Video & Transcript : 'small group home' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability
Transcript Highlights:
- They are often made by specific groups that are not local community groups, and they are often packaged
- that they are often made by specific groups that are not local community groups.
- Our cities and towns are home to small libraries, historical societies, small local museums, and cultural
- Our cities and towns are home to small libraries, historical societies, small local museums, and cultural
- You do outstanding work from towns, organizations, groups of small, medium, somewhat large sizes, I would
Summary:
The hearing focused on the impact of recent federal policy and budget actions on Massachusetts libraries, humanities organizations, arts institutions, and tourism. Testimony from library leaders described the loss or jeopardy of Institute of Museum and Library Services funding, including statewide databases, local grants, staff positions, E-rate/hotspot support, and digital equity programs. Witnesses said the cuts have already forced reductions in services, canceled grants and workshops, and in some cases left schools, students, job seekers, and low-income patrons without access to key resources. Members of the committee asked for lists of affected communities and databases, and several witnesses said they would provide additional written detail.
Arts and humanities witnesses said federal terminations from the NEA, NEH, and IMLS have hit organizations across the Commonwealth, including Mass Cultural Council, Mass Humanities, Mass MoCA, and local museums and historical societies. They described canceled or rescinded grants, layoffs, reduced programming, and a chilling effect on future applications and on artistic and scholarly work, especially where federal awards had already been matched with local or private funds. Several speakers also raised concerns about executive-branch DEI conditions attached to funding and about book challenges and book banning, saying these trends threaten intellectual freedom and public access to culture and history. Committee members emphasized the economic importance of the sector and the need to publicize the impacts.
Tourism officials from Meet Boston and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism testified that federal cuts and broader geopolitical and tariff issues are hurting international visitation, especially from Canada and Western Europe, and could affect major upcoming events such as the 2026 World Cup and Sail Boston. They said reduced funding for Brand USA and Discover New England will weaken long-term marketing efforts and international partnerships, with downstream effects on hotel tax revenue, jobs, and workforce recruitment. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members mainly asking questions and requesting follow-up written testimony and data.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Seclusion Working Group - 10/15/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:42:46.560><c> group</c> trainings we just host small group trainings we just host small group
- </c><00:43:28.800><c> who</c> very small group of staff members who very small group of staff members
- </c><01:02:45.680><c> homes</c> environments are living in group homes environments are living in group
- He lives in a group home. He has significant mental health concerns.
- He lives in a group<01:10:01.120><c> home.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Mar 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I also have my own small firm now, Capital Access, and we are actually taking on small business clients
- , With the Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, and other small groups
- I also have my own small firm now, Capital Access, and we are actually, I'm taking on small business
- Given how challenging it is for these small businesses to keep their doors open, this bill is a small
- them to sell their homes and leave California altogether.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation convened with a quorum, reviewed housekeeping rules for testimony and position letters, and reminded the public that bills with revenue impacts over $150,000 would be sent to the suspense file rather than voted on immediately. The chair noted that no bills on the agenda would be eligible for a vote that day because they would automatically be referred to suspense. The committee then heard several tax-related measures, with testimony generally split between bill authors/supporters emphasizing affordability, public safety, or conservation, and opponents arguing the proposals were inefficient tax expenditures better handled through existing programs or direct budget funding.
AB 1565 proposed a $5,000 tax credit for small businesses that hire formerly incarcerated people within a year of release and keep them employed for at least six months. Supporters said the bill would reduce recidivism, help small businesses manage hiring risk, and save the state money by avoiding incarceration costs; one witness described personal experience overcoming a felony record. The California Tax Reform Association opposed the measure, arguing employment tax credits are ineffective and that existing programs are more targeted. Members from both parties expressed support, but the bill was referred to suspense.
The committee also heard AB 1596, which would create a five-year sales tax holiday for infant car seats; AB 1668, which would extend a welfare tax exemption for land trust-held open space; AB 1690, which would expand the Young Child Tax Credit to families with older children; AB 1698, which would create a tax credit for small restaurants that comply with food handler certification requirements; and AB 1620, which would allow a deduction for homeowners’ insurance premiums on primary residences. Supporters framed these bills as relief for families, small businesses, and land conservation efforts, while opponents repeatedly argued the tax code should not be used to subsidize these costs and that existing programs or market solutions were preferable. Each bill was ultimately referred to the suspense file, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/24/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a small orchard grower in Washington.
- I represent a group in the Wenatchee Valley of family farms, which is hundreds of small growers, and
- It's that small piece that we're talking about with this bill.
- So I'll go ahead and call the first group, Laura Coffey, Reina Castillo. ahead and call the first group
- I think you... ...to put a small business out of business.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 6045, which would place agricultural employees under the Public Employment Relations Commission for collective bargaining, including card-check or election certification, bargaining duties, and interest arbitration. Staff explained the bill’s scope, exclusions, enforcement provisions, and fiscal note, and members asked about the domestic-violence privilege language, the fiscal impact, and implementation timing. Public testimony was sharply divided: labor and farmworker advocates said the bill would correct a historic exclusion of agricultural workers and improve wages, safety, and dignity, while growers and industry groups argued it would raise costs, create coercive card-check concerns, and risk disruptions during short harvest windows. The sponsor closed by saying the bill was a starting point and that she would continue working with stakeholders.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 6188, an agency-request bill on asbestos training rules. Staff said it would remove a limit on Labor and Industries’ rulemaking authority so the agency could adopt additional training and certification requirements beyond those specifically required by federal law; the fiscal note showed no fiscal impact. The sponsor and L&I said the change would let the state strengthen worker safety around asbestos removal, while the Building Industry Association opposed it, warning about divergence from federal standards and added costs. The hearing then moved to Senate Bill 6053 on domestic workers, which would create statewide labor protections including minimum wage and overtime, written agreements, notice requirements, anti-discrimination protections, and enforcement by L&I and private actions. Testimony from domestic workers, advocates, and caregivers supported the bill as a needed extension of basic protections, while L&I noted implementation costs and technical amendments.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5852 on immigrant workers and I-9 audits. Staff described requirements for employers to notify workers within 72 hours of a federal inspection notice, provide copies of results and correction timelines, limit voluntary access to records without a warrant or subpoena, and prohibit retaliation, with enforcement by the Attorney General and private lawsuits. The Attorney General’s office and supporters said the bill would add due process and transparency and reduce fear during workplace raids, while business, hospitality, county, and small-business representatives argued it could conflict with federal law, create heavy compliance burdens, and expose employers to severe penalties and lawsuits. No votes were taken in the transcript; the committee heard testimony and closed hearings on the bills discussed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We've built over 7000 homes.
- Um, throughout the process of the home to make sure that the home is built in accordance with, with,
- group member cannot eat through the limit of another group member.
- The larger the group, the better the rate would be associated with with a group.
- So when you sell your home, your home is worth more than it was.
Committee:
House Insurance
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill also doubles the small business B&O tax credit.
- This bill mentioned small business tax relief.
- I have a small business in Renton, Washington.
- I live in Addy, where my family runs a small business.
- group markets.
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity
Transcript Highlights:
- Extremist groups make and distribute lists of people who demonstrate for causes... ...groups make and
- And so I'd like to talk about small business and, you know, see—I'm the real small business, yeah, yeah
- And so I'd like to talk about are better for small business and so I'd like to talk about small business
- business—true small business.
- because the big data folks are hoovering up consumer data, harming small business, but also the small
Summary:
The committee hearing focused on a package of Massachusetts privacy and technology bills, especially measures to ban the sale of location data, establish a comprehensive consumer data privacy law, and regulate biometric recognition and surveillance pricing. Chairs and sponsors argued that self-regulation has failed, that data brokers and large tech companies routinely collect and monetize sensitive information, and that state action is needed because federal protections are weak or absent. Several speakers tied the bills to reproductive health, gender-affirming care, domestic violence, children’s data, and other sensitive uses of location and biometric information.
Supporters included legislators and advocates who backed H. 86/S. 197 (Location Shield), H. 78/S. 45/H. 104/S. 29 (comprehensive privacy bills), H. 99/S. 47 (surveillance pricing in grocery stores), and H. 36/S. 36 (biometric recognition accountability). They emphasized data minimization, bans on selling sensitive data, consumer rights to access, delete, and opt out, and in some cases a private right of action. Several witnesses said Massachusetts should lead or align with other states, while others argued that stronger protections are needed because data can be weaponized by stalkers, anti-abortion actors, abusive partners, insurers, or law enforcement.
Industry and coalition witnesses urged the committee to favor a more standardized, interoperable framework modeled on laws already adopted in other states, warning that novel definitions, data-minimization rules, and private rights of action could create compliance burdens, confusion, and costs for businesses, including small businesses. They argued that entity-level exemptions for sectors already covered by federal laws like HIPAA or GLBA promote consistency, and that Attorney General enforcement is preferable to private lawsuits. Committee members questioned witnesses on patchwork concerns, the scope of exemptions, and whether the proposed bills would harm or help consumers and small businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; written testimony was noted as due later, and the committee continued taking testimony from multiple panels and virtual witnesses.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to build 220,000 homes over the next 10 years.
- small businesses struggling to see how they get out of the red... ...those small businesses struggling
- For the record, my name is Tamara Small.
- This bill was written by frontline groups.
- So it was fun to listen to the anti-nuclear group.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes.
Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs.
Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.
Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes SF2298, the housing finance bill 4/29/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:05:01.600><c> this</c> largest group of homes sold in this largest group of homes sold in this
- Home is home. And I've said that before.
- , small homes, starter homes, I want to wish that this was the member of the housing committee's idea
- ,</c><00:41:43.599><c> small</c><00:41:43.839><c> homes,</c> single family, large homes, small homes,
- single family, large homes, small homes, starter<00:41:44.720><c> homes.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- That's exactly what nursing homes are facing.
- And then we'll tee up our next online group.
- Our next group is going to be Cosmo, Cecilia, Russell, Sells.
- Okay, now we're going to go to a new group.
- Our next group is Kathy Murahashi. Thank you.
Bills:
HB2289
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We bought our home there and settled in.
- That's what small-town schools do.
- That's what small town schools do.
- Engagement in the elementary school setting can help them become a small rural town.
- So I had a control group, and the control group that I didn't have listen to any music, they literally
Committee:
House Education
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- And, as I said, another group of folks will be joining online.
- However, given some opposition, the home rule petition failed.
- In drafting the home rule petition, we worked to address the I think. Co-sponsoring.
- And there was a select board that would not put this in as a home rule petition.
- In 2014, the home rule petition moved to the legislature.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws
Summary:
The House and Senate Election Laws committees held a hearing focused on campaign finance and several local election-related bills. Office of Campaign and Political Finance Director William Campbell testified in support of H. 848 and S. 515, saying the campaign finance law needs modernization and highlighting proposals for stronger Super PAC disclosure, more timely reporting, improved security for campaign participants, and other reforms. He said the bills would help update a 50-year-old system to reflect legal, economic, and cultural changes.
A major portion of the hearing concerned H. 868/S. 507, which would require earlier and more frequent reporting by ballot question committees. Witnesses from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and others argued that ballot campaigns now involve tens of millions of dollars, much of it raised during periods with no real-time disclosure, and that moving these committees into the depository system would improve transparency without burdening grassroots signature-gathering. The committee also heard support for H. 811 and H. 812, which would allow municipalities to create citizen-funded election programs and require identifying information on political text messages, as well as S. 525/H. 875, which would bar political spending by foreign-influenced corporations.
The committee also heard testimony on S. 2605, a Canton home rule petition to move town elections from April to November. Canton residents, a select board member, and a poll worker said the change would increase turnout, better align local elections with the November voting cycle, and give newly elected officials more time to prepare for town meeting. Senator Rausch also testified in support of S. 530, requiring presidential primary candidates to disclose recent tax returns. The hearing ended with no votes taken and the committee adjourning, with a note that the next hearing was tentatively scheduled for January 13.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Community Economic Mobility and Investment Apr 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This is work that's being done by an environmental group, a farmworker group, and a labor union.
- What types of groups do you historically look toward?
- And we have been able to provide things like small loans... ...small loans for our employees that are
- Just to paint a picture for you all, California is home to 4.3 million small businesses. 3.5 million
- minority groups.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Health Insurance Affordability Task Force, June 18, 2026
Health Insurance Affordability Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, when I went home last night, I was a little I had some mixed thoughts as I went home.
- I think it's a small... Thank you.
- We have such a small, going back to the demographics of Wyoming, we're such a small state with such a
- Why have we this group together?
- Drive home safely. Meeting adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Human Services Committee Feb 11th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Does that include foster homes too?
- We have maternity homes.
- We have family and group in a home, so those are our residential-based programs.
- A group might also have a preschool license, and then we have self-declaration and in-home providers.
- And at the October 7th meeting, it was planned for a small work group to meet with state staff from HHS
Committee:
Joint Human Services
Summary:
The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring.
Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere.
Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- home, a town home, and and based on your home, a town home, you<00:31:19.039><c> can't</c><00:31:19.200
- </c> achieve home ownership. achieve home ownership.
- , assisted living, disability group homes, where you have expected staffing ratios?
- assisted living's<01:20:25.679><c> disability</c><01:20:26.800><c> group</c><01:20:27.040><c> homes<
- /c><01:20:27.360><c> where</c> living's disability group homes where living's disability group homes
Keywords:
energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability, 1183, house
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations Mar 26th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- I do want to be clear that what we're talking about here in the amendment is just a small group of advisors
- So what am I to say about that when I get home?
- How does this help small businesses in our area?
- I’m a small. I just make small things.” “Absolutely.
- They work from home now.
Committee:
House Labor & Industrial Relations
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 680 by Representative Weibel, which would modernize Louisiana’s workforce development system by consolidating strategy and administrative functions at the state level while preserving local input. After adopting two sets of technical amendments and a larger amendment package that added a transition advisory team, consultation requirements with local workforce partners, and other planning and governance changes, the committee heard extensive testimony from the author, the Secretary of Louisiana Works, parish and local workforce representatives, and a witness from Utah describing that state’s consolidation experience. Supporters said the bill would reduce overhead, direct more money to training and services, improve coordination, and better align workforce programs with regional labor needs, while several members pressed for assurances that local boards, parishes, cities, and small businesses would remain involved. The committee ultimately adopted the amendments and reported HB 680 favorably with amendments.
The committee then heard House Bill 780 by Representative Furman, a workers’ compensation bill aimed at reducing litigation and speeding dispute resolution. After adopting technical amendments and a separate amendment set allowing authorized agents or attorneys to prepare certain notices, members also adopted a committee amendment deleting a statutory definition of “arbitrary and capricious” after concerns were raised that the language could create confusion or conflict with existing jurisprudence. The author and supporting attorneys argued the bill would restore an expedited preliminary determination process, create a single standard for attorney fees, and reduce costs for employers by limiting unnecessary litigation and delays. They said the changes would not affect an injured worker’s choice of physician or existing penalty provisions, and that the bill mainly addressed notice and dispute procedures.
Opponents, including attorneys representing injured workers, argued the bill would make it harder for workers to recover penalties and attorney’s fees when benefits are delayed or denied, and said the new standard could favor insurers that are understaffed or slow to process claims. They also criticized the shift from reasonableness to a more restrictive standard and raised concerns about delayed payments and the lack of transparency around defense costs. After hearing testimony from both sides, the committee continued discussion of the bill with these issues still under consideration.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Article II Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article II
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, one of my grandsons was at a group home. In the group home, they have no accountability.
- So my grandson was prohibited from going back to the group home.
- home back because he couldn't go to the group home in the neighborhood.
- They were suing probably the group home because me, I don't have money.
- Um, I tell you this not to criticize the small town lifestyle at all, but to show you how truly small
Committee:
House Appropriations - S/C on Article II
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/18/26
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> a</c><00:09:11.760><c> potential</c> last group may represent a potential last group may represent
- . groups. groups.
- Other groups have older age distributions, but across the groups, age is one factor that plays a role
- It's another thing when you're talking about small-scale grants to small businesses, or another thing
- </c><01:43:21.199><c> like</c> partner uh with different groups like partner uh with different groups
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development