Transcript Highlights:

• But for now, we can rest. to retaliate against those businesses. to retaliate against those businesses
• It'd be pretty clear which individual made the complaint, and I could be targeted for retaliation by
• It'd be pretty clear which individual made the complaint, and I could be targeted for retaliation by
• by whoever I made the retaliation by whoever I made the complaint<02:11:44.880><c> against.
• </c> concerns about them facing retaliation concerns about them facing retaliation or<02:21:09.840><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be cleaned up in the Ombudsman statute, and there's a confidentiality provision which protects whistleblowers
• people do have the comfort and confidence that they can report on things without there being any retaliation
• We've heard repeatedly that retaliation is an issue people do worry about, particularly if you work for

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That information is critical to our process because if there is... somebody who's a whistleblower or
• And then, I don't know how the whistleblower stuff works, but if someone said they want to be a whistleblower
• should have a a reportable place for fraud, waste, and abuse, and whether someone wants to be a whistleblower
• So, if we get a whistleblower... tip, and we bring an action. under Chapter 32, chasing down one of those
• you know, a $100,000 back, then the provision in 531.1 101 of the government code says that that whistleblower

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Labor and Industry would enforce the requirement, and the bill includes protections against retaliation
• Um, section two prohibits retaliation by an employer when an employee asserts the rights provided by
• if workers assert their retaliation if workers assert their rights.<00:01:38.479><c> Many</c><00:01:
• > employer</c><00:03:37.200><c> when</c><00:03:37.519><c> an</c> retaliation by an employer when an retaliation
• </c><02:00:51.199><c> risks</c> restrictions on use, retaliation risks restrictions on use, retaliation

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would prefer that the verbiage that homeowners are not allowed to retaliate either against the board
• There is verbiage that says that we cannot retaliate as board members against the homeowners.
• This is more common: that we receive retaliation examples by being disruptive in meetings, by requesting
• </c> homeowners are not allowed to retaliate homeowners are not allowed to retaliate either<01:36:35.560
• as board members against the retaliate as board members against the homeowners<01:36:41.320><c> this

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Local hospitals have been too afraid of retaliation from the federal government to enact policy that
• It tells us that we can continue serving all of our patients to this degree without fear of retaliation
• It tells us that we can continue serving all of our patients to this degree without fear of retaliation
• It prohibits retaliation<01:28:18.040><c> against</c><01:28:18.360><c> employees</c><01:28:18.840><c>
• who</c><01:28:18.960><c> raise</c> retaliation against employees who raise retaliation against employees

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill will, in fact, enable unlawful discrimination and retaliation for making good faith complaints
• </c> unlawful discrimination and retaliation unlawful discrimination and retaliation for<00:24:00.559
• The bottom line is the vast majority of tenants couldn't possibly do that in regard to retaliation or
• There is some talk about retaliation. So, the law is very clear on this.
• There is some talk about retaliation. So, the law is very clear on this.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want them to be able to do their work, um, without fear of retaliation.
• And so once we do get the retaliation.
• There are anti-retaliation provisions embedded within that law that make it illegal for employers to
• It also has an anti-retaliation provision embedded.
• Uh there are anti- retaliation and rest.

Bills: HF3707 , HF3732 , HF2581 , HF3731

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had whistleblowers from the City of Phoenix Fire Department that, you know, have firsthand conversations
• And in fact, they even went so far as to say to one of these whistleblowers that you have very little
• And in fact, they even went so far as to say to one of these whistleblowers that you, went so far as
• to say to one of these whistleblowers that you have very little likelihood of being promoted as a straight

Bills: HB2015 , HB2060 , HB2062 , HB2100 , HB2118 , HB2165 , HB2258 , HB2327 , HB2397 , HB2445 , HB2460 , HB2641 , HB2745 , HB2876 , HB2917 , HB4011 , HB4049 , HB4056 , HB4087 , HCR2013 , HCR2016 , HCR2040 , HCR2044 , HCR2048 , HCR2056

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, Buffalo Soldiers, monument, commemoration, Arizona, public funding, Wesley Bolin Plaza, military history, historical memorial, small land subdivision, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't—it's what what's being asked for is quite similar to other things like whistleblower protections
• 12.000><c> like</c> is quite similar to other things like is quite similar to other things like whistleblower
• 07:14.480><c> and</c><01:07:14.799><c> I</c><01:07:15.039><c> think</c><01:07:15.119><c> a</c> whistleblower
• protections and I think a whistleblower protections and I think a lot<01:07:15.359><c> of</c><01:07:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills related to bribery and public corruption. On SB 2249, which would increase penalties for bribery under certain circumstances, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, arguing that Hawaii’s current class B felony penalty is probationable and too weak to secure cooperation in corruption cases, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Snyder decision narrowed federal bribery prosecutions. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that elevating bribery to a class A felony and making it non-probationable was excessive, overbroad, and would remove judicial discretion. Multiple individuals also testified in support. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about removing deferred acceptance of plea provisions and asked HPD about the $20,000 threshold; the prosecutor said alternative charges could still be used in plea bargaining, and HPD said the threshold aligns with first-degree theft. The committee also discussed how current law tolls the bribery statute of limitations while an official remains in office, with the prosecutor explaining it can extend up to six years total. The committee then heard SB 2494, which would set a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses. The Public Defender opposed the extension, saying the justification based on the length of federal investigations was too broad and that bribery already has a longer limitations period than most felonies. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill, saying bribery cases often involve coordination with federal investigators, that federal and state evidence-gathering methods may differ, and that a longer period would help ensure admissible evidence and allow state prosecution when federal law no longer applies. Members asked whether there were public examples of cases lost to the current limitations period; the prosecutor said he was not aware of any publicly available examples, but maintained nine years was a reasonable period. The committee also considered SB 2737, which would create a misdemeanor for failure by a state or county elected official to report bribery. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and suggested changing the term to “public servant” for consistency with existing law. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the intent but warned the reporting requirement could create Fifth Amendment issues for witnesses who might otherwise be useful in grand jury proceedings. The bill drew broad public support, with 33 supporters and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up SB 3071, which revises sex trafficking and promoting prostitution statutes by redefining “profits from prostitution” and adding an affirmative defense for certain lawful transactions. The Public Defender opposed the measure, saying it still could reach people without the required criminal intent and that the affirmative defense language could be applied unevenly. The Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported the bill, saying it better addresses concerns raised by the State v. Ibarra decision while closing loopholes that allow traffickers to disguise profits as loans or gifts. The prosecutor emphasized that traffickers are sophisticated and can structure transactions to evade current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Numerous whistleblowers have come forward stating within FCPS, within the main office, there is a toxic
• Numerous<00:50:32.000><c> whistleblowers</c><00:50:32.960><c> have</c><00:50:33.200><c> come</c> Numerous
• whistleblowers have come Numerous whistleblowers have come forward forward forward stating<00:50:36.000

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but the baseline reports that drive this concern come from folks inside state government, from whistleblowers

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a session-opening media availability on the second day of Washington’s 60-day legislative session, criticizing Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address and previewing their priorities. They said the central issue this session is affordability, and argued the state should respond with less spending, fewer taxes, and less regulation rather than new taxes or expanded government. They also said they expect a major fight over the operating budget, warned against using the rainy day fund or weakening the balanced-budget requirement, and said the state should look for savings in areas where caseloads are down but spending continues to rise, including reducing middle management in state agencies. A major focus was the governor’s proposal for a tax on high earners, which Republicans repeatedly described as an income tax and said they would oppose. They argued it would eventually expand beyond millionaires, said voters have rejected income taxes repeatedly, and said a constitutional amendment would not pass. They also criticized past tax increases such as the capital gains tax, death tax, document recording fees, and climate-related charges, saying Democrats have not provided meaningful tax relief for working families. Republican leaders said the Working Families Tax Credit is one area where they can support using existing Climate Commitment Act revenue, and they suggested other uses for those funds, including transportation and wildfire prevention. The leaders also discussed public safety and immigration, saying the governor and Democrats have been inconsistent on federal law enforcement and that coordination between agencies is essential. They said concerns about masked federal agents and immigration enforcement should be left to investigations rather than political conclusions. On child care and DCYF, they said allegations of fraud and waste should be investigated through audits or other oversight, and they rejected the idea that looking into possible fraud is offensive to honest providers. They also said they see potential bipartisan overlap on transportation and housing, but argued the governor’s housing plan relies too much on public spending and not enough on permitting reform, Growth Management Act changes, and energy code changes to increase supply.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to identify them, of course, for fear of retaliation.
• to read from what this employee told me, I'm not going to identify them, of course, for fear of retaliation

Summary: The Alaska Legislature met in joint session with a quorum to consider veto overrides on five bills: HB 52 on minors in psychiatric hospitals, SB 41 on mental health education, HB 314 on architects, engineers, surveyors, and interior designers, SB 21 on the Alaska Work and Save Program, and HB 195 on pharmacists and physician associates. Supporters of HB 52 argued it would improve transparency, family communication, oversight, and reporting in psychiatric treatment for minors; opponents were not recorded in the excerpt. The joint session voted 36-24 to sustain the governor’s veto, so HB 52 did not become law through override. For SB 41, supporters said the bill would create developmentally appropriate mental health education guidance for schools and help address Alaska’s high suicide rate, while the governor argued it would intrude on local control. The override failed 38-22. For HB 314, members said the bill was needed to extend the AELS Board and avoid disruption to professional licensing and oversight; the override passed 45-15, so the veto was overridden. For SB 21, supporters said the Work and Save Program would expand retirement savings access for workers and small businesses, including an option to direct PFD funds to retirement; the override failed 39-21. For HB 195, supporters said it would expand access to care by allowing pharmacists to provide more services under a standard-of-care model, especially benefiting rural residents and families seeking lower-cost treatment, while opponents raised concerns about abortion-related implications and scope. The joint session voted 43-17 to override the veto, so HB 195 was enacted over the governor’s objection. The session then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• one-sided arguments offered under the implicit or explicit threat of job loss or intimidation or retaliation
• We will get paid out for him for his retaliation claim.
• This public disclosure creates a direct pipeline for abusers to track, stalk, harass, or retaliate against
• And crucially, it incorporates confidentiality and protective orders to prevent abuser retaliation.
• It creates confidentiality and protective orders to prevent abuser retaliation.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil actions, labor, consumer protection, and animal welfare bills. Chair Lydia Edwards and Representative Michael Day opened with strict testimony rules and time limits, then heard from legislators and advocates on measures including animal-abuser pet ownership bans (S. 1207/H. 1914), a name-change privacy bill (S. 1045/H. 1973), tort claims reform (H. 1724), law enforcement council coverage under the Tort Claims Act (S. 1199), civil rights and qualified immunity-related proposals (H. 1641), employee free speech/captive audience restrictions (S. 1078/H. 1653), consumer protection and civil rights jurisdiction expansion (S. 1041), private right of action for wage theft (H. 1916), gun-owner liability insurance (H. 1836), pseudoephedrine sales tracking (S. 1243/H. 1581), prepaid legal services plans (H. 1612), structured settlement protections (H. 1863), third-party litigation financing disclosure (H. 1861), antitrust reform for small businesses and workers (S. 1038/H. 1982), legal notices in online-only newspapers (S. 1279/H. 1632), and several animal cruelty and protection bills including H. 1938, H. 1949, S. 1277/H. 1934, and H. 1764. Testimony was largely supportive from bill sponsors and advocacy groups, with repeated themes of protecting vulnerable people and animals, improving access to justice, and updating outdated laws. Supporters of the animal bills argued for stronger possession bans, broader cruelty citations, and civil removal tools to prevent repeat abuse; opponents or conditional supporters raised due process and enforcement concerns, especially around warrantless seizures and requiring retail or shelter staff to check registries. On the labor and consumer side, supporters said the antitrust bill would curb monopoly power and help small businesses and workers, while opponents warned it could destabilize competition and burden successful firms. The employee free speech bill was backed as a response to captive audience meetings, and the wage-theft bill was presented as a way to let workers or organizations pursue claims when individual employees are afraid to come forward. Several public officials and association representatives testified on the law enforcement and civil rights bills. Chiefs of police supported adding law enforcement councils to the Tort Claims Act, saying it would close a liability gap for regional mutual-aid collaborations. But police representatives opposed changes to the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act and qualified immunity-related provisions, arguing the federal system already provides a workable forum and that expanding liability could increase costs, reduce morale, and worsen recruitment and retention. On the consumer/civil rights bill, Senator Collins and a veteran described an out-of-state assault case that they said showed the need for Massachusetts to let residents seek redress at home when rights are violated elsewhere. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing itself; the committee mainly received testimony and questions. Several witnesses indicated they had submitted written testimony or proposed amendments, and some bills drew requests for favorable reports while others were explicitly opposed unless amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marshall McLean, has repeatedly and vindictively retaliate retaliated against Mr.
• They too are constantly being retaliated against, denied proper medical care, denied procedural due process

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• the association to kind of shield the dealerships in these lawsuits so they maybe don't face any retaliation
• They maybe don't face any retaliation from the manufacturers and them no longer sending cars, no longer
• Yes, Representative Newell, that's part of the equation, is to prevent the perceived retaliation on the
• It's the retaliation part.
• And part of that is hoping to prevent future litigation on the retaliation part.

Bills: HB387 , HB673 , HB947 , HB975 , HB1102 , HB1228 , HB1229 , HCR66 , SB102 , SB165 , SB280 , SB291 , SB326 , SB521

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, security cameras, abandoned property, blighted structures, property management, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, Department of Public Service, statutory entities, public administration

Transcript Highlights:

• workers and industries most vulnerable to wage theft, health and safety violations, as well as retaliation
• on track to reach over 14,000 workers, and we have already helped 72 workers file wage claims, retaliation
• communities of us that can't speak, and we're working with the SIGA program so that it helps us with retaliation
• It helps us to be able to, you know, address retaliation, injuries, theft, and more rights for what we're
• a critical role in educating workers, helping them report wage theft, and protecting them from retaliation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, many families are afraid to report hate crimes or seek help due to fear of retaliation
• for the rest of the country. families are afraid to purport a crimes or seek help due to fear of retaliation
• A clear violation of California Labor Code's protections for employees from retaliation for political
• enforce robust workplace anti-discrimination protections that explicitly protect employees against retaliation

Summary: The Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia met to hear from Los Angeles County officials and community advocates about rising hate, discrimination, and xenophobia, with opening remarks emphasizing the need for stronger anti-hate infrastructure, community-based reporting, and state support. Assemblymember Lowenthal noted the broader economic and social impacts of discrimination, and the committee framed the hearing around understanding local conditions and identifying legislative responses. Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission Executive Director Robin Toma presented county hate-crime data showing record-high levels in 2024, with racial/ethnic hate crimes remaining the largest category and anti-Black hate crimes the most common. He also highlighted high levels of anti-Latino, anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-transgender hate, the role of underreporting, and the county’s L.A. vs. Hate system for reporting and victim support. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it uses hate-crime and hate-incident data to guide proactive patrols, community outreach, and training, and discussed the need to build trust amid immigration enforcement fears that discourage reporting. Community organizations described how current political rhetoric and federal immigration enforcement are intensifying fear and underreporting. LULAC called for multilingual, culturally competent reporting systems, prevention education, and stronger support for grassroots organizations. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles described severe anti-Semitism, increased security costs, and the need for safe worship protections, security grants, and Holocaust education. The NAACP emphasized the continuing impact of anti-Black racism and the need for cross-community solidarity, while the Los Angeles LGBT Center highlighted rising anti-trans violence and urged funding for gender-affirming care, LGBTQ centers, and reauthorization of California vs. Hate. CHIRLA and CAIR California both described heightened fear among immigrants and Muslims, workplace discrimination, and the need for stronger civil-rights protections, data collection, and community-based reporting. No formal votes were taken. The discussion focused on policy ideas and funding priorities, including improved law-enforcement training, alternative sentencing or diversion for hate offenders, protections for houses of worship, and continued or expanded funding for California vs. Hate, Stop Hate, and related programs. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly stressed that hate is underreported, that words and leadership rhetoric matter, and that California should continue investing in prevention, response, and healing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And not that there would necessarily be retaliation. That's against the law.
• And not that there would necessarily<00:21:02.720><c> be</c><00:21:02.960><c> retaliation.
• </c><00:21:03.679><c> That's</c> necessarily be retaliation. That's necessarily be retaliation.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1999 informationally only, with no formal action taken. Representative Green explained that the bill addresses large and sometimes anonymous data requests made to school districts and other government entities, arguing that while public access to data is essential, some requests create significant staff and cost burdens when requesters do not follow through. She described examples from districts that spent thousands of dollars preparing data that was never inspected, and said the bill aims to add accountability while preserving open government and press access. Testifiers largely supported the bill’s goals but discussed technical changes. Matt Eling of Minnesotans for Open Government said the amendment largely codifies existing guidance on handling large requests by breaking them into components and allowing inspection or copying in stages. Superintendent Jeff Felson of Owatonna Public Schools said his district had received 12 anonymous requests in three years, nine of which were abandoned, costing about $40,000, and one large request cost more than $400,000 and required significant staff time. Rich Newmeister also supported the effort but raised concern about language referring to providing data on a “rolling basis,” suggesting training and clearer guidance for districts instead. Members asked whether school districts already set their own data-request policies, whether anonymous requests must be answered, and how the bill would affect private personnel data. Representative Green said districts do have their own policies, anonymous requests are allowed under current law, and the bill is meant to provide clearer statutory guidance. She also said she was open to removing the “rolling basis” language after feedback. The discussion ended with general support for the bill’s intent and a reminder from the chair that the hearing was informational only.

Bills: SB1936 , SB1612 , SB1543 , SB1260 , SB1988 , SB1859 , SB2041 , SB1257 , HB4272 , HB3277 , HB3148 , HB3651 , HB3323 , HB4287 , HB4105 , HB3304 , HB3345

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: forfeiture, criminal offenses, law enforcement, Class D1 offenses, property seizure, SB1612, mandatory reporting, violent injury reporting, gunshot wound, stab wound, poisoning, burn injury, explosive injury, medical reporting, healthcare providers, law enforcement notification, evidence preservation, patient video records, confidentiality waiver, misdemeanor penalty