Video & Transcript : 'small business' :
Page 175 of 500
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 5th, 2026 at 11:33 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- business here in the Albuquerque area.
- Because being in business is not easy.
- owners, and small ag...
- Consumers, business owners, and small ag, all of whom have taken advantage of this, and they can moving
- It's the business owner. It's the owner of the small farm. It's the consumer.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- And it will be a small, probably the smaller, three units.
- They help small housing authorities.
- It means entrepreneurs can start businesses. Young people can build a future.
- So we get a feel for what it's like for them to do business here and then what it is for them to do business
- Lexington used to be full of a lot of small capes on decent-size lots.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Housing
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts.
Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations.
CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 7 (1-14-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- c> the</c><00:10:25.600><c> second</c> Next order of business, the second Next order of business, the
- </c> virtual currency kiosk business. virtual currency kiosk business.
- House Bill 227 to Small Business and Information Technology.
- </c><00:30:29.600><c> Business</c><00:30:29.919><c> and</c> House Bill 191 to Small Business and House
- Bill 191 to Small Business and Information<00:30:30.559><c> Technology,</c><00:30:31.200><c> House</
Summary:
The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 95 members present. Members approved excusing absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from January 13, 2026. The Banking and Insurance Committee reported House Bills 176, 184, and 265 favorably, and those bills were placed on the calendar as having had first reading.
The chamber then took up several announcements and citations. A legislative citation was adopted honoring Tatum Elizabeth Dale, with remarks from members describing her kindness, service, and impact on the community. Another citation was adopted recognizing Emily Bingham for her book My Old Kentucky Home: The Astonishing Life and Reckoning of an Iconic American Song. Members also announced upcoming committee meetings, including Tourism and Outdoor Recreation, the House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Health Services, and Oversight and Investigations.
The House received a large batch of new bill introductions covering topics such as criminal law and minors, electric utilities, daylight saving time, veterans’ treatment and benefits, transportation, outdoor recreation, human trafficking, licensed professionals, automated license plate readers, postsecondary education, utility disconnection protections, electric metering, virtual currency kiosks, mental health facilities, perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening, controlled substances, prescription drugs, and literacy in schools. Two resolutions were also introduced, one encouraging a school naming honor for Jose Marte and another recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Committee on Committees then referred numerous bills to standing committees, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is kind of our full book of business in terms of whose money we are looking out for.
- But that's only 1% of the portfolio, an amount readily rebalanced in everyday SIB business.
- These companies are not going to change their business models based on shareholder activism.
- As a result, the impact on local communities is very small.
- I've heard someone say that the impact of this is very small.
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:15:34.920><c> and</c> complaints from people businesses and complaints from people businesses
- </c> the interest of resident Cal and small the interest of resident Cal and small business<01:10:27.560
- ><c> utility</c> business utility business utility consumers<01:10:29.760><c> the</c><01:10:29.880><c
- There's also business theft that's going on where businesses are having problems, where scamsters are
- </c> State's office deals with business State's office deals with business formation<01:14:48.679><c>
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- We saw a lot of people fleeing into our county to utilize our businesses.
- We had one person who was a small business owner at the time, who was restricted, sued the aforesaid
- We had one person who was a small business owner at the time, who was restricted, sued the aforesaid
- Previously, I was General Counsel for some small businesses.
- They didn’t go international, but we did business with some businesses who did.
Committee:
House Government Efficiency
Summary:
The Committee on Government Efficiency first established a quorum and then went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 2809 do pass by an 11-0 vote, with two members present. The committee then moved to public hearings after noting House Bill 3108 would not be heard that day.
Senator Nick Schroer presented Senate Bills 977 and 1011, which were described as “American law for American courts” measures restating that the U.S. Constitution, the Missouri Constitution, and state law cannot be superseded by foreign laws, foreign treaties, or outside organizations, except in narrow circumstances such as voluntary business agreements and certain Hague-related matters. Supporters said the bills were needed to prevent courts or local governments from relying on foreign or religious law in ways that could override fundamental rights, while opponents and questioners raised concerns about private arbitration, family-law contracts, tribal jurisdiction, and whether the bills were unnecessary or targeted specific religions or organizations. A witness from Liberty Link Missouri testified in favor, saying the law should be restated even if it is technically unnecessary. No vote was taken on the Senate bills during the hearing.
The committee also heard House Bill 2589, which would require only a rear license plate on vehicles. The sponsor argued the change would save money and align Missouri with many other states, while noting he had consulted a sheriff who did not object. Members raised concerns about law enforcement, camera enforcement, stalking victims, and whether some vehicles or commercial categories would still need two plates. Supporters cited fiscal savings and convenience, while opponents emphasized public-safety and identification concerns. No vote was taken on House Bill 2589, and the hearing was closed after no additional witnesses came forward.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee Feb 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It costs businesses money. It costs Floridians money.
- When there's that extra administrative cost to the small business and they might have to add an extra
- HR person or add an extra administrative... ...to the small business and they might have to add an extra
- HR person or add an extra administrative person, it costs the business money.
- at DOAH, where you have one business that gets one complete ruling and then you have another business
Summary:
The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee heard a presentation from Representative Esposito on a proposal to strengthen oversight of agency rulemaking under Chapter 120. The bill would require cost-benefit analysis at the front end and after implementation, create an eight-year sunset and review process for rules, and require express legislative authority for agency rulemaking. Members questioned the lack of concrete examples of burdensome rules, the effect on already slow rulemaking, the choice of an eight-year sunset, and the bill’s origin; Esposito said she was working with stakeholders and cited her chamber-of-commerce background and research with the Cicero Institute. No vote was taken on the bill itself.
Staff then reported on legislatively mandated rulemaking from 2023 and 2024, noting that most required rules had been adopted, proposed, noticed, or scheduled, with a few agencies still outstanding. The Department of Financial Services explained a delayed notice of rule development for the MySafe Florida Home condominium pilot program as an oversight that has since been corrected, and the Department of Education said it did not proceed with rulemaking for the Fostering Prosperity grants because the program received no funding in the 2025 budget. The Department of Health described delayed rulemaking for the sickle cell disease and trait registry, saying the registry and opt-out forms were being implemented and that notices of rule development had now been filed. Members pressed the department on why rules took so long and discussed the need for statutory deadlines.
The Department of Children and Families reported on two 2023 human-trafficking-related rules: signage requirements for residential treatment facilities and children’s safe homes, and a new certification process for adult safe homes. DCF said the signage rule is now moving forward and the adult safe home certification rule has been submitted for final review after workshops and stakeholder feedback. Senators questioned the lengthy timeline and the lack of oversight during the interim, while the chair emphasized the need for time-certain deadlines in legislation and for JAPAC oversight hearings.
The committee also considered staff-proposed amendments to Chapter 120 addressing emergency rules pending legislative ratification and the process for initiating ratification, including a one-year limit and notice to JAPAC. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Senate President and House Speaker. Finally, members discussed a proposed amendment to the administrative law judge appointment and retention process under Section 120.65. DOAH’s interim director opposed the change, saying ALJs and workers’ compensation judges have different functions and warning against shifting appointment power to cabinet officers whose agencies appear before DOAH. Members raised concerns about timeliness, consistency, and accountability in DOAH decisions. The committee voted to forward this proposal as well, with Senator Smith voting no on that motion.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- Any business would want that.
- We have been in business for 28 years. We are a woman-owned business in Northern California.
- We are a California-certified small and minority-owned business.
- It's really hard to start a business. We want it to be fair. We want it to be... ...business.
- We want you to work with us to make sure that we don't stop startup businesses, especially by small minority
Summary:
The committee heard several labor-related bills focused on workplace technology, data centers, staffing agencies, and environmental health. SB 947, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” would require human review before automated systems can be used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis; labor groups and worker advocates supported it, while business and industry groups opposed it as overbroad and litigation-prone. After extended discussion about due process, human oversight, and private rights of action, the bill passed 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee.
SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay for new infrastructure costs, create a separate rate structure to protect other ratepayers, and impose skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said it would prevent cost shifts to households and ensure good jobs, while opponents argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings and that the bill unfairly singles out one industry. The committee discussed balancing economic growth with labor and ratepayer protections, and the bill passed 3-1 to Senate Appropriations. SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for AI-related layoffs and require reporting on displaced jobs and first consideration for openings; supporters said it would improve transparency and help policymakers respond to AI-driven job loss, while opponents warned it was too broad and conflicted with existing WARN law. It passed 3-1 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection.
The committee also considered SB 1032, which would create a licensing and registration framework for temporary staffing agencies. Supporters said it would curb fraud and protect workers from illicit staffing operators, while opponents—many from the staffing industry—said the bill was vague, burdensome, and could hinder small and minority-owned businesses. The bill passed 3-1 to Senate Judiciary. Finally, SB 1046, dealing with protections for lifeguards and park rangers exposed to transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards for exposure, PPE, training, and incident reporting. With support from park workers and community groups and no opposition, it passed unanimously 4-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar item and adjourned after completing the agenda.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You've had a busy day, sir.
- What we're interested in is the person who holds themselves out basically as a business, a small business
- , to take public money to instruct ...basically as a business, a small business, to take public money
- has a business expense.
- has a business expense.
Summary:
The committee first heard the Pre-K-12 education budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 and voted to adopt it as the committee’s recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed $34.7 billion budget includes increases for the FEFP, Family Empowerment Scholarships, VPK, school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. Members asked no questions on the budget before it was advanced, and staff was authorized to make technical corrections.
The committee then passed CS/SB 1402, which expands eligibility for dropout retrieval services to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer only dropout retrieval services. An amendment to clarify the grading calculation was adopted without objection, and the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also took up SPB 7030, a comprehensive scholarship-program bill sponsored by Senator Gates, which would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding as its own categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, change payments to a monthly schedule, require background checks for paid instructional providers, mandate annual FTE audits by the Auditor General, and standardize reimbursement and eligibility procedures. After extensive discussion and public testimony, the bill was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no.
Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 508, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide for students with existing plans such as IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services, and the bill was reported favorably. Public testimony included support from parent-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about administrative burden and the scope of the required disclosures. The meeting concluded after the final roll call votes and adjournment motion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 4/16/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- and other private business.
- They're running small businesses.
- They're<00:24:38.000><c> running</c><00:24:38.320><c> small</c><00:24:38.880><c> businesses.
- </c> They're running small businesses.
- They're running small businesses. they're<00:24:40.159><c> fighting</c><00:24:40.559><c> hard</c><00:
Committee:
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/17/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Business Center um was to our Small Business Center um another<01:37:19.000><c> great</c><01:37:19.280
- I'm also a small business owner.
- Pio Inc. provides training and operational services to small businesses to thrive.
- </c><01:38:18.119><c> businesses</c><01:38:18.760><c> and</c> development for small businesses and development
- for small businesses and organizations<01:38:19.760><c> in</c><01:38:19.920><c> the</c><01:38:20.040
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/13/26 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Those of you who like small government, who want government to get out of people's business, boy, this
- Those of you who like small government, who want government to get out of people's business, boy, this
- Those of you who like small government, who want government to get out of people's business, boy, this
- Those of you who like small government, who want government to get out of people's business, boy, this
- Those of you who like small government, who want government to get out of people's business, boy, this
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD Info Briefing - Mon Jul 13, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We help businesses and this is at the Hawaii Small Business Fair, an annual fair that we have, which
- </c><00:13:27.680><c> Business</c> and this is at the Hawaii Small Business and this is at the Hawaii
- </c><00:18:49.440><c> business</c> Uh once again, our Hawaii small business Uh once again, our Hawaii
- We will have 26 small businesses represented.
- Uh last small businesses uh represented.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- A quorum is present, and the Senate is ready for business.
- The Senate is at the 13th order of business.
- But think about the person, though, that's in the city that bought a home, a small home, small lot.
- 542 is in this order of business. Mr.
- But those businesses have a right to do business. I don't have any problem with that.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty One - Thursday, April 30
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The next order of business is introduction of special guests.
- The next order of business is introduction of special guests.
- The next order of business is reports from committee.
- But now they speak about small government, small enough to go into your locker room, your doctor's office
- As small as it might be, as small as girls playing volleyball in a church fundraiser during volleyball
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, approved the previous day’s journal unanimously, and then adopted a motion suspending House Rule 98 to allow members to wear hats on the floor. Members also introduced several special guests, including the Eugene High School Class 2 basketball champions, family members, scholarship recipients, and other visitors. One member used a lengthy personal privilege speech to criticize a recent U.S. Supreme Court voting-rights decision and warn about threats to democracy and minority voting power.
The chamber then took up committee reports and several bills. It approved a motion to go to conference on the property-tax omnibus measure tied to Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. House Bill 3329, repealing expired tax credits, passed 142-0. House Bill 3405, clarifying the SALT deduction and improving tax-credit accounting, also passed 138-0. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2426, a parental-rights bill that also drew criticism over a school financial-ledger requirement and possible burdens on schools and student safety, failed on third reading 70-60.
The House next passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1233, a professional-licensing bill involving CPA exam access and other occupational licensing changes, by 129-6 after adopting an amendment removing compact language and rejecting a nursing-home physicals amendment. It then passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1408, which raises the maximum rural interstate speed limit to 75 mph and, through multiple amendments, also carried a mix of transportation-related provisions including vehicle inspections, hands-free enforcement, motorcycle lighting, driver education, and specialty license plates for women’s professional sports; the final vote was 82-53. The Speaker also appointed a conference committee for Senate Bill 1066. The final item mentioned was Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 863, described as an interscholastic athletic oversight/appeals bill, but the transcript cuts off before its final action is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/18/26 - Afternoon Meeting
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- We're so small now, we're not there.
- multiple business and we have multiple multiple business<00:27:02.000><c> agents,</c><00:27:02.480><
- Section 13 is closing a small gap.
- </c><00:56:24.799><c> uh</c> section 13 is closing a small gap. uh section 13 is closing a small gap.
- </c> business. Thank you. business. Thank you.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to this morning's Sunset Review Oversight Hearing, which is being held jointly by the Assembly Business
- and Professions Committee, the Assembly Higher Education Committee, the Senate Business, Professions
- They can pivot and offer new training programs quickly, and many are small businesses in each of our
- That is how business operates in a lot of spaces when you have predators, right?
- That is how business operates in a lot of spaces when you have predators, right?
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And then one other small change was made from the original bill.
- I am open to business days rather than calendar days.
- I am open to business days rather than calendar days.
- a lot of sense, 30 business days for a larger project.
- It's not like a business person goes, I have to get this done.
Committee:
House Government Efficiency
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2330 in executive session. A committee substitute narrowed the bill’s annexation-related scope to St. Charles and Jefferson counties and removed water and sewer language because those services are provided by private entities in those counties. The committee adopted the substitute, but the final do-pass motion failed on a 6-8 vote after the chair changed his vote to no.
The committee then considered House Bill 1817, which drew discussion about reporting public assistance information in a generalized way rather than identifying individual households. An amendment clarifying that the report would use averages and not specific addresses was adopted, rolled into a committee substitute, and the substitute was then passed on an 11-1 vote with one present. Members raised concerns about SNAP, TANF, and WIC-related provisions and about consistency in the bill’s population threshold, but the bill advanced.
Public hearing testimony followed on House Bill 2291, a bill creating deadlines for local governments to act on building permit applications. Supporters, including the sponsor and industry advocates, said permit delays raise costs, slow housing and economic development, and argued the bill would not change zoning or inspections. Opponents, including the Missouri Municipal League, warned the bill’s language could be read to affect zoning and that a single 30-day deadline may not fit projects of different sizes or allow enough time for public input and safety review. No vote was taken on the bill.
The committee also heard House Bill 2336, a state property disposal bill. The sponsor said a substitute would be needed because additional properties and corrected legal descriptions had been identified, and the Office of Administration confirmed support and explained that five properties, including former DESE schools and a Springfield regional office, would be added. Finally, House Bill 2403, the “Rue Wells Act,” was heard to create an independent appeal board for student transfer eligibility decisions by activities associations. Supporters described the case as unfair and costly to challenge in court, while others questioned whether a new board would add bureaucracy or bias. Testimony from school administrators said most appeals are already resolved within the existing process, but they were open to a narrowly tailored appeals mechanism with clear recusal rules and independence.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-11 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- $50,000 per small business. We were oversubscribed by 8,000 companies within a day.
- A condition of that loan was that when PPP money was given, those small businesses in Florida and our
- It seeks to increase consumer choice, lower repair costs for small repair businesses, and reduce electronic
- and equipment downtime. ...for small repair businesses and reduce electronic and equipment downtime
- We think about Black history sometimes from a micro, from a small perspective.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Some other states do offer a small center or group child care license for medium-sized programs, and
- Some other states do offer a small center or group child care license for medium-sized programs, and
- </c><00:20:04.799><c> centers</c> we're talking about those small centers we're talking about those small
- business owners that the state has helped them cover over the last six years or so.
- </c><01:11:02.600><c> business</c> a very real savings to small business a very real savings to small