Video & Transcript Research : 'Becker'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Becker, you are a co-requestor of this. Mr.
- Becker? Aye. Becker. I. Cabaldon, aye. Ashby? Becker. Aye. Becker, aye. Servantas? Aye.
- Becker? Aye. Cervantes? Aye. Becker? Aye. Cervantes? Aye. Cortese? Aye. Daly? Aye. Valadares? Aye.
- Becker? Cervantes, aye. Thank you. Ashby. Becker. Cervantes, aye. Cortese, aye. Daly? Daly, no.
- We have Senator Ashby, Senator Becker, aye. Becker, aye. That's approved.
Summary:
The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar.
Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked.
After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/08/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:53:59.599>
I somebody from the city of Becker. I somebody from the city of Becker. - City of Becker. they're available. City of Becker. Anybody?
- <01:54:14.960>
Hi Anybody here from City of Becker? Hi Anybody here from City of Becker? - the city of Becker for that? the city of Becker for that?
- Um Becker will have one agnostic.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 28th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Daly,
- Becker, aye. Blakespear, aye. Cabaldon, aye. Caballero, aye. Cervantes, aye. Choi, no.
- Becker, Cortese, Daly, Durazo, Gonzales, Reyes, Smallwood-Cuevas, Weber Pierson.
- Becker, Cortez, Daly, Durazo, Durozo, Gonzales, thank you.
- Aye, Becker. Aye, Blake Spear. Aye, Caballero. Aye, Cervantes. Aye, Choi, Cortez.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through motions, third reading, confirmations, and a consent calendar. Senator McNerney moved SB 1011 to the inactive file. The chamber also confirmed Preston Prince to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors by a 30-9 vote and reappointed Stephanie Landrigan to the State Mining and Geology Board by a 30-9 vote.
Several policy bills were debated and passed. SB 1050 by Senator Ashby, requiring disclosure for advertisements using synthetic performers, passed 38-0. SB 1373 by Senator Grove, narrowing mental health diversion eligibility for certain serious offenses and restoring judicial discretion, passed 32-0 after extensive debate focused on public safety and victims. SB 1393 by Senator McGuire, a fisheries omnibus bill, passed 39-0. SB 995 by Senator Pérez, the Masuma Khan Justice Act addressing conditions and oversight in detention facilities, passed 39-0. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability, passed 37-0.
The Senate also passed SB 1266 by Senator Stern, changing how copper wire theft damages are valued for public and telecommunications infrastructure, and SB 1211 by Senator González, clarifying conviction integrity units’ authority to investigate factual innocence claims as open cases, both by unanimous roll call. SB 1302 by Senator Wahab, the sunset bill for the Board of Registered Nursing, passed 38-0 after one objection to unanimous roll call. SB 1181 by Senator Hurtado, a school safety bill focused on coordination to protect youth and amended to remove fusion centers, passed 33-0 after members discussed privacy, trust, and local implementation concerns. The special consent calendar, containing multiple bills and a resolution, was adopted 39-0. The Senate then announced budget subcommittee meetings, noted completion of House of Origin work on 341 bills for the month, and recessed with the next floor session scheduled for June 1 at 2 p.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Jun 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't see Senator Becker.
- It's my understanding that Assembly Member Calderon will present on behalf of Senator Becker.
- On behalf of Senator Becker. Oh, gotcha. Trying to be efficient. I need to get up. All right.
- Today I'm presenting on behalf of Senator Becker. Thank you, Madam Chair and members.
- Today I'm presenting on behalf of Senator Becker SB 326.
Summary:
The committee met to hear four Senate bills, with SB 345 (Hurtado) and SB 793 (Arreguín) placed on the consent calendar and both approved without discussion. The committee then heard SB 326, presented by Assembly Member Calderon on behalf of Senator Becker, which would create a framework for evaluating wildfire mitigation investments and require the State Fire Marshal’s office to develop planning tools, risk baselines, and mitigation scenarios. The only testimony was in support from the League of California Cities, and the bill was moved and passed to the Committee on Natural Resources on a vote of 5-0, with two members not voting.
The final bill heard was SB 629 by Senator DeRazo, also presented by Assembly Member Calderon, as part of the Senate’s fire response, recovery, rebuilding, and prevention package. The bill would apply WUI building code and defensible space requirements to areas burned in wildfires, require urban conflagration modeling in fire maps, and mandate annual defensible space inspections in fire-prone areas. Local government representatives said they had concerns but appreciated amendments worked out with the author, while Assembly Members DeMaio and Hadwick spoke in opposition, citing burdens on private property owners and local governments. Despite those concerns, the bill was moved as amended to the Committee on Natural Resources and passed 4-3, with no roll held open before adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- If Senator Becker, please?
- Becker, aye. Becker? Cervantes? Aye. Cervantes, aye. Becker? Aye. Becker, aye. Aye. Cervantes? Aye.
- Becker? No. Becker not voting? Vote not voting? On call?
- Senator Becker? Aye. Becker, aye. And that audit gets sufficient votes?
- Senator Becker? Aye. Becker, aye. Okay, that's all.
Summary:
The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment.
The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit.
The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Jun 8th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- Becker. Aye. Becker here. Caballero. Here. Caballero here. Dahle here. Dahle here. Becker here.
- Becker. Caballero, aye. Dahle, aye. Gonzalez, aye. Grove. Hurtado. McNerney. Aye. Reyes. Aye.
- Becker. I. Caballero. I. Dahle. Dahle. I, I, Gonzalez. I. Becker, aye. Caballero, aye.
- Becker? Aye. Caballero? Aye. Dahle? Aye. Gonzalez? Aye. Grove? Hurtado? McNerney? Reyes? Aye.
- Senator Becker, thank you. Yeah, so thank the author.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications met to hear several bills; ACA 9 was announced as postponed to a later hearing. The committee first approved the consent calendar, then heard AB 2458 by Assemblymember Bennett, which would extend California Energy Commission appliance efficiency standards to appliances that are rented or leased rather than only sold. Supporters from Ceres and Southern California Edison testified in favor, and Senator Caballero asked whether the bill would affect commercial food processors; the author said the CEC indicated it would not. The bill passed on a unanimous roll call and was sent to Senate Appropriations.
The committee then heard AB 2476 by Assemblymember Ellis, which would remove an outdated pre-2020 state-funding requirement for pumped storage hydro projects to qualify for the state’s central procurement program, while keeping the 500-megawatt cap. The author and supporters from Rye Development, GreenGen Storage, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers argued the bill would expand competition for long-duration storage, support grid reliability, and help lower costs for ratepayers. Senator Rubio and others asked how the bill would produce savings, and the author explained that more eligible projects would increase competition in procurement. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations.
Finally, the committee heard AB 2518 by Assemblymember Sharp-Collins, a San Diego County pilot program to speed utility connection timelines for affordable housing, hospitals, municipal projects, EV infrastructure, and other projects. The San Diego Housing Commission and SDG&E supported the measure, saying it would reduce costly energization delays; members asked about possible impacts on other customers and whether the bill conflicted with existing SB 410 work, and the author said it was intended to complement current utility timelines. AB 2518 also passed on a unanimous vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee later reopened the roll to record an additional vote on AB 2518, confirming its passage before adjourning.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Dr.<01:14:51.280>
Becker. Dr. Becker. Dr. Becker. - Becker.
- Becker.
- Becker. Becker. Becker. Thank you, Chair.
- Becker. It's hard for me to did, Dr. Becker.
Bills:
HF3425
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Becker I'll briefly describe the B Becker I'll briefly describe the B before<00:10:29.760>
turning - <00:19:13.240>
school superintendent of the Becker school superintendent of the Becker school - , Becker Public Schools is a cornerstone of the community.
- , Becker Public Schools is a cornerstone of the community.
- , Becker Public Schools is a cornerstone of the community.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Sep 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, and then I will join Senator Becker for his presentation of SB 254. All right.
- Thank you so much, Senator Becker.
- Thank you so much, Madam Chair and Senator Becker.
- Who also said yes was Chair Becker and Chair Petrie-Norris.
- Senator Becker, who has been working on this proposal for most of this year.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy convened with a quorum and first heard SB 254, a major utility affordability and wildfire package authored by Senator Becker and coauthored by Assemblymember Petrie-Norris. The bill was described as combining wildfire mitigation reforms, $6 billion in securitized financing for future fire-mitigation capital spending, a public ownership/transmission financing program, tighter scrutiny of utility profits, clean energy permitting streamlining, stronger customer connection timelines, and a successor wildfire fund/continuation account to replace the current fund. Supporters, including the Governor’s office, TURN, labor, clean energy groups, utilities, and public advocates, said the measure would lower bills, stabilize utilities, protect fire victims, and reduce wildfire-related bankruptcy risk. Opponents and some local government groups raised concerns about affordability impacts, the volumetric wildfire fee, strict liability, and provisions they said could affect local control. After discussion, the committee approved SB 254 on a 16-0 vote and sent it to the floor.
The committee then held an informational hearing on AB 825, which would enable California to participate in a West-wide electricity market. The authors said the proposal could save ratepayers up to $1 billion annually, improve reliability by allowing California to draw on a larger regional supply, reduce curtailment of renewable power, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Support came from environmental organizations, labor, utilities, community choice aggregators, large energy users, and the Public Advocates Office, all emphasizing cost savings, reliability, and cleaner energy integration. TURN opposed the measure, warning that last-minute amendments removed safeguards against subsidizing out-of-state fossil generation and could expose California ratepayers to unwanted costs. Members questioned governance, exit rights, CPUC oversight, and local control, and the authors responded that the bill includes multiple safeguards, legislative reporting, the ability to exit without penalty, and continued local consultation. No vote was taken because the hearing was informational only.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators McNerney, Alvarado-Gil, Ashby, Becker, and Grayson: aye.
- Senators McNerney, Alvarado-Gil, Ashby, Becker, and Grayson: aye.
- Becker, aye. Grayson, aye. Four to zero. The bill is on call. Thank you.
- Becker, aye. Grayson, aye. Four to zero. Consent calendar is on call.
- Senator Becker, aye. Four to zero. The bill is on call. Thank you.
Summary:
The committee heard several tax-related bills. SB 1096 would create a senior personal income tax credit for tax years 2026 through 2030, with a $1,500 credit that phases out above specified income levels, excludes dependents for whom foster care payments were made, allows a seven-year carryforward, and includes technical changes. AB 672 would extend a property tax welfare exemption for community land trust projects that create or rehabilitate low-income housing, and AB 1668 would extend by five years the welfare property tax exemption for open-space lands held by land trusts. AB 2022 would expand the property tax exemption for disabled veteran homeowners, increasing relief for low-income veterans and others with service-connected disabilities. AB 2641 was placed on the consent calendar, though the transcript does not describe its substance.
Testimony on SB 1096 emphasized support for seniors, especially grandparents and other caregivers on fixed incomes, and noted the bill’s amendments and foster-care-related exclusion. AB 672 drew strong support from community land trust representatives and advocates, who said the exemption helps make permanently affordable housing possible and supports projects in Oakland, San Francisco, and South Lake Tahoe. AB 1668 was supported by land trust and conservation groups, who said the exemption helps preserve open space and habitat, though the California Teachers Association testified in respectful opposition. AB 2022 was backed by veterans’ organizations and county veterans service officers, who argued the bill would help disabled veterans remain in their homes and keep veterans in California.
All of the bills discussed were advanced on due pass motions. SB 1096, AB 672, AB 1668, and AB 2022 each received committee votes and were later confirmed out of committee on final roll calls, with the transcript reflecting unanimous or near-unanimous support. The consent calendar, including AB 2641, was also adopted.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Becker? No. Cervantes? Not voting. Cortese? No. Jones? Aye. Valderas? Aye.
- Becker? No. Becker, no. Cervantes? Not voting. Cortese? No. Jones? Aye. Valderas? Aye.
- Becker: Aye. Cervantes: Aye. Cortese: Aye. Quirk-Silva: Aye. Jones: Aye.
- Becker? Aye. Becker, aye. Cortese? Aye.
- Becker? Aye. Becker, aye. Cortiz? Aye.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring.
The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote.
Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe the mayor of Becker is up first on my list. Welcome, Mr.
- My name is Mark Kinger, and I'm the mayor of the city of Becker.
- He then began to tell the committee a little bit about Becker.
- I'm the Becker city administrator.'
- school district and the greater Becker school district and the greater Becker Community<00:15:43.560
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Becker? Here. Becker here. Vice Chair Ochoa Bogh? Here. Laird? Here. Laird here. Perez? Here.
- Becker? Aye. Becker, aye. Vice Chair Ochoa Bogh? Aye. Laird? Aye. Laird, aye. Where? Becker? Aye.
- Becker, aye. Vice Chair Ochoa Bogh? Aye. Laird? Aye. Laird, aye. Perez? Aye. Perez, aye.
Summary:
The Senate Human Services Committee met in Room 2200 of the O Street Building, established a quorum, and took up a consent calendar containing three bills, including SR 104. After a motion by Senator Laird, the committee voted unanimously to adopt the consent calendar. The roll call votes were recorded as members voting aye, and the final vote was 5-0.
No substantive testimony or debate on the individual bills is included in the transcript. The meeting was brief, with the chair noting the quick pace, briefly recessing to await an absent member, and then closing the vote.
After the final vote, the committee adjourned.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome, Senator Becker. I don't know if anybody has any questions or comments.
- Becker. Becker here. Jones? I'm here. Jones here. Mendovar here. Mendovar here. Richardson. Rubio.
- Becker? Aye. Becker, aye. Jones. Menjivar? Aye. Menjivar, aye. Richardson? Aye. Richardson, aye.
- Becker? Aye. Becker, aye. Jones? Aye. Jones, aye. Menjivar? Aye. Richardson? Aye. Richardson, aye.
- Becker? Aye. Becker, aye. Jones, aye. Menjivar. Aye. Richardson, aye. Rubio? Aye. Menjivar. Aye.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Insurance met as a subcommittee due to a lack of quorum, and first heard AB 1559 by Assembly Member Calderon. The bill would add consumer protections when insurers use aerial imagery for underwriting or coverage decisions by requiring notice before collecting images, giving policyholders access to images used, and allowing an in-person inspection if an image is used to non-renew, cancel, or reduce coverage. The Department of Insurance and United Policyholders supported the measure, citing complaints about outdated or inaccurate drone, satellite, and aircraft images; local governments, AARP, and Realtors also supported it, and there was no opposition. The committee later voted 6-0 to pass AB 1559 to the Privacy Committee.
The committee also heard AB 2038 by Assembly Member Harabedian, which would extend wildfire-related non-renewal moratoriums for homeowners, including extending protections for total-loss properties and homes within or near a fire perimeter. Supporters, including the Consumer Federation of California, United Policyholders, and the League of California Cities, argued that rebuilding after major fires is taking much longer than expected and that homeowners need more time and stability. Opponents from the insurance industry warned that extending moratoriums, especially to adjacent zip codes, could further constrain insurers, worsen availability and affordability, and push more business to the FAIR Plan. Senators raised concerns about the zip-code-based perimeter and whether the bill should be tied to home-hardening standards, but the author said the bill simply extends existing timelines and would continue negotiations on amendments. The committee voted 4-0 to send AB 2038 to Appropriations.
File items 1 and 3 were taken up as consent items and approved 6-0. The committee then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 22nd, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Alan, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear,
- Senator Becker. Thank you, Mr. President.
- Becker. Aye. Aye. Blake Spear. Aye. Aye. Cabaldon. Aye. Becker. Aye. Blake Spear. Aye. Cabaldon.
- Becker. Aye. Blake Spear. Aye. Cabaldon. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Daly. Durazo.
- Becker. Shakespeare. Cabaldon. Aye.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And if you are Senators Allen or Senators Becker, please feel free to join committee.
- Let's now—if anyone knows Senator Becker or Senator Allen, please send them here.
- Okay, we have Senator Becker here. We're so excited. You're coming to our committee. You are up.
- Becker. Any witnesses in support, name, organization, and position? Thank you, Mr. Becker.
- Becker. And Ms. Krell is going to present for Mr. Allen, SB 1229. And Ms. Krell is joining us.
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 1, 2026, and first heard SB 1055 by Senator Laird, which would authorize additional construction procurement methods for the Pajaro River levee/flood control project to speed delivery, improve quality control, and reduce costs after prior flooding and evacuations. The Nature Conservancy testified in support, and there was no opposition or committee questioning. The bill was later moved out of committee, with Republicans not voting and Assemblymembers Dixon and Tangipa voting no.
The committee also heard SB 1000 by Senator Becker, a follow-up to California’s AI Transparency Act. The bill would update content provenance and disclosure rules for AI-generated and non-synthetic content, remove a user threshold for covered systems, add privacy protections, and create guardrails for third-party licenses, with the goal of aligning California’s rules with international standards. Adobe and Google supported the measure, and it was sent out on a roll call with Mr. Ta not voting.
SB 1229, presented on behalf of Senator Allen, would limit an existing Coastal Act disaster-rebuild exemption to prevent speculative development from using the exemption to reduce public access to the coast. The Nature Conservancy supported the bill, there was no opposition, and it was moved out of committee. The committee also approved several bills on the consent and suspense calendars, and public comment included Imperial County concerns about SB 675, including board representation, implementation timing, county administrative control, and funding for mandated changes.
IN
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 140, Senator Becker. Senate Bill 140, Senator Becker.
- Senator Becker calls committee report number one for Senate Bill 140. Clerk will read.
- Senator Becker to present the report. Thank you, Mr. President, members of the Senate.
- Thank you, Senator Becker. Is there discussion? All right. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Becker.
- President of the Senate, Becker, G.N.
MN
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the superintendent of Becker Public Schools.
- I'm the superintendent of Becker Public Schools.
- I'm the superintendent of Becker Public Schools.
- Becker.
- Great testimony, folks from Becker.
Summary:
The committee opened by approving the January 16 and January 21 minutes. Members then heard testimony focused on the impact of Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and the proposed paid family and medical leave program on Minnesota school districts, with the chair framing the hearing as an opportunity to hear from major employers and school leaders about costs and operational effects.
Kimberly Lewis, speaking for the Minnesota School Boards Association and related school administrator groups, said districts generally already provide generous, locally negotiated sick leave and had initially adapted to ESST by separating vacation, sick time, and ESST into different buckets. She argued that a 2024 law effectively converted previously bargained sick leave into ESST, which she said undermines contracts, creates large unfunded costs, and may raise constitutional contract-clause concerns. Lewis cited large accumulated leave banks in some districts, increased sick leave use, and estimated significant costs from paid leave, including a reported $2.5 million impact for one large district. She urged flexibility such as prorating ESST for midyear hires and part-time staff and exempting coaches, short-term substitutes, and similar employees from ESST.
Superintendent Anarie Fuco of St. Michael-Albertville said her district expects about $400,000 in added fiscal 2026 costs from ESST and paid leave, plus indirect costs from substitute coverage and increased absenteeism. She said schools already have generous bargaining agreements, but the new laws reduce verification and require districts to track leave for temporary staff, creating what she described as a need for “substitutes for our substitutes.” Fuco said the district would face more than $211,000 in direct payroll costs from paid leave alone and asked for flexibility or exceptions for districts already offering comparable benefits. Members asked follow-up questions about how substitute teachers accrue leave and how many districts may be cutting budgets; Lewis and Fuco said many districts are making cuts and that substitute and staffing burdens are growing. A third testifier began by Zoom, but the transcript cuts off before her full testimony.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 1st, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Alan, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi
- Becker: No. No. Ashby, no. Becker, no. Archuleta, I don't know.
- Senator Becker. Senator Cabaldon. Senator Cabaldon. We are at committee announcements.
- Thank you, Senator Becker. Thank you, Madam President.
- Senator Becker, you are recognized for your adjourn in memory.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several floor recognitions, including a birthday acknowledgment for Senator Archuleta and introductions of former Senator George Runner and a Portuguese delegation tied to ACR 185 recognizing Portuguese Heritage Month. The body then approved the Senate journals and moved to confirmations of five Board of Parole Hearings appointees: William Muniz, Michael Ruff, Rosalind Sargent Burns, Mary Thornton, and Jack Weiss.
Each confirmation drew extended debate centered on parole decisions, public safety, transparency, and the Board’s handling of elderly parole and sexually violent predator cases. Supporters argued the commissioners were applying existing law, using evidence-based risk assessments, and were not the decision-makers in the controversial cases cited. Opponents criticized the board for releasing dangerous offenders, questioned the commissioners’ judgment, and objected to the board’s closed-door in-bank votes. Roll calls followed each item, and all five appointees were confirmed, with vote totals including 25-9, 24-9, 24-9, 25-9, and 29-9.
The Senate then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 179 by Senator Niello, recognizing May as Celiac Disease Awareness Month. The resolution described celiac disease as a serious autoimmune disorder, highlighted symptoms and challenges with gluten exposure, and emphasized the need for awareness, labeling, and education. SCR 179 passed unanimously, 31-0. The session concluded with committee announcements and several adjournments in memory, including tributes to Marty Arnold, Jim McAulian, and Pat Gagoscos, followed by remarks from the President pro tempore about ongoing bipartisan legislation to improve transparency and public safety in parole decisions before adjournment until June 4, 2026.