Transcript Highlights:

• those local businesses and we we place a high priority on designing how we build the project to accommodate
• credential just to make sure he had some of those foundational skills that he needed to go into the workplace

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• choose to offer it, and those who can win Not be a privilege limited to those whose workplaces choose
• More than half of Black workers and two-thirds of Hispanic workers currently lack access to a workplace
• H. 1143 and S. 722 for the 1.2 million private sector Massachusetts workers who lack access to a workplace
• The answer is expanding access to workplace savings by creating the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings
• their first easy, convenient way to save for retirement, people who otherwise lack access to any workplace

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• that workers in California know their rights are protected from health and safety hazards in the workplace
• this program, the employer is responsible only for the disability that results from the subsequent workplace
• Today I'll be providing an update about the California Workplace Outreach Project, also known as CWOP
• who have faced unsafe working conditions, misclassification, and harmful chemical exposures in the workplace
• Critical workplaces like restaurants, car washes, and agricultural fields are facing ICE raids, creating

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every workplace and every set of employees have very different needs.
• So really showing that it really is kind of a workplace-by-workplace situation. very interested just
• from our members, was that there's really no one-size-fits-all kind of benefit. you know, every workplace
• You know, every workplace and every really set of employees have very different needs.
• So really showing that it really is kind of a workplace-by-workplace situation. of those that do offer

Summary: The California State Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its first hearing to examine the state of child care access, affordability, and provider compensation. Chair Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and other members described child care as essential infrastructure for working families and the economy, noting that costs are unaffordable for many households and that providers are underpaid. Early testimony came from a San Francisco parent, Quinn Chung, who described the difficulty of finding safe care and the financial and career sacrifices caused by lack of child care, and from Tuolumne County provider Anita Viscini, who detailed her monthly costs, low margins, and the need to work weekends and teach CPR classes to make ends meet. Assemblymembers also emphasized the crisis in rural communities and the need for a long-term strategy. The first policy panel featured Jennifer Troia of the California Department of Social Services, Laura Pryor of the California Budget and Policy Center, and Alexa Frankenberg of Child Care Providers United. Troia said the state has nearly doubled child care funding in five years, expanded subsidy slots, and reached a new tentative three-year agreement with providers that includes cost-of-living adjustments, stabilization payments, and continued work on an alternative rate methodology and single rate structure. Pryor argued that despite funding gains, child care remains too expensive, only a fraction of eligible children receive subsidies, and provider wages remain far below comparable jobs, worsening racial and gender inequities. Frankenberg said the tentative agreement is progress but not enough, calling for a true cost-of-care system, fair wages, paid time off, better support for emergency and nontraditional care, and stronger integration of family child care into the mixed-delivery system. Members asked about why the crisis persists, how the alternative methodology will work, how family fees and sliding-scale help are being used, and why middle-income families still struggle. The panel said the problem reflects long-term underinvestment, a broken market, and a system that still leaves many families without access. The committee also heard an economic panel from Ashley Hoffman of the California Chamber of Commerce and Sarah Bone of the Public Policy Institute of California. Hoffman described employer child care benefits and public-private partnership models in other states, including shared-cost programs and local chamber efforts. Bone said child care costs reduce family financial security and labor force participation, especially for mothers of young children, and estimated that if mothers of young children worked at the same rate as mothers of older children, more than 80,000 additional women could be in the workforce each year. In the final panel, parent and provider advocates, including Jennifer Greppie and Black Californians United for Early Care and Education co-founder Keisha Doyle, argued for fully funding child care, ending waiting lists, protecting culturally affirming care, and addressing racial inequities and private equity’s role in the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1221, Brian, workplace surveillance tools, hold in committee. AB 1269, Brian.
• AB 1163, El Hawari, Workplace Trainings, hold in committee.
• AB 1331 El Hawari workplace surveillance do pass as amended to strike the prohibition on surveillance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me say again, employment training to prevent workplace harassment of any kind is not DEI indoctrination
• twenty six million dollars to federal employees who were victims of illegal demonstration in the workplace
• committee has seen first hand the numerous effects of sexual harassment, sexual violence in the workplace

Keywords: oversight, subpoena, illegal immigrants, Massachusetts Port Authority, O'Hare Airport, legislative practices

Summary: The meeting was convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where robust discussions were held regarding the need for improved oversight within the Senate. The chairman emphasized the historical decline in oversight activities and proposed motions to authorize subpoenas related to an ongoing investigation involving the Massachusetts Port Authority and allegations of illegal immigrant sheltering at airports. This prompted a detailed examination of the current practices and measures needed to address such issues effectively, particularly in light of recent reports from O'Hare Airport. The committee engaged in deliberations that highlighted the importance of maintaining legislative oversight to safeguard national interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those were installed at multifamily residences as well as workplaces.
• Second, the current system leaves stranded employees because of workplace chargers, as well as tenants
• Lastly, it's important to note that we have already made massive concessions to accommodate the Lastly
• , it's important to note that we have already made massive concessions to accommodate EV chargers in

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills, with extensive testimony on cost, ratepayer impacts, and climate or reliability goals. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and support renewable natural gas development by reducing interconnection cost barriers. Supporters said RNG helps methane reduction and organic waste diversion, while opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, argued the bill could shift costs to ratepayers and subsidize combustion-based fuels, especially dairy digesters. The author said committee amendments removed the rate-basing provisions and instead urged the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision; the bill was left for a later vote. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030. Supporters said San Luis Obispo County and local schools rely on the funding for emergency preparedness and public safety, while TURN argued the extension would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E deal revenues. Members discussed the bill as a continuation of the 2022 Diablo Canyon agreement, and the author said the measure simply restores the five years omitted from that deal. The committee also heard SB 1215 by Senator Cortese, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. Supporters said renters and apartment residents are largely shut out of home charging, and that prior utility programs showed the model can be cost-effective and beneficial to ratepayers. The bill was amended to address affordability, ratepayer benefits, and limits on major system upgrades. SB 1295 by Senator Stern would create a framework for using distributed batteries and other local resources to solve grid constraints more cheaply than traditional infrastructure. Supporters said it could improve reliability and reduce costs by targeting batteries where they provide the most grid value, while utilities said they were open to continued discussion. SB 1359, also by Senator Stern, would require the CPUC to more carefully evaluate major gas infrastructure investments and alternatives such as electrification before approving new spending. Environmental groups supported the bill as a guardrail against stranded assets, while gas utilities opposed it, warning it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and retroactively change the rules for approved investments. On water policy, SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Supporters said about 1.6 million households have water debt and that affordability is a statewide issue, not just a problem for disadvantaged communities. Some members raised concerns that the bill lacked a funding source and that state mandates, such as chromium-6 treatment requirements, already strain local water agencies; the author and supporters responded that the bill includes administrative caps and transparency measures and is intended to work alongside future funding. The committee then heard SB 1098 by Senator Pérez, which would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, adding sunset dates, and creating cost-sharing or lower-return rules for certain spending. TURN and other supporters said the accounts allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little discipline, while Edison and PG&E opposed the bill, arguing that some costs are unpredictable and that the CPUC already has a formal review process. SB 1125 was moved to Appropriations with a roll call, and the roll was left open for additional votes; the other measures were discussed with no final committee actions announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those were installed at multifamily residences as well as workplaces.
• Second, the current system leaves stranded employees because of workplace chargers, as well as tenants
• Lastly, it's important to note that we have already made massive concessions to accommodate the We have
• already made massive concessions to accommodate EV chargers in this industry and EV chargers alone by

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hoff to review the changes to the benefits book, there was a section that was advanced dealing with workplace
• and because we have been, since June 14th, pursuing in many avenues the safety and security of our workplace
• and because we have been, since June 14th, pursuing in many avenues the safety and security of our workplace
• </c><00:32:19.519><c> I</c><00:32:19.760><c> thought</c><00:32:19.840><c> it</c> security of our workplace
• I thought it security of our workplace.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, this means supporting farm workers to be the agents of change in their workplaces by protecting
• their right to come together and Farm workers to be the agents of change in their workplaces by protecting
• And we regularly receive claims from workers who are organizing themselves at their own workplaces or
• But just workers who want to affect change in their workplace, they want to improve their working conditions
• day in and day out throughout the state supporting workers in being able to raise issues in their workplace

Summary: The committee first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Arthur Krantz to the Public Employment Relations Board and Christopher Ferguson, Brian Haynes, Anna Marie de Mars, and Ronald Fiore to the Student Aid or Student Athletic commissions, all by unanimous 5-0 votes. It also approved references of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote. The committee then heard from Julia Montgomery, nominated for a third term as General Counsel of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, who described her work on farmworker rights, outreach, and enforcement of labor protections. Members questioned Montgomery closely about card-check unionization procedures, signature authenticity, outreach to Spanish-speaking and indigenous-language farmworkers, make-whole enforcement delays, and a long-running Tri-Fanucchi farm case. Montgomery said objections and unfair labor practice charges can be investigated, that signature verification is handled by board staff rather than her office, and that delays often stem from appeals, difficulty locating workers, employer obstruction, and court backlogs. Vice Chair Grove voted no, while Senators Laird and Reyes supported the nomination; the committee advanced Montgomery to the full Senate on a 3-2 vote. The committee then considered three State Board of Education appointments: Cynthia Glover Woods, Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez. In opening statements, all three emphasized long careers in public education and support for students, teachers, and families. Questions focused on math achievement, the 2023 math framework and access to Algebra I in middle school, transitional kindergarten, community schools, and the effectiveness of education spending. The nominees said the framework still allows ready eighth graders to take Algebra I, pointed to new instructional materials, professional learning, TK expansion, and community schools as key improvements, and said they had not been involved in the governor’s proposed education governance changes. Public witnesses and education groups testified in strong support. The committee advanced Glover Woods 3-1, Lewis 4-1, and Gonzalez 3-1 to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, this means supporting farm workers to be the agents of change in their workplaces by protecting
• their right to come together and Farm workers to be the agents of change in their workplaces by protecting
• And we regularly receive claims from workers who are organizing themselves at their own workplaces or
• But just workers who want to affect change in their workplace, they want to improve their working conditions
• day in and day out throughout the state supporting workers in being able to raise issues in their workplace

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everybody, to the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee.
• And we talk about access to care, and these are folks who give care or keep workplaces safe from chemical
• We focus on preventing workplace injury fatalities.
• little group but a lot of work that this committee does, employers, unions, who basically keep workplaces
• is basically an erosion of the professionals who take care of workers and help employers keep the workplace

Summary: The committee heard a report on the Underground Economy Task Force in Washington’s construction industry. Labor and Industries said the task force, created by a 2024 budget proviso, met 11 times and developed consensus recommendations to improve enforcement against worker misclassification, unregistered contractors, and unpaid taxes and premiums. Consensus items included defining and regulating construction labor providers, improving interagency data sharing, increasing penalties for repeat offenders, expanding L&I authority over successor accountability, reviewing agency penalty rules, and exploring tracking of cash payments. Majority-but-not-consensus ideas included posting subcontractor notices at job sites, setting an independent-contractor threshold that would trigger L&I review, holding direct contractors liable for unpaid wages owed by subcontractors, and reviewing reporting requirements. Testifiers from labor, business, and the Attorney General’s Office generally supported stronger enforcement and transparency, while business representatives cautioned against overregulation and said any new rules should avoid burdening legitimate contractors or restricting lawful cash payments and independent contracting. L&I said the final report would be distributed by December 31 and the task force work group would be reconvened. The committee then reviewed the wage recovery work group report. L&I explained current wage complaint procedures and said the work group, made up of labor and business representatives, reached five consensus recommendations: allow L&I to prioritize wage complaints strategically, permit aggregation of related complaints, raise the minimum penalty under the Wage Payment Act from $1,000 to $1,500 and create a penalty matrix, improve employer awareness with materials for new hires, and establish a wage recovery fund. The fund would be seeded by penalties, would not require new employer assessments, and would allow limited early payments to eligible workers facing hardship, with a proposed cap of $2,500 and a later review of the program. Business and labor representatives both supported the overall framework, though business raised concerns about fraud safeguards and recovery of funds if a claim is later found invalid. Members also received an overview of Washington’s apprenticeship system. L&I described the state’s apprenticeship agency structure, the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, and the difference between Washington’s state apprenticeship standards and the federal Office of Apprenticeship system. The presentation highlighted current participation levels, program approval and objection processes, and strong post-completion outcomes, including median annual earnings above $100,000 and an estimated $7.80 return for every public dollar invested. Committee members asked about how apprentices apply, how sponsors work with L&I, and whether recurring objections could be addressed earlier in the process. Finally, the committee heard updates on wildland firefighter respiratory protection, federal cuts to NIOSH, and economic and federal policy impacts on unemployment insurance and workforce services. L&I said wildland firefighters face significant smoke exposure and cancer risk, but current rules do not require respiratory protection for that work because of technical and operational challenges; the agency is watching efforts in other jurisdictions and at the federal level. On NIOSH, L&I warned that federal staffing and grant cuts could weaken occupational safety research, training pipelines, and programs affecting Washington workers, including firefighter cancer tracking and Hanford exposure assessments. ESD reported rising UI claims, a stable unemployment rate, and pressure on the trust fund, while also describing technology and process changes that have improved claims handling. ESD also said HR1 will significantly increase demand on WorkSource services through new work-search requirements for SNAP and Medicaid recipients, creating an unfunded mandate that the agency is preparing to implement with partner agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• frequent care than their younger neighbors, fall victim to increasing frauds and scams, and find workplaces
• 00:14:15.199><c> scams,</c><00:14:16.000><c> and</c><00:14:16.240><c> find</c><00:14:16.560><c> workplaces
• </c><00:14:17.120><c> to</c> frauds and scams, and find workplaces to frauds and scams, and find workplaces
• housing, transportation, aging services, and supports, jobs, and maintaining aging adults in the workplace

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For over 20 years, our organization has served miners and their families who are concerned about workplace
• their families um who are<00:17:00.800><c> concerned</c><00:17:01.160><c> about</c><00:17:01.319><c> workplace
• </c><00:17:01.839><c> safety</c><00:17:02.440><c> we</c> are concerned about workplace safety we are
• concerned about workplace safety we are<00:17:02.720><c> opposing</c><00:17:03.160><c> House</c><00:17
• For over 20 years, our organization has served miners and their families who are concerned about workplace

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:12 Attendance Roll Call: 01:12 HB 19 (Rep. Hodgson): 01:41 HB 54 (Rep. Banta): 04:01 HB 313 (Rep. King): 06:24 HB 473 (Rep. Branscum): 08:04 HB 196 (Rep. Wheeler for Rep. Blanton): 10:01 Adjournment: 28:08, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met for its fifth meeting of the 2025 session, took roll, established a quorum, and considered several bills. The committee first heard House Bill 19, which would create protections against unauthorized drone surveillance of people and private property and allow injunctive relief and civil actions. Representative John Hodgson said the bill was intended to protect privacy while preserving legitimate drone uses, and the committee reported the bill favorably on a 10-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 54, which would allow work hours earned through dual credit programs to count toward apprenticeship or licensing requirements in certain trades. Representative Banta and witness Brian Miller said the measure had been worked out with labor interests and would help students in career pathways. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. House Bill 313, a cleanup measure related to last year’s consumer data privacy legislation, was also presented and passed unanimously with a favorable expression. The most extensive discussion centered on House Bill 196, which would change the number of mine emergency technicians required on coal mine shifts, especially for smaller mines. Senator Philip Wheeler presented the bill in place of Representative Blandon, arguing that smaller mines were struggling to meet current staffing requirements and that the UMWA was neutral. Stella Morris and Courtney Rhoads opposed the bill, with Morris describing the 2005 death of her husband in a mining accident and Rhoads arguing the change would reduce mine safety and roll back protections adopted after that tragedy. Several senators explained their votes, citing the balance between coal jobs and miner safety. The bill passed 7-4 and was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• workforce development, unemployment insurance, fair wages, collective bargaining rights, paid leave, and workplace
• development, unemployment, insurance, fair wages, collective bargaining rights, paid leave, and workplace

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why we have posters hanging in the workplace.
• 13.280><c> So,</c><00:53:13.839><c> um</c><00:53:13.920><c> I</c><00:53:14.160><c> will</c> with workplace
• So, um I will with workplace injuries.
• Um, in which case we can accommodate that. >> Okay, seeing no further questions, I requested in the wage
• </c> which case we can accommodate that. which case we can accommodate that.

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:

• Uh, but we get to enjoy our different accommodations for the day.
• It's not workplace cancer, which is that whole other bucket. I think Mr.
• ><c> correct</c> it's not illness right it's not correct it's not illness right it's not correct workplace
• 41.280><c> which</c><00:55:41.440><c> is</c><00:55:41.599><c> that</c><00:55:41.760><c> whole</c> workplace
• cancer which is that whole workplace cancer which is that whole whole<00:55:42.480><c> other</c><00:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• conditions individuals dealing with urban wildfire should have before moving back into their homes, workplaces
• wildfire, and to what contamination levels are safe for an individual to move back into their home, workplace
• wildfire and to what contamination levels are safe for an individual to move back into their home, workplace
• Standards should also reflect meaningful differences between homes, schools, and workplaces, acknowledging

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason for this overwhelming support is simple: surgical smoke is a toxic workplace hazard produced
• thirdly actually, under the OSHA standards for the general duty clause, we're required to complete a workplace
• thirdly actually, under the OSHA standards for the general duty clause, we're required to complete a workplace
• Under the OSHA standards for the general duty clause, we're required to complete a workplace requirement

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110, covering Medicaid and insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity-specific devices without lifetime or continuous-use caps, received emotional testimony from families and athletes describing high costs and the importance of access for children and adults with disabilities. Members voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1574, which would add biliary atresia screening to the newborn screening program using the existing birth blood specimen. The sponsor and a parent testified that earlier detection could prevent severe liver damage, transplants, and deaths, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 794, dealing with background screening for employees at residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities and a review of waiver support coordination, was amended to align with the House companion and then reported favorably after testimony emphasizing the importance of strong support coordinators for APD waiver families. Members then considered SB 162, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Nurses and other supporters described surgical smoke as a serious occupational hazard, while the Florida Hospital Association said hospitals are already regulated in this area and the bill was somewhat prescriptive; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 254, which tightens oversight of nursing education programs, adds preceptorship and provisional licensure pathways for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, and increases transparency and accountability for low-performing programs, drew support from nursing advocates and opposition from private nursing schools concerned about workforce impacts; after amendment, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 688 to reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida was heard with testimony both supporting expanded health care choices and opposing the bill over safety and scope concerns, and it too was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• WORK BASED LEARNING, AND OF ALLOWING WORKERS TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS THAT THEY WILL NEED IT IN THE WORKPLACE
• AI IS EVOLVING IN A SPACE THAT CAN SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE INDUSTRIES, WORKPLACES, AND EVEN SOCIETAL NORMS
• GOING FORWARD BY ALIGNING THE CURRICULUM AND PROVIDING REAL TIME INSIGHT INTO WHAT THEY SEE IN THE WORKPLACE
• AND WHAT DEMANDS ARE EVOLVING IN THE WORKPLACE AND ALSO HELPS WHEN ANALYZING SKILL GAPS AND HOW WE CAN