Transcript Highlights:

• Labor costs are becoming more expensive.
• Third recommendation is that we should have the Department of Labor and Industries Construction Code
• we should have the Department of Labor we should have the Department of Labor and<01:23:44.800><
• and Industries Construction Code Council and Industries Construction Code Council develop<01:23:
• <01:24:37.280> is the uh the the construction codes is the uh the the construction codes is

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• pro-labor and anti-right-to-work.
• And the Labor Committee, which just happens to be, well, you know, Mr.
• And the Labor Committee, which just happens to be, well, you know, Mr.
• , no slave labor, and compliance with the Geneva Convention.
• SL SL slave labor compliance with the SL SL slave labor compliance with the Geneva<03:46:10.319> Convention

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We see things that move through Labor and Industry that increase the cost.
• to help capture some of those bills that, again, I think a lot of the stuff we see, whether it be Labor
• Whether it be Energy, we see a lot of these types of new mandates, code regulations, and changes that
• Because if you have, say, Labor and Workforce creating new rules on subcontracting or other things, that

Transcript Highlights:

• , are protected because of federal code, are protected because of federal code, all<00:49:31.200>
• United States bankruptcy code. Um and United States bankruptcy code.
• An act relating to labor and employment. Mr.
• An act relating to labor and employment. Mr.
• relating to labor and employment. relating to labor and employment.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• afterwards, believing they had secured their freedom, they walked into the Jim Crow era, the Black Codes—intentional
• And if you broke any of these Black Codes, you could be sent to prison and then leased back to the same
• We have living relatives from the Black Code and Jim Crow era, the 1960s, the civil rights movement.
• In fact, here in California, we were still fighting wildfires with slave labor until last year.
• Here in California, labor leader Kent Wong, who we just lost, carried forward that legacy, building solidarity

Summary: The Assembly met with a quorum call at the start, then proceeded with Black History Month observances, including a libation ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance, and remarks emphasizing remembrance, ancestry, and the importance of honoring Black history. The chamber also handled routine procedural matters, including dispensing with the journal, re-referring certain Senate budget items to the Budget Committee, and allowing guest introductions and other unanimous-consent requests. The main floor action was on Assembly Concurrent Resolution 134, recognizing Black History Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the historical contributions of Black Americans, the ongoing effects of slavery and segregation, the need to protect voting rights and education, and the importance of solidarity across communities. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 74 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 132, declaring February 28 as Rare Disease Day. Members shared personal stories about ALS and other rare diseases, described barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and insurance coverage, and called for more research and support. The resolution received broad bipartisan support, with 71 co-authors added before adoption by voice vote. The chamber then recognized a series of Black History Month Unsung Heroes honorees, including community leaders, health professionals, advocates, and public servants, and later heard additional guest introductions. The meeting concluded with adjournments in memory of Peyton Trilling and John Jackson, followed by announcements and adjournment until February 26 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm thinking about the cost of firetrucks, the cost of labor beyond those two metrics.
• avoid making those mandates while we are reducing essential services such as planning and zoning, code
• When we experience the impact of tariffs or labor shortages or corporate consolidation creating monopolies
• I would flip that and say some cities have better code enforcement, take care of the infrastructure better
• I don't know anyone ever saying 'I'm going to move there because I like their code of ordinances better

Transcript Highlights:

• market it allows competitive labor market it allows employers<00:23:31.440> to<00:23:31.559><
• Lou Zider: Our labor rates are increasing because qualified clinicians and support staff are able to
• He said about 9,000 to 10,000 codes use this payment methodology.
• Medicaid using collaborative care codes Medicaid using collaborative care codes establishes<01:36
• <01:38:05.199> that model has designated billing codes that model has designated billing codes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She did a wonderful job, but was lured away to work as counsel in the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce
• It's clear, based on where we are now with our property taxes and their tax code, that we need to have
• It's clear based on where we are now with our property taxes and their tax code that we need to have
• where we are now with our property taxes and their tax code that we need to have more state support for
• That was code to my son for autism. He took the book off the bookcase and said, 'Goodbye, book.'

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with most testimony focused on two main topics: improving access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for students with disabilities, and raising educator pay statewide. On the AAC bills (House 514/Senate 418), parents, advocates, and attorneys described how AAC devices and communication books help nonverbal or minimally verbal children communicate, participate in class, and reduce frustration and behavioral issues. Testimony emphasized that while districts are generally required to provide devices, many teachers and school staff lack training to use them effectively; the bill would direct DESE to update licensure and training requirements so newly licensed teachers are prepared to support AAC users. Committee members asked about current teacher-prep practices, implementation, and whether DESE could act without legislation, and witnesses said the proposal was intended as a long-term solution and had previously received some support and compromise language. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House 733/Senate 370, which would set a statewide minimum salary of $70,000 for teachers and $55,000 for education support professionals (ESPs/paras), with inflation adjustments and a phase-in structure that would shift costs over time from the state to municipalities. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, MTA leaders, and school employees from several districts, argued that current pay is not a living wage, contributes to staffing shortages and turnover, and forces many educators to work multiple jobs or rely on public assistance. They said the bill would help recruit and retain staff and better reflect the importance of the work. Committee members raised questions about how the state would fund the mandate, how it would interact with Chapter 70 school aid and local budgets, whether other states have similar mechanisms, and whether the proposal could create disincentives for districts already paying above the floor. Witnesses pointed to the Student Opportunity Act, the Fair Share Amendment, and the need for a broader school funding formula review as possible parts of the solution. The committee also briefly heard and discussed Senate Bill 435/House Bill 736, which would require de-escalation training for school bus operators, with the training paid for by employers. The sponsor and a parent advocate said the bill was prompted by a school bus incident involving a child with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and would improve safety and reduce reliance on law enforcement. Members asked whether the bill should also cover bus monitors and other transportation staff, and whether private contractors and public operators currently provide similar training. At the end of the hearing, the chairs closed testimony on the full list of bills and adjourned the hearing without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 504, a bill to be entitled an act relating to code inspector body
• For local governments that choose to voluntarily allow code enforcement officers to have body cameras
• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 504, a bill to be entitled an act relating to code inspector body
• but in the cotton fields, classrooms, kitchens, churches, and courtrooms where African Americans labored
• but in the cotton fields, classrooms, kitchens, churches, and courtrooms where African Americans labored

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because it looks like within another year or two, computer coding is going to be done by AI, and yet
• I'm concerned about that because I think we still need people who understand how to code and can actually
• They had to leave to go out to do wage labor.
• First of all, in terms of the museum, can you assure me that it will be ADA accessible and up to code
• A lot of the times they do that because of the fact that the code co-ops, the water authorities, and

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 6, AB 841, due pass to the Committee on Labor and Employment.
• An erotic service provider is anybody who earns a living from their erotic labor.
• We used to have whole cities burned down because building codes allowed buildings to be built right next
• Under current law, Public Utilities Code Section 761.3 requires that each...
• Under current law, Public Utilities Code Section 761.3 requires that each battery energy storage facility

Summary: The Emergency Management Committee met to adopt its rules and hear a series of disaster- and public safety-related bills. Several measures were placed on consent and approved, including bills sending items to Appropriations, Natural Resources, Judiciary, Labor and Employment, and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 262, by Assembly Member Caloza, proposed a California Individual Assistance Act to create a state grant program for disaster-related costs when federal aid is unavailable; supporters cited Rio Dell’s earthquake recovery as an example, while some members raised concerns about eligibility, cost, and whether the bill could aid undocumented residents. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote. AB 549, by Assembly Member Gabriel, would create an interagency coordination framework for major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics, with supporters emphasizing public safety and anti-trafficking planning. An opposition witness argued the bill could be used to justify prostitution arrests and misuse trafficking funds, but the committee members largely supported the coordination concept, and the bill passed 6-0 to Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 270, by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, would establish a three-year pilot for autonomous aerial firefighting helicopters overseen by the Orange County Fire Authority; supporters described it as a way to extend wildfire response into conditions where crewed aircraft are limited, and the bill passed 6-0 to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, sought to require Ventura County water districts in high fire-risk areas to top off tanks during red flag warnings, maintain backup generators, and harden critical water infrastructure. Water agencies opposed the bill unless amended, citing cost, flexibility, and liability concerns, while the author argued the requirements were necessary after failures during the Thomas Fire; it passed 6-1 to Utilities and Energy. AB 615, by Assembly Member Davies, required emergency response plans to be submitted with initial applications for battery energy storage and other energy facilities and to be reviewed with local responders; it passed 7-0 to Utilities and Energy. AB 1075, concerning privately contracted firefighters, also passed on consent to Natural Resources. Finally, AB 1143, by Assembly Member Bennett, would create a voluntary statewide home hardening certification program through the State Fire Marshal; supporters called it a best-practices approach to reduce wildfire losses and insurance risk, and it passed to Natural Resources. The committee then completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned after all bills were moved out.

Transcript Highlights:

• knowing how much time it takes to code knowing how much time it takes to code to<01:03:18.400>
• 03:24.559> a basically coding to submit a basically coding to submit a reimbursement<01:03:25.359
• It's labor intensive, and they cost more for labor than it does from what they get back from Medicaid
• It's labor intensive and can't do it.
• , that takes service, that takes labor, that takes service, that takes labor, that<02:33:29.520><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the um federal department of labor.
• If you raise the price of labor, people buy less labor. I do not want to get young people fired.
• <01:48:26.800> force seen before um where uh labor force seen before um where uh labor force
• Did your employer have a dress code policy?"
• Did your employer have a dress code policy?"

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Nuremberg laws were drafted after the Black Codes and the Jim Crow laws of the South here in
• Jack joined the Polish resistance and eventually spent time in a forced labor camp, and Anna survived
• Alvarez, the Secretary of our Assembly Labor and Employment Committee who is retiring after 29 years
• And just to make note of the fact, not only do we have our wonderful labor chair presenting.
• The Labor Committee only has three staff members and only one secretary.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You are recognized to explain Amendment Bar Code 18289. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Representative Greco, you are recognized to explain Bar Code Amendment 428871. >> Rep.
• Representative Nix, you are recognized to explain amendment bar code 064140. Rep.
• NIX YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN AMENDMENT BAR CODE 0641 40. 991 >>Rep.
• Nix, you are recognized to explain amendment bar code 483685. Rep.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 1137, which would codify a long-standing DBPR rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct excise tax for broken or spoiled products. The sponsor said the rule had been nullified for lack of statutory authority, and industry representatives waved in support. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. Members then approved PCS for HB 797 on nonprofit corporations, described as a broad update to the nonprofit statute that tracks prior for-profit corporation changes and model act language. A technical amendment was adopted, and testimony from the Florida Nonprofit Alliance and a Bar business law section representative was supportive. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS for HB 679 on trademark registration, which updates the state trademark system to align with federal classifications and create an online application; an amendment extending the implementation date was adopted before the bill passed. The committee next heard several bills related to licensing and regulation. CS for HB 1433 would create an optional high school financial literacy course focused on property and casualty insurance and allow graduates to satisfy pre-licensure requirements for an entry-level license; it passed with support from insurance and free-market groups. HB 929 clarified local permitting for tiki huts, including electrical and plumbing permits, decks, fasteners, and setbacks, and passed without opposition. HB 99 exempted certain underwriting managers handling limited reinsurance business from reinsurance intermediary manager licensing requirements and also passed. A major portion of the meeting focused on gambling enforcement in the strike-all for CS for CS HB 155, which would strengthen penalties for illegal gambling operations, expand oversight of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, clarify fantasy sports and internet sports wagering language, and allow destruction of seized slot machines. Supporters argued the bill would help shut down repeat illegal internet cafés and related criminal activity; one homeowner group opposed it. The committee adopted the strike-all and the bill passed, with several members speaking in favor and a few voting no. The committee also passed HB 1307 on unauthorized aliens after adopting a strike-all that clarified provisions affecting licensing, housing assistance, workers’ compensation, employment enforcement, and related financial services; the bill drew substantial opposition testimony about language barriers and immigrant families, but also support from proponents citing public safety and victim stories. Later, the committee approved DS for HB 387, which would restrict the use of ADS-B aviation data for automatic billing at airports while preserving landing fees and safety functions. It passed after supportive testimony from a private pilot. HB 865, as amended, would require professional management for community associations above a higher budget threshold, add timeshare-specific language, and impose additional licensing and insurance requirements for managers; supporters cited fraud and lack of enforcement in large associations, while one member opposed it as government overreach. The bill passed with one recorded no vote. Finally, the committee passed PCS for HB 885, a transportation facility designation bill naming several roads and bridges, and began debate on CS for HB 33, which would designate a portion of SR 895 near FIU as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and also codify a Donald Trump boulevard designation. That bill prompted sharp debate, with supporters praising Kirk’s influence and opponents objecting to honoring a non-Floridian and to his public statements; the transcript ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• They fill skilled labor needs as well at the national labs and in school districts from Grants to Hobbs
• ask for your support of HB 124 with increased funding for this office, as we are currently facing a labor
• Gifted education continues to be funded through the SEG, governed under the Public School Code, and regulated
• By embedding this in state code, we’ll be better off. Thank you.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that last year they saw patients from 591 zip codes, which he said was a testament to access.
• it serves both Alexandria and the Pipestone community and that the clinic saw patients from 591 zip codes
• they saw patients from 591 zip codes they saw patients from 591 zip codes which<00:11:42.000>
• The rising cost of construction labor, which I'm sure you've heard about extensively, makes this level
• those points. ...who got the transfer and they were worse off by $2,000 because of the decrease in labor

Bills: HF1833, HF148, HF1127, HF1227, HF1681, HF1974, HF1106, HF1016, HF2197

Keywords: sales tax, education funding, construction, Aitkin Public Schools, tax exemption, refundable credit, HF148, use of force training, deadly force, peace officer training, police training, law enforcement, POST Board, Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, scenario-based training, de-escalation, defensive tactics, force-on-force training, stress management, officer wellness

Transcript Highlights:

• Weatherton, I'd like for you to kind of walk us through each one of these labor contracts and where we're
• we were at a six-year projection, and some of the other ones were a four-year projection on these labor
• we were at a six-year projection, and some of the other ones were a four-year projection on these labor
• If they are at 70% of contract labor, I don’t know how many people in this room have had a family member
• “So that’s consistent if we utilize contract labor versus on state payroll, we still get the same match

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Budget and fiscal review when applying to labor and making an appropriation therefore to take effect
• My comments on 139 really apply to the entirety of our labor negotiations.
• the local labor markets are paying for comparable work.
• Also, the project shall comply with Sections 7050.5 and Health Safety Code 5097.98, including.
• This was a labor of hard work. This is something I think we're all going to reflect on.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . codes. codes.
• Not just the plumbing code, but the electrical code, the building code, the residential code, the IEC
• code, the electrical code, the building code, the residential<00:52:16.040> code,<00:52:16.400
• state building code. state building code. All<01:00:01.480> right.
• building codes standards. building codes standards.

Bills: HB1700

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.