Video & Transcript Research : 'laborers'
Page 60 of 298
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, with<00:03:55.680>
the <00:03:55.840>labor <00:03:56.159>shortage <00:03:56.640 - shortage we have, I think with the labor shortage we have, I think this<00:03:57.920>
is <00:03 - That would be with our labor shortage.
- How short are we on labor overall? How many people are you hoping to bring in on this?
- This will not solve the labor shortage alone.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- ago today, I got a phