Transcript Highlights:

• Commercial motor vehicle carriers with terminals in the state are required to pay a $16 annual fee.
• The fee is apportioned for interstate vehicles operating under the International Registration Plan.
• After deduction by DOL for cost of administration, fees must be deposited in the State Patrol Highway
• The commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee assessed on commercial motor vehicles is increased from
• DOL reports a one-time cost of $33,000 for contract programmers to program the new fee distribution.

Bills: HB2347, HB2410

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, HB2410, commercial truck safety, commercial vehicle safety, trucking industry, truck driver training, driver education, highway safety, traffic safety commission, Washington State, commercial motor vehicles, vehicle registration fee, IRP fee, state patrol highway account, safety enforcement fee, public-private partnership

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on House Bill 2410, which would create a commercial truck safety and education council, increase the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32, and dedicate the new revenue to truck safety and training programs. Committee staff outlined the bill’s licensing and training requirements, council structure, funding, confidentiality provisions, and fiscal impacts. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to improve truck driver education and safety, and testimony from the Washington Trucking Associations, trucking companies, insurers, and business groups was strongly supportive. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission testified “other” and said it supported the safety goal but still had concerns about clarifying the commission’s role and responsibilities. A committee member asked about bridge strikes and truck crashes involving in-state versus out-of-state drivers, but no data was immediately available. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 2347, which would repeal last year’s luxury aircraft tax on non-commercial aircraft valued above $500,000. Staff explained that the tax is scheduled to take effect April 1 and would send revenue to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel account; the repeal would take effect immediately. The bill’s sponsor argued the tax unfairly burdens business, medical, agricultural, wildfire, and other aircraft uses, and said aircraft and related jobs were already leaving the state. Many witnesses from business aviation, airports, manufacturers, and industry associations testified in support of repeal, describing aircraft relocations, vacant hangars, lost fuel and lease revenue, and reduced investment. They also argued the tax is difficult to administer because many aircraft are used for mixed business and personal purposes. The Port of Seattle testified “other,” agreeing the tax has outsized impacts but urging a narrower fix rather than full repeal so the state can still fund sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure. Committee members asked about out-of-state aircraft, lost revenue, and whether Canada’s repeal of a similar tax offered a lesson; no action was taken on the bill. After the hearings, the committee received a work session on tolling technology from the Transportation Commission and consultants. They summarized a pilot using a smartphone app for toll collection, including tests on SR 520 and a hypothetical SR-18 segment toll. The presentation said the app worked well when paired by Bluetooth, had high customer satisfaction, and could complement existing toll tags and video tolling, though privacy and setup issues were noted. The commission recommended keeping current tolling systems, conducting a fully operational pilot within about three years, and planning for future technology integration through a marketplace approach. The meeting ended when the chair adjourned the committee for caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2114 requires the Department of Licensing to waive fees for replacement license plates or
• It allows the Department of Licensing to waive fees for a replacement license plate or plates if the
• It increases the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee assessed on commercial motor vehicles from
• This bill has to do with transportation benefit district vehicle fees.
• Some people are concerned about an increase in fees.

Bills: HB2092, HB2114, HB2172, HB2251, HB2374, HB2410, HB2552, HB2588, HB2718, HB2722, HB2727

Keywords: passenger rail, transportation, committee, advisory, infrastructure, defective license plates, vehicle registration, Department of Licensing, state regulations, route jurisdiction, abandonment, local governance, climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2601 is about motorcycle weight fees.
• Currently, motorcycles pay a weight fee of $35 at registration because that is the fee for the lowest
• , not based on their weight, with a fee of $15.
• This lower fee would take effect in July of 2007.
• In the vehicle weight fee schedule, House Bill 2601 would create a new lower category in the weight fee

Bills: HB2305, HB2601, HB2604

Keywords: vehicle registration, travel vans, motor homes, transportation regulation, HB2601, motorcycle weight fee, motorcycle registration, vehicle licensing, Department of Licensing, weight-based fee, motor home fee, RV registration, scale weight, vehicle weight, RCW, Washington state, registration fees, license fees, vehicle fee schedule, fee distribution

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation-related bills. House Bill 2305 would exclude travel vans from Sound Transit’s motor vehicle excise tax by distinguishing them from motor homes; staff said the Department of Revenue saw no fiscal impact, while the Department of Licensing estimated a one-time $129,000 system update cost and an indeterminate revenue impact. The sponsor and one testifier argued the bill would correct a classification issue and reduce costs for owners of smaller camper-style vans, especially in the Sound Transit area. House Bill 2601 would create a new motorcycle weight-fee category with a $15 fee instead of the current $35 fee applied under the lowest vehicle weight bracket. Staff estimated about 190,000 annual transactions and roughly $3.8 million per year in lost revenue to multimodal transportation accounts, plus about $20,000 in Department of Licensing programming costs. The sponsor and a motorcycle rights advocate said the bill was a matter of fairness because motorcycles do not weigh anywhere near 4,000 pounds and the lower fee would better match actual road use. House Bill 2604 would remove notarization requirements for documents transferring ownership of totaled vehicles to insurers and for limited powers of attorney used for that purpose, allowing electronic or printed signatures. Staff reported no fiscal impact from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner or the Department of Licensing. The sponsor and three testifiers from Copart said the change would streamline title transfers, reduce delays and travel burdens for consumers, and help people—especially those in rural areas or without easy transportation—get paid faster after a total loss. The public hearings on all three bills were closed, and the committee adjourned to caucuses.

Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68

Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It updates certain agriculture fees every so often.
• This gives a list of the fees, a list of where we're at, all the different things.
• These will, in case you don't know, these fees will go through a board.
• And so we never have the wherewithal to raise fees.
• There's a lot of fees in here.

Bills: SB145, SB143

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Bills: SB145, SB143

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Transcript Highlights:

• Any fees recovered cannot be... my apologies... any fees recovered cannot be placed in a general revenue
• The optics of now charging an accident response fee to what their mission is, which is to go serve...
• ...an accident response fee to what their mission is, which is to go serve.
• Those accident fees can be $710 to $1,800 per accident.
• Those accident fees can be $710 to $1,800 per accident.

Bills: HB3045

Keywords: accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition

Summary: The Public Safety Committee first considered several gubernatorial nominations. Brent Black of Bixby was renominated to the Forensic Review Board, with Senator Guthrie noting the board’s seven-member makeup and the need for mental health professionals; the nomination was advanced 8-0. Lou Ann Moody of Henrietta was then presented for the Forensic Review Board. Moody described her long legal career, her work as city attorney and in juvenile/dependency matters, and her decision to avoid criminal defense work to avoid ethical conflicts. Members asked about the board’s caseload and meeting schedule, and the nomination was advanced 8-0. The committee also heard the nomination of a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer, Mr. McCoy, to the OSBI Commission. He emphasized his decades of law enforcement and emergency-management experience, and the nomination was advanced 8-0. The committee then took up House Bill 3045, with an amendment offered by Senator Reinhart. The amendment would allow certain fire departments, rural fire districts, and fire protection districts in municipalities under 200,000 population to recover accident response fees, while preventing those fees from going into general revenue or funding non-fire services. Reinhart explained the bill was intended to address fire departments’ ability to recover costs while limiting the impact on the state’s two largest cities. Senator Brooks questioned why the exemption would apply only to the largest municipalities, and Reinhart responded that Tulsa and Oklahoma City would see the greatest fiscal impact and that rural departments lacked comparable revenue sources. Senator Murdoch raised a point that the bill had an unescorted fiscal impact on municipalities and asked for a ruling under the Municipal Fiscal Impact Act. The chair took the matter under advisement and, at the sponsor’s request, laid the bill over rather than proceeding further. The meeting concluded with members offering extended personal remarks thanking the chair and vice chair for their leadership and service, and the chair adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agencies, first responder agencies, from charging a fee to respond.
• Responding that they also shouldn't charge a fee for what basically is their mission, which is to be
• And one of the ideas that came up was to charge an accident response fee when fire departments go out
• Those fees will only be charged to insured drivers.
• Accident fees can be $710 to $1,800 per accident.

Bills: HB3045

Keywords: accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It updates certain agriculture fees every so often. We have caps on these agriculture fees.
• This gives a list of the fees, a list of where we're at, all the different things.
• These fees will go through a board.
• And so we never have the wherewithal to raise fees.
• There's a lot of fees in here.

Bills: HB2, SB145, SB143

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 143, which would raise caps on certain agriculture fees so they can keep pace with inflation. Senator Woods explained that the bill only adjusts fee ceilings, not automatic increases, and an amendment was adopted to tie the caps to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the U.S. Department of Labor. There was no public support or opposition testimony, and the bill was then passed on an 8-0 do-pass vote, with several members excused. The committee then took up Senate Bill 145, which would change the state audit system by raising thresholds for smaller local public bodies and creating a statewide federal single audit for state agencies. The State Auditor and DFA said the bill was intended to streamline audits, reduce delays, and align New Mexico with federal rules and other states, but multiple CPA and audit witnesses opposed the statewide single-audit concept, warning it could reduce transparency, weaken accountability, and increase the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. Committee members pressed for clarification on how the audit structure would work, which agencies would be covered, and whether DFA or independent auditors would conduct the work; the sponsors said amendments were needed to clarify the bill and remove problematic language, including the appropriation and references to gifts and donations. The committee adopted an amendment striking the appropriation language and then continued questioning without taking final action in the excerpt. The final portion of the meeting shifted to the House Bill 2 budget presentation. Committee members reviewed the Senate Finance version of the budget, which included about a 2.7% increase in recurring spending, 30% reserves, and major investments in health care affordability, early childhood, public education, housing, clean energy, water, and agriculture-related priorities. Members asked about water testing needs, water settlement funding, career technical education funding, and the contingency fund/disaster reserve structure. The presenters said some items still needed technical work and that additional adjustments would be made before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• First item on the agenda is Senate Bill 38, fees on registered pet food.
• Madam Chair, it's a $100 fee to register a pet food brand, and then that goes into the fee and is distributed
• So there's a fee on registration, pardon me, Madam Chair, Representative.
• There's a fee on registering the pet food.
• It's just the fee. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you.

Bills: SB38, SB17, SB41, SB264

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 38, which would make permanent the New Mexico affordable spay-neuter program funded by fees on registered pet food. The sponsor and supporters said the program helps reduce companion animal overpopulation, shelter intake, and euthanasia, while opponents argued the charge is an unlawful tax, is tied to ongoing litigation, and that required annual reporting has not been done. After public testimony, the committee adopted a due pass motion on SB 38 by a 10-1 vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 17, a gun-safety measure that would impose new requirements on firearms dealers and prohibit future sale of certain assault-style and high-capacity weapons. Supporters, including sponsors, gun-violence survivors, public safety advocates, and some local officials, argued the bill would address straw purchasing, trafficking, dealer accountability, and mass-casualty weapons. Opponents, including firearms retailers, ranchers, law enforcement, and gun owners, said the bill would burden lawful businesses, raise constitutional concerns, and do little to stop crime. After extensive testimony and questions about the bill’s legal basis, definitions, and dealer regulations, the committee did not vote and instead rolled the bill for further work on amendments. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 41, as amended, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for second-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor. Support came from the Chamber of Commerce and sexual assault advocacy groups, who said delayed disclosure is common and justice should not expire before survivors are ready to come forward. Committee members asked detailed questions about the bill’s scope, including why certain offenses remained covered and how the criminal statutes are categorized. The committee adopted an amendment to correct drafting issues and then passed SB 41 as amended on a 10-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 264, an elections safety bill that would strengthen penalties for election interference, create emergency polling-place protocols, and clarify when law enforcement may be present at polling places at the request of election officials. Supporters said it was needed to protect voters from intimidation, while an opponent argued it could put law enforcement at risk and restrict their ability to vote. The sponsor and Secretary of State explained that the bill was aimed at preventing ordered deployment of armed personnel to polling places, not barring officers or service members from voting. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were some other things, California caps attorney's fees.
• We have taken away the tool that exists to change behavior when we've kept those fees.
• if I am a health care provider and I've been sued for malpractice, all I have to do is waive those fees
• This is not a fee issue. It would have an impact on how plaintiffs' attorneys are paid. Mr.
• If this was about fees, I'd be making a very different motion. Okay, then fair enough.

Bills: SB38, SB17, SB41, SB264

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 99, a proposed reform of the Medical Malpractice Act. Representative Chandler said the bill is intended to address physician shortages, rising malpractice premiums, and litigation pressures by changing punitive damages rules, including a higher standard of proof, a requirement that punitive damages not be pleaded in the initial complaint, and limits tied to the type of provider. Supporters, including physicians, business leaders, and some patients, said the bill would help retain doctors, improve access to care, and create more predictable liability exposure. Several supporters also said current malpractice conditions are driving doctors out of the state and harming rural access to services. Opponents argued the bill would reduce patient recovery, create unequal treatment based on insurance status through the bill-versus-paid provision, and raise constitutional concerns involving equal protection, collateral source rules, and separation of powers. They also criticized the bill for not addressing other drivers of malpractice, such as hospital practices, prior authorization, staffing, and background checks for out-of-state doctors. Some witnesses urged amendments to protect the Patient Compensation Fund, ensure future medical expenses are covered, require minimum surcharge settings, and improve oversight of providers entering the state. Committee members questioned the sponsor and witnesses about whether the bill would actually lower premiums, whether it would improve access to care, and how it would affect hospitals, independent providers, and the Patient Compensation Fund. The sponsor said the bill was based on negotiations and comparisons with other states, and that it should help premiums over time. Members raised concerns about the fund’s solvency, the role of hospitals in the fund, and whether some provisions would survive legal challenge. No final vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated amendments would be discussed later and the committee would continue the hearing the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have an increase in taxes and fees to support the state road fund.
• This increases the heavy vehicle weight distance tax by 35% and increase vehicle registration fees by
• So they're not gonna get any less money based on the new vehicle registration fee increases that are
• There's no additional fee today. You got to tell her what the question is.
• We share with them the vehicle registration fees. They have the ability to do this.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• on top of fees.
• , also known as swipe fees.
• The fees are blank.
• Who sets these fees?
• Our fees, credit card fees for MasterCard and Visa. Okay.

Bills: HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175, HB245

Keywords: military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees, payroll deductions, retirement plans, fiscal transparency, local government, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• Swipe cap or fee caps.
• those fees every single time.
• Banks should set their own fees.
• Where do those fees come from?
• Fee caps aren't the answer.

Bills: HB245, HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees

Transcript Highlights:

• This resulted in higher profits through Unnecessary facility fees but not improved outcomes.
• Up to the Medicare fee schedule amount.
• from us, and then for each event you're going to get a $40 fee from MDH.
• I just was the testifier said they have to pay the $40,000. dollar fee.
• I thought it was an annual fee, but then they have to pay it repeatedly.

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fees, but not improved outcomes. fees, but not improved outcomes.
• And they pay a $20 fee to our thing.
• you're going to get $40 fee from MDH.
• </c> They're getting charged not only our $20 fee for the license fee where we actually go out and inspect
• you're going to get $40 fee from MDH.

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, since 2009, when the fee structure for the Construction Industries Board, the fee structures
• Construction Industries Board has presented a fair and responsible assessment that we adjust their fee
• be a barrier for people to be able to even get into the trades due to the large increase of these fees
• I don't believe I would say that, thinking through the fee structure that they've asked for.
• That they didn't ask for any fees that I would consider absorbitant.

Bills: SB1239, SB1732

Keywords: Service Oklahoma, apportionment, state revenue, funding, vehicle registration, professional licensing, licensing fees, home inspection, home inspector, Construction Industries Board, CIB, contractor license, journeyman license, apprentice registration, alarm endorsement, code inspector, electrical license, plumbing license, mechanical license, permit fees

Transcript Highlights:

• The first item on the agenda is Senate Bill 38: fees on registered pet food. ...registered pet food.
• food brand, and then that goes into the fee and is distributed.
• So there's a fee on—pardon me, Madam Chair, Representative—there's a fee on registering the pet food.
• Is there an actual tax on anything over this, or is it just the fee to register the food?
• Madam Chair, Madam Chair, and Representative, yes, it's just the fee.

Bills: SB38, SB17, SB41, SB264

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have an increase in taxes and fees to support the state. Road Fund.
• The surcharge is additional to the registration fees. Thank you for your time, Madam.
• How are we stacking up now with our neighboring states in terms of fees?
• There's no additional fee today. You got to tell her what the question is, I don't know.
• They have the bill we give them; we share with them the vehicle registration fees.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways