Transcript Highlights:

• We face a persistent need for a skilled workforce in key sectors.
• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is mandated to establish regulations setting minimum
• Direct workforce training allows students to acquire technical certifications, both in the competencies
• And that's why manufacturing was always part of now two administrations' workforce labor blueprints.
• And we are pushing them into the workforce system, and I appreciate your time today.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills related to advertising, economic development, tourism, digital advertising, delivery taxes, and alcohol taxation. The first panel supported H. 3249, which would create a high school trade partnership program linking public schools with private employers, especially in manufacturing, and would offer employers a tax credit for participation. Representative Soder, Uxbridge High School leaders, and others argued the bill would strengthen career pathways, build a skilled workforce, and keep students and jobs in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on H. 3031 and S. 2003 to modernize the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by dedicating an additional share of hotel occupancy tax revenue to tourism promotion. Tourism and hospitality representatives from Cape Cod, Southwick Zoo, and Indian Ranch said the proposal would not raise taxes but would reinvest existing visitor-generated revenue into marketing that supports jobs, local businesses, and municipal tax receipts. A tech-industry coalition opposed several digital advertising tax bills and a delivery tax bill, warning they would raise costs, create uncertainty, and burden consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers. The largest portion of the hearing focused on S. 2029, which would raise the alcohol excise tax by 10 cents per drink and dedicate the revenue to public health programs. Public health experts, advocates, a student prevention leader, and representatives from Jane Doe, Inc. argued the tax would reduce alcohol-related harms, address decades of inflation-driven erosion in the tax, and generate substantial new funding for prevention, treatment, domestic violence services, and community schools. Committee members asked questions about the current tax structure, inflation, and how the proposal compares with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• One agency he leans into is the Department of Justice.
• Now let's lean into the Department of Commerce.
• Now let's lean into the Department of Commerce.
• We stood up some solutions to test them out.
• They also are looking at other solutions, too.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, establishing its purpose as a study and policy-development body rather than one aimed at producing many bills. Majority Leader Hogue urged members to move quickly, focus on federal and other states’ AI laws, consider possible federal preemption, child protections, and the siting and economic impacts of data centers. Committee leadership echoed that the goal is practical, balanced governance that protects North Dakota while allowing innovation to continue. Legislative Council staff provided a background memo and NCSL presented a detailed overview of AI concepts and the current state legislative landscape. The presentations distinguished narrow AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and theoretical AGI/ASI, and summarized major state policy themes: comprehensive AI laws in states such as Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois; targeted laws on deepfakes, chatbots, health, education, notifications, and digital likeness; and growing use of appropriations and agency inventories. Members asked about Colorado’s repeal and reenactment, Texas’s sandbox and training provisions, oversight structures, and whether AI regulation is bipartisan; presenters said most issues cut across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfakes but more division on broader regulatory approaches. The federal update focused on executive orders, preemption, and congressional activity. NCSL described a White House framework favoring a single federal standard, a DOJ litigation task force, Commerce Department review of state laws, and possible funding conditions tied to state AI policy, though no formal state-law challenge had yet occurred. The presentation also covered a recent executive order creating a voluntary federal vetting process for advanced frontier models after safety concerns, and congressional proposals including a failed 10-year state moratorium, Senator Blackburn’s child-safety bills, the Kids Online Safety Act, a House-passed children’s digital safety package, a Senate data center moratorium proposal, and a House ratepayer/data-center bill. The committee took no formal action beyond receiving testimony and asking questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to be eligible, small businesses will be required to submit an application to the Department
• to guide workforce development, education and economic policies and and evolving.
• policy record recommendations to support economic resilience and workforce that ability.
• >> So 12 64 is the Department of Commerce Agency bill.
• And yet this is the time that this body has decided the solution to our economic crisis.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• your ADU law um in finding solutions. your ADU law um in finding solutions.
• affordable or workforce housing. Okay. affordable or workforce housing. Okay.
• First, housing champions was mentioned as a solution for building more workforce housing and housing
• It means conversion of our on-call fire department to a full-time fire department.
• <02:27:44.720> We're department and equipment. We're department and equipment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Workforce Protection Wahlberg, Workforce Protection Subcommittee,<03:09:54.720> Ranking<03:09
• Education Workforce Committee, Mr. Education Workforce Committee, Mr. Harris. Harris. Harris.
• <04:04:01.920> of on to join the Arizona Department of on to join the Arizona Department of
• Department of Transportation in order to Department of Transportation in order to use<04:48:03.280>
• The Department of of Education.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So our idea is to check with the Department of Health and also Workforce Solutions to see if they can
• The workforce, one of the other outreaches that we're doing now, is trying to develop with Workforce
• Solutions training programs.
• Requiring them to create a dashboard, requiring them to work with Workforce Solutions, kind of an omnibus
• Chair, when the department...

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got to name it, and when we can name it, we can find solutions. Thank you.
• With our partners, including counties, CWS, and, as you all mentioned, other departments, the Department
• And yet we're not focusing on those solutions too.
• The second tool we have at our disposal is community and workforce navigation.
• How do we work with our workforce board?

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity in California, the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP benefits, and the long-term effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, benefits, and state and county costs. Opening remarks emphasized that millions of Californians rely on CalFresh, that the shutdown briefly delayed benefits for the first time in the program’s history, and that state and local governments, including Alameda County, stepped in with emergency food aid and funding. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability problem, with several noting that California’s agricultural abundance contrasts sharply with persistent food insecurity. The first panel presented research and advocacy perspectives on food hardship. PPIC’s Tess Thorman described food insecurity rates, disparities affecting households with children and Black and Latino households, and the role of nutrition programs in reducing poverty. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio argued that hunger is a policy choice and highlighted campaigns to expand state-funded food assistance for immigrants, support reentry populations, and continue the CalFresh fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. The California Association of Food Banks’ Josh Wright said food banks are seeing sustained high demand, lower federal food supplies, and cannot replace CalFresh, while urging more state support for food purchasing, school meals, and SunBucks. The second panel reviewed CalFresh operations and participation. The California Department of Social Services reported that CalFresh participation has risen over the past decade, with the state closing much of the participation gap through outreach, simplified applications, and demonstration projects such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project and a minimum nutrition benefit pilot. Alameda County Social Services described local caseloads, application trends, and emergency food distributions during the shutdown, while also warning that H.R. 1’s work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and possible cost-sharing could reduce enrollment. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application and recertification process and urged more funding for campus basic-needs centers and outreach to reduce stigma and administrative friction. In the final panel, county, food bank, and policy witnesses described the shutdown response and the expected impact of H.R. 1. Alameda County Community Food Bank and the County Welfare Directors Association said counties, food banks, and community partners mobilized emergency funds, pop-up pantries, and food purchasing to bridge the shutdown gap, but warned that hundreds of thousands of Californians could lose benefits under the new federal rules. The California Budget and Policy Center began outlining the scale of federal cuts, noting that H.R. 1 will significantly reduce SNAP funding and shift costs to states. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible state responses, including backfilling benefits, preserving outreach funding, and improving administrative systems to protect enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This budget fully funds the recovery-friendly workforce program so that we can continue to ensure that
• <01:19:48.400> of<01:19:48.520> Natural of trails for the Department of Natural of
• already has the New Hampshire Department already has the New Hampshire Department of<03:12:19.880
• particular issues and find Solutions particular issues and find Solutions thank thank thank you<
• This resolution asks the executive department to say no for American businesses.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Department of Transportation, the FAA, the Tennessee Valley Authority. and most recently the Department
• We need to make sure the workforce is there.
• We also assumed regulatory programs from the Department State Health Services and the Department of Family
• And so, it was the Department of Family Protective Services, Department of State Health Services, Department
• It was sent to the Department of Justice.

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• This comes into alignment with the way the department and the past former administrations have done,
• Per the Department of General Services, DGS, between fiscal years 2021-22 and 2023-24, there were 572
• And so this is an opportunity for us to ensure that the workforce reflects the diversity of our state
• And in order for a contractor to establish equity metrics relating to our workforce, we would also have
• The charitable food system in California is not the responsibility of any single department, program,

Summary: The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns. The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• The solution is not riding on the backs of our nurses.
• Is that proper workforce management?
• So it says the department; what department is that? Just the Department of...
• For us to say, "Well, you better have this many nurses in this department and that department, and you
• competing for a workforce with anybody else.

Transcript Highlights:

• within the workforce. within the workforce.
• longer effectuates department longer effectuates department priorities.<00:52:28.960> This
• short-term workforce programs.
• Workforce Pell will focus on short-term workforce programs.
• Department of Education. Department of Education.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:48.159> and I was thinking about our workforce and I was thinking about our workforce
• to impact the workforce to impact the workforce in<00:24:59.360> a<00:24:59.520> way
• Our initial effort is to move from what is currently server-based on-prem solution to a cloud-based solution
• and business attraction and workforce and business attraction and the<00:42:35.520> workforce
• <00:47:39.119> would that 65% of the of the workforce would that 65% of the of the workforce

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review the annual report on collaboration between the University System of New Hampshire and the Community College System of New Hampshire, and the meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing the community college system’s 80th anniversary. Both chancellors praised the proclamation and described the report as a statutory follow-up to the public higher education task force. They said the two systems have built a close working relationship and that the collaboration is intended to continue, though progress may be limited by resources and staffing changes. Much of the discussion focused on transfer pathways and new academic models. The chancellors said House Bill 1530 helped drive the creation of more than 100, and possibly about 130, “universal pathways” between the systems, with a reported 30% increase in community college associate-degree graduates transferring to the university system in the last academic year. They also discussed direct-admit outreach for community college graduates, early college and CTE-to-workforce pathways, and the development of three-year bachelor’s programs at Plymouth State and in some health-care fields. Members asked about nursing, allied dental health, and radiologic technology, and the chancellors said they are exploring whether some programs can be streamlined, while noting that nursing’s requirements may limit how short a pathway can be. Members also raised concerns about whether transfer pathways could affect university enrollment, but the university chancellor said declining enrollment is more likely due to a smaller pool of college-age students and broader competition, not the transfer programs. Another topic was the ERP/technology platform recommendation from the task force: the university system is moving to Workday, while the community college system is working to align business practices and move from an on-premises system to a cloud-based solution. Officials said a shared enterprise system could create efficiencies in the future, but it is not expected in the short term; student-facing tools like Canvas are already shared. The committee also discussed House Bill 112, which would require passing a civics test for graduation, and the chancellors said they support civic education but see implementation challenges. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• This regional structure ensures that workforce solutions are tailored to the unique needs of our diverse
• As California confronts rapid economic shifts and rising workforce demands, the Strong Workforce Program
• So I oversee the workforce development department.
• importance of workforce development.
• and career workforce training.

Summary: The hearing opened the Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs at Santa Ana College, with Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasizing the need for affordable, accelerated pathways into high-demand careers and noting his bill AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council. Chancellor Marvin Martinez welcomed the committee and urged changes to AB 927 to remove the “duplication” barrier for community college bachelor’s degrees, arguing that applied baccalaureate programs can lead to high-wage jobs and expand access for low- and middle-income students. The first panel focused on statewide workforce trends and policy. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova highlighted credit for prior learning, Strong Workforce funding, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, asking the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo described regional labor market data showing growth in health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, while stressing the need for employer-led, data-driven programs, wraparound supports, and flexible funding. Andrew Gonzalez of the Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, combine classroom and on-the-job training, and end in a portable credential; he also promoted apprenticeship readiness programs, community workforce agreements, and stronger exposure to trades starting in K-12. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and related youth apprenticeship recommendations, including bridge programs, intermediary infrastructure, reduced employer barriers, and better coordination of state funding. A later panel highlighted Santa Ana College’s fire technology and firefighting academy programs. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb said the college is one of the state’s largest fire training providers, with strong partnerships with local fire agencies, law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, and with high job placement and six-figure starting salaries for some graduates. They also described related certificates, advanced officer training, wellness services, and workforce preparation such as mock interviews and sponsorships. Throughout the hearing, members and panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of aligning education with labor market demand, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and using regional collaboration to connect students to living-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And according to Georgetown University's Center on Education and Workforce, in general, a bachelor's
• So this is very important to the workforce, and local industry really helped us get this program off
• We know that we grew up with this region and that it's our job to serve the economy, the workforce and
• At CSUSM, workforce development is embedded into our mission of social justice. mobility.
• It represents 10 percent of the private workforce. workforce here, private sector workforce in San Diego

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So how do we get to the right solutions?
• And your department is doing a great job.
• There's not going to be just one solution.
• The other thing, though, that I do want to add, There's not going to be just one solution.
• There's not going to be just just one solution.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met to hear presentations from the Florida Department of Transportation on rural arterial roadways and transportation resiliency, followed by a panel discussion on metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). FDOT’s Will Watts described the state’s growing population and travel demand, emphasizing that rural arterials are critical for connectivity, freight movement, evacuation routes, and congestion relief. He outlined FDOT’s project selection factors, noted thousands of identified rural arterial needs with billions in unfunded demand, and explained that the department uses community input and long-range planning to prioritize safety, capacity, and economic development. Watts then discussed resiliency planning for hurricanes and flooding, focusing on structural design, storm readiness, and drainage. He highlighted efforts such as elevated bridges, wave attenuators, coastal armoring, drainage upgrades, and materials testing at FDOT’s research facilities to extend service life and reduce storm damage. Committee members asked about local project selection, materials research, LiDAR use, and legislative support; Watts said local coordination drives project priorities and asked lawmakers to protect the Transportation Trust Fund. The MPO panel, led by FDOT’s Kim Holland, explained that MPOs are federally required in urban areas over 50,000 population and that Florida has 27, the most in the nation. Holland said MPOs identify and prioritize transportation needs through long-range plans and public engagement, and she noted that several regions are exploring consolidation after the 2020 Census, especially in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. Representatives from MetroPlan Orlando, Forward Pinellas, Pasco MPO, and Hillsborough discussed their structures and the potential benefits and challenges of merging, including representation, governance, funding, and maintaining local voice. Members generally supported regional collaboration, urged patience as studies continue, and emphasized the need for transparent public engagement, while the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 11 Department of Conservation.
• ><00:18:39.120> the<00:18:39.360> youth, about workforce and getting the youth, about workforce
• On behalf of the Department of Public Health, we have one contract before you for Solutions LLC.
• >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you. of the Department of Public Health, we of the Department of Public
• <00:29:24.320> It's Solutions LLC. It's a new contract. It's Solutions LLC.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :13:23.839> announced well, today the department announced well, today the department announced
• with what the nursing home workforce with what the nursing home workforce standards<01:09:57.760
• But the workforce standards board.
• workforce for the paid time off for DED. workforce for the paid time off for DED.
• . workforce. workforce.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a solution.
• a workforce shortage.
• The Behavioral Health Trust is a forward-looking solution.
• Housing Solutions Department, which talks about housing.
• So the other element is building out the workforce.

Bills: SB5, SB6, SB8

Keywords: physician residency, healthcare, rural communities, medical education, appropriation, education, medical school, New Mexico, construction, behavioral health, funding, mental health services, general fund transfer, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our workforce needs are changing. When I meet with... employers across every sector.
• We translate knowledge to actionable solutions.
• , up to 40% of all of our workforce. comes from one of our comprehensive regionals.
• Another aspect of the health care workforce.
• This model is a critical step in aligning education programs with workforce needs.

Keywords: 1184, house, all