Video & Transcript : 'business' :
Page 73 of 500
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate is organized and ready to do business.
- The Senate is in the Third Order of Business.
- There being no further business in the eighth order of business, the Senate will now advance the ninth
- business, the second reading of bills.
- The Senate will now advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the prior journal. Committee and message reports were received, including enrollment of several bills and resolutions, gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho State Racing Commission and State Building Authority, and multiple House bills referred to standing committees. The chamber also advanced a large slate of bills through first and second reading, with several measures sent to the third-reading calendar.
The Committee of the Whole considered and amended several bills. Amendments were adopted on House Bill 494 (temporary caregiver background checks), Senate Bill 1294 (hearing screening timelines for infants and midwives), Senate Bill 1299 (digital ID enforcement and police-requested deletions), House Bill 728 (definitions cleanup), House Bill 703 (restoring an individual fine provision for surveyors and engineers), Senate Bill 1335 (veterinary medicine clarification), Senate Bill 1330 (small claims court attorney fees), Senate Bill 1359 (virtual currency kiosk consumer protection), and Senate Bill 1348 (clarifying the location of a North Idaho gun club). The committee reported all of those measures back as amended without recommendation, while several other bills remained on the 14th-order calendar.
A major floor action involved House Bill 745, which had been held in the Commerce and Human Resources Committee. Under Rule 14E, a motion was made to excuse the committee from reporting the bill forthwith. After extended debate over committee prerogatives and the Senate’s ability to force consideration of held bills, a roll call vote was taken. The motion to excuse the committee passed 25-1 with one abstention, meaning House Bill 745 would remain in committee for the rest of the session. The Senate then reordered the third-reading calendar, received announcements, and adjourned until 10 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2026.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 2, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- , and leave middle-class hardworking small business owners behind.
- As a small business, why would anybody want to As a small business, why would anybody want to put a bad
- I'm a small business owner, too, so I understand the pinch.
- But what I always admire is small businesses and how you get started.
- And I think... ...admire as small businesses and how you get started.
Summary:
The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up one bill, House Bill 499, which would allow malt beverage manufacturers producing less than 31,000 gallons annually to sell and deliver directly to vendors. The sponsor and several craft brewery owners and industry advocates testified in support, arguing the measure would help small breweries reach local restaurants, improve quality control, create jobs, and serve as a bridge into the three-tier system for businesses too small to attract distributors. Opponents, including the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, argued the bill would undermine the three-tier system, weaken accountability and tax collection, and create risks for consumer protection and market fairness.
During debate, several members said they supported the bill as a small-business measure while noting they remained protective of the three-tier system. Some members raised concerns about tax tracking and long-term distributor contracts, but others said the bill appeared limited enough to preserve the existing system while giving small breweries a chance to grow. The committee then voted on the bill and it passed, with one recorded no vote.
After the bill vote, the subcommittee revisited prior questions about Department of Lottery Secretary Davis’s travel reimbursements. Members reviewed updated documents showing more than $50,000 in travel reimbursements from January 2021 through November 2024, including about $27,840 tied to Orlando destinations, and expressed concern that some reimbursements may have covered commuting between Tallahassee and Orlando. The chair said the information would be sent to Secretary Davis for an explanation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gov. Tim Walz's tax policy proposals heard in House Taxes Committee 4/23/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, individuals, the business-to-business sales remain exempt.
- Uh, individuals, the business-to-business sales remain exempt.
- to business.
- If you're a on business to business.
- So, let's that's business to business.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 5055, the governor’s supplemental tax budget. Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart outlined the proposal as a balanced budget package that would leave a positive bottom line in the current biennium and beyond. He emphasized family-focused tax relief, especially a new refundable young child credit for children ages 0 to 4, which would provide up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more, benefit about 104,000 families, and phase out at higher incomes. He also described federal conformity changes, including updates to business interest deductions, dependent care credits, and Section 179 expensing, along with omitted federal items such as research expensing and opportunity zones due to cost and policy concerns.
Marquart also defended broader tax modernization proposals, including expanding the sales tax to selected consumer services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services while lowering the statewide sales tax rate, and creating a social media tax on consumer data collection that would fund an AI readiness special revenue fund rather than the general fund. He said these changes would make the sales tax less regressive and better aligned with the modern economy. Additional provisions mentioned included a gun-related gross receipts tax on firearms and ammunition, cannabis tax technical changes, historic structure rehabilitation conformity, and added auditors for tax compliance.
Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the governor’s approach as a response to federal tax and spending changes, praised the decision not to conform to opportunity zones or federal no-tax-on-tips/overtime provisions, and urged even stronger revenue measures. Brian Lake of the Minnesota State Bar Association strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, arguing it would burden low- and middle-income people in sensitive cases and create unfairness when individuals litigate against the state. Tanner Fritsinger of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the sales tax base expansion and the social media tax as ways to broaden revenue without raising the base rate. The committee chair thanked the commissioner and then began hearing public testimony, with additional testifiers queued up.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 090 Apr 14th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> that's hurting small businesses. that's hurting small businesses. small<01:00:15.920><c> businesses
- </c> And there is no opportunity for businesses, and these are small businesses, who are in the business
- </c> They know that business. They know that business.
- </c> business in our state. business in our state.
- ,</c><02:09:22.239><c> not</c><02:09:22.480><c> just</c> business is open for business, not just business
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- we</c><00:01:29.680><c> should</c> for small businesses and that we should for small businesses and
- </c><00:02:08.160><c> Partnership</c> support Minnesota Business Partnership support Minnesota Business
- </c><00:02:18.200><c> in</c> Federal Federation of businesses in Federal Federation of businesses in
- businesses that talked about the small businesses that in<00:08:35.839><c> other</c><00:08:36.240><c
- </c><00:09:24.279><c> that</c> there will be small businesses that there will be small businesses that
Bills:
HF11
Keywords:
Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Industry and Business Apr 2nd, 2025 at 09:30 am
Industry and Business
Transcript Highlights:
- , existing businesses, and startup businesses.
- So they understand the role that this can play in bringing business and helping business get established
- , or we can grow business.
- They just need to direct it maybe toward these smaller businesses and not everything to the large business
- They just need to direct it maybe toward these smaller businesses and not everything to the large business
Summary:
The Senate Industry and Business Committee met to take up remaining business, focusing mainly on House Bill 1191, which would create an Office of Entrepreneurship within the Department of Commerce, and noting that House Bill 1584 on pharmacy benefit managers would be held until amendments were ready. Members discussed whether the entrepreneurship effort should be housed in Commerce, whether it would duplicate existing private and nonprofit resources, and whether the state should be creating a new government function at all. Supporters said Commerce is the right place, the bill contains no appropriation, and the office would mainly direct small businesses and startups to existing resources and report back on demand and staffing needs. Opponents warned it could grow into another government entity and argued private industry and existing programs are better suited to provide coaching and mentorship.
Testimony and discussion referenced small business development centers, the Kauffman/Right to Start model, and other startup support programs already operating in the state or elsewhere. Members also cited a local entrepreneur’s experience as an example of the value of mentorship, networking, and guidance from private-sector groups, while others stressed that government should focus on pointing people to those resources rather than running the assistance itself. The committee emphasized that the bill would ask Commerce to identify how it could support entrepreneurship with existing staff and to report on its efforts.
A motion for a do pass recommendation on House Bill 1191 was made and seconded. The committee voted 3-2 in favor, with Senators Klein, Kessel, and Chairman Barta voting aye and Senator Inget voting nay; Vice Chair Bame’s vote was not recorded in the final tally as read. Senator Kessel was designated as the carrier. The committee then noted it would reconvene later in the day after floor session, with the PBM bill expected to be taken up once amendments were available.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Ways and Means Mar 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- He built a business from the ground up.
- Louisiana-based businesses.
- I think what businesses like, what I've found, is businesses rarely care about...
- I think what businesses like, what I've found, is businesses rarely care about the policy.
- business thrive.
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 620, a constitutional amendment and companion legislation to centralize collection of state and local sales taxes. The author and supporters from the Tax Foundation, COST, NFIB, and LABI argued that Louisiana’s decentralized system creates high compliance costs, inconsistent administration, and lost revenue, especially for small businesses and out-of-state sellers. Several members raised concerns about the recent rollout of the hybrid e-file system, the effect on local cash flow and auditability, and whether the state could implement a fully centralized system without disrupting parish and municipal revenues. The author ultimately agreed to voluntarily defer HB 620 and its companion HB 658 so the committee could see how the current system performs and continue working with local stakeholders.
The committee then heard HB 898, which would dedicate a portion of surplus revenue to reducing and eventually eliminating the state income tax. The author described it as a gradual, revenue-triggered approach to tax elimination, while another member suggested pairing it with reductions in tax exemptions and credits. The bill was voluntarily deferred for future consideration.
Next, the committee considered HB 217 and HB 214, a bill and constitutional amendment creating an optional property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict properties. Support came from local government and law enforcement groups, who said the measure would give parishes and municipalities a tool to encourage redevelopment and reduce blight. Members discussed safeguards, including local option, whether the exemption should follow the property for 20 years, and whether a step-down at the end of the exemption period should be considered. HB 217 was reported favorably as amended, and HB 214 was also reported favorably.
The committee also advanced HB 514 and HB 561, both by Rep. Farnum, which expand property tax relief for seniors and certain trusts. HB 514 creates an optional additional ad valorem tax exemption for homeowners age 65 and older, and HB 561 extends eligibility to certain trusts when the qualifying owner occupies the home. Both measures were described as local-option tools to help seniors remain in their homes, and both were reported favorably as amended. Finally, HB 812, by the vice chair, was heard to allow limited annual compensation increases for parish assessors. Assessor representatives said their duties have expanded and their pay has fallen behind clerks of court; members questioned the lack of direct local voter input, but the bill was presented as optional and funded locally, with discussion of transparency and a possible task force to coordinate future compensation policy.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And a mistake by the business could cost us our business.
- would doom any small business.
- They do threaten putting businesses out of business.
- They do threaten putting businesses out of business.
- State resident and owner of a business as well, small business.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2091, a collective bargaining measure that would require state agencies and other employers covered by the Personnel System Reform Act to provide unions with employee contact and job information similar to what other public employers already must share. The sponsor and union witnesses said the bill would close a gap left by prior legislation and improve communication with represented employees; no one testified in opposition during the hearing portion shown. Action on the bill was deferred.
The committee then moved to House Bill 2264, which would allow workers who voluntarily participate in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan to qualify for unemployment insurance if the separation results from that plan. The sponsor and a member described it as a narrow fix to clarify eligibility and reduce disputes. After brief supportive testimony, the committee voted 9-0 to report the bill out with a due pass recommendation.
A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 2218, a workers’ compensation bill that would expand provider choice, require notice to injured workers of their right to choose a provider, limit employer steering, speed utilization review, allow more flexibility from treatment guidelines, and change rules for reopening or continuing treatment on certain claims. Supporters, including injured workers, unions, attorneys, firefighters, and a psychiatrist, argued the current system delays care and over-relies on rigid guidelines; opponents from business groups and the Department of Labor and Industries said the bill would weaken evidence-based standards, raise costs, and create uncertainty. No final action was taken in the portion shown.
The committee also heard House Bill 2105, as a proposed substitute, which would require employers to notify workers after an ICE Form I-9 inspection notice or results, limit voluntary access to certain records without a subpoena or warrant, require workplace postings, and create enforcement by the Attorney General and private lawsuits. Supporters said the bill would provide due process, transparency, and protection for immigrant workers; opponents, especially small business and agricultural groups, warned of conflicts with federal law, burdensome notice requirements, and severe penalties. The hearing continued with additional testimony, and no vote was taken in the excerpt provided.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- For non-service businesses, the small business B&O credit is increased from $55 per month in the tax
- For service businesses, the small business B&O credit is increased from $160 per month to $375 per month
- This could be very damaging to 20% of all small businesses; emerging businesses are minority.
- As an S-corp, our business income goes through the tax return of the owner of the business.
- I own a small business, and my business income shows up on my personal taxes.
Summary:
House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed.
The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense.
Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- new business would step up.
- It's not small business because I think if that were under small business, part-time employees under
- </c><00:52:05.760><c> in</c><00:52:06.079><c> the</c> business up to five businesses in the business
- </c> some businesses are ready to step up. some businesses are ready to step up.
- </c> So, one large business. >> Well, remember they only have a 147 is the maximum business.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- businesses businesses uh uh uh ability<00:51:13.040><c> to</c><00:51:13.200><c> grow.
- </c> doing business in New Hampshire. doing business in New Hampshire.
- What I'd be more concerned about is a business running the numbers, a business that does business in
- busi- small business investment uh small busi- small business investment and<01:21:48.880><c> growth
- </c> businesses that aren't in the business businesses that aren't in the business of<01:41:36.800><c
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate is in the sixth order of business.
- There being no further business in the 11th order of business, the Senate will now advance to the 12th
- order of business, second reading of bills.
- There being no further business in the 12th order of business, the Senate will now advance the 13th order
- Hearing no objection, the Senate will now advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Two - Tuesday, February 17 -Morning Session-
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a lot of home-based businesses and those things.
- We have a lot of home-based businesses and those things.
- This is what we need to do to help out our small businesses.
- recruitment and retention in my business.
- A lot of the small businesses in District 119 utilize this ability to gain lower...” “...businesses in
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate is in the sixth order of business.
- There being no further business in the 11th order of business, the Senate will now advance to the 12th
- House Bill 512 by Business Committee.
- There being no further business in the 12th order of business, the Senate will now advance the 13th order
- Hearing no objection, the Senate will now advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, received the journal, and heard a prayer and pledge. After committee reports and messages from the House, several bills were advanced through first and second reading, including House Concurrent Resolution 28 on a day of fasting and prayer, and bills on midwifery, electronic registration, soil and water conservation, and public employee retirement contributions. The chamber also took up third-reading legislation and held Senate Bill 1254 and 1264 for one legislative day.
