Video & Transcript Research : 'small modular reactors'
Page 66 of 500
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It adjusts the definition of small business.
- It focuses on enhancing partnerships with small businesses in Florida.
- Small businesses are the heart of our communities.
- It's ultimately what is the impact on the small business.
- a serious hindrance to other small businesses in the area.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development considered a full agenda of transportation, economic development, housing, emergency services, and specialty license plate bills. Several measures were explained and advanced without opposition, including the Department of Transportation agency bill (CS/CS/SB 1662), a Purple Heart toll exemption bill (CS/SB 574), a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate bill (CS/SB 824), a construction disruption assistance loan program for small businesses (CS/CS/SB 324), a manufactured housing assistance bill for local housing plans (CS/SB 1714), a foreign agents registration bill (CS/CS/SB 766), military academy specialty plates (CS/SB 1024), a Safe Coastal Wildlife specialty plate (CS/SB 1246), an emergency services warning-light bill (CS/SB 1644), the Florida Wildflower specialty plate (SB 1152), and a toll exemption bill for 100% disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients (CS/SB 532).
The committee adopted amendments on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1662, Senator Collins’ strike-all amendment made a range of DOT-related changes, including the Florida Transportation Academy, seaport and airport accountability provisions, and allowing cranes to move under special blanket permits at night. On CS/CS/SB 324, the committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and a further amendment removing liability language; the bill would create a revolving loan program for small businesses harmed by public works construction, with members raising concerns about eligibility, verification of losses, and public records issues for financial documents. On CS/SB 766, an amendment clarified definitions and aligned the bill with federal FARA standards, including a 20% beneficial ownership threshold. On CS/SB 532, an amendment added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption.
Testimony and debate were generally supportive, with several outside witnesses appearing in favor of the bills, including Florida PBA, the Florida Manufactured Homeowners Federation, the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, the Center for Security Policy, and the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Members highlighted constituent impacts and policy concerns on a few measures, especially the construction disruption loan bill and the disabled veteran toll exemption, where some senators suggested narrowing the scope or adding protections. All bills considered were reported favorably, and senators later requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected tabs before the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Jul 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It's important leadership for small businesses, such as a small business owner in Yorba Linda, who ended
- Not all small businesses are lucky enough to refinance.
- We represent over 1,000 groups that are small business groups, for-profit lenders to small businesses
- , and nonprofits that serve small businesses.
- Rachel Mueller, on behalf of Small Business Majority, in support.
Summary:
The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills focused on consumer and small business financial protections. SB 97, by Senator Grayson, would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets law; supporters from the blockchain industry and consumer groups said it would improve compliance clarity while preserving room to align with possible federal action. The committee passed SB 97 on a due-pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with the roll left open for absent members.
The committee also heard SB 362, which would strengthen disclosure rules for small business financing by requiring clearer pricing information throughout the marketing process. Supporters said the bill would help small businesses compare offers and avoid harmful financing, while some industry groups objected to the bill’s treatment of communications and APR disclosures during negotiations. After discussion, the committee passed SB 362 to the Judiciary Committee, with several members voting aye and the roll left open.
SB 784, a bill addressing predatory home-improvement and solar financing practices, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters described scams targeting seniors, low-income homeowners, and non-English speakers, and said the bill would add safeguards such as confirmation calls, document access, fee transparency, and longer cancellation periods. Solar industry groups moved to neutral after amendments, while banks and other lenders raised concerns about overbreadth and impacts on legitimate lending. The committee passed SB 784 to Judiciary, with some members not voting or changing votes during the roll call.
Finally, SB 825 sought to give the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation clearer authority to enforce existing consumer financial protection laws against its licensees, especially in light of reduced federal CFPB enforcement. Supporters argued California needs independent state enforcement tools, while banking and mortgage groups opposed the bill as duplicative and unnecessary, urging coordination with federal regulators and proposing narrower amendments. The committee passed SB 825 to Appropriations on a due-pass vote, and then adjourned after completing the agenda.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 5, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- These are very small businesses.
- I haven't heard anything from small businesses.
- I haven't heard anything from small businesses.
- small business owners.
- And I get that you are a small agency, I don't know.
