Transcript Highlights:

• She was a standout from the beginning, a skilled community organizer who easily mobilized people toward
• And I think in that moment, we recognized that not only did their labor have dignity and deserve a pay
• And I think in that moment, we recognize that not only did their labor have dignity and deserve to pay

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those that are marked on this slide as not in the labor force are folks who can't be in the labor force
• everything as our Department of State Health and Human Service office, as well as our Department of Labor
• You know, if you don't see that, you're not going to replicate how to eat, you know, and that's a skill
• that they needed and have it reimbursed by Medicaid because otherwise they were going to go into skilled
• Skilled settings.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s why I missed out a term in labor. I’ve always been on the labor committee.
• </c><00:12:21.120><c> I've</c> why I missed out a term in labor I've why I missed out a term in labor
• labor it'll autop typing House labor labor it'll autop populate<00:38:29.520><c> y</c><00:38:29.720>
• Department of Labor.
• Department of Labor.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• definitely ensures that by adopting the ACT, Minnesota will be assessing students on the precise skills
• <c> knowledge</c><00:31:23.600><c> students</c><00:31:24.000><c> need</c><00:31:24.279><c> to</c> skills
• and knowledge students need to skills and knowledge students need to become<00:31:24.799><c> ready</
• that are essential for and math skills that are essential for success<00:34:36.760><c> in</c><00:34:
• Day and then a charter year before Labor Day and then a charter school<01:32:28.199><c> transparency

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• early learning, so, well, social emotional learning, but also how we do those preschool readiness skills
• I also evaluated my own reading skills. I knew I had been a struggling reader. Thank you.
• These skills are not only essential, but I see every day how much confidence and opportunity they give
• I also saw positive changes in my communication skills.
• And the skills required for a successful career in technology and AI are actually critical thinking and

Bills: SB6192, SB6206, SB5346, SB6125, SB5841, SB5907, SB5951

Keywords: education, reading, mathematics, student intervention, instruction, academic standards, child care, first responders, incentives, pilot program, mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones, school phones, classroom distraction, digital citizenship, media literacy, internet safety, cyberbullying, student mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• State College is focused on a few good things: preparing nurses, educators, first responders, and skilled
• TSC plays a critical role in this ecosystem, preparing students for high-skill, high-demand, and high-wage
• We have a longstanding reputation for preparing highly skilled nurses with more than 600 students enrolled
• We have a longstanding reputation for preparing highly skilled nurses with more than 600 students enrolled
• college and our president and my fellow trustee members, and to gaining ground on the blue-collar skills

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, with that instability in the labor markets and the pressures on businesses and governments
• And, you know, with that instability in the labor markets and the pressures on businesses and governments
• Third, labor costs. As John pointed out, labor accounts for 60% of hospital costs.
• John, you said cost of labor, when you talked about what's driving cost at hospitals: cost of labor,
• You said, like, for example, on cost of labor, RNs up 25%.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it is 8:16, and we are calling the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
• <00:36:20.920><c> the</c><00:36:21.040><c> Department</c><00:36:21.400><c> of</c><00:36:21.520><c> Labor
• </c><00:36:21.800><c> and</c> with the Department of Labor and with the Department of Labor and Industry
• </c><01:25:10.960><c> groups</c> and I know that many of the labor groups and I know that many of the
• labor groups in<01:25:11.520><c> other</c><01:25:11.880><c> areas</c><01:25:12.280><c> are</c><01:25

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• laborers that are building the data centers.
• c><00:18:53.840><c> held</c><00:18:54.080><c> by</c><00:18:54.240><c> highly</c><00:18:54.720><c> skilled
• </c><00:18:55.840><c> uh</c> jobs will be held by highly skilled uh jobs will be held by highly skilled
• </c> Minnesota where we have high labor Minnesota where we have high labor standards<00:52:56.559><c>
• It's a bill that industry, labor, and a number of organizations have come together to get this language

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• conduct leadership and professional development training, supported by a grant from the Office of Skills
• letter from the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training for $225,000 to cover a 911 Skills
• Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training for $225,000 to cover a 911 Skills Lab training
• Number three is the Labor and Licensee Accountancy Board.

Summary: The committee reviewed a large slate of appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. In Section B, members considered temporary FY27 appropriations for agencies including Health, DHS, Education, Treasury, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, Game and Fish, and others, covering items such as maternal health outreach, LIHEAP overpayment returns, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim claims, airport grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Questions focused on the DHS senior services carry-forward and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to lower balances after COVID funds were spent down. All Section B items were approved. The committee then approved continuation requests, ARPA reallocations, and federal grant-related items in Sections B2, C1A, D1, D2, D3, E1, E2, E3, F1A, G1, H1A, I1A, J1/J2, K1/K2/K3, L1/L2, M1/M2, N1/N2, O1A, and P1A. These included university nursing and workforce programs, environmental and recycling grants, highway safety and emergency management grants, a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive Program, restricted reserve transfers for military, agriculture, UAPB, Game and Fish, and AETN, and various cash-fund and budget classification transfers. Several members asked for more detail on the State Police highway safety grant, VOCA victim compensation funding, the NSGP nonprofit security grant, and the Office of State Technology’s E-Rate-related transfer; agency officials explained the uses and noted that some funding levels depend on federal awards and collections. A notable discussion occurred on the Department of Commerce reallocation, which shifts 68 positions and $3 million among divisions to support an organizational realignment and avoid shortfalls. The committee also reviewed a state central services deduction request to keep the rate at 2%, a DHS overtime request for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustments request authorizing up to $1 million in temporary actions to close FY26 books without disrupting payroll or vendor payments. Most items were approved or, in some sections, simply reviewed without objection. The meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The training is supported by a grant from the Office of Skills Development.
• letter from the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training for $225,000 to cover a 911 Skills
• The Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training request for $225,000 is to cover a 911 Skills
• Number three is Labor and Licensing Accountancy Board.

Summary: The committee met to review a large slate of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. Early items included temporary appropriations for agencies such as Health, DHS, Education, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, and Game and Fish, covering items like maternal health outreach, energy assistance repayments, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim reparations, aviation grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Members asked questions on several items, including DHS aging carry-forward funds and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to COVID-era balances; the committee also approved a disclosure by the chair on the Game and Fish-related item before voting to approve the section. The committee then approved continuation requests, CARES Act and ARPA reallocations, and federal grant appropriations. Notable discussion included the Boonville developmental disability project, ALIGN program reallocations at several universities, a small business technical assistance grant at UA Little Rock, and a Department of Public Safety highway safety grant, for which members requested more detail on operating expenses and professional fees. Additional approvals covered a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive program, restricted reserve fund transfers for military medical command and university projects, and a state central services deduction held at 2%. The Department of Commerce also received approval for a reallocation of positions and spending authority tied to its organizational realignment. Later sections included shared technology and higher education transfers, cash fund appropriations for school Medicaid reimbursements, corrections, youth mental health, narcotics detection canines, bike safety equipment, a state motor pool pilot, and law enforcement safety costs. The committee also reviewed budget classification transfers, including a Governor’s Office legal fee transfer related to a California lawsuit, and heard explanations about E-Rate reimbursements affecting the Office of State Technology. Members asked about VOCA funding levels for crime victim services and about the National Security Grant Program for nonprofits and faith-based organizations; officials said federal funding had declined from prior highs but appeared to have stabilized, and that the nonprofit security grant is an annual federal program. The meeting concluded with review of pay plan requests, DHS overtime funding for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustment request allowing DFA to make up to $1 million in transfers to close the books, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Knowing that the gratuity they would receive from their labor would serve a threefold purpose of education
• Examples of services at RHCs include daily living skills, medical and dental services, employment services
• you could buy yarn packages and beads in order to do things with your hands, kind of like a coping skill
• , but a short-term placement where people can receive habilitative support services and learn the skills

Bills: HB2510

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• age of seven will dramatically increase access to essential swim instruction at a time when those skills
• age of seven will dramatically increase access to essential swim instruction at a time when those skills
• giving more children the opportunity to learn to swim, we're giving them something far greater than a skill
• I don't have to kind of labor on the statistics, because I know everybody shared that.

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills, most of them focused on drowning prevention and public safety. SB 428, by Senator Yarborough, would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. The sponsor and supporting testimony from a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA representatives emphasized Florida’s high drowning rates, especially among very young children, and argued that swim lessons can significantly reduce risk. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit the funding allocation as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606, by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing practices to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer requires home birth providers to maintain proof of compliance. A parent who lost a child to drowning and Senator Berman spoke in strong support, stressing that the bill would educate new parents at a critical time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. SB 162, by Senator Davis, would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively low-cost and already used in many facilities, while several witnesses supported the bill as a worker-safety measure. Other senators raised concerns about the lack of data, possible rural hospital impacts, and whether the mandate could add costs without clear evidence of harm. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 340, by Senator Harrell, requiring nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, after amending the bill to shift the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves. Testimony from a trafficking survivor and nursing advocates supported the measure, and it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; chiropractic industry representatives supported the change, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• It sounds like a really good committee: Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs. And, Mr.
• Speaker, we have a whole lot more in common, the two of us, because we came from a Labor, Veterans, and
• This time around, I had the honor of serving with him on the Labor Committee, and I got to know him a
• He's the one who suggested I should serve on the Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee.
• Many times, it's because it's difficult to attract highly skilled workers.

Transcript Highlights:

• They'd be high-paying and high-skilled jobs. Okay.
• operation of the data center, those jobs may be high-paying, but they're not necessarily part of a labor
• it's fine if you don't have it, but do you have any statistics on sort of what the assumed cost of labor
• as far as hooking up to the power grid, if not my personal organization is likely one of the other labor
• First, you talked about the construction and the labor.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They'd be high-paying and high-skilled jobs. Okay.
• operation of the data center, those jobs may be high-paying, but they're not necessarily part of a labor
• it's fine if you don't have it, but do you have any statistics on sort of what the assumed cost of labor
• as far as hooking up to the power grid, if not my personal organization is likely one of the other labor
• First, you talked about the construction and the labor.

Summary: The Missouri House Committee on Utilities held an informational hearing on data centers, with the chair saying the goal was to hear different perspectives and better understand the issue before future legislation. No public testimony was taken, but three invited speakers presented: a labor representative, an Ameren Missouri executive, and a consumer advocate. The discussion focused on the economic benefits of data centers, including construction jobs, local hiring, apprenticeship opportunities, tax revenue for schools and local governments, and related spending by Missouri businesses. The labor witness described current Montgomery County projects, said hundreds of Missourians were already working there, and argued that closed-loop cooling and generator noise were manageable. Committee members also raised questions about water use, noise, cybersecurity, local hiring, and how much tax revenue a project could generate annually. Ameren’s Rob Dixon said Senate Bill 4 and the PSC’s large-load tariff provide key protections for ratepayers by requiring large customers to pay their own interconnection costs, sign long-term contracts, post collateral, and pay for most of their requested load even if they use less. He said those rules help prevent costs from shifting to other customers and that large loads can put downward pressure on rates by contributing to fixed system costs. Dixon also said Ameren is planning for significant new generation, including gas, nuclear, hydro, coal, and renewables, and that data centers are subject to the same load-shedding and emergency restoration rules as other customers. He noted that the protections apply to investor-owned utilities, not co-ops or municipal utilities. John Kaufman of the Consumers Council of Missouri argued the PSC protections are still too weak and warned that data centers could raise rates through construction work in progress, stranded generation costs, and other risks if projects are delayed, shrink, or fail. He urged stronger consumer protections, more upfront financial commitments from data centers, and greater transparency for ratepayers, while also suggesting community benefit agreements and cautioning against over-reliance on utility projections. Several members pushed back on his characterization of Senate Bill 4 and QIP/CWIP provisions, and the hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was passed unanimously out of our committee. labor side of things um we decided to labor side of things
• labor labor committee.<00:04:11.920><c> It</c><00:04:12.239><c> seems</c><00:04:12.480><c> like</c><
• Solidarity in the labor movement is the act of standing The act of standing together.
• That is not what we do in the labor labor labor movement.<00:12:44.560><c> And</c><00:12:44.800><c> that's
• As we've said before, they have a very unique skill set.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The price of building materials, replacement parts, and skilled labor has increased sharply, which means
• We're seeing our vendors pass on pricing increases partly due to tariffs, partly due to tight labor.
• </c><00:43:57.440><c> Um,</c> tariffs, partly due to tight labor.
• Um, tariffs, partly due to tight labor.
• So, it's definitely on all of our minds. >> That is a very important skill, Miss Dixon.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:13 Kentucky Small Business Update 00:01:50 Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit Program Update 00:14:16 State of the Tourism Industry 00:38:03, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August minutes, then moved to an update from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on small business conditions. Chamber representatives John Hughes and Amit Patel said Kentucky has benefited from pro-growth policies such as lower income taxes, regulatory modernization, and workforce development, but they emphasized ongoing challenges including workforce shortages, child care access, housing availability, rising insurance costs, and inflation. Patel, speaking as a hotel operator, said recruiting and retaining staff has become difficult and that his company is considering child care stipends and other benefits to help employees. Members asked about child care benefits, community involvement, and health care costs; Patel said the business is discussing additional support for employees and noted that health care costs have tripled over three years. The chamber said it will prioritize child care and housing policy in the upcoming session. The committee then received an update from the Cabinet for Economic Development on the Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit program from David Brock of KY Innovation and Matt Wingate. Brock outlined the state’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including innovation hubs, SBIR/STTR matching funds, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, SSBCI, and STEP, and said these programs have helped create jobs, raise capital, and support exports. He explained that the angel tax credit is intended to encourage private investment in innovative Kentucky small businesses with high growth potential. The credit is generally 25% of investment in non-enhanced counties and 40% in enhanced counties, with annual and per-investor caps and eligibility rules for both businesses and investors. Brock reported that 317 businesses have been certified, 117 have received at least one investment, 445 investors have made 750 investments, $57.2 million has been invested, $19 million in credits has been awarded, and 373 new jobs have been reported since 2021. Committee members asked about the relationship between the program’s industry verticals and university research, the difference between enhanced and non-enhanced counties, and where investments are occurring geographically. Cabinet staff said the verticals align with the original Innovation Act framework, and that enhanced counties are defined by statute, including distressed and disaster-impacted areas. They said most investments and credits have been in non-enhanced counties, though some examples were cited in Bath County and Auburn. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• jobs and that we have a trained workforce ready to go, not just, I mean, everything from the most skilled
• , highly skilled to medium skilled, and make sure that there's a permanent workforce asset that is created
• As Labor Chair, thinking about the workforce of the future is incredibly important to me, and we've done
• What are those new skills? What is a DER? How does it work?
• these needed improvements and upgrades at the Rose Bowl and Expo Park are locally based, properly skilled

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so my many hours of unpaid labor is so that other families are able to get the services that their
• ASME Council 5 is a public and private sector labor union.
• </c><00:37:39.760><c> and</c> equipping themselves with skills and equipping themselves with skills and
• </c><01:35:41.400><c> nursing</c> facilities and 16 skilled nursing facilities and 16 skilled nursing
• </c> with potential needs for future skilled with potential needs for future skilled nursing<01:36:16.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all