Transcript Highlights:

• Motion prevails. We will have a moment of silence in memory of Adrian M. Morrissey.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then considered a motion by Senator Collins to adjourn in memory of Ms. Adrian M. Morrissey of South Boston. The chamber heard a detailed remembrance of Morrissey’s family, her devotion to her grandchildren, her Irish heritage, her involvement in the South Boston Irish American Society, and her appreciation for military service and veterans’ traditions. The motion was approved, and the Senate observed a moment of silence in her memory. Senator O’Connor then offered an order for the Senate to adjourn and reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The order was adopted by voice vote. Senator O’Connor subsequently moved that the Senate adjourn, and that motion also passed by voice vote, ending the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails and the calendar is adopted.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When workers report wage theft, retaliation, or unsafe conditions, employers should not be able to hide
• The state auditor found 47,000 wage claims backlogged in 2023, with workers receiving the full amount
• Earlier this year, the Labor Commissioner cited Los Angeles developers for more than $2.3 million in wage
• theft, affecting 124 construction workers. $2.3 million in wage theft, affecting 124 construction workers
• Commissioner's liens before they expire so employers cannot run out the clock and workers wait to recover their wages

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote. On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• workforce puzzle, particularly for students pursuing credentials to Louisiana's high-demand, high-wage
• Landry with Louisiana Chemical Association; and Meredith McGovern with Excel and Ed in Action. ...wage
• We cannot reliably tell whether they earn credentials, find employment, or achieve wages that will support
• questions, such as which pathways lead to employment, which credentials work and result in stronger wages
• questions, such as which pathways lead to employment, which credentials work and result in stronger wages

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're not getting general damages or even lost wages.
• So, taking the median labor costs of Louisiana, a fare is 225 percent of the state's median hourly wage
• UM also, as you know, provides some other benefits as far as lost wages, all... and Uber's policy, to
• UM also, as you know, provides some other benefits as far as lost wages, all-a-all-a-all-all-a-all-all-a-old
• UM also, as you know, provides some other benefits as far as lost wages, all of those things that a driver

Summary: The committee first took up HB 774, which would extend required hearing-aid coverage for certain individuals up to age 26. Representative Boyer said the bill helps young adults maintain access to hearing aids during school and early work years. The Louisiana Academy of Audiology supported the measure, and the committee adopted technical amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 702, which would require transportation network companies to provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Representative Landry and supporters argued that current law and court rulings have left injured drivers and passengers without meaningful coverage in some cases, especially for riders who do not own cars and therefore lack personal UM coverage. Insurance agents and legal witnesses said they cannot currently find a product to cover the driver in certain ride-share phases, while Uber representatives opposed the bill, warning it would raise fares and noting that drivers already have optional occupational accident coverage and that passengers’ own UM coverage would generally apply. After debate over costs, coverage gaps, and whether the issue should instead be studied further, the committee voted to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee next considered HB 477, as substituted, which would require coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and associated services. Representative Ebert and witnesses described the bill as a modernization of existing coverage rules so people with limb loss can obtain more than one medically necessary device, including activity-specific prosthetics. Testimony from amputees and a physical therapist emphasized the impact on mobility, work, sports, and quality of life. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably by substitute. The committee also reported HB 76, which updates oral anti-cancer medication parity rules, by adopting amendments that clarify applicability and exempt certain limited-benefit and ERISA self-funded plans. HB 903, which increases the commissioner of insurance’s fine authority, was amended to set higher aggregate caps and then reported favorably. Finally, HB 291, which would prohibit health plans from penalizing hospitals when a member of the care team is out of network, drew support from the sponsor and the Louisiana Hospital Association as a preventative measure against insurer pressure tactics; Louisiana Blue opposed it, citing cost concerns and questioning the need for the bill. The transcript ends during that bill’s hearing, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• At a time when inflation and state-specific costs continue to outpace wage growth, this bill offers a
• additional $600 a month. $600 a month is a substantial amount of money for people who make minimum wage
• These companies, when they reach profitability, will generate substantial tax revenue and high-wage employment
• These companies, when they reach profitability, will generate substantial tax revenue and high wage employment
• Awards are competitive, tied to job creation, wages, and investment, and subject to recapture if companies

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the idea that a tech or a vocational path is noble, worthy, and can put you in a high-demand, high-wage
• the idea that a tech or a vocational path is noble, worthy, and can put you in a high-demand, high-wage
• fill jobs in areas like health care, construction, IT, manufacturing, transportation, and high-demand wages
• We want to see it all the way through to the workforce and, you know, in career and wages and all those
• It's a long-term piece if you're talking about wages and careers, but it's a short-term piece when you're

Bills: HCR10, HB195, HB283, HB319, HB325, HB407, HB448, HB482, HB992

Keywords: sanctioned sports, athletics, youth sports, high school, LHSAA, self-defense, chemical spray, public safety, campus security, higher education, Teacher's Shield Act, student discipline, assault, battery, school employee protection, sick leave, expulsion procedures, Louisiana Commission on Civic Education, civic education, civic engagement

Transcript Highlights:

• teacher stipend also allows local educational agencies to be reimbursed for costs incurred for paying wages
• it could be used to offset costs for tuition, as well as to offset costs to the employer to provide wages
• the funding, instead of going to the person receiving the stipend, it goes to the employer to offset wages
• But there does have to be a wage paid to the teacher for which that stipend is being potentially given
• Yeah, there must be a wage that progresses in steps paid to the apprentice as they move through the different

Summary: The committee heard an informational discussion on California’s educator pipeline and shortages, with testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Learning Policy Institute, CSU educator preparation leaders, and CTA. Witnesses said state investments of more than $2.1 billion have helped rebuild teacher supply, with credential issuance and preparation enrollment rebounding after COVID, but demand remains high because of turnover, early-career attrition, and persistent vacancies. Panelists emphasized that shortages are especially acute in special education, bilingual education, STEM, and in high-need schools and regions, and that underprepared teachers, substitutes, and emergency permits remain heavily used. Several speakers stressed that retention, working conditions, compensation, and stable funding are as important as recruitment. Members focused on whether current data systems are sufficient to measure need and track where teachers end up working. The Commission said it can monitor assignments for credential alignment, but does not have full employment data to determine whether grant recipients or credentialed teachers are actually deployed in the shortage areas for which they were trained. The chair asked for better regional and subject-area data, and the committee discussed the risk that layoffs and budget instability could undermine teacher pipeline investments. CSU representatives urged stronger support for student-teacher stipends, better coordination with districts, more capacity for special education preparation, and more stable CSU funding to expand educator preparation. CTA testified that school climate, class size, health benefits, and administrative support are essential to retaining teachers. The committee then moved to budget proposals. For the Golden State Teacher Grant Program, Finance proposed a $14.4 million reappropriation for 2026-27, and the Student Aid Commission supported continued funding, saying the program has influenced candidates’ decisions to enter teaching and work in priority schools. For educator residencies, Finance proposed $250 million one-time Proposition 98 funding through 2029-30; the LAO said it could be adopted if aligned with legislative priorities, and CTC said the program has strong uptake and supports retention. For the computer science supplementary authorization grant, Finance proposed increasing awards from $2,500 to $6,000 and reducing the match requirement, but the LAO recommended rejecting the change because only about one-fifth of the original funding has been used. The committee also discussed registered apprenticeship pathways, rural access, and whether federal Title II, Title III, or IDEA funds could support bilingual and special education teacher preparation. Several items were held open for further information and follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will also address the shortage of EMS personnel, the competitive wages that we need to pay
• because we need the urban area of Montgomery to work in order for it to work in the rural. competitive wages
• that we need to pay in competitive wages that we need to pay in order<00:29:11.279><c> to</c><00:29:
• city that I would like to have running, but part of that is because I can't pay them a competitive wage
• city that I would like to have running, but part of that is because I can't pay them a competitive wage

Bills: HB424, SB63, SB269, HB424, SB63, SB269

Keywords: HB424, Montgomery County, sheriff, county sheriff, salary increase, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, public official compensation, law enforcement pay, elected official salary, Montgomery County legislation, sheriff compensation, term-based salary, immigration, law enforcement, fingerprints, DNA collection, illegal aliens

Transcript Highlights:

• company such as mine will be less equipment, possibly, and slower hiring of union workers at family wages
• Yet the people doing this essential work are often paid poverty wages, and that is not right.
• Yet the people doing this essential work are often paid poverty wages, and that is not right.
• My wages haven't kept up, and neither has anyone else's.
• The millionaire's tax helps rebalance that burden so low-wage workers and families with young children

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also touches upon construction fraud and wage theft.
• I supervise investigates and prosecutes crimes in general, financial crimes in general, including wage
• I supervise investigates and prosecutes crimes in general, financial crimes in general, including wage
• For example, we have wage theft victims coming in saying, 'My employer has not done that.'
• We are typically looking at it from the ground up, so we are having, for example, wage theft victims

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , DESE rules require that one of the pathways offered must be designated by the department as high wage
• identifies simply just three programs of study that must be offered, one of which is one of those high wage
• diploma was identified, and this is more consistent with the requirement that schools offer the high wage
• According to DCTE, their H2 designation is high wage, high demand, but the credential is also demonstrating
• the Arkansas labor market's high wage and high growth fields.

Summary: The committee received a lengthy Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability systems, and adequacy requirements. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act through the 2003 Quality Education Act and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required coursework, standards for accreditation, career and technical education, graduation requirements, and recent additions such as computer science, personal finance, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a chart comparing the major laws and repeals over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to federal ESSA requirements and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained Arkansas’s long-term goals for proficiency, English learner progress, and graduation rates, and reported 2025 ATLAS proficiency results, which remained below the 80% goal across student groups. They also reviewed English learner progress, graduation rates, school support and improvement, and equitable access to educators. Data showed gaps by subgroup and by school poverty/minority concentration, with Title I and high-poverty schools more likely to have emergency/provisional teachers and less experienced staff. Members questioned the lack of recent data for some ESSA measures, including equity labs and school index calculations, and asked staff to follow up with the Department of Education. The committee also discussed NAEP results, ACT scores, and teacher quality measures under the state accountability act. Arkansas’s NAEP performance remained below national averages in fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math, and ACT composite scores and benchmark attainment were also reviewed. Members asked for additional information on historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. No formal votes were taken; the main action was agreement to request additional information from DESE and to schedule department follow-up at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state systems is to be able to upload that information with them and then back it into the base wage
• Well, that's less than minimum wage. So there's definitely.
• the creation and expansion of high-quality career technical education programs that lead to living wage
• 2030 plan has specific goals around student access, student completion, and students achieving living wage
• Early technical jobs that make good wages.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is illegally suppressing wages and gaining an unfair advantage over U.S. facilities and workers in the
• There was broad wage and income growth across demographics, and I think that's the kind of growth we
• Wages do, but we can do what we can to make sure it's broad-based growth.
• policy as an end in itself; I think of trade policy as something that's going to result in higher wages
• Forced Labor Enforcement Committee, and I would like to know how you think we're going to be able to wage

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, as you'll see later on when I talk about income tax, wage and salary growth is also very strong
• It pretty closely tracks the growth that is forecasting in wage and salary growth.
• I mean, you know, they'll call you, and you'll get a good job for about a month at a very high wage,
• So that means that if it's wages, it's subject to New Mexico income tax; if it's goods or services, it's
• But you have to be a New Mexico resident to have your wages count towards that credit, and we do audit

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The Senate is adjourned until Tuesday, March 3rd at 9 a.m.

Keywords: 913, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the unions for apprenticeship programs that will pay the inmates initial salary, not at the union wage
• salary not at pay the inmates initial uh salary not at the<00:35:43.400><c> union</c><00:35:43.760><c> wage
• but</c><00:35:44.200><c> better</c><00:35:44.400><c> than</c><00:35:44.560><c> they</c> the union wage
• , but better than they the union wage, but better than they would<00:35:44.840><c> in</c><00:35:45.080

Bills: SR185, HB2452, HB2329, HB2272, HB2273, HB2335, HB1656, HB2207, HB2289, HB1854, HB2581, HB20, HB2296, HB1707, HB2297, HB1890, HB2241, HB2474, HB1688, HB2546, HB1574, HB1546, HB2218, HB1163, HB1514, HB1749, HB2385, HB1576, HB1974, HB2022, HB1973, HB2005, HB1894, HB1515, HB1718, HB1591, HB2475, HB1721, HB1864, HB1946, HB1920

Keywords: Department of Education, capital improvement program, performance audit, infrastructure, transparency, state bonds, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, bond authorization, state debt limit, constitutional debt limit, Article VII Section 13, Hawaii bonds, state borrowing, public finance, capital improvement projects, supplemental appropriations, judiciary appropriations, refunding bonds, reimbursable bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor say aye, opposed no; the ayes have it, and the motion prevails.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted several congratulatory resolutions, including recognition of the Munson Lions Club’s 70th anniversary, the town of Groveland’s 175th anniversary, and Power Forward, Inc. for addiction recovery services. It then took up a series of local and personnel bills, including a sick leave bank for James Caruso of the Department of Transportation, dissolution of the Wellesley Housing Development Corporation, and a sick leave bank for Carlos Borges of the Department of Correction. The Senate accepted committee reports, including one recommending consolidation of the Carlos Borges bill with Senate bill 2562, and passed the relevant bills to be engrossed. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 several times to allow petitions and matters from the House to be considered forthwith and referred to the appropriate committees. Among the House measures, the Senate ordered to a third reading a bill establishing a charter for the City of Somerville. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday and dispense with printing a calendar. Before adjournment, the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Jacqueline Ross Ankeles, with a detailed tribute describing her career in the performing arts, radio broadcasting, writing, and community service in the North Shore. A moment of silence was observed, and the Senate adjourned in her memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• Volunteers are not subject to minimum wage.
• Handicapped people working at sheltered workshops are not subject to minimum wage, and you're simply
• We're just simply saying that minor league baseball players are exempt from minimum wage.
• Their wages are set. So good amendment. I ask the body support for this amendment.
• Women deserve to have fair wages. Women deserve to have fair job markets.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 123-0. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize National Police Week, honor fallen officers, and offer extended tributes to departing colleagues and a departing representative, followed by numerous introductions of special guests, interns, students, and visiting groups from schools and universities. The chamber then received Senate messages and committee reports before taking up House Bill 1839, 2921, and 3015 together. The sponsor described the measure as a technical correction to online age-verification language related to pornography, and members noted the bill had already passed the House and Senate overwhelmingly. The House concurred in Senate Amendment 1 by a vote of 104-30, then adopted the conference/TAFP motion and finally passed the package 112-25. Members next considered House Bill 2596 in conference committee. The sponsor explained the bill as a small-business health plan measure that also included a negotiated amendment expanding private insurance coverage for contraception from a six-month to a 12-month supply, while removing Senate-added blood pressure cuff language and adding a severability clause. After debate about the process and policy, the House adopted the conference report 120-26 and then third-read and passed the bill 119-27. The final major item was Senate Bill 905, creating the Missouri Ranger training program to allow school districts, if they choose, to place specially trained personnel with narrow law-enforcement powers in schools. Debate focused heavily on school safety, local control, funding, training, and whether armed personnel in schools would help or harm students. Supporters argued it would provide an optional, low-cost safety tool, especially for districts without school resource officers; opponents argued it would escalate fear, resemble a prison environment, and fail to address mental health and other root causes. The House moved the previous question, adopted the amendment, and continued debate on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Motion prevails." "All right, to your bill, Representative Elkins.
• Motion prevails. Thank you, Representative Elkins. All right. It's going to work...
• No motion prevails. Thank you, Representative Elkins. All right.

Bills: HF4881, HF4867, HF4422, HF4223

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, regulation, financial institutions, prescription drug affordability, consumer protection, restitution account, financial compensation, attorney general, distributions, property insurance, homeowners insurance, fire and allied lines, hail insurance, appraisal clause, loss adjustment, alternative dispute resolution, insurance claims, claim valuation, actual cash value