Video & Transcript : 'employee mobility' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 26 Mar 19th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of Jack Patrick Lewis relative to retirement benefits for Suzanne Garcia, a member of the State Employees
- who receive wages through an electronic wage card house number 2074 employees who receive wages through
- An act protecting wages of employees who receive wages through an electronic wage card, House No. 2074
- An act protecting wages of employees who receive wages through an electronic wage card, House No. 2074
- An act establishing a minimum wage for employees of airline catering companies, House No. 2145.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Volunteers into employees.
- Employee meetings. Okay. Who was in attendance? Is that accurate? Employee meetings. Okay.
- Who was in attendance at these employee meetings? The employees and Representative Simmons.
- “Are you still an employee?” “We don't have employees. What were the dates of your employment?”
- I'm technically... we don't have any employees.
Summary:
The hearing opened in a Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings matter involving Legislative Ethics Board complaint 2025-5 against Representative Tara Simmons. The ALJ outlined the process, the issues on appeal, and the burden of proof, which centered on whether Simmons violated the Ethics Act by using her legislative position for others’ benefit and by holding outside employment that conflicted with her duties, and what sanction would be appropriate. Several exhibits were admitted by stipulation or without objection, while Exhibit 2 was initially held for later ruling but was ultimately admitted after testimony from the witness who prepared it. The board also granted a motion to sequester witnesses and took under advisement a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after the staff case-in-chief.
In opening statements, board staff alleged Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070 by sponsoring a proviso that benefited her outside employer, Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), by using campaign surplus funds to help hire a friend, by intervening in a dispute over the proviso-funded work, and by sending text messages to influence others. Staff said it would seek penalties of up to $5,000 per violation plus costs. Defense counsel argued the allegations were technical ethics issues, denied Simmons profited personally, and contended the proviso funding her employer was permitted under prior board guidance; counsel also argued the campaign donation and later contract dispute were lawful and context-dependent.
The first witness, Kimberly Gordon of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), testified that AEJG received state proviso funding and donations from Simmons, including $10,000 and later $40,000, which Gordon said were intended to fund the hiring of Antoine Coleman, Simmons’s romantic partner. Gordon said AEJG returned the donations and terminated Coleman after learning of the relationship and potential conflict of interest. She also testified about a later 2024 proviso involving EEC, a subcontract between AEJG and EEC, and a dispute over EEC’s performance under that subcontract. Gordon said AEJG raised concerns with the Administrative Office of the Courts, met with contract manager Chris Stanley, and ultimately rewrote the subcontract after Stanley, allegedly after speaking with Simmons, directed them to do so. The hearing then recessed for lunch, and cross-examination of Gordon was set to continue afterward.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- child</c><00:19:48.400><c> care</c> employees can receive child care employees can receive child care
- . employees. employees.
- </c><00:43:51.920><c> Group</c> benefits to their employees. Group benefits to their employees.
- A covered employee under this is an employee for whom the employer contributes an ICRA.
- . employees. employees.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement and Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Mar 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- A pension is a financial safety net by providing stable income to public employees when they retire.
- Because of this, public employees have dignity and a reasonable quality of life during their later years
- A combination of employer and employee contributions toward the pension promise and CalPERS investments
- We represent all 58 counties, which collectively employ over 400,000 public employees statewide.
- California Public Employees' Retirement System, CalPERS, is not just a pension fund.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement held a joint hearing required by law to receive an independent report from the California Actuarial Advisory Panel on CalPERS. Chair McKinnor and Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opened by emphasizing CalPERS’ importance to retirement security for public employees and to the state budget. Scott Tarando, CalPERS Chief Actuary and a CAP member, presented on the statutory disclosure requirements in Government Code Section 2029, including the use of CalPERS’ 6.8% discount rate and the need to show how changes in investment return assumptions and amortization periods affect liabilities, contribution rates, and budgets.
Tarando explained that lower investment returns increase contribution rates and unfunded liabilities, while higher returns reduce them. He also described CalPERS’ 20-year amortization period for new unfunded liabilities, comparing it to a mortgage and noting that shorter periods raise near-term costs but reduce long-term interest costs. He said the CAP has recommended a 15- to 20-year range and that CalPERS’ current approach is intended to smooth volatility for a large, ongoing plan. Members asked about the meaning of average service lifetime, the timing of valuation data, whether more current data could be used, the effect of AI and workforce changes on assumptions, and whether contribution changes affect retiree benefits. Tarando said retiree benefits do not change with annual valuations, that CalPERS uses audited year-end data because it is the most reliable basis for rates, and that AI impacts are being monitored but are too early to quantify.
Committee members also discussed CalPERS’ funded status, with Tarando saying it had improved from the mid-60% range about 10 years ago to around 79% at fiscal year-end and over 80% more recently, reducing pressure on employers and the state budget. Michael Cohen, CalPERS’ investment operations chief, said CalPERS had complied with federal information requests and that its annual audits are publicly available, but no formal federal review had been released. In public comment, a representative of the California State Association of Counties praised the improved funded status and the role of PEPRA reforms. The chairs closed by reaffirming CalPERS’ fiduciary duty and the goal of protecting retirement security for public workers; no votes were taken.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:20:36.559><c> that</c> are being fed 100% of our employees that are being fed 100% of our employees
- We do not see an effect of Summer UI assisting us with retaining employees.
- </c><00:40:51.000><c> we</c> assisting us with retaining employees we assisting us with retaining employees
- </c> information requests due to employees information requests due to employees applying<00:42:44.119
- In 2023, 120 employees received the summer UI at a cost of about $214,000.
Committee:
House Education Policy
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- So, but Senate Bill 939 is sponsored by the California Public Employees Retirement System, or CalPERS
- longevity was incorrectly included in employee base rates.
- So this bill requires employees to forward the initial audit notification.
- in employee base rates.
- So this bill requires employees to forward the initial audit notification.
Committee:
House Public Employment and Retirement
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 01:59 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Awards of reimbursement are limited to no more than 10,000 employees trained.
- Awards of reimbursement are limited to no more than 10,000 employee trained.
- If they receive $10,000 per employee, they can only retrain five employees.
- It would continue; it would keep the $10,000 per employee trained.
- It just increases the opportunity for an employer to train more employees.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up several House bills with strike-and-insert amendments. House Bill 5510 was amended to incorporate provisions from Senate Bills 1065 and 928, modernizing Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and adding rules for low-proof spirit alcohol products, including a $1.25 per gallon tax; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation.
The committee then considered House Bill 5453 on school funding. After discussion of a proposed block-grant system and supplemental aid for special education, the committee adopted an amendment replacing much of the bill with weighted funding for level two and level three special education students, exempting those funds from block grant rules and limiting their use to direct instruction. The committee also adopted a clarification to extend the special education funding to charter school students and reported the amended bill to the Senate. House Bill 5412, dealing with multi-year technology licensing contracts for local fiscal bodies and science-of-reading training for K-5 teachers, was amended to clarify contract language, delay implementation dates, change “endorsement” to “training,” and require charter school teachers to participate; it was then reported.
The committee next amended and reported House Bill 4006, which creates aerospace development and workforce grant programs, changing the funding mechanism to use Department of Commerce reporting and personal income tax proceeds rather than direct employee withholdings. It also took up House Bill 4009, combining voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors with microcredentialing and an expanded apprenticeship tax credit, adopted the Finance Committee amendment, and reported it. Finally, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program was amended to raise the annual employer reimbursement cap from $50,000 to $100,000 while keeping the $10,000 per-employee limit, and the committee reported the bill. The meeting ended with adjournment.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 01:59 pm
Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- The amount of the grant is a percentage of the business's new employee-generated funding for a period
- Awards of reimbursement are limited to no more than $10,000 per employee trained.
- If they receive $10,000 per employee, they can only retrain five employees.
- It would keep the $10,000 per employee trained.
- It just increases the opportunity for an employer to train more employees.
Committee:
Senate Finance
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So you may think, well, okay, well, I'll add my wife as an employee.
- employee, you're good to apply in group situations.
- If the wife is truly a W-2 employee or in an LLC or a partnership is truly an employee, I don't know
- company that has many employees.
- Kansas didn't preclude a wife from being a second employee, a legitimate employee of the company, whereas
Committee:
House Commerce
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> affiliation this past election employees affiliation this past election employees of<01:08:36.440
- </c> of pulling undertaken by UNH employees of pulling undertaken by UNH employees be<01:12:57.880><c
- </c> you're saying that no Public Employee you're saying that no Public Employee could<01:18:58.760><
- </c> position and thus not a public employee position and thus not a public employee under<02:43:29.120
- will</c><02:46:51.560><c> be</c> employees or public employees will be employees or public employees
Committee:
House Election Law
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The division often makes transfers into operating to cover contract employees or other operating costs
- First step increases for 223 state employees to provide pay parity with their federal counterparts.
- And to our airmen, soldiers, and state employees. But it's been a good run. I've enjoyed it.
- One of the downsides has also been employee morale and employee retention, where we've seen that when
- So are we truly preparing our long-term employees? And this plan is not for the wealthy.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations for the Idaho Military Division, the Division of Veterans Services, and PERSI. For the Military Division, analysts reviewed the agency’s structure, recent transfers of emergency medical services into the division, and the fiscal year 2027 request, which included hazardous materials response funding, a pay-parity adjustment for 223 state employees, a small enhancement for grant administration overhead, and rescissions tied to vacant positions and reduced tuition assistance and state match funding. General Donnellan said the division had absorbed the 3% rescission, but further cuts to state education assistance for Guardsmen would be concerning. Members also asked about the EMS transition, CEC-related pay parity, and the general’s military service.
The committee then reviewed the Division of Veterans Services budget. Analysts described the state veterans homes, cemeteries, and veterans assistance programs, along with ongoing staffing challenges and the use of a temporary nursing pool to reduce reliance on contract nurses. Administrator Mark Champal said the division is making progress on staffing, expects to save nearly half a million dollars through the new pool, and continues to manage near-capacity homes while the new Boise veterans home is under construction. He also highlighted outreach efforts for homeless and vulnerable veterans, the division’s high satisfaction rates, and recent gains in benefits claims, education certifications, and community support connections.
Finally, PERSI’s budget and operations were discussed. Analysts outlined the retirement system’s dedicated funding, the ongoing pension software upgrade, and requested one-time funding for the final year of that project, a continuity-of-operations and records management plan, and IT replacements. Director Mike Hampton reported strong investment returns, a funded ratio around 90%, and more than $1.3 billion in annual benefits paid. Committee members asked about retiree cost-of-living adjustments, the PERSI Choice 401 plan, the possibility of moving toward defined contribution or hybrid plans, and the meaning of “other” participating employers. Hampton said the board had recommended a retroactive retirement allowance adjustment through 2022, explained that PERSI’s structure supports retention, and noted that board meetings are now livestreamed. The committee adjourned until the next morning.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 26 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of Jack Patrick Lewis relative to retirement benefits for Suzanne Garcia, a member of the State Employees
- who receive wages through an electronic wage card; Employees who receive wages through an electronic
- An act protecting wages of employees who receive wages through an electronic wage card, House Bill 2074
- An act protecting wages of employees who receive wages through an electronic wage card, House Bill 2074
- An act establishing a minimum wage for employees of airline catering companies, House Bill 2145.
Summary:
The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural orders. It adopted a resolution commending the Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts for recognizing March 2026 as Endometriosis Awareness Month. The House also adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines, including for the Committees on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities; Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure; Health Care Financing; Revenue; and Transportation. In addition, the House concurred with a Senate referral on legislation concerning Great River Regional School Districts and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee, one on retirement benefits for Suzanne Garcia and another on senior property tax credits.
The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommended a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on call firefighter rights, foreclosure protection for recently widowed spouses, wage protections for electronic wage cards and hospital workers, a minimum wage for airline catering employees, incentives for donations to local nonprofits, limits on prison labor, and a sick leave bank for a DCF employee. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave these bills second reading and ordered them to a third reading.
On third reading and final action, the House passed to be enacted a sick leave bank bill for a Department of Correction employee, concurred in a Senate amendment to a land conveyance bill for Brockton, and passed to be engrossed several local and special legislation bills, including measures involving Conway police and fire department employees and an Arlington firefighter civil service exception. The House then adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel & Public Retirement (10-15-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:15:32.480><c> Um</c><00:15:33.920><c> so</c> employees that work at this site.
- Um so employees that work at this site.
- Not seeing any. >> The only question I had was how many employees do you have?
- I know lock masters, you said they work weekends. >> Correct. >> Are they full-time employees?
- So, we have nine employees total. >> Okay. All right.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:30
Office of the Attorney General 00:01:50
Kentucky River Authority 00:12:50, 958, all
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met without a quorum at first, then heard an update on child exploitation enforcement efforts from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Criminal Investigations. The presenters described the specialized investigation and prosecution unit funded in House Bill 6, saying the added resources allowed them to hire four staff members and expand work on cyber tips, search warrants, arrests, forensic processing, victim advocacy, and training for local law enforcement. They highlighted a recent rescue of a 5-year-old victim from a Discord-related case and said the office had also filed a civil lawsuit against Roblox, alleging the platform lacked adequate age verification and allowed predators access to children. Senators asked about the lawsuit, and the presenters said Kentucky was one of only two states to sue Roblox and that the complaint was based on evidence collected by the office.
The committee then received an update from the Kentucky River Authority on lock and dam repairs funded in the 2024-2026 budget. The authority reported progress on three capital projects: upper guide repairs at Locks 2 and 3, design and repair work at Dam 7, and design work to reopen Lock 5 for navigation. Officials explained that river construction is limited by flooding and fish-spawn restrictions, and they described the engineering and safety issues involved in replacing guide walls and repairing Dam 7’s spillway. They also said the authority had demolished three obsolete lockmaster houses and filled a fifth lockmaster position, while continuing to work on pay retention for those employees.
Members asked about the transfer of the lock and dam properties from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the permitting process through the Division of Water, and the timeline for reopening navigation. The authority said the Corps had transferred the properties to Kentucky, that permits for river work are handled through the Division of Water and the Army Corps, and that Locks 1 through 4 are open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Officials said Lock 5 would add 14 miles of navigation if reopened, but that it would still take a few more years before that project is complete.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 8th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- We receive in-kind donations from Microsoft employees.
- They weren't enough to pay for employees.
- Employee meetings. Okay. Who was in attendance at these employee meetings?
- “Are you still an employee?” “We don’t have employees. What were the dates of your employment?”
- I'm technically—we don't have any employees.
Summary:
The hearing concerned a Legislative Ethics Board complaint against Representative Tara Simmons in Washington State OAH Docket 401-645. The judge outlined the process, the two issues on appeal—whether Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070, and, if so, what penalty should apply—and admitted a number of exhibits by stipulation or prior ruling, while taking one exhibit under advisement pending an offer of proof. The board also moved to sequester witnesses, which was granted, and the judge deferred ruling on a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after hearing the board staff’s case. Opening statements followed, with staff alleging Simmons used her position to benefit an outside organization and to secure special privileges, and the defense arguing the conduct was lawful, technical in nature, and consistent with prior ethics guidance.
Board staff then called Kimberly Gordon, an attorney and founding board member/treasurer of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), as its first witness. Gordon testified that AEJG used data dashboards to make justice-system data more accessible, received state proviso funding sponsored by Simmons, and also received two donations from Simmons—$10,000 and $40,000. She said the first donation was intended to help hire Antoine Coleman, whom Simmons had recommended and who was later identified as Simmons’s romantic partner, and that AEJG returned the $10,000 and declined the $40,000 after concluding there was a potential conflict of interest. Gordon also testified that AEJG believed Simmons’s involvement in the organization and her communications about Coleman created ethical concerns.
Gordon further testified about a second proviso intended to expand AEJG’s work into education data and its subcontract with Equity in Education Coalition (EEC). She said EEC did not perform the expected deliverables, prompting repeated communications with the Administrative Office of the Courts and a meeting involving Chris Stanley, where AEJG raised concerns that EEC was not complying and that Simmons had intervened in the dispute. According to Gordon, Stanley ultimately directed the parties to rewrite the subcontract and continue, but AEJG later moved forward largely without EEC’s assistance. The board staff introduced AEJG’s complaint and related timeline exhibits during her testimony. After direct examination, the hearing recessed for lunch, and cross-examination by Simmons’s counsel began when the hearing resumed.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- um starting in 2028 uh after employees um starting in 2028 uh after the<00:08:32.959><c> 2028</c><00
- My vision is not that we fight against UI, but that we give the opportunity for employees not to file
- Um, districts said they thought 100% of their employees would. The fiscal notes had deeds had 50%.
- Um, districts said they thought 100% of their employees would. The fiscal notes had deeds had 50%.
- Um, districts said they thought 100% of their employees would. The fiscal notes had deeds had 50%.
Bills:
HF1049
Committee:
House Taxes
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judicial branch, public defender budget requests to House judiciary and civil law panel 1/21/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve, along with my employees as staff to the Judicial Council.
- employee relations for a decade or so and have had it in the past.
- We have a whole bunch of unrepresented employees.
- We have a whole bunch of unrepresented employees.
- </c><00:30:09.679><c> um</c> one district has no Union employees um one district has no Union employees
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Delivery of Government Efficiency May 7th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- Members of the bill we heard previously by Senator Perry, allowing current and former AG employees to
- House Bill 1225 aims to establish an optional bundle pricing program within the state employees group
- To reduce health care costs both inpatient and outpatient for state employees by offering consolidated
- Under this program, our employees would not be required to pay deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance
- Participation in this program would be voluntary for our employees and their families.
Committee:
House Delivery of Government Efficiency
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (03/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Mobile crisis is sort of the rapid response to providing mental health services in the community.
- The state had an interest in building out mobile crisis so all communities in the state could be served
- parte renewals, for example—these things were put in place to make it easier both for the state employees
- they're going to have to do more work, which costs the state more money and puts more burden on state employees
Summary:
The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds.
Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts.
The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2432 5/8/25
Transcript Highlights:
- should be an employee whose somebody who should be an employee whose employer<01:00:30.240><c> controls
- speaking, employees as they've classified them.
- </c> determine whether someone is an employee determine whether someone is an employee or<01:01:51.280
- than an actual employee rather than an independent<01:04:05.680><c> contractor.
- </c> we keep seeing employer employee we keep seeing employer employee business<01:10:23.679><c> that
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:34:00.880><c> by</c><00:34:01.200><c> mutual</c> employee by mutual employee by mutual agreement.
- Um, and that an employee can use it.
- Um, and that an employee can excuse me. Um, and that an employee can use<00:35:24.000><c> it.
- </c><00:45:27.760><c> and</c> somewhat uncertain if employees and somewhat uncertain if employees and
- </c> also let's say I have a trouble employee also let's say I have a trouble employee I<00:50:53.359
Committee:
Senate Commerce