Transcript Highlights:

• And Leader Pizzo, I think, unfortunately, we're missing a House committee that's talking about this currently
• And Leader Pizzo, I think, unfortunately, we're missing a House committee that's talking about this currently
• Committee substitute for House Bill 1313, a bill to be entitled an act relating to trust funds.
• Committee substitute for House Bill 1313, a bill to be entitled an act relating to trust funds.
• ADUs, Madam President, increase workforce housing because they cost less to build, less to rent, and

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects. Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Representative Tommy Vitolo, and I serve as the House Vice Chair of this esteemed committee
• In short, a well-trained workforce is also a safer workforce.
• I respectfully urge the committee to give this legislation a favorable report, and I thank you for your
• Thank you, Chairs McMurtry and Oliveira and the members of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
• Thank you, Chair McMurtry, Chair Oliveira, and members of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on legislation concerning unemployment insurance, non-compete agreements, prevailing wage, and minimum wage issues. Committee leaders outlined the hearing process, asked witnesses to keep oral testimony to three minutes, and invited written testimony through November 20. No votes were taken during the hearing; it ended with a motion to adjourn and notice of the next hearing on November 20. Much of the testimony focused on bills to expand unemployment insurance for striking workers, including H. 2168 and S. 1319. Labor leaders, union members, and legal advocates argued that workers who are out on strike for more than 30 days should be able to receive UI benefits, saying the policy would help workers and families meet basic expenses, reduce employers’ ability to “wait out” strikes, and encourage good-faith bargaining. Speakers cited recent strikes, including the Republic Services strike, and said the proposal would not meaningfully increase strike activity or strain the UI trust fund. Another major topic was minimum wage legislation, especially H. 2107/S. 1349 to raise the minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and index it to inflation, and H. 2191 to create a $25 enhanced care worker minimum wage. Supporters said current wages are not keeping pace with housing, food, and childcare costs, and that care workers, direct support staff, and human service employees face chronic vacancies, burnout, and turnover. Testimony also supported H. 2126 on prevailing wage by adding apprenticeship and training contributions to the wage calculation, and H. 2159 and S. 1363 on prevailing wage-related issues. One witness, Russell Beck, testified against S. 1336, which would ban non-competes, and against H. 2118, arguing Massachusetts’ current non-compete law is a balanced compromise that should not be disrupted.

Transcript Highlights:

• housing and a suite of integrated workforce and education solutions.
• While our housing is concentrated in the greater metro, our workforce programming often extends to greater
• from the Workforce Settlement Fund. from the Workforce Settlement Fund.
• Chair and committee members, Senate File 2554 is proposing $170,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the Workforce
• Chair and committee members, Senate File 2554 is proposing $170,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the Workforce

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's what we're used to in the House, a little more fluid in the Senate, but I'm from the House.
• And then OB3 sort of was shorthand in the committee that a New Hampshire legislative committee I was
• So here, I know there's a retain bill in the House, 134, which we'll be speaking to that committee about
• for for the workforce in our hospitals. for for the workforce in our hospitals.
• >> Welcome to this committee. Thank you. >> Welcome to this committee. Thank you.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the housing portion of the program, there are two types of developments: workforce housing and
• For workforce housing, we can do infrastructure plus vertical.
• This includes starting... with workforce housing.
• Some of the projects that were approved on the housing side include workforce housing projects.
• And workforce housing is the same; we don't separate those two.

Transcript Highlights:

• curriculum to the Direct Care Workforce curriculum to the Direct Care Workforce and<00:01:03.399
• efforts... uh legislate or or support our veterans uh legislate or or support our veterans but<00:07
• work and promoting Workforce work and promoting Workforce intention<00:12:55.560> uh<00:12
• counterparts for strengthening workforce counterparts for strengthening workforce planning<00:14
• Do we have a committee?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we think about the ag workforce, it is a difficult, challenging workforce to maintain, especially
• One of the key challenges is housing. The farmer has to provide housing for the apprentice.
• I mean, obviously We need housing.
• The water workforce looks a lot like the agricultural workforce in New Mexico. It's aging.
• Thank you, committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mari Leavitt, 28th Legislative District.
• So apprenticeship committees: every program has an apprenticeship committee that operates and approves
• all of the committee functions.
• We have a construction workforce shortage. We need to train, you know, new clean energy workforce.
• We're going to resume our work session for the Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee, and we

Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move that the House grant permission for all committees and subcommittees to meet while the
• House is in session pursuant to their committee postings or recess motions.
• of social media platforms by children for the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development
• Prohibited use of environmental, social, or governance scores or for the Committee of Trade, Workforce
• Commission for the Committee of Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last legislative session, this body created the state supportive housing initiative, and this measure
• this legislation, has envisioned $83 million to support the development of attainable housing to serve
• Additionally, the housing division is working hard, and this committee knows that databases, dashboards
• We're also here in support because we believe that Nevada needs this housing legislation and that any
• We're also here in support because we believe that Nevada needs this housing legislation and that any

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the committee as well. to the committee as well.
• Paul, and also Hope House in in St. Paul, and also Hope House in Chanhassen. Chanhassen.
• the committee. My name is Mark O'Leary. the committee. My name is Mark O'Leary.
• The committee can know that this is a tested program, which is resulting in developing news workforce
• You're the last bill of the committee,<00:59:21.080> so committee, so committee, so So<00:59:22.320

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gibson, because that's under his committee.
• staff that we have on the committee, and then Ashley Bennett, our committee consultants for this committee
• And, relevant to the work of this committee, if we want true economic development and a workforce ready
• I know I already acknowledged them, but our committee staff has been great in this committee.
• But our committee staff has been great in this committee.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in Paramount as part of its “Pocketbook Tour,” focused on affordability, cost pressures, and household impacts in Los Angeles County. The first panel centered on workers and learners, with testimony from the UCLA Labor Center and the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. Speakers described how rising living costs, tuition, and low wages force many students to work long hours, often in unrelated, low-wage jobs, while struggling with food, rent, bills, anxiety, and limited financial aid. Recommendations included expanding state-funded work study, creating a statewide internship tax credit for small businesses, improving financial aid formulas to reflect regional cost of living, increasing flexibility for students, and strengthening worker-rights education and career pathways. The second panel focused on microbusinesses and small business affordability. Testimony from microenterprise advocates, the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network, and local business owners described rising commercial rents, labor costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, insurance, utilities, and disaster-related pressures as major threats to small businesses. Witnesses emphasized that small businesses are central to local economies and asked the state to expand technical assistance, low-interest financing, disaster support, supply-chain development, and community-based outreach. They also urged more intentional support for microbusinesses and home-based entrepreneurs, including networks that connect them to resources and help them build collective buying power. Committee members asked about possible state actions, including tax credits for hiring local workers or interns, support for trades and apprenticeships, and ways to partner more closely with SBDCs and chambers of commerce. Public comment echoed the hearing themes, with speakers highlighting student hardship, nonprofit mental health funding, renewable energy jobs and internships, and the need for state support for clean-energy incentives. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks and adjournment at 11:05 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• . housing. housing.
• our workforce system. our workforce system.
• There are some of those members on key committees. Co-chair Becker is on the workforce committee.
• <00:18:59.320> Uh<00:18:59.440> these the uh the workforce committee.
• Uh these the uh the workforce committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Representative Cedric Frazier opened the meeting by describing the ongoing harms from Operation Metro Surge, saying the state was still dealing with family separation, school disruption, workforce damage, and economic instability. He framed the issue as a statewide crisis and called on Republican colleagues to acknowledge the harm and work with DFL members on accountability and relief. He said the current budget work was urgent but could not fully backfill the damage, and later noted that the issue had been a top priority since the surge began. Testimony from school and business leaders focused on concrete impacts. Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Lewis said her district, which serves a large Black, Hispanic, and East and West African student population, was targeted during the surge and saw major enrollment losses, including students moving out of state or country or being held in Texas facilities. She said the district lost over $1 million in revenue and that the loss could equal about 40 teachers or an entire elementary school. Columbia Heights School Board Chair Mary Granlund said her district, with a limited tax base, was also heavily affected and warned that business closures and unfunded mandates would shift costs to homeowners and force cuts to classes, teachers, and programs. Lee Ann Rasiejka of Women Venture and the CDFI coalition said small businesses across Minnesota were facing compounded disruption from federal law enforcement activity, tariffs, rising costs, and fear, with more than $213 million in lost revenue reported across Twin Cities corridors and many businesses cutting hours, delaying hiring, or pausing growth. In response to questions, Frazier and other speakers said the proposed aid would be statewide rather than focused only on the Twin Cities, and that the bill currently had no set dollar amount but they hoped for around $100 million. They said CDFIs and local community groups would help distribute resources. Frazier said some Republican members had acknowledged harm in their own communities and suggested compromise was possible, though he criticized leadership for dismissing some testimony as hearsay. He also said ongoing law enforcement investigations into alleged crimes by federal agents would not be necessary to establish the harm, pointing instead to direct testimony from affected residents and school officials. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And good morning, all the legislators.
• I recognize that this is follow-up legislation, SB 998, to legislation that was passed last year, AB
• And every single committee member that serves on the Senate Education Committee made very clear in a
• We appreciate the work of the committee.
• I'll turn it back to the committee.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 998, which would clarify and expand the roles of discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability-focused coordinator and a deputy AAPI coordinator. The author and coauthors said the bill is intended to strengthen school climate, improve training and guidance for staff, and better address discrimination affecting students based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Supporters, including the Sacramento LGBTQ Community Center, CFT, Equality California, and several legislative caucuses, argued that students cannot learn if they do not feel safe and cited absenteeism and mental health concerns. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about gubernatorial appointments and whether the coordinators should instead be hired through civil service. The committee ultimately moved SB 998 on a due pass basis to the Senate Judiciary Committee and placed it on call. The committee also heard SB 1082, which would streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring quicker district action, concurrent review, and clearer notice when applications are incomplete. The sponsor and supporters said families often face long delays and uncertainty, especially those with language barriers or special needs, and that the bill would improve fairness without changing district authority to approve or deny transfers. The California School Boards Association said it had an oppose-unless-amended position but would re-evaluate after the committee amendments, and other groups expressed support. The bill was moved due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed on call. SB 960, dealing with community college baccalaureate degrees, generated the most extended debate. The author argued the bill would create a statewide framework allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in areas of unmet workforce need when local CSU access is unavailable because of impaction or distance, while preserving limits so colleges do not become four-year institutions. Supporters said the bill responds to workforce demand and place-bound students, while CSU and CFA opposed it, warning about duplication, fiscal impacts, accreditation, faculty jobs, and harm to the CSU transfer pipeline. Members discussed the master plan for higher education, impaction, and state funding, with one senator abstaining over concerns about unintended consequences for CSU. The committee recommended SB 960 for due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed it on call. The committee then heard SB 965, which would make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and her son described barriers created by varying local library rules and argued the bill would improve teen access to educational resources while preserving local control over checkout and liability policies. CFT and other supporters backed the measure, while the California Library Association said it supports the goal but wants alternative language to preserve local flexibility and balance community differences. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on SB 965 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's funded through House 1.
• I want to recognize this committee, the Joint Committee on Health...
• To better quantify workforce challenges, CHIA is building its second workforce survey this year.
• of the new legislation that was passed and enacted really just after, I think, House 1 was finalized
• One, we will advise executive and legislative bodies on the potential effects of proposed legislation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• Laura Painter, legislative analyst for the Senate Housing Committee.
• CJ Larson, uh committee legislative assistant for the Senate Housing Committee.
• CJ Larson, uh committee legislative assistant for the Senate Housing Committee.
• CJ Larson, uh committee legislative assistant for the Senate Housing Committee.
• CJ Larson, uh committee legislative assistant for the Senate Housing Committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes the Executive and Legislative Finance Committee recommendations for special supplemental
• That's a New Mexico Finance Authority program that funds workforce housing.
• Chair, I'll defer to you and the committee for any questions. The committee for any questions.
• And as a legislator, as the Chair of the Finance Committee, the goal has been there since... 2020.
• Any other questions from the committee members? Committee members? None.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Referred to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• Referred to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• Supplies provided by Cleaners referred to the Committee of Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• Of the House of Representatives referred to the Committee on State Affairs.
• the Committee on House Administration.

Summary: The House met for first reading and referral of a large number of bills and joint resolutions, with no substantive debate on the measures themselves. The filings covered a broad range of topics, including agency rulemaking and regulatory deference, occupational licensing reciprocity, business entities, eviction procedures, higher education, public education, health care, elections and voting procedures, criminal justice, property tax and appraisal issues, transportation, agriculture, energy, and local government authority. Several proposals also addressed constitutional amendments on matters such as Medicaid expansion, property tax limits, quorum and special-session rules, voting citizenship proof, parental rights, reproductive autonomy, and state funding allocations. Many of the measures focused on education, public health, and election administration. Examples included bills on financial literacy in schools, school nurses and librarians, student meal debt policies, suicide prevention notices, menstrual products, and community-based learning programs, as well as election-related bills on voter registration, disability access, ballot corrections, political advertising, and voting equipment or procedures. Other notable bills dealt with housing and property issues, including evictions, homestead tax exemptions, and land ownership, along with criminal justice measures involving sentencing, juror challenges, trafficking-related nondisclosure, and firearm reporting or transfer restrictions. The House also referred a set of resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. At the end of the proceedings, Mr. Bell moved that the House adjourn until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in memory of James Edward Cook of Eustace, Texas. There was no objection, and the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Trade Workforce and Economic Development will now come to order.
• Uh, members of committee substitute includes language recommended by the Texas Workforce Commission to
• opportunity to lay out committee substitute House Bill 3929, which relates to choice of law and assignment
• Chairwoman Button, members of the committee, thank you for allowing me to lay out our House Bill 2874
• The committee substitute is just a legislative council draft of the introduced version of the bill.

Bills: HB74, HB175

Keywords: environmental project, public money, political subdivision, greenhouse gas emissions, federal law compliance, renewable energy, water conservation, retroactive child support, child conception, paternity, family law, health care expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• Improvements Committee, thence the House Judiciary Committee.
• , thence the House Judiciary Committee.
• for House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 72.
• on House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 256.
• report for House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 205.