On final passage, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1255, which updates Idaho’s involuntary commitment law to allow tribal health care facilities to hold individuals in mental health crisis and recognizes tribal police officers for that purpose. Senators supporting the bill said it would improve coordination on reservations without changing commitment proceedings. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1256, a cleanup bill for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; Senate Bill 1262, which revises insurer investment limits by setting a clearer 10% miscellaneous investment allowance; Senate Bill 1265, a technical cleanup of the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund Act; and Senate Bill 1266, which expands expedited foster placement eligibility to kin with significant family-like relationships.
The Senate then passed House Bill 504, which addresses Idaho Lottery practices by defining terms and creating safeguards against bulk ticket purchases by out-of-state entities; supporters said the bill protects fairness and lottery integrity, while one senator voted no. Most of the final votes were 33-0 or 34-0, and House Bill 504 passed 30-4. In miscellaneous business, senators made announcements about local girls basketball championships, upcoming amendment deadlines, and caucuses, and the chamber adjourned until 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- A quorum is present, and the Senate is ready for business.
- There is no further business in the third order, Mr. President.
- President, is Senate Bill 1261 in this order of business?
- Senate Bill 1261 is in this order of business. Mr.
- Without objection, the Senate will advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business.
Summary:
The Senate convened with 32 members present, approved the journal, and received communications including the designation of Brian Merrill as a substitute senator for District 23. Senators also adopted a consent request to read petitions, resolutions, and memorials by number and title only, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 120 was introduced and referred to Judiciary and Rules for printing. Committee reports were received on several measures, including enrolled Senate Bill 1222 and Senate Joint Memorial 108, and multiple bills were reported out for second reading or referral, such as SB 1276, SB 1291, SB 1292, SB 1293, and HB 613. The Senate also received House-passed bills and referred them to the appropriate committees, including HB 528, 521, 498, 539, 516, 522, 635, 594, and 610.
On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1242, a cleanup bill for the Idaho Potato Commission, by a 35-0 vote, and SB 1243, which removed obsolete references to the Idaho One Plan, also by 35-0. The Senate then passed HB 514, allowing cosmetology students to take licensing exams after completing 80% of required hours, and HB 515, which removed an unused state bullying-reporting requirement while strengthening parent notification when suspensions occur; both passed 35-0. The chamber also passed SB 1244, repealing outdated regional library system statutes, by unanimous consent using the same roll call vote.
The Senate next took up SB 1261, which revises PERSI re-employment rules so retired members appointed or elected to certain offices can serve without losing benefits; it passed 35-0 and was declared an emergency measure with an effective date. After the floor business, the Senate recessed for page graduation and held a lengthy recognition program for the pages, including remarks about their future plans and a musical performance. The meeting concluded with announcements and adjournment until 11:00 a.m. the following day.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate is in the third order of business.
- there until further business is taken up.
- There being no further business in the 11th order of business, the Senate will now advance to the 12th
- Thank you. ...business, second reading of bills. The Senate is in the 12th order of business. Mr.
- Hearing no objection, the Senate will now advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Grant for lender serving underserved entrepreneurs 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- According to a 2023 small business credit survey, Black-owned businesses are denied financing at nearly
- When businesses cannot institutions.
- ><c> corridors</c> Main streets and business corridors Main streets and business corridors decline.<00
- </c> structure represents a business structure represents a business stabilized,<00:04:27.600><c> jobs
- </c><00:05:25.600><c> growth,</c> development, small business growth, development, small business growth
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 14th, 2026 at 09:19 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, think about your business. Think about your neighbor that has a business.
- We exempted new businesses, any business that's five years or less.
- “Well, obviously, if a business loses their business license, they cease to exist.
- You know, I’ve been in business about 30 years…” “I’ve been in business about 30 years now, I think.
- We're going to snare business after business after business after business after business in West Virginia
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House committee hears bill to ban pet store sales of cats and dogs, HF2627 4/1/25
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><00:07:26.800><c> unsalable</c> business into an unmovable, unsalable business into an unmovable
- </c> would make a a difference in in business would make a a difference in in business practice<00:12
- </c> business operations under this bill. business operations under this bill.
- the business.'
- </c> transparency kills the business." Right? transparency kills the business." Right?
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And in general, we've seen that small business growth and that emphasis on small business is really,
- We know that over 90% of our businesses in the state are small businesses and that they have an incredible
- And so there will be three businesses with the same business owner.
- And that's across 2,600 businesses.
- businesses still.
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.