Video & Transcript Research : 'labor code'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Wed Mar 4, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • work takes more than twice the labor work takes more than twice the labor hours<00:26:43.240>
  • amendments, and code adoption.
  • the good work of the State Building Code the good work of the State Building Code Council.
  • code code amendments, and code code code amendments, and code code adoption.<00:46:58.560> Um
  • building code council. building code council.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing either support or comments rather than opposition. HB 2395, relating to taking marine deposits for research, education, management, or propagation, received support from the University of Hawaii and DLNR. HB 2585, relating to agricultural tourism, drew broad support for its intent to keep agritourism secondary to farming, but agencies and farm groups raised concerns about enforcement, county authority, and the rebuttable presumption language. Testifiers included OPSD, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, a small farm operator, and others, with some urging clearer definitions, simpler registration, and protections for bona fide farms and hosted farm stays. HB 1728, on rainwater catchment systems, was supported in principle by DLNR, which cited drought conditions and said it deferred to counties and the Department of Health on safety and regulation. HB 1881, which would prohibit passenger ropeways on mountain lands, drew strong support from community testifiers who said it would help prevent development disguised as agritourism and protect forests and country lands. HB 1990, establishing penalties and possible foreclosure for unresolved zoning violations, received comments from the Attorney General recommending removal of AG references and more county-centered enforcement, while the Hawaii Association of Realtors warned the 30-day timeline could create problems for absent or unaware homeowners. The committee also heard HB 1712, which would expand and make permanent certain seats on the State Building Code Council. The Plumbers and Fitters union supported the bill, but BIA Hawaii requested amendments to add “licensed contractor” language, and architects and other professionals opposed the measure, arguing that increasing the council from 12 to 15 voting members would make it less efficient and harder to reach quorum. Finally, HB 2151, relating to hempcrete, was supported by a Kauai workforce development advocate and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, who said hempcrete could support agriculture, manufacturing, and affordable housing while reducing carbon and reliance on imported materials. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So labor and workforce development, this is nearly exclusively the state's unemployment insurance program
  • estimates from my organization, the California Budget and Policy Center, and from the UC Berkeley Labor
  • Is there a way that we can close some... loopholes in our tax code that we may not need anymore, really
  • So we are working across the aisle with labor and businesses.
  • California agriculture depends upon farm worker labor.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 15th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • prohibits contacting or communicating with a minor with intent to commit a sex offense—that's Penal Code
  • Title IX coordinators and civil rights officers report that the current language in the education code
  • Existing penalty statutes are not well suited to address these types of serious code violations, such
  • AB 632 will help local governments go after bad actors committing most serious types of code violations
  • In this role I witnessed first hand the quiet but essential labor of our public works professionals.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • As the Water Code is written today, it would potentially limit the ability...
  • Manual, the public contracts code, that those would still apply.
  • Indicators like inflation, as well as increasing costs for different capital components and labor costs
  • Public Advocates Office, Utility Reform Network, and all of the other stakeholders that represent labor
  • We've got a coalition that includes environmental groups, the ports, labor, and the developers.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 3rd, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Updates to the insurance code. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
  • Forced labor continues to plague supply chains and industries.
  • , and child labor.
  • This is a labor bill as well.
  • Including RCRC, the Almond Alliance, laborers, and many others.
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Mar 12th, 2025

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • We were established by the statute, and we're governed by, under the insurance code, by the workers'
  • I'm the Executive Director for the Council. created in 1993 under Texas Government Code Chapter 2308
  • They represent business, labor, education, and a community-based organization.
  • There's a section of the property code, it's 202, where you can petition. to do that, but again, there's
  • Texas workforce boards help ensure businesses are fully prepared to succeed with the labor force that
Bills: HB406
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tax Expenditure Review Commission 6/17/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • um our our our labor um our our our our<00:45:31.800> uh<00:45:31.880> the our uh the
  • our uh the excuse<00:45:33.640> me,<00:45:33.760> the<00:45:33.840> laborers<00:
  • 45:34.280> who<00:45:34.400> build<00:45:34.920> um excuse me, the laborers who
  • build um excuse me, the laborers who build um these<00:45:36.440> facilities<00:45:37.160>
  • at the federal Internal Revenue Code at the federal level. level. level.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The Tax Expenditure Review Commission met on June 17, 2026, approved the January 20, 2026 minutes, and then adopted updated commission procedures. The procedural changes, presented by Legislative Budget Office Director Christian Larson, required a quorum of voting members to complete evaluations before a formal recommendation vote, and allowed members to bundle or unbundle tax expenditures for voting. The commission approved the revised procedures by roll call vote, with five ayes and four excused. The commission then reviewed member evaluation summaries for tax expenditures presented in December 2025 and January 2026. It first considered the alcoholic beverage tax credits for small brewers and microdistilleries, and after discussion voted to recommend repeal of those two expenditures, while leaving the small winery credit for a later meeting because it lacked enough member responses under the new procedures. The vote on the repeal recommendation passed 4-1, with Commissioner Marquart voting no. The commission next approved the lawful gambling bundle, which included bingo, raffle, and related exemptions. Larson reported that most members recommended continuation for each item, and the commission voted to recommend continuing all six lawful gambling expenditures. It then reviewed the residential utility services bundle—residential heating fuels, residential water services, and sewer services—where members generally favored continuation but several noted possible modifications or caps for higher-income users; the commission voted to recommend continuation of the bundle. Finally, the commission reviewed the data center equipment sales tax exemption, which Larson said had an estimated annual revenue loss of $95 million and was intended to create jobs in construction and data center industries. Members raised questions about its effectiveness and whether the exemption should be modified or capped, but the commission ultimately voted to recommend continuation. The meeting concluded with these recommendations set to be included in the commission’s 2026 annual report.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Mar 19th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, your Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee has been referred.
  • I was looking at all the codes.
  • There is some stuff in there from a labor union standpoint, but how many, Mr.
  • Conservation code.
  • Slave labor, no child labor, and actually follow safety protocols when producing these kinds of solar
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/19/25

Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • but I couldn't afford to go to to code but I couldn't afford to go to this<00:10:21.920> boot
  • I'm a four-year Navy veteran, 26 years as a union laborer, and proud resident of North Minneapolis.
  • I'm a four-year Navy veteran, 26 years as a union laborer, and proud resident of North Minneapolis.
  • <00:38:04.320> So,<00:38:04.400> I because we have child labor laws.
  • So, I because we have child labor laws.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Feb 19th, 2026

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, members, we're going to item eight on the agenda: Department of Labor and Licensing, Arkansas
  • I'm the chief legal counsel for the Department of Labor and Licensing. Thank you, Mr. Parker.
  • I'm the chief legal counsel for the Department of Labor and Licensing, which includes our State Board
  • I'm the chief legal counsel for the Department of Labor and Licensing, which includes our State Board
  • The first part is our board rules; the second part is the profession's code of professional conduct.
Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates with no questions, and several Commerce rules were approved, including repeals tied to the minority business enterprise and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act because they were superseded by Act 116 or duplicative of statute. The Insurance Department’s new rule for online marketplace guarantee providers was also approved, with Airbnb used as an example of the type of platform covered. The Department of Education presented an update to the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program to align payment milestones with Act 502 of 2025, and DFA presented a rule implementing a new tax credit for Arkansas rice used in beer and sake production under Act 874 of 2025. Members asked about verification of grain bills and whether the credit was broadly available; DFA said the rule tracks the statute and requires producers to submit the grain bill with their return. DHS then presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes from Public Law 119-21, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64, changing treatment of dependents and exemptions, and adjusting energy assistance income treatment; the rule was approved despite one public comment. Later, DHS Medical Services amended the Medicaid Rehab Hospital Manual to allow rehab hospitals to operate psychiatric units and bill Medicaid for those services, and also secured approval for a recovery audit contractor exemption because Arkansas law bars contingency-fee contractors and the state already has other program integrity safeguards. The Board of Public Accountancy’s rules implementing Act 428 of 2025 were approved after discussion of a new CPA licensure pathway requiring a bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience, changes to substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of a government/not-for-profit coursework requirement. The committee also approved the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, retained all 18 DAPSAF rules under a review of Group 3, filed outstanding 2023-session rulemaking updates, and adjourned after filing monthly updates.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the only odd thing about the area in my ZIP code: there are four Duane Quams.
  • She can get that done for us as this heads off to Workforce and Labor, so I appreciate your input and
  • She can get that done for us as this heads off to Workforce and Labor, so I appreciate your input and
  • But we are going to be done at 10:10 sharp. be moving to Workforce labor and be moving to Workforce labor
  • Representative Davis: I believe you have an author amendment coded A4. Would you like to move that?
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The committee met on February 11 and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal and district facts. Chair Jim Nash then outlined the committee’s goals for the session, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation, the need to address a looming structural deficit, and the committee’s role in moving legislation forward. The committee also reviewed its rules for the year. The main item was House File 3, authored by Chair Nash and referred to Ways and Means. The bill would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report tracking whether agencies have implemented prior audit and evaluation recommendations, with the goal of improving internal controls, transparency, and accountability and helping legislators make funding decisions. Nash described the bill as a preventative measure to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, and said it was modeled in part on practices used in Colorado. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the office already produces similar update reports but lacks resources to independently verify many agency responses; she said the bill would provide a framework for more regular reporting and discussion, not a “shame tool.” Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the bill would increase accountability and transparency for how public agencies manage taxpayer resources. A letter from the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits was also noted in support. Representative Clardy offered the A7 amendment to add an appropriation matching the fiscal note; Nash accepted it, saying savings could be found later in the process. The committee approved the A7 amendment by voice vote. During discussion, Representative Quam supported the bill’s focus on accountability, and Representative Freiberg questioned the Legislative Auditor about the office’s expertise on a specific ambulance-services recommendation in the report. Randall responded that the office’s staff are policy research generalists who use standards, best practices, interviews, surveys, and site visits to develop recommendations, and that the goal is to prompt further discussion rather than require blind acceptance. The transcript ends during that exchange, with no final committee vote on House File 3 shown.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • important that we encourage people during their prime working years to continue to be part of the labor
  • And what we don't want to do is create disincentives whereby they decide not to be in the labor force
  • I have been vocal about the need for clarity in the tax code. and proudly led a letter alongside the
  • but through the individual code because they are partnerships or they are sole proprietors.
  • am familiar with is that the tax cuts and jobs Act actually increased the progressivity of the tax code
Summary: The meeting convened to consider the nomination of Mike Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During the session, multiple members voiced concerns regarding current economic policies under the Trump administration, particularly around inflation, tariffs, and the impact on small businesses. Discussions frequently centered on the administration's approach to tariffs and taxation, and how these factors contribute to the rising cost of living and potential job losses. Additionally, the importance of bolstering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations was emphasized, highlighting the need for specialized offices focused on tribal affairs within the Treasury Department.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

04/29/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • In already tight labor markets, significant increases in deportations will create and exacerbate labor
  • Are we going to apply the Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code?
  • Are we going to apply the Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code?
  • Mass deportations, because we're already in a tight labor market.
  • This bill applies the Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code.
Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Health Care Committee Feb 12th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is not a step therapy exception process in code.
  • It's Code of Federal Regulations.
  • Additionally, IHS facilities bill with a revenue code and a procedure code is not required.
  • Either code or a combination of these codes will be allowed one time per quadrant every two years for
  • And I think you can even do it by code.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Juvenile Justice Apr 14th, 2025

S/C on Juvenile Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • There was a book in 1850 where a guy had mentioned that uh When he basically says labor is pain and and
  • Of labor more than the consequences of plunder.
  • written explanation describing the sealing process and a copy of the relevant subchapter of the family code
  • The bill will amend Section 558.262 of the Family Code to require juvenile probation departments to provide
  • It's going to further amend 58.62 of the Family code to require probation officers and other officials
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/23/2026 - Senate Finance

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • place, whoever the governor might be, to say if we have this significant change in the federal tax code
  • What you're talking about, Senator Epstein, is labor, right? You're curious if we have the labor.
  • Well, if anyone hasn't since I've lived here in 12 years, we're a shortage of labor for housing, for
  • But when we talk about labor, we need labor all over in every industry in this state, and I believe in
  • confused by the opposition because to me this is eliminating a subsidy built into our property tax code
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the minutes from March 16, 2026, then heard testimony on a series of bills, with the chair noting that testimony and votes would be handled in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would raise the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion. Lucid Motors supported the change as a tool to attract manufacturing jobs to rural Arizona, while opponents questioned whether the higher credit would actually create new jobs and pointed to a fiscal note that could reach $48 million. The committee later passed the bill 5-2. HB 2950 would authorize municipalities and counties to form tourism improvement areas funded by lodging business assessments for marketing and tourism promotion. The Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix supported the measure, describing TIAs as voluntary, locally controlled tools already used in other states and useful for rural destinations; senators pressed on whether the assessments were truly voluntary and how the districts would be formed and administered. The bill passed 5-2. HB 2780, a technical cleanup bill related to property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sales, was described as conforming changes to a prior law creating a mechanism for delinquent taxpayers to recover equity; it passed 6-1. HB 2502 would allow certain ASRS members who are elected officials to retire at normal retirement age without resigning their elected office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate. ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor and a lobbyist argued the bill would create parity with non-elected members who can retire and return to work; the committee passed it 5-2. HB 2140, as amended by a striker, would let the state treasurer invest up to 10% of trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and Sound Money Defense League supported it as a diversification and inflation hedge, while opponents argued gold is volatile, costly to store, and not a better use of taxpayer funds; the committee adopted the striker and passed the bill 4-2. HB 2398 would require commercial liability insurance for watercraft rented or hired in Arizona, including peer-to-peer boat-sharing programs, while not affecting ordinary personal boat ownership. The sponsor, insurers, and rental operators said the bill responds to uninsured boats being rented through apps and to safety and liability problems; some members said training should also be addressed. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 6-1. Finally, HB 2999 would create state affordable infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure for housing through bonds, taxes, and assessments, with unanimous landowner consent and disclosure requirements. Home builders and contractors said the districts could lower upfront housing costs and improve financing, but contractors sought stronger payment protections and some senators worried the bill could add red tape and costs without guaranteeing savings to homebuyers. After adopting a large amendment, the committee passed HB 2999, though at least one member voted no and another passed on the vote.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Apr 21st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • And you know that when business and labor come together to ask for your support, it's got to be a good
  • One, the Vehicle Code does not have a process for warrants simply for having no parking tickets paid.
  • Elmer Lazzardi here on behalf of the California Federation of Labor Unions.
  • Now, at the same time, I believe it's important for AV companies to engage with labor and help create
  • I think it's called like a labor and workforce task force or work group.
Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on transportation safety, climate resilience, wildlife connectivity, parking enforcement, and EV charging reliability. AB 605 would create a pilot program allowing certain hydrogen internal combustion cargo-handling equipment at ports; supporters said it could help ports stay competitive while reducing emissions, while South Coast AQMD raised concerns about possible nitrogen oxide emissions and limits on future regulation. The bill passed on an 11-0 vote to the Natural Resources Committee. AB 1132 would require Caltrans to incorporate community resilience indicators, including socioeconomic factors, into climate vulnerability assessments; supporters from Greenlining, AARP, and others said it would better protect seniors, people with disabilities, and transit users during heat waves and disasters, while some members questioned the cost during a tight budget year. It passed 9-0 to Appropriations, with some members not voting. AB 382 would lower school-zone speed limits to 20 mph and give local agencies more flexibility in how the limit is posted and enforced; supporters cited child pedestrian deaths and safety research, and the bill passed 11-0 to Appropriations. AB 902, as amended, would require transportation projects in wildlife connectivity areas to include wildlife passage features where feasible; supporters emphasized reduced collisions and habitat fragmentation, while the California Building Industry Association and COGs moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. It passed 9-1 to Local Government. AB 1014 would give Caltrans more discretion to lower speed limits on state highways based on local conditions rather than the 85th percentile rule; supporters said it would improve safety in rural and tourist areas, and the bill passed 13-0 to Appropriations. AB 1022 would end towing or booting vehicles solely for unpaid parking tickets, with supporters describing the practice as punitive and harmful to low-income drivers, while cities and parking groups argued it would weaken enforcement and create problems for out-of-state vehicles. The bill passed 9-3 to Appropriations. AB 1423 would require publicly funded EV chargers to meet reliability standards and allow enforcement of uptime requirements; supporters said taxpayers need functioning chargers, while charging-industry opponents objected to retroactive standards and possible conflicts with existing agreements. The bill passed 14-0 to Utilities and Energy. The committee also approved a consent calendar of five bills by voice vote and held roll calls open for additional members to add on.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Part A is labor, Part B is public safety and the judiciary, and Part C is transportation.
  • So for that, we're going to begin on Part A, which is labor.
  • So this is with regards to the unfair labor practices adjustment.
  • Elmer Lozardo, with the California Federation of Labor Unions.
  • I'm in support of my colleagues here from the coalition of laborers.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department reviewed proposals for EDD Next document management system funding, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit and administration adjustments, WIOA funding changes, UI administrative and benefit changes, school employee benefit adjustments, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to EDD Next. PERB discussed funding tied to AB 28 and AB 1, including litigation-related workload and new jurisdiction over legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language on electronic assessment payments and the DWC director salary cap. CalHR proposed additional funding for a consolidated employee assistance program contract, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs and state contribution changes. Members focused heavily on UI debt and interest payments, asking the administration for a plan to reduce the outstanding loan and relieve employers. Finance said no specific repayment plan was included in the May Revision, while LAO said the state’s UI tax structure is structurally insufficient and that any debt payoff should be paired with tax-system reform. Senators also questioned EDD Next costs and timelines, PERB’s caseload and staffing needs, and DIR’s emerging technologies unit, with LAO noting that the unit would appear focused on physical workplace safety rather than broader AI labor issues. CalHR said the new EAP contract would consolidate services, improve access to clinicians, and lower costs relative to the current model. CalPERS defended higher external management fees as part of a strategy to pursue higher net returns, while some members pressed for more transparency about private investments; CalSTRS said it was not prepared to address investment-strategy questions at this hearing. Public comment in Part A was dominated by advocates urging support for an immigration enforcement emergency relief fund, along with comments supporting the Jails to Jobs proposal, the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, and additional PERB funding. The chair noted that many of the immigration-related requests might fall under other committees and said staff would follow up. In Part B, Finance and LAO outlined judicial branch and DOJ May Revision items, including funding for court interpreter services, appellate court security, lactation room implementation delays, courthouse construction reappropriations, and DOJ budget increases. LAO recommended approving the language-access proposal with a report on reducing interpreter cost growth and reducing the General Fund backfill for state court facilities by $10 million on an ongoing basis.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026

Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee will come to order.
  • Code 4609 to demonstrate the justification for that reduction.
  • We're flexible here in the Labor Committee. Thank you. Yeah.
  • Omer Lazzardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support.
  • The Senate Labor Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement is resumed.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation, public pensions, workplace training, public works wages, and disability/paid family leave benefits. AB 1048 would require greater transparency when medical provider payments in workers’ compensation are reduced through network or administrator arrangements; supporters said providers need the underlying contract to verify reductions, while opponents argued the problem is overstated and existing dispute remedies are available. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to provide targeted cost-of-living adjustments to retirees; supporters emphasized retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and that the retirement system is well funded, with no opposition testimony heard. AB 1439 would request a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in real estate and infrastructure projects funded through CalPERS and CalSTRS portfolios; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it as unnecessary and potentially burdensome. AB 1697 would delay implementation of last year’s AB 692 on stay-or-pay and related employment contract provisions to 2027, with some support from the NFL and a support-if-amended request from the financial services industry for a 2028 date. AB 1803 would add anti-hate speech content to existing workplace harassment training; supporters framed it as a response to rising antisemitism and workplace hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued current law already addresses harassment. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of such employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for completing disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and no opposition testimony in the hearing. AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would tie prevailing wage to the time work is performed rather than bid advertisement, with supporters calling it a fairness fix and opponents warning of uncertainty and higher costs on public projects. The committee later reconvened and voted all of the heard bills out, with most passing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes; AB 1439 was the only measure with recorded dissent, passing 4-1 on the final committee vote. Several items were also placed on call before final passage.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The labor of enslaved people helped build this nation's wealth. They built this building.
  • But when you look at the code to USC 1415, harassment is qualified to two other sections of code referring
  • And he wrote this code in between rounds of chemotherapy code in between rounds of chemotherapy and surgery
  • blessed by your labors. by your labors.
  • Labor force participation, the number of our population that's actually in the labor force.