Transcript Highlights:

• a lot of small businesses do, just trying to generate additional business, not necessarily trying to
• They're just a small business, and a lot of small businesses get word-of-mouth business or door-to-door
• business.
• This also hurts small businesses, some large contractors, but a lot more small businesses who have created
• I am a small retailer, business owner.

Bills: HB267, HB478, HB617, HB659, HB800, HB922, HB924, HB947, HB1166, HB1223

Keywords: home inspectors, board membership, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board, utility, reimbursement, overcharges, consumer protection, economic relief, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price, service fees

Bills: SCR74, SR68, SCR108, SCR76, SCR150, SR141, SCR69, SR64, SCR25, SR22

Keywords: no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, auditor, state and county agencies, government accountability, emergency declarations, easement, submerged lands, drainage, Kahala Hotel, Oahu, state land regulations, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, H.B. No. 1971

Transcript Highlights:

• minority owned business district minority owned businesses<01:09:12.239><c> that</c><01:09:13.359><c
• ,</c><01:09:25.679><c> displacing</c> in front of their businesses, displacing in front of their businesses
• You cannot come to the businesses.
• And I think of how small a business we are and I can't imagine that helping any business in our state
• There is zero drive business away.

Bills: HF3694, HF3844, HF4006, HF3785, HF3849, HF4102, HF3441, HF3507, HF3562

Keywords: transportation, tow trucks, variable message signs, road safety, emergency service, optometrist, window glazing, motor vehicle regulations, medical prescriptions, transportation safety, infrastructure, construction, appropriation, state project, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, transportation regulations, safety standards, dealer license

Transcript Highlights:

• Going from 20 days to 10 days, I'm just curious if that's calendar days or business days?
• Would the typically that entertainment business also be selling alcohol?
• So it seems as if we're being punitive to those businesses that already have a license.
• It is a license, like you would have to participate in a number of Other businesses.
• You know, we have a very robust process for the alcohol licensing for businesses now.

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• Going from 20 days to 10 days, I'm just curious: is that calendar days or business days?
• It is a license like you would have to participate in a number of other businesses.
• It is a license like you would have to participate in a number of other businesses.
• We regulate a lot of different things. number of other businesses.
• You know, we have a very robust process for the alcohol licensing for businesses now.

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Summary: The Public Safety Committee took up a series of bills dealing with cold cases, sexual assault investigations, parole, criminal code cleanup, jail backlog relief, private prison oversight, and human trafficking. SB 1636, by Sen. Hicks, would let an immediate family member or similar person request an OSBI investigation in a cold case; it passed 8-0. SB 1584, by Sen. Burns, shortened the deadline for submitting sexual assault evidence kits for forensic testing and required kits received after the effective date to be processed within 30 days; it passed 8-0. SB 1730, by Sen. Thompson, required law enforcement to forward sexual assault reports to OSBI to help identify repeat offenders, with testimony that the reports would remain confidential and could still be expunged where applicable; it passed 8-0. The committee also approved SB 1255, by Sen. Yack, which shifts the authority to request medical parole from the DOC director to the DOC medical director while leaving parole board and gubernatorial discretion intact; it passed 8-1. SB 1627, by Pro Tem Paxton, was a request bill to consolidate redundant and obsolete criminal statutes into a cleaner code, and it passed 9-0 after questions about underlined language in the committee substitute. SB 137, by Vice Chair Hamilton, would remove DUI causing great bodily injury from eligibility for DOC’s electronic monitoring program after a case highlighted what sponsors described as a loophole; it passed 9-0. SB 2062, by Sen. Pugh, sought to reduce county jail and LARC backlog by allowing certain low-level, nonviolent offenders to bypass county jail waiting periods and report directly to their assigned facility after screening; members raised concerns about flight risk, logistics, transportation, and county impacts. Pugh agreed to continue working on the measure and requested a struck title, and the bill passed 7-1. SB 1470, by Sen. Brooks, as amended, would allow elected officials and religious leaders to conduct informal inspections of private prisons operated for out-of-state interests, with a three-day notice requirement and definitions added to narrow the scope; it passed 8-0. Finally, SB 1284, by Vice Chair Hamilton, aimed at combating human trafficking in exotic entertainment venues by creating licensing and inspection requirements and penalties for unlicensed operation or knowingly hiring unlicensed performers. The bill drew extensive debate over whether it was too punitive or could sweep in lawful businesses, but supporters said it would help identify trafficking victims and improve oversight; it passed 7-1. The committee adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m a small business owner here in Phoenix, Arizona, representing over 1,000 business owners on the Indian
• My business has been there since 1985 as a family-owned business.
• Again, I'm a small business owner in Maryvale.
• A small business in the Maryvale area. A total of 59 years, a small business in the Maryvale area.
• We currently run two businesses along Indian School Road.

Bills: SB1088, SB1156, SB1157, SB1169, SB1245, SB1273, SB1330, SB1332, SB1391, SB1498, SB1531, SB1550, SB1598, SB1677, SB1707, SB1811, SB1818

Keywords: cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, appropriation, public safety, detention, unauthorized aliens, local government funding, border security, fencing, appropriations, southern border, local government, medical education, physician shortage, healthcare funding, Arizona health care

Bills: HB304, HB285, HB312, HB311, SB60

Keywords: impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, law enforcement, HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law

Transcript Highlights:

• A nonresident who has a business that operates in Washington would have the portion of business income
• A business can only be as strong as the community it serves. ...pro-business.
• This bill mentioned small business tax relief.
• I have a small business in Renton, Washington.
• and grow their businesses.

Bills: SB6346, SB6347, SB6147, SB6246, SB5940, SB5882, SB6223, SJR8206, SB5762, SB5828

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue

Summary: The committee first suspended the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda by a 15-9 roll call vote, after several senators objected that the main tax bill had not been public long enough and that the fiscal note had just been released. The hearing then focused on Senate Bill 6346, described by staff as a 9.9% tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million household deduction, with additional charitable deductions, credits for certain taxes, and related changes to the working families tax credit, a grooming and hygiene sales tax exemption, a larger small business B&O credit, and early repeal of the high-grossing business B&O surcharge. Staff said the proposal would raise about $3.5 billion annually once fully implemented, with most revenue going to the general fund and 5% to a public defense stabilization account for counties. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor, anti-poverty, health care, education, and local government advocates, argued the bill would make the tax code more progressive, help fund schools, health care, child care, public defense, and other services, and provide relief through the working families tax credit and lower taxes on working people. Several individuals who would be subject to the tax also testified in support, saying they were willing to pay more to support public services and community investment. Opponents, including business groups, builders, hospitality, rental housing, medical, and taxpayer advocates, warned the bill would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, hurt housing production and small businesses, create cash-flow problems, and potentially drive people and investment out of Washington. Committee members asked questions about the bill’s treatment of pass-through entities, student athletes, nonresidents, capital gains, and whether the measure would eventually expand beyond high earners. Some witnesses and senators also raised constitutional concerns and argued the bill conflicts with Initiative 2111 and the state constitution’s tax provisions. Others noted the bill’s public defense funding and asked for broader or different distribution formulas, including possible support for cities and higher education. No final action on Senate Bill 6346 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee was still hearing testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• or medium businesses.
• or medium businesses.
• or medium businesses.
• or medium businesses.
• or medium businesses.

Bills: SB57, SB155, HB39, HB77, HB104, SB57, SB155, HB39, HB77, HB104

Keywords: property, acknowledgment, conveyance, business entities, limited liability companies, state employees, payroll deduction, salary deduction, comptroller, membership association, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments, deferred compensation, state payroll, employee benefits, association dues, withholding, Alabama Code 36-1-4.3

Transcript Highlights:

• And we just finished a session where we really, you know, did a lot and asked a lot of our businesses
• So when we're thinking about a person having a beer, making a mistake, asked a lot of our businesses.
• That will conclude our business for today. The executive session is adjourned.

Bills: HB1228, HB1982, HB2156, HB2165, HB2173, HB2203, HB2220, HB2362, HB2403, HB2464

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, impaired driving, toxicology, forensic toxicology, breath test, blood test, THC, marijuana, cannabis, alcohol concentration, state toxicologist, implied consent, evidence admissibility, venous blood draw, forensic phlebotomist, certified laboratory, accredited laboratory, law enforcement, DWI

Summary: The Community Safety Committee met in executive session to act on several bills previously heard in public hearings. House Bill 1228, dealing with certification of toxicology labs for blood and breath analysis, was amended to allow use of a private lab with an out-of-state expert available for pretrial interview and virtual trial appearance if requested by the prosecutor and agreed to by defense counsel, and to require a Washington State Patrol report on implementation and backlog reduction by October 1, 2031. The committee adopted amendments 261 and 341, withdrew amendment 340, and reported the bill out with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 1982, expanding vacatur eligibility for convictions tied to exercise of treaty Indian rights and requiring Office of Public Defense representation, was advanced as a proposed substitute that reorganizes the statute and clarifies hunting-rights eligibility; it was reported out due pass. House Bill 2156, concerning Attorney General investigators’ authority to obtain email search warrants, also passed out of committee after a roll call vote of 6-3, with supporters citing efficiency and opponents wanting more stakeholder work. The committee next considered House Bill 2165, creating the gross misdemeanor of false identification as a peace officer. The proposed substitute moved some conduct from criminal impersonation into the new offense, narrowed defenses, and defined “peace officer” to include state, local, reserve, and federal officers. Members raised concerns about clarity, honorary or reserve officer issues, and possible unintended effects, but the substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 8-1. House Bill 2173 was held because a Senate companion is moving. House Bill 2203, creating reckless interference with emergency operations and allowing recovery of emergency response costs, was amended to reduce penalties in some cases and shorten license suspensions; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill out unanimously. House Bill 2220, relating to the Criminal Justice Training Commission, was deferred to a later executive session. The committee also advanced House Bill 2362, the so-called 0.05 impaired driving bill, after a divided debate. Supporters argued lower blood alcohol limits reduce deaths and injuries, while opponents raised concerns about toxicology backlogs, court capacity, racial disproportionality in traffic stops, disability-related enforcement issues, and the lack of a broader second-chance policy for DUI convictions. The bill passed 5-4. House Bill 2403, modifying failure-to-register offenses for sex offenders and kidnapping offenders, was reported out 6-3 after debate over whether the offense should remain treated as a sex offense. Finally, House Bill 2464, requiring private detention facilities and local law enforcement to report incidents to the Department of Health, passed 6-3 amid arguments over transparency and whether the issue should be addressed at the federal level. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Contractors, particularly smaller businesses that lack resources, face the risk of being locked into
• So, House Bill 2960 addresses this by amending the Business and Commerce Code to clarify the original
• This is the time for the state to say that is not good business. It's not smart.
• I think the use of this tool, which is a business tool, is fine.
• With that, if there's no other business at this time before the committee, we stand...

Bills: HB34, HB128, HB621, HB748, HB2259, HB2960, HB3113, HB4749, SB835, HB128

Keywords: HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy, local government, state agency, political subdivision, foreign adversary, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Taiwan, major non-NATO ally, cultural exchange, educational exchange, tourism, bilateral cooperation, foreign relations

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out as a matter of pending business, House Bill 748, and the chair lays out as a matter
• As a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 835.
• A sister city agreement is a broad-based, long-term partnership that encapsulates municipal, business

Bills: HB128, HB34, HB128, HB621, HB748, HB2259, HB2960, HB3113, HB4749, SB835

Keywords: heat illness prevention, workplace safety, administrative penalties, advisory board, employee protection, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy, local government, state agency, political subdivision, foreign adversary, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Taiwan, major non-NATO ally

Transcript Highlights:

• And you'll recall, these are for high-stakes business-to-business matters that require expertise and
• It is for business-to-business commercial matters, and we are not seeking to change that at all.
• The Business Law Foundation is an organization of business lawyers, general counsels, and commercial
• We became the 31st state to have an operational business court. ...business, and you know the advocates
• I think the business court is...

Bills: SB1538, SB2883, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3376

Keywords: digital court reporting, court reporting, court reporter, electronic recording, audio recording, video recording, transcription, verbatim record, judicial administration, Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial System, courts, depositions, grand jury, referee, court commissioner, court technology, courtroom technology, access to justice, accuracy

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out his pending business, HB 5043. Members, this is Mr.
• House is to engage in a business or occupation in this state.
• The chair lays out his pending business HB3945. Members, this is Mr.
• The chair lays out, as pending business, HB 5499. This is Mr.
• All right, that's it for pending business. Thank you.

Bills: HB2450, SB378, SB764, SB917, SB1254, SB1255

Keywords: elevator inspection, building safety, construction standards, health and safety code, regulatory requirements, SB 378, Texas Occupations Code, barbering, cosmetology, barber, cosmetologist, licensing, professional licensing, unauthorized practice, medical procedures, skin incision, dermis, injections, devices, consumer safety

Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 715 by Senator Sparks.
• As a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 2330 by Senator Parker.
• The Chair lays out as a matter of pending business Senate Bill 1495.
• The Chair lays out, as a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 2268.
• CoinFlip believes smart regulation is good for business.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce came to order. Senator Schwertner present.
• The Chair laid out, as a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 1495.
• The Chair laid out, as a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 1495.
• The Chair laid out, as a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 2268.
• CoinFlip believes smart regulation is good for business.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, at this time we're going to take up pending business.
• The chair lays out his pending business, House Bill 3126.
• That is pending business: House Bill 3594.
• The chair lays out his pending business, House Bill 3014.
• All right members, that concludes pending business. With that, we will continue on to new business.

Bills: HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3833, HB4134, HB4233, HB4238, HB4243

Keywords: HB 3803, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 712, perpetual care cemetery, perpetual care trust fund, cemetery regulation, financial confidentiality, confidential records, regulatory examination, Texas Department of Banking, commissioner disclosure, interagency information sharing, state agency enforcement, federal agency disclosure, trust fund oversight, burial services, cemetery trust, consumer protection, state banks, Texas Finance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• And those are business decisions for those companies. The bill does not affect that in any way.
• It will be a business decision. Yeah. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you all. Chair: Okay.
• These insurance companies need to be able to make business decisions regarding what care they do and
• Is there any further business for the committee to address? If not, the chair moves to adjourn.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Business owners are forced to pass on this expense to customers.
• That's just the cost of doing business, and they have that to a certain extent.
• You're going to be a busy guy. Enough of that. The last time, let me show you around.
• Texas law allows group insurance of commercial lines for large business risk.
• , but insurance is the business of signing a ...dollar amount to risk.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, you know, we just had Marty coming back to business today, so I'm doing the best I can here.

Bills: HB30, HB263, HB357, HB359, SB60, SB102, HB30

Keywords: elections, post-election audit, election audit, risk-limiting audit, ballot audit, election integrity, voter confidence, Secretary of State, judge of probate, canvassing board, poll watchers, ballot containers, manual tally, recount, county election, statewide election, general election, absentee ballots, provisional ballots, election transparency