Appropriations committee adopts delete‑all amendment and reports House sales‑tax bill as vehicle for tax package

Summary

The Senate Appropriations Committee adopted a delete‑all amendment to House Bill 7031 and reported the bill favorably as the vehicle for a broader tax package that includes a 0.75 percentage‑point sales tax reduction, changes to the business rent tax and other tax items, with final details to be negotiated before sine die.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations on Oct. 11 adopted a delete‑all amendment to House Bill 7031 and reported the bill favorably as amended, making it the legislative vehicle for a multicomponent tax package.

Senator Hooper explained the amendment (barcode 535388) and said the amendment replaces the bill’s text to prepare the measure for conference with the House. In closing, Hooper summarized the tax package details under negotiation: a 0.75 percentage‑point reduction in the state sales tax rate, a reduction of the commercial rent rate from 2% to 1.25%, elimination of the business rent tax, creation of permanent sales tax exemptions, and continuation of sales tax holidays — with additional details to be negotiated before sine die.

There were no public appearance forms or extended debate recorded on the amendment. The committee adopted the delete‑all amendment and reported House Bill 7031 favorably as amended by roll call.

The measure will proceed as the agreed vehicle for the tax package and is subject to further negotiations and final language changes in conference between the chambers.