Video & Transcript Research : 'small dam'

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TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • ivory-towered lobbyists have never stepped foot in our city, talked to our taxpayers, supported our small
  • How do you have, you know, for example, TASB has 500 employees, you know, small amount of dues.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Next up is the small business sales tax website presentation.
  • Next up is the small business sales tax website presentation.
  • <00:29:51.720> businesses<00:29:52.280> have and ensuring that small businesses have
  • <00:31:39.760> business small business small business tax<00:31:41.280> website<00:31:41.920
  • Hurtwig, because I work with a lot of small businesses.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the September 11 meeting by motion and voice vote. It then received a brief update on the statewide emergency responder voice system, but no presenter was present. The chair said he expected a more substantive update in November and warned that if there is not real progress on acquiring needed private properties, the committee may consider further action, including possibly freezing funding. The main discussion centered on the Department for Community Based Services’ child removal and reunification work and its structured decision-making tools. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and General Counsel Wesley Duke explained that the intake, safety, and risk assessment tools are being used at very high rates and that the department is still implementing and evaluating the system. Dennis said the tools are meant to inform, not replace, professional judgment; when staff disagree with a recommendation, the worker and first-line supervisor consult and decide together. Members questioned whether the system favors keeping children in the home, whether the department has studied safety outcomes for in-home cases versus removals, and whether foster home shortages affect removal decisions. Dennis said child safety remains the top priority, that the practice has not changed, and that the department would provide additional data on outcomes later. Members also asked about permanency timelines and delays in termination of parental rights cases; Dennis said federal timelines are difficult to meet because of family progress, substance use recovery, and court delays, and she confirmed foster parent shortages were not the reason for those delays. The committee then heard a presentation from the Department of Revenue on the new My Taxes portal. Staff said the portal, launched in March, replaced DOR’s portion of the old Kentucky One Stop Business Portal and now allows businesses to file and pay multiple taxes, update account information, and receive official notices. They reported the system is available 24/7 except for scheduled maintenance every other Thursday evening, has maintained over 99% availability since launch, and now has a dedicated contact center with 50 agents plus a public help line and email. In response to questions, the department said early downtime was caused by unexpectedly high traffic, but server capacity was increased and in the last three months there had been only one day of unexpected downtime.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/05/2026 - House Rural Economic Development

Rural Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right off the bat, we are going to hold 29-26, and we're going to do a small presentation first.
  • These income levels in a small town are $20,000 to $40,000 a year.
  • These income levels in a small town are $20,000 to $40,000 a year.
  • Small modular reactors, there's a lot of talk about that because zero-emissions, reliable energy like
  • And then for a small modular reactor-specific... ...data centers driving up their rates.
Bills: HB2388, HB2804, HB2926
Summary: The committee began with short presentations highlighting historic sites in Prescott, including the Arizona Pioneer Home and the First Territorial Governor’s Mansion/Charlotte Hall Museum, framed as ways to showcase rural districts and Arizona history. Members discussed the importance of using committee time to feature district-specific projects and tourism assets before moving to legislation. The main action was on HB 2804, a bill creating a state rural development and housing tax credit tied to the federal low-income housing tax credit for projects in counties under 800,000 population. Supporters, including the sponsor, the mayor of Flagstaff, housing developers, and other local officials, argued the credit would help finance affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents in rural areas where projects are otherwise not feasible. Opponents, including the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued the program is inefficient, difficult to police, and disproportionately benefits intermediaries and developers. After extended questioning and debate about whether the bill truly helps veterans and seniors, the committee passed HB 2804 on a 7-0 vote. The committee then heard HB 2388, which directs the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers and report findings to the governor and legislature. The sponsor described it as a data-gathering measure to inform future policy, while supporters said it could help assess energy and job impacts, especially for Hispanic workers. One member suggested adding information on utility-rate impacts and waste/storage issues through amendment. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, and the committee adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WLA Public Hearing 02-06-2026

Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • Management Lease Program within uh the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation regarding Ala Wai small
  • one-page set of suggested amendments if you are okay with me providing them. uh regarding Alawawaii small
  • boat uh regarding Alawawaii small boat harbor.<00:03:58.159> And<00:03:58.400> testifying<
  • >> So, everybody is housed specifically at the Ala Wai small boat harbor for this particular facility
  • boat harbor for this the Alawawaii small boat harbor for this particular<00:14:05.760> facility,<
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 2982 on campaign finance, which would prohibit foreign entities and foreign-influence businesses from making contributions and expenditures. The Attorney General’s office testified first, followed by the Campaign Spending Commission, which supported the bill but asked for clarification on constitutional review authority and additional implementation time for certifications, forms, and procedures. Common Cause also supported the measure, arguing it would help protect elections from dark money and foreign influence. No vote was taken. The committee then took up SB 2367 on a state boating facilities lease program for the Ala Wai small boat harbor. DLNR supported the bill, while UPW opposed it, warning about privatization of a public asset and possible job displacement. Several members of the public supported the concept but urged amendments to protect public access, affordability, youth ocean programs, and state employee jobs. Committee members questioned DLNR about the scope of the lease, the role of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and whether public access and existing concessions would remain protected. DLNR said current leases would remain, the board would retain approval authority, and employees would not necessarily be displaced, but members indicated more discussion and possible amendments were needed. For SB 2818 on boating penalties, DLNR testified in support and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 2944 on conservation, which would require wildlife viewing guidelines that substantially conform to NOAA guidance and reporting requirements; DLNR said it stood on its written testimony. SB 2022 on water code penalties drew support from DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management, which said the bill’s two-tiered penalty structure would preserve deterrence while keeping the current $5,000 penalty for first-time or non-harmful violations. The Board of Water Supply submitted comments, and Ulupono Initiative supported the measure as a needed enforcement tool. Committee members discussed whether the higher penalty ceiling should be phased in and asked for stakeholder input on the amount of the penalties. Finally, the committee began SB 2240 on land use, which would require water availability certification from the Commission on Water Resource Management before a district boundary amendment proceeds to the Land Use Commission. DLNR supported the bill and said it often reviews project documents that lack sufficient information on water needs and availability, so the measure would allow earlier review and comment. The committee also indicated it would seek amendments and further feedback on the water penalty bill before it moved to the next committee.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/10/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Transcript Highlights:
  • persons or less from regulating the use or occupation of land for the construction and operation of small
  • modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs. ...for the construction and operation of small modular nuclear reactors
Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water held a brief meeting and considered several water and energy measures. Senate Bill 1202, which would require the Arizona Department of Water Resources director to include additional information about each groundwater basin in the five-year water supply and demand assessment, was described as similar to a bill vetoed in a prior session. After a motion for a do pass recommendation, the committee approved it on a 6-3 vote with one absence. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1418, which limits county regulation of small modular nuclear reactors in certain circumstances, expands the definition of “plant” for siting purposes, and allows replacement of existing thermal units with SMRs without a new certificate of environmental compatibility in specified cases. Members noted that parts of the bill were similar to previously vetoed measures. The committee passed the bill 6-3 with one absence, with some members explaining their votes and one member saying they would support it for now but might reconsider on the floor. Senate Concurrent Memorial 1007 urged Congress to divest the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the San Carlos Irrigation Project Electric System and fund a system study and improvements. Supporters said the system is old, unreliable, and difficult for the federal government to manage, and that local public power entities could do a better job if divestiture were authorized. The memorial passed unanimously, 9-0 with one absence. Finally, Senate Bill 1785, which would codify a one-mile area-of-impact safe harbor for certain recovered stored water wells unless a separate hydrologic study is submitted, received testimony from a water attorney and an ADWR representative describing it as a codification of long-standing department policy. The committee passed SB 1785 on a do pass recommendation by a 9-3 vote with one absence.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development May 21st, 2025

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • We represent over 20,000 small business owners here in Texas.
  • I have many of these small business owners who are impacted by natural disasters.
  • Small businesses need an injection of capital to get them through.
  • This bill will help small businesses have access to capital so they can cover crucial expenses.
  • On behalf of our small businesses, I would ask for your favorable consideration.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • into a class 18 small craft producer, uh,<00:11:26.800> cap.
  • And what do you all love and enjoy about small craft producers?
  • And what do you all love and enjoy about small craft producers?
  • <00:15:19.600> producer which includes a small producer which includes a small producer classification
  • <01:35:15.760> craft provision for the small craft provision for the small craft uh<01:35:
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers. Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels. Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency May 14th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas's small and mid-sized businesses increasingly face cyber attacks, and with them, the risk of punitive
  • We represent. and over 20,000 small businesses in Texas across all different industries.
  • So, small businesses are increasingly getting targeted by cyber criminals who know that they lack the
  • Members of the Committee, as the owner of Alcon DTS, a Texas small business that has been offering managed
  • It provides incentive and clear guidance. guidance to small and medium businesses, SMBs, on implementing
Bills: SB1540, SB2610, SB2373