Video & Transcript : 'wage increases' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Establishing an Office of Gun Violence Prevention 3/2/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Like many states around the country, gun violence in our state sharply increased during the COVID pandemic
- </c> violence in our state sharply increased violence in our state sharply increased during<00:10:38.800
- Recovery means months of grueling rehab, the weight of the last wages, and the invisible scars of PTSD
- :51.840><c> last</c> grueling rehab, the weight of the last grueling rehab, the weight of the last wages
- </c> wages, and the invisible scars of PDSD. wages, and the invisible scars of PDSD.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session May 4th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I'm voting for this minimum salary schedule increase.
- They pay more than the minimum wage for teachers.
- And I'm a little bit apprehensive about categorizing this as a teacher pay increase.
- Members, House Bill 3262 increases the sheriff fee for service of process from $50 to $100.
- This has not been increased in almost 20 years.
Bills:
SR28 , SB201 , SB1379 , SB1525 , SB1966 , SB2112 , SB2170 , HB2749 , HB3262 , HB3265 , HB3673 , HB3781 , HB3040 , HB3076 , HB3369 , HB3982 , HB3462 , HB3465 , HB3521 , HB3796 , HB3800 , HB4095 , HB4298 , HB4316 , HB4338 , HB4408 , HB4454
Keywords:
alpha-gal syndrome, alpha gal, tick-borne illness, tick bite allergy, red meat allergy, meat allergy, dairy allergy, anaphylaxis, Lyme disease, public health, tick prevention, vector-borne disease, allergy awareness, May awareness month, Oklahoma Department of Health, outdoor safety, health education, research funding, minimum salary, education funding
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a special family recitation of the Declaration of Independence by Senator Hamilton’s children. The chamber then adopted SR 28, recognizing May as Alpha-Gal Awareness and Prevention Month in Oklahoma and encouraging awareness, prevention, and research on alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergic condition. Senator Seifried also introduced constituents affected by alpha-gal. Later, the Senate heard a gallery introduction from advocates for victims of impaired driving, highlighting the toll of DUI-related crashes in Oklahoma.
The Senate then took up several House amendments and final-passage votes on bills. SB 201, clarifying that a teacher pay raise applies to certified classroom teachers, passed 47-0 and was advanced as an emergency. SB 1379, SB 1525, SB 1966, SB 2112, and SB 2170 also passed after adoption of House amendments, with SB 1525 and SB 1379 advanced as emergency measures. SB 1525 raised the threshold for contracting to host a conference from $25,000 to $75,000, and SB 1966 served as the annual omnibus highway, memorial highway, and bridge designation bill.
Among the House bills considered, HB 3262 increased the sheriff fee for service of process from $50 to $100 and passed 37-8. HB 3265 allowed a psychologist to make PTSD determinations for the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System and passed 47-0. HB 3781, a major insurance modernization bill changing rate-filing procedures for homeowners insurance and expanding the insurance commissioner’s review authority, passed 39-6 after extended debate over transparency, regulation, and market impact. HB 3040 expanded sex-offender loitering restrictions around businesses serving minors and passed 40-4, while HB 3076 authorized alternative teacher certification providers under OEQA oversight and passed 38-6 as an emergency measure.
The chamber also passed HB 3369, a deregulation and efficiency bill affecting fire suppression and LP gas inspections, HB 2749, which shifted an intergenerational education program toward a Medicaid state plan amendment, HB 3982 on fleet vehicle titling, HB 3462 creating a shorter residential-only plumbing licensure pathway, HB 3465 extending the Oklahoma Emission Reduction Technology Rebate Program to 2029, HB 3521 modernizing money transmission law, HB 3796 as an Oklahoma Insurance Department omnibus bill, HB 3800 as a roofing-industry cleanup bill, and HB 4095 modernizing the 211 hotline advisory council. Several of these measures drew debate over regulation, workforce needs, public safety, or fiscal and policy impacts, but all of the listed bills ultimately passed by recorded vote.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/03/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #3
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2085 increases this prohibition to all health care professionals and also includes, in that
- Status or wages.
- HB 2175 requires that the presumptive minimum and maximum sentences for the outlined offenses be increased
- HB 2175 additionally increases the penalties for misdemeanor assault and criminal damage in statute if
- Madam Chair and members, HB 2666, sexual extortion classification, increases from a class three felony
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with members frequently asking to pull measures from consent and noting party-line or unanimous votes. Topics included medical and vaccination restrictions (HB 2248, HB 2086), state investment and conflict-of-interest rules for the treasurer (HB 2303), budget and reporting requirements (HB 2688, HB 2015), procurement limits involving China-linked companies (HB 2170, HB 2134), homelessness administration (HB 2533), traffic and transportation measures (HB 2109, HB 2574, HB 2210), school testing and education policy (HB 2032, HB 2033, HB 2075, HB 2266, HB 2395, HCR 2003), and several health-care bills involving lactation services, gender-transition care for minors, abortion-related restrictions, and hospital immigration-status reporting (HB 2072, HB 2085, HB 2364, HB 2689, HB 2796). Members also discussed water policy, including desalination, groundwater transport, and water-use limits (HB 2052, HB 2056, HB 2098, HB 2758, HB 2328), as well as food and agriculture measures such as SNAP restrictions, cultivated-cell food labeling and bans, and the Beef Council extension (HB 2396, HB 2762, HB 2791, HB 2155). Several members criticized bills as unconstitutional, costly, or harmful to affordability, while sponsors described them as clarifications, consumer protections, or administrative fixes.
The caucus also considered a number of bills affecting labor, property, and consumer issues, including unemployment eligibility changes, mobile home park submetering fees, appraisal management company rules, digital goods seller requirements, property tax clarifications, and protections for minors in online content creation (HB 2690, HB 2459, HB 2501, HB 2010, HB 2120, HB 2192, HB 2261, HB 2279). Other measures addressed sexual extortion penalties, name-change procedures for sex offenders, and restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs and gender-transition procedures for minors (HB 2666, HB 2223, HB 2364, HB 2085). Members repeatedly raised concerns about federal preemption, constitutional issues, implementation costs, and unintended consequences, and several sponsors or members indicated they were working on amendments or stakeholder discussions.
At the end of the meeting, the caucus also heard memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers and precinct voting, and memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and defunding the IMF (HCR 2016, HM 2001, HM 2004). The meeting concluded with caucus announcements, including an affordability-themed award recognizing Rep. Betty Villegas, a Black History Month sign-up request, and reminders about upcoming affordability and Latino Caucus events. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but multiple bills were pulled from consent or noted for opposition.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Up next, we have Senate Bill 1454, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 2, relating to the wage and our law.
- So, I believe we're ready to vote if that's okay. 2, relating to the wage and our law. 2, relating to
- the wage and our law.
- This bill requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to issue an order of wage payment
- violation to employers found to be in violation of the state's wage and hour law.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services Mar 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It only provides wages.
- And with that increase will be increased cost, costs that...
- And with that increase will be increased cost, costs that certainly we did not budget for.
- So the increase is subtracted by that, or the increase is already with the subtraction?
- I guess I just don't know if I look at the increase, am I looking at the final number total increase?
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Health & Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you think this will increase or add cost to health care for the average citizen, or will it save them
- The Office of the Insurance Commissioner approved average premium increases of 21% in the individual
- These increases are already straining families, small businesses, and self-employed individuals, increasing
- Research clearly demonstrates that consolidation of hospitals drives increased health care costs.
- It also increases drug-related risks.
Bills:
SB5845 , SB5916 , SB6102 , SB6071 , SB6103 , SB6159 , SB5877 , SB5967 , SB5904 , SB5915 , SB6025
Committee:
Senate Health & Long-Term Care
Keywords:
health insurance, health carrier, insurance carrier, prompt pay, timely payment, claims processing, clean claim, remittance advice, provider reimbursement, hospital billing, medical billing, prior authorization, claims denial, interest on late claims, administrative penalty, Washington insurance commissioner, RCW 48, public employees benefits board, school employees benefits board, Medicaid managed care
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- SCR 1028, revenue increases. SCR 1033, state retirement systems digital assets.
- SCR 1028, revenue increases. SCR 1033, state retirement systems digital assets.
- Grocery prices are increasing, people are losing their jobs, and unemployment is increasing.
- Increasing supply is important, but not all supply creates affordability.
- So you lease out that property, then that ratio increases.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest introductions, including the day’s Doctor of the Day and many school board members and students visiting for Arizona School Board Association Advocacy Day. Members repeatedly highlighted concerns about school facilities funding and welcomed local education leaders from across the state. The chamber then moved through attendance, committee assignments, and a large number of Senate and House bill readings and referrals.
A major portion of the day was spent in Committee of the Whole considering numerous bills and amendments. Among the most notable was SCR 1054, a memorial resolution honoring former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, which was unanimously adopted after remarks praising his public service and consumer-protection work. The House also considered HB 2728 on Department of Economic Security continuation and policy changes; after divided-question debate and a recorded division vote, the amended bill received a do-pass recommendation by 32-25. Other bills receiving do-pass recommendations in committee included measures on school safety center funding and governance (HB 2142), school board training (HB 2379), HOA disclosure reforms (HB 2397), credit freezes for foster youth (HB 2321), and several health and human services and judiciary measures.
The House then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 2053, appropriating money to the Department of Water Resources, passed 32-24; HB 2175, on sentencing, failed 25-31; HB 2327, on records confidentiality, passed 54-2; HB 2416, appropriating money to the Department of Public Safety, passed 33-23 after debate over immigration enforcement funding; HB 2492, relating to urban growth boundaries and initiative/referendum effects, failed 27-29; and HB 2805, making school board races partisan, passed 31-25 despite strong opposition from members who argued school boards should remain nonpartisan. The transcript ends with the House continuing through additional business and votes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill, Senate Bill 2188, does not increase any of these numbers.
- The bill does not in any way increase the number of closures.
- Let me reiterate that the FAA has the sole authority to increase total hours of closures.
- I... to increase total hours of closures.
- We are not increasing the amount of closures.
Bills:
SJR12 , SCR39 , SB27 , SB29 , SB241 , SB406 , SB414 , SB464 , SB568 , SB578 , SB609 , SB660 , SB689 , SB693 , SB785 , SB857 , SB879 , SB921 , SB922 , SB955 , SB985 , SB993 , SB996 , SB1008 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1059 , SB1098 , SB1120 , SB1122 , SB1147 , SB1188 , SB1197 , SB1209 , SB1227 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1386 , SB1396 , SB1453 , SB1484 , SB1494 , SB1536 , SB1537 , SB1596 , SB1610 , SB1664 , SB1741 , SB1814 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1948 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB2406 , SB2407
Keywords:
parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record.
The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote.
The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HHS DEFER, HHS-LBT, HHS Public Hearings 02-10-2025
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a 50% increase in the G.
- </c> should pay for it um the G increase should pay for it um the G increase that's<00:18:50.679><c>
- <00:18:57.960><c> in</c><00:18:58.080><c> the</c><00:18:58.200><c> G</c> increase in the G increase in
- For a two-bedroom, residents got to have an hourly wage of at least $446.
- For a two-bedroom, residents got to have an hourly wage of at least $446.
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is.
On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided.
The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- credits, a tool that's already helping Texas attract investment, drive innovation, and support high-wage
- key to keeping taxes in check at the local level is to ensure that tax rates decrease as values increase
- paying off debt early, the problem with that mentality... ...is that it essentially becomes tax increases
- minimum debt service definition will help restrain INS tax rates that never seem to go down as values increase
- In many cases, those districts have seen between 50% to 100% increases in their property values.
Committee:
House Ways & Means
Keywords:
SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Oct 1st, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- So, essentially, there is an emergency that's been created that increases over time.
- HCA can't decide to increase their budget the same as, Madam Chair, Representative.
- Workforce Solutions can't decide to Increase their budget. We've got to authorize that.
- No, this was in addition to two increases you all made in the HCA budget last year.
- They didn't lose any wage, and they didn't lose a job. They chose to retire.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/13/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- our team, and part of my position was to prepare grant applications to even fund my own position in wages
- maintenance increases delaying essential infrastructure<01:04:20.480><c> projects</c><01:04:21.240><
- and increasing the carbon footprint<01:04:23.960><c> of</c><01:04:24.160><c> asphalt</c><01:04:25.079
- And by the way, this was in 2018, so I'm guessing the cost has increased, but this is where we got the
- but this is where we got the increased but this is where we got the numbers<01:13:41.639><c> from</c
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Feb 19th, 2025
Finance and Taxation General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- That's why at the bottom of the fiscal note it references increased administrative obligations.
- Pew estimates that the tab is put at $334 billion with a 'B' in increased state spending over 20 years
- if savings rates don't increase.
- We get the chance to modernize... increase.
- We're going to see an increase if people do not have... an increase if people do not have retirement.
Committee:
Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund
Keywords:
State Auditor, property investigations, negligence, loss report, civil actions, Alabama Retirement Savings Program, state-facilitated retirement savings, auto-IRA, automatic enrollment, payroll deduction IRA, retirement savings access gap, private sector workers, small business retirement plan, portable retirement account, Roth IRA, traditional IRA, life-cycle fund, capital preservation fund, financial literacy, Department of Workforce
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 12th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- than 50 years; KIWA, the Korean Immigrant Workers Alliance, fighting for workers' dignity and fair wages
- Kiwa, the Korean immigrant workers alliance, fighting for workers' dignity and fair wages.
- Six months later, with that loss still strong in the family and his father, Adrian continued and increased
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 106 by Senator Choi, which designates January 13, 2026 as Korean American Day in California. Senator Choi and many members spoke in support, highlighting the history of Korean immigration, the contributions of Korean Americans in business, public service, culture, education, health care, and civic life, and the significance of Korean American communities across the state. Several members also shared personal and district-specific examples, including Koreatown, the Korean Friendship Bell, Pachappa Camp in Riverside, and Korean American organizations and businesses affected by the recent wildfires. The resolution was adopted on a 38-0 roll call vote.
After the vote, Senator Choi introduced Korean American guests visiting the chamber, including the Consul General of Korea in San Francisco and other community leaders. The Senate then returned to motions and committee announcements, including notices that the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Human Services Committee would meet after adjournment. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas also requested that SB 626 be removed from the inactive file and returned to the Assembly for amendments.
The remainder of the session was devoted largely to adjournment memorials. Senator Umberg honored Monica Lynn Martinez-Hays, a longtime legislative staffer and artist. Senators Pérez and Allen jointly memorialized the 19 people who died in the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, describing the devastation, the community’s recovery, and the names and lives of many victims. Senator Menjivar also asked for adjournment in memory of Marine Corps Sergeant Adrian Carrillo, who died in a December traffic collision. The Senate announced its next floor session for Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m. and then recessed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 21st, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Her numerous accomplishments over the decades in office include fighting for the minimum wage. wage for
- tipped workers, increasing penalties for domestic abuse and sexual misconduct, and initiating funding
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- He will take a look at the increases that make up that 2.1 overall increase within the agency.
- Small increase.
- So have we seen an increase?
- And so enrollment has increased. Completers have increased. Retention has varied.
- And so enrollment has increased. Completers have increased. Retention has varied.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee met on March 17 to review the FY27 budgets for the Department of Education and several special schools and commissions. Fiscal staff outlined the Department of Education’s roughly $6.4 billion budget, noting that most funding goes to the Minimum Foundation Program and subgrantee assistance. Major changes discussed included the removal of one-time teacher pay stipends, increases for the LA GATOR scholarship program, and projected adjustments in early childhood funding. Members also reviewed the constitutional amendment proposal tied to using about $2 billion to pay down teacher retirement obligations and provide future teacher pay raises.
Dr. Cade Brumley testified that Louisiana’s education outcomes have improved and answered questions on math performance, charter school funding, the LA GATOR scholarship, and the special education Choice program. Members pressed the department on the sustainability and balance of funding between LA GATOR and Choice, the number of applicants and current recipients, and outreach efforts. Brumley said charter schools are funded through the MFP like other public schools, that LA GATOR currently serves about 5,500 students with applications recently reaching about 17,000, and that the Choice program serves about 500 students with a waiting list of about 700 applicants. He also said the department would implement whatever funding levels the legislature approves.
The committee then heard the special schools and commissions budget, including the Special School District, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Thrive Academy, École Pointe-au-Chien, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and BESE. Testimony focused on facility needs, enrollment, and program outcomes. LSU? No—LSM leaders described urgent roof and ceiling repairs estimated at about $800,000, while Thrive Academy highlighted student achievement, community service requirements, and economic impact. LPB said it is facing a federal funding loss of about $2.5 million and is responding with higher Passport fees, underwriting, and private fundraising. BESE’s small staff and administrative role were also explained, with members asking about board operations and the use of statutory dedication funds.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Aug 19th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In recent years, juvenile violent crime arrests have increased, and firearms were made the leading cause
- AB 1619 would increase trustee stipend limits for county employees retirement system boards, California
- This bill would also preserve all applicable prevailing wage and labor standards, such as public work
- This bill is about making it easier to help increase the permitting process, help support our businesses
- This amended compact, AB 1579, increases the capacity for additional flexibility to meet customer demand
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government Apr 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2024, homelessness increased nationally by over 18%. California limited its overall increase...
- If the fees are increased only to the nearest whole dollar, CPI increases would prevent HCD from increasing
- in the proposed fee increase.
- Even with this fee increase in the proposed fee increase in the trailer bill language.
- So, because we are projecting for inflation, right, because we have increases to salary and wages, we
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Apr 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So in addition to touring the facilities at least once every quarter, I increase that contact with the
- And so we want to continue to increase family reunification.
- It was more like warehouse jobs and things... ...life and with livable wages.
- It was more like warehouse jobs and things like that at minimum wage.
- We have seen increased usage in folks reaching out.
Summary:
The committee first handled routine actions, including quorum, governor’s appointments not required to appear, references to bills, and floor acknowledgments, with those items approved on 3-1 or 4-0 votes and left open for add-ons where noted. It then heard testimony on several CDCR appointments: Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle as associate directors for adult institutions, and later Jason Johnson as Undersecretary of Operations. All three nominees emphasized long careers in corrections, support from family and colleagues, and a commitment to public safety, rehabilitation, and improving staff and institutional culture.
Much of the questioning focused on the California model, staff safety, sexual abuse prevention, use-of-force incidents, visitation, and rehabilitation. Ratliff and Tuggle said the California model was poorly communicated at rollout but is intended to improve both staff wellness and rehabilitation, not weaken security. They described training, root-cause reviews, statewide calls, and direct engagement with staff and incarcerated people. On a widely criticized pepper-spray incident at Central California Women’s Facility, Ratliff said staff were disciplined, some terminated, and the facility received additional training on de-escalation, communication, use of force, and report writing. On sexual abuse and retaliation concerns, both nominees pointed to PREA training, multiple reporting channels, anti-retaliation monitoring, and a zero-tolerance policy.
Members also pressed the nominees on visitation consistency, family reunification, contraband, and the San Quentin transition program. CDCR leaders said visitation is essential to rehabilitation and that the department is working toward more consistent statewide rules and a more family-friendly visiting environment. They also said contraband interdiction is being strengthened through K-9 searches, drone interdiction, and information sharing. Johnson, whose confirmation drew late opposition letters and a lawsuit alleging retaliation and workplace culture problems, said he was driving culture change, had improved reentry and community partnerships, and viewed rehabilitation as central to CDCR’s mission. After public support from former incarcerated people, advocates, and nonprofit leaders, the committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointments to the Senate floor.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- So in addition to touring the facilities at least once every quarter, I increase that contact with the
- And so we want to continue to increase the family reunification.
- It was more like, you know, warehouse jobs and things. ...life and with livable wages.
- It was more like, you know, warehouse jobs and things like that at minimum wage.
- We have seen increased usage in folks reaching out.
Committee:
Senate Rules