Video & Transcript : 'small business' :

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Regulated Industries Jan 27th, 2026

Regulated Industries

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

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Regulated Industries Jan 27th, 2026

Regulated Industries

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

Texas 89th Regular

Licensing & Administrative Procedures May 6th, 2025

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:
  • San Antonio, where I'm from, is probably like every other district; it is a city of small businesses.
  • Over 90% of the people who work in San Antonio work for a small business.
  • One of the things that they're facing is that if you want to open a small business, and I'm not saying
  • We surveyed small businesses from all over the state, and one of the complaints that we heard from them
  • For small businesses, time is money, and every day that a business waits on a permit is a day of lost
Bills: SB650 , HB3667 , SB28 , HB3201 , SB1184 , HB1800 , SB 28
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

Appropriations - Government Operations Division

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

Texas 89th Regular

Agriculture & Livestock Mar 18th, 2025

Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Kane: law evolves, it's crucial for the state to be able to adapt swiftly so our businesses
  • I think it's an important step forward in ensuring that Texas farmers Representative Kane: and businesses
  • This creates new opportunities for small and mid-sized farmers, allowing them to diversify their income
  • The cost for small and independent Liz Case Pickens: farmers is unreachable.
  • But it will hurt and drive out of Liz Case Pickens: business and we're losing our small farms and that's
Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard several bills, all of which were left pending. HB 1113, by Rep. Cain, would update Texas hemp law to keep state rules aligned with federal changes, require timely rule amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and create hemp research permits for universities and nonprofits. Supporters from the Texas Hemp Coalition said it would improve research, licensing, testing, and enforcement while helping the industry stay compliant and competitive; the author said the bill was intended to reward good actors and deter bad ones. HB 1203, by Rep. Gonzalez, would create an Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Department of Agriculture to address food insecurity and coordinate local food access efforts. Gonzalez said the office would build on a prior Department of Agriculture study and help connect farmers, agencies, schools, and local governments; members asked about the fiscal note, consumer costs, and whether the office would overlap with existing programs. HB 1269, HB 1276, and HB 1277 focused on plant disease and pest prevention, including a grant program and studies to identify gaps and track outbreaks. Gonzalez emphasized the need for a more intentional state response, citing crop losses from pests and a recent cotton disease outbreak in his district. HB 1437 would create a pollinator task force to address threats to Texas honeybees and related pollination industries. A Texas Beekeepers Association witness described major recent colony losses, emerging threats such as mites and hornets, and the need to bring agencies and researchers together; Gonzalez noted prior work adding a bee specialist at AgriLife Extension. Finally, HB 147, by Chairman Guillen, would modernize cattle brand registration by moving it to an electronic system at the Texas Animal Health Commission while keeping county clerks involved. Supporters said it would improve efficiency, accuracy, and access for ranchers and law enforcement, while an opponent warned about possible electronic tracking implications and costs for small producers. The committee took no final votes and adjourned after leaving HB 147 pending as well.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 30th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Garcia-Bear because of important business on the floor. Motion of Ms. Campos, please excuse Dr.
  • Allen for the remainder of the session because of important business in the district.
  • Dallas for important business in the district. On the motion of Ms. Simmons, please excuse Mr.
  • Harris because of important business. On the motion of Mr. Gerdes, please excuse Mr.
  • Lambert because of important business. On the motion of Mr. Berry, is there any objection?
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Their two young sons, where life is filled with dance parties, busy days of motherhood, and a steady
  • He wants to attend OSU to study ag business. Let's give Bodie a round of applause. Please.
  • She wants to attend OSU to study business. Let's give Shelby a round of applause, please. Next, Mr.
  • Right, she wants to attend Randall University to study business management.
  • She wants to attend OECH to study business and marketing. Let's give Abby a big round of applause.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Motions placing new business before the House.
  • Her life is filled with dance parties, busy days of motherhood, and a steady love of books.
  • She wants to attend Randall University to study business management.
  • She wants to attend Randall University to study business management.
  • She is the state champion in choir, wants to attend Vo-Tech to study business and marketing.
Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, pledge, and a series of ceremonial recognitions and introductions. Chaplain Ronnie Wilson delivered the invocation, and the chamber honored Veteran of the Week Bobby Joe Floyd for his Army service and decades in Oklahoma law enforcement. Members also recognized a visiting youth performer, Nova Williams, and adopted House Resolution 1037 recognizing April as National Poetry Month and House Resolution 1043 recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. The House also featured several special presentations tied to Caregivers Day, including introductions of Dr. Mukesh Perrek as Doctor of the Day, Dr. Colby Kipp as Psychologist of the Day, and Cynthia Cothram as Nurse of the Day. Additional guests from Stillwater Medical Center and Share Medical Center were welcomed, and Representative West presented Metropolitan Library System poet laureate Hallie Waugh, reading one of her poems in honor of Poetry Month. Representative Hill then recognized the week’s pages, highlighting students from across Oklahoma and their academic and extracurricular achievements. In floor action, Representative Schreiber moved to request further conference on House Bill 1851, and the motion was adopted without objection. The House also reassigned measures according to the Majority Floor Leader’s list. After announcements, Representative Kennedy hosted a special presentation for the Oklahoma Rifle Association and NRA-related guests, and the House adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WLA DEFER, WLA Public Hearings 02-13-2026

Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • also, for the Hawaii Youth Symphony testimony, we'd like to reorder the awards so it'd be arts, business
  • Uh so it' be arts, business<00:55:25.599><c> and</c><00:55:25.760><c> labor,</c><00:55:26.160><c> entertainment
  • ,</c><00:55:26.960><c> food</c> business and labor, entertainment, food business and labor, entertainment
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to hunting, trespass enforcement, conservation banking, coral reef resilience, and search and rescue. SB 2130 would require DLNR to increase the percentage of public land acreage designated for public hunting areas; DLNR offered comments, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council expressed concern, and a Game Management Advisory Commission member urged adequate funding for both study and maintenance of any expanded hunting areas. SB 2128 would require forfeiture to the state of firearms or motor vehicles used in hunting trespass on private land; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the bill, and another signer testified without additional detail. The committee also heard SB 3053, which appropriates funds to DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline/stream maintenance in the Westlock and Middleock shorelines and watersheds. DLNR supported the measure and noted staff involved in mangrove removal work; no other testimony was offered. On SB 20005, which authorizes conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in habitat conservation plans and incidental take licenses, DLNR supported the bill but said a House measure, HB 1802, would place key safeguards in statute rather than administrative rules. Earthjustice opposed SB 20005 for lacking statutory safeguards and said it would support incorporating the House language, while CARES supported the bill as a modernization that could reduce permit processing time and provide more predictable costs. A lengthy discussion followed on SB 3201, which would direct DLNR to prioritize coral reef resilience and set performance targets for coral cover and herbivore biomass. DLNR said it supported the intent but wanted more flexibility because outside factors such as climate and emissions policy affect reef conditions; the Nature Conservancy shared that concern and asked for more flexible language. For the bill, For the Fishes strongly supported stronger protections and suggested adding abundance as a metric, while NOAA and DLNR discussed the difficulty of setting universal benchmarks because reef conditions vary by location. Randy Kosaki and CARES supported the bill, emphasizing coral decline and the need for measurable goals, while committee members asked about restoration projects, benchmarks, and whether the bill’s deadlines were meant to require a plan rather than immediate achievement. Finally, the committee took up SB 2937, which would create a search and rescue card program and special fund to reimburse state, county, and volunteer search-and-rescue operations. DLNR’s wildlife division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii SAR Alliance supported the concept but said Hawaii first needs a stronger search-and-rescue framework, including a state coordinator, before implementing such a program. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, members, following order, business will be followed today: prayer, pledge of allegiance, introduction
  • bills, resolutions, conference committee reports, and joint committee reports, motions, placing new business
  • It allows the homeowner to get out of a contract up to 5 business days. Yield for questions.
  • From the state auditor's office, that updates and modernizes our Oklahoma municipal audit process for small
  • created a better checklist of the agreed upon audit procedures based on previous years of fraud in small
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, following order of business will be followed today: prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, introduction
  • bills or resolutions, conference committee reports, and joint committee reports, motions placing new business
  • bills, resolutions, conference committee reports, and joint committee reports, motions placing new business
  • It allows a homeowner to get out of a contract up to five business days.
  • the State Auditor's Office that updates and modernizes their Oklahoma municipal audit process for small
Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, heard an invocation from Chaplain Ronnie Wilson, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance led by Representative Alonzo Sandoval. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Faulkner, and several guest groups in the galleries, including visitors from Ireland, ABATE, Darnaby Elementary student council members, and students from High Plains Technology. Members then considered several bills. HB 2979, directing the Department of Transportation to establish 45-mile-per-hour school zones on certain highways near schools, passed 85-0. HB 3790, a consumer protection measure allowing homeowners to cancel certain contracts within five business days, passed 82-0. HB 3142, an industry-request bill on liquefied petroleum gas that also drew questions about food truck permitting and inspection fees, passed 65-22. HB 3463, updating municipal audit procedures for small communities and codifying modern agreed-upon procedures, passed 89-0 and also received the required emergency vote. HB 4143, which raises the accident-reporting threshold from $300 to $3,000 before police involvement is required, passed by a large margin. The House also adopted a motion to suspend House Rule 4.4F to allow denim on the floor on specified dates in 2026, by a vote of 79-9. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings, caucus events, and a devotional, and one member thanked colleagues for concern after a bus accident involving Elgin Public School students. The House then adjourned until Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Feb 17th, 2026

Washington House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Please join me as we invoke heaven's help to conduct Earth's business.
  • Third order of business, message from the Senate, clerk will read.
  • Eighth order of business. Eighth order of business.
  • Sixth order of business, second reading of bills.
  • And again, that sounds small. It sounds like it's nothing.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, received a Senate message that Senate Bill 5489 had passed the Senate, and then took up several House bills on second and third reading. The main debate centered on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2442, which would give local governments more flexibility to use certain local tax tools for public health clinics, housing, veterans’ assistance, and related purposes. Members offered and voted on multiple amendments, including proposals to require voter approval for tax increases and to strip out or narrow several tax authorizations; some amendments were adopted, including technical and limiting changes, while others were rejected. The bill ultimately passed the House 53-44. The House then passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1295, a literacy bill aimed at expanding evidence-based reading instruction and teacher training. Members described it as a long-overdue effort to improve reading outcomes, with supporters citing low grade-level reading proficiency and the need for scientifically based methods; a technical grammar amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 96-1. The chamber also passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2636, creating a steering committee and JLARC review process to examine school district regulations and unfunded mandates, with broad support and no opposition in the final vote. Other measures passed included Substitute House Bill 2650, making administrative changes to local tax notification and effective-date procedures, and Second Substitute House Bill 2590, which exempts limited equity cooperatives from certain common-interest-community requirements to support affordable housing. House Bill 2610 also passed, allowing nonprofit housing providers to use property for interim community purposes without losing tax benefits, and Substitute House Bill 2343 passed unanimously to require publicly operated facilities to follow the same water-quality discharge rules as private facilities, prompted by concerns about nitrate contamination linked to a state game farm in Centralia. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225, regulating AI companion chatbots; amendments added public disclosure of crisis referrals, but a proposal to remove the private right of action failed. The bill passed 69-28 after supporters emphasized child safety and opponents raised concerns about litigation and privacy. The House then adjourned to caucus.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Apr 13th, 2026

Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • Any small producers is Right now at 200 gallons, any small producers is not affected by this bill.
Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of agriculture, water, energy, wildlife, and licensing bills, often adopting policy committee recommendations or full committee substitutes as working drafts before hearing brief explanations and questions. Several measures were described as request bills from agencies or industry groups, including bills on hemp/THC limits, groundwater and aquifer management, brine water use, dairy and milk regulation, livestock transport accidents, unpasteurized milk sales, egg sales, outfitter licensing, LP gas, DEQ permitting, and an elk population study. Members raised recurring concerns about water rights, landowner protections, enforcement authority, and whether certain bills would affect private property or due process. Among the more debated items was SB 3, which narrows Oklahoma’s hemp definition to align with the federal standard and was framed by the author as a way to keep intoxicating hemp products away from children; it passed 14-0. SB 1439, which would limit certain climate-related lawsuits against energy producers, drew constitutional and due process questions and passed 10-4. SB 1930 on brine water and iodine production passed 14-0 after discussion of landowner compensation, and SB 259 on aquifer management and five-year averaging for permitted water users passed 8-6 after extensive questions about metering and water allotments. Other water-related bills included SB 1346 creating a water infrastructure loan program, SB 1509 on well spacing, and SB 1314 increasing an indemnity fund cap for well-drilling contamination incidents. The committee also advanced SB 2117 clarifying authority for stop-sale or destruction orders, SB 2127 creating an advisory council on product classification, SB 1191 dissolving an unused low-energy/low-carbon board, SB 2110 expanding direct sales of ungraded eggs, SB 2134 setting procedures for livestock transport accidents, SB 2028 authorizing unpasteurized milk sales with a higher monthly gallon limit, SB 269 prohibiting baiting for migratory birds, SB 2095 requiring certain out-of-state outfitters to be licensed and insured, SB 1613 as an LP gas industry mirror bill, SB 1246 to speed DEQ permitting, SB 1976 phasing in surety bond requirements, and SB 330 directing a comprehensive elk study. Most bills were reported out do pass, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to divided, and the meeting adjourned after the final bill.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances REVISED: SB1501 - Added Apr 8th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances

Transcript Highlights:
  • people up a lot but it gave him more opportunities to try different things when they got it into that small
  • This bill is a quality control business clarity bill.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

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

Ways and Means General Fund

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

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

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

Ways and Means General Fund

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

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

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

Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Services shall contract with a business Services shall contract with a business school<00:21:07.039
  • </c> advance collegiate schools of business advance collegiate schools of business located<00:21:13.120
  • </c> self-employed business owner, insurance self-employed business owner, insurance is<00:28:15.840>
  • As I said before, I'm a self-business person. My business operates in the trucking industry.
  • Today my insurance is my third-highest business expense, next to labor and fuel expenses.
Bills: HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312 , HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312