Transcript Highlights:

• She can get that done for us as this heads off to Workforce and Labor, so I appreciate your input and
• She can get that done for us as this heads off to Workforce and Labor, so I appreciate your input and
• Representative Bonner: This is heading next to Workforce and Labor and will this bill be returning to
• <01:23:51.880> and<01:23:52.000> will stop is Workforce and labor and will stop is
• But we are going to be done at 10:10 sharp. be moving to Workforce labor and be moving to Workforce labor

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met on February 11 and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal and district facts. Chair Jim Nash then outlined the committee’s goals for the session, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation, the need to address a looming structural deficit, and the committee’s role in moving legislation forward. The committee also reviewed its rules for the year. The main item was House File 3, authored by Chair Nash and referred to Ways and Means. The bill would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report tracking whether agencies have implemented prior audit and evaluation recommendations, with the goal of improving internal controls, transparency, and accountability and helping legislators make funding decisions. Nash described the bill as a preventative measure to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, and said it was modeled in part on practices used in Colorado. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the office already produces similar update reports but lacks resources to independently verify many agency responses; she said the bill would provide a framework for more regular reporting and discussion, not a “shame tool.” Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the bill would increase accountability and transparency for how public agencies manage taxpayer resources. A letter from the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits was also noted in support. Representative Clardy offered the A7 amendment to add an appropriation matching the fiscal note; Nash accepted it, saying savings could be found later in the process. The committee approved the A7 amendment by voice vote. During discussion, Representative Quam supported the bill’s focus on accountability, and Representative Freiberg questioned the Legislative Auditor about the office’s expertise on a specific ambulance-services recommendation in the report. Randall responded that the office’s staff are policy research generalists who use standards, best practices, interviews, surveys, and site visits to develop recommendations, and that the goal is to prompt further discussion rather than require blind acceptance. The transcript ends during that exchange, with no final committee vote on House File 3 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but I understand what labor has done.
• And, um, like what what labor has done.
• Um, but said, I'm I'm not against labor.
• , not just voting on here affects labor, not just voting on labor<02:02:55.760> bills.
• <02:09:50.079> So, that's what labor represents. So, that's what labor represents.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether the exploitation is for sex, labor, or both, traffickers rely on fraud, force, and coercion to
• They already said that the Fair Labor Standards Act does not preempt state law.
• Chair, this is a labor negotiation.
• This is a labor negotiation, the schedule, correct, between the firefighters' union and the borough?
• Under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, there's an exemption for all kinds of workers, including

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have labor for approximately those percentages, equipment, materials, our subcontractors, and, of
• And when you have large increases in both labor and equipment, it also hits the material side and the
• The cost of labor is affected by the policy. And right thing to do.
• The cost of labor is affected by the policies of prevailing wage.
• Well, it takes labor and equipment to make those.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, and this is the sixth meeting of the House Committee on Labor and
• Sarah Myers, welcome to House Labor.
• And also want to just state my thanks to both the House and Senate Labor Committee staff members.
• That so-called blue-collar community of working-class manual laborers.
• Normally we're in criminal justice, honestly, and not in labor. I see. But I appreciate it.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a major workers’ compensation overhaul centered on creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and modernizing fee schedule and claims data collection. Myers said the bill was designed to improve transparency, reduce disputes, address outliers and abuse, and help injured workers return to work faster. The committee adopted technical amendments, then considered a large amendment set combining portions of House bills 780 and 1101, which added preliminary determination procedures, fraud language, temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit changes, and a fallback deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached by 2029. Several members and witnesses objected that the amendments were dropped late and would turn SB 408 into an omnibus bill; supporters argued the package was the best chance for comprehensive reform. After debate, the committee adopted the amendments and reported SB 408 favorably as amended. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply divided. Supporters, including some providers and injured-worker advocates, said the bill’s core value was transparency through the database and that the system needed modernization and a better fee schedule. Opponents argued the added amendments would burden pro se claimants, expand litigation, and weaken injured workers’ rights, especially through fraud and preliminary hearing provisions. Committee members also questioned whether the combined package was germane and whether it should be allowed to move as a single reform measure. Louisiana Workforce Commission staff explained the timeline for data collection, electronic billing, dispute rules, and eventual fee schedule rulemaking, and said the department could execute the law as amended. The committee then turned to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, concerning workplace violence and safety plans for small-box discount retailers. The bill was revised through a substitute that required covered retailers to develop and submit a written workforce safety plan, or submit an existing plan if one already existed. Representative Glorioso raised concerns that requiring a written safety plan could create new civil liability under Louisiana’s assumption-of-duty doctrine and increase litigation and insurance costs. Chasson responded that the intent was simply to encourage safety planning and that businesses already had such plans. The committee discussed possible narrowing language, but the transcript ends before a final disposition on HB 585 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Fed in support. Good morning.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Fed in support.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Fed in support. Good morning.
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 998, which would clarify and expand the roles of discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability-focused coordinator and a deputy AAPI coordinator. The author and coauthors said the bill is intended to strengthen school climate, improve training and guidance for staff, and better address discrimination affecting students based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Supporters, including the Sacramento LGBTQ Community Center, CFT, Equality California, and several legislative caucuses, argued that students cannot learn if they do not feel safe and cited absenteeism and mental health concerns. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about gubernatorial appointments and whether the coordinators should instead be hired through civil service. The committee ultimately moved SB 998 on a due pass basis to the Senate Judiciary Committee and placed it on call. The committee also heard SB 1082, which would streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring quicker district action, concurrent review, and clearer notice when applications are incomplete. The sponsor and supporters said families often face long delays and uncertainty, especially those with language barriers or special needs, and that the bill would improve fairness without changing district authority to approve or deny transfers. The California School Boards Association said it had an oppose-unless-amended position but would re-evaluate after the committee amendments, and other groups expressed support. The bill was moved due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed on call. SB 960, dealing with community college baccalaureate degrees, generated the most extended debate. The author argued the bill would create a statewide framework allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in areas of unmet workforce need when local CSU access is unavailable because of impaction or distance, while preserving limits so colleges do not become four-year institutions. Supporters said the bill responds to workforce demand and place-bound students, while CSU and CFA opposed it, warning about duplication, fiscal impacts, accreditation, faculty jobs, and harm to the CSU transfer pipeline. Members discussed the master plan for higher education, impaction, and state funding, with one senator abstaining over concerns about unintended consequences for CSU. The committee recommended SB 960 for due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed it on call. The committee then heard SB 965, which would make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and her son described barriers created by varying local library rules and argued the bill would improve teen access to educational resources while preserving local control over checkout and liability policies. CFT and other supporters backed the measure, while the California Library Association said it supports the goal but wants alternative language to preserve local flexibility and balance community differences. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on SB 965 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, like most things, the bulk of that is professional services or the labor to install over a
• 54.000> the that is uh professional services or the that is uh professional services or the labor
• 55.760> over<00:22:56.080> a<00:22:56.280> 4year<00:22:57.280> project labor
• to install over a 4year project labor to install over a 4year project term.<00:22:58.640> Um<
• Um, but when you have to order supplies and get labor and all those things, phasing and space, it's hard

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard capital plan presentations from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the Personnel Cabinet, and the School Facilities Construction Commission. The Justice Cabinet described its large portfolio of more than 900 facilities across the state and said decades of underfunded maintenance have created a backlog of repairs. Requested projects included a high-acuity mental health treatment facility for juvenile justice youth, two female detention centers to support the regional detention model, major corrections repairs and replacements, a new kitchen at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, a new dormitory at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women, completion of a new Eastern Kentucky prison, DOCJT training facility upgrades in Richmond and Madisonville, State Police radio system replacement and post construction, a combined Frankfort headquarters/Post 12 facility, and expanded crime lab and storage capacity. When asked about the high cost of the EKCC kitchen project, staff said construction inside an operating facility raises costs and that building a new adjacent kitchen would be more economical in the long run. The panel also asked about Fish and Wildlife officers training at DOCJT; staff said they do and that the training is funded through the CLEFT fund. The Justice Cabinet also said the recently enacted Senate Bill 4’s AI inventory and registry requirements would be part of its enterprise application and AI inventory system work. The Personnel Cabinet requested funding to replace CHRIS, the state’s human resources and payroll system, which supports payroll and benefits for about 48,000 employees and the Kentucky Employee Health Plan for roughly 192,000 members. Staff said the current SAP-based system went live in 2011, is approaching end of support in 2030, and has not received functionality enhancements since 2016. They said the replacement is estimated at $151 million, with most of the cost tied to professional services and software, and that the project would begin in July 2026, go live by July 2030, and require a stabilization period through 2032. In response to questions about outsourcing payroll or reusing existing systems, staff said the complexity of state HR, payroll, tax updates, and integrations with other agencies makes outsourcing or partial reuse impractical. The School Facilities Construction Commission introduced its role in helping all 171 school districts address unmet facility needs, focusing on core school facilities such as roofs and elementary buildings rather than athletic projects. No votes or formal actions were taken during the excerpted discussion; the meeting consisted of presentations, explanations of requested projects, and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will, the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs.
• We did focus groups in town halls with our labor leaders, and we are putting steps in place to improve
• My name is John Lipschitz with the Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, here once again to thank the
• We do have contract labor in-house. We are capped at a certain census.
• Upbringing and contract labor.

Transcript Highlights:

• :03:11.360> and<00:03:11.519> labor<00:03:11.840> force for women gener and labor
• force for women gener and labor force participation<00:03:12.800> generally<00:03:13.599>
• Both of those are highly manual, labor intensive, and costly.
• <01:55:17.920> The manual, labor intensive and costly.
• The manual, labor intensive and costly.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm neither a lawyer or a labor lawyer.
• lawyer or a labor lawyer. lawyer or a labor lawyer.
• Uh, first up, we have the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
• Department of Labor.
• And county labor rinse, and repeat.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh yielded $5.5 billion dollar in labor uh yielded $5.5 billion dollar in labor income<00:26:13.679
• employ our labor and trades they<00:32:36.720> are<00:32:36.880> bringing<00:32:37.279
• <01:10:39.520> in<01:10:39.960> Minnesota of three members of Labor in Minnesota of
• <01:14:32.639> and Minnesota we're a coalition of Labor and Minnesota we're a coalition of
• Labor and Grassroots<01:14:33.320> organizations<01:14:34.000> dedicated<01:14:34.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of love and energy, and she had that drive, that sportsmanship drive, and she used that working for labor
• She had that drive, that sportsmanship drive, and she used that working for labor.
• She, That drive, that sportsmanship drive, and she used that working for labor.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 4, sponsored by the Labor Committee.
• Senate File 6, sponsored by the Labor Committee.
• Senate file six sponsored by labor Senate file six sponsored by labor eligibility<00:15:44.639><
• I agree with the chairman of labor health.
• <00:57:16.240> I labor health. I labor health.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Very importantly, two-thirds of the cost of these projects is invested in labor.
• When you labor. We are reusing material.
• We're investing<00:33:07.679> in<00:33:07.840> labor.
• We're investing in investing in labor.
• make sure we are revamping the labor make sure we are revamping the labor standards<01:00:18.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e Calling to order the House Committee on Labor. It is Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
• I'm Jade Bai, Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
• <00:23:17.159> and of the Department of Labor and of the Department of Labor and Industrial
• Okay, we'll be reconvening the House Committee on Labor for decision-making on today's agenda.
• adopting uh Department of Labor adopting uh Department of Labor industrial<01:26:46.679> relations

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that's just around the timing of updating bargaining agreements. ...with districts and their labor
• I think it’s well over half of our districts where they’ve negotiated with their labor partners and a
• certain percentage of any new...” “...where they’ve negotiated with their labor partners and a certain
• But as a part of our partnership with the labor agency, we are working with the data that they currently
• I just wanted to be available because I'm here on the Workforce Pell Program specifically for the labor

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The county officials, but also labor, which created an ad hoc committee on governance to identify gaps
• will provide the board with a more direct role in key and targeted issues that impact AHS, including labor
• look at the stark realities of H.R. 1, we want to be nimble in our coordination, particularly around labor
• , ...we want to be nimble in our coordination, particularly around labor, personnel, and system-wide
• And this is why you see a broad coalition of support, which includes labor, the business community, and

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124 on lung cancer screening awareness. The author and supporters said the bill would require CDPH signage about lung cancer screening eligibility at tobacco point-of-sale locations to address low awareness and low screening rates. Support came from medical students, physicians, and the California Academy of Family Physicians, while retailers raised concerns about sign size, retailer notification, and implementation. Committee members generally supported the bill and noted the need to work through those concerns. SB 1150 sought to require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author described the bill as a response to inconsistent notification practices and privacy concerns, and the chair and other members shared personal stories about learning they or family members were in the registry without knowing it. Cancer registry and university stakeholders expressed appreciation for amendments but continued to have concerns or wanted more time to review the language. The bill was discussed as a patient-awareness measure rather than a change to reporting requirements. The committee also heard SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1094 on biosimilar substitution and health plan policies, SB 1314 on smoke shop regulation and nitrous oxide restrictions, and SB 1309 on eliminating cost-sharing for medically necessary follow-up after lung cancer screening. SB 1400 and SB 1314 drew support from local officials, labor, and public health advocates, with members emphasizing youth protection and local oversight. SB 1094 passed after extensive debate over pharmacist substitution authority and notification requirements, with a 6-0 vote and opposition from biotechnology and physician groups. SB 1309 also passed after members discussed the cost of follow-up care and the value of early detection, despite opposition from health plans over premium impacts; it received a 7-0 vote and was placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• And many of those women's health nurse practitioners were labor and delivery nurses before.
• 15.600> were women's health nurse practitioners were women's health nurse practitioners were labor
• <00:23:17.520> they labor and delivery nurses before. they labor and delivery nurses before
• <00:23:34.480> and<00:23:34.640> delivery nurses when they were labor and delivery
• nurses when they were labor and delivery nurses<00:23:35.280> and<00:23:35.520> they<00

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Representative Matthews, we certainly know that increasing labor costs also contribute to
• I mean, it can be interest rates, it can be labor participation rates, it can be the land use code, it
• Randy talked about are going to be labor-based, and that has not come down at all.
• The taxes, labor, labor participation rates—there are a lot of things that are making this happen.
• This is an issue all along the GRT with labor. The way our tax structure is, we're going to pay it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Labor Labor issued<01:18:58.880> the<01:18:59.440> first<01:19:00.000> annual<01
• We happen to have the commissioner of labor with us.
• We happen to have the commissioner of labor with us.
• So, commissioner, if of labor with us.
• commissioner of the Department of Labor. commissioner of the Department of Labor.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 254, which Senator David Roford described as a technical correction to controlled substance inventory law for pharmacies. He said the bill would remove outdated language requiring inventories to be done in an odd-numbered year, while keeping the existing requirement that pharmacies conduct a full controlled substance inventory every two years in line with federal law. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether the requirement is pharmacy-by-pharmacy, whether new pharmacies would be affected, and whether the change would alter scope or compliance; the sponsor and a representative of the New Hampshire Pharmacist Association said it would not, and that it mainly provides clarity for pharmacies and inspectors. The public hearing on SB 254 was then closed, and the committee also heard support from a representative of the pharmacist community, who said the association supports the bill. The committee then discussed a non-germane amendment to SB 254 dealing with FBI background checks for educational surrogate parents under the Department of Education. Representative Leyon explained that the amendment was requested by the Department of Education after the FBI rejected prior statutory language, and that the goal was to allow people serving as educational surrogate parents to complete FBI fingerprint-based background checks so they can perform their duties. Department of Education and Department of Safety staff testified that the amendment mirrors language that has worked in other education-related background check statutes, including provisions with specific disqualifying offenses tied to child safety, and that the FBI requires precise statutory language and direct transmission of records through the Department of Safety. Members questioned why the FBI’s approval was needed, whether individuals could simply provide their own records, and whether changing federal leadership could require future changes; witnesses said the state needs both state and national records, that records must come directly from the FBI through the Department of Safety, and that the language is intended to satisfy current federal requirements. During the discussion, some members expressed skepticism about the need for the amendment and about placing it on a bill about controlled substance inventories, but no vote was taken during the portion of the transcript provided. The committee also briefly discussed a separate bill on physician assistants/physician associates, with members noting that the proposed name change would not alter scope of practice and that some outside groups had raised concerns about transparency, but that discussion was interrupted and not concluded in the excerpt.