Transcript Highlights:

• bill offers two practical ways to encourage biosimilar use to bring down costs and inject more competition
• This bill offers two practical ways to encourage biosimilar use to bring down cost and inject more competition
• And so those will be open to competition.
• I guess on that, and I certainly appreciate the idea of competition in the market.
• And so over time with competition in the market, how does that—how do we make sure that patients actually

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 1312 by Senator Richardson on abandoned endowed-care cemeteries. Richardson described vandalism, theft, and neglect at abandoned cemeteries and said the bill would define abandonment, create a process for local governments to declare a cemetery abandoned, and allow the Bureau to act as conservator of endowment funds. Support came from Marin County, while county and special district groups opposed or had concerns, arguing the bill could shift burdens to local governments or public cemetery districts without enough safeguards. Members expressed general support but noted the need for further work; the bill was discussed but no final vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 758 by Senator Umberg, which would restrict retail sales of nitrous oxide to curb misuse. Supporters, including the League of California Cities, narcotic officers, counties, pediatricians, and other local governments and health groups, said easy access at smoke shops and convenience stores has fueled recreational abuse and health harms. There was no opposition testimony, and members voiced strong support for a statewide approach over city-by-city bans. The bill was well received, with the author closing in support. Dr. Weber-Pierson presented SB 1094, a health care affordability bill on biosimilars and biologic substitution. The bill would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars under certain conditions, require advance notice to providers and patients, and add reporting on savings; the author said amendments would strengthen provider notice and preserve the ability to mark prescriptions “do not substitute.” Supporters from health plans, insurers, pharmacies, labor, business, and some provider groups argued the bill would lower costs and expand access. Opponents, including dermatology and rheumatology groups and biotech interests, warned about non-medical switching, prior authorization delays, and patient harm. After extensive discussion, the committee voted 13-0 to pass SB 1094 to the Committee on Health. The committee also passed SB 849 by Dr. Weber-Pierson, which would bar reinstatement of physicians who surrendered their licenses while a sexual misconduct accusation was pending. The Medical Board and California Medical Association were generally supportive or neutral, and members praised the bill’s patient-protection focus. SB 993 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, which limits routine disclosure of identifying information for mental health professionals in correctional and psychiatric settings while preserving complaint processes, also passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 1002 by Senator Niello, extending the David Hall Act to allow certain patients in remission to continue telehealth care with out-of-state specialists, drew strong patient support but opposition from the Medical Board and CMA over licensure and oversight concerns; the committee voted it out on a split roll with some members not voting. Finally, SB 1263 by Senator McGuire, aimed at protecting wildfire survivors and workers by requiring licensed, trained contractors for post-disaster residential debris removal, received support from labor and the Contractors State License Board, with contractors raising a narrower amendment concern about scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• MasterCard, which are not banks, set fee rates on their behalf, so they don't have to worry about market competition
• consumers expect fast, seamless transactions, businesses that accept cards are more often more competitive
• Importantly, credit cards More competitive and better positioned to grow.
• regulatory complexity and reduced fee flexibility could squeeze them disproportionately, limiting competition
• regulatory complexity and reduced fee flexibility could squeeze them disproportionately, limiting competition

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:

• massive opportunity for the Commonwealth and the only way forward for us to be able to remain as a competitive
• massive opportunity for the Commonwealth and the only way forward for us to be able to remain as a competitive
• massive opportunity for the commonwealth and the only way forward for us to be able to remain as a competitive
• you know, the high cost of housing in Massachusetts continues to be a challenge for the state’s competitiveness
• Addressing the high cost of housing is critical to ensuring Massachusetts can remain economically competitive

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on zoning, Chapter 40B, and related housing bills. Much of the testimony focused on the “Yes in My Backyard” bill (H. 1572/S. 962), which would expand by-right development of missing middle housing, reduce barriers such as minimum lot sizes and parking mandates, and support duplexes, triplexes, and other small-scale housing. Supporters included housing advocates, developers, local officials, and municipal leaders from places like Cambridge, Salem, and Braintree, who argued that state action is needed because local zoning often blocks needed housing and that the bill would help create more affordable, neighborhood-compatible homes. Several witnesses also backed a companion “Yes in God’s Backyard” bill (H. 2347), which would allow faith-based institutions to build housing on their property by right, with testimony emphasizing the potential for new units, added municipal tax revenue, and partnerships between religious organizations and housing developers. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 1021 to modernize Chapter 40R incentives. Senator Pavel Payano and others said the program’s payments have not kept pace with inflation since 2004 and should be increased to better encourage smart-growth zoning near transit and town centers. Another major topic was H. 2298 on site plan review, which would codify and standardize the process in state law. Rep. Kristin Kassner and witnesses from MAPC and NAIOP said current site plan review practices vary widely across the state, creating confusion, delays, and litigation, while a uniform framework would give municipalities clearer tools to review by-right projects without undermining local oversight. The hearing also included testimony on Chapter 40B reform, including S. 1005 and H. 1537. One witness supported further review of 40B and stronger regional planning, while another backed a proposal to allow certain pre-2010 40B condominium owners to sell at market value under a framework that would recapture some of the subsidy benefits. Committee members asked several questions about local zoning changes, housing goals by county, and how the proposed bills would affect communities. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs indicated that written testimony would be welcomed for technical details and additional comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's, it's not about competition.
• essential clinical staff, nursing staff, hospital police officers, and, you know, there's lots of competition
• essential clinical staff, nursing staff, hospital police officers, and, you know, there's lots of competition
• It's just that one, and I think we're competitive in areas of, to some extent, salary, especially health
• It's just that one, and I think we're competitive in areas of, to some extent, salary, especially health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, the current policy increases operating costs, undermines the global competitiveness of American
• Aligning California with the system is essential to ensure that our state remains competitive with other
• California's leadership in global trade, protecting jobs, and ensuring a level playing field and true competition
• It's about keeping American vessels competitive, and it's about conformity.
• exemption to support, as the Senator referenced, moderate-income housing, providing a reliable, non-competitive

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• great deal of analysis on this bill is anchored in a world of analysis that no longer matches the competitive
• If California is not competitive, these projects simply go elsewhere.
• recognizes that commercial production is unique and requires a tailored approach by making California competitive
• By making California competitive for this segment of the industry, the bill will help bring back projects
• But without a competitive framework, we're simply pricing ourselves out of a market that we once dominated

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This makes New Mexico significantly more competitive in recruiting and retaining the workforce we desperately
• This bill strengthens New Mexico’s entire health system by making our approach more competitive and investing
• put into practice, and it is something that we believe would be very important to keep New Mexico competitive
• Aerospace and space-related industries are already at a competitive advantage in our state, but right
• So it is a business decision that every business has to make in terms of the competitiveness for the

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• We help them prepare through different types of competitions.
• We do a lot of hands-on competitions, such as CPR events, nursing events, and we're just so thankful
• One of the competitive grants to the Department of Transportation awarded at the end of the Biden administration
• But that's one of the most significant competitive grants for US DOT that has been clawed back with the
• But that's one of the most significant competitive grants for US DOT that has been clawed back with the

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• eligibility for participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities and interscholastic competitions
• organization to otherwise regulate extracurricular and co-curricular activities and interscholastic competitions
• eligibility for participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities and interscholastic competitions
• organization to otherwise regulate extracurricular and co-curricular activities and interscholastic competitions
• for bids posting and publication requirements and expenditure amounts, clarifying how identical competitive

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The competition at that time revolved around the emergence of the Sun Belt, a term that was coined only
• the North and Midwest, where traditional industries were leaving the country because of foreign competition
• That is the Point where the interstate competition for jobs and investment became more intense and more
• This competition is happening even though study after Study have shown that business location decisions
• In the meantime, the pure economics... of interstate tax competition continue to be written about, and

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 2021, a compromise was reached that added more newspapers to the mix, increasing competition with
• , but at the same time, striving to keep up with technological advances and willing to increase competition
• There is competition out there.
• But I think this is about competition, and this is about making sure that the owner of the facility has
• And let's just have some competition in how we make sure that happens.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up two bills. SB 98, by Senator Harrell, would let self-storage facilities advertise lien sales either in a newspaper or on a qualifying website, while keeping other notice requirements in place and updating contact information provisions. Supporters, including the Florida Press Association and several newspaper/storage owners, argued print and digital newspaper notices already provide broad public notice and that the bill could reduce notice effectiveness; the sponsor said the bill is an optional modernization and does not affect government notices. After debate, the committee voted 8-1 to report SB 98 favorably. The committee then heard SB 164, by Senator Grall, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child at any stage of development, with carve-outs for the mother and lawful medical care. The sponsor said the bill aligns civil law with Florida’s criminal protections for unborn children and gives families a remedy where current law may not. Opponents, including the ACLU of Florida, health care workers, and others, warned it could invite lawsuits against doctors, hospitals, friends, family members, and people involved in abortion access, and could worsen OB-GYN shortages and deter care. Supporters said it recognizes unborn life and should be treated consistently with existing wrongful death law. The committee approved SB 164 on a 4-3 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute allows for up to 5% for legislatively named grants and up to 10% for competitive grant administration
• We administer several state grant programs, including the Legacy Amendment competitive history grants
• c><00:33:52.480> amendment including the legacy amendment including the legacy amendment competitive
• history<00:33:54.480> grants<00:33:55.279> which<00:33:55.519> has competitive
• history grants which has competitive history grants which has been<00:33:55.840> very<00:33:56.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For licensed cannabis farmers, this is a major issue from a fair competition perspective.
• California by adopting film tax credit programs and other incentives that make California's program not competitive
• The goal of AB 1138 is to modernize the California program to ensure that California's program is competitive
• Unlike other states' credit programs, California's program is competitive based on jobs ratios, and the
• We need to be competitive with other countries and states to attract producers and their bottom lines

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with members explaining that measures with significant fiscal impacts would be held for suspense or taken up later. AB 761 would let the Monterey-Salinas Transit District place a local sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board rather than needing approval from each member jurisdiction; supporters said it would preserve transit funding for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities, while an opponent argued it would make it easier to raise a regressive tax. The bill was voted out 5-2 after being called for absent members. AB 1253, which would clarify property tax treatment for wildfire reconstruction beyond substantial equivalence, drew support from the Los Angeles County Assessor and the California Assessors Association but was sent to suspense. AB 8, dealing with hemp enforcement, intoxicating hemp products, and integration of hemp cannabinoids into the cannabis supply chain and tax system, drew strong support from cannabis operators and labor groups and opposition from small cultivators and public health advocates concerned about supply, tax revenue, and voter intent; it was also sent to suspense. The committee then heard AB 1138, a major expansion and modernization of the film and television tax credit program. Supporters, including entertainment unions, workers, studios, and local officials, said the bill would help keep production and jobs in California amid competition from other states and countries; opponents criticized it as picking winners and losers and argued broader business costs were the real problem. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 829, which would create a California Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund and voluntary tax contribution program to support research and services, received unanimous support from advocates and was approved 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 474 would exempt rental income from nonprofit home-sharing programs for low-income homeowners from state income tax and protect participants’ eligibility for certain benefits; supporters said it could help older adults age in place and address housing shortages, and the bill was sent to suspense after members asked for clarification on the fiscal estimate. The committee also heard AB 376, which would exempt wildfire settlement payments from state income tax for certain disaster survivors; supporters from rural counties said the money is meant to help victims rebuild and should not be taxed, and the bill was referred to suspense. Finally, AB 480 would allow developers using low-income housing tax credits to switch from allocated to certificated state credits after an award, with supporters saying it would maximize private investment and stretch housing dollars further; it too was sent to suspense. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance policy goals with fiscal impacts, and several bills were held or referred to suspense rather than voted out immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• that includes 25 video franchise holders and that is under the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition
• following the facts with every county and application and set of projects that are sometimes in competition
• about today, the Digital Equity Act programs, the planning grant, the state capacity grant and competitive
• capacity grant that goes to the states to implement the digital equity plan, and then there's the competitive
• There was the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can confidently say that we understand the competitive, the financial, and the political landscape
• Alcoholic beverage sales are unlike any other type of competitive retail.
• So there's not a lot of incentive here for us to grow to become competitive on a national level.
• can do within the framework to provide greater market access while still making sure we've got a competitive
• ... ...the framework to provide greater market access while still making sure we've got a competitive

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of Florida’s alcoholic beverage regulatory structure and a panel discussion on the state’s three-tier system. Emily Oglesby of DBPR explained the department’s licensing and enforcement roles, described common license types, and outlined the three tiers—manufacturers, distributors, and retailers—along with tied-house restrictions and several statutory exceptions for certified Florida farm wineries, breweries with tap rooms, brew pubs, and craft distilleries. Members asked about licensing fees, the number and classification of distributors and craft producers, and how the exceptions fit within the broader system. Panelists from craft breweries, craft distilleries, wholesalers, and retailers then discussed how the system affects market access, pricing, and product selection. Craft producers argued that Florida’s rules make it difficult for small brands to reach retailers because they must rely on distributors that often prioritize larger, higher-volume products; they said limited self-distribution or other reforms could help small businesses grow without eliminating wholesalers. Wholesalers and retailers defended the three-tier model as a public-safety and anti-monopoly framework, emphasizing investment in warehousing, sales, compliance, and product vetting, while noting that they already carry some craft products and make selections based on demand, quality, and shelf space. Members also explored related issues such as direct-to-consumer sales, the role of excise-tax audits and inspections, and the emerging market for hemp-derived THC beverages and other alternative drinks. DBPR and industry witnesses said alcohol and hemp products are regulated differently, and several speakers urged the Legislature to consider clearer rules for these products. The meeting ended with no bill vote or formal action; the chair thanked the panel and adjourned after Representative Yeager moved to rise, with no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, they're not really competitive with the two lead countries.
• Right now, they're not really competitive with the two lead countries.
• Lastly, on transparency: this is a fast-moving and highly competitive industry.
• Companies must protect proprietary, confidential, and competitive information.
• I mean, you can have privacy and there's competitive advantages. I get all that.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It aligns with New Hampshire's long-standing commitment to energy freedom, market competition, customer
• It aligns with New Hampshire's long-standing commitment to energy freedom, market competition, customer
• service um and not for competitive service um and not for competitive supplier<02:36:00.960>
• supply uh for a decade or competitive supply uh for a decade or two<02:36:42.720> decades<02:
• supply um uh so that also on competitive supply um uh so that they<02:37:06.960> neither<02:37

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• distinction, serving as ambassadors for American values, including perseverance, teamwork, fair competition
• dedication, discipline, resilience, and perseverance, and serve as examples of teamwork and fair competition
• through early mornings, late nights, and long drives in the snow just to make it to practice and competition
• them every success as they represent our state and country at the highest level of international competition
• are going to fund his competition? are going to fund his competition?

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the competition that we are primarily concerned about is not losing them to private practice.
• So the competition that we are agencies.
• Swanner made mention of our competition. You know, we're not competing.
• Swanner made mention of our competition. You know, we're not competing.
• Swanner made mention of our competition. Swanner made mention of our competition.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 13 January, 2026; 1:45 PM, 925, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard first from the Office of State Public Defender, which said its core budget request was essentially level funding, with attorney and investigator pay raises already included because of the DA pay raise linkage. The main discussion focused on two initiatives: a rural public defense pilot in four counties and a Hinds County/Jackson public defense expansion. The pilot, funded last year with capital expense money, has formed a nonprofit, hired a director and staff, opened an office in Kosciusko, and began taking cases on October 1; most of its 44 cases involved day-one jail visits. The office said the project is intended to improve early representation, reduce jail time, and generate data, while not displacing local public defenders. For Hinds County, the office said new data show about 31% of cases originate from state-agency arrests, and it is seeking roughly $525,000 more to fully fund positions, bringing the total request to about $952,972 for five lawyers, an investigator, a legal secretary, and office expenses. Senators asked about funding sources and workload standards; the office said the pilot request had been submitted as general funds rather than capital expense, and that it is using weighted workload measures rather than strict national caseload standards. The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office, represented by Deputy Attorney General Doug Miracle, who presented the FY 2027 budget request. The office requested $45.48 million total, including $35.31 million in general funds, which is a reduction from the prior year’s appropriation, but also requested a $1.58 million increase in salary funding. Miracle said the office is losing attorneys to other state agencies and district attorney offices because of salary caps and pay disparities, noting the Attorney General’s statutory salary cap of $150,000 and that more than 18 attorneys left last year. He said HB 1509 created higher pay levels for district attorneys and assistant district attorneys, making retention harder for the Attorney General’s office, and asked for either the salary increase or authority to move funds between budget lines. Miracle also highlighted the office’s work on child welfare and human trafficking, noting that federal HHS officials were visiting Jackson to discuss foster children and that the office administers the state’s human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation fund. He said the office is working to reduce time children spend in state custody and support services for trafficking victims and foster youth. The committee discussed statewide youth court reform as well, with Miracle explaining that the office supports expert recommendations and a plan that could create 25 youth court positions in 20 chancery districts at an estimated $10 million, based on DHS and AOC data and a model using state-employed and contract lawyers. No votes were taken during the excerpted meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we’ve lost that competitive advantage over the last decade.
• And we've lost that competitive<00:46:04.800> advantage<00:46:05.920> um,<00:46:06.560>
• 00:48:32.160> advantage<00:48:32.559> for to be a competitive advantage for to be a competitive
• And that’s giving them a competitive advantage.
• And we've been extremely successful and competitive at that over the years.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all