Video & Transcript : 'employee mobility' :
Page 375 of 500
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Katie Durkin, here on behalf of the Washington Federation of State Employees in support of
- These interpreters are contracted and not traditional state employees, so we have that reduced scope
- their wages and working conditions under the Public Employees’ Collective Bargaining Act.
- So currently, correctional employees in jails employed by a county with a population of 70,000 or more
- their wages and working conditions under the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jan 27th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- As stated in this program, menopause-responsive workplaces retain employees, build culture and well-being
- dismissed or mistreated as stress or mental health, clinicians lacking formal menopause training, employees
- We're a Massachusetts-based not-for-profit company with 4,000 employees serving 3 million members and
- So if you could help me understand... in virtual sessions with employees to discuss menopause support
- We know that the GLP ones for employees to access GLP-1s who've been on this.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Health
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing during a snowstorm, with members participating both in person and via Teams, and the chairs said testimony would be kept open for an additional week. The first bill heard was H.4796, an act relative to organ transplant vehicles. NORA New England testified in support, arguing that dedicated organ transport vehicles need authority to use lights and sirens so time-sensitive organs can be moved more quickly and safely without relying on EMS systems already stretched by 9-1-1 calls. No opposition was heard and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next item.
The bulk of the hearing focused on H.4838, an act expanding access to perimenopause and menopause care. Chair Decker, who filed the bill, said it was the product of a year of meetings with dozens of individuals and organizations and was intended as a starting point to identify gaps in care, training, access, and coverage. Testimony overwhelmingly supported the bill and described widespread misdiagnosis, dismissal of symptoms, limited clinician training, insurance barriers, medication access problems, and workplace impacts. Speakers included patients, clinicians, advocates, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and out-of-state and international experts, many of whom urged better education, public awareness, research, and workplace accommodations.
Several witnesses emphasized that menopause affects whole-body health, including cardiovascular, bone, mental health, and work outcomes, and that Black women and other marginalized groups face greater barriers and worse outcomes. Some speakers noted the bill is important but largely a framework that will need further work to address coverage and access more directly. Blue Cross Blue Shield said it supports the bill and already covers menopause-related care and training, though the chair used the exchange to criticize broader insurer and state decisions on GLP-1 coverage for obesity. The committee took no vote during the hearing, and the chairs closed by thanking witnesses and stating that additional written testimony would be accepted.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Transcript Highlights:
- Good morning, Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association in support.
- Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association.
- Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association.
- Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association.
- Carlos Lopez, California School Employees Association, in support.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have 24 employees there right now that are strictly recycling mattresses.
- We are required by the state to provide a uniform to an employee.
- Employees likely wear a T-shirt with the restaurant logo on it.
- We are required by the state to provide a uniform to an employee.
- Employees likely wear a t-shirt with the restaurant logo on it.
Summary:
The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two producer-responsibility bills and then a work session on consumer electrical equipment. On SB 6271, which would create an extended producer responsibility program for mattresses, staff explained the bill’s requirements for a producer responsibility organization, collection and recycling targets, reporting, and enforcement. Senator Hunt said the measure would reduce landfill burden and illegal dumping while creating recycling jobs. Local governments, a recycler, and environmental advocates testified in support, citing landfill capacity concerns, high disposal costs, and the potential to recover most mattress materials. Retail and industry groups said they support the goal but opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it differs from existing state models and could create unnecessary cost and administrative burden. The hearing closed with 459 signed in support and 172 opposed.
The committee then heard SB 6174, a proposed substitute on textile producer responsibility that would first require a needs assessment and the creation of a coordinating organization. Supporters, including the sponsor, environmental advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and a student testifier, described textiles as a fast-growing waste stream with major landfill, pollution, and global labor impacts, and said the needs assessment is an important first step. Opponents from retail, business, apparel, and hospitality groups said they support continued stakeholder work and the needs assessment concept, but raised concerns that the bill still presumes a future EPR program, could impose fees and penalties, and may sweep in retailers and company uniforms in ways that create burdens for small businesses. The hearing closed with 1,253 signed in support and 364 opposed.
In the work session, Jeremiah Miller of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory briefed the committee on codes and standards for grid-connected and portable solar equipment. He explained how the National Electrical Code, UL certification standards, and IEEE interconnection standards work together, and described newer supplemental standards such as UL 3141 for power control systems and UL 3700 for portable or plug-in solar. Members asked about safety, certification timing, and how Washington could allow these products while ensuring proper installation and consumer protection. Miller said UL 3700 is very new and not yet widely certified in the market, but that the current code framework can accommodate certified products while standards continue to evolve. The committee took no votes and adjourned after the work session.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 28, 2026 - 09:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Should they choose, this bill will allow an employee to waive the right to minimum wage if he or she
- Through this bill, an employee may waive their right to receive the state minimum wage by knowingly and
- I mean, we certainly want to look out for the protection of employees, whether this bill passes yea or
- So this just creates an additional opportunity for people both on the employer side and employee side
- They're old W-2 employees. I pay federal taxes on my campaign staff.
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 455, a local bill for the City of Lake Wales that would allow open containers in a downtown arts district. The sponsor said the city had invested heavily in the area and wanted to support business growth. An amendment clarified that the allowance was intended for cups, not bottles taken from restaurants, and the bill was then adopted favorably without opposition.
Members then heard HB 1049 on building permit requirements, which would remove permits for certain work under $7,500 and for battery or backup power systems, while also preempting local governments from adding extra permitting rules. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying modular homes on RV lots, and another addressing contractor “splitting” of projects to avoid the threshold and requiring five years of record retention. County and local-government groups raised concerns about inspections and permitting, while several business and advocacy groups supported the bill. It passed favorably.
HB 1175, dealing with safety design standards for office surgery suites, was presented as a measure directing the Florida Building Commission and State Fire Marshal to establish new standards to improve safety and efficiency. There was no amendment or public testimony, and it passed favorably. The committee then spent extensive time on HB 221, which would let workers waive the state minimum wage for certain work-based learning, internship, or pre-apprenticeship positions for up to nine months, later narrowed by amendment to 252 days, or 126 days for minors with parental consent, and defining the program as structured learning. Supporters framed it as a way to expand apprenticeships and help small businesses offer training opportunities; opponents argued it would create free or subminimum labor, invite abuse and coercion, and raise constitutional concerns. Despite strong opposition testimony from labor, civil rights, and policy groups, the bill passed favorably after debate.
The committee also heard HB 4035, a Palm Beach County local bill requiring applicants for a certificate of competency to pass the licensing exam before applying to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. The sponsor said it would streamline and modernize the process, and members discussed it briefly in support. The transcript ends before the final action on that bill is fully shown.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine options to reduce catastrophic wildfire, including H.R.471, to expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisd Mar 6th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- More than 75% of those dismissed employees had wild land fire qualifications, including on-the-ground
- Now, some of these employees that were hastily fired are being brought back to do important work, but
- Forest Service employees are real people, family, friends, and neighbors dedicated to caring for the
- , the Forest Service alone is short more than 50 employees that are critical to carrying out the most
- So, those are our red card employees.
Bills:
HB471
Keywords:
forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill to fund independent living center grant program heard in House workforce committee 3/4/25
Transcript Highlights:
- must be people with disabilities, and MCIL 65% of our employees are people with disabilities.
- </c><00:07:46.360><c> must</c> by federal law 50% of our employees must by federal law 50% of our employees
- </c><00:07:51.440><c> are</c><00:07:51.599><c> people</c><00:07:51.800><c> with</c> of our employees
- are people with of our employees are people with disabilities<00:07:52.800><c> we</c><00:07:52.960><c
- </c><00:08:31.800><c> and</c> manage that cost for our employees and manage that cost for our employees
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Health Subcommittee - Morning Session Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:33 am
A&B Health Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- There are no employees of the agency.
- I am an employee of Oklahoma State University, assigned to oversee this agency and administer the medical
- How many people do you have answering the phones so that these employees can get their credentialing?
- And so, the fact that if every employee has to do their own calling in and an employer can't call in
- We can open up those positions on our investigations team, where we do need a few more employees.
Committee:
House A&B Health Subcommittee
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Texas Ethics Commission Dec 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- He cared for the commission and its employees, and, and it was apparent.
- Our first draft advisory opinion deals with whether members of the state Employee charitable Campaign
- The state Employee charitable Campaign allows state employees to donate personal funds to charities that
- I'm Latanya Lowery, and I serve as the chief compliance officer for UTA, and we had an employee that
- the amount of the award, I believe, is calculated between. 25,000 to 35,000 and it would give the employee
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Oct 9th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Other common approaches include shared employee contributions.
- So, Madam Chair, is there an average employee contribution across the country?
- Because the state of Wisconsin, it's for all employees: teachers, state employees. Correct.
- On employee contributions, squeezing our workers and taking more out of their paycheck.
- Ratio than the employee to bring it to. Very well, thank you. Thank you, Chris Hall.
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 30th, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Nevada Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Implement a program to mitigate the exposure of employees who occasionally, frequently, or constantly
- to poor air quality from wildfire smoke, to implement a communication system to inform employees when
- they are exposed to poor air quality, and provide training to employees who work outdoors and may be
- they are exposed to poor air quality, and provide training to employees who work outdoors and may be
- exposed to poor air quality. ...poor air quality and provide training to employees who work outdoors
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- There are over 400 talented employees; about 40% of them are attorneys.
- This has to do with a requirement that state employees report suspected violations of state grant-making
- Then there's a corresponding change on 17.12 to say if the employee reports to their supervisor, manager
- to participate in CGIP if the retired state employee loses their eligibility for CGIP for certain reasons
- As she mentioned, though, minus Section 7, which modified the ability of state employees...
Committee:
House State Government Finance and Policy
Keywords:
HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Regulating Artificial Intelligence – Senator Jen McEwen Mar 17th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If an employer sees their employees coming together and unionizing as a blow to their profit and something
- If an employer sees their employees coming together and unionizing as a blow to their profit and something
- If an employer sees their employees coming together and unionizing as a blow to their profit and something
- </c><00:10:21.959><c> coming</c> employers and their employees coming employers and their employees coming
- Employed, and also making sure that employees have that agency and that ability to say, 'This type of
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But the public employee, who could be a police officer, could be a mayor, somebody else, they don't get
- And the employee might just be living paycheck to paycheck. So how are they gonna afford a lawyer?
- Because there is so much power there and so little power here on the part of a public employee.
- But the public employee who could be a police officer, could be, could But the public employee who could
- And the employee might just be living paycheck to paycheck. So how are they gonna afford a lawyer?
Summary:
The House Judiciary and Rules and Administration Committee approved the minutes from February 23, 2026, welcomed Caldwell High School students and Fruitland Mayor’s Youth Council members, and then took up several bills. House Bill 743, which Speaker Moyle said was intended to create penalties and enforcement mechanisms for violations of laws by public officials and others, drew concerns about fee shifting and contempt standards; after discussion, the committee voted unanimously to hold it at the call of the chair for further work.
The committee then unanimously sent House Bill 688 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. That bill, presented by Representative Shirts, would criminalize the sale, installation, or transfer of counterfeit or nonfunctional airbags and related defeat devices, with a simple misdemeanor penalty and a knowing mental state. House Bill 695, a cleanup bill related to squatters and eviction procedure, was also sent to the floor unanimously after testimony from the Idaho State Sheriffs Association supporting the change from “writ of possession” to “writ of restitution.” House Bill 697, a Secretary of State-requested rewrite of election tampering provisions to clarify the code without changing the underlying felony penalties, likewise received unanimous due pass approval.
The committee next heard House Bill 727, sponsored by Representatives Brooke Green and Jaron Crane, addressing sextortion by making threats to expose intimate images actionable even if the images are never released. Testimony from the Attorney General’s ICAC unit described a sharp rise in sextortion cyber tips in Idaho and the difficulty of pursuing many offenders because they are overseas; members discussed prevention, rapid response, and support resources for youth. The bill received broad support and was sent to the floor unanimously with a due pass recommendation.
Finally, the committee approved two Senate cleanup bills from Representative Scott: Senate Bill 1248, which removes obsolete language about the capital crimes defense fund, and Senate Bill 1249, which makes a minor wording change to Idaho time-zone language. Both passed unanimously with due pass recommendations, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Jan 26th, 2026
Governmental Oversight and Accountability
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, tab 5, Senate Bill 572 on ethics for public employees.
- , and current or former legally recognized foster children of a public employee or officer.
- It expands eligibility for certain leave protections to include public officials and public employees
- Expands eligibility for certain leave protections to include public officials and public employees who
- Amendment barcode number 797214 clarifies that district school and Florida College System employees are
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly Bill 672 is about protecting our public employees.
- Chair Sanchez and colleagues, Assembly Bill 672 is about protecting our public employees and a right
- On behalf of Summer Colosa, this would also give the right to protect public employees and intervene
- Public employees are the backbone of our state and deserve more protections than a workplace.
- I believe that California can show the nation that public employees are public servants, and this is
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 7, 2025, considering a large number of bills, with several measures heard in detail before the committee moved through consent and suspense items. Early in the hearing, AB 876 by Assemblymember Flora was heard on CRNA scope of practice and anesthesia access. Supporters said it would clarify that certified registered nurse anesthetists may provide anesthesia services independently, while opponents from physician and medical groups argued that anesthesiologists and CRNAs are not interchangeable and that physician-led care is needed for patient safety. The bill was ultimately voted out, with a later vote change recorded for Mr. Tangipa from not voting to aye.
The committee also heard AB 379, a major human trafficking and child exploitation bill, which would expand penalties for solicitation of a minor, create a misdemeanor for loitering with intent to purchase commercial sex, increase fines on businesses that fail to post trafficking notices or knowingly allow trafficking, create a survivor support grant program, and establish a vertical prosecution grant program. The bill drew strong support from the author and some members who emphasized tougher enforcement and victim services, but also significant opposition from sex worker and civil liberties advocates who argued the bill would worsen criminalization, disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities, and fail to address housing and other root causes. After extensive discussion, the committee voted the bill out, with one member later changing from not voting to aye.
Other bills heard included AB 435 on child passenger safety, which would adopt a five-step test and update booster-seat and front-seat rules; AB 1415, which would give the Office of Health Care Affordability more access to information from health systems and private equity-related entities; AB 539, the Timely Care Act, which would extend the duration of approved prior authorizations for treatment; AB 1466, relating to groundwater adjudication and sustainability disputes; AB 127, which would tie the cap-and-trade price ceiling to the social cost of carbon; and AB 672, which would require public employers to notify PERB of certain court actions and allow intervention to protect labor rights. The committee also approved a large consent calendar and then deemed the suspense calendar approved, sending many bills onward. The hearing concluded with several bills reported out, some on call, and the committee adjourned.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- that the telephone number and home address of prosecutors, state court officials, law enforcement employees
- , and correctional facility employees are confidential records and may not be disclosed.
- justices, district court judges, judicial referees, judicial court directors, probation officers, employees
- of law enforcement agencies, employees of state or local correctional facilities, and employees of the
- of law enforcement agencies, employees of state or local correctional facilities, and employees of the
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 1582, a study bill on false accusations and false reports of a crime. The sponsor argued the issue is broad but important, citing concerns about weaponized accusations in custody, civil, and political disputes and saying the study should gather statistics on how often these offenses are charged and prosecuted. Testimony in support came from the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents and the North Dakota Association for Justice, both describing cases where false domestic-violence allegations or false reports caused arrests, jail time, and court burdens, while noting the difficulty of finding statistics or examples of prosecutions. Members questioned the bill’s scope, and the committee amended it to narrow the study to North Dakota Century Code Chapter 12.1 before giving it a do pass recommendation by roll call vote.
The committee then took up House Bill 1613, which addresses autonomous vehicles, robots, and law enforcement use of technology. The sponsor explained the amendment was intended to create definitions for autonomous, remote, lethal, and less-than-lethal systems, while preserving current law enforcement tools such as body cameras, license plate readers, and other cameras, and requiring warrants or use-of-force policies in certain situations. Testimony and discussion focused on ensuring humans remain involved in decisions to deploy weapons, limiting autonomous use of lethal force, and clarifying how drones and other devices could be used for surveillance or emergency response. After discussion of concerns from law enforcement, technology, and other stakeholders, the committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended by roll call vote.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1499, which would make home addresses and telephone numbers of federal judges, magistrate judges, and U.S. Supreme Court justices confidential under state open-records law. The sponsor and the Attorney General’s office said the bill would extend protections already given to state judges and other justice-system employees, noting increased threats to judges and explaining that federal law does not fully protect these records in state files. With no opposition offered, the committee gave the bill a do pass recommendation and then adjourned after noting it had completed action on all 122 bills before it, with only two conference committees remaining.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 19, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- in the DOH because their base salary isn't high enough to attract good employees.
- So, and they lose employees to other departments.
- So, um, So, and they lose employees to other departments.
- everyone knows that a turnover rate costs the agency an exponential amount of money to find new employees
- And when you look at the cost of any business that has to find three employees for that same position
Summary:
The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to review agency budgets, vacant positions, and possible efficiencies across several health and human services agencies. Members were asked to identify savings and potential areas for increased funding, and the discussion repeatedly focused on whether long-vacant FTEs, reversion of funds, and staffing shortages reflect true operational needs or broader budgeting and recruitment problems. The chair and members emphasized that the exercise was intended to help the committee make more informed budget decisions and to identify structural issues that may require legislative action.
For the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, members highlighted a large waiting list, including individuals in crisis and children, and discussed whether vacant positions and unspent funds could be redirected to services. Several members raised concerns about delays in crisis applications, the use of paper applications, and whether the issue is staffing, process, or both. For the Department of Children and Families, the presenters discussed vacant positions, the use of staff augmentation in state hospitals, support for expanding behavioral qualified residential treatment program beds, and concerns raised by audits of the managing entities, which showed procurement and financial management problems. They recommended continued oversight, reporting requirements on Medicaid enrollees receiving mental health services through managing entities, and support for the governor’s proposed funding items.
Other agencies reviewed included Elder Affairs, where members questioned the need for multiple divisions, CARES assessments, and supervisory overhead; the Department of Health, where vacancies, turnover, pay gaps, and units of rate were discussed as barriers to recruitment and retention; and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, where the presenters said vacancies were tied to new nursing homes and recommended shifting a major priority into general revenue rather than trust funds. Throughout the meeting, members generally agreed that the vacancy review was eye-opening and suggested deeper, possibly separate, reviews of agency staffing, pay parity, and fund reversion practices. No formal votes were taken during the transcript.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Higher Education and Workforce Development Apr 28th, 2026
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- things such as software, hardware, tools, supplies, materials, our curriculum, including the eligible employee
- So that But, Rendered in the form of employee hours donated to such programs.
- ...experts, but many, many times what we look to is for those companies to give release time to employees
- I think it's very important that these volunteer hours are protected for employees of businesses.
- It will hire an additional three full-time employees, plus benefits, plus pension.
Summary:
The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Rep. Travis Wilson on behalf of Rep. Riggs. The bill would create a state income tax credit for donations to registered school robotics/STEAM programs, including cash, equipment, software, materials, and certain employee volunteer hours. The proposal was described as a 20% credit, capped at $10 million annually beginning in tax year 2027, with a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, how volunteer hours would be valued, whether the bill should be limited to qualified coaches or employees rather than parents or general volunteers, which state agency would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Rep. Wilson said he was open to clarifying amendments and noted the bill sponsor would need to weigh changes.
The bill’s student author and witness, Sarah Waldron, a Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team CEO, testified in support. She said the bill was intended to help Missouri schools, especially under-resourced ones, access funding for robotics programs and argued that the credit would leverage private donations into student opportunities and workforce development. She clarified that the volunteer-hour provision was meant for business employees, not individual volunteers, and said she had drafted an amendment to provide higher credits for schools with higher free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Several committee members praised her work and discussed the need to target aid toward schools with fewer resources.
Arne C. A.C. Dinoff, State Public Advocate, testified in opposition. He praised the student’s initiative but argued the state could not afford another tax credit given budget deficits and said volunteerism should not be tied to a fiscal reward. He also questioned the fiscal note and said robotics support should be handled locally rather than through a state tax credit. No vote was taken, and the chair concluded the hearing after testimony.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 8th, 2026
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- That's how we found out a lot of the county employees across the state.
- That's how we found out a lot of the county employees across the state.
- 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?
- And again, the largest being the employees themselves. So how? It in.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2388 in executive session, considering a substitute that would combine two bills, add counties to the measure, and impose a felony penalty with a $100,000 fine for certain false claims. After Representative Black objected to the size of the fine and members discussed possibly amending it, the sponsor withdrew both the substitute and the motion to do pass, and the bill was set aside for reconsideration later.
The committee then heard House Bill 3381, which would allow counties and certain cities to waive penalties on delinquent property taxes in hardship cases. The sponsor and several supporters, including a Clay County commissioner and a state public advocate, argued the bill would give local officials flexibility to help taxpayers who were delayed by events beyond their control, such as illness, theft, postal delays, or banking errors, while still requiring the underlying taxes to be paid. Members raised questions about proof of hardship, how the bill should be drafted, and whether local retirement funding tied to late fees would be affected.
A representative of the county employees’ retirement fund testified in informational opposition, explaining that a portion of county tax penalties—about $20 million to $25 million annually—helps fund the retirement system and that waiving penalties would reduce that revenue. He said the fund was not opposed to flexibility for difficult cases, but wanted the committee to understand the fiscal impact and suggested that counties could instead appropriate money directly if they wanted to preserve funding. No final vote was taken on House Bill 3381 before the committee adjourned.