Transcript Highlights:

• So manpower employees cost, correct? I mean, that's my question.
• Does having manpower employees cost?
• It mirrors the FMLA law that ties to the 50-employee threshold for private and local government employees
• It mirrors the FMLA law that ties to the 50-employee threshold for private and local government employees
• It requires timely updates for employees and the general public for these activities.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All school employees should be able to have that opportunity.
• I think one of the things that's really important from an employee perspective is when you go out to
• The employees loved it. It took a lot of education.
• And the best thing about it is that you have a designated employee.
• And the best thing about it is that you have a designated employee.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We brought back some retired employees who have adjudication experience and knowledge to try to help
• at separation the notify the employee at separation the reason<00:47:17.359><c> for</c><00:47:17.599
• was separated from the employer employee was separated from the employer and<00:47:25.280><c> that</
• Are your employees back in the office five days a week?
• Uh, the 25 new employees would be on the same 3-2 model, you think, with what you just gave initially

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development received a presentation from Kentucky Department of Education officials on the final SEEK estimate for fiscal year 2025. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, Matt Ross, and Chay Ritter explained that SEEK is developed through a consensus process with the Office of the State Budget Director using multiple models and district-level inputs, and that the estimate is a projection made well before actual data are available. They emphasized that the discussion was separate from the pending education-funding lawsuit and described SEEK as one part of a much larger K-12 budget picture. The presenters said the current SEEK estimate shows a statutory shortfall of about $14.7 million, or roughly 0.53% of the appropriation, with additional optional items that could bring the total to about $40.5 million if funds are available. They noted that prior years have sometimes produced excess funds, which are redirected according to budget language rather than automatically flowing back through SEEK. They also reviewed the main drivers of the estimate, including property assessments, average daily attendance, free lunch counts, exceptional child counts, home hospital, and limited English proficiency, and said property assessments have been especially volatile while exceptional child counts and ELL populations are difficult to predict. Members asked about why the estimate missed on some categories, especially special education and ELL, and whether district-level changes were being monitored closely enough. The presenters said KDE does monitor special education counts and will review larger districts and districts with unusual growth, and they acknowledged that exceptional child growth has been hard to forecast. Representative Bojanowski asked about the Cloverport virtual school, and staff said its growth was much larger than projected and accounted for a significant portion of the shortfall. Members also discussed the impact of property value growth, population shifts, illness, and legislative changes on SEEK projections. No vote or formal action was taken, and the meeting ended after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Navni Prairie on behalf of the California School Employees Association in support. Thank you.
• Navni Prairie are on behalf of the California School Employees Association in support. Thank you.
• For example, this bill prohibits the use of ADS systems to... employees.
• Most public employees have existing due process rights before significant discipline may issue.
• And there was a question about public sector employees, and I think that's a legitimate question.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The inability of a public employee union to have a negotiated contract is good for no one.
• It's not good for the public employee union, relating to recruitment and retention of talent.
• The inability of a public employee union to have a negotiated contract is good for no one.
• It's not good for the public employee union, relating to recruitment and retention of talent.
• Therefore, a total of 7,522 DOC employees could be impacted by this legislation.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a quorum call, then moved into House Bills for Perfection. House Bill 2297, a fence-law bill, was presented as a way to let livestock owners enter up to 10 feet onto neighboring property to repair fence lines and remove brush or debris on the fence line without being treated as trespassers. Supporters said the current law leaves livestock owners responsible for fences but without a practical way to fix them, creating safety and liability problems; the bill was described as a long-running issue in rural areas. Members discussed property-rights concerns, but the substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Bills 2142 and 2058, dealing with the Missouri film tax incentive program, were then taken up. Sponsors said the program has produced strong economic returns, more productions, jobs, and spending in Missouri, and the bill would modernize the program by combining separate film and TV funding buckets while removing the proposed sunset extension. An amendment to keep the original sunset was adopted, and the bill as amended was perfected and printed after debate over tax credits, workforce development, and whether the incentives should be expanded or curtailed. The House also perfected House Bill 3004, a truth-in-labeling measure for wood products. The sponsor said the bill would protect Missouri’s hardwood industry by requiring products sold in the state to be labeled accurately if they are actually laminate, plastic, rubber, or other non-wood materials. Supporters called it a consumer-protection and industry-preservation bill, while one member questioned how it would apply to online and out-of-state sellers and expressed some reservations. The substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Bills 3283 and 3306 were taken up together and described as a framework for resolving municipal public-employee contract disputes, especially for firefighters and other public employees under the State Board of Mediation. The bill sets a timeline for bargaining, mediation, and arbitration and defines good faith in negotiations; an amendment clarified that teachers and law enforcement are excluded under existing statutory definitions. Supporters said it would prevent years-long contract stalemates and save taxpayer money, while one member raised concerns about whether it would alter existing authority of public governing boards. The amendment and substitute were adopted, and the combined bill was perfected and printed. Finally, House Bill 2536, a restroom and private-space designation bill, drew extensive debate. The sponsor said it would require government-controlled multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters to be designated by biological sex, with exceptions for custodial work, emergencies, law enforcement, and adults assisting children or people with disabilities. An amendment was adopted to clarify duties for the Department of Corrections and public safety officers. Supporters framed the bill as a privacy and safety measure for women and girls, citing incidents at schools and Kansas City International Airport; opponents argued it would not prevent crime, could lead to intrusive enforcement, and would harm transgender people and families. The transcript ends with the bill still under discussion, with no final vote shown on the underlying measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are four. employees there. I think that's great.
• Do you all have any contracts or contractors or contract employees as well?
• Our agency has 32 full-time employees.
• We're asking for 11 more full-time employees, and I'll talk. about our compliance division.
• But we have a little over 1,200 employees for, again, a county. About 400,000.

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is extremely important because it does set up a mechanism for the employees of the
• for</c><00:04:23.160><c> the</c> does set up a mechanism for the does set up a mechanism for the employees
• of the state who manage and employees of the state who manage and administer<00:04:26.120><c> the</c
• </c><00:09:37.279><c> uh</c><00:09:37.440><c> that</c><00:09:37.519><c> are</c> faster and employees
• uh that are faster and employees uh that are administering<00:09:38.160><c> the</c><00:09:38.320><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:29 SB 162 Discussion 01:03 SB 162 Vote 13:48 SB 1 Discussion 14:49 SB 1 Vote 34:43 SB 25 Discussion 38:45 SB 25 Vote 40:31 SB 50 Discussion 41:09 SB 50 Vote 42:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 162, a measure on unemployment insurance fraud. The sponsor said the bill would create a clearer process for state unemployment staff to refer suspected fraud cases, especially smaller-dollar cases that may not draw federal attention, and would help protect employers and the integrity of the unemployment system. Testimony from Brian Sikma supported the bill as a common-sense anti-fraud proposal, but several senators raised concerns that suspending benefits during an investigation could unfairly burden claimants, especially if the claim later proves legitimate. The sponsor and witness said the bill was intended to allow quick adjudication and that benefits could be reinstated after review, and the sponsor noted the referral process would include identifying information and details about the suspected fraud. The committee then voted on the bill; it passed with favorable expression, 8-1, and was sent to the floor. The committee then returned to Senate Bill 1, which would create a Kentucky Film Office and Film Commission and fund the office with a portion of the state transit tax and production-related fees. Senator Wheeler and invited guests described the bill as an economic development and tourism measure meant to expand Kentucky’s film industry, attract productions statewide, and build on existing tax credits. Witnesses, including Mary K. Po... and Misty Wrigley Miller, said a state film office would help market locations, provide a searchable database for producers, and make it easier for rural communities to compete for productions. They cited an economic impact study showing about $200 million in film-related economic activity in 2022, with additional ripple effects and tax revenue, and argued the office would help create jobs and workforce opportunities for Kentuckians. Members generally praised the concept of Senate Bill 1 and compared Kentucky’s potential to Georgia’s film industry growth. Witnesses said Kentucky already has strong incentives but needs a dedicated office and commission to better promote the state and coordinate production activity. The discussion emphasized that the commission would help ensure a return on investment and that local crews and businesses would benefit from more productions. The transcript ends during continued discussion of the bill and questions from senators, with no final vote on Senate Bill 1 shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Tulalip tribes continue to invest in employee training, responsible gaming education, self-exclusion
• So this includes all employees. Please... A higher level of training.
• So this includes all employees with supervisory responsibilities in the gaming sector, compliance, guest
• So it really is designed to assist employees in better understanding the signs that a guest may be experiencing
• problems because of their gambling and what steps to take if the employee is concerned.

