Transcript Highlights:

• true small businesses.
• This change combined with rising interest rates is proving to make incremental investments by small businesses
• We as small business, truly small businesses, don't have the negotiating power that a large business
• Some of those businesses are going to go out of business. Thank you for that.
• And it's going to put some of the small businesses out of business. It sure will.

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation

Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• . small business owners.
• , 47% to women-owned businesses, and 17% to veteran-owned businesses.
• Bank to assist businesses across Arkansas with 7A and other small business loans.
• Business Outreach Centers, Small Business Development Centers, business centers and the like.
• Brewery business? Is that a word?

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: SBA, 7A loan program, underwriting standards, loan defaults, Community Advantage Program, small business funding, testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on discussions regarding the SBA's 7A loan program and its implementation challenges. Members raised significant concerns about recent changes to the underwriting standards, which have been criticized for leading to an increase in loan defaults. Ranking members expressed a desire for a return to stronger guidelines to protect taxpayers and ensure the program remains a viable source for small businesses struggling to secure funding. Testimonies from community lenders highlighted their efforts to support underserved communities and stressed the importance of the Community Advantage Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fourth order of business, with the consent of the House, the bills, memorials, and resolutions printed
• Fifth order of business, committee reports.
• Sixth order of business. Second reading. Sixth order of business. Second reading of bills.
• Finally, the Sixth order of business. Second reading of bills. We'll take the following bill.
• So that's being shifted over to homeowners, to farmers, to small businesses throughout.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We will resume our posted business. We are going to take up some pending business.
• It's putting my clients out of business.
• It’s a real issue for family businesses. We acquired over 300. My family was a family business.
• I've been in the business 35 years, have a degree in business from Baylor University, where I spent 200
• Protect your business.

Bills: SB30 , SB517 , SB1313 , SB1314 , SB1316 , SB1541 , SB1698 , SB1845 , SB1860 , SB2420 , SB2429

Committee: Senate State Affairs

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:

• of business activities conducted within the state without any deduction for the cost of doing business
• By way of background, Washington's business and occupation tax is imposed on the gross receipts of business
• By way of background, Washington's business and occupation tax is imposed on the gross receipts of business
• business.
• Seeing no further business before the committee, we are adjourned.

Bills: HB2730 , HB2713

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: aerospace, tax preferences, effectiveness, economic impact, state revenue, private detention facilities, business tax, occupation tax, financial impact

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to misclassification, which is a real concern, uh, um, exploiting employees but also fellow businesses
• exploiting</c><00:04:18.880><c> u</c> Real concern, uh, um, exploiting employees but also fellow businesses
• And again, there's other business mandates that have need to be worked on and maybe in other areas, not
• And again, there's other business mandates that have need to be worked on and maybe in other areas, not

Bills: SF1832 , HF2440

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, labor market, employment, funding, data analysis

Transcript Highlights:

• No further business. &gt;&gt; Mr. President, I move for the adoption &gt;&gt; Mr.

Bills: HB2240 , SB896 , SB2060 , SB2152 , SB2315 , SB2544 , SB2577 , SB2580 , SB99 , SB2110 , SB2115 , SB2259 , SB2382 , SB2442 , SB2485 , SB895 , SB2112 , SB3019

Keywords: appropriations, legislative expenses, auditor, legislative reference bureau, state ethics commission, ombudsman, government transparency, education, capital improvement, reporting, transparency, technical expertise, rental housing revolving fund, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, mixed-income housing, mixed-income rental project, affordable housing, low-income housing, housing finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Our BEAD program is now going to connect 166,000 homes and small businesses in Washington.
• Disadvantaged Individual for the purpose of Business Enterprise State Certification, aka WMBE.
• the things that this bill does, one of them is that it allows the Office of Minority and Women's Business
• This amendment generally requires that rules adopted by the Office of Women and Business Enterprises
• We want to avoid jeopardizing the ability of business to qualify for a federal program or work, urge

Bills: HB2684 , HJM4012

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: social disadvantage, business certification, state guidelines, economic equity, minority-owned businesses, combat veterans, support, military service, injury compensation, veteran affairs

Bills: HB393 , HB61

Committee: House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: tax abatement, incentive programs, NAICS code, economic development, business, Covington County, carbon dioxide, underground wells, nonhazardous fluids, environmental protection, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• These provisions matter to Arizona's small businesses for three reasons.
• These provisions matter to Arizona's small businesses for three reasons.
• They give business owners the confidence to invest, knowing they'll see an immediate tax offset when
• they pour money back into their business operations.
• Eight and a half out of every ten new jobs in this state are created by small businesses.

Bills: HB4154 , HB4155 , HB4156 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4159 , HB4160 , HB4161 , HB4162 , HB4163 , HB4164 , HB4165 , HB4166 , HB4167 , HB4168 , HB4169 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB1851 , SB1852 , SB1853 , SB1854 , SB1855 , SB1856 , SB1857 , SB1858 , SB1859 , SB1860 , SB1861 , SB1862

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB4155, amusements, amusement industry, entertainment, recreation, state appropriations, biennium, 2026-2027, fees, licensing, regulation, tourism, parks, fairgrounds, carnivals, arcades, HB4156, capital outlay, appropriations, capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call this meeting of Business and Insurance to order.
• But I just want to make sure if a business requests what did we spend they get that information.
• I represent insured Oklahoma small businesses, schools, churches, municipalities.
• This would leave insurance companies that cannot pay the losses out of business.
• Thank you, members, and echo what Senator Yick said this is going to fall under the business side of

Bills: SB1969 , SB1953 , SB1277 , SB1287 , SB1061 , SB1916 , SB1589 , SB2178 , SB1444 , SB1438 , SB1501 , SB1873 , SB1364

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, most importantly, for small businesses that would otherwise claim the sales tax exemption, the
• And you're with the Texas Association of Business, you're here for the bill?
• I'm the Vice President of Government Relations at the Texas Association for Business. of Business here
• Supporting the MRO business means more training, more hiring, and more opportunity for Texans to grow
• Members, is there any other business to be discussed before we adjourn?

Bills: SB263 , SB467 , SB850 , SB1030 , SB1352 , SB1453 , SB2064 , SB2206 , SB2779 , SJR84

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does, it protects small business owners with significant financial stake from having to choose
• It encourages transparency in business contracts, being that expected work days must be disclosed upfront
• It encourages transparency in business contracts, being that expected work days must be disclosed upfront
• First question that usually comes up: does this bill force franchisors to close business on Sundays or
• and they've not been open and business and they've not been open and they<00:11:34.399><c> want</c><

Bills: HB418 , SB138 , SB215 , HB418 , SB138 , SB215

Committee: House Commerce and Small Business

Keywords: financial services, banking, insurance, debanking, social credit score, ESG, environmental, social, and governance, diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI, religious freedom, free speech, viewpoint discrimination, political discrimination, firearms, gun industry, ammunition, fossil fuels, oil and gas, mining, timber

Transcript Highlights:

• business licenses in other municipalities.
• business licenses in other municipalities.
• I mean, it's their business license fee.
• </c><00:15:29.440><c> license</c> they're paying $10,000 business license they're paying $10,000 business
• </c><00:15:45.600><c> license</c> mean, it's that's their business license mean, it's that's their business

Bills: HB268 , SB279 , SB304 , SB303 , SB298 , HB268 , SB279 , SB304 , SB303 , SB298

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: lottery winnings, lottery prize, state lottery, income tax exemption, tax exemption, gambling, games of chance, prize proceeds, Alabama Department of Revenue, state income tax, tax relief, winnings, jackpot, lotto, Alabama State House, Montgomery, Legislative Council, demolition, state capitol, state capitol building

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any other business? None? Senator Burgess? Yes, sir? Senator Burgess? Audible.

Bills: S1182 , S1594

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, business incentives, tax exemptions, economic development, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health

Transcript Highlights:

• board should feel free to have these discussions without the fear that information might affect business
• And is there any other business before the committee? Mr. Chair? Yes, sir.

Bills: S0502 , S1182 , S1514

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Keywords: military jurisdiction, delinquency, concurrent jurisdiction, federal law, state law, veterans, military spouses, business incentives, tax exemptions, economic development, public records, trade secrets, Space Florida, confidentiality, open meetings

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's a diverse book of business. Great. Anyone else? So it's a diverse book of business. Great.
• A qualified business is a business other than a hotel, restaurant, financial institution, real estate
• The business must use 80% of its assets for active business operations.
• A qualified business is a business.
• The business must use 80% of its assets for active business operations.

Bills: SB5893 , SB6229 , HB1376 , SGA9306

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: forest health, wildfire reduction, appropriations, environmental policy, natural resource management, capital gains, taxation, small business, state revenue, investment, economic growth, tax prepayment, tax regulation, financial planning, economic policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't think government should be in the business of subsidizing private industry.
• And yes, I’ve never had a career officially in international business, but I’ve kind of backed into it
• And yes, I’ve never had a career officially in international business, but I’ve kind of backed into it
• And yes, I’ve never had a career officially in international business, but I’ve kind of backed into it
• As I've heard, they rarely go because obviously they're very busy, and that's not that they don't care

Bills: HB2746 , HB2751 , HB2752 , HB2753

Committees: House International Trade , House House International Trade Committee of Reference

Keywords: trade offices, committee, Arizona commerce authority, stakeholder input, efficiency, Arizona competes fund, economic development, fund repeal, state finances, state appropriations, commerce authority, public-private partnership, business regulation, Arizona governance

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, as this body returns to its regular order of business, we pray that you protect and uphold each
• regular Then as this body returns to its regular order<00:05:42.639><c> of</c><00:05:42.800><c> business
• <c> we</c><00:05:44.320><c> pray</c><00:05:44.479><c> that</c><00:05:44.720><c> you</c> order of business
• , we pray that you order of business, we pray that you protect<00:05:45.440><c> and</c><00:05:45.680>
• inform the Senate that a quorum of the House is present and that the House is ready to proceed with business

Bills: HR780 , HR976 , HR975 , HR974

Keywords: gridlock, policy priorities, House resolution, legislative process, procedural motion, house meeting hours, legislative schedule, government procedure, House of Representatives, quorum, business proceeding, legislative procedure, government functionality, Congress, notification, Presidential communication

Transcript Highlights:

• You're good with this as an entity to do business in Alabama.
• You know, certainly business interest, but to recognize them. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr.
• <c> to</c><00:31:41.279><c> recognize</c> business interest, but to recognize business interest, but
• ,</c><00:36:31.520><c> you</c> what we do So with these businesses, you what we do So with these businesses
• They're out there these businesses. They're out there anyway.<00:36:53.520><c> Um,</c> anyway.

Bills: HB168 , HB220 , SB187 , SB270 , SB265 , SB220 , SB242 , SB277

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: loitering, mask policies, school safety, crime prevention, public health, board appointments, governor authority, multi-member boards, state governance, legislative authority, Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code, Title 10A, corporate governance, nonprofit governance, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership