Video & Transcript : 'job separation' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/04/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:18:49.679><c> for</c> labor community, with Jobs for labor community, with Jobs for Minnesota
- The overall goal remains the same: to issue separate permits or separate approvals for permits.
- </c><00:24:00.159><c> permits</c><00:24:00.559><c> or</c><00:24:00.799><c> separate</c> issue separate
- permits or separate issue separate permits or separate approvals<00:24:01.679><c> for</c><00:24:01.919
- Section 3 separates incomplete.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Apr 29th, 2026
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- reporting to us, who were struggling accessing their benefits, and this was on top of losing their jobs
- This was on top of losing their jobs, complications in receiving those benefits, and it just added to
- Both of my parents growing up relied on the unemployment system as a bridge when they lost their jobs
- Both of my parents growing up relied on the unemployment system as a bridge when they lost their jobs
- Separately, I would like you to take that knowledge into your budget conversations, but for now we're
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hearing on House 5188, a late-filed bill to establish a special commission to study access to unemployment insurance in Massachusetts. Chairs and members noted the hearing was in hybrid format and limited to this one bill. Representatives Hadley Luddy and Joshua Tarski testified in support, saying they filed the bill after seeing many constituent cases involving delayed or difficult unemployment claims, especially for seasonal workers and others facing housing and financial instability. They argued a commission could review claim data, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to make the system more efficient, equitable, and transparent.
Greater Boston Legal Services also testified in favor. Attorneys described representing many low-income workers whose claims were delayed for months after the launch of the new online DUA system, often leaving them in limbo while trying to pay bills. They cited examples where claimants were denied or delayed due to issues that could have been resolved more quickly, and said the new system has contributed to major backlogs. They reported that DUA’s non-monetary issue backlog more than doubled, separation issues tripled, and hearings appeals grew to more than 12,500 pending cases, with average appeal times far above required timelines. They said the commission could help identify root causes and systemic fixes, and suggested the bill might be improved by giving the commission more time to report.
Committee members generally praised the bill’s intent and the filers’ collaboration. Several members shared their own experiences with constituent unemployment cases and emphasized that people should not have to contact legislators to get claims processed. Some asked whether the commission should include broader stakeholder representation, such as business groups, MassHire, staff, and people with direct claims experience, and whether its scope should be widened. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair concluded the meeting after testimony and questions.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Committee to Study Reducing the Number of School Administrative Units in the State (10/23/25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:25:26.240><c> um</c> education because it is a separate um education because it is a separate
- </c> separate from SC they're in separate separate from SC they're in separate build<00:56:52.880><c>
- you know separate buildings build you know separate buildings English<00:56:54.400><c> and</c><00:56
- </c> accomplish the job? accomplish the job?
- </c><01:51:57.599><c> Representative</c> when a job opens up? Representative when a job opens up?
Summary:
The meeting began with approval of the October 15 minutes and a brief discussion of the committee’s report process, including the likelihood of a minority report and a deadline of November 1 for any separate report. Members then heard from Jod Adams of the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools, who gave an overview of charter schools in the state: there are 37 charter schools, with 6,034 students last year, and schools are formed by certified teachers, parents, or nonprofit organizations. She said charter schools receive about $9,180 per pupil in adequacy aid and charter school grant funding, must fundraise for additional money, and are governed by their own boards under their charters and bylaws.
Members asked about admissions, governance, transportation, and special education. Adams said charter schools are open enrollment, not geographically based, and may use lotteries when applications exceed available seats. She explained that districts and charter schools coordinate on special education and busing, with the sending district responsible for special education coordination and certain transportation obligations depending on where the student lives and attends. She also said charter schools are public schools, not selective, and that each school’s board operates independently of the local district school board, though some schools may have special arrangements.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on funding and statutory obligations. Adams and members discussed how special education aid follows the student, while charter schools do not receive some district-level aid such as catastrophic aid; free and reduced lunch funding and Title funds can go to charter schools. Members also raised concerns that some state laws and administrative rules do not clearly specify whether they apply to charter schools, creating confusion and, in some cases, causing districts to perform services such as dyslexia screening for charter students without additional funding. Adams agreed that clearer statutory language would help and noted that charter schools are subject to many state requirements, including testing and reporting, even though not every public-school rule applies to them.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Guards face harassment for doing the job by the book.
- No job is worth someone getting hurt or killed.
- We are willing and able to do this job.
- We see a lot of those jobs that are paying only $20 an hour are not full-time jobs anyway.
- You don't finish the job on time.
Summary:
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard pay, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from security licensing fees. The bill’s sponsor and labor supporters said it would professionalize the industry, improve safety, and address high turnover and inadequate training. Security workers described unsafe conditions, retaliation, and being expected to handle crises without enough support. Opponents from business and security companies argued the bill duplicates existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much authority to an unelected board; L&I said it had administrative concerns about timing and fee handling. The hearing on HB 2524 was then closed.
HB 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for non-residential plumbing violations. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and labor said repeat violators undermine safety and fair competition, and that the bill gives L&I a stronger enforcement tool against bad actors in commercial work. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on a new subsection they said was vague and could create an undefined corrective process or overly broad discretion for L&I; they asked that the subsection be removed or the bill be delayed for more stakeholder work. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking.
HB 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours starting January 1, 2028, and would also change paid sick leave accrual from one hour per 40 hours worked to one hour per 32 hours worked. The sponsor and labor supporters said a shorter workweek would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and turnover, and could increase productivity, citing examples from San Juan County and other places. Business, hospitality, grocery, construction, agriculture, and janitorial representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, reduce hours and flexibility, complicate scheduling, and hurt industries with thin margins or seasonal demands. The committee heard no votes or final action on HB 2611 before closing the hearing and ending business for the day.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Ways and Means Committee amends bill to reduce improper disposal of infectious waste 5/5/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, basically that's supposed to be put in a separate container and then sent off to be disposed of.
- This is a law actually that you had to do this separation back to 1989.
- This is a law actually that you had to do this separation back to 1989.
- This is a law actually that you had to do this separation back to 1989.
- It's a you know, if you're the job.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4017, with Representative Johnson presenting a delete-everything amendment that substantially changed the bill from a regulatory approach to a study. Johnson explained that the issue involves improper disposal of medical waste by hospitals and surgery centers, including items such as blood, gauze, syringes, and body parts, which he said has been occurring statewide despite an existing separation law dating back to 1989. He described the problem as a safety, operational, and cost issue for waste facilities and workers, saying facilities have had to shut down, bring in cleanup crews, and investigate incidents when contaminated waste is found in general trash.
Johnson said prior efforts to address the problem with hospitals and other locations had only temporary success, and that the amended bill would instead create a study to determine why the violations are happening, how widespread they are, and who needs education. The chair noted the amendment was a compromise that could move forward now, even if it was not a complete solution. No member questions were raised.
The committee adopted the DE1 amendment by voice vote, then renewed the motion to refer House File 4017 as amended to the general register. That motion passed by voice vote, and the bill advanced. Johnson thanked the co-authors and others who worked on the measure.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House public safety committee debate on HF16 - Pt. 1 3/12/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> exploitative conditions separation exploitative conditions separation policies<00:19:23.360><c>
- They were separated from their families and persecuted.
- </c><00:35:50.960><c> ordinance</c> and other cities separation ordinance and other cities separation
- </c> looking at um cities with um separation looking at um cities with um separation ordinances<01:09
- </c> even though that had these separation even though that had these separation ordinances<01:09:58.159
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 16, and the chair moved the bill with a recommendation that it be re-referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations. Representative Rymer said the bill would require reporting to ICE when an illegal immigrant is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney does not prosecute, and would bar state and local entities from blocking federal immigration enforcement. He described the bill as narrowly focused on serious offenses such as murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct, and said it was intended to improve communication with federal authorities about dangerous offenders.
Supporters argued the bill would improve public safety and cooperation with federal law enforcement. David Zimmer, a former local law enforcement official, said cooperation with ICE is consistent with law enforcement practice and helps with information-sharing, warrants, consulate notifications, and locating individuals. Several other supporters, including a crime victim family member and a security officer, said the bill would help identify dangerous criminals and protect communities.
