Video & Transcript : 'business competitiveness' :

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Regulated Industries Jan 27th, 2026

Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:
  • penalty, a misdemeanor, has proven an ineffective deterrent and has been treated as a cost of doing business
  • Any other business before the committee? Where are you kids all from?
  • Hearing no other business, Senator Brodeur moved to be adjourned. invited to come back to this room at
  • Hearing no other business. This meeting is Senator Broder moved to be adjourned.
Bills: S0530 , S0658 , S0608 , S1708 , S0680 , S0980 , S0204
Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered and reported several bills. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments adopted, including changes to lottery department contracting language and machine-purchase flexibility; the committee then reported the bill favorably. SB 204, which increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a declaratory-statement process for veteran service organizations to confirm machine legality, drew support from gaming interests and some soft opposition from a veterans group concerned about implementation; it was also reported favorably. The committee then took up a proposed committee substitute combining SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and vacation properties. The combined bill would require certain rental properties near water bodies or with pools to install specified alarms, locks, fences, covers, or similar safety devices, with enforcement through DBPR and a grace period for correcting some violations. Senators emphasized the bill as a response to child drowning deaths, including those involving autistic children, and the PCS was reported favorably. SB 980, as a delete-everything amendment, would create the Florida Agegate Act to restrict advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in areas accessible to those under 21, with penalties and inspection authority; after questions about counterfeit products and enforcement, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1708, which removes a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for veterinary licensure by endorsement while keeping other competency requirements, and SB 680, as amended, which creates a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, subject to metering and affidavit requirements. Several members recorded votes after the roll calls, and the meeting ended with an invitation to return later for another bill before adjournment.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Regulated Industries Jan 27th, 2026

Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:
  • penalty, a misdemeanor, has proven an ineffective deterrent and has been treated as a cost of doing business
  • Any other business before the committee? Where are you kids all from?
  • Hearing no other business, Senator Brodeur moved to adjourn. waving in support out of Daytona.
  • Any other business before the committee? Where are you kids all from?
  • Hearing no other business. This meeting is Senator Broder moved to be adjourned.
Bills: S0530 , S0658 , S0608 , S1708 , S0680 , S0980 , S0204
Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met and reported several bills favorably. SB 530 on state lotteries, presented by Senator Pizzo, made technical changes to the Department of Lottery’s powers and duties, clarified definitions, and allowed more flexibility to purchase rather than lease machines; two technical amendments were adopted before the bill passed. SB 204, also presented by Senator Bradley, increased penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and created a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about whether a machine is lawful; the bill was reported favorably after testimony from supporters and a veteran organization expressing concern about clarity and good-faith cooperation. SB 658 and SB 608 were combined into a proposed committee substitute on water safety for rental and vacation properties, requiring certain pool or water safety devices and adding enforcement provisions through DBPR; the merged bill was reported favorably after strong testimony emphasizing child drowning statistics and support from local residents and industry representatives. SB 980, as amended, created the Florida Agegate Act to restrict advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine dispensing devices around minors, with escalating penalties and inspection authority; members discussed concerns about illegal products and enforcement, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent practice requirement for out-of-state veterinarians while keeping other competency standards, and it was reported favorably with support from several animal and veterinary-related groups. SB 680, as amended, addressed double taxation of electricity used at EV charging stations by creating a sales tax exemption for separately metered electricity transferred to consumers, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also noted additional support forms for the water safety bill and adjourned after miscellaneous remarks and announcements.
AL
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Licensing & Administrative Procedures May 6th, 2025

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:
  • There being 14 ayes, we move to pending business. House Bill 2450.
  • In business since 1981, 44 years.
  • Over 90% of the people who work in San Antonio work for a small business.
  • alongside the Texas Association of Business.
  • For small businesses, time is money, and every day that a business waits on a permit is a day of lost
Bills: SB650 , HB3667 , SB28 , HB3201 , SB1184 , HB1800 , SB 28
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division Apr 10th, 2025 at 11:00 am

Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Bills: HB1015
Summary: The Government Operations Division met to review proposed amendments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) budget, with the chair noting the bill would not be voted out that day and would likely be held until the following week for any technical corrections. Members discussed a series of amendments, generally without objection: a $1.5 million appropriation for a pro-life education committee; a $40,000–$45,000 deficiency appropriation for Uniform Laws travel costs; creation of a state deferred maintenance fund with $40 million for deferred maintenance projects; adding the state hospital project to the OMB budget with $200 million from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund (SIF) and $85 million from a line of credit, plus construction management oversight; $110,114 for custodial equity increases; $1 million for a retirement incentive pool; $3 million to cover a shortfall in the new and vacant FTE funding pool; and $4 million for space reconfiguration and rent/moving costs. Prairie Public Broadcasting was also discussed, with a suggestion to change the purpose from local programming to infrastructure and set the amount at $850,000, likely as one-time SIF funding. The committee also heard a heads-up about a possible $180,000 federal reimbursement issue tied to an education grant, but no action was taken on that item. The committee further discussed a broader amendment to reduce the transfer from the social services fund to the human services fund from $250 million to $232 million, based on DHS needs and available carryover funding. Members also agreed to add emergency clauses to the capital assets, deferred maintenance, and moving/space reconfiguration items. The chair indicated Brady could begin incorporating the discussed changes into a consolidated amendment, while noting there could still be additional items next week. Staff also reported the SIF balance was about $280 million positive, though some removed agency items, including airport grants, would need to be considered. The committee then reconsidered its earlier action on House Bill 1581 and restored it to its original form at $100,000 after hearing that the funding would support tribal tourism-related events tied to upcoming 2026 celebrations and the Theodore Roosevelt Library opening. A motion for do pass on the bill as originally introduced passed unanimously by roll call. Finally, the committee postponed action on another bill until later that day, directing that revised materials be distributed and that the item be taken up in the afternoon session.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Mar 18th, 2026

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • And, uh, by the way, Thursday night on the way home I judged a debate competition in Vestavia between
  • for schools that do debate competitions for schools that uh<00:12:13.920><c> need</c><00:12:14.160><
  • in Vestavia between by the competition in Vestavia between by the Vestavia<00:12:27.440><c> Rotary</
  • They want them to be competitive.
  • Small businesses and opportunities.
Bills: HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390 , HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Mar 18th, 2026

Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • The main thing this bill does is it expands those that can do business through this legislation, mainly
  • Any other business? >> All right. We stand adjourned. page four with the following.
  • &gt;&gt; All right.<00:32:50.240><c> Any</c><00:32:50.480><c> other</c><00:32:50.720><c> business?
  • Any other business? All &gt;&gt; All right. Any other business?
Bills: HB589 , HB591 , HB609 , HB614 , SB57 , SB280 , SB332 , HB589 , HB591 , HB609 , HB614 , SB57 , SB280 , SB332 , HB627
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Mar 11th, 2026

Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> we already incentivize large businesses we already incentivize large businesses to<00:12:33.200>
  • It is government overreach for Alabama to be in the business of telling people who are living in poverty
  • It is government overreach for Alabama to be in the business of telling people who are living in poverty
  • c><00:19:50.559><c> of</c><00:19:50.799><c> telling</c><00:19:51.200><c> people</c> to be in the business
  • of telling people to be in the business of telling people who<00:19:51.679><c> are</c><00:19:51.840>
Bills: HB179 , HB354 , SB57 , SB137 , HB431 , HB179 , HB354 , SB57 , SB137 , HB431
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 18th, 2026

Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> advance collegiate schools of business advance collegiate schools of business located<00:21:13.120
  • </c> there do not make competitive wages. there do not make competitive wages.
  • </c> self-employed business owner, insurance self-employed business owner, insurance is<00:28:15.840>
  • having affordable competitive Um, having affordable competitive options<00:28:20.000><c> is</c><00:28
  • As I said before, I'm a self-business person. My business operates in the trucking industry.
Bills: HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312 , HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

GVO DEFER, AEN-GVO Public Hearings 02-12-2026

Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • non-substantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency, a defective date of 2525. in business
  • in the state for two years in business in the state for two years before<00:02:21.520><c> applying</
  • 31.040><c> outstanding</c> reconvene to discuss any outstanding reconvene to discuss any outstanding business
  • ><c> Friday,</c><00:09:32.480><c> February</c><00:09:32.959><c> 13th</c><00:09:33.839><c> at</c> business
  • on Friday, February 13th at business on Friday, February 13th at 3:05<00:09:34.800><c> p.m.
Summary: The committee met on February 12, 2026, to take decision-making on measures previously heard earlier in the month. Several bills were deferred indefinitely or set for later discussion, including SB 2064 on the Office of the State Architect, SB 3068 on procurement, and SB 3216 after its contents were moved into another measure. SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, SB 2781, and SB 315 were all deferred to Tuesday, February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225 for further work. The committee also noted that if technical problems interrupted the meeting, it would reconvene later for outstanding decision-making. The committee passed SB 2343 on the Legislature with amendments incorporating language from SB 3216, technical changes, and a defective date of 2525. SB 2075 was advanced as a Senate draft 1 after amendments responding to constitutional concerns raised by the attorney general and SPO. SB 2927 on procurement was also passed with amendments clarifying debriefing requirements and adding technical changes, and SB 2938 on search and rescue was amended to place the position in Hima rather than the Governor’s office before being adopted. SB 3249 on procurement protests was amended to remove the term "frivolous," reduce the forfeiture to half the bond amount, and note unresolved issues, then adopted. The committee also took up SB 3332 on state-funded travel, amending it to remove certain lines, report travel by position number to protect confidentiality, remove subsection G, and add a defective date of 2525; it was adopted. SB 2929 on public notice was amended into a pilot project for counties with populations between 100,000 and 175,000, with a year-end report to the Legislature, and was adopted. Later, the committee returned to SB 2094 on environmental action levels, heard testimony from the Department of Health in support of its current scientific process and from an environmental caucus witness in strong support of the bill’s transparency and petition provisions, and then deferred decision-making to February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225. In the joint hearing portion, SB 3233 on agricultural workforce housing drew generally supportive testimony from ADC, the Farm Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the State Procurement Office, with concerns focused on clarity, flexibility for smaller farms, and avoiding concentration of benefits in one large operation. The committee ultimately recommended passing SB 3233 with the State Procurement Office’s clarifying amendments and the Hawaii Farmers Union’s amendment to ensure workforce housing incentives benefit multiple farmers, and the measure was adopted.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Revenue and Taxation REVISED Feb 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for the question. was outside the scope of what we discussed: business, personal, farm equipment
  • While disclosure laws prevent me from naming the people and businesses I worked with over the years.
  • that we're collecting on Oklahoma citizens that may end up being through proprietary means or some business
  • Or if this is a non-profit or if this is going to be a for-profit business, how are we building affordable
  • Apartments, for instance, that could be part of the business model.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Revenue and Taxation REVISED Feb 9th, 2026

Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • That was outside the scope of what we discussed: business, personal, farm equipment, mobile home tax
  • I've worked extensively with businesses across numerous industries, including oil and gas, agriculture
  • While disclosure laws prevent me from naming the people and the businesses I worked with over the years
  • It might allow for a more broad business model. Senator Sacchieri: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
  • That could be part of the business model, but we would know that some portion of those is going to be
Summary: The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee took up a mix of tax policy, incentive, and administrative measures, beginning with an annual motion authorizing the chair to request OSBI background checks for any Horse Racing Commission nominees. The committee then passed Senate Bill 1839, as amended, to create a de minimis ad valorem tax exception for personal property valued at $5,000 or less per account. The committee also confirmed Daniel LaFortune to the Oklahoma Tax Commission by a 12-0 vote, with LaFortune emphasizing his IRS background and commitment to customer service and fairness. Several other bills were approved, including Senate Bill 1280 to align the plugging fund sunset date in the tax code with another statute; Senate Bill 1832 to reauthorize income tax refund checkoffs for veterans programs; Senate Bill 2001 to freeze property taxes for three years for homeowners displaced by a turnpike or eminent domain, though members raised concerns about downsizing and future valuation; and Senate Bill 1405 to renew the wildlife diversity checkoff, with testimony clarifying it would fund non-game species rather than predator reintroduction. Senate Bill 1989 also passed, expanding the Oklahoma College Savings Plan to accept digital payment platforms such as Venmo and PayPal, with members discussing how deposits would be tracked. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2143, which would allow counties to use aerial or satellite imagery and fixed-wing aircraft for property assessment while excluding drones; supporters cited efficiency, safety, and accuracy, while opponents raised privacy, foreign-company, and taxpayer-frustration concerns. The bill passed 7-4. Senate Bill 1393, a housing redevelopment tax credit for vacant and abandoned properties, passed 8-3 after discussion about affordable housing requirements and project ranking. The committee also approved three Incentive Evaluation Commission recommendations: Senate Bill 1392 to increase the aerospace engineer employee tax credit, Senate Bill 1395 to limit carryforward of the new jobs tax credit to seven years, and Senate Bill 1400 to consolidate aircraft-related sales tax exemptions. The meeting adjourned after the chairman noted more bills would be heard at a later meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The chair lays out as a matter of pending business, HB2467.
  • Next on the matter of opinion, Business House Bill 2468.
  • The chair lays out, as a matter of pending business, House Bill 149.
  • Cybersecurity is a business.
  • If we exempt Chapter 1304 businesses and other unlicensed sales of service businesses this session, more
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Requirements for market changes impacting existing businesses.
  • The Chair lays Senate Bill 2784 as a matter of pending business.
  • The Chair lays out Senate Bill 3065 as a matter of pending business.
  • It's a matter of pending business, Chairlady.
  • Is there any other business? What?
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Mar 26th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • With this bill, you have an opportunity to show Texas that our state legislature means business when
  • My name is Hannah Heimbaugh, I'm a licensed... and speech-language pathologist, a small business owner
  • Last year, after being sexually harassed by a former business partner and going several nights without
  • So it follows the same layout as lien law and the Texas Business and Commerce Code, specifically 272.001
  • Is there any further business for the committee to address? If not, the chair moves to adjourn.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Mar 26th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay, members, moving on to pending business. House Bill 644 is pending business.
  • The chair lays out House Bill 581 as pending business.
  • House Bill 170, as pending business.
  • Pending business.
  • House Bill 1495 is pending business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Committee on Business and Commerce will come to order. Clerk, call the roll.
  • This is the second meeting in the business of. Commerce Committee.
  • After the floor, we'll reconvene here to finish all the business of the Business Commerce Committee.
  • The Business Code to extend the length of a rental agreement from 30 to 180 days under the Business Code
  • We support Senate Bill 72 because consumers and businesses... ...businesses that rent from us have asked
Bills: SB 21 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842