Transcript Highlights:

• The first is taxpayer assistance grants, and those go to VITA sites.
• So VITA sites is what people call them; that's sort of the federal designation for them.
• So VITA sites is what people call them; that's sort of the federal designation for them.
• I was privileged to visit a VITA site in Monoman County a couple of years back.
• I had the privilege of visiting with a VITA in Monoman County a couple of years back.

Bills: HF2274, HF1932

Keywords: taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2017, my brother told me to call 2-1-1 and make an appointment with VITA for free tax prep.
• My response was, "There's no such thing as free tax help," but he told me that he had been using VITA
• VITA helped me save hundreds of dollars.
• Let me just simply say that I think this bill, first of all, I'm a fan of the VITA.
• We just did VITA in my district over the weekend.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• it was rolled out in force in 2023 to date, we have had re we've received over 250 applications for VITA
• That's a qualifying for the VITA program or vessels that are at risk of it becoming derelict, but not
• improve derelict vessel awareness through ad campaigns and public information messaging to promote or VITA

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So first, VITA is the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, the technology agency for the Commonwealth
• Our chief financial officer has also been a seasoned VITA employee and has been around for a long time
• Our chief financial officer has also been as a seasoned Vita employee and has been around for a long
• And I'm fortunate to be able to find a home here at VITA, where I've been able to both apply my love
• Maybe it's through our actual administration and policies through VITA.

Keywords: Technology and Science, Joint Commission on, 976, house, all

Summary: The commission opened its first 2026 meeting by calling the roll, confirming a quorum, welcoming new members, and reelecting Delegate Cliff Hayes as chair and Senator Barbara Favola as vice chair. Members also adopted the commission’s annual virtual participation policy, which allows remote participation but does not permit virtual attendance to count toward a quorum. The commission then heard an introductory presentation from VITA CIO Mike Watson, who outlined the agency’s mission and structure, including cybersecurity, infrastructure, governance, and procurement. He emphasized VITA’s role in protecting state systems, managing statewide technology contracts, overseeing major contract recompetes, and developing an approach to artificial intelligence that keeps a human in the loop. Members asked about AI executive orders, cybersecurity support for localities, and what the General Assembly could do to help VITA serve state and local partners; Watson stressed the need for clear policy direction, process modernization, and guardrails that allow innovation without reckless deployment. Executive Director Jody Coon presented the 2026 work plan, including a schedule of meetings, a broader focus on science topics, and planned presentations from Virginia Sea Grant, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, and a health-tech company. She reviewed prior commission recommendations, noted that several AI-related bills were not introduced in 2026 because of the federal executive order, and outlined this year’s studies and deliverables, including workgroups on .gov domains and caller ID accuracy, a study on age verification, a brief on companion chatbots, and a major study on independent verification organizations. The commission discussed whether the AI study would duplicate work by another legislative body and agreed to proceed with coordination and to include best practices and other-state comparisons in resource briefs; the work plan was then adopted. Dr. Kira Allman and Steve Wimmer provided presentations on federal and state AI policy. They described recent White House executive actions, including an executive order and national framework that seek to preempt burdensome state AI laws, and explained how those actions have chilled some state legislation, especially where BEAD broadband funding could be affected. They also reviewed how different states have responded—some pulling back, others moving ahead with AI bills on chatbots, deepfakes, transparency, and child protections—and suggested Virginia focus on carve-outs, state-specific applicability, regulatory sandboxes, and coordination with other states. Members debated the balance between innovation and guardrails, the risks of federal retaliation, and the need to protect children and address AI harms while avoiding unnecessary conflict with federal policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m here to support SF 2581 to continue funding VITA sites and the tax outreach across Minnesota.
• Prepare and Prosper is the largest VITA program.
• He said Prepare and Prosper is the largest VITA program, but it is one of over 150 free tax prep sites
• For the past 19 tax seasons, UKAP has operated the VITA program and provided tax-free tax preparation
• program and has even funds for the VITA program and has even more<01:37:44.000> importantly<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One related to the VITA program and are we expecting reductions from the federal government in terms
• At this time, we are not aware of any changes by the IRS as it relates to the VITA program.
• is that it was a normal year for the program, but it still early, it takes some time for all of the VITA
• Similar to my other comment related to VITA, we're still kind of tallying up statistics for this filing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• credit and other tax credits via free tax preparation offered by volunteer tax assistance sites, or VITA
• There are 80 VITA sites across the state, half of which are run by community action agencies and half
• by members of the Boston Tax Help Coalition, our proud partner in VITA.
• That's why I started StreetCred, which provides free VITA tax preparation and clinics.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then one of the things that has been really helpful is um us funding VITA sites, right?
• And then one of the things that has been really helpful is um us funding VITA sites, right?
• <00:20:36.559> um<00:20:36.720> us<00:20:36.960> funding<00:20:37.280> VITA
• really helpful is um us funding VITA really helpful is um us funding VITA sites,<00:20:38.000>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 2499, authored by Representative Lee, which would expand Minnesota’s renters’ credit to more closely match the homestead credit for homeowners. Lee explained that the bill would raise the income cutoff from about $75,389 to $143,140 and increase the maximum credit to $3,500, with the goal of addressing what she described as an inequity between renters and homeowners who both pay property taxes. She cited revenue estimates showing the change could make about 80,000 additional renters eligible, while acknowledging the bill would be costly to enact this year. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project testified in support, describing how the renters’ credit works, including the assumption that 17% of rent goes toward property taxes. She highlighted 2022 data showing most recipients had low incomes, many were seniors or people with disabilities, and participation was higher in greater Minnesota in some respects. Michael Dah of Homeline also supported the bill, saying renters face rising housing costs and use the credit for basic needs such as groceries, school supplies, medical care, and car repairs. Members discussed whether expanding the credit would simply benefit landlords or encourage rent increases. Representative Anderson opposed the bill on the grounds that policy should incentivize homeownership, while Representative Huitt argued the credit could help renters build savings and move toward homeownership if they choose. Representative Lee responded that the housing market is broken and that the credit is one tool to help renters in a broader housing continuum. The discussion also covered outreach and administration of the credit, including the recent move to file it with income taxes, electronic certificates of rent paid, and funding for tax-preparation assistance and outreach through VITA sites and community organizations. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Anderson, we have Vita Conet from the Minnesota DFL Environmental Caucus.
• My name is Vita Conet.
• My name is Vita Conet.
• My name is Vita Conet.
• conet I'm a committee my name is Vita conet I'm a mom<00:29:03.200> a<00:29:03.360> grandma

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• One related to the VITA program and are we expecting reductions from the federal government?
• At this time, we are not aware of any changes by the IRS as it relates to the VITA program.
• It takes some time for all of the VITA statistics to actually be finalized. Okay.
• Similar to my other comment related to VITA, we're still kind of tallying up statistics for this filing

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Transparency held a hearing focused on three issues: federal funding cuts and delays, possible state revenue impacts from reduced IRS enforcement, and the fiscal effects of AB 218 on local governments. The Franchise Tax Board described how state and federal tax systems are closely linked, how most returns are filed electronically through software, and how FTB relies on IRS information sharing for compliance, fraud prevention, offsets, and nonfiler work. Members raised concerns that federal staffing cuts at the IRS could weaken audits of large corporations and reduce California revenue, and asked about VITA and ITIN filers; FTB said it was not aware of VITA reductions, noted ITIN returns are processed the same as other returns, and said ITIN filing appeared slightly down this year. The Department of Finance said it is monitoring federal developments, summarized the continuing resolution and reconciliation process, and noted that California lost nearly $940 million in earmarked federal projects under the CR, while major federal budget decisions remain uncertain until the President’s budget and later congressional action. The University of California reported substantial federal pressure on research, student aid, and health care. UC said hundreds of millions of dollars in federal awards have already been canceled, with additional threats to NIH and DOE facilities-and-administration rates, graduate fellowships, student loan repayment plans, international student visas, Pell Grants, and Medicaid/Medi-Cal funding. Committee members pressed UC on the effects of DEIA-related federal restrictions, the loss of clinical trials and research staff, and the impact on low-income students and patients. UC said it is pursuing litigation with the Attorney General and other institutions, but emphasized that court action is only a temporary solution and that sustained state and private support may be needed. The second panel addressed the fiscal consequences of AB 218, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against public agencies. FCMAT presented a report with 22 recommendations, including better statewide data collection, financing mechanisms, a possible victims compensation fund, and prevention measures. Los Angeles County described a tentative $4 billion settlement tied to AB 218 claims, saying it will require reserves, borrowing, and long-term annual payments through 2050, while also forcing curtailments and cuts to vacant positions to preserve services. Members discussed insurance pools, retroactive premiums, unidentified future claims, and the need for a compensation fund or other financing tools. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment, including testimony from local health officials about nearly $400 million in terminated federal public health grants and the resulting layoffs and service impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several years later, my business partner and I founded what would be known today as VITA, a company focused
• We were able to hire a team and design a solution that we now call the VITA Rescue System.
• Thanks to that investment by the SBIR program, VITA expanded into providing the essential gear that crews

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And part of that is um we've talked a lot here too about um using like VITA and some of the tax preparers
• talked a lot here too about um<00:03:23.120> using<00:03:23.360> like<00:03:23.680> VITA
• > some<00:03:24.400> of<00:03:24.480> the<00:03:24.640> tax um using like VITA
• and some of the tax um using like VITA and some of the tax preparers<00:03:25.280> and<00:03:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 2499, as amended by the DE1, which would expand Minnesota’s renters’ credit by nearly doubling the income cutoff and increasing the maximum credit, with the bill laid over for possible inclusion in the tax bill. Representative Lee explained that the DE1 updated tax years and amounts after a new forecast, and argued the bill would bring the renters’ credit closer to parity with the homestead credit. She cited Department of Revenue data showing that recent changes to the renters’ credit increased participation and average refunds, and said the proposal would help more renters, including middle-income households and more seniors and people with disabilities. Testifiers Michael Dah of Homeline and Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the bill. Dah said renters face rising housing costs and a shortage of affordable homes, and described how renters use the credit for basic needs like school supplies, clothing, eyeglasses, dental care, groceries, and car repairs. Madden said the credit refunds property taxes paid through rent, helps workers, families, seniors, and people with disabilities, and noted that more than 310,000 households received the credit in 2023 across every part of the state. She also said recent filing changes made the credit easier to claim and increased participation. Members broadly discussed the fairness of treating renters and homeowners similarly, the role of property taxes in housing costs, and whether the bill should be viewed as helping low-income or more middle-income households. Representative Abeler, Smith, Howard, and Huitt expressed support, while Representative Roach argued the broader problem is rising property taxes driven by mandates on counties and said the bill is only a temporary fix. Representative Anderson questioned extending the credit to higher-income renters and said policy should prioritize homeownership, while Representative Lee responded that many renters are middle-class, that renters often cannot save for a down payment, and that the bill would help them stabilize financially. The bill was then laid over as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the mayor of Vita, Texas.
• Some incentive programs to bring HEB to Vita.
• I brought water from Gonzalez County over to Vita that will come online this year.
• some of the developers that are working in our, in our city now are doing the after hour, the city of Vita
• So we have a few city of Vita officers that work after hours, um, policing job sites in this case.

Transcript Highlights:

• Singh, who is the president of Bo Vita Healthcare. If you would just stand.
• Chandler, CEO of Monroe Regional Hospital in Aberdeen, and Darwin Perkins, who's a strategy officer of Bo Vita
• c><01:21:34.880> president<01:21:35.199> of<01:21:35.440> Bo<01:21:35.760> Vita
• he is the president of Bo Vita he is the president of Bo Vita Healthcare.<01:21:37.040> if

