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

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.

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

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.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

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.

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.

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

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

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

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.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

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

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.

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

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

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our focus is on small business lending.
• In 2012, we had $8 million in small business loans, and now we have $108 million in small business loans
• Small loans help small businesses get started.
• Our small business lenders are not only providing loans to small businesses, but they also provide a
• We've had small successes, such as by.

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses and small businesses across the state.
• My journey with the SBDC started as a small business owner.
• Lots of people say that they would like to start a small business.
• And it was a very small state aside from Texas that was there.
• For small nonprofits like ours, these funds aren't just a subsidy.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard informational updates and budget requests from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz), the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), and the California Film Commission. Go-Biz Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First strategy, including regional economic planning, sector working groups, and investments in priority industries such as ag-tech, space and defense, life sciences, semiconductors, and microelectronics. She also outlined budget proposals for a five-year extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional staffing for the film tax credit program, innovation and emerging technologies work, and the new California brand campaign. Senators questioned the campaign’s purpose, its relationship to tourism promotion, and whether it could obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns; Myers said it was intended to counter misinformation, promote California’s economic strengths, and support business attraction and retention, not to shut down debate about policy challenges. CalOSBA Deputy Director Claire Whitmer and program partners reported on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and technical assistance/capital infusion programs. CalOSBA said RISE’s first cohort awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively expanded operations and employment for people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with updated services and a new grant administrator. The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund fully distributed $11.6 million to 100 recipients, but witnesses said demand far exceeded available funding and that the sector remains fragile after the pandemic and AB 5-related cost increases. The technical assistance and capital programs were described as serving more than 112,000 businesses in the last year, helping start 3,780 new businesses and leverage significant loan and equity capital, with emphasis on outreach to women-, minority-, veteran-, rural-, and low-wealth-owned firms. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach underserved communities. One senator asked for longitudinal data on employment social enterprises and whether jobs created through incentives persist over time; CalOSBA said it would provide prior studies and future tracking. Another senator pressed for more outreach and support for small businesses at different stages of development, especially those in disadvantaged communities that may struggle to access capital. The California Film Commission then presented a request for three permanent positions and ongoing funding to administer the expanded film and television tax credit program. Commissioners said the program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with about 90% of productions opting into new diversity provisions and reporting due to the Legislature in 2027. The LAO supported the film commission staffing request given the larger program size and expanded applicant pool. No votes were taken; the items were informational or budget requests under review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.
• Most small business owners are not financial experts.
• Most small business owners are not financial experts.
• protection for our small business owners.
• need this protection for our small business owners.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses and small businesses across the state.
• My journey with the SBDC started as a small business owner.
• It is small business development.
• And it was a very small state aside from Texas that was there.
• Small businesses are under severe economic strain.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development on the state’s Jobs First economic development strategy and related budget requests. Go-Biz described its regional planning process, priority sectors such as ag-tech, space defense, life sciences, and semiconductors, and requests including an extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional film commission staff, innovation and emerging technology capacity, and a California brand campaign. Members questioned the campaign’s purpose, with some supporting efforts to counter misinformation about California and others warning it should not obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns. Go-Biz said the campaign would be nationally focused, could include business attraction efforts, and was intended to complement—not replace—policy work on permitting and workforce development. The item was informational only. The committee then heard from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and the Technical Assistance Program/Capital Infusion Program. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first round awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively increased revenue, secured contracts, and employed thousands of people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with a new administrator and expanded services. For the performing arts payroll fund, the office said all 100 awardees had been paid, but demand far exceeded available funding, and the program was oversubscribed within days. California for the Arts testified that the sector remains fragile after COVID and urged statutory changes to simplify eligibility and stretch dollars further. SBDC representatives described TAP/SIP as a statewide network supporting small businesses, capital access, and disaster recovery, emphasizing their role in underserved communities and the leverage of federal matching funds. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach smaller or disadvantaged businesses. Questions centered on long-term job retention in California RISE, outreach to ethnic and community media in the civic media program, and whether TAP/SIP are accessible to entrepreneurs with limited capital or capacity. CalOSBA and its partners said they rely heavily on local community organizations for outreach, provide one-on-one counseling and training, and are working to collect more longitudinal data. The committee also discussed the film and television tax credit program, for which Go-Biz requested funding for three permanent positions and ongoing program support. Film Commission staff said the expanded program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with most productions opting into new diversity provisions, and that a formal report to the Legislature is expected in 2027. The item concluded without a vote, as the hearing was for oversight and budget discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I represent families and small And I represent families and small business<00:02:25.959>
• 40.959> open<00:02:41.240> their watched small business owners open their watched small
• Republicans are now holding the small Republicans are now holding the small business<00:05:07.240
• A hundred million dollars in small A hundred million dollars in small business<00:10:28.640>
• I'm here today as one of the many small I'm here today as one of the many small business<00:14:49.200

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate DFL lawmakers held a Capitol news conference to press for a $100 million small business relief package in response to the economic fallout from Operation Metro Surge and related ICE enforcement activity. Representatives Cedrick Frazier and Jay Xiong, along with Senator Susan Pappas and other supporters, said the enforcement surge caused widespread fear, reduced customer traffic, lost wages, and closures for immigrant-owned and other small businesses in Minneapolis-St. Paul and greater Minnesota. They argued the state has a history of providing disaster-style aid when communities are harmed through no fault of their own and said this situation warrants similar action. Business and community testimony described specific losses: a Willmar restaurant closed after both parents were detained, a North Mankato grocery store opening was delayed, The Coven reported a 33% revenue drop at two locations, and Lake Street businesses were said to have lost substantial revenue and staff. Speakers said the damage affected workers, landlords, suppliers, and neighborhood corridors statewide, and several emphasized that the relief should come as grants or forgivable loans rather than additional debt. They also criticized House Republican leaders for tying the relief to changes in paid family leave and for blocking a public hearing. In response to questions, Frazier said negotiations were ongoing through committee chairs and conference committee, with the issue still being discussed in broader leadership talks. He said the House would need only one Republican vote in committee and on the floor to advance the measure, and identified Chair Baker as a possible supporter because of harm in his district. Speakers said the Senate has already passed the relief and urged the House to act quickly before the end of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.
• Before coming to the Legislature, I was a small business owner myself.
• Most small business owners are not financial experts.
• need this protection for our small business owners.
• One is the bill has a conflicting definition of what a small business is.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct. The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.