Exceptionally slow database response time on Linq query

t.states = (from s in tmdb.tmZipCodes
                        where zips.Contains(s.ZipCode) && s.tmLicensing.Required.Equals(true)
                        group s by new Licensing {
                            stateCode = s.tmLicensing.StateCode,
                            stateName = s.tmLicensing.StateName,
                            FIPSCode = s.tmLicensing.FIPSCode,
                            required = (bool)s.tmLicensing.Required,
                            requirements = s.tmLicensing.Requirements,
                            canWorkWhen = s.tmLicensing.CanWorkWhen,
                            appProccesingTime = (int) s.tmLicensing.AppProcessingTime
                        }
                            into state
                            select state.Key).ToList();

s.tmLicensing.Required.Equals(true)

s.tmLicensing

t.states = (from s in tmdb.tmZipCodes
            where zips.Contains(s.ZipCode) && s.tmLicensing.Required.Equals(true)
            select new Licensing {
                stateCode = s.tmLicensing.StateCode,
                stateName = s.tmLicensing.StateName,
                FIPSCode = s.tmLicensing.FIPSCode,
                required = (bool)s.tmLicensing.Required,
                requirements = s.tmLicensing.Requirements,
                canWorkWhen = s.tmLicensing.CanWorkWhen,
                appProccesingTime = (int) s.tmLicensing.AppProcessingTime
            }).Distinct().ToList();