Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in support of H.R. 3496, the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act.
• A bill to amend the Small Business Act to require Small Business Development Centers to assist small
• H.R. 5784, a bill to amend the Small Business Act to help small businesses critically evaluate artificial
• For a small business owner like myself, every dollar matters. The act helps bridge that gap.
• A bill to amend the Small Business Act to require small business development centers to assist small

Bills: HB5764 , HB5763 , HB1663 , HR659 , HB5784 , HB5788 , HB3496

Keywords: AI for Main Street Act, artificial intelligence, small business, small business development centers, SBDC, Small Business Act, business technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data protection, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, business training, entrepreneurship, technology adoption, AI literacy, outreach, main street businesses, Main Street Parity Act, Small Business Investment Act of 1958

Transcript Highlights:

• :27:39.120><c> business</c> about putting American small business about putting American small business
• </c><02:33:36.560><c> business</c> outreach, and even in small business outreach, and even in small business
• Union Calendar Number 79, H.R. 2987, a bill to amend the Small Business Act to require a limit on the
• require</c> amend the Small Business Act to require amend the Small Business Act to require a<02:55:38.800
• small business act to bill to amend the small business act to require<03:18:00.239><c> a</c><03:18:00.479

Bills: HB2987 , HB2931

Keywords: small business lending company, SBLC, SBA lending, Small Business Administration, section 7 loans, small business loans, loan guarantee, lender cap, financial institutions, credit access, small business finance, nonprofit lenders, business lending, CEASE Act, House passage, Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, sanctuary jurisdictions, office relocation, immigration policy, government operations

Transcript Highlights:

• business accountability act will continue this work by moving the women-owned small business program
• canceled covered solicitations, to amend the Small Business Act to provide assistance to small business
• </c> solicitations to amend the Small solicitations to amend the Small Business<03:45:45.840><c> Act<
• Act to provide assistance to Business Act to provide assistance to small<03:45:47.600><c> business</
• </c> to start their own small business. to start their own small business.

Bills: HB1804 , HB1642 , HB1621 , HB1634 , HR789 , HR787 , HB1816 , HB3490 , SB160

Keywords: 7(a) loan program, Small Business Administration, SBA, small business lending, loan brokers, loan consultants, referral agents, loan intermediaries, fraud oversight, transparency, reporting requirements, loan fees, referral fees, interest rates, business financing, small business loans, lender oversight, application assistance, Congressional reporting, small business

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:28.080><c> owners,</c> public advocates, business owners, public advocates, business owners
• From that small act in 1946 grew the City Rescue Mission, an institution that has spent eight decades
• . act. act.
• </c> Act. Don't listen to what they say. Act.
• </c> Act. I reserve. Act. I reserve.

Bills: HR1115 , SB3971 , HB4294

Keywords: rules resolution, special rule, House procedure, floor consideration, lead ammunition, lead tackle, fishing tackle, hunting, wildlife management, federal lands, federal waters, Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, immigration and nationality act, inadmissible, deportable, public benefits fraud, fraud against the United States, alien deportation, law enforcement animals

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, the Small Business Innovation Research Program, or SBIR, and the Small Business Technology
• and small business owners.
• in Nevada are small businesses.
• The Small Business Technology Council.
• Rothside, every day I hear from small businesses in North Carolina, particularly small businesses with

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.

Transcript Highlights:

• true small businesses.
• The Small Business Tax Provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have been in place for nearly eight
• We as small business, truly small businesses, don't have the negotiating power that a large business
• I have a my wife is a small business owner but she's like most small business owners 81 percent a small
• The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was a tremendous lifeline for small businesses across the nation, and

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation

Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses uh or certifying small businesses uh or certifying small businesses<02:24:23.840><c> to</
• </c> small businesses afloat. small businesses afloat.
• Running a small business, it's really an act of faith.
• an Running a small business, it's really an act<02:46:18.960><c> of</c><02:46:19.120><c> faith.
• </c> small businesses. And I yield back. small businesses. And I yield back.

Bills: HB4423 , HB5348 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4429 , HB3716 , HR225 , HB5349 , HB5346 , HB5345 , HB5284 , HB4313 , HR1262 , SB616 , HR176 , HB2159 , HB4323 , HB2066 , HB4549 , HB4495 , HB4491 , HB3174

Keywords: Burma, Myanmar, World Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, foreign aid, sanctions, military coup, democracy, development financing, multilateral lending, Treasury Department, Executive Director, international financial institutions, human rights, junta, national interest waiver, Social Security, SSN, Social Security number

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our economy and our small businesses. our economy and our small businesses.
• </c> Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act. Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act.
• businesses by supporting the Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act.
• Act, which reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer
• Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3971, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act.

Bills: HR831 , HB6380 , HR528 , HB2196 , HB5729 , HB5254 , HB4294 , HB3073 , HB2294 , HB1665 , HB4284 , HB4467 , HB2709 , HB1422 , SB1884 , SB3971

Keywords: Down syndrome, awareness month, federal funding, research, advocacy, healthcare, quality of life, disabilities, Vietnam veterans, recognition, freedom, democracy, military service, Save Our Sequoias Act, giant sequoia, giant sequoias, Sequoiadendron giganteum, California forests, wildfire resilience, forest management

Transcript Highlights:

• > Business</c> According to the Small Business According to the Small Business Administration,<04:28:
• to small business investor capital<04:36:53.680><c> act</c><04:36:54.320><c> makes</c><04:36:54.561>
• :57.840><c> businesses,</c> unlock capital for small businesses, unlock capital for small businesses,
• > Business</c> According to the Small Business According to the Small Business Administration,<05:22:
• </c><05:40:58.160><c> Business</c> of the Advocate for Small Business of the Advocate for Small Business

Bills: HB3422 , HB3394 , HB1998 , HB2808 , HR1190 , HB3381 , HB3301 , HB2225 , HB3352 , HB1713 , HR910 , HR1082 , HB1520 , HB1664 , HB1767 , HB2269 , HB1679 , HB2481 , HB1737 , HR260

Keywords: small business, capital formation, securities exchange act, SEC, Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, underrepresented entrepreneurs, rural businesses, natural disasters, hurricanes, small business investors, capital raising, fundraising, crowdfunding, angel investors, venture capital, state securities commissions, blue sky laws, business outreach

Transcript Highlights:

• Res. 75. lose situation for small business owners lose situation for small business owners and<04:08:
• just</c> position on small businesses uh is just position on small businesses uh is just false<04:12
• ><c> on</c> on small businesses that rely on on small businesses that rely on Commercial<04:14:17.840
• If Congress does not act, this final regulation will harm small businesses, drive up costs for American
• ><c> if</c> on small businesses and consumers if on small businesses and consumers if small<04:38:29.240

Bills: HJR75

Keywords: HJR75, H.J.Res. 75, Congressional Review Act, CRA, Department of Energy, DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, energy conservation standards, commercial refrigerators, commercial freezers, refrigerator-freezers, appliance standards, energy efficiency, federal regulation, regulatory disapproval, small business compliance, manufacturers, commercial refrigeration, Public Law 119-9

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3351, the Improving Access to Small Business Information Act.
• </c><04:56:22.080><c> I'd</c> to Small Business Information Act.
• I'd to Small Business Information Act.
• </c> of small businesses. of small businesses.
• </c> small businesses will be. small businesses will be.

Bills: HB3351 , HB3095 , HB1450 , HB1716 , HB1764 , HB3395 , HB2384 , HB3357 , HB3339 , HB1469 , HB3343 , HB3382 , HR1043 , HR131 , HR183 , HR672 , HB2625 , HB2170 , SB201 , SB423

Keywords: small business, capital formation, financial regulation, Securities Exchange Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, ZIP Code, postal service, community designation, local governance, postal infrastructure, OFAC, Office of Foreign Assets Control, sanctions, licensing, investigators, private sector firms, nominal transactions, financial transactions, pilot program, FinCEN

Transcript Highlights:

• business loan program.
• business loan program.
• The release of the protected information could be used by fraudulent Small business loan program.
• Okay, members, that concludes our business for today.
• Seeing no objections, we will accept that, and seeing there's no other business before the committee,

Bills: S7000 , S7002 , S7004 , S7006 , S7008 , S7012 , S7014 , S7016 , S0350

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Keywords: public records exemption, open government sunset review, OGSR, emergency shelter, public emergency shelter, storm shelter, catastrophic event, evacuees, disaster response, hurricane, evacuation, privacy, confidential records, address confidentiality, telephone number, Florida Statutes section 252.385, agency records, public records law, Open Government Sunset Review Act, Florida Public Service Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of business, members, item number 6, House Bill 3920 will be laid over.
• This is a revision to the Smaller Employer Quality Jobs Act.
• A lot of them, a lot of businesses don't meet the number of jobs.
• I can think off of the top of my head acts of God.
• I can understand the act of God.

Bills: HB3044 , HB3465 , HB3625 , HB3704 , HB3759 , HB3920 , HB3972 , HB4191 , HB4311 , HB4426

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: veterans, tax refund, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, capital improvement, donations, Oklahoma Emission Reduction, incentive, taxation, environment, revenue, investment, school funds, treasurer, education funding, financial policy, income tax, scholarship, tax credit, Oklahoma Tax Commission, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for small business owners. for small business owners.
• If we do not act, the faster we stabilize small businesses, the faster we stabilize our communities.
• If we do not act, the faster we stabilize small businesses, the faster we stabilize our communities.
• If we do not act, the faster we stabilize small businesses, the faster we stabilize our communities.
• </c><00:54:08.480><c> business,</c> affect all of us, small business, affect all of us, small business

Bills: HF4477

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: Minnesota business recovery loan program, small business loan, zero-interest loan, forgivable loan, business recovery, economic development, small business emergency loan account, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, nonprofit lenders, greater Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, seven-county metropolitan area, immigration enforcement, business interruption, revenue loss, job preservation, business stabilization, state appropriation, forward fund, loan forgiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, when you look at small businesses, the federal designation of a small business is different
• than how LED looks at a small business.
• businesses, because we do want to grow our small businesses, that whatever the discretion is, whatever
• So I think that's one way to lower the cost for small business.
• So I think that's one way to lower the cost for small business.

Bills: HB207 , HB267 , HB300 , HB464 , HB618 , HB853

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board, auctioneer licensing, professional licensing board, board membership, gubernatorial appointments, consumer members, public at large, Public Service Commission district, East Baton Rouge Parish, venue, domicile, licensure requirements, licensed auctioneer, occupational licensing, state board governance, Act 138, home inspectors, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is the Breeding Animals Responsibly and with Care Act.
• And members, this is the Breeding Animals Responsibly and with Care Act.
• Thank you. ...of care that are required by the Commercial Pet Breeders Act.
• It's only those that, again, want to be licensed, but also those that are in violation of the act.
• Violation of the act. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Representative Roe, you're recognized for a question.

Bills: HB3056 , HB3391 , HB3657 , HB3617 , HB4055 , HB3720 , HB3902

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: raw milk, unpasteurized, farm sales, Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, local producers, advertising, animal welfare, commercial pet breeders, licensing, animal cruelty, labor, employment definitions, agricultural services, Oklahoma Workforce Commission, confidentiality, data access, right to repair, agriculture, OEM, repair providers

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:34:44.000><c> Act</c> Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act Small Business Regulatory Reduction
• , Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act of 2025; and H.R. 4305, the Dump Red Tape Act. bill HR 4305
• Contributions to Education Act; H.R. 1069, the Protect Our Kids Act; H.R. 2965, Small Business Regulatory
• Protect Our Kids Act, HR 2965, Small the Protect Our Kids Act, HR 2965, Small Business<02:28:44.880>
• </c><05:16:28.000><c> Act</c> Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act Small Business Regulatory Reduction

Bills: HB4305 , HB2965 , HR916

Keywords: small business, regulatory burden, advocacy, government oversight, compliance assistance, Red Tape Hotline, regulatory budget, Small Business Administration, fiscal responsibility, rulemaking

Transcript Highlights:

• Kim from East Greenwich runs a small business with her husband, an appraisal company.
• a small business with her husband, runs a small business with her husband, an<00:35:29.839><c> appraisal
• Union Calendar No. 82, H.R. 2965, a bill to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration
• to ensure that the small business regulatory budget for a small business concern in a fiscal year is
• Union Calendar No. 333, H.R. 4305, a bill to direct the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business

Bills: HR1005 , HB4305 , HB2965 , HR1049

Keywords: digital workers, creators, platform economy, independent contractors, portable benefits, income stability, transparency, algorithmic systems, small businesses, fair treatment, small business, regulatory burden, advocacy, government oversight, compliance assistance, Red Tape Hotline, regulatory budget, Small Business Administration, fiscal responsibility, rulemaking

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also a small business owner, OGMI Solutions.
• As a veteran, I want to make sure that we are verifying veterans in small businesses as they are getting
• I'm also a small business owner, a veteran small business owner.
• It'll be a terrific business.
• We make 60% of small business loans, 80% of agricultural loans, and any dollar that leaves the banking

Bills: SB524 , SB782 , HB42 , HB 1056 , HB2894 , HB3033 , HB3474 , HB3594 , HB4738 , HB5246 , HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> which</c><00:25:49.360><c> are</c> These same small businesses, which are These same small businesses
• </c><00:36:02.000><c> from</c> will protect small businesses from will protect small businesses from
• businesses for no families and small businesses for no real<00:39:38.040><c> benefit.
• Businesses that are small businesses.
• </c> Overturn the Private Attorney General's Act, PAGA, which is the bane of many small businesses' existence

Bills: HR1048 , HJR75 , HJR24

Keywords: House resolution, committee assignment, standing committee, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, committee membership, committee seniority, Mr. Menefee, Mr. Riley of New York, House organization, congressional procedure, internal rules, legislative administration, HJR75, H.J.Res. 75, Congressional Review Act, CRA, Department of Energy, DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, energy conservation standards