Transcript Highlights:

• </c> block grant state plan. block grant state plan.
• As I stated, I oversee human resources for Century Aluminum Company, and we employ nearly 3,000 employees
• As I stated, I oversee human resources for Century Aluminum Company, and we employ nearly 3,000 employees
• As I stated, I oversee human resources for Century Aluminum Company, and we employ nearly 3,000 employees
• . state. state.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its July 30, 2025 meeting. Members then heard a presentation from Roger McCann of the Department for Community Based Services on Kentucky’s 2026-2027 Community Services Block Grant state plan. He explained that the federally funded grant, now about $12 million annually, is distributed through 23 local community action agencies that use flexible funds for locally identified needs such as housing, nutrition, transportation, Head Start, and domestic violence services. McCann said the plan is submitted every two years and that the agencies served about 264,000 Kentuckians and 130,000 families in 2024. Senator Meredith asked whether there was a central place to review local projects, and McCann said regular reports exist and could be shared with members. The committee then approved the CSBG state plan by roll call vote. After that, members received an update on Kentucky’s state-designated domestic violence shelter programs from Angela Yanelli of ZeroV, Mary Foley of Maryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and Elizabeth Martin of the Center for Women and Families. The presenters described ZeroV’s role as the statewide domestic violence coalition, its 15 member programs across all area development districts, and its contract with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide emergency shelter, supportive services, housing assistance, and batterers intervention programming. They emphasized that services are available 24/7 and are trauma-informed, with a strong focus on children and family support. The domestic violence providers reported high demand and rising costs. ZeroV said its network served more than 14,000 adults and children in fiscal year 2025, including nearly 900 children in shelter and more than 500 in outreach, while Maryman House reported operating at 90-92% capacity, with 53 households waiting for emergency shelter and 63 more waiting for intake. Maryman House also described an 8-unit transitional housing complex and plans for a 48-unit apartment complex if tax credit funding is approved. The Center for Women and Families highlighted school-readiness support for children, tutoring, counseling, and family services, including back-to-school supplies and rights information for homeless students. No additional votes or formal actions were taken during the domestic violence presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item B is a request from the Department of Public Safety, Arkansas State Police.
• Chairman, Item C is a request from Arkansas State University at Jonesboro.
• state agency.
• So if the employee of 24 years, and I forgot how many years with the state they've got to have to be
• So if that employee of 24 years doesn't find a state job that's going to give them four more years, they

Committee: All ALC-PERSONNEL

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in other states, but there is currently no mechanism in place right now in the state of Louisiana
• And we have about 2,700 employees in the state that live in Louisiana.
• We have about 2,700 employees in the state that live in Louisiana to serve Louisiana citizens.
• premiums in those states to premiums in states that have not.
• So for you to say that this hasn't happened in any other state, has any other state also not had that

Bills: HB591 , HB765 , HB826 , HB870 , HB938 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1236 , HB1241

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, but that could potentially cost the state about $76,000.
• AC Dino, State Public Advocate.
• The bill sponsor had stated exactly what I would put on record about.
• AC, Dino, State Public Advocate.
• . lay off or not fill an additional employee due to attrition.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Coach Davis was a part of the first state championship at Ferriday High School in 1988.
• Mid-South Association of Independent Schools 2026 Class 3A state championship.
• Awareness day at the State Capitol, resolution comes HR 123.
• I would like to recognize the Iowa state championship football team.
• I would like to recognize the Iowa State Championship football team.

Bills: HR119 , HR120 , HR121 , HR122 , HR123 , HR124 , HR125 , HR126 , HR127 , HR128 , HR129 , HR130 , HR131 , HR132 , HCR53 , HCR54 , HCR55 , HCR56 , HR115 , HR116 , HR117 , HR118 , SCR19 , SCR26 , SB102 , SB222 , SB255 , SB270 , SB273 , SB314 , SB418 , SB420 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB49 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB211 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB324 , HB376 , HB377 , HB422 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB549 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1011 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB310 , HCR6 , HCR19 , HCR10 , HR74 , HCR26 , HCR35 , HCR7 , HB51 , HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB180 , HB192 , HB393 , HB430 , HB445 , HB506 , HB515 , HB521 , HB565 , HB590 , HB614 , HB638 , HB670 , HB672 , HB685 , HB692 , HB752 , HB773 , HB781 , HB799 , HB860 , HB874 , HB887 , HB917 , HB937 , HB956 , HB965 , HB972 , HB977 , HB982 , HB1006 , HB1010 , HB1044 , HB1072 , HB1088 , HB1179 , HB1200 , HB76 , HB132 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB265 , HB275 , HB291 , HB322 , HB342 , HB475 , HB486 , HB616 , HB635 , HB639 , HB690 , HB740 , HB757 , HB761 , HB774 , HB808 , HB855 , HB872 , HB883 , HB886 , HB903 , HB949 , HB962 , HB996 , HB1003 , HB1036 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1076 , HB1078 , HB1113 , HB1132 , HB1146 , HB1232 , HB1233 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB52 , HB154 , HB400 , HB463 , HB570 , HB631 , HB637 , HB870 , HB952 , HB961 , HB399 , HB868 , HB905 , HB401 , HB901 , HR20 , HB9 , HB58 , HB151 , HB193 , HB284 , HB459 , HB476 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB915

Summary: The House met on April 9, 2026, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the pledge. Members then spent much of the morning recognizing visiting groups and honoring individuals and teams, including Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Day, social workers, Black Women’s Health Initiative and My Sister’s Keeper, the Knock Knock Children’s Museum, and several championship school teams. The House also received committee reports and introduced a number of resolutions and Senate bills before moving into House bills on second reading and final passage. A large block of bills focused on taxation, procurement, transportation, public safety, and administrative modernization. The House passed measures on prompt payment for contractors, fleet vehicle registration, electronic bidding forms, cooperative purchasing by local governments, and use of federal procurement rules for buses and paratransit vehicles. Members also approved bills related to ad valorem millage rules and a constitutional amendment proposal to change legislative session dates, though that session-date measure was sent to Appropriations. Other bills passed addressed brick manufacturing and wood pellet manufacturing as economic development priorities, boiler inspection authority, the Fire Marshal’s role in child care center inspections, and the Louisiana Wallet digitized credentials program. Several public safety and social policy bills also advanced. The House passed bills increasing penalties for repeat DWI offenders with serious prior driving-related convictions, providing medical expense assistance for injured law enforcement officers and firefighters, creating a green/blue envelope program for drivers with autism or mental illness, and establishing a workplace violence measure for retail food service establishments. Members also passed bills on domestic violence, homelessness-related court programs, non-compete restrictions for interns and preceptors, pharmacy benefit managers, and health coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices. One bill on jury trial reassignment in criminal cases failed on reconsideration by a vote of 50-49 and returned to the calendar. Most of the bills considered on final passage were approved by wide margins, with several receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. A few measures were temporarily returned to the calendar or recommitted, including some domestic violence, insurance, and retirement-related bills. The House also adopted multiple amendments during debate, and several members requested co-authors on measures after passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• across the state.
• </c><00:08:00.280><c> Majority</c><00:08:00.680><c> of</c> employees across the state.
• Majority of employees across the state.
• </c> employees, customers, and citizens. employees, customers, and citizens.
• </c> state agencies when around the state state agencies when around the state we're<00:31:51.920><c>

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• employees.
• But of course, even though we can see it's only 1, that 1 means a lot to K-12 employees, to state employees
• I'm very pleased to see that we are taking care of our state employees.
• employees.
• But let's not forget it is not only state employees this could negatively impact.

Bills: SB240

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Gary Lum on behalf of State Fire Council.
• </c> State Fire Council. State Fire Council.
• Gary Lum on behalf of State Committee. Gary Lum on behalf of State Fire<00:04:26.960><c> Council.
• </c><00:09:26.800><c> had</c> adults in the United States had adults in the United States had experienced
• . 35% of state Workplace Wellness Survey. 35% of state employees<00:42:42.560><c> reported</c><00:42:

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. HB 2271 HD2, making emergency appropriations for public employment cost items, drew support from state agencies and other entities, including HPHA, the University of Hawaiʻi, DLNR, OYS, DAGS, DOH, DOA/Biosecurity, and the Behavioral Health Administration; no opposition was noted. HB 2324 HD2, relating to the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law, was supported by DLIR, which said the bill removes a duplicative Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board requirement and aligns whistleblower investigation timelines with federal standards. HB 2387 HD1, relating to workers’ compensation medical benefits, also received support from DLIR and the State Fire Council, with the chair noting 40 supporters and no opposition or comments. HB 2116 HD2, relating to grants, was presented as a response to federal SNAP-related eligibility changes. Supporters included the Office of Community Services, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and several other organizations. Testimony said the bill would help nonprofits provide volunteer opportunities that could count toward an 80-hour monthly work requirement and help vulnerable residents avoid losing benefits; witnesses cited potential impacts on older adults and households with dependent children. HB 1682 HD1, relating to the disclosure of intimate images, drew strong support from advocates, the Uniform Law Commission, the Commission to Promote Uniform Laws, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and others. Testifiers emphasized the harms of non-consensual image sharing, the need for civil remedies, confidentiality protections, and the bill’s alignment with a uniform act already enacted in other states. HB 2468 HD1, relating to internship programs, received support from the University of Hawaiʻi, DLIR, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others. Testimony focused on the Hālau Mua internship program, workforce development, and the need to clarify sponsor contracts, background checks, and onboarding; committee members asked about a former intern now working in an 89-day hire position and how to streamline hiring into civil service roles. HB 2091 HD2, relating to petitions to restrain and enjoin harassment of DOE employees, was supported by DOE, the Attorney General’s office, UPW, and others; the AG’s office requested a data-driven appropriation amount, and members discussed a $300,000 figure for the full two-year pilot. The chair also asked for confirmation of prior cost figures for HB 2116 before moving toward decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Senate Bill 336, House Draft 1, relating to defense of state employees.
• </c><00:34:49.040><c> employees.
• </c> 1, relative defense of state employees. 1, relative defense of state employees.
• </c><00:35:20.560><c> performing</c> certain public uh employees performing certain public uh employees
• This really seeks to address the many vacancies we have across our state department.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:30.360><c> at</c><00:21:30.840><c> at</c> and employees at at and employees at at at<00:21
• I'm just not sure how appropriate it is for the state to be covering those costs for an employee of a
• Less employees or future employees from being trained in the skilled work we want them to be trained
• Less employees or future employees from being trained in the skilled work we want them to be trained
• </c> the state of Minnesota. the state of Minnesota.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:02:54.280><c> the</c> Affecting the revenue of the state, the Affecting the revenue of the state
• </c><00:14:51.360><c> of</c><00:14:51.440><c> Vermont,</c> the state of Vermont, the state of Vermont
• </c><00:19:57.120><c> Employees</c><00:19:57.560><c> Association,</c> Vermont State Employees Association
• , Vermont State Employees Association, the<00:19:59.400><c> deputy</c><00:19:59.800><c> director</c><
• <00:20:13.960><c> Employees</c><00:20:14.440><c> Association,</c> State Employees Association, State

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have a duty as a state to step in and help fund those operations.
• You know, county sheriffs are the highest paid employees in counties.
• Do you see situations where we will have more county employees who will be on food stamps?
• And then there are employees who work for them and can't make more than the elected officials, so it
• Have a legal right to vote in the state of Oklahoma, and I can cast a vote.

Bills: SB227 , SB1942 , SB1627 , SB625 , SJR39 , SJR47

Committee: House Rules

Summary: The committee heard several measures, led by SJR 39, a proposed constitutional amendment to send to voters that would cap annual homestead property tax valuation growth at 1% and all other property at 3%. The speaker argued it would not cut taxes but slow growth for taxpayers facing rising assessments, while opponents questioned the effect on county revenues, sheriff funding, and whether growth below inflation would strain local governments. After debate, the committee voted 10-2 to report the resolution due pass. The committee also heard HJR 47, which would place proof-of-identity requirements for voting in the Constitution. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity and noted existing law already requires proof of identity, while opponents raised concerns about impacts on voters with disabilities and the difficulty of changing constitutional language if problems arise. The measure was reported due pass on an 11-1 vote. Senate Bill 227, described as supporting fair taxation and investment without duplicative tax, and SB 1942, clarifying the distinction between reimbursable and reimbursed dental services to protect providers and patients, both passed the committee on near-unanimous votes. The committee then advanced SB 1627, a 116-page sentence-modernization and consolidation bill that was described as a cleanup measure with no substantive change to existing law, and it was reported due pass unanimously. Finally, SB 625 was presented as temporary cleanup language related to domestic violence legislation and judicial requests, with the sponsor noting the bill would be replaced by a floor substitute later; the committee approved it due pass 10-0. The meeting ended with the chair noting the committee was dismissed and likely to meet again under the rules committee schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it takes away freedom from the very people who are our employees, state employees.
• It takes away freedom from the very people who are our employees, state employees.
• ,<01:58:19.119><c> our</c><01:58:19.440><c> employees,</c><01:58:19.920><c> state</c> employees, our
• employees, state employees, our employees, state employees.<01:58:21.360><c> Taking</c><01:58:21.679>
• And then that's for each such employee employed by the agency of the state, political subdivision, or

Transcript Highlights:

• . state. state.
• . state. state.
• state state state<02:46:04.640><c> state?
• No, the state means the state state?
• The remainder of the employees are subject, as state employees, to the state ethics code.

Transcript Highlights:

• G.D.E., State Building Trades in support. Judy Nees, State Building Trades, in support. Thank you.
• terms of timeline between federal and state funds.
• agricultural employees and the corresponding employees that work alongside them.
• However, under this bill, corresponding employees are defined as any employee engaged in ag.
• As stated by the opposition, there's nothing to worry about.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on worker safety, wages, workforce training, and retirement savings. AB 2137 (Chen) would strengthen safety rules and certification for artificial stone fabrication shops to reduce silica exposure; AB 2499 (Gibson) would require Cal/OSHA to develop heat-illness protections for incarcerated workers and staff in correctional facilities; AB 2300 (Arambula) would streamline the disbursement of state and federal workforce funds; AB 2646 (Krell) would establish a minimum wage floor for certain agricultural workers; AB 2227 (Connolly) would tighten licensing and bond requirements for farm labor contractors and add default-judgment procedures for wage claims; AB 1869 (Haney) would create a reporting process for alleged REIT interference in hotel operations; AB 2650 (Pellerin) would expand CalSavers with emergency savings accounts and other updates; AB 2634 (Zbur) would prioritize labor-management partnerships in High Road Training Partnership grants; and AB 1888 would require skilled-and-trained workforce and prevailing wage standards for work under the Safe Home Grant Program. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create California’s approval process for short-term Pell-eligible workforce programs. The committee also took up several consent items, including AB 1904, AB 1980, AB 2550, AB 2078, and AB 2682. Most bills were described as aligning state programs with federal law or improving worker protections and program quality, while opponents generally raised concerns about costs, administrative burden, regulatory uncertainty, or reduced oversight. Testimony was largely split along labor and industry lines. Supporters included labor unions, legal aid groups, workforce boards, and affected workers or family members, who emphasized heat illness, wage theft, silica exposure, poor prison conditions, and the need for higher-quality training and retirement access. Opponents on several bills, especially those affecting agriculture, REITs, and workforce administration, argued the measures would increase costs, create uncertainty, or duplicate existing law. On AB 2227, committee members engaged in extended discussion about Labor Commissioner delays and whether the bill’s default-judgment and bond provisions would meaningfully help workers. On AB 1869, members and witnesses debated whether the bill created new standards or simply improved enforcement of existing REIT rules. The committee voted to pass all of the measures heard, generally with motions to do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations. Several bills were held open for absent members during the meeting, and later add-on roll calls recorded additional ayes, moving the bills out of committee. The meeting concluded after the consent calendar was approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So not only were we able to replace the 1,169 employees who retired or resigned from state service, but
• It’s basically our software that keeps track of the electronic personnel records for every state employee
• It’s basically our software that keeps track of the electronic personnel records for every state employee
• </c><00:29:52.240><c> if</c> employees to come work for the state if employees to come work for the state
• We manage workers' comp claims for all state employees, and we do centralized recruiting to the outside

Transcript Highlights:

• G.D.E., State Building Trades in support. Judy Nees, State Building Trades, in support. Thank you.
• terms of timeline between federal and state funds.
• agricultural employees and the corresponding employees that work alongside them.
• However, under this bill, corresponding employees are defined as any employee engaged in ag work.
• As stated by the opposition, there's nothing to worry about.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Transcript Highlights:

• in the United States Army Air Corps before it became the United States Air Force.
• , but are kept circulating in state.
• We can pay our own skilled New Mexicans trained in state.
• It goes to all state-certified apprenticeship programs.
• We're going to have a lot of work around this state.

Summary: The committee first addressed a procedural dispute over House Bill 280, with one member arguing it had already been heard and tabled in another committee earlier that day. The chair ruled the bill was properly before the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee because it had been assigned there and published in the notice. HB 280 would create a three-year pilot program to support paid internships for students through grants to school districts, nonprofits, and tribal entities, with the Department of Workforce Solutions administering the program, collecting data, and reporting outcomes. Supporters said it would help build a sustainable funding source for school-year internships, expand access in rural and tribal communities, and connect internships to graduation credit and workforce pathways. Committee members asked about administrative costs, student selection, matching funds, program duration, and whether government entities and land grants could participate. The bill was described as flexible enough to allow different local program designs, including stipends or payroll arrangements. The committee voted do pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, which honors the Hurley family, especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley, for military service and public contributions to New Mexico. The memorial highlighted Patrick Hurley’s service in World War I and World War II, his diplomatic roles, and his decorations, as well as Wilson Hurley’s military service and later career as an artist. There was no opposition, and the memorial received a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 270, a public works apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs or the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund on most public works construction projects, while exempting trades with no approved program. Supporters argued the bill would close loopholes, strengthen workforce development, and ensure contractors benefiting from public projects contribute to training. Opponents from asphalt, utility, and contractor groups said they already support existing training programs, warned the bill could raise costs and create participation problems for contractors without access to suitable programs, and noted the Transportation Committee had already considered the bill earlier that day. Sponsors responded that the earlier Transportation action was a procedural glitch and that the bill was a cleanup measure to make the existing law more effective and fair. After extended debate over costs, workforce shortages, and the effect on highway contractors, the committee voted do pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 tally.

Transcript Highlights:

• Filipino American in the state Senate.
• And the states have stepped up, both red states and blue states, to say that our children deserve products
• Additionally, the state of Alaska has established such a privilege for public employees through a court
• This bill repeals an obsolete law regarding paying benefits to state employees who were members of the
• And extends from 365 to 760 days certain pay and benefits to state employees ordered to active duty on

Transcript Highlights:

• c> the</c><00:51:39.359><c> state</c><00:51:39.599><c> budget</c> employees go to the state budget employees
• On second reading, I did vote down the employees' raises for the state employees.
• down um the employees raises for the<02:23:43.600><c> state</c><02:23:43.840><c> employees.
• What I did while the state employees.
• <02:45:44.640><c> employees</c> state employees state employees would<02:45:46.960><c> be</c><02:45:47.120