Transcript Highlights:

• We're really talking about labor markets here, and so we're talking about taxpayer-funded employees.
• Chairman, what we're talking about is the labor market for public managers.
• Chairman, what we're talking about is the labor market for for public managers.
• Many of the higher-order skills measured by these assessments depend on prerequisite skills that must
• Early literacy instruction must establish foundational skills before students can successfully apply

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it would still not cover those services in a skilled nursing facility."
• </c> services in a skilled nursing facility. services in a skilled nursing facility.
• Two, incentivize licensed clinical care, not cheap labor.
• Two, incentivize licensed clinical care, not cheap labor.
• </c> then also looking at the labor going at. then also looking at the labor going at.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board’s fourth meeting focused primarily on a presentation from University of Kentucky and University of Louisville health leaders about the state university directed payment program. Mark Birdwhistle and Ken Marshall described the program as a long-running, value-based Medicaid arrangement that began in 2019, uses university-provided matching funds rather than provider taxes, and ties a portion of payments to quality outcomes. They said the program has improved measures such as tobacco cessation, diabetes control, depression screening, and cancer screening, while supporting access to specialty care, medical education, and workforce training. They also emphasized that Kentucky’s model is nationally notable and has helped improve health rankings and generate cost savings. A major topic was the federal reconciliation bill signed July 4, which the presenters said will reduce directed payments by 10% annually for 10 years beginning in 2028. UL Health estimated a first-year loss of about $75 million and a cumulative loss of about $600 million over the decade; UK estimated about $100 million in the first year, for a combined first-year impact of roughly $175 million. Both speakers warned the cuts could affect access to care, training capacity, and the sustainability of Kentucky’s value-based model, though they expressed hope that congressional action could alter or delay the changes. They also noted that 340B drug pricing changes could further strain already thin operating margins, but did not provide exact figures during the meeting. Committee members responded positively to the program’s reported outcomes and the institutions’ role in Kentucky health care. Senator Berg praised the quality of care and shared a personal example of being advised to stay at UofL for breast cancer treatment. Representative Moer highlighted Kentucky’s strong cancer-control score and asked for more explanation of the value-based payment structure; the presenters said the system is built around ongoing measurement, accountability, and collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended August 27 minutes by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're not just focused, you're skilled, you're competent, and you're getting even stronger.
• And we know that our farmers are very skilled at that. They kept the seeds.
• They kept the are very skilled at that.
• </c> folks who are, as I said, very skilled folks who are, as I said, very skilled and<00:37:25.200><
• farm this year, leaving them struggling to figure out labor in an already stressful climate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne Fernandez, on behalf of the California Labor Federation, in support. Thank you.
• At the Labor Commissioner's Office, tens of thousands of wage claims remain backlogged, often taking
• Madam Chair and members, Yvonne Fernandez on behalf of the California Labor Federation in support.
• The motion is due pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Labor and Employment.
• Due pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Labor and Employment. McKinner, aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• learning skills that will be useful for them while they're in school.
• that you mentioned in the summer programs—people call those soft skills.
• Now, people call those soft skills. I don't think they're particularly soft.
• I don't have my labor relations people here with me. You can't call a friend.
• The University of California Office of the President negotiates the labor agreements.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education held its first 2026 hearing on higher education, focusing on UC and CSU system updates, student housing, enrollment, and core operations. In opening remarks, the chair noted recent state fiscal stress, the prior rejection of proposed UC/CSU cuts, and the Governor’s proposed 5% ongoing compact increases. UC President James B. Milliken and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia described the systems’ public value, research and workforce roles, and the impact of federal actions on grants, financial aid, and campus operations. Both also emphasized Title IX and civil rights efforts; CSU said it had implemented nearly all state auditor recommendations and was on track to finish the remaining one, while UC highlighted its systemwide civil rights and Title IX offices. Both leaders said federal investigations, grant cancellations, and litigation demands were consuming staff time and money, with UC reporting more than 200 grants lost or affected and CSU citing more than $161 million in lost grants and more than 1,600 grants affected overall. The committee then heard on student housing. Finance and LAO staff said the Governor’s budget made no major new housing proposal but continued support for the Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. CSU reported 12 supported projects that will add about 5,047 beds, most below market rate, with four already open and seven more expected this year; it also said it has about 68,000 beds systemwide, a 92% occupancy rate, and ongoing emergency housing support. UC said the program has supported seven UC projects and two joint community college projects, adding more than 7,000 beds total, but nearly 10,000 UC students were on housing waitlists at the start of fall 2025. UC asked for additional state support, including possible bond funding and a statutory change to allow UC participation in public-private partnership housing projects. Members discussed rapid rehousing, student homelessness, faculty and staff housing, and community college housing partnerships, with both systems describing existing emergency beds and support services. On enrollment, LAO recommended maintaining UC’s 2026-27 resident undergraduate target, funding enrollment growth separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident reduction plan, and holding UC flat in 2027-28. For CSU, LAO recommended revising the 2026-27 target downward to reflect current projections, funding growth separately, and holding 2027-28 flat. CSU said it had rebounded from COVID declines, now exceeds its funded target by about 3,000 FTE, and is shifting about $89 million and 10,000 FTE spots from lower-demand campuses to higher-demand ones while developing turnaround plans for seven campuses with sustained enrollment declines, including Sonoma State. CSU also described direct admissions, transfer success pathways, and new degree programs aimed at workforce needs. UC said it had surpassed its compact enrollment goals, planned to add 2,721 California undergraduates in 2026-27, and was seeking $5.5 million for health professional programs. Members raised concerns about underprepared freshmen, K-12 alignment, nonresident caps at UC San Diego, deferred maintenance, ROTC access, and the need for stronger turnaround plans and teacher preparation pipelines. The final item on core operations addressed the Governor’s proposal to defer 3% base funding again, moving the one-time deferral to 2027-28 and allowing short-term zero-interest loans to cover it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community college trustees statewide oversee billions of dollars in budgets, labor agreements, public
• I've been talking to our labor partners and ensuring that their feedback is addressed, and how do we
• It is a labor of love. They're not doing it for the compensation, many of them.
• Skilled, and regionally distributed.
• At the same time, employers across the state are facing a growing shortage of skilled workers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an administrative law judge with the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.
• I'm an administrative law judge with the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.
• Monica Minor, CASE Labor Relations Representative.
• Continued engagement with our labor remains a top priority for me.
• the labor and employment needs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• labor and keep them focused on what they were really trained to do.
• How many like your independent living skills training program?
• How many teens do you see in that independent living skills?
• I think in the last couple of years, we had a lot of our labor was contract labor agency labor.
• We're looking to grow skill. So part of the issues we're doing is that with those software tools.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . labor. labor.
• ,</c><00:35:35.520><c> deep</c> based on real skill, deep based on real skill, deep neighborliness,<00
• These are young Skills USA competition.
• </c> skills recognized and honored. skills recognized and honored.
• </c><00:37:17.760><c> USA</c> in Washington State Skills USA in Washington State Skills USA competition

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the department has not compensated me for my exceptional skills and experiences.
• State University, I personally learned critical problem-solving, time management, and analytical skills
• board, some of which might be virtual, but they're in New Jersey at an international conference on labor
• Chairman, by the way, this is not new to almost any labor board.
• trained and have the experience to do so and mr. chairman by the way this is not new to almost any labor

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing on a wide range of bills affecting law enforcement, corrections, fire services, emergency management, telecommunicators, and sex offender policy. Testimony strongly focused on proposals to restore an education incentive for Massachusetts State Police troopers hired after the Quinn Bill was repealed, with State Police Association witnesses arguing the current system creates unfair pay disparities, hurts recruitment and retention, and leaves newer troopers earning less than some supervisors with the same or less education. They urged favorable reports on H. 2651, S. 1759, and S. 1783. A separate witness also supported H. 2627, a sheriff’s pay-parity bill, while suggesting amendments to avoid distinctions between correction officers and jail officers and warning that the proposal should not be viewed as a funding issue alone. The committee also heard testimony on public safety and oversight bills. A rape survivor testified in support of S. 1663, arguing that municipal fire or police personnel convicted of sex offenses should not remain in positions of public trust. Senator Miranda testified in support of S. 1723, S. 1724, and S. 1727, which would create correctional officer training/accountability standards, a correctional inspector general, and privileged communication with legislators for incarcerated people; he said the bills respond to misconduct and lack of independent oversight in the Department of Correction. In contrast, the Fire Chiefs Association and Professional Fire Fighters opposed H. 2572/S. 1668/S. 1740 on emergency management, saying the bill was developed without enough collaboration, lacked local-control safeguards, and could undermine incident command and local decision-making during disasters. Several panels supported other public safety measures. The Fire Chiefs Association and PFFM backed S. 1641 and S. 1744 to create a Massachusetts Public Safety Building Authority to help fund fire station and municipal public safety building projects, and supported S. 1647 to implement the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot works and welding safety, including tougher penalties and training requirements. Witnesses also supported H. 2664/S. 1736 to create a hoisting machinery regulations board, saying current licensing standards for heavy equipment are too minimal. Another panel backed H. 2663/S. 1761 to classify 911 telecommunicators as first responders, citing stress, burnout, and the expanding role of dispatchers. Finally, an attorney from CPCS testified in opposition to S. 1752, warning that expanded sex offender residency restrictions would likely increase homelessness, make supervision harder, and raise constitutional concerns based on prior court rulings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We reach again 43,000 youth through 4H, really teaching critical life skills.
• We have a number of challenges in agriculture, labor availability, water availability.
• One in particular is labor and identifying skilled labor to work specifically in our science centers.
• in their junior senior year we're looking at internships and we're looking at you're talking about labor
• And that was a college and a career preparedness program teaching a lot of the soft skills that youth

Transcript Highlights:

• House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs and uh well the assistant please call roll.
• Senator and Representative, so They have to learn these skills.
• How are they skilled to do that then, Madam Speaker?
• So a lot of these skills are passed on from one expert to another. And since it is very artistic.
• I'm sure just, no, I think I, I just wanted to know how they got that skill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee. Today is Wednesday, January 14th.
• John Schreiner, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, here in support of 2144.
• My name is Joe Kenda here with the Washington State Labor Council.
• It's because of labor. That is where they're finding that delta. ...cost of materials.
• It's because of labor. That is where they're finding that delta.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 2303 would prohibit employers from requesting, requiring, or coercing employees to receive subcutaneous microchip implants, with enforcement through L&I complaints, civil penalties, and private lawsuits; the sponsor said it was a preventive labor standard and noted there was no opposition. HB 2144 would require employers to give written notice before using electronic monitoring for employee performance evaluations, and testimony split between labor supporters, who said workers should know how they are monitored, and business, local government, trucking, retail, construction, and law enforcement representatives, who raised concerns about broad definitions, safety uses, and litigation exposure. HB 2190 would expand collective bargaining rights for language access providers so missed or canceled appointments could be bargained as compensation; interpreters and union representatives supported it, saying they lose income when clients no-show, while the sponsor said the bill would clarify bargaining rights without changing employment status. The committee also heard HB 2345, a technical change to the state paid family and medical leave premium split in response to IRS guidance. Staff explained the proposed substitute would shift the employer contribution from the medical share to the family share so benefits would not be treated as taxable wages, while keeping the overall premium burden roughly the same; supporters called it a common-sense fix, and some business and school district witnesses said they wanted to avoid additional taxes and preserve program stability. The most extensive debate was over HB 2191, which would make property owners and direct contractors liable for unpaid wages and benefits in construction projects, with exceptions for government and small residential properties. Workers, unions, the Attorney General’s office, and some contractors supported the bill as a way to combat wage theft and level the playing field, while industry groups and subcontractors argued it would impose broad liability on responsible contractors, raise costs, hurt small businesses and minority-owned firms, and should be narrowed with safe harbors or right-to-cure provisions. No votes were taken; the committee held hearings on the bills and adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• CEOs have complained to me that there's a shortage of skilled labor, so I made a deal with them.
• We have access to 1,200,000 students, and we can provide them with the skilled labor that they need.
• provide our career and technical education teachers and administrators with knowledge about what skills
• the state met with career and technical education administrators and others to let them know what skills
• Luckily, I guess my parenting skills kicked in; my training in how to discipline children kicked in.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard a presentation from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne on school safety, academic improvement, career and technical education, ESA oversight, and teacher pay. Horne argued that students cannot learn if schools are unsafe and urged more funding for school police officers, described efforts to expand Project Momentum and tutoring, supported keeping cell phones out of classrooms, promoted the Student Industry Partnership, and called for renewing Proposition 123 with more money directed to teacher raises. In response to a question, he said the department is using AI tools, residency checks, and investigators to monitor ESA fraud and abuse. The committee then considered SB 1074, which would require written certification from a principal or administrator before a student removed for discipline could return to class. Horne and the sponsor said the bill would support teachers and improve accountability, while the Arizona Education Association opposed it as unnecessary, punitive, and potentially inconsistent with existing practice and FERPA concerns. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1074 a do pass recommendation. Members also heard SB 1327, as amended, requiring public universities to adopt and post research security policies and report on foreign grants and security practices. ABOR and a national security advocate supported the measure as a way to strengthen protections against foreign adversary influence, and the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and advanced the bill 5-2. The committee then approved SB 1475, which bars students convicted of certain serious offenses from participating in school-sponsored interscholastic activities, 4-3 after discussion about second chances, counseling, and whether the bill was too punitive. Finally, the committee advanced SB 1582 and SB 1583, both related to school safety interoperability funding and fund administration, with technical discussion about correcting bill language and returning unspent monies to the fund. It also approved SB 1598, which appropriates $500,000 for grants to school districts and charter schools to create community gardens; supporters described the gardens as hands-on learning spaces that teach science, nutrition, and teamwork and can also serve as calming spaces for students. The committee adjourned after the last vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• CEOs have complained to me that there’s a shortage of skilled labor, so I made a deal with them.
• We have access to 1,200,000 students, and we can provide them with the skilled labor that they need.
• provide our career and technical education teachers and administrators with knowledge about what skills
• the state met with career and technical education administrators and others to let them know what skills
• Luckily, I guess my parenting skills kicked in, my training in how to discipline children kicked in,

