Transcript Highlights:

• When I was on the City of Santa Rosa City Council and when I was the mayor, it was a challenge, especially
• When I was on the City of Santa Rosa City Council and when I was the mayor, it was a challenge, especially
• I believe it's the... is it the city or is it the actual yard that houses?
• I, too, have small rural areas, and again my concern is with the mandate.
• But we also allowed for some flexibility for our small and rural districts.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several transportation-related bills, beginning with AB 431 on advanced air mobility. The author and supporters from AUVSI, Joby Aviation, United Airlines, Wisk Aero, the City of Long Beach, and Archer said the bill would create a statewide plan and technical framework for eVTOL/advanced air mobility infrastructure, public outreach, and local implementation. No opposition testified, and the bill passed the committee as amended to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call. Members then took up AB 630 on abandoned or hazardous RVs. The author and supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office, argued the bill would curb a cycle in which inoperable RVs are towed, auctioned cheaply, and returned to the streets by predatory buyers, while adding notice, recovery, and reporting requirements. Opponents from Western Center on Law and Poverty and ACLU California Action warned the bill would destroy RVs that serve as shelter for unhoused residents and could worsen homelessness. After discussion about the bill’s focus on dismantling rather than towing, the committee passed AB 630 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 314, which would support transit-oriented development around planned and existing high-speed rail stations; AB 1223, which gives Sacramento County communities more flexibility to use local transportation revenues for related infrastructure supporting infill development; AB 1111, which adds flexibility to the zero-emission school bus transition for rural and disadvantaged districts; AB 1190, which caps fees charged by DMV business partners and requires clearer disclosure of the official DMV site; AB 987, which limits unreasonable towing fees and related charges; and AB 911, which creates a narrow exemption from Advanced Clean Fleets rules for telecommunications bucket trucks and sail-on-wheels used in emergencies. Most bills drew support from local governments, industry, or consumer groups, while AB 1111 and AB 911 drew opposition from clean transportation and environmental advocates concerned about weakening emissions goals. All of the bills were reported out as amended to the Committee on Appropriations, with recorded roll-call votes and several members adding their names as co-authors or supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cybersecurity grant program for local governments is one of the most successful IT programs in Florida
• There's a lot of talk about people wanting to make their cities the best cities, and a lot of that has
• There's a lot of talk about people wanting to make their cities the best cities, and a lot of that has
• You're saying that it doesn't have any cost, but when you're putting a timeframe on when a city, small
• It's not small. It is huge.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has utilized LPPF programs across the state since 2013.
• This bill simply removes arbitrary and costly barriers for small business owners.
• Uh, I'm in the city, they're launching in the city, uh, and they're not cleaning up after themselves.
• So this bill would remove added red tape that small businesses have to go through.
• funds are reported to the state and provides great transparency in the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a very small program.
• It was a very small program, about $5 million was initially appropriated up until another $4 million
• to date in that program.
• to date in that program.
• Chairman—it's a loan program.

Bills: SB21, SB42, SB81, SB101, SB139

Keywords: SB 21, Medicare supplement, Medigap, open enrollment, guaranteed issue, birthday month enrollment, health insurance, insurance regulation, senior health coverage, elderly, retiree, Medicare beneficiaries, preexisting conditions, underwriting restrictions, premium discrimination, New Mexico insurance law, superintendent of insurance, health care coverage, policy portability, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• better cancer treatment programs.
• And so how do you separate the small businesses from the microbusinesses in this entrepreneurship program
• then kind of pivoted our programs to really benefit those who are real small businesses.
• And, you know, with the assault on DEI, a lot of the programs that are these pre-college programs that
• So the MSP program that I was part of was not a scholarship program per se.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held a hearing on the impact of federal policy on the racial wealth gap in Massachusetts, with no bills heard. Chairs Bud Williams and Miranda opened by framing the issue as a structural, long-standing disparity affecting Black and brown communities, citing major gaps in wealth, income, housing, and opportunity. Members noted this was the fourth hearing in a series on federal impacts on racial equity, and public written testimony was invited by the posted deadline. Administration witnesses Secretary Lauren Jones, Secretary Kiami Mahania, and Assistant Secretary Juan Vega described how labor, health, and economic development policy intersect with wealth-building. Jones pointed to higher unemployment, wage gaps, and underemployment among Black and Latino workers, and highlighted ESOL, workforce training, MassHire, and skills-based hiring efforts. Mahania argued poverty drives poor health, linking medical debt, Medicaid instability, maternal health, and chronic disease to wealth loss, and said federal changes could worsen both health and wealth gaps. Vega focused on entrepreneurship and procurement, citing disparities in business ownership and revenue, and described state efforts such as small business technical assistance, founder pipelines, place-based grants, and the Business Front Door; members also pressed him on microbusiness definitions, supplier diversity, and whether state programs were reaching firms that had received prior grants. Nicole O’Bean of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts testified that Black-owned businesses face a hostile environment due to tariffs, DEI rollbacks, immigration enforcement, capital barriers, and federal funding cuts that reduce contracts from education, health care, and nonprofit sectors. She emphasized that certification alone is not enough and called for stronger inclusive procurement outcomes, better data, and more support for microbusinesses. Dr. Melissa Colon and Dr. Fabian Torres-Dal of the Mauricio Gaston Institute testified on Latino wealth gaps, especially low homeownership, high rent burden, limited access to credit, and occupational segregation; they said structural racism, wage gaps, and education inequities are central drivers and urged housing, labor, and education reforms. Committee members repeatedly linked the hearing’s themes to redlining, medical debt, single-parent households, financial literacy, and the need for legislation and state programs to close the gap, but no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Bingham, if it is owned by the city and its official city property and flat and that would
• It is not owned by the city.
• If the city owns that property, then the city is represented and has to be consistent.
• , would the city be in violation?
• , the city would be in violation?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 26 and 27, then introduced RS 33100, a proposal by Representative Alfieri to let county clerks use people excused from jury duty as poll workers; those who choose that option would be excused from jury duty for two years. The committee then took up RS 33107 C1, Representative Hill’s flag-related bill. Hill said the measure was intended to keep government entities from displaying political, religious, or ideological flags alongside the American flag, while allowing certain exceptions such as the American flag, state flags, military flags, university flags, and city or county flags established before January 1, 2003. He also described penalties for violations and said the bill was meant to respond to local officials who refused to follow the prior law. Several members questioned the scope and impact of the bill, including concerns about the Basque flag exception, temporary displays, community events, school flags, and whether city-owned light poles or other public property would be covered. The motion to introduce the bill passed, with Representatives Church, Haas, and Bingham recorded as voting no. The committee also introduced RS 33090, Representative Tanner’s House concurrent resolution calling for an Article V balanced budget amendment to force federal spending restraint. Tanner argued that federal debt and deficits were unsustainable and that states should push Congress to act. Representative Boyle opposed the effort, warning against a constitutional convention, while Alfieri responded that the proposal was an Article V convention process, not a constitutional convention. The motion passed, with Boyle, Haas, and Church recorded as voting no. Representative Tanner then gave an extended overview of the state budget process and JFAC concerns. He said Idaho’s revenue remains above projections, but ongoing spending pressures—especially Medicaid, education, and conformity with federal tax changes—are tightening the budget. He warned against relying too heavily on one-time funds or the rainy day fund, said Medicaid costs continue to exceed projections, and urged lawmakers to scrutinize fiscal notes and agency requests carefully. Members asked about reserve funds, conformity costs, dedicated funds, Medicaid expansion, and whether spending cuts or policy changes could reduce future pressure. Tanner said some funds are obligated by statute or policy, but others could be reviewed through the committee process. The meeting ended after the chair announced a rotation in committee leadership and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with us, it really did change our city from a suburb to a city in the vision.
• Of cities.
• Many cities direct appeals of a hearing examiner plat approval to the city council.
• There is a, our code and many other cities allow for that decision to be appealed to the city council
• Many cities direct appeals of a hearing examiner, plat approval to the city council.

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on comprehensive plan updates, permitting reform, special purpose district coordination, and subdivision reform. Pierce County and the City of Redmond described their recent comprehensive plan updates, emphasizing housing production, transit-oriented development, middle housing, preservation of affordable housing, and the need for technical assistance and clearer state guidance. Both jurisdictions said the planning process took years and was complicated by overlapping state requirements, changing legislative mandates, and multiple review authorities. Redmond in particular said mid-course legislative changes forced supplemental environmental review and added significant cost and delay, and both local governments asked for more stability, clearer statutes, and better-aligned timelines. Presenters from the architecture, building official, and development sectors focused on permitting delays and proposed ways to speed housing delivery. Dave Boucher of AIA Washington argued for a provisional construction permit process for projects stamped by licensed professionals, along with mandatory deadlines and fewer stalled review cycles. Tim Woodard of WABO described existing tools such as pre-application meetings and phased approvals, noting they can improve certainty but also require staff time and careful coordination. Representatives from Master Builders and D.R. Horton said permit and subdivision delays add substantial cost to housing, citing studies showing months of delay and tens of thousands of dollars added per home, and urged administrative approvals, concurrent review, self-certification, and limits on repeated review cycles. The committee also reviewed a Commerce-led task force report on integrating special purpose districts into Growth Management Act planning. The task force recommended early invitation and notice to water, sewer, school, port, and other service providers during countywide planning policy and comprehensive plan updates, better coordination on grants and capital projects, updated water system coordination plans, and improved school siting and funding alignment in fast-growing areas. Speakers stressed that the recommendations were intended to be light-touch and focused on better communication rather than major statutory overhaul, while also noting that rural and slow-growing areas should not be burdened with the same requirements as rapidly growing jurisdictions. On subdivision reform, FutureWise and the City of Spokane discussed making more subdivision decisions administrative, preserving vesting, clarifying exemptions, and reducing unnecessary notice and appeal steps. Spokane described local reforms such as smaller minimum lot sizes, unit lot subdivisions, and reduced-process “minor engineering review” for simple plats, while raising concerns about new notice requirements and appeals to city councils for technical plat decisions. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the theme that local governments, builders, and state agencies need clearer, more coordinated rules to reduce delay and uncertainty while still protecting safety and planning goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Further discussion, gentleman from the City of St. Louis.
• But we have two other programs that exist.
• Currently, our food stamp program and our health care program allows for all the ultra-processed foods
• Louis City, to speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• A law that affects all other cities in the state, and now this election bill will affect the city of

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rail extension services down through Kansas City.
• cities back to life.
• </c><00:00:50.559><c> cities</c> kind of bring some of these small cities kind of bring some of these
• small cities back<00:00:51.120><c> to</c><00:00:51.280><c> to</c><00:00:51.680><c> life.
• </c><00:03:12.400><c> have</c> many stations uh station cities have many stations uh station cities have

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's still not enough to fully fund the program.
• Arizona actually operated in a mandatory program and converted to the voluntary program we are in now
• program.
• of the federal SAVE Program, which is the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program in
• Program in the federal government.

Summary: The committee worked through a long Minority Caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items on consent and several pulled for discussion. Early items included resolutions on Judea and Samaria, bullion depository bills, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget proposal, and a veterans services appropriation. Members also heard transportation-related bills on driver permits, citations, boat insurance, English proficiency for commercial drivers and motor carriers, photo enforcement, and a measure restricting incarceration for unpaid fines and fees. Several members raised concerns about constitutional issues, public safety, or whether bills were duplicative or targeted at specific groups. A large portion of the meeting focused on education and school governance bills. These included proposals on school district bond advisors, restrictions on school property leases and purchases, public meeting requirements, term limits and training for school board members, patriotic youth group access to students, computer science proficiency, and a bill requiring fingerprint clearance cards for traffic school instructors. Members repeatedly criticized what they described as inconsistent treatment of public schools versus ESA/private school programs, and several education bills were pulled from consent for further discussion. Other bills addressed child safety and family law, including DCS credit freezes, recorded child interviews, parents’ rights notices, mandatory reporting of threats by minors, sex offender residency and GPS monitoring, and a bill on guardianship rights during DCS investigations. The committee also considered a number of social services, health, and labor/consumer bills. These included SNAP work requirement and verification measures, a SNAP error-rate audit, dementia care telemonitoring funding, a Braille transcription appropriation, court fee limits, a physician assistant compact, pediatric licensure compact, and a kratom regulation bill. Members debated an earned wage access licensing bill at length, with opponents calling it predatory and akin to payday lending, while supporters argued it provided a regulated consumer option. Other measures covered cash acceptance by businesses, 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers, AI rules for state agencies, and a bill on public nuisance actions by the Attorney General. Several of these drew warnings about constitutional problems, preemption, or burdens on vulnerable populations. Energy, water, and tax policy also featured prominently. The committee heard bills on fuel formulations, gas tax relief, data centers and small modular nuclear reactors, utility reporting, and a Commerce Authority mandate to reduce fuel prices. Members criticized some proposals as favoring industry, preempting local control, or lacking a clear funding plan. The meeting ended after additional items on veterans, sample ballot mailing dates, and other miscellaneous measures, with multiple bills noted as pulled from consent or subject to later votes; no final roll-call results were detailed in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, I know the City of Phoenix is looking at expanding middle housing across the city through
• Just for a point of pride for the City of Phoenix..."
• Arizona is a small business state.
• Small businesses are diverse, with women owning 46% of all Arizona small businesses and veterans owning
• 39,000 small businesses in Arizona.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a memorial adoption of HCR 2064 honoring former legislator Barbara Leff, which was unanimously adopted and sent to the Senate. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Eladio Pereira, and numerous student and constituent guests in the gallery. After routine desk business and bill referrals, the House moved into Committee of the Whole to consider a long calendar of measures. Several bills were amended and advanced with do pass recommendations. HB 2170 was narrowed to restrict state purchases of certain electronic and information technology from China/Chinese-controlled entities and to address third-party resellers. HB 2375 dealt with middle housing in historic districts, with amendments limiting demolition of historic structures unless necessary for health and safety and preserving local discretion. HB 2380 focused on school district transparency and meeting location rules, requiring governing board materials online and keeping meetings within district boundaries, with debate over local control and comparisons to legislative caucus retreats. HB 2617, HB 2621, and HB 2671 also moved forward after amendments; HB 2621’s discussion centered on certificates of educational convenience and ensuring special education access for children in unorganized territory and DCS placements. The committee also advanced HB 2720 on anti-human trafficking and prostitution-related reforms, including sealed records for sex trafficking survivors and an anti-human trafficking grant fund; HB 2772, allowing a DNR designation on driver’s licenses, prompted extended questions about emergency care and liability; HB 2784, dealing with school district excess cash refunds, was amended to phase in implementation; HB 2902, affirming support for the Electoral College, drew the most ideological debate, with supporters citing constitutional structure and opponents arguing for a national popular vote; and HB 2950, concerning a tourism/hospitality district, saw a failed attempt to make participation voluntary. The House also considered HB 4025, a study bill on the feasibility of building an oil refinery in Arizona, which sparked extensive debate over fuel prices, refinery capacity, environmental impacts, and whether a study was necessary, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this delinquent diversion program was, uh, has a substantial number of blighted properties in it,
• diversion program was uh has<00:01:58.719><c> a</c><00:01:58.960><c> substantial</c><00:01:59.920><c
• And, of course, the entities purchasing the certificates of delinquency under the program are subject
• Chairman, uh, this is just another small way that we can get properties back functioning in our, uh,
• It's the Division of Program Policy, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:17 SB 129 Discussion 00:46 SB 129 Vote 04:27 SB 178 Discussion 05:48 SB 178 Vote 07:57 SB 151 Discussion 09:01 SB 151 Vote 11:24 SB 201 Discussion 15:17 SB 201 Vote 21:48, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met and first took up SB 129, with a committee substitute adopted before testimony. The bill would allow certain qualified third-party entities in Louisville Metro, including public bodies and long-standing nonprofits, to purchase certificates of delinquency on vacant and abandoned residential properties after 90 days, with the goal of returning blighted property to productive use and back on the tax rolls. Several members supported the measure as a tool for housing and economic development, while Senator Boswell and Chair Willer noted concerns about protecting vulnerable property owners, such as widows, the elderly, and people with disabilities. SB 129 was approved by the committee with favorable expression. The committee then heard SB 178, which updates statutes related to the Education and Labor Cabinet by moving the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Division of Program Policy into statute, renaming Business and Apprenticeship to Industry and Apprenticeship, and making related organizational changes. Testimony from cabinet staff said the changes reflect work already being done and that a floor amendment would be needed for one additional correction. The bill was advanced unanimously with favorable expression. Next, the committee considered SB 151, which would bar state tax dollars from being used to pay persons not legally present in the United States. The sponsor argued the bill was needed to prevent Kentucky funds from going to undocumented workers on state job sites, while Senator Wheeler questioned what the bill would change beyond existing law and how such payments would occur through contracts or appropriations. Senator Yates said he was not opposed to the premise but wanted more time to review the bill’s mechanics, and Senator Thomas voted no for the same reason. Despite those concerns, SB 151 passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard SB 2011, a workers’ compensation bill that would delay newly appointed administrative law judges from taking office until Senate confirmation, extend current ALJ terms through June 1 of next year, and allow retention votes for board members to improve stability and attract more applicants. The sponsor said the bill addresses a loophole that can discourage qualified candidates from applying because they may have to leave private practice before confirmation. After a question about whether the bill would affect salaries, the sponsor explained compensation is set by statute and caseload need is separately reviewed. The bill received favorable expression and the meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or I should say, persistent gun violence in our city.
• Under current law, treatment programs and facilities receiving public funds and narcotic treatment programs
• Programs.
• For small businesses opening up temporarily in multiple cities in a single year, this is an extreme cost
• For small business opening up temporarily in multiple cities in a single year, this is extreme cost.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A small 9.9% slice from earnings after $1 million is a very small contribution from the ultra-wealthy
• Since we're a small district in a rural county, we've never had after-school programs.
• Since we're a small district in a rural county, we've never had after school programs.
• I'm here today with AGC, ACEC, and a small coalition of small business owners who stand in opposition
• And a small coalition of small business owners who stand in opposition of this bill.

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want this going in and affecting small communities, small developments, and small groups of
• And to be clear, this has no impact on cities in any way.
• I went to the city council, talked to them about it. I was ignored.
• There is a business owner where the city has come in...
• , the HIV prevention and surveillance program, the hepatitis prevention and surveillance program, and

Summary: The House began with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. Members also received communications including the designation of a substitute legislator and committee reports on pending and temporary administrative rules, with several rules approved and some recommended for rejection or exception. The Speaker outlined the day’s plan, noting the chamber would work through orders of business, suspend rules for selected bills, and likely finish for the day before returning the following week. A major floor debate centered on Senate Bill 1397, which would bring certain private sewer districts under Public Utilities Commission oversight for rates and related matters. Supporters argued the bill would protect private property owners in large private sewer districts from monopoly-like control, lack of recourse, and arbitrary rate or hookup decisions. Opponents argued sewer districts are already heavily regulated through DEQ and other requirements, that costs vary by system, and that the bill would expand government and create accountability problems. After debate, the House voted 18-51 with one pair recorded, and the bill failed to pass. The House then passed House Bill 952, the Secretary of State enhancement budget, which included funding for a voter pamphlet on constitutional amendments and initiatives and a 2% ongoing general fund reduction. It also passed Senate Bill 1426, the Idaho Transportation Department enhancement budget, and Senate Bill 1427, the Department of Lands enhancement budget. The chamber also introduced and referred several new bills, including measures on child care, taxation, abatement districts, homestead property tax relief, education, homeowners associations, and appropriations for Fish and Game, species/minerals/energy coordination, and corrections. Later, after recess, the House received additional Senate messages, introduced Senate bills on public health, stable coins, behavioral health, and water resources, and adjourned until Monday, March 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• per city, each city could have a uh per city, each city could have a licensing<00:19:52.000><c> fee<
• Program. Program.
• </c> small business? small business?
• Chair. the cities would uh the cities would uh cities<01:23:03.800><c> are</c><01:23:03.960><c> the</
• . cities. cities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an empowering small cities program to help smaller communities utilize more grant programs and
• There's actually some small cities and not just cities of the first class.
• It's also seven small urban transit systems for cities between 250 and 50,000 people.
• to across the aisle, and the egg educator loan forgiveness program got a very small cut, $10,000 cut
• got a small uh loan forgiveness program got a small cut<03:31:50.399><c> again</c><03:31:50.800><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• travel perks, but the cost of those programs is borne by the small business owner.
• or 12 other small businesses.
• or 12 other small businesses.
• We operate in 130 cities across towns in the cities and towns in the Commonwealth.
• We're a small business.

Summary: The commission met to hear testimony on the future of credit card payments and swipe fees, with a focus on impacts to small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members and witnesses discussed interchange fees, processing fees, chargebacks, fraud risk, rewards programs, and the growing use of card-not-present and digital wallet transactions. Several witnesses urged the commission to support legislation that would prohibit fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions and allow businesses to pass credit card fees on to customers if they choose, while others warned that state regulation of interchange could reduce fraud protections and harm consumer rewards programs. Small business owners and trade groups described rising costs and thin margins, saying card fees are now among their largest expenses and are often charged on money that is merely passing through the business, such as sales tax and gratuities. Restaurant representatives said the current system shifts fraud and chargeback losses onto merchants, with little ability to negotiate rates or recover disputed funds, and argued that transparency and fee relief would help keep independent businesses open. Retailers gave similar testimony, citing rising swipe fees, complex statements, and the burden of online and phone transactions. A representative from the airline industry opposed interchange reform, arguing that airline credit card rewards are popular with consumers and support travel and jobs in Massachusetts. Credit union representatives cautioned that state-level interchange limits could weaken fraud prevention and force higher rates or reduced services, while the National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that banks and networks already operate under fee caps in other contexts and that interchange rates are fixed rather than competitive. Commission members asked questions about how chargebacks work, how fees are broken down, whether businesses can negotiate with processors or POS providers, and how consumer behavior has shifted toward cards, online ordering, and delivery since the pandemic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the program leader for the Cyber and Infrastructure Resilience Program at Lawrence Livermore National
• We are a department, like many municipal utilities in California, we're a department of a city, the city
• We are a department, like many municipal utilities in California, we're a department of a city, the city
• power plant exemption program actually use diesel as backup generation.
• Yet data centers under 100 megawatts qualify for the program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair calls up Julian Ramirez, City Council, also a member of the City of Houston, representing himself
• City of Austin.
• Ramirez, you're Julian Ramirez, City Council member, representing the City of Houston and yourself, and
• However, for the City of Houston and for other cities across Texas.
• cities in the Metroplex would lose.

Bills: HB2838, HB2964, HB3213, SB924

Keywords: broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority