Transcript Highlights:

• , including that the board work with the governor and legislature to establish a working group to develop
• ...that the board work with the governor and legislature to establish a working group to develop a strategy
• Although the board had developed guidance in February 2024 for staff to look up fingerprint clearance
• The report made 15 recommendations to the board related to these two areas, including that it develop
• We made six recommendations to the department, including that it develop and/or update its conflict of

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met as a Joint Health and Human Services Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and performance audit findings for several health-related boards. The first action taken was on the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. The Auditor General reported that while the board met some licensing deadlines, it had significant problems enforcing controlled substances prescription monitoring program (CSPMP) requirements, timely investigating complaints, and documenting fee analyses and other compliance items. The board director said the agency had implemented some recommendations, was seeking legislative help on CSPMP enforcement and data issues, and described staffing and vendor challenges. A public member testified that the board was generally efficient but that statutory gaps limited its effectiveness. The committee then voted 13-0, with six not voting, to continue the Board of Pharmacy for six years until July 1, 2032, with statutory changes to improve its operations. The committee next reviewed the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The Auditor General found the board timely processed licenses but continued to resolve too many complaints late, with a large and growing backlog of open cases, and identified additional issues in oversight, accounting, public records, and conflict-of-interest practices. The executive director said the board had been under-resourced as nursing volume and complaints increased, requested 28 additional investigative positions, and described efforts to triage cases and improve tracking. The Arizona Nurses Association supported the board’s role and said it was working on a bill, House Bill 2408, to improve accountability, prioritization, and fairness in the disciplinary process. A nurse attorney testified that changes to complaint notice, the scope of investigations, and triage could shorten delays. The committee approved continuation of the Board of Nursing for four years until July 1, 2030, by a 14-0 vote with five not voting. The committee then heard the sunset review for the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. The Auditor General reported that the board generally met licensing timelines but had documentation problems verifying fingerprint clearance cards or criminal history checks, and it failed to act promptly on a renewal application involving serious sex-trafficking-related charges. The board said it had accepted all recommendations, had implemented most of them, had moved to a new licensing platform, and had hired help to address rulemaking delays. Members asked about fingerprint verification and the handling of the serious criminal charges. The committee voted 16-0 to continue the board for four years until July 1, 2030, with statutory changes to improve its performance. Finally, the committee began the review of the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. The Auditor General found the board had met some licensing and enforcement requirements but lacked adequate executive oversight, accountability, and tracking systems, and it had very high complaint-resolution delays. The report also criticized the board’s incentive pay structure, which paid all staff based on measures unrelated to complaint timeliness. The new executive director said the board had created formal investigative timelines, improved reporting, sought additional support staff, and was updating IT and incentive metrics; she also explained that the board is a shared agency with the Medical Board. The transcript ends during this presentation, before any vote on the physician assistant board is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a pleasure working with you this past year in developing the capacity of how Washington State
• It's been a pleasure working with you this past year in developing the capacity of how Washington State
• is going to work and been back. pleasure working with you this past year in developing the capacity
• ...part of your participation in this in the development of this legislation.
• We also recognize the complexity of water uses in the Columbia River and try to develop a process to

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2170, which would authorize DNR to enter ecosystem service and carbon contracts on state trust lands, and House Bill 2578, which would add tribal members and alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. For HB 2170, the Department of Natural Resources and supporters said the bill would diversify revenue, help meet climate goals, and allow DNR to participate in emerging carbon and ecosystem markets without necessarily eliminating timber harvest. Opponents, including counties, school districts, timber companies, loggers, and forest industry groups, argued the bill could reduce harvest levels, harm rural jobs and mill supply, and lower revenues for schools and other trust beneficiaries; several said any new authority should be limited to additive projects with stronger safeguards. Supporters included environmental groups and some local officials who said the bill would provide a more stable revenue stream and better align land management with climate and watershed benefits. The chair noted there are two related vehicles in committee, HB 1508 as the negotiated version and HB 2170 as the department version, and the public hearing on HB 2170 was closed after extensive testimony. For HB 2578, staff explained that the bill would add four tribal commissioner positions and four alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, with representation from federally recognized tribes on both sides of the Cascades and staggered terms. Prime sponsor Rep. Deborah Lekanoff said the measure would strengthen co-management and the state’s government-to-government relationship with tribes, while acknowledging there are other related bills and ongoing legal issues involving WDFW. The chair asked whether the bill would affect existing tribal consultation obligations, and Lekanoff said it would not replace government-to-government consultation; she also said she would follow up on how the governor would make appointments. The hearing on HB 2578 was then suspended so the committee could return to HB 2170 testimony. The committee also heard staff briefing and sponsor testimony on House Bill 2544, which would create a pilot process for the Upper Columbia River water rights adjudication. Staff said the bill would require Ecology to run the adjudication in two phases, starting with tribal and federal claimants and allowing time for settlement before bringing in other claims, with a report due by June 2035. Rep. Larry Springer said the bill is intended to establish a baseline of water use more efficiently in a process that can otherwise take decades. After the briefing and sponsor remarks, the committee began public testimony on the bill, with tribal representatives and other stakeholders queued to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• In response to your third question, according to a national program participation tracker developed by
• CDSS is grateful for the Legislature's investment to support the development.
• We're also developing a distribution and communication plan for the revised training.
• I'm Jason Wimbley, Director of the Department of Community Services Development.
• We've developed guiding principles to navigate the impacts of HR1.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've developed a pretty strong network of providers that do that.
• And so there were metrics developed that look at access to care and timeliness to access to care.
• I know there's private sector, there's fund development that incorporates the private sector as well
• Most developed countries actually have some form of a for-profit medical model or healthcare model.
• You need to complete an analysis, develop a plan, and select technology.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• , including extensive greenfield sites, the potential to develop real estate around stations, manage
• Transit-oriented developments aren't just smart planning.
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact.
• The motion is do pass to the Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact.
• On Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact. Davies? Aye. Davies, aye. Bennett, aye.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 86, which would extend and expand the CAEATFA sales and use tax exclusion program through 2031, raise the annual cap from $100 million to $200 million, and add fusion energy. Supporters, including the State Treasurer and industry and labor representatives, cited billions in clean-tech investment, job creation, and environmental benefits; county groups opposed the bill over local revenue losses. The committee approved SB 86 on a 12-0 roll, holding the roll open for additional members. The committee then heard SB 545, which would require Go-Biz to study economic development opportunities along the California high-speed rail corridor, including land value, development incentives, and public-private partnerships. Labor, Fresno’s mayor’s office, and other stakeholders supported the bill as a way to spur corridor development and future funding opportunities, while one business group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. The bill passed on a 9-1 vote, with the roll held open. Members next considered SB 63, a Bay Area transit funding measure authorizing a regional revenue measure to support transit operations amid looming fiscal shortfalls. The author and witnesses described severe service cuts that could follow without new funding, while committee members raised concerns about the bill’s structure, county participation, polling, and whether other revenue options should be considered. The bill advanced on a 9-3 vote, with the roll held open, and the committee also approved SB 263, directing a state study of tariff impacts on California’s economy and supply chains, on an 11-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 661, which would redirect aviation-related tax revenues back to airports for aviation purposes and bring the state into compliance with federal requirements; testimony focused on airport modernization, rural access, and allocation formulas, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• project, $37 million for Kalhale development projects, and $35 million for Kuna supportive housing.
• ,</c><00:51:24.079><c> economic</c> and workforce development, economic and workforce development, economic
• development,<00:51:25.319><c> diversification,</c><00:51:26.319><c> including</c> development, diversification
• c> development</c> million for Kalhale development million for Kalhale development projects,<00:52:23.440
• ,</c> Uh and in economic development, Uh and in economic development, diversification<00:53:04.880><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on workforce development, I represent one of the state hospitals and also an area.
• On workforce development, I represent one of the state hospitals and also an area that has very high
• So in looking at the BHCIP awards to date, we developed a methodology where we looked at and...
• We developed a methodology where we looked at the relative need of regions across the state based on
• The Workforce Initiative includes five distinct behavioral health workforce development programs.

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the chair and members about recent federal cuts to public health, mental health, family planning, and Title X funding, with strong concern about the impact on California programs and providers. The committee then turned to the Department of State Hospitals, which presented its 2025-26 budget proposal of $3.4 billion, including new positions, capital improvements, and funding tied to increased patient costs and incompetent-to-stand-trial services. DSH reported major progress in reducing the IST waitlist and wait times, said it had met the court’s 28-day treatment benchmark for those without extenuating circumstances, and described workforce recruitment and retention efforts such as residency programs, fellowships, outreach, and hiring streamlining. Members asked about future IST referral trends, SB 1323’s effect on diversion and community treatment, and workforce lessons in high-cost regions; public comment urged reconsideration of county IST growth cap methodology in light of new criminal justice initiatives. The committee next received an informational overview of Proposition 1 and its changes to behavioral health funding and governance. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that Prop. 1 restructured county MHSA funding buckets, expanded the Commission for Behavioral Health, shifted prevention and early intervention responsibilities, and authorized a $6.4 billion bond, including $4.4 billion for behavioral health facilities through BHCIP. DHCS said it had released guidance for county integrated plans and was receiving extensive public comment. Members focused on BHCIP application requirements, especially letters of support and tribal projects, and raised concerns about whether DHCS’s implementation matched statutory intent. DHCS said it had authority to set application requirements and that tribal entities were treated differently because of sovereignty and funding structure. DHCS then updated the committee on BHCIP, the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program, and related bond implementation. The department said BHCIP had awarded about $1.7 billion across five rounds, with more than 130 projects and 223 distinct facilities funded, and that it was preparing to award the new bond funds after receiving nearly $8 billion in applications. The LAO’s assessment found that more than half of awards served at least 80% Medi-Cal enrollees, but also raised concerns that the regional allocation model could reinforce inequities, that the program had not sufficiently addressed the highest-need regions such as the southern San Joaquin Valley, and that smaller counties and less launch-ready applicants faced barriers. For bridge housing, DHCS said more than $1.1 billion had been awarded, serving over 5,000 people and supporting more than 2,000 operational beds, but the Governor’s budget proposes to eliminate Round 4 funding as the administration weighs other statewide investments and Proposition 1 implementation workload. Public commenters and members urged more accountability, better regional equity, stronger labor and community involvement, and caution about funding for for-profit psychiatric facilities. Finally, the committee heard on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. CalHHS and DHCS described CYBHI as a broad prevention- and equity-focused effort with more than 1,300 organizations funded, over $2.1 billion awarded, and multiple work streams spanning schools, community programs, workforce, and digital supports. DHCS highlighted school-based services, the fee schedule rollout, and digital platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna, which it said are reaching users statewide and providing low-barrier access to coaching and support. Members and public commenters raised concerns about delays in school fee schedule implementation, the large share of funding going to digital tools, the need for more in-person services, and whether the initiative is sufficiently tracking outcomes and equity impacts. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> on the forefront of economic development on the forefront of economic development activities.<00
• c><01:15:59.520><c> uh</c> develop our legislative positions uh develop our legislative positions uh
• </c><01:21:44.800><c> in</c> capacity market was being developed in capacity market was being developed
• </c> if you're just independently developing if you're just independently developing generation. >> Okay
• </c><01:47:49.360><c> of</c> realworld bottlenecks as developers of realworld bottlenecks as developers

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Templates and best practices are in use, um, for use are currently under development.
• We're in the process of developing training and supports for this work.
• c> developing</c><00:11:26.000><c> training</c><00:11:26.680><c> and</c> process of developing training
• </c> necessary the toolkit that ogm developed necessary the toolkit that ogm developed supported<00:15
• The financial reconciliation training was developed in 2013.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My background is in community redevelopment and development, affordable housing.
• do a presentation on their community solar program that we passed statute and we directed them to develop
• Many projects are moving through development and nearing completion.
• We knew when we opened the projects for bid that there was a huge interest for developers, but what we
• There's a lot of interest from developers to open up those additional 300 megawatts to development after

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will gavel down and start the committee hearing for Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development
• So if you are a member of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, might
• I just need to call this Business, Professions and Economic Development.
• That's it for Business, Professions and Economic Development.
• That's it for Business, Professions and Economic Development.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee heard three bills. SB 849 by Senator Weber Pearson would address physician sexual misconduct by clarifying that physicians or surgeons who committed specified sexual offenses against patients cannot petition for license renewal, and by requiring automatic revocation in certain misconduct-related cases, including where a license was surrendered, revoked, or the person was convicted or required to register as a sex offender. Support came from the California Medical Association and the American College of OBGYN; there was no opposition in the room. The bill was moved do pass to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, then later confirmed out on call. SB 96 by Senator Umberg would extend California’s advertising-volume rules to streaming services, podcasts, and similar content by requiring ads to be kept at the ambient level of the surrounding content. The author said the bill was inspired by a child awakened by loud streaming ads and argued it would update the earlier CALM Act for modern media. There was no support or opposition testimony in the room. The committee discussed how the rule might affect platforms operating statewide or nationally, and the bill passed do pass on a 9-0 vote, then was confirmed out on call. SB 342 by Senator Umberg, the Contractors Licensure Fairness Act, would allow contractors to recover payment for work performed while licensed even if they were unlicensed for part of a project, while still barring payment for unlicensed days and preserving existing prohibitions on starting work without a license. Supporters, including representatives of the California Conference of Carpenters, State Building and Construction Trades, and contractor associations, argued the current law can be overly punitive and can create windfalls for owners when a technical lapse is discovered later. Committee members raised concerns about consumer protection, burden of proof, and whether the bill could create loopholes, but the author and supporters said existing protections remain and the bill is intended to be proportional. The bill passed do pass to Judiciary on a 9-0 vote and was later confirmed out on call to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• health, and opioid treatment, the department lays a foundation for behavioral health services by developing
• This role places us in a posture to develop innovative services and enhance existing services and address
• The webinar was developed into a course and is currently published and available on the department's
• During the past year, in collaboration with our training vendor, we developed and disseminated a total
• Completed rule development for over 45 Baker Act forms.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families on implementation of House Bill 7021, which revised the Baker Act and Marchman Act and was funded with a $50 million appropriation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Bill Hardin reported that the department has updated reference guides, training, administrative rules, and forms; launched regional behavioral health collaboratives; and created the Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman. He said early data show continued declines in Baker Act use, high diversion rates from involuntary examinations through 988, mobile response teams, and care coordination, along with generally positive provider feedback on changes such as allowing psychiatric nurses to initiate emergency treatment orders and clarifying the 72-hour examination period. Hardin also described Marchman Act changes, including a streamlined petition process, remote testimony, improved discharge planning, and a new annual data report. He said the department has completed or is completing multiple training courses for providers and law enforcement, and has adopted or is finalizing numerous rules and forms. He reported that the regional collaboratives are identifying common statewide needs such as service capacity, resource sharing, funding flexibility, and peer support, while the ombudsman office is handling complaints and helping families navigate services. Members asked about whether the current funding is sufficient, future budget needs, outreach for the new ombudsman office, and services for juveniles. Hardin said DCF has posted legislative budget requests for additional forensic FACT services and short-term residential treatment beds, including children’s beds, and noted the ombudsman office is staffed with two FTEs and supported through existing complaint-management and regional systems. He said outreach is being done through regional collaboratives and coordination with other agencies, especially the Department of Education, and that juvenile transport and placement issues have improved with the new law. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Industrial Relations may conduct criminal history background checks as appropriate and shall develop
• </c> checks as appropriate and shall develop checks as appropriate and shall develop El<00:05:51.400>
• and Industrial Relations may conduct criminal history background checks as appropriate and shall develop
• and Industrial Relations may conduct criminal history background checks as appropriate and shall develop
• and Industrial Relations may conduct criminal history background checks as appropriate and shall develop

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Library and Technology Committee met on March 14, 2025, to hear House Bill 430, House Draft 2, which would create an internship/on-the-job training program administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, with the state serving as the responsible employer for workers’ compensation coverage and appropriations included. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Department of Education. Supporters emphasized the value of internships as a high-impact educational and career pathway opportunity. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill’s intent but raised a concern about the criminal history background check language, recommending that the bill be revised so DLIR may conduct checks “as appropriate” rather than requiring a mandatory check for all interns. The AG noted that juvenile records would remain confidential for 16- and 17-year-old interns under existing law and suggested deleting the more specific background-check language or replacing it with the more flexible wording. Several organizations submitted support, including business, health care, tourism, and industry groups. During decision-making, the committee discussed amendments incorporating the Attorney General’s recommendation, adding a 2.5 GPA minimum reference, and clarifying language about private or public sector organizations and placement of interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, or programs. The committee adopted the recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE WERE DELINQUENT IN PUBLISHING OUR NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT. AND OVERSIGHT ON MY PART.
• WE HAVE SINCE TAKEN STEPS TO INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLISH IT.
• WHY THE DELAY AND WHY DID IT TAKE TWO YEARS TO DEVELOP THAT?
• I UNDERSTAND WE HAD CHANGES IN 24 BUT THAT SHOULDN'T STOP YOU DEVELOPING RULES FROM THE 23 SESSION.
• IN OCTOBER 2023 THE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED HIS NOTICE OF ROLL DEVELOPMENT FOR CHAPTER 60 5V-NINE WHICH

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce Finance and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development
• This bill most appropriately belongs in the Workforce Development Committee.
• 09:14.320><c> labor</c><00:09:15.000><c> and</c><00:09:15.200><c> economic</c><00:09:15.800><c> development
• </c> Workforce labor and economic development Workforce labor and economic development finance<00:09:
• During that time, he helped develop early childhood education programs, supported veterans, small businesses

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• protecting public safety while also providing a path forward for the driverless innovation being developed
• An online training video has been developed and is posted on YouTube and the DMV's website for quick
• California has long been at the forefront of AV development and regulation, but AVs do not appear on
• California has long been at the forefront of AV development and regulation, but AVs do not appear on
• And then the last question you talked about was around workforce development and navigation.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They developed this 60, 70 years ago.
• They developed this 60, 70 years ago.
• They developed this 60, 70 years ago.
• Developed the revenue. revitalizing the lodge and island facilities.
• And so, look, I think economic development is a great way.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The board met at the State Capitol and approved the agenda and prior minutes after brief motions and no public comment. Executive Director Michael Hare then gave a CPRA implementation update, describing a large portfolio of active projects and highlighting several that are under construction, nearing bid, or recently awarded, including Port Fourchon shoreline protection, Caernarvon marsh creation, Schooner Bayou saltwater barrier rehabilitation, Cain Bayou marsh creation, West Shore river reintroduction work, Morganza to the Gulf, Raccoon Island restoration, Chenier-O-Tig ridge restoration, Bayou Pigeon and Dismal Swamp boat launches, Grand Bayou marsh creation, Highway 1 terracing, and several National Coastal Resilience Fund projects. He also noted the annual plan public meetings had concluded, with comments accepted through February 17, 2026, and answered board questions about the Rockefeller shoreline project, saying CPRA and the Corps were working through geotechnical and environmental issues and trying to move it forward. The board then received a joint presentation from CPRA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the White Lake Conservation Area and Management Plan. Speakers described White Lake as a 72,000-acre property in Vermilion Parish with major freshwater marsh, wildlife habitat, hunting and fishing opportunities, and aging infrastructure that currently operates on limited self-generated revenue. The plan, finalized in October 2025, focuses on habitat protection, maintaining wildlife, supporting revenue generation, expanding controlled public access, and strengthening partnerships. Proposed priorities include GIWW shoreline protection, Unit 2/Caddo levee stabilization, and north shoreline protection, with about $30 million secured for engineering and design and total costs estimated around $120 million to $130 million. Officials also discussed a possible lodge revitalization funded only with private dollars, broader landscape-level habitat management, conservation incentives for private landowners, and potential land acquisition for additional public access. Board members and agency leaders emphasized the importance of White Lake to waterfowl habitat and public recreation, and one member urged similar management attention for Sabine, Lacassine, and Cameron Prairie refuges. The final major presentation covered CPRA’s marsh creation design guidelines. Staff explained that marsh creation remains a major share of the coastal master plan and current project pipeline, and reviewed how projects are built using dredged sediment, containment dikes, and pipeline systems. They said the 2017 design guidelines were intended to standardize minimum design and construction practices, but are now being updated to reflect lessons learned, current survey standards, geotechnical practices, construction methods, and issues such as oil and gas infrastructure and land rights coordination. Board members asked about reducing unnecessary geotechnical costs, improving land-rights timing, considering unconfined marsh creation where appropriate, and accounting for why marsh areas are failing in the first place. Staff said they would consider those suggestions as part of the guideline update and then moved into a follow-up presentation on safety, access, and logistics for marine construction in the coastal zone.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a trust fund that was developed for this purpose, but it was also used during some years of
• We took that input to develop what we called a discussion draft.
• initiatives, including developing the right tools and templates to support the future regions.
• We developed a mechanism thanks to all the folks involved in the state engineer's office and ISC.
• In the 1950s, there are several significant developments. One is major drought.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• community designation with an emphasis on prioritizing grant proposals that integrate workforce development
• Help the state lead the way in developing strategies for combating these types of crimes in our counties
• But this budget that we are looking at right now was actually developed before we had the crisis in Los
• Again, that's where development is gonna happen with Brightline.
• We are a clean energy developer working to build an offshore wind farm.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity to welcome you all to the eighth hearing on the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
• And I do want to take a moment to acknowledge the staff on the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
• and the economic development may have been stiffed to their wages.
• The idea that the development and the economic development may have been stiffed to their wages, may
• That concludes the hearing of the Labor and Workforce Development Committee, October 8th, 2025.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on several labor-related bills, especially proposals to give legislative employees the right to organize and collectively bargain, close a prevailing wage loophole for off-site prefabrication work, and strengthen enforcement against wage theft. Committee chairs opened the hearing by explaining the hybrid format and asking witnesses to keep testimony brief. Multiple legislators testified in support of the legislative staff union bill, saying staff deserve the same bargaining rights as other public employees and that unionization would improve pay, benefits, retention, and workplace dignity. Witnesses also discussed how the bill would likely be structured, with separate House and Senate bargaining arrangements or locals, and emphasized that it would only create the option to unionize, not require it. A second major topic was the prevailing wage bill addressing off-site fabrication and prefabrication in construction. Union leaders, contractors, and workers described how more work is being shifted from job sites into shops, especially in sheet metal, HVAC, electrical, and pipefitting work, and argued that the law should treat that work the same as on-site construction when it is part of a public project. They said the current loophole lets some contractors underbid by paying lower wages off-site, while responsible contractors already pay prevailing wages in their shops. Supporters argued the bill would protect workers, preserve apprenticeship and training standards, improve safety and quality, and make enforcement easier through certified payroll and clearer definitions. The committee also heard testimony on wage theft legislation. Representative Dan Donahue, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division, AFL-CIO representatives, and carpenters’ union witnesses described wage theft, misclassification, labor brokers, and tax fraud as widespread problems that hurt workers, honest contractors, and public revenues. They supported giving the Attorney General stronger enforcement tools, adding contractor accountability up the subcontracting chain, and protecting workers from retaliation and from delays that can cause claims to expire. A separate witness supported a bill to extend the statute of limitations for Wage Act cases while AG investigations are pending, and another supported changes to help hospital workers enforce timely payment rights. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports on the bills.