Video & Transcript Research : 'overnight programs'
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MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This is what we wanted to hear about programs like this. We need to keep going.
- Heroes assistant program I recognize the Heroes assistant program I recognize the author<00:10:47.720
- <00:12:20.199>
that really been a successful program that really been a successful program - <00:13:11.320>
like we wanted to hear about programs like we wanted to hear about programs - the Hometown Heroes about this program the Hometown Heroes assistance<00:18:18.840>
program <00
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (3-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh we've reviewed doctoral programs.
- <00:08:22.479>
a eligible to uh uh submit a program a eligible to uh uh submit a program a - doctoral program for review by CPE. doctoral program for review by CPE.
- So, this would cover PhD programs.
- to meet to deliver highquality programs. to meet to deliver highquality programs.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 77, which would allow comprehensive universities to pursue doctoral programs under a new approval process and, in the original bill, would also change who may serve on the EPSB board for small colleges and universities. The sponsor and Council on Postsecondary Education representative explained that the committee substitute removed the current statutory prohibition on comprehensive universities offering certain doctoral degrees, but added eligibility guardrails: a 77% first-to-second-year retention rate, a 56% six-year graduation rate, and three months of unrestricted cash reserves. They said the thresholds were based on national data placing institutions in roughly the top quartile, and that CPE would still review proposals for mission fit, workforce need, fiscal impact, and, where applicable, programmatic accreditation and legislative appropriations. EKU President David McFaden supported creating a pathway for comprehensive universities, said Kentucky is unusual in having an explicit statutory prohibition, and urged the committee to keep the standards attainable and durable. The committee approved the bill and adopted a title amendment, with the motion passing unanimously.
The committee then heard Senate Joint Resolution 55, which addresses antisemitism on postsecondary campuses. Senator Tichenor said the resolution responds to a rise in antisemitic incidents after October 7, 2023, and would require campuses to notify students each semester of Title VI rights, complaint procedures, existing harassment policies, and available Jewish student resources. It would also direct campuses to disband student organizations found to provide material support to known terrorist organizations, report such matters to law enforcement, and collect and report antisemitism data to CPE for posting on its website. A guest speaker from the Kentucky Jewish Council described a sharp increase in reported incidents, including harassment, threats, vandalism, and hostile campus activity, and argued that schools have often done too little to respond. He said the resolution was amended to protect free speech while ensuring Jewish students receive the same protections as other protected groups. The transcript ends while testimony on the resolution was still underway, before any committee vote on SJR 55.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- program to start with? program to start with?
- how would you sustain this program? how would you sustain this program?
- And so I think this is nothing against the program. I think the program is great.
- And so I think this is nothing against the program. I think the program is great.
- And so I think this is nothing against the program. I think the program is great.
Keywords:
pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe we further strengthen the program.
- those that have been doing the program those that have been doing the program with<00:13:45.639>
- is how much does the interlock program is how much does the interlock program cost<00:14:48.040>
- Night Moves basketball program up at Night Moves basketball program up at Central<00:36:05.800>
High - <01:02:27.039>
Integrity an important uh program Integrity an important uh program Integrity
Keywords:
public safety, school safety, active shooter, active shooter drill, violence prevention, threat reporting, anonymous tip line, See It, Say It, Send It, Minnesota Fusion Center, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, officer-involved death, missing person, endangered missing person, criminal background check, national background check, FBI fingerprint check, adult entertainment license, massage license, correctional facilities
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- fraud within this program? fraud within this program?
- This is a well-established program.
- This is a well-established program.
- This is through our existing state programs. different program built specifically for different program
- existing state programs. existing state programs. Okay. Okay. Okay.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/06/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- The pilot program is just getting underway.
- <00:18:18.559>
this the emergency ambulance aid program this the emergency ambulance aid program - Rebecca will come up and talk about the pilot program up there with chase cars.
- We've made some pretty good progress toward getting this program started.
