Transcript Highlights:

• across the state, especially many small businesses within each of our districts.
• And the only thing that we can do, and up to this point have done... to touch small businesses would
• of our small business owners desperately need.
• Oh, for small businesses, to say?
• And this bill helps... those small businesses, ensure that they can continue to operate those small businesses

Bills: HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135, HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• Small businesses play a crucial role in all our districts, and small business owners employ nearly half
• The Small Business Assistance Partnership Program has been helping small businesses in Minnesota succeed
• </c> business for years to come the small business for years to come the small business<00:03:27.400>
• own</c> program helps small businesses in my own program helps small businesses in my own District<00
• </c><00:10:26.480><c> business</c> resources from the small business resources from the small business

Bills: HF1538, HF1965, HF2251, HF2838

Keywords: teacher apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, teacher licensure, teacher shortage, workforce development, education finance, K-12 education, higher education, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, Tier 3 license, teacher preparation, mentor teacher, school district, cooperative unit, teacher pipeline, alternative licensure, apprenticeship program, labor and industry, union representation

Transcript Highlights:

• It's from a small business. Yay.
• It designates the first Saturday of each month as small... Small Business Saturday.
• This dedication of Small Business Saturdays each month allows small businesses to thrive and stabilize
• I appreciate the opportunity to tell you my small business story.
• They all started as a small business. Thank you for your time.

Bills: HB 112, HB199, HB621, HB1349, HB2214, HB3466, HB3698, HB3699, HCR9, HB112, HB199, HCR9

Keywords: science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have to guess if this would help small businesses.
• together their members to give those small businesses in their membership the same big-business buying
• Could you explain how this would benefit a small business if they were not a member of the chamber.
• Steve Kaiser with the Arizona Small Business Association, in support of the bill.
• You would be creating thousands of new small businesses across Arizona by passing this law.

Bills: HB2089, HB2090, HB2092, HB2120, HB2138, HB2173, HB2273, HB2693, HB2786

Keywords: retirement benefits, health insurance, premium payment, Arizona State Retirement System, contingent annuitant, long-term disability, benefits limitations, disability compensation, social security, retirement system, elected officials, ASRS, eligibility waiver, age 65, property tax exemption, disability, veterans, widows, income limits, Arizona Revised Statutes

Bills: HB 842, HB 1907, HB 2844, HB 2892, HB 3439, HB 4211, HB 4536, HB 5111, HB 5138, HB 5182, HB 5247, HB 5269, HB 5323, HB 5435, HJR 201, SB 871, HB 3896, SJR 40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• No matter what the business arrangement is...
• Utility Council or OPEC to represent the voices of residential and small business ratepayers.
• OPIC is a small but mighty agency.
• They represent residential consumers and small business consumers.
• Texans could expect fewer interruptions. to business activity due to fewer power outages.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• These regulations are putting unnecessary. pressure on small business owners, making it more difficult
• The status quo is crushing small businesses.
• This bill is a win for small businesses, innovation, and communities across Texas.
• area, and I'm here today to voice my strong support for House Bill 2844, because as a small business
• And in Salvadorian slang, I'm here asking you to be a Cheddo, a friend to small businesses today.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• Thousands of small businesses, and it's been our privilege to be part of this program.
• As we know, small business is the backbone of our economy.
• I'm also one of the many small business owners that this would affect.
• all of us small businesses up to 600, if not thousands, in Nevada.
• All of us small businesses, up to 600, if not thousands, in Nevada.

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495, AB62, SB104, SB119, SB132, SB193, SB262, SB422, SB431, SB435, SB468, SB503

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• be helping out small businesses.
• have a very high percentage of businesses that are small businesses.
• So it's not every small business in the state.
• It's small businesses during their first year ever getting a state business license. Business.
• are small businesses.

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:35.760><c> and</c> support for our local businesses and support for our local businesses and
• ,</c> Industries, Department of Business, Industries, Department of Business, Economic<00:15:20.880><
• </c> disclaimer could be in the business disclaimer could be in the business registration<00:20:44.400
• </c><00:30:39.679><c> um</c> being paid out are relatively small um being paid out are relatively small
• U but what is the of your business.

