Video & Transcript : 'business competitiveness' :

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Fiscal Committee (05/16/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, you know, makes a busy day for me.
  • "So there's no further business. I'd entertain a motion to adjourn." "Second." "All right.
  • So, you know, makes a busy day for me.
  • So, you know, makes a busy day for me.
  • So, you know, makes a busy day for me.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on May 16, 2025, and first adopted a rules-and-procedures change extending online audit approval timelines for American Rescue Plan items through December 2026 and bipartisan infrastructure law items through June 30, 2027. The committee then approved the April 18 minutes and adopted the consent calendar with several items removed for separate discussion, including items from Tabs 4, 6, and 7. On Tab 4 item 2511, members questioned why the state was paying utility costs for the Laconia property while it is being sold. Commissioner Charlie Arlinghaus explained the budget line covered utilities generally, not just heat, that some buildings still require minimal heating, and that the main increase was tied to the Winnipesaukee River Basin Project wastewater charges. He said the charges had risen sharply, the property sale would eventually trigger a utility true-up at closing, and he would provide additional analysis. The committee then adopted the item. On Tab 4 item 25115, the Department of Justice said funding for a temporary fourth pathologist was removed from the 2026-2027 budget because it was no longer needed, and the committee adopted the item. On Tab 6 item 25126, Department of Health and Human Services officials explained the Medicaid managed care “withhold” as a performance incentive: about 2% of capitation payments are held back, then redistributed based on quality and operational metrics, with unearned amounts staying with the state until the end of the program and subject to actuarial requirements. They said the approach has improved performance and helped with Medicaid unwinding outreach, reducing enrollment by about 11,000 people in the past year. The committee adopted the item. On Tab 7 item 25139, the Department of Energy said it no longer needed an additional position because existing staff could handle the work, and the item was adopted. The committee also adopted regular-calendar items 25114 and 25131, noted that one regular-calendar item had been withdrawn, set the next meeting for June 20 at 11:00 a.m. in Room 100 of the State House, and adjourned after a motion and second.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • on a business-by-business level.
  • competition.
  • are and we're supporting healthy companies. competition, which we all know as business people, you have
  • How can a small business run on?
  • The chair lays that as a matter of pending business.
Bills: SB502 , SB513 , SB622 , SB670 , SB731 , SB732 , SB916 , SB961 , SB1122
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> winning all of those drone competitions. winning all of those drone competitions.
  • </c> Madness for aerial drone competitions. Madness for aerial drone competitions.
  • Uh, any other business? We'll go Okay. Uh, any other business?
  • Any other business?
  • </c> business? Any other announcements? business? Any other announcements? Senate. Senate. Senate.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Another fairly busy day on the agenda.
  • </c> bit varied can be Farm Supply businesses bit varied can be Farm Supply businesses water<00:15:26.079
  • Our next item of business is House File 857.
  • So these are very competitive grants.
  • The next item of business is House File 43. The next item of business is House File 43.
Bills: HF770 , HF857 , HF38 , HF1500 , HF43
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Diaz, on behalf of the California Hydrogen Business Council, in support. Thank you.
  • in total employment, with much of this decline being a result of California's steep cost of doing business
  • A strong manufacturing job base is key to the global and domestic competitiveness of our economy because
  • The way it exists right now, it really doesn't elevate California into a competitive field with the 38
  • SB 710 renews an important tax incentive for homeowners and small business owners to install solar panels
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard a series of tax-related bills, with several measures referred to suspense and a few advancing. SB 284 would clarify Proposition 19 rules for inherited family homes in probate, including when the one-year residency clock starts and whether title consolidation among siblings triggers reassessment; supporters included the California Association of Realtors, while county assessors opposed the sibling-transfer language as creating ambiguity. The bill was sent to suspense. SB 863 was taken up on the consent calendar and passed 6-0 to the Assembly floor. SB 333 would let San Luis Obispo County voters consider raising a local tax rate limit to fund transportation projects; supporters said it would help the county become self-help for major road needs, while opponents argued it would make it easier to raise regressive sales taxes. The committee approved the bill 5-2, as amended with a five-year sunset. SB 376, which clarifies that charitable remainder trusts are not treated as incomplete gift non-grantor trusts for California income tax purposes, drew support from the California Lawyers Association and no opposition, and passed 5-2 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also heard SB 591, which would replace steep penalties for failing to use electronic funds transfer with fixed penalties of $100 for a first violation and $500 thereafter; supporters said current penalties can be excessive and out of proportion, and the bill was sent to suspense. SB 419 would partially exempt hydrogen fuel from the state sales and use tax while leaving the existing road fee in place; supporters said it would help hydrogen adoption and parity with other clean fuels, while one environmental group opposed unless amended, and the bill went to suspense. SB 587 proposed a state tax credit for local sales tax paid on manufacturing equipment to encourage investment and jobs; it had broad business support and no opposition, but was also sent to suspense. SB 710 would extend and update the property tax exclusion for solar installations, with broad support from clean energy and local government groups and some opposition from large energy consumers; it too was referred to suspense. Finally, SB 663 would extend deadlines and exemptions for wildfire victims and certain nonprofit and disabled veteran properties; it received support from assessors and committee members but was also sent to suspense for further work.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 12th, 2026 at 08:33 am

House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill covers rooftop solar for consumers, small business, and small ag.
  • That's why it's for small business, small ag.
  • So that's pretty much what consumers are, small business, small ag, are doing with this.
  • application process. the Department of Environment to run a competitive application process.
  • This bill supports economic growth, high-quality job creation, and long-term competitiveness.
Keywords: 996, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means Committee 2/23/26

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • and overall business doing business and overall business climate<00:21:31.360><c> here</c><00:21:31.520
  • Um, so I think that business would<00:37:00.320><c> business</c><00:37:00.400><c> businesses</c><00:37
  • :00.800><c> would</c><00:37:01.040><c> be</c> would business businesses would be would business businesses
  • business.
  • business.
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Committee Meeting - 2026-04-08

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:23:26.159><c> grant</c> subsections uh to competitive grant subsections uh to competitive grant
  • </c><00:31:10.720><c> in</c> make the system more competitive in make the system more competitive in
  • </c> if the big sees this as a competition if the big sees this as a competition and<00:36:44.560><c>
  • ,</c> Minnesota owned and operated businesses, Minnesota owned and operated businesses, I<00:47:37.200
  • competitive bidding, I guess it can be competitive bidding, I guess it can be done,<00:51:40.319><c>
Bills: HF2103 , HF4508
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 12th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that concentration was really a way to analyze competitive advantage.
  • And what they found is that, yeah, Washington is super competitive.
  • So Washington is losing its competitive advantage.
  • And what they found is that, yeah, Washington is super competitive.
  • So Washington is losing its competitive advantage.
Keywords: 904, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 3rd, 2026

Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:
  • And are bid out competitively.
  • There is sort of, among some people, a religious belief in free market competition.
  • So Union Pacific got into the water business in that particular area.
  • The lower risk should be reflected in other parts of the utility's business.
  • It is a business that we need.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, wildfire costs, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s role. Chair and members framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while maintaining reliability and keeping bills affordable. The hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and the Public Advocates Office, with testimony from Professor Severin Borenstein and CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds. Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining that generation is largely deregulated while transmission and distribution remain regulated, and that most rate-setting follows cost-of-service regulation. He emphasized that the hardest issue is setting the allowed return on equity: too high can raise bills and encourage capital-heavy spending, while too low can deter investment and harm reliability. He argued there is no silver bullet, said performance-based regulation and price caps have limits, and suggested some costs now charged through electric bills—such as climate programs, low-income subsidies, and wildfire-related public policy costs—might more appropriately be paid through the state budget. Reynolds described the CPUC’s oversight role, saying the commission reviews utility spending through general rate cases, balancing accounts, and other proceedings, and that affordability is addressed through front-end scrutiny, post-spend accountability, and legislative direction. She highlighted wildfire mitigation as a major driver of rate increases, noted recent progress on clean energy procurement and battery storage, and said the CPUC is working on return-on-equity decisions, FERC advocacy on transmission costs, and implementation of SB 254 and other statutes. Members pressed on a range of issues, including wildfire securitization, load growth from EVs and data centers, gas-system stranded assets, balancing accounts, and a water-service dispute in Keene involving Union Pacific. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up commitments from the CPUC to provide data and updates.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce May 15th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a busy day today.
  • It's a crucial bill for small businesses in the state of Texas, and I know business owners greatly appreciate
  • It's a crucial bill for small businesses in the state of Texas, and I know business owners greatly appreciate
  • It's a business and security imperative.
  • , and states are far more competitive.
Summary: The committee first handled pending business, including reconsidering SB 715 and then voting out several measures. The committee substitute for SB 1978 was reported favorably, and HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 434, HB 1584, and HB 4739 were all reported favorably, many with objections sent to the local and uncontested calendar. HB 1522 and HB 4238 were adopted as committee substitutes before passage. The committee then moved into public testimony on HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. Supporters argued it would reduce waste, lower costs, and help independent repair shops by requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information on fair terms, while opponents said the bill was too broad and the automotive MOU exemption was problematic. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 2467, which would align State Fire Marshal Office investigators’ pay with other commissioned peace officers at TDI; testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the office’s arson-investigation role, and the bill was left pending. HB 252, a bill allowing certain state agencies flexibility to pay Schedule A employees twice monthly, was laid out and left pending after limited testimony. HB 2468, dealing with public improvement district notice in real estate transactions, would let buyers terminate within seven days if required PID notice was not provided before contract execution; it drew no public testimony and was left pending. HB 4386, an annuity exchange and surrender process bill, was presented as a consumer-protection measure with deadlines and penalties for insurer delays; it received support from industry witnesses and was left pending. The committee then heard HB 4751, creating the Texas Quantum Initiative within the Governor’s Office to coordinate quantum research, workforce, industry partnerships, and possible future grant funding. Witnesses from universities and industry supported the bill, while several senators questioned whether a new state structure was necessary; the bill was left pending. HJR 175 proposed a constitutional amendment protecting Texans’ right to use mutually agreed forms of exchange, including cash, bullion, digital currency, or private script, and was discussed at length in the context of central bank digital currency and barter; it was left pending after testimony. HB 2221, updating insurance anti-rebating laws to allow wellness and value-added services, drew supportive testimony from the insurance industry and discussion about incentives versus monitoring; it was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard a series of utility wildfire and infrastructure bills: HB 106, requiring oil and gas operators to maintain certain electrical infrastructure near well sites; HB 144, requiring electric utilities to submit pole inspection and management plans to the PUC; and HB 145, requiring wildfire mitigation plans and allowing self-insurance under certain conditions. Utility, insurance, and cooperative witnesses generally supported the wildfire-related bills while asking for clarifications and less burdensome reporting, and the bills were left pending.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/03/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's about competitiveness. It protects property rights.
  • So having as much competition in the marketplace as we can helps keep the prices down.
  • Madam Chair, yes, Mike, how do we increase competition with gas? I mean, ma'am, there's...
  • businesses.
  • Either scenario would significantly increase fuel costs for Arizona families and businesses.
Summary: The committee took up several energy, transportation, and land-use bills. HB 2428, dealing with county and ADEQ authority to issue voluntary permits certifying emission reduction credits for mobile and non-road sources, received neutral testimony from ADEQ and support from Maricopa County; the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed the bill 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2145, which expands who may request certain gasoline fuel reformulation actions and is contingent on EPA approval, also passed on a 5-4 vote after brief staff explanation and no amendment. The committee then considered HB 2331, a strike-everything amendment requiring electric utilities to ensure 85% of generating capacity serving retail load comes from “reliable resources” by 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor and Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued it would protect affordability and grid reliability by favoring dispatchable power; opponents, including the Sierra Club and Rural Arizona Action, said it would effectively favor fossil fuels, raise costs, and limit cleaner resources. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-4. HB 2795, which would bar counties from using zoning to block small modular reactors once federal permitting conditions are met, drew strong support from the sponsor and industry advocates who framed it as pro-property-rights and pro-nuclear, and opposition from county, city, and environmental groups who raised preemption, local control, safety, waste, and siting concerns; it passed 6-4. The committee also passed HB 2340, which allows the Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee to evaluate proposed generating facilities along with transmission lines, on a 5-4 vote. HB 2400, an emergency measure to suspend the motor vehicle fuel tax in Areas A and C during part of the year and replace the lost revenue through state highway funding, drew opposition from cities and counties over transportation funding impacts but support from the sponsor and some members focused on gas affordability; the Griffin amendment was adopted and the bill passed 6-4. Finally, HB 2401 was introduced as a requirement for ADEQ to conduct a biennial review of available fuel formulations and their air-quality impacts in Areas A and C, but the transcript ends before testimony or action on that bill is completed.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Managed competition, outsourcing, competitive bidding.
  • Managed competition, outsourcing, competitive bidding.
  • You're trying to kill any sort of competitive bidding.
  • It's designed to look at safety standards in businesses in the workplace.
  • Why no representation from the business group?
Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs. The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:14:41.320><c> to</c> and emails or they're just too busy to and emails or they're just too busy
  • I know you're all very busy today.
  • Kentucky has opportunity to rise above the competition.
  • Kentucky has opportunity to rise above the competition.
  • </c> make it a fair market in competition make it a fair market in competition against<00:34:03.760><
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the February 19 minutes, and opened with guest recognitions and a brief prayer for a colleague who had a medical episode. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 66, which would create a task force to study Advanced Air Mobility and related policy issues in Kentucky. The sponsor and witnesses described AAM as emerging eVTOL “flying car” technology, argued Kentucky has strong aviation and logistics assets to compete for the industry, and said the task force would include legislative, KYTC, and industry representatives. Senators asked about the technology and potential uses, including rapid transport of medical specialists. The resolution was reported favorably after roll call, with several members expressing support and at least one member noting a desire for more information while still voting yes. The committee next considered Senate Bill 38, as amended by committee substitute, dealing with school bus stop-arm safety cameras. The sponsor cited survey data showing hundreds of illegal school-bus passings in Kentucky and argued the bill would help change driver behavior by allowing, but not requiring, school districts to use camera systems funded through violators rather than district budgets. Testimony emphasized that the measure is voluntary, vendor-neutral, provides an appeals process in district court, limits camera activation to when the stop arm is deployed, and keeps revenues within the school district and court system. Representative David Hale supported the bill, sharing a personal story about a near-miss involving a child crossing after a bus stop. The committee approved the committee substitute and then reported SB 38 favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 63 on street-legal special purpose vehicles. The sponsor and Backroads of Appalachia representatives said the bill would define and regulate these vehicles, while expressly excluding farm and agricultural vehicles from its requirements. They explained the bill would require inspection, registration, and a motorcycle plate for qualifying vehicles, set limits on where and how far they can be driven, and allow local or state restrictions where applicable. Supporters framed the bill as an economic development measure for Eastern Kentucky and the broader state, citing tourism, trail-system spending, and examples from other states. A committee member asked for clarification about farm-to-farm use, and the witness confirmed the bill would not affect agricultural use. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 63, before any final committee action is shown.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It decreases from 60 days to 45 business days, excluding holidays, the amount of...
  • Thanks for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the businesses in the state of Washington.
  • Our competitiveness is the key to success, we think, in the nation and around the globe.
  • Thanks for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the businesses in the state of Washington.
  • Our competitiveness is the key to success we think of the nation and around the globe.
Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee took executive action on 11 bills. It advanced SB 624 on an Appliance Affordability Index study with an amendment excluding consumer electronics, and SB 6284 on artificial intelligence systems with a proposed substitute adding definitions, developer requirements, exemptions for some entities, and clarifying enforcement. The committee also moved forward SB 5609 on cultural resource protection under SEPA after rejecting an amendment to the proposed substitute, and SB 6172 on coal plant treatment under cap-and-invest after adopting an amendment related to emergency federal orders. Several energy and climate bills were also approved, including SB 6246 on emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities, SB 5932 on alternative jet fuel production, SB 6269 on the definition of motor fuel, and SB 6223 on community-scaled weatherization projects. On SB 5975 concerning lead in cookware, the committee rejected one proposed substitute and adopted another that bans intentionally added lead in cookware beginning in 2027 and directs future regulation through the Safer Products program. The committee then considered SB 5466 on electric transmission reliability and capacity, taking up multiple amendments to a proposed second substitute. Amendments addressing wildfire risk, corridor identification, landowner consultation, eminent domain, and wildfire liability were all rejected, and the bill was advanced on a due pass recommendation. In each case, the committee’s final action was to pass the bills or substitutes subject to signatures, with several measures referred onward to Ways and Means or Rules as noted.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It’s a simpler, more unified standard for small businesses.
  • These businesses are continuing to grow, they’re continuing to expand, and businesses access new customers
  • varies quite a lot from state to state in the treatment, and a lot of it is sometimes done on a business-by-business
  • basis, as opposed to how California” “On a business-by-business basis as opposed to how California does
  • From the administration's perspective, this is business as usual.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Feb 17th, 2026

Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • And you'll see that where there's more competition, pricing is usually better.
  • People using numbers for less than appropriate business purposes.
  • Make sure that competition is driving us towards what the fair market value is.
  • And with no further business, the committee is adjourned. to 2837.
  • And with no further business, the committee is adjourned.
Summary: The House Transportation Committee first announced that House Bill 1873 had been pulled at the sponsors’ request and would not be heard. The committee then took up House Bill 2759, which would require MoDOT to publish engineer’s estimates after a project is awarded or rejected, with the sponsor and supporters framing it as a transparency and accountability measure that would help taxpayers and contractors understand why bids are accepted or rejected. Supporters, including the Missouri Asphalt Paving Association and a state public advocate, said the bill would not affect bidding because the estimate would be released only after award, and argued that other states already do this without higher costs. MoDOT opposed the bill, saying its estimates are meant to reflect fair market value at the time of letting and that releasing them could let contractors pattern bids around MoDOT’s numbers, potentially setting an artificial floor or otherwise distorting competition. Committee members questioned both sides closely about whether publishing the estimate after award would still influence future bids, whether rejected bids are already explained, and whether the bill would help identify problems with project scope or estimating. The sponsor said the bill had been refined and referenced an amendment to make clear the disclosure would occur at award or rejection, not before bidding. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2837, which would change how vacancies on the Bi-State Development Agency board are filled by returning to a system where the governor appoints from within the district rather than from lists submitted by the St. Louis city mayor and county executive. The sponsor argued the current process gives too much control to St. Louis City and County and does not adequately represent growing areas such as St. Charles County. Opponents from the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, Citizens for Modern Transit, and a state public advocate argued the change would weaken local control for the jurisdictions that actually fund and use the transit system, noting that St. Charles, Jefferson, and Monroe counties do not pay the same transit taxes and in some cases do not receive service. The hearing ended after testimony in opposition, with no vote taken and the committee adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Culture, Recreation & Tourism Apr 15th, 2025

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 187 by me is pending business.
  • Mary Gonzalez is pending business.
  • I represent HCR 55 as pending business.
  • HCR 58 by Representative Isaac is pending business.
  • The chair lays out HCR 107 by me as pending business.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our USDA rural business development grants have supported small business development in the underserved
  • Our USDA rural business development grants have supported small business development in the underserved
  • The Small Business Administration and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate are primary
  • You know, you talked about the business council that's coming up—not the business council, excuse me,
  • And it's also material to the business.
Keywords: 988, house, all