Transcript Highlights:

• As the law currently stands, a safety-sensitive employee is defined as an employee that holds a position
• The law excludes safety-sensitive employees.
• Of course, federally, you have to make sure your employees aren't impaired.
• What are you looking for in an employee that comes to work high?
• actions against employees who are qualified patients.

Bills: SB20 , SB53 , SB86 , SB96 , SB129

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's essentially a liability and related deferred inflows for the pensions that the employees are
• an employee strike or something<00:14:39.120><c> going</c><00:14:39.360><c> on,</c><00:14:39.680><c>
• It includes an insurance chapter, which covers the state employee group insurance program, also known
• And those premiums are and employees.
• </c><00:25:53.919><c> who</c> what we call limited term employees who what we call limited term employees

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As we go down the list, complaints or charges against an employee, application or performance of employees
• As we go down the list, complaints or charges against an employee, application or performance of employees
• As we go down the list, complaints or charges against an employee, application or performance of employees
• So if you've decided to hire an employee, that's taken in violation of the OPMA.
• Many of you are working with your own members, your own employees... On this.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that someone is an employee that someone is an employee by<00:05:26.560><c> allowing</c><00:05:26.880
• </c><00:05:29.440><c> benefits,</c> toward one or more employee benefits, toward one or more employee
• don't pay, and to other businesses who play by the rules of hiring traditional employees.
• An estimated 10 to 30% of employees may misclassify their employees according to a 2020 study by the
• an employee versus a independent<00:10:13.120><c> contractor.

Committee: House Economic Development & Workforce Investment

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:36 HB 732 Discussion: 02:00 HB 732 Vote: 20:55 SB 343 Discussion: 23:39 SB 343 Vote: 28:54 SB 129 Discussion: 30:30 SB 129 Vote: 32:27, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, beginning January 1st, 2027, the resolution prohibits a school athletic association or employees
• Public employees, including educators, are already prohibited from striking.
• for an employee or official's liability.
• That spreadsheet told school employees exactly how to deceive parents.
• Out of 17 children, school employees were actively deceiving parents of 10 of them.

Bills: HB2020 , HB2032 , HB2033 , HB2249 , HB2313 , HB2318 , HB2378 , HCR2003

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: interference, disruption, educational institutions, public order, conduct rules, statewide assessment, student testing, academic standards, third grade reading, reading retention, promotion and retention, school accountability, assessment window, testing window, test scores, school report cards, nontest data, graduation rates, dropout rates, education data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• For employee input, it took less than a minute, and again, I'm not a great typer.
• The employee is responsible for that.
• They can dismiss the employee and move on. No harm, no foul.
• This is for all existing employees.
• And 17, those employees that we continue to hire.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so this is our Municipal Employees' Retirement System.
• Employees' Retirement System—they have two plans, a Plan A and a Plan B.
• They will actually be enrolled in the Parochial Employees' Retirement System.
• I think we have about 428 active employees. I did a quick look.
• I think we have about 428 active employees in this valuation from Lafayette.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Public Retirement System Actuarial Committee met on February 23, 2026, approved the December 18, 2025 minutes, and heard no public comment. The committee then reviewed actuarial valuation reports and, for most systems, accompanying experience studies. The actuaries reported generally favorable investment and demographic experience across the systems, with funded ratios improving and employer contribution rates declining in several plans. They also explained the role of funding deposit accounts, frozen unfunded liabilities in some plans, and how recent legislative changes, especially the move to five-year DROP periods in some systems, affected assumptions and costs. For the Louisiana Clerk of Court Retirement Relief Fund, the committee adopted the valuation and experience study, recognizing a fiscal 2027 minimum recommended employer rate of 14.75%. For the District Attorney’s Retirement System, it adopted the valuation and experience study and recognized a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 3.00%. For the Firefighters’ Retirement System, the committee adopted the valuation and experience study, recognized a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 25.5%, and noted that DROP balances left on deposit will earn the market rate of return of 11.7%. The committee also adopted the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System valuation for both Plan A and Plan B, recognizing fiscal 2027 minimum rates of 20.75% and 8.75%, respectively. It adopted the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System valuation and experience study, recognizing a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 26.5%, a DROP crediting rate of 7.4%, and a policy range up to 29.35% for future contributions. For the Registrars of Voters Employees’ Retirement System, the committee adopted the valuation and experience study, recognized a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 0%, and noted a $207,683 allocation to the Member Supplemental Savings Fund for fiscal 2026. Finally, it adopted the Sheriff’s Pension and Relief Fund valuation and experience study, recognizing a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 7.75%. All motions passed without objection, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• At FYI Plus, we have over 150 employees serving all of Doña Ana County.
• and P.E. employees. ...is going to go to state employees and P.E. employees.
• We know it's 80%, it's 20% for state employees. What's the premium cost for the private plan?
• It's 20% for state employees.
• So a small business could choose to offer this as an option to all of its employees.

Bills: SB241 , SB145 , HB2

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• , must monitor and record certain air quality information in any area of the facility where employees
• We also have concerns with employee safety measures being put directly into statute.
• Nevada properties encompassing over 30 million square feet and impacting over 28,000 employees.
• Does that mean also that we don't care about state employees?
• Does that mean also that we don't care about state employees?

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you go up to 51 to 100 employees, you're required to only have three mine emergency technicians.
• , only 4% of your employees have to be certified.
• </c><00:10:50.519><c> also</c> mine with 11 to 50 employees also mine with 11 to 50 employees also requires
• </c><00:11:12.760><c> only</c> company with uh 10 to 50 employees only company with uh 10 to 50 employees
• </c><00:11:21.079><c> 51</c> company with more than 51 employees 51 company with more than 51 employees

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:12 Attendance Roll Call: 01:12 HB 19 (Rep. Hodgson): 01:41 HB 54 (Rep. Banta): 04:01 HB 313 (Rep. King): 06:24 HB 473 (Rep. Branscum): 08:04 HB 196 (Rep. Wheeler for Rep. Blanton): 10:01 Adjournment: 28:08, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met for its fifth meeting of the 2025 session, took roll, established a quorum, and considered several bills. The committee first heard House Bill 19, which would create protections against unauthorized drone surveillance of people and private property and allow injunctive relief and civil actions. Representative John Hodgson said the bill was intended to protect privacy while preserving legitimate drone uses, and the committee reported the bill favorably on a 10-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 54, which would allow work hours earned through dual credit programs to count toward apprenticeship or licensing requirements in certain trades. Representative Banta and witness Brian Miller said the measure had been worked out with labor interests and would help students in career pathways. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. House Bill 313, a cleanup measure related to last year’s consumer data privacy legislation, was also presented and passed unanimously with a favorable expression. The most extensive discussion centered on House Bill 196, which would change the number of mine emergency technicians required on coal mine shifts, especially for smaller mines. Senator Philip Wheeler presented the bill in place of Representative Blandon, arguing that smaller mines were struggling to meet current staffing requirements and that the UMWA was neutral. Stella Morris and Courtney Rhoads opposed the bill, with Morris describing the 2005 death of her husband in a mining accident and Rhoads arguing the change would reduce mine safety and roll back protections adopted after that tragedy. Several senators explained their votes, citing the balance between coal jobs and miner safety. The bill passed 7-4 and was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A Steak and Shake employee raped another employee who was working at the Steak and Shake, and Steak and
• acts of their employee?
• Okay, they can't, the employee would not be able to...
• Your employee was in the course and scope, so you're responsible.
• The companies are vetting their employees, and the employees are doing things that are...

Bills: HB4011 , HB2680 , HB4325 , HB4327 , HB4944 , HB1761 , HB4688 , HB3453 , HB40 , HB1707 , HB4749 , HB2322 , HB3647 , HB4139 , HB4081 , HB2203 , HB2100 , HB4170 , HB3104 , HB4623 , HB40

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• Human oversight remain central and accountability always stays with the employee responsible for the
• Because each agency's in the position of knowing what AI tools it's rolling out for its employees to
• orientation is to ensure that new employees who come on board are immediately aware of those policies
• What are the workflows and capabilities that are there for employees for constituents to capabilities
• We talked a lot about making I work for employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• and former department employees.
• and former department employees.
• First, it changes each reference of commission official or employee to member of the commission.
• This ensures employees are not unintentionally captured and become part of the record of a permit.
• First, it changes each reference of commission official or employee to member of the commission.

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to suspend Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 6 p.m. that day. It then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order of business and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 1866 gave limited Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service law enforcement officers within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; HB 4996 increased the penalty for refusing to release a fraudulent lien when the victim is a public servant; and HB 5033 created a trigger mechanism for ending vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes. HB 1533 made a range of appraisal and property tax procedure changes, HB 2282 raised the arrest warrant reimbursement fee from $50 to $75, HB 3421 updated probate and estates procedures, and HB 4263 revised Texas Juvenile Justice Department grievance procedures. Each of these measures advanced through second reading, third reading, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few bills. The chamber also considered major policy bills. HB 2, the large public education and school finance package, drew extensive floor discussion and multiple amendments. Senators emphasized its $8.5 billion investment, including teacher and staff pay, school safety funding, special education, charter and traditional school funding changes, and other allotment adjustments. Several senators praised the bill as historic and collaborative, while also noting the need to monitor implementation and future effects. After adopting amendments and hearing supportive remarks from multiple members, the Senate passed HB 2 on final vote, 31-0. Other debated measures included HB 143, which codified cooperation between the Railroad Commission and the Public Utility Commission to address electrical safety hazards at well sites and related facilities, and CS SB 3074/3070, which allowed limited written communications from the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to TCEQ commissioners about permit applications, with disclosure and response requirements. Senator Johnson raised concerns that the TCEQ bill could politicize an apolitical permitting process and potentially affect federal delegation, but the bill was amended and passed 28-3. The Senate also passed HB 4426 on Railroad Commission permits for commercial surface disposal facilities, HB 3161 giving TMRS cities more flexibility on employee contribution rates, and HB 2712 allowing future test years for certain water and sewer utility rate-making, with an amendment to protect ratepayers if projections overcharge them. At the end of the session, the Senate handled several procedural motions, including re-referring HB 1904 from Criminal Justice to State Affairs and suspending posting rules so committees could meet later that day. The chamber then recessed until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025, for a local and uncontested calendar, and planned to adjourn until 5:00 p.m. that same day after that calendar concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• But my question is, I don't see the number of TOs and employees that that relates to.
• , existing employees.
• Existing employees received either a 10% or a 5% adjustment to their base pay.
• So that 10% and that 5% is to address compression issues for existing employees.
• The Office of Forestry is right behind them at $21.5 million with 179 employees.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I am not here because it's my employees I am not here because it's my employees that<00:20:35.400
• </c> I'm speaking out because my employees I'm speaking out because my employees know<00:20:39.080><c
• ><c> sheltering</c> Instead, her employees were sheltering Instead, her employees were sheltering in<
• </c> And although I don't have employees And although I don't have employees myself<00:40:59.040><c>
• . employees. employees.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I am a 20-year employee.
• Um, I am a 20-year employee.
• State employees don't do that.
• State employees don't do that.
• Employee universal identifiers. &gt;&gt; Yeah. Employee universal identifiers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our number one pay source is employee contribution, so it far exceeds any other component.
• And again, the largest being the employees themselves. So how?
• Our number one pay source is employee contribution, so it far exceeds any other component.
• And again, the largest being the employees themselves. So how? It in.
• And again, the largest being the employees themselves. So happy to try and answer some questions.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was largely, almost all of the employees were men.
• It wouldn't be across the board, because what is a qualified employee?
• This bill requires all public employees to be hired by merit and not by racial or sex discrimination.
• If you're a taxpayer, you want the best public employees for your money.
• If you're a public employee, you want to feel that you earned and deserved your job.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1023, which would require optometrists to conduct eye exams according to community standard of care at a recommended one-year interval, while allowing prescriptions to be extended up to two years or shortened based on risk factors. The sponsor described it as a compromise to reduce confusion and align prescription validity with medical judgment. The Arizona Optometric Association supported the bill, saying it codifies best practice and gives clearer standards for patients and practitioners. The committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1023 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1013, a merit-based public hiring bill that would prohibit state and local public employers from using hiring or personnel policies based on race, ethnicity, sex, or national origin, while preserving compliance with anti-discrimination laws. An amendment was offered and adopted to clarify that the bill would not limit voluntary veterans’ preference employment policies. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill ensures public jobs are awarded based on qualifications, experience, and merit, and several witnesses testified in favor, including representatives from Do No Harm. Opponents argued the bill could undermine diversity efforts and existing equity-focused hiring practices, and several members raised concerns about the veterans’ preference language and the definition of merit. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and then voted 4-3 to give SB 1013, as amended, a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I will say this specific employee.
• "He's a KD employee." "Yes, sir." "Do we have any other questions about contract number 43?" "No.
• And so this employee will be able to help us elevate those stories.
• Um the the previous employee position.
• . >> For that employee.

Keywords: This live stream stopped early and will be uploaded as a complete video later today or tomorrow morning., 958, all

Summary: The committee first considered a pulled contract involving the Department of Education and heard from KDE staff Karen Worth, Matthew Courtney, and later Mickey Ray Marinelli. Members asked about contract 42, which related to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program and broader federal budget uncertainty. KDE explained that the program is forward-funded, so current-year and next-school-year funding were secure, but future funding remained unclear because federal decisions were still in flux. Members asked to be kept informed of any changes and expressed support for the program. The committee then discussed contract 43, a $105,000 general fund agreement for a communications/digital media consultant. KDE said the position was created to help increase awareness of resources for district staff, administrators, and teachers, including Read to Succeed, numeracy, MTSS, website usability, standards resources, and the Kentucky Learning Hub. Members questioned why the work was being routed through the Green River Co-op, whether the role was new, how long it had been vacant, how many similar positions existed, and whether the work amounted to internal marketing. KDE said the selected employee was coming from Thomas More University, the position had existed for about one year, the vacancy had been less than six months, and the role was intended to improve communication and online resources. Some members voiced concern about growing administrative spending and whether more positions were needed. Both contracts were ultimately approved as reviewed without objection after motions, seconds, and roll-call votes. The committee then announced that the September 25 meeting would instead be held on Tuesday, September 9 at 9:00 a.m., and adjourned after a motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• be taken in the Judiciary Committee, which will narrow the scope of the bill to avoid implicating employees
• It's important to note that the businesses impacted by this bill are those with over 100 employees.
• With over 100 employees. These are not just large corporations.
• This could look like reducing benefits, increasing employee cost sharing, or reconsidering their coverage
• . between the types of benefits, the cost of those benefits for the entirety of their employee package

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all