Transcript Highlights:

• The last thing I will say to in interest of time is that simply saying having a greater pool of nurses
• The last thing I will say to in interest of time is that simply saying having a greater pool of nurses
• The last thing I will say to in interest of time is that simply saying having a greater pool of nurses
• The last thing I will say to in interest of time is that simply saying having a greater pool of nurses
• </c><00:21:16.480><c> of</c> simply saying having a greater pool of simply saying having a greater pool

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal would expand the applicant pool while still adhering to standards and competencies necessary
• I'm all for expanding the applicant pool and lowering barriers for people to be employed in positions
• This proposal would expand, excuse me, the applicant pool and while still adhering to standards and competencies
• I'm all for expanding the applicant pool and lowering barriers for I'm all for expanding the applicant
• pool and lowering barriers for people to be employed in positions where they are effective.

Bills: HB2205, HB2309, HB2206, HB2123, HB2120, HB2411

Keywords: sports wagering, gambling regulation, state control, licensing, consumer protection, state employment, classified service, civil service, job qualifications, degree requirements, postgraduate degree, master's degree, doctorate, higher education, Office of Financial Management, OFM, classification plan, salary survey, market rate pay, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• Ninety-five cities came together to say we want to pool our insurance and insure ourselves, and so we
• run the pool to make sure that our members have coverage.
• experience goes up, our exposure goes up, and our premiums go up, which affects all 94 cities in our pool
• I'm very much interested in the pool insurance, but I want to get down into the weeds of it, so maybe
• You know, they even have a swimming, kind of like a pool lake for swimming. There.

Transcript Highlights:

• another carveout of $1.5 million was made for children's museums across the state in a competitive grant pool
• :01:21.040><c> competitive</c><00:01:21.840><c> uh</c><00:01:22.000><c> grant</c><00:01:22.320><c> pool
• </c><00:01:23.040><c> And</c><00:01:23.200><c> then</c> in a competitive uh grant pool.
• And then in a competitive uh grant pool.
• are many great things, but one thing that I am very excited about is the one with the competitive pool

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered a conference committee report on House File 2563, the legacy bill, and members described it as a bipartisan agreement with the Senate. Representative Vang outlined several major changes from the House version, including restoring funding for Peace in the Valley in parks and trails, moving Wilderness Inquiry funding to the arts and culture fund, increasing the Minnesota Zoo to $3.4 million, raising the Children’s Museum to $1 million, setting aside $1.5 million for a competitive grant pool for children’s museums statewide, and increasing the Science Museum to $700,000. Supporters said the bill invests in clean water, parks and trails, outdoor heritage, arts and cultural heritage, and a new community identity and heritage grant program for underserved communities. Several members spoke in favor of the report, emphasizing the value of legacy funds for conservation, cultural programming, tourism, and community identity. Speakers highlighted specific beneficiaries and projects, including outdoor heritage groups, the Science Museum, Latino arts and mural projects, and competitive funding for creative arts and music. One member noted that some state agencies also received appropriations in the bill and criticized fee increases on Minnesotans, while another said the bill reflected a fair negotiation process and that some programs saw reductions because of a $33.1 million accounting-related shortfall. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report. The clerk then took the roll, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a vote of 113 yeas and 21 nays, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• fatal injuries, one of them being my brother who clinically drowned at five years old at a public pool
• The ratio in the pool room was 16 children to 1 adult.
• Mitchell had accidentally slipped into the pool.
• He panicked, breathed in water, lost consciousness, and sank to the bottom of the pool, where he remained
• So we have someone outside at the pool who is also watching and acting as a safety person.

Bills: SB650, HB3667, SB28, HB3201, SB1184, HB1800, SB 28

Keywords: permit issuance, regulatory framework, business operations, efficiency, application process, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, lottery regulations, occupational licensing, fraud prevention, criminal background checks, lottery couriers, SB 1184, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, wine collection seller, collectible wine, vintage wine

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the state shrimp, which would establish opula as the state shrimp to protect alkaline pool
• 345 relating to the state shrimp, establishing the ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to protect alkaline pool
• 00:24:26.520><c> to</c><00:24:26.679><c> protect</c><00:24:27.000><c> alkaline</c><00:24:27.480><c> pool
• </c><00:24:27.799><c> systems</c> shrimp to protect alkaline pool systems shrimp to protect alkaline
• pool systems throughout<00:24:29.520><c> Havi</c><00:24:30.480><c> I</c><00:24:30.640><c> recommend</

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to cultural recognition and arts policy. HB 531 would authorize special license plates recognizing the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, and HB 458 would designate Brother Joseph Dutton Day; both received support testimony, including from the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Joseph Dutton Guild, and both were advanced. HB 345 would establish ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to help protect alkaline pool systems, with support from DLNR and multiple community and environmental groups, and it was also advanced. HB 194, relating to Maritime Day, received limited testimony and was moved forward with amendments to align the observance with National Maritime Day on May 22. The committee also heard HB 554, which originally would have established Lunar New Year as a state holiday. Testimony in support emphasized cultural recognition and community benefits, but the chair explained that creating a new state holiday would cost about $9 million, so the bill was amended to make Lunar New Year a day of recognition rather than a state holiday. The committee noted several supporters, including youth testimony, and advanced the measure with amendments. HB 957, relating to Lāʻau Day, similarly drew broad written support; the committee amended it to designate the first Friday of May rather than May 1 and advanced it. In each case, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations without opposition or reservations. The hearing concluded with HB 925, a short-form bill that would allow the state to levy a 1% tax on concert ticket sales to support arts access statewide; the committee recommended passing the bill with amendments and recommitting it for future public hearings, and that recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:06.920><c> for</c> state-wide health insurance pool for state-wide health insurance pool for
• or a regional pool.
• You can create a separate pool. You can feel it's going to do everything you want it to do.
• </c><01:38:20.680><c> You</c><01:38:20.840><c> can</c> You can create a separate pool.
• You can You can create a separate pool.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We used to be able to pull from that pool of F-16 pilots at Luke, and then they would become F-16 2nd
• —F-35s down in Tucson because then we would have that pool at Luke to pull from and from other places
• So if we got the F-35 down in Tucson, we would have a pool from which to recruit and retain.
• not want to stay on active duty but they want to keep serving we used to be able to pull from that pool
• at Luke to pull from and from other places five's down in Tucson because then we would have that pool

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• it is not a reflection or doesn't take into account market conditions, you know, lack of applicant pool
• </c> the labor pool. the labor pool.
• <00:19:59.720><c> lack</c><00:20:00.040><c> of</c><00:20:00.200><c> applicant</c><00:20:00.760><c> pool
• </c><00:20:01.160><c> It's</c> you know, lack of applicant pool.
• It's you know, lack of applicant pool.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures relating to public employment, the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF), retirement benefits, and cafeteria plans. HB 2472 and HB 2276, both concerning EUTF staff and investment office staff salaries, drew support from the trust fund and labor groups, and no opposition was heard in person. HB 2272 and HB 2273, emergency appropriations for public employment cost items, were supported by the administration and labor representatives; members briefly clarified which bargaining units were covered. A longer discussion centered on HB 1664, which would address a dispute mechanism for EUTF-related negotiations. HGEA said the current process lacks a dispute resolution path and that the bill would allow interest arbitration when the state and union disagree. The Department of Human Resources Development and the Budget and Finance director raised concerns about consistency across bargaining units and the role of an arbitrator unfamiliar with the complexities of the system. Senator Moriwaki questioned whether another dispute forum might be more appropriate, but no alternative resolution was settled. The committee also heard HB 1655, which would make retirement benefits negotiable, and HB 1658, concerning collective bargaining repricing. ERS opposed HB 1655, saying it could create administrative and tax problems if retirement benefits were negotiated separately across many bargaining units, while UPW, HGEA, HSTA, and UPA supported it as a bargaining issue. On HB 1658, DHRD explained that repricing is an internal classification tool meant to preserve equal pay for equal work, not to address market pay, and said a single arbitrator or the Merit Appeals Board could handle disputes; HGEA preferred a neutral arbitrator and opposed the Merit Appeals Board as too employer-controlled. The final measure, HB 1661 on cafeteria plans, was supported by UPW and HGEA. DHRD said it planned to raise the maximum contribution through rulemaking but needed to manage plan solvency and timing because IRS limits change on a calendar-year basis while the state plan runs on a fiscal year. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted recommendations to pass HB 2472 and HB 2276 as amended/unamended after a brief correction to the vote language.

Transcript Highlights:

• The whole purpose of insurance is to pool risk.
• So if you pinpoint one hospital versus another hospital, you're not pooling the risk.
• But if you let them in the pool, it is a mix.
• Insurance is about pooling risk, but here we have both a statute and a court order that says you have
• the ability to track risk, so how would we know if we have a high-risk person or corporation in the pool

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, we manage around $160 billion of assets across many pools of capital.
• And again, we manage around $160 billion of assets across many pools of capital.
• And again, we manage around $160 billion of assets across many pools of capital.
• </c><00:48:18.480><c> In</c><00:48:18.720><c> that</c> many pools of capital.
• In that many pools of capital.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the prior agreement, entitled to 75% of their uncompensated care, and that's working for a global pool
• 17:44.480><c> global</c> care and that's working for a global care and that's working for a global pool
• 00:17:46.640><c> um</c><00:17:46.880><c> that</c><00:17:47.280><c> for</c><00:17:47.919><c> um</c> pool
• that would produce um that for um pool that would produce um that for um critical<00:17:48.480><c> access

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first went into executive session on SB 83, which concerns an elderly, disabled, blind, and deaf property tax exemption reimbursement fund, lottery-related changes, and a voluntary statewide self-exclusion database. Representative Ulery moved to retain the bill, saying more work was needed to make the bill clear. The motion passed 17-0 with three members absent, and SB 83 was retained in committee. The committee then took up SB 249FN, a bill relative to the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund. Representative Ulery offered House Amendment 2025-2465H, which was described as incorporating a recent agreement between the state and hospital parties into state law and setting the stage for future action. Medicaid Director Henry Litman explained that the agreement keeps the Medicaid enhancement tax at 5.4%, uses directed payments rather than traditional DSH payments, and is intended to be budget-neutral for the state while increasing hospital payments through a higher federal match. He also said critical access hospitals would continue under the existing directed-payment approach, and that the agreement includes a mechanism to revisit the arrangement if federal law changes substantially. New Hampshire Hospital Association President Steve Hearn said the association supports the amendment and the bill as amended, calling the settlement fair and beneficial to hospitals and the Medicaid program. The amendment and the subsequent ought-to-pass-as-amended motion both passed 18-0. At the end of the meeting, the chair said the committee had now gone through all of its bills and had retained nine in total, with a future meeting planned in September or October to review retained bills. Members briefly discussed possible future committee of conference work and noted there would be no House session that Thursday. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• OMB received $15.3 million of that $34 million pool, and we have a number of projects in the works.
• And there was a question at that time regarding the statewide litigation pool.
• Then, going down to the 2025-27 biennium for that pool, we can see that through March 2026 a total of
• $612,000, or 15.7%, has been expended from that pool, and we do list out all the different agencies
• here that have access to the funding pool.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• once the pool is completed.
• that, you know, once the be in the pools that, you know, once the pool<01:02:03.320><c> is</c><01:02
• Um and we'd like to pool is completed.
• They're going to the pool, right?
• <01:09:08.799><c> because</c> pools because pools because number<01:09:10.160><c> one,</c><01:09:10.400

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses. Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately. A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is the pool of registrants that are currently being supervised by the team that does that portion
• And we anticipate seeing growth in the licensee pool as we finalize those regulations. Thank you.
• In fact, a lot of people just pay the $250 in that pool of the 60%.
• In fact, a lot of people just pay the $250 in that pool of the 60%.
• think the scale of licensure that's included at 3,500 is roughly three times the size of the actual pool

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses to join together and share in the overall claims risk by being part of a larger self-funded pool
• They offer a pooled resource of insurance.
• They offer a pooled resource of insurance.
• “...businesses in District 119 utilize this ability to gain lower insurance premiums because they pool
• I think more importantly, get them inside of a pool process that will lower their rates.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• outdated statutory language, clarifies regulatory standards, and it helps ensure that successful pooled
• plans can... ...and it helps ensure that successful pooled plans can continue serving small businesses
• They offer a pooled resource of insurance.
• small businesses in District 119 utilize this ability to gain lower insurance premiums because they pool
• I think, more importantly, get them inside of a pool process that will lower their rates.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 126-0. Members then offered several points of personal privilege and introductions, including recognition of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, a tribute and moment of silence for the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, and greetings to various visiting groups such as manufacturers, FFA students, university graduate students, and the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps for an America 250 event. The chamber then moved through first reading of several bills and took up multiple measures for perfection and printing. House Bill 2596, dealing with multiple employer self-insured health plans for small businesses, received supportive testimony from members who said it would help small employers recruit and retain workers and modernize outdated law; it was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1644, establishing a franchise-specific joint employer standard, drew extensive debate over liability, franchisor control, and whether it would protect small franchise businesses without limiting legitimate claims; it was also adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2423, updating consumer credit licensing fees for the fee-funded Division of Finance, was presented as a way to keep the agency self-funded and maintain consumer protection staffing, and it too was ordered perfected and printed. The House also considered House Bill 2641, which would regulate intoxicating hemp products and align state law with federal changes set to take effect on November 12, 2026. The bill’s sponsor said it was intended to protect children, provide clarity, and create a coordinated enforcement framework, while opponents argued it was unconstitutional because it would effectively reclassify hemp products under the marijuana framework in Article 14 of the Missouri Constitution and could harm lawful hemp businesses. An amendment and a technical amendment were adopted, and the bill was then adopted and perfected and printed as amended. The House later announced committee meetings and other notices before voting to recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh there's<00:20:13.120><c> a</c><00:20:13.360><c> tractor</c><00:20:13.919><c> pool,</c><00:20:14.320
• ><c> farland</c><00:20:14.799><c> truck</c> there's a tractor pool, farland truck there's a tractor pool
• , farland truck pool.<00:20:15.840><c> Uh</c><00:20:16.400><c> it'll</c><00:20:16.720><c> be</c><00:20
• 17.280><c> sold</c><00:20:17.679><c> out</c><00:20:17.919><c> venue</c><00:20:18.480><c> again</c> pool
• Uh it'll be sold out venue again pool.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The House clerk then informed the Senate that the House had passed House Bills 49 and 470 and requested concurrence. The clerk also read the second-reading calendar, which included Senate Bills 45, 98, 118, 145, 153, 155, 158, and 160, all of which were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports placed several bills on the calendar, including SB 69, 56, 72, 57, 172, 9, 141, and 110, with various committee substitutes and title amendments noted. The Rules Committee later posted those bills for the next day’s regular orders, and the Committee on Committees made several referrals, including SB 41 to Appropriations and Revenue; SBs 124 and 152 to Education; SBs 125, 138, 162, and 170 to Judiciary; SJR 90 to Transportation; SBs 47, 104, and 159 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection; and Senate Resolutions 85 through 89 to the floor. During floor business, members filed amendments and co-sponsorship requests, including amendments to SB 39 and SB 110 and co-sponsorships for bills such as SB 98, SB 172, SB 63, SB 135, SB 179, and SB 169. Senators also made several announcements and remarks, including notice of upcoming committee meetings, a reception for working families, the National Farm Machinery Show, and concerns about coal, energy affordability, and a constituent’s high utility bill. One senator called up Senate Resolution 82 for the next day, and the chamber adopted Senate Resolution 84, honoring Harriet Thompson of Winchester for her service to the Clark County Republican Women’s Club and the Republican Party. New legislation was introduced, including SB 180 on property valuation, SB 184 on education reporting, SBs 185-187 on branch budget recommendations and branch budget bills, SB 188 on railroad safety, and SCR 96 to reestablish the disaster prevention and resiliency task force. No floor votes were taken on the bills themselves during this meeting beyond the adoption of SR 84. The Senate then recessed for committee meetings, returned, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you have a pool of teachers that you're hiring from, if that pool doesn't have diversity in it
• But what I want to make sure is that the pool of people you're choosing from is diverse enough so that
• Because a lot of schools are mostly female, you know, the large teaching pool is mostly female, and we
• same thing as saying we should hire them. ...but that we should at least recruit them so we have a pool
• Then maybe a recruitment program that just gets people into the pool, although the hiring decision itself

Bills: SB12, SB226, SB413, SB1049, SB1191, SB2398, SB571, SB2920, SB 12

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• law apply to food, beverage, and service establishments that accept tips, and requires employee tip-pool
• law apply to food, beverage, and service establishments that accept tips, and requires employee tip-pool
• :28.320><c> specific</c> select applicants for their specific select applicants for their specific pool
• :30.279><c> screening</c><00:32:31.279><c> so</c><00:32:31.880><c> uh</c><00:32:32.480><c> any</c> pool
• from initial um screening so uh any pool from initial um screening so uh any questions<00:32:33.039>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several labor-related measures. SB 183 would allow arbitration to resolve disputes over state and county contributions to the EUTF benefits trust fund; labor groups supported it, and the committee advanced it with amendments. SB 185, concerning indebtedness to the state, drew support from unions and discussion with DAGS about tiered repayment options for lower-paid employees; DAGS said the system could be programmed to accommodate the bill, and the measure was also advanced with amendments. SB 458 would expand the definition of employer for wage-payment laws to include the state and counties when no comparable public-employee provision exists; HSTA testified in support, citing repeated delayed pay for teachers, while DAGS and county representatives raised operational concerns. The committee deferred SB 458 for further administrative work. SB 425, on qualified community rehabilitation programs and the aggregate contract cap, was advanced with technical amendments after UPW said employers were splitting contracts to exceed the statutory threshold. The committee also considered SB 1287, which would apply unfair and deceptive practices law to tipped food and beverage establishments and require tip-pool signage with wage-division contact information. The Attorney General’s office recommended a savings clause to avoid retroactive application issues, and the committee passed the bill with amendments. SB 1660 would require hospitality employers to adopt anti-harassment measures, training, panic buttons, and anti-retaliation protections; the Commission on the Status of Women and worker advocates supported it, while DLIR noted existing complaint systems and the need for rulemaking. The committee adopted amendments incorporating sexual assault hotline information, panic-button guidance, and employer flexibility on translation languages, then passed the bill with amendments. SB 631, relating to the Department of Human Resources Development, was deferred, with the chair noting a prior law already allows departments to screen and select applicants from initial pools.