- licensed programs licensed programs we<01:32:24.880>
have <01:32:25.159>new <01:32:
Summary:
The Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on February 6, 2025, for an update on emergency medical services (EMS) policy and implementation. Senator Seberger described the work of the EMS Task Force, which traveled statewide to hear concerns from providers about staffing, reimbursement, and retention. She said the task force led to the Sprint Medic model and two innovation zones in Otter Tail and St. Louis counties, and she urged continued monitoring and possible reconstitution of the task force to evaluate what is working and what could be expanded statewide. She also said future EMS work should continue to explore alternative response models and telemedicine, but that the most immediate need is additional funding, especially to address unpaid non-transport calls.
Dylan Ferguson, director of the newly formed Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services, gave a detailed update on the office’s structure and priorities after the transition from the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. He described the office’s three divisions, the appointment of deputy directors, the first meetings of the advisory councils, and work on a statewide EMS strategic plan. He also reviewed the $24 million emergency ambulance aid program, explaining its 40-40-20 formula, the emphasis on rural services, the reporting and spending deadlines, and the positive response from ambulance providers. He noted that the $6 million Sprint paramedic grant program is underway, with Otter Tail County moving forward and St. Louis County still finalizing its application.
Ferguson also outlined the office’s budget request for modest staffing and contract-cost increases, two rulemaking efforts to update outdated ambulance vehicle standards and expand medication options for basic life support services, and ongoing data collection on workforce needs, violence against EMS providers, and ambulance crashes. He highlighted the paramedic scholarship program administered by the Office of Higher Education, saying nearly 300 scholarships have been awarded. Members and Senator Seberger praised the EMS reforms and emphasized that non-transport calls create significant unreimbursed costs, especially for rural and volunteer services, but no votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/2/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- of A on the Agri program. of A on the Agri program.
- >
instrumental <00:26:00.880>uh Eggar program has been instrumental uh Eggar program has - Uh and this program uh has food?"
- uh farm-toschool programs. uh farm-toschool programs.
- program and for your work. program and for your work. >> Thanks,<00:54:01.280>
Mr.
Keywords:
agriculture, livestock, depredation, crop damage, wolf compensation, elk damage, state funding, agricultural protection, trespass, criminal penalties, farm equipment, agricultural land, 1183, house
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then heard from Minnesota FFA officers, who described FFA as a student-led agricultural education organization focused on leadership, personal growth, and career success. The students explained the three-part model of agricultural education, the size and reach of FFA in Minnesota, and upcoming events at the Capitol, including an agricultural policy experience conference and FFA Day at the Capitol. Members asked about FFA’s role in encouraging the next generation of farmers, the organization’s broader focus beyond farming to include wildlife and other natural resources careers, and the mix of rural, metro, and urban chapters. The students emphasized that FFA and agricultural educators help students discover career paths and that urban chapters are active and thriving alongside rural ones.
The committee then received a presentation from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on the Agri program. The department described Agri as a legislature-created program that uses producer-payment funds to support roughly 15 grant and cost-share programs, including newer efforts such as Protect and Prepare. Testimony stressed transparency and fraud prevention: Agri is reimbursement-based, requires detailed documentation, conducts site visits on grants over $25,000, and has identified and stopped more than a dozen fraudulent applications in the past year. The department also noted a prior legislative auditor review of two larger Agri programs and said only about one-tenth of 1% of reviewed expenditures were recommended for recovery.
The department highlighted the Make It Minnesota cost-share program, which helps Minnesota food and agriculture companies attend national trade shows such as Natural Products Expo West. Testifiers then described how Agri has supported their businesses: Mark Schiller of Lon Liquor in Northfield said the program helped his microdistillery expand into milling organic flour and adding food service, while Pete Gangler of Snowpack Foods in Caledonia said Agri grants supported food safety improvements, processing capacity, and a new freezer warehouse project. The department said additional grantees would testify as well, and members asked whether the department’s fraud-prevention practices could be shared with other state agencies; staff said they already are being shared through interagency best-practice efforts.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The program is succeeding to grow as well going forward.
- If we don't, it shouldn't be a state program that's paying for this.
- And so the program fundamentally is an incentive program, as we've all talked about.
- And then the modalities part of it is, you know, looking at the programs.
- The federal programs at stake exist for students like us.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations Apr 15th, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Housing programs, $2.5 million.
- ICF, the $4.4 million, For programming for them.
- Programming to help people become aware of and to access services.
- Well, what entitlement means is that programs like Medicaid are not capitated programs.
- The department had put together an incentive program where...
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier.
The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier.
The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We used to have a litter program. program that worked with the cities, and the cities were allocated
- And we're not talking about a 25-year program.
- during fiscal year 2024, these programs included.
- Implement this program. We're going to do this to implement this program.
- What to do with a program like this.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the case where the paid family leave program was completely manual, and we modified that program
- Again, with the larger of the two programs under the SDI umbrella being the DI program, I mean, it's.
- The larger of the two programs under the SDI umbrella being the DI program, it's really event-driven,
- This program is sometimes referred to as COYA.
- I don't have any questions, but just wanted to comment that I think the DROP program is a great program
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation.
Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs.
The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The establishment of the community solar garden program, or CSG for the cool kids, is a program that
- program changed my life. program changed my life.
- This specific bill, this program, is one of the areas where a program that we funded has not been expended
- This specific bill, this program, is one of the areas where a program that we funded has not been expended
- This specific bill, this program, is one of the areas where a program that we funded has not been expended
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jul 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , implement a new program, replace federal funds for a program that may have been eliminated by the federal
- There's still programs out there that we can tap into.
- One is the Community Development Block Grant Program, the CDBG program.
- , the capital outlay development program fund.
- Our program evaluation team over the years has looked at these programs, and we have consistently found
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Dental therapists get included under the guest licensure program.
- They administer the SNAP program. They administer Medicaid.
- <00:56:01.200>
in administering social service programs in administering social service programs - They administer the SNAP program. They administer the SNAP program.
- , related to administering these programs, related to administering these programs, particularly<
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The chamber received Senate messages announcing a joint convention for the governor’s message and transmitting Senate Files 1251, 3769, and 3868. The House also introduced House Files 4868 through 4933 and adopted committee reports and comparison report motions without objection. The Rules Committee placed several bills on the calendar and required pre-filing of amendments for specified measures.
On the calendar, the House passed Senate File 3602, which enacts the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act and expands electronic signing to estate planning documents beyond wills. Supporters said it would help people who are homebound, hospitalized, or in rural areas and reduce uncertainty for banks and hospitals about electronically signed powers of attorney and health care directives. The bill passed 134-0. The House also passed House File 3516, a Board of Dentistry policy bill that updates licensure language, allows retired dentists to serve low-income uninsured patients, and increases the number of dental hygienists a dentist may collaborate with from four to eight; it passed 134-0.
The House then passed House File 3528, a technical barbering bill that reduces training and retesting burdens, gives the board more testing flexibility, repeals duplicative rules, clarifies that waxing is not barbering, and makes other fee and registration changes; it passed 134-0. House File 3718, updating veterinary medicine and veterinary technology statutes, was amended to restore board seal language and then passed 134-0 as amended. Supporters said it modernizes definitions and standards, recognizes licensed veterinary technicians, and may help address veterinary shortages, especially in greater Minnesota.
Finally, the House passed Senate File 3402, which broadens who may serve as a medical consultant for Community Health Boards to include additional licensed professionals such as DOs, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses; it passed 134-0. The chamber also considered several motions to move bills between committees, including referrals involving veterans, education, health, and psilocybin-related legislation. A motion to suspend the rules for House File 4487 was presented, and the bill was described as providing a one-time $1 billion property tax rebate or credit, but the transcript cuts off during extended debate on that motion before any final disposition is shown.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh this program has an integrity.
- for programs. for programs.
- , program or dislike the program, program or dislike the program, we<00:40:27.920>
should < - the program was due to liquidity issues. the program was due to liquidity issues.
- government programs and steal. government programs and steal.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Representatives Zeleznikar, Baker and Bierman Press Conference 5/12/26
Transcript Highlights:
- 340 uhb drug pricing program 340 uhb drug pricing program at<00:01:19.119>
their <00:01:19.439 - And this program is a bridge delivered.
- You're all There's a federal program.
- federal program or a federal acronym. federal program or a federal acronym. 340B<00:20:36.480>
- important program that we can't let end. important program that we can't let end.
Summary:
House File 369 was the main topic, with House authors Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, Rep. Robert Bierman, and Rep. Dave Baker arguing that the bill would give Minnesota’s 2024 340B law “teeth” by enforcing protections for nonprofit and rural hospitals’ access to the federal drug pricing program. They said the measure costs the state nothing, aligns with similar laws in more than 20 other states, and is needed before adjournment to help hospitals close funding gaps, support services like emergency care, obstetrics, behavioral health, and pharmacy access, and preserve care in remote communities. Several hospital leaders from across greater Minnesota testified that 340B revenue helps keep their facilities viable and that losing it would threaten services and, in some cases, hospital survival.
Witnesses described severe financial pressure on rural hospitals, including reimbursement cuts, workforce shortages, inflation, and rising drug costs. Leaders from United Hospital District in Blue Earth, Lakewood Health System in Staples, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Northshore Health in Grand Marais, Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby said their hospitals serve as safety-net providers and often operate with thin or negative margins. They emphasized long travel times to other hospitals, seasonal tourism pressures in some areas, and the importance of local emergency, ambulance, inpatient, and specialty services. The Minnesota Hospital Association president also criticized pharmaceutical company messaging and said nonprofit hospitals are working around the clock to maintain access.
In response to questions, Zeleznikar said she had considered other enforcement approaches but now supported using the original Senate-passed bill, citing concerns about fraud and the difficulty of alternative enforcement mechanisms. She and hospital leaders distinguished this bill from a separate hospital stabilization-grant proposal, saying both are needed but serve different purposes. No vote was taken at the meeting, and the speakers repeatedly urged House leadership to bring the bill to the floor before session ends.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Aging and Independence Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Aging and Independence
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the Massachusetts State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and, as many of you know, our program is mandated
- One of my very first questions to the department was about the responsible person program.
- , tailored to meet the... ...to normalize educational and competency-based training program tailored
- We, like many across the March membership, work in close partnership with our local PACE program and
- Opposing the MAP program. So I'm hoping that that answers your question. I think so.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence held a hearing on two assisted living bills, Senate 3057 and House 5376, which would create an Assisted Living Residence Trust Fund to support certification staffing, compliance reviews, complaint investigations, ombudsman services, public reporting, appeals, and oversight. Testimony from MassALA, AARP, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman generally supported the bills and the dedicated funding stream, but MassALA urged amendments to expand career pathways for staff through certified medication aides and to add guardrails on the use of fines as a funding source. The Ombudsman supported the fund and emphasized the need for additional staffing to better serve the state’s assisted living residents. Committee members asked for draft amendment language, and the chairs indicated they were open to further discussion, especially on fines and CMA language.
The committee then heard testimony on Senate 3056 and House 5243 regarding medication administration in rest homes. Providers, including the Massachusetts Association of Residential Care Homes, LeadingAge Massachusetts, and several rest home operators, opposed proposed Department of Public Health changes that would eliminate the long-standing “responsible person” model and move rest homes toward the Medication Administration Program (MAP). Witnesses said the current model has been used for decades, is tailored to rest homes, and is essential to affordability, staffing stability, and resident continuity of care; they warned that replacing it with MAP or nurse-only administration would raise costs, worsen workforce shortages, and could force closures or resident displacement. They asked the committee to support legislation preserving responsible persons’ authority to administer medications while improving training and oversight.
Committee members asked questions about the history of the responsible person model, how medication administration works day to day, whether other states use similar systems, and whether data exist comparing medication error rates under MAP and the current model. The chairs said they were still reviewing building-code-related recommendations raised in the assisted living discussion and noted that some issues might be better addressed through a task force. The hearing concluded after testimony and questions, and the committee voted to adjourn.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Next is $724,000 and five FTE for phase two of an increased retail engagement pilot program.
- I know my constituents really want, love this program, and want to use this program.
- Just a couple highlights of the program.
- Yes, Senator, that is a big reason for the slowing of the program. on that.
- Just a couple highlights of the program.
Summary:
The committee convened with a quorum, welcomed new member Senator Ralph Massullo, and first took up confirmation of five appointees to water management district and basin board positions. Senator McLean moved favorable confirmation of Ted Everett, Jerome Pate, Michael Romano, Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns, and the motion passed by roll call.
The main agenda item was the Governor’s Florida First budget presentation for the environmental agencies. Kim Kramer and DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert outlined proposed environmental funding of about $5.8 billion, including more than $1.4 billion for water resources, $810 million for Everglades restoration, $408 million for water quality, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $75 million for beach renourishment, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state park infrastructure, and $221 million for hazardous waste cleanup. They also highlighted proposed funding for FWC operations, manatee care, python removal, oyster reef restoration, forestry and wildfire equipment, and citrus research and disease response. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a cut to the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and how beach renourishment is handled after storms.
The committee then heard the general government budget presentation. Agencies highlighted included DBPR, Gaming Control, the Lottery, DMS, PERC, DFS, OIR, and Revenue. DBPR discussed funding for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, vehicle replacement, and IT recruitment; Gaming Control requested new law enforcement squads and a licensing/enforcement IT system; the Lottery emphasized marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding; DMS proposed building, fleet, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and local government grant investments; PERC described workload growth after SB 256 and requested staffing, operations, and pay increases; OIR sought more staff for consumer protection and market oversight plus building renovations; DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home funding, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation; and Revenue requested operational, IT, and fiscally constrained county funding. Members questioned DBPR about unfunded HOA fraud and condo transparency items, DMS about cybersecurity grants, and DFS about My Safe Florida Home funding levels, abandoned grants, and reduced program uptake. No further action was taken, and the committee adjourned without additional votes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We extended audio only tellahalth and public programs.
- We extended audio only tellahalth and public programs.
- We extended audio only tellahalth and public programs.
- We helped our and public programs.
- <00:10:34.079>
modified dispensing payment program modified dispensing payment program modified
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of William Briggs, of Texas, to be Deputy Administrator, and Casey Mulligan, of Illinois, to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, both of the Small Business Administration. Mar 12th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- SBA's programs, especially in the COVID-19 economic injury disaster loan or EIDL programs, kept their
- loan or EIDL programs.
- the 7a loan program.
- Program.
- Yes, the 7A program right now is cashless.
Keywords:
SBA, small business, nominations, Bill Briggs, Casey Mulligan, regulations, capital access, public support
Summary:
The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship convened to consider the nominations of Bill Briggs for Deputy Administrator of the SBA and Dr. Casey Mulligan for Chief Counsel for Advocacy. The discussions highlighted the critical role of the SBA in promoting small businesses, with emphasis on overcoming challenges posed by excessive regulations and the need for improved access to capital. Several committee members expressed their concerns over recent layoffs within the SBA and the closure of district offices, which they believe undermine support for small businesses across the nation. The committee meeting saw extensive dialogue about the implications of regulations on small business operations and how the nominees plan to address these issues if confirmed. Public support for the nominees was acknowledged through letters from various stakeholders who advocate for small business interests.