Keywords: MS House Floor - 18 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through routine organizational business, including confirming a quorum, dispensing with the journal reading, and introducing pages and several visiting groups. Recognitions included the Calhoun City High School Wildcats for winning the 2025 Class 1A state championship, the Florence High School girls soccer team for winning the Class 5A state championship, the Mississippi Children’s Museum, a Kosciusko-Attala business delegation, an empowerment group from Oxford, a pediatrician of the day, law enforcement leaders, and other guests. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 63 honoring the House softball team for winning the Battle of the Tombigbee. The main floor action centered on concurrence or conference motions on several bills. The House concurred in HB 1404, HB 1546, HB 1577, HB 1265, HB 895, HB 1923, HB 1937, and HB 1940, with votes ranging from near-unanimous to 99-14 and 108-8; HB 895 was amended by unanimous consent to correct a line reference. Members explained that HB 1404 added knowingly/willfully/unlawfully language, HB 1546 shortened the human-trafficking expungement period from five years to three, HB 1577 adjusted false-claims reporting language, HB 1265 removed a repealer from the Debt Management Services Act bill, HB 895 restored 12-month card validity and a two-year caregiver license period for the cannabis bill, HB 1923 funded the Athletic Commission at $174,000, HB 1937 finalized the Library Commission budget, and HB 1940 was a large deficit/appropriations bill covering settlements, public safety headquarters construction, MIMA grants, court support, DHS software, health litigation expenses, and student aid. The House also voted to invite conference on a number of bills, including HB 1390, HB 1651, HB 1649, HB 1653, HB 1654, HB 1752, HB 1648, HB 1934, HB 1935, HB 1936, HB 1938, HB 925, HB 1640, HB 1927, HB 1928, HB 1929, HB 1930, HB 1931, and HB 1924. During debate on HB 1940, members questioned the need for outside counsel and the size of legal and settlement costs, especially for Jackson water litigation; the sponsor said the Attorney General sometimes needs specialized outside attorneys. The bill ultimately passed concurrence, and the chamber continued with additional introductions and recognitions after the major votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• panel organized by the proponents of the question, including Tom McKeever, Tanvi-Virma, and James Vita
• My name is James Vita. I am a trial attorney in the Fall River Public Defender Division office.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 2522 / H. 5909, which would amend state labor law to treat the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) as a public employer and allow its employees to seek collective bargaining rights. The chair explained the Article 48 initiative process, noted that no opponents or members of the public had signed up to testify, and said written testimony would be accepted through March 20. The hearing focused on whether CPCS staff should be brought within the public-sector bargaining framework and how that would interact with the agency’s statutory duties. Expert testimony began with an NCSL analyst, who gave a national overview of public employee bargaining rights and examples of public defender unions in other states and localities, including Colorado, New York City, Indianapolis, Cook County, Maryland, and Illinois. Department of Labor Relations officials then reviewed prior failed organizing efforts at CPCS and its predecessor, explaining that earlier petitions were dismissed because the agency was not considered a public employer under existing law. They said passage of the initiative would not automatically unionize employees, but would allow a union to petition for an election or written majority authorization, with normal unit-appropriateness and supervisory/confidential employee issues still to be resolved. CPCS Chief Counsel Anthony Benedetti testified that the agency supports providing information to the legislature but is not taking a position for or against unionization. He described CPCS’s statutory responsibilities, size, and current efforts to expand staffing after recent indigent-defense crises, and said any new bargaining framework would need to operate alongside the agency’s obligations to provide counsel. Proponents from SEIU Local 888 and allied labor groups argued that CPCS employees have long been denied the same collective bargaining rights as other public workers, and that a union would provide just-cause protections, a voice on staffing and working conditions, and better support for recruitment and retention. CPCS attorneys and staff testified in favor of the measure, citing heavy caseloads, rapid expansion, inadequate supervision and office support, and the need for representation in disciplinary and workplace disputes. Committee members asked about bargaining-unit composition, the role of the DLR, the effect of unionization on attorneys’ ethical duties, and the use and cost of paid signature gathering. The hearing ended with no votes taken and no opposition testimony presented.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Vita Conet from the Minnesota DFL Environmental Caucus.
• Vita Conet, if you want to introduce yourself for the committee, thank you.
• My name is Vita Conet.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• it bears mentioning that the very mechanism by which people claim this credit, which is through the VITA
• People with low income do not have an alternative other than a paid service if VITA...
• People with low income do not have an alternative other than a paid service if VITA offices are not fully

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'll turn to the clerk, Michael Vita, to ask if we have a quorum. Okay, excellent.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held its first meeting of the legislative session, with Chair Jeremy Cooney and Ranking Member Patrick Gallivan welcoming members and outlining a focus on safety, reliability, infrastructure, workforce issues, emerging technologies, public transit, and state-local partnerships. The committee considered nine bills, many of them naming or rededicating highways or bridges in honor of individuals, including family members of fallen firefighters, Lieutenant Gator Award, Sergeant Henry Johnson, and Robert Boren. Members generally spoke in support of these commemorative measures and related them to broader transportation safety concerns. The committee also advanced several policy bills: a measure on handheld mobile device use by school bus drivers, a first responder safety zones bill, a bill to rededicate the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, a school bus stop-arm camera bill, and a charter bus pre-trip safety briefing bill. The stop-arm camera bill prompted discussion about local courts’ ability to hear notice-of-liability cases and the need to ensure drivers have a fair opportunity to contest tickets, while members also noted implementation issues on multi-lane roads. The charter bus bill drew questions about enforcement and liability, especially regarding seat belt violations and whether responsibility would fall on drivers or companies; sponsors said the intent was to improve safety training and awareness after recent tragedies. All nine bills were reported from committee, with no recorded opposition on the final votes.