Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:48.320> shortage The home care nursing workforce shortage The home care nursing workforce
• health workforce. health workforce.
• . workforce. workforce.
• Today's mental health workforce.
• , our mental health workforce, our mental health workforce, particularly<00:37:39.600> in<

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on a health insurance/home care nursing provision and on other consumer protection items. Nick Keis and Emily Walters, both parents of medically complex children, testified that commercial health plans had recently begun capping home care nursing as if it were intermittent home health visits, which they said was contrary to Minnesota law and legislative intent dating to 2010. They described severe impacts on their families, including hospitalizations, loss of nursing coverage, strain on waiver budgets, and the risk of children being forced out of the home and into institutions. Representative Bierman echoed that the bill was a straightforward clarification of existing law, not a new mandate or added cost, and a staff member later cited the statutory definition of home care nursing as ongoing, continuous nursing services that cannot be met through intermittent or visit-based care. The committee also discussed the practical difference between home health visits and private duty/home care nursing, with testimony emphasizing that the latter is medically necessary, assessed, and not unlimited in practice. Laura Sales of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office testified on changes to the Consumer Protection Restitution Fund (CIPRA). She said the fund has begun distributing restitution, starting with consumers harmed by the closure of Woodbury Dental Arts, but that current statutory language limits the office’s flexibility to prorate payments. She asked for an amendment allowing the AGO to distribute available funds more equitably so more eligible consumers can receive some payment, rather than requiring full payment to the oldest claims first. Annette Meeks, representing Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, testified in support of banning sweepstakes gambling in the Commerce Committee omnibus report. She argued that online sweepstakes casinos are an illegal gray-market form of gambling, cited rapid growth and billions in revenue, and said other states have acted through enforcement and legislation to stop them. She urged the committee to include language from Senate File 4474 to clarify state law and prohibit sweepstakes gambling. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting shown; members mainly asked questions and received testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• overtime can have on the workforce overtime can have on the workforce overall<00:21:37.080> it's
• This proposal will exacerbate an already dire workforce crisis.
• It is not an infusion of new money to help give our hardworking workforce a raise.
• <01:31:52.639> a<01:31:52.840> raise Workforce a raise Workforce a raise we<01:31:54.679
• stabilizing the long-term care Workforce stabilizing the long-term care Workforce over<01:46:43.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• partner with um creating a workforce partner with um creating a workforce coming<00:43:28.640>
• uh possibilities for workforce uh possibilities for workforce development<00:44:24.160> and
• program. entering the workforce with a credential entering the workforce with a credential or<00:47:
• workforce program. workforce program.
• Mountains Community College in workforce Mountains Community College in workforce development<00

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pell program, in evaluating workforce development programs across many institutions, not just community
• And it happens to be the same data element that we need to do better workforce development planning,
• California Edge Coalition advocates for education and workforce investments as well as systems change
• We're really proud to co-sponsor SB 1054 because California needs stronger workforce data to understand
• outcomes, measurement, and stronger alignment across educational workforce systems.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of questioning of if that's the right profession for you, and we know that we are struggling with workforce
• This is one way that we can continue to help that workforce shortage in this community.
• And I think, uh, again, with the astounding retention rate, um, the Workforce Development fund is why
• actually seek to re-enter the workforce actually seek to re-enter the workforce as<00:26:05.399>
• I just thought this is an opportunity to address the workforce shortage on that. and Senator Pratt and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The only deliverable that is remaining is a workforce-related effort. that is under final review and
• Labor Workforce Development and EDD related to data accuracy and forecasting.
• policy. workforce strategy.
• In particular, the Workforce Development Board oversees statewide workforce policy.
• , which include our teachers, our nurses, our green workforce, and our community leaders.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it's about strengthening our Workforce it's about strengthening our Workforce from<00:07:31.680>
• Sciences budget request for Workforce Sciences budget request for Workforce and<00:08:44.240>
• <00:18:03.559> education geriatrics wor Workforce education geriatrics wor Workforce education
• seek to tackle the healthcare Workforce seek to tackle the healthcare Workforce crisis<00:19:50.400
• health Care crisis critical Workforce health Care crisis critical Workforce shortages<01:10:08.679

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• or college. the workforce or into college.
• But the problem in the workforce is, you know, anything could happen.
• Tax base, taking away from the private sector creating the workforce.
• And the private sector has to create that workforce.
• And the younger the workforce, the younger you engage them, the better off.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:16.000> development carveout of the workforce development carveout of the workforce
• <00:05:24.080> de<00:05:24.479> workforce carve out of the workforce de workforce carve
• out of the workforce de workforce development<00:05:25.199> scholarships<00:05:25.600> for
• <00:13:54.279> development<00:13:55.279> scholarship workforce development scholarship
• workforce development scholarship appropriation<00:13:56.480> to<00:13:56.720> min<00:13

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• emergency response, and workforce emergency response, and workforce development. development. development
• I put workforce first here.
• And I know I'm preaching to workforce.
• You talked about the workforce gap.
• this is a really critical uh workforce this is a really critical uh workforce development<00:47:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force was called to order with a quorum present, and Commissioner Mark Carter of the Kentucky Department of Aviation gave the first presentation. He outlined the state’s airport system, noting 58 public-use airports, the department’s small staff, and its funding structure through a jet fuel tax that generates about $23 million annually, leaving roughly $15 million for airport investment after required deductions. Carter highlighted recent projects at airports including Bardstown, Madisonville, Central Kentucky Regional, Paducah, Sparta, Danville, and Henderson, and said the department has also expanded data collection on airport activity, hangars, schools, and training programs. He emphasized that the department recently completed the first statewide economic impact study of general aviation airports and is developing a five-year airport needs plan. Carter said several things are working well, including stronger communication with airports, the public, the legislature, and especially the FAA’s Memphis district office, which now involves the state more in project selection. He said the department is reasonably staffed overall, but identified workforce development and advanced air mobility as major gaps. In response to questions from Senator Nunn and Representative York, he said he did not have specific workforce shortage numbers on hand, but cited Boeing reports showing large national and global shortages of pilots and mechanics, and explained that instructor shortages and low wages limit training capacity. He also said air traffic control is an FAA function, though EKU has shown interest in developing a training program. Carter identified several needs for improvement: more workforce investment, more aviation education in high schools, more scholarships for pilot and mechanic training, more attention to advanced air mobility, and more frequent, institutionalized data collection. He also pointed to major pending capital needs at airports such as Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Harlan, Leitchfield-Grayson County, and Whitesburg-Letcher County, all of which would require FAA and state support. He urged airports to do a better job marketing their economic value and said the state should continue updating aviation studies so lawmakers have current information for policy decisions. The task force then heard from Lexington Blue Grass Airport Director Eric Frankl, who welcomed the new CVG director and thanked the legislature for creating the task force and supporting aviation infrastructure. Frankl said Blue Grass Airport has rebounded from the pandemic and now exceeds pre-pandemic passenger levels, while serving a mix of private aviation, pilot training, corporate aviation, and commercial airline activity. He described ongoing terminal-area planning, parking technology upgrades, and a major parking lot expansion expected to finish by early spring 2026, and said the airport is planning for future technologies such as vertiports and electric aerial vehicles. Frankl estimated that a broader terminal modernization program will cost roughly $500 million to $700 million over the next 5 to 10 years and said the airport needs continued state support to close funding gaps and remain competitive with other states investing in aviation.

Transcript Highlights:

• the school, whether it's workforce the school, whether it's workforce housing,<00:19:37.039>
• school facilities, it's workforce school facilities, it's workforce housing,<00:32:25.440> it's
• And then the third one is the teacher workforce housing, and it's in Millie Lani, and I know that it's
• And then the third one is the teacher workforce housing, and it's in Millie Lani, and I know that it's
• So, um, we are working with DOE to plan that school, and then the third one is the teacher workforce

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education heard several advice-and-consent nominations to the School Facilities Authority. For GM779, Shelley Pa was introduced as a nominee for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported her nomination, citing her large-scale operations and stakeholder-engagement experience. In her testimony, Pa said she retired from community policing, wanted to give back to teachers and students, and believed her strengths were collaboration, listening to community input, and helping balance differing priorities. Committee members questioned her about the construction and infrastructure focus of the board, her lack of direct construction experience, and how she would handle disagreements and budget limits; she responded that she would rely on collaboration, ask questions, and keep decisions centered on students, teachers, and the community while staying within budget. The committee then heard GM777 and GM778 for Robert Davis, with terms ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2029. Davis described more than 30 years with the Department of Education, including roles as teacher, coach, counselor, vice principal, principal, and complex area superintendent, and said he had worked on major facilities projects and managed pandemic-era funding. He emphasized communication, transparency, and trust, and explained that his experience on the Early Learning Board helped him understand how to set policy, identify schools for pre-K, and use data and community factors in decision-making. Members asked how he would handle SFA’s growing pains, the need to balance DOE wishes with practical and budgetary limits, and the board’s role when the legislature controls funding; Davis said the board must keep communication open, include the right people, and make sensible decisions that move projects forward without stalling. For GM780, nominee Michael Unbasami was introduced for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported him, highlighting over five decades of public service and experience in facilities management, finance, and legislative affairs. Unbasami said he had recently retired after 31 years as associate vice president for administrative affairs for the community colleges and had extensive experience with facilities planning, construction, renovation, repairs, and working within budgets. He stated that the DOE should be treated as the SFA’s client because it knows student, teacher, and facility needs best, while SFA’s role is to implement construction work and collaborate on priorities. Committee members pressed him on how to balance DOE requests with practical project delivery, especially for teacher housing and other non-classroom needs, and he said the legislature funds the work, SFA must keep projects moving, and the workflow should involve collaboration but also realistic decisions that fit the budget and avoid delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• As co-chair of the labor workforce, he sees some wins in the bill, though he says he came down here with
• , but we have not yet had that critical conversation about what the workforce is going to look like in
• We have a fabulous workforce center here.
• We have fabulous workforce center here.
• recognition that this is a workforce recognition that this is a workforce development<00:37:00.079

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• call this sixth meeting of the House Budget Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce
• We are united in bringing forward a collaborative, innovative workforce solution for the Commonwealth
• Understanding builds respect, and respect builds a workforce pipeline.
• And this is a proactive step to strengthen Kentucky's workforce pipeline.
• <00:08:37.200> When builds a workforce pipeline. When builds a workforce pipeline.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met without a quorum and heard presentations on several workforce and school-safety funding requests. The first item was a proposal for a school mapping data program, presented by Rep. Steve Bratcher with law enforcement and mapping partners. They said the plan would move money to the 911 system so school maps could be embedded there and kept current for all schools, public and private, to improve response times and officer, student, and teacher safety. The request was described as a $10 million one-time appropriation, with an estimate that the work could be completed in about a year. The committee then heard testimony on the Be Proud Initiative, a mobile workshop program aimed at exposing students age 13 and up to skilled trades and related education and career opportunities. Speakers from the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, MI2, the Kentucky Treasury, and the Associated General Contractors said the program would improve perceptions of manufacturing, construction, and metals careers, connect students to training and employers, and help build the workforce pipeline. They said private industry would contribute $1 million in FY 2026-2027 before state funds are released, and requested $3 million in state funding in FY 2027-2028 contingent on that match. A Treasury official said handling the funds through the Treasury would have minimal impact on the office. Committee members responded favorably, including a comment from Rep. Bojanowski about the value of hands-on learning for students who struggle with test-focused instruction. Speakers also explained that the program includes classroom materials before and after the truck visit and ongoing outreach for students and parents. The final presentation was on an MI2 metals career pathway proposal, which cited economic impact data for Kentucky’s metals industry and asked for a $3 million one-time investment for FY 2027-2028 to pilot a middle- and high-school pathway in Carroll and Logan counties. The proposal would be matched by industry funds and used for curriculum, equipment, dual-credit and apprenticeship connections, student stipends, and parent outreach. The chair closed by noting it was the final scheduled meeting of the session and moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through my experience in manufacturing, I have found that hiring a skilled workforce is really the air
• ...and training for the workforce we need.
• , "Let's see where we're going to grow our workforce."
• The workforce in building a factory, along with our non-union workforce operating inside of a factory
• We need to advertise or put skilled workforce as an option. So, I mean, us parents are responsible.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who have dedicated their lives by serving our country, as well as to retain and attract a skilled workforce
• Workforce challenges require workforce solutions.
• As an HR professional, I know when employers have the right tools, they build a stronger workforce and
• Entering the workforce already thousands of dollars in debt puts graduates at a disadvantage before they
• I urge you to vote yes and help provide real, tangible support for California's graduates and workforce

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's a fluid workforce. None of them are paying the minimum wage.
• Do you have data on the change in workforce participation over that time?
• Do you have data on the change in workforce participation over that time?
• And then in Omaha, the city unskilled and trying to enter the workforce.
• But do you have anything on the impact of workforce participation?

