Transcript Highlights:

• It's the hazardous substance tax.
• It redirects tax revenues on aircraft fuels from the hazardous substance tax, petroleum product tax,
• Under current law, revenues from the hazardous substance tax are going to MTCA.
• This proposal appears to dedicate some portion of the hazardous substance tax to an aviation-related
• substance tax.

Bills: SB5989, SB5898, SB6240, SB6244, SB6231, SB6228, SB6220

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, aeronautics, taxation, aircraft fuel, state funding, aviation fuel, hazardous substance tax, air quality, noise mitigation, environmental impact, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, data center

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 26, 2026, beginning with a work session on Washington’s aviation fuel tax compliance. WSDOT Aviation described its small division and explained the FAA’s long-running rules requiring aviation fuel tax revenues to be reinvested in aviation-related purposes. Staff said Washington’s current approach has been under FAA review for years, with an approved action plan in 2022, a follow-up FAA audit in 2024, and a recent FAA letter questioning some claimed offsets; the state has until February 18 to respond. Testimony emphasized that noncompliance could expose Washington to major federal grant withholding, potentially up to about $1.2 billion, and possibly litigation. Senators asked about the federal authority, who pays the taxes, and whether Boeing is affected; staff explained the taxes are state taxes paid by aircraft fuel purchasers or distributors and that the issue does not directly target Boeing manufacturing. The committee then heard three related aviation bills. SB 5989 would redirect a portion of the state sales and use tax on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account and require reporting on the revenue shift and aviation project impacts; supporters, including the Port of Seattle, airport managers, pilots, and port officials, said it was a measured step toward FAA compliance and airport funding. SB 5898 would redirect hazardous substance tax, petroleum products tax, and oil spill-related taxes on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account; supporters said it would bring the state into compliance, while ports, counties, Ecology, and business groups warned it would significantly reduce funding for MTCA and other environmental programs. SB 6240 would create a new aircraft noise and air quality mitigation account funded by a portion of hazardous substance tax revenue for Commerce-run grants to affected communities; it drew support from some community and environmental justice advocates and opposition from airport groups and business organizations, which argued it would further divert MTCA funds and was not the best path to FAA compliance. The committee also heard SB 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides from 2028 to 2038. Agricultural groups and warehouse/logistics representatives supported the bill, saying it helps keep crop protection products stored in-state and supports food security and rural jobs. Next, SB 6231, a governor-request bill, would repeal the sales and use tax exemption for data center refurbishments and replacement server equipment. OFM and counties supported it as a revenue-raising measure, while data center companies, utilities-related employers, and industry groups opposed it, warning of lost investment, jobs, and competitiveness. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers; OFM supported it as an outdated preference, while pharmacies, wholesalers, grocers, and business groups opposed it, arguing the tax would be passed through to pharmacies, hospitals, insurers, and patients and could worsen pharmacy closures. Finally, SB 6220 would broaden a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income homeownership projects so the exemption survives certain transfers and temporary community uses; it had no public testimony, and the sponsor said it was intended to narrowly protect a community land trust project from losing its exemption because of limited community use. The last bill, SB 5880, would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by certified/accredited labs, not just the state toxicologist’s lab; Seattle, prosecutors, and the State Patrol supported it as a way to reduce long DUI toxicology backlogs, while counties raised equity and cost concerns and suggested a more limited pilot approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6244 extends the hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products
• Senate Bill 624 extends the hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products
• until January, Senate Bill 6244 extends the hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop
• By way of background, the hazardous substance tax is a tax on the first possession of hazardous substances
• Moreover, the hazardous substance tax will continue to be paid on FIFR products that are manufactured

Bills: SB6114, SB6244

Keywords: excise tax, definitions, tax law, taxation, fixtures, affixed, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6244 extends the hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products
• Across the property tax formula.
• progressive tax policy to make our tax code less regressive.
• hazardous substance tax, and it's for materials that are not manufactured in the state.
• If any of these materials are actually used in our state, the hazardous substance tax would apply and

Bills: SB5994, SB6244

Keywords: timber tax, school funding, levy failure, tax distribution, education funding, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a transient occupancy tax is a lodging tax for those of y'all who didn't know that.
• website, showing a presentation to let people know and explaining the fact that this is your public tax

Bills: HB407, SB306, SB320, SB321

Keywords: local redevelopment, tax payments, transient occupancy, state revenue, authority powers, transparency, discretionary accounts, government accountability, public access, online publication, liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulations, public gathering places, cylinder storage, proximity regulations, drycleaning, environmental remediation, pollution, hazardous waste, trust fund

Transcript Highlights:

• had a representative come in and he wanted initiative, referendum, but he banned he couldn't raise taxes

Bills: HB433, HB443

Keywords: tax distribution, Talladega County, economic development, public safety, rural infrastructure, HB443, Underground Damage Prevention Program, One-Call Notification System, 811, utility locate, dig law, excavation safety, damage prevention, underground utilities, pipeline safety, public utilities, buried facilities, excavation notice, demolition notice, Alabama Public Service Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3486 creates a sales and use tax incentive for restaurants that purchase Texas farm-raised
• Local restaurant owners may deduct $5 from the state sales and use tax liability for every 100 Texas
• Even a tax impact like this can be really meaningful.
• This bill adds food bank vehicles to the list of exempt vehicles in the tax code from state tax on the
• or the Texas Insurance Premium Tax.

Bills: HB104, HB2434, HB2529, HB2688, HB3161, HB3486, HB3487, HB3745, HB4044, HB4226, HB4945, HB104

Keywords: Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, retirement, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, salary supplement, county judges, judicial functions, state law, government compensation, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a federal tax exemption on exported fuel. Well, the exported fuel...
• tax evasion into their country.
• That is correct for the movement of hazardous materials. In particular, yes, sir. Okay.
• code on the 162 for the motor fuel tax code.
• Concerned about the tax, you know, making sure that all that tax-free exported fuel actually leaves the

Bills: SB290, SB2949

Keywords: LP-gas, property owner notice, natural resources, gas installations, safety notification, motor fuel, fuel transport, fuel export, transloading, export fuel transloading facility, fuel terminal, terminal operator, comptroller, Texas Tax Code, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Department of Public Safety, DPS, border security, ports of entry

Transcript Highlights:

• , and sales tax.
• rehab tax.
• This applies a tax similar to a sales tax on non-residential buildings.
• use tax.
• I am a tax expert.

Bills: SB214, SB935, SB1030, SB1901, SB2018, SB2020, SB2066, SB2206

Keywords: HVAC, tax exemption, energy efficiency, residential heating, installation services, Energy Star, sales tax, residential, installation, sales tax exemption, Environmental Protection Agency, temporary exemption, motor fuel tax, county exemption, diesel fuel, gasoline tax, transportation funding, SB 1030, Texas Tax Code, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, HB 360 is a second amendment sales tax holiday.
• holiday. uh second amendment sales tax holiday. uh will<00:07:48.160><c> be</c><00:07:48.240><c> the
• So, this bill will actually exempt them from all sales taxes, and it also has a provision in it that
• Member, please call the next bill. sales taxes and it also has a a sales taxes and it also has a a provision
• sales and use tax consideration is a tax sales and use tax exemption<00:12:12.240><c> for</c><00:12:

Bills: HB187, HB98, HB360, HB394, HB398, HB388, HB187, HB98, HB360, HB394, HB398, HB388

Keywords: school safety, emergency response, training, public safety, Alyssa's Law, law enforcement, scholarship, tuition assistance, dependent education, Alabama, blackout license plate, HB360, Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday, sales tax holiday, firearms, guns, ammunition, bullets, primers, gun accessories

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 5898 redirects tax revenues on aircraft fuel from the hazardous substance tax, petroleum
• product tax, and oil spill response tax to the aeronautics account.
• substance tax on aircraft fuel be deposited into the new account instead of the aeronautics account.
• The last bill in this group is SB 6244, which extends the hazardous substance tax exemption for certain
• And last in this packet, Senate Bill 6244, extending an existing hazardous substance tax exemption.

Bills: SB6147, SB6082, SB5862, SB5882, SB6323, SB6346, SB6162, SB6256, SB6220, SB5650, SB6343, SB6113, SB6211, SB6114, SB5898, SB6347, SB6244, SB5868, SB5762, SB5988, SB6194, SB6246, SB6223, SB6052, SB5828, SB5954, SB5963, SB5909, SGA9306

Keywords: grocery establishments, closure notice, consumer rights, local businesses, student financial aid, financial aid fraud, higher education, college enrollment fraud, fictitious students, ghost students, enrollment fraud, aid integrity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, AI fraud, fraud prevention, Washington State, legislative audit, JLARC, full-time equivalent

Transcript Highlights:

• Agency's essential role in disaster response, providing crucial technical and financial support for hazard
• Technical and financial support for hazard mitigation, as evidenced by successful initiatives in Puerto

Bills: S0912, S1196, S1422, S1510, S7034

Keywords: battery collection, battery stewardship, environment, recycling, hazardous waste, waste management, regulation, environmental protection, facilities, hazardous materials, coral reefs, natural resource, climate change, coastal flooding, solar facilities, wastewater treatment, nutrient reduction, land conservation, water conservation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Summary: The Environment and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several environmental bills and one appointment. SB 1422, as amended by a strike-all focused on coral reef protection and designating coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure, was reported favorably after support from Audubon Florida was noted. The committee then considered SPB 7034, a DEP rule ratification related to minimum flows and levels for the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and associated recovery strategy; witnesses from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates criticized the plan as too delayed and too dependent on a single future water project, while committee members raised questions about funding and utility responsibility. Despite concerns, the committee approved the bill as a committee bill, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee next heard SB 1510, as amended, which made technical changes to DEP-related provisions including B-MAP notice and timing, septic system requirements in Florida Springs areas, biosolids, fees, land acquisition, and rulemaking procedures. The main public testimony came from the Florida Springs Council, which opposed the 60-day delay for B-MAP effectiveness as harmful to spring restoration, while DEP and others supported the measure. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 1196, a targeted siting bill restricting new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of large federally authorized water impoundment areas, with an amendment narrowing the practical effect to Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Supporters, including the City of Miramar, argued it would protect water resources and communities; opponents from the Florida Waste-to-Energy Coalition argued it would limit local waste-disposal options and could force more landfilling. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 912, the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, which would require battery stewardship organizations and related recycling plans to keep batteries out of the waste stream. Industry and recycling representatives supported the bill, citing growing battery volumes and fire risks at recycling facilities. The committee also recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. All measures were approved favorably except that Senator Smith voted against SPB 7034; the meeting then adjourned.

Bills: SB319

Keywords: hazardous duty, Barbour County, court costs, law enforcement, public safety, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh is exempt from property taxes uh is exempt from property taxes underneath<00:01:59.040><c> chapter
• <00:09:37.279><c> 25%,</c> taxes 25%, taxes 25%, adding<00:09:39.200><c> a</c><00:09:39.519><c> new</
• We've developed new taxes. We've raised existing taxes.
• </c> re-referred to the committee on taxes. re-referred to the committee on taxes.
• </c><01:35:41.040><c> as</c><01:35:41.280><c> we</c> taxes who pay the property taxes as we taxes who

Bills: HF4421, HF1937, HF4675, HF4715, HF4684

Keywords: county cost share, economically distressed county, human services finance, substance use disorder treatment, SUD services, civil commitment, state aid, county levy, poverty threshold, tax-exempt acreage, property tax exemption, Minnesota human services, county fiscal relief, local government finance, chemical dependency, behavioral health, PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services

Transcript Highlights:

• This theft also robs Texas of vital tax revenue, undermining our state's economic stability.
• It clarifies our authority, ensuring we can protect businesses and preserve stability. state taxes.
• a state, and we're going to make sure that that people have the same access to mental health and substance
• bill. laid out, Texas has made extraordinary progress on improving access to mental health. and substance
• use disorders and the treatment limitations for mental health and substance use disorders are comparable

Bills: HB201, HB272, HB618, HB 1094, HB 1142, HB201, HB272

Keywords: financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits

Bills: HB527, HB580, HB28, HB3, HB360, HB425, HB354, HB527, HB580, HB28, HB3, HB360, HB425, HB354

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales, food additives, artificial dyes, ultra-processed food, processed food ban, student health, child nutrition

Bills: HB1967, HB3442, HB5525, HB5561, HB5653, HB5667, SB1171

Keywords: juvenile justice, correctional facilities, reform, rehabilitation, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, alcohol awareness, court-ordered programs, substance misuse education, deferred disposition, youth, parole reform, inmates under 18, mental health, educational achievement, reintegration, foster youth, behavior intervention, community services, diversion policies, HB 5653

Transcript Highlights:

• That is to ensure taxpayers are not taxed in property that no longer exists. ...destroyed after the tax
• can be prorated in the tax year.
• changes to the tax statutes.
• onto everybody else, and so this is a tax shift, rather enormous tax shift in my opinion.
• onto everybody else, and so this is a tax shift, a rather enormous tax shift in my opinion.

