Transcript Highlights:

• The small business doesn't have to do that. I was a small business owner.
• The small business doesn't have to do that. I was a small business owner.
• </c> the small business. the small business. Yes,<00:18:14.360><c> ma'am.
• Uh business owners small business owner.
• The small business doesn't business.

Bills: SB59 , SB221 , SB59 , SB221

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: military families, immunization, education, public health, school enrollment, Mobile County, judge of probate, compensation, salary, expense allowance, higher education, funding, annual report, state funds, federal funds, budget oversight, sales tax, credit card fees, tax exemption, merchants

Transcript Highlights:

• business growth, workforce development, launch farmers markets, food courts, And small business growth
• and dilapidated businesses, but for local small businesses that would love the opportunity.
• businesses, And rent should not be the number one thing that these small businesses are prioritizing
• business owners of tomorrow, and to create an old... ...which may allow them to be the small business
• We're a leading small business advocate and ecosystem builder.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think both of you kind of addressed small businesses.
• small business owners told asked me was to reduce the One example that small business owners told asked
• My dad was a small business owner.
• I love our owners of our small businesses.
• EDC Small Business Center, Business Advisor, and Dave White, CEO of Opportunity Stanislaus.

Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would also add that behind every small business is a bank.
• businesses, but I can tell you that the institutions that my organization represents rely on small business
• on small business customers and participation every single day.
• and small businesses are facing.
• and small businesses in Massachusetts.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses held what was described as its last public hearing. Chair Paul Feeney opened by noting the commission’s mandate under Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024 and explained that members would continue working on a final report after the hearing. The meeting featured testimony from banks, payment industry groups, restaurant advocates, convenience store representatives, and others, with repeated discussion of interchange fees, surcharging, fraud, and federal preemption issues. Banking and card-industry witnesses, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Card Coalition, and the Electronic Payments Coalition, argued that state-level interchange restrictions would disrupt a global payment system, create compliance problems, and likely apply only to a small share of transactions because of federal preemption. They emphasized consumer and merchant benefits of cards, the role of banks in absorbing fraud losses, and recent federal and state developments, including Illinois litigation, OCC and NCUA actions, and a settlement that they said would give merchants more flexibility. Several witnesses also suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation for tax collection and modernizing Massachusetts’ surcharge ban. Restaurant and convenience-store advocates took the opposite view, saying swipe fees are a major burden on thin-margin businesses and that merchants should not pay interchange on sales tax or gratuities that are not their revenue. Mass Restaurants United and individual restaurant owners described severe financial strain, rising costs, and the need for transparency and relief. NACS supported swipe fee reform and argued that current fees are excessive and inflationary. A few members questioned witnesses about whether industry should share more of the burden and about the feasibility of changing the current system. No votes or formal policy actions were taken. The chair said the commission would meet again to discuss a draft framework and final report, and members of the public were invited to submit additional written testimony before the commission concludes its work.

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses. small businesses.
• that this will kill small businesses.
• here in New Mexico among small business owners.
• Small businesses in smaller towns like Hatch, Socorro, and Taos are small mom-and-pop businesses.
• in the small towns go out of business.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• where small and medium-sized businesses cannot do that.
• But ultimately, this is a small business engagement tour, a small business engagement tour.
• So the small business priorities are a little bit different than, say, big business.
• small business, it's more service-oriented.
• I have some questions about small businesses.

Committee: House House International Trade Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on International Trade heard a presentation from Monica Villalobos, president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who shared trade and economic data on Hispanic businesses and consumers in Arizona and nationally. She emphasized that Hispanics represent a major economic force, that small and medium-sized businesses are key exporters, and that tariffs or border disruptions can significantly affect Arizona businesses. She also highlighted Arizona’s trade relationship with Mexico, major import/export sectors such as computers, electronics, transportation, and machinery, and the need for more state support for small businesses through capital access and technical assistance. Villalobos noted the Chamber’s upcoming business engagement tour to Mexico City and said the organization would provide district-specific trade profiles to legislators. Members asked questions about top Mexico trade products, transportation equipment, and how the state could better support small businesses. Villalobos said major Mexico-related trade areas include automotive electronics, transportation, and service-oriented business opportunities, and she pointed to the need for microloan access and funding for technical assistance programs that have lost federal support. She also offered to share additional data and connect members with experts on transportation infrastructure and trade. The committee then considered HB 2754, which would add the chairs of the Senate Finance Committee and House International Trade Committee, or designees, to the Arizona Commerce Authority board; shift trade office oversight and the Arizona Competes program to legislative appropriation; require annual reporting on trade office activities; and remove the Competes program’s termination date. The bill sponsor argued the legislature should have more direct oversight of trade offices and the Competes Fund. After discussion, the committee voted 5-0 with 2 present and 3 absent to give HB 2754 a do pass recommendation, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• business, but we can be advocates for the small business.
• businesses because small our small businesses because small businesses<00:42:07.599><c> is</c><00:42
• :44.559><c> business</c> can be advocates for the small business can be advocates for the small business
• </c><01:03:59.640><c> business</c> Confirmation to the small business Confirmation to the small business
• </c><01:04:22.559><c> business</c> Confirmation to the small business Confirmation to the small business

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard confirmations for two Hawaii Technology Development Corporation board nominees, Jaclyn Ka and Gregory Oara. Testimony for both was overwhelmingly in support. Supporters for Ka emphasized her Kauaʻi roots, work in workforce development and digital equity, and ability to connect schools, industry, and community needs. In her own remarks, Ka said she wants to bring resources to Kauaʻi and the neighbor islands, strengthen local workforce pathways, and use the HTDC board to help local residents access technology jobs and training. Members questioned Ka about how to reduce reliance on mainland hires for jobs at PMRF and other technology employers, how to better align training with local needs, and how to connect Kauaʻi schools, community college programs, and creative media/digital technology efforts. Ka described KDB’s role in building islandwide digital media and drone clubs, professional development for teachers, and partnerships intended to create a pipeline from school to workforce. She also said the legislature can help mainly by listening and staying informed about local needs. For Oara, supporters highlighted his engineering and semiconductor background, his experience in academia, industry, and startups, and his potential to help HTDC with technology commercialization, IP, and exportable services. Oara said he wants HTDC to better support early-stage companies, improve coordination among universities, government, and the private sector, and create a directory of technical skill sets to connect startups with needed expertise. He also discussed AI, saying Hawaii can contribute by developing smaller, locally relevant models rather than only relying on large-scale data-center infrastructure. The hearing focused on these nominations and testimony; no vote or final committee action was stated in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And workers working in small businesses.
• </c> most common opinion among small most common opinion among small businesses<00:32:38.120><c> in</
• small businesses is in the presence of small businesses is in the<00:39:45.720><c> state.
• </c><00:41:46.880><c> Um</c> small businesses close. Um small businesses close.
• versus small business?

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I think that's a challenge for our small business, especially for the really small businesses
• </c><00:01:42.120><c> businesses</c><00:01:42.600><c> and</c> do you the small businesses and do you
• </c> to make an impact on our small to make an impact on our small businesses,<00:02:46.360><c> especially
• So, is there anything we can do at the state level to small business technical assistance, and small
• small businesses and in to invest in our small businesses and in our<00:04:42.320><c> uh</c><00:04:42.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Especially small businesses.
• , but especially on small businesses.
• As I said, I am one of those small business owners.
• companies, small businesses across the state of Texas.
• state of Texas, particularly small businesses, but for so many small businesses, it also eliminated the

Bills: HB8 , HB9 , HJR1 , HB 22

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• and dilapidated businesses, but for local small businesses that would love the opportunity.
• businesses And rent should not be the number one thing that these small businesses are prioritizing
• business owners of tomorrow, and to create an old... ...which may allow them to be the small business
• We're a leading small business advocate and ecosystem builder.
• California is home to 4.3 million small businesses. 3.5 million of those are micro-businesses, meaning

Summary: The hearing focused on inclusive economic development in California’s Central Valley, with the chair describing prior state and federal investments in Fresno and the region, including Transformative Climate Communities funding, the Southwest Fresno Community College campus, affordable housing and infrastructure projects, medical education pathways, F3 Farm Food Future, and high-speed rail-related jobs. The chair emphasized that rural and historically disinvested communities often face complex application processes and limited technical capacity, and said the committee’s goal was to learn from successful local models and identify ways to better direct resources to communities that need them most. The first panel featured representatives from the Sierra Health Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, and UC Merced. Chet Hewitt argued that health and economic opportunity are inseparable and described Sierra Health’s economic development portfolio, including the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, the Impact Investment Fund, and the Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI), which together support healthier workplaces, microbusiness financing, and nonprofit capacity. Jessica Kaksmarik said Irvine’s place-based grantmaking in inland regions aims to strengthen worker and community power, support community-led development, and expand equitable pathways to mobility, while stressing that philanthropy must partner with government because it cannot meet the scale of need alone. Dr. Manuel Pastor and Dr. Ed Flores both argued that inequality and extractive development weaken long-term growth, and that community organizations need both power-building and technical expertise to influence regional planning; Flores also described the Valley Seed project and high-road economic development models that link labor, climate, and community benefits. The second panel highlighted community-based programs and the effects of unstable funding. Yolanda Randalls described the Sweet Potato Project at West Fresno Family Resource Center, a youth agriculture and entrepreneurship program that combines hands-on farming, business training, and mental health support; she said participants improved from a 1.9 GPA to a 3.3 GPA and that the program is seeking long-term support as its funding nears expiration. Addie Carr of Neighborhood Industries described a second-chance employment model that provides job training, case management, literacy and life coaching, and small no-interest loans, and said CEMI helped the organization open a second store and create more jobs. Maria Redoubt Orozco of Community Alliance with Family Farmers said small farmers are central to the Valley’s economy but face land, water, climate, and market barriers, and warned that federal cuts to programs like Local Food Purchasing Assistance threaten local food systems. Daniela Rodriguez of Immigrants Rising described entrepreneurship and technical assistance for undocumented and mixed-status entrepreneurs, including the SEED initiative, and said policy uncertainty and access-to-capital barriers continue to constrain immigrant economic mobility. In closing discussion, panelists repeatedly called for longer-term, braided, and flexible funding rather than one-time grants, and the chair noted the need to continue supporting community-defined practices and public-private partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• business, and most of those disadvantaged businesses would be classified as a small business.
• under the small business definition.
• The section you were talking about... ...small business definitions and other areas like that.
• I don't like it when government puts their finger on the scale for one small business over another small
• Small business in because that is vital to our rural and small towns and communities.

Summary: The Transportation Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, Rep. Owens presented HB 1165, which would allow FDOT to issue a special blinking permit for mobile cranes and accessory support vehicles to travel on and off interstate highways at all hours, subject to local curfews and FDOT conditions such as size limits, mapping, signage, and warning lights. Supporters argued the change would improve flexibility for infrastructure and emergency work and could be safer at night because of lighter traffic and required visibility measures. After one proponent testified, the bill passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee then heard CS for HB 1397, presented by Rep. Abbott, a broader transportation-related bill addressing the aggregate supply chain grant program, small business partnerships, airport and seaport transparency, maintenance priorities, the Florida Transportation Academy, and the Florida Transportation Research Institute. An amendment was adopted to clarify authority for transportation and parking authorities and to protect septic-to-sewer conversion projects from local rules when permits are issued by FDOT and FDEP. During debate, several members raised concerns that proposed repeals could reduce outreach and opportunities for small, disadvantaged, and rural businesses in DOT procurement, and the sponsor said he was willing to work on restoring or clarifying notification language. Despite those concerns, the committee reported the bill favorably, with some members voting no and others indicating support pending further changes before the next stop or floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think both of you kind of address small businesses.
• with California small businesses throughout the state.
• My dad was a small business owner We grew up on that small business income, but it was definitely hard
• in our small businesses and local economies.
• EDC, Small Businesses Development Center, Business Advisor.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> introduction of the bill, it was a small introduction of the bill, it was a small business<00:08
• </c><00:21:12.480><c> can't</c> small businesses in New Hampshire can't small businesses in New Hampshire
• </c><00:31:36.320><c> or</c><00:31:36.480><c> a</c> small business a small employer or a small business
• It's not small business because I think if that were under small business, part-time employees under
• ><c> part-time</c><00:33:02.480><c> employees</c> small business, part-time employees small business,

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses with greater provide small businesses with greater certainty<00:36:11.880><c> as</c><00:36
• business owners with providing small business owners with greater<00:36:51.480><c> certainty</c><00:
• small business owners who tax relief to small business owners who will<00:36:55.840><c> be</c><00:36
• </c> Minnesota small businesses. Thank you. Minnesota small businesses. Thank you.
• </c> However, if not adopted, many small However, if not adopted, many small business<00:38:47.800><c

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses, and we are focusing on small businesses after this.
• </c><00:47:31.119><c> We're</c> small businesses after this. We're small businesses after this.
• </c><01:21:37.280><c> business</c> rental support and small business rental support and small business
• </c><01:21:41.360><c> business</c> our main street, for our small business our main street, for our small
• Um, and small businesses will community.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But the true cost of those programs is borne by small businesses.
• That is what is driving these small businesses out of business.
• Small business owners deserve the same fair treatment.
• Secure Choice programs are also good for small businesses.
• A 2023 Pew survey of Massachusetts businesses showed that 80% of small business owners...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal small businesses alike.
• </c> tools that help your small businesses. tools that help your small businesses.
• Um I the impact on small businesses.
• Small businesses start as small businesses.
• </c> a good savings for some of our small a good savings for some of our small businesses. businesses

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And data privacy actually benefits the small business.
• And data privacy actually benefits the small business. all that extra day. actually benefits the small
• These are practices that small businesses rarely ever engage in.
• Every time a potential customer buys from a local business for small businesses. This is false.
• small business competitors, bombarding small business customers with ads of similar products from big

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a small business region.
• technical assistance to any small business seeking support.
• So now for all small business firms, the study was produced for all small businesses in the San Diego-Canada
• he made his success in a small business.
• And that really is one of the biggest challenges for small business owners.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in San Diego focused on “Making Sense of California’s Economy: Real Cost Pressures and Household Impacts Facing San Diego.” Chair Salas and Assemblymember Darshana Patel opened by emphasizing affordability, housing, and the importance of bringing state policy discussions into the community. The first panel featured leaders from Cal State San Marcos and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, who described the region’s innovation ecosystem, the university’s role in social mobility and workforce development, and the importance of partnerships with K-12 schools, community colleges, military installations, and industry. They also highlighted regional strengths in life sciences, aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and venture-backed innovation, while warning that housing costs, federal research cuts, permitting delays, and small-business fragility threaten growth and talent retention. Committee members asked about collaboration among higher education institutions and what state policy changes could help. Panelists said the region’s universities are complementary rather than competitive and stressed the value of public-private partnerships, social innovation, and aligning academic programs with employer needs. On policy, they urged faster permitting, possible regulatory sandboxes, stronger research investment, support for cross-border trade and manufacturing, and more housing affordability to keep workers in the region. The second panel centered on small business and entrepreneurship, with testimony from Hydrostasis founder Dr. Debbie Chen, Amai co-founder Sven Davison, and Asian Business Association San Diego CEO Jason Pagal. Chen described building a hydration-monitoring wearable, the barriers women founders face in accessing capital, and the importance of SBDC, Stella Foundation, and university internship support. Davison described Amai’s edible cup business and how tariffs, supply-chain costs, and financing constraints forced the company to pivot manufacturing plans. Pagal presented survey data showing high relocation intent, difficulty hiring, and low confidence among businesses, and recommended expanded technical assistance, regional cost-of-living adjustments, and small-business affordability zones. During questioning, members discussed targeted procurement and local incentive models, the role of SBDC and other support networks, and how to better tailor state programs to local conditions. Public comment came from the California Southern Small Business Development Corporation, which stressed that access to affordable capital remains a major challenge and noted the volume of loan guarantee requests coming from San Diego. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks from both members underscoring the need to use local testimony to shape future state policy and support California’s economy, families, and small businesses.