Summary: The committee held a study on the potential effects of living wage or minimum wage laws in Oklahoma, with the chair emphasizing that the discussion was not intended to advocate for or against State Question 832. The first panel focused on economic and workforce impacts. An Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative argued that living wage calculations vary by region and household type, that Oklahoma’s average wages are already near or above many living-wage estimates, and that higher mandated wages could lead employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, automate, or avoid expansion, especially in rural areas where childcare, healthcare, broadband, and infrastructure constraints also affect labor participation. Committee members asked about wage distributions, rural cost differences, training pathways, and whether higher wages might draw workers or businesses out of state; the witness said many low-wage workers move up over time and that Oklahoma has seen net in-migration. A State Chamber Research Foundation witness then testified that a $15 statewide wage floor would raise payroll costs substantially, especially for small rural employers, and cited examples from California and Seattle to argue that higher wages can reduce hours, jobs, and benefits while increasing consumer prices. She suggested alternatives such as expanding the state earned income tax credit and promoting upskilling through existing education and training programs. A Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative described Missouri’s recent voter-approved minimum wage increase to $13.75, rising to $15, along with paid sick leave provisions. She said the chamber opposed the measure because it would raise business costs, hurt rural communities and youth employment, and force some employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, or close. She cited examples from Missouri businesses facing significant added costs and warned that a future ballot initiative could create a patchwork of local minimum wages. In response to questions, she said Missouri’s law did not distinguish by age or industry, that businesses had raised concerns about union contracts and compliance, and that the chamber viewed the measure as harmful to competitiveness. Peter Hansen of NFIB presented the final major testimony, summarizing an NFIB study projecting that a higher Oklahoma minimum wage would produce some short-term GDP gains but longer-term losses, with GDP turning negative by the early 2030s and job losses growing over time. He said businesses respond to higher wage mandates by raising prices, trimming jobs, converting full-time positions to part-time, reducing benefits, and shifting investment toward automation or other capital. He argued that the burden falls most heavily on vulnerable workers such as young or marginal employees, who are less likely to be hired when labor costs rise. In questioning, he acknowledged that higher wages can improve pay for some workers and may have some short-term positive effects, but maintained that the long-term employment and investment effects are negative. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:12.800> for critical to supplying the workforce for critical to supplying the workforce
• Funding pressures, workforce challenges, mission strain.
• <00:30:42.399> shortages, reimbursement, workforce shortages, reimbursement, workforce shortages
• pressures, workforce challenges, mission pressures, workforce challenges, mission strain.<00:31:
• Minnesota's physician workforce is educated in large part in our system.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Continue to strive to bring that return on investment to the state, to address the state's workforce
• I also want to compliment the university as being such a regional, very strong workforce university.
• What you're doing with the credentialing program you have, workforce credentials, is really innovative
• Workforce credentials is really innovative.
• As I said previously, I've been very impressed with the workforce issues, programs you're doing.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes. The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• NOT ONLY PROVIDING DIDN'T AGREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NURSES, BUT ALSO FOR OUR CURRENT WORKFORCE
• NURSES REPRESENT THE LARGEST HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE.
• CURRENTLY IN THE WORKFORCE AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. >> Chair Tomkow: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
• THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE, THEY EXPECTED BE PROVIDED THESE TOOLS.
• TOOLS THAT OUR WORKFORCE COULD USE TO GAIN SOME EFFICIENCY.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll conclude by saying that we all know that workforce development is a priority in our state, and
• This, for us, opened up partnerships with workforce development entities such as the Springfield Job
• Center and positioned teacher preparation as workforce development in ways that allowed us to expand
• But beyond that, we also created this concept of workforce development and really partnered with our
• workforce development agencies across the state, knowing that they could help contribute a new path of

Keywords: 959, house, all