Transcript Highlights:

• It renames the program as the Agricultural Enforcement Program and expands the program statewide.
• <00:50:13.119> Those designing an enhanced program. Those designing an enhanced program.
• <00:52:26.720> to the kulana a tech pathways program to the kulana a tech pathways program
• any future programs. And additionally, any future programs.
• Happy to answer any questions. programming. We've seen a lot of um programming.

Bills: SB2885, SB2174, SB2925, SB2798, SB2320, SB2800, SB1230, SB2706, SB3233, SB2405, SB2350, SB2169, SB3320

Keywords: coconut rhinoceros beetle, invasive species, biosecurity, green waste, environmental management, agriculture, quarantine, pest control, transport regulations, Hawaii Revised Statutes, coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, environment, agricultural enforcement, agricultural theft, farm theft, crop theft, commodity theft

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2885 SD1, which would create mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material beginning in 2027, with penalties and an effective date. Support came from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, DLNR, Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Testifiers generally said the bill would help reduce CRB spread, though some urged additional science-backed methods, better coordination, and technical or cost-share support for smaller operations. Hawaiian Earth Recycling recommended amendments to align the bill with existing Department of Health/EPA composting rules, add other materials that can harbor CRB, allow future approved treatment methods, and replace the bill’s 60-day turning requirement with existing pathogen-reduction standards. One individual supported the goal but argued the state’s CRB strategy has lacked community and cultural consultation and should include a cultural advisement role. Department witnesses said enforcement would rely on inspection and an educate-before-regulate approach, and they noted the challenge of creating enough drop-off sites, especially in rural areas. The committee then took up SB 2174 SD2, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to declare an emergency quarantine, halt operations in affected areas for 96 hours with possible extension, quarantine suspected pest areas, issue notices and compensation to affected farmers, and adopt interim transportation rules for materials that may harbor high-impact invasive species. The department and DLNR supported the measure, emphasizing the need for fast action in the first hours of an invasion. Hawaii Farmers Union supported the compensation provisions but asked for stronger communication with producers and a post-action report to the Board of Agriculture after about 90 days to evaluate effectiveness and economic impacts. In response to questions, department staff said the bill would be a short-term, department-only quarantine authority distinct from the governor-declared biosecurity emergency authority enacted previously, and that it could serve as an intermediate step. They also said outreach would need to be done through farm organizations such as Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, and Cattlemen’s groups. The final measure discussed was SB 2925 SD1, relating to coconut trees. The bill would recognize coconut trees as a source of food and water and a cultural treasure, require rules for coconut tree seed banks, require signage identifying landscape palms where applicable, set labeling standards for non-consumable landscape palms, and create an income tax credit for consumable coconut trees maintained through natural management practices. The transcript ended before testimony or action on this bill was completed, and no vote was taken on any of the measures discussed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a completely opt-in program for This is a completely opt-in program for our<00:04:05.120>
• They're all doing careermies program.
• <00:14:08.800> Registered teacher apprenticeships. Registered teacher apprenticeships.
• Um, and apprenticeships are offering.
• Minnesota Teachers Joint Apprenticeship Minnesota Teachers Joint Apprenticeship Training<00:15:13.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to go back to the existing workforce programs that are part of degree programs, you know, there's
• It's not a new program for the employees, but for the students themselves who are in, say, a degree program
• I'm a product of an apprenticeship.
• program that I did not have to take a sub-wage to earn, and I did not start my apprenticeship program
• What it does is cut current apprenticeship programs that we currently have.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires bidders to maintain or participate in state-approved apprenticeship programs as a condition
• programs, By recognizing the importance of using state-certified apprenticeship programs on public work
• Successfully completing apprenticeship programs is an evidence-based approach.
• In Massachusetts, individuals who complete a registered apprenticeship program commonly can make as much
• recommendations on the use of apprentice and pre-apprenticeship programs in all industries.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine procedural business, including adoption of resolutions congratulating Yolanda Kruger on her 100th birthday and two orders extending the Public Health Committee’s reporting deadline on House documents 4984 and 4988. The chamber then moved through a series of local bills and calendar items, passing to engrossment measures including authorization for the town of Hudson to grant an additional wine and malt beverage license, authorization for Cohasset to grant five additional liquor licenses, and an amendment to the Plymouth town charter. It also advanced several other bills on second reading, including a land conveyance for Barnstable County and Bourne, a bill requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events, and a bill preparing apprentices through training and hiring in Massachusetts. The House took up House 3417, designating June 16 as Domestic Workers’ Rights Day. Representative Sousa spoke in support, describing domestic workers as essential but often invisible workers and arguing that the designation would raise awareness of rights and protections under the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The bill passed to engrossment by roll call, 156-0. The House also passed House 4992, authorizing Barnstable County and Bourne to convey certain parcels of land, and later passed House 4994, the Paths Act, which would require a phased-in apprentice-hours requirement on large public construction projects, condition bidding on participation in approved apprenticeship programs, and create a commission to study apprenticeship participation. The chamber then debated House 4993, the Preston Settles Every Minute Counts Act, requiring AEDs and trained personnel at sporting facilities and events. Representative Decker urged passage, citing the death of a young athlete and the need to close safety gaps outside schools. Representative Frost offered amendments to create a state fund to help communities pay for AEDs and to allow exemptions for remote fields without permanent power, arguing the bill could otherwise burden municipalities; both amendments were defeated on roll call. The bill itself then passed to engrossment by roll call, 154-1. The House also enacted a bill allowing Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, and the session ended with an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were awarded a pre-apprenticeship workforce program out of Workforce Solutions, so very honored to
• Pre-apprenticeships since we started this program in 2023, and we've identified these ones: about 242
• We gave out grants to six different organizations to build pre-apprenticeship programs.
• And then we use our program of pre-apprenticeship and our employees.
• Construction apprenticeship program: 2,500. That's great!

Transcript Highlights:

• and pre-apprenticeship programs across the state of Florida.
• Just recently, we released $14.6 million for apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs
• And what you see before you are our career certificate programs and our apprenticeship programs specifically
• and our apprenticeship programs as well.
• and our apprenticeship programs as well.

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first session of the year, took roll, welcomed new member Senator Bracey Davis, and had members briefly describe their backgrounds and interest in higher education. Chair Harrell framed the committee’s focus on maintaining Florida’s top national ranking in higher education and workforce development, with an emphasis on funding decisions tied to student success, workforce needs, and the state college system. Senior Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell presented the Department of Education’s workforce and Florida College System budget requests and data. He described requested increases for adult education, Florida College System program funding, workforce development, and several grant programs, including workforce capitalization, apprenticeship/teacher apprenticeship, Open Door, and CAPE industry certifications. He highlighted record enrollment and completion growth across Florida’s colleges and technical centers, major gains in career dual enrollment, and expansion in programs such as nursing, AI, cybersecurity, welding, HVAC, and manufacturing. Members asked about labor-market demand, the impact of artificial intelligence on future job training, teacher apprenticeship details, mission creep and duplication in CTE programs, student placement and wages after graduation, and articulation between technical college clock hours and college credit. South Florida State College President Fred Hawkins testified about challenges facing a rural college, including low local college-going rates, long travel distances, limited faculty recruitment due to salaries, and the need for more operational funding to expand capacity. He cited strong job placement and licensure outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography, and said the college is exploring AI tools to improve student services and reduce staffing pressure. Pinellas Technical College Executive Director Mark Hunter described strong dual enrollment, high job placement, employer partnerships, and a reported 400% return on investment, while also warning that many programs have waiting lists because of staffing and equipment constraints. He explained how technical college coursework is aligned with state college credit through content-based articulation agreements. The committee then opened the floor for public comment, but no additional business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Office of Apprenticeship.
• This is the Office of Apprenticeship.
• This was brought to us apprenticeship.
• office, a state office of apprenticeship office, a state office of apprenticeship to<00:02:36.239
• You know, there are many trade organizations that have apprenticeship programs, like the IBW and other

