Video & Transcript Research : 'small modular reactors'

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NY
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.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 5th, 2025

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

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
CA
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.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 8th, 2026

Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • small grants through California's Small Business Technical Assistance Program (TAP), importantly allowing
  • the Small Business Development Centers.
  • them are immigrant small businesses, or immigrant families that start a small business.
  • And so if you can also define small businesses, meaning who are the small businesses?
  • For small cannabis farmers, many of whom grow diversified organic crops in addition to small-scale cannabis
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The committee began with announcements about consent items and then heard AB 72, which would create an electric vehicle economic opportunity zone in Riverside County. Supporters said the bill would help bring EV manufacturing jobs and training to the Inland Empire, while some senators questioned whether the state should favor one region over others and whether local economic development groups should handle the effort. The bill was passed on a roll call vote and sent to Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. Members then took up AB 685, which would establish the Small Business Resiliency and Innovation Fund to support technical assistance and capital infusion programs for small businesses. The author and supporters emphasized the importance of TAP and related programs for women-owned, minority-owned, immigrant-owned, veteran-owned, and rural businesses, while some chambers of commerce raised concerns about amended eligibility language and whether the funding would be truly supplemental. After discussion, the bill was passed and sent to Senate Appropriations. The committee also approved ACR 173 on a 7-0 vote, and consent items AB 375 and AB 1587 were adopted 10-0. Later, AB 1760, a Dental Practice Act cleanup bill, and AB 1637, which would limit who may alter physician-authored medical records, both passed unanimously. AB 1785, allowing online sales of pseudoephedrine products with existing safeguards, also passed 10-0. AB 1973, expanding abortion-care authority for advanced practice clinicians, drew strong support and opposition and passed 7-3 after senators raised safety and training questions. AB 2025, requiring disclosures for digitally altered rental listings, passed 8-1, and AB 2697, allowing locally approved drive-through cannabis sales with security requirements, passed 7-3. The committee then heard AB 2249, which would tighten cannabis packaging rules to reduce child appeal, and the author described it as a response to poison-control calls and an audit finding that current law is too vague.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 26, 2025 - 08:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Small business is very important.
  • I am too small. I am not. ...taproom. Distributors won't touch me. I am too small.
  • But this goes to small-scale growth and an opportunity to test market products, small-scale in order
  • small hardware stores out of business, retail stores putting small retail stores out of business. ...
  • We're asking for self-distribution for small companies to do 31,000. That is the small business.
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard seven measures, including four bills and three proposed committee substitutes. HB 6033, repealing the Labor Pool Act, was presented as a cleanup measure to remove duplicative regulation; supporters argued workers would still be covered by OSHA, wage laws, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance, while opponents raised concerns about losing specific protections for day laborers. The bill was reported favorably on a 4-? vote, with several members voting no over concerns about worker protections. HB 453, dealing with pool and spa contractors, was described as a technical update to Chapter 489 that would better align licensing scopes with current industry practice and allow contractors to perform related work without stopping for additional licensed trades. An amendment making only drafting changes was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. CS/HB 277 on veteran benefits assistance was also reported favorably unanimously after testimony focused on protecting veterans from predatory claims-assistance practices while preserving choice and requiring disclosures, fee limits, and data-security safeguards. The committee then approved PCS for HB 291, which would require personal mobility device batteries sold in Florida to meet an IPX-7 certification standard, after the sponsor cited fire risks from lithium-ion batteries; the measure passed unanimously. PCS for HB 709, allowing valid pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities to nearby high-li permit holders, was amended to require a minimum of 59 live performances and then passed unanimously. CS/HB 4011, expanding who may serve as a building official on Palm Beach County’s Building Code Advisory Board, passed unanimously as a good-government fix to fill vacancies. Finally, PCS for HB 499, allowing small craft breweries under 31,000 gallons to self-distribute, drew extensive testimony from brewers and distributors about small-business growth versus the three-tier alcohol system; despite concerns about weakening distribution safeguards, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-2 vote. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Aug 15th, 2025

Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:
  • When small businesses close, neighborhoods lose their identity.
  • So Los Angeles small businesses don't expect handouts.
  • And all of these things tie back to small business.
  • Small business really is. It's an economic generator.
  • For our small businesses.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Apr 22nd, 2025

Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:
  • Administered by the Office of the Small Business Advocate to provide financial assistance to small businesses
  • And we saw, you know, we heard this when we heard from small businesses some of these like small convenience
  • So this bill really is working to address that for small businesses, it empowers the Office of the Small
  • Specifically, AB 949 authorizes the office of the Small Business Advocate to award grants to small businesses
  • Aga Kanyan here today, who is representing a number of small businesses and is a small business leader
Keywords: 988, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDT Public Hearing 04-07-2026

Economic Development and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am also a small business owner.
  • And it goes for small micro businesses up until the largest corporate clients.
  • I've been a small business consultant since '92, and I'm just here to help Hawaiian small businesses
  • I've been a small business consultant since '92, and I'm just here to help Hawaiian small businesses
  • GM 612, Business Regulatory Board, Small Business Regulatory Board, GM 613, Small Business Regulatory
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard several governor’s nominations for advisory and regulatory boards. The first group included William Smith, Michelle Ige, and Kayana Neman for the Community-Based Economic Development Advisory Council; Leland Park and Cynthia Hobson for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board; and Nicole Kacal for the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation board. DBEDT and related witnesses testified in support of all nominees, and each nominee described experience in small business, finance, community engagement, or technology. Much of the discussion focused on strengthening Hawaiʻi’s economy through small business support, financial literacy, and better access to capital and grants. Committee members questioned nominees about priorities for Hawaiʻi Island and the state more broadly. Topics included agricultural infrastructure, value-added food production, shared processing facilities and commercial kitchens, workforce housing, and ways government and nonprofits can partner to help small businesses navigate permitting, licensing, and grant processes. Several nominees emphasized community impact, measurable outcomes, and practical regulatory reform. Nicole Kacal also discussed diversifying the economy beyond tourism, expanding technology and AI opportunities, and creating locally governed training and research pathways so workers can adapt to changing jobs. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted to recommend advice and consent for all nominees. The nominations for GM 608, GM 609, GM 612, and GM 613 were adopted by voice vote, with Senators Kim and Fevella excused. The committee then voted separately on GM 794 for Nicole Kacal, and that recommendation was also adopted. The hearing concluded with adjournment.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 5, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • concern for small businesses in America. concern for small businesses in America.
  • These are successful small businesses. These are successful small businesses.
  • war and save our small businesses. Mr. war and save our small businesses. Mr.
  • Small and new businesses often require small-dollar loans, not million-dollar loans.
  • Small and new businesses often require small-dollar loans, not million-dollar loans.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jun 23rd, 2026

Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Small Business Procurement and Contracts Act has enabled state agencies to streamline awards to small
  • One as a small business owner.
  • supportive of our small businesses.
  • , small, because I'm even looking at the definition.
  • And so that also, when I look at the businesses in my community, when I'm thinking about the small, small
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • When small businesses close, neighborhoods lose their identity.
  • So Los Angeles small businesses don't expect handouts.
  • And for a small company like me, it's like critical.
  • Capital infusion is often a crucial step for small businesses.
  • Small business really is... ...the nice-to-have type of thing.
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in Paramount as part of its “Pocketbook Tour,” focused on affordability, cost pressures, and household impacts in Los Angeles County. The first panel centered on workers and learners, with testimony from the UCLA Labor Center and the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. Speakers described how rising living costs, tuition, and low wages force many students to work long hours, often in unrelated, low-wage jobs, while struggling with food, rent, bills, anxiety, and limited financial aid. Recommendations included expanding state-funded work study, creating a statewide internship tax credit for small businesses, improving financial aid formulas to reflect regional cost of living, increasing flexibility for students, and strengthening worker-rights education and career pathways. The second panel focused on microbusinesses and small business affordability. Testimony from microenterprise advocates, the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network, and local business owners described rising commercial rents, labor costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, insurance, utilities, and disaster-related pressures as major threats to small businesses. Witnesses emphasized that small businesses are central to local economies and asked the state to expand technical assistance, low-interest financing, disaster support, supply-chain development, and community-based outreach. They also urged more intentional support for microbusinesses and home-based entrepreneurs, including networks that connect them to resources and help them build collective buying power. Committee members asked about possible state actions, including tax credits for hiring local workers or interns, support for trades and apprenticeships, and ways to partner more closely with SBDCs and chambers of commerce. Public comment echoed the hearing themes, with speakers highlighting student hardship, nonprofit mental health funding, renewable energy jobs and internships, and the need for state support for clean-energy incentives. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks and adjournment at 11:05 a.m.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our firms are just a little too small.
  • Our firms are just a little too small. Our firms are just a little too small.
  • <00:18:51.440> businesses think um some of the small businesses think um some of the small
  • <00:25:15.279> business challenges to becoming small business challenges to becoming small
  • resources for our small base businesses. resources for our small base businesses.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • importantly the impact on small importantly the impact on small businesses<00:10:05.560> continues
  • the new program while many small the new program while many small business<00:10:17.920> owners
  • 6 weeks for employees working for small 6 weeks for employees working for small businesses<00:32
  • modifications that would help small modifications that would help small businesses<00:37:42.880>
  • <00:38:08.640> business downtown shaki our small business downtown shaki our small business
Bills: HF1976
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 107 May 1st, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • business. a small business.
  • Expenses are high for small businesses. Expenses are high for small businesses.
  • a small business. a small business.
  • Um I grew up in a small business for 15 years and then I had my own small business for 12 years.
  • And as this bill Small business for 15 years and then I had my own small business for 12 years.
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports moving bills forward, including measures from Transportation and Energy and Corporations. The chamber also heard a House message transmitting House Bill 1281. Later, senators used moments of personal privilege to recognize Día del Niño guests and welcome children and community representatives to the chamber; those remarks were ordered spread upon the journal. On the consent calendar and third reading calendar, the Senate passed a number of bills, including Senate Bill 171 on pre-production plastic disposal, Senate Bill 173 on teacher training in certain fitness disciplines, House Bill 1290 on assault sentencing, House Bill 1052 on Victim Rights Act changes, House Bill 1214 on continuation of the controlled substances licensing act, House Bill 1260 on child care assistance, Senate Bill 17 on out-of-network health care dispute resolution, House Bill 1313 on Statewide Affordable Housing Fund requirements, House Bill 1283 on confiscation of identification documents, Senate Bill 174 on lead generation marketing for legal services, House Bill 1193 on vision tests for pre-kindergarten students, Senate Bill 170 creating a task force on public school access, House Bill 1242 on interlock restricted licenses, House Bill 1258, and Senate Bill 165 on species conservation funding. Several of these passed with recorded no votes, especially House Bill 1214 and House Bill 1283. The most substantive debate centered on Senate Bill 138, which was described as reducing administrative burden in the health care system by repealing or modifying certain requirements on health facilities and insurance carriers. The Senate adopted committee report amendments, including provisions on opioid training for veterinarians and dentists, before passing the bill. Another extended discussion involved Senate Bill 172 on the Front Range Passenger Rail District; supporters said it would shrink and better tailor the district to the planned rail corridor, while a senator from Adams County argued the district should not ask communities to pay for rail service they may not use. The Senate also reconsidered and repassed Senate Bill 170 after a procedural mix-up, then proceeded to special orders and adopted the Committee of the Whole report on Senate Bill 165, which was placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • entrepreneurialship thrives in small entrepreneurialship thrives in small towns<00:39:46.240>
  • You know, small Opportunity Act.
  • to start their own small business. to start their own small business.
  • Last Congress, a small envisioned.
  • Small businesses are the economy.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • America, while the number of small America, while the number of small retailers<00:06:55.840>
  • <00:07:33.560> manufacturers helping farmers and small manufacturers helping farmers and small
  • It is any place where there are small grocery stores, and those small businesses often serve the least
  • <00:10:16.720> grocery any place where there are small grocery any place where there are small
  • , Representative Greenman said, “What I think you heard me say is that there are small, very small
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Small Business Procurement and Contracts Act has enabled state agencies to streamline awards to small
  • SB 1044 modernizes the small business and small business DVB option by adjusting that threshold ceiling
  • supportive of our small businesses.
  • , small, because I'm even looking at the definition.
  • And so that also, when I look at the businesses in my community, when I'm thinking about the small, small
Summary: The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns. The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Labor - 01/23/25

Labor

Transcript Highlights:
  • businesses and our small farmers.
  • businesses and our small farmers.
  • businesses and small farmers.
  • A lot of the small businesses came to my office, even being that I run my own small business.
  • We want small business interacting with small business, and that needs to keep going forward.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/24/25

Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • In 2020, CAL launched the Stronger Together Fund, which was a small grant program for small businesses
  • requested workshops from our small requested workshops from our small businesses<00:10:27.760>
  • The Small Business Partnership Program has been helping small businesses in Minnesota succeed for 14
  • The Small Business Partnership Program has been helping small businesses in Minnesota succeed for 14
  • The Small Business Partnership Program has been helping small businesses in Minnesota succeed for 14
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • That's not a small expense.
  • Nine out of ten restaurants are small businesses.
  • The estimated savings for small businesses are thin.
  • This is offered by 52% of small businesses.
  • So you have partners with small businesses, and if small businesses are asking you for a little bit of
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.