Transcript Highlights:

• Employers absolutely love it up there.
• But we have plenty of Louisiana companies that are qualified.
• I mean, I would guess there's five or six companies that are qualified.
• that are qualified to do this auction.
• And they're very qualified to bid on this auction.

Bills: HB316, HB549, HB646, HB752, HB824, HB873, HB1129, HB1157, HB1170

Keywords: literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 22 and first considered Chairman Beaulieu’s House Bill 646, a constitutional amendment limiting the amount of State General Fund money that may be appropriated in a fiscal year. After adopting a set of amendments creating the Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund and making conforming changes, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The companion bill, House Bill 824, which establishes the growth limit formula based on CPI, medical CPI, and population change, was also amended and reported favorably as amended. Supporters framed both measures as a way to keep spending within recurring revenues and create a path toward reducing or eliminating the state income tax. The committee then reported favorably as amended House Bill 1157, creating the Louisiana State Infrastructure Fund to help finance infrastructure-related projects, with testimony that it would leverage private and federal dollars and initially focus on rail, port, road, and bridge projects. House Bill 316, which provides a framework for student literacy reforms for grades four through eight, was presented as having no new cost because the Department of Education said the work was already covered by existing resources; it was reported favorably. House Bill 549, creating the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program to provide employer-based training grants, also received support from business groups and was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1129, dealing with the sale of state-owned surplus movable property, drew support from Louisiana auctioneers who argued local firms should be allowed to bid on the state’s auction contract instead of relying on an out-of-state vendor; it was reported favorably. House Bill 873, which would fund pursuit intervention technology through a $2 driver’s license fee, generated significant concern about adding fees and whether the money should instead come from existing budgets. After discussion of the proposed technologies and training, the committee deferred the bill voluntarily to work on alternatives, including a possible sunset and other funding options. Finally, House Bill 752, which would change the timing and duration of regular legislative sessions by joint rule, was reported without action after members noted the revised fiscal note showed a decrease in state general fund expenditures. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Employers absolutely love it up there.
• But we have plenty of Louisiana companies that are qualified.
• That are qualified in the state of Louisiana? Yes. Do you have an idea?
• that are qualified to do this auction.
• And they're very qualified to bid on this auction.

Bills: HB316, HB549, HB646, HB752, HB824, HB873, HB1129, HB1157, HB1170

Keywords: literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions

Transcript Highlights:

• A 2021 Mercer study of over 450 employers found that 97% of employers offering fertility coverage, including
• </c><00:08:57.040><c> found</c> Mercer study of over 450 employers found Mercer study of over 450 employers
• ><c> offering</c><00:08:59.600><c> fertility</c> that 97% of employers offering fertility that 97% of
• employers offering fertility coverage,<00:09:00.800><c> including</c><00:09:01.120><c> IVF,</c><00:09
• Our employer-sponsored insurance covered only a fraction of the amount that it cost.

Bills: HF4609, HF4401

Keywords: infertility, fertility treatment, fertility preservation, IVF, assisted reproductive technology, ART, oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, egg freezing, sperm freezing, reproductive health, maternity coverage, health insurance mandate, health plan benefits, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, family planning, oncology fertility preservation, chemotherapy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so, I guess nothing specifically that would allow us a summer camp to qualify.
• I guess if that summer camp to qualify.
• I think it qualify for the subtraction.
• And who qualifies for this? This is children under the age of 12.
• This is uh And who qualifies for this?

Bills: HF495, HF4321, HF3902, HF4161, HF3755

Keywords: day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, HF4321, dependent care assistance programs, gross income exclusion, federal conformity, Internal Revenue Code, individual income tax, Minnesota tax law, tax conformity, child care assistance, employer-provided dependent care, taxable income, state income tax, retroactive tax change, family care benefits, housing tax credit

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a revision to the Smaller Employer Quality Jobs Act.
• It will allow for capital investment on new construction and machinery to count towards qualifying for
• the credit and increases the population size of the city that could qualify to 50,000.
• So, I think a population of one would qualify.
• Happenstance if it had happened, would they not qualify then for their taxes to be reimbursed?

