Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:00.480> Alabama address the workforce crisis.
• Alabama address the workforce crisis.
• , Alabama's workforce is Additionally, Alabama's workforce is comparable<00:08:32.680> per<00:
• <00:13:54.560> already So, for a for for a workforce already So, for a for for a workforce
• <00:24:52.760> serving behavioral health workforce serving behavioral health workforce serving

Bills: HB151, HB152, HB138, SB221, SB190, SB69, SB225, SB272

Keywords: fire chaplains, distinctive license plate, firefighter, volunteer service, criminal penalties, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• So our general fund allocation—just to show that we did receive the HWI, Health Workforce Initiative,
• Thank you for the health care workforce initiative funding.
• Thank you for the health care workforce initiative funding.
• So maybe those would be factors you'd put in here for a desired workforce fund this time.
• thing—like hoping that those people stay in our state to fulfill workforce?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Committee met to discuss possible changes to North Dakota’s higher education funding formula, with a particular focus on separating the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences MD program from the general formula. Dr. Jenkins outlined several options for the MD program, including a fixed-funding model, a hybrid model, or keeping it in the formula, and emphasized the need to preserve strong support for medical education while making future funding clearer. He also discussed efforts to increase the share of North Dakota students in the MD program through ND85, expanded recruiting, early acceptance pathways, MCAT prep, a four-plus-one program, and the Primary Care Accelerated Track, along with future cost pressures such as AI licensing and residency growth. The committee then reviewed a simplified funding model from the University System Office that would base funding more heavily on student FTE, credentials awarded, and a few incentive factors such as small institution and research adjustments. Members questioned the use of placeholder numbers, the lack of a clear methodology for the small institution and research factors, and whether the model would adequately account for differences among institutions, high-cost programs, and graduate education. Several members raised concerns that arbitrary factors would be hard to defend politically and could distort funding or create competition between schools, while others said the exercise was useful as a starting point for discussion. Alex presented a second alternative that kept the current SIP-code structure but increased CTE weighting, added a progressive economic size factor, and separated out the MD program. His model also added an on-campus face-to-face headcount component and a credentials component, with the intent of rewarding in-person enrollment and completions. Members questioned the use of headcount instead of FTE, how hybrid, online, dual-credit, and off-campus students would be treated, and why face-to-face enrollment was weighted more heavily than completion. No formal votes or final actions were taken; the committee instead continued discussion and asked members to provide direction on which elements, if any, should be developed further.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Executive Director for Workforce Development and for the Workforce Development Board of Southeast
• Jenny Ritman, Workforce Development Inc. I think I can answer both of those.
• that since this is coming from Workforce that since this is coming from Workforce Development<00
• <00:42:28.640> program out uh of the Workforce program out uh of the Workforce program outcomes
• note um you know for the workforce note um you know for the workforce participation<00:47:49.200

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development programs, including GOED and some of the local workforce development as well.
• “So as our workforce development agencies see the needs for certain workforce development jobs in the
• At the April 29, 2024, JISC meeting, various agencies involved in workforce development presented on
• various workforce development programs in the state of Nevada.
• various workforce development programs in the state of Nevada.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been talking about the direct care workforce shortage for the last few years, and that what will
• shortage and that what will Workforce shortage and that what will end<00:08:32.640> up<00:08:
• The last Council or Advisory Board in the last two years, number 49, the workforce group on simplifying
• This is the work that we're doing with workforce shortage, so it's not— that's just been around since
• that how do we change that Workforce that how do we change that Workforce training<00:37:05.240>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It represents lives transformed, families supported, and a workforce strengthened.
• <00:56:48.760> certificate chance to get that Workforce certificate chance to get that Workforce
• I also just want to appreciate all the workforce comments.
• I also just want to appreciate all the workforce comments.
• <01:48:38.639> uh ensure work ensure Workforce uh ensure work ensure Workforce uh capability

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• as a condition of providing workforce as a condition of providing workforce housing,<01:35:32.400
• challenging need for workforce housing. challenging need for workforce housing.
• language works against workforce language works against workforce housing.<02:05:02.239> And<
• doesn't just go after workforce housing. doesn't just go after workforce housing.
• But at the end of the day, the workforce But at the end of the day, the workforce in<02:06:19.280

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I did see that memorial as well that tasks the Corrections Department, Workforce Solutions, Economic
• So the Department of Workforce Solutions has also provided me some information.
• This is the group with workforce that will be holding that.
• Workforce Solutions, what about unemployment? What about displacement of families?
• CNM may be a better pick for you, honestly, because they have a better workforce program.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, committee substitute HB 1757 takes an important step in addressing the workforce challenges in the
• Um, we commend the proposals by Governor Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Patrick to address workforce
• To harness, to fully harness this influx of talent, Texas must remove unnecessary barriers to workforce
• By streamlining the process for qualified professionals moving to Texas, the bill improves workforce
• In addition to easing new residents' entry into the workforce, reciprocity agreements can also support

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we're going to make huge investment in workforce.
• We have to build the workforce. And we will do it. We have to build the workforce.
• and a director that's in charge of workforce.
• We are going to develop a state workforce. We're going to have to pay for it.
• What the market rates are so that we can really build the IT workforce within the state.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are... a workforce. Um, so I would strongly a workforce.
• I heard in this with workforce.
• <00:32:24.320> and there's shortages of of workforce and there's shortages of of workforce
• Uh I did um present this bill in the workforce committee um because I believe that you know workforce
• workforce committee. Thank you chair. workforce committee. Thank you chair.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• DMS is the primary business, workforce, and technology service provider for the Florida government.
• But we focus on the cyber workforce. How do we make more cybersecurity people for the state?
• How do we also make our existing workforce better?
• As you can see, I mentioned workforce development, one of our key areas.
• So this is building that long-term strategic approach so that we're working to build the workforce.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to examine Florida’s information technology governance, budgeting, cybersecurity, data management, and telecommunications operations. Chair Schneider and other members framed the panel as a new joint policy-and-budget forum focused on reducing jargon, improving accountability, and asking whether technology investments are feasible, aligned with state goals, cost-controlled, and secure. State Affairs Chairman Will Robinson and members emphasized that the committee should avoid buying “shiny new objects” without clear business cases and should focus on long-term value, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency. Florida Digital Service and Department of Management Services leaders provided an overview of the state IT enterprise. Secretary Pedro Allende described DMS as the state’s business, workforce, and technology service provider, while State CIO Warren Spanholz outlined Florida Digital Service’s four core areas: cybersecurity, project success, data interoperability, and enterprise architecture. Chief Data Officer Ed Ryan said the state data catalog is about 400,000 elements and roughly half of agencies are participating, and he described efforts to identify authoritative data sources and improve interoperability. Chief Information Security Officer Jeremy Rogers discussed the state cybersecurity operations center, enterprise risk management, incident response exercises, and a recurring $35 million cybersecurity resiliency budget. Chief Technology Officer Leo Schoonover described oversight of major IT projects over $10 million, updated project management standards, and a shift toward smaller phased implementations and more flexible methodologies to reduce delays and overruns. Other presenters covered telecommunications, data center operations, and cybersecurity workforce development. Director Denise Atkins said the Division of Telecommunications manages Suncom and MyFloridaNet, with nearly $336.9 million appropriated for fiscal year 2024-25, and is procuring the next network contract while emphasizing security controls and vendor flexibility. Tim Brown said the Northwest Regional Data Center operates on a chargeback basis, serves state and local customers, and returned surpluses to customers in recent years. Cyber Florida Director Ernie Ferraroso described training, workforce pipelines, K-12 outreach, a cyber range, and research programs aimed at building Florida’s cyber workforce and improving public-sector readiness. Members asked about budget setting, project delays, change orders, cybersecurity reporting, data catalog participation, interoperability, and expanding cybersecurity operations centers. Officials said chargeback rates are based on actual direct and indirect costs, project delays often stem from unclear scope and insufficient upfront planning, and cybersecurity success is measured by mean time to detect, respond, and recover. They also said the state is moving toward more modular project delivery, broader agency participation in shared cybersecurity services, and expanded CSOC locations within existing staff and budget where feasible.

Transcript Highlights:

• us fill the tour, what's happening there, and get a better insight on all of the things happening workforce-related
• So we will be doing this now. annually workforce day at the capitol. So that was great.
• So do you want to show them a few things from Workforce Day?
• Every legislator that passed through the rotunda, we grabbed them and talked about workforce.
• So we got to talk about workforce in general with that particular group.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California's creative economy employs more than 760,000 workers, roughly 5% of the state's workforce,
• workforce, especially in the Valley, where, as we have seen, it's declining more.
• These are our future teachers, our future engineers, our future workforce of California.
• solutions that this crisis demands, and we're doing a lot on that workforce piece.
• solutions that this crisis demands, and we're doing a lot on that workforce piece.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a critical role in workforce a critical role in workforce development.<00:04:25.040> They
• <00:05:04.960> It and aligned with workforce needs. It and aligned with workforce needs.
• <01:08:54.159> Um workforce workforce participation.
• Um workforce workforce participation.
• <01:14:57.520> when saw huge problems with workforce when saw huge problems with workforce

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee began with introductions of student guests, including an FCCLA national officer who spoke in support of career and technical education. She emphasized that CTE connects classroom learning to real careers, builds leadership and employability skills, and deserves continued state supplemental funding to keep programs current, expand offerings, and support student organizations. Members thanked her for her remarks and for representing FCCLA students. The committee then considered House Bill 67, a cleanup bill to address unintended consequences from last session’s Senate Bill 181 on traceable communication in schools. Rep. Josh Calloway explained that the substitute clarified definitions of family members, coaches, volunteers, certified/classified/contract employees, and virtual instruction; exempted group messaging, public social media posts, translation services, parent-provided phone numbers, emergency communications, and field trip/work-based learning contacts; and allowed teachers to disclose outside commercial or nonprofit involvement so they can communicate with students for those purposes. He said the bill was developed with input from school boards, administrators, KDE, school HR groups, Kentucky League of Cities, and Farm Bureau. The committee approved the substitute and passed HB 67 favorably. Next, the committee heard House Bill 759, which KDE described as a consistency bill for teacher certification pathways. The bill renames and standardizes alternative certification routes, clarifies content mastery requirements, allows teachers to add certifications more consistently, and lets educators extend certification into lower grade bands if they already hold higher-level certification and pedagogical knowledge. Members asked about chemistry majors, CTE occupational pathways, the veterans pathway, and grade-band “bandwidth”; KDE said the bill preserves the veterans route, does not create a new pathway but reorganizes existing ones, and will help make certification options easier to understand. HB 759 also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Shane Baker presented House Bill 654, a follow-up to last year’s effort to reduce administrative burdens on schools. He said the bill would eliminate additional reporting requirements, bar KDE from requiring components of a comprehensive improvement plan not expressly required by statute or federal law, and allow EARS to temporarily authorize reports when the legislature is not in session while preserving necessary reporting tied to SEEK funding and school operations. The committee took up the substitute and began discussion of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• take this opportunity to welcome you all to the eighth hearing on the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce
• So, in sum, prevailing wages support a highly skilled, safe workforce.
• We are in a tumultuous political time, and we need to have a workforce that stays.
• Legislators need a workforce that stays.
• Legislators need a workforce that stays, and the Commonwealth needs a workforce that stays.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on several labor-related bills, especially proposals to give legislative employees the right to organize and collectively bargain, close a prevailing wage loophole for off-site prefabrication work, and strengthen enforcement against wage theft. Committee chairs opened the hearing by explaining the hybrid format and asking witnesses to keep testimony brief. Multiple legislators testified in support of the legislative staff union bill, saying staff deserve the same bargaining rights as other public employees and that unionization would improve pay, benefits, retention, and workplace dignity. Witnesses also discussed how the bill would likely be structured, with separate House and Senate bargaining arrangements or locals, and emphasized that it would only create the option to unionize, not require it. A second major topic was the prevailing wage bill addressing off-site fabrication and prefabrication in construction. Union leaders, contractors, and workers described how more work is being shifted from job sites into shops, especially in sheet metal, HVAC, electrical, and pipefitting work, and argued that the law should treat that work the same as on-site construction when it is part of a public project. They said the current loophole lets some contractors underbid by paying lower wages off-site, while responsible contractors already pay prevailing wages in their shops. Supporters argued the bill would protect workers, preserve apprenticeship and training standards, improve safety and quality, and make enforcement easier through certified payroll and clearer definitions. The committee also heard testimony on wage theft legislation. Representative Dan Donahue, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division, AFL-CIO representatives, and carpenters’ union witnesses described wage theft, misclassification, labor brokers, and tax fraud as widespread problems that hurt workers, honest contractors, and public revenues. They supported giving the Attorney General stronger enforcement tools, adding contractor accountability up the subcontracting chain, and protecting workers from retaliation and from delays that can cause claims to expire. A separate witness supported a bill to extend the statute of limitations for Wage Act cases while AG investigations are pending, and another supported changes to help hospital workers enforce timely payment rights. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have more interest from the legislature, I think, than we've ever had in workforce development and
• We have more interest from the legislature, I think, than we've ever had in workforce development and
• We have more interest from the legislature, I think, than we've ever had in workforce development and
• About workforce a lot.
• <01:08:09.920> needs Approach at what are the workforce needs Approach at what are the workforce

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The meeting covered several Senate resolutions related to the University of Hawaiʻi system, the East-West Center, and related education and workforce issues. On SCR 178 and SR 48, testifiers strongly supported the East-West Center, describing it as an important Hawaii asset that promotes cultural exchange, global citizenship, diplomacy, and ties to the University of Hawaiʻi. Speakers said the Center has helped train leaders and bring international connections and investment to Hawaii, and they urged continued funding despite federal cuts. The chairs then recommended passage with technical amendments, and both resolutions were adopted by the committees. The committee also heard testimony on resolutions calling for audits of University of Hawaiʻi operations. On SR 32 and SCR 50, the University of Hawaiʻi said it supported the resolution and had already begun work on establishing a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the UH Maui campus, with additional staff available on Zoom to answer questions. On SR 160 and SCR 142, which sought a financial and performance audit of UH Mānoa facilities, UH Athletics said it already undergoes annual financial audits required by NCAA bylaws but not performance audits, and discussed its internal evaluations, contingency planning, and efforts to address concerns raised by student athletes and staff. The committee then took up SCR 138 and SR 55, requesting a management and performance audit of the UH Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. Vice President Deborah Halbert and P20 Director Steve Shotz said they did not oppose the audit and believed it could provide clarity, while explaining that the office is relatively new and works collaboratively across campuses on articulation, transfer, grants, and workforce alignment. They described grant programs including Perkins, GEAR UP, preschool development, and data-sharing efforts, and said they are focusing more resources on teaching, health care, and skilled trades. The discussion also touched on SR 54, a proposed performance audit of the UH Foundation, where foundation representatives said they already undergo annual financial audits, acknowledged some donor communication issues, but emphasized improved stewardship and growth in fundraising over recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our work spans early learning through future workforce, civic life, and future workforce, civic life,
• program implementation, workforce program implementation, workforce initiatives,<00:36:41.040>
• <00:38:08.240> opportunities postsecary and workforce opportunities postsecary and workforce
• educator workforce.
• <01:01:43.599> and at in our um educator workforce and at in our um educator workforce and

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on March 3, 2026, approved the minutes from February 26, and then held a lengthy informational hearing on the Minnesota Department of Education’s funding and internal allocation of resources. House fiscal staff walked members through several spreadsheets showing federal, non-general fund, and general fund administrative spending, noting the data was filtered from SWIFT and was not exact. The chair said the discussion was intended to help members understand how MDE is funded and how those funds are used internally, in advance of later budget decisions and a separate upcoming hearing on the Perpich Center. Commissioner Willie Jett opened by describing MDE’s mission, statewide reach, and FY 2026 budget of about $14.1 billion, most of which flows directly to districts and charter schools for instruction, special education, transportation, nutrition, and operations. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and the department’s role in implementing laws, distributing aid, and supporting schools and students across urban, suburban, and rural communities. He also noted the department serves more than 873,000 pre-K through 12 students in 2,264 schools. Deputy Commissioner Maren Holden outlined the Office of American Indian Education, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Inspector General, highlighting support for American Indian students, legal and rulemaking work, special education dispute resolution, fraud prevention, and student maltreatment investigations. Assistant Commissioner Dr. McCari Traum described the Office of Equity and Engagement, including equity and inclusion training, safe and supportive schools work, public engagement, family outreach, and fraud-prevention coordination. Assistant Commissioner Darren Cordy reviewed nutrition programs, special education services, and the charter center, including free school meals, commodity food distribution, IDEA compliance, and charter school support. Assistant Commissioner Bobby Bernham then described the Office of Teaching and Learning, including early education, academic standards, instruction and assessment, state library services, expanded learning, and literacy work. He highlighted early childhood alignment efforts, standards development across core subjects, professional learning, and library grants. No votes were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes, and the meeting remained informational, with members expected to ask questions after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes $5 million in the first year and $2 million in the second from the Workforce Development
• It also includes $5 million in the first year and $2 million in the second from the Workforce Development
• of the appropriation of the Workforce of the appropriation of the Workforce Development<00:26:46.600
• speak in support of the Workforce speak in support of the Workforce Development<00:30:36.559>
• , the money for the Workforce Development Fund for youth skills, Workforce Development Fund for administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we are struggling with Workforce that we are struggling with Workforce all<00:09:11.800>
• can continue to uh help that Workforce can continue to uh help that Workforce shortage<00:09:24.480
• better there than in the workforce better there than in the workforce develop<00:18:29.120> space
• <00:48:34.880> posters and information Workforce posters and information Workforce posters
• <01:17:36.920> uh localization test to your Workforce uh localization test to your Workforce

Keywords: 1183, house