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Finance and Taxation committee votes 'do not pass' on Senate Bill 2,281 after debate over youth access and tax scope
Summary
The committee voted 10–3–1 to recommend 'do not pass' on Senate Bill 2,281 after members debated whether the measure's tax changes and scope would address youth access; some members urged study or alternative penalties.
The Finance and Taxation Committee voted to recommend a “do not pass” on Senate Bill 2,281 after members debated whether the measure’s tax changes would address youth access to the products at issue.
Chairman Hedlund cast a “yes” as the clerk called the roll on the motion to recommend rejection. Representative Haggart moved the do-not-pass motion; Representative Machinbacher seconded it. The clerk recorded the motion as successful with a 10–3–1 result.
The bill generated several lines of questioning about whether raising taxes is the right tool to protect underage users and whether evidence supports criminalizing or redirecting enforcement. Representative Steiner urged study of alternatives aimed at youth protection, saying, “At the minimum, we should study what we can do to benefit our youth. And maybe it isn't increasing the tax.” Steiner also raised concerns about youth obtaining products through phone apps, saying students reported getting product brought into schools.
Other committee members expressed different views on the appropriate role of the Legislature. Representative Olson said enforcement falls to law enforcement and urged caution about expanding statutory penalties. Representative Neri said the focus should be on adult sellers, calling the youth the “end user.” Representative Haggart said he did not see fairness in the tax and formally moved the do-not-pass recommendation.
Representative Steiner and others said testimony from Legacy High School students indicated firsthand reports of youth use but members disagreed about whether that testimony established illegal supply chains such as a black market. Representative Steiner described testimony that students obtained product “from a guy who brings it to the school,” which she characterized as a black market supply pathway.
After the vote, members discussed who would carry the bill if it advanced. Representative Dressler and Representative Porter were mentioned in that context; Representative Dressler volunteered to work on changes. No amendments were adopted on the floor during this meeting; members said they would continue discussions outside the committee.
Votes at a glance: the committee approved the motion recommending "do not pass" on Senate Bill 2,281. The motion was made by Representative Haggart and seconded by Representative Machinbacher. Tally: yes 10, no 3, abstain 1. The clerk's roll-call contained named votes including Chairman Hedlund (yes), Vice Chair Hager (yes), Representative Anderson (yes), Representative Dressler (yes), Representative Greenach (yes), Representative Machtenbach (yes), Representative Nehring (yes), Representative Olson (yes), Representative Steiner (no), Representative Toman (yes), and Representative Foss (no); portions of the clerk's roll-call in the transcript were truncated or unclear for a small number of names.
The committee did not adopt the bill and members said interested legislators would work on possible amendments or alternative approaches and return to the issue at a later time.
