Transcript Highlights:

• Staff and employees need to know they're going to be hired.
• Is that the intent of the less than the two employees that were reducing there? Go ahead.
• Is that the intent of the less than the two employees that were reducing there?
• Employees.
• was that there was going to be some efficiencies, not just from the cut aspect, but the current employees

Summary: The committee received a general fund “green sheet” update from budget analyst Noah Peterson, who reviewed recent changes to the FY 2026 and FY 2027 balances, including large population-adjustment supplementals for Medicaid and Corrections and other committee actions. He also highlighted several policy bills with fiscal impacts, including county jail per diem changes, a state police-related bill, and a health and welfare board/position bill. Janet Jessup then walked the committee through several budget housekeeping items and supplemental/maintenance adjustments, beginning with the Department of Environmental Quality and a solid waste regulatory program change tied to House Bill 555. The committee approved multiple motions, including adding 4 FTP to DEQ and adopting revised language for a hazardous waste fund transfer; a FY 2026 Soil and Water Conservation Commission supplemental for the CREP program; and a major two-step reorganization moving the Soil and Water Conservation Commission from Agriculture to Water Resources. The committee also approved the related FY 2027 reductions and additions for the commission and Water Resources, including CREP funding and a one-time restoration of a rescission to preserve stream-gauging and water monitoring services. Members discussed whether those restorations should be one-time or ongoing, with some favoring one-time adjustments to preserve budget flexibility and others warning about agency stability. The committee then handled the consolidation of the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources into a new Office of Species, Mineral, and Energy Coordination. It approved a reduction for the Office of Species Conservation and a reduction for OEMR, then considered competing motions for the new combined office. After extended debate over the appropriate number of FTP reductions and the importance of nuclear and mining coordination, the committee rejected a substitute motion and then rejected the original motion as well, leaving the new office budget unresolved. Finally, the committee approved the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses request for replacement vehicles and IT hardware, and adjourned with notice of upcoming budget hearings the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state's UI program is available to workers who are payroll employees. So most...
• When you're a payroll employee and you lose your job and you file a claim for unemployment insurance,
• I am also incredibly grateful to the nearly 9,000 employees at EDD who deliver our services every day
• And key to that continuous improvement is listening to our customers, our employees, the legislature,
• At EDD, we are committed to continual improvement for our customers and our employees and appreciate

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, section one of the bill prohibits a school employee, independent contractor, or volunteer from being
• It sets a clear statewide expectation that no school employee, contractor, or volunteer is alone with
• :41.200><c> school</c> statewide expectation that no school statewide expectation that no school employee
• , contractor, or volunteer is employee, contractor, or volunteer is alone<00:08:44.480><c> with</c><00
• Like not everything falls under the Minnesota State High School League under, like, a school employee

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are all employees of the University of New Mexico.
• We have also seen rises in the number of employees and in the number of students graduating.
• Coughlin, myself, Ryan, who's an employee, and Prisca, who works in Los Alamos in economic development
• they're young, they're scrappy, they're ready to learn, and then you're able to mold them into the employee
• I know that's hard for startups, but you know, 6,000 to get a great employee, and that would be probably

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Coalition of Utility Employees, California State Pipe Trades Council, and the Western States Council
• bill provides is essential for the future viability of this critical industry and the thousands of employees
• Chairman and members, Scott Wetsch on behalf of the California Coalition of Utility Employees, the Western
• permit under this new rule, would some consultant or some employee have to go through to understand the
• The consultant or the employee or would you have to have someone a full time employee monitor this after

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, also this allows entities that share employees or board members with abortion services providers
• This bill was brought at the request of the Texas State Employees Union that I'm a proud member of, uh
• Chair calls Tyler Sheldon, uh, testifying on behalf of the Texas State Employee Union for House Bill
• I'm the legislative and political director for the Texas State Employees Union, and I'm here to, uh,
• This ensures that when our public safety employees experience a traumatic event, there is a clear pathway

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• during the period in which the employee is precluded from taking competing employment.
• The bill ensures employees are protected by mandating the agreement is in writing, the employee is afforded
• adequate notice, and the employee is advised in writing of the opportunity to seek counsel.
• The bill narrowly applies to those employees most likely to have access to sensitive information, those
• making at least twice the annual mean wage of employees in Florida, or workers who receive confidential

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of 20 bills, beginning with CS/HB 1173 on the Florida Trust Code, which clarified that the Florida Attorney General is the only public official with standing to enforce charitable trusts administered in Florida; it was amended and reported favorably. The committee also unanimously or near-unanimously approved several claims and relief bills, including HB 6507 for Marcus Button, HB 6523 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., HB 6525 for Eric and Jennifer Miles, HB 6529 for J.N., and HB 6519 for the estate of Beniel Hambier, all involving settlements or compensation for injuries or wrongful death. Other measures reported favorably included CS/HB 213 on commercial squatters, CS/HB 1447 on trespass at large-scale ticketed events, CS/HB 515 updating the Uniform Commercial Code for virtual currency and related technologies, CS/HB 1007 on gift card fraud, CS/HB 1049 on protection of court officials, CS/HB 1219 on non-compete and garden leave agreements, CS/HB 399 on stolen valor in the ethics code, CS/HB 57 on xylazine regulation, HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/HB 265 on enforcing terrorism-related judgments against frozen assets. Most of these bills had support from industry, law enforcement, or affected parties and passed with little or no opposition. The most contested measure was CS/HB 1517, which would expand Florida’s wrongful death statute to include parents of unborn children as survivors. Supporters argued it would allow families to recover damages when negligence causes the loss of a pregnancy, while opponents—including the ACLU of Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, reproductive rights advocates, and some committee members—warned it could be used to advance fetal personhood, chill medical care, and empower abusive partners or others to sue over abortion-related conduct. The sponsor said the bill remained within the wrongful death framework and included protections for mothers and lawful medical providers, but the committee still reported it favorably on a 14-6 vote. CS/HB 903, a corrections bill addressing inmate litigation, sentencing, execution methods, tracking devices, health services, and offender review appointments, also drew debate over a proposed tolling amendment and due process concerns; the amendment failed and the bill passed 16-5. CS/HB 57 on xylazine likewise saw debate over whether penalties should target users or traffickers, but the committee rejected a narrowing amendment and passed the bill 20-1. Several bills were amended in committee, often with technical or clarifying changes, including CS/HB 1219, HB 1351 on sexual offender and predator registration, and HB 901. Public testimony was generally supportive on the non-controversial bills, especially from law enforcement, business groups, and affected claimants. At the end of the meeting, Rep. Gottlieb offered a personal correction, acknowledging he had wrongly criticized FOP in a prior meeting after learning the organization had, in fact, contacted him. The committee then adjourned after completing the full agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's important to us that we're able to keep those employees safe.
• Thank you. ...and the great work that employees provide to our community.
• The motion is due pass to the Assembly Committee on Public Employees and Retirement. Rubio? Aye.
• The motion is due pass to the Assembly Committee on Public Employees and Retirement.
• Rubio. is due pass to the Assembly Committee on Public Employees and Retirement. Rubio. Aye.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills on holidays, procurement, public safety, and business regulation. AB 268 would add Diwali as an official state holiday and allow schools and state workers limited flexibility to observe it; supporters described it as a recognition of California’s large South Asian and Hindu communities, and there was no opposition. AB 770 would define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays to clarify what repairs and reinforcements are allowed; the bill was presented as a safety and consistency measure for the billboard industry. AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate bulk pricing for construction materials to help disaster-affected communities rebuild more affordably, with supporters from the housing and building sectors and some members raising concerns about state contracting, storage, and implementation. AB 381 would update state procurement rules to better prevent human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains, aligning state policy with federal standards and drawing support from anti-trafficking advocates, labor, and local government representatives. AB 668 would extend drink-spiking prevention measures to music festivals by requiring test strips, drink lids, and reporting procedures; supporters emphasized victim safety and underreporting, while venue operators opposed the bill unless amended, citing feasibility and cost concerns. AB 880 would require prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits contracting with the state, with broad nonprofit support and no opposition. AB 989 would make California Native American Day a paid holiday, with tribal and allied support. AB 592 would extend and expand temporary outdoor dining and alcohol service flexibilities for restaurants, with strong support from restaurant and business groups and opposition from alcohol policy advocates who preferred a narrower or permanent grandfathering approach. Most bills advanced on committee votes, generally on party-line or broad bipartisan support. AB 770 was moved to Appropriations, AB 783 was passed as amended to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management, AB 381 was sent to Labor, AB 668 and AB 880 were sent to Appropriations, AB 989 was sent to Public Employees and Retirement, and AB 592 was sent to Health. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing several additional bills, which was approved. The hearing ended with the roll left open for additional votes and adjournment at 3:17 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• the county are delegated to the county manager, who oversees a staff of more than 3,000 full-time employees
• Commissioner Frank Baca, who is with us as well, a long-time state employee and attorney—beyond recognition
• that inspire and support the next generation of scientists and engineers, including volunteering employee
• Senate Bill 256, adding school employees licensed and appointed to carry handguns on school premises
• Clarifying when drug testing for cannabis is allowed for employees who are qualified patients, pursuant

Transcript Highlights:

• only, where it can deliver it, employees only, where it can be<00:28:48.960><c> delivered</c><00:28:
• We felt that a W-2 employee of that establishment is a branch of that establishment.
• We felt that a W2 uh employee of Lency.
• </c><00:37:18.800><c> Um</c><00:37:19.440><c> we</c> uh employee as the uh deliverer.
• Um we uh employee as the uh deliverer.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've never paid our employees for not showing up to work.
• </c><00:17:58.480><c> So</c> employees for not showing up to work.
• So employees for not showing up to work.
• At our agency, with over 70 employees, 65% are people with disabilities.
• </c> independent living, 50% of our employees independent living, 50% of our employees uh<01:03:06.000

Bills: HF2435

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• like anyone else with a state employee like anyone else with the<00:28:55.360><c> standard</c><00:28
• gets so I so although in state employee gets so I so although in the<00:29:01.200><c> original</c><00
• Those employees have relatively limited rights. It's more like you're at will.
• Unclassified employees do not have that benefit.
• have uh relatively limited employees have uh relatively limited rights<01:21:06.560><c> it's</c><01:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first recessed briefly, then took up HB 570, the prescription drug affordability board (PDAB). The chair and several members discussed the House amendment to repeal the board, which removed the fiscal note. The main concern raised was that the PDAB had not yet produced a clear business case showing value for the taxpayer investment, despite several years of work and four annual reports. Supporters of the repeal said the board’s recent report was largely redundant and that the board should either demonstrate a strong return on investment or be shut down; others cautioned against discarding the program too quickly and urged more time to refine the mission and legislative language. No vote was taken, and the committee appeared to agree to retain the bill for further work, with the possibility of revisiting it in a formal executive session on Tuesday. Members also shifted into discussion of HB 2, beginning with Section 85 on opioid abatement trust fund dollars for shelter programs. Department of Health and Human Services officials explained that the provision would provide $10 million from the opioid abatement trust fund, replacing general funds in the governor’s budget, while also noting an additional $2.5 million prioritized needs request for shelter care that was already fully funded. Committee members asked about shelter bed capacity, job placement efforts, and the remaining balance in the opioid fund; DHHS said there are 934 contracted beds and that case management includes help with housing and employment. Officials also said the current proposed budget includes another $1 million later in HB 2 from the opioid fund. The committee then began discussion of Sections 86 through 87, which would preserve the department’s ability to transfer funds between personnel lines. DHHS said the provision is operationally critical and that losing it would make it extremely difficult to manage the department, though it would not have a direct fiscal impact. The next item introduced was Section 88, extending a suspension related to eligibility for services until July 1, 2027; DHHS indicated that if the suspension were not continued, it would likely increase expenditures for Community Mental Health Centers and potentially others. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our ask is that we need a grandfather clause for existing employees that can pass our approved testing
• a Full Construction season to employees a Full Construction season to get<00:31:09.960><c> the</c><00
• </c><00:31:20.000><c> and</c><00:31:20.159><c> employers</c> work for the uh employees and employers
• We have a lot of employees in this industry that come to work, maybe for a week, they quit.
• We have a lot of employees in this industry that come to work, maybe for a week, they quit.

Bills: HF47 , HF335

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF335, Greater Minnesota, economic development, public infrastructure, grant program, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, business development, infrastructure grants, local government aid, general fund appropriation, rural development, site development, utilities, roads

Transcript Highlights:

• You also see an estimate of the impact on full-time equivalent employees, so how much time does it take
• </c> impact on full-time equivalent employees impact on full-time equivalent employees so<00:07:07.440
• that number will be Point employee that number will be included<00:07:17.520><c> on</c><00:07:17.599
• equiv employees then you're going<00:07:49.840><c> to</c><00:07:49.919><c> have</c><00:07:50.000><c>
• When I say them, it's both the county and the employees that will be paying this tax.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It just makes it hard for both employees and the public to know where to call.
• The one within central office is more often used by employees, I would say.
• The one within central office is more often used by employees, I would say.
• The one within central office is more often used by employees, I would say.
• It's always been a question whether DHS employees are mandatory reporters.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Maintaining employee personal hygiene, appropriate hand washing, glove use, illness reporting, etc.
• </c><01:04:43.760><c> recognized</c> a convenience store employee recognized a convenience store employee
• and potential enrollees, about employees and potential enrollees, plan<01:26:18.440><c> offerings</c
• </c> turn the public insurance employee turn the public insurance employee public<01:38:30.440><c> employees
• I would say employees of the district? I would say it<01:40:02.520><c> did.</c> it did. it did.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• type of notice with an employer or intent within 72 hours to conduct a review of I-9 filings of employees
• , we're requesting, requiring that employers notify their employees within 48 hours of that impending
• And it protects the employer who may be in fear of notifying their employees as well and it protects
• the employer who may be in fear of notifying their employees in advance because we require it under state
• No law enforcement officer or other employee or representative of a law enforcement agency.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a birthday resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It also advanced two local bills: one authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, and another relative to the town administrator of Carlisle. Both bills were amended by Ways and Means and ordered to third reading or engrossed as amended. The chamber also passed a memorial-marker bill for fallen law enforcement officers in Milton and Canton. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 5305, the “Protect Act,” which was presented as a measure to limit state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, restrict ICE access in courthouses and other sensitive locations, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, and expedite U and T visa certifications. Supporters, including members of the Black and Latino Caucus and other legislators, argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, preserve public trust, and keep local police focused on criminal matters. They cited courthouse arrests, fear in immigrant communities, and the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal authority. Several amendments were offered and voted on during consideration of H.5305. An amendment to strike Section 4 was rejected, as were amendments seeking to alter the courthouse enforcement provisions and to recognize immigration judge warrants. Other amendments were adopted, including one clarifying sheriff-related provisions, one expanding language around release dates, one adding protections related to school settings, and one expediting U visa certification for family members aging out. A roll call was taken on the bill and on multiple amendments, with the House ultimately adopting the amendments described and continuing consideration of the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and their employees' share of health care costs.
• billion for all other so-called health and human services accounts, and $2.8 billion for public employee
• health insurance at the Thank you. and $2.8 billion for public employee health insurance at the GIC.
• And our municipalities are struggling to hire firefighters, police officers, DPW staff, employees to
• Employees to run the town's sewer because housing costs have just spiraled out of control.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two commendatory resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. The chamber also briefly recognized Diane Talk of the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center on her retirement after 30 years of dispatch service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills to enactment: House No. 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional all-alcoholic beverages license, and House No. 473, relating to the charter of Westwood. The main business was the Senate Ways and Means presentation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, totaling about $63.3 billion. The chair described the budget as balanced, with no new taxes or tax cuts, based on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in growth over FY26 (2.4%), and including about $15.8 billion in federal financial participation and roughly $2.7 billion from the Fair Share surtax. The budget emphasized record local aid, including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, increased minimum school aid, higher regional school transportation reimbursement, rural aid, and the revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. It also highlighted major investments in MassEducate free community college, food security, housing, and support for vulnerable residents. Members then engaged in extended colloquy on the budget’s major cost drivers and policy choices. Questions focused on debt service, pension and OPEB liabilities, MassHealth caseload and rising per-enrollee costs, child care funding, and program integrity in DTA and other benefit programs. The chair said debt service would be about $2.67 billion, pension payments would be $5.1 billion, OPEB would receive a $150 million payment, and MassHealth enrollment was projected at about 2 million with costs driven by acuity and medical inflation. He also said the budget includes no collective bargaining agreements and no state tax changes. Senators supporting the budget praised its investments in education, local aid, homelessness prevention, public health, libraries, and housing, while minority leaders and others stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency, and further work on affordability and municipal support. The Senate also received a House message on House No. 5316, which the House had nonconcurred in, and a conference committee was appointed on the disagreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this allows private school employees to use existing whistleblower protections, which we currently
• have for public employees.
• You also have to, part of that, you have to work with dealing with employees who are not behaving in
• Unfortunately, many public schools allow their employees to provide instruction on sexual orientation
• from providing this instruction to kids, meaning their employees can provide it to kids if they want

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from March 9, 10, and 11, 2026. It then took up Senate Bill 1336, a proposal to codify civics and American founding content in Idaho social studies standards. Sponsor Senator Anthon said the bill was a work in progress and asked that it be sent to the 14th order for amendment, citing concerns about flexibility, local control, and implementation. Testimony from school groups was generally supportive of the goal but raised concerns about codifying standards in statute, the Western civilization requirement, staffing and scheduling impacts, and funding for curriculum changes. The committee voted to send SB 1336 to the 14th order. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 1412, a school hiring and reporting bill combining earlier proposals on educator misconduct disclosure, mandatory reporting, employer verification, Professional Standards Commission reporting, and whistleblower protections for private school employees. Senator Nichols said the bill was intended to create uniform statewide protections and transparency. Testimony strongly supported the bill from several educators and advocates who described failures to report abuse, retaliation against whistleblowers, and cases where alleged offenders remained employed. The committee voted to send SB 1412 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 832, which would change career technical education hiring rules by replacing a fixed 6,000-hour industry experience requirement with standards set by the State Board of Career Technical Education. The bill was presented as a way to improve recruitment and retention of industry professionals, and it passed with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 711, creating alternative authorization pathways for school principals and superintendents through either a grow-your-own route or an executive leadership route. Supporters argued it would help districts, especially rural ones, recruit leaders and that it was optional; opponents said it lowered standards, did not solve retention problems, and could weaken preparation in school law, finance, and instructional leadership. Despite objections, the committee voted to send HB 711 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee revisited House Bill 516, which would restrict classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity and had an amendment clarifying that incidental references in certain subjects would not be prohibited. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters framing it as a parent-rights and transparency measure and opponents warning it would chill instruction and invite litigation; discussion focused on the meaning of “incidental reference” and the bill’s private right of action, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want what other state employees have, which is air conditioning and state buildings, Wi-Fi access,
• And that's where I was headed next is, you know, I have about 57,000 employees, and typically we get
• And that's where I was headed next is, you know, I have about 57,000 employees, and typically we get
• Employees, and typically we get cost-of-living adjustments every year.
• But what I'd like to say is during that time, we've also seen about a $2 billion increase in employee

Keywords: 987, senate, all