Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just here as a small business for the Google Business Profile, Google Analytics, those kind of things
• So we all want small businesses to succeed.
• And nothing in this bill prevents small businesses is...
• So we all want small businesses to succeed.
• , these small businesses.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on AI, privacy, and surveillance. SB 903 would prohibit AI from independently providing psychotherapy or presenting itself as a licensed mental health provider, require disclosure and informed consent, and reinforce confidentiality and privacy protections for therapy records. Supporters, including a mother and therapist whose son died by suicide after extensive chats with ChatGPT, argued the bill is needed to prevent harmful, crisis-related interactions. Behavioral health groups and labor/privacy organizations supported the measure, while TechNet, the California Medical Association, and the California Hospital Association opposed unless amended, saying the bill could restrict useful clinical tools and create conflicts around triage, screening, and data use. The committee passed SB 903 4-0 to Appropriations, with members noting the need for further work on definitions and implementation. SB 1119 would create a broader framework for chatbot safety for children, including annual risk assessments, crisis response protocols, default child protections, parental controls, notice and time limits, restrictions on advertising and use of children’s data, incident reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The author and supporters again cited the death of Adam Raine as evidence that chatbots can reinforce suicidal ideation and isolate children. Common Sense Media and several labor and privacy groups supported the bill. CalChamber, TechNet, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, and other industry and local government groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about vague standards, overlap with SB 243, prescriptive design mandates, and litigation risk. The committee approved SB 1119 4-0 to Judiciary, with amendments to be taken there. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader data by requiring DOJ audits, employee training, and a 30-day retention limit for most data. Supporters said the bill responds to documented misuse and over-retention of data that mostly belongs to innocent drivers. Law enforcement groups opposed, arguing the retention limit would hinder investigations and reduce the usefulness of ALPRs in serious or delayed cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 1292, a local control bill for six cities, would allow camera or sensor-based enforcement of curb and loading zones, with a human reviewing each violation before issuance. Supporters said it would help cities manage congestion and unsafe blocking of bike lanes and loading zones; privacy advocates warned about expanding automated surveillance. It passed 4-1 to Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard SB 1101, which would require higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when personal information is shared with federal agencies and limit disclosure to what is legally required. Supporters framed it as a transparency and anti-doxing measure in response to recent federal investigations and subpoenas; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. The committee then began hearing SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, which would require advance notice and reporting when employers displace workers due to technology and give displaced workers priority for openings, but the transcript cuts off before the hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not looking to try to run anybody out of business or hurt small business in any way.”
• I'm proud to support this bill.” “...and small businesses like myself.
• small business, I don't understand that.
• I'm not putting anyone out of business. I am all for small business.
• trade partners' business, and we see this as a detriment to small business and their ability to thrive

Bills: HB2963 , HB3005 , HB3287 , HB3288 , HB3289 , HB3290 , HB3344 , HB3712 , HB3862 , HB3874 , HB4196 , HB4308 , HB4901 , HB4984

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to technology, construction, economic development, and consumer protection. HB 3862 would restrict minors’ access to certain social media apps and limit smartphone use in classrooms; supporters, including Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media contribute to addiction, distraction, depression, self-harm, and trafficking risks, and the bill was left pending. HB 3712 would change Texas retainage rules so owners could not withhold payment on specially fabricated construction materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted; subcontractors and suppliers said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk, and the bill was left pending. HB 2963, the right-to-repair bill, would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for independent repair of digital devices, with exemptions for medical devices, vehicles under existing agreements, and trade-secret protections; consumer, environmental, business, and repair advocates supported it, while Safelite asked that automotive manufacturers not be excluded from the bill, and it was left pending. HB 4308 would create county industrial development districts to attract major employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and bonds; Fort Bend County supported it as a tool to add jobs and broaden the tax base, and it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing system for re-roofing contractors, require insurance and bonding, and establish a public database and complaint process. Supporters said it would help curb storm chasers and protect homeowners after storms, while opponents argued it would add burdens on legitimate small roofers, duplicate existing fraud laws, and potentially restrict consumer choice and contractor pricing flexibility. After extensive testimony and questions, the bill was left pending. HB 4196 would create a task force on modernizing manufacturing through digital integration and automation; Schneider Electric and the Texas Workforce Commission supported it as a way to improve competitiveness and create skilled jobs, and it was left pending. HB 3874 would require contractors to receive copies of incorporated contract documents before signing if requested; subcontractors and construction attorneys said it would improve transparency and prevent parties from being bound by unseen terms, and it was left pending. In pending business, the committee voted out several bills. HB 74, creating the Port Verde Port Authority District, was reported favorably to the full House without amendment. HB 112, relating to a science park in certain counties, was reported favorably as substituted. HB 2214, on floodplain notice requirements for leased dwellings, HB 3016, on rental vehicle damage waivers, HB 3133, on explicit deepfake material on social media, HB 3173, on workforce development program planning and evaluation, HB 3807, on child care waiting list priority for children of certain child care workers, HB 463, on unilateral memoranda of contract for residential property, HB 4115, on shareholder proposals to certain domestic corporations, and HB 5008, on use of the Skills Development Fund by certain entities, were all reported favorably, most without amendment and some as substituted. HB 2652, creating a certified caregiver pilot program in the Borderplex workforce area, was also reported favorably and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.

