Bills: HR159, HR160, HR161, HR162, HR163, HR164, HCR60, HCR61, HCR62, HCR63, HCR64, HR153, HR154, HR155, HR156, HR157, HR158, HCR57, HCR58, HCR59, SB124, SB399, SB441, SB447, SB460, HCR4, HCR47, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB175, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB628, HB786, HB909, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1052, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1154, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1231, HB1241, SB244, HB1, HB2, HB3, HB312, HB313, HB383, HB314, HCR3, HB983, HB1126, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HB27, HB71, HB214, HB225, HB241, HB244, HB306, HB345, HB366, HB446, HB511, HB514, HB655, HB730, HB743, HB1027, HB1037, HB1043, HB1082, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1167, HB1174, HB1175, HB1230, HB1237, HB1238, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, HB51, HB58, HB140, HB750, HB911, HB982, HB1010, HB151, HB180, HB192, HB193, HB310, HB635, HB690, HB961, HB1003, HB1146, HB864, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB615, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB9, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1113, HB1234, HB1236

Keywords: occupational therapy, healthcare, medical professionals, recognition, professional day, property transfer, public records doctrine, bad faith, Louisiana State Law Institute, real estate law, Black Maternal Health Week, maternal health, racial disparities, healthcare access, culturally competent care, Louisiana, community health, motorcycle safety, awareness month, motorcyclists education

Transcript Highlights:

• It placed them as Schedule 4 medications, which has created this small controversy that I'd like them
• Initially, to me, it would be about issues like you might have in East Carroll or Tensas or some of the small

Bills: HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, HR252, HR253, HR254, HR255, HR256, HCR103, HCR104, SB83, SB143, SB155, SB228, SB283, SB295, SB338, SB388, SB408, SB431, HR84, HR188, HR205, HB302, HB597, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SCR24, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB357, SB406, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, HCR72, HR37, HCR64, HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR217, HCR11, HCR53, HCR60, HCR66, HCR68, HR9, HCR27, HCR28, HCR50, HCR62, HCR67, HCR71, HCR78, HCR81, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, HCR6, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB258, HB633, HB801, HB61, HB98, HB102, HB139, HB142, HB170, HB185, HB194, HB199, HB231, HB247, HB294, HB336, HB474, HB661, HB842, HB852, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB79, HB251, HB625, HB769, HB775, HB783, HB895, HB1011, HB1057, HB1155, HB1186, HB1224, HB1245, HB1247, HB1253, HB1254, HB1255, HB1256, SB41, SB44, SB64, SB84, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB107, SB118, SB142, SB192, SB195, SB199, SB219, SB222, SB234, SB241, SB255, SB275, SB277, SB292, SB294, SB306, SB314, SB482, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, HB646, HB824, HB341, HB682, HB766, HB926, HB998, HB1051, HB1080, HB1201, HB1223, HB603, HB940, HB1191, SB47, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, SB149, SB382

Keywords: condolences, memorial resolution, House Resolution, Shreveport, children, tragedy, sympathy, bereavement, tribute, mourning, schoolchildren, public charter school, elementary school, Head Start, family loss, Louisiana House of Representatives, condolence resolution, House resolution, victims, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• placed certain medications with real-world indications and uses into Schedule 4, which has created a small
• She says the issue may involve small rural parishes such as East Carroll or Tensas, but also notes recent

Bills: HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, HR252, HR253, HR254, HR255, HR256, HCR103, HCR104, SB83, SB143, SB155, SB228, SB283, SB295, SB338, SB388, SB408, SB431, HR84, HR188, HR205, HB302, HB597, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SCR24, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB357, SB406, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, HCR72, HR37, HCR64, HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR217, HCR11, HCR53, HCR60, HCR66, HCR68, HR9, HCR27, HCR28, HCR50, HCR62, HCR67, HCR71, HCR78, HCR81, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, HCR6, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB258, HB633, HB801, HB61, HB98, HB102, HB139, HB142, HB170, HB185, HB194, HB199, HB231, HB247, HB294, HB336, HB474, HB661, HB842, HB852, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB79, HB251, HB625, HB769, HB775, HB783, HB895, HB1011, HB1057, HB1155, HB1186, HB1224, HB1245, HB1247, HB1253, HB1254, HB1255, HB1256, SB41, SB44, SB64, SB84, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB107, SB118, SB142, SB192, SB195, SB199, SB219, SB222, SB234, SB241, SB255, SB275, SB277, SB292, SB294, SB306, SB314, SB482, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, HB646, HB824, HB341, HB682, HB766, HB926, HB998, HB1051, HB1080, HB1201, HB1223, HB603, HB940, HB1191, SB47, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, SB149, SB382

Keywords: condolences, memorial resolution, House Resolution, Shreveport, children, tragedy, sympathy, bereavement, tribute, mourning, schoolchildren, public charter school, elementary school, Head Start, family loss, Louisiana House of Representatives, condolence resolution, House resolution, victims, family support

Summary: The House convened with 93 members present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the morning recognizing guests and former members, including student groups, arts educators, rodeo queens, and Congressman Troy Carter, who urged members not to let partisan divisions harm Louisiana. Representative Newell also delivered a lengthy floor statement tying current voting-rights debates to civil rights concerns and warning against weakening protections for Black communities. The chamber then received Senate messages and committee reports, and several resolutions and bills were advanced or referred in routine order. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to House resolutions, many of them memorials or study requests. The House adopted resolutions supporting a physical therapy degree designation for federal loan purposes, honoring veterans who served in Honduras, extending a behavioral health courts study, seeking bridge-removal funding for U.S. 90 in St. Tammany Parish, urging DOTD studies on local traffic projects, requesting a study of rural economic development, supporting Camp Beauregard and the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, creating a permit-study committee, and asking for studies on autism services, school nurse orientation, opioid treatment in correctional settings, floodplain map updates, and care gaps for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One resolution on rent stabilization failed, and another on pregnancy-related emergency medication was returned to the calendar after questions about its implications. The chamber also concurred in or rejected several Senate amendments to House bills. Concurrences included bills on arrest warrant recall procedures, disturbing the peace near places of worship, rape and sex offense provisions, bridge naming, holiday rules, victim confidentiality, and the classic black license plate. The House rejected Senate amendments to HB 258 on dual office holding and dual employment. The most contentious item was HB 102, which would create second-degree cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities but was amended in the Senate to add broader first-degree murder provisions tied to firearms and public shootings; members raised concerns about self-defense, overcharging, capital punishment exposure, and fiscal impact on the public defender system. Despite those objections, supporters argued the changes would deter violent crime and protect the public, and the bill was ultimately supported in floor debate as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We both understand that there is nothing small about small business.
• It's 99% small businesses.
• It is like a small business. That's right, it's a small business.
• My father was a small business owner. My father was a small business owner.
• Our small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, in supporting small and microbusiness, it requires targeted... ...also in supporting small and
• This is impacting small businesses as well.
• There are nearly 700,000 small businesses in Massachusetts, which comprise 99.5% of all the small businesses
• Small Business Administration report.
• Small business is a very broad category.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held an informational hearing focused on the conditions facing small and micro businesses in Massachusetts and the state programs intended to support them. Chairs Andy Vargas and Adam Gomez opened by emphasizing equitable economic development, the importance of CDFIs, and the need to help underserved entrepreneurs, especially women, minorities, veterans, immigrants, and other groups facing barriers. Committee members noted the hearing would not take up bills, and testimony was limited to 10 minutes per organization. State and quasi-public agency witnesses described current programs and funding. Dico Gibral of the Executive Office of Economic Development highlighted the Business Front Door, multilingual access, small business office hours in Gateway Cities, and funding in the Mass Leads Act, including support for CDFIs, small business technology, and capital grants. Tom Hooper of Commonwealth Corporation described workforce training programs such as the Workforce Training Fund, Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and Career Technical Initiative, saying they help small businesses train workers, fill labor shortages, and support returning citizens and people with disabilities. Committee members asked about federal funding uncertainty, workforce migration, training schedules, and program uptake. Business and advocacy groups focused on cost pressures and regulatory burdens. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association urged continuation of outdoor dining and takeout alcohol sales, and pressed for relief from high credit card swipe fees, support for surcharging, and streamlining municipal licensing. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts cited survey results showing inflation, utility costs, payroll taxes, health insurance, and interchange fees as major concerns, and said many members might sell or close within five years; it also backed ending the state prohibition on surcharging and creating an Office of Main Streets Massachusetts. MACDC, BECKMA, and the Coalition for an Equitable Economy emphasized the need for more technical assistance, CDFI and small business funding, and protections against rising costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and immigration enforcement impacts on immigrant-heavy business districts. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• compliance costs on small businesses. compliance costs on small businesses.
• That hurts small business. That can't take that right off. That hurts small business.
• hurts small business. So I ask you, Mr. hurts small business. So I ask you, Mr.
• Such time as he may consume. solutions to lift up small small solutions to lift up small small businesses
• stand with America's small businesses. stand with America's small businesses.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, members, this is a bill that will give a small exemption to our small businesses who are struggling
• So, those costs add to small businesses. So, those costs add to small businesses.
• It could be small business. It things. It could be small business.
• Exempt for small businesses.
• give the exemption for small business. give the exemption for small business.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a small family-run business.
• It exists because of small independent restaurants, local shops, small operators, and owners of bed and
• or 12 other small businesses.
• I'm here today both in my capacity as a small business owner and to represent other small businesses,
• We're a small business.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its second hearing to study the future of credit card payments and sales transactions and their impacts on small businesses. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurants, and payment-industry representatives on interchange fees, processing fees, fraud, chargebacks, rewards programs, and the ability of businesses to pass fees on to customers. Several witnesses argued that swipe fees have risen sharply, are especially burdensome for restaurants and other small businesses, and are charged on taxes and tips that are merely pass-through amounts. They urged state action to prohibit fees on tax and tip portions, improve transparency, and allow surcharging or convenience fees, while opponents warned that state regulation could reduce fraud protections, increase compliance costs, and threaten consumer rewards programs. Business owners and trade groups described thin margins, rising costs, and the difficulty of understanding merchant statements or negotiating with processors. Restaurant witnesses said card-not-present and online transactions create the greatest fraud and chargeback risk, with money often removed immediately from merchants’ accounts and disputes rarely resolved in their favor. Retail witnesses gave examples of rising effective rates, higher fees on rewards cards, and the burden of processing fees on low-value transactions. A representative from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and others said restaurants are effectively paying fees on meals tax and gratuities, which they argued should not be subject to interchange charges. On the other side, the Cooperative Credit Union Association said interchange revenue helps credit unions fund fraud prevention, rapid card replacement, and member protections, and warned that state limits on interchange could weaken those safeguards and lead to higher consumer costs or reduced services. Airlines for America testified that airline credit card rewards are popular, support travel and jobs in Massachusetts, and could be harmed by interchange reform. The National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that interchange fees are set by card networks rather than competitive markets, that banks remain highly profitable even with rewards, and that states can act after recent court decisions. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questions from commissioners.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're happy being a small, local, driven, small-footprint type of business, which, to be honest, the
• Us, a small business operation, all we're asking for is a small opportunity that would lift the income
• Last, allowing a small And it encouraged growth for small breweries.
• We're super small. Our brewery employs seven employees.
• As a small business, why would anybody want to As a small business, why would anybody want to put a bad

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up one bill, House Bill 499, which would allow malt beverage manufacturers producing less than 31,000 gallons annually to sell and deliver directly to vendors. The sponsor and several craft brewery owners and industry advocates testified in support, arguing the measure would help small breweries reach local restaurants, improve quality control, create jobs, and serve as a bridge into the three-tier system for businesses too small to attract distributors. Opponents, including the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, argued the bill would undermine the three-tier system, weaken accountability and tax collection, and create risks for consumer protection and market fairness. During debate, several members said they supported the bill as a small-business measure while noting they remained protective of the three-tier system. Some members raised concerns about tax tracking and long-term distributor contracts, but others said the bill appeared limited enough to preserve the existing system while giving small breweries a chance to grow. The committee then voted on the bill and it passed, with one recorded no vote. After the bill vote, the subcommittee revisited prior questions about Department of Lottery Secretary Davis’s travel reimbursements. Members reviewed updated documents showing more than $50,000 in travel reimbursements from January 2021 through November 2024, including about $27,840 tied to Orlando destinations, and expressed concern that some reimbursements may have covered commuting between Tallahassee and Orlando. The chair said the information would be sent to Secretary Davis for an explanation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, small business play a crucial role in all our districts, and small business owners employ nearly
• The Small Business Assistance Partnership Program has been helping small businesses in Minnesota succeed
• The Small business for years to come.
• <00:02:28.080> business DED to offer free small business DED to offer free small business
• The Small Business Assistance Partnerships Program is a proven tool that ensures small businesses receive

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They call a small business.
• uplifting small businesses.
• General authority is given to the Office of Small Business Advocates to support local governments' small
• small-business participation.
• it would fund small-business programs regardless of federal matching so that small businesses in California

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact met on July 11, 2025, and heard six measures focused on small business contracting, ports and trade, local economic development, clean energy transition, tariff impacts, and infrastructure finance. SB 70 would raise the Small Business Procurement and Contract Act contract cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and index it to inflation; supporters said it would reflect current economic conditions, while opponents argued it could reduce transparency, favor larger firms, and strain small businesses’ ability to carry inventory and wait for payment. The bill was approved 7-0 to Appropriations. AJR 14 urged federal agencies to consider the effects of tariff policy on California ports, with testimony emphasizing impacts on cargo volumes, jobs, supply chains, and infrastructure needs; it passed 7-0. SB 781 would require cities and counties to adopt small business utilization plans and strengthen the California Small Business Technical Assistance Program; chambers of commerce and committee members supported it as a way to expand procurement opportunities and technical assistance, and it passed 7-0 to Local Government. SB 227 would extend and expand the Green Empowerment Zone in Contra Costa County, add environmental justice representatives, and extend authorization to 2040; it passed 7-0 to the floor. SB 263 would direct the California Transportation Agency to study the statewide impacts of tariffs, with supporters from the ports, retail, and trucking sectors arguing that better data is needed to guide budgeting and policy responses; it passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 769 would create the Golden State Infrastructure Fund to finance major infrastructure projects through a revolving public-private investment model; supporters said it would help address long-term infrastructure needs and prepare for major events, and the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations after opposition was withdrawn. All measures were reported out of committee, and the meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Small businesses don't need special treatment.
• Small businesses don't need special treatment.
• A bill to amend the Small Business Act to require Small Business Development Centers to assist small
• H.R. 5784, a bill to amend the Small Business Act to help small businesses critically evaluate artificial
• A bill to amend the Small Business Act to require small business development centers to assist small

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or future small businesses.
• that small business number should be? that small business number should be?
• small business.
• You were small business. >> Thank you. You were small business.
• They're all small business... They're all small business...

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses. Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately. A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of times these businesses are small.
• And they might be in business for several years and still remain very small.
• One, two, three people makes up a small, a micro-business.
• and very small businesses, these micro-businesses, to access resources.
• Yet our small business... ...salons and laundry services are owned by Asian Americans, yet our small

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its second hearing of the session, with Chairs Gómez and Vargas opening by emphasizing the committee’s focus on equity, small business growth, and support for communities that have historically been overlooked. Several members noted the historic nature of having two Latino chairs. The hearing covered a package of bills centered on access to capital, transparency in state assistance, commercial tenant protections, downtown revitalization, and business improvement district administration. Testimony was largely supportive of bills aimed at helping micro-businesses, small businesses, and disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Beckma, the Asian Business Empowerment Council, a minority- and woman-owned business owner, and a worker-owned Springfield business all backed measures including S. 179 and H. 312/S. 184, which would prioritize capital assistance and require reporting on where state business aid goes. Witnesses said transparency, upfront payments on state contracts, and better data collection could help businesses that struggle with delayed reimbursements, limited reserves, and difficulty accessing traditional financing. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council supported S. 173, which would dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue to a downtown vitality fund for district management, cultural districts, and downtown infrastructure, and said the bill could help sustain downtowns and prevent cultural displacement. There was also testimony on H. 306, a commercial tenant first right of refusal bill, with Beckma supporting it as a way to help small tenants stay in their locations, while the Greater Boston Real Estate Board opposed it, arguing it would add cost, delay, uncertainty, and could reduce property values and the commercial tax base. The board supported H. 305, a housing bill that would expand by-right multifamily and open-space residential development while preserving local zoning protections. Andre Leroux of MassINC also supported S. 173 and H. 299, the latter proposing longer BID renewal periods and audit requirements aligned with nonprofit standards. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and questions, with the chair closing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what kind of challenges do the small businesses and entrepreneurs face here?
• But what kind of challenges do the small businesses and entrepreneurs face here?
• development, um, on education, small development, um, on education, small business,<00:05:26.720
• c> community,<00:14:37.279> especially you have a small community, especially you have a small
• And so if we want to maintain<00:15:20.880> our<00:15:21.199> small maintain our small

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• able to take advantage of the small business.
• They call a small business.
• small businesses.
• Office of Small Business Advocates to support local government's small business procurement activities
• to increase small business.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all pressures that small retailers and small merchants are facing.
• Small merchants and small retailers are our customers in the electronic payment system.
• We think the electronic payment system is a benefit to small businesses and small merchants.
• It offsets The electronic payment system is a benefit to small businesses and small merchants.
• So we want small merchants and small restaurants to have the choice.