Opponents said the bill would reduce trust in local law enforcement and discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes. Testifiers from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Advocates for Human Rights, Violence Free Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Northstar Alliance, the City of Minneapolis, and others said mandatory ICE notification could deter domestic violence and trafficking victims from seeking help, harm due process, and undermine community safety. Some also warned it would interfere with local separation policies, burden local agencies, and have negative economic and civil rights impacts. The committee also heard emotional testimony from individuals describing domestic abuse and immigration-related fears, and from family members of a murder victim who supported the bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Staff are not changing their jobs.
- Staff are not changing their jobs.
- Staff are not changing their jobs.
- </c> the process as we kind of separate the process as we kind of separate that's<00:17:55.280><c> the
- </c><00:19:41.000><c> that</c> Central minute and helped separate that Central minute and helped separate
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Feb 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And I've heard on the job site more than once that you just leave your problems at home.
- It doesn't belong on the job site. And that's just not the case anymore.
- And, you know, I’ve been around IMEs a lot in my other job.
- small and emerging contractors stream, leading to higher costs and slowing down jobs.
- They would be five members each, trying to again separate boards.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills and took executive action on a number of them. Senate Bill 6282, by Senator Nobles, would require building and construction trade apprenticeship programs to provide two hours of behavioral health and wellness training starting in 2027, covering stigma reduction, distress recognition, suicide prevention, substance use awareness, peer support, and resource connection. The bill drew strong support from labor and construction groups, who described high suicide and substance use rates in the industry and said the training would help apprentices and, with a planned amendment, journey-level workers as well. No vote was taken in the hearing portion shown, but testimony was overwhelmingly pro.
Senate Bill 6135, by Senator King, would require interest arbitration panels for certain uniform personnel at local governments to consider the employer’s ability to pay. Counties and cities supported the bill as a modest fiscal-relief measure and argued it would align local arbitration with existing state-law language. Teamsters representatives and other labor witnesses opposed it, saying it would weaken collective bargaining and give employers leverage to stall or deny fair contracts. The committee closed the public hearing with 5 in favor, 22 opposed, and no other testimony. In executive session, the bill was later advanced subject to signatures.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 6128 on independent medical exams, which would require IME recordings to be made through an L&I-approved third-party app and prohibit independent local recording. Supporters said the change would improve security, consistency, and reliability of recordings and reduce cancellations and disputes; opponents said it would burden injured workers and undo the 2023 right to record IMEs on their own devices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6068, which would make owners and direct contractors jointly liable for unpaid wages and related damages on construction projects, with a notice-and-cure process before suit. Workers and labor groups supported it as a tool against wage theft and labor trafficking, while contractors and industry groups opposed it as overbroad and costly. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6303 on cannabis packaging and vapor devices, with testimony split between sustainability advocates and industry supporters on one side and public health and poison center witnesses on the other, who warned that loosening individual edible packaging could increase child poisonings. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for SB 6053 and moved it forward, and also passed SB 6134, SB 6147, SB 6106, and SB 6045 subject to signatures, with SB 6045 amended before passage to Ways and Means.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (02/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- They do a phenomenal job.
- job seekers.
- Last year we did 65 job fairs, which was a combination of in-person job fairs and virtual job fairs in
- job seekers.
- Last year we did 65 job fairs, which was a combination of in-person job fairs and virtual job fairs in
Summary:
The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market.
A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending.
Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have one of our reappointments that we were asked to interview separately, separate from the block
- We have one of our reappointments that we were asked to interview separately, separate from the block
- We have one of our reappointments that we were asked to interview separately, separate from the block
- She's done an amazing job. Pardon me, Regina.
- Regina, you've done an amazing job. Appreciate you so.
Summary:
The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative.
The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions.
Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I still enjoy my job, but there's a lot of work left to do.
- Why shouldn't you be required to use separate but equal? Nixon. Thank you.
- Chairman Lakey, Senator Ruchti, I think you said it right there: separate but equal.
- And somebody will say that there's a certain group of people that's separated out.
- We'd prefer that they have separate but equal bathrooms.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Other - PSCOC Aug 27th, 2025
Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- One of the questions was: is it going to have separate metering for that facility so that it can be separated
- I'm going to go through each of these bullets separately. So we.
- The original draft timeline was reviewed, and the job was posted.
- We have separated it out into three primary categories: 1.
- First, I think you all have done an excellent job on this.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- But there's a separate place that members go to, and it is...
- Three weeks ago, we finally got a separation date, May 5th, and now we're scrambling to find jobs, secure
- And great, very good job, very good job. Thank you.
- And great, very good job, very good job. honored to be added as a co-author and great very good job very
- Your staff did a wonderful job. They're the best staff in the building.
Committee:
House Business and Professions
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's all separate. They're separate and distinct. It's so that you can put line items in.
- But if you separate them out, okay, and put them on separate...
- That's separate and apart.
- So, I see these as all separate things that should be evaluated separately.
- They did an outstanding job.
Bills:
HB4806
Committee:
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- placing job-ready SNAP or TANF clients and other training graduates into jobs, and even developing customized
- I will provide examples of just two, such as justice-involved job seekers and job seekers with disabilities
- To qualify for unemployment benefits, you have to have a qualifying job.
- If an individual gets fired from their job for misconduct, they take a job with their parent as a caregiver
- That job separation, that layoff is qualifying, so they avoid the disqualification from the previous
Bills:
HB1397 , HB1893 , HB1950 , HB2027 , HB2791 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3700 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2565
Committee:
Senate Economic Development
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25 - Part 1
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> mentally ill house file 772 separates mentally ill house file 772 separates these<00:20:53.280><
- </c><00:58:34.559><c> between</c> policies that create separation between policies that create separation
- They were separated from their families and persecuted.
- For many, it's a death sentence. they were separated from their families they were separated from their
- </c> I've seen since I've come into this job I've seen since I've come into this job over<01:26:34.880
Committee:
House Public Safety Finance and Policy
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And what happens if I lost my job at Winn-Dixie and I went to Publix and I said, “Please give me a job
- And what happens if I lost my job at Winn-Dixie and I went to Publix and I said, “Please give me a job
- So we're trying to just separate those two and try to separate what is really egregious and what should
- So we're trying to just separate those two, you know, kind of try to separate what is really egregious
- And again, it's about trying to separate this, you know, trying to separate them out.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Tourism
Summary:
The committee heard several bills on commerce, tourism, labor, technology, and public safety. SB 1666, by Senator Graal, would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, smart contracts, and NFTs; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. CS/SB 480, by Senator DiCeglie, would create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model similar to Tennessee’s; supporters said it would expand access in rural areas, while opponents and some senators raised concerns about ACA protections, preexisting conditions, and state fiscal impacts. The committee also approved CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program, after an amendment expanding hiring preferences for military spouses was adopted.
The committee then took up SB 1400, which creates a process for removing nonconsensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes from covered online platforms within 24 to 48 hours and subjects noncompliant platforms to penalties under Florida’s deceptive trade practices law; an amendment carved out internet service providers, and the bill was reported favorably. SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, drew opposition from a public school teacher who questioned its necessity and constitutionality, but it still passed. CS/SB 922, dealing with employment agreements, would strengthen enforcement of certain non-compete and garden leave agreements for employees with access to sensitive information; critics argued it would restrict workers and innovation, while supporters said it protects trade secrets and high-paying jobs. After an amendment, it was reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1252, which would create a statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies, with an initial feasibility study cost estimated at $250,000 and questions raised about enforcement if agencies do not participate. Finally, CS/SB 1776, under the Whistleblower’s Act, would require advance notice and an opportunity to cure alleged violations, narrow retaliation and disclosure definitions, and limit claims when another statutory remedy exists; members questioned whether the changes could reduce employee protections or allow employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was still under debate as the transcript ended.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- There needs to be a continuation of that separation. We do not do ICE's job.
- Sheriff Donahue, you said this is basically the Fed's job and talked about separation of powers, but.
- You said this is basically the Fed's job and talked about separation of powers, but then you also just
- So yes, we work with them every day, and I do claim they have their job, we have our job.
- And I do claim they have their job, we have our job.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm going to start presenting bills, and I assure you I will do a bad job. Thank you.
- But there's a separate place that members go to, and it is...
- Three weeks ago, we finally got a separation date, May 5, and now we're scrambling to find jobs, secure
- And great, very good job, very good job. Honored to be added as a co-author.
- Great, very good job, very good job. Any additional comments or questions from colleagues?
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a full agenda of bills covering travel consumer protections, cannabis commerce with tribes, medical record integrity, pest control licensing, pawn and gold-buying regulation, pharmacy discipline, land surveying, and expedited licensing for veterans separated under a federal transgender military policy. Members also later heard AB 1973, which would expand the ability of advanced practice clinicians to provide abortion care, with supporters arguing it would improve access and opponents warning about safety and scope-of-practice concerns. Several bills were presented before quorum was reached, and the chair repeatedly urged absent members to arrive so the committee could vote.
Testimony on the bills was largely in support. Authors and witnesses said AB 1758 would raise the seller-of-travel assessment cap to keep the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund solvent; AB 2506 would allow state cannabis licensees to sell products from tribal licensees while respecting tribal sovereignty; AB 1637 would prevent non-physicians from altering physician-authored medical notes; AB 2477 would create a short provisional period for pest control workers awaiting licensure; AB 2633 would close a loophole involving remote gold-buying events and stolen property reporting; AB 2141 would let the Board of Pharmacy resolve some cases through stipulated settlements before formal accusations; and AB 1933 would make technical clarifications to land surveying law. AB 1775 drew emotional testimony from transgender service members and advocates describing the impact of federal separation policies and the need for California licensing and support.
Once quorum was established, the committee voted out the consent calendar and each of the heard bills, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 1637, AB 1758, AB 1775, AB 1933, AB 2141, AB 2477, AB 2506, and AB 2633 all passed out of committee, most to Appropriations or another policy committee as noted. AB 1973 also passed, despite a no vote from some members and an opposition witness from the California Family Council. The committee later took vote changes and additional roll calls for absent members before adjourning.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations Mar 26th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- “Jobs. I mean, are all those Louisiana citizens filling those jobs? And if not, they need to be.
- more jobs to help people get into.
- More local jobs. Yes. Yes, local jobs.
- We don't need to create a separate definition in this statute.
- We don't need to create a separate definition in this statute.
Committee:
House Labor & Industrial Relations
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 680 by Representative Weibel, which would modernize Louisiana’s workforce development system by consolidating strategy and administrative functions at the state level while preserving local input. After adopting two sets of technical amendments and a larger amendment package that added a transition advisory team, consultation requirements with local workforce partners, and other planning and governance changes, the committee heard extensive testimony from the author, the Secretary of Louisiana Works, parish and local workforce representatives, and a witness from Utah describing that state’s consolidation experience. Supporters said the bill would reduce overhead, direct more money to training and services, improve coordination, and better align workforce programs with regional labor needs, while several members pressed for assurances that local boards, parishes, cities, and small businesses would remain involved. The committee ultimately adopted the amendments and reported HB 680 favorably with amendments.
The committee then heard House Bill 780 by Representative Furman, a workers’ compensation bill aimed at reducing litigation and speeding dispute resolution. After adopting technical amendments and a separate amendment set allowing authorized agents or attorneys to prepare certain notices, members also adopted a committee amendment deleting a statutory definition of “arbitrary and capricious” after concerns were raised that the language could create confusion or conflict with existing jurisprudence. The author and supporting attorneys argued the bill would restore an expedited preliminary determination process, create a single standard for attorney fees, and reduce costs for employers by limiting unnecessary litigation and delays. They said the changes would not affect an injured worker’s choice of physician or existing penalty provisions, and that the bill mainly addressed notice and dispute procedures.
Opponents, including attorneys representing injured workers, argued the bill would make it harder for workers to recover penalties and attorney’s fees when benefits are delayed or denied, and said the new standard could favor insurers that are understaffed or slow to process claims. They also criticized the shift from reasonableness to a more restrictive standard and raised concerns about delayed payments and the lack of transparency around defense costs. After hearing testimony from both sides, the committee continued discussion of the bill with these issues still under consideration.