Transcript Highlights:

• Further, the commission is tasked with studying and reviewing: one, the cost of small businesses operating
• businesses; and three, the impact of Section 28A of Chapter 140D of the General Laws on small businesses
• The commission shall report on the impact on small businesses operating in the Commonwealth and provide
• I am Deco Gibral, Director of Small Business Development at the Executive Office of Economic Development
• I am a small business owner based on Martha’s Vineyard. Welcome, India. Thank you.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The House and Senate chairs opened the first organizational meeting of the special commission created by Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024 to study the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card and the impacts on small businesses. They explained that the commission’s charge includes reviewing payment trends, cashless transactions, credit card fees, mobile payments, buy now/pay later financing, the costs to small businesses of accepting different forms of payment, and the impact of Section 28A of Chapter 140D. No testimony was taken at this first meeting; it was intended to introduce commission members, outline the process, and begin planning future hearings and a final report with recommendations or options for the Legislature. Members discussed possible hearing topics, including business and consumer impacts of credit card fees, surcharges, and gratuities; the legal and regulatory landscape; and policy considerations such as transparency, reporting requirements, and possible limits on fees. Several members supported the commission’s scope and noted the issue’s timeliness, citing the growth of cashless transactions and the burden of swipe fees on retailers and restaurants. One member suggested the commission also consider cryptocurrency in transactions, and another raised the possibility of holding hearings outside the State House to improve access for small businesses around the state. The chairs said the first public hearing is tentatively set for April 8 in Gardner Auditorium, with additional hearings to be scheduled depending on interest and sign-ups. They said testimony may be offered in person, online, or in writing, and that written testimony will be part of the record. The commission also encouraged members and interested parties to suggest experts, topics, and report formats as the study develops. The meeting ended with a motion to close and an affirmative vote to adjourn.

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:

• 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:

• 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:

• </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:

• Section 50 says if the Division of Small Business makes an award that is not approved by the Council
• Section 51 says if the Director of Small Business and Secretary of Finance determine it advisable to
• Section 57 for the Small Business Financial Development Fund authorizes up to $5 million.
• Section 57 for the Small Business Financial Development Fund authorizes up to $5 million from the fund
• to support programs that provide financial assistance to further small business development.

Committee: Joint Capital Improvement

Summary: The committee met for a fiscal year 2027 capital budget writing session with all 12 members present. It first reviewed and approved the DNREC Resource Conservation and Development drainage project list, which would add projects across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties and bring the total eligible projects to 1,561. Members offered personal remarks thanking retiring conservation district staff, especially Kevin Donnelly, for years of work on drainage and water issues. The committee then reviewed DelDOT Rule 12 changes, including annual date updates and a reduction in the inflation markup applied to older estimates, and approved the rule as amended. The committee next adopted DelDOT Appendix A and the FY27 paving and rehabilitation list, including the subdivision street management fund and various road resurfacing projects. DelDOT explained that paving projects are for state-of-good-repair work and that major changes from corridor studies would be handled separately. The committee also approved DelDOT epilogue changes, including updates to authorization amounts, a $25 million increase for toll infrastructure work, changes to subdivision street paving language, and an increase in the subdivision street paving management fund to $30 million. Several sections were placed on hold for later updates. The committee then moved through boilerplate epilogue sections in the bond bill, approving a wide range of provisions affecting conservation districts, housing, economic development, corrections, DNREC, public safety, transportation, agriculture, fire prevention, education, and other agencies. Many sections were adopted in groups, while some were held for later revisions or deleted as no longer needed. The session included updates to school capital rules, transportation restrictions and reporting requirements, DNREC conservation and land-use provisions, and funding and administrative authorities across multiple agencies. The committee broke for lunch after approving the education-related sections through 147, with additional sections still pending.

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:

• In our small community, we have about 60 special ed students in our small...
• So we're just going to use my small school, for example.
• It makes it so that a small district doesn't have to hire three people to take care of... ...that a small
• We serve about 200 students a year, so it's a small school—never big enough, of course, but it's small
• That's something we have in April or May at our school, where a lot of business representatives and business

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began by approving a change to the agenda and then approved the minutes from a prior meeting. It then took up House Joint Memorial 11, which urges Idaho’s congressional delegation to fully fund the federal IDEA commitment for special education. Senator Burtenshaw argued that Congress promised up to 40% of national average per-pupil spending but has never met that threshold, leaving Idaho districts to cover large shortfalls through local funds and levies. A representative from Fruitland School District testified in support, describing a nearly $790,000 local gap and saying the memorial would send a unified message to federal lawmakers. Senator Zito opposed the memorial, saying the federal government has failed to meet its commitment for decades and that Idaho should stop relying on federal promises, though he emphasized his support for special-needs students. The committee voted to send H.J.M. 11 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senator Zito requesting to be recorded as voting no. The committee next considered RS 33-392, a proposal to create regional service centers so school districts and charter schools can share specialized services that are difficult or costly to provide independently, especially in rural areas. Burtenshaw said the measure would help districts share staff such as speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, and business managers, with no new ongoing funding required beyond a one-time $1 million startup amount already reflected in the governor’s budget. The committee voted to send the proposal forward for a full hearing. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to informational presentations. Jason Sevy, president of the Idaho School Board Association and chair of the Marsing School Board, described Marsing’s community schools model, which partners with nonprofits and service providers to address food insecurity, health needs, mental health, and attendance barriers. He said the model improved student engagement and attendance and asked policymakers to remove funding barriers so districts can use resources more flexibly. The committee then heard from Meridian Technical Charter High School leaders and students, who described the school’s career-and-technical education model, internships, high graduation rates, industry credentials, and student leadership opportunities. Students said the school helped them find career direction and build confidence, and the school leader discussed possible expansion through hybrid models and the need for continued advocacy for school programs.

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:

• 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:

• 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:

• Fairly busy day again today.
• Starting or buying into an existing vet business is happening less frequently in small communities.
• Ag business is our retirement.
• In 2018, after 26 years, I sold my ag business, but ag businesses are difficult to sell.
• Aging vets are exiting their businesses.

Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Would this also impact small, small? It would impact the—well, small, small.
• Yes, I understand, but there are also small, small. Small, small. Well, large, large, small, so...
• That would be great to see the impact of the small businesses. Absolutely, yeah.
• Small businesses, absolutely, yeah. Okay.
• Please stop attacking our pharmacies and small businesses.

Bills: SB5989 , SB5898 , SB6240 , SB6244 , SB6231 , SB6228 , SB6220

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, aeronautics, taxation, aircraft fuel, state funding, aviation fuel, hazardous substance tax, air quality, noise mitigation, environmental impact, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, data center

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a wife, a homeschool mother of four, here on a field trip today, and a small business owner.
• I'm a wife, a homeschool mother of four, here on a field trip today, and a small business owner.
• What we've built through our small business is how we provide stability, security, and opportunity for
• But I do not consider a small business.
• But I do not consider it a small business.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, when natural disasters hit Texas, small business.
• We represent over 20,000 small business owners here in Texas.
• I have many of these small business owners who are impacted by natural disasters.
• When a disaster hits, often small businesses need an injection of capital to get them through.
• This bill will help small businesses have access to capital so they can cover crucial expenses.

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> either</c> Startups and small businesses either Startups and small businesses either leave,<00:03
• 00:04:57.680><c> businesses</c> those facilities, these small businesses those facilities, these small
• </c><00:05:32.800><c> businesses,</c> research and these small businesses, research and these small businesses
• </c> states make it easier for small states make it easier for small businesses<00:10:40.160><c> to</
• Focused on physical capacity for these small businesses, not programming.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:08 Infrastructure Grant Program 00:00:45 SB 76 Discussion 00:25:50 SB 76 Vote 00:31:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, so it began with an informational presentation from Dr. Kristen Goodell, executive director of LifeKY, about innovation infrastructure and a proposed grant program to support life sciences and other startup facilities. She argued that Kentucky’s research investments only translate into jobs and companies if startups have access to physical lab and equipment space, and said shared facilities can serve many companies over time. Goodell described LifeKY’s Northern Kentucky facility as a proof of concept, noting it has attracted companies from other states and Japan, secured a Thermo Fisher Scientific partnership, and could be replicated elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Members asked about university pipelines, local talent development, sustainability, and how the grant program would measure return on investment; Goodell emphasized public-private partnerships, earned revenue, philanthropy, internships, and STEM programming as part of the model. The committee then took up Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would limit school board occupational license tax increases by raising the population threshold for such increases from 300,000 to 500,000. Bledsoe said the bill was intended to respond to Fayette County’s recent tax controversy, restore public trust, and provide stability for employees, employers, and the school system. He argued that occupational taxes affect many commuters who work in Fayette County but live elsewhere, and said the measure would give time for community buy-in before any future increase. Supportive comments came from Senator Nunn and others, while Senator Boswell asked about the tax rate and cautioned against local tax increases offsetting state income tax reductions. After discussion, the committee called the roll on SB 76. The bill advanced on a roll-call vote, with Senator Armstrong explaining a no vote because he did not want to take tools away from local government and preferred local control. The transcript indicates the measure moved forward from committee after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• business owners, and employees in local businesses.
• I mean, I care deeply about people, whether they're small landlords or tenants, small business owners
• It hurts the small businesses in...” “...our communities, and it hurts them as a small entrepreneur.
• Many housing providers in Quincy are not large corporations; they are local residents and small business
• I didn't become a statistic of my environment, but now the small business that I sacrificed to build

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• They hinder small business creation.
• > compete</c><01:33:02.639><c> with</c> small businesses that might compete with small businesses that
• Um, the small business assistance appropriation for the small business assistance, as a small business
• Um, the small business assistance appropriation for the small business assistance, as a small business
• Tariffs are throwing small businesses out of business.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:19.120><c> businesses</c> housed and fed and small businesses housed and fed and small businesses
• </c> application for a privately funded small application for a privately funded small business<00:37
• </c><00:39:15.040><c> businesses</c> are helping small businesses are helping small businesses within
• </c> small businesses and our artist small businesses and our artist engagement<01:13:18.320><c> programs
• businesses</c><01:34:23.520><c> get</c> branding that small businesses get branding that small businesses

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house