Transcript Highlights:

• </c> decentralized autonomous organizations. decentralized autonomous organizations.
• </c><00:58:25.120><c> that</c> Um in the organized chaos that Um in the organized chaos that restaurateurs
• Do you not treatment across workplaces.
• ,</c><01:17:30.040><c> we</c> This would allow as an organization, we This would allow as an organization
• </c> organization registry. organization registry.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Others may only say their name, organization, and position on the bill.
• Sorry, sir, but you're going to have to just name an organization. Organization.
• Give your name, organization, and position.
• I've been at CHIRLA for 14 years as an organizer at a nonprofit organization with the mission statement
• Please come forward, state your name, organization, and position.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• This one goes straight to, let's call an organization a foreign terrorist organization, even though we
• Every single one of our civil rights is on the line when they attack an organization like CAIR.
• They represent people who are discriminated against because of their religion in the workplace.
• They are where some ...against because of their religion in the workplace.
• as terrorist organizations.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 28 present, 0 absent, and 2 excused. The chamber approved the journal and then took up several motions to reconsider or return bills, including requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 to the House and to reconsider HB 2192. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole for calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2248, a public health mandates bill; HB 2313, concerning school employee/teacher strike and remote instruction issues; HB 2379, relating to school district governing board training; HB 2380, relating to school district board meetings and expenditures; and HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessments and the anti-human trafficking fund. HB 2248 drew the most debate over whether it would prohibit schools, employers, and medical facilities from requiring medical interventions such as vaccines; an amendment narrowing the definition of medical intervention was adopted, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 both received committee and floor amendments focused on school board training and livestreaming/meeting transparency requirements, and HB 2313 and HB 2720 also advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported all four bills as do pass, with HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 as amended. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report after defeating an amendment that would have changed the HB 2248 recommendation to fail. The chamber next considered HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047, recognizing Judea and Samaria; all three passed despite strong opposition speeches criticizing them as targeting Muslim communities or advancing religious/political messaging. The Senate also passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated provider service areas with assured water supply, and HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy. Finally, the Senate passed HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 on third reading, approved the House’s request to adjourn, and adjourned until April 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I think this is an important piece to ensure that workplace safety for our public servants
• And I would just say, you know, I've met with the law enforcement organizations a lot.
• </c><00:43:08.920><c> a</c> with the law enforcement organizations a with the law enforcement organizations
• </c><01:31:38.840><c> and</c> investigations within the workplace and investigations within the workplace
• </c> Officers Association our organization Officers Association our organization represents<01:32:14.320

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The UMWA, an organization that represents unionized coal miners, is neutral on this bill.
• The UMWA, an organization that represents unionized coal miners, is neutral on this bill.
• For over 20 years, our organization has served miners and their families who are concerned about workplace
• </c><00:16:58.120><c> has</c> for over 20 years our organization has for over 20 years our organization
• For over 20 years, our organization has served miners and their families who are concerned about workplace

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met for its fifth meeting of the 2025 session, took roll, established a quorum, and considered several bills. The committee first heard House Bill 19, which would create protections against unauthorized drone surveillance of people and private property and allow injunctive relief and civil actions. Representative John Hodgson said the bill was intended to protect privacy while preserving legitimate drone uses, and the committee reported the bill favorably on a 10-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 54, which would allow work hours earned through dual credit programs to count toward apprenticeship or licensing requirements in certain trades. Representative Banta and witness Brian Miller said the measure had been worked out with labor interests and would help students in career pathways. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. House Bill 313, a cleanup measure related to last year’s consumer data privacy legislation, was also presented and passed unanimously with a favorable expression. The most extensive discussion centered on House Bill 196, which would change the number of mine emergency technicians required on coal mine shifts, especially for smaller mines. Senator Philip Wheeler presented the bill in place of Representative Blandon, arguing that smaller mines were struggling to meet current staffing requirements and that the UMWA was neutral. Stella Morris and Courtney Rhoads opposed the bill, with Morris describing the 2005 death of her husband in a mining accident and Rhoads arguing the change would reduce mine safety and roll back protections adopted after that tragedy. Several senators explained their votes, citing the balance between coal jobs and miner safety. The bill passed 7-4 and was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• is not really an acronym, but then let us do represent, educate, motivate, prepare, opportunity, workplace
• Students who are inducted into this student organization have earned in May...
• Students who are inducted into this student organization have earned and maintained a 3.0 GPA, or it
• So, you know, the goal is, next slide, Ashton, we want the workplace to be neurodiverse.
• And then second, how can our organizations, how can we work with our organizations as communities to

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not to be mean, not to be ugly, but with 100 members here, we have to have organization, we have
• She stamps it, files it, keeps it, stores it, organizes it. She is just what we said.
• When they do go out into a workplace that's not authorized by teachers or just safe adults, you know,
• they'll understand how to not get pulled over in, like, regular workplaces.
• Regular workplaces, and then the skills is to help them get a head start if they are wanting to while

Committee: All GIRLS STATE

Transcript Highlights:

• Any better or worse than any other organization.
• SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATIONS.
• are listed, it specifically, and/or similar nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations—organizations
• organizations, or the World Health Organization.
• ORGANIZATIONS, OR THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions, including students from Brooklyn and St. John’s University, followed by adoption of the resolution calendar with exceptions for two items. The chamber then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, Workplace Violence Prevention Month, the one-year anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in the Dominican Republic, New York Constitution Day, and the Month of the Military Child. Senators speaking on the maternal health resolution emphasized racial disparities in maternal mortality and the need for culturally competent care; the workplace violence resolution highlighted hospital safety programs; the Jet Set resolution was adopted in memory of the victims; and the Constitution Day speech reviewed New York’s delayed but eventual support for independence in 1776. The military child resolution stressed the sacrifices of military families and support for children of service members. All of these resolutions were adopted, and the resolutions were opened to co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the third reading calendar, passing several bills and laying others aside. Measures passed included bills on public health, environmental conservation, executive law, public authorities, and consumer protection. One notable debate involved a bill to require transparency from private arbitration organizations handling consumer cases; supporters argued it would provide basic public data and guard against conflicts of interest, while opponents said it would burden a useful dispute-resolution process and intrude on privacy. The bill passed after debate. Another debated bill would phase out number 4 heating oil statewide; supporters said cleaner alternatives exist and the fuel is harmful to public health, while opponents raised cost and transition concerns, especially for colder regions. That bill also passed. The chamber also considered a bill to create a rebate program for battery-powered landscaping equipment, funded through utility-related mechanisms administered by NYSERDA. Supporters said it would reduce air and noise pollution and help companies transition, while opponents argued ratepayers should not subsidize landscaping equipment. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. Finally, the Senate began discussion of a housing-related bill aimed at preserving manufactured home parks by enabling nonprofits or municipalities to acquire development rights and keep the land dedicated to that use, with the sponsor explaining that the goal is to protect affordable housing and help residents remain in their homes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also to work with OSHA on workplace safety. That's the bill, Madam Chair.
• Thank you. and also to work with OSHA on workplace safety. That's the bill, Madam Chair.
• It requires scholarship funding organizations to use this number when submitting a payment file to the
• Funds to the scholarship funding organization unless the students included in the payment file have a
• It also establishes when the scholarship funding organization must submit a quarterly payment file to

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met during Budget Week and first considered three member bills. House Bill 1111, by Rep. Valdes, would eliminate the option for students to leave high school with a certificate of completion instead of a standard diploma. Valdes said the bill was inspired by students who met credit requirements but could not pass a required assessment, and argued the certificate does not provide access to college, trade school, or military service. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. CS for House Bill 127, by Rep. Kendall, would support students with disabilities by using existing Florida Department of Education curriculum to create micro-credentials and coordinating with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA on workplace safety. Goodwill, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Florida PTA, and others supported the bill, which also passed unanimously, 15-0. House Bill 1367, by Rep. Booth, addressed chronic absenteeism by requiring statewide definitions and more uniform attendance reporting, along with rules for excused and unexcused absences and early identification of chronically absent students. Testimony emphasized inconsistent district policies and the need for clearer data and interventions. The bill passed 13-0, with some members noting concerns about implementation details and future rulemaking. The committee then took up PCB-P-PKB-2501, the proposed conforming bill for the fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget. The chair said the bill was designed to align statutes with budget and scholarship funding procedures, especially around the Florida Education Finance Program and scholarship payments. The PCB would require Florida student ID numbers for scholarship students, standardize cross-checking against FTE survey data, set quarterly payment dates, and use one data source for both reporting and withholding scholarship-related FFP amounts. It also would reduce certain add-on weights by 50%, remove the budget stabilization program, and repeal the educational enrollment stabilization program. Several members raised concerns that the add-on weight reductions could hurt career and technical education, AICE, IB, and CAPE programs, while the sponsor argued the data showed too much spending in an “other” category and that the reductions were aimed at aligning funding with actual program costs. Public testimony was mixed: some supported tighter accountability and clearer payment rules, while others warned against undermining expensive career-readiness programs. The PCB passed 11-2. After the conforming bill, the chair presented the proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget, totaling just under $21 billion, about $400 million below the current year. She said the budget reflects a need to slow spending growth and includes $20 million for New Worlds Scholarship Accounts, $7 million for security grants at Jewish day schools and preschools, $14 million for public school transportation stipends, an overall FEFP increase of about $747.7 million, $100 million for teacher salary increases, and increases in the base student allocation and funds per student. The committee did not vote on the budget recommendation at this meeting; it was distributed for review and will move to the Budget Committee next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we don't test every dollar that goes through the organizations that we're auditing, but we test the
• /c> The state does an estimate and allocates a portion of the state's entire liability to this organization
• And it is a committee that once it gets established and once it organizes they elect co-chairs to oversee
• if the nature and work of the organized if the nature and work of the subcommittee<00:19:30.799><c>
• I thought it security of our workplace.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill to support Northshore Health, a small rural remote health care organization comprising
• safety Advocate and leading workplace safety Advocate and I'm<00:18:05.640><c> here</c><00:18:05.799
• In addition to being places for students to learn, schools are also many people's workplaces.
• overdose response into their emergency plans, reflecting a growing recognition of the workplace as a
• </c><00:19:37.400><c> as</c> growing recognition of the workplace as growing recognition of the workplace

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• organizations can recruit, develop, and retain the talent that they need to grow.
• </c><01:31:19.840><c> And</c> lack applied workplace experience.
• And lack applied workplace experience.
• </c> individuals to gain real workplace individuals to gain real workplace experience<01:32:30.080><c
• </c> while only about 22% of organizations while only about 22% of organizations currently<01:32:38.880

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Others may only say their names, organization, if any, and position on the bills.
• Please come forward and give your name, organization, and your position.
• Name your organization and your position. Okay.
• Name your organization and your position. Okay.
• Please come forward and give your name, organization, and position.

Summary: The Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills, beginning with AB 2483, which would create a permanent pathway for formerly incarcerated Cal Fire fire crew members to receive certification and pursue firefighting jobs after release. The author and supporters described incarcerated firefighters as highly trained workers who perform dangerous frontline fire suppression work but often leave without credentials or a clear hiring path. The chair strongly supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The committee then considered AB 1619, which would raise trustee stipend limits for retirement board members from $100 to $320 per meeting for county retirement systems, CalSTRS, and CalPERS, subject to local approval. Supporters argued the current stipend is nearly 40 years old and no longer reflects the complexity and fiduciary responsibility of overseeing large pension systems, and that higher stipends could improve diversity and participation. The bill was passed on a 7-0 vote and sent to Appropriations. The committee also passed its cleanup bill, AB 2780, making technical and conforming changes to retirement laws, and AB 2519, which corrects an unintended consequence of prior CalSTRS legislation so certain charter school employees can remain eligible for CalSTRS membership; both bills advanced unanimously to Appropriations. AB 2017, the California Eid State Holiday Act, was heard next. The bill would recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in California and provide excused absences for students observing the holidays. Supporters, including Muslim students, educators, and advocacy organizations, said the measure would promote inclusion and help Muslim Californians feel seen and respected. Members spoke in favor, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2656 would require public employers to give employee organizations 45 days’ written notice before developing or using generative AI in represented job classifications. Supporters said the bill would ensure transparency and labor input, while county and special district groups raised concerns about scope and implementation but expressed willingness to keep working on the measure. It also passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• a union within their workplace.
• In 2021, I organized a grow that I worked at.
• I've seen companies panic when an organizing drive is discovered.
• I've seen companies panic when an organizing drive is discovered.
• So, cannabis is a wonderfully heterogeneous living organism.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its fourth hearing, with opening remarks from Senate Chair Adam Gómez and House Chair Dan Donahue emphasizing the committee’s broad agenda, including retail modernization, labor protections, advertising rules, sustainability, and financial resources. Testimony began with public health advocates supporting H.157/S.9 to ban cannabis billboard advertising, arguing that billboards normalize use for youth and are linked to cannabis-related harms such as psychosis, addiction, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Witnesses cited research, family stories, and court decisions in Mississippi and Virginia upholding similar restrictions, while committee members questioned the scope of the state’s authority to regulate billboards on private property and the relevance of federal highway funding and federal cannabis law. The committee also heard testimony on H.175, a proposal to allow cannabis drive-through sales. A dispensary operator argued drive-throughs would improve access, especially for disabled customers and veterans, and said security and ID checks could be handled with cameras and staff screening. Committee members pressed him on how employees would assess impairment, whether drive-throughs could increase access for minors, and whether the industry should be treated like alcohol, with the witness responding that staff already refuse service to intoxicated customers and that education, not prohibition, is the better approach. Another bill, H.3982, would apply the bottle deposit law to carbonated hemp- or THC-infused beverages; the sponsor said the measure would standardize recycling requirements for products already sold in dispensaries and other markets, and members asked about container types and recycling compatibility. A major portion of the hearing focused on labor peace agreements, with UFCW representatives, cannabis workers, and Sen. Lydia Edwards supporting S.77/H.161. They said the bill would require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when workers seek to organize, arguing that unions improve safety, wages, benefits, and job stability in an industry they described as underregulated and prone to retaliation. Witnesses cited workplace hazards, wage theft, and the death of a worker at a Holyoke facility as examples of why stronger worker protections are needed. Committee members asked how the proposal differs from existing labor law, whether tying LPAs to licensing and renewal could create legal or administrative problems, and how other states handle similar requirements. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, for those of you who may be unfamiliar with NCSL, we are the nation's nonpartisan organization supporting
• We have these reports on law enforcement, use in government, workplace, and also elections.
• , use in government, workplace, and also elections.
• So from the inside, as a staff and as an organization, how have you all dealt with this, basically this
• We have infrequent meetings or quarterly meetings just to... ...staff and as an organization, how have

Committees: House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation , House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Other times, they’re going into brand new workplaces and laying that actual groundwork.
• Other times, they’re going into brand new workplaces and laying that actual groundwork.
• Is there a definition for organized militia?
• Yes, it's a volunteer organization. The state militia, okay. Thank you.
• It increases unity within our organization.

Summary: The committee began by suspending the five-day notice rule for Senate Gubernatorial Appointment 9066 and then heard confirmation testimony from Megan Matthews, director of the Washington State Office of Equity. Matthews described the office’s growth, its work with agencies and communities, and efforts on data, contracting, and statewide outreach. Senator Hasegawa raised concerns about the Office of Equity’s relationship to ethnic commissions and whether it should remain internally focused, while other members praised Matthews’ statewide presence. The committee also heard confirmation testimony for Women’s Commission appointees Reedy Miu Kapade and Kiana Daniels, both of whom emphasized their experience serving women and girls and their commitment to the commission’s work; both appointments were noted as coming up for a vote the following week. The committee then heard House Bill 2309, which would prohibit the civil service classification plan from requiring a postgraduate degree as the only way to show qualifications unless required by law. Supporters, including the sponsor, OFM, and public witnesses, said the bill would remove barriers to state employment and broaden applicant pools. House Bill 2249 would add certain Washington Technology Solutions network and security systems employees to civil service coverage; the sponsor said it would resolve a narrow inequity affecting about 20 workers, while WOTEC said it needed flexibility to recruit and retain technical talent and asked to be involved in further changes. Substitute House Bill 2411 would expand shared leave to employees affected by hate crimes or immigration enforcement actions involving themselves or family members; supporters cited a state worker detained at the border and said the bill would help employees through extraordinary hardships, while opponents warned about abuse and objected to extending benefits in immigration-related cases. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1916, dealing with voter registration challenges and list maintenance, drew strong support from voting-rights groups and county election officials who said it would curb mass, bad-faith challenges and protect eligible voters, especially naturalized citizens, students, military members, and voters of color. The Secretary of State’s office and county auditors also raised concerns about ambiguity in parts of the bill, including who may challenge registrations and how deceased voters are removed from the rolls. House Bill 2417 would add a victim’s bill of rights to the Washington Code of Military Justice, aligning state military justice with federal protections; the Military Department and veterans advocates supported it as a consistency and fairness measure. Finally, the committee took executive action on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541, which changes the membership and selection criteria for the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and advanced it to the Rules Committee on a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• All additional witnesses will be limited to stating their name, organization, if they represent one,
• Breast Cancer Prevention Partners is a science-based organization working to prevent breast cancer by
• wildfire and to what contamination levels are safe for an individual to move back into their home, workplace
• I'm here on behalf of over 80 organizations and over 600 individuals, sorry, that signed on to this.
• Standards should also reflect meaningful differences between homes, schools, and workplaces, acknowledging

Summary: The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard four measures and approved one consent item. AB 1617 was taken up on consent and passed to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1604, which would phase out bisphenol A in paper receipts by 2027 and all bisphenols by 2028. The author and supporters from Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and Californians Against Waste argued receipts are a source of worker and consumer exposure and waste contamination, while no opposition testified. The bill passed to Judiciary. AB 1642, dealing with post-wildfire smoke and contamination standards for returning to homes, workplaces, and schools, drew extensive testimony. The author, a Caltech professor, and Eaton Fire survivors described heavy metals and other contaminants found in smoke-damaged homes and said California lacks clear science-based clearance standards. Insurance and real estate groups opposed or expressed concern, arguing the bill could overlap with insurance claims handling and add costs, while the author and supporters said it only sets scientific standards and does not regulate claims. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-2 vote. AB 1691 addressed copper-based anti-fouling paint on boats and conflicting state water quality and pesticide regulations. The author and the City of Newport Beach said the bill would require DPR and the State Water Resources Control Board to coordinate on studies and consistent standards, while boating groups warned about unintended consequences and the possibility of a de facto ban. The committee also heard AB 1744, a truth-in-labeling bill sponsored by a high school eco club that would prohibit sunscreen from being marketed as reef-safe or reef-friendly if it contains chemical UV filters; it passed unanimously to Privacy and Consumer Protection. After add-on votes, the committee confirmed the earlier actions and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• All additional witnesses will be limited to stating their name, organization, if they represent one,
• All additional witnesses will be limited to stating their name, organization, if they represent one,
• Breast Cancer Prevention Partners is a science-based organization working to prevent breast cancer by
• Sorry. of over 80 organizations, over 600 individuals, sorry, that's signed on to this.
• Standards should also reflect meaningful differences between homes, schools, and workplaces, acknowledging

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh we would organizations.
• 14:24.960><c> workplace</c> committed to transforming workplace committed to transforming workplace culture
• </c> promotion of an inclusive workplace promotion of an inclusive workplace culture.<01:14:49.760><c
• </c><02:01:56.239><c> the</c> organization that I've had the organization that I've had the opportunity
• ><c> has</c><02:04:13.840><c> been</c> recognized organization that has been recognized organization

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also the president of Boston Pride for the People, the organization that organizes the pride parade
• , their respective organizations.
• But how about in terms of adding representation from an organization?
• We reach out to another organization without adding the specific organization as a way to cultivate participation
• So instead of adding the organization, have the organization be in that next layer out, if you will.

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging opened its March quarterly meeting by welcoming its first full-time director, Alison Bauer, who introduced her background in state government, public health, philanthropy, teaching, and LGBTQ family advocacy. Commissioners approved the December quarterly meeting minutes, then turned to a presentation by Adriana Bullen on diversity, equity, inclusion, power, belonging, and intersectionality. Bullen led an interactive workshop using reflection, anonymous polling, and discussion to connect DEI concepts to the commission’s work, including examples from participants’ personal and professional lives and a brief history of intersectionality rooted in Black feminist scholarship and the DeGraffenreid v. General Motors case. The group then applied the discussion to the commission itself, identifying examples of successful DEI work such as listening sessions across the Commonwealth, targeted recruitment, inclusive trainings, the strategic plan, the commission website, and advocacy that helped pass the LGBTQI+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights. Participants also named conditions that support the commission’s power, including collaboration, commitment, openness, empowerment, persistence, and strong relationships, while noting barriers such as invisibility of older adults, limited racial and ethnic diversity, and lack of trans elder representation. Several commissioners emphasized the need for more Black, Latino, immigrant, and trans voices, and discussed recruitment challenges, including the difficulty of asking marginalized people to be the only one in the room. Bullen concluded by introducing an equity-lens tool for evaluating decisions and actions, using the commission’s strategic priority on representation as an example. Commissioners discussed whether to expand membership, create an advisory board, or use a broader network of organizations to cultivate future commissioners, noting that some changes would require legislative or procedural action. The meeting ended with appreciation for the workshop and a commitment to continue the work, with the next quarterly meeting scheduled for June.