Bills: SB1074, SB1327, SB1475, SB1582, SB1583, SB1598

Keywords: student discipline, classroom management, temporary removal, administrative action, education policy, foreign relations, university governance, research security, international agreements, Arizona Board of Regents, interscholastic activities, student eligibility, criminal offenses, school district, youth sports, academic participation, conduct, planned communities, homeowners association, HOA

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:33.119><c> like</c> and improves self-regulation skills like and improves self-regulation
• , learn how to play, build social skills, learn how to resolve<01:21:41.520><c> conflicts,</c><01:21:
• It helps them with a lot of cognitive development, problem solving, um, soft skills development that
• PE<01:44:43.040><c> teaches</c><01:44:43.600><c> different</c><01:44:43.920><c> skills.
• </c><01:44:44.800><c> Um,</c> PE teaches different skills. Um, PE teaches different skills.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:16:23.759><c> a</c> bill you'll see where it references a bill you'll see where it references a skill
• bridge program so each military skill bridge program so each military organization<00:16:27.720><c>
• has</c><00:16:27.920><c> a</c><00:16:28.079><c> skill</c><00:16:28.319><c> bridge</c><00:16:28.600><c
• > program</c> organization has a skill bridge program organization has a skill bridge program where<00
• Has the Department of Labor and other organizations that support military programs like this.

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 01:23 Discussion of 25RS HB 219 06:40 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 219 07:44 Discussion of 25RS HCR 20 09:36 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HCR 20 10:58 Discussion of 25RS HB 303 17:02 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 303 18:38 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 21:46 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 219, sponsored by Representative Rebecca Raymer. The bill requires emergency services to provide mandatory training for emergency medical staff on sexual assault emergency response requirements, with the training developed in collaboration with the Sexual Assault Response Team advisory committee. Testimony from Jenna Cassidy of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs and WN Stevens of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky explained that the training would help emergency department staff properly respond to sexual assault patients, preserve evidence, and connect patients to needed resources; the committee also clarified that the bill is training-focused and not a certification requirement. HB 219 received favorable expression and was reported to the House floor. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 20, also from Representative Raymer, which directs the Legislative Research Commission to study gaps in sexual assault nurse examiner coverage, why those gaps exist, and what hospitals do when no SANE nurse is available. Raymer said the study was intended to gather data for future legislation, and members noted the importance of documenting current practices and supporting efforts to expand SANE coverage. The resolution was adopted with 16 favorable votes and recommended for passage on the House floor. Next, the committee took up House Bill 303, sponsored by Representative Steve Bratcher, which creates a pathway for military medical personnel to translate their training into civilian Kentucky credentials through colleges and universities. The committee substitute broadened participation beyond KCTCS to any Kentucky institution with accredited programs, and Bratcher explained that schools would evaluate military experience, award applicable credit, identify gaps, and still require the relevant licensure exam. Members asked about university participation, credentialing standards, and how prior military radiology training would transfer; Bratcher said the program is voluntary for institutions and works with existing SkillBridge and veterans’ programs. HB 303, as amended by committee substitute, passed unanimously and was recommended for passage. At the end of the meeting, the committee briefly reviewed administrative regulations. Representative Fleming asked about a behavioral regulation that had previously been found sufficient, and staff indicated it had been deferred, later found deficient again in the Senate Health Services Committee, and may be addressed through Senate Bill 65. The chair then allowed members to record additional votes before adjourning and announced the next Health Services meeting would be February 20 at noon in Room 149.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:01.440><c> nursing</c> times I'll speak to the skilled nursing times I'll speak to the skilled
• I'm going to start with labor and delivery services.
• I'm going to start with labor and delivery services.
• I'm going to start with labor and delivery services.
• </c><01:20:12.840><c> and</c> services like Emergency Care labor and services like Emergency Care labor

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have worked as a labor organizer, working specifically with educators across Minnesota, but also in
• </c> focus of foundational literacy skills focus of foundational literacy skills therefore<00:19:53.799
• I teach essential skills like reading, math, and social skills.
• I teach essential skills like reading, math, and social skills.
• It does need to go because of the implications to ESS and PFM and other labor standards.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The hospital wanted to discharge me to a skilled nursing facility.
• The hospital considered discharging him to a skilled nursing facility.
• The hospital considered discharging him to a skilled nursing facility.
• They have additional needs that need to match a provider skill set.
• We're also concerned about the lack of unpaid labor by providers.

Keywords: 988, house, all