Transcript Highlights:

• Inconsistent and outdated agency websites are a major barrier to small business formation and growth.
• Our small business owners navigate complex administrative and licensing processes.
• small businesses.
• One theme that emerged loud and clear is that many small businesses interact with state government in
• This was one of the top complaints from our small businesses in Texas.

Bills: HB565 , HB3743 , HB4310 , HB5083 , HB5129 , HB5195 , HB5331 , HB5469 , SB21 , HB3185 , SB 21

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether it was the Marine Corps, small business owner in Nevada, or the state representative, Barney
• It will help small businesses across our state, and it's my hope that the body will give this legislation
• It will help small businesses across our state, and it's my hope that the body will give this legislation
• By listing “web content” in addition to “website,” we will more adequately protect the small business
• , a restaurant, a small family-owned operation. ...in this chamber had a business, a restaurant, a small

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our economy and our small businesses. our economy and our small businesses.
• Act, which reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer
• </c><03:05:49.080><c> Business</c> Senate Bill 3971, the Small Business Senate Bill 3971, the Small Business
• </c><03:05:53.040><c> Business</c> which reauthorizes the Small Business which reauthorizes the Small
• assistance for small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate and have a copy of the Small Loans Act next to this.
• In 2022, the legislature capped interest rates on small loans at 36%.
• that are subject to the Small Loans Act.
• proposal designed around this business model that is fee-based.
• I know that in my company, and granted I'm in small business, I have 22 employees, but whenever an issue

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> benefit large corporations over small benefit large corporations over small businesses. businesses
• to stay small I want my small business to stay small so<00:37:49.200><c> I</c><00:37:49.280><c> can<
• I am a small business owner. I own a small business in Rochester.
• I am a small business owner. I own a small business in Rochester.
• I am a small business owner. I own a small business in Rochester.

Bills: HF4621 , HF4123 , HF4616 , HF1183

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, for many small businesses, the inventory tax may be significant.
• </c> through entities which is most small through entities which is most small businesses<00:31:36.000
• </c><00:44:03.119><c> businesses,</c> know who operate small businesses, know who operate small businesses
• So, what this is designed to do is really help those small businesses who really can't take the risk
• What this is designed to do is really help those small businesses who really can't take the risk that

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> businesses small uh and medium businesses small uh and medium Independent<00:53:38.880><c> Grocers
• It is any place where there are small grocery stores, and those small businesses often serve the least
• c> our</c> small business and servicing our small business and servicing our underserved<01:17:39.480
• </c> enforce um better prices that small enforce um better prices that small businesses<01:19:36.600>
• </c> this bill says is that um low small this bill says is that um low small businesses<01:19:48.120>

Bills: HF2228 , HF46 , HF856 , HF2149 , HF2215

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses and pairing Programs, and these two programs are really geared on taking our small businesses
• We also recognize that small businesses have a challenge when they're trying to navigate our system.
• We also recognize that small businesses have a challenge when they're trying to navigate our system.
• She is an advocate for that in addition to small businesses and growing that.
• She is an advocate for that in addition to small businesses and growing that.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• I had a small business...”
• I had a small business and it did not make it.
• So that we can create businesses. Like I told you, I had a business...”
• So that we can create businesses. Like I told you, I had a business.
• “Create businesses. Like I told you, I had a business.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior minutes and then received a series of audit and compliance updates. Staff reported on delinquent private water and sewer reports, delinquent 2013-2023 water reports, and several municipal accounting code noncompliance cases. Denning and Gum Springs were recommended to be removed from the 60-day clock after staff visits showed improved records, while Fargo, Lead Hill, Almy, Jericho, Haynes, Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove were discussed for repeat findings involving missing audits, poor bookkeeping, unpaid or misapplied street funds, deficit balances, and other accounting deficiencies. Several of these entities were given additional time or had reports filed without objection, while others were deferred for later review. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was working to improve its accounting systems; the committee voted to defer the matter to the August meeting. Lead Hill’s mayor described efforts to complete overdue water audits and improve office procedures, and the committee also postponed action for 60 days. Almy’s mayor and recorder-treasurer were present, and the committee placed the town on the 60-day clock for repeat accounting issues. Biggers and Gilmore both acknowledged long-running audit problems and said they were working with auditors and the IRS; their reports were filed. Holly Grove’s treasurer said she had only recently taken the position, and that report was filed as well. The committee spent considerable time on the street-fund misuse cases for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho was found to have exceeded the statutory threshold tied to fines and costs, with staff noting the town had since become current on its repayment plan; the committee deferred the report to September. Haynes was also behind on its repayment plan for street funds, with staff saying the town had recently made up the shortfall and was current as of the meeting, but the committee still deferred the report to September. Members and staff also discussed how the speed-trap law is applied, whether certain fines and costs count toward the threshold, and the role of the prosecuting attorney in deciding whether to take further action. The committee then reviewed a special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District, which had six findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, competitive bidding, electronic funds controls, and unusually high advertising spending. District Director Craig Douglas said the board had delegated some authority, that receipts were missing during a temporary staffing gap, and that advertising was needed to educate the public; he also defended the sale of trailers and other equipment as a way to exit the trailer business. Several members questioned the explanations and the low resale value of equipment, but the committee ultimately deferred the report to September. The meeting also included a recognition of accounting students interning with audit staff and a final set of actions on deferred water and sewer reports: 11 were filed, seven were deferred for lack of proper responses, and a private report on Shannon Hills Water, Sewer, and Fire Department was noted as involving misappropriation by an office manager and inadequate internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair will now call Danielle... together, PEOs allow small businesses to together, PEOs allow small
• small businesses, and preserve support small businesses, and preserve full<01:34:41.280><c> worker</c
• ><c> across</c> to small and mid-size businesses across to small and mid-size businesses across three
• </c><01:45:06.159><c> businesses</c> we are able to provide small businesses we are able to provide small
• </c><02:42:15.280><c> Business</c> four years later when the Small Business four years later when the

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Second up, uh, Joshua Wish from H... 983 uh relating to small business 983 uh relating to small business
• small businesses in Technology help our small businesses in Technology and and and Manufacturing<00:
• and small business training program.
• and small business training program.
• small businesses with technology local small businesses with technology um<00:58:05.839><c> enhancement

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard testimony on several bills, with much of the discussion focused on Enterprise Zones and related economic development measures. On SB 125, the committee heard support from DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and the Farmers Union. Members questioned how the bill would affect job-creation requirements and learned that existing companies and new companies are treated differently under the program, with existing companies generally subject to a 15% annual employment increase and new companies to a 10% increase, while the bill would extend the program period from seven to nine years. DBEDT also said the program has been effective, citing 1,162 jobs created or maintained at a cost of about $1.2 million, and noted that agriculture, manufacturing, and wholesaling are the main sectors involved. The committee then took up SB 729, also relating to Enterprise Zones, which would expand eligibility to better accommodate local manufacturers and value-added businesses that sell directly to retail rather than only wholesale. Testifiers from the Holua Collaborative and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying it would help small manufacturers and agricultural producers add value and adapt to internet-era sales patterns. A committee discussion clarified that the bill would add value-added processing as an allowable activity within the zones, and DBEDT explained that the current rules were written for a wholesale-dominated market. The Attorney General’s office also testified, raising a supremacy clause concern and recommending language changes to avoid conflict with federal law. On SB 129, relating to labeling requirements for fish, the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture both raised concerns about federal preemption and enforcement. The AG explained that federal law governs fish labeling but includes an exception for processed fish, and recommended narrowing the bill to processed fish and defining that term to fit the federal carve-out. The Hawaii Longline Association supported the bill but suggested excluding canned tuna while including products such as poke, sashimi, and sushi. The Department of Agriculture said it does not currently enforce this kind of labeling requirement and would need to determine whether another agency should handle enforcement. The committee also heard SB 581, which would establish an aerospace and aeronautics development program within DBEDT. Testimony was generally supportive, but members pressed for a fiscal estimate, and the bill’s sponsor said a prior version of the office had operated on about $400,000 annually with a small staff. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> helped to reimburse these small helped to reimburse these small businesses businesses businesses
• </c> attack small business. attack small business.
• </c> small businesses here in Colorado. small businesses here in Colorado.
• </c> Small businesses were struggling. Small businesses were struggling.
• small businesses. businesses. businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was really good small business participation.
• There was really good small business participation.
• There is a, there will be a small business goal on this program.
• A little bit about the small business enterprise commitments.
• We have the small businesses, the minority businesses, the women businesses, the veterans.

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Shippey was chastising me about maybe I hate small business or entrepreneurs or something, but
• You know, Senator Shippey was chastising me about maybe I hate small business or entrepreneurs or something
• I appreciate what you're doing here, fighting for the little guy and small businesses.
• I appreciate what you're doing here, fighting for the little guy and small businesses.
• We've, you know, are the small business owners going to be competent?

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:49.839><c> is</c><00:08:50.000><c> out</c> small businesses if an employee is out small businesses
• So the small employer assistance grant is meant to help a small business that may need to pay somebody
• Well, on that piece, certainly I'm a small business owner.
• I understand the small business owner.
• district</c> a few small businesses in my district a few small businesses in my district that<01:22:

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:04.600><c> businesses</c> cafes some of the small businesses cafes some of the small businesses
• </c> around but when I do see small around but when I do see small businesses<00:30:07.840><c> around
• We know that small businesses are the backbone of our economy.
• </c><00:48:16.559><c> of</c><00:48:16.680><c> the</c> small businesses and I'm proud of the small businesses
• c> this</c> for future small business growth so this for future small business growth so this is<00:49

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, when you look at small businesses, the federal designation of a small business is different
• than how LED looks at a small business.
• businesses, because we do want to grow our small businesses, that whatever the discretion is, whatever
• So I think that's one way to lower the cost for small business.
• So I think that's one way to lower the cost for small business.

Bills: HB207 , HB267 , HB300 , HB464 , HB618 , HB853

Committee: House Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• as many as 20,000 new small businesses.
• businesses, business growth, and job... ...appreciate that energy costs are hurting small businesses
• So if you're a small business, we're a small business. whoop.
• So if you're a small business, we're a small business.
• For many small businesses, it’s...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H.5386, the Mass Winds Act, with the governor and administration officials describing it as a follow-on to the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They said the bill is intended to help Massachusetts compete globally for capital, talent, and companies by creating a Global Mass initiative, including a proposed $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for site development to help international firms locate or expand here. The administration also highlighted about $305 million in new bond authorizations, plus operating proposals such as lowering the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, funding internship incentives, and supporting downtown revitalization and the creative economy. Committee members and witnesses focused on several policy areas within the bill. On talent, Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, and the Latino Empowerment Advisory Council backed a provision waiving redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses who have already demonstrated proficiency in practice. On labor mobility, the governor defended changes to the non-compete law as closing a loophole, while attorney Russell Beck opposed the revisions, arguing they would upset the 2018 compromise and could reduce employer-provided compensation. Municipal and housing witnesses supported codifying site plan review and broader zoning reforms, while others urged attention to affordable housing, tiny homes, and commercial-to-residential conversions. Local officials and municipal groups generally supported the bill’s downtown, arts, and planning provisions but asked for more detail on implementation and infrastructure, especially around energy, water, and data centers. The Massachusetts Municipal Association said the bill’s standardized site plan review and downtown investments could help communities, but stressed the need for close state-municipal partnership. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor rights if federal protections weaken. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, warning of significant revenue loss and possible fraud concerns. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with the committee accepting written testimony afterward.