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 409, 3 March, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee considered two bills focused on workforce development and construction trades training. The first, Bill 338 from Chairman Bale, would create a training assistance fund for K-12 schools and community colleges, especially for construction trades programs. The proposal would divert 2.75% of the contractor tax, which members noted is already collected and would remain in education, into a grant fund that schools and colleges could apply to through the Mississippi Office of Workforce Development/Accelerate Mississippi. Members asked for clarification that the money would not go to individual schools automatically but would be awarded through grants, and the bill was approved by a do-pass motion. The second bill would establish a state Office of Apprenticeship to comply with federal requirements and allow Mississippi to draw down federal apprenticeship funds. The sponsor said the measure was still a work in progress and asked the committee to insert a reverse repealer because the language had not been finalized after Department of Labor review. A question was raised about whether the program would work with existing trade union apprenticeship programs, and the sponsor said the legislation would include advisory committee representation from the union community. The committee adopted the reverse repealer amendment and then reported the bill out on a do-pass as amended motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry, agree to make contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs in New Mexico
• We believe that apprenticeship programs work.
• First, I'd like to say that industry And crafts that do not have approved apprenticeship programs are
• programs.
• Senator, 94% of apprentices who complete apprenticeship programs retain employment with a national average

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have been a defender of union apprenticeship programs, and you have fought to expand the concept
• My question to you is will you follow the law that says funding for apprenticeship programs can only
• The Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations Grant Program.
• Because getting apprenticeship programs in rural communities to fit the actual economy and workforce
• Is there ways that we can look at to expand apprenticeship programs, youth apprenticeship programs?

Keywords: PRO Act, labor laws, worker rights, unionization, right-to-work, public testimony, political polarization

Summary: The meeting centered around an in-depth discussion of the PRO Act, with representatives expressing passionate opinions both for and against the legislation. Representative Chavez de Rimmer emphasized the importance of worker freedom, arguing that the PRO Act would infringe upon individual rights by coercing unionization. This perspective was strongly received by members from right-to-work states, who articulated their concerns about the potential erosion of workers' choices and protections. Speaker after speaker conveyed conflicting views on labor laws, indicating a deeply polarized environment surrounding labor issues at the moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• What are we doing at the state level to incentivize our apprenticeship programs?
• We have with apprenticeship, the because our apprenticeship program has really been phenomenal in terms
• This is programs. We have approximately 329 registered apprenticeship programs right now.
• Some of those students then come take advantage of programs like open door, the apprenticeship programs
• and programs like open door, the apprenticeship programs and they keep going.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee to expand youth apprenticeship programs.
• Districts want to expand youth apprenticeship programs.
• experience education program.
• CUSD is actively partnering with registered apprenticeship program sponsors, industry partners, labor
• In addition, the district offers multiple pre-apprenticeship programs embedded within CTE pathways and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MOVING FORWARD FOR 2023 /2024 WE WON'T ONLY HAVE THE INDICATIONS ON THERE BUT THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
• PCOG THE PRIMARY GRANT PROGRAM WE HAVE TO CREATE OR EXPAND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE
• PROGRAM.
• DEGREE PROGRAMS IN 16 BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS.
• BUT WE WERE IN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM NEW OVER THE LAST YEAR.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and pre-apprenticeship programs across the state of Florida.
• The funds have been used for establishing, creating, and expanding registered apprenticeship programs
• Just recently, we released $14.6 million for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the
• And what you see before you are our career certificate programs and our apprenticeship programs specifically
• and our apprenticeship programs as well.

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later. Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and pre-apprenticeship programs across the state of Florida.
• Just recently, we released 14.6 million dollars for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
• We currently have 10 school districts that have been approved for their teacher apprenticeship programs
• What you see before you are career certificate programs and our apprenticeship program, specifically
• Question for you: Can you get into a little bit of the minutiae of the teacher apprenticeship program

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm happy to programs over there.
• And, you know, we're establishing Mississippi Advisory Council on Apprenticeship.
• And, you know, we're establishing Mississippi Advisory Council on Apprenticeship.
• And, you know, we're establishing Mississippi Advisory Council on Apprenticeship.
• And, you know, we're establishing Mississippi Advisory Council on Apprenticeship.

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 409, 31 March, 2026; 9:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee considered the Lieutenant Governor’s appointment of Charles Tyler Norman to the board of MAG Core, formerly the Mississippi Prison Industries Corporation, to fill a vacancy for a term ending June 30, 2028. Members described the board’s role in prison-based workforce training and noted that most of its membership is made up of state officials, with only a few outside appointees. Norman said he has a long business background, has served on other state boards, and supports public service and workforce development, including prison work programs. Several senators used the nomination to raise broader concerns about the effectiveness of prison workforce training and whether MAG Core should continue as a separate entity or be folded under Accelerate Mississippi. The chair said he was frustrated with workforce outcomes for incarcerated people, including the implementation of presumptive parole and the value of some training credentials, and stressed that any program should be profitable and not burden taxpayers. Norman agreed that workforce training should be practical and tied to real trades, said he has hired felons and believes in second chances, and said he would bring committee suggestions back to the board. A senator asked about a 2008 derogatory incident in Norman’s background report; Norman acknowledged it as a college misdemeanor and said it was the only such issue. Another senator asked about the board’s composition and diversity, and staff said one remaining outside member is a governor’s appointee, later identified as Ronnie McNeil from the faith-based community. The committee then adopted a motion to report the nomination out with a do advise and consent recommendation, and Norman was reminded to keep his statement of economic interest current.

Transcript Highlights:

• the primary mechanism for funding registered apprenticeship in pre apprenticeship programs in our state
• or pre apprenticeship programs across the state just recently be released. 14.6 million dollars to fund
• Another questions around some of the prayer print, a shipping apprenticeship programs and that I've heard
• This close to my heart as a former teacher and is our grow your own teacher apprenticeship program for
• And so something like the teacher apprenticeship program had existed at the time where I taught it would

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal standards for apprenticeship ratios are, in fact, much more flexible and set on a per-program
• I think the federal model is better which allows the federal DOL to look at each apprenticeship program
• H. 1265, an act relative to apprenticeship programs, we strongly support this legislation.
• Safety training is embedded in every apprenticeship program and reinforced daily on the job site.
• Safety training is embedded in every apprenticeship program and reinforced daily on the job site.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on a large group of bills carried over from the previous session, with Chair Jake Oliveira and House Co-Chair Paul McMurtry outlining the process and limiting testimony to three minutes. The committee heard testimony on several labor and workplace proposals, including bills to harmonize employee definitions to address misclassification (SB 1338/HB 2141), expand bereavement leave (including H. 2189/S. 1354 and related bills), protect collective bargaining rights for certain administrative employees (HB 268/SB 1306), expand commuter transit benefits (HB 2153/SB 1345), regulate employer use of credit reports (S. 1286), and require apprenticeship participation or OSHA-related workplace safety measures on public projects. At the end of the hearing, the chairs read into the record additional bills that did not receive testimony that day. Supporters of the misclassification bill, including Greater Boston Legal Services and the AFL-CIO, said aligning the employee-status tests across wage, unemployment, and PFML laws would reduce confusion, improve enforcement, and help workers wrongly treated as independent contractors or managers recover benefits and bargaining rights. NAGE and its representative argued that public-sector employees have been improperly reclassified into management titles to weaken unions, and that the bill would force the Division of Labor Relations to review those titles. On bereavement leave, advocates including the Louis E. Brown Peace Institute, a state representative, the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, and individual survivors described the impact of sudden loss and homicide on families, saying guaranteed leave would help workers grieve, make arrangements, and avoid losing jobs or custody-related stability. The committee also heard support for commuter benefits as a low-cost way to reduce emissions and increase transit use, and for restricting employer credit checks because of inaccuracies and discriminatory effects. There was opposition to some construction-related bills. The Associated Builders and Contractors and the Building Trades Employers Association supported apprenticeship training in principle but said current apprentice-to-journeyworker ratios are outdated or misunderstood, and that the bills should be amended or clarified before advancing. The Massachusetts landscape and snow-removal industry strongly supported a snow-liability limitation bill, arguing that hold-harmless clauses and broad indemnification requirements force contractors to assume liability for conditions they cannot control, drive up insurance costs, and threaten business viability. The committee did not take any votes during the hearing, and the session ended with the chairs thanking members, staff, and the public before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• PEACOG is the primary grant program that we have to create or expand apprenticeship programs across the
• And get this, we had just last year another 32 new registered apprenticeship programs, for a total of
• program.
• But we are one of those apprenticeship programs that was new for last year.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received an overview of Florida’s career and technical education (CTE) system from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, who described the state’s CTE pathways, program types, enrollment and completion growth, quality audit metrics, and the Master Credentials List used to identify credentials of value. He highlighted record postsecondary CTE enrollment and completions, strong statewide performance in talent attraction, and several funding tools supporting expansion, including Open Door, the Florida First Responder Scholarship, Workforce Development Capitalization grants, Perkins funding, CAPE performance incentives, and apprenticeship grants. Senators asked about eligibility for Open Door and first responder aid, top industry certifications, and the teacher apprenticeship initiative. A panel of college and technical school leaders then described how state and federal funding has supported local program growth and facility expansion. Santa Fe College, Palm Beach State College, North Florida Technical College, Lake Technical College, Florida Gateway College, and Manatee Technical College each cited increases in enrollment, high placement or licensure pass rates, and new or expanded programs in nursing, welding, CDL, automotive, manufacturing, public safety, and apprenticeship. Several speakers emphasized partnerships with hospitals, employers, school districts, and local governments, and noted that grants helped fund equipment, renovations, and new training hubs. Palm Beach State also raised a request to broaden line funding beyond nursing to other health science fields, and multiple presenters asked for more flexibility, multi-year support, and continued or increased funding to sustain growth. Members discussed broader challenges, including the difficulty of sustaining grant-funded growth after initial awards, the lag between enrollment growth and funding formulas, and alignment problems for dual enrollment and technical programs with high school schedules. Senators also noted the need to balance support for high-demand core programs like nursing and welding with the ability to respond quickly to emerging industries such as AI and space. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs successfully for critical roles.
• program so they can quickly be upskilled to take positions at OSHA.
• Division of Apprenticeship Standards explains apprenticeship produces the need for expensive recruitment
• programs by creating a flow of candidates who are already screened and trained.
• SEIU Local 1000 is an early adopter of nontraditional apprenticeship in partnership with the state.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard three bills. SB 939 (Laird), sponsored by CalPERS, would end new enrollment in the actuarial equivalent reduction option for service credit purchases after January 1, 2028, and require any unpaid balance at retirement to be paid within 90 days. The author said the change would reduce unintended consequences for retirees, employers, and CalPERS. There was no opposition, and the bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was referred to Appropriations. SB 1038 (Laird), sponsored by the California School Employees Association, would expand CalPERS audit notifications so bargaining units receive notice of employer audits, affected-member lists, and final audit reports. Supporters said this would help unions protect members from benefit reductions or repayment demands caused by audit corrections, citing a Kern High School District example. There was no opposition, and the bill also passed 6-0 and was referred to Appropriations. SB 1227 (Drozzo) would require the Department of Industrial Relations to work with state worker unions to create apprenticeship pathways into key enforcement jobs, including roles at Cal/OSHA and the Labor Commissioner’s Office. Supporters from United Steelworkers, SEIU Local 1000, CSEA, and the California Labor Federation said the bill could help address staffing shortages and improve enforcement capacity. The committee approved the bill 6-0 as amended and re-referred it to the Committee on Labor and Employment.

Transcript Highlights:

• One around apprenticeships.
• apprenticeship in what certifies an apprenticeship.
• to that program.
• that's what it costs per program.
• program.

Keywords: 914, all