Transcript Highlights:

• <c> unions</c><01:07:15.440><c> received</c> State employees in those unions received State employees
• So, landlord's employee or contractor.
• </c> a landlord or the landlord's employee a landlord or the landlord's employee contractor. contractor
• I think, and I would say it... employees? employees?
• ,</c><01:27:29.640><c> but</c> um these are well-paid employees, but um these are well-paid employees

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These differentials are provided for employees who take on additional cases over their normal assigned
• Item I is a request for continuation of certification differentials for employees at Parks, Heritage,
• There are 92 employees on the list that will have increased salaries if the item is approved.
• There are 92 employees on the list that will have increased salaries if the item is approved.
• There are 92 employees on the list that will have increased salaries if the item is approved.

Committee: All ALC-PERSONNEL

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to a $11,000 fine per day per employee to a $11,000 fine per day per employee is<00:41:18.960><c
• </c><00:43:45.559><c> affected</c> business uh number of employees affected business uh number of employees
• in Minnesota, regardless of whether the employee is part-time or full-time.
• It would apply to anybody who is defined as an employee under chapter 177.
• </c><01:15:57.360><c> who</c><01:15:57.480><c> are</c> government employees who are government employees

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Human Services reported instances of improper benefit payments to employees from the
• quorum court and day-to-day operations are managed by seven elected officials and two full-time employees
• operations of the three library branches within the county, such as hiring and managing library employees
• Due to the cessation of the program, all employees materially involved in the program, including the
• They were custodian of the funds and the director and other employees of the program were employees of

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, many Texans, including public employees and retirees, are choosing a health care model called
• If a public employee or retiree pays that direct fee out of pocket under a state health plan, it does
• and retirees by extending these benefits to the Texas School Employees Uniform Group health coverage
• This legislation will support that option for our state and school employees, aiding in our effort to
• Do we know how many employees right now participate in direct?

Bills: HB3015 , HB3521 , HB5632 , HJR182 , SJR57

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance deductibles, Texas Health Benefit Plans, telemedicine, police retirement, disability pension, municipalities, law enforcement, retirement benefits, retirement, beneficiary, Employees Retirement System of Texas, divorce decree, beneficiary designation, Veterans' Land Board, general obligation bonds, constitutional amendment, veterans, housing assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I see that the employees of the authority have been given the ability to create this, and I assume
• So, but yeah, I don't expect there will be a lot of employees.
• I think yes, if there was an employee of this authority, then that would allow them to participate in
• the employees. ...employees' retirement, paying all the stuff into the retirement system.
• An amendment where the authority on behalf of the employee can make that... ...behalf of the employee

Bills: HB333 , HB329 , HB362

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: law enforcement, training facility, regional authority, municipal cooperation, public safety, military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, transparency, public meetings, accountability, education, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant Wallace, Director of the Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk.
• This will be the March and April Employee Benefits Division formulary recommendations.
• This is the Employee Assistance Program. And I will pause just a second.
• Next up is the approval of the proposed Arkansas State Employees and Public Employees' 2027 rates.
• will pay on the state employee program.

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. Grant Wallace presented March and April formulary changes, explaining that the updates favored lower-cost generics, re-tiered some drugs, left several new-to-market drugs uncovered pending more evidence, and added quantity limits in some cases. The committee approved those formulary recommendations. The subcommittee also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would exclude automatic coverage of those therapies and route them through prior authorization and review, with members noting the process should not delay urgent cases and that appeals remain available. Members then discussed a UAMS professional consultant services contract amendment for pharmacy benefit consulting. The discussion focused on confusion over the dollar amount and scope, with Wallace clarifying that the committee was being asked to approve up to $2.596 million, including optional services related to coupon and rebate management that could be used later without returning for another approval. Several members raised concerns about matching the written contract to the approval amount and about the relationship to the current pharmacy benefit manager, but the committee ultimately approved the item with the understanding that any use of the optional services would return to the committee. The committee also reviewed, without objection, a Blue Cross/Blue Advantage third-party administrator contract, a CompSack employee assistance program contract, and approved proposed 2027 employee and public school health plan rates of 9.8% and 4.9% increases, respectively. Wallace also said the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in final negotiation and would return in August. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules for the property insurance program, a contingency-fee subrogation contract with Denenberg-Tuffly, and extensions for Sedgwick Claims Management, Actuarial Advantage, and Stevens Capital Management. Members asked about claim-adjustment delays after a major winter storm, and Wallace said performance guarantees and communication requirements had been added, with claims still expected to vary by case. The committee also approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, lower rates for K-12 and higher education, a higher rate for state agencies, and an overall 10% reduction. Wallace said the reductions reflected improved actuarial foundations, better claims management, and the program’s first-year performance. The meeting adjourned after approving the rate item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Information may also be disclosed to the complainant themselves or to the employer or public employees
• It wasn’t for investors or anything, but would that make me a state employee?
• The balance we're trying to find is between the employer and the employee when it comes to an impasse
• If we did it in a way that gave too much leverage to the employees, that would also be a problem.
• I think it's the right time and more fair to these correctional employees employed by small cities and

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on several Department of Labor and Industries request bills and related workplace measures. Senate Bill 6039 would allow L&I to send notices electronically with an opt-out option; Senator Curtis King and L&I supported it as a simple modernization and the committee heard no opposition. Senate Bill 6136 would require L&I to publish actuarially indicated workers’ compensation rates and explain when rates are capped below those levels; Senator King and employer groups described it as a transparency bill, while L&I said it would disclose how reserve funds and rate caps affect different classes. Senate Bill 6188 would expand L&I’s authority over asbestos certification rulemaking beyond rules specifically required to match federal standards; Senator Victoria Hunt and L&I argued this would strengthen worker safety and training, while the Building Industry Association raised concern about diverging from federal rules and asked for narrower authority. Senate Bill 6014 would create a Public Records Act exemption for people involved in pregnancy-accommodation complaints or investigations and fix a cross-reference in last year’s pregnancy accommodation law; Senator T’wina Nobles and Moms Rising said it would restore intended protections and privacy for pregnant and postpartum workers. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 6058, which would give L&I discretion to investigate wage complaints under the Wage Payment Act and assess penalties for willful violations when it initiates an investigation; L&I supported the bill and noted a House amendment to reduce costs and avoid conflict with another wage-recovery measure. For Senate Bill 6136, hospitality, construction, and self-insured employer representatives all supported the measure as a transparency step, with the self-insurers noting the impact of PTSD presumptive claims on rate classes. For Senate Bill 6188, L&I said the bill would let the department set stronger certification standards for asbestos workers and supervisors, while BIAW argued the bill should be limited to specific EPA model standards rather than removing the current statutory limitation. In executive session, the committee took action on five bills. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, which requires annual prevailing-wage adjustments in public works contracts, an amendment allowing change orders for wage increases over 5% failed, a one-year effective-date delay was adopted, and the bill passed 7-2 as amended. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing ESD to waive penalties for minor unemployment-insurance reporting errors, passed 9-0. Senate Bill 5944, making missed-appointment payments part of bargained compensation for language access providers, passed 9-0. Substitute Senate Bill 5972, expanding binding interest arbitration for correctional officers in city and county jails, rejected two amendments that would have limited the binding effect and required consideration of local fiscal ability, then passed 8-1. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302, addressing misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects, passed 9-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• parents of students enrolled in public schools regarding certain alleged criminal conduct by an employee
• On certain employees who leave the workplace for a care of a minor child before the Committee on Trade
• , H.B. 1572 by Compos relating to the mail theft in certain... criminal offenses committed by an employee
• discrimination regarding an employee who is a volunteered emergency responder for the sub committee
• public education HP 1659 by pursuit relating to the payment of employment compensation to state employees

