Transcript Highlights:

• small uh small company here uh we run a small uh small company my<00:02:37.800> wife<00:02:37.959
• the really the need and the want to make sure that small farms can stay small but also, um, be competitive
• the really the need and the want to make sure that small farms can stay small but also, um, be competitive
• the really the need and the want to make sure that small farms can stay small but also, um, be competitive
• the really the need and the want to make sure that small farms can stay small but also, um, be competitive

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Committee on Energy Finance and Policy met for an informational session and quorum was present, but the chair stated no action would be taken. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Chris Swedzinski outlined the committee’s broad goals of improving Minnesota’s energy system for families and businesses, with an emphasis on affordability, reliability, and development. Several members echoed those priorities, especially concerns about electric reliability, base-load generation, and the needs of rural communities, co-ops, munis, farms, and small businesses. House fiscal analyst Ashley presented a budget overview for the committee’s jurisdiction. She reviewed spending and base amounts for the Energy Resources Division, the Renewable Development Fund, the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund, and the Public Utilities Commission, and explained that the committee also oversees special revenue and other accounts. She noted that the Renewable Development Fund is supported by utility payments for spent nuclear fuel storage, the cleanup fund by a petroleum distribution fee, and that the Commerce Department receives significant federal LIHEAP and weatherization funds. Members asked about the large increase in the Climate and Economic Development Fund and the status of recent appropriations; staff explained that the 2023 session set a larger target, that about $79 million had been spent from the relevant budget, and that some funds may carry forward. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on community solar gardens. Representative Dave Baker asked for an update on the program, and staff explained that Minnesota has about 1,600 megawatts of solar, with more than 900 megawatts in community solar. Staff said 2023 legislative changes capped annual additions and created new incentives for low- and middle-income participation. Members also discussed concerns about program cost, local siting opposition, and a large interconnection queue; staff said there is a backlog of projects, including a reported 56 gigawatts in the MISO queue, and that utilities need distribution upgrades to handle new capacity. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I have for your consideration Senate File 2765, a bill that would exempt small rural ambulance
• This bill proposes amendments to existing statutes to exempt small rural ambulance services, defined
• This legislation will help reduce the financial burden on small ambulance services that provide care
• Today I have for your consideration Senate File 2765, a bill that would exempt small rural ambulance
• This bill proposes amendments to existing statutes to exempt small rural ambulance services, defined

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Works with small communities and one of the<00:41:26.800> small<00:41:27.119> small<00
• small communities I work for the small small communities I work for is<00:41:28.400> New<00:41
• New Albert is a very small community. New Albert is a very small community.
• Very, very small facility.
• it's a growing small growing community. it's a growing small growing community.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• So we just define what a small city is?
• is the goal that we get the voice of small cities.
• <01:07:22.599> town clerks and those um you know small town clerks and those um you know small
• <01:27:17.040> individual going to be small individual going to be small individual contributions
• Supreme Court. they take small contributions to do it they take small contributions to do it and<01:35

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• under DIR to ensure that all state agencies meet the digital needs of Texas residents, especially small
• I was honored to be appointed as the co-chair of the Governor's Small Business.
• HB 5195 is such an initiative, and over the course of several months, we engaged with over. 700 small
• Excuse me, the way many small businesses interact with state government is outdated, inconsistent, and
• Number one was reducing the inventory tax on small businesses, for which I want to commend the Senate

Bills: HB2564, HB2760, HB2765, HB2898, HB3260, HB3800, HB4341, HB4396, HB5195

Keywords: Defense Economic Adjustment, grant applications, economic assistance, local government, Evaluation panel, judicial review, Texas Workforce Commission, unemployment compensation, legal proceedings, labor law, rural development, infrastructure, Texas economic fund, private investment, job creation, meteorological evaluation towers, wind resources, aviation safety, regulations, construction notice

Transcript Highlights:

• under DIR to ensure that all state agencies meet the digital needs of Texas residents, especially small
• As the co-chair of the Governor's Small Business Freedom Council with my colleague Geoff Burdett of NFIB
• , our task was simple but important identify barriers to small business success and recommend practical
• Small business owners told us time and time again that navigating Texas agency websites was one of the
• Number 1 was reducing the inventory tax on small businesses, which I want to commend the Senate and the

Transcript Highlights:

• >> SO WHY WOULDN'T A PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY USE THIS FRAMEWORK TO PRESSURE SMALL BUSINESSES INTO
• Do you think a small business owner with, say, 20 employees should be sued for $100,000 because of a
• So, once again, we're making it easier for lawyers to sue small businesses. So, I'll be voting no.
• Now, I know that there are varying definitions, perhaps even personal definitions, about what a small
• Now, I know that there are varying definitions, perhaps even personal definitions, about what a small

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills. The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13. The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the problem with the sunset process is that there's a very small number of legislators to get
• Small agencies that have less than 11 employees can still hire a manager.
• Inconsistent and outdated agency websites are a major barrier to small business formation and growth.
• Our small business owners navigate complex administrative and licensing processes.
• This was one of the top complaints from our small businesses in Texas.

Bills: HB565, HB3743, HB4310, HB5083, HB5129, HB5195, HB5331, HB5469, SB21, HB3185, SB 21

Keywords: constitutional amendment, fiscal impact, state budget, ballot measure, transparency in voting, management-to-staff ratio, state agencies, employee regulations, government efficiency, workforce management, public information, governing board, transparency, confidentiality, access rights, privacy, identifying information, state agency, consent, occupational license

Transcript Highlights:

• I did not insinuate that 15% was a small increase. Right.
• We really do exclusively rent to small businesses.
• More importantly, a lot of small business owners.
• hairstylists or a small restaurant, you know, just a variety of every small business you can think of
• businesses or very small developers.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT REQUIRES VISIT FORGE AND PROVIDE MARKETING ASSISTANCE TO SMALL RURAL AND AGRO TOURISM BUSINESS.
• WE HAVE CHRIS DOOLEY REPRESENTING THE SMALL DISTRICT COALITION COUNCIL CONSORTIUM.
• WE HAVE REPS IN THE SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICT SINCE 1983. WE HAVE REPRESENTED SMALL COUNTY SINCE 1990.
• ALL THE SMALL CHANGES WHICH ARE NOT SMALL.
• I WANT TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM OUR SMALL COUNTIES IN SMALL SCHOOL BOARDS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• new fifth-tier income tax for many small new fifth-tier income tax for many small and<00:29:48.920
• to stay small I want my small business to stay small so<00:37:49.200> I<00:37:49.280> can<
• I am a small business owner. I own a small business in Rochester.
• I am a small business owner. I own a small business in Rochester.
• I am a small business owner. I own a small business in Rochester.

Bills: HF4621, HF4123, HF4616, HF1183

Keywords: child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• But the people who, you know, small businesses are 80% of our economy. These are small businesses.
• Passing these provisions will allow more small and social equity businesses to open.
• Still a very small percentage of cannabis licenses in Massachusetts.
• And that's just, you know, a small fraction of what the plant offers.
• Support small businesses, support local businesses, support equity.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• to direct the administrator of the small to direct the administrator of the small business<02:21
• And this small businesses like them.
• the infrastructure that helps small the infrastructure that helps small businesses<03:10:15.399>
• This is a 15-minute vote. direct the administrator of the Small direct the administrator of the Small
• <03:36:42.160> Business certain offices of the Small Business certain offices of the Small

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:53.920> group<00:12:54.240> of small like a infantes small group of small like
• In small school districts, this would be anything pretty much in here.
• In small school districts, this would be anything pretty much in here.
• thing to point out is that for small thing to point out is that for small school<01:44:52.639>
• <01:52:22.360> um super small um super small um and<01:52:24.079> you<01:52:24.199>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a contract water-wastewater operator who works with small communities, and one of the small communities
• As you can see in the handout, it shows our sewer rates for a small community.
• New Auburn is a very small community. It's like most rural communities.
• It's a very, very small facility.
• Sometimes small communities don't have access to that.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not just small and mid-sized employers that are having trouble.
• In the small market, in the small business market, to large business, you can get PPOs and HMOs.
• It is hard to be small because you need the economies of scale.
• You had small rural pharmacies, and you had big, giant pharmacies.
• So you're putting small and mid-sized employers. ...than big employers.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota Association for Small Cities.
• <00:38:00.000> cities you want to have it affect small cities you want to have it affect small
• purposely or inadvertently exclude small purposely or inadvertently exclude small cities<00:38:23.400
• that were going to help with our small that were going to help with our small cities<00:38:30.000
• small cities kind of get over that small cities kind of get over that hurdle<00:40:03.680> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but it's a small amount.
• It also protects small job at all.
• Um, the small business assistance appropriation for the small business assistance, as a small business
• a small business owner assistance as a small business owner that<01:48:06.440> started<01:48:
• Tariffs are throwing small off.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:41.680> and jobs are created by small and jobs are created by small and medium-sized
• and medium-sized companies have to small and medium-sized companies have to sell<00:04:49.919> to
• to have in your state so that your small to have in your state so that your small and<00:05:01.960
• Procuring small and medium-sized businesses that are able to take advantage of those opportunities in
• The Kentucky small business tax credit program: 177 businesses benefited from that work.

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:34 Economic Development Cabinet 27:51 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum, so the minutes from the last two meetings were not approved. Secretary Noel of the Cabinet for Economic Development then gave a broad overview of the cabinet’s work and an update on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPD), with Deputy Secretary Katie Smith and General Counsel Matt also present. He said the cabinet’s strategy is to focus on high-wage job creation, especially in automotive transformation, business and financial professional services, tourism, logistics, agri-tech, aerospace, and other high-tech sectors, while also supporting small and medium-sized businesses and existing employers. Noel highlighted several program results and examples, including average incentivized wages approaching $27 per hour, 877 jobs and $346 million in investment through hub operations, $90 million through Commonwealth Ventures, help for hundreds of companies through the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance, work with 220 companies through the Kentucky Science and Technology Council, nearly 3,000 students in Advanced Kentucky, and more than 1,100 participants in Kentucky Valor. He also cited 35,000 workers trained through Bluegrass State Skills, 177 businesses helped by the small business tax credit, and 77 entertainment incentive transactions totaling about $200 million and 7,400 jobs. On the grant side, he said the cabinet had approved 155 projects under a federal grant program, committing $99 million, with outreach aimed at smaller communities and all 120 counties. The main focus of the second half was KPD. Noel described it as a program that requires more than basic due diligence, emphasizing community readiness, local vision, title and mineral-rights review, sewer validation, and consultant review. He said 109 projects had been awarded in the earlier rounds, and in 2024 there were 45 requests for information seeking $81 million against $35 million in available funding, showing strong demand. He also said the cabinet has worked with local economic developers through five regions aligned with area development districts, and that the secretary, deputy secretary, or commissioner of business development must attend the regional meetings, with 100% attendance reported for the key three last year. In response to questions, he said Jefferson County’s lack of KPD projects so far likely reflects where local land and development strategies are in the process rather than a lack of interest, and he said the cabinet has not heard that Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules are clearly helping or hurting competitiveness, though he offered to look into it further.

Transcript Highlights:

• A small entity regulatory analysis was considered given we do administer small political subdivisions
• A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity economic impact statement were prepared and also
• A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity economic impact statement were prepared and also
• A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity impact statement were prepared and attached to this
• A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity impact statement were prepared and attached to this

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.