Summary:
The subcommittee first took up House Bill 197, which would require all private employers in Florida, regardless of size, to use E-Verify for new hires and eliminate the current exemption for businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The sponsor said the system is free, uses information already collected on I-9 forms, and helps employers confirm work authorization; supporters argued it simply enforces existing law and closes a gap in current requirements. Opponents, including labor and policy groups, said the bill would burden small businesses, could produce errors, and should be addressed through comprehensive federal immigration reform rather than state mandates. Members also raised concerns about implementation, enforcement, and potential impacts on workers and employers in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, and small business. The committee voted along party lines to report HB 197 favorably.
The committee then received an update from the Florida Gaming Control Commission, beginning with new Executive Director Alana Zimmer and then Director of Gaming Enforcement Carl Harold. Zimmer outlined the commission’s structure, staffing, legal slot and card room locations, and the Seminole gaming compact, noting that changes in state law or court rulings could affect compact revenue. Members asked for additional information on salaries, commission vacancies, and how veterans’ organizations can determine whether gaming machines are legal. Harold described the commission’s enforcement work against illegal casinos, saying they are widespread, often exploit vulnerable patrons, and can be tied to organized crime, weapons, drugs, and other offenses.
Harold reported thousands of complaints, more than 4,000 illegal slot machines seized, over 100 illegal casinos raided, millions in proceeds recovered, and numerous arrests and joint operations with other agencies. He said the main barriers are weak misdemeanor penalties and limited staffing, and requested two additional enforcement squads, one in southwest Florida and one in Jacksonville. Members questioned the cost of the request, storage of seized machines, coordination with local law enforcement, and how the public can report illegal gambling. The commission said it works with local agencies, has many MOUs, and directs the public to its website and law enforcement hotline for reporting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Extend the state’s pass-through entity tax 3/16/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Jan 19th, 2026 at 02:59 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- So an Office of Entrepreneurship would create opportunities for small businesses, very small businesses
- specifically... ...would create opportunities for small businesses, very small businesses specifically
- But yes, we would probably start small.
- We would probably start small.
- I think small business owners—this helps the small business owner in West Virginia.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State’s office described its FY27 budget, emphasizing efficiency gains from technology, election security work, and business services. It said it is operating with fewer staff than a decade ago, but rising costs and outdated statutory fees are creating deficits in service of process and other operations. The office asked the committee to consider either increasing fees or allowing it to retain a larger share of business-service revenue, and it also proposed creating an Office of Entrepreneurship to help small businesses navigate state government, grants, permits, and related services.
Committee members questioned the Secretary of State’s office about fee increases, the current 50-50 split of certain revenues with general revenue, and whether the proposed entrepreneurship office would duplicate existing services. The office said it would complement, not replace, Commerce, SBDC, or grant programs, and would report metrics and policy recommendations to the legislature. The Attorney General then requested a one-time $2 million special revenue appropriation to hire additional lawyers and support staff, citing increased litigation, federal and state legal work, and the need to defend new laws. He also discussed embedded DMV lawyers handling DUI revocation hearings and said the arrangement costs the office just over $200,000.
The State Auditor reported that his office is largely self-funded through special revenue and said he wants to reduce reliance on general revenue over time. He highlighted savings from renegotiated leases and an open government contract, discussed the need for more auditors in the Chief Inspector’s Division, and described fraud recovery and P-card operations. A major topic was delinquent land sales: the auditor said the office sold about 17,000 parcels last year and believes online bidding and better marketing could generate substantially more revenue, with the surplus potentially shared among counties, the state, and other programs. Members also asked about securities fee changes, fairness hearings, fire department audits, IT/cybersecurity, and how surplus proceeds from delinquent land sales should be handled. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Commerce Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The Roman numeral number three on our agenda is a small bill that I will be presenting that we're going
- Don't forget about small businesses and the huge demographic of Minnesotans who just want low-potency
- They're going to suffocate the small businesses. So it's our choice.
- Commitment to quality and transparency is significant for small businesses.
- I really want to keep small businesses here and keep the profits in Minnesota. Thank you, Mr.
Keywords:
medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators, as you know, small businesses form the backbone of our local economy.
- Small businesses are the heart of our local communities.
- The $100 million of private capital available to rural small businesses is in...
- RPC provides critical services to small and rural communities.
- It could be a small business.
Summary:
The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and favorably reported several bills. SB 1672 removed duplicative state provisions related to labor pools; CS/SB 940 prohibited third-party sale of restaurant reservations without the restaurant’s consent; and CS/SB 1820 made changes to motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer franchise law, including disclosure of performance measures, anti-retaliation protections, and limits on franchise termination or nonrenewal. The committee also approved CS/SB 324, creating a revolving loan program to help small businesses affected by prolonged public works construction, and SB 936, which creates a recurring three-year study of the effects of AI, robotics, and automation on Florida’s workforce and economy. SB 1322, the Florida Rural Jobs Act, was amended and reported favorably to encourage private investment in rural small businesses through a state tax credit program. The committee also reported favorably on CS/SB 910, which regulates for-profit veterans’ benefit assistance services, and CS/SB 656, which extends protections from extraordinary collection actions to all bill-of-care payment actions by hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 1264, a broad Department of Commerce agency bill. The strike-all amendment added or revised provisions on Secure Florida, the RISE venture capital tax credit program, data center tax exemptions, business development classifications, military land transfers, and other economic development matters, while also repealing regional planning councils from statute. That repeal drew extensive opposition from local officials and regional council representatives, who argued the councils are important for emergency management, grant writing, planning, and support for small and rural communities. Supporters of the amendment said the councils could continue locally without state statutory involvement. After debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, though Senators Davis and Smith voted no.
The committee also considered CS/SB 1238, which would tighten reemployment assistance rules by disqualifying claimants who fail to meet job-search requirements or refuse work, and by adding verification and reporting requirements. Supporters framed it as adding guardrails and preventing fraud, while opponents argued Florida’s unemployment system is already difficult to access and that the bill would add unnecessary barriers and costs. Despite opposition from labor and advocacy groups, the bill was reported favorably, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of Alexis Yarborough and John Gilbert to the Board of Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
US
Transcript Highlights:
- If you're a small to mid-sized company and foreign actors are dumping...
- This matters to the entire country, every small to medium-sized business.
- We view it as a direct attack of small businesses.
- And we know that these family-owned mom-and-pops, small... small businesses, working people, this is
- To ensure that economic policy does not negatively impact small business?
Keywords:
Commerce, International Trade, Tax Policy, Nominees, Inflation, Middle-class, Trade Practices, Economic Concerns
Summary:
The committee convened to discuss various bills and nominees, including the critical nominations of William Kimmett for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ken Keyes for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Discussions highlighted the nominees' roles in managing critical trade and tax policies amidst rising economic concerns, particularly focusing on inflation and its impact on American families. Members expressed both support and skepticism, emphasizing the significance of fostering fair trade practices and ensuring tax policies that benefit the middle-class amidst claims of an agenda favoring affluent individuals and corporations.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We are a small city that has grown very rapidly.
- Now I know I'm from a small community. Patrick Caesar: I'm from a small MUD.
- Many people would be happy to have a Wes Benedict: small or medium house on a small lot that they could
- Infrastructure is less expensive for small lots.
- buy 5750 square feet of land for your small house.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, July 21, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a small town.
- It's a small<00:21:26.080>
town. - America's millions of small businesses. America's millions of small businesses.
- of small businesses. of small businesses.
- small businesses will be. small businesses will be.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/11/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- become s a burden on a lot of small become s a burden on a lot of small cities<00:20:19.880>
- In some small cities, small towns, you know, there's so all of these things always have to be balanced
- In some small cities, small towns, you know, there's so all of these things always have to be balanced
- In some small cities, small towns, you know, there's so all of these things always have to be balanced
- Thanks, Representative Anderson. to happen I mean small towns usually get to happen I mean small towns
Keywords:
data practices, public official, transparency, government accountability, employment data, domestic abuse, domestic violence, battered women, victim advocate, advocacy, confidentiality, privilege, evidence law, witness privilege, court-ordered disclosure, shelter, crisis intervention, sexual assault counselor, victim services, protective services
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 16, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- our economy and our small businesses. our economy and our small businesses.
- Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act. Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act.
- AI small businesses by supporting<00:30:26.160>
the <00:30:26.240>Small <00:30:26.720>< - c> AI<00:30:27.000>
Innovators supporting the Small AI Innovators supporting the Small AI - <04:25:45.360>
All Small Cemetery Conveyance Act. All Small Cemetery Conveyance Act.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Mar 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 976 would establish a tax credit program to provide a non-refundable tax credit to small retailers
- Similar legislation has also been enacted in the state of New York in order to help small businesses
- Recognizing that the current budget status of AB 976 is narrowly tailored to give small businesses in
- Theft from small retailers harms more than business owners.
- New York is covering all their small businesses.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met and announced that, under its suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense because each had a fiscal impact. The chair also reminded attendees to submit position letters in advance for inclusion in the bill analysis. A quorum was established and the committee then heard six bills, all of which drew support testimony and no opposition testimony in the room.
AB 814 would exempt law enforcement pensions from state income tax to encourage retired peace officers to remain in California and support recruitment and retention. AB 918 would create a targeted income tax exemption for pay earned by local first responders deployed under mutual aid during declared emergencies, with supporters saying it would help sustain disaster response and reward extraordinary service. Both bills were backed by police and public safety organizations and were referred to suspense.
AB 976 would create a nonrefundable tax credit for small retailers in disadvantaged communities to help pay for security equipment in response to retail theft and violence; members discussed whether the bill should be broader and how it related to Proposition 36 and crime policy. AB 984 would allow state tax deductions for contributions to CalABLE accounts, with testimony from CalABLE representatives and families describing the program as an essential savings tool for people with disabilities. AB 1282 would create a deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses up to $5,000 through 2030, and AB 838 would raise California’s renter’s tax credit from $60/$120 to $2,000 for eligible filers. Each of these bills was also referred to the suspense file, and the committee then adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Chris Doolin, representing the Small County Coalition and the Small Districts Coalition Consortium.
- the counties, the small counties since 1990.
- It was exciting that small changes, which are not small: health care, docs, hospitals, our regional consortiums
- Small changes, which are not small: health care, docs, hospitals, our regional consortiums, which are
- counties and small school boards.
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first considered CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, presented by Senator Graal. The bill addressed three areas: child welfare workforce shortages, higher-acuity children in out-of-home care, and services/data for commercially sexually exploited children. It would create a CPI and case manager recruitment program aimed at former public safety and service workers, convene a workforce work group, establish a four-year treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits identified by DCF based on removal and placement data, and require more detailed, extractable child-level data on commercially sexually exploited children along with a bed capacity study and service gap analysis. Two amendments were adopted: one clarified record retention for redacted assessments, and another attached the appropriation.
The committee then heard CS/SB 110 on rural communities from Senator Simon. The bill proposed a broad rural development package, including a state office of rural prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for counties with declining populations, increased housing support, major rural road funding, school consortium funding, and additional health care resources for rural facilities and training. A delete-all amendment was adopted that expanded and refined several provisions, including local sales tax trust fund distributions, county connectivity projects, agritourism marketing support, disaster-impacted rural infrastructure eligibility, insurance and provider eligibility changes, and increased funding for critical access hospitals and rural medical education reimbursement.
Both bills drew broad support from local government, education, health care, housing, and rural advocacy representatives. Supporters said the rural bill was especially comprehensive and would help small counties, schools, roads, housing, and health care, while one witness cautioned that road expansion should be balanced with protection of agricultural and natural lands. Senator Bradley and Senator Simon emphasized local control and the importance of strengthening rural Florida without imposing mandates. CS/SB 7012 and CS/SB 110 were both reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Dec 8th, 2025 at 09:32 am
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Small independent grocery store owners are hurt.
- Small independent grocery store owners are hurt.
- Local farmers are small. They get a premium. Local farmers are small. They get a premium.
- It looks large, but this is a small blow-up.
- It looks large, but this is a small blow-up.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- That reflects the progress of the small business community.
- is a signal that our current system isn't working for small businesses.
- Without the opportunity to start small, Civil Coffee would not exist today.
- Our small businesses and residents are desperate to fill this.
- Time is critical, especially for small and mid-sized retailers.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to fet and to making Missouri's small to fet and to making Missouri's small business<00:38:12.079
- Res. 75. lose situation for small business owners lose situation for small business owners and<04:08:
- American manufacturers and small American manufacturers and small retailers<04:08:28.319>
I will have on small will have on small businesses<04:35:01.680>drastically <04:35:02.561>< - businesses and consumers if on small businesses and consumers if small<04:38:29.240>
businesses
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment and natural resources committee hears HF8 - pt. 2 2/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- of the AG area, um, that we used to have a very resilient agriculture system where we had a lot of small
- We had a lot of small towns. We had diversified farms.
- Everything under one roof, and we have, uh, facilities producing more manure than small towns.
- We set up systems, you know, to fund and provide cost share and dollars to small farms, but whenever
- to small to small farms<00:01:59.600>
but farms but farms but whenever<00:02:00.759>we
Summary:
The committee heard extended discussion on House File 8, a bill aimed at changing Minnesota’s permitting and environmental review process. Supporters said the bill is intended to help small and medium-sized businesses and projects that face long delays, and argued that the proposal does not lower environmental standards. They described the bill as modeled in part on provisions used in other states, including a staggered permitting process and an expedited option, and said the goal is to improve transparency, reporting, and real-time public access to permit information.
Members raised concerns about whether the bill could also benefit large corporations and major industrial projects, including mining and other large facilities, rather than just smaller businesses. Several lawmakers questioned the use of county-based public input, the lack of tribal consultation, and how the bill would interact with treaty rights and communities outside the affected county. Others argued that the bill could create risks by speeding permits for bad actors or by allowing larger entities to pay for expedited treatment. Testimony also referenced examples from the Minnesota Chamber’s report, with a witness disputing the claim that permitting alone drove companies out of Minnesota and saying those cases involved more complex facts.
The committee first considered a motion to lay the bill on the table, but that motion failed on a 5-7 roll call. The committee then voted on a motion to re-refer House File 8, as amended, to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee. That motion passed 7-5, and the bill was sent on to that committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- These CDFIs make loans and expand access to capital for small businesses that are primarily Black- and
- These represent bankers, bakers, barbers, mechanics, small manufacturers whose dreams create jobs and
- These represent bankers, bakers, barbers, mechanics, small manufacturers whose dreams create jobs and
- wealth and overlooked. small manufacturers whose dreams create jobs and build wealth and overlooked
- Good afternoon, on behalf of Small Business Majority, strong support.
Summary:
The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills, beginning with a consent calendar that included AB 665 and AB 866, both adopted on a do pass basis and referred to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 801, which would create a California Community Reinvestment Act to require covered financial institutions, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, residential mortgage lenders, and money transmitters, to meet the financial needs of low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. The author and supporters argued the bill would close gaps left by the federal CRA, address redlining and discriminatory lending, and expand investment in housing, small business, and community development. Support came from community groups, CDFIs, labor, and housing advocates, while opposition from mortgage bankers and credit unions argued the bill would impose costly new reporting and regulatory burdens, especially on institutions they said already serve underserved borrowers well. Committee members discussed the scope of the bill, the experience of other states with state CRA laws, and possible carve-outs or tiered treatment for smaller credit unions. AB 801 was passed as amended and referred to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later completed; one member voted no and others were not voting or voted aye as the roll was finalized.
The committee also heard AB 743, which would require licensing and surety bonds for commercial lawsuit financing and bring those transactions under DFPI oversight. The author said the bill was aimed at a largely unregulated, multi-billion-dollar industry and was intended to increase transparency and address concerns about foreign interests, fraud, and abusive litigation funding practices, while not affecting consumer legal funding. Supporters, including Unified Patents, the Civil Justice Association of California, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Trucking Association, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said the bill was an important first step toward disclosure and regulation. There was no opposition testimony. AB 743 passed unanimously as amended and was referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open briefly for absent members before the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Jul 7th, 2025
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- It's important leadership that's vital for small businesses, such as a small business owner in Yorba
- Not all small businesses are lucky enough.
- We're a thousand groups that include small business groups, for-profit lenders to small businesses, and
- nonprofits that serve small businesses.
- Rachel Muller on behalf of Small Business Majority in support, thank you.