Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2100 would impose a payroll tax on high-earning jobs to be paid by large operating companies
• A large operating company does not include a health care facility, a health care provider, or a health
• The large operating company threshold for fiscal note purposes was more than 20 people and $5 million
• This bill in the summary does say it is a tax on large companies.
• We depend on these large companies.

Bills: HB2334, HB2140, HB2326, HB2100

Keywords: cash transactions, pennies, currency adjustment, economic impact, consumer protection, tax exemption, governmental transfer, agriculture, land use, property tax, emergency medical services, levies, healthcare funding, local government, taxation, excise tax, large companies, payroll expenses, minimum wage, Well Washington fund

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2140, which would exempt land sold or transferred to a governmental entity from the additional tax owed when land is removed from an open space current-use classification in certain circumstances. Staff explained the bill’s current-use tax rules and noted the fiscal impact is expected to be minimal but indeterminate. Representative Lowe said the bill is meant to fix a narrow problem where a county takes a small frontage strip for public purposes and the owner is still charged back taxes; FutureWise testified in support of the intent but asked for language tweaks to ensure the transferred land does not later become incompatible with agricultural or open-space use. The hearing on HB 2140 was then closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2326, which would allow a fire protection district to impose an EMS levy on the portion of its district not already covered by another taxing district’s EMS levy, with voters in the affected area approving it. Fire district and fire chief representatives testified in support, describing situations where a small overlap prevents most residents in a district from voting on or funding EMS service. Opponents argued the bill would add to property tax burdens. Testimony concluded and the hearing was closed. Next, House Bill 2334 was heard, responding to the federal decision to stop minting new pennies by setting rules for rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents. Staff said rounding would apply only to cash payments and would occur after taxes and fees are included; the fiscal note was described as indeterminate but minimal at the state level, with some implementation costs. Retail and grocery groups generally supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments and protections related to tax obligations, consumer lawsuits, SNAP equal-treatment rules, and local ordinances; other testimony supported the measure as a practical response to the penny’s disappearance. The hearing was then closed. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2100, a proposed payroll expense tax on large operating companies to fund the new Well Washington Fund for higher education, health care, cash assistance, energy, and housing, with an oversight board and a credit for eligible city payroll taxes. Staff described a substitute narrowing the bill to employers with 250 or more employees and at least $7 million in payroll, with several public-sector and health-related exemptions; the fiscal note projected substantial revenue. Supporters, including labor, poverty, housing, health, and faith advocates, said the bill would help offset federal cuts and protect vulnerable residents. Business, retail, hospitality, construction, and chamber representatives opposed it, warning about job losses, higher costs, and harm to competitiveness. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended as a near-term response to federal funding cuts, and testimony continued with many additional witnesses before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:26.400><c> part</c> that, uh, that is true in large part that, uh, that is true in large part
• We have to encourage our companies to do well.
• ><c> not</c><00:38:11.599><c> exactly</c> insurance companies are not exactly insurance companies are
• </c><00:42:16.800><c> to</c> I mean I want insurance companies to I mean I want insurance companies to
• The health insurance companies plans.

Bills: HF3388, HF400

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:26.040><c> becomes</c> and Casualty Insurance Company becomes and Casualty Insurance Company
• Representative Davids asked what the last time was that a company went insolvent. Mr.
• Given the large number of bills, and even the large number of bills from people on this committee, and
• </c> before the committee but given the large before the committee but given the large number<00:15:25.320
• </c><00:20:32.919><c> group</c> individual small group and large group individual small group and large

Bills: HF747, HF1014, HF320, HF400

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association, MIGA, insurance guaranty fund, insurer insolvency, covered claim, net worth threshold, high-net-worth insured, financial information request, insurance claims, self-insured retention, deductible, commercial insurance, insurance regulation, Minnesota Statutes 60C.09, guaranty association

Transcript Highlights:

• to, I guess, address the question head-on, but is it does your does do tickets like StubHub or do companies

Bills: SCR118, SCR173

Keywords: climate change, insurance affordability, working group, disaster recovery, fossil fuel companies, insurance stability, Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, ticket scalping, task force, consumer protection, event accessibility, local economy, 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection heard two resolutions. SCR 118 SD1 would urge the Insurance Division and the Attorney General to convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division deferred to written testimony, while the Attorney General opposed the measure because of an ongoing lawsuit, asking that references to legal recovery and the AG’s role in convening the group be removed. Members questioned how the resolution might relate to the state’s climate damages litigation and whether it could inform damages calculations. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including removing the Attorney General as co-convener and changing certain membership references to board chairs; the motion passed unanimously with one excused member. The committee also heard SCR 173 SD1, which would create a task force on event ticket scalping. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the concept but asked to be added as a task force member and said the draft left its role unclear. Supporters, including the National Independent Venue Association and D-BAT, described high resale prices, fraudulent or speculative tickets, and harm to consumers and local businesses. StubHub and the Ticket Policy Forum supported the task force but urged broader scope to include the primary ticket market and ticket sellers, and StubHub also sought inclusion on the task force. Members discussed whether the task force should focus on the secondary market or the broader ticketing ecosystem, and whether the Office of Consumer Protection should be part of the task force or only consulted. The vice chair recommended passage with amendments adding the Office of Consumer Protection as a member and clarifying the consultation language, and the committee adopted that recommendation unanimously with one excused member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so basically, today if you own less than 1% in any company, you have to have an acknowledgement of
• Acknowledgement for thresholds if you're in a limited liability company.

Bills: SB57, SB130

Keywords: property, acknowledgment, conveyance, business entities, limited liability companies, legal tender, gold, silver, bullion, specie, precious metals, coinage, currency, money, alternative currency, sound money, monetary policy, payment, debt, financial institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent a lot of small to mid-sized companies.
• companies.
• These companies are aggressively trying... ...to close the digital divide.
• For this small company to do this, and they won't get reimbursed.
• I contend that cable companies don't pay the 5%.

Bills: HB3713, HB3953, HB4055, HB4272

Keywords: telecommunications, local exchange companies, universal service fund, rate maintenance, business expansion, broadband access, internet service, multiunit residential properties, urban areas, affordability programs, fiber-optic cables, public land, construction permits, environmental impact, notification requirements, municipal projects, infrastructure, facility relocation, public right-of-way, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• William Large... Waiving in support.
• Large mentioned the Vaccine Act.
• The pharmaceutical companies can educate doctors.
• The tariff requirements must reasonably ensure that large load customers, such as large data centers,
• What if in a large area you have two competing companies looking to place data centers?

Bills: S0408, S0986, S0678, S0800, S1050, S0484, S1118

Keywords: vaccine advertisement, manufacturer liability, harmful vaccine, healthcare, court action, smoking regulation, public health, vaping, marijuana, public places, Florida Statutes, alcohol distribution, tax deductions, extraordinary losses, warehouse breakage, regulatory compliance, veterinary, prescription, pharmacy, client rights

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered several bills and took final action on each. SB 986, by Senator Gruters and presented by Senator Rodriguez, would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and in certain indoor spaces; restaurant and lodging representatives supported adding marijuana and vaping to clean indoor air rules but asked to preserve designated smoking areas on private property, while cannabis advocates warned the bill was overly broad and could affect patients and property rights. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, would restore statutory authority for DBPR to continue allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 800, also by Senator Mayfield, increases penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts; after adopting an amendment clarifying eligibility, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 408, by Senator Grall, which would create a Florida cause of action against vaccine manufacturers that advertise in the state, allowing injured individuals to sue in Florida courts. Supporters argued the bill would rebuild public trust and hold manufacturers accountable, while opponents from the Florida Justice Reform Institute, American Tort Reform Association, BIO, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, and several medical and business groups argued the field is largely preempted by federal law, that existing federal compensation programs already address vaccine injuries, and that the bill raises First Amendment and policy concerns. After debate focused on vaccine injury data, compensation rates, and liability, the committee voted SB 408 favorably. The committee also considered SB 484 and SB 1118, both by Senator Avila, dealing with data centers. SB 484 would preserve local planning authority, bar nondisclosure agreements that prevent disclosure of potential data center development, require the PSC to set large-load tariff requirements so data centers pay their own costs, and limit consumptive use permits for large-scale data centers absent no harm to water resources and compliance with local zoning; supporters emphasized ratepayer protection and economic development, while some witnesses urged flexibility for behind-the-meter projects and confidentiality in negotiations. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1118 would create a time-limited public records exemption for county or municipal information about data center siting and protect proprietary business information; Senator Pizzo raised concerns about how the exemption would affect disclosure of competing projects and local officials’ ability to speak, but the sponsor said he would work on clarifying the language. The committee also passed SB 1050, by Senator Calatayud, which requires veterinarians to provide pet owners with written prescriptions and information about pharmacy choice while preserving veterinary judgment and emergency dispensing authority. The meeting concluded after all bills were reported favorably and members recorded additional votes on prior items.

Transcript Highlights:

• William Large... Waiving in support.
• Large mentioned the Vaccine Act.
• The tariff requirements must reasonably ensure that large load customers, such as large data centers,
• The tariff requirements must reasonably ensure that large load customers, such as large data centers,
• What if in a large area you have two competing companies looking to place data centers?

Bills: S0408, S0986, S0678, S0800, S1050, S0484, S1118

Keywords: vaccine advertisement, manufacturer liability, harmful vaccine, healthcare, court action, smoking regulation, public health, vaping, marijuana, public places, Florida Statutes, alcohol distribution, tax deductions, extraordinary losses, warehouse breakage, regulatory compliance, veterinary, prescription, pharmacy, client rights

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered several bills and heard testimony from sponsors, industry groups, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places, including rooms and bars, and drew support from the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association with concerns about preserving designated smoking areas on private property. The Florida Cannabis Action Network opposed the bill as overly broad and potentially harmful to patients and property rights. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 678, which restores statutory authority for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to continue allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations; an amendment made clarifying changes and applied the act retroactively to January 1, 2025. SB 800, dealing with unlicensed engineering practice penalties and creating an engineering student loan assistance program for state agency and water management district engineers, was amended and reported favorably. SB 408, which creates a cause of action related to vaccine manufacturers advertising in Florida, generated extensive debate. Supporters argued it would address declining public trust in vaccines and provide accountability, while opponents said it is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and duplicates existing compensation systems. Despite opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up two data center bills by Senator Avila. SB 484 would regulate large-scale data centers by preserving local planning authority, requiring PSC tariff rules so large load customers pay their own costs, and limiting consumptive use permits unless water impacts are avoided and local zoning is satisfied. Testimony was mixed: some speakers supported consumer protections and economic development, while others urged carve-outs for self-powered facilities and warned against overregulation. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1118 would create a time-limited public records exemption for information about proposed data center locations and proprietary business information; members raised concerns about how much local officials could disclose, and the sponsor said he would work on clarifying language. That bill was also reported favorably. Finally, SB 1050, which requires veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy while preserving veterinary discretion, passed without opposition and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• commercial activities through the exercise of their home rule police powers, including the activity of large-scale
• commercial activities through the exercise of their home rule police powers, including the activity of large-scale

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:08 Roll Call 00:00:29 Discussion of Large Project Siting in Local Governments Following Clover Creek Solar v. Breckinridge County 00:03:34 Discussion of Coroners’ Issues 00:24:49 Adjournment 01:01:11, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so the, the mechanism that the legislature has chosen are, are MUDs, largely our, our other development
• A large part of my personal role at BGE is to assist landowners and developers in planning and design
• And it's very important for our company and others like us to spend a lot of time in the early stages
• to help us with land use and we talk to our local governments because it's very important for our company
• I live in Fort Bend County, previously served as county judge, and currently I have a real estate company

Bills: HB23

Keywords: property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest, county property tax, nonprofit-owned property

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, getting these large health insurance companies out of the health care business.
• Um, getting these large health insurance companies out of the health care business.
• Um, getting these large health insurance companies out of the health care business.
• Um, getting these large health insurance companies out of the health care business.
• Um, getting these large health insurance companies out of the health care business.

Bills: HF4502, HF3388, HF4106, HF400, HF4138, HF4118, HF4203

Keywords: trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got three companies in Grant County.
• Our homegrown companies here, Amazon and Microsoft, And we're lucky, our homegrown companies here, Amazon
• There are other large potential large loads.
• Data centers are not just another large load customer.
• As Alex Sabara said earlier, there's many other companies that use large loads that need power.

Bills: HB2515, HB2343, HB2301, HB2272, HB2367

Keywords: energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, water quality, game farms, public health, environmental protection, regulatory oversight, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, sustainability, recycling, ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes

Summary: The committee hearing covered three bills before moving into executive session later in the day. HB 2343 would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain water discharge permit coverage for publicly operated game farms, or an individual permit if needed, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. Supporters, including Centralia officials, county public health staff, and residents, said the bill is needed because nitrate contamination from the WDFW pheasant farm has affected private wells and public health. WDFW testified that it had already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and said it would continue working with Ecology and local partners. HB 2301 would expand Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, including thinners, removers, additives, aerosols, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the bill builds on a successful recycling program that already diverts large amounts of paint from landfills and could reduce costs for local hazardous waste systems. County and local solid waste officials generally supported the expansion but asked for clearer treatment of packaging, convenience standards, and compensation. Ecology supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for broader standards, reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservers group opposed including wood preservatives in the bill. HB 2515, in proposed substitute form, would regulate “emerging large energy use facilities,” mainly data centers and virtual currency mining facilities at 20 megawatts or more. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to ensure these facilities pay full costs, participate in demand response, and avoid shifting costs to other customers; it would also require reporting on energy and water use, set clean energy targets, create a new annual fee, and limit no-cost cap-and-invest allowances for utilities serving these facilities. Supporters said the bill protects ratepayers, improves transparency, and helps Washington meet climate goals. Opponents from utilities, business groups, ports, and labor warned it could raise costs, reduce competitiveness, create prescriptive rules, and threaten jobs and investment, while some public agencies and environmental groups supported the bill with requests for technical changes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a gate fee to the company, and they have to pay for the tow.
• And it still included all tow companies, anybody who got towed.
• And once again, if the company doesn't want to do this, they just forfeit the storage fee.
• Again, if the company doesn't want to do this, they just forfeit the storage fee.
• Again, if the company doesn't want to do this, they just forfeit the storage fee.

Bills: HCR96, SB431

Keywords: roundabout, traffic safety, public education, driving rules, Louisiana Department of Transportation, SB 431, Act 768, towing, tow truck companies, storage fees, nonconsensual towing, private property towing, vehicle release, impound, vehicle storage, gate fees, consumer protection, Louisiana State Police, Public Service Commission, stored vehicles

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 431 by Senator Foil. The bill, as amended in the House, would apply only to non-consensual private-property tows and require towing companies to have someone available on weekends to release vehicles within 90 minutes of a call if they want to charge storage fees for Saturday and Sunday. Senator Foil said the measure was intended to help vehicle owners retrieve cars and belongings sooner, while not forcing companies to stay open; Lieutenant John Nelson of Louisiana State Police explained that payment would still occur at the yard and that the bill did not change the fee structure. Amy Seals of Riverside Towing opposed the bill, citing safety concerns, burdens on office staff, and fairness issues because it would not cover police-initiated tows; she suggested limiting weekend release hours to daytime. Despite her concerns, the committee moved SB 431 favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 96 by Representative Adams, which urges the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles, to provide educational materials on proper roundabout use. Adams said the resolution was meant to help drivers in smaller parishes and elsewhere who struggle with roundabouts. Several members supported the idea, noting confusion about roundabout navigation in their areas, and one member asked whether driver education already covers the topic. The resolution was moved favorably without objection. Before adjourning, the chair recognized a new DOTD staff member and a visitor from the Florida Women’s Republican group. Representative Spells then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Bills: HB17, HB23

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Bills: HB17, HB23

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• In a large area, let's say the Houston area, that's going to be about, I would guess, half a million
• These companies require improved response from our emergency services district, where Brownsville serves
• We're a county, and ours largely comes from an increase of...
• That was largely due to trying to keep up with firefighter staffing needs.
• It seems like it's largely in line, right?

Bills: HB17, HB23, SB 10

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Bills: HB610, HB620, HB582, HB610, HB620, HB582

Keywords: state bank, public bank, government funds, financial services, constitutional amendment, tax abatements, international headquarters, publicly traded companies, economic incentives, Alabama tax reform, social-emotional learning, education policy, parental consent, K-12 education, teacher training, student surveys, disciplinary action, automatic renewal, consumer protection, cancellation policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas New Mexico is home to more than 80 innovative aerospace companies performing satellite component
• Institute of Mining and Technology, which operates the Magdalena Research Observatory and the Very Large
• We have over 250 people of companies in New Mexico that are focused on space industry.

Bills: HM19

Keywords: New Mexico Aviation and Aerospace Day, aviation, aerospace, space industry, missile programs, Spaceport America, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Test Facility, Kirtland Air Force Base, drone, unmanned aircraft systems, commercial space transportation, NASA, aircraft, STEM education, research laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, flight testing, medical evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be a nonprofit or a company that, OK, because you said the bill, you didn't, you weren't referring

Bills: SB 6, SB 11, SB 33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be an individual, this would be a non-profit or a company that formed out of it.

Bills: SB6, SB11, SB33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state