Transcript Highlights:

• , whether they are small businesses, mid-sized businesses, the biggest businesses that you could think
• , whether they are small businesses, mid-sized businesses, the biggest businesses that you could think
• , whether they are small businesses, mid-sized businesses, the biggest businesses that you could think
• , whether they are small businesses, mid-sized businesses, the biggest businesses that you could think
• , whether they are small businesses, mid-sized businesses, the biggest businesses that you could think

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:

• Small businesses are the backbone of our state, and many of those businesses, there's 500,000 plus small
• Small businesses are the backbone of our state, and many of those businesses, there's 500,000 plus small
• Small businesses are the backbone of our state, and many of those businesses, there's 500,000 plus small
• Small businesses are the backbone of our state, and many of those businesses, there's 500,000 plus small
• Small businesses are the backbone of our state, and many of those businesses, there's 500,000 plus small

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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.
• , small businesses, and social equity businesses can be sustainable and they can be what's considered
• Over 90% of the licenses in New York's cannabis market are held by small businesses.
• Support small businesses, support local businesses, support equity.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

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:

• It's what's behind those numbers and how it affects small businesses.
• Small and I agree the businesses that you described, the small mom and pop the 2 to 3 employees you know
• To expound on that, I agree, I Don't think these small businesses.
• , small business is relative.
• Agriculture. 85% of our businesses and the employment in the state of Oklahoma is small business, meaning

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370

Committee: House Business

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• our small businesses.
• And some, I worked for a small business.
• want to hit our small businesses.
• As I've said here before, if you've seen one small business, you've seen one small business.
• , especially small businesses.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't, it's what's behind those numbers and how it affects small businesses.
• E-Verify is designed to remove the liability from those employers, small, and I agree, the businesses
• The liability from those employers, small, and I agree: the businesses that you describe, the small mom-and-pop
• Because here in this body and in this building, I mean, small business is relative.
• agriculture—85% of our businesses in the employment in the state of Oklahoma is small business, meaning

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370

Committee: House Business

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3725, as amended by a PCS, which would require employers statewide to use E-Verify or a federal equivalent when hiring new employees. The author argued the bill would help reduce illegal immigration, protect wages and jobs for lawful workers, and impose only minimal costs because E-Verify is free and quick to use. Members raised concerns about burdens on small businesses, farms, and ranches; state versus federal authority; enforcement by the Department of Labor; identity theft and false positives; possible litigation; and what would happen if the federal system went offline or changed. The author said the bill includes good-faith protections, a trigger repeal if the federal program expands, and that he would file additional language to address shutdown-related disruptions. No motion was made, and the bill remained in committee. The committee then heard and passed several other measures without opposition. House Bill 3260 would add the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association as an approved provider for continuing education credits for funeral director license renewals, and it passed 9-0. House Bill 3660 would authorize natural organic reduction, described as transforming human remains into soil, and it also passed 9-0. House Bill 3369 would revise food truck fire code requirements by allowing portable fire extinguishers instead of an automatic suppression system and by allowing licensed plumbers, not just Oklahoma LP Gas, to inspect or install certain gas plumbing; members discussed possible conflicts with another LP gas fix and agreed to work together, and the bill passed 9-0. Finally, House Bill 3370 would extend the effective date of the food truck fire code to November 1, 2028, creating a sunset to allow more time for a broader solution. The author said he preferred another option but wanted this bill available if needed. After brief clarification, the committee passed HB 3370 9-0. The meeting ended with the chair noting there would be three meetings left in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> two things together are deadly for small two things together are deadly for small businesses.<00
• But if tariffs hurt and ruin small businesses who are laying off their workers or big businesses or our
• But if tariffs hurt and ruin small businesses who are laying off their workers or big businesses or our
• But if tariffs hurt and ruin small businesses who are laying off their workers or big businesses or our
• </c> make sure that the are and ruin small make sure that the are and ruin small businesses<00:28:50.960

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yemeni small business owners who run thriving restaurants and convenience stores in my district and across
• IF YEMENI SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO RUN THRIVING RESTAURANTS, AND CONVENIENCE STORES IN MY DISTRICT AND
• I understand what the attorneys were trying to do, but it had a terrible impact on small businesses throughout
• And it really hurts the other small businesses who are— who basically, in my opinion, should call out
• What I would like to see is that we hone the language a little more to protect our small business owners

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship. The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:50.800><c> businesses</c><00:35:51.520><c> and</c> was uh that they're small businesses and
• was uh that they're small businesses and so<00:35:52.800><c> I</c><00:35:53.119><c> had</c><00:35:53.359
• was that they had just bought, to give them an advantage, a leg up over other small businesses.
• </c><00:38:10.960><c> I'm</c><00:38:11.200><c> not</c><00:38:11.359><c> saying</c> other small businesses
• I'm not saying other small businesses.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was really good small business participation.
• There is a, there will be a small business goal on this program.
• There was really good small business participation.
• There was really good small business participation.
• We have the small businesses, the minority businesses, the women businesses, the veterans.

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a big proponent of small business. They create 16 times more patents than large businesses.
• Well, what I can certainly speak to is the value of small business.
• It's just enough to keep them small, a class of indentured servants living as small businesses, but that's
• small business, perhaps in the early days?
• Are small businesses that do that, especially those who struggle?

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• The costs will be passed down and affect the small and family-owned businesses that purchase ad space
• My question is for the opposition, small business: Can you talk to me with respect to the small businesses
• So that's one of the examples of how small businesses would use this.
• So how would this affect those small businesses? So thank you, Mr. Chair.
• When you're marketing a product as a small business, you have an advertising budget.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The small business credit allows businesses that owe less than a certain amount of B&O tax to take a
• The small business credit allows businesses that owe less than a certain amount of B&O tax to take a
• Staff found that in 2023, the small business credit further reduces the B&O tax for small beneficiaries
• And an average of 89% of small beneficiaries used the small business credit from 2019 to 2023.
• I'm a small business owner, a lawyer, and a mom of a child in public schools in the city of Tacoma.

Bills: SB5754

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• such as our own and others, as well as small businesses.
• While we anticipate small regular fee increases as small business owners, the new fee...
• While we anticipate small regular fee increases as small business owners, the new fee increases are above
• While we anticipate small regular fee increases as small business owners, the new fee While we anticipate
• small regular fee increases as small business owners, the new fee increases are above and beyond anything

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5816, which would add juice grapes to Washington’s Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act. Staff explained that the bill would allow juice grape producers to form an accredited association to negotiate with processors under the same timelines used for pears, and the prime sponsor said the measure was intended to help growers obtain fairer prices. A grape grower testified that Washington producers face a small number of buyers, little real negotiation, and prices far below New York’s, arguing the bill would give growers a way to bargain collectively. The public hearing closed with 47 people noted in support and one in opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5971, which would create a green fertilizer incentive program for low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer production and use in Washington. Staff described the bill as directing WSDA to establish the program, adopt rules by 2028, and report to the Legislature, with costs shown in the fiscal note. The prime sponsor and several supporters, including Atlas Agro, a port representative, labor, NRDC, WSDA, the League of Women Voters, and the Washington State Potato Commission, said the bill could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local manufacturing and jobs, stabilize fertilizer supply and prices for farmers, and help Washington compete for federal clean hydrogen tax credits. WSDA said the program was implementable with consultation and that the Climate Commitment Act could be a funding source, though it noted rulemaking costs. The committee then held a work session on commercial shellfish fee assessments after the Department of Health adopted major fee increases for shellfish licensing and certification. Shellfish growers and association representatives said the increases—described as ranging from roughly 233% to 789% overall, with some individual licenses rising much more—would hit small and family farms hardest, could force closures, and were based on a fee structure they said is outdated and not tied well to production. DOH explained that the program has long relied on general fund support, that federal shellfish safety requirements must be maintained, and that the new fees are intended to move the program toward full cost recovery after years without increases. The department said it had used a phased approach, reopened rulemaking to look for a fairer structure, and would continue working with industry and the Legislature; no vote was taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have thousands of large and small businesses in Tallahassee and around the state that rely on visitor
• support both large and small businesses.
• Our revitalized downtown is revitalizing, and those small businesses would have to close their doors
• Our small counties are authorized to levy a small county surtax.
• We have local business, which we just voted at a committee to get rid of the local business tax.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 20, 2025, and first approved HB 4025, creating the Duke Farm Stewardship District in Lee County, on a 17-0 vote. The committee then advanced HJR 1215, which proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt agricultural tangible personal property from property tax, after extended debate about the fiscal impact on counties, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; it passed 16-1. HB 411 also passed unanimously after an amendment, extending affordable housing tax exemption treatment to certain nonprofit projects on leased land, including Habitat for Humanity projects. The committee likewise approved CS/HB 669, allowing local governments to purchase certain unrated bonds, and CS/HB 4017, codifying the Vermont Drainage District charter in Charlotte County, both without opposition. The committee also approved HJR 1039, which would let the Legislature prevent assessed-value increases for homestead properties that are improved to mitigate flood damage, and the related implementing bill HB 1041; both passed 17-0. Public testimony on these items included some opposition to the flood-related amendment, but no floor debate changed the outcome. The final major item was CS/HB 1221 by Rep. Miller, which would require local option taxes to be renewed by voter referendum every eight years, with longer terms allowed for bonded projects. That bill drew the most extensive testimony and debate, with counties, tourism groups, and local officials warning about impacts on tourism funding, infrastructure, schools, and public safety, while supporters argued for taxpayer accountability and periodic review. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a 13-4 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in general, we've seen that small business growth and that emphasis on small business is really,
• Since 2019, we've awarded $200 million through this program to 4,800 small businesses.
• And as I mentioned again, we really view small business to be the backbone of Florida's economy, right
• We know that over 90% of our businesses in the state are small businesses and that they have an incredible
• I'm a small business owner, so I appreciate all you do. I have two questions.”

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would devastate small businesses.
• Saying that we're going to protect small businesses is not the same as actually protecting small businesses
• This would devastate small businesses.
• But we're only do this if there's some tax relief for small businesses.
• Saying that we're going to protect small businesses is not the same as actually protecting small businesses

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders held a joint media availability focused on affordability, budget concerns, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. John Braun and Drew Stokesbary said Washingtonians are still struggling with the cost of food, gas, housing, child care, and health care, and argued Democrats are not advancing bills that would ease those pressures. They criticized a draft income tax proposal they said would function as a small business tax, especially because it would disallow loss carryforwards and could discourage investment in housing and other capital-intensive sectors. They also objected to a proposed tire fee and a bill they said would prevent tire sellers from telling customers about the tax. The Republicans said they planned to raise budget and tax concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, and Stokesbary said he had introduced a budget-savings bill to consolidate University of Washington investment management with the State Investment Board. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify citizen initiatives, calling it anti-democratic, and said they want stronger oversight and legal reforms related to DCYF and state liability in child welfare cases. Braun and Stokesbary said they were open to discussing tort reform and a civil claims process, but emphasized the underlying problem is state failure in protecting children. On health care, they said they were still reviewing a bill to eliminate interest on medical debt and a separate 340B drug-pricing proposal, warning both could have unintended effects on hospitals, patients, and drug innovation. They also said they support the idea of protecting children online and in schools, but want any social media, AI chatbot, or cell phone-related bills written carefully to avoid First Amendment problems and unintended consequences. On public safety, they expressed concern about a bill restricting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, arguing law enforcement needs such tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with the Republicans reiterating their opposition to tax increases and their focus on affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate and have a copy of the Small Loans Act next to this.
• In 2022, the legislature capped interest rates on small loans at 36%.
• that are subject to the Small Loans Act.
• proposal designed around this business model that is fee-based.
• I know that in my company, and granted I'm in small business, I have 22 employees, but whenever an issue

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So I guess where I'm going with that is none of us want to see small businesses go out of business, right
• So earlier I asked for the small business owners, because, again, nobody wants to put a small business
• advocating because this is such a large portion of the business of these small business owners, or is
• We're going to tell the United States that Missouri is not open for small businesses.
• We're going to tell the United States that Missouri is not open for small businesses.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our economy and our small businesses. our economy and our small businesses.
• Act, which reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer
• </c><03:05:49.080><c> Business</c> Senate Bill 3971, the Small Business Senate Bill 3971, the Small Business
• </c><03:05:53.040><c> Business</c> which reauthorizes the Small Business which reauthorizes the Small
• assistance for small businesses.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 16, 2026, 1012, house, all