Transcript Highlights:

• And increasing competition and enhancing transparency. and increasing competition and enhancing transparency
• I would say competition is the answer.
• So how do we get competition there?
• When you have a very expensive business environment, it's hard to drive that competition.
• I appreciate the conversation as well on competition.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the impact of the Iran conflict and global oil supply disruption on California fuel markets. Committee members and administration witnesses from the California Energy Commission and the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight described California’s heavy reliance on imported crude and refined products, the state’s shrinking refining base, current inventory levels, and how global supply tightness is affecting gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel prices. CEC officials said near-term supply looked adequate for roughly the next six weeks, but warned that continued disruption would likely raise prices further and increase competition for imports. DPMO said the conflict is a real supply shock, but also emphasized a separate, longstanding problem of unusually high California retail gasoline prices, especially among major branded stations. Witnesses and members debated the causes of high prices and the state’s longer-term fuel strategy. Professor Severin Borenstein argued that much of the price gap beyond taxes and environmental costs comes from a “mystery gasoline surcharge” downstream of refineries, while also noting that California’s shrinking number of refineries creates market-power and supply-resilience concerns. Western States Petroleum Association CEO Jody Mueller argued that state policies have weakened California’s refining system and made it more vulnerable to global shocks, urging the state to protect remaining refining capacity and improve infrastructure for imports. United Steelworkers Local 675 Vice President Norman Rogers stressed the need for safe, reliable refinery operations and adequate staffing. Several members pressed witnesses on whether California should rely more on imports, how to manage inventories and port/storage capacity, and whether the state needs clearer authority and better data collection to coordinate fuel policy. Discussion also covered branded versus unbranded gasoline pricing, the role of California fuel specifications, and whether a floating gas tax or other policy tools could buffer consumers from global price spikes. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hawaii LifeSmarts State Competition. Hawaii LifeSmarts State Competition.
• Please join me in competitive event.
• . competition. competition.
• They're not here today as they're busy running around.
• </c> for a business uh working environment. for a business uh working environment.

Bills: HR204 , SB2925 , SB2798 , SB2320 , SB2800 , SB1230 , SB2706 , SB3233 , SB2405 , SB3320 , SB2543 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3140 , SB2593 , SB2567 , SB2466 , SB2140 , SB2088 , SB3090 , SB608 , SB2795 , SB3294 , SB3263 , SB3001 , SB2907 , SB3251 , SB2074 , SB2360 , SB2354 , SB2908 , SB2353 , SB3045 , SB2047 , SB3254 , SB3246 , SB3133 , SB2425 , SB2671 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB1166 , SB896 , SB2391 , SB2125 , SB3118 , SB3325 , SB2613 , SB2614 , SB494 , SB2376 , SB3326 , SB2001 , SB2599 , SB3048 , SB3169 , SB2002 , SB3247 , SB3253 , SB2155 , SB2192 , SB3187 , SB2190 , SB2398 , SB2424 , SB3028 , SB2338 , SB3219 , SB2981 , HCR14

Keywords: H.R. 204, House Resolution, Hawaii LifeSmarts, LifeSmarts State Competition, student competition, academic recognition, congratulatory resolution, Iolani School, Kalani High School, Waipahu High School, personal finance, consumer rights, health and safety, technology education, environmental education, National Consumers League, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Credit Union League, youth achievement, high school teams

Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to give a small business energy tax exemption to over 20,000 businesses statewide to give
• , business growth, and job... ...appreciate that energy costs are hurting small businesses, business
• 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.
• This is a good, important cost-of-doing-business cut for our small businesses on Main Streets.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• If businesses and agencies are mandated to pay minimum wage when those individuals cannot work at a competitive
• It is important for businesses to pay individuals with disabilities at least a minimum wage in competitive
• ><c> are</c><00:26:25.600><c> mandated</c> If businesses and agencies are mandated If businesses and
• </c> not likely make it to competitive not likely make it to competitive integrated<00:40:59.000><c>
• ,</c><00:52:48.320><c> non-competitive</c><00:52:49.040><c> work,</c> as as competitive, non-competitive

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:54.400><c> Development</c> relating to Agra Business Development relating to Agra Business
• Uh, next up, Senate Bill 2263, relating to business competitiveness. >> Chair, Members of the Committee
• Um, DE, so can you describe the current efforts to improve Hawaii's business competitiveness in regards
• Um, DE, so can you describe the current efforts to improve Hawaii's business competitiveness in regards
• </c><00:15:47.600><c> Aloha</c> Business Economic Development. Aloha Business Economic Development.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard six bills on February 5, 2026, covering timeshare registration, Agribusiness Development Corporation authority, a North Kohala land parcel, business competitiveness, state enterprise zones, and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. For SB 2359, DCCA said the bill would streamline annual renewals and plan amendments for timeshares, though it still wanted review time rather than automatic acceptance. For SB 2169 and SB 2170, ADC and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measures; members asked about condemnation authority and the intended agricultural use of the North Kohala parcel, with ADC stating it had no current lands it was seeking to condemn without authorization and that the parcel would be suitable for crops such as cucumber, eggplant, and tomato. SB 2263 drew broader discussion about how to measure and improve Hawaii’s business competitiveness. UHERO’s Dr. Steven Bond-Smith supported the bill’s intent but cautioned against relying on a mainland-oriented composite ranking as a benchmark for Hawaii, arguing it could mischaracterize the state’s economy. DBEDT responded that Hawaii must compete within the broader U.S. landscape and that the bill would add accountability and planning around competitiveness goals. On SB 2360, which revises the state enterprise zone program, DBEDT and other supporters said the program helps stimulate business activity and that the bill would better align the program with current business needs; a witness from Min Plastics said the current definition excluded businesses that do substantial custom manufacturing work, and another testifier urged combining enterprise zones with foreign trade zones. Committee questions focused on current zone locations, reporting, and whether technology, aerospace, and creative industries should be included. For SB 304, which concerns the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, HTDC said the bill would expand allowable uses of funds and help support local companies as federal R&D grant opportunities change; it currently awards about 20 grants from roughly 50 applicants each year. After testimony, the committee recessed and then took up decision-making. It recommended passage of SB 2359 with amendments, including extending a review period from 45 to 60 days; SB 2169 with technical amendments; SB 2170 with amendments blanking out the bond appropriation amount; SB 2263 with amendments and a new definition section; SB 2360 with amendments; and SB 3084 with amendments blanking out its appropriation amount. All recommendations were adopted without objections, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Act of 1980 to examine how the competitiveness of small businesses is affected by the enforcement of
• and address harmful anti-competitive conduct impacting small businesses.
• competitiveness or how such agencies respond to small business complaints.
• Speaker, we must pass HR882 to help ensure small businesses remain competitive.
• When anti-competitive behavior goes unchecked, it's the mom and pop businesses who pay the price.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have to be cognizant of the competitive have to be cognizant of the competitive nature<00:01:59.600
• <00:02:02.520><c> and</c> businesses and businesses and Industry<00:02:04.799><c> and</c><00:02:05.200
• </c><00:02:25.000><c> and</c> Industries different businesses and Industries different businesses and
• </c> be a it might just show the competitive be a it might just show the competitive nature<00:20:40.200
• </c> Greater Minnesota at a competitive Greater Minnesota at a competitive disadv<00:43:25.520><c> competitive

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The changes in the bill make New Mexico more competitive for businesses.
• How would a corporation or a business qualify but not be able to use it?
• I think that we've been in competition many times with other businesses in other states.
• And I mean, I'm a business guy, so I look at if you're gonna compete with Mr.
• Business is very simple. Business is like the flow of water.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The issues that make it easier to do business for small businesses, for the people who are trying to
• </c> can employ them in our small businesses. can employ them in our small businesses.
• </c> recognize businesses are not the enemy. recognize businesses are not the enemy.
• But we got to make sure we stay in a competitive environment so we can stay in business here in Minnesota
• We cannot let Minnesota lose our competitive edge. Minnesota lose our competitive edge.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is our intent to create a fair, competitive, and transparent process that is competitive.
• South Carolina has moved back to a competitive bid. Idaho has moved back to a competitive bid.
• bid process going on, competitive business where other than those hospital districts are bidding as
• It's not necessarily competition-driven, maybe like a normal competitive market.
• What I'm saying is, to win the business. No, I'm talking about to win the business.

Bills: HB149 , HB252 , HB643 , HB1442 , HB1500 , HB1672 , HB1851 , HB1893 , HB2028 , HB2768 , HB2818 , HB149 , HB252

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, employment compensation, state agencies, salary payments, general appropriations, government efficiency, public works, contractors, payment bonds, government contracts, construction law, transparency, open meetings, government accountability, public access

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a good business decision because it helps us be more competitive.
• So I think creating a lot of competition is the best way to drive this down, both for personal and business
• So we really need to work together to bring more competition and reduce the pricing for businesses and
• We go for competitive.
• First is enhanced competition.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's significant competition across the state.
• and prices, we have to look at the competitive structure.
• They are because of the fierce competition. In the industry.
• , competition works.
• First: competition. Competition from wireless alone won't save us.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you looked at market competition as you reopen the economy back up, substantial competition in
• That substantially improved our competitive position with hiring jobs.
• Businesses just have to remit. Citizens pay sales tax. Businesses just have to remit.
• Competitive, because I know the other two had some concerns.
• Is that competitive?

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies. The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit. The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Got to keep him busy. Mom's working today at Beth Israel, so got to try to keep these guys busy.
• I also object to it being called small business because, for the business owners, it's the largest thing
• They're not anti-competitive; they're very competitive.
• lines, including our card business.
• We could run a safer business.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card heard extensive testimony from credit union, banking, retail, restaurant, and payments-industry representatives about proposals to limit interchange fees, especially on the tax and tip portions of transactions. Several witnesses opposed state-level restrictions, arguing they would create a patchwork of rules, burden state-chartered institutions, raise compliance complexity, and ultimately reduce resources for fraud prevention, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit. Others, including retail and merchant advocates, said swipe fees are a significant and growing cost for small businesses and that states should consider reforms such as limiting fees on taxes and tips, allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs more closely. Witnesses also discussed recent legal and regulatory developments, including Illinois’s interchange-fee law, OCC and NCUA interim rules, and the ongoing Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement. Industry representatives said the Illinois law has been delayed and is likely preempted for most transactions, while merchant advocates argued the state efforts and court rulings show that networks and banks do not set fees competitively. The proposed antitrust settlement was described by some as a meaningful but limited merchant victory, with temporary fee reductions and expanded surcharge/steering rights, while others said it still falls short of structural reform. The commission members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of fees, the cost of cash, whether merchants can pass costs through, and whether small businesses are actually seeing benefits from the current system. Members repeatedly emphasized the need for a fair middle ground that protects both small businesses and the payment system. No substantive votes or policy actions were taken beyond accepting testimony, and the meeting ended with adjournment after all scheduled witnesses had spoken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> competitive markets. competitive markets.
• </c><01:22:07.880><c> It</c> competitive markets. It competitive markets.
• </c> the development of competitive markets. the development of competitive markets.
• </c> to competitive suppliers. to competitive suppliers.
• </c> in other areas of the business. in other areas of the business.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> so needed uh to create those competitive so needed uh to create those competitive markets<00:07:
• ><c> and</c><01:46:28.159><c> competitive</c> Community power and competitive Community power and competitive
• </c> competitive and to enable competitive competitive and to enable competitive Innovations<01:49:12.280
• But it is a competitive space; it should be more competitive. Thank you.
• But it is a competitive space; it should be more competitive.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, local competition: some preliminary analysis we have done suggests that local competition at the
• Also local competition, some preliminary analysis we have done suggests that shows the local competition
• There has been business choices that have impacted... ...been business choices that have impacted both
• , not less competitive.
• That's an overhead, a business overhead. Over here...

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Market competition incentivizes the use of rewards programs to win consumer business, which is why many
• We're a small family-run business.
• Because for small businesses like mine, these fees are not just the cost of doing business.
• And so as small businesses and even as a guild, when it's this concentrated, there's little competitive
• We're a small business.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to continue studying credit card payments, interchange fees, fraud, chargebacks, and the impact of card processing costs on small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurant owners, payment-industry representatives, and an airline trade group. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a major and rising expense, that businesses are paying fees on sales tax and tips that are merely pass-through amounts, and that merchants have little negotiating power. Several restaurant and retail witnesses described thin margins, higher costs for card-not-present transactions, and chargebacks that they said usually favor cardholders and leave merchants absorbing losses and fees. Witnesses from the Cooperative Credit Union Association cautioned that state-level interchange regulation could reduce revenue used for fraud prevention, compliance, and member services, and could lead to higher rates or reduced access. Retail and restaurant representatives countered that fees have risen sharply, that statements are difficult to decipher, and that rewards programs and card-network pricing are subsidized by merchants and ultimately by all consumers. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and independent operators urged legislation to bar fees on tax and tip portions of transactions and to allow businesses to pass along card fees if they choose, saying this would improve transparency and fairness and help keep small restaurants open. Other testimony came from the National Restaurant Association, which supported interchange reform and said modern point-of-sale systems can already separate tax and tip amounts, and from a payments-industry group that emphasized the broader economic benefits of digital payments and warned against state-by-state rules. Airlines for America opposed changes that could undermine airline credit card rewards programs. Commission members asked detailed questions about fee structures, card types, chargebacks, POS systems, and whether consumers paying cash are also affected. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to pay a competitive rate. $50 an hour for every job he does, which is a competitive rate.
• need to pay a competitive rate. $50 an hour for every job he does, which is a competitive rate, they
• I'm all about competitive business.
• We heard the dealer's witness talk about competition. So let's have competition.
• We heard the dealer's witness talk about competition. So let's have competition.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Got to keep him busy. Mom's working today at Beth Israel, so got to try to keep these guys busy.
• I also object to it being called small business because, for the business owners, it's the largest thing
• They're not anti-competitive, they're very competitive.
• lines, including our card business.
• We could run a safer business.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, payment industry groups, and a credit card issuer. Much of the discussion focused on proposed state laws that would limit interchange fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions, especially Illinois’s Interchange Fee Prohibition Act and similar efforts in other states. Witnesses opposing the proposals argued that interchange helps fund fraud protection, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit, and warned that state-by-state rules would create a patchwork that could harm state-chartered banks and credit unions, raise compliance costs, and reduce consumer access to credit. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a significant burden on merchants, especially small businesses, and that current pricing is opaque and often bundled with other processor charges. Several witnesses emphasized that the current payment system provides major benefits to merchants and consumers, including security, convenience, faster settlement, online commerce, and broader access to credit. One witness from Capital One said the industry’s losses from fraud and default are substantial and that interchange helps offset those risks; he also noted that merchants already have some tools, such as surcharging where allowed and negotiating clearer processor contracts. Retail representatives and the National Retail Federation countered that small businesses are under pressure from many costs and that interchange and related fees remain a real pain point, with some urging the commission to consider reforms that would return more money to businesses without disrupting the system. There was also discussion of the recent Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement, with industry witnesses describing it as a significant merchant win that includes temporary rate reductions, more surcharge flexibility, and the ability to decline certain card tiers. No votes were taken. The meeting concluded after all scheduled testimony was heard, with the commission chair saying the session had been productive and that the committee would continue gathering testimony and written comments before making recommendations.