Transcript Highlights:

• Recapture program.
• Ready Community Program or for some of the Community Program or for some of the other programs.
• Congress had a program that they said run this program. U.S.
• Those are to run the entire program. Those are to run the entire program.
• Treasury's program in accordance with their program guidelines.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your support of small business and thank you for your interest in these programs today.
• It is a program that supports small businesses looking to expand into global markets, helping shoulder
• But I would highlight that that's why this program is so important, because small businesses need to
• The way the program works is a small business might be looking to do compliance testing.
• The SEED entrepreneurship program is a program that will support small businesses throughout the state

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from Go-Biz Director D.D. Myers on the administration’s economic development strategy, centered on the California Jobs First framework. Myers described regional planning across 13 regions, the Jobs First Council, and pilot sectors including ag-tech, space and defense, life sciences, and semiconductors. She also outlined budget requests for CalCompetes, CalExport, the California Film Commission, innovation/emerging technologies, and the California Civic Media Fund, along with the new California brand campaign. Committee members raised questions about misinformation about California, regulatory burdens, tourism versus broader economic messaging, and how the brand campaign would highlight underrepresented communities. No vote was taken; the item was informational. The committee then reviewed CalOSBA’s work on small business support, including California RISE, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and TAP/SIP technical assistance and capital infusion programs. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first cohort awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, with growth in revenue, contracts, and jobs; the performing arts payroll fund paid all 100 recipients but was heavily oversubscribed; and TAP supported more than 112,000 businesses in the past year, helping leverage federal and local funds. Testimony from program partners emphasized the importance of small business counseling, community-based outreach, and support for arts organizations facing post-pandemic and AB 5-related cost pressures. Senators pressed for more data on long-term job retention, better outreach to smaller and ethnic media, and possible program changes to speed grants and stretch funding further. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz’s request for additional staff and funding for the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program. Staff said the request would support application review, DEIA implementation, and data tracking. The Film Commission reported that about 147 productions had been approved and roughly 90% were opting into the new diversity provisions, with career pathways reporting to include demographic and participation data and a future report expected in 2027. Senators asked about accountability, apprenticeship and internship hours, and whether the program was producing real career pathways and inclusive hiring outcomes. The item remained informational, with no vote or action taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:16.560><c> of</c> penalty forgiveness for the city of penalty forgiveness for the city of
• </c><00:10:55.600><c> to</c> Things like a direct file program to Things like a direct file program to
• county program revenues um to increase county program aid<00:12:39.279><c> commonly</c><00:12:39.680
• </c><00:24:34.559><c> So</c> to state to city governments. What? So to state to city governments.
• And a lot of cities in existence.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, therefore, this program pays for itself. So, therefore, this program pays for itself.
• There is a cap, though, in this program.
• of Greater Kansas City.
• Members large and small, and it affects us in every region of Kansas City as well as the rural area,
• City Chamber.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of Minnesota Association of Small Cities, uh, advocating for the over 700
• We think uh one of our primary concerns for small cities is just the ease of implementing a tax like
• cities.
• the most of our primary concerns for small cities of our primary concerns for small cities is<01:20:
• </c> community supports program. community supports program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have been able to provide things like small loans... ...small loans for our employees that are
• We're originally not just to fund these proven programs, but also keep investing in our small farmers
• that are To fund these proven programs, but also keep investing in our small farmers that are in a critical
• So I want to talk about CUSP, which is the California Underserved and Small Producer Program, which helps
• So I want to talk about CUSP, which is the California underserved and small producer program, which help

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The city, where the city of St. Louis controls the airport, they're on board as well.
• By because the buckets were just too small.
• And as much as I love Kansas City, bypass positioning their production squarely in Kansas City and moving
• Madam Chair, Shannon Cooper, today representing the City of Kansas City, the Greater Kansas City Chamber
• And BEAD basically was a program.

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted a House committee substitute and voted House Bill 1716 due pass by a 13-0 vote, House Bill 2474 due pass by a 15-0 vote, and House Bill 2693 due pass by a 12-2 vote with one present. The committee then moved into public hearings. House Bill 3095, sponsored by Rep. Brown, would extend the business facility tax credit. Brown and witnesses from Burns & McDonnell and business groups said the credit supports retention and expansion of high-paying jobs in Missouri, especially in Kansas City, and helps the company plan future growth. No opposition was offered, and the hearing closed after several supportive witnesses testified. House Bill 3249, sponsored by Rep. Harzusa, would extend the jet fuel sales tax exemption for common carriers from 2033 to 2043 to support the planned redevelopment of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Witnesses said the exemption helps encourage airline investment in a multi-billion-dollar airport project, and the bill drew support from regional business groups with no opposition. House Bills 2142 and 2058, sponsored by Reps. Wellenkamp and Vernetti, would combine the Missouri motion media tax credit’s two $8 million buckets into one $16 million pool and extend the sunset to 2035. Sponsors and industry witnesses said the change would improve competitiveness, support film and TV production, and help build long-term infrastructure and jobs; supporters included film office representatives, chambers of commerce, and local governments, with no opposition testimony. House Bill 2886, sponsored by Rep. Riggs, would update Missouri broadband law by raising speed standards, extending the state broadband office sunset, and addressing future federal broadband funds and provider defaults. Riggs argued the bill is needed to keep pace with AI and modern internet use and to recover federal funds; supporters from AARP and the broadband office emphasized the need for better service and longer timelines. Industry groups opposed parts of the bill, especially the exclusion of cable and concerns about overbuilding and overly strict speed requirements, while the broadband director said the sunset extension and future service needs should be considered. The committee adjourned after the hearing on HB 2886.

Transcript Highlights:

• business assistance programs, tourism promotion, and other local services that small businesses depend
• I am city manager of the great city of Seminole.
• We're a full-service city.
• Chris Doolin, Small School District Council Consortium and Small County Coalition.
• Lucy, thank you for being here, is a wonderful city. That is a homesteaded city.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Odin for the withheld 2024 local government aid payment and the 2024 small cities assistance payment
• of Odin for the withheld 2024 local government aid payment and the 2024 small cities assistance payment
• </c> city of St. city of St.
• County program aid county program aid.
• We have dealt with LGA sparsity penalty forgiveness for any number of small Minnesota cities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, so a lot of times these are small dollar contracts. These are small projects.
• Yeah, so these are small dollar contracts and you're not short-cutting any of the... ...small dollar
• Has the city requested that this speed zone be introduced? I mean, have you been through the city?
• Because the city, if I'm not mistaken, I think the city can request that, then those studies be made
• You know, we've approached it with the city, and the city has supported it.

Summary: The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions heard testimony on House Bill 2912, House Bill 2753, and a joint hearing on House Bills 2171 and 3292. HB 2912 would expand the state’s use of master agreements for small projects, raising contract thresholds and adding architects, engineers, and surveyors to standing agreements for work under $100,000. Supporters from the Office of Administration and private engineering/architecture firms said the bill would reduce delays, lower costs, and avoid repeated RFQ/RFP processes for small projects. There were no witnesses in opposition, and the hearing closed after favorable testimony. HB 2753 would create a hospital zone designation, similar to school or work zones, allowing municipalities or counties to establish reduced-speed areas around hospitals when local conditions warrant it. The bill was presented in response to traffic and safety concerns around a rural hospital expansion and a state highway running through the campus area. Hospital representatives, the Missouri Hospital Association, and another hospital system supported the measure, emphasizing pedestrian, staff, ambulance, and visitor safety; committee members questioned the proposed penalties and whether the bill could create a statewide mandate, but supporters stressed it was permissive and locally initiated. No opposition testimony was offered. HB 2171 and HB 3292, identical bills, would direct the Department of Corrections to create a motivational boot camp program for offenders ages 17 to 21 convicted of nonviolent offenses, with the goal of rehabilitation and possible expungement after completion. Sponsors said the program would emphasize discipline, physical activity, and therapy, and could be a cost-saving alternative to prison; they noted a federal issue requiring changes for DWI/CDL cases and discussed a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about eligibility, screening, expungement language, program design, and how the proposal would interact with other sentencing bills. No witnesses testified in favor or opposition, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The STARS program is a phenomenal program. It's done a lot of good for the city of Meridian.
• Some cities won't be impacted.
• Some cities won't be impacted by that because they already have small lot sizes. Others will.
• I know you represent the cities, not one city, and so that's a broad range.
• How are cities, I should say, how are the cities trying to tackle that at the local level? Ms.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 751, which would expand the STARS program for commercial transportation infrastructure by lowering the minimum project floor from $6 million to $5 million and raising the cap from $35 million to $100 million. Representative Monks explained that STARS lets developers front infrastructure costs and be repaid from a portion of new sales tax generated by the development, and supporters said it helps fund major roadway improvements without costing the state upfront. The committee advanced the bill on a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1347, a transparency measure for Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s pass-through homelessness grants, specifically the Continuum of Care and Emergency Solutions Grant programs. Sponsors said the bill would require annual reporting on grant recipients, uses of funds, and outcomes such as housing exits, income changes, and referrals, while not changing funding levels. Testimony included support from transparency advocates and concerns from a senator and nonprofit/housing professionals that the bill could duplicate existing federal and IHFA audits and add unnecessary reporting burden. The committee sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senators Robbie and Taylor voting no. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 1352, which would create state standards for “starter home subdivisions” on parcels of at least four acres in cities over 5,000 population by limiting minimum lot sizes and allowing higher density, while preserving local authority over infrastructure, safety, and environmental requirements. Supporters argued the bill would help address Idaho’s housing shortage by enabling smaller, more attainable homes and reducing regulatory barriers; opponents from city, planning, and local government groups said it would override local control, lacked an income-based affordability requirement, and could create infrastructure and neighborhood impacts. After extensive testimony, the committee’s initial motion for a due pass recommendation failed on a 4-5 roll call, and the bill was then moved to the 14th order for possible amendment. Senate Bill 1354 was held over until the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill just takes the pre-approval program for ADUs and applies it to single-family and small multifamily
• County's program. They're using it. They're using it with L.A. County's program.
• cities need some help.
• We both represent the City of Glendale together.
• But I think the thing is, you know, this is a small...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Mike Kelly, and I'm a city council member of the city of Spokane Valley.
• Our city is joining with the other cities in the Spokane region in support of banning kratom, and we
• Our city is joining with the other cities in the Spokane region in support of banning crate, and we want
• Our city wants to not only ban it, but we want to...
• This makes two fairly small changes.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2291, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, and then moved into executive session on several bills. Staff explained that HB 2291 would license kratom retailers and processors, set age 21 purchase limits, require labeling, child-resistant packaging, independent testing, an LCB-approved product directory, and an 11% excise tax, while banning certain synthetic or adulterated kratom products and restricting online/mail sales and public consumption. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to regulate natural kratom while banning the synthetic or chemically altered forms, and several witnesses supported stronger youth protections and product standards. Others opposed the bill’s licensing fee, statewide preemption of local bans, or the regulatory approach, while some testified that natural kratom helps with pain or recovery. The hearing on HB 2291 was then closed without action. In executive session, the committee took action on multiple bills. HB 2439, dealing with cigarette, vapor product, and tobacco product policy, was amended and reported out with a do pass recommendation; the adopted amendments limited Consumer Protection Act enforcement to the Attorney General, adjusted coupon language, and restored state preemption over local retail regulation. HB 1078 on pet insurance, HB 1701 on shared liquor-license premises, HB 2207 on bonded beer warehousing, and HB 2501 on real estate oil-tank disclosure were all reported out with do pass recommendations, with HB 1701’s substitute removing a Public Records Act exemption and HB 2207’s substitute aligning beer warehousing more closely with spirits warehouse rules. HB 2361, which raises the maximum small loan amount, was amended to make inflation adjustments biennial and to change publication requirements, then passed out of committee. The committee also approved HB 1932, which would authorize cannabis consumption events in regulated environments. The substitute bill would create a cannabis consumption event organizer license, allow limited adult-use events subject to local approval, and establish permit and budtender training requirements; members discussed the bill as a way to provide lawful consumption spaces while others objected to expanding cannabis access. In the final votes, HB 2439 passed 12-3, HB 1078 passed unanimously, HB 1701 passed 14-1, HB 2207 passed 14-1, HB 2501 passed unanimously, HB 2361 passed 13-2, and HB 1932 passed 11-4, all with do pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be a small change to a route, and WSDOT will give to a local jurisdiction some small bit of
• My name is Steve Victor, the chief deputy city attorney for the City of Tacoma.
• These are small passenger ferries.
• port districts or whatever small community they need. ...and their small port districts or whatever
• Kingston's small.

Bills: HB2604, HB2436, SB6354, SB6352

Keywords: vehicle ownership, insurance, title transfer, consumer protection, motor vehicle, oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we offered a program for everybody, a homestead program for everybody over 65?
• Program.
• because it’s new to the city.
• Still a small, small fraction of reinvestment into the things that help us.
• But to the small operators, those are the opportunity and the future. It's a small...

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pizzo: THE UNITED STATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HAS AN ENTIRE SECTION AS A RELATES TO SMALL BUSINESSES
• PROHIBITIVE PROGRAM ON EQUITY AND ON INCLUSION.
• WHERE WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES COULD GET FUNDING.
• MACCABEE A GRANT RECEIVED FROM THE CITY.
• CHRIS REPRESENTING SMALL COUNTY COALITION WAIVING AGAINST.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that has been a huge program. If you're wondering which programs are the most successful.
• Our most popular program right now is the electric bicycle program, believe it or not.
• was only for city limits.
• That is part of the program.
• The current program that's running was either a two-year program.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's mandatory for the program.
• These folks are typically not included in a lot of federal programs and a lot of state programs.
• And these folks are typically not included in a lot of federal programs and a lot of state programs.
• We're urging not just to fund these proven programs, but also keep investing in our small farmers that
• So I want to talk about CUSP, which is the California Underserved and Small Producer Program, which helps

Summary: The hearing focused on inclusive economic development in California’s Central Valley, with the chair describing prior state and federal investments in Fresno and the region, including Transformative Climate Communities funding, the Southwest Fresno Community College campus, affordable housing and infrastructure projects, medical education pathways, F3 Farm Food Future, and high-speed rail-related jobs. The chair emphasized that rural and historically disinvested communities often face complex application processes and limited technical capacity, and said the committee’s goal was to learn from successful local models and identify ways to better direct resources to communities that need them most. The first panel featured representatives from the Sierra Health Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, and UC Merced. Chet Hewitt argued that health and economic opportunity are inseparable and described Sierra Health’s economic development portfolio, including the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, the Impact Investment Fund, and the Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI), which together support healthier workplaces, microbusiness financing, and nonprofit capacity. Jessica Kaksmarik said Irvine’s place-based grantmaking in inland regions aims to strengthen worker and community power, support community-led development, and expand equitable pathways to mobility, while stressing that philanthropy must partner with government because it cannot meet the scale of need alone. Dr. Manuel Pastor and Dr. Ed Flores both argued that inequality and extractive development weaken long-term growth, and that community organizations need both power-building and technical expertise to influence regional planning; Flores also described the Valley Seed project and high-road economic development models that link labor, climate, and community benefits. The second panel highlighted community-based programs and the effects of unstable funding. Yolanda Randalls described the Sweet Potato Project at West Fresno Family Resource Center, a youth agriculture and entrepreneurship program that combines hands-on farming, business training, and mental health support; she said participants improved from a 1.9 GPA to a 3.3 GPA and that the program is seeking long-term support as its funding nears expiration. Addie Carr of Neighborhood Industries described a second-chance employment model that provides job training, case management, literacy and life coaching, and small no-interest loans, and said CEMI helped the organization open a second store and create more jobs. Maria Redoubt Orozco of Community Alliance with Family Farmers said small farmers are central to the Valley’s economy but face land, water, climate, and market barriers, and warned that federal cuts to programs like Local Food Purchasing Assistance threaten local food systems. Daniela Rodriguez of Immigrants Rising described entrepreneurship and technical assistance for undocumented and mixed-status entrepreneurs, including the SEED initiative, and said policy uncertainty and access-to-capital barriers continue to constrain immigrant economic mobility. In closing discussion, panelists repeatedly called for longer-term, braided, and flexible funding rather than one-time grants, and the chair noted the need to continue supporting community-defined practices and public-private partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• The city of Socorro is one of the small cities that has a landfill.
• The Environment Department has a capacity development program; they have a small systems technical assistance
• program.
• Contaminants Program.
• Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1390 phases out the Community Protection Program, a well-intended program that unfortunately
• As we've discussed before, the bill and the program is called the Community Protection Program.
• And it opened, and within one year, we had 500 more homeless individuals in our small city.
• I know in our city, we provide so much.
• And it opened, and within one year, we had 500 more homeless individuals in our small city.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification