Transcript Highlights:

• LaPisa, an act to amend the General Business Law.
• LAP IS A, AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW.
• And New York is the center of that business.
• WE'RE GOING TO DRIVE THIS BUSINESS AWAY.
• Any further business at the desk? There is no further business at the desk.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And honestly, it is the American dream to start a business and provide for your family.
• And honestly, it is the American dream to start a business and provide for your family.
• And honestly, it is the American dream to start a business and provide for your family.
• of course, is good for small businesses all across the state.
• Representative Stevenson. ...order to actually open their business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> businesses filing fraud protection. businesses filing fraud protection.
• Uh, I talked to a small business owner not long ago who owns an independent small business and a toy
• </c> businesses closed. Right. Target soared. businesses closed. Right. Target soared.
• </c> businesses. You want to shift that away. businesses. You want to shift that away.
• business community strong.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the rising cost of everyday business, With the rising cost of everyday business for our lodges,
• And that is something that with EcoDev, my family owns a business.
• Small businesses gain customers and visibility from those driving to the casino.
• Thank you for your advocacy for the businesses in our Commonwealth.
• Last order of business is to read in.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola and Sen. Barry Finegold, held a lengthy hearing on a range of gambling-related bills. Testimony first focused on H. 496 to allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to authorize Plain Ridge Park Casino to add table games and more slot machines. Supporters, including Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Sen. Finegold, Rep. Barry R. Finegold, Rep. Brian Vaughn, and Plainville officials, argued the change was needed to keep Massachusetts gaming dollars from flowing to Rhode Island, protect jobs, and preserve local tax revenue. They described Plain Ridge as a strong community partner and cited host-community benefits such as municipal infrastructure projects and local aid. Opponents or skeptical witnesses later argued that expanded gambling, especially online, would increase harm and cannibalize existing casinos and local economies. The committee also heard testimony on bills related to sports betting restrictions and online gambling. Sen. John Keenan presented a “Better Health Act” proposal to ban prop bets and in-play bets, require affordability checks, prohibit hosts, raise the sports betting excise tax, expand funding for problem-gambling services, and increase research and data sharing. He and supporters framed the bill as a public-health response to addiction, suicide, bankruptcy, and other harms. Rep. David Nangle, speaking from personal experience with gambling addiction, strongly opposed internet gaming, warning that it would intensify addiction and expose children and families to 24/7 gambling on phones. In contrast, Rep. David Moradian and industry witnesses supported H. 4431 to legalize and regulate internet gaming, arguing it would bring illegal activity into a regulated market, generate new revenue, and include consumer protections such as age verification, deposit limits, self-exclusion, and responsible-gaming tools. The committee also took testimony on H. 4238, which would expand fundraising options for fraternal organizations, especially the Elks. Rep. Bruce Ayers and Elks representatives said the bill would help lodges raise money for scholarships, veterans’ services, and community programs after COVID-related losses and declining membership. On H. 480, Rep. Kathleen LaNatra, Rep. Badger, and representatives of veterans organizations and gaming-machine operators urged allowing qualified veterans groups to participate in certain video gaming activity, saying it would provide a sustainable revenue source to keep posts open and support veterans’ services. Dr. Rachel Volberg testified that expanding gambling, especially online gambling and slot machines at veterans organizations, would likely increase gambling harm, and she urged stronger harm-prevention measures, data reporting, and research funding. Other witnesses, including anti-gambling advocates and industry representatives, sharply disagreed over whether legalization would reduce illegal gambling or worsen addiction and social costs. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• California Business Properties Association, in support. Good morning, Madam Chair and members.
• California Business Properties Association, in support. Okay, thank you very much.
• And even when new regulations are proposed and passed, our businesses may not feel it for years later
• I also hear from businesses, from the... of cooling your home. It's all going up.
• They're absorbed through the business and ultimately passed on through the supply chain. SB 1039.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• Business. How can they... And that's not the intent.
• So that's a big chunk of the business.
• Do we have any stats about how many drivers we're losing business?
• I mean, we have to stay in business.
• These are costs of business.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2759 in executive session. The sponsor explained a committee substitute that would shift the bill’s disclosure requirement so project completion dates would be posted when work is awarded, rather than during the bidding process. Members discussed the fiscal note and whether the change could affect contractor pricing and MoDOT costs. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2759 “do pass” by a roll call of 13 ayes and one present. The committee then moved to public hearing on House Bill 1741, which would create procedures for non-consensual towing of commercial vehicles, including a towing and recovery review board, limits on storage charges while disputes are pending, restrictions on liens, access requirements, and penalties for violations. Representative Griffith said the bill is aimed at protecting independent truckers from excessive towing charges while still allowing emergency road clearance. Members raised concerns about the scope of the bill, the lack of a dispute timeline, the proposed $25,000 penalty, the ban on per-pound billing, and whether the bill could interfere with emergency towing or create litigation involving the state. Supporters, including representatives from trucking groups, described large and sometimes excessive tow bills, argued that small owner-operators can be bankrupted by these costs, and said Missouri lacks a meaningful complaint process. Opponents from towing associations said the bill, as written, could prevent non-consensual commercial tows because towers need a lien or other leverage to get paid, especially when vehicles or cargo are abandoned or out of state. They also argued that emergency recoveries are dangerous, expensive, and highly variable, and that the bill should be narrowed and clarified. The sponsor and witnesses on both sides indicated a willingness to keep working on amendments, and no final action was taken on House Bill 1741 during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how long have you owned the property that this business is on?
• Did you change your business purpose at some point? No, ma'am.
• Did you, did you change your business purpose at some point? No, ma'am.
• I mean, I want all your business, right? And it's just.
• to go somewhere else or massively inconvenience their business.

Bills: SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1898 , SB2050

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House. The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending. The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• First order of business: roll call.
• Majority being present, the House is now ready to do business.
• House will now advance to the second order of business: prayer and pledge.
• The House set the fourth order of business January 12th, 2026. Mr.
• The House sets the seventh order of business. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out as a matter of pending business House Bill 1.
• The chair lays out House Bill 2963 as a matter of pending business.
• The chair lays out House Bill 3520 as a matter of pending business.
• Chair lays out as a matter of pending business House Bill 3520.
• Chair, ladies, as a matter of pending business, House Bill 5435.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and considered several House bills. House Bill 111 was taken up as a committee substitute; members briefly discussed what entities the bill would apply to, and the committee substitute was adopted and reported favorably to the full Senate by a 6-5 vote. House Bill 150, relating to the Texas Cyber Command, received extensive explanation of a revised committee substitute that made the command a standalone state agency, allowed flexible state partnerships, preserved vendor neutrality, added emergency purchasing guardrails and reporting, protected existing confidentiality laws, limited monitoring to contracted entities, and clarified coordination with law enforcement rather than direct prosecution. The substitute was adopted and HB 150 was reported favorably 11-0. The committee also reported House Bill 2517 favorably without debate, 10 ayes and 1 present not voting. House Bill 2963 was considered with a committee substitute that added a definition of “power sports vehicle” and exempted those items from the right-to-repair bill; the substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 3520 was reported favorably by a 7-4 vote, and House Bill 5435 was reported favorably 11-0 and also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. After completing the votes, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unanimous consent to that order of business. Announcements are miscellaneous.
• Hearing no objection, we're on that order of business: messages from the House.
• Unanimous consent to go down to business: introduction of legislation.
• Order of business: introduction of legislation. It's a reader to read.
• Unanimous consent, we go without our business announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for most of these, the business objectives were fully met.
• It's a means to an end for a business problem.
• We're through business email compromise.
• So the business value assessment...
• This is a business transformation. This isn't a technology transformation.

Summary: The committee received several informational reports from NDIT and DPI. Justin Data reviewed the quarterly major IT project portfolio, noting the portfolio was slightly under budget and behind schedule overall, with three red schedule items: Bed Management System and Vital Records were essentially complete and being closed out, and the Roadway Capital Planning Project was delayed by vendor bug fixes after testing. He also summarized recent project startups and closeouts, including the Victim Notification System, Medicaid data exchange, Highway Patrol’s motor carrier permit system, and several completed HHS and RIMS projects. Members asked for follow-up on ADA compliance work, the public-facing RIO website, and the state’s mainframe retirement timeline, and staff agreed to provide updates later. Craig Falkley reported on coordination of services with political subdivisions and higher education, including StageNet, cybersecurity, radio/911 services, and PeopleSoft coordination. He also explained distributed ledger technology as a tool for transparency and fraud prevention, but said it is not widely used in state government and suggested the report be modernized to focus more broadly on emerging technologies such as AI and cybersecurity. The committee generally agreed that the topic should be updated. Chris Gurgan presented the mandatory cybersecurity incident reporting program created by HB 1314, explaining how agencies and political subdivisions report incidents through NDIT’s website or service desk. He said 77 incidents had been reported since 2021, 47 met the statutory definition, and most were phishing-related; most reported incidents were resolved, with one recent ransomware matter still open. He also reviewed notable incidents since the last report, including the PowerSchool compromise, a SimpleHelp intrusion at a school district, a court intrusion, a WSUS vulnerability, a business email compromise, and a recent ransomware incident involving a non-state critical infrastructure entity. Members asked about recovery of stolen funds, early warning signs, smishing, training, MFA, conditional access, and cybersecurity maturity assessments; Gurgan said the state uses MFA and conditional access, provides awareness training to state employees, and would return with more information on maturity assessments. Tony Ambrose then updated the committee on the K-12 student information system bridge project. He said district implementation of Infinite Campus had begun statewide, but the data migration vendor originally selected was terminated for poor performance and replaced by Aurora Educational Technology, which had experience with similar statewide migrations. He also said DPI is migrating special education data from Tynet into Infinite Campus, and that some SLDS-based tools such as e-transcripts and Choice Ready may not function exactly as they do now at July 1, requiring interim or alternative solutions. Members raised concerns about summer school disruptions, the timing of the cutover, and whether the new system would support existing reporting and transcript functions; DPI said it was working on identity, authentication, data-sharing agreements, and post-go-live integrations, and would continue to refine the plan beyond June 30.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:36.000><c> in</c> to help to promote small business in to help to promote small business in
• Businesses were seeing that business was actually better without smoke, and we got the state law passed
• Businesses were seeing that business was actually better without smoke, and we got the state law passed
• Businesses were seeing that business was actually better without smoke, and we got the state law passed
• Businesses were seeing that business was actually better without smoke, and we got the state law passed

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 29, 2025, and heard testimony on HB 108, which concerns intoxicating liquor and would expand direct-to-consumer shipping for beer and spirits. Supporters included representatives of Koloa Rum Company, Maui Brewing Company, and Ola Brew, who argued the bill would modernize alcohol laws, help small local producers compete, support jobs and local agriculture, and give consumers more access to Hawaii-made products. They also said Hawaii already has experience regulating direct wine shipments, with age verification and carrier-based delivery systems in place, and that direct shipping could help businesses reach visitors after they return home and diversify beyond tourism. Opposition came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, whose representative said the bill could increase access for underage drinking, especially because liquor commissions do not currently conduct compliance checks on alcohol shipments and may lack capacity to do so. The group also raised tax-enforcement concerns, saying the existing three-tier system makes excise and sales tax collection easier, while direct shipping would require additional auditing. They urged the committee to oppose the bill or defer it until more research is done, and suggested a common carrier reporting requirement to help reconcile shipments. Committee members questioned both sides about whether current law already allows some alcohol shipments, whether a Kentucky distiller could ship directly to Hawaii, and how reciprocity with other states would work. Supporters said the bill is modeled on wine-shipping language and could be amended to clarify reciprocity, while opponents said the bill lacks a common carrier reporting requirement and would place a burden on county liquor commissions. No vote or final action on HB 108 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The board's intent to award the full $150 million in grants to private and public business businesses
• We know that 99% or so of businesses that are formed in Texas are small businesses representing about
• Plus we had 10 small. business members on this council, along with other business association heads,
• For an example, a business.
• business personal property tax.

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> renewal as a Kakaako Business renewal as a Kakaako Business Representative<00:01:53.360><c> board
• </c> Kaka board and he is the uh business Kaka board and he is the uh business small<00:02:55.040><c>
• business</c><00:02:55.440><c> representative.
• </c><00:02:56.000><c> His</c> small business representative. His small business representative.
• ><c> the</c><00:02:57.599><c> Kakaakov</c> business is located in the Kakaakov business is located in

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard GM 735, a nomination for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) of Michael Chia for a term ending June 30, 2029. HCDA Executive Director Craig Nakamoto testified in support, saying Chia had served on the board over the past year and brought experience in financial planning, client advising, and a willingness to serve the community. The committee also noted written testimony in support from DBEDT Director James Tokioka, Mike Ozua, and Ianaka LLC. Members discussed Chia’s role as the Kakaako business representative on the HCDA board and noted that his business is located in the Kakaako Community Development District. The chair praised HCDA’s work and said the agency’s responsibilities appear to be expanding beyond Oahu to the neighbor islands, including Maui. Chia thanked the committee and said he looked forward to the next four years. The chair recommended advise and consent on GM 735. There was no discussion against the motion, and the recommendation was adopted by vote, with the chair and vice chair voting aye; Senator Chang voted aye; Senator McKelby and Senator Dort were excused. The committee then concluded its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Business on the Speaker's desk: communications from the Governor.
• Bills and other business from the Senate.
• Unfinished business. Representative Winninger. Unfinished business. Representative Winninger. Mr.
• And what they talk about with that medical provider is no one else's business.
• Their businesses...

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several points of personal privilege recognizing guests, including a newly graduated Army servicemember, the Doctor of the Day, and members of Delta Sigma Theta visiting for Delta Day at the Capitol. The chamber also adopted a proclamation designating April 10, 2026, as Founders Day in the City of Tolleson, with remarks highlighting the city’s history and the Whoopi Days Festival. The House then appointed a conference committee on HB 2874 after voting not to concur in Senate amendments. The House considered several bills in Committee of the Whole. On SB 1058, a floor amendment offered by Rep. Gutierrez to address gun trafficking, merchant codes, and related enforcement tools failed by a vote of 17-32, and the bill was then recommended do pass. SB 1094, dealing with civil liability related to gender transition procedures for minors, drew extended debate over constitutionality, medical liability, and impacts on physicians and patients, and it was also recommended do pass. SB 1136, SB 1422, and SB 1663 (with a Blackman floor amendment adopted) each received do pass recommendations. Later, the House adopted Committee of the Whole reports placing SB 1075 and SB 1202 on third reading, retaining SB 1419 on the calendar, and advancing SCM 1004 and SCM 1007. On third reading, the House passed SB 1024, SB 1148, SB 1232, SB 1293, and SB 1586, with members explaining votes on issues including vehicle registration, Supreme Court administration, outdoor advertising and zoning, GPLET tax policy, and state agency matters. The chamber then recessed briefly for announcements and personal privilege remarks, and finally adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Business on the Speaker's desk: communications from the Governor.
• Business on the Speaker's desk: communications from the Governor.
• Bills and other business from the Senate.
• Unfinished business. Representative Winninger. Unfinished business. Representative Winninger. Mr.
• And what they talk about with that medical provider is no one else's business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't issue led nonpartisan, nonprofit any more than 70 clean energy businesses found across the
• Thousands of Minnesotans—renters, small businesses, schools, and especially low- and moderate-income
• IT BUILT MINNESOTA BUSINESSES. IT BUILT CAREERS BUILD OPPORTUNITY.
• Our members are primarily multigenerational family businesses or farmer-owned cooperatives throughout
• BUSINESS PLAN TO GET THIS PIPE THE GROUND AND SO WE CAN DO IT THE BETTER THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• These small businesses employ hundreds or thousands of workers, and we need to keep the promise that
• We almost lost Eaze, which is the largest cannabis delivery business in California.
• To say that these businesses... ...that are unionized under a UFCW contract.
• To say that these businesses are struggling, we have been screaming that the British are coming for a
• I represent the Equity Trade Network, which is around 47 small businesses. and I support this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met with a delayed start while waiting for quorum, then heard several bills before moving to the suspense file. AB 564 by Assemblymember Haney would freeze the planned cannabis excise tax increase at 15% rather than allow it to rise to 25%; supporters argued the legal cannabis industry is struggling against the illicit market and high taxes, while opponents said the measure would reduce funding for children, youth programs, environmental restoration, and enforcement promised under Prop. 64. The bill was sent to suspense during regular order and later approved out of suspense on a 6-0 vote with amendments, including a five-year sunset and a reduced rate. AB 1265, also by Haney, would extend and expand the state historic tax credit to encourage rehabilitation of vacant historic buildings for housing and mixed-use projects; preservation and housing advocates supported it, and it was also sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee then heard AB 1377 by Assemblymember McKenna, which would require studios seeking optional diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility film tax credits to complete the plans they submit to the California Film Commission. Labor supporters said studios should do more than make good-faith efforts, and the bill passed 5-1 to Appropriations. AB 1416 by Vice Chair Ta would clarify disaster-related property tax deferrals for homeowners who have requested installment plans, and it passed 7-0 to the Assembly Floor. Afterward, the chair gave a general warning that the bills on suspense represented large revenue losses and emphasized the committee’s need to weigh tax expenditures against other state priorities. On the suspense file, the committee approved AB 27, AB 53, AB 97, AB 231, AB 232, AB 429, AB 613, AB 984, and AB 1485, mostly on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, while AB 547 passed 5-1. Several other bills, including AB 386, AB 389, AB 490, AB 6991, AB 814, AB 1057, AB 1219, AB 1282, AB 1354, AB 1431, AB 1435, and AB 1481, were held in committee. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after completing the suspense-file actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not trying to hurt business.
• We are not trying to hurt business.
• We are not trying to hurt business.
• We are not trying to hurt business.
• </c><01:10:20.719><c> of</c> impacts on them and the business of impacts on them and the business of

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> after that business model of fraud. after that business model of fraud.
• </c> And so when you hear businesses And so when you hear businesses interests,<01:21:16.080><c> which
• > been</c><01:29:55.040><c> consistent</c> The business must have been consistent The business must have
• </c> we are concerned that a small business we are concerned that a small business could<01:30:25.240
• ><c> have</c><01:30:52.160><c> acted</c> For small businesses that have acted For small businesses that

Bills: HF4234 , HF3697 , HF1183 , HF4738

Committee: House Taxes