Bills: HB2410, HB2235, HB1904, HB2201, HB2349, HB1972, HB2007, HB2385, HB2444, HB2391, HB2575

Keywords: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, economic diversification, small business, innovation, manufacturing assistance, grants, technology programs, advanced manufacturing, military, community relations, economic development, defense-related programs, workforce development, local business readiness, in-state manufacturing, federal investment, space operations, orbital sustainability, aerospace, space traffic management

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 2410 relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testifiers from HTDC and the Hawaii Food Industry Association stood on written testimony, and members discussed the funding request, which was described as $1 million each for three programs, for a total of $3 million. The measure appeared to have broad support, with no opposition noted. The committee then took up HB 2235 HD1 on the military and community relations office, where Lori Moore of MACC asked for additional funding to support local businesses and education-to-career initiatives statewide. Members asked about the amount, and the request was identified as $1.3 million total. HB 904 on space operations followed, with three supporters and one opponent, though no substantive testimony was captured beyond the vote counts. HB 2201 on state enterprise zones drew testimony from Georgia Skinner of DBEDT’s Creative Industries division, who said the measure would build on a well-run enterprise zone program and help make Hawaii’s film industry more competitive. Tom Yamashita of the Tax Foundation also provided comments. The committee then considered HB 2349 relating to DCCA and DBEDT coordination; DCCA explained it already provides links and information to DBEDT programs, while DBEDT argued that direct data sharing would allow more proactive outreach. Members raised privacy and cost concerns, and DBEDT said it would consider opt-in collection and acknowledged system changes and possible funding needs. The committee also heard two tax credit bills. HB 1972 HD1, on a caregiver tax credit, received strong support from AARP, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, who described caregivers as an “invisible workforce” and argued the credit would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce financial strain. The Tax Foundation suggested a grant or subsidy program might be more efficient than a tax credit and raised concerns about debarment provisions. HB 20007 HD1, on the household and dependent care services tax credit, also drew strong support from public health and family advocacy groups, who said Hawaii families face some of the nation’s highest child care costs and that the bill would better reflect current expenses; the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and debarment. Members asked about fiscal impacts, and testimony indicated the current credit costs about $6 million, with the bill expected to increase that amount. The committee then moved on to HB 2385 HD1 on housing, where the Deputy Attorney General began presenting written comments on whether the bill limits county authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we're going to take Next, we're going to take up tab 20, SB 7016, on OGSR, administration of small
• business loan programs held by Economic Development Agency by Commerce and Tourism.
• business loan program.
• These are small, independent living spaces, such as a garage apartment or backyard cottage.
• Is there any other business before the committee? Senator Burgess moves we adjourn.

Bills: S0062, S0156, S0168, S0288, S0290, S0292, S0296, S0298, S0364, S0386, S0624, S7004, S7006, S7008, S7012, S7014, S7016

Keywords: candidate qualification, political party, voter registration, election law, Florida Statutes, rural electric cooperatives, energy production, Florida law, energy tariffs, regulation, agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, public records, appellate courts, information exemption, safety, personal identifying information

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and considered a long agenda of bills, many of which were reported favorably. Early action included CS for SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would create an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS for SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and add mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of the bill, arguing it removed useful limits on force and imposed overly rigid sentencing. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including measures extending exemptions for social media platform investigations, small business loan program records, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigatory records, emergency shelter recipient information, Department of Military Affairs records, conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information, Public Service Commission records and meetings, and Florida Gaming Control Commission records and meetings. The committee also advanced CS for SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and no participant would be required to take part. Other approved measures included HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands, which limits certain liability claims if notice and survey requirements are met; CS for SB 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units and was amended to remove hearing and variance requirements and clarify local ordinance obligations; SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, described as a negotiated glitch bill preserving co-op authority over generation and power purchases; and CS for SB 364 on public accountancy, which creates additional CPA licensure pathways and mobility provisions. The committee also approved SB 292 creating a public records exemption for appellate court clerks and their families, despite some opposition votes. Later, the committee passed CS for SB 296 and CS for SB 298, which expand protections for victims of domestic violence and dating violence by creating a feasibility study for a secure web-based 911 alert platform and extending address confidentiality and public records protections to dating violence, stalking, and aggravated stalking victims. SB 386 on farm equipment, described as a “lemon law” for tractors and similar equipment, also passed. Additional open-government bills were approved for emergency shelter recipients, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, PSC records, and gaming commission records. SB 168 on public nuisances was reported favorably as well. One bill, CS for CS for SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was temporarily postponed after extensive stakeholder testimony; the chair allowed public comment but no vote was taken, and the sponsor indicated ongoing discussions and possible changes. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded several individual votes for the record, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifth order of business, committee reports.
• Sixth order of business. Second reading. Sixth order of business. Second reading of bills.
• This is a small amendment that I worked with the proponent. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• So that's being shifted over to homeowners, to farmers, to small businesses throughout.
• It would have been a small portion.

Bills: HB2325, HB2521, HB2720, HB1960, HB2073, HB2675, HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer asking members to serve with humility, justice, and attention to the poor and unseen. The chamber approved the prior day’s minutes, moved House Bill 273 (Health Carrier Surpluses) and House Bill 2681 (Cannabis License Fees) to the second reading calendar, and welcomed several honored guests and caucus announcements before proceeding to floor action on bills. The House first considered Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, establishing a tourism self-support program. Representative Santos offered and the House adopted Amendment 1709, described as a clarifying change. Supporters said the bill would let the tourism industry assess itself to fund statewide marketing and help attract visitors year-round without using general taxpayer dollars. The bill passed final vote 84-5. The House then took up Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 on renewable energy. Members discussed replacing property tax treatment for wind, solar, and battery storage projects with an excise tax to reduce tax shifts onto other local taxpayers and provide more stable community benefits. After adopting Amendment 2073 and Amendment 2071 as amended, the bill passed 74-15. The House next debated House Bill 2521 on firearms background checks. Two amendments were offered and rejected: Amendment 1979 would have raised the fee cap from $18 to $33, and Amendment 1989 would have set the fee at zero, with opponents arguing the fee should cover program costs and supporters arguing any fee on firearm transfers burdens constitutional rights. The bill itself passed 53-36. Finally, House Bill 2675, the annual accounts bill, was advanced without amendment and passed unanimously 89-0. The House then adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Tuesday, February 24.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifth order of business, committee reports.
• Sixth order of business. Second reading. Sixth order of business. Second reading of bills.
• So that's being shifted over to homeowners, to farmers, to small businesses throughout.
• It would have been a small portion.
• To bring other businesses into our community.

Bills: HB2325, HB2521, HB2720, HB1960, HB2073, HB2675, HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber also moved several bills through routine orders, including placing House Bill 273 on health carrier surpluses and House Bill 2681 on cannabis license fees on the second reading calendar, and welcoming guests and honored families to the gallery. The main floor action centered on three bills. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, establishing a tourism self-support program, was amended with a technical clarification and passed 84-5. Supporters said the industry should fund a statewide tourism marketing effort to attract visitors year-round and compete with other states. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, on renewable energy, was amended to address local tax treatment of wind, solar, and battery storage projects and passed 74-15; proponents said it would replace a shifting property-tax burden with a more stable excise tax so host communities receive lasting benefits. House Bill 2521, concerning firearms background checks, drew the most debate. Amendments to raise the fee cap and to set the fee at zero were both rejected, with opponents arguing the bill would burden constitutional rights and supporters saying the fee should cover the State Patrol’s costs. The bill then passed 53-36. House Bill 2675, the annual accounts bill, passed unanimously 89-0 after brief support from both parties. The House then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a small business owner who has endured the hardships of the premiums for increasing auto insurance
• These costs are few but burdensome for small businesses like mine to afford.
• Overhead as a small business owner doesn't wait. Those bills for me are due every month.
• I represent businesses, small and large, and defend them in support. of this bill.
• Secondly, we run a small business; our clinic employs about 125 people.

Bills: SB 30, SB 517, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 1698, SB 1845, SB 1860, SB 2420, SB 2429

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:14:20.959><c> not</c> my small business and countless and not my small business and countless
• c> ones</c> Minnesota small businesses are the ones Minnesota small businesses are the ones who<00:14
• </c> Minnesota small businesses pay this tax. Minnesota small businesses pay this tax.
• a</c><00:17:43.919><c> cost</c> family's small business, I know a cost family's small business, I know
• </c><00:37:28.240><c> businesses</c> alternative ways of of small businesses alternative ways of of small

Bills: HF4598, HF4884, HF3732

Keywords: workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Bills: SF3045, HF2783, HF1943

Keywords: omnibus, state government, local government, elections, campaign finance, voter registration, absentee voting, election administration, electronic rosters, lobbying, lobbyist disclosure, state budget, appropriations, biennial budget, Minnesota Secretary of State, Minnesota Management and Budget, state personnel, civil service, affirmative action, disability employment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we need someone to help bu businesses we need someone to help bu businesses navigate<00:12:17.680
• </c><00:14:10.440><c> and</c> process plays a role businesses and process plays a role businesses and
• </c><00:18:08.320><c> businesses</c> trade associations and small businesses trade associations and small
• </c><00:18:20.240><c> go</c> of programs that help businesses go of programs that help businesses go
• </c> different from the Minnesota business different from the Minnesota business first<00:30:34.120><

Bills: HF8, HF1416

Keywords: wetlands, environmental review, permitting efficiency, Pollution Control Agency, construction permits, environmental impact statements, local government, business regulation, environmental assessments, HF1416, relocation grants, economic development, business relocation, site selection, business incentives, grant extension, appropriation extension, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, request for proposals

Transcript Highlights:

• So under the bill before you, except for small works rosters or residential construction, public works
• They have an exemption for very small contracts, which I had not sure of him and I heard the fiscal note
• So we're only talking about that group of projects between small and PLA-sized projects.
• First of all, I want to thank the proponents for working with us to get the exemption for small works
• , which are very, very important for my small rural districts in other parts of Washington State.

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• This project's focused in the upper Muck and Busy Wild, which is critical habitat for these endangered
• This project's focused in the upper Muck and Busy Wild, which is critical habitat for these endangered
• We're very supportive of your investment in small district modernization, similar to seismic.
• He's our new vice president for business and finance. If Max... there's Max.
• We also appreciate the funding for the small district modernization grant.

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on proposed substitute HB 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff briefed the committee that the proposal totals nearly $911 million in spending, including about $400 million in bonds and significant new Climate Commitment Act funding, with major investments in housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and clean energy/decarbonization projects. The chair noted the hearing would be run at one minute per testifier due to the large number of speakers. Testimony was broadly supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Speakers highlighted funding for affordable housing and homeownership, weatherization, manufactured housing preservation, early learning facilities, behavioral health and substance use treatment, school modernization and seismic safety, community health hubs, and tribal and local infrastructure projects. Several tribal, local government, and nonprofit representatives thanked the committee for projects such as the Quinault tribal courthouse replacement, Thurston County’s justice center request, the Skokomish land return, community forests, and floodplain restoration, while urging continued support in conference with the Senate. Other testimony focused on project-specific requests, including Cascadia College’s next building, Eastern Washington University’s solar array and maintenance needs, WSU deferred maintenance and health education space, the Port of Tacoma’s cleanup grant language, and the City of Kent’s request for rooftop solar funding. Environmental and climate advocates supported investments in flood resilience, clean energy, and CCA-funded programs, while some cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. At the close of the hearing, the chair said the committee would not take amendments, would work on a technical fix striker, and planned to vote the bipartisan capital budget out on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> procurement</c> program, the small business procurement program, the small business procurement
• Mahalo. helped to support small businesses in helped to support small businesses in our<00:18:48.960>
• about them to the small business community and assist small businesses in being able to implement them
• ><c> program</c><00:19:49.440><c> in</c> pro the small business program in pro the small business program
• </c><00:19:56.799><c> business</c> word about them to the small business word about them to the small

Bills: SB2064, SB2312, SB2811, SB2662, SB2744, SB2809, SB2862, SB2343, SB2336, SB2075, SB2308, SB2601, SB2397, SB2219, SB2849, SB2449, SB2781

Keywords: state architect, construction projects, design approvals, building codes, state agency oversight, government contracts, transparency, record retention, public oversight, Hawaii Revised Statutes, building permits, task force, state-owned lands, construction, regulatory process, government accountability, external consultants, procurement reform, cost efficiency, in-house expertise

Summary: The committee met for decision-making on measures heard earlier in the week and took up a series of government operations, procurement, public records, public meetings, and related bills. Several measures were deferred one week to February 12, 2026, including bills on state construction projects, government accountability, gubernatorial appointments, the legislature, public procurement, and a bill on Hawaiian lei sales, largely so the committee could compare similar measures, address concerns, or integrate related reports. The committee also deferred SB 2449 on public meetings for the year, citing concerns that the proposed business-day definition was overly prescriptive and unnecessary. The committee passed several bills with amendments. These included measures clarifying UIPA applicability to records created or maintained by agencies, with amendments changing “government function” to “agency function” and committee report language noting Attorney General concerns and exempting ERS for now; SB 2811 on state building projects with technical amendments and a delayed effective date; SB 2809 on budget-related reports; SB 2336 on trees, with a Senate draft and removal of “political subdivision”; SB 2308 on small purchase vendor compliance, setting the threshold at $5,000 and adding a delayed effective date; SB 2601 on procurement, reorganizing misdemeanor language and leaving funding/FTE issues to Ways and Means; SB 2219 on a capital visitor center working group; and SB 2849 on public meetings, with technical amendments and a delayed effective date. Bills on neighborhood board concerns and public notice were also adopted, with SB 2929 drawing testimony both for and against. Testimony was generally supportive on procurement and small business measures, especially SB 2928 establishing permanent small business procurement coordinator positions, which drew strong support from the State Procurement Office, DBEDT, the Chamber of Commerce, DOT, the Ethics Commission, and others. On public notice, the County of Maui supported allowing website posting, while another witness raised concerns about accessibility, centralized notice locations, and impacts on kūpuna and people with disabilities. On search and rescue, the committee heard support for creating a statewide coordination structure, along with discussion of where such an office should reside; the Attorney General raised constitutional and placement concerns, while witnesses suggested law enforcement, DLNR, or DoD as possible homes. The committee also heard support for a bill protecting home addresses of covered public servants and candidates, though the Public First Law Center urged broader coverage and a better fit with existing law.