Transcript Highlights:

• the small businesses that built it. the small businesses that built it.
• <00:13:35.519> locallyowned opportunity for small locallyowned opportunity for small locallyowned
• <00:13:53.519> businesses are not pitted against small businesses are not pitted against small
• Paying $10,000 for a wholesale license is an unreasonable amount for a small business.
• Please don't forget about small businesses and the huge demographic of Minnesotans who just want

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of the AGG area, um, that we used to have a very resilient agriculture system where we had a lot of small
• farms, we had a lot of small towns, we had diversified farms.
• Everything under one roof, and we have facilities producing more manure than small towns.
• concern that if this is truly for small concern that if this is truly for small and and and middle-sized
• the the folks in the medium to small the the folks in the medium to small level<00:17:36.960>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 13:33.120> and represents about 10,000 small and represents about 10,000 small and independently
• > in<00:14:01.680> tight Small businesses often operate in tight Small businesses often
• at risk real opportunities for small at risk real opportunities for small women<01:03:29.039> and<
• local businesses that we have, the small local businesses that we have, the small businesses,<01
• :49.360> compelled<01:37:49.760> to small businesses feel compelled to small businesses

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:07.519> Those small school and sparity weights.
• Those small school and sparity weights.
• <00:21:08.080> And small schools and sparse schools.
• And small schools and sparse schools.
• ,<00:32:21.440> but I know this table is really small, but I know this table is really small

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a high-level walkthrough of Act 73, with staff from Legislative Council and the Joint Fiscal Office summarizing major education policy, governance, tax, and fiscal changes. The presentation covered class-size minimums and related enforcement, creation of a state aid for school construction program, narrowed tuition eligibility for approved independent schools, changes to State Board of Education appointments, special education reporting and staffing, and a new report on standards for schools deemed small or sparse by necessity. It also noted that some provisions take effect immediately or in 2025, while the major funding and tax changes are contingent on new school districts being operational and a foundation formula report being received, with most of those changes targeted for July 1, 2028. The central fiscal change described was a move from the current locally voted budget and varying homestead tax system to a foundation formula. Under that model, districts would receive an educational opportunity payment based on a base amount per pupil, adjusted by student weights for factors such as pre-K, economic disadvantage, English learner status, and special education, with small-school and sparsity weights replaced by support grants. Districts could still seek limited supplemental district spending above the foundation amount, subject to a cap and a uniform method for raising the funds, with excess collections recaptured at the state level. The presenters also described transition mechanisms to phase in the new system over several years. The tax section explained that Act 73 would replace the current property tax credit with a homestead exemption and create a new non-homestead residential classification intended for second homes and short-term rentals, though further statutory or regulatory work would still be needed to implement it. The JFO presentation emphasized that the act also creates regional assessment districts for reappraisals and includes a transition to smooth changes in education tax rates. No committee vote or formal action was taken during the presentation; it was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• These tools benefit large corporations and drive prices up for small businesses.
• These tools benefit large corporations and drive prices up for small businesses.
• So I don't know if you've thought about small versus large, that kind of thing.
• Assembly Member Wilson, you had mentioned the relative impact on small businesses.
• I think small businesses are very, And do not stand to be harmed by this.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took up multiple votes. AB 576, dealing with updates to California’s charitable fundraising platform registry after AB 488, was presented as a technical fix to help charities and platforms more quickly update eligible listings; there was no opposition testimony, and the measure was later moved on a due pass basis. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone programs, was presented with proposed amendments requiring U.S.-based data storage and limits on sharing or selling collected data; supporters said it would protect sensitive drone-collected information while preserving affordable drone use, while there was no opposition testimony, and it was also later passed out on a due pass as amended basis. AB 75, which would require insurers to give notice before collecting aerial images of homes and provide homeowners access to those images, drew support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a cost-saving inspection tool and that the bill could worsen availability and affordability; the bill was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee spent the most time on AB 325, which would address algorithmic price-fixing and collusion. The author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software or algorithm to set prices can function as collusion even when the agreement is hidden behind code, and cited examples involving housing, frozen potatoes, gas pricing, and other industries. Opponents, including apartment, business, hospital, retail, chamber, and tech groups, said the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful software and public-data market research, and might chill legitimate pricing tools, especially for small businesses and housing providers. Committee members raised concerns about clarity, intent standards, and whether the bill should focus more narrowly on nonpublic competitor data; despite those concerns, AB 325 was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open. Later, AB 1221 was presented as a workplace surveillance bill that would prohibit certain invasive or discriminatory surveillance tools, require notice to workers, limit sharing of worker data, and require corroborating evidence before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor and consumer groups supported the bill, saying modern surveillance technologies can track speech, movement, emotion, and other sensitive traits and can be biased or abusive. The Security Industry Association opposed it, warning that the bill’s broad definitions could restrict legitimate security systems, emergency sharing with first responders, and employer responses to misconduct or unsafe behavior. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on AB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• small business credit um from the American Rescue Plan.
• So, we decided to utilize the State Small Business Credit Initiative through the U.S.
• The state's Small Business Credit Initiative through the U.S. Treasury.
• Um, and this is a small project. Uh, we would be able to knock it out in the following summer.
• Um, but again, this is a small project and I But again, this is a small project, and I think for some

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Local zoning rules prohibit small schools from opening without public hearings for land use changes or
• small exceptions included in this bill.
• I represent the Small County Coalition.
• on getting... ...small counties as much as I do.
• All right, Chairman Sout... small counties as much as I do.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills, with several focused on water safety, utilities, and local government transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was explained as clarifying water quality credits and water quality enhancement areas, and it was reported favorably after one support appearance. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland arising from injuries caused by a police shooting, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658 on water safety requirements for rental properties drew extensive testimony in support from child advocacy and drowning prevention advocates, who cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and the disproportionate impact on children with autism; the bill was amended to require front-end certification and remove local add-on authority, then passed favorably. CS/SB 18, a claim bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, was reported favorably after questions about the verdict, settlement posture, and who would receive the funds. SB 934 on areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a provision viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then passed favorably. SB 1622, which creates a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, also passed favorably with support from an appearance form. SB 1264 on private schools and zoning was reported favorably after members noted ongoing concerns and planned further discussion. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to narrow the bill to storage issues and cap the fee period until inspection; it drew both support and opposition from insurers, fire officials, and vehicle industry representatives, and was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014, dealing with municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, was amended to limit it to residential development and clarify capacity standards, then passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 expanded the local infrastructure surtax to include body camera programs and was reported favorably after an amendment requiring voter approval. Finally, CS/SB 1724 and SB 1566, both on local government utility and budget transparency, were amended and reported favorably despite concerns from cities and counties about implementation costs and burdens.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I had a small tint, the very basic tint of a—it wasn't even smoke.
• And so I had a small tent, the very basic tint of a, it wasn't even smoke.
• And my other question is: do you believe that this bill will mostly help small businesses? Yeah.
• Only small, I mean, more than likely only small businesses, absolutely. I think so too.
• Now, you have to understand I come from a small community.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent small and mid-sized manufacturers across our state.
• For small manufacturers, licensing technology from our labs is only the first step.
• It gives small businesses access to that expertise at no cost.
• It provides a real competitive advantage to our small businesses here.
• Small food places to build in these areas that need development, Mr.

Bills: HB248, HB309, HB332, SB48

Keywords: general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chair of the Small Business Regulatory Review Board.
• This already saves the dollars, and we're making a small positive impact.
• This already saves the dollars, and we're making a small positive impact.
• This already saves the dollars, and we're making a small positive impact.
• Whether it's going to be a very small step forward.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1343, which would amend quorum requirements for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. The board chair testified in support, saying it has been difficult to fill all seats and that using active seats for quorum would help the board function more effectively. No opposition or questions were raised, and the committee moved on. The committee then heard SB 1578, which drew mixed testimony. DBEDT supported the measure and the Attorney General suggested inserting preamble language from HB 1025 to provide historical context on the East-West Center. Austin Martin of the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it could invite improper behavior, create loosely regulated satellite offices, increase foreign influence, and add competition for land ownership. The committee took no vote during the hearing. The bulk of the meeting focused on SB 1641, a measure to establish a Hawaiʻi film commission/authority and related funding and governance structure. DBEDT supported the intent and offered friendly amendments to clarify the distinction between film and media industries, while the Honolulu Film Office and labor representatives from IATSE, Teamsters, and Pride at Work supported the bill but urged changes. Their concerns centered on conflicts of interest, especially having producers on the commission, and they asked for more labor representation and clearer oversight rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional and special-fund concerns, saying the grant standards and special-fund language needed work. Committee members discussed renaming the entity as a Hawaiʻi Film Authority, broadening its scope beyond cultural production, adjusting the commission makeup, and clarifying funding sources, including the existing film and creative industries fund and the 0.2% rebate contribution. No final vote was taken in the portion provided, but members indicated the bill would need substantial revisions and an HD1.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it's small, but it's an intersection of science and policy to develop management actions.
• to protect these small animals until they reach the optimal harvest size.
• They're too small. And so overall weight is down, but the number of animals is up.
• O'Keefe was talking about, where there's lots of small scallops.
• Piff said, they're small. And so the question is, how do we preserve those?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Massachusetts sea scallop fishery, especially the economic importance of the industry, federal scallop management, and two policy questions: reopening the Northern Edge area on Georges Bank and allowing permit stacking/permit consolidation. Chairing senators emphasized their interest in hearing both sides, their frustration with federal bureaucracy, and their view that the issue should be guided by science while protecting the long-term resource and local communities. Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council and Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the Magnuson-Stevens framework, annual catch limits, rotational area management, and the role of industry-funded surveys and the research set-aside program. They said scallops remain the most lucrative council-managed commercial fishery on the East Coast, but recent changes include more small scallops, lower biomass in some areas, higher natural mortality, and shifting abundance toward Georges Bank. On the Northern Edge, they explained that the council previously considered opening the area through a framework/joint action with habitat management, but discontinued the action in 2024 because of conflicting objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and other species. They said the issue could be revisited through future council priority-setting. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund argued that the fishery needs modernization to remain economically viable. They supported reopening the Northern Edge and strongly backed permit stacking, saying it would allow two permits on one vessel while keeping ownership caps in place, reducing costs, improving safety, and helping family-owned fleets avoid financial distress and outside investment. Port of New Bedford representative John Regan stressed the port’s central role in the state economy, the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure, and the importance of any permit changes preserving local ownership and participation. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members asked that the witnesses keep the committee informed as the council and federal agencies consider next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• The small businesses will feel the repercussions of a bill like this.
• the very tools that help your small the very tools that help your small businesses<00:17:42.880>
• It's a small step toward a fair way for them to give back some of what they take.
• It's a small revenue that generates.
• Um they want small are actually free. Um they want small businesses<00:32:02.880> there.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3117, which would impose an excise tax on social media companies based on Minnesota monthly users and data-mining activity, and adopted an A1 amendment that added clarifying language identifying social media platforms. Chair Gomez described the bill as a way to tax companies profiting from data mining and social media use, citing concerns about child bullying, misinformation, and wealth concentration. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Supporters testified that the measure would help raise revenue from a highly profitable industry and better align the tax code with the social costs of data collection and social media use. Pastor Julie Thompson, MAPE representative Tanner Fritzinger, Council Member Sue Bud, and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota all backed the bill, arguing that social media companies extract value from users’ data, contribute to mental health and social harms, and should pay more toward public needs. Bernstein also framed the tax as a way to broaden the tax base and fund schools and other services. Opponents warned that the bill could sweep in local broadcasters, newspapers, and other businesses that use digital platforms and collect some user data, and that costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Wendy Pollson of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association said the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally include local media. Deb Peters, speaking for Americans for Digital Opportunity, argued the tax would raise costs for small businesses and consumers, create legal risks, and amount to double taxation. Several members echoed concerns about regressivity, administration, and whether the bill actually addresses online bullying or data privacy, while supporters said it is a first step toward taxing a new, lightly taxed industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a time post-World War II when a small home on a small lot was a centerpiece of the American
• <00:21:37.720> me Morhead and man and our small me Morhead and man and our small me smallest
• <00:58:45.839> communities contracted for very small communities contracted for very small
• is a small-city state.
• in your packet that Minnesota is a small in your packet that Minnesota is a small City<01:17:50.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Housing Finance and Policy Committee approved the previous meeting’s minutes and then heard testimony from Housing First Minnesota and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities on housing supply, affordability, and land-use policy. Mark Foster of Housing First Minnesota said the state is chronically undersupplied by roughly 100,000 units, that the median new single-family home price has risen above $530,000, and that only about 27% of Twin Cities households can now afford a new home. He argued that regulatory and local approval processes, especially planned unit developments and aesthetic mandates, add significant cost and reduce the number of homes built, and he urged the committee to remove exclusionary barriers and modernize residential development approvals. Members questioned Foster about zoning, aesthetic requirements, and homeowners associations. He said most new housing in growing metro communities is negotiated through PUDs, which he described as increasing costs and limiting supply, and gave examples such as stone exterior requirements adding thousands of dollars to a home. He also said HOAs can be useful in some cases but are often imposed when not needed. Several legislators responded positively to the Housing First Minnesota Foundation’s work, including transitional housing and veteran housing projects. Elizabeth Wefel of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said cities outside the metro also face a housing shortage, but their challenges differ: market failure, inadequate sewer and water infrastructure, and gaps in starter, workforce, and senior housing. She said many Greater Minnesota cities are already updating zoning, reducing lot sizes, allowing more density and ADUs, and investing local money, land, and partnerships to spur development. She asked the legislature to speed up rollout of housing funds, support infrastructure and workforce programs, and adjust housing tax credit and TIF rules, while warning against one-size-fits-all preemption of local zoning authority. Members discussed the need for tailored solutions and the differences between metro and Greater Minnesota housing markets.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the small businesses, such as a woman in the North Country who was running a small inn.
• :12:40.880> businesses and the small businesses and the small businesses such<00:12:43.680>
• <00:27:50.559> businesses part are essentially small businesses part are essentially small
• The financial buffer is probably very small for the small businesses.
• implementation and protect the small implementation and protect the small operators?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's an incredibly broad and also a diverse in terms of large companies and all the way down to small
• But we make sure that we jump into action when small partners, NATO's role areas.
• We had everything we could do but were small and we didn't have the reach visit.
• We bring our small partners in there who wouldn't be able to put a train together on their own.
• We are seeing more people move around the state, especially to small and main town areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• At least those that are small enough to get in there. So please, where are they going to go?
• We’re bringing, we want to bring, an enhanced focus to small business.
• We’re really proud of our small business program.
• We’re really proud of our small business program.
• And we want to look to—so we already have a pretty robust small business program.

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several bills and agency priorities. SB 44, as amended, increased penalties for operating a vehicle with unauthorized red or blue lights and for obscuring a license plate, including new penalties for using, possessing, manufacturing, or selling license-plate obscuring devices. The sponsor and supporting law enforcement witnesses said the bill addresses widespread plate obstruction and enforcement problems; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 654, designating a railroad overpass in Starke as the Heroes Memorial Overpass, and SB 620, creating a Miami-Dade College specialty license plate with proceeds supporting scholarships and limited administrative/marketing costs. The committee then considered SB 594, which would allow Florida deep-water ports to seek Fish and Wildlife Commission approval for no-anchoring/no-mooring buffer zones adjacent to port channels and turning basins. An amendment clarified the application process, review timeline, rulemaking, and enforcement. Port representatives supported the bill as a way to protect channels and commerce, while several boating and cruising advocates opposed it, arguing the 5,000-foot buffer was excessive, could create safety issues, and would displace anchored vessels without adequate alternative dockage. Despite the opposition, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on its 2025 legislative priorities, including stricter proof-of-address and identification requirements for vehicle registration, changes to tank vehicle and IFTA rules, a higher crash-report damage threshold, and electronic notice options. Secretary Perdue then outlined FDOT priorities focused on workforce development, research, rural road funding, small business participation, consistent traffic-control standards, modal infrastructure, transit accountability, spaceport support, advanced air mobility, and shifting some power-consumption revenues to the Transportation Trust Fund to offset electric vehicle impacts. No votes were taken on the agency priorities, and the meeting adjourned after members recorded additional affirmative votes on SB 44 and SB 654.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as it's a small amount.
• Representative Hansen said, this small Representative Hansen said, this small of<00:40:34.640>
• It also protects small job at all.
• Um, the small business assistance appropriation for the small business assistance, as a small business
• Um, the small business assistance appropriation for the small business assistance, as a small business

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, it's a pretty small amount of the total.
• So we can actually account for some of the small sample sizes to see if there are differences.
• So, rural schools and small schools are something near and dear to me.
• How do we address all the schools in the state, urban, rural, small, large?
• They were very small pastries, so they don't really count.

Transcript Highlights:

• Small and medium-sized counties are held to the same standard to protect the data the same way that a
• As this committee knows, Minnesota is a small city state, but those small cities still manage critical
• As this committee knows, Minnesota is a small city state, but those small cities still manage critical
• is a small city state um but those small is a small city state um but those small cities<00:09:34.959
• As of Monday, about 1,185 townships use SEAS, the small city and township accounting system.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and mid-sized adjustments, if they are small or mid-sized.
• They will get less than a... an actual small district would get because the small adjustment could take
• But two suggestions, one large, one small.
• That's a very small group, and we're among them. We're among them. small groups. Yes.
• It's through the small and medium-sized adjustments.

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace