Transcript Highlights:

• Prevailing wage or skilled and trained requirements, correct?
• Prevailing wage, there are lower wages than prevailing wage.
• Because we demand prevailing wage as a floor.
• We do see this as a rollback of existing prevailing wage that Wage rates for construction workers and
• of prevailing wages.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Bills: SB5223, SB5286, SB6002, SB6178, SB5892, SB5177, SB6039, SB5874, SB5863, SB5972, SB5941, SB5203, SB6014, SB5993, SB5831, SB5928, SB5912, SB5825, SB5223, SB6178, SB5892, SB5177, SB6039, SB5941, SB5993, SB5831, SB5928, SB5912, SB6183, SB6071, SB5995, SB5966, SB5841, SB5840, SB6061, SB6058, SB5931, SB5944, SB5520, SB6011, SB6087, SB6076, SB5916, SB6016, SB5936, SB6137, SB5185, SB5956, SB6025, SB6009, SB5833, SB6161, SB6188, SB5890, SB5917, SB5820, SB5973, SJM8015, SB5816, SB6136, SB6091, SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, policing costs, state hospitals, local funding, budget allocation, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, LPR, surveillance, driver privacy, vehicle tracking, location data, law enforcement technology, data retention, audit trail

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:15:47.360><c> wage</c> application of prevailing wage application of prevailing wage protections
• </c><01:16:01.679><c> wage</c> Minnesota Minnesota's prevailing wage Minnesota Minnesota's prevailing
• c><01:21:05.280><c> trying</c> rid of prevailing wage what I am trying rid of prevailing wage what I
• c><01:23:42.199><c> I</c> prevailing wage in general uh I prevailing wage in general uh I appreciate<
• ><c> uh</c><01:25:53.280><c> the</c> prevailing wage for State funds uh the prevailing wage for State

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And those are the two parts: the inclusionary requirement and prevailing wage.
• The cost of prevailing wage is real. It's undeniable. It has an effect.
• That's probably more important than the prevailing wage impact.
• wage piece or the affordability requirement, Zeroing in on the prevailing wage piece or the affordability
• The fact the bill that we had, AB 130, specifically pointed out that prevailing wages are when prevailing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, when you take a look at it, you layer in prevailing wage.
• The prevailing wage and the inclusionary. Yeah.
• That's probably more important than the prevailing wage impact.
• wage piece or the affordability requirement, Zeroing in on the prevailing wage piece or the affordability
• So they're by law already prevailing-wage jobs.

Summary: The hearing was an outcome review of AB 2011, the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022, focused on whether the law is being used as intended to speed housing production on commercially zoned land while maintaining labor and affordability standards. Chair Haney and Assembly Member Wicks emphasized that the point of the review was not to relitigate the bill, but to assess implementation and results. The first panel of researchers and policy experts said AB 2011 has had real but still limited uptake so far, with roughly 5,800 homes proposed, entitled, or permitted under the law through 2024, concentrated mainly in San Francisco and Los Angeles counties. They also noted that the broader housing market remains constrained by high construction costs, interest rates, and flat rents, making it hard to isolate the bill’s effects from overall market conditions. Witnesses generally agreed that AB 2011 has been most effective for 100% affordable projects and for projects already using public subsidies or prevailing wage, where the ministerial process and CEQA streamlining help move developments forward. Several speakers described the law as a useful bargaining tool that can push jurisdictions to rezone or approve projects more quickly even when AB 2011 is not formally invoked. At the same time, developers and advocates said the mixed-income pathway is much less usable in most of the state because prevailing wage and the 15% affordability requirement add significant cost, especially in lower-rent markets. They also pointed to implementation issues such as narrow site eligibility rules, the “substantially surrounded by urban uses” test, industrial-use exclusions, and confusion about whether the law applies to homeownership projects. The second panel, made up of practitioners using the law, described specific projects that moved forward under AB 2011, including affordable housing developments in the San Joaquin Valley and large mixed-use projects in San Francisco. They said the law’s biggest benefit is certainty: projects that once took years to entitle can now move in months. However, they repeated calls for changes such as clarifying homeownership eligibility, loosening density and site restrictions, narrowing the industrial-use exclusion, and making the law easier to understand for developers and local staff. Members also raised concerns about uneven use across regions, especially the relative lack of AB 2011 activity in Los Angeles and Santa Clara County, and about the accuracy and lag in annual progress report data. The final panel, including the original sponsors, said they remain supportive of the law but are open to adjustments to reduce costs and improve usability while preserving labor protections and affordability goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So prevailing wage is a good solid wage.
• wage versus prevailing wage?
• President, that's because we don't have prevailing wage. We didn't use prevailing wage.
• Is she making prevailing wage? Is the sergeant of arms at the far door making prevailing wage?
• All of those are prevailing wage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so the prevailing wage data.
• except</c> prevailing wage statute applies except prevailing wage statute applies except for<00:03:16.760
• </c> prevailing wage project is already prevailing wage project is already required<00:40:16.800><c>
• </c> uh prevailing wage is back in 2007. uh prevailing wage is back in 2007.
• </c><00:53:39.200><c> wage</c> specific request for prevailing wage specific request for prevailing wage

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not expand prevailing wage law.
• That means cities with prevailing wage ordinances or labor standards policies like Richfield, Bloomington
• That means cities with prevailing<00:02:56.319><c> wage</c><00:02:56.640><c> ordinances</c><00:02:57.120
• ><c> or</c><00:02:57.440><c> labor</c> prevailing wage ordinances or labor prevailing wage ordinances
• projects with prevailing wage requirements.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, that policy lacks clear requirements to ensure prevailing wages are paid, where That policy
• lacks clear requirements to ensure prevailing wages are paid, workers are properly trained, or labor
• AB 1198 does not create a new prevailing wage requirement.
• It does not change who is covered by prevailing wage.
• Second, under current law, as I just mentioned, the applicable prevailing wage is locked.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. Opposed. The motion prevails.
• Motion prevails.
• The motion<00:10:45.360><c> prevails.</c> motion prevails. motion prevails.
• Motion prevails.
• Motion prevails.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, prevailing wage rates are locked in at the time a public works project is first advertised
• Workers are then forced to take the prevailing wage from when the project was first announced, even if
• We would not pay a minimum wage from five years or 10 years ago, and we shouldn't pay a prevailing wage
• And as we all know, primarily the prevailing wage rate in the state and the localities is based off of
• There's no disagreement about the fact that these are public works and you're paying a prevailing wage

Summary: The committee heard a series of labor-related bills, with most measures focused on worker training, privacy, wages, and safety. AB 296 would require schools or districts to host apprenticeship fairs at least once a year, with flexibility on how they are run and whether programs outside the county can participate. Supporters said it would help connect students to skilled trades and address workforce shortages; school administrators opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate that could be impractical for elementary schools. The bill was later moved on call, with the committee noting it could not vote until quorum was established. AB 1221 and AB 1331 both addressed workplace surveillance. AB 1221 would restrict invasive monitoring tools, require notice to workers, limit the use and sharing of worker data, and require human review before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor groups supported the bill as a response to AI-driven monitoring, while business groups raised concerns about broad definitions, security cameras, investigations, and data-access provisions. AB 1331 focused more narrowly on privacy in off-duty and private spaces, limiting surveillance in places like restrooms, break areas, vehicles, and homes; hospitals and business groups opposed it as too broad and potentially disruptive to safety, cybersecurity, and facility monitoring. Both bills were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard AB 1181, which would require firefighter turnout gear to be free of cancer-causing chemicals such as PFAS by 2027, and AB 1198, which would require prevailing wage rates on public works to reflect the wage in effect when the work is performed rather than when the project was first advertised. Firefighter representatives strongly supported AB 1181, while the chemical industry asked to continue working on scope and timelines. AB 1198 drew support from labor and contractor groups but opposition from local governments and housing groups concerned about mid-project cost increases; it was passed to Appropriations after a roll-call vote. Other measures approved included AB 1235 on skilled-and-trained workers for CSU construction, AB 1251 on ghost job postings, AB 552 on locating the Agricultural Labor Relations Board office outside Sacramento, AB 1110 on updating Cal/OSHA workplace posters, AB 1136 on expanding high road training partnerships, and AB 1234 on wage claim enforcement. AB 692, which would ban employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave a job, drew strong support from nurses and labor advocates and opposition from business and health care groups; it was also passed on a roll-call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• To be clear, AB 1104 does not roll back prevailing wage requirements set by AB 2143.
• To support AB 1104, the bill protects prevailing wage scales...
• So the original bill absolutely did eliminate prevailing wage.
• The only thing left is to not pay the workers the prevailing wage.
• wage requirement, they are supposed to provide a lot of the, subject to a prevailing wage requirement

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with AB 1424, AB 1340, AB 288, and AB 746 all advancing on due-pass motions to Appropriations after testimony and roll calls. AB 1424 would require climate resiliency and extreme-heat protections in CDCR facilities; supporters described dangerous heat conditions for incarcerated workers and staff, while no opposition testified. AB 1340 would allow rideshare drivers to unionize and collectively bargain; drivers, labor groups, and researchers testified that app-based work is low-paid and unstable, while TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and other business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs. AB 288 would let PERB step in when federal labor remedies are unavailable; supporters said it is needed because of NLRB dysfunction, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. AB 746 would create an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve; supporters framed it as a recidivism-reduction and reentry strategy, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard AB 858, which would extend hotel and hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies and extend existing COVID-era protections. Hospitality workers and unions supported the bill as a way to protect jobs after pandemics, wildfires, and other disasters, while hotel, chamber, retail, restaurant, trucking, travel, and attractions groups opposed it, saying the current recall rules were meant to sunset and that the bill would create broad liabilities and hiring complications. The bill was moved to Appropriations but remained on call after the roll. AB 291, creating a credentialed educator apprenticeship program to address teacher shortages and improve diversity, drew support from education groups and stakeholders who said apprenticeships could lower preparation costs and provide better support; it was also moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Later, the committee took up AB 1104, a solar-energy bill intended to clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and to ease certain business-to-business solar transactions while preserving prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements for contractors. Supporters said the current interpretation has chilled commercial solar adoption and harmed jobs, while opponents from electrical workers, PG&E, and others warned about expanded “over-the-fence” power sales and the need for clearer limits. Members questioned the lack of a definition of “small,” and the bill was held without a second. The committee also heard AB 338, which seeks $50 million for Los Angeles and Ventura wildfire workforce recovery; the author and county officials described major job loss and business destruction and said the funds would support displaced workers and rebuilding, with the testimony continuing beyond the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:51:02.680><c> wage</c> their own local prevailing wage their own local prevailing wage ordinances
• </c> prevailing wage because it's essentially prevailing wage because it's essentially what<01:02:34.080
• wage or any state agencies that they're in compliance with the prevailing wage statutes.
• wage or any state agencies that they're in compliance with the prevailing wage statutes.
• </c> activities for prevailing wage? activities for prevailing wage?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, that policy lacks clear requirements to ensure prevailing wages are paid, where...
• That policy lacks clear requirements to ensure prevailing wages are paid, workers are properly trained
• wage is meant for... ...before the actual project takes place, and the prevailing wage is meant for
• AB 1198 does not create a new prevailing wage requirement.
• It does not change who is covered by prevailing wage.

Summary: The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee. The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony. AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can say it's a prevailing wage.
• prevailing wage.
• the prevailing wage.
• It's part of the prevailing wage survey that they do when they have done prevailing wage work in the
• So prevailing wage hour. There we go. Yes. Just because I do want to Prevailing wage hour.

Bills: SB190, SB152, SB77, SB150, SB151, SB156, SB172, SB182, SB185, SB212, SB170, SB133, SB174, SB163

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• for laborers, workers, and mechanics based on the latest prevailing wage rate.”
• adjustment tied to a greater than 5% increase in the prevailing wage rate.
• So the national average of a prevailing wage increase over a year's time is 4.7.
• So, and that's the escalation per year because this is escalating prevailing wage while the project is
• I think it makes a lot of sense to make sure that when the prevailing wage rate is increased, which happens

Bills: SB6136, SB6188, SB5944

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency, actuarial rates, contingency reserves, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, risk classifications, employer premiums, insurance regulation, rate setting, premium increase limits, workers' compensation advisory committee, retrospective rating, state insurance fund, accident and medical aid funds, SB 6188, asbestos, asbestos training

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:59.240><c> wage</c><00:20:59.520><c> requirements</c> the state prevailing wage requirements
• wage construction projects prevailing wage construction projects that<00:24:15.120><c> strengthen</c
• prevailing wage laws were already public data.
• Uh, prevailing wage statutes are under data practices.
• </c> for prevailing wage purposes. for prevailing wage purposes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for laborers, workers, and mechanics based on the latest prevailing wage rate.
• for laborers, workers, and mechanics based on the latest prevailing wage rate.
• adjustment tied to a greater than 5% increase in the prevailing wage rate.
• The national average of a prevailing wage increase over a year’s time is 4.7%.
• That is the escalation per year, because this is escalating prevailing wage while the project is in process

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on several Department of Labor and Industries request bills and related workplace measures. Senate Bill 6039 would allow L&I to send notices electronically with an opt-out option; Senator Curtis King and L&I supported it as a simple modernization and the committee heard no opposition. Senate Bill 6136 would require L&I to publish actuarially indicated workers’ compensation rates and explain when rates are capped below those levels; Senator King and employer groups described it as a transparency bill, while L&I said it would disclose how reserve funds and rate caps affect different classes. Senate Bill 6188 would expand L&I’s authority over asbestos certification rulemaking beyond rules specifically required to match federal standards; Senator Victoria Hunt and L&I argued this would strengthen worker safety and training, while the Building Industry Association raised concern about diverging from federal rules and asked for narrower authority. Senate Bill 6014 would create a Public Records Act exemption for people involved in pregnancy-accommodation complaints or investigations and fix a cross-reference in last year’s pregnancy accommodation law; Senator T’wina Nobles and Moms Rising said it would restore intended protections and privacy for pregnant and postpartum workers. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 6058, which would give L&I discretion to investigate wage complaints under the Wage Payment Act and assess penalties for willful violations when it initiates an investigation; L&I supported the bill and noted a House amendment to reduce costs and avoid conflict with another wage-recovery measure. For Senate Bill 6136, hospitality, construction, and self-insured employer representatives all supported the measure as a transparency step, with the self-insurers noting the impact of PTSD presumptive claims on rate classes. For Senate Bill 6188, L&I said the bill would let the department set stronger certification standards for asbestos workers and supervisors, while BIAW argued the bill should be limited to specific EPA model standards rather than removing the current statutory limitation. In executive session, the committee took action on five bills. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, which requires annual prevailing-wage adjustments in public works contracts, an amendment allowing change orders for wage increases over 5% failed, a one-year effective-date delay was adopted, and the bill passed 7-2 as amended. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing ESD to waive penalties for minor unemployment-insurance reporting errors, passed 9-0. Senate Bill 5944, making missed-appointment payments part of bargained compensation for language access providers, passed 9-0. Substitute Senate Bill 5972, expanding binding interest arbitration for correctional officers in city and county jails, rejected two amendments that would have limited the binding effect and required consideration of local fiscal ability, then passed 8-1. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302, addressing misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects, passed 9-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the only section in the bill relating to prevailing wage that you might want.
• Well, the local prevailing wage in the City of St. Louis mirrors the state.
• That's the only section in the bill relating to prevailing wage that you might want.
• Well, the local prevailing wage in City of St. Louis mirrors the state.
• They don't comply with their own prevailing wage reporting. Have you found that to be true?

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and unanimously voted do pass on House Bill 1707, House Bill 2927, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2057. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1664, which would extend the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims from age 26 to age 41. Representative Brian Sites presented the bill as a needed step for survivors, and multiple witnesses and organizations testified in support, including survivors and advocacy, tort reform, chamber, and insurance groups. No opposition was heard, and the hearing concluded without a vote. The committee also heard House Bill 1845, a startup and angel investor tax credit proposal sponsored by Representative Gallick. The bill would create incentives for Missouri-based startups under $5 million in revenue, with higher credits for rural investment, annual caps, oversight by the Missouri Technology Corporation, and a sunset in 2033. Members questioned what taxes the credit would apply to, how it would work if Missouri changes its income tax structure, and what safeguards would prevent businesses from leaving after receiving credits. Business and economic development groups testified in support, saying the bill would help fill an early-stage capital gap and keep investment in Missouri. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3231, a broad economic development and “Missouri Innovation Zone” proposal sponsored by Representative Brad Christ. The bill would let cities opt in to create innovation zones with local permitting and governance changes, tax incentives, office-to-residential conversion tools, and reinvestment of net new revenues into public safety, infrastructure, and a rural development fund. Members and witnesses discussed local control, prevailing wage, revenue diversion, and implementation concerns, especially from the City of St. Louis and labor groups, while chambers, developers, municipal groups, and historic revitalization advocates generally supported the concept. The hearing ended with no opposition testimony and no committee vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And importantly, both RCPs specifically do not require the payment of prevailing wage.
• In addition to skilled and trained and prevailing wage, what type of labor standards are we talking about
• That's the third thing that is in the bill to go along with skilled and trained and prevailing wage.
• In addition to skilled and trained and prevailing wage, what type of later standards are we talking about
• That's the third thing that is in the bill to go along with skilled and trained and prevailing wage.

Keywords: 988, house, all