Bills: HB3044, HB3465, HB3625, HB3704, HB3759, HB3920, HB3972, HB4191, HB4311, HB4426

Keywords: veterans, tax refund, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, capital improvement, donations, Oklahoma Emission Reduction, incentive, taxation, environment, revenue, investment, school funds, treasurer, education funding, financial policy, income tax, scholarship, tax credit, Oklahoma Tax Commission, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a revision to the Smaller Employer Quality Jobs Act.
• It will allow for capital investment on new construction and machinery to count towards qualifying for
• It increases the population size of the city that could qualify to 50,000.
• So I think a population of one would qualify.
• Would they not qualify then for their taxes to be reimbursed? They would?

Bills: HB3044, HB3465, HB3625, HB3704, HB3759, HB3920, HB3972, HB4191, HB4311, HB4426

Keywords: veterans, tax refund, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, capital improvement, donations, Oklahoma Emission Reduction, incentive, taxation, environment, revenue, investment, school funds, treasurer, education funding, financial policy, income tax, scholarship, tax credit, Oklahoma Tax Commission, school funding

Summary: The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee considered several House bills dealing with tax credits, fee changes, school funding, and investment authority. House Bill 4426 extended the sunset on the SIDE tax credit to December 31, 2032, and passed 7-2. House Bill 3704 elected Oklahoma into the federal income tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations and passed 9-2. House Bill 4311 raised the unclaimed property division’s administrative fee from 4% to 6% to cover increased duties and costs; it passed 8-3 after debate over whether the increase was justified. House Bill 3044 reauthorized the veterans income tax checkoff and the associated capital improvement fund, and passed 10-0. House Bill 4191 revised the Smaller Employer Quality Jobs Act by lowering job thresholds, expanding qualifying locations and industries, and changing other eligibility rules; it passed 6-4. House Bill 3465 extended the emission tax credit sunset from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029 and passed 6-4, with opponents arguing it subsidized compliance with federal mandates. House Bill 3972, a title-off bill addressing ad valorem reimbursement issues tied to the state purchase of a prison, drew extensive debate over precedent and scope; an amendment to add a sunset failed 5-5, and the bill then passed 8-2 as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Evan R., Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
• Deputy Commissioner at the<00:03:58.920><c> Department</c><00:03:59.200><c> of</c><00:03:59.280><c> Employment
• </c><00:03:59.879><c> Economic</c> the Department of Employment Economic the Department of Employment
• , and that's what the intent of this bill is: to make sure that the 50% that will be the employer side
• and that's what is this intent employers and that's what is this intent of<00:34:27.359><c> this</c>

Bills: HF11

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Evan Row, Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
• wage detail, a variety of tools for employers on the website, and I think the work is well underway.
• </c><00:03:47.799><c> Economic</c> at the Department of Employment Economic at the Department of Employment
• </c><00:04:20.799><c> wage</c> program including um employer wage program including um employer wage
• As an employer myself, I pay my employees top-notch hourly rates. We do other benefits.

Bills: HF11

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• This project and the economic growth and employment it will support would not have been possible without
• We're the largest private employer in outstate Minnesota, with 3,500 employees in Thief Falls, about
• We're the largest<00:12:59.200><c> private</c><00:12:59.600><c> employer</c><00:13:00.000><c> in</c><
• </c> reduce sprawl, and support employers. reduce sprawl, and support employers.
• </c> the result in taxes employee employer the result in taxes employee employer mandates<01:39:50.080

Bills: HF3902, HF3895

Keywords: housing tax credit, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, qualified projects, taxpayer contributions, greater Minnesota, zoning, housing, local government, multifamily development, affordable housing, land use, urban development, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1254 relates to the regulation of professional employer services.
• It also would provide that if a PEO fails to renew its license on time, its status as an employer of
• For the definition of a geothermal energy conservation well, it qualifies that although a geothermal
• energy conservation well serves as a mechanism for storing energy, it does not qualify as a battery.
• So, is it your understanding that geothermal wells qualify for the existing exemption?

Bills: SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• says MCOs are prevented from providing essential information. information to members who may not qualify
• Bill ensures that MCOs can inform enrollees. is about the availability of qualified health plans offered
• So of those, if we had Medicaid expansion, I think it's less than a million. would qualify 960 960 that's
• coverages you're would cover about 2 million and then the the balance of about 4 million would not qualify
• They're U.S. citizens that don't qualify, for the most part.

Bills: SB 53, SB53, SB125, SB315, SB379, SB457, SB541, SB599, SB896, SB921, SB963, SB1038, SB1084, SB1330, SB1461

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Transcript Highlights:

• some of the new engineers in the field that are working directly in the industry through their employment
• some point, this could go back and open up that any university. could now be seen as a business employer

Bills: HB3882, HB4273, HB4280, HB4281

Keywords: transportation, revolving fund, grants, infrastructure, economic development, income tax, aerospace, higher education, tax credit, qualified employee, funding, safety, state highways, bridges, apportionment, Oklahoma, transportation funding, sales tax, road maintenance, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows the employer to reduce the employee's wages for the time missed.
• So, it does protect the employer as well.
• And, again, this is not anti-employer.
• That is the reimbursement from TIFMAS to the employer.
• Those are used to cite employers for violating OSHA's rules.

Bills: HB446, HB1609, HB4443, HB4464, HB4735, HB5476

Keywords: heat illness prevention, workplace safety, Texas Workforce Commission, advisory board, employee rights, administrative penalties, training requirements, employee training, occupational health, employer penalties, worker rights, heat illness, volunteer firefighter, volunteer emergency responder, emergency medical services volunteer, EMS volunteer, firefighter, fire department, emergency services, declared disaster

Transcript Highlights:

• Employers who provide at least $1,200 per employee in childcare benefits will qualify for a match of
• Employers can then qualify for the corresponding franchise tax credit to offset costs. their costs.
• ' costs, largely as a result of employers' participation.
• This takes valuable resources from employers across the state.
• The Employers for Child Care Task Force consists of employers coming to the table, recognizing that there's

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• However, in 2023, there was a Texas Attorney General's opinion that found a corporate entity qualifies
• Members, you remember this bill by representing relating to participation in re-employment. employment
• Employment Compensation System Chair offers a committee substitute to HB 3699, is there any objection

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 1254 relates to the regulation of professional employer services.
• It also would provide that if a PEO fails to renew its license on time, its status as an employer of
• Additionally, smaller utilities would be chilled and reluctant to secure qualified legal counsel under
• I think it's in 35, but both batteries and this technology qualify as an energy storage technology and
• So is it your understanding that geothermal wells qualify for the existing exemption for transmission

Bills: SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and first took up pending business, voting out several bills. Senate Bills 1697, 1569, 1202 as substituted, 1029, 1364, 1185, 924, 1008 as substituted, 264, 1376, and 1358 as substituted were reported favorably, with some sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a substitute for SB 1202 and later corrected votes on several measures. SB 924 and SB 1376 drew some opposition, while the rest of the pending bills were reported without dissent or with limited nays. The committee then heard testimony on SB 1856, which would create an annual capacity-cost recovery rider for Entergy Texas customers in the MISO region. The author and Entergy argued the bill would better match rates to actual capacity costs and improve transparency, while the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Public Utility Commission raised concerns about the short 10-day review period, rider proliferation, and the preference for full rate cases over piecemeal adjustments. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 522 on CPA reciprocity, SB 1664 requiring TDUs to provide clearer, standalone rate-change disclosures, SB 1877 expanding OPUC’s access to market data, SB 1254 and SB 1255 as TDLR cleanup bills on professional employer organizations and mold assessors, SB 1341 updating manufactured housing rules, SB 1239 on sovereign debt and Texas governing law, and SB 1259 streamlining the surveyor-in-training licensing process. Additional bills discussed included SB 1977, which would cap recoverable legal expenses in electric, water, and sewer rate cases; OPUC and some consumer advocates supported the idea as a way to reduce ratepayer costs, while utility representatives warned it could discourage participation and increase rate shock. The committee also heard SB 1762 clarifying that geothermal energy conservation wells are not battery resources, and SB 783 allowing SECO to proceed with future energy-code rulemaking for state-funded buildings. Both drew supportive testimony from industry and environmental groups. All remaining bills heard during the meeting were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• said the report and findings issued by the office in March 2025, concerning the first submission of qualified
• And I think what you're getting at is the petition that was filed by the qualified electors in December
• moving down to the bottom middle of page 12, this deals with a recount which is requested by 25 qualified

Bills: SF0028, SF0030, SF0031, SF0032

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So it goes through all the instances, typically in Title 22, but Title 18, because it deals with qualified

Bills: SF0028, SF0030, SF0031, SF0032

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what qualifies is the amount when you say time and a half; the half portion is what is qualified.
• The employer does not have to pay.
• You know, we heard things that employers are forcing employees to work overtime.
• There is a list that the IRS created of who qualifies for tip credit. It's very specific.
• Um, most tips are through credit cards and are reported right to the employer.

Bills: HF3127, HF3524, HF3525, HF3754

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, overtime compensation, tax deduction, income tax, federal regulations, tax reform, tip income, federal tax deduction, Minnesota Statutes, individual income, employer contributions, Trump accounts, federal law, gross income exclusion, 1183

Summary: The House Tax Committee met on March 3, 2026, approved the February 26 minutes without objection, and then took up House File 3127, the chairman’s bill to extend Minnesota’s pass-through entity tax through tax year 2027. The bill was amended with the H3127A2 amendment, which also revives and reenacts the expired tax provision. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s purpose: allowing pass-through businesses to pay state income tax at the entity level and claim a federal deduction, thereby reducing federal tax liability for owners. Department staff said the proposal is revenue neutral to the state, with a zero revenue estimate, because the entity-level tax is offset by a credit against individual income taxes. Several witnesses testified in support, including representatives from NAIOP Minnesota, the Minnesota Association for Justice, the Minnesota Society of CPAs, NFIB, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. They said the extension would help small and medium-sized businesses, law firms, real estate investors, and other pass-through entities, improve tax fairness, preserve competitiveness with other states, and provide certainty ahead of filing deadlines. One self-described taxpayer also testified in favor, arguing the provision helps Minnesota businesses and stabilizes state revenue timing. Members generally expressed support, and the chair said he wanted to get the bill done by March 15. House File 3127, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The committee then moved to House File 3524 and House File 3525, both presented by Representative Robbins and also laid over for possible inclusion. HF 3524 would conform Minnesota law to the federal “no tax on overtime” provision, and HF 3525 would conform to the federal “no tax on tips” provision. Representative Robbins said both bills would simplify tax filing and let workers keep more of their earnings, with HF 3525 aimed especially at tipped workers and other lower-wage employees in hospitality and similar industries. Testimony on those bills was deferred to a later point, and no votes were taken on them during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they not qualify? Do they qualify for access?
• I mean, they qualify to vote, but they don't qualify for access? Is that what you're saying?
• Because if you're not qualifying for one, you should be ineligible for both.
• of citizens who have the right to vote in any election and get registered to vote that might not qualify
• any county, city, town, state agency, or political subdivision of the state leave of absence from employment

Bills: HB2416, HB2663, HB2759, HB2806

Keywords: border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, public safety, immigration, military leave, national guard, employment rights, paid leave, disaster response, veterans services, education programs, funding, appropriation, Yavapai county, lawful presence, public programs, verification