Summary: A joint hearing of the Senate Business, Trade and Economic Development Committee and the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee reviewed tentative tribal-state compact amendments involving the Tulalip Tribes and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission staff explained the compact approval process under IGRA and said the commission and ex officio legislators would take public comment and vote at an August 28 special meeting on whether to forward the agreements to the governor or send them back for further negotiation. The amendments would not take effect until published in the Federal Register. Tulalip Chairman Hazen Chappell testified in support of the Tulalip restated compact, describing tribal gaming as a governmental enterprise that funds health care, education, housing, elder services, public safety, natural resources, and other services. He said the tribe has employed more than 3,000 people, contributed over $113 million to charities and community programs since 1993, and continues to emphasize responsible gaming and regulatory cooperation. Commission staff said the Tulalip restatement consolidates 12 prior amendments, updates appendices and definitions, adds new appendices, removes some older provisions, and includes higher wager limits, jackpot sharing, and an option to increase player terminal allocations. Cowlitz Chairman William Ayala and Ilani Casino President Kara Fox LaRose presented the tribe’s sixth compact amendment. They highlighted the tribe’s history, community investments, education and elder programs, language revitalization, public safety support, and more than $35 million in foundation contributions since 2017. The proposed Cowlitz amendment would raise wager limits up to $1,000, create a special higher-limit player process with due diligence and responsible gaming safeguards, enhance signage and marketing requirements, allow temporary gaming areas, and adjust TLS ticket pricing when the state lottery raises ticket prices. Committee members asked about self-exclusion and credit practices; Cowlitz officials said hundreds of people have used the self-exclusion program and that higher-limit play is tied to front money or a $100,000 minimum credit line. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• What that is, there's approximately $32 million for retired employees that will be paid to them out of
• And then in the HP239, which is Representative Collins's bill, this is the bill that gives the employee
• ><00:10:10.160><c> that</c><00:10:10.399><c> gives</c><00:10:10.560><c> the</c><00:10:10.800><c> employee
• </c> this is the bill that gives the employee this is the bill that gives the employee raise,<00:10:11.680

Bills: SB342 , SB342 , SB159

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: land bank, land bank authority, local land bank authority, Alabama Land Bank Authority, tax delinquent property, tax sale, tax lien, redemption period, quiet title, blight remediation, vacant property, foreclosure, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, intergovernmental agreement, county government, municipal government, redevelopment, brownfields, floodplain management

Transcript Highlights:

• You have 50 or more employees, which would capture, as Representative Church mentioned, Blue Cross or
• Regence or whatever, and then the smaller providers under 50 employees.
• said that page three, in 56-256, talks about the two categories of provider: those with 50 or more employees
• , which would capture Blue Cross or Regence, and the smaller providers under 50 employees.
• Representative Hostetler said that the smaller providers are under 50 employees.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I was going to say 340. 340 permanent full-time employees. Please.
• Permanent full-time employees. You're a pretty big agency.
• We maintain offices that are open to the public, and we want to ensure the safety of CRD employees and
• We've had over a dozen incidents since July of 2024 of individuals making threats to our CRD employees
• CRD employees, and that's created a lot of concern internally.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So now we're adding in elected officials that will be taken care of; this is on a city-paid employee.
• these are only city-owned libraries, so before, again, the city could not hire or fire their own employee
• Representative Cornilles: Madam Chair, Representative Price, I know that they're city-owned, so the employee
• elected officials actually in charge or assisting with the hiring, firing, and duties of a paid city employee
• This includes paying employees, urgent maintenance, filing necessary documents, and so forth.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 10, 12, and 16, 2026, and welcomed a new page, Allie Silvers, who introduced herself as a 17-year-old from Twin Falls. The committee then took up three bills. House Bill 661, a solid waste measure, would make a one-word change from “county” to “city” so a contractor working for a city could choose its temporary waste container service; it was moved and sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation without opposition. House Bill 715 would change the process for hiring and firing directors of city-owned libraries by requiring city council approval in addition to the library board’s recommendation. Representative Cornilles said the bill was prompted by a problem in one city and would affect 55 cities. Testimony in opposition came from library supporters Heather Stout and Vicki Fadness, who argued the current system has worked for decades, that library boards have the expertise to manage directors, and that the bill would create two bosses and amount to government overreach. The bill’s supporters said elected officials should have oversight of city-paid employees, and the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 658 addressed vacancies on cemetery maintenance district boards when a quorum is lost through resignation, death, or other causes. The bill would let county commissioners fill vacancies, require appointees to be qualified electors and property taxpayers in the district, and allow counties to temporarily handle essential district functions until a board is restored. Sponsors described it as a fix for a gap in current law after a cemetery district board became defunct, and said the measure had support from counties and cities. After brief discussion, the committee voted to send HB 658 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of our employees are local and have deep roots in the community as well.
• And I appreciate, sir, you've mentioned your employees.
• A total headcount of employees in the neighborhood of 100 in Washington.
• We're right in the Five Corners, and we have 101 employees. We're a single-point dealership.
• We're right in the Five Corners, and we have 101 employees. Okay. Rep. Rammel. Thank you, Mr.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation-related bills. HB 2467, sponsored by Rep. Timmons, would clarify how fifth-wheel RVs are measured for length purposes by measuring from the king pin to the rear-most point, allowing fifth wheels up to 46 feet under that method without increasing the current roadway length limits. The staff report said the bill has no fiscal impact for most agencies and a small indeterminate impact for Labor and Industries; the proposed substitute makes technical clarifications. The sponsor and several RV dealers, the Association of Washington Business, and the RV Industry Association testified in support, saying the bill would improve clarity, preserve safety, and help Washington dealers compete with neighboring states. No one testified in opposition during the hearing. The committee briefly suspended HB 2467 to hear HB 2495, sponsored by Rep. Thomas, which would give the City of Seattle authority to immediately remove vehicles blocking streetcar tracks or otherwise jeopardizing streetcar operations without waiting for police to first cite the vehicle. Staff said the bill applies only to Seattle, includes an emergency clause, and has no fiscal impact because impound fees are expected to offset costs. Rep. Thomas and Seattle Streetcar Program Manager Alison Redenz supported the bill, describing frequent track blockages and delays to service, especially after hours, and saying the change would speed restoration of transit operations. The committee then heard public testimony on HB 2552, which would authorize WSDOT and Sound Transit to use multiple award task order contracting (MATOC) for transportation construction projects. Staff explained that MATOC would let agencies prequalify contractors and then compete task orders among them, with required award and protest processes. Rep. Zahn said the bill would give agencies another tool to streamline delivery while preserving competition and including WMBE firms. Sound Transit supported the bill as a faster, more flexible procurement method that could broaden opportunities for smaller firms, while the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association opposed it, arguing the approach is not well tested in Washington, could reduce competition, and should be reviewed by the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board. After testimony, the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2552 and adjourned after caucusing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll take up Tab 6, CS for SB 92, on employee protections by Senator Gates.
• This bill provides that when a public employee does file a complaint because he or she does see firsthand
• And if the Commission finds that an employee has... ...suffered retaliation because he or she blew the
• These protections assure that public employees can report ethics violations they personally observe and
• Protections for those who file ethics complaints who are public employees are something that the Commission

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to get it done before June 10th so that additional layoff notices don't have to go out to state employees
• 750 and 950 notices that were sent to be received on June 1st, but there's between 10 and 20,000 employees
• <00:04:25.680><c> 20,000</c> but there's between 10 and 20,000 but there's between 10 and 20,000 employees
• 27.360><c> believe</c><00:04:27.600><c> that</c><00:04:27.759><c> would</c><00:04:27.919><c> be</c> employees
• I believe that would be employees I believe that would be impacted<00:04:28.400><c> by</c><00:04:28.560

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They typically are people who have completed the rehab program and are then paid as employees to go back
• So, HB 622 just clarifies that criminal history records obtained by an employee may only be released
• Deputy marshals are city employees in all the cities.
• And your testimony was that you are an employee of Shreveport as well. Is that correct? Right.
• And your testimony was that you are employee of Shreveport as well. Is that correct? Right.

Bills: HB343 , HB378 , HB394 , HB396 , HB426 , HB439 , HB491 , HB523 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB1025 , HB1038

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: parole eligibility, juvenile offenders, rehabilitation, first-time offenders, reentry programs, substance abuse treatment, education programs, emergency responders, law enforcement, obstructing traffic, public safety, penalties, parole, criminal justice, release extension, prison reform, autopsy, criminal evidence, photographs, court proceedings

Transcript Highlights:

• , we're requesting, requiring that employers notify their employees, we're requesting, requiring that
• employers notify their employees within 48 hours of that impending verification.
• And it protects the employer who may be in fear of notifying their employees as well and it protects
• No law enforcement officer or other employee or representative of a law enforcement agency.
• It is to have the employees or members of a particular institution or agency... ...the employees or members

Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran on her 80th birthday and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It then advanced a bill authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, adopting the Ways and Means amendment and ordering the bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up and advanced another bill, Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust, and Equal Constitutional Treatment (the “Protect Act”), after a brief recess and a quorum call. Most of the transcript focused on House Bill 5305, the Protect Act, which was described by supporters as a measure to separate state and local law enforcement from civil immigration enforcement, prohibit ICE arrests in courthouses without a judicial warrant, limit cooperation with ICE on civil matters, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, expedite U and T visa certifications, and create rules for sensitive spaces and enforcement by the Attorney General. Supporters from both parties and several caucuses argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, and preserve public safety by maintaining trust in courts, schools, and communities. Several members also spoke from personal experience as immigrants, survivors of domestic violence, or law enforcement professionals. The House considered and voted on a series of amendments to H.5305. Amendment 6 to strike Section 4 failed; Amendment 7, which would have required ICE civil warrants to be presented to a court and reviewed for impact on justice, failed; Amendment 2, adding immigration judges to the bill’s definition of government, failed; Amendment 3, concerning 287(g) agreements and federal reimbursement, was withdrawn; Amendment 13, expediting U visa certifications when a family member is aging out, was adopted by roll call 150-3; Amendment 10, clarifying the definition of law enforcement agency/officer to include sheriffs’ correctional roles, was adopted 127-25; Amendment 5, expanding a release-date provision, was adopted 154-0; and Amendment 14, addressing school-related protections and ICE presence, was adopted 135-18. The bill itself was still under consideration at the end of the transcript, with debate continuing after the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• , we're requesting, requiring that employers notify their Employees, we're requesting, requiring that
• employers notify their employees within 48 hours of that impending verification.
• And it protects the employer who may be in fear of notifying their employees as well, and it protects
• No law enforcement officer or other employee or representative of a law enforcement agency.
• It is to have the employees or members of a particular institution or agency... ...the employees or members

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Alexis Matroni, and I am an employee of the State Historic Preservation Office.
• I'm still trying—you're not an employee, right? But somehow you work with SHPO.
• And I appreciate the testimony that's been done, especially by the employees.
• And I just want those employees to know that we’re not decreasing FTE in their budget.
• Those employees will all be shifted over.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Salary enhancement for other employees and substitutes.
• It includes both non-certified and classified employees. Okay. Okay, but you're not sure.
• “Non-certified, classified employees? Could that be in that category? I mean, how is it defined?
• Senator Flowers said that non-certified and classified employees sounds like it could include student
• employee health insurance, has no definition.

Summary: The joint education committee continued its adequacy study with a detailed Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, covering how Arkansas school districts and charters spend foundation and other funds on matrix and non-matrix items. Staff explained the methodology for mapping expenditures, the district and school categories used in the analysis, and key findings showing that districts spend more per student from all fund sources than the foundation amount alone. The presentation highlighted that classroom teachers account for the largest share of matrix spending, while operations and maintenance, student support staff, nurses, and other lines also drew significant attention. Members asked for additional breakdowns by district type, size, rural/urban status, and trend data, and several questions focused on how waivers affect funding and spending, especially for library media specialists and other positions. The committee then discussed non-matrix spending, including instructional aids, non-technology-related facilities, school safety, mental health services, dyslexia support, food service, gifted and talented, career and technical education, and other items not explicitly defined in the matrix. Staff reported that non-matrix spending exceeded $2 billion in 2025, with most of it coming from other fund sources, and that the top superintendent-identified unmet needs over recent surveys were mental health services, school safety, and dyslexia support. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, possible over-identification, and whether some support costs are being coded in ways that obscure the true spending picture. There was also discussion of facilities funding, the building fund, and the Department of Education’s partnership program for school construction and maintenance, with staff agreeing to provide more information and potentially bring department officials back for a future meeting. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly requested more granular data and clarifications, including waiver counts and funding impacts, trend lines for superintendent-reported needs, district-by-district spending spreadsheets, and definitions for certain matrix and accounting terms such as salary enhancement, LEA indebtedness, and other employee health insurance. The chair noted that the committee would continue the adequacy process over the coming months and use the worksheet in the binder to develop recommendations for the next biennium. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; instead, the committee received the report, asked for follow-up data, and agreed to continue the discussion at future meetings.