Transcript Highlights:

• Tips are not business revenue either.
• You know, as we've heard, small businesses actually pay approximately twice what large businesses pay
• And I know you talked about liability and the chargeback process as part of liability within the card
• have as a business-to-business, it's an option.
• So you have partners with small businesses, and if small businesses are asking you for a little bit of

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• The liability protection is limited to the liability protection is limited to the liability protection
• We are creating the liability protection for creating the liability protection for creating the liability
• attorneys to ensure that the liability attorneys to ensure that the liability wasn't a gross liability
• the business owner of the store that the business owner of the store that the business owner of the
• Businesses are scooping them up and uh Businesses are scooping them up and uh Businesses are scooping

Bills: HJR 4 , HJR 6 , HB 195 , HB 13 , HB 143 , HB 135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• That is paid for by liability insurance.
• And so you’d like to see the liability insurance? The liability insurance to pay for recoveries.
• And then make liability insurance liable... Yeah, right.
• And then make liability insurance liable for that liability of that truck that's laying sideways on Interstate
• They get paid out of the liability insurance.

Committee: Joint Transportation Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate amended the bill by... ...liveries to maintain a commercial boat liability policy.
• program to maintain a primary commercial boat liability insurance policy as prescribed.
• insurance because you are now acting like a business. ...if you're using these apps, you have to have
• some kind of liability insurance because you are now acting like a business.
• But if you're doing this like a business, you should have the same—you should be treated the same as

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a small business owner.
• that equals the liability for tax.
• , and the manner in which a business pays state income tax on its business income has to do with the
• which that business is organized.
• their</c> business businesses to deduct their business businesses to deduct their taxes<00:29:29.960

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a serious business. This is not theater. Thank you. This is a serious business.
• work for those small businesses.
• Let law-abiding businesses do what they need to do, and that's focus on their businesses.
• burdensome to small businesses.
• My son is an independent business owner. My son is an independent business owner.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “Business aside, this issue is very important to me.
• I’ve been an entrepreneur and a business person in Idaho for 30 years.
• Did you bring up liability and immunity?
• Did you bring up liability and immunity?
• I don't know if that is actually limiting our manufacturer's liability.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It imposes wrongful death liability.
• This is not criminal liability.
• Strict liability, Senator. This is strict liability.
• Section 171A.407, liability for violation.
• a lot more serious than civil liability.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would actually move that liability to the developer. ...that city or that county is.
• and several liability where they're going to say, okay, their pockets are empty?
• and several liability where they're going to say, okay, their pockets are empty?
• instead of where the liability currently rests with the municipality?
• It shifts the liability away from the cities and the counties and onto the developer.

Bills: SB1302 , SB1389 , SB1401 , SB1776 , SB1809 , SB1858 , SB1985 , SB2053 , SB2148

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: income tax, tax rates, revenue certification, Oklahoma Tax Commission, state budget, education, tax credit, school choice, private school, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, insurance, taxation, premium, home office credit, healthcare, teacher tax credit, income tax credit

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee met and considered several bills. Senate Bill 1776, by Senator Pugh, would create a $10,000 refundable tax credit for teachers with seven consecutive years of service, as part of a teacher retention strategy; after questions about the seven-year threshold, it passed 8-3. Senate Bill 1858, by Senator Frix, would create a new TIF district financing option allowing developers, rather than cities or counties, to borrow against projected TIF revenues; the committee adopted an amendment changing a filing provision from “may” to “shall,” and the bill passed 7-4. Senate Bill 1985, by Senator Guthrie, would let state retirement systems consider limited investments in regulated digital assets, capped at 5% and narrowed to large-market-cap assets; the committee added an amendment inserting “in” to clarify the language, and the bill passed 9-2. The committee then rejected Senate Bill 1302, by Senator Kirt, which would repeal the “path to zero” trigger tied to future income tax cuts; it failed 2-9 after debate over fiscal stability and tax relief. Senate Bill 1809, by Senator Hamilton, would raise the homestead exemption from $1,000 to $5,000; members debated its impact on local governments and school funding, but it passed 9-2. Senate Bill 1401, by Senator Rader, was amended to adjust the insurance premium tax rate from 1.96% to 2.16% and eliminate the home office premium tax credit; the bill was laid over after concerns about its fiscal impact. Finally, Senate Bill 2053, also by Senator Rader, would allow cities and counties to impose up to a 10% excise tax on medical marijuana dispensaries by local vote, with OTC handling collections and enforcement; supporters framed it as local control and a way to offset public safety costs, while opponents argued it unfairly targeted dispensaries and consumers. The bill passed 7-3. The committee then adjourned and announced it would meet again the following Monday after floor activity.

Transcript Highlights:

• liability corporation, then it sounds like this is more of a business concern.
• It's owned by a business, and if it's being used to generate revenue or income, then it is a business
• licenses for home-based businesses.
• LLCs don't stand for a limited liability corporation; it's limited liability company, and many of them
• This is essentially a home-based. to require business licenses for home-based businesses.

Summary: The House established a quorum and then moved to House bills for perfection and printing. House Bill 2189, sponsored by the gentleman from Jasper, would allow five-year vehicle registrations, eliminate the current odd/even model-year registration rule, and limit the five-year option to vehicles six years old or newer. Members asked about emissions and safety inspections, insurance verification, and personal property tax compliance; the sponsor said the Department of Revenue could track those items electronically and that the bill was intended to simplify registration for citizens. House Amendment 1, which set the five-year fee at $45, was adopted, and the bill was then perfected and printed as amended. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1790, a “fair ballot language” bill. The sponsor said it would require clearer ballot language for local tax levies, including stating tax rates in cents and their dollar impact, labeling propositions alphabetically, requiring disclosure when a measure would nullify a prior voter-approved sunset, and closing a loophole in the Hancock Amendment so taxing entities still roll back levies after reassessment while retaining voter-approved increases. Members generally supported the transparency goals, and a brief amendment adding a comma to existing statutory language was adopted. The committee substitute was then adopted, perfected, and printed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2178 was then considered, with several amendments. House Amendment 1, offered by the gentleman from Pike, capped assessment increases at 15% over two years and provided a tax credit for amounts above that threshold; after a roll call, it was adopted 92-43. House Amendment 2, from the gentleman from Clay, prevented assessors from reclassifying short-term rental properties from residential to commercial solely because of short-term rental use; it was adopted after debate over whether LLC-owned properties should be treated differently. House Amendment 3, from the gentleman from Jackson, incorporated ballot-language provisions from earlier bills to require clearer labeling and disclosure on property tax measures, and it was adopted. House Amendment 4, also from the gentleman from Jackson, required assessors to disclose valuation methods and supporting data, set a 30-day refund deadline with interest for late refunds, and allowed taxpayers to recover certain litigation costs when appeals succeed; it too was adopted. The bill then continued with discussion of Hancock-by-subclass and related property tax issues, with members debating how the proposal would affect residential, commercial, and agricultural taxpayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they're especially vulnerable to this expanded liability.
• Any revisiting of this issue must include reasonable liability protection.
• Just like any other business, we have expenses.
• other business, a reasonable profit.
• Remember, there was an expansion of liability for all other torts in 1990.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee considered one bill, HB 603, which would repeal section 768.21(8), the Florida medical negligence wrongful death exception often referred to by supporters as the “Free Kill” law. The sponsor argued the current statute unfairly bars certain families—especially adult children or parents of unmarried adults without minor children—from recovering non-economic damages when a loved one dies from medical negligence, while such damages are available in other wrongful death cases. Supporters, including family members, AARP, and some legal advocates, testified that the law is discriminatory and denies equal access to justice for grieving families and vulnerable adults. Opponents, including physicians, hospital and insurer representatives, and business groups, argued that repeal would increase malpractice exposure, raise premiums, worsen access to care, and accelerate physician retirements or departures from Florida. Several urged that if the bill moves forward, it should be paired with caps on non-economic damages to balance the impact on the health care system. Supporters countered that negligence must still be proven, that the law creates unequal treatment, and that existing tort reforms have not lowered premiums. The sponsor closed by rejecting claims that the bill is “jackpot justice” and emphasizing that families deserve court access and accountability. After debate, the committee voted on HB 603 and passed it 16-2. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• At that point, the liability was shifted to the contractor's insurance, even though the contractor had
• When our contractors have no liability limits, and they can be sued for, they can be sued.
• I mean, we price our jobs accordingly, knowing that we have that kind of liability.
• Well, I can tell you, from our perspective and from the contractors, they wanted liability across the
• board. ...our perspective and from the contractors, they wanted liability across the board.

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the president of the Sierra Business Council.
• The Sierra Business Council also manages the Small Business Development Center for the eight-county Northeastern
• Our families and businesses need affordable electricity.
• Business Alliance, in strong support.
• in business for myself.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The exponential growth in SIBTF claims and liability The exponential growth in SIBTF claims and liabilities
• Can you give me a sense of magnitude if I'm a small business owner?
• So by adding, you—the liability for the file... ...100%.
• That adds quite a bit to the estimate of accumulated liability.
• Small businesses are under severe economic strain.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These businesses often rely on a business structure that allows for assignment of benefits, AOB arrangements
• These businesses often rely on a business structure that allows for assignment of benefits, AOB arrangements
• Being a small business owner myself, very, very protective of small businesses here in California that
• , that rely on strict liability?
• The strict liability, yeah, go ahead.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That city or that county is this would actually move that liability to the developer. Thank you.
• liability?
• Can you explain to us why the developers would come to you wanting to take on the liability instead of
• where the liability currently rests with the municipality?
• It shifts the liability away from the cities and the counties and onto the developer.

Bills: SB1302 , SB1389 , SB1401 , SB1776 , SB1809 , SB1858 , SB1985 , SB2053 , SB2148

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: income tax, tax rates, revenue certification, Oklahoma Tax Commission, state budget, education, tax credit, school choice, private school, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, insurance, taxation, premium, home office credit, healthcare, teacher tax credit, income tax credit

Transcript Highlights:

• Small businesses that survived on small margins were forced to close.
• So Assembly Bill 1519 provides, once the underlying liability becomes due and payable, the liability
• Already, California businesses are experiencing penny shortages.
• For our workers, our businesses, and our local economies.
• Here in California, we're giving these businesses grants, Here in California, we're giving these businesses

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> maintain a principal place of business maintain a principal place of business in<00:25:59.520><c
• business.
• business.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yes, sir. what what are the liabilities &gt;&gt; Yes, sir. what what are the liabilities
• </c> dollars or what is the liability dollars or what is the liability responsibility responsibility

Bills: HB300 , HB40 , SB19 , HB283 , HB179 , HB296 , HB300 , HB40 , SB19 , HB283 , HB179 , HB296

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB300, Choctaw County, probate court, probate judge, recording fee, filing fee, deed tax, mortgage tax, deeds, mortgages, property records, recordation, county local act, local legislation, technology upgrades, digitalization of records, recordkeeping, county treasury, special fund, court administration

Transcript Highlights:

• It is business days. If you look on page five, it specifically adds business days. Right.
• So, in Louisiana, from a liability standpoint and civil liability, you have to establish that there was
• I have no problem with a business having a plan. I encourage a business to have a plan.
• You're a different business. It's any business. And if it's putting. Fix the problem.
• No, no, you're a different business. It's any business.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a major workers’ compensation overhaul centered on creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and modernizing fee schedule and claims data collection. Myers said the bill was designed to improve transparency, reduce disputes, address outliers and abuse, and help injured workers return to work faster. The committee adopted technical amendments, then considered a large amendment set combining portions of House bills 780 and 1101, which added preliminary determination procedures, fraud language, temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit changes, and a fallback deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached by 2029. Several members and witnesses objected that the amendments were dropped late and would turn SB 408 into an omnibus bill; supporters argued the package was the best chance for comprehensive reform. After debate, the committee adopted the amendments and reported SB 408 favorably as amended. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply divided. Supporters, including some providers and injured-worker advocates, said the bill’s core value was transparency through the database and that the system needed modernization and a better fee schedule. Opponents argued the added amendments would burden pro se claimants, expand litigation, and weaken injured workers’ rights, especially through fraud and preliminary hearing provisions. Committee members also questioned whether the combined package was germane and whether it should be allowed to move as a single reform measure. Louisiana Workforce Commission staff explained the timeline for data collection, electronic billing, dispute rules, and eventual fee schedule rulemaking, and said the department could execute the law as amended. The committee then turned to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, concerning workplace violence and safety plans for small-box discount retailers. The bill was revised through a substitute that required covered retailers to develop and submit a written workforce safety plan, or submit an existing plan if one already existed. Representative Glorioso raised concerns that requiring a written safety plan could create new civil liability under Louisiana’s assumption-of-duty doctrine and increase litigation and insurance costs. Chasson responded that the intent was simply to encourage safety planning and that businesses already had such plans. The committee discussed possible narrowing language, but the transcript ends before a final disposition on HB 585 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to this morning's meeting of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee.
• SB 378 will provide the tools needed to protect legal businesses, workers, and consumers.
• The result, as they do with the bad actors, and throw them all out of business.
• over companies and businesses that would greatly impact businesses with an online presence throughout
• Oh, this is a member services in the 1,100 for business and the rule right now.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several measures, including SB 402 by Senator Valadares, which would move existing qualification requirements for qualified autism service providers and related professionals from the Health and Safety Code and Insurance Code into the Business and Professions Code without changing the standards. Supporters said it was a technical cleanup that would improve consistency and legislative oversight, while an opponent argued the bill was unnecessary and could create access issues; another witness urged inclusion of the QABA credentialing board. The committee approved SB 402 on a due pass motion to the Committee on Health. The committee also heard SB 378 by Senator Wiener, aimed at online platforms that facilitate sales of illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp products. Supporters, including labor, local government, and cannabis industry representatives, said the bill would help protect consumers, minors, legal businesses, and tax revenue by creating accountability for online marketplaces. Opponents from the hemp industry and TechNet argued the bill was overly broad, could sweep in legitimate platforms and payment services, and should better distinguish bad actors from compliant hemp businesses; members discussed implementation, enforcement through a private right of action, and coordination with AB 8. The committee passed SB 378 to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. Senator Arreguín presented SB 779, which would establish minimum enforcement fines for Contractors State License Board citations where minimums are currently very low or absent, and would raise the board’s reserve cap from six months to 12 months. The sponsor said the changes would better match penalties to violations and help support consumer protection and board operations during economic downturns. There was no opposition, and the committee approved SB 779 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included SB 344 and AB 652, both sent to Appropriations. SB 508 was not heard because it had been pulled by the author.