Transcript Highlights:

• Lost wages are still paid. Future care is still covered.
• Like medical bills and lost wages. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Dunbar.
• Should receive additional money for lost wages and medical bills. Is that correct? Yes. Okay.
• In fact, Cajun spent less than $10,000 in medical costs and had no lost wages from that explosion.
• They still have lost wages, medical coverage, all of that. Isn't that correct?

Summary: The committee first took up HB 51 by Rep. Villio, a constitutional amendment to prohibit post-conviction bail for people convicted of aggravated offenses against minors. Members adopted a technical amendment to simplify the ballot language, heard a 6.8A report explaining the committee’s authority over constitutional amendments, and then adopted the report and passed HB 51 with amendments. Support was noted from law enforcement and district attorney groups. The main item was HB 526 by Rep. Dickerson, which would cap general damages in civil cases at $500,000 in most cases and $1 million for severe permanent injury, while leaving economic damages uncapped. The bill drew extensive testimony from trucking, logging, business, and insurance-reform advocates who argued that unpredictable verdicts and “nuclear verdicts” drive up commercial insurance costs and push businesses out of Louisiana. Opponents, including attorneys and victims’ advocates, argued the bill would unfairly limit recovery for seriously injured people and could harm sexual assault survivors and families in wrongful death cases. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying the cap applies per individual plaintiff rather than to the action as a whole, but then rejected a motion to report the bill; the roll call was 4 yeas and 5 nays, so HB 526 remained in committee. The committee then heard HB 173 by Rep. Bamberg, which would bar recovery for bodily injury or property damage by a driver who had failed to maintain required auto insurance for at least 30 days before the crash. Supporters said uninsured motorists contribute to higher premiums and should not recover large awards, while opponents warned the bill would punish innocent spouses, children, and other people who may be unaware coverage lapsed. An amendment was adopted to add the 30-day uninsured requirement, and the bill moved to opposition testimony, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on HB 173.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a prevailing wage requirement in this bill, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker, gentlelady, yes.
• Speaker and gentlelady, could you Just tell us what the difference might be in terms of, say, average wage
• versus prevailing, if you could just edify us on that, please, Mr.
• Speaker, gentlelady, what we have in this bill is a restatement of prevailing wage.
• wage.

Transcript Highlights:

• On paragraph O, this is the prevailing wage that is required for these large-scale data centers.
• </c><00:10:02.040><c> for</c> prevailing wage that is required for prevailing wage that is required for
• That was our goal: require prevailing wage for construction at these facilities and for green building
• Good jobs are good jobs, but in Minnesota they're union jobs, and they're prevailing wage jobs.
• Good jobs are good jobs, but in Minnesota they're union jobs, and they're prevailing wage jobs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion prevails. We're on our way to taxes. Thank you all.
• Motion prevails. We're on our way to taxes. Thank you all.
• Motion prevails. We're on our way to taxes. Thank you all.
• </c> pay prevailing wages to the contractors pay prevailing wages to the contractors that<00:52:14.680
• Motion prevails.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The amendment is adopted. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• The motion<00:01:28.479><c> prevails.
• The amendment is motion prevails.
• The motion prevails, and the A2 amendment is adopted.
• Childare workers in poverty level wages.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It directs the RTA to award MATOC in accordance with apprenticeship, utilization, and prevailing wage
• multiple task order construction contracts in accordance with apprenticeship, utilization, and prevailing
• wage laws, and it requires WSDOT to notify all contractors similar to the RTA.
• construction method, that it will include all of the provisions for apprenticeship utilization and prevailing
• wage laws and the notifications to all of the people on these rosters are done as inclusively as possible

Summary: The committee took up a series of transportation-related bills and proposed substitutes, with most measures advancing after discussion and roll-call or voice votes. House Bill 2092, creating a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, was amended by a proposed substitute that broadened membership and duties, and it passed 20-6. House Bill 2114, allowing fee waivers for replacement defective license plates, passed unanimously. House Bill 2172, clarifying route jurisdiction transfers and abandonments for highways and local roads, also passed unanimously after a substitute requiring agreements or legislative action for longer highway abandonments or those involving bridges. House Bill 2251, which restructures Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, drew the most amendment activity. Two amendments were adopted to adjust forest carbon language and clarify Ecology administration funding, while amendments to redirect revenue to transportation infrastructure and to split excess revenue differently failed. The bill then passed 18-8 as amended. House Bill 2374, which redefines e-bikes and electric motorcycles and creates a work group on enforcement and safety, passed unanimously after a substitute added stakeholder representation and asked the work group to explore civil infractions and penalties. House Bill 2410, creating a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and increasing a safety fee, passed 25-1 after a substitute changed appointment authority, membership, and other council provisions. House Bill 2552, authorizing WSDOT and a regional transit authority to use MATOC contracting, was amended to add apprenticeship, prevailing wage, and notification requirements and then passed 16-10. House Bill 2588, expanding ferry district authority beyond passenger-only ferries, passed 16-10 amid concerns about taxing authority and voter input. House Bill 2718, setting timelines and processes for permit streamlining and originally including contractor ratings, had the contractor-rating section removed by amendment and then passed unanimously. House Bill 2722, increasing the vehicle weight threshold for transportation benefit district fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, passed 17-9. House Bill 2727, creating an educational transit access grant program for community and technical college students, passed 21-5 after supporters emphasized student access and equity, while some members raised rural access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The say nay. The motion prevails.
• It's to support good paying wages.
• The amendment motion does not prevail.
• The amendment motion does not prevail.
• </c><02:31:34.080><c> The</c> the motion does not prevail. The the motion does not prevail.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• wage rates for various crops.
• And if they meet certain thresholds and the Department of Labor approves, those prevailing wage rates
• Low-income workers' wages should be available for their own life needs.
• Usage among the bottom wage quintile was just 8% of all claims in fiscal year 2025.
• both municipal jails make 20 to 25% less in wages and benefits.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee opened its 2026 session with member introductions and a work session on the Employment Security Department’s structure and programs. ESD officials described their roles and reviewed paid family and medical leave, WA Cares, unemployment insurance, workforce services, and agricultural worker outreach. Senators raised concerns about call volume, program solvency, fraud detection, employer access to information, and whether workers can receive leave benefits while working other jobs. ESD said WA Cares is in a limited pilot, PFML has seen rapid growth, UI trust fund solvency is projected to be near the statutory trigger level, and they would follow up with more detailed information on eligibility, fraud referrals, and employer scenarios. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5292, which would replace the current PFML rate-setting formula with a forward-looking actuarial model and require a four-month reserve beginning in 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor, JLARC staff, labor advocates, and employer groups, said the change would improve stability and follow JLARC recommendations; opponents warned it could lead to higher payroll taxes and argued the program is already too costly. The chair said she intended to keep the bill narrow as it moved forward. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6014, a technical bill on pregnancy-related accommodations that would preserve the ability of pregnant workers to request certain accommodations without a doctor’s note and create a public records exemption for sensitive complaint and investigation records; the sponsor and supporters said it corrects a drafting error and protects privacy. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 5972, which would remove the population threshold limiting interest arbitration for correctional officers in jails, and Senate Bill 5869, which would make permanent and expand from residential to all building construction sites a requirement that L&I notify employers or owners within 10 working days when a hazard is identified. Correctional officers’ representatives and labor groups supported SB 5972 as a fairness and safety measure, while the sponsor said it would create consistency across jurisdictions. Construction industry groups supported SB 5869, and L&I said it had no concerns but wanted the bill kept narrow; the chair noted the bill’s purpose was to speed hazard communication. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5874, which would allow ESD to waive penalties for minor errors in quarterly unemployment reports, especially missing SOC/job-title information. The sponsor said small businesses were being hit with unnecessary fines, and ESD said it had identified a sharp rise in penalties and was working with the sponsor on possible fixes. The committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails; the amendment is adopted.
• The amendment is The motion prevails.
• The amendment is The motion prevails.
• The amendment motion does not prevail.
• </c><00:43:23.920><c> on</c> allows consumers to place wages on allows consumers to place wages on future

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This expansion of prevailing wage will result in one of two things that will impact the fiscal well-being
• Helpers are specifically prohibited from working on prevailing wage jobs.
• And this is how prevailing wage in the NAC has existed for decades.
• While we do support prevailing wage on public works, this bill would require it at permanent off-site
• While we do support prevailing wage on public works, this bill would require it at permanent off-site

Bills: AB6, AB102, AB131, AB212, AB213, AB220, AB259, AB282, AB376, AB396, AB479, AB503, AB570, AB572, AB574, AB576, AB593, SB185, SB207, SB507, AB6

Keywords: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, prenatal alcohol exposure, children's health, developmental disability, early intervention, treatment assistance, Aging and Disability Services Division, Department of Health and Human Services, Autism Treatment Assistance Program, public health, parent education, evidence-based treatment, Nevada NRS 427A, disability services, behavioral health, emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Motion prevails. Let's make a call. Motion prevails. Let's make a call.
• The motion does prevail. opposed. The motion does prevail.
• Motion prevails. opposed. Motion prevails.
• <c> Commissioner,</c> prevails.
• </c> nazs, the motion does not prevail. nazs, the motion does not prevail.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're hoping that some cooler heads prevail and we get it done.
• Department of Labor has reissued guidance about the prevailing adverse wage rate, what a worker can be
• It's generally a couple of dollars above a minimum wage in a state like New York, so $18.83 last year
• A minimum wage in a state like New York, so $18.83 last year.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture first moved through a series of animal welfare bills, reporting all of them to the floor. The measures included bills on sentencing for aggravated cruelty to animals, additional aggravated cruelty provisions, penalties for animal abandonment, requiring owners or lessors of vacated properties to inspect for abandoned animals, and restricting surgical depopulation procedures on dogs and pets. Members generally expressed support, and each bill advanced by motion and voice vote with no noted opposition or recusals; one additional bill was held by the sponsor. The committee then heard from Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball, who gave an update on state and federal agriculture issues. He discussed the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, federal farm bill negotiations, specialty crops, labor and H-2A reform, dairy margin coverage concerns, possible cuts to EQIP, organic certification funding, trade and USMCA review, tariffs and input costs, and disaster concerns affecting Long Island seafood producers. He also highlighted state programs such as Nourish New York, Dairy Modernization, farm-to-school efforts, and workforce development initiatives. Members asked questions about raw milk sales, H-2A labor, solar siting on farmland, farm-to-school expansion, tariff impacts, and support for farmers facing federal cuts and rising costs. Ball said raw milk sales remain limited to licensed on-farm sales with inspections and warnings, supported reform of H-2A and broader labor policy, urged protecting prime and actively farmed land from solar development, and emphasized the need to preserve food access programs like Nourish New York and farmers market nutrition benefits. The meeting ended after the commissioner’s testimony and member discussion, with no further formal action beyond the earlier bill reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:45.760><c> by</c> postponed on which the eyes prevailed by postponed on which the eyes prevailed
• . the governor prevailed.
• </c><04:00:32.479><c> with</c> not going to be able to prevail with not going to be able to prevail with
• The way you make wages go up is two things. You raise people's wages because inflation.
• And then you tell me how people's wages And then you tell me how people's wages go<04:32:48.560><c> up

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This doesn't million in wages lost.
• On a vote of seven ayes and seven nays, the motion does not prevail.
• On a vote of seven ayes and seven nays, the motion does not prevail.
• On a vote of seven ayes and seven nays, the motion does not prevail.
• On a vote of seven ayes and seven nays, the motion does not prevail.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3403, authored by Vice Chair Rep. Kazowski, and first adopted an A1 amendment. The amendment made technical and implementation changes recommended by the Department of Revenue, allowed a small portion of funds for county and tribal administrative costs, and clarified timing and reporting for spent and unspent funds. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was moved to Ways and Means. Rep. Kazowski described HF 3403 as a $50 million emergency rental assistance measure to help stabilize households facing eviction, with $44 million directed to counties and $6 million reserved for tribal nations, administered through the Department of Revenue using the existing local homeless prevention aid formula. Supporters said the bill would provide immediate, targeted help to renters and landlords, prevent evictions, and reduce downstream costs to shelters, schools, employers, and health systems. Several testifiers, including representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Louis County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, social workers, a resident, and tribal housing leaders, said local resources were insufficient to meet rising need and emphasized the impact of federal immigration enforcement and related economic disruption on families, workers, and communities. Testimony highlighted sharp increases in rental assistance requests, rising eviction filings, depleted county funds, and the strain on nonprofit and mutual aid efforts. County and city officials said emergency rental assistance and related legal services had already prevented thousands of evictions, but current funding was not enough. Tribal testimony stressed disproportionate homelessness among Native Americans and supported the bill’s tribal allocation. During member discussion, Rep. Amani Hiltsley said the bill was an economic stabilization tool and requested a roll call vote, noting safeguards against fraud and the broader costs of inaction.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being five ayes and six nays, the motion does not prevail and the amendment is not adopted.
• income may be treated as wages for Social Security and Medicare or FICA purposes.
• income may be um uh that their wage income may be treated<00:55:10.160><c> as</c><00:55:10.400><c> wages
• There being six yeas and five nays, the motion prevails.
• There being six yeas and five nays, the motion prevails.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California already requires apprenticeship and the payment of prevailing wage.
• California already requires apprenticeship and the payment of prevailing wage.
• . ...widespread issues of wage theft and are exposed to hazardous conditions without proper training.
• Also, I had to shorten my business hours, which means lower wages or hours for my employees.
• So there's a lot of... ...which means lower wages or hours for my employees.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• wage rates for various crops.
• If they meet certain thresholds and the Department of Labor approves, those prevailing wage rates are
• Usage among the bottom wage quintile was just 8% of all claims in fiscal year 2025.
• Usage among the bottom wage quintile was just 8% of all claims in fiscal year 2025.
• And both municipal jails make 20 to 25% less in wages and benefits.

Bills: SB6014, SB5972, SB5869, SB5874

Keywords: pregnancy accommodations, pregnant workers, workplace accommodations, reasonable accommodation, undue hardship, lactation, breastfeeding, express milk, maternity leave, childbirth, pregnancy discrimination, employment law, labor and industries, L&I, confidential records, public records exemption, health care certification, workplace standards, employee rights, employer obligations

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails, and the House stands in recess to the call of the Speaker.
• Her numerous accomplishments over the decades in office include fighting for the minimum wage. wage for
• The motion prevails. The clerk will give the bill its third reading as amended by the Senate.
• Hearing no objection, the motions prevail. Announcements, Representative Long [ID: member_12260].
• The motion prevails, and the House stands adjourned until 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> motion does not prevail. motion does not prevail.
• Motion prevails.
• ,</c> their workers a near unlivable wage, their workers a near unlivable wage, leaving<01:19:18.280>
• Finally, uh, MBP members want to be their wage levels here, or the quality their wage levels here, or
• ,</c> federal ratio does not reflect wages, federal ratio does not reflect wages, benefits,<01:26:33.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These careers provide a livable wage and benefits and help to meet the workforce needs specific to our
• and benefits and helps to livable wage and benefits and helps to meet<00:05:24.199><c> the</c><00:05
• </c><01:09:12.040><c> the</c> opposed say no the motion prevails the opposed say no the motion prevails
• The motion prevails.
• The motion prevails.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all