Transcript Highlights:

• mineral riches and more specifically Excuse me, the potential development of a critical minerals industry
• And I think that if there were the prospect of financial assistance to jumpstart the mining industry,
• That in and of itself requires, forget about rare earth minerals, but as an example, the hydro industry
• Ensuring the innovative industries in the U.S. and in the allied nations have the resources they need
• The industry in the U.S. and beyond faces a list of challenges.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: Greenland, acquisition, national security, Arctic, geopolitical, China, Russia, icebreakers, trade routes

Summary: The meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focused on the potential acquisition of Greenland by the United States. This issue, first raised by President Trump in 2019, has gained renewed significance amidst shifting global dynamics and the strategic importance of Greenland in relation to transatlantic trade routes and national security. The members discussed the geopolitical implications of Greenland's position, especially given the increasing influence of China and Russia in the Arctic region. Notably, the urgency to address military presence and icebreaker capabilities in the Arctic was a major point of contention, with a call for a new fleet to counter foreign dominance in the area.

Transcript Highlights:

• May 10, a federal uniform standard is set to take effect that would affect the short-term lodging industry
• that would affect the short-term effect that would affect the short-term lodging<00:20:39.120><c> industry
• and that is a lodging industry and that is a nationwide<00:20:41.400><c> standard</c><00:20:41.840><
• to understand some of the challenges that our small businesses are using to support our tourism industry
• Next up, we have the Hawaii Food Industry Association on Zoom.

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism, Housing, and Economic Development and Technology began with House Bill 604, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by 1 percentage point starting January 1, 2026 and direct the revenue to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a source of consistent funding, while the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed it, warning that Hawaii already has very high tourism taxes and that further increases could hurt visitors, workers, and the broader economy. The committees later voted to pass HB 604 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date; the vote was adopted, with one member noted as having reservations in the housing committee vote and one no vote in that committee. The committees then heard House Bill 973, which would require transient accommodations brokers and others to display all resort fees, taxes, and government-imposed charges upfront in advertised prices and would establish penalties. The Office of Consumer Protection expressed concerns about the bill’s intent requirement and noted a forthcoming federal FTC rule on junk fees; the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the measure as promoting transparency and uniformity, and a public witness also supported price transparency while questioning the size of the penalties. After questions about federal rescission of the FTC rule and enforcement authority, the committees voted to pass HB 973 with amendments as an HD1, including removal of the intent requirement and technical changes, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. House Bill 594, relating to hotel service disruptions, would require hotel keepers to give notice of disruptions to guests and third-party vendors and allow damages. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to add a purpose section and savings clause to address First Amendment and contract clause issues, and Unite Here Local 5 supported the bill, saying guests are not always notified of disruptions and that the measure would improve transparency; the union agreed with the legal amendments. The committees voted to pass HB 594 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date, adopting the recommendation. The final measures were House Bill 448 and House Bill 449, both related to technology enablement and economic development for small businesses, including tourism-related businesses. HTDC strongly supported both bills but emphasized that technology should be targeted to the actual problem and coordinated with sister agencies rather than applied broadly; the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce also supported HB 448, and HB 449 received support from HTDC and HFIA. The committees adopted amendments to HB 448, including moving a $250,000 appropriation to the committee report, and to HB 449, including deleting duplicative language tied to HB 448 and moving a $500,000 appropriation to the committee report; both bills were passed as HD1s with deferred dates, and the hearing adjourned after the votes were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• For too long, the Department of Industrial Relations... ...these impacts.
• It requires DIR, the Department of Industrial Relations, to partner with state worker unions to develop
• It requires DIR, the Department of Industrial Relations, to partner with state worker unions to develop
• We are an amalgamated union, meaning we have workers in a number of different industries.
• This bill serves to address understaffing at the Department of Industrial Relations by uniting state

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• We've always had good discussions, and it was always a lot of fun doing things to support an industry
• But this is a particular industry that is incredibly important to the state of Missouri.
• We need the tourism industry to keep Missouri thriving and to help our economy.
• always important to have individuals like yourselves that understand the importance of the tourism industry
• So I just want to confirm that there are not... industry. Thank you for your work.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• It's over 270 members in the construction industry of all sizes.
• I can remember several years ago, we were meeting with industry people, home builders.
• Louis County with industry people for a number of years. I've heard that three times now. I know.
• Now, I believe this bill is more of an overarching, what I would call, industry-related bill.
• I think there's other issues that are affecting the industry that this bill attempts to correct.

Committee: House Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I think overseeing the industry, the companies have tried to regulate this.
• Well, do you want the industry to develop ways that the parent can have control over their kids' screen
• It must utilize the analysis of economic and industry data.
• I'm excited to learn about the gambling industry and just keeping the public safe while we do it.
• Come on up; Amy Harris with the Washington Technology Industry Association.

Bills: SB5976 , SB6111 , SB6250 , SB6257 , SB6289 , SGA9060 , SGA9169 , SGA9265 , SGA9266

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: commercial email, spam regulations, online marketing, privacy, consumer protection, SB 6111, Washington Protecting Children Online Act, online child safety, minor privacy, age verification, parental consent, social media regulation, digital platforms, user-generated content, content moderation, online harms, youth protection, data privacy, geolocation, targeted advertising

Transcript Highlights:

• compliance. ...regulations, which just means that we can better measure and ensure industry compliance
• There are many commercial and industrial facilities that have cogeneration in their sites.
• Obviously, cost is always a huge issue for our industry. You hear that quite frequently.
• So the prices will go down, just like any other industry.
• Nuclear energy is the most regulated industry in the United States for safety.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. House Bill 2272 would update state park inspection language for ski lifts and related equipment to better match current equipment and federal standards; the sponsor and State Parks said it was a simple modernization bill, and there was no opposition. House Bill 2245 would expand Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to port districts that distribute electricity, utilities with a single customer, and certain affected market customers such as data centers; supporters said it closes loopholes and applies clean-energy rules more fairly, while ports, business groups, and some utilities warned of unintended consequences, added reporting burdens, and impacts on cogeneration and rural economic development. Ecology and Commerce supported the goal but raised concerns about allowance allocation, fiscal impacts, and possible double counting, and WAPUDA asked that existing single-customer PUDs be grandfathered. House Bill 2215 would lower Climate Commitment Act thresholds for gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and propane suppliers and extend coverage to some purchasers; supporters said it would prevent entities from gaming the system and cover significant emissions now below the threshold, while Ecology, fuel distributors, propane suppliers, grocers, and business groups warned of compliance costs, supply-chain impacts, possible linkage issues, and the need to preserve existing reporting authority for natural gas. Ecology estimated about 50 additional covered entities could be brought in, and several opponents argued the bill would sweep in small family-owned businesses not intended to be regulated. House Bill 2090 would direct Commerce to develop a nuclear strategic framework for inclusion in the state energy strategy, contingent on outside funding. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill is only a planning measure to ensure Washington considers advanced nuclear as a firm, low-carbon, small-footprint resource amid rising demand, grid constraints, and land-use concerns; supporters included Energy Northwest, local governments, labor/environmental Democrats, and pro-nuclear groups. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper, tribal representatives from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and several environmental advocates, said the bill gives nuclear special treatment, relies on private funding that could bias the study, and risks advancing projects at Hanford without early, meaningful tribal consultation. Tribes requested explicit consultation, independent and publicly funded analysis, and attention to treaty rights and historic nuclear impacts. Testimony also sharply divided over cost, waste, and land use, with supporters emphasizing reliability and footprint and opponents citing high costs, unresolved waste disposal, and the immaturity of small modular reactors. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do expect to see as industries change and as federal regulations change.
• These terms are considered, compared to the industry average, to be very favorable.
• So, that's one of the key cogs in the film industry that has been missing.
• The Opportunity Enterprise prioritization policies do not differentiate by industry.
• It seems like we should ensure that they are entering growth industries, rather than industries that

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• , and to provide clarifying language to address industry concerns.
• This avoids confusion and, in conjunction with industry input, Section 28 was removed.
• We worked with industry on this, and they asked that we remove that section.
• We also worked closely with industry and looked at AB 307, which had a similar concept.
• I think the only industry that pays our employees at a higher rate is mining.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• This argument that there's no other industry regulated is not correct.
• Pipelines and the oil industry have a whole agency dedicated to it, the Texas Railroad Commission.
• So it’s applied across other industries.”
• Air pollution mainly stems from industrial activity and transportation.
• Air pollution mainly stems from industrial activity and transportation.

Bills: SB3074 , HB49 , HB2440 , HB3556 , HB3619 , HB3866 , HB4042 , HB4112 , HB4271 , HB4413 , HB4426 , HB5033 , HB49

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding. The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments. Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• make sure the Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Department of Labor and Industry
• The folks who are doing this work are currently regulated by both the Department of Labor and Industry
• And there is youth skills, which is managed under the Department of Labor and Industry.
• That industry is moving in the right direction.
• That is the story of Silicon Valley. and the tech industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trey Price, National Elevator Industry, waving in support. Thank you so much.
• Trey Price, national elevator industry, waving in support. Thank you so much.
• two industries—have worked together on.
• So our industry is really looking for new markets. We need help in that aspect.
• Cameron Fink, Associated Industries, waving in support.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee first took up SB 80, the Parks Preservation Act, which would define state park purposes around conservation-based recreation and public access, prohibit uses such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and hotels, require more public notice and advisory input on land management changes, and mandate reporting on park spending and maintenance backlogs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with conservation groups, youth advocates, and other members of the public backing stronger protections for state parks. The bill was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 200, directing DEP to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan, and CS for SB 496, which clarifies that timeshare facilities are governed by Chapter 721 and only need annual board meetings. CS for CS for SB 1404, dealing with illegal gambling, was amended to add reporting requirements, tighten penalties, preempt local gambling legalization, and create a process for vetting certain machines and veteran-service-organization gaming questions; the bill drew significant concern from veterans groups and others over vague machine definitions and the need for clearer standards, but it was still reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 622 to allow pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities across horse-racing classes. The committee next approved CS for CS for SB 712 after adopting a strike-all and amendment that covered synthetic turf rules, change-order timelines, public works scoring, elevator and alarm contractor issues, mass timber code updates, pool and spa contractor scope changes, spaceport building-code exemptions, and solar/energy-storage inspection provisions. Support came from timber, construction, and industry groups, while pool contractors objected to parts of the scope changes. The committee also reported favorably CS for CS for SB 1742, a major condominium reform bill that pauses reserve funding after milestone inspections, expands financial flexibility, adds disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, and increases data collection and oversight; members from both parties praised the sponsor’s work on condo issues. Finally, the committee approved SB 1574 on renewable natural gas infrastructure and SB 1580 authorizing DEP coastal resiliency public-private partnerships. It also passed CS for SB 1760, which requires certain public officials and agency leaders to meet Florida residency or proximity requirements. The last bill, SB 820, would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office; while supporters said it would permanently support faith-based and community organizations and improve coordination, several senators raised concerns about church-state separation, the office’s ties to Hope Florida, and whether codifying it could make the program more political. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Regulated Industries will now come to order. Good morning, everyone.
• And recyclable containers, and Senate Bill 578 puts the wine industry on the same footing.
• Members, for those of you who sat on the Regulated Industries last year, you saw this bill.
• I am here today to discuss what we do in the industry with Florida Rural Water.
• I am here today to discuss what we do in the industry with Florida Rural Water.

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The committee took up several bills and reported each favorably after brief debate and roll call votes. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it had support from Americans for Prosperity. SB 606 clarified when nonpaying guests may be removed from public lodging establishments, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from Florida Realtors, the Asian American Hotel Association, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. SB 202 addressed a long-running dispute between Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach over a water utility surcharge, requiring the utility to charge residents in the city where the plant sits the same rate as its own residents; supporters argued it was a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach opposed it as a burden on its residents. All three bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 570, which updates and clarifies the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and CS/SB 928, which targets non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display visible to minors, increasing inspections and penalties, and adopting an amendment to clarify the bill does not cover fully unlawful products and to add a 500-foot school buffer for smoke shops. SB 346, dealing with state preemption of local regulation of hoisting equipment, was reported favorably after testimony about the St. Petersburg crane collapse during Hurricane Milton; supporters said local governments need authority to address hurricane-related crane safety, while builders and contractors warned against patchwork regulation and urged a more targeted approach. The committee then considered SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks under veterinarian supervision, including limited surgical procedures after an amendment clarified those procedures are limited to spay/neuter and non-cavity surgeries. Supporters said the bill would expand access to veterinary care and help shelters, while some veterinarians expressed concern about training and safety; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up SB 354 on the Public Service Commission, adopting a substitute amendment that would expand the commission, require stronger financial expertise and more detailed rate justifications, set rate-filing schedules, tighten storm-hardening review, and add transparency rules for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the bill drew support from consumer advocates and AARP, while Florida Rural Water warned of unintended consequences for nonprofit systems. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 354 is still underway, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adam Bassford, on behalf of Associated Industries of Florida. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Adam Baskford with Associated Industries of Florida.
• Currently, there's no broadly adopted industry standard for data provenance.
• Next up, we have Adam Baskford from Associated Industries of Florida. Mr.
• We've talked about a lot of different industries and types of work.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first took up SB 702, as amended by a strike-all amendment on digital content provenance and authenticity. Senator Burgess said the bill would require generative AI providers to add provenance data to content wholly generated by AI, allow provenance tags on AI-modified images, require social media platforms to retain and display provenance data in an accessible format, and apply content credentials to online election advertisements. He also described a two-year pilot program for the Division of Emergency Management to test provenance data in emergency communications, and said the bill would be enforced only by the Attorney General with no private right of action. Supporters from Microsoft and Adobe waived in support, while TechNet and the James Madison Institute raised concerns about broad definitions, implementation burdens, and the possibility that the rules could be easily circumvented. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS for SB 702 favorably. The committee next considered CS for SB 282 on home and service warranty association financial requirements, which would allow extended warranty companies to use multiple insurance policies to back obligations and let companies with a $100 million net worth satisfy proof requirements through SEC filings or an audited financial statement. The Florida Service Agreement Association supported the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also passed CS for SB 678, which allows pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; the Florida Pawnbrokers Association and a business representative supported the change, the amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1132, the Portable Wireless Device Repair Act, which would require manufacturers to provide diagnostic tools, repair information, and parts to owners and independent repair providers, and would also extend right-to-repair concepts to agricultural equipment through an amendment. Supporters argued the bill would expand consumer choice and repair access, while opponents including TechNet, the Repair Done Right Coalition, the James Madison Institute, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance warned about privacy, cybersecurity, trade secret, safety, and compliance concerns. After debate, the committee reported CS for SB 1132 favorably. Finally, the committee took up SB 676, which would create a framework for employees to knowingly and voluntarily waive the Florida minimum wage in certain internship, apprenticeship, and work-study settings, with a parent or guardian sign-off for minors. The sponsor said the bill was intended to expand job training and first-job opportunities for young people and others seeking experience, but multiple speakers and senators argued it conflicted with the Florida Constitution and existing case law, could be exploited by employers, and would undermine the voter-approved minimum wage. The committee continued extensive debate on the bill, with strong opposition testimony and questions about constitutionality, definitions, and enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of that is through re-entry, and another part of that is through corrections industries, but now
• We haven't had an awareness of which lines of future industries are getting the most...
• I have this amazing director who runs the Corrections Industries Division.
• Madam Chair, I would like to laud Goodwill Industries for expanding its offices around the state.
• Second, Madam Secretary, around a few of the things, the construction industries division.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• 52.079><c> as</c><00:01:52.320><c> that</c> It defines industrial hygienist as that It defines industrial
• </c><00:02:05.119><c> hygienist</c> a contractor and an industrial hygienist a contractor and an industrial
• We ended up hiring additional testing through an industrial hygienist who followed the industry standards
• an industrial hygienist who followed<00:05:25.840><c> the</c><00:05:26.080><c> industry</c><00:05:26.479
• </c><00:15:50.560><c> would</c> like our members in our industry would like our members in our industry

Bills: HF4133 , HF3419

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Jones, is there any industry &gt;&gt; And Dr.
• Industrial revolution unfolded at its own pace over centuries.
• ><c> the</c><01:04:31.440><c> world</c> industrial revolution, imagine the world industrial revolution
• Industrial revolution unfolding.
• Those industries are doing those things.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:01.559><c> but</c> something targeting one industry but something targeting one industry but
• </c> workers in the construction industry workers in the construction industry lost<01:45:50.599><c>
• </c> thinking specifically industrial thinking specifically industrial property property property um<
• </c> sorry rental rates for industrial sorry rental rates for industrial property<02:42:18.600><c> have
• </c><02:42:38.680><c> is</c> class specific I think industrial is class specific I think industrial is

Summary: The meeting was a Ways and Means briefing opened by the vice chair, who introduced Jason Wong of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to discuss the national and regional economy. Wong focused on inflation, asking why it had fallen from about 9% in 2022 to the 2%–3% range, and what that meant for monetary policy and the risk of an economic downturn. He said the Fed’s target is 2%, noted that recent PCE inflation was about 2.4% and core PCE about 2.7%, and described the ongoing debate over whether interest rates should stay tight or be lowered further to protect the labor market. Wong explained that the improvement in inflation has been driven largely by goods prices, especially durable goods such as cars, appliances, and furniture, as well as non-durable goods like food. He said supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic caused major price spikes in 2022, but those pressures have eased and many goods prices are now at or below the Fed’s target. He also referenced the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, saying it showed extreme pandemic-era disruptions that have since receded. The main remaining inflation problem, he said, is in services, especially housing. Wong broke services into rent of shelter and all other services, explaining that shelter is a large share of household budgets and that housing inflation has a lag because rent measures often reflect older lease terms rather than current market rents. He said monthly Zillow data suggest market rents have cooled and may eventually feed through to official inflation measures. Members asked several questions about the chart’s time scale, the treatment of real estate, property taxes, and utilities, and Wong clarified that housing costs are counted in services and that the slides would be shared digitally. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now all of a sudden we're going to tax them. ...decades in our oil and gas industries.
• Government contracts with private industry, which operates aggressively, efficiently, and profitably,
• They have told us, they have warned us, this is not good for their industry.
• So there's only a few hundred words... not good for their industry.
• Well, we don't know what those other industries are. We don't know what that profit level is.

Transcript Highlights:

• The tech industry has actually not engaged in California policymaking for many, many years.
• Current law prevents the wine industry from using them.
• And short of it, short of the wine industry issues not being part of the Ag Committee, but as having
• And short of it, short of the wine industry issues not being part of the Ag Committee, but as having
• Senate Bill 917 supports California's wine businesses at a time when the industry is facing...

Summary: The committee began with an informational hearing on the second amendment to the Yurok Tribe’s 2006 tribal-state gaming compact. Governor’s office staff and Yurok Tribal Chairman Joseph James explained that the amendment is a narrow, technical one that extends the compact’s expiration to December 31 of this year to preserve the status quo while the parties negotiate a long-term replacement. Members asked about the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ role, and staff explained that because the change is only a deadline extension and not a substantive compact change, it does not require BIA approval. No vote was taken on the informational item. The committee then heard AB 2156, which would designate March 31 as Farm Workers’ Day in California. The authors and supporters said the bill is intended to honor the farm worker movement and shift the holiday away from any one individual in light of recent allegations, while recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of farm workers. Several members spoke in support, including personal reflections on family histories in farm labor and on the need to center victims and farm workers’ dignity. The bill was moved to the floor, with the roll held open for absent members. Next, the committee heard SB 1044, which would raise the small business procurement cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and index it to inflation. The author and supporters from the Hispanic and Asian Pacific chambers of commerce argued the current cap is outdated and limits opportunities for small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises. Some support was qualified, with one coalition noting concerns about access to capital for microbusinesses but still leaning in favor. The bill passed to Appropriations, with the roll held open. The committee also heard SB 1114, which would restrict state agencies from sharing LGBTQ-related data with federal agencies except where legally required. The author and Equality California said the bill is meant to protect sensitive data from misuse and preserve trust in voluntary state data collection. Support came from Planned Parenthood affiliates and Health Access California, with no opposition. The bill passed to the Privacy Committee, with the roll held open. Finally, the committee heard SB 1248 on automated decision systems in state government, SB 1273 on short-form video advertising for winery instructional events, and SB 917 on allowing more small wineries to sell at farmers’ markets. SB 1248 drew the most debate: the author said it would create baseline guardrails for automated systems, require human review for adverse decisions, and help state agencies use automation responsibly, while labor groups opposed it as authorizing use before meaningful stakeholder engagement and collective bargaining input. Several members supported moving it forward but stressed the need for labor participation in future negotiations; it passed to the Privacy Committee with the roll held open. SB 1273 and SB 917 were both presented as modest measures to help the wine industry adapt to current marketing and sales conditions, and both passed to Appropriations with roll calls held open. The hearing then moved on to SB 1240, which would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement and grant processes; the author described nonprofits’ economic importance and the need for a liaison, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.