Video & Transcript : 'prevailing wages' :
Page 141 of 399
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that even a living wage anymore? I think it's more like $75,000, $80,000 is a living wage.
- Is that even a living wage anymore? I think it's more like $75,000, $80,000 is a living wage.
- one of the best states to live, one of the best educations, one of the best health care, very high wages
Summary:
The Senate debated House Joint Resolution 5, a proposed constitutional amendment to allow legislative compensation tied to median household income. Supporters argued that paying legislators would broaden access, improve representation, and help people who cannot afford to serve without outside income, while opponents said lawmakers should not raise their own pay given the legislature’s performance and the state’s budget and job losses. Three floor amendments were offered and all failed: one to change the ballot language to more directly say it would pay legislators a salary, one to add 16-year term limits, and one to deny per diem and mileage for meetings within 50 miles of a member’s home.
After extended debate, the Senate adopted the resolution on a roll call vote of 23-19, sending H.J.R. 5, as amended, forward. The chamber then passed Senate Memorial 31, which creates a work group to study the 2020 suspension of COLAs for retired state employees and possible retirement-fund recommendations, by a 42-0 vote. Senate Memorial 17 also passed unanimously, calling for a task force to study the status and backlog of sexual assault examination kits in New Mexico.
The Senate also received several House messages on bills returned or amended by the House, and adopted a committee report covering multiple House bills, including HB 20, HB 38, HB 108, HB 200, HB 270, HB 291, HB 306, and HB 309. The meeting ended with announcements about committee schedules and a recess until 10:30 a.m. the next day.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 15th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Duncan, we work with DWS to think through what the career paths would be and their high demand and high wage
- find on here, but I do know that the trades have been identified as a high impact need, high-paying wage
- job area, as have many technology fields that we are promoting. wage job area, as have many technology
- So, it would be identified from the list of the high wage occupations in demand occupations list.
- What's to keep an attorney from coming in and his wages are half of what's in that pot? Mr.
Keywords:
Shaken Baby Syndrome, abusive head trauma, child safety, training and education, healthcare funding, youth internships, workforce development, education, grant funding, employment, drinking water, water quality, environment, public health, water filtration, private well testing, federal funding, childhood sexual abuse, time limitations, civil actions
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, you can see a $30 million pilot project to continue implementation of the wage and career ladder
- So that would be for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department for the wage and career ladder
- was an amount for child care assistance that was in the LC rec that was taken out to prioritize that wage
- and career ladder. ...that was taken out to prioritize that wage and career ladder.
- So what did the total wage and career ladder come to, the total, if you put all the appropriations together
Keywords:
SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 4th, 2026 at 08:32 am
House Taxation & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- They create high-wage jobs, expand the tax base, and generate sustainable income.
- But I also last one to Say we also have a high wage jobs tax credit.
- So to the extent that a taxpayer is creating high wage jobs, that like you're talking about Thank you
- You have again a high CapEx, high wages, but maybe not as many. Or flip to an advanced.
- incentive side, this is one of the only ones that does not stack You can stack the J TIP program with high wage
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 4/7/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Partial wage replacement.
- Partial wage replacement. downturns. Partial wage replacement.
- </c> related programs there's combined wage related programs there's combined wage so<01:10:18.640><c
- wages assistance, supplemented Lost wages assistance, supplemented benefits<01:16:15.440><c> in</c><
- Lost Wages Assistance ran through fall of 2021.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So we do pay them higher than the minimum wage.
- And so, the wages that they earn, Uncle Sam and the state take out their share.
- So we do pay them higher than the minimum wage.
- And so, the kids we the minimum wage.
- And so, and the wages own is not free.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- residential setting because of the fear of abuse like what Nikki endured, and it seems to be the prevailing
- Once again, presumptions prevail. in their fake paperwork and take him home.
- Once again, presumptions prevail. With so many eyes on my son, abuse could never happen, right?
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on a broad slate of disability-related bills. Topics included creating a permanent Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Board (H. 231/S. 134), establishing a system for compensating guardians who serve incapacitated, unbefriended individuals through MassHealth (H. 253/S. 154), expanding Nikki’s Law to require MassHealth day habilitation programs to use the abuse registry (S. 165 and related bills), modernizing and streamlining the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s statute and procedures (H. 243/S. 139), updating the definition of developmental disability to align more closely with federal law and include people such as those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (H. 276/S. 150), removing outdated and offensive terminology from the General Laws (H. 232/S. 137), and an autism education reform bill (H. 286). Several bills had no sign-ups, and the committee also noted related measures on cueing and prompting in PCA programs (H. 277/S. 157).
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- members, Senate Bill 1039 adds loss of earnings to the list of recoverable expenses for attorneys who prevail
- in an attorney disciplinary matter and allows a prevailing attorney to file a claim against the State
- So what this does is it makes sure that if they prevail in a challenge to the bar and have their license
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several Senate bills and one House bill. SB 1039 would allow attorneys prevailing in disciplinary matters to recover lost earnings and seek reputational harm damages from the State Bar; SB 1148 would require the Arizona Supreme Court to directly license attorneys rather than delegate that function; both received due pass recommendations. SB 1061, lowering the fentanyl enhanced-penalty threshold from 200 grams to 9 grams, also passed after opposition from the ACLU and defense counsel argued it would sweep in personal-use cases and increase incarceration, while supporters said it targets trafficking. SB 1068, which limits campus firearm restrictions for concealed-carry permit holders, passed over strong opposition from gun-safety advocates and university faculty, and SB 1069, removing suppressors from the definition of prohibited weapons, also passed despite concerns about public safety and prohibited possessors.
The committee then approved SB 1099, which sets statutory elements for defamation claims based on whether the plaintiff is a private or public figure and whether the matter is of public or private concern. The ACLU opposed it, warning that codifying defamation law could chill speech and conflict with evolving First Amendment precedent; supporters said it largely codifies existing case law and adds an internet-related limitation period. SB 1271, barring municipalities from penalizing businesses for legitimate emergency calls unless there is a pattern of false or frivolous reports, passed unanimously after testimony that some cities were discouraging 911 calls for theft and other incidents.
The committee also passed SB 1127, requiring mandatory reporters with direct knowledge of child abuse or neglect to report immediately and personally to DCS. Phoenix Children’s Hospital and DCS supported the bill but asked for clarification so medical emergencies would not be disrupted, and members discussed possible amendments. SB 1426, changing forcible detainer procedures by removing the written demand-to-vacate requirement and expediting claims, passed despite landlord-group concerns that it could affect holdover tenant cases. Finally, SB 1448, as amended, passed to expand aggravated assault protections to utility, telecommunications, video service, and related workers; supporters cited rising threats and assaults, while opponents argued existing assault laws already cover the conduct and the bill is overly broad.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides for priority docketing and prevailing party attorney's fees in law.
- It provides for priority docketing and prevailing party attorney's fees in lawsuits brought under the
- exempts the Wekiva study area and Everglades Protection Area, revises attorney's fees to favor the prevailing
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests and groups in the gallery, including students, business groups, and university basketball coaches. The chamber then moved through a long special order calendar, taking up a series of bills on trust law, school district reporting, debt collection, service of process, lodging and food service establishments, lien waivers, public records protections for Crime Stoppers personnel, foreign ownership/health care licensure issues, diabetes management in schools, platting, fentanyl testing, third-party reservation platforms, electronic landlord-tenant notices, leaving the scene of a crash, background screening for athletic coaches, surrendered infants, and affordable housing. Several bills were temporarily postponed, and multiple House companion bills were substituted where the measures were identical or had only drafting differences.
Debate focused on a few measures. Senators questioned the trust code bill’s effect on out-of-state attorneys general; the school reporting bill was described as strengthening arrest and misconduct reporting for instructional personnel; and the service-of-process and lodging bills were presented as technical and consumer-protection fixes. The fentanyl testing bill drew emotional support from the sponsor and families affected by overdose deaths. The surrendered-infant bill prompted opposition over safety, anonymity, and the limited use of baby boxes, while supporters argued it could save lives. The affordable housing bill, updating the Live Local Act, was amended to adjust parking reductions and allow certain properties to use the administrative approval process, with additional limits and exclusions added.
Most measures passed overwhelmingly, including the trust code bill, school reporting, debt collection, service of process, lien waivers, public records, foreign-country business interest restrictions, diabetes management in schools, platting, fentanyl testing, third-party reservation platforms, electronic landlord-tenant notices, leaving-the-scene restitution, athletic coach background screening, surrendered infants, and affordable housing. The day’s most divided vote was on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew extended debate over fluoride policy and other provisions; it passed 27-9. At the end of the session, the Senate agreed to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, recognized a Taiwan-related resolution for the journal, made additional announcements, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Five - Tuesday, March 10 - Morning Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- “And you won’t even increase their living wages.
- That we're going to make you more successful by changing entry wages, by modulating sales tax.
- And if people aren't doing that, the system is so ready against them to escape poverty in wages alone
- And then they have wages in their pockets, whether they're employees or independent contractors.
- I've got a report in front of me that says the average wage of a worker in Missouri.
Summary:
The Missouri House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior House journal, and numerous guest introductions, including a tribute to Harris-Stowe State University President Dr. Latanya Collins-Smith during Women’s History Month. The chamber then took up House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, which would place on the ballot a constitutional change to gradually eliminate Missouri’s individual income tax and allow the legislature to broaden the sales tax base to services if needed. The sponsor and supporters framed the proposal as a long-term tax reform that would let Missourians keep more of their earnings, spur economic growth, and ultimately let voters decide the state’s tax structure.
Supporters argued that no-income-tax states have stronger growth, more business relocation, and better population trends, and said the resolution includes triggers and revenue-neutral safeguards, including protections for school funding and local governments. Several members said the measure is only a referral to the voters, not an immediate tax change, and emphasized that the plan is designed to phase out the income tax only as state growth allows. Opponents countered that the measure would ultimately require a large sales tax increase on goods and services, shifting the burden onto working families, seniors, renters, and low-income Missourians, while threatening public schools, services, and tax-credit-supported nonprofits. They also criticized the ballot language as misleading and warned that the fiscal impact could be as high as an $8.5 billion revenue loss.
Members debated comparisons to Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Washington, Oregon, and Kansas, with supporters citing those states as evidence that lower or no income taxes can attract growth, while opponents said Missouri’s economy, tourism, and budget structure are not comparable and that the Kansas example shows the risks of tax-cut experiments. The sponsor and several allies repeatedly stressed that the proposal is a constitutional amendment for voters to decide, not a final legislative tax hike, and said the plan is different from Kansas because it uses triggers and a defined path to zero. The transcript does not show a final vote on the resolution in the excerpt provided.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 18th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- able to set their own price in the approved supplier program, ensuring the ability to earn a living wage
- Interns must be paid at least minimum wage.
- And so it just probably kind of depends on what the hourly wage is, those sort of factors.
- Labor shortages, wage pressures, and funding in New Mexico.
- Wages are not competitive with other industries.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Motion prevails.
- >> Opposed >> Opposed >> Opposed motion<01:02:24.000><c> prevails.
- </c> motion prevails. motion prevails. Further<01:02:26.400><c> discussion.
- >> Motion prevails. With that, I want to say thanks.
- >> Motion<01:10:40.000><c> prevails.</c> >> Motion prevails. >> Motion prevails.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (03/25/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- A large number of these cases, the majority, with one being the outlier, the agency did not prevail in
- One of the reasons why they did not prevail in court was because there was conflicting testimony from
- c><00:28:36.360><c> agency</c><00:28:36.880><c> did</c><00:28:37.120><c> not</c><00:28:37.480><c> Prevail
- </c><00:28:38.200><c> in</c> outlier the agency did not Prevail in outlier the agency did not Prevail
- in court was because did not Prevail in court was because there<00:28:42.519><c> was</c><00:28:42.880
Summary:
The committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 493, a proposal to require physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to complete child abuse and neglect training as part of licensure and continuing education. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the measure addresses a gap in provider training, especially because abuse can be difficult to recognize and voluntary training has had low participation. They described a free Dartmouth online course and argued that mandatory, repeated education would help providers identify signs of abuse, know when to involve specialists or DCYF, and improve child safety. Supporters also noted the bill was amended to clarify coverage for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nursing hours, and to address language concerns raised by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.
Committee members and OPLC counsel raised implementation questions, including whether the bill would apply to all physicians regardless of specialty, whether it created a new licensure condition rather than only a continuing education requirement, how often the training would need to be repeated, and whether the accreditation language fit nursing rules. OPLC also noted that psychiatrists would be covered as physicians, while psychologists would not. A child abuse pediatrician testified that in his experience, children were sometimes seen by providers who missed early signs of abuse, leading to worse outcomes, and that mandatory education was needed because voluntary programs had poor uptake.
The New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed the bill, saying health care professionals already have reporting duties and that the legislature should not single out one training mandate when similar requirements are generally left to licensing boards. The Office of the Child Advocate supported the bill, citing cases from 2023 involving non-ambulatory infants with fractures, conflicting medical testimony in court, and a low completion rate for the existing free online course. The Child Advocate said the bill should be mandatory and recurring so providers stay current on evolving science and law. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/06/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The motion prevails. Senate File 1581 is recommended to pass and re-referred to Finance.
- those oppos say say say no<00:14:46.920><c> the</c><00:14:47.040><c> motion</c><00:14:47.399><c> prevails
- The motion prevails.
- </c><01:04:38.000><c> Senate</c><01:04:38.359><c> file</c> say no the motion prevails Senate file say
- no the motion prevails Senate file 1108<01:04:39.279><c> is</c><01:04:39.480><c> re</c><01:04:39.640
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Mar 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Relations Act to establish court interpreters as employees and allow them to collectively bargain over wages
- Relations Act to establish court interpreters as employees, allowing them to collectively bargain over wages
- While spoken language interpreters are able to negotiate terms related to wages, working conditions,
Summary:
The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several bills, with AB 1827 by Assemblymember Chen proposing to raise the small claims court limit for small businesses from $6,250 to $15,000 and allow up to three filings per year. The author and supporters from the California Association of Collectors said the change would help small businesses recover unpaid invoices and minor contract disputes without costly civil litigation, while preserving the informal small claims process. The committee noted some Judicial Council concerns, but there was no opposition testimony, and the bill later passed out of committee to Appropriations.
The committee also heard AB 1916 by Assemblymember Lee, which would include American Sign Language interpreters in the Trial Court Interpreter Employment and Labor Relations Act so they can participate in collective bargaining like other certified court interpreters. Supporters, including the California Federation of Interpreters and court interpreters, described recruitment and retention problems, limited representation, and a shortage of ASL interpreters in the courts. Members expressed support for improving representation and access for deaf and hard-of-hearing court users, and the bill passed to Appropriations.
AB 1977 by Assemblymember Irwin, presented by Assemblymember Pacheco, was described as a technical cleanup bill for California’s remote online notarization law, correcting ambiguities and conforming provisions to help the Secretary of State implement the program. The Secretary of State’s office supported the measure and said it would clarify procedures and digital seal authentication, while members raised questions about platform and renewal fees and one concern about a fee for terminated sessions; the sponsor indicated that provision could be removed. The bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar containing several other bills and later established quorum to take recorded votes before adjourning.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Minimum wage. HB 2296. HB 2293. Public Policy. HB 2294. Occupational. HB 2295. Minimum wage.
- Earned wage access. HB 2310. Qualified market. Commerce. HB 2316. Middle school student. HB 2320.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, a board-certified anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician, and Navy veteran. Members also introduced several guests in the gallery, including school board members and representatives from Republic Services, which was highlighted for its Arizona operations, employment, and sustainability work. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused.
The main floor business consisted of reading a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading and referring first-read measures to committee. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public safety, education, health and human services, water and natural resources, commerce, taxation, housing, transportation, artificial intelligence, abortion-related issues, firearms, labor, and appropriations. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were taken during this portion of the session.
Toward the end of the meeting, members made committee announcements and birthday wishes, including a birthday greeting for Representative Aaron Márquez. Committee schedules were announced for Commerce, Education, Natural Resources, Energy and Water, Government, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and others. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Motion prevails. Minutes from February 20th are approved.
- </c><00:02:28.200><c> minutes</c><00:02:28.440><c> from</c> opposed motion prevails minutes from opposed
- motion prevails minutes from February<00:02:29.080><c> 20th</c><00:02:29.920><c> are</c><00:02:30.400
- The motion prevailed, and Representative Igo's [member_12950] bill was amended.
- The motion prevails. This motion passes, and the bill will be on its way to the General Register.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/03/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Motion prevails. All right, Senator Rest, you have another bill before us, Senate File 11. Uh, yes.
- all right Senator rest you have prevails all right Senator rest you have another<00:09:44.560><c> bill
- Motion prevails. The amendment is adopted. Is there any discussion on Senate File 11 as amended?
- the amendment is adopted is prevails the amendment is adopted is there<00:12:58.519><c> any</c><00:12
- Motion prevails. well Senator well Senator papis<00:16:48.959><c> thank</c><00:16:49.079><c> you</c><
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Other union workers I talked to are making a minimum wage.
- And something that happens a lot: there's no stability with their wages and hours.
- spoke to workers who were working for the same employer for 29 years and were still making a minimum wage
- Twenty-nine years, still making minimum wage, $16.90 in San Rafael.
- of Health Care Services to prepare an annual report to the state for employers who are paying low wages
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/20/2026 - Senate Director Nominations
Transcript Highlights:
- And some of our federal programs have higher wage rates that need to be paid, which is called Davis-Bacon
- And so higher wage rates, higher insurance costs... LI-Tech program.
- And so higher wage rates, higher insurance costs, and also waiting on some trade delays that have been
- Have you sought an exemption to the wage requirements with HUD? Mr. Chair, no. Why not? Mr.
- So, on the Davis-Bacon wages that I mentioned, I have not seen a waiver, but you are right: there are
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Ruby Dylan Williams for Director of the Arizona Department of Housing. Williams described her long career at the department, her work on operational improvements, housing development, manufactured housing, and efforts to expand supply, preserve existing housing, and improve transparency through data and technology. She also said she would work with the legislature, local governments, tribal nations, nonprofits, and private partners, and emphasized the department’s role in addressing housing affordability and homelessness across the housing continuum.
Members questioned her about the department’s response to Auditor General findings, including fraud prevention, payment verification, site inspections, and oversight of grantees. Williams said the department had rewritten policies, retrained staff, added stronger controls, and implemented verbal verification steps for wire transfers after a fraud incident. Senators also pressed her on budget priorities, possible cuts, and her view of homelessness policy, with some members characterizing her approach as closer to shelter or transitional housing before permanent placement. Williams said interventions should be individualized and that the department works with local jurisdictions and service providers to match people with appropriate support.
Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Developers, housing industry representatives, and nonprofit partners praised Williams’ private-sector housing finance experience, her knowledge of LIHTC and the QAP process, and her leadership in making the agency more efficient and business-friendly. After debate, the committee voted 3-2 to recommend her confirmation to the full Senate. Two members voted no, citing concerns about her answers on fraud oversight, cost controls, and homelessness policy, while the majority supported advancing her nomination.