Transcript Highlights:

• know, the fact, the salary assumption, as we know, from the comments of the chair, that we are a high-wage
• We are a high-wage state.
• It does cost a lot of money to live in... ...Washington State because we are a high-wage state.

Summary: The executive committee approved the October minutes and received brief updates from the Assistant Attorney General and the committee actuary. The actuary reminded members that OSA prepares actuarial fiscal notes during session and said staff would begin work soon on analysis for the upcoming session, including updates related to the COLA bill and other pension measures. Senator Conway asked that updated actuarial materials be shared with committee members as they are completed, and staff agreed to do so. Most of the meeting focused on committee discussion of pension policy issues, especially the ad hoc COLA for Plan 1 retirees and the broader study work on Left 1/Plan 1 topics, including merger and termination-restatement bills such as Senate Bill 5084. Members discussed the need for a COLA, the overfunding of some pension plans, the role of the legislature versus the committee, and the importance of keeping the State Investment Board separate from pension policy recommendations. Several members said the interim work had clarified many questions and would make future legislative decisions easier, while also noting that the committee’s study role had been completed. The committee also reviewed constituent correspondence, which included 15 items, with substantial public interest in the ad hoc COLA and related pension bills. Staff presented the draft interim work plan and proposed December agenda items, including possible education on excess compensation and an update on demographic experience studies. After discussion, members agreed not to hold a December meeting, with the understanding that any remaining informational items could be sent by email. The motion to skip the December meeting passed unanimously, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it wages? Is it better opportunities? Is it burnout? Do we have a sense of what's driving folks?
• We found that the top drivers that influenced retention were wages and benefits, agency and employer
• > better<00:31:30.519> opportunities<00:31:31.200> is<00:31:31.320> it wages
• is it better opportunities is it wages is it better opportunities is it I'm<00:31:31.639> burnt
• influenced retention um were uh wages influenced retention um were uh wages and<00:32:08.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• education they need for those careers, where to get that education, how to pay for that education, average wages
• 20.160> average how to pay for that education, average how to pay for that education, average wages
• 21.199> those<00:06:21.440> careers,<00:06:22.160> and<00:06:22.400> then wages
• for those careers, and then wages for those careers, and then finally,<00:06:22.960> it<00:06

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met without a quorum and heard presentations on several workforce and school-safety funding requests. The first item was a proposal for a school mapping data program, presented by Rep. Steve Bratcher with law enforcement and mapping partners. They said the plan would move money to the 911 system so school maps could be embedded there and kept current for all schools, public and private, to improve response times and officer, student, and teacher safety. The request was described as a $10 million one-time appropriation, with an estimate that the work could be completed in about a year. The committee then heard testimony on the Be Proud Initiative, a mobile workshop program aimed at exposing students age 13 and up to skilled trades and related education and career opportunities. Speakers from the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, MI2, the Kentucky Treasury, and the Associated General Contractors said the program would improve perceptions of manufacturing, construction, and metals careers, connect students to training and employers, and help build the workforce pipeline. They said private industry would contribute $1 million in FY 2026-2027 before state funds are released, and requested $3 million in state funding in FY 2027-2028 contingent on that match. A Treasury official said handling the funds through the Treasury would have minimal impact on the office. Committee members responded favorably, including a comment from Rep. Bojanowski about the value of hands-on learning for students who struggle with test-focused instruction. Speakers also explained that the program includes classroom materials before and after the truck visit and ongoing outreach for students and parents. The final presentation was on an MI2 metals career pathway proposal, which cited economic impact data for Kentucky’s metals industry and asked for a $3 million one-time investment for FY 2027-2028 to pilot a middle- and high-school pathway in Carroll and Logan counties. The proposal would be matched by industry funds and used for curriculum, equipment, dual-credit and apprenticeship connections, student stipends, and parent outreach. The chair closed by noting it was the final scheduled meeting of the session and moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Priority three: underemployment and insufficient living-wage jobs.
• Last year, 120 adults obtained employment at or above a living wage.
• Last year, 120 adults obtained employment at or above a living wage.
• We just cannot be a nation that turns a blind eye to people who are working in low-wage jobs, those experiencing

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• IF IT IS A NONDEGREE IN ON ONLY MEETS DEMAND BUT IS ASSOCIATED WITH WAGES.
• THE OCCUPATION OR TRAINING PROGRAM IS CONNECTED TO AN OCCUPATION AND AS WAGE THRESHOLDS.
• HE SAYS NOT ONLY ARE YOU EARNING A CREDENTIAL BUT IS A CREDENTIAL THAT GET YOU TO A MEDIUM HIGH WAGE
• BUT IS A CREDENTIAL THAT GET YOU TO A MEDIUM HIGH WAGE JOB. WE REVIEW THIS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• GET only on that portion of their receipts that is attributable to their service fee, and not on the wages
• GET only on that portion of their receipts that is attributable to their service fee, and not on the wages
• When we look at personal income tax, you're a basic wage earner, you get less tax, right?
• <00:41:07.680> earner,<00:41:08.000> you you're you're a basic wage earner, you you're
• you're a basic wage earner, you get<00:41:08.319> less<00:41:08.560> tax,<00:41:08.800

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of economic development, tourism, and tax measures. SB 2411 drew broad support from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the University of Hawaiʻi, the Chamber of Commerce, and Retail Merchants, with one technical amendment suggested to change a partnership term from six to seven years. Members asked about implementation and annual costs, and the department said it would follow up with cost information. HB 2583 HD1, relating to economic development and a loan loss program, also received support, but DBED noted the state already has the CBED loan program and suggested the proposal could be placed under that existing framework rather than creating a new program. HB 1612, based on business revitalization task force recommendations, was supported by DBED and several business and advocacy groups, including the Small Business Regulatory Review Board and Grassroot Institute. Testimony emphasized improving Hawaii’s business climate and using a ranking/reporting tool to measure progress, while one senator questioned whether the bill would simply fund another study instead of direct improvements. HB 1613, relating to HTDC, was supported by HTDC, the Chamber of Commerce, and startup and industry representatives who said a permanent marketing/branding specialist would help attract tech talent, founders, and investors; a member asked why the position was not in the budget, and HTDC said federal NIST funding uncertainty affected the request. HB 1614, also on economic development, was supported by HTDC and business groups, and members discussed whether the state was missing federal funds due to lack of matching dollars; HTDC said it was difficult to know, but matching funds could help leverage more federal grants. The committee then took up HB 2590 on taxation for creative industries. The Motion Picture Association and Hawaii Film Alliance strongly supported the bill, saying it would correct GET treatment for payroll service companies, restore motion picture and TV production as manufacturing, and repeal a 2022 provision affecting qualified expenses; the Department of Taxation said it would provide revenue-impact information later. Finally, HB 1950 HD1 on the transient accommodations tax drew strong support from DBED, HTA, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, hotel and resort groups, and others, who argued for a dedicated tourism marketing fund and said the state needs more stable, long-term marketing investment. The Tax Foundation opposed the special fund approach, arguing it would reduce legislative flexibility. Members pressed witnesses on the appropriate percentage for the fund, with HTA suggesting 10% to 12% of TAT collections, and the discussion focused on how marketing spending relates to visitor spending, tax revenue, and long-term tourism competitiveness.

Transcript Highlights:

• Average wage in Colorado in the private sector is about 65 grand.
• Average wage in according to dollars?
• That's about a billion lost wages.
• And at the end of the day it hurts employees and it hurts wages.
• And hurts employees and it hurts wages.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Food is such an important element of this and getting people to jobs and living wage jobs to actually
• > to<00:17:28.040> to<00:17:28.160> actually<00:17:28.920> move living wage
• <00:18:39.000> get<00:18:39.120> to<00:18:39.200> living<00:18:39.440> wage
• support people to get to living wage support people to get to living wage jobs<00:18:40.040>
• job, get the help folks get living wage job, get the training<00:21:18.080> while<00:21:18.440

Keywords: Roll Call - 00:10 Discussion on SCR 61 – 01:46 Vote on SCR 61 – 11:33 Discussion on SR 18 – 12:30 Vote on SR 18 - 30:01 Discussion on Ky Residential Autism Services – 32:34 Questions & Comments – 56:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Representative Matt Lockett. The resolution, as amended by committee substitute, would create a legislative task force tied to the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) framework to study Kentucky health policy, including Medicaid drug approvals, preventive and alternative therapies, holistic health education, oversight and transparency in health care, and research into integrative approaches. Supporters said the goal was to address chronic disease and reduce over-medication, while emphasizing the effort was not intended as an attack on agriculture or the pharmaceutical industry. The resolution received favorable expression and passed the committee 9-0. The committee then heard Senate Resolution 18 from Senator Neal, urging Kentucky to maximize participation in the federal SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program. Testimony from Jessica Klein of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy and Secretary Eric Friedlander explained that SNAP E&T provides job training, education, and support services for SNAP participants, and that the program is federally matched and does not require additional General Assembly funding in the normal course. Members discussed how the program works, whether it could create new state costs, and how it fits with efforts to connect food assistance, workforce development, and local agriculture. Questions also focused on whether SNAP spending can be steered toward healthier foods and farmers markets, including Kentucky’s Double Dollars program, which was described as helping participants buy produce, meat, and dairy at participating markets and some retailers. Several members expressed support for the workforce goals but asked for more information on fiscal impacts and purchasing data. Secretary Friedlander said the SNAP E&T funds are separate from nutrition benefits, and that the state match generally comes from employer, university, or workforce partner contributions rather than new state appropriations. Senator Herron explained her vote in favor by saying the program could help people gain education and employment and reduce reliance on SNAP over time. Senate Resolution 18 was then adopted by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• give you a very big overview of this: the longer, the more expense that's incurred, both on their wage
• And medical cost and wage replacement come in as secondary factors into that calculation.
• employers so that they know what they're getting when an apprentice applies for a high-demand, high-wage
• apprenticeships and creating pathways for young people to access economic development opportunities and high-wage
• employers so that they know what they're getting when an apprentice applies for a high demand, high wage

Summary: The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee met on May 7, 2026, and first deferred several measures, including House Bill 460, Senate Bill 322, Senate Bill 32, Senate Bill 22, and House Bill 561. The committee then took up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz, which would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) by MCG as the primary guideline, while keeping the existing variance and appeal process. Cruz and MCG representative Troy Prevo argued that ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and used in many states, and said it could reduce delays, disability duration, and costs. Dr. Jason Picard, the state medical director, testified that Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference in many cases because the state schedule lacks coverage for some body parts and treatments, and said the bill would not otherwise change the appeals process or care delivery. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would delay care or improve it. Several members questioned the private-company nature of ODG, the $400 annual subscription cost, and whether Louisiana doctors would be forced to rely on an out-of-state guideline. Rep. Glorioso and others raised concerns about preauthorization delays and proposed amendments to create tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and make the carrier prove by clear and convincing evidence that care was not medically necessary to challenge it. Chairman Cruz said he was willing to work with those ideas, and the committee also discussed adding an on-ramp or legacy language so current patients would not be disrupted. Opposition testimony came from injured-worker advocates and representatives of medical and labor groups, including Joseph Jola St. and Robin Krumholt. They argued that Louisiana’s current guidelines are already working, that rates have fallen over time, and that the real problem is delay in approval rather than the content of the schedule. They said ODG is overly rigid, cost-driven, and can lead to denials that shift costs to workers, Medicaid, or private health insurance. They urged the committee to keep Louisiana’s existing system and instead adopt tacit approval under current law. The bill was still under discussion at the close of the transcript, with amendments being read and no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, President Trump's fiscal 2026 budget request proposed cutting funding for the wage and
• > are<04:56:55.640> often<04:56:55.920> on Wage and hour investigators are often
• on Wage and hour investigators are often on the<04:56:56.120> front<04:56:56.400> lines
• and hour division funding for the wage and hour division by<04:57:11.440> nearly<04:57:11.760
• and hour staff have number of wage and hour staff have fallen<04:57:23.600> from<04:57:23.800

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's what led me to wait, there's actually an incentive for them to keep their wages low, even
• below CCAP level if keeping their wages below CCAP level if they're<00:39:51.119> getting<00:
• <00:40:45.119> And<00:40:45.280> I a wage below a certain threshold.
• And I a wage below a certain threshold.
• incentive for them to keep their wages incentive for them to keep their wages low<00:41:09.680><

Bills: HF2436

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Could be a minimum. Could be a minimum amount of spring flow that you want to preserve.
• long-term impacts. especially in cases where the current statutory limits may fall short of actual minimums
• substation upgrade would be an expansive project. and would run around $4 to $5 million in upgrades minimum
• So I would ask that y'all consider doing everything that's in your power. to, at the bare minimum, postpone
• We pay over $325 million in wages annually in the state of Texas and we pay over 13.4 million in property

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of LPNs enabled to practice at a level that's clearly beyond their training, won't that dilute the wage
• all of those in every setting, how can we ensure that the overall quality of care and, again, those wage
• <00:13:33.160> and<00:13:33.840> the<00:13:33.960> number that dilute the wage
• rates and and and and again those wage rates and and like<00:14:51.600> you<00:14:51.680>
• Like, how is that just not decrease in overall quality of care and wage rates and things like that?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are effectively acting as tax collectors for the Commonwealth and payment pass-throughs for employee wages
• That is real money that could otherwise go to wages, benefits, reinvestment, or simply keep... ...real
• money that could otherwise go to wages, benefits, reinvestment, or simply keeping a restaurant alive
• money spent in independent restaurants circulates repeatedly through local communities in the form of wages
• chargeback, and then also the state's getting their meals tax, the tipped employee is getting their wages

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a leading earned wage access, or EWA, company.
• Last year, nearly 25,000 Massachusetts residents used our product to access their wages, and more than
• Nationally, more than 2 million people have used EarnIn to access their wages on their schedules last
• Earned wage access, at a high level, is allowing workers to access the money they have earned and that
• The industry employs over 15,000 people in Massachusetts, with wages totaling over $2.2 billion.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held an informational opening hearing for the Financial Services Committee, with Chair Murphy and Senator Feeney introducing new and returning members and explaining that no bills were being heard that day beyond brief introductory testimony. Commissioner of Banks Mary Gallagher thanked the committee for last session’s money transmission modernization law, and several members echoed appreciation for her office’s work. The hearing then featured a long series of stakeholder introductions and overviews of their priorities for the session. Testimony covered a wide range of financial, insurance, housing, health care, and consumer issues. Banking and mortgage groups discussed housing affordability, foreclosure delinquencies, flood insurance, regulatory changes, and the impact of federal policy shifts. Insurance representatives raised concerns about auto and homeowners market pressures, labor rates, tariffs, rebates, e-titling, third-party litigation funding, and public adjuster restrictions. Consumer and advocacy groups highlighted debt collection reform, earned wage access, retirement savings access, public banking, and consumer protections in financial services. Several speakers also emphasized the need for committee expertise and offered themselves as resources for future bills. Health-related organizations focused on insurance mandates, prior authorization, behavioral health access, pharmacy benefit manager reform, community health center funding, maternal health and midwifery reimbursement, and anesthesia reimbursement parity. Other groups, including credit unions, retailers, auto dealers, dental and medical associations, and behavioral health providers, described their roles in the Commonwealth and previewed legislation or policy areas they expect to follow this session. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and ended after testimony from the sign-up list and a few late additions.

Transcript Highlights:

• labor standards that are adopted by a city council or board of supervisors, such as local prevailing wage
• expense of critical labor protections for our construction workforce and policies which provide living wages
• Labor standards are essential to provide health care and sustaining wages for working families—some of
• to address the unique needs of their workforce and make sure we have safe and sustaining jobs and wages
• able to use the density bonus concessions to waive these core labor protections, including prevailing wage

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear a long agenda of local government, housing, labor, and transparency bills. The committee first adopted the consent calendar for SB 1187 and SB 1388, then heard SB 983, which would authorize the Port of San Diego to use job order contracting for repairs and repetitive maintenance work. Supporters said the bill would speed emergency and small repairs and reduce costs, while opponents raised concerns about construction definitions and project labor agreement language. The bill was ultimately moved forward on a 2-2 vote after discussion of amendments and labor negotiations, and later the committee’s final roll call showed it passing out on a 5-2 vote. The committee also heard SB 1256, aimed at limiting duplicative litigation over a San Diego County housing project, and SB 992, which would make permanent and expand a small special-district audit flexibility by raising the revenue threshold from $150,000 to $250,000. SB 1256 drew support from the author and project counsel, who argued the project had already been litigated and was delaying needed housing, while opponents said the bill would interfere with wildfire and subdivision-map review. SB 992 had support from county auditors and special districts, with no opposition, and was approved 5-0. SB 1115, addressing governance failures at the Tulare County Public Cemetery District by allowing county supervisors to remove an individual trustee for cause, also passed unanimously after testimony describing serious dysfunction and opposition from the California Special Districts Association. The committee then took up SB 1193, which would impose transparency and approval requirements on Alameda County discretionary funding to nonprofits and other entities. The author and supporters described the bill as a response to grand jury findings and alleged conflicts of interest, while Alameda County argued its current process is already transparent and that the bill would add burdens and could harm services. After amendments and discussion, the bill passed 5-0. SB 1383, a density bonus law bill clarifying that local labor standards cannot be waived through density bonus concessions, was supported by labor groups and moved forward despite no opposition, with the final roll call showing it passing out 5-1. SB 1361, intended to prevent local governments from undermining transit projects because of SB 79 density concerns, also passed after support from L.A. Metro and labor and no formal opposition, with the final vote recorded as 5-2. The committee later resumed to hear SB 1272, the CASH Act, which would limit certain sanctions on homeowners for prior unpermitted work by previous owners; the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full testimony and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• These policies have led to the migration of high-wage jobs, vendor spending, and related economic activity
• post-production incentives generate significant returns on public investment through increased taxable wages
• We've lost more than 4,400 jobs, more than $507 million in wages. City of Burbank.
• We've lost more than 4,400 jobs, more than $507 million in wages.
• We've lost more than 4,400 jobs, more than $507 million in wages.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are folks with full-time employment making family-sustaining wages with full family health insurance
• These are folks with full-time employment making family-sustaining wages with full family health insurance
• :19.120> sustaining employment making family sustaining employment making family sustaining wages
• c> full<00:21:20.799> family<00:21:21.120> health<00:21:21.520> insurance wages
• with full family health insurance wages with full family health insurance and<00:21:22.320> a

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on proposed Minnesota legislation to ban surveillance pricing and restrict AI-powered electronic shelf labels in grocery stores. Speakers from UFCW 1189 and UFCW Local 663, along with Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, argued that these technologies could enable real-time price increases based on consumer data, undermine budgeting and privacy, and worsen affordability for families. They also said the technology could reduce hours or eliminate jobs for grocery workers who currently handle pricing and store knowledge, with UFCW Local 663 estimating about 500 affected jobs among its members alone. Testimony emphasized examples such as baby formula, diapers, bananas, and milk to illustrate how fluctuating prices could hurt families, seniors on fixed incomes, and people in food deserts. Speakers also argued that grocery workers provide essential customer service and that automation should be introduced responsibly, not at the expense of workers or consumers. Murphy and Sencer-Mura framed the bill as a response to corporate greed and big tech surveillance, saying Minnesota should act proactively before the practices become widespread. During questions, lawmakers and advocates discussed whether the issue was proactive or reactive, whether disclosure requirements like those used in New York would be sufficient, and how surveillance pricing differs from loyalty programs or coupons. Speakers said disclosure alone would not prevent tracking or price manipulation and that the goal was to stop the practice altogether. The transcript ended with the advocates saying they would continue meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; no vote or final committee action was recorded in the excerpt, though one question referenced a related bill stalling in committee earlier that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Study by the North Star Prosperity Project is estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in lost wages
• c><00:02:08.479> dollars<00:02:08.920> in<00:02:09.000> lost<00:02:09.280> wages
• millions of dollars in lost wages. millions of dollars in lost wages.
• residents just in the city of Minneapolis in immediate need of food assistance. $47 million in lost wages

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• By prioritizing wage garnishment over arrest, this bill will keep people working, keep families together
• This bill streamlines the court's ability to collect debt through wage garnishment and other existing
• Our budget is so significantly small that we have to—we're considering sacrificing wage increases or
• I don't think anybody's going to get rich serving in the state legislature, but with a more living wage
• Wage for the legislature, legislators. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Márquez.

Keywords: 1182, all