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:

• “These are just two small efforts that were brought forward by small businesses to identify what needs
• SO THESE ARE JUST TWO SMALL EFFORTS THAT WERE BROAD FORWARD BY SMALL BUSINESSES TO IDENTIFY WHAT NEEDS
• I am also a small business owner, a small business owner on Main Street.
• I am also a small business owner, a small business owner on Main Street.
• I am also a small business owner, a small business owner on Main Street.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The joint Economic Development budget subcommittee meeting opened with introductions, review of subcommittee rules, and identification of the agencies to be discussed, including the Department of Economic Development, Urban Development Corporation, Alcohol and Beverage Control, Cannabis Management, and the Gaming Commission. The chairs also outlined broad budget priorities, including support for innovation hotspots, incubators, minority- and women-owned businesses, biomedical research, centers of excellence, advanced technology, workforce development, and grants tied to tourism, cultural institutions, public safety equipment, and food retail subsidies. Most member comments focused on small business conditions and economic development policy. Senators Borrello and Chan emphasized that small businesses are the backbone of the economy and argued for reducing taxes, utility costs, fines, permits, and regulations; Chan suggested a possible one-year utility tax holiday. Assembly Member Slater similarly criticized New York’s tax and regulatory climate and promoted legislation to create a Department of Regulatory Review and Economic Growth. Assembly Member Buttenschon discussed one-house proposals such as changes to small business stock ownership rules and a hardship savings account, while Assembly Member Bendett said county infrastructure funding should be increased substantially. Several members highlighted sector-specific investments. Senator Addabbo and Assembly Member Woerner stressed the importance of racing and gaming, including addiction treatment and recovery, integrity in racing, and stronger drug testing. Assembly Member Otis pointed to science and technology initiatives such as Micron, Empire AI, quantum research at Stony Brook, and broadband/digital inclusion through ConnectALL. Assembly Member Cashman supported investment in the Cornell Center for Food and Agriculture, and Senator Hinchey praised tourism matching grants, restaurant and farm food donation tax credits, and incentives for heat pumps and clean energy retrofits. No formal votes were taken. The meeting ended with staff continuing consultations with members and the chairs concluding the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Las Cruces, because during the pandemic many of our small businesses needed help, and the Small Business
• I've been a small business owner for 23 years, and it started over at WNMU with the Small Business Development
• buy the uniforms for the small businesses.
• That's how you honor your small businesses.
• Points well taken, but as we do move forward, Again, it's the small businessmen, the small businesswomen

Transcript Highlights:

• And we saw, you know, we heard this when we heard from small businesses, some of these small convenience
• Specifically, AB 949 authorizes the Office of the Small Business Advocate to award grants to small businesses
• Authorizes the Office of the Small Business Advocate to award grants to small businesses for security
• Armand Agakhanian here today, who is representing a number of small businesses and is a small business
• the Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Summary: The Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee met in person and established quorum after beginning briefly as a subcommittee. The committee adopted its rules and then heard several bills focused on economic recovery, housing, technology, retail theft, and utility infrastructure. AB 265 (Caloza) would create a $100 million state-funded small business and nonprofit recovery program for organizations affected by declared emergencies; it drew broad support from small business, nonprofit, chamber, city, and community groups, with no opposition voiced. AB 797 (Harabedian) proposed a zero-cost state financing structure using CRA-backed securities to help community nonprofits buy wildfire-damaged properties at fair market value and prevent predatory investor purchases; it was presented as a community stabilization tool and received support from the California Community Foundation, with no opposition. AB 940 (Wicks/Ellis) would establish quantum innovation zones to strengthen California’s quantum computing economy, and AB 949 (Shiavo) would create a retail theft grant program for small businesses to fund security improvements and theft prevention measures; both bills were supported by business and university witnesses, though one member said they would not vote for AB 949 due to concerns about broader crime policy. AB 1347 (Carrillo) proposed a pilot program to speed utility interconnections in priority growth regions, including allowing developers to trade expedited connections for upfront infrastructure cost recovery and use microgrids in some cases; it had no opposition in the hearing. Committee members generally expressed support for the bills, especially those aimed at disaster recovery and small business resilience. Questions on AB 940 focused on where quantum innovation zones might be located and how local governments and universities would coordinate; the author and witnesses said the zones should be open statewide and could build on existing research centers such as Berkeley, Stanford, Caltech, UCSB, UCLA, and UCSC. On AB 797, members discussed the need to protect homeowners from below-market offers after wildfires. On AB 949, the author emphasized that modest grants could help small businesses make security upgrades and prevent repeated theft losses. The committee voted to send AB 265, AB 797, AB 940, AB 949, and AB 1347 forward, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with the bills reported out of committee and placed on call as needed. The consent calendar, including AB 254, AB 415, AB 655, AB 1232, AB 1254, AB 1477, and HR 27, was also approved. The hearing adjourned at 10:33 a.m.