Transcript Highlights:

• This was created in 2020 and modeled after the successful New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program
• I'm with Management Sciences Incorporated, a small business. My name is Charmaine Romero.
• I'm with Management Sciences Incorporated, a small business, and I am in strong support of HB 82.
• It gives small businesses access to that expertise at no cost.
• It provides a real competitive advantage to our small businesses here.

Bills: HB248 , HB309 , HB332 , SB48

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

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:

• Really what we're talking about is the small businesses, Well, maybe.
• Really what we're talking about is the small businesses, Well, maybe.
• The businesses, the people with small businesses, with the startups, with the advertising companies,
• Speaker, because I see so many small businesses in my community that are going out of business just because
• And small businesses are closing, and people are leaving.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• According to a 2023 small business credit survey, Black-owned businesses are denied financing at nearly
• , thousands of small Minnesota, thousands of small businesses,<00:03:04.720><c> particularly</c><00:03
• </c><00:05:05.759><c> business</c> statewide, and accelerate small business statewide, and accelerate
• small business growth<00:05:06.479><c> and</c><00:05:06.639><c> job</c><00:05:06.960><c> creation.
• </c><00:05:25.280><c> business</c><00:05:25.600><c> growth,</c> development, small business growth, development

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Overall, our total small business impact is a little over $1 billion.
• Of that, $505 million goes to New Mexico small businesses.
• In the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program, we've assisted 241 small businesses in 21 counties
• I do ask this: I see $505 million in New Mexico small business interaction.
• How do small businesses get into Sandia? What are maybe two or three key ways?

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We support small businesses in communities across the state and help finance infrastructure projects
• We support small businesses in communities across the state and help finance infrastructure projects
• As a proud third-generation Californian and the son and grandson of small business owners, I see this
• Certainly for our small business finance center, we have a strong track record.
• How do you work with small business development centers for outreach, or do you?

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several routine agenda items and a gubernatorial appointment. The committee first approved appointments not required to appear, including Gina Castro Rodriguez to the Board of State and Community Corrections, Richard Stein to the California Arts Council, and Nicholas Hardiman to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors. Members also approved references to bills and committees, committee and subcommittee appointments, joint committee appointments, and floor acknowledgments. Two rule waiver requests by Senators Perez and Padilla to suspend SR 22.5 for additional bill introductions were discussed and ultimately approved on a divided vote. The committee then heard testimony from Andy Nakahata, nominated to serve as executive director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). Nakahata described his background in finance and infrastructure lending and said he would focus on stewardship, expanding access to IBank programs, and supporting small businesses and infrastructure projects statewide. Senators questioned him about geographic equity in lending, outreach to underserved counties, creditworthiness standards, the Transportation Infrastructure Accelerator, and whether IBank could better reach municipalities and health care providers. Nakahata said IBank tracks lending by county, works through financial development corporations, municipal advisors, and other networks, and can adjust loan sizes or partner with other funding sources when projects are not fully creditworthy. Public witnesses spoke in support of Nakahata, citing his expertise and leadership in public finance. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee then voted unanimously to move Nakahata’s nomination to the full Senate for confirmation. Afterward, the committee re-ran the earlier votes for the record, confirming the appointments and other agenda items, and then adjourned the public portion of the meeting to enter executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent small businesses and injured people across the state.
• I do a lot of work with and against businesses, represent a significant number of small businesses, and
• have represented a number of small businesses in connection with bad faith claims.
• So I appreciate you supporting small businesses with this bill. So thank you.
• businesses, And they take those surcharging fees that the restaurant or other small businesses charged

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 2717 by a 7-0 vote. It then adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2465, described as changing a number from two to one, and passed the substitute bill 8-0. The committee also adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute for House Bill 1791, which adds an emergency permit provision allowing a 30-day extension to obtain a full permit, and passed that substitute 8-0. Representative Manser raised a question about whether the bill would align with federal disaster recovery grant requirements, and the chair said he would look into it further. The committee then heard House Bill 2927, which would revise Missouri’s bad faith/time-limited settlement demand statute. Sponsor Representative Parker said the bill is intended to clarify that settlement demands used to support extra-contractual or bad faith claims must be in writing, remain open for at least 90 days, and reference the statute. Supporters, including representatives of the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Shelter Insurance, and health care and business groups, said the bill closes a loophole created when plaintiffs avoid the current “time-limited demand” language and instead use untimed or vaguely timed demands, which they argued increases litigation and insurance costs. Opponents, including attorney Blake Marcus, argued the bill would make it harder for injured people and policyholders to hold insurers accountable, would encourage delay, and would increase the need to hire lawyers earlier. No vote was taken on HB 2927 in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2057, a technical fix for an entertainment district in Osage Beach. Representative Vernetti said the bill corrects language from last year’s legislation after the Senate used the wrong population figure, and supporters said it would allow patrons to move between venues within the district under controlled alcohol rules similar to other Missouri entertainment zones. The committee then heard House Bill 1707, which would exempt credit card surcharge amounts from sales tax. Sponsor Representative Coleman and supporters from the business community said the Department of Revenue has been taxing these surcharges in audits, creating a burden for small businesses, and that the bill would clarify that fees tied to the extension of credit are not taxable. The committee adjourned after the hearings, and no further votes were taken on those bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The idea of prohibiting hidden fees would harm small businesses ignores the key issue.
• small businesses ignores the would harm small businesses ignores the key<01:43:31.880><c> issue</c><
• </c><01:52:09.560><c> business</c> are just destroying the small business are just destroying the small
• c> a</c><01:59:53.960><c> million</c> a a small business that does a million a a small business that
• A small business on their own is going to pay three and a half, four, 4 and a half percent.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a small business owner and being self-employed, I have had a $10,000 deductible.
• I hold licenses in a couple of other states, but I also own a small business of eight people.
• And as a small business, we practice against draftspersons.
• I hold licenses in a couple of other states, but I also own a small business of eight people.
• And as a small business, we practice against draft people. We practice against small business.

Committee: House Business

Summary: The House Business Committee heard several bills, beginning with House Bill 529, which would let insured Idahoans negotiate a lower cash price for covered medical services and have that amount count toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Sponsors described the bill as a patient-centered cost-saving measure and offered friendly amendments to clarify terms and make the bill operational. Testimony included support from a policy advocate and a physician who warned the bill could lead insurers to lower reimbursement rates over time. After questions about prior authorization, billing, and fraud concerns, the committee voted to send HB 529 to general orders. The committee then advanced House Bill 775, which would allow a bankruptcy debtor’s one exempt motor vehicle to qualify for the exemption regardless of whether it is operable, registered, or insured. The sponsor said the bill addresses cases where a debtor’s only transportation was denied exemption because the vehicle was not currently functional. After brief questioning, the committee voted to send HB 775 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 773, a code cleanup measure removing obsolete provisions related to corporate credit unions and cemetery statutes, also received a due pass recommendation. House Bill 787, which merges the Board of Podiatry into the Board of Medicine and moves some podiatry rules into statute, was likewise sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 790, a contested bill creating a voluntary certification for qualified interior designers to sign and seal limited non-structural, non-seismic interior plans. Supporters said it would reduce costs and delays and help retain Idaho graduates, while opponents from the architecture profession argued the bill lacked clarity, could create unintended consequences, and should not bypass architect oversight. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee voted to send HB 790 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and adjourned at the floor deadline.

Transcript Highlights:

• Real quick, and I'm running short on time, but I just want to say the port has had a small business program
• We have a number of small businesses, minority businesses, women-owned businesses, and non-union labor
• And so what they have currently in place has not prevented small businesses nor minority businesses nor
• In the last three fiscal years, the port's small business participation has ranged from 24% to 42%.
• Three fiscal years, the port's small business participation has ranged from 24% to 42%.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a full agenda of bills covering port procurement, housing litigation, special district audits, cemetery district governance, county discretionary funding transparency, labor standards in density bonus projects, transit planning, and homeowner code enforcement. SB 983 would let the Port of San Diego use job order contracting for smaller repair and maintenance work; supporters said it would speed repairs and reduce costs, while opponents raised concerns about construction definitions and project labor agreement language. SB 1256 sought to limit repeated litigation against the Harmony Grove Village South housing project; supporters framed it as a response to duplicative lawsuits delaying housing, while opponents argued it could weaken wildfire and subdivision-map review. SB 992 would make permanent and expand a small special district audit flexibility, and SB 1115 would give Tulare County a narrower way to remove dysfunctional cemetery district trustees rather than taking over the district entirely. Both drew support from county and district representatives, with CSDA opposing SB 1115 but continuing talks on amendments. The committee also considered SB 1193, which would impose transparency and conflict-of-interest guardrails on Alameda County discretionary funding. The author and supporters said the bill responds to grand jury findings and would require clearer public reporting and board approval, while Alameda County argued it already has strong public processes and that the bill is overly restrictive. SB 1383 would clarify that density bonus projects cannot use incentives and concessions to waive locally adopted labor standards; labor groups supported it as protecting worker safety and wages, while housing interests were not present in opposition during the hearing. SB 1361 would prevent local governments from undermining planned transit projects to avoid SB 79 density requirements; LA Metro and labor supported it as protecting transit investment, and the Bay Area Council withdrew opposition. SB 1272, the CASH Act, would give homeowners more time to cure certain non-safety code violations tied to prior owners’ work, with counties and code enforcement groups opposing the introduced version but saying they were working on amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, many on amended or consent motions, with some remaining on call before later final votes were recorded. SB 983, SB 992, SB 1115, SB 1193, SB 1256, SB 1383, SB 1361, and SB 1272 all ultimately received committee approval, while the consent calendar bills SB 1187 and SB 1388 were also adopted. The chair repeatedly noted ongoing negotiations on several measures, especially SB 983, SB 1193, and SB 1272, and members emphasized wildfire safety, transparency, and labor protections as key issues during debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, these federal venture capital funds that come through the state small business credit, um, from the
• small business credit um from the American Rescue Plan.
• One, through the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which is where this money comes from from the
• 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.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then for small and independent businesses, that is not incremental.
• businesses and small grocery retailers to be able to identify what that looks like.
• businesses, because I have many small businesses, how you would respond to something that was more volumetric
• businesses, because I have many small businesses, how you would respond to something that was more volumetric
• You're not thinking about small businesses. We don't want youth to get access.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2483, which would create an annual data broker registry at the Department of Licensing beginning in 2027. Staff explained that data brokers would have to register, pay a fee, and disclose information about the types of data collected, security measures, opt-out options, and whether precise geolocation or consumer health data is involved. Prime sponsor Rep. Kloba said the bill is intended to make data collection and resale more visible to consumers and to address harms such as scams, tracking, and surveillance pricing. Testimony was mixed: TechNet, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Retail Association opposed the bill as drafted, saying the definition of data broker is too broad and could sweep in businesses that are not true data brokers, while the sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying amendments and public-data carve-outs. The committee then heard House Bill 2400, which would regulate monetized social media content featuring children. Staff described provisions requiring vloggers above certain revenue thresholds to register with the Department of Revenue, creating trust accounts for minor children appearing in monetized videos, allowing young adults to request deletion of monetized childhood content, requiring reporting by social media services, and establishing civil penalties and statutory damages. Rep. Reeves said the bill is meant to draw a line between ordinary family posting and monetizing children online, citing concerns about child labor protections and exploitation. TechNet and AWB opposed the bill, arguing that social media platforms should not be made the middleman for trust accounts and that the private right of action and enforcement structure should be revisited; they urged further work during the interim. Finally, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2439, an omnibus tobacco and vapor product bill. Staff said it would create a responsible vendor program, raise license fees and penalties, require retailers to buy from licensed wholesalers or distributors, add certification requirements for vapor manufacturers, study extended producer responsibility for vapor waste, expand lab testing authority, tighten age-verification rules, prohibit certain imitation or entertainment vapor products, remove state preemption so local governments could adopt stricter rules, and redirect portions of tobacco tax revenue to public health accounts. Supporters, including public health groups, King County, the American Heart Association, and pediatricians, backed the youth-prevention, local-control, and funding provisions. Industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill, focusing on the loss of preemption, higher fees, compliance burdens, and the risk of pushing sales to the illicit market; some also argued the bill should rely more on state-level uniform regulation and stronger enforcement rather than new restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a great way to start a business.
• Most food businesses, many food businesses, I should say, start this way.
• These are small entrepreneurs, small businesses.
• And I think it's a balance of public safety and helping a small business get started.
• And I think it's a balance of public safety and helping a small business get started.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee opened with roll call, approved the February 3 and 4 minutes, and set aside House Bill 496 at the sponsor’s request for a later date. The committee then introduced RS 33187, sponsored by Representative Wheeler, which would create an evidence-based cardiac emergency response framework for Idaho schools, including AED access, staff training, and coordinated response plans. Wheeler cited a real-life school cardiac incident and said the American Heart Association supports the concept; the committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee next heard House Bill 526 from Representative Ehlers on cottage food operations. The bill would allow small sellers with annual sales of $5,000 or less to sell certain time- and temperature-controlled foods, such as ice cream, bacon, and salsa, under cottage food rules rather than requiring commercial kitchen inspections and permits. Ehlers said the measure is intended to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs while keeping labeling requirements in place, including contact information, home-kitchen disclosure, and allergen warnings. Elizabeth Criner of Food Northwest testified in opposition to the bill as drafted, saying the current cottage food rules are designed for shelf-stable products and that expanding to time- and temperature-controlled foods raises food safety concerns. She also said the bill was unclear about whether existing labeling and safety rules would still apply, especially for allergens. Committee members asked about allergen labeling, the $5,000 threshold, and consumer responsibility. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to send House Bill 526 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then adjourned and announced it would meet again the next day at 8:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• to small businesses statewide.
• There's a huge difference between a microbusiness and a small business.
• our programs to really benefit those who are real small businesses.
• Small business growth, or micro-businesses as well, is one of the most effective mechanisms we have for
• Ramos was talking about, a small business?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held a hearing on the impact of federal policy on the racial wealth gap in Massachusetts, the fourth in a series on federal impacts on racial equity. Chair Bud Williams and Chair Miranda opened by emphasizing that no bills were being heard and that the committee would instead take testimony from invited witnesses; public written testimony was also accepted. The chairs and witnesses repeatedly cited long-standing wealth disparities affecting Black and brown communities, including homeownership, wages, business ownership, and access to capital, and linked those disparities to federal policy changes, housing, education, health care, and workforce development. Administration officials testified first. Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones described persistent labor market disparities, including higher unemployment for Black and Latino residents, lower median hourly wages, and underemployment among degree holders, and highlighted state efforts such as ESOL-for-work funding, workforce training grants, MassHire career centers, skills-based hiring, and the state equity dashboards. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiami Mahania argued that poverty drives poor health, not the reverse, and said wealth gaps contribute to chronic disease, maternal health inequities, medical debt, and shorter life expectancy; she pointed to the Advancing Health Equity Massachusetts initiative, a health care affordability working group, and the governor’s push to bar medical debt from credit reporting. Assistant Secretary Juan Vega of EOED focused on entrepreneurship and procurement, citing technical assistance grants, founder support programs, place-based investment, the Business Front Door, and the need to broaden access to contracts, capital, and business growth opportunities. Committee members pressed the panel on the effects of the federal “big beautiful bill” on households, especially single-parent and Black women-led households, and on whether the state could develop more timely data systems instead of relying on federal numbers. Officials said the impacts were still being monitored, but warned that Medicaid and SNAP changes would likely hit lower-income households and community institutions hard. Members also asked about unions and apprenticeships, microbusiness definitions, supplier diversity, pay equity, and degree inflation; the administration said registered apprenticeships and skills-based hiring are key tools, and noted that wage equity reporting is still in its early stages. Later testimony from BECMA’s Nicole O’Bean stressed that tariffs, DEI rollbacks, immigration enforcement, capital gaps, and federal funding cuts are constraining Black-owned businesses and inclusive procurement, while Gastón Institute researchers described severe Latino homeownership and rent burdens, educational inequities, and the need for housing, labor, and education policy changes to close the wealth gap.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a number of small businesses, minority businesses, women-owned businesses, and non-union labor
• businesses minority businesses women owned businesses and non-union labor participation small businesses
• The sponsor did refer to the fact that the Port District does have outreach to small businesses.
• Thirty-eight percent were small business, 15% were minority business, and 8% were disabled veteran business
• And so what they have currently in place has not prevented small businesses nor minority businesses nor

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear a long agenda of local government, housing, labor, and transparency bills. The committee first adopted the consent calendar for SB 1187 and SB 1388, then heard SB 983, which would authorize the Port of San Diego to use job order contracting for repairs and repetitive maintenance work. Supporters said the bill would speed emergency and small repairs and reduce costs, while opponents raised concerns about construction definitions and project labor agreement language. The bill was ultimately moved forward on a 2-2 vote after discussion of amendments and labor negotiations, and later the committee’s final roll call showed it passing out on a 5-2 vote. The committee also heard SB 1256, aimed at limiting duplicative litigation over a San Diego County housing project, and SB 992, which would make permanent and expand a small special-district audit flexibility by raising the revenue threshold from $150,000 to $250,000. SB 1256 drew support from the author and project counsel, who argued the project had already been litigated and was delaying needed housing, while opponents said the bill would interfere with wildfire and subdivision-map review. SB 992 had support from county auditors and special districts, with no opposition, and was approved 5-0. SB 1115, addressing governance failures at the Tulare County Public Cemetery District by allowing county supervisors to remove an individual trustee for cause, also passed unanimously after testimony describing serious dysfunction and opposition from the California Special Districts Association. The committee then took up SB 1193, which would impose transparency and approval requirements on Alameda County discretionary funding to nonprofits and other entities. The author and supporters described the bill as a response to grand jury findings and alleged conflicts of interest, while Alameda County argued its current process is already transparent and that the bill would add burdens and could harm services. After amendments and discussion, the bill passed 5-0. SB 1383, a density bonus law bill clarifying that local labor standards cannot be waived through density bonus concessions, was supported by labor groups and moved forward despite no opposition, with the final roll call showing it passing out 5-1. SB 1361, intended to prevent local governments from undermining transit projects because of SB 79 density concerns, also passed after support from L.A. Metro and labor and no formal opposition, with the final vote recorded as 5-2. The committee later resumed to hear SB 1272, the CASH Act, which would limit certain sanctions on homeowners for prior unpermitted work by previous owners; the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full testimony and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• home in some of our small towns.
• </c><00:02:05.680><c> provisions,</c> including these two small provisions, including these two small
• </c> home in some of our small home in some of our small towns.<00:03:42.959><c> You</c><00:03:43.120
• For the Secretary of State to make sure our businesses can file and that they can run their businesses
• For the Secretary of State to make sure our businesses can file and that they can run their businesses

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We need a regulatory framework that reflects the progress of our small business community.
• They're a signal that our current system isn't working for small businesses.
• And this opportunity will afford that for future small businesses.
• and this opportunity will afford that for future small businesses.
• It's extremely important to keep our small businesses alive.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• access to financing to small businesses statewide.
• There's a huge difference between a microbusiness and a small business.
• our programs to really benefit those who are real small businesses.
• At the core of our work is a clear understanding: small business growth, or micro-businesses as well,
• Ramos was talking about, a small business?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:40.880><c> businesses,</c><00:08:41.440><c> and</c><00:08:41.599><c> stifle</c> harm small
• businesses, and stifle harm small businesses, and stifle innovation. innovation. innovation.
• </c><00:08:50.120><c> businesses</c><00:08:50.680><c> they</c> advantages over small businesses they
• advantages over small businesses they claim<00:08:51.120><c> to</c><00:08:51.240><c> be</c><00:08:51.360
• <00:22:55.240><c> business</c><00:22:55.560><c> consultant,</c><00:22:56.560><c> former</c> small business

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But can you share a little bit about what the impact is on job creation, small business sustainability
• But what are we seeing in terms of job creation, cultural workers, and small business creation?
• And ensuring that we allow for these arts organizations, small businesses, and nonprofits to be able
• We finance affordable housing, small businesses, entrepreneurs, health clinics, and other child care
• We finance affordable housing, small businesses, entrepreneurs, health clinics, and other child care

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an item on the vehicle license fee backfill for counties, focused largely on San Mateo County and the related excess ERAF calculation. Department of Finance staff said the administration does not propose the requested $119 million backfill, arguing the payment is discretionary and that the existing statutory formula should continue to operate as written. Senators and public witnesses, including Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier, argued the state has a longstanding obligation to local governments and that San Mateo County faces severe service cuts without the funds; they also discussed whether the issue could be solved through local school district boundary changes or other structural fixes. The chair held the item open after testimony. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department presented SB 851 implementation funding of $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software to track election-related litigation, update voting system standards, and expand vendor notice requirements. Members asked about election security, the impact of recent federal court decisions, the end of federal HAVA funds in 2027-28, and the staffing and timeline needed to implement the law. The committee also heard a $11.8 million General Fund request for the Cal Access Replacement System, intended to replace the outdated campaign finance and lobbying disclosure platform; staff said the project is on track for a November 2026 go-live with a stabilization period afterward. A separate item sought $9.795 million Business Fees Fund for the Notary Automation Program replacement, with the department explaining delays were due to more planning, a 2025 special election, and the need to secure a contractor, with go-live now projected for 2029. All three items were held open. The Department of Veterans Affairs presented its overall status and then its Yountville skilled nursing facility project. CalVet described progress on veterans homes, home loans, housing programs, and mental health initiatives, while noting higher-acuity needs among older veterans and continued support for underserved groups. For Yountville, the department said the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building, though some functions will remain in the old building and other campus projects, including roof and steam system work, are still underway. Members also raised concerns about retroactive tax liabilities for employees whose housing fringe benefits had not been reported, and CalVet said it has corrected the reporting, retrained staff, and is working with employees on repayment and lease adjustments. The committee also discussed a proposal to eliminate vacant positions under Control Section 4.12; CalVet said the positions were long vacant and could be given back without harming operations, while the LAO noted the Legislature had not concurred and keeping them would increase General Fund costs. The item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an informational update on its work and the cultural districts program. The director described the council’s grantmaking, technical assistance, and support for 24 cultural districts statewide, while members emphasized the economic and preservation value of arts funding and urged more investment, including a proposed $50 million General Fund augmentation and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts. Staff explained that the original cultural district funding was reduced and that the program is currently unfunded and lacks dedicated staff, limiting its ability to expand beyond a small share of applications. Members from different regions noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural district designations and pressed the council to broaden access beyond major urban areas. The item was informational only, with no vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• :12:40.880><c> businesses</c> and the small businesses and the small businesses such<00:12:43.680><c>
• And exception for the small businesses.
• </c><00:27:50.559><c> businesses</c> part are essentially small businesses part are essentially small
• </c><00:31:14.000><c> questions,</c> small businesses and to your questions, small businesses and to
• The financial buffer is probably very small for the small businesses.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all