Transcript Highlights:

• S. 228, an act relating to collective bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards for
• S. 228, an act relating to collective bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards for
• S 228, an act relating to collective S 228, an act relating to collective bargaining<00:07:37.199>
• over remote, in-person, and bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid<00:07:39.520> work<
• Um, again, maybe 5 fall of the gavl.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I notice a $5 million increase in food, nutrition, and wellness, right?
• Is that part of the $5 million increase in that area?
• And I notice of $5 million increase in food, nutrition and wellness, right?
• Is that part of $5 million increase in that area?
• We are to the plus side next year, $3 billion, a net $5 billion change.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• It passed with sweeping support from both parties, 358 to 32 in the House and 85 to 5 in the Senate.
• We also passed record funding to build hundreds of thousands of units of housing.
• Your tax dollars are yours, and the right to vote is not a bargaining chip. It is not... yours.
• And the right to vote is not a bargaining chip.

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and attendance showing a quorum. Several senators were excused, and the chamber received communications including House Concurrent Resolution 8, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The Senate also took up introductions and referrals of several bills, including Senate Bills 1078-1082 and House Bills 4727, 4728, 4729, 4959, 1545, 5254, 5255, 6071, 6072, and 6073, with most being referred to committees or, for some medical-debt and consumer-protection bills, sent to the Committee of the Whole by suspension of the rules. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered Senate Bills 535, 536, 1011, 1041, 1042, and 1043. SB 535, 1041, 1042, and 1043 were amended, while SB 536 and 1011 were reported without amendment; all were recommended for passage. The Senate then concurred in the amendments and advanced the bills to third reading. On final passage, SB 433 passed 35-0; SB 535, 536, and 1011 each passed 35-0; and SB 1041, 1042, and 1043 each passed 20-15. Floor remarks focused on SB 1011 as a way to lower small-business health insurance premiums, and SBs 1041-1043 as anti-price-gouging measures during emergencies. Later, the Senate discharged Senate Bill 913 from the Appropriations Committee, suspended the rules, and moved it through Committee of the Whole and to final passage the same day. SB 913, which amends the Michigan Trust Fund Act, passed 20-12 with 6 excused after Senator Albert argued in opposition that it would continue $75 million annual funding to the MEDC and amount to corporate welfare. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wade Lunberg from United Here Local 17, who is also set to offer some testimony and is here.
• a nurse's right to collective bargaining a nurse's right to collective bargaining and<00:59:26.079
• The Twin Cities is one of SAG-AFTRA's 25 locals across the United States.
• union in the United States, representing 300,000 workers across America.
• /c> Hospitality Workers Union in the United Hospitality Workers Union in the United States<01:08:30.759

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a bargaining unit.
• <01:13:13.040> Our within within a bargaining unit. Our within within a bargaining unit.
• <01:13:18.719> So and pricing are by bargaining unit.
• So and pricing are by bargaining unit.
• Um, series, across the bargaining unit.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor held an informational briefing on August 22, 2025, to receive an update from DEH on statewide recruitment efforts aimed at reducing vacancies across state departments. Director Hashimoto, joined by DEH staff, presented on two hiring initiatives: Wikiwiki Hire and Operation Hire Hawaii. The committee focused on how each program works, how quickly applications are screened and referred, and how the programs differ from standard recruitment procedures. For Wikiwiki Hire, DEH described it as an accelerated recruitment pathway used mainly for classes with multiple vacancies. DEH screens applications every two weeks, then sends qualified applicants a list of participating departments and recruiter contact information so applicants and departments can connect directly. Committee members asked about effectiveness data, timelines, and whether the process aligns with the merit principle. DEH said the program is intended to speed hiring, that departments are not required to interview every person on a list, and that applicants can be hired as vacancies are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so long as all qualified applicants have the same opportunity. DEH also said it could provide data later and that it is working through a backlog of screenings. The committee then discussed Operation Hire Hawaii, an executive-order-based hiring effort launched in February to expedite hiring, including for displaced federal workers but open to all applicants. DEH reported more than 6,000 applications, 127 recruitments, 81 closed recruitments, and 142 hires, with a goal of conditional offers within two weeks. DEH said it turns applications around daily, while departments do the initial screening, interviews, and hiring decisions, with DEH completing final qualification screening and suitability checks at the end. Members asked about the program’s duration, its low conversion rate, and what happens to applicants who are not hired; DEH said it can refer qualified applicants to other vacancies and that the pilot was originally intended to run about a year, with possible extension if departments want it to continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• came out to like 4 and a.5%. came out to like 4 and a.5%.
• They bargain one collective bargaining agreement.
• Now they're going to have to bargain two collective bargaining agreements.
• one collective bargaining agreement. one collective bargaining agreement.
• two collective bargaining agreements. two collective bargaining agreements.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That item is approved, 5 to 0.
• That item is approved, 5 to 0. Next, I'd like to take item 3, references of bills to committees.
• And before I forget, ICUC, Inland Congregations United for Change. Thank you.
• And before I forget, ICUC, Inland Congregations United for Change. Thank you very much.
• We need to generate the next president of the United States.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Arthur Krantz to the Public Employment Relations Board and Christopher Ferguson, Brian Haynes, Anna Marie de Mars, and Ronald Fiore to the Student Aid and Student Athletic commissions. The committee also approved references of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote. It then heard testimony from Julia Montgomery, nominated as General Counsel to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, who described her long career serving agricultural workers and said the ALRB’s mission is to protect workers’ rights, support fair bargaining, and ensure access to information and resources. Questions to Montgomery focused on card-check unionization procedures, signature authenticity, outreach to farmworkers, and enforcement of make-whole orders. Senator Grove raised concerns about workers being pressured or not knowing what they signed, while Montgomery said objections and unfair labor practice charges can be filed and investigated, though the office does not independently verify signatures unless there is an allegation. Senator Reyes pressed on delays in collecting make-whole awards, including the Tri-Fanucchi case; Montgomery said appeals, bankruptcies, and employer closures often delay relief, but the agency seeks settlements and enforcement when possible. The committee voted 3-2 to advance Montgomery’s appointment to the full Senate. The committee then considered three State Board of Education nominees: Cynthia Glover Woods, Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez. In their testimony, all three emphasized long careers in education, support for students and teachers, and the importance of early learning, community schools, professional development, and aligning instructional materials with standards. Members questioned them about math achievement, the 2023 mathematics framework and Algebra I access, the state’s low national rankings, transitional kindergarten access, and a proposed change to education governance. The nominees said they support flexibility for students ready for Algebra I, believe recent instructional materials and professional learning will help improve outcomes, and had not been involved in governance-structure discussions. Public witnesses from school and child-serving organizations spoke in strong support. The committee then advanced Glover Woods and Gonzalez on 3-1 votes and Lewis on a 4-1 vote for full Senate confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I notice a $5 million increase in food, nutrition, and wellness, right?
• Representative Woodson: Is that part of the $5 million increase in that area?
• Is that part of $5 million increase in that area?
• We are to the plus side next year, $3 billion, a net $5 billion change.
• These United States of America, yes, thank you. Thank you. We are, thank you so much.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• PERB is also required to determine the appropriate bargaining units and to prohibit...
• units will be necessary.
• Just jumping to the emerging technologies unit... ...emerging technologies unit: AI-driven productivity
• Caltrans has a unit that we met with, and they have that unit focused on emerging technology.
• with its 21 bargaining units.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department reviewed proposals for EDD Next document management system funding, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit and administration adjustments, WIOA funding changes, UI administrative and benefit changes, school employee benefit adjustments, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to EDD Next. PERB discussed funding tied to AB 28 and AB 1, including litigation-related workload and new jurisdiction over legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language on electronic assessment payments and the DWC director salary cap. CalHR proposed additional funding for a consolidated employee assistance program contract, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs and state contribution changes. Members focused heavily on UI debt and interest payments, asking the administration for a plan to reduce the outstanding loan and relieve employers. Finance said no specific repayment plan was included in the May Revision, while LAO said the state’s UI tax structure is structurally insufficient and that any debt payoff should be paired with tax-system reform. Senators also questioned EDD Next costs and timelines, PERB’s caseload and staffing needs, and DIR’s emerging technologies unit, with LAO noting that the unit would appear focused on physical workplace safety rather than broader AI labor issues. CalHR said the new EAP contract would consolidate services, improve access to clinicians, and lower costs relative to the current model. CalPERS defended higher external management fees as part of a strategy to pursue higher net returns, while some members pressed for more transparency about private investments; CalSTRS said it was not prepared to address investment-strategy questions at this hearing. Public comment in Part A was dominated by advocates urging support for an immigration enforcement emergency relief fund, along with comments supporting the Jails to Jobs proposal, the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, and additional PERB funding. The chair noted that many of the immigration-related requests might fall under other committees and said staff would follow up. In Part B, Finance and LAO outlined judicial branch and DOJ May Revision items, including funding for court interpreter services, appellate court security, lactation room implementation delays, courthouse construction reappropriations, and DOJ budget increases. LAO recommended approving the language-access proposal with a report on reducing interpreter cost growth and reducing the General Fund backfill for state court facilities by $10 million on an ongoing basis.

Transcript Highlights:

• And before we go to your testimony, just for the record, do you accept the amendments on page 4 and 5
• File item number 12, AB 1, 2, 3, 5. The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee. Fong.
• I'm a hospital unit service coordinator at UCSF Medical Center for 23 years.
• Rick Bates with Unite Here International Union in support. Thank you. Thank you so much.
• AB 1028 would support our union contract negotiations when we are at the bargaining table to bargain

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs. The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so typically in the public sector, collective bargaining agreements cover the layoff notice, and
• together here, if there is... ...what is put together here, if there is, when we have collective bargaining
• Hello, I'm Chris Henning with United Auto Workers, Region 6, in support.
• I would also like to register support on behalf of the following organizations, like Californians United
• co-sponsor of the bill, also here on behalf of the Machinist Union, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Unite

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker protections, enforcement, and technology in the workplace. SB 909 would strengthen enforcement of public works prevailing wage laws by raising contractor registration fees and penalties and directing part of penalty revenue back to enforcement; labor groups supported it as a way to deter wage theft, while contractor groups opposed the fee and penalty increases as burdensome and potentially costly for public projects. The committee members generally expressed support for stronger enforcement but also concern about the state’s backlog and capacity to enforce the law. SB 909 passed on a due pass vote and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee also considered multiple bills addressing AI and workplace rights. SB 951 would require 60-day notice when technology displaces 25 or more workers and would require reporting on AI-related job impacts; labor and education groups supported it, while business, public sector, and industry groups argued it was premature and overbroad. SB 947 would require human review of automated discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and prohibit predictive behavior analysis; supporters said it would prevent algorithmic abuse, while opponents raised concerns about independent contractors, private rights of action, and forum shopping. Both bills advanced on party-line style votes to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee also approved SB 1149, which would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person” equivalent to family, with emotional testimony from a witness describing the loss of a long-term partner. Supporters said the bill reflects modern family structures, especially for LGBTQ and older Californians; there was no opposition. SB 1185, applying skilled-and-trained workforce standards to pharmaceutical facility construction, also passed despite opposition from contractors and business groups who said there was no demonstrated safety problem and warned of higher costs and fewer bidders. In addition, the committee approved consent-calendar bills SB 1316, SB 1046, and SB 1059, and left rolls open for absent members before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, and typically reassessments are done within every 5 years.
• /c> reassessments are done within every 5 reassessments are done within every 5 years.<00:37:13.920><
• So the ballot said tax impact 5 cents per thousand.
• So the ballot said tax impact 5 cents per thousand.
• /c> each applicable warrant article over 5 each applicable warrant article over 5 years.<01:01:20.160

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on behalf of the collective bargaining on behalf of the state<00:04:27.240> we<00:04:27.520><
• Chair, Senator Draheim, the internal control team is the internal controls unit.
• Chair, Senator Draheim, the internal control team is the internal controls unit.
• Chair, Senator Draheim, the internal control team is the internal controls unit.
• As we go into this session, we have gone from a $5 billion structural surplus to a $5 billion deficit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
• Chair recognizes the Majority Leader, who calls up House Resolution 462, Printer's Number 3126, on page 5
• This bill gives school administrators in Pittsburgh the right to collectively bargain.
• Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act for public employees and school administrators with collective bargaining
• protections for our Pennsylvania public employees and the school administrators with collective bargaining

Keywords: Scheduler, 973, house, all

Summary: The House convened, approved a prior journal, confirmed a quorum, and received several bill referrals and calendar motions before moving into caucus and committee announcements. Members also welcomed a number of guests and student visitors to the chamber. After recess, the House resumed with committee reports from Appropriations and Rules, agreeing to re-reported bills including House Bills 1006, 106, 2014, 2037, 2460, 2512, 2559, 2644, 733, 2455, 2499, and 2529. The chamber adopted two resolutions: House Resolution 462 designating May 17, 2026, as World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day, and House Resolution 553 designating May 19, 2026, as Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day. Both sponsors spoke in support, with the NF resolution emphasizing awareness, diagnosis, and research, and the Pontian Greek resolution focusing on remembrance of historical persecution and ethnic violence. The House also passed several bills on final consideration, including House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors in emergency service organizations, House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency-related ethics restrictions, House Bill 2512 on rideshare pricing protections, House Bill 2644 on legislative authorization for capital bridge projects, and House Bill 2559 on state property conveyances. Amendments were considered on several measures. On House Bill 2359, which prohibits government agencies from entering nondisclosure agreements related to data centers, one amendment requiring hyperscale data centers to pay their own energy costs failed on a 101-101 tie, another amendment making the bill effective immediately was adopted, and a third amendment protecting trade secrets failed. On House Bill 779 regarding abusive towing practices, an agreed-to amendment was adopted. House Bill 733 modernizing marriage ceremony law, Senate Bill 1294 on penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and Senate Bill 1259 clarifying parole record privilege and access were agreed to, and House Bill 2499 concerning the State Workers Insurance Fund and Investment Authority was also advanced. The House then recommitted several bills to Appropriations, removed others from the tabled calendar, and adjourned until June 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
• Chair recognizes the Majority Leader, who calls up House Resolution 462, Printer's Number 3126, on page 5
• This bill gives school administrators in Pittsburgh the right to collectively bargain.
• Management Reporting and Disclosure Act for public employees and school administrators with collective bargaining
• protections for our Pennsylvania public employees and the school administrators with collective bargaining

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approvals, quorum call, and a series of guest recognitions, including students, interns, local officials, and advocates visiting the chamber. Members also announced caucus and committee meetings, and the House recessed before returning later in the day for floor action. After reconvening, the House adopted several committee reports and then considered a series of resolutions and bills. It adopted House Resolution 462, designating May 17, 2026, as World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day, and House Resolution 553, designating May 19, 2026, as Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day, both by 200-2 votes. The chamber also agreed to House Bill 733 on marriage ceremony law, House Bill 2529 on scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule 3 controlled substance, and Senate Bill 1294 on civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools. The House then debated House Bill 2359 on data center nondisclosure agreements and related amendments. One amendment requiring hyperscale data centers to pay their own energy and infrastructure costs failed on a 101-101 tie, while another amendment to make the bill effective immediately passed 201-1 and a third amendment to protect trade secrets failed 87-115. The bill itself was agreed to after amendment. The House also approved House Bill 2455 on collective bargaining rights for Pittsburgh school administrators, House Bill 2499 on State Workers Insurance Fund investment authority, Senate Bill 604 joining the Counseling Compact, and House Bill 1006 on penalties against abusive towing practices, with one agreed-to amendment added. Several measures then passed finally by recorded vote: House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors in emergency service organizations, House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency-related ethics restrictions for public officials, House Bill 2512 prohibiting ride-share pricing based on certain device conditions, House Bill 2644 authorizing capital bridge projects, and House Bill 2559 on Millersville University and other conveyances. House Bill 2559 drew floor criticism from Representative Conklin over the state land conveyance process, though it still passed 154-48. Before adjournment, the House recommitted several bills to Appropriations, removed additional Senate bills from the table calendar, and adjourned until June 30, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The $5 billion is very large for a one-time grant.
• So, for context, the 2024–25 Budget Act included $5 million for this initial pilot.
• Will it promote on behalf of United Domestic Workers.
• Some districts elect, with the agreement of their staff and collective bargaining units, to opt into
• in 2023–24. ...from 3.1% in 2021–22 to 5% in 2023–24.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up the May Revision update on Proposition 98 and the school rainy-day fund. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with lower average daily attendance projections offsetting some of the revenue gains. Finance also described a reduced $3.9 billion settle-up proposal, increased deposits into the Public School System Stabilization Account, and an ending reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF adjustments were reasonable, but urged the Legislature to be cautious about delaying settle-up payments and to consider more budget resiliency, including larger cushions or other tools to protect ongoing programs. Members then questioned the administration and LAO about the size of the settle-up, the rationale for the reserve deposit, declining enrollment, and how lower attendance is creating savings that can be redirected to other school priorities. The LAO said the May Revision’s mix of one-time and ongoing spending was generally reasonable but recommended keeping a strong cushion and considering alternatives such as advance payments or pension-related savings. Questions also focused on how the May Revision’s funding mix affects districts if revenues weaken, and on the treatment of special education, discretionary block grants, and paid family leave costs for LEAs and community colleges. The committee next heard the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described a higher SCFF COLA, increased apportionment costs, a student support block grant, deferred maintenance, Common Cloud, Calbright, credit for prior learning, and a one-time adult learner demonstration project. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the SCFF growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended funding the statutory COLA increase, noted a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall not yet included in the May Revision, and suggested the Legislature could instead direct some funds to enrollment growth, categorical COLAs, or one-time uses. Members also clarified how COLA and hold-harmless rules apply to different community college districts. Finally, the committee reviewed the proposed state implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career data work, plus trailer bill changes to set up state approval of eligible programs. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, with new federal rules just released and significant data, regulatory, and systems work still needed; it said the state will not be ready by July 1 and that ongoing funding will likely be necessary. The LAO agreed that implementation will require careful trailer bill language and noted that ongoing administrative costs remain unresolved. Members asked about other states’ approaches and the practical effect on short-term workforce programs in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• The $5 million investment to get us here will be wasted.
• agreement and supporting other bargaining units who are going into negotiations.
• to 15 units.
• to seven and a half units as a result.
• We don't know, but we can say with certainty, if the units were increased for full time, if the units

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve a suspension or discharge
• appropriate bargaining unit to grieve a appropriate bargaining unit to grieve a suspension<00:13
• It allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve a suspension or discharge
• <00:38:13.960> unit<00:38:14.240> to inappropriate uh bargaining unit to inappropriate
• uh bargaining unit to grieve<00:38:14.760> a<00:38:14.960> suspension<00:38:15.400>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 327, relating to internships, drew broad support from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Hawaiʻi, DBEDT, P20, HFIA, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, with suggested amendments to clarify the internship purpose, limit some responsibilities to the state executive branch, and address staffing and reporting details. The committee later recommended passing SB 327 with amendments, including changes to the internship language, private-sector references, work-hour limits, reporting requirements, and a deferred effective date for further discussion. Senate Bill 716, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as a step toward modernizing unemployment insurance, and the committee recommended passage with housekeeping and technical amendments. Senate Bill 717, relating to collective bargaining, would allow certain exempt employees to grieve suspensions or discharges. The City and County of Honolulu and the Department of Human Resources Development said the issue should remain a collective bargaining matter, while HGEA and United Public Workers supported the bill. DHRD opposed changing the statute and pointed to existing internal complaint procedures. The committee nevertheless recommended passing SB 717 with amendments and deferred the date for further discussion. Senate Bill 742, relating to data sharing, would create a data sharing and governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and include appropriations. OETS, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi, DOE, Hawaiʻi Kids Can, Hawaiʻi P-20, and others supported the measure, with OETS estimating a total cost of about $2.64 million, including software, consulting, and six FTE. The committee recommended passage with amendments and a deferred effective date, and noted the budget request in the committee report. The final measure, Senate Bill 855, relating to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, would shift the program from opt-in to opt-out and appropriate startup funds; former Senator Brian Taniguchi and AARP supported it, while Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi opposed it over costs and burdens on small businesses and concerns about adding mandates before the program is implemented. The committee recessed briefly on a proposed AARP amendment, then returned and indicated support for the opt-out language before taking the bill up for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:18.639> Please single unit. This can't wait. Please single unit. This can't wait.
• unit join SEIP.
• units working together.
• with both the state and the bargaining with both the state and the bargaining units<00:25:28.240
• They do it units working together.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, the state constitution gives workers the right to bargain, and you guys are in what, Unit 14,
• process bar unit during the bargaining process bar unit 14<00:53:37.280> can't<00:53:37.520><
• <00:54:11.119> unit in regards to a bargaining unit in regards to a bargaining unit discussion
• <00:57:43.599> unit<00:57:43.839> or to create a new bargaining unit or to create a
• new bargaining unit or classification<00:57:44.720> for<00:57:44.960> that.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs held an informational briefing on violent crime clearance rates and what resources law enforcement and prosecutors need to improve them. Chair and members noted there would be no public testimony. The briefing was led by Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center, with later participation expected from state and county law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. Clement argued that solving violent crime is a systemwide issue, not just a local police function, and said clearance rates have declined nationally over decades for homicide, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. He said Hawaii’s reported data, limited to Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, shows overall violent crime rates are lower than the national average and have been relatively flat with a pandemic-era spike followed by declines in 2023 and 2024. He reported that Hawaii’s overall violent crime solve rate fell from about 52% in 2014 to about 40% in 2024, with 2024 rates of 50% for homicides, 48% for aggravated assaults, and 26% each for rapes and robberies. He also estimated unsolved cases over the past three years at about 17 homicides, 3,300 aggravated assaults, 1,200 rapes, and 1,700 robberies. Members asked about victim and witness support, staffing shortages, the Denver example, whether clearance rates include cases not prosecuted, and whether HPD’s size or structure might affect solve rates. Clement said support can include victim-witness programs and coordinators that help maintain cooperation and trust, especially where clearance rates are low. He said resources, training, technology, and detective caseloads matter, citing Boston, Denver, and Omaha as cities that improved solve rates through relatively low-cost operational changes; he highlighted Denver’s increase in non-fatal shooting clearance from 39% to 65% in seven months after dedicating more resources. He said he had no research showing that breaking up a large department would improve solve rates, and noted that clearance data can include exceptional clearances such as victim noncooperation, prosecutorial declination, or a suspect’s death. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.