Bills: SB1180, SB1215, SB1270, SB1290, SB1292, SB1294, SB1430, SCR1028

Keywords: income tax, conformity, Arizona Revised Statutes, taxpayer, federal regulations, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re in Port Townsend, and there is a bit of a tax to get some of these materials to our community.
• in fiscal year 2027 and $3.1 million in 2028, but may result in indeterminate increases in property tax
• exemption and it updates the definition of emergency housing for property tax exemptions for nonprofit
• authority and existing taxes.
• This is not a new tax. It helps make sure that we're maintaining what we build.

Bills: SB6001, SB6015, SB6054, SB5470, SB5884, SB6018, SB6027, SB6028

Keywords: building code, scissor stairs, safety regulations, construction standards, statebuilding regulations, residential building, construction permits, housing development, planning efficiency, state regulations, wildfire, home hardening, fire-resistant materials, fire-hardened building materials, common interest communities, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, condo association, wildland urban interface

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several housing-related bills. On SB 6054, Senator Hunt’s wildfire home-hardening bill, staff explained it would bar CIC governing documents from prohibiting fire-hardened materials that meet safety standards, while still allowing reasonable aesthetic rules. Hunt said the bill would help homeowners in wildfire-prone areas avoid requirements like shake roofs or bans on metal roofs. Testifiers generally supported the goal but two community association representatives objected to the bill’s 10% cost cap, saying it could limit community-specific design standards and that associations should be able to offer approved material options instead. The committee then heard SB 601 on scissor stairs in the building code. Staff said it would require the State Building Code Council to convene a technical advisory group to recommend code amendments allowing scissor stairs in buildings with more than two dwelling units. The chair described the bill as a housing-supply and design-efficiency measure. Testimony from housing advocates, architects, and industry representatives supported the bill, saying scissor stairs can improve floor plan efficiency, allow more units and better light and ventilation, and support taller or smaller-footprint buildings. No vote was taken. The committee also heard SB 6015 on permit-ready residential plans. Staff said the bill would direct L&I to create a process for soliciting and publishing approved plans for factory-built housing and require local governments to accept them on qualifying lots, with Commerce developing model ordinances. Supporters said the bill would reduce duplication, speed permitting, and help modular and factory-built housing scale; some asked that site-built plans also be included. L&I and counties said they support the concept but raised concerns about clarity, local design standards, and a statewide mandate to adopt model ordinances. The committee also heard SB 5470 on detached ADUs outside UGAs, with supporters saying it would expand rural housing options and opponents from Futurewise urging tighter density, lot-size, and metering safeguards. Finally, SB 5729 on permit streamlining drew support from builders and business groups but opposition from counties and Futurewise, who argued the bill’s completeness and review-cycle limits could create more denials, reduce communication, and conflict with recent permitting reforms. The meeting ended with staff beginning executive-session briefings on additional bills, starting with SB 5884 and a proposed substitute.

Transcript Highlights:

• or use fuel tax that a county would contribute toward the State Highway Fund.
• or use fuel tax that a county would contribute toward the State Highway Fund.
• Our state's 18-cent-per-gallon gas tax is the fourth lowest in the country.
• We're all for lower taxes. We're all for lower gas prices.
• We're all for lower taxes, and I applaud her for working on the thing.

Bills: HB2014, HB2113, HB2145, HB2331, HB2340, HB2389, HB2400, HB2401, HB2428, HB2494, HB2696, HB2756, HB2795, HB2955, HCM2008

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, energy reliability, electric service providers, reliable resources, public power entity

Bills: HB 101, HB1819, HB1875, HB1965, HB2193, HB2914, HB3248, HB3354, HB3531, HB101

Keywords: Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, veterans, veterans' affairs, mental health, community mental health, behavioral health, grant program, matching grant, non-state match, community services, family support, county population, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, public safety, homeland security