Transcript Highlights:

• So the ICCF is really built to increase modular adoption by developers and lenders.
• We also need, and this is the basics for us, decent wage standards.
• We've got to get the wages right. We've got to get the benefits right.
• The goal is to increase certainty and consistency in code review and enforcement.
• But ultimately, at the end of the day, it has to do with workers and wages.

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on housing construction innovation, focusing on factory-built and modular housing as a way to lower costs, speed delivery, and expand housing supply. The chair framed the effort as a search for practical innovation paired with land use, financing, and regulatory changes that could make housing more affordable for working families. Government witnesses from HCD, the Strategic Growth Council, and the tax credit and bond allocation agencies explained how factory-built housing is regulated, how California standards and third-party approvals work, and how state programs are trying to build regional demand and financing pipelines for modular production. Testimony from investors and developers emphasized both the promise and the risks of modular construction. JP Morgan Chase and the Housing Accelerator Fund described projects that achieved meaningful time and cost savings, but said lenders still see elevated risk because of manufacturer solvency, upfront deposits, transportation and installation issues, and the need for standardized designs and experienced teams. They urged more standardization, more local factories, better alignment between financing timelines and construction schedules, and state support such as backstops, top-loss capital, and scoring preferences in tax credit and bond programs. Several speakers noted that recent federal changes to the 4% tax credit program increased production capacity, but warned that without continued state investment the pipeline could face a future funding cliff. The workforce panel, including union contractors, factory supervisors, and labor representatives, said modular construction can support good jobs if it is paired with union labor, training, and fair standards. They described benefits for workers such as steadier schedules, less commuting, improved safety, and better work-life balance, while also stressing the need for wages, health coverage, retirement benefits, and apprenticeship opportunities. Union representatives supported a model that keeps both factory and on-site work unionized and said the industry could create more jobs overall if California builds more factories and develops a stable, long-term demand pipeline. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Participants are working, earning wages, building job skills, and establishing employment relationships
• Too often, individuals leave incarceration with little or no wages and little or no savings.
• By allowing individuals to retain some of the wages they earn, we increase their opportunity to become
• Incarcerated people already receive extremely reduced wages that are well below the legally allowable
• minimum wage for non-incarcerated labor.

Bills: SB309, SB309

Summary: The House Corrections Committee met and considered Senate Bill 309 with Senate Amendment 1, which would end the Department of Corrections’ practice of deducting room-and-board charges from wages earned by incarcerated people. Supporters said the bill would help people in work release and other correctional programs keep more of their earnings for reentry needs, while still allowing deductions for child support, restitution, court costs, fines, and other court-ordered obligations. The sponsor also argued the current collection process costs the state more to administer than it brings in, citing roughly $40,000 in annual revenue versus about $137,000 in administrative costs. A Department of Correction witness clarified that the bill applies to level four work release only, affecting about 300 people, and would not change level five populations or Delaware Correctional Industries programming. He also said the funds are held in a non-interest-bearing account and then sent to the general fund. Public commenters, including a private citizen, the ACLU of Delaware, and the Tide Shift Justice Project, strongly supported the bill and argued that incarceration costs should be borne by the state rather than deducted from already low wages. After discussion, a motion was made to release the bill from committee and a roll-call vote was taken. The vote appeared to have enough support among members present, but because fewer than five members were present, the committee could not fully release the bill and instead would circulate it for additional signatures. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they're coming in prepared to make family-wage jobs and help our industry.
• necessary for our economy but lead to solid family-wage jobs.
• These are both pathways that lead directly to family-wage jobs.
• That credential means a job, higher wages, and self-sufficiency right now.
• What I came back to was an increase in violence, harassment.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills related to higher education, workforce training, student protections, campus encampments, and EMT recertification. HB 2427 would require tattoo artists to complete annual human trafficking awareness training through the Department of Licensing; the prime sponsor and supporters said tattoo artists may be among the few people trafficked survivors encounter and could help identify and refer victims, while one opponent argued the bill imposes compelled speech and burdens small businesses. HB 2458 would expand Washington College Grant eligibility to approved non-degree credential programs; supporters from community and technical colleges, workforce organizations, and employers said it would help low-income students access short-term training tied to high-demand jobs, while one member raised concerns about short-term credentials and their long-term value. The committee also heard HB 2474, which would strengthen consumer protections when a private institution or program closes by expanding use of the Student Achievement Council tuition recovery trust fund, requiring teach-out or transfer options, and voiding certain student debts if closure rules are violated. The sponsor and agency witnesses said the bill responds to recent closures and gaps in federal oversight, while Independent Colleges of Washington opposed the bill as overly broad and potentially harmful to program innovation, and asked that private nonprofit campuses be excluded. Testifiers from student groups and a national higher-education advocacy organization supported the measure and argued that protections should also apply to public institutions. HB 2589 would regulate campus encampments at institutions of higher education by requiring advance notice, limiting authorization to registered student organizations or recognized bargaining units, and allowing institutions to impose content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions to protect safety and access. The sponsor said it codifies existing practice and does not ban protest, but several testifiers described recent encampments as disruptive or unsafe, while others warned the bill could chill student expression and should not apply to private nonprofit campuses. Finally, HB 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals from every three years to every six years for EMTs certified in Washington for at least 10 years; firefighters and EMS supporters said it would reduce administrative burden without changing training requirements. The committee took no votes and adjourned after hearing all testimony, with a reminder about amendment deadlines for upcoming bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to maintain the previous increased proposal.
• Since 2022, inflation has increased by over 11%, and wages and supplies have increased by much more than
• Trying to run a small-margin business with these cost increases and without a revenue increase is unsustainable
• And since 2022 in this market, minimum wage has increased 32%.
• Minimum wage has nearly increased. 20 percent, and Medicaid rates are frozen.

Bills: HB2289

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> on a statewide basis is to increase on a statewide basis is to increase funding<00:09:02.080><c>
• This would also have a increase.
• c> are</c><01:48:26.480><c> in</c><01:48:26.639><c> the</c> wages, comparable wages, um, are in the wages
• </c> wage index for every single county. wage index for every single county.
• </c> Please consider increasing the salary. Please consider increasing the salary.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, and finally, this prevailing wage we've been talking amongst my colleagues.
• Oh, and finally, this prevailing wage we've been talking amongst my colleagues.
• </c> instituting a prevailing rate wage instituting a prevailing rate wage requirement<00:26:32.240><
• Now I have a mandate on prevailing wage.
• And if you forthcoming tax increase.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill by Representative Boyd, minimum wage, to establish minimum state wage, annual increase, civil
• House Bill by Representative Boyd, minimum wage, to establish minimum state wage, annual increase, civil
• House bill by Representative Boyd, minimum wage to establish minimum state wage, annual increase, civil
• House Bill by Representative Phelps, minimum wage, to establish state minimum wage and provide for an
• of certain utility rate increases, 922.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we are seeing increased interest Today, we are seeing increased interest in<00:04:37.320><c> real
• ><c> going</c><00:26:34.280><c> out</c><00:26:35.120><c> in</c> the wages that are going out in the wages
• </c> Minnesota's more generous minimum wage Minnesota's more generous minimum wage requirement<00:56:
• So, and as increase speeds coming up.
• </c> wage and overtime requirements. wage and overtime requirements.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This slide here would show you the increase in the annual cost of raising a child in Oklahoma and some
• Two of those states just recently this year in 2006 increased their guidelines to that top rate.
• You're allowed to now go to 25, anywhere from 25 to 40 on minimum wage.
• And our child support collections on current support have greatly increased in the last two years.
• orders, on a father who only makes minimum wage.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met to conduct the statutorily required four-year review of Oklahoma’s child support guidelines, which DHS said had not been reviewed on schedule in recent years. Deputy Director Don Zellner of DHS Child Support Services presented data on the number of children served, child poverty, rising costs of raising a child, wage trends, and the volume of child support orders handled by DHS. He also explained how the current guidelines work, including income withholding, shared overnight deductions, daycare, medical, transportation, and self-employment adjustments, and noted that the guidelines are based on gross combined income and currently cap at $15,000 combined income. Committee members, especially Senator Boren, questioned whether the current model fairly reflects modern family economics, including the cost of housing, the impact of shared overnights, and whether visitation issues should be addressed alongside child support. DHS said the guidelines are over 25 years old, that other states generally use similar gross-income models with shared-overnight deductions, and that Oklahoma’s administrative courts have been more receptive than district courts to DHS’s lower-income deviation approach. Zellner said DHS has also updated its practices to better account for low-income obligors, including allowing zero orders in some cases and reducing imputed minimum-wage assumptions, which DHS said has improved collections. Members also asked about transparency and public access to the calculations. DHS said the formula and income chart are in statute, the calculator is available on the DHS website, and the Excel-based tool applies the statutory chart and deductions. A public commenter asked where parents could see how amounts are calculated, and DHS explained that the statutory chart and calculator are the main sources. The committee discussed possible future reforms, including higher income caps, possible changes to shared overnight rules, and whether extracurricular or special child-related expenses could be considered through judicial deviation. No vote was taken; the meeting ended with the chair noting it was the last Judiciary meeting of the 60th Legislature and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• What the bill does is it increases the pay rate for state-activated National Guard members to the E-5
• , because they're taking themselves out of their jobs, and we're working towards an even or a fair wage
• </c> even or a fair wage for these soldiers. even or a fair wage for these soldiers.
• So, we don't have to wait 30 years almost to increase the pay scale of what our soldiers deserve.
• is, and this will right pay increase is, and this will mirror<00:03:04.560><c> that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> wage violations can be complex, right? wage violations can be complex, right?
• agrees wages are owed.
• </c> to the wage itself? to the wage itself?
• </c><04:12:37.760><c> The</c><04:12:37.920><c> wage</c> um requested in the wage claim.
• The wage um requested in the wage claim.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with procedural announcements about report turnaround, amendment submission methods during split operations, a possible January 29 session, the governor’s State of the State on February 5, parking, cafeteria opening, and the plan to finish work by February 10. It then moved into executive session on HB 1123, which would require certain companies to post salary ranges on public job listings. Representative Granger moved ITL, arguing the bill would interfere with negotiations, especially for higher-level jobs, and raise compelled-speech concerns. Supporters, including Representatives Schultz, Sullivan, Cahill, Staub, and others, said salary ranges help applicants avoid wasted time and travel, improve transparency, and are already a common workplace disclosure. The committee voted 10-9 to ITL HB 1123. The committee next took up HB 177, concerning a definition of remote work in labor law. Representative Murphy moved ITL, saying the bill could burden employers, create vague obligations, duplicate existing protections, and potentially require intrusive compliance measures. Representative Sullivan described a proposed amendment that would narrow the bill to a definition of remote work and remove broader requirements, but the committee ultimately voted 11-9 to ITL HB 177. Members also noted that the amendment had not been fully circulated in time and that the issue might merit further review. Finally, the committee opened HB 1352, a workers’ compensation bill focused on repricing and payment practices. The sponsor withdrew an initial ITL motion and moved OTP after amendment review. Members discussed concerns raised at the hearing about delayed payments, third-party administrators, and the need for better accountability. Representative McKenzie’s amendment would define good faith, create a voluntary three-year dispute-resolution pilot, restore fines to prior levels, and add reporting/accountability requirements for carriers that miss the 30-day payment deadline. Several members supported the amendment as a way to help small businesses and providers, while others said repricing needed broader study through the workers’ compensation advisory council. The Department of Labor explained that the amendment would require carriers and related payers to report missed determinations to the department and would increase oversight of payment timeliness.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to increase for Albuquerque, for Bernalillo County, and for the whole state.
• So, in fact, indeed, this type of skilled labor will increase our economic development.
• So, in fact, indeed, this type of skilled labor will increase our economic development.
• wages anyway?
• That's where I go, and I just think this just increases cost. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Summary: The committee first addressed a procedural dispute over House Bill 280, with one member arguing it had already been heard and tabled in another committee earlier that day. The chair ruled the bill was properly before the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee because it had been assigned there and published in the notice. HB 280 would create a three-year pilot program to support paid internships for students through grants to school districts, nonprofits, and tribal entities, with the Department of Workforce Solutions administering the program, collecting data, and reporting outcomes. Supporters said it would help build a sustainable funding source for school-year internships, expand access in rural and tribal communities, and connect internships to graduation credit and workforce pathways. Committee members asked about administrative costs, student selection, matching funds, program duration, and whether government entities and land grants could participate. The bill was described as flexible enough to allow different local program designs, including stipends or payroll arrangements. The committee voted do pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, which honors the Hurley family, especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley, for military service and public contributions to New Mexico. The memorial highlighted Patrick Hurley’s service in World War I and World War II, his diplomatic roles, and his decorations, as well as Wilson Hurley’s military service and later career as an artist. There was no opposition, and the memorial received a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 270, a public works apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs or the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund on most public works construction projects, while exempting trades with no approved program. Supporters argued the bill would close loopholes, strengthen workforce development, and ensure contractors benefiting from public projects contribute to training. Opponents from asphalt, utility, and contractor groups said they already support existing training programs, warned the bill could raise costs and create participation problems for contractors without access to suitable programs, and noted the Transportation Committee had already considered the bill earlier that day. Sponsors responded that the earlier Transportation action was a procedural glitch and that the bill was a cleanup measure to make the existing law more effective and fair. After extended debate over costs, workforce shortages, and the effect on highway contractors, the committee voted do pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 tally.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the ICCF is really built to increase modular adoption by developers and lenders.
• We also need, and this is the basics for us, decent wage standards.
• The goal is to increase certainty and consistency in code review and enforcement.
• But ultimately, at the end of the day, it has to do with workers and wages.
• But ultimately, at the end of the day, it has to do with workers and wages.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and just keep in mind these are not livable wages they don't help that worker ever be able to create
• People with disabilities could pursue subminimum wage employment without really having to do anything
• I'll talk about those here in a minute, but subminimum wage is still in WIA.
• Now, I want to discuss some initiatives that aim to phase out subminimum wage employment.
• It was going to increase the funding for that.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since I started practicing in California in 2005, I've seen a major increase in public recognition of
• Increase in public recognition of something that I've been seeing privately in my office for the past
• We can support transparency and compliance with wage and hour laws.
• Moreover, the Labor Commissioner itself is legally responsible for citing wage and hour violations.
• Moreover, the Labor Commissioner is legally responsible for citing wage and hour violations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I believe there's other federal funding that would increase... ...federal funding that would increase
• We almost expended the whole budget of $140,000 for wages and stuff.
• Three quarters for the meal program. >> It's wages and benefits. >> It's wages and benefits for your
• He got increased today. He got increased today. So, just food for thought again.
• So our health insurance cost increased for everyone in the district.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to increase revenue through the promotion of cultural identity and tourism.
• That's not salaries and wages, that's just payroll at fringe and admin.
• And that's not salaries and wages. $150,000 per year and that's not salaries and wages, that's just admin
• Increasing PAEPF from $12 million to $40 million.
• Increasing PAEPF from $12 million to $40 million is not charity.

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• necessary for our economy but lead to solid family-wage jobs.
• These are both pathways that lead directly to family-wage jobs.
• That credential means a job, higher wages, and self-sufficiency right now.
• The transfer agreement may not result in increased cost.
• What I came back to was an increase in violence, harassment.

Bills: HB2427, HB2458, HB2474, HB2540, HB2589

Keywords: ink of hope act, mental health, substance use, rehabilitation, community support, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, student access, financial aid, consumer protections, school closures, educational programs, student rights, emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, encampments

Transcript Highlights:

• decreased enrollment and the increase.
• You know, wages at the low end have shot up coming out of the pandemic in a pretty significant way.
• Both incentivize and reward additional work and wages. Those don't exist for SNAP.
• I don't want to depend on a 40-hour worker at that wage level.
• Increases, but not matching what we've seen at the national level.

Transcript Highlights:

• it says wage theft?
• What do you mean by eviction, wage theft, and intimate partner violence?
• Similarly, they've been making a lot of efforts to increase capacity in the state.
• And in the Central Coast. 28% increases from the prior year.
• legal services and to increase legal aid.

Keywords: 988, house, all