Transcript Highlights:

• Thousands of companies employ workers on both sides of our border, and the connection represents a key
• 4. >> The bill is passed. >> Calendar 132, Senate Print 4518, Senator Ramos, an act to amend the Workers
• >> CALENDAR 132, SENATE PRINT 4518 SENATOR RAMOS, AN ACT TO AMEND THE WORKERS COMPENSATION LAW.
• gt;> ANNOUNCE THE RESULT. >> Calendar 133, Senate Print 4816, Senator Ryan, an act to amend the Workers

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior Journal, and then handled several introductions and resolutions. Senator Bailey introduced Jayson Fefami, described as the Bronx-based creator of the “quarter zip” trend, and the chamber welcomed him with applause. Senator Cooney presented a privileged resolution memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim July 1, 2026, as Canada Day in New York, emphasizing the state’s economic, cultural, and border ties with Canada; the resolution was adopted. Senator Hinchey also spoke on a previously adopted resolution designating February 21-28, 2026, as National FFA Organization Week, with Senator Helming and visiting FFA students and advisers offering remarks in support of agricultural education and youth leadership. The Senate then took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures related to a fiscal task force, environmental conservation, urban development, education, workers’ compensation, elder law, real property, general business, state finance, insurance, tenant protection, and public health. Several bills passed unanimously, while others drew limited opposition; for example, the Environmental Conservation and Education measures had a handful of negative votes, and the real property bill drew more substantial opposition. Senator Webb explained her vote on a bill addressing college student food insecurity by exempting certain meal-share donations from sales tax, saying students should not have to choose between class and hunger. Senator Palumbo also explained his vote on the kratom labeling bill, supporting the measure while urging future action on the synthetic opioid 7-OH. The chamber also discharged several identical Assembly bills from Rules and substituted Senate versions earlier in the day, and later passed those measures on the floor. At the end of the session, the Senate completed the calendar, reported no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assaults on transit workers have tripled since 2008.
• like many of our other professions, if we are not able to get that support, we can't retain those workers
• strongly supports House Bill 689, and we request your support to pass the bill to protect transit workers
• As workers, we want to have a safe operation for the public.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• compete and to continue hiring workers compete and to continue hiring workers one<00:12:10.760><
• Personally, for me, I deeply regret supporting that resolution now, as a social worker.
• Personally, for me, I deeply regret supporting that resolution now, as a social worker.
• Personally, for me, I deeply regret supporting that resolution now, as a social worker.
• Personally, for me, I deeply regret supporting that resolution now, as a social worker.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 29, 2025, and heard testimony on HB 108, which concerns intoxicating liquor and would expand direct-to-consumer shipping for beer and spirits. Supporters included representatives of Koloa Rum Company, Maui Brewing Company, and Ola Brew, who argued the bill would modernize alcohol laws, help small local producers compete, support jobs and local agriculture, and give consumers more access to Hawaii-made products. They also said Hawaii already has experience regulating direct wine shipments, with age verification and carrier-based delivery systems in place, and that direct shipping could help businesses reach visitors after they return home and diversify beyond tourism. Opposition came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, whose representative said the bill could increase access for underage drinking, especially because liquor commissions do not currently conduct compliance checks on alcohol shipments and may lack capacity to do so. The group also raised tax-enforcement concerns, saying the existing three-tier system makes excise and sales tax collection easier, while direct shipping would require additional auditing. They urged the committee to oppose the bill or defer it until more research is done, and suggested a common carrier reporting requirement to help reconcile shipments. Committee members questioned both sides about whether current law already allows some alcohol shipments, whether a Kentucky distiller could ship directly to Hawaii, and how reciprocity with other states would work. Supporters said the bill is modeled on wine-shipping language and could be amended to clarify reciprocity, while opponents said the bill lacks a common carrier reporting requirement and would place a burden on county liquor commissions. No vote or final action on HB 108 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:39:43.200> I uh worker home buyers and governance.
• I uh worker home buyers and governance.
• I'm not a social worker. I'm not a lawyer, but my career has been in education.
• I'm not a social worker. I'm not a lawyer, but my career has been in education.
• I'm a social worker who's licensed in mental health and drug and alcohol treatment.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also hear that there's a worker shortage in Greater Minnesota.
• So it's a problem when workers can't get to their jobs.
• <01:10:39.600> So worker shortage in greater Minnesota.
• So worker shortage in greater Minnesota.
• Hundreds of workers in Minnesota water.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Also want to reach out to my co-workers, my co-author authors and workers, and for joining me on this
• Also want to reach out to my co-workers, my co-author authors and workers, and for joining me on this
• Also want to reach out to my co-workers, my co-author authors and workers, and for joining me on this
• Also want to reach out to my co-workers, my co-author authors and workers, and for joining me on this
• Also want to reach out to my co-workers, my co-author authors and workers, and for joining me on this

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:03.679> more need to be paying childcare workers more need to be paying childcare workers
• But to train every child care worker to such a high level is part of the problem here because it adds
• But to train every child care worker to such a high level is part of the problem here because it adds
• <00:41:00.119> to<00:41:00.440> have<00:41:00.960> I uh child care workers to
• uh but to train every childcare worker uh but to train every childcare worker to<00:41:32.280>

Bills: HF1247, HF628

Keywords: child care, aides, supervision, child care centers, staffing regulations, childcare, day care, licensed child care center, early childhood education, child care licensing, director qualifications, staff ratios, group size, staff-to-child ratio, substitutes, volunteers, assistant teacher, teacher qualifications, infant care, toddler age

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, in support of Dreamers, farm workers, and families.
• Farm workers, Mr.
• Farm workers, Mr.
• Farm workers, Mr.
• <00:16:21.600> are Workers are Workers are undocumented<00:16:23.560> and<00:16:23.720>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this example here is like traditional health workers, for example, is a service in support that Medicaid
• Traditional health workers may be analogous, but different.
• Traditional health workers are differently trained, and they include peer supports for youth and family
• Is that therapy provided by a licensed clinical social worker or not?
• Is that therapy provided by a licensed clinical social worker or not?

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• providing critical care to some of the most vulnerable families in my community: immigrants, farm workers
• agent, financial secretary and treasurer, and a leader who never lost sight of the dignity of the workers
• agent, financial secretary and treasurer, and a leader who never lost sight of the dignity of the workers
• advocacy, he helped set the highest standards in the building trades, ensuring that thousands of workers
• He understood that it was his job to bring the voices of workers into the halls of government.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To proclaim April 21, 2006, as Arkansas Line Worker Appreciation Day at the State Capitol, and to commend
• the men and women who serve Arkansas as utility line workers.
• To proclaim April 21, 2006, as Arkansas Line Worker Appreciation Day at the State Capitol, and to commend
• the men and women who serve Arkansas as utility line workers.
• Day at the State Capitol and to commend the men and women who serve Arkansas as utility line workers

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The system automatically notifies the member and the eligibility worker when they're up for renewal.
• And then a worker on the state or the local side has to take some action on that case to maintain that
• carefully for, again, so that we don't get into a situation where,... member and the eligibility worker
• And then a worker on the state or the local side has to take some action on that case to maintain that
• we're going to be, there's going to be a heavy focus on collaboration and then training all those workers

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• prepayment review and pause is that when providers were not financially secure, it was our clients and our workers
• make sure we put forth the best bill for individuals to get the services they need and to protect workers
• , individuals, and Minnesota taxpayers. clients and our workers who suffered. clients and our workers
• I'm not sure what to do in this situation. protect uh workers, individuals, and protect uh workers, individuals
• And in some cases, I have heard from direct support workers who were not paid for two or three weeks'

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide the technical training to workers that prepare them for jobs in the aerospace industry.
• And meanwhile, we create a pool of skilled local workers that we can hire from in the future.
• We provide the technical training to workers that prepare them for jobs in the aerospace industry.
• And meanwhile, we create a pool of skilled local workers that we can hire from in the future.
• Our past participants have come from a wide variety of workers that we can hire from in the future.

Summary: The committee first heard a work session on cryptocurrency kiosks from the Department of Financial Institutions and Spokane City Councilmember Paul Dillon. DFI described crypto kiosks as licensed money transmission terminals that allow cash purchases of virtual currency, and said the main concern is fraud: scammers often pressure victims, especially older adults, to deposit cash into kiosks and send it to wallets controlled by organized crime. DFI cited a sharp increase in kiosk volume, nationwide fraud complaints and losses, and said Washington currently has licensing and disclosure rules but lacks transaction and fee limits. The department said it is seeking stronger disclosures, a $1,000 daily transaction limit, and a fee cap. Spokane described its unanimous ordinance banning new kiosks and removing existing ones after local scam reports, and members asked about how the machines work, whether the fraud is in the hardware or the transaction, and whether stronger warnings or screening could help. The committee then reviewed home equity sharing agreements, or CHISAs, based on a report by Mariana Amaram and testimony from DFI and industry representatives. The report found that CHISAs provide homeowners a lump sum in exchange for a share of future home value or appreciation, with no monthly payments, but that consumers often struggle to understand the products and settlement calculations. The report said the market has grown quickly in Washington, that costs can be hard to predict, and that early uncapped contracts could produce very high settlement amounts, especially during periods of rising home prices. DFI said it views these products as mortgage loans and is moving forward with rulemaking, including counseling and clearer disclosures, while industry witnesses said the products are equity-based rather than debt-based and asked for tailored regulation. Members discussed the need for better consumer education, clearer payoff schedules, and whether the products should be treated as mortgages or a separate category. The final panel focused on Washington’s space economy, with presentations from Amazon Leo, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Space Northwest, and Green River College. Speakers highlighted major in-state investments in satellite manufacturing, launch systems, and workforce training, including Amazon Leo’s Redmond and Kirkland facilities, Blue Origin’s Kent headquarters, and Stoke Space’s Kent manufacturing and Moses Lake test site. Space Northwest presented data showing the sector’s growing economic footprint, high-wage jobs, and regional clusters in Kent and Redmond, and urged more workforce programs, incentives, infrastructure support, and a state space commission. The companies emphasized local hiring, apprenticeship and certification programs, and the role of Washington’s aerospace supply chain in supporting the broader space industry. No votes were taken during the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Daniela Hernandez, I'm the state legislative coordinator at Workers Defense Action Fund, and
• Workers Defense strongly opposes these efforts.
• throughout the summer, and as workers were dying.
• Because there are no local, state, or federal protections in place, when Texas workers asked, Governor
• Texas workers asked, and Governor Abbott ignored them.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Scott Wetch with several trade organizations: the California State Association of Electrical Workers
• and Scott Wetch with several trade organizations: the California State Association of Electrical Workers
• behalf of the California Coalition of Utility Employees, the Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers
• , the California State Pipe Trades Council, and the State Association of Electrical Workers.
• The California State Pipe Trades Council and the State Association of Electrical Workers.

Summary: The committee heard SB 404 on metal shredding facilities, SB 601 on water quality protections after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision, SB 682 on phasing out PFOS in certain consumer products, and later SB 646 on prenatal vitamins and toxic metal contamination. SB 561 had been pulled from the hearing. In each of the measures, the authors and supporters emphasized environmental and public health protections, while opponents raised concerns about overregulation, implementation, and unintended economic impacts. The committee also spent time on the policy details of each bill, including how smaller operators would be treated under SB 404, how “nexus waters” would be defined under SB 601, and whether alternatives and testing standards were adequate under SB 682 and SB 646. For SB 404, Senator Caballero said the bill would create a permitting and enforcement framework for metal shredding facilities, with operational standards for fire prevention, stormwater, and releases of shredder residue, while supporters argued it would bring needed certainty to a critical recycling industry. Opponents, including small recyclers and community/environmental advocates, said the bill was either too broad or not strong enough, with some warning it would burden smaller facilities and others arguing it would fail to protect overburdened communities. The committee approved SB 404 on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with recorded support from the chair and some members and opposition from others. SB 601 sought to restore state-level protections for waters that lost federal Clean Water Act coverage after Sackett, using a “nexus waters” framework and revised enforcement provisions after amendments removed the private right of action. Supporters said California needed to preserve protections for seasonal streams and wetlands and avoid backsliding, while opponents from business, agriculture, water districts, and local governments argued the definition remained too broad and could create uncertainty, costs, and unintended consequences. The committee also approved SB 601 on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, again with split votes. SB 682, which the committee also advanced, would phase out intentionally added PFOS in six product categories, including cleaning products, cookware, dental floss, ski wax, food packaging, and juvenile products, with an amendment delaying cookware implementation until 2030. Supporters framed it as a source-control measure to reduce PFAS contamination and lower long-term water treatment costs, while manufacturers and cookware interests argued the bill was overbroad, lacked workable testing standards, and could push consumers and businesses toward uncertain alternatives. The committee chair recommended an aye vote, and the measure passed to Appropriations. SB 646 was then introduced on prenatal vitamins, with supporters saying it would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, while the opposition said disclosure must be handled carefully so as not to confuse consumers or undermine confidence in prenatal supplements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because, as we know, there's a whole federal statute dealing with black lung for the workers in the mines
• this may be outside the scope of what you do, but what is the agency... ...regulating employee or worker
• health and worker safety.
• Make sure that our residents and our workers have good safety for those individuals. Thank you, Mr.
• We need to kind of be thinking about in terms of worker safety, whatever it may be.

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects workers, and it will help all of us plan wisely for California's energy future.
• These are farm workers, our teachers, small business employees, caregivers.
• With us today to testify, I have two witnesses: Samuel Appel of the United Auto Workers and Egan Turple
• I have two witnesses, Samuel Appel of the United Auto Workers and Egan Turple of California Forward.
• Sam Appel, policy director with the United Auto Workers, Region 6, that encompasses the Western states

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility rates, wildfire safety, carbon capture, methane reduction, large energy users, low-income energy programs, and clean energy supply chains. Early items included SB 613, which would direct state agencies to prioritize reducing methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, and SB 614, which would allow California to move forward with carbon dioxide pipeline safety rules and potentially lift the state’s moratorium on new CO2 pipelines. Both bills drew support from advocates and industry-related witnesses, with no opposition registered at the time they were presented, and the committee indicated it would vote once quorum was established. After quorum was called, the committee took up SB 57, which would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs for large energy users such as data centers to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers and address stranded infrastructure costs. Supporters argued the bill would protect affordability and encourage clean energy use, while opponents, including utilities and business groups, warned it could create uncertainty and interfere with existing regulatory processes. The committee also heard SB 256 on wildfire mitigation and emergency response, including undergrounding, PSPS communication, and removal of abandoned lines; supporters emphasized the need for stronger action after recent fires, while utilities raised concerns about duplicative requirements and public disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information. Both SB 57 and SB 256 were approved on roll calls. The committee then heard SB 647, which would expand and standardize oversight of low-income energy savings programs and performance metrics, with strong support from community advocates and some neutral or “tweener” positions from utilities that sought further work on data collection and implementation. SB 787 followed, proposing a state strategy to coordinate supply chains and workforce development for clean energy industries including EVs, building decarbonization, and offshore wind; it received broad support and no opposition. The committee also considered SB 332, a study bill on utility ownership models and affordability reforms, which drew strong support from consumer and climate advocates but opposition from utilities and business groups concerned about bias, investor signals, and executive compensation provisions. The consent calendar was later approved, and several bills were reported out with votes or held open for absent members to add on.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the California Film and Television Credit Program 4.0 reflects our commitment to support the workers
• It retains the Legislature's values of protecting the most vulnerable, honoring our commitments to workers
• My parents are hard workers. They benefited from amnesty.
• This bill also repeals the Community Health Worker Certificate, which has been instrumental in helping
• However, if we want to ensure the public and workers benefit, I continue to believe that legislation

Summary: The Assembly met on June 4, 2025, first establishing a quorum and then moving through a long budget and concurrence session. After procedural motions, the house took up several budget trailer bills and related measures presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 103, a technical budget cleanup bill addressing the Public School System Stabilization Account, a CDCR shortfall, and Middle Class Scholarship funding, passed 52-16. SB 120 on child care and preschool funding passed 65-1; SB 124 on natural resources and wildfire response passed 69-1; SB 127 on climate change and zero-emission transportation passed 53-17; SB 128 on transportation and DMV/LA Olympics implementation passed 53-17; SB 132 on taxation, veterans, wildfire settlements, film tax credits, and housing passed 64-1; SB 141 on cannabis enforcement and illicit market suppression passed 71-1; and SB 142 extending the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program passed 68-1 on both urgency and the measure. The Assembly also approved a motion to re-refer several bills to committees and later suspended rules to take up Senate-amended bills without reference to file. The chamber then considered AB 102, the main budget bill reflecting the final three-party agreement with the Governor. Supporters said it balanced compassion and fiscal responsibility while preserving housing, health care, child care, education, wildfire resilience, and public safety funding. Opponents criticized it for unsustainable spending, insufficient Prop. 36 funding, and other omissions. After extended debate, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments by a 55-16 vote and sent the bill to the Governor. The Assembly then concurred in Senate amendments to AB 116 on health care, AB 118 on human services, AB 121 on TK-12 education, AB 123 on higher education, AB 134 on public safety, AB 136 on courts, AB 137 on general government, and AB 143 on developmental services, with each bill passing on largely party-line or broad bipartisan votes. Debate on AB 116 focused on Medi-Cal, HIV program backfills, pharmacy benefit managers, and health care cuts; opponents objected to funding for undocumented immigrants and to hospice prior authorization. AB 118 drew support for child welfare, CalFresh disaster readiness, and CalWORKs simplification. AB 121 emphasized record K-12 funding and a $1.7 billion block grant. AB 123 extended the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and supported higher education and fire-impacted career technical education. AB 134 updated CDCR and tribal policing provisions, AB 136 streamlined court reporting and funded courthouse facilities, AB 137 made technical budget adjustments and fee changes, and AB 143 made developmental services reforms while preserving the state’s entitlement commitment. The final item shown was AB 470 on telecommunications, which was presented and discussed as a transition away from copper landlines toward fiber and modern networks, with supporters emphasizing public benefits and labor concerns, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• uncertainty, which can dampen investment, and shocks to labor markets, which are very difficult for workers
• much appreciated the highlighting of the impacts of both inflation and these tariffs on the everyday worker
• export sales in California, 95% of those are small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 500 workers
• you know, bandwidth to make additional adjustments, especially not in the favorable direction for workers
• We have to ensure workers have the skill sets necessary to go into jobs.

Keywords: 988, house, all