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have not had any employee contribution rate change for a number of years.
• And so every year, Employee contribution rate change for a number of years.
• And so every year, as costs go up, the employee share goes down.
• So we need our employees to pitch in.
• We're just maintaining the employee share.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to make sure our employees are happy and well paid.
• We want to make sure our employees<00:08:49.360><c> are</c><00:08:49.680><c> happy</c><00:08:49.839><
• </c><00:08:51.040><c> I</c> employees are happy and well paid. I employees are happy and well paid.
• </c> are used in the employer employee are used in the employer employee relationship<00:14:31.600><c
• </c> around that employer employee around that employer employee relationship.<00:14:48.800><c> Um</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our employees are clearly the most important for us.
• It was designed and implemented entirely by ITD employees.
• About 250 to 270 employees leave ITD every year.
• , and even employee salaries are funded out of dedicated funds.
• Employees vote amongst themselves.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• GET PAID ABOUT HALF AS MUCH AS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE FOR ROUGHLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF WORK.
• ARE THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY BUDGETS GOING UP MUCH FASTER THAN THE STATE BUDGET?
• WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SORT OF OVERSIGHT OR MONITOR THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS OF CLERK EMPLOYEES THAT ARE
• I HAVE 1,110 EMPLOYEES AND 190 UNFILLED POSITIONS.
• MILITARY PERSONNEL DON'T GET OVER TIME LIKE FDC EMPLOYEES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Full-time employee.
• </c> an employee. an employee.
• </c> already, they're employees. already, they're employees.
• a municipal employee.
• a municipal employee.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a whistleblower provision that protects employees from termination or discipline for refusing
• are doing with no accountability for their employees.
• And looking at the defense as it's crafted here, it's aimed to make sure that an employee who didn't
• As discussed, the felony charges that this bill allows for employees working in areas governed by the
• This also puts the employee in a position... ...and out to pass the blame onto the worker.

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a whistleblower provision that protects employees from termination or discipline for refusing
• are doing with no accountability for their employees.
• And looking at the defense as it's crafted here, it's aimed to make sure that an employee who didn't
• As discussed, the felony charges that this bill allows for employees working in areas governed by the
• This also puts the employee in a position... ...and out to pass the blame on to the worker.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two main bills. ESSB 5975 dealt with lead limits in cookware and a proposed striker that would shift more of the standard-setting and testing process to the Department of Ecology under Safer Products for Washington. Supporters, including industry groups, Ecology, the Department of Health, and environmental advocates, said the striker would provide clearer, science-based, and more workable standards while still reducing lead exposure. Some witnesses, including environmental groups, argued the bill should remain stronger, while others said the striker was an acceptable compromise. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 5360, which would create tiered criminal penalties for violations of the Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, and Hazardous Waste Management Act, including felony penalties for knowing or negligent conduct in certain circumstances. The prime sponsor and Attorney General’s Office said the bill targets egregious polluters, adds whistleblower and worker protections, and responds to serious environmental harm cases. Tribal, environmental, and advocacy witnesses supported the bill as a way to hold repeat polluters accountable. Labor, business, industry, county, utility, and forestry representatives opposed it, warning that the language could expose workers and permit holders to criminal liability for mistakes or routine operations and that the bill needed more stakeholder work. At the end of the meeting, the committee took executive action on Substitute Senate Bill 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by modernizing the definition of motor fuel and folding alternative fuels into that definition. The bill passed the committee on a 19-0 vote, with two members excused, and was reported out with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Was there any doubt in this decision that the employee was injured at work?
• So the employee was injured at work, right? I mean, that's...
• The employee knows where they stand.
• It's going to leave employees without coverage, and that's my concern.
• For employees, I have concerns about it.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 3 by roll call vote, 131-1. Members spent much of the morning introducing special guests, including Missouri State University Citizen Scholars, Jobs for America’s Graduates participants, school counselors observing National School Counselor Week, Gainesville Elementary students joining online, interns and student shadows, and a tribute to Josephine Baker highlighting her St. Louis roots, artistic career, wartime service, and civil rights legacy. The chamber then took up first reading of several measures, including a firearms-related joint resolution, a bill on flags at cemeteries, and a bill on ownership of single-family residential property. The main floor action centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2273, a large anti-trafficking package combining provisions on child sexual abuse material terminology, trafficking, grooming, sextortion, training requirements for professionals, a statewide council in the Attorney General’s office, longer civil statutes of limitation, and tougher penalties. Supporters cited survivor testimony, the need for training and enforcement, and the bill’s role in helping victims; the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Members also advanced House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312, and 1755, a bill string aimed at curbing abusive website accessibility lawsuits against Missouri businesses while preserving ADA rights. Sponsors and supporters said the measure would protect small businesses from sue-and-settle tactics and give businesses notice and time to fix problems; the House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered House Bill 2375 on workers’ compensation, which would clarify the prevailing-factor standard, adjust treatment of pre-existing conditions, change how certain benefits are treated, and add an early dismissal mechanism and temporary appeal process. Supporters called it a fairness and clarification measure for employers and insurers, while opponents argued it could raise barriers for injured workers; the House nevertheless adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements, including committee meetings, a Black History program, a reminder for American Heart Month, concern for the city of Cameron after a fire, and a moment of reflection for the House doorkeeper Charlie, followed by a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides that no public school student or employee may be penalized or discriminated against for engaging
• On top of that, this could give them access to employee health records.
• They could ask who's been to see the employee assistance program. ...employee health records.
• They could ask who's been to see the employee assistance program.
• I need to ensure our employees are protected.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Education Pre-K-12 Committee met and took up several education bills. It first heard SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools, which would place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot to protect voluntary religious expression by students and school personnel. The sponsor said it would codify existing protections and not require prayer or religious activity, while opponents argued it was unnecessary, could be used to advance Christian nationalism, and could make minority-faith students uncomfortable. The committee reported the resolution favorably. The committee then approved SB 1738 on educational facilities, as amended, to require the Department of Education to review school facility requirements and recommend design and construction practices intended to improve safety and accountability. It also approved SB 824 on charter schools, as amended, which shifts the bill to a transparency-focused strike-all requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to the Department of Education. The committee also confirmed appointees on Tabs 7 and 8. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 1620 on public education, described by the sponsor as a “school board members’ bill of rights.” The bill would give board members broader access to district documents and staff, limit nondisclosure agreements, clarify attorney representation, and strengthen budget transparency and nepotism rules. Supporters said it would help board members do their oversight jobs, while opponents warned it could undermine superintendents, expose confidential student or employee information, and create confusion in district governance. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170 on education, as amended, which would allow parents of students with disabilities to request cameras in self-contained classrooms and set district procedures for reviewing those requests. Supporters, including parents and disability advocates, testified that cameras would protect non-speaking and vulnerable students and provide accountability, while one opponent argued the measure should be funded if adopted. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also adopted a committee-bill motion for SPB 7036, a broad education package covering school turnaround, literacy, safety, early learning, instruction, and educator pipeline issues, though members raised concerns about a possible state role in producing instructional materials; the bill was reported favorably as a committee bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the... ...order, or TRO, on behalf of their employees.
• Hello, Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association in support. Mr.
• Hello, Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association in support. Mr.
• We've got, we can shore that up and protect other transit employees as well.
• So now it expands to more employees within the system.

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met to consider several bills, with six measures approved on consent, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies purchasing firearms, ammunition, or accessories to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said taxpayer funds should not go to dealers with serious violations; opponents argued the bill added burdens and vague standards. The committee approved the bill as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by broadening enhanced battery penalties, clarifying who may seek temporary restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, and law enforcement supported the bill, while public defender and civil liberties groups raised concerns about vagueness, duration, and impacts on access to transit. The committee passed AB 394 to Judiciary as amended. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture convictions involving a child under 14 in the perpetrator’s care or custody from seven years to 20 years. Prosecutors, sheriffs, and police groups supported the bill, citing the severity of the abuse and the need to protect child victims; opponents argued the parole system already screens for risk and that harsher sentences do not improve public safety. The committee approved the bill as amended to Appropriations. AB 1092, by Assembly Member Castillo, would extend concealed carry weapon license renewals from two years to four years; supporters said it would reduce costs and administrative burdens, while the chair and others opposed it as unnecessary. The committee ultimately voted the bill down. AB 1036, by Assembly Member Schultz, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people convicted of felonies with sentences of one year or more, including Brady materials and jury selection notes. Innocence organizations and defense groups supported it, while district attorneys opposed the broader discovery obligations; the committee passed it to Appropriations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• employee does?
• Compensation and classification that you want to have on behalf of all state employees.
• Not only our chairman, but also the Director of LFC and our employees.
• We had a rapid hire and a resource event on Friday for federal employees.
• than that department's employees.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance