Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:35.520> preparation only a few private tax preparation only a few private tax preparation
• tax preparation services and for those tax preparation services and also<01:12:23.719> for<01
• tax preparers it's it's grants are for tax preparers it's it's not<01:15:37.520> for<01:15:38.320
• preparation fees as well as their tax preparation fees as well as their tax refunds<01:19:17.239
• Prepare and Prosper, this is what they do: tax preparation.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• tobacco products tax and the alcohol excise tax.
• And so they no longer have to go through corporate tax preparation software that pushes unnecessary..
• We heard from some of our volunteer tax preparers from around the state about the critical work that
• The state has a tax, the county has a tax, and now the city has a tax.
• That tax base erosion is causing tax increases.

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:

• . taxes. taxes.
• So that they'd no longer have to go through, you know, a corporate kind of tax preparation software that
• We heard from some of our volunteer tax preparers from around the state and about the critical work that
• The state has a tax, the county has a tax, now the city has a tax.
• , state has a tax, the county has a tax, state has a tax, the county has a tax, now<01:05:15.280>

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:

• There's the boundary annexation survey known as BASS, housed at tax.
• Chair is preparing to close the queue.
• And so now we're taking tax dollars to build buildings for private schools.
• And so now we're taking tax dollars to build buildings for private schools.
• Chair's prepared to close. Oh, I need to vote. To clear the vote.

Bills: HB3622, HB3621, HB3151, HB3882, HB3661, HB4273, HB3644, HB3706, HB3708, HB2021, HB3986, HB3972

Keywords: HB3622, 2030 Census, Decennial Census, U.S. Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Commerce Department, census preparation, federal census, state treasury fund, revolving fund, continuing fund, deemed appropriated, technology upgrades, census outreach, redistricting, population count, Title 74, OMES, State Treasurer, budgeting

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a new tax exemption.
• This is not a new tax exemption.
• This is not a new tax exemption.
• There's a tax on that. Then there's a tax when... There's a tax on that.
• incentives and tax cuts, I think this legislature gave a billion-dollar tax break to Florida.

Bills: S0006, S0026, S0206, S0532, S0576, S1012, S1110, S1178, S1192, S1758, S1760, S7046, S7048

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• kids for kindergarten and prepare kids for kindergarten and beyond. beyond. beyond.
• Academic research has shown that the requirement has not resulted in better prepared CPAs.
• Academic research has shown that the requirement has not resulted in better prepared CPAs.
• Academic research has shown that the requirement has not resulted in better prepared CPAs.
• Academic research has shown that the requirement has not resulted in better prepared CPAs.

Bills: HF1458, HF2063, HF2164, HF1377, HF927, HF1059, HF1910, HF2232

Keywords: CPA, certified public accountant, public accounting, accountancy, licensure, license mobility, substantial equivalency, interstate practice, out-of-state accountant, NASBA, Uniform CPA Examination, board of accountancy, attest services, audit, tax preparation, financial advisory, consulting, accounting education, master's degree, bachelor's degree

Transcript Highlights:

• We must prepare the next generation to steward it, and SB 1062 helps us do exactly that.
• This bill allows candidates to access coursework at an educator preparation institute, all satisfying
• This bill allows candidates to access coursework at an educator preparation institute, all satisfying
• Thank you. ...to the real world, which has prepared me for my future.
• Well, the real estate commission, the dental board, had approved programs, well, thorough, prepared,

Bills: S1062, S1718, S7038

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.

Bills: HB3622

Keywords: HB3622, 2030 Census, Decennial Census, U.S. Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Commerce Department, census preparation, federal census, state treasury fund, revolving fund, continuing fund, deemed appropriated, technology upgrades, census outreach, redistricting, population count, Title 74, OMES, State Treasurer, budgeting

Summary: The Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism committee met and laid over items 4 and 5 before taking up three census-related bills. House Bill 3620 was presented as creating the 2030 Census Committee and was advanced after brief questions and a unanimous 5-0 roll call vote. House Bill 3621 was then considered; the author requested and received unanimous consent to strike the enacting clause, then explained that the bill would create an Oklahoma State Data Center within LSP to centralize census data. A question from Minority Leader Kurt clarified that the state demographer would remain with Commerce, while the new center would aggregate data for transparency. The bill passed 6-0. House Bill 3622 was next, creating a census revolving fund with an initial appropriation of about $500,000. In response to a question, the author said the funding was expected to be included in the current budget/allotment for policy items still moving through. After no further debate, the committee approved the bill 7-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Bills: HB3622

Keywords: HB3622, 2030 Census, Decennial Census, U.S. Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Commerce Department, census preparation, federal census, state treasury fund, revolving fund, continuing fund, deemed appropriated, technology upgrades, census outreach, redistricting, population count, Title 74, OMES, State Treasurer, budgeting

Transcript Highlights:

• Palby was able to get preparation.
• <00:32:49.279> It preparing teachers in that space. It preparing teachers in that space.
• um work as part of their preparation um work as part of their preparation before<00:59:40.480>
• preparation, recruitment, and retention. preparation, recruitment, and retention.
• preparation programs across the state. preparation programs across the state.

Bills: HF3421

Keywords: early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• tax bill?
• When you look at the tax years 2005 to 2019, the statewide taxes, property taxes, were growing at nearly
• Tax rates matter. Yes, and property taxes for industrial property taxes.
• Tax rates matter. Yes, and property taxes for industrial property taxes.
• Compared to property taxes? Property taxes are 48% of our general revenue. Sales tax, 27%.

Bills: SB9

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear Senate Bill 9, which would lower the voter-approval tax rate for certain local taxing units from 3.5% to 2.5%. Sen. Bettencourt, the bill author, argued the change would continue the state’s property tax reforms begun in 2019, slow local levy growth, and give voters more say over larger tax increases. He and supporters cited data showing property tax levies have grown faster than population plus inflation, and said the bill would help protect taxpayers while preserving the state’s broader investments in school tax relief, water, rural law enforcement, and ambulance funding. Supporters included the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and the Texas Association of Manufacturers. They said the bill would improve transparency, encourage more disciplined budgeting, and create certainty for homeowners and businesses. They argued that lower tax-rate growth would help attract and retain employers and investment, and that voters would still be able to approve higher rates when needed. Local officials and other opponents said the bill would constrain cities and counties facing rapid growth, inflation, infrastructure needs, and public safety costs. Testimony from county judges, city finance officials, firefighters, and urban county representatives emphasized pressures from jail operations, roads, water, EMS, police and fire staffing, and unfunded mandates. Several witnesses asked for carve-outs or exemptions for public safety and disaster-related costs, warning that a one-size-fits-all cap could force service cuts or shift costs elsewhere. The committee heard extensive questioning but no final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It reduces the cost of tax preparation and it reduces the Department of Revenue's administrative costs
• It reduces the cost<00:03:51.599> of<00:03:51.760> tax<00:03:52.000> preparation
• <00:03:52.319> and<00:03:52.560> it<00:03:52.959> reduces cost of tax preparation
• and it reduces cost of tax preparation and it reduces the<00:03:53.519> department<00:03:53.760
• tax.

Bills: HR1, HF387

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Just be prepared.
• They've raised $133,000 and the request is to exempt the sales tax on those... to exempt that sales tax
• tax credit.
• We would not reduce anyone's income taxes. ...would not reduce anyone's income taxes.
• aren't paying tax here anyway.

Bills: SB177, HB83, HB203, HB218, HB256, HB350, HB530, HB546, HB577, HB259

Keywords: entertainment, film, music, production incentives, Alabama Film Office, tax rebates, media industry, economic development, Baptist convention, tax exemption, sales and use tax, Alabama, nonprofit, HB203, High Socks for Hope, nonprofit tax exemption, sales tax, use tax, state tax exemption, local option tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• beginning in tax year 2030.
• beginning in tax year 2030.
• The Tax Commission, nor elected assessors, are in the business of tax collection; tax collection is done
• I'm not the tax collector.
• I'm not the tax collector.

Bills: HCR35, HB440, HB515, HB543, HB614, HB1010, HB1039, HB1088, HB1122, HB1179, HB1200

Keywords: tax delinquency, property sale, rehabilitation, Louisiana State Law Institute, legislation, homestead exemption, property tax, parish governance, Louisiana Constitution, voter approval, adjudicated property, real estate, political subdivisions, property sales, government authority, residential lease, tax credit, property valuation, Louisiana constitution, disaster response

Transcript Highlights:

• That portion of the severance tax.
• Is it possible that a lot of people don’t file their taxes personally and Liberty Tax or whoever else
• We have the capacity to put 26 tax returns on the... ...to put 26 tax return or tax donations on the
• tax return.
• rate rather than multiple tax rates.

Bills: HB156, HB474, HB602, HB633, HB852

Keywords: severance tax, parish revenue, constitutional amendment, natural resources, local government funding, HB 474, Act 400, Louisiana income tax, tax refund checkoff, refund donation, alumni association, Grambling University National Alumni Association, Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association, Department of Revenue, Title 47, voluntary contribution, tax return designation, state tax refund, nonprofit donation, higher education

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 16, 2026, and heard several tax-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on severance tax revenues and tax checkoff provisions. HB 156 by Rep. Bagley proposed a constitutional amendment to remove the cap on the 20% share of severance tax revenues remitted to parishes where production occurs. Supporters from parish government and the Police Jury Association argued the cap prevents local governments from receiving the full share originally intended and leaves them short on road, bridge, drainage, and other infrastructure costs caused by resource extraction. Members raised concerns about the bill’s roughly $42 million fiscal note and the state budget impact, and after discussion of possible phase-ins or other compromises, the bill was voluntarily deferred without objection. The committee then considered HB 602 by Rep. Bamberg, a related proposal to increase the parish severance tax cap over time to $15 million, with an amendment tying the increase to parishes that exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxes. Fiscal staff said the amendment’s impact would vary by parish and needed further review. Members discussed how the bill would interact with the separate inventory tax constitutional amendment and whether the phased approach or added guardrails would make the proposal more workable. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was also voluntarily deferred. HB 852 by Rep. Lyons, which reinstates an income tax checkoff for donations to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, was amended to keep the checkoff only if it meets a $5,000 threshold for two consecutive years rather than a higher threshold. Members debated whether tax return checkoffs crowd the return or amount to state-facilitated fundraising, while supporters said the program is important and easy for taxpayers to use. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 474 by Rep. Young, creating a similar checkoff for the Grambling University National Alumni Association, was also reported favorably without objection after members raised similar concerns about the growing number of checkoffs. Finally, the committee heard HB 633 by Chairman Bacala, a cleanup bill adjusting estimated tax payment deadlines, penalty calculations, and references to the standard deduction. The Department of Revenue said the changes align penalty timing with current filing dates and simplify calculations now that Louisiana has a single tax rate structure. An amendment set making technical and conforming changes was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The meeting then adjourned.

Bills: HB386, HB387, HB388, HB389, HB386, HB387, HB388, HB389

Keywords: HB386, food tax, grocery tax, sales tax reduction, use tax, Education Trust Fund, state revenue trigger, tax cut, consumer tax relief, Alabama sales tax, Alabama use tax, groceries, retail tax, revenue growth threshold, county and municipal tax, fiscal trigger, sales tax, food taxation, local government, financial growth

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one, SB301 by Hobie, is related to electronic filing of business property taxes allowed by
• , where the revenue commissioner is authorized to perform duties of selling and redeeming land for taxes

Bills: SB301, SB329

Keywords: Lee County, Alabama, business personal property tax, business property tax, personal property tax return, electronic filing, e-filing, tax administration, revenue commissioner, county tax, business tax return, tax preparer, third-party preparer, property tax returns, online tax filing, local legislation, land redemption, taxation, administrative fee, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would extend the franchise tax credit, repeal the sales tax exemption, and tie the franchise
• The law allows a taxing unit to levy an unrestricted INS, interest and sinking property tax rate, to
• Senate Bill 1453 does permit a taxing entity to adopt an INS rate higher than the minimum tax rate if
• a hard time affording their taxes.
• Adjusting their INS tax rates.

Bills: SB263, SB467, SB850, SB1030, SB1352, SB1453, SB2064, SB2206, SB2779, SJR84

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• And decreasing taxes, the tax year would allow us to.
• the tax is going?
• and $163.5 million in the 1% municipal sales tax and a half-cent sales tax for property tax relief.
• but no more sales tax.
• tax.

Bills: HB134, HB135, HB 1109, HB 1243, HB1392, HB1399, HJR99, HB134, HB135

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, local tax, municipal tax, county tax, tax sourcing, place of business, principal business location, small business, retailer, marketplace seller, economic development agreement, Chapter 321, Chapter 323, Tax Code, Texas Comptroller, local sales and use tax, tax jurisdiction, order consummation, ship-to location

Transcript Highlights:

• I haven't arrived to call the House Tax Committee to order.
• Welcome to the Tax Committee.
• As tax practitioners, we use published state letter rulings as a tool to provide tax guidance for our
• Her options currently are to collect and remit sales tax, perhaps overcharging customers a sales tax
• It would improve tax administration by creating consistency for both the taxpayer and tax administrators

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding