state trust lands by allowing certain lessees to apply to purchase parcels through an appraisal-and-auction process. Members discussed a specific Dairy Queen/state land parcel example as the practical impetus for HB 2755. HB 2957 would bar governments from requiring digital/mobile driver licenses for services and limit ADOT’s retention and use of identity documents and biometric data, with the sponsor emphasizing privacy and federal-law carveouts. Finally, HB 4005 would require AI instruction in schools, with the Senate expanding it from district-level instruction to grade-specific student requirements and directing ADE on curriculum development. Supporters framed AI literacy as essential for students’ future competitiveness and ethical use, while opponents objected to the mandate and questioned its fit for charter schools and core academics. The meeting ended after the committee moved through the bills and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does repeal the inefficient sales tax exemption that's in there and applies it back to the R&D sales
• The bill would extend the franchise tax credit, repeal the sales tax exemption, and tie the franchise
• Also, most importantly, for small businesses that would otherwise claim the sales tax exemption, the
• It exempts sales tax on aircraft parts.
• In Texas, only private aircraft still pay sales tax on parts.

Bills: SB263 , SB467 , SB850 , SB1030 , SB1352 , SB1453 , SB2064 , SB2206 , SB2779 , SJR84

Committee: House Ways & Means