Transcript Highlights:

• But to raise the capital that drives job creation, paying wages, and economic impact, particularly in
• That's the only section in the bill relating to prevailing wage that you...
• Could you say real quick, how big is the discrepancy between the local prevailing wage and a national
• Well, the local prevailing wage in the City of St. Louis mirrors the state.
• The issue would be that the city has very specific requirements for prevailing wage for incentives and

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, we are on HB 2744, Industrial Commission Wages Adjudication.
• Madam Chair and members, we are on HB 2744, Industrial Commission Wages Adjudication.
• Madam Chair and members, we are on HB 2744, Industrial Commission Wages Adjudication.
• Madam Chair and members, we are on HB 2744, Industrial Commission Wages Adjudication.
• Madam Chair and members, we are on HB 2744, Industrial Commission Wages Adjudication.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long calendar of House bills across education, health, water, land, housing, labor, public safety, and taxation. Several measures dealt with artificial intelligence, including bills on AI disclosures for minors, AI-assisted divorce arbitration, an Arizona AI education program, AI privilege protections, and a required AI course in schools. Other topics included ESA administration funding, a prohibition on public money for certain foreign-controlled genetic sequencing devices, towing regulations, DUI and ignition interlock changes, health facility and nursing facility complaint timelines, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, pharmacy penalties, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction repeal, superintendent performance pay, adoption disclosures in student health settings, anti-Semitism in schools, and a range of water, land, and housing bills. Members frequently raised concerns about local control, unfunded mandates, constitutional issues, and the scope of state intervention. Several bills drew criticism for affecting school curriculum, public education, reproductive rights, protest activity, or tribal communities. Others were supported as technical fixes, consumer protections, or funding measures. The caucus also discussed a series of bills related to the Mexican gray wolf, state land management, solar and wind siting, groundwater transport, and rural development, with some members objecting that the proposals would undermine federal protections or tribal interests. A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2957, HCR 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2906, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2830, HB 2076, HB 2411, HB 2136, HB 2665, and HB 2904. The meeting ended with an announcement of the Latino Caucus guest presentation and an emotional tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, followed by presentation of an Affordability Award to Representatives Lorena Austin and Stephanie Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , either by working more hours or seeking employment with higher wages.
• It's supposed to encourage minimum wage earners to earn more than minimum wage.
• To earn higher, it's supposed to encourage minimum wage earners to earn more than minimum wage, and then
• Chair and Senator, and is it better wages? Tax policies for better wages.
• We didn't have to go into the wages of those employees to do this analysis.

Bills: SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, prevailing wage rates are locked in at the time a public works project is first advertised
• Workers are then forced to take the prevailing wage from when the project was first announced, even if
• even if it was years before the project actually breaks ground or if there was a lower wage in place
• AB 1198 will ensure that workers receive the current prevailing wages on projects, regardless of when
• Problems such as wage theft, health and safety violations, and poor quality construction are often not

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• yet they are among the lowest paid workers in the state, in calling for a contract that ensures fair wages
• adequately funded and staffed child care programs, we need reimbursement rates that align with the real wage
• Critical wage increases are needed so that we can continue to increase access to care for our families
• I concur with our colleagues; the reimbursement rate should be based on the MIT living wage, not the
• One that captures and uses the MIT data for wages, as well as including that when we divide the state

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AN EQUALLY THE WAGE OF THOSE JOBS. DO YOU GUYS KEEP THAT INFORMATION?
• >> I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE WAGE. I CAN TELL YOU THE JOBS BUT I CANNOT TELL YOU THE WAGE.
• I CAN GET INFORMATION. >> AS WE MOVE FORWARD WAGE IS IMPORTANT AS WELL WITH 5 PERCENT CAPITAL.
• WE PAY A DECENT WAGE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires UC to pay wage and benefit parity to all of these outside workers.
• Lastly, it confirms that household employers with wage-paid workers in their homes are indeed covered
• and hour violations. ...a bid for a public works construction project to disclose any history of wage
• requires contractors bidding on local public works projects to compile and disclose five years of wage
• Regarding changes to employees, wages, hours, or terms and conditions of employment, we believe that

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 1729, which would update California state telework policy. The author and many unionized state workers argued that telework has improved productivity, reduced emissions and commuting costs, saved the state money on office space, and should be governed by written, evidence-based departmental policies rather than blanket return-to-office mandates. Supporters emphasized flexibility, morale, and the need for transparency through a public dashboard. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was later moved on a 2-1 vote, with the item placed on call. Members also heard AB 805, which would create a Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program to connect high school career technical education with registered apprenticeships. The author and supporters said the bill implements recommendations from the California Youth Apprenticeship Model report and would expand earn-and-learn pathways, especially for youth facing barriers. The bill passed the committee 3-0 and was placed on call. Two workers’ compensation and labor-relations bills drew sharp opposition. AB 1576 would reform the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund; supporters said it would reduce litigation and employer assessments, while opponents argued it did not go far enough and preferred the administration’s trailer bill. AB 1582 would make it an unfair labor practice for UC or other higher education employers to disregard arbitration decisions on contracting out; supporters said it would protect arbitration outcomes for service workers, while UC argued it would interfere with bargaining agreements and threaten patient and student services. Both bills were moved on 2-1 votes and placed on call. After quorum was established, the committee also advanced AB 1630, allowing union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions remotely; AB 2650, a CalSavers cleanup bill to improve retirement savings access and administration; AB 2054, expanding paid family leave eligibility for relatives of military service members on domestic duty; AB 2157, making permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund pilot program; and AB 1838, requiring bidders on local public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations. AB 1630 and AB 2157 were both placed on call after divided votes, while AB 2650 and AB 2054 passed 2-1 and 3-0 respectively, and AB 1838 was placed on call after a 1-1 vote. The transcript ends as the committee begins AB 2682, which would conform the appeal process for transportation network company driver unionization law.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the prevailing wage apprenticeship and training act was put into law back in 1992, where it says that
• So right now there are currently four classifications for the prevailing wage: Type A, Type B, Type C
• the exception of Type A, even though Type C, which is residential, 20% of their work is prevailing wage
• The 60% that will be added on to the per-hour wage is going to hurt a lot of our clients because a lot
• and 25 apprentices at a lower wage.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor offered and the committee adopted an amendment striking the section that would have imposed a 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales. After a recap of the bill’s remaining provisions, including a $400 million seed amount and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenue, the committee heard brief support from Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association and no opposition. The amended bill then passed on a roll-call vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for public works construction projects, while eliminating an exemption for certain road, highway, utility, and maintenance work. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, the building trades council, and apprenticeship advocates, argued the bill would expand training, help address labor shortages, and provide a return on public investment. Opponents from utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico said they already operate federally approved in-house training programs, warned the bill would raise project costs, and argued some trades have no accessible approved programs. Members questioned how the bill would interact with existing in-house programs, whether rural contractors and nonunion firms would be affected, and whether the state-approved fund and federal highway training requirements could conflict. A proposed amendment to exempt projects of $50 million or less was introduced but tabled. After extensive debate, the committee voted 6-5 to pass HB 270. The meeting also included discussion of a prior procedural error in which HB 270 had been heard before being properly assigned, which the chair said rendered that earlier action void. At the end of the meeting, the committee received a brief New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 presentation on district projects, budget, and construction status.

Transcript Highlights:

• Preventing wage theft is key to protecting the economic security and dignity of California workers.
• This bill would allow the California Department of Justice, an agency with wage theft and labor code
• So I know firsthand just how wage theft impacts working families throughout the state of California.
• have been served civil wage and penalty assessments, what we call CUAPAs, that lead to final wage judgments
• , many of which are still working and have not paid those final wage theft judgments.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there was a robust conversation regarding living wage. County as much.
• And so there was a robust conversation regarding living wage.
• issues, the state, as said, the municipalities cannot, you know, have a living wage carve-out for them
• rates were being imposed, oftentimes those wage rates were set via a survey that wasn't sent to the
• rate broken down by industry, if We want this type of industry wage rate broken down by industry.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025 session and focused on an overview of county and municipal home rule powers and state preemption. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Alex Rizzo and Vice Chair Griff Griffiths explained the constitutional and statutory basis for local self-government, the distinction between charter and non-charter counties, and how express and implied preemption limit local authority. Griffiths emphasized that home rule gives local governments broad power to address community needs, but the Legislature can override that authority through clear preemption, with courts ultimately deciding disputes. Representatives Holcomb and LaMarca added that local issues should generally be addressed locally first, but statewide standards can be appropriate when uniformity is needed or local action is ineffective. The committee then heard from a panel representing counties, cities, business, and construction interests: Ginger Delegal of the Florida Association of Counties, Carolyn Johnson of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Rebecca O'Hara of the Florida League of Cities, and Carol Bowen of Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. Delegal and O'Hara argued that home rule is rooted in local autonomy, policy experimentation, and accountability to voters, and warned against broad or “vacuum” preemptions that remove local authority without replacing it with state regulation. Johnson and Bowen supported preemption when local rules create a patchwork that hurts statewide competitiveness, raises costs, or complicates business operations, citing examples such as labor rules, heat safety, permitting, and procurement preferences. The panel also discussed the 2023 local ordinances law, which requires business impact estimates and provides attorney’s fees in certain challenges, as a mechanism to resolve disputes locally before resorting to preemption. Members questioned the panel about the 2024 heat-safety preemption and how to protect workers in the absence of local ordinances. Business representatives said existing OSHA duties and industry best practices already require employers to provide safe conditions, while local governments and the state should avoid inconsistent standards across jurisdictions. Another discussion centered on construction permitting, licensing, and local boards that may slow projects and increase costs; Bowen suggested eliminating redundant local fees and barriers while preserving statewide licensing and enforcement against bad actors. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational, with the chair inviting continued discussion on when preemption is appropriate versus when local governments should retain authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when we use the term personal services, that is employee wages, fringe, etc.
• But when we use the term personal services, that is employee wages, fringe, etc.
• But when we use the term personal services, that is employee wages, fringe, etc.
• The vacancy wages and franches 7.11.
• </c> employee wages, fringe etc. Correct. employee wages, fringe etc. Correct.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 12 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By putting that process onto this bill, it compromises and jeopardizes the wage benefits that folks need
• By putting that process onto this bill, it compromises and jeopardizes the wage benefits that folks need
• 00:32:06.039><c> need</c><00:32:06.799><c> and</c><00:32:06.919><c> so</c><00:32:07.120><c> to</c> wage
• benefits that folks need and so to wage benefits that folks need and so to get<00:32:07.720><c> I</c
• </c> get I this this bill um the wage get I this this bill um the wage extension<00:32:10.679><c> I</

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3030 was taken up for discussion and amended with the A1 author’s amendment before moving forward. The bill was presented as an Iron Range package with three parts: a 26-week unemployment insurance extension for workers laid off by Cleveland-Cliffs, and two mining-related provisions dealing with safe storage of reactive mine waste and a site-specific sulfite standard. The authors said the bill was intended both to help laid-off workers immediately and to support the long-term future of mining jobs in the region. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive of the unemployment extension and the broader goal of preserving Iron Range jobs and communities. Representatives of affected workers, union leaders, a county commissioner, a tribal elder, and RAMS all described the layoffs as potentially long-term and warned of broader economic harm to families, local businesses, schools, and the region if mining jobs continue to decline. Several testifiers emphasized that mining is central to the Iron Range economy and argued that the bill would give workers time and hope while also helping keep people in the region. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency testified that it generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the environmental rulemaking language in Article 2, Section 2. MPCA said the provision would amount to a new major rulemaking, would require significant time and resources, and should be reviewed by the Environment, Natural Resources, Finance and Policy Committee. During member questions, one legislator said there was strong support for the UI extension in Article 1 but expressed concern about the environmental issues in Article 2 and asked why those provisions were not being reviewed by the environment committee. The meeting ended with public testimony closed and member questions beginning; no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> low unemployment and Rising real wages low unemployment and Rising real wages at<00:08:51.760><c
• and salary income per worker, or average wage income, is expected to continue to increase.
• While our estimates for wage growth in 2024 and 2025 are little changed since November, our forecast
• for wage and salary disbursements in 2026 is 1.2 percentage points higher than in November, resulting
• and salary income per worker or wage and salary income per worker or average<00:15:36.079><c> wage</

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when the increase in wages is applied to our union wage scale in the different steps, the impact
• </c> example but when the increase in wages example but when the increase in wages applied<00:26:08.279
• applied to our Union wage scale in the different<00:26:10.159><c> steps</c><00:26:10.559><c> the</c>
• would be paid or whether current wages would be paid or whether it's<00:32:25.240><c> wages</c><00:32
• One was on holiday pay; one was on a minimum wage standard. We did two separate analyses as such.

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that workers lose about $2 billion in wages to wage theft every year.
• Just pose that question because we have such a crisis in wage theft in the state, and we want to make
• During these outreach efforts, we have revealed numerous workplace violations, including wage thefts,
• And so I'm here to please don't take our wages away. Thank you. Hi, Carrie Riplinger.
• not be cut at all and only our wages.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the guidelines, is that we no longer have courts automatically imputing to 40 hours of minimum wage
• You're allowed to now go to 25, anywhere from 25 to 40 on minimum wage.
• so they get a proportional share of the child support because you can't just stack orders, minimum wage
• orders, on a father who only makes minimum wage.
• one child and you had a combined income of just, say, both parties have a combined income of minimum wage

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met to conduct the statutorily required four-year review of Oklahoma’s child support guidelines, which DHS said had not been reviewed on schedule in recent years. Deputy Director Don Zellner of DHS Child Support Services presented data on the number of children served, child poverty, rising costs of raising a child, wage trends, and the volume of child support orders handled by DHS. He also explained how the current guidelines work, including income withholding, shared overnight deductions, daycare, medical, transportation, and self-employment adjustments, and noted that the guidelines are based on gross combined income and currently cap at $15,000 combined income. Committee members, especially Senator Boren, questioned whether the current model fairly reflects modern family economics, including the cost of housing, the impact of shared overnights, and whether visitation issues should be addressed alongside child support. DHS said the guidelines are over 25 years old, that other states generally use similar gross-income models with shared-overnight deductions, and that Oklahoma’s administrative courts have been more receptive than district courts to DHS’s lower-income deviation approach. Zellner said DHS has also updated its practices to better account for low-income obligors, including allowing zero orders in some cases and reducing imputed minimum-wage assumptions, which DHS said has improved collections. Members also asked about transparency and public access to the calculations. DHS said the formula and income chart are in statute, the calculator is available on the DHS website, and the Excel-based tool applies the statutory chart and deductions. A public commenter asked where parents could see how amounts are calculated, and DHS explained that the statutory chart and calculator are the main sources. The committee discussed possible future reforms, including higher income caps, possible changes to shared overnight rules, and whether extracurricular or special child-related expenses could be considered through judicial deviation. No vote was taken; the meeting ended with the chair noting it was the last Judiciary meeting of the 60th Legislature and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• residency requirement for the town manager; House No. 4390, an act exempting Nick Santos from the maximum wage
• officer in the City of Haverhill; and House No. 4442, an act exempting Anthony Morales from the maximum wage
• House No. 4390, an act exempting Nick Santos from the maximum wage requirement for the position of police
• officer in the City of Haverhill; and House No. 4442, an act exempting Anthony Morales from the maximum wage

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two congratulatory resolutions: one for Andrew Labovitz on attaining Eagle Scout rank and one for Joseph P. Nickerson, Sr. on his 100th birthday. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 on several petitions, sending them to their respective committees. The Senate then advanced several local and committee-reported bills. It passed to be engrossed a Scituate parking fines bill and a Cambridge parking enforcement bill, the latter after adopting a Brownsberger amendment that replaced the bill text with Senate No. 3105. The Senate Ways and Means Committee reported favorably, with new drafts, on the Toxic Free Medical Devices Act and a bill advancing the profession of commercial interior design; in both cases, the Senate suspended rules, adopted the committee amendments, and ordered the bills to a third reading. On final passage, the Senate enacted a Tewksbury charter amendment changing the town manager residency requirement and two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum wage requirement for police officers. All three were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. in formal session and to dispense with printing a calendar, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been able to support families with family-sustaining wages.
• Our average wage is over $24 per hour for those who have come through our programming.
• These improvements have resulted in higher job retention rates and livable wages.
• These improvements have resulted in higher job retention rates and livable wages.
• </c><01:30:32.639><c> were</c> 65 plus their average wages were 65 plus their average wages were $16.37

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the largest part of those investments were with the community attendant wages.
• We also additionally had some increases on wages for, not wages, but Medicaid rates.
• And so, you know, then you start to get those wages up.
• And so, you know, then you start to get those wages up.
• And so, you know, then you start to get those wages up.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote. A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11. The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0. Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Western does not request state funding above and beyond general government wage increases for locally
• Western does not request state funding above and beyond general government wage increases for locally
• For WMS employees who feel dissatisfied with wages, working conditions, or uncertainty affecting their
• Generally, we find that arbitrators award larger general wage increase percentages than is agreed upon
• A mandatory subject of bargaining is wages, hours, or working conditions.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Employment Relations

Keywords: 904, all