Transcript Highlights:

• of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
• of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
• of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
• of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
• <00:59:28.880> for workforce and earn a working wage for workforce and earn a working wage

Keywords: 958, all

Bills: HB146, HB322, HB469, HB1183, HB1481, HB1509, HB1510, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1520, HB1522, HB1524, HB1531, HB1535, HB1548, HB1550, HB1559, HB1573, HB1574, HB1590, HB1593, HB1601, HB1603, HB1615, HB1628, HB1643, HB1644, HB1645, HB1648, HB1663, HB1667, HB1671, HB1678, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1691, HB1692, HB1695, HB1696, HB1697, HB1716, HB1721, HB1724, HB1725, HB1728, HB1730, HB1733, HB1737, HB1738, HB1739, HB1740, HB1741, HB1742, HB1752, HB1753, HB1764, HB1768, HB1769, HB1777, HB1782, HB1790, HB1799, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1832, HB1839, HB1840, HB1844, HB1845, HB1850, HB1851, HB1858, HB1860, HB1864, HB1870, HB1873, HB1875, HB1877, HB1878, HB1880, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB1898, HB1921, HB1934

Keywords: judiciary, Hawaiian language, Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, language access, cultural preservation, voter registration, automatic registration, state agencies, electoral participation, opt-out system, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Bills: HB146, HB322, HB469, HB1183, HB1481, HB1509, HB1510, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1520, HB1522, HB1524, HB1531, HB1535, HB1548, HB1550, HB1559, HB1573, HB1574, HB1590, HB1593, HB1601, HB1603, HB1615, HB1628, HB1643, HB1644, HB1645, HB1648, HB1663, HB1667, HB1671, HB1678, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1691, HB1692, HB1695, HB1696, HB1697, HB1716, HB1721, HB1724, HB1725, HB1728, HB1730, HB1733, HB1737, HB1738, HB1739, HB1740, HB1741, HB1742, HB1752, HB1753, HB1764, HB1768, HB1769, HB1777, HB1782, HB1790, HB1799, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1832, HB1839, HB1840, HB1844, HB1845, HB1850, HB1851, HB1858, HB1860, HB1864, HB1870, HB1873, HB1875, HB1877, HB1878, HB1880, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB1898, HB1921, HB1934

Keywords: judiciary, Hawaiian language, Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, language access, cultural preservation, voter registration, automatic registration, state agencies, electoral participation, opt-out system, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Bills: HB146, HB322, HB469, HB1183, HB1481, HB1509, HB1510, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1520, HB1522, HB1524, HB1531, HB1535, HB1548, HB1550, HB1559, HB1573, HB1574, HB1590, HB1593, HB1601, HB1603, HB1615, HB1628, HB1643, HB1644, HB1645, HB1648, HB1663, HB1667, HB1671, HB1678, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1691, HB1692, HB1695, HB1696, HB1697, HB1716, HB1721, HB1724, HB1725, HB1728, HB1730, HB1733, HB1737, HB1738, HB1739, HB1740, HB1741, HB1742, HB1752, HB1753, HB1764, HB1768, HB1769, HB1777, HB1782, HB1790, HB1799, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1832, HB1839, HB1840, HB1844, HB1845, HB1850, HB1851, HB1858, HB1860, HB1864, HB1870, HB1873, HB1875, HB1877, HB1878, HB1880, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB1898, HB1921, HB1934

Keywords: judiciary, Hawaiian language, Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, language access, cultural preservation, voter registration, automatic registration, state agencies, electoral participation, opt-out system, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• scholarships and CAP waiting list, such that they qualify most oftentimes because they are making very low wages
• they're taking care of their own child at a provider, that provider has an interest in keeping their wages
• But then CCAP can go to pay for others who would need it, and there's no incentive for keeping a wage
• There's actually an incentive for them to keep their wages low even to the point to where, and this may
• to where they wouldn't engage in the Great Start Compensation Program because that might lift their wages

Bills: HF2436

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

Transcript Highlights:

• preemptions of local governments saying, you know, it's not right for local governments to have living wage
• it's not appropriate to tell businesses with local government money that you have to pay a certain wage
• prepare their infrastructure now are going to capture the investment, the innovation, and the high-wage

Summary: The Transportation Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up four member bills. The first, CS/HB 1387 by Rep. Overdorf, would create the Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act and require secret-ballot union recognition for companies receiving state economic development funds. Questions focused on whether the bill was pro- or anti-union and on its fiscal impact; the sponsor said it was neutral and expected no fiscal impact. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with several speakers arguing it would interfere with private-sector labor relations and discourage companies with existing labor agreements from investing in Florida, while a few supporters backed the measure. The bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with several members voting no. The committee then unanimously reported favorably CS/HB 1211 by Rep. Albert, which streamlines senior management service governance in the Department of Military Affairs, updates military leave benefits for state employees serving in the Florida National Guard, expands emergency financial assistance eligibility for guardsmen, and repeals an unfunded statutory program. An amendment aligning senior management positions under state statute was adopted without objection. The committee also unanimously reported favorably CS/HB 741 by Rep. Owen, a Department of Commerce bill updating outdated statutes, including provisions on military installation revertor clauses, rural community definitions, community development block grant language, and E-Verify/unauthorized employment provisions; the sponsor said there would be little or no fiscal impact. Finally, CS/CS/HB 1093 by Rep. Spencer, dealing with advanced air mobility, was amended to focus on infrastructure and funding for vertiports and charging systems and to remove liability, siding, and preemption provisions. Support came from industry and legal groups, and the bill was reported favorably unanimously. Before adjournment, the chair noted that budget recommendations for fiscal year 2026-27 had been submitted to the appropriations chair. The ranking member offered closing remarks, saying it was his last year in the House and thanking members for their collegiality. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Direct care is just hard for us to recruit right now with what we offer for CNA wages and nursing wages
• <00:12:42.800> offer<00:12:43.040> for<00:12:43.279> CNA<00:12:43.760> wages
• with with what we offer for CNA wages with with what we offer for CNA wages and<00:12:44.480>
• nursing<00:12:44.880> wages.
• and nursing wages. and nursing wages.

Bills: SF0010, SF0005

Keywords: mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, bankruptcy, hospital, county, healthcare, financial stability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're earning year-round $18 an hour of livable wages and career training.
• They're earning year-round $18 an hour of livable wages and career training.
• They're earning year-round $18 an hour of livable wages and career training.
• They're earning year-round $18 an hour of livable wages and career training.
• Adults earn $25 an hour of livable wages.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said students are employees and earn a livable wage while training to become an EMT.
• He said students are employees and earn a livable wage while training to become an EMT.
• /c><00:49:02.920> while<00:49:03.280> training<00:49:03.760> to earn a liable wage
• while training to earn a liable wage while training to becom<00:49:04.200> an<00:49:04.359>
• He said students are employees and earn a livable wage while training to become an EMT.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We raised that to 150% of your county average wage.
• We raised that to 150% of your county average wage.
• We raised that to 150% of your county average wage.
• We raised that to 150% of your county average wage.
• We raised that to 150% of your county average wage.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , we've been also able to take criminal sexual assault, child pornography, drug overdose, and even wage
• , we've been also able to take criminal sexual assault, child pornography, drug overdose, and even wage
• wages that the office's<00:31:02.720> wage<00:31:03.039> theft<00:31:03.440> division
• <00:31:04.000> has office's wage theft division has office's wage theft division has returned
• We see this in wage theft all the time.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In Minneapolis, economic losses run well into the hundreds of millions of dollars in missing wages in
• in a city with 35,000 in missing wages in a city with 35,000 households<00:49:02.520> struggling<
• Chairman and members, in the same bill, on page three, uh, we find prevailing wages.
• So, uh, the prevailing wage has to be paid to build these houses.
• <01:03:24.120> So, prevailing wages. So, prevailing wages.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:19:39.600> wages<01:19:40.000> for not love subminimum wage wages for not love
• subminimum wage wages for people<01:19:40.400> with<01:19:40.640> disabilities<01:19:41.120
• <01:20:19.120> fair things around fair prevailing wage fair things around fair prevailing
• wage fair wage<01:20:20.640> um<01:20:20.880> discrimination<01:20:21.679> around
• ><01:20:22.000> wage wage um discrimination around wage wage um discrimination around wage repression

Bills: HF3661, HF2380, HF3468, HF3483

Keywords: facial recognition, privacy, government surveillance, public safety, data protection, civil liberties, disability rights, discrimination, accommodations, employment, housing, public services, education, civil action, failure to render aid, damages, Minnesota Statutes, legal liability, trespass, civil immigration enforcement

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 24 and February 26. It then took up House File 3661, a bill originally authored by Representative Gomez and presented by Representative Feist, which would ban government use of facial recognition technology and be re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. The committee adopted the A1 amendment, described as a technical amendment based on House Research recommendations, before hearing testimony on the bill. Representative Feist said the bill is aimed at preventing serious privacy and civil-liberties harms, including secretive surveillance, racial and gender bias, and the lack of statewide rules governing government use of facial recognition. Supportive testimony came from Chad Marlo of the ACLU, who argued the issue is bipartisan, the technology has accuracy problems, and government use is expanding against vulnerable groups. Chris Wayland of Restore the Fourth Minnesota also supported a ban, emphasizing the inability to opt out of facial recognition and the lack of standards, disclosure, and community input. Rich Newmeister urged stronger transparency measures, including agency policies and public notice in buildings using the technology. Major Spencer Baky of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office opposed an outright ban, saying facial recognition is used only as an investigative lead, not for positive identification or real-time surveillance, and that results are corroborated before use. He said the office has used the tool in hundreds of investigations and supports a statutory framework with safeguards instead of a ban. In member discussion, Representative Hudson argued a blanket ban was too broad and suggested a more targeted evidentiary approach, while Representative Moller and Representative Kurr expressed concern about misuse and the federal government's use of the technology. Representative Durant asked whether there was a current Minnesota problem and whether stakeholders and law enforcement had been involved in drafting the bill. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the amendment and the committee’s continued consideration of HF 3661.

Transcript Highlights:

• And communities like mine in South Central, too many workers remain concentrated in low-wage occupations
• The highest percentage of jobs created in my county are low-wage jobs.
• And we know when we have low-wage jobs that perpetuates housing crises, food crises, educational gaps
• It's influenced by housing costs, wages, transportation, health care, agriculture, emergency food systems

Summary: The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns. The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are family-sustaining, living-wage careers for laborers across the entire state.
• These<00:07:47.280> are<00:07:47.400> family-sustaining,<00:07:48.680> living-wage
• c> These are family-sustaining, living-wage These are family-sustaining, living-wage careers<00:07:50.120

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate capital investment leaders held a public discussion focused primarily on lead service line removal and the need for a new bonding bill. Rep. Fue Lee and Chair Jeff Franzen said Minnesota’s existing state and federal lead-line funds will be exhausted by the 2026 construction season, warning that without action there would be no lead removal program in 2027. They framed the issue as a bipartisan public health and infrastructure priority, emphasizing that no amount of lead is safe and that regular capital investment is needed to keep communities moving forward. Testimony from Raquel Vasquez of St. Paul Regional Water Services, Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and Joel Smith of LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota described the scale of the problem and the progress made so far. Vasquez said St. Paul’s pilot program is working, with costs coming down and about 6,000 of roughly 26,000 local lead service lines expected to be replaced by the end of the season, but warned that 18,000 to 20,000 would remain without more funding. Peterson said there are about 100,000 known lead service lines statewide and more than 200,000 still being assessed, with replacement costs averaging $10,000 to $15,000 per line. Smith stressed that funding gaps would stall momentum, leave at least 90,000 lead pipes in the ground, and cost the state thousands of union jobs. In response to questions, Sen. Sandy Pappas said she supports including $100 million in appropriation bonds for lead service lines in the Senate bonding proposal, while acknowledging the need is closer to $250 million. House leaders said they were discussing the size and contents of the bonding bill and were considering both general fund cash and appropriation bonds, with affordability for homeowners a key concern. The chairs also discussed broader bonding priorities, including other water, sewer, road, and facility projects, and noted that decisions would depend on whether leadership can reach agreement on a final bonding package before the end of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• These careers provide a livable wage, benefits, and help meet the workforce needs we all know we're facing
• > livable industry these careers provide a livable industry these careers provide a livable wage
• 01:55.119> and<00:01:55.280> help<00:01:55.439> meet<00:01:55.640> the wage
• benefits and help meet the wage benefits and help meet the workforce<00:01:56.200> needs<00:01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:53.120> This<00:20:53.360> doesn't million in wages lost.
• This doesn't million in wages lost.
• From lost wages, missed rent payments, and a sharp increase in families falling behind, and community
• From lost wages, missed rent payments, and a sharp increase in families falling behind, and community
• From lost wages, missed rent payments, and a sharp increase in families falling behind, and community

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3403, authored by Vice Chair Rep. Kazowski, and first adopted an A1 amendment. The amendment made technical and implementation changes recommended by the Department of Revenue, allowed a small portion of funds for county and tribal administrative costs, and clarified timing and reporting for spent and unspent funds. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was moved to Ways and Means. Rep. Kazowski described HF 3403 as a $50 million emergency rental assistance measure to help stabilize households facing eviction, with $44 million directed to counties and $6 million reserved for tribal nations, administered through the Department of Revenue using the existing local homeless prevention aid formula. Supporters said the bill would provide immediate, targeted help to renters and landlords, prevent evictions, and reduce downstream costs to shelters, schools, employers, and health systems. Several testifiers, including representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Louis County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, social workers, a resident, and tribal housing leaders, said local resources were insufficient to meet rising need and emphasized the impact of federal immigration enforcement and related economic disruption on families, workers, and communities. Testimony highlighted sharp increases in rental assistance requests, rising eviction filings, depleted county funds, and the strain on nonprofit and mutual aid efforts. County and city officials said emergency rental assistance and related legal services had already prevented thousands of evictions, but current funding was not enough. Tribal testimony stressed disproportionate homelessness among Native Americans and supported the bill’s tribal allocation. During member discussion, Rep. Amani Hiltsley said the bill was an economic stabilization tool and requested a roll call vote, noting safeguards against fraud and the broader costs of inaction.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, first is wage detail reporting. This is a quiet but really important milestone.
• Uh first is wage detail reporting. 2026. Uh first is wage detail reporting.
• of the statewide average wage.
• on one unified wage detail return for businesses.
• on one unified wage detail return for businesses.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They must lead to wages that are 100 above 150% of the federal poverty line after accounting for training
• But it's maybe not the best way to report how you're doing in terms of the minimum standards of public
• standards of public school minimum standards of public school approval<01:48:49.680> and<01:48
• they're doing in terms of these minimum they're doing in terms of these minimum public<01:54:32.160
• <02:00:29.000> standards how many times has the minimum standards how many times has the minimum

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are asking workers earning poverty-level wages to manage some of the most volatile public situations
• upskill, enough opportunity for folks to mobilize, enough opportunity for skill to translate into higher wages
• The bill reconstitutes the IWC, specifically to issue a new wage order.
• A mere $1 per hour wage increase would hit private security employers with an additional $750 million
• would reconstitute the Industrial Welfare Commission, unfunded since 2004, and charge it with setting wages

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several Senate bills focused on workforce training, public safety, health, and consumer protection. SB 1203 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would expand and modernize private security guard training, especially de-escalation training, and drew strong support from security workers and labor groups who described dangerous encounters and inadequate preparation. Opponents, including security firms and business groups, argued the bill would impose major costs, create staffing shortages, and push employers toward unregulated alternatives. The committee ultimately voted to pass the bill to Labor and Employment, with some members noting support contingent on future amendments about training capacity. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would restrict retail sales of larger nitrous oxide canisters while preserving legitimate medical, culinary, and automotive uses. Supporters, including Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, counties, public health groups, waste agencies, and law enforcement organizations, said misuse of nitrous oxide is causing addiction, impaired driving, neurological harm, and disposal hazards. There was no organized opposition on the record, and the committee passed the bill to Public Safety. SB 1271 by Senator Reyes would require the Medical Board to collect data on licensed midwives’ capacity to serve as preceptors and train new students, with the information reported to the Legislature. Supporters said California’s midwifery pipeline is strained, especially in rural and birth-desert areas, and that more data is needed to expand training access. The committee passed the bill to Health. SB 903 by Senator Padilla would prohibit AI chatbots from being advertised or used as therapists without appropriate licensed-professional oversight and informed consent, and would reinforce confidentiality and patient-protection rules. Testimony centered on the death of a teenager after extensive interactions with an AI chatbot, with supporters urging stronger guardrails and opponents asking for amendments; the committee passed the bill to Privacy and Consumer Protection. The consent calendar item, SB 1165 by Senator Caballero, was also approved and sent to Revenue and Taxation.