Transcript Highlights:

• strong work ethic through the rest of his days, he often vowed to never have returned to the hard labor
• strong work ethic through the rest of his days, he often vowed to never have returned to the hard labor
• strong work ethic through the rest of his days, he often vowed to never have returned to the hard labor
• To the hard labor of dairy farming again.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• item 5, SB 521, Gonzalez; file item 6, SB 581, McGuire; and file item 7, SB 853, Senate Committee on Labor
• Together, the local labor union and the local education agency negotiate the terms by which severe disciplinary
• This bill flips the local labor harmony upside down by applying a one-size-fits-all approach to disciplinary
• SJR 2 is sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers, with support from the California Labor Federation

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several retirement and school employment measures. SB 301 by Sen. Grayson would prevent CERL-covered cities and districts from amending retirement contracts to exclude certain employee groups, closing a loophole similar to one previously addressed for CalPERS. The bill was supported by California Professional Firefighters and received no opposition. SB 443 by Sen. Rubio would clarify that employees transferring into a joint powers authority can retain CalPERS classic status even when the JPA expands later; the city of La Verne, a flood management agency, and AFSCME supported the bill, and it also drew no opposition. Both bills were moved out of committee on unanimous votes and sent to Appropriations, with the consent calendar items SB 521, SB 581, and SB 853 also approved. The committee then heard SB 494 by Sen. Cortese, which would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge rather than by the school board. Supporters, including CSEA, AFSCME, and CFT, argued the bill would create parity with teachers and community college faculty and provide a fairer appeal process. Opponents, including the California School Boards Association, county superintendents, school business officials, and community college groups, argued it would remove local control, impose a one-size-fits-all process, and shift costs to districts. The bill was passed out of committee and referred to the Committee on Higher Education. The committee also considered SJR 2 by Sen. Cortese, a resolution urging Congress and the President to enact federal protections for classified school employees, including better wages, benefits, safety, and workplace rights. Support came from CFT, CSEA, and other labor groups, with no opposition. The resolution was adopted and moved forward. At the end of the hearing, the committee reopened the roll to add votes, and all listed measures ultimately passed unanimously or near-unanimously before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• who was my first boss in this chamber when I worked for her as an intern in the Senate Judiciary and Labor
• as an intern in the Senate<00:10:25.440><c> Judiciary</c><00:10:25.959><c> and</c><00:10:26.120><c> labor
• </c><00:10:26.480><c> Committee</c><00:10:27.160><c> in</c> Senate Judiciary and labor Committee in Senate
• Judiciary and labor Committee in the<00:10:27.480><c> 2013</c><00:10:28.160><c> session</c><00:10:29.040

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Uh, this particular change is also a request from the Department of Labor and Industry, which is
• a majority of the training. >> Uh, this particular change is also a request from the Department of Labor
• a majority of the training. >> Uh, this particular change is also a request from the Department of Labor
• a majority of the training. >> Uh, this particular change is also a request from the Department of Labor
• </c><00:24:32.880><c> and</c> from the department of labor and from the department of labor and industry

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The average person sees the exploitation of labor as wrong.
• And we find that in these centers the labor has been exploited to as little as $1 a day while we are
• They pay $1.2 trillion dollars in taxes. exploitation of labor as wrong.
• And we exploitation of labor as wrong.
• </c> find that in these centers uh the labor find that in these centers uh the labor has<00:09:13.279

Bills: HF3611, HF3659, HF3909

Keywords: taxation, income tax, damage awards, sexual harassment, abuse claims, immigration enforcement, taxpayers, file income tax return, Minnesota-source income, tax regulations, detention facilities, gross revenues, private prisons, Minnesota law, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> House 8:30 delegate Rong Government Labor and Elections. >> Recognizing the majority leader. >>
• Senate Bill 17, Senator Hayes, Government, Labor, and Elections.
• after floor in the joint committee room for a joint hearing with the Health Committee, Government, Labor
• , and Elections. >> Government, Labor, and Elections. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• and his wife as a earning laborer and his wife as a domestic.<00:37:05.280><c> By</c><00:37:05.680><

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So, um, I could tell you that when, with my level of skill and training, um, I aim for 15 to 17
• >> Uh, thank you, Chair. >> So, um, I could tell you that when, with my level of skill and training,
• >> Uh, thank you, Chair. >> So, um, I could tell you that when, with my level of skill and training,
• >> Uh, thank you, Chair. >> So, um, I could tell you that when, with my level of skill and training,
• >> Uh, thank you, Chair. >> So, um, I could tell you that when, with my level of skill and training,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether the exploitation is for sex, labor, or both, traffickers rely on fraud, force, and coercion to
• They already said that the Fair Labor Standards Act does not preempt state law.
• Chair, this is a labor negotiation.
• This is a labor negotiation, the schedule, correct, between the firefighters' union and the borough?
• Under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, there's an exemption for all kinds of workers, including

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, and this is the sixth meeting of the House Committee on Labor and
• Sarah Myers, welcome to House Labor.
• And also want to just state my thanks to both the House and Senate Labor Committee staff members.
• That so-called blue-collar community of working-class manual laborers.
• Normally we're in criminal justice, honestly, and not in labor. I see. But I appreciate it.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a major workers’ compensation overhaul centered on creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and modernizing fee schedule and claims data collection. Myers said the bill was designed to improve transparency, reduce disputes, address outliers and abuse, and help injured workers return to work faster. The committee adopted technical amendments, then considered a large amendment set combining portions of House bills 780 and 1101, which added preliminary determination procedures, fraud language, temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit changes, and a fallback deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached by 2029. Several members and witnesses objected that the amendments were dropped late and would turn SB 408 into an omnibus bill; supporters argued the package was the best chance for comprehensive reform. After debate, the committee adopted the amendments and reported SB 408 favorably as amended. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply divided. Supporters, including some providers and injured-worker advocates, said the bill’s core value was transparency through the database and that the system needed modernization and a better fee schedule. Opponents argued the added amendments would burden pro se claimants, expand litigation, and weaken injured workers’ rights, especially through fraud and preliminary hearing provisions. Committee members also questioned whether the combined package was germane and whether it should be allowed to move as a single reform measure. Louisiana Workforce Commission staff explained the timeline for data collection, electronic billing, dispute rules, and eventual fee schedule rulemaking, and said the department could execute the law as amended. The committee then turned to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, concerning workplace violence and safety plans for small-box discount retailers. The bill was revised through a substitute that required covered retailers to develop and submit a written workforce safety plan, or submit an existing plan if one already existed. Representative Glorioso raised concerns that requiring a written safety plan could create new civil liability under Louisiana’s assumption-of-duty doctrine and increase litigation and insurance costs. Chasson responded that the intent was simply to encourage safety planning and that businesses already had such plans. The committee discussed possible narrowing language, but the transcript ends before a final disposition on HB 585 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Fed in support.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Fed in support. Good morning.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Fed, in support. Good morning.
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.

Summary: The committee heard SB 998, which would define and expand the roles of discrimination prevention coordinators in the Office of Civil Rights, including a new disability-focused coordinator and a deputy coordinator on anti-AAPI discrimination. The authors and supporters, including representatives from LGBTQ, Black, Latino, and AAPI caucuses, argued the bill would help schools proactively address discrimination, improve student safety and belonging, and support learning. Opposition from the California Faculty Association and SEIU California focused on the appointment structure and preference for regular civil service hiring, while some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing anti-discrimination law and whether it would add government bloat. The committee ultimately voted SB 998 out on a due pass basis to the Senate Judiciary Committee and placed it on call. SB 1082 was then presented as a measure to streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring more timely district action, allowing concurrent review, and clarifying that a district’s failure to respond is not treated as a denial. The sponsor, the Association of California County Boards of Education, and supporters from Families in Action for Quality Education said the bill would reduce delays, improve fairness, and help families make timely educational decisions without changing districts’ authority to approve or deny transfers. The California School Boards Association had previously been opposed unless amended and said it would re-evaluate after the committee changes. The committee supported the measure, and SB 1082 was voted out as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed on call. The committee also took up SB 960, which would revise the rules for community college baccalaureate degrees by tying authorization to local access gaps and impacted CSU programs rather than a blanket statewide prohibition. Supporters, including the Campaign for College Opportunity and several community college and education groups, argued the bill would expand access for place-bound and adult learners and better align programs with workforce needs. CSU representatives and the California Faculty Association opposed the bill, warning it could duplicate CSU offerings, worsen enrollment and funding pressures, and affect faculty jobs. Members debated the Master Plan for Higher Education, impaction, and whether the state should instead fully fund CSU capacity; the committee nevertheless recommended SB 960 for passage as amended to Appropriations and placed it on call. Finally, SB 965 was heard, a bill to make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and supporters said the bill would remove an unnecessary barrier to educational resources while preserving local library control over checkout policies and liability rules. The California Library Association expressed support for the goal but said details matter and urged language that preserves local discretion while encouraging reduced in-person requirements where feasible. The transcript ended during that testimony, before any committee vote on SB 965.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Fed in support. Good morning.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Fed in support.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Fed in support. Good morning.
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is March 26th, and this is the hearing of the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.
• Department of Labor to allow us to do this.
• Then as Assistant Secretary of Labor, talking about an opportunity reform workforce development.
• I spent time there three years at what originally was the Louisiana Department of Labor.
• Representative Chairman Bo Ye, welcome, welcome to Labor and Industrial Relations. Mr.

Summary: The Labor and Industrial Relations Committee first took up House Bill 680 by Rep. Weibel, which proposes a major overhaul of Louisiana’s workforce development system. The bill and a large amendment package were described as modernizing workforce planning, consolidating some state-level strategy and administration, and strengthening coordination with local workforce partners, employers, and regional stakeholders. A transition advisory team with an 18-month sunset was added to help implement the changes, and members repeatedly raised concerns about preserving local input for different regions, parishes, and cities. Rep. Weibel, the secretary of Louisiana Works, parish officials, and other supporters said the goal is to shift more resources from overhead to training and direct services while keeping local boards and parish involvement in place. Testimony from a Utah official and from local government and business representatives emphasized that similar consolidations can create efficiencies without eliminating local responsiveness. The committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 680 with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 780 by Rep. Furman on workers’ compensation. The bill seeks to streamline disputes over compensation and medical benefits, reduce litigation, and lower costs by restoring an expedited preliminary determination process and changing the standard for penalties and attorney fees to an arbitrary-and-capricious standard. Supporters, including lobbyists and defense attorneys, argued that the current process is outdated, overly technical, and too litigious, especially because adjusters now often work remotely and the statute still relies on fax and certified-mail procedures. They said the bill would speed up decisions, reduce unnecessary attorney-fee claims, and help employers and injured workers alike. Opponents, including attorneys for injured workers, argued the bill would make it harder for workers to recover penalties when benefits are delayed, shift the burden in favor of insurers, and fail to address understaffing and defense costs. Members debated whether the bill’s new standard should replace the current “reasonably controverted” language; an amendment to restore that language was offered but opposed by the author and other members and was not adopted. The committee adopted technical amendments and other committee amendments, heard additional testimony, and continued debating the bill’s substantive changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will, the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs.
• We did focus groups in town halls with our labor leaders, and we are putting steps in place to improve
• My name is John Lipschitz with the Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, here once again to thank the
• We do have contract labor in-house. We are capped at a certain census.
• Upbringing and contract labor.

Transcript Highlights:

• live on campus, engage in community events with other students, and learn essential job and life skills
• It is a necessity to retain skilled, dependable workers.
• The scholarship program helped shape my academic journey, leadership skills, and personal growth.
• taxpayer, I want her and other kids with special needs to get the support, the education, and the life skills
• So access to high-quality early childhood education equips children with skills and knowledge for academic

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're seeing our people come here with that skill set, and we weren't, in a sense, letting them use
• It's the same skill set.
• It's the same skill set.
• It's the same skill set.
• They decided they have enough trust in the dentists, and it's a skill set they've already been trained

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 3 minutes, then heard a request from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice to amend its proposed rule on exempt test methods to add certain closed-system DNA/RNA tests, including rhinovirus. After testimony explaining that the board had considered late comments from BioMérieux and wanted the rule record to reflect that review, the committee agreed to a limited amendment and passed the motion unanimously. The Department of Agriculture then outlined broad rule updates affecting dairy, eggs, poultry, pesticides, animal health, environmental mitigation, and the Egg Product Utilization Commission. The commissioner said the changes mostly clarified existing requirements, updated references, and reduced some burdens, such as easing dairy hauler training/licensing timing and clarifying out-of-state grade A milk language. Members asked about dairy industry decline, the APUC scoring system, and the rationale for the milk-hauler and out-of-state milk provisions. The State Board of Dental Examiners presented extensive rule changes tied to recent legislation and workforce issues, including a new professional health program for dentists, expanded duties for assistants and hygienists, broader local anesthetic authority for hygienists, and fee increases to fund the program and cover administrative costs. Testimony from Dr. Edward May strongly supported the professional health program based on his own recovery experience. The committee also heard from Game and Fish on rules easing some guide/outfitter experience requirements, allowing electronic exams, and modifying boating safety equipment rules, with no public comment and no fiscal impact. Later, Health and Human Services received approval for an extension to update tattoo/body art rules and a separate motion to repeal an obsolete nurse aide training chapter. HHS also described nursing facility rule updates, lodging sanitation revisions, and related clarifications on licensing, safety, pest control, and fire requirements. The Department of Environmental Quality received an extension for septic-system installer rules, and also presented rules for above-ground storage tanks and water/wastewater operator certification, including new fees and third-party testing options. The Industrial Commission’s oil and gas division described multiple rule changes, some withdrawn after comments, including drilling unit flexibility, site stability, wildfire authority, and streamlined transport/reporting procedures. Finally, DPI began presenting several rule packages, including school construction loan limits, school bus standards, cooperative agreements, special education rules for public charter schools, and new math curriculum and intervention requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our members are skilled tradespeople who build and maintain the kind of critical infrastructure needed
• Our members have the skills to build facilities that meet the highest standards of safety and environmental
• Our members have the skills to build facilities that meet the highest standards of safety and environmental
• produced water treatment infrastructure represents real, durable jobs, not temporary work, but long-term skilled
• They're all pilot skills. They're all pilot projects.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These students are not only studying hard, they're honing their skills, and they're getting accepted
• They're honing their skills, and they're getting accepted to colleges all over the country.
• These students are not only studying hard, they're honing their skills, and they're getting accepted
• They're honing their skills, and they're getting accepted to colleges all over the country.
• New Mexico economy by buying from New Mexico companies in everything from red and green chile to skilled

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, opened with an invocation, pledges, and a series of announcements recognizing West Side Day, School Board Appreciation Day, Sierra Club Climate Solutions Day, Gallup-McKinley County Day, and New Mexico Athlete Trainer Day. Members also agreed to allow cameras on the floor and a relaxed dress code for guests. Numerous student and community groups were introduced, including West Side Day students, ABC Prep basketball students, Bernalillo High School AP students, MANA del Norte Hermanitas, honorary lieutenant governors, Taos Municipal Schools leaders, Classical Conversations homeschool students, Bloomfield school board members, and others. A major portion of the session was devoted to honoring Bueno Foods with a Senate certificate recognizing February 5, 2026, as Bueno Foods Day in the Senate and celebrating the company’s 75th anniversary. Senators praised the Baca family’s multigenerational business, its role in New Mexico’s chile industry, its jobs and community support, and its national reach. Several members spoke in support, sharing personal stories about Bueno products and the company’s help during COVID and over decades of family and community life. The Senate also adopted a condolence certificate for Kayla Reagan Van Landingham, a 19-year-old bicyclist killed in Albuquerque, with remarks emphasizing her life, advocacy, and the need for stronger pedestrian and bicycle safety. Her mother and family were recognized, and members observed a moment of silence. Senators spoke about the importance of traffic safety reforms and the local ordinance changes already pursued in her memory. On legislation, the chamber received House and governor messages and adopted several committee reports. The main floor debate was on Senate Bill 38, concerning the spay and neuter program funding stream. Senator Block offered a floor substitute to restore a sunset clause for review and transparency; supporters argued the program should be periodically evaluated and that the funding functions like a tax rather than a fee. Opponents argued the program is important and should continue without a sunset. The floor substitute failed by roll call, 15 in favor and 22 against, and the Senate returned to the underlying bill for further debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that's just around the timing of updating bargaining agreements. ...with districts and their labor
• I think it’s well over half of our districts where they’ve negotiated with their labor partners and a
• certain percentage of any new...” “...where they’ve negotiated with their labor partners and a certain
• But as a part of our partnership with the labor agency, we are working with the data that they currently
• I just wanted to be available because I'm here on the Workforce Pell Program specifically for the labor

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The county officials, but also labor, which created an ad hoc committee on governance to identify gaps
• will provide the board with a more direct role in key and targeted issues that impact AHS, including labor
• look at the stark realities of H.R. 1, we want to be nimble in our coordination, particularly around labor
• , ...we want to be nimble in our coordination, particularly around labor, personnel, and system-wide
• And this is why you see a broad coalition of support, which includes labor, the business community, and

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124 on lung cancer screening awareness. The author and supporters said the bill would require CDPH signage about lung cancer screening eligibility at tobacco point-of-sale locations to address low awareness and low screening rates. Support came from medical students, physicians, and the California Academy of Family Physicians, while retailers raised concerns about sign size, retailer notification, and implementation. Committee members generally supported the bill and noted the need to work through those concerns. SB 1150 sought to require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author described the bill as a response to inconsistent notification practices and privacy concerns, and the chair and other members shared personal stories about learning they or family members were in the registry without knowing it. Cancer registry and university stakeholders expressed appreciation for amendments but continued to have concerns or wanted more time to review the language. The bill was discussed as a patient-awareness measure rather than a change to reporting requirements. The committee also heard SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1094 on biosimilar substitution and health plan policies, SB 1314 on smoke shop regulation and nitrous oxide restrictions, and SB 1309 on eliminating cost-sharing for medically necessary follow-up after lung cancer screening. SB 1400 and SB 1314 drew support from local officials, labor, and public health advocates, with members emphasizing youth protection and local oversight. SB 1094 passed after extensive debate over pharmacist substitution authority and notification requirements, with a 6-0 vote and opposition from biotechnology and physician groups. SB 1309 also passed after members discussed the cost of follow-up care and the value of early detection, despite opposition from health plans over premium impacts; it received a 7-0 vote and was placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm neither a lawyer or a labor lawyer.
• </c> lawyer or a labor lawyer. lawyer or a labor lawyer.
• Uh, first up, we have the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
• Department of Labor.
• And county labor rinse, and repeat.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.