A committee member criticized a recent lawsuit by municipalities over distribution of online‑sales tax revenue and announced plans to hold legal agreements coming before the committee.

The member traced the state’s collection of online‑sales tax revenue to the post‑Wayfair changes adopted in 2015 and said the system has since generated billions for state and local governments. "Then the Wayfarer decision came about, an opportunity presented itself," he said, adding that the legislature originally crafted distribution rules and should retain responsibility for allocating taxpayer dollars. "It is not the judiciary's role to be involved with public moneys other than using that which is appropriated... This lawsuit is dangerous," the member said.

The speaker said he would take actions "on any and all of these" legal matters within the scope of the committee's purview and explicitly stated his plan "to hold all of these" legal contracts and items that related to the matter. Legislative Services staff later confirmed specific items would be held; Joel Blankenship told the committee "these will be held" and named Legislative Services and a set of staff items for action.

The remarks did not produce a formal vote; the committee deferred several legal‑services and related contracts for additional review following the member's statement.

Why it matters: The comment links litigation over online‑sales tax distribution to potential procedural delays for legal contracts the committee would otherwise process, signaling an interbranch dispute that could affect legal spending and budget allocations.