Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to give a small business energy tax exemption to over 20,000 businesses statewide to give
• So if you're a small business, we're a small business.
• This is a good, important cost-of-doing-business cut for our small businesses on Main Streets.
• For many small businesses, it’s...
• For many small businesses, especially businesses operating in gateway cities and underserved communities

Bills: H5386

Keywords: economic development, innovation, investment, housing, small business, global trade, infrastructure, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's another The person signing the agreement owns 1% or more of the business.
• I think this is a good example of what business and labor can do when they work together.
• I think this is a good example of what business and labor can do when they work together.
• And I have seen also bills pass here that are very difficult and business and labor.
• Here that are very difficult and business and labor are opposed.

Bills: HB1526

Keywords: liquor license, snack bar, state regulations, alcohol sales, business licensing, 904, all

Bills: HB0150

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It wasn't a funding issue.
• It wasn't a funding issue.
• availability issue.
• </c> open a business in Wyoming. open a business in Wyoming.
• </c> own business their own way. own business their own way.

Bills: HB0150

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Consumer Protection and Business Committee, Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026.
• The definition is narrowed by first removing language that the business entity's relationship with the
• resident is irrelevant, and then by adding that a data broker does not include a business entity that
• , or as an agent of a business entity as previously described.
• Discussion: This is the issue where there was a Supreme Court case, Brown v.

Bills: HB2483, HB2477, HB2274, HB2394, HB2624, HB2240

Keywords: data broker, registry, consumer protection, privacy, data regulation, real estate, appraisal, business operations, regulatory compliance, email regulation, commercial communications, data privacy, electronic mail, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime, penalties, real estate transactions, nonprofit

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee met in executive session to review amendments on several bills, including House Bill 2483 on a data broker registry, House Bill 2477 on claims arising from appraisal activity, House Bill 2274 on the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act, House Bill 2394 on insurance fraud enforcement, House Bill 2624 on unsolicited real estate transactions, and House Bill 2240 on self-service storage rental agreements. Staff explained the proposed amendments and substitutes, including narrowing and expanding exemptions in HB 2483, clarifying limitations and licensing authority in HB 2477, and competing substitute approaches for HB 2274. After a caucus recess, the committee deferred action on HB 2483, HB 2477, and HB 2394. The committee then voted to advance HB 2274, with the Walen substitute withdrawn and the H-3163.1 substitute adopted; members discussed the bill as a response to issues raised by the Brown v. Old Navy case and as a way to balance consumer protection with clearer rules for retailers. The roll call was 12-3 in favor, and the substitute bill was reported out with a do pass recommendation. The committee also moved HB 2624 forward after debate over its carve-outs for public entities, tribes, and nonprofit nature conservancies; it passed 9-6 and was reported out do pass. Finally, the committee took up HB 2240 and adopted two amendments: one requiring rental agreements to be sent by both email and first-class mail when an email address is provided, and another extending notice of termination or nonrenewal from 15 to 25 days, with an additional five days to remove property. Members discussed whether the timelines were sufficient, but the bill was ultimately reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation by voice vote. The meeting adjourned after the committee noted the approaching policy cutoff and urged members to finish their work before the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I had issues with getting my knees looked at on my own.
• They were having having the same issue.
• So, I think this is an issue that needs to be looked into. So, I would appreciate it.
• But I think that this is an issue I 100% see and think your concerns are reasonable.
• But I think that this is an issue I 100% see and think your concerns are reasonable.

Bills: SB3240

Keywords: defense, workforce development, local business, manufacturing, federal funding, economic resilience, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing. SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• estimated cost of work or procurement that WSDOT can contract for to enable larger numbers of small businesses
• important bill, much more important than just removing a tax on aircraft that is supporting the business
• self-performance and being able to do things more quickly, as well as really looking at our small business
• I don't think this is the last time we will take up this issue, but the bill that we have before us is
• aye, with an understanding that we might need to take it up more in the future and reconsider this issue

Bills: HB2347

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Small Business Administration is intended to support small businesses by providing capital, contracts
• Like many Americans, my belief in the power of small businesses is strong. Business is personal.
• Two of my sisters currently run a small business today, and I have owned and operated two small businesses
• note about the fact because you're a government agency designed to help businesses yet most businesses
• Start a small business ecosystem.

Keywords: SBA, small business, nominations, Bill Briggs, Casey Mulligan, regulations, capital access, public support

Summary: The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship convened to consider the nominations of Bill Briggs for Deputy Administrator of the SBA and Dr. Casey Mulligan for Chief Counsel for Advocacy. The discussions highlighted the critical role of the SBA in promoting small businesses, with emphasis on overcoming challenges posed by excessive regulations and the need for improved access to capital. Several committee members expressed their concerns over recent layoffs within the SBA and the closure of district offices, which they believe undermine support for small businesses across the nation. The committee meeting saw extensive dialogue about the implications of regulations on small business operations and how the nominees plan to address these issues if confirmed. Public support for the nominees was acknowledged through letters from various stakeholders who advocate for small business interests.

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 216, 25 March, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 216, 12 March, 2026; 1:45 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do to remove that business filing because it's clearly a fraudulently filed business.
• in our business services division.
• there is a business filed in their<00:09:05.760><c> name.
• This would be business is dissolved.
• Um, so I their business is dissolved.

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 216, 2 March, 2026; 4:30 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 409, 26 February, 2026; 9:15 A.M., 925, all

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 1:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a very brief overview of the kind of the scale of the issue we're talking about here, we did, over
• I will say that one of the issues you would run into at that point would be privacy issues, because unless
• </c> kind of one of those potential issues. kind of one of those potential issues.
• </c> at that point would be privacy issues at that point would be privacy issues because<00:25:14.960
• ,</c><00:26:30.080><c> um,</c> I think one of the current issues, um, I think one of the current issues

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 409, 2 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So um what approval to issue dividends.
• Um then so long as the board is issues.
• </c> anything about the way they do business anything about the way they do business they<00:04:31.199
• </c> some business practice complications some business practice complications um<00:15:18.720><c> in
• money from one business day to two<00:17:35.440><c> business</c><00:17:35.760><c> days.

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 210; 28 January, 2026: 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:09.040><c> The</c> representing Minnesota business. The representing Minnesota business.
• addresses issues and council addresses issues and recommendation<00:01:12.000><c> and</c><00:01:12.240
• That's the end of the business for today.
• </c><00:07:42.000><c> for</c> that's the end of the business for that's the end of the business for today
• ><00:08:03.360><c> this</c> being no further business, this being no further business, this committee

Bills: SF1832

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• issues.
• It's great that you're bringing this issue up.
• I have a suggestion on the issue of smaller businesses which several senators have talked about.
• As I formally founded and ran and sold multiple small business businesses, I know the pain of difficulty
• Again, if confirmed, I'm eager to discuss this issue with you and what can be done to mitigate the issues

Keywords: defense industrial base, small business, workforce development, acquisition processes, national security, cybersecurity, critical minerals

Summary: The meeting of the committee revolved around critical discussions on enhancing the defense industrial base, focusing on small business engagement and the importance of streamlined processes in defense contracting. There was a significant emphasis on the need for more investment in the defense manufacturing sector, particularly in the face of competition from countries like China. Some members expressed frustration over the treatment of small businesses, citing barriers that prevent these innovative companies from effectively participating in defense contracts. The need for a workforce capable of meeting the common challenges posed by evolving technologies and geopolitical threats was also highlighted throughout the meeting.

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 409, 28 March, 2025; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 216, 27 March, 2025; 1:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, the Small Business Innovation Research Program, or SBIR, and the Small Business Technology
• and small business owners.
• different technology issues. areas.
• That's a big issue.
• in Nevada are small businesses.

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.