Transcript Highlights:

• These small businesses serve working parents. with small smaller and more personalized child care options
• So, this is a small change, it's consistent the way Texas has always done business.
• As again, it's a small change and I would appreciate your support of 921. Thank you.
• Of course, you know that this is, you know, a small business. incubator in essence.
• It's a small, small, we believe in the... grand scheme of things, percentage of the actors, but it's

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• for small businesses.
• I live in southeast, and I see this as another way to stop small business. Small business is...
• This is another way to stop small business. Small business is the backbone of this state.
• Have you talked to any of the small businesses? ...small businesses a lot of money.
• The small... Citizens do.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a very small population of the undocumented population.
• Just that small population? We don't get it for anything else.
• So we're talking about a relatively small subset.
• They are basic operating infrastructure for the modern small business.
• We ask that AB 122 be amended to include real small business protections, a small business exemption,

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• What's considered a small contract?
• When you talk about small contracts, did you answer how much are you talking about small contracts in
• Even if you have small companies that they can do some subwork, try to find Even if you have small companies
• In our area, the city of the village of Loraville, city of Generet, very small communities, very small
• And the Bayou Pioneer looks like a small paper.

Bills: HB248 , HB249 , HB997 , HB1052 , HB1193 , SB1 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB289 , SB435

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: Compensation Commission, elected officials, salary evaluation, government accountability, Louisiana legislature, compensation, independent commission, salary adjustment, consumer price index, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district

Transcript Highlights:

• on evening and weekend activity, have yet And many small businesses, particularly those dependent on
• came in from nine to five into our city centers and provided a sort of a base of activity to support small
• for tens of billions of dollars in revenue, hundreds of thousands of jobs, and tens of thousands of small
• It made significant investments in venue safety training, coordinating small grants to local artists,
• Even in a— Was housed inside the Department of Small Businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, we're developing a small 20-unit project.
• Those range from very small 20-unit developments to much larger, over-a-hundred-unit developments.
• It's a very small hit on state and local taxes in return for a really big benefit. Thank you.
• A small gas tax... An enterprise agency that purely survives on money that they can generate.
• We are hundreds of small business owners, small gas station owners, small convenience store owners in

Bills: SB36 , SB88 , SB92 , SB97 , SB48 , SB55 , SB58 , SB76 , SB93 , SB89 , SB60

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: quantum technology, tax credit, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, foster care, income tax, guardianship, youth services, financial relief, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> entrepreneurs or small businesses with. entrepreneurs or small businesses with.
• </c><00:31:09.600><c> business</c> also required by the uh small business also required by the uh small
• </c> Wyoming SBIR STR initiative, small Wyoming SBIR STR initiative, small business<00:31:23.120><c>
• And if they small It's difficult.
• And how does a small ridiculous.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> like that in a small community. like that in a small community. Okay. Okay. Okay.
• small the small pharmacies, cuts out the small the small pharmacies, you<01:02:14.000><c> know,</c><
• </c><01:02:45.360><c> towns,</c> people know especially in small towns, people know especially in small
• </c> rural Minnesota and our small rural Minnesota and our small communities communities communities
• </c> are, which is a small part of our state. are, which is a small part of our state.

Bills: HF4712 , HF4801 , HF3756 , HF4860 , HF4931 , HF4289 , HF4460

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• But these small schools don't have that. They don't have that flexibility.
• But these small schools don't have that. They don't have that flexibility.
• </c> Uh you know, so many of our small Uh you know, so many of our small schools,<00:22:08.080><c> uh
• So, we are two small districts, and several conversations happened here before about small districts,
• Every small pinch results in a hard decision.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> might have food trucks there are small might have food trucks there are small startup<00:16:02.160
• And so we're talking about a very small amount of wine relative to these stores' annual sales.
• And so we're talking about a very small amount of wine relative to these stores' annual sales.
• small amount of wine uh relative to small amount of wine uh relative to these<01:01:53.799><c> stores
• Small or medium-sized retailers just don't have the opportunity to do that.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• This is HCR 96, and I need y'all to think small. I'm from a small parish.
• So you got to think small. New Orleans, think small. Shreveport, think small.
• New Orleans, think small. Shreveport, think small. Roundabouts.

Bills: HCR96 , SB431

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 431 by Senator Foil. The bill, as amended in the House, would apply only to non-consensual private-property tows and require towing companies to have someone available on weekends to release vehicles within 90 minutes of a call if they want to charge storage fees for Saturday and Sunday. Senator Foil said the measure was intended to help vehicle owners retrieve cars and belongings sooner, while not forcing companies to stay open; Lieutenant John Nelson of Louisiana State Police explained that payment would still occur at the yard and that the bill did not change the fee structure. Amy Seals of Riverside Towing opposed the bill, citing safety concerns, burdens on office staff, and fairness issues because it would not cover police-initiated tows; she suggested limiting weekend release hours to daytime. Despite her concerns, the committee moved SB 431 favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 96 by Representative Adams, which urges the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles, to provide educational materials on proper roundabout use. Adams said the resolution was meant to help drivers in smaller parishes and elsewhere who struggle with roundabouts. Several members supported the idea, noting confusion about roundabout navigation in their areas, and one member asked whether driver education already covers the topic. The resolution was moved favorably without objection. Before adjourning, the chair recognized a new DOTD staff member and a visitor from the Florida Women’s Republican group. Representative Spells then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• will amend the government code to include veteran-owned businesses certified by the United States Small
• The bill adds a new category to the existing hub definition to ensure that small businesses owned and
• businesses as a category eligible for small business contracts.
• And a concern I have, and just to be clear, disabled Veterans really do struggle in the small business
• It's an honor to be here with you today, representing Myself as a small business owner and a veteran

Bills: SB390 , SB1197 , SB1271

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills related to military installations, veterans, and contracting opportunities. Senator Birdwell presented SB 1197, which would extend existing drone restrictions over military bases and airports to spaceports, with exceptions for authorized users; no public testimony was offered at the first hearing, and the bill was left pending before later being reported favorably. Chairman Hancock presented SB 1271, which would allow Texas to accept concurrent jurisdiction over military installations so state and local authorities could handle certain juvenile offenses and provide more rehabilitative options; a committee substitute was explained, but the bill was left pending after no initial witnesses appeared. The committee also considered SB 390, which would expand the state historically underutilized business definition to include SBA-certified veteran-owned businesses regardless of disability rating. Supporters from the Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce and other veterans argued the change would improve access to state contracting, strengthen the economy, and better recognize veterans’ contributions. Senator Eckhardt raised concerns that broadening the category to all veterans might not satisfy the disparity-study basis typically used for HUB classifications, and Jim Brennan echoed that concern while suggesting a separate category might be more workable. During the pending-legislation portion, the committee voted on several bills. SB 651 and SB 897 were each substituted and reported favorably to the full Senate, with both also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1814 was likewise reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1197 was reported favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1271 was left pending after a motion to report the committee substitute favorably, and SB 390 was left pending after testimony concluded. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're a small business that's got not a lot of receipts, you're probably paying that $250.
• If you're a small business that's got not a lot of receipts, you're probably paying that $250.
• If businesses choose not to operate in California, our members are small and medium-sized businesses,
• These are small. The Escrow Institute is comprised of small women-based minority-run businesses.
• The first is that the fees are set by statute, the pro rata statute, disproportionately benefits small

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget change proposals and trailer bill items, beginning with Housing and Community Development (HCD) requests. HCD sought permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to support the HCD Connect IT system, and a separate proposal to fund implementation of eight 2025 housing-related laws with $4.2 million General Fund and 16 positions, plus $470,000 one-time General Fund. Members asked about how HCD Connect would interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee, and HCD also explained that the estimated cost to implement AB 1053 had been revised downward from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared implementation with CalHFA and the new committee structure. The committee also heard a Cal ICH proposal for $339,000 one-time General Fund to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing data gaps and the need for a contract-based approach because HMIS cannot be changed unilaterally. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: $15.34 million and 53 positions for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, $13.5 million and 51 positions for the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and $49,000 ongoing for two positions in the broker-dealer/investment adviser education program. Members and the public raised concerns about the size and fairness of debt collector assessments and licensing fees, while DFPI explained the pro rata fee structure, the current license count, and how larger assessments fall on larger firms. Public testimony also supported retaining funding for the Student Loan Empowerment Network and requested funding for a franchise broker registration program. The committee also considered a mandate item involving suspension of a disclosure requirement related to property taxation, and trailer bill language from the Government Operations Agency to amend AB 91 on MENA demographic data collection, with the administration emphasizing data nondisclosure, protection of federal funding, and delayed implementation. The Secretary of State’s office then presented Help America Vote Act funding requests: $10.3 million for VoteCal maintenance and operations and $4.492 million for HAVA spending plans supporting voter education, training, accessibility, auditing, and county assistance. The office also requested $660,000 General Fund to implement AB 1392, which would make voter registration information for elected officials and candidates confidential, and explained the need to modify VoteCal and county election systems. The committee also heard requests to continue the Cal-Access Replacement System with $11.8 million General Fund and to continue the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project with $9.75 million from the Business Fees Fund. Members asked about total project costs, testing, data migration, and the expected November 2026 go-live date for Cal-Access replacement. Votes were taken on the vote-only items once quorum was established, and the committee approved the items considered. The final informational item was an overview from the California Arts Council, which highlighted the agency’s 50th anniversary, its statewide grantmaking, and the economic impact of arts funding. Council staff described Creative Corps, cultural districts, and the role of arts funding in local economies, while members and public witnesses urged increased support, including a request to raise local assistance grant funding to $50 million and to provide additional funding for cultural districts. Testimony emphasized the arts as economic infrastructure, community infrastructure, and a source of civic and cultural vitality across California.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this isn't uh I was just a honored to be a small part of making this thing happen, but it is true
• And so this isn't uh I was just a honored to be a small part of making this thing happen, but it is true
• And so this isn't uh I was just a honored to be a small part of making this thing happen, but it is true
• And so this isn't uh I was just a honored to be a small part of making this thing happen, but it is true
• And so this isn't uh I was just a honored to be a small part of making this thing happen, but it is true

Summary: The interview focused on the senator’s long career in the fire service and his legislative work on firefighter health and well-being. He described serving as a firefighter and fire marshal in St. Cloud, later as White Park’s only full-time firefighter, and also as a volunteer, EMT, captain, and fire chief in Rockville. He said those experiences made him familiar with occupational hazards faced by firefighters, including cancer, cardiac disease, and psychological trauma. A major topic was the Hometown Heroes assistance program, which he helped advance. He said the program covers about 20,000 Minnesota firefighters, including career, paid-on-call, and volunteer personnel, and provides training on cancer awareness, cardiac disease, and emotional trauma, along with counseling and financial assistance for qualifying occupational illnesses. He said the program can provide up to $20,000 in payments depending on the condition, offers up to five free counseling sessions per year, and has paid out about $5.7 million to fewer than 600 firefighters. He also said the program is funded by a $4 million annual appropriation and a separate insurance policy, and that it is managed through the Department of Public Safety and MinFIRE. The senator addressed a 2023 Legislative Auditor report that found management problems in the program, saying he contacted MinFIRE immediately and that the issues were largely a communication disconnect and a double payment of about $2,300, which was corrected. He said the auditor later confirmed the problems had been fixed. He noted that the latest bill received unanimous bipartisan support in both chambers, which he attributed to broad recognition of the program’s value for retention, recruitment, and support for firefighters and their families. He also said he would like to explore extending similar support to retired firefighters and possibly peace officers. The interview ended with him reflecting on his public service career and saying he plans to retire after 14 years in the Senate to spend more time with family and travel.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we move to a base of paying by attendance, it makes it extremely hard on the small business
• Please use a small portion of that pension money to help bring equity to our majority women pension plan
• We have a small handful, less than a dozen cities, that operate their own jails in Washington.
• The units impacted by this legislation are very small, and corrections officers deserve the same rights
• The other challenge is for small rural hospitals.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 2689 on Working Connections Child Care. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would keep eligibility at 60% of state median income, eliminate scheduled expansions to 75% and 85%, reduce future subsidy rates from the 85th to the 75th percentile of market, end enhanced regional rates, and change reimbursement rules from prospective enrollment-based payments back to attendance-based payments with a reduced monthly payment after 11 absent days. Child care advocates thanked the committee for removing the proposed cap on the program but opposed the cuts to provider rates and eligibility expansions, warning of harm to families and providers. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5124 on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care, with staff noting administrative costs and indeterminate fiscal effects; hospitals supported the bill as a way to reduce discharge delays and reliance on single-case agreements. Senate Bill 5832, which would raise the new motor vehicle arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to support the Lemon Law arbitration program, drew support from the Attorney General’s Office and auto dealers, who said the fee had not been updated since 1995 and the program was underfunded. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5862, providing a one-time 3% COLA for certain PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees, with retirees testifying in favor and local government representatives warning about added employer costs. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5922, allowing school districts to transfer money from the Transportation Vehicle Fund to other funds if they reduce their fleet and receive OSPI approval; staff said the bill would mainly add administrative work for OSPI, and no one testified. Substitute Senate Bill 5923 would allow a hospital on an island in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital if federally certified; Island Health testified that the designation would help sustain rural services, and a committee member asked about bed count and Medicaid/charity-care pressures. Senate Bill 5944 would require language access providers to bargain over compensation for missed or canceled appointments and clarify that statutes prevail over conflicting contract terms; WFSE supported the bill, saying it would equalize bargaining rights across agencies. Substitute Senate Bill 5972 would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of population size; labor supported the bill as a retention tool, while cities and counties opposed it, arguing it would raise costs and should include ability-to-pay protections. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5988, authorizing the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge accreditation fees, which DOH said was needed to avoid winding down the program. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6151, which would move Ecology fee revenues for landfill methane emissions and laboratory accreditation into dedicated accounts; Ecology supported the bill as improving transparency and reinvesting fees into the programs, and staff said the lab fee shift would be offset by a related budget action. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194 would pay a rural hospital on a federally recognized Indian reservation, specifically Astria Toppenish, at 150% of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate beginning in 2027; hospital leaders and community members testified that the hospital serves a high-Medicaid, rural, and tribal population and faces persistent losses. Finally, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302 would direct L&I to investigate possible misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects involving multiple workers doing the same finishing work; labor and business representatives both described it as a negotiated compromise to address underground economy abuses. The committee took no final votes during the hearing and ended by reiterating amendment deadlines for bills scheduled for executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a relatively small amount.
• I have one question and it pertains to small constrained counties.
• I don't necessarily do either, but I want to convey concerns in our small counties.
• Chris Dulin, Small County Coalition. Chair Duggan: You are recognized.
• We come from small districts that are very populated.

Transcript Highlights:

• We made one loan to a small childcare center, a home-based childcare center in Las Cruces, and it worked
• It's vital that you understand that we went from a program that could only do very small expansions to
• A small business, and life happens.
• Child care providers function as small businesses, which is really cool.
• It doesn't matter if you're in a small business; it doesn't matter if it's a municipality.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding small modular electricity.
• Regarding small modular reactors,<00:15:20.560><c> despite</c><00:15:20.880><c> the</c><00:15:21.120>
• And the technology for this, with these small modular reactors as people keep promoting, does not even
• </c><00:17:47.760><c> modular</c> plant costs documents that small modular plant costs documents that
• </c> technology for this with these small technology for this with these small modular<00:18:09.760><

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on April 16, 2025, and heard three resolutions. STR 57 SD1 urged Congress to create a national reinsurance program to address insurance impacts from catastrophic natural disasters; there was no public testimony, and the committee later recommended passage without amendment. STR 198 SD1 encouraged Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to pursue subrogation claims against polluters to reduce insurance costs for residents; again, there was no public testimony, and the committee recommended passage without amendment. The committee spent most of its hearing on STR 136 SD1/HD1, which would create a Hawaii State Energy Office nuclear energy working group to study advanced nuclear power technologies. The Public Utilities Commission and State Energy Office provided written testimony and answered questions. Testimony from 350 Hawaii, Energy Justice Network, and an individual witness opposed the measure, arguing nuclear power and small modular reactors are too expensive, unproven, slow to deploy, create unresolved safety and waste issues, and do not align with Hawaii’s renewable energy goals. Opponents also criticized the measure’s amendment process, saying it replaced the original contents without adequate public notice. During decision-making, the committee adopted the recommendation to pass STR 57 SD1 unamended and STR 198 SD1 unamended. For STR 136 SD1/HD1, the committee adopted a recommendation to pass the measure with amendments, including changing it to a one-year working group with an interim report in 2026 and a final report before the 2027 Legislature. The motion passed with one recorded no vote and some excused members, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Small County Road Assistance Program, or SCRAP, assists small county governments with resurfacing
• It will be an incremental growth of a relatively small number of aircraft on a relatively small number
• You have small standard aviation. You have commercial liners. You have eVTOL aircraft.
• And I think we need to remember that as we start small.
• But we know that there's a lot of people stuck in a small cube space.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met and first received an update from FDOT on the Sun Trail shared-use nonmotorized trail program. FDOT said the program, created in 2015 and expanded by 2023 legislation, now includes connections to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and received a one-time $200 million appropriation plus increased annual funding. The department reported programming about $180 million of that funding, completing 42 construction projects totaling nearly 95 miles in 21 counties, and installing trail counters and QR-code surveys to measure usage and economic impact. Members expressed support for the program and asked no substantive questions. The committee then heard a presentation on FDOT’s locally administered state transportation funding programs, including SCOP, SCOPM, SCRAP, SIGP, and TRIP. FDOT explained these programs support local roadway resurfacing, bridge repair, drainage, paving unpaved roads, and safety or capacity improvements, with varying state match levels depending on the program and eligibility. FDOT said its adopted five-year work program includes more than $1.4 billion for local transportation improvement projects. A member asked whether toll revenues from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties fund these programs; FDOT said it would research the funding source and follow up. The committee’s main discussion was a panel on advanced air mobility (AAM), including FDOT and industry representatives from Supernal, Joby, Atlantic Aviation, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, and Eve Air Mobility. FDOT described its AAM planning work, advisory committee, local government guidebook, and upcoming training, while panelists emphasized Florida’s leadership, the likely use of existing airport and heliport infrastructure first, and the expectation that private investment will fund much of the early vertiport buildout. Members raised concerns about community acceptance, privacy, zoning, airspace congestion, security, and lessons from scooters and drones. Panelists repeatedly stressed a “crawl, walk, run” rollout, local government coordination, multimodal connectivity, and public outreach. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the panel.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that small, one-room office, I discovered my career of purpose.
• We’re not talking about a small industry.
• So we’re not talking about a small... ...over $41 billion annually.
• So we’re not talking about a small mom-and-pop employer industry.
• So we're not talking about a small. over $41 billion annually.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on labor standards, worker safety, and public transparency. SB 954 by Senator Blakespear would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by adding worker protections such as prevailing wage, a skilled and trained workforce, high-road employment standards, and environmental guardrails. Supporters from labor, environmental justice, and conservation groups said the bill restores promised safeguards after SB 131, while business groups argued the added requirements would undermine the exemption and discourage investment. The committee voted 5-0 to do pass and re-refer SB 954 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open for absent members. The committee then considered SB 966 by Senator Gonzalez, which would codify refinery worker participation and safety protections adopted in 2017 after the 2012 Chevron Richmond fire. Supporters, including United Steelworkers and a former refinery worker, said the bill would preserve workers’ ability to report hazards, select representatives, and stop unsafe work, preventing future disasters. The Western States Petroleum Association opposed the bill, arguing it could be preempted by federal labor law and would add regulatory uncertainty. The committee passed SB 966 3-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations, with the roll left open. Next, SB 1203 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas sought to modernize private security guard training, expand de-escalation instruction, strengthen accountability, and create a clearer professional pathway for the industry. The author and many security workers testified that guards are often first responders in volatile situations and need more practical training and better standards; opponents from industry and business groups warned the bill would raise costs, worsen staffing shortages, and create implementation problems, especially around third-party training and a new wage order. The committee voted 4-1 to do pass and re-refer SB 1203 to Public Safety, with one no vote and the roll left open. The committee also heard SB 1284 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, a transparency bill requiring DHCS to publish the names of large employers with workers enrolled in Medi-Cal and the estimated taxpayer cost. Supporters said the measure would show how low wages and unaffordable coverage shift health costs to the public, while opponents argued Medi-Cal enrollment depends on many factors and that naming employers would be misleading and amount to public shaming. After discussion, the committee voted 4-2 to do pass and re-refer SB 1284 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open. The transcript then began discussion of SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would improve workforce data collection and sharing to better evaluate job-training pathways, but the excerpt cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.