Transcript Highlights:

• to testify, it not only discourages valuable perspectives, but also makes it harder for us to do our job
• descriptions.
• Currently, state agencies' job titles and descriptions are set by the State Auditor's Office. and can
• It mandates the regular review by the state classification officer, emphasizing competency-based. job
• Since then, I've picked up a job.

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't really seem like the right tool for the job.
• to a competitor or walking off the job to a competitor or walking off the job and<00:34:49.960><
• with safety standards will the job with safety standards will the job become<01:09:35.359> safe
• with he was paid $16 an hour for a job with he was paid $16 an hour for a job that<01:09:50.839>
• He told him to go back down there and finish the job.

Bills: HF1355, HF1469, HF1768

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF1469, Minnesota, workforce development, job training, job skills training, reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, ex-offenders, inmates, recently released inmates, felony conviction, felony-level offense, corrections, prison release

Transcript Highlights:

• The rural job creation grants, which was last funded in 2000.
• The rural job creation grants, which was last funded in 2000.
• Uh, the rural job creation grants, which was last funded in 2000.
• The employers are the ones who have to create those jobs to have this benefit.
• Um, our fabulous pages, Cayenne and Riley, did a great job this year.

Bills: HF3732

Keywords: workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, economic development, grants, job creation

Bills: SB2816

Keywords: enterprise zones, economic development, innovation enterprise, job creation, Hawaii, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard House Bill 2195, HD1, which would replace the existing transit accommodations tax on cruise ships with a per-passenger infrastructure fee collected by the Department of Transportation and deposited into a new cruise ship special fund. Testimony included support from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii warning that the bill should remain narrowly tied to harbor-related uses to avoid potential Tonnage Clause issues. The Department of Transportation testified that cruise-related harbor work includes pier repairs, dredging, terminal upgrades, and shore power, and said a dedicated revenue stream would help prioritize cruise infrastructure needs. The Attorney General’s office said it had submitted written comments but did not address questions about the litigation or constitutional background. Members questioned whether the new special fund was necessary when the existing harbor special fund already finances similar improvements. DOT said the funds overlap and suggested the bill could be amended to use the harbor special fund with a separate cruise subaccount, while still preserving a dedicated revenue stream and separate accounting. DOT also said it currently collects port entry, dockage, and per-head passenger fees from cruise ships and that existing cruise-related expenditures from the harbor special fund have not been challenged. The chair ultimately recommended moving HB 2195 forward as introduced, while continuing discussions about the fund structure and awaiting further clarity from the Attorney General and DOT. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass HB 2195, HD1, as is. They also voted to pass House Bill 916, HD1, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, which would allow certain state low-income housing tax credits to offset state transient accommodations taxes in the same county and make Act 129 of 2016 permanent. Both the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Economic Development and Technology adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 916, HD1, unamended. The hearing was then adjourned.

Bills: SB22

Keywords: Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance met, established a quorum, and took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 22. Senator Huffman moved that the committee report the original Senate Bill 22 as not passed, adopt the committee substitute in its place, and recommend the substitute for passage and printing. The motion was approved on a roll call vote of 11 ayes and no nays. No substantive testimony or debate was included in the transcript excerpt. The committee concluded its business and recessed subject to the call of the chair, with the substitute bill to be reported back to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was a game-changer.
• With that goes 50 jobs or something in that neighborhood.
• You know you just said the loss of 50 jobs.
• Thank you for being our job generators.
• We create the jobs that pay the taxes.

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:

• , there were 178,000 open jobs.
• So even if every single person on unemployment received a job, We measure trade in jobs.
• One thing to keep in mind for Arizona: in Q1 of 2024, there were 178,000 open jobs.
• received a job, you would still have over 70,000 open jobs.
• And then there's a breakdown of how many of those jobs are available.

Bills: HB2754

Keywords: Arizona Commerce Authority, business development, economic growth, small business support, job creation, Board of Directors, e-verify, grant administration, 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on International Trade heard a presentation from Monica Villalobos, President and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who shared trade and economic data on Hispanic businesses and consumers in Arizona and nationally. She emphasized that Hispanics are a major economic driver, that small and medium-sized businesses are central to trade, and that tariffs and border disruptions can disproportionately hurt smaller exporters and importers. She also described the Chamber’s district-level trade profiles and an upcoming business engagement tour to Mexico City aimed at matching Arizona and Mexican small businesses. Members asked about major Mexico trade products, transportation equipment, and what the state could do to support small businesses; Villalobos said access to capital and technical assistance are the biggest needs, especially as some federal support has been cut. The committee then took up HB 2754, which would expand the Arizona Commerce Authority board to include the chairs of the Senate Finance Committee and House International Trade Committee, shift oversight of trade offices to legislative appropriation, require annual reporting on trade office activities to JLBC, and remove the sunset date for the Arizona Competes program. The sponsor argued the bill would restore legislative oversight and give lawmakers a stronger role in trade office decisions and the Competes Fund. Members generally supported the bill’s oversight goals, though some raised concerns about the board changes and indicated they might seek amendments later. The committee voted 5-0 with two present and three absent to give HB 2754 a do pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agreement supports close to 50,000 American jobs and contributes more than $7.5 billion to the national
• could cost the Texas economy more than $4.5 billion in economic activity and eliminate over 30,000 jobs
• This trade supports a vast network. ...of jobs, including packers, brokers, and transporters.
• Furthermore, the economic ripple effect extends beyond immediate job losses.
• According to a Texas A&M study conducted in 2023, more than 32,000 jobs are reported to be supported

Bills: HCR108, HCR127

Keywords: Tomato Suspension Agreement, trade, Mexico, Texas economy, agriculture, import tariffs, job preservation, Taiwan, U.S. relations, economic cooperation, sister-state, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This diverse ecosystem not only supports job creation but also enhances the overall economic stability
• bill ensures that public safety employees are protected during their recovery process and that their jobs
• Essentially, this means that these essential employees will have job protection while they recover from
• Hopefully, the Senate will do their job. We have trouble getting them to do that, but I close.
• Being a parent is a full-time job on top of education and a career. ...but these hard-working families

Bills: HB1654, HB1691, HB2545, HB2652, HB3799, HB4144, HB5008

Keywords: peace officers, firefighters, employment protection, worker's compensation, job security, maximum medical improvement, government employment, firefighter cancer benefits, emergency medical technicians, compensation claims, cancer exposures, firefighting hazards, workforce training, rural development, grant program, job-specific training, Texas Workforce Commission, child care, single-parent, subsidized

Transcript Highlights:

• of the producers's parent company, a list of financial assistance received, goals for a number of jobs
• those goals, including equity hiring goals as well, wage goals and progress in achieving goals for jobs
• 00:03:50.239> created<00:03:50.640> in<00:03:50.879> progress for a number of jobs
• created in progress for a number of jobs created in progress in<00:03:51.440> achieving<00:03
• created or maintained by the for jobs created or maintained by the producer<00:04:02.159> board

Bills: HF858, HF2577, HF2576

Keywords: bioincentive payments, agriculture, job creation, environmental compliance, financial reporting, waste handling, sewage sludge, PFAS regulation, environment, record retention, fertilizer disposal, pesticide disposal, environmental impact, safety regulations, burning prohibition, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In Winona alone, according to DEED, we have 499 open jobs today.
• As I stated earlier, we have 499 open jobs here.
• With 530 students and 499 open jobs, the math works.
• , and then loses their job.
• It can sometimes take a long time to find a new job.

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:06.560> that of the Northstar promise to jobs that of the Northstar promise to jobs
• why. 530 students and 499 open jobs.
• and 499 open jobs. The math is it works. and 499 open jobs. The math is it works.
• They should have a job when they graduate, but there also should be that the job that the student goes
• their job, and it can sometimes take a long time to find a new job.

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:14.319> market skills needed for evolving job market skills needed for evolving job
• job because I'm taking classes.
• naturally lead to a relevant job but naturally lead to a relevant job but that's<00:29:06.840> not
• <00:29:49.240> Pipeline most critical piece in a job Pipeline most critical piece in a job
• <00:42:55.040> available 990,000 jobs so a lot of jobs available 990,000 jobs so a lot of

Bills: HF1936, HF849, HF989, HF1130, HF1223, HF1907, HF1847, HF1957

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, career guidance, education, job skills, Duluth Promise, education funding, career training, employment support, youth apprenticeship, economic development, minority support, internship program, Bloomington, funding, youth mentorship, job training, disadvantaged youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youthprise

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance would support projects that attract private investment, develop infrastructure, and create jobs
• cities by providing financial assistance for projects that it. track private investment and create jobs
• roads and culverts, delaying... log trucks for weeks, costing landowners thousands and stalling mill jobs
• Unfortunately, a large sawmill providing hundreds of jobs and servicing timberland owners, logging crews
• It's a good bill, and I think Victoria did a good job of laying it out, so I won't waste your time.

Bills: HB2564, HB2760, HB2765, HB2898, HB3260, HB3800, HB4341, HB4396, HB5195

Keywords: Defense Economic Adjustment, grant applications, economic assistance, local government, Evaluation panel, judicial review, Texas Workforce Commission, unemployment compensation, legal proceedings, labor law, rural development, infrastructure, Texas economic fund, private investment, job creation, meteorological evaluation towers, wind resources, aviation safety, regulations, construction notice

Transcript Highlights:

• years but the growth of child care jobs years but the growth of child care jobs right<00:29:00.519
• skills training, career counseling, and job placement.
• This month marks one full year in a job that I absolutely love.
• <01:38:36.280> interview always floss before a job interview always floss before a job interview
• <01:38:58.360> Training director of Anoka County Job Training director of Anoka County Job

Bills: HF2582, HF2266, HF2518, HF2039, HF1941

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• Hired graduates better understand the job and are more job ready.
• <01:02:24.279> on preparing them for operator jobs on preparing them for operator jobs on
• and are more better understand the job and are more job<01:02:44.200> ready<01:02:45.200>
• job ready hired organizes training Outreach<01:02:47.520> job<01:02:47.799> Readiness<
• <01:03:07.359> retention additionally hirs pilot job retention additionally hirs pilot job

Bills: HF500, HF718, HF1096, HF1246, HF1469

Keywords: nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, workforce development, job training, economic stability, low-income, career pathways, education funding, Summit Academy, employment, STEM programming, GED preparation, Neighborhood Development Center, NDC, small business, entrepreneurship, business training

Transcript Highlights:

• That's also what protects the local economy and jobs tied to tourists on both sides of the border.
• General flagged serious concerns about lack of transparency, accountability, verification of data and job

Bills: HB2746, HB2751, HB2752, HB2753

Keywords: trade offices, committee, Arizona commerce authority, stakeholder input, efficiency, Arizona competes fund, economic development, fund repeal, state finances, state appropriations, Arizona Commerce Authority, job creation, business incentives, commerce authority, public-private partnership, business regulation, Arizona governance, 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on International Trade heard a presentation from Alan Renteria of the Puerto Peñasco Chamber of Commerce, who promoted Rocky Point as a major tourism and investment destination for Arizonans. He highlighted tourism growth, cross-border ties, safety coordination, the importance of fishing and shrimp to the local economy, and potential commercial opportunities such as improved border infrastructure and a possible cargo or cruise port. Members responded with personal comments about travel, geology, medical volunteer work, and the city’s appeal, and Renteria said he wanted to serve as a liaison to improve communication between Arizona offices and Puerto Peñasco. The committee then considered three bills related to the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). HB 2751 would continue the Arizona Competes fund indefinitely and subject use of the fund to legislative appropriations; HB 2752 would shift oversight of trade offices from the ACA board to legislative appropriation and require annual reporting to JLBC; and HB 2753 would add legislative ex-officio members to the ACA board, including committee chairs and, under an amendment, minority party ranking members. Supporters argued the bills would give the legislature more oversight and a seat at the table, while Greg Blackie of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club opposed HB 2751, calling for repeal or stronger guardrails and citing past audit concerns. All three bills advanced on due pass recommendations. HB 2751 passed 7-1 with one member present and one absent; HB 2752 passed 9-0 with one absent; and HB 2753 passed 9-0 after the Austin amendment was adopted, adding minority party representation. The committee also removed HB 2746 from the agenda before taking up the ACA measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• When businesses cannot access capital, jobs are not created.
• When businesses cannot access<00:04:50.000> capital,<00:04:50.960> jobs<00:04:51.280>
• access capital, jobs are not created. access capital, jobs are not created.
• hours or modification in job duties. hours or modification in job duties.
• good job with that. So thank you. good job with that. So thank you.

Bills: HF3707, HF3732, HF2581, HF3731

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jobs change, local economies shift, and families and service providers must adapt.
• Another is partnering and looking at ways for different job training outside of what they did before.
• My family has gone through many job losses from plants shutting down.
• Small rural areas, and you don't want them to become ghost towns because we eliminated their jobs.
• And as far as I can understand, you know, I don't even know what job possibilities are for them.

Bills: HB310, HB323, HM51, HB194

Keywords: museum, cultural affairs, lowrider, Espanola, appropriation, feasibility study, broadband access, low-income, rural areas, Indian nations, affordable internet, employment opportunities, detention centers, immigration, economic development, repurposing facilities, job transition, rural development, housing, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Feral population people are there trying to do their job, trying to catch the cat.
• They have a very hard job. Granted, overpopulation of cats will grow.
• And while being at Pacific Biodiesel has done a great job of showing the proof of concept, but we're

Bills: HB1736, HB1620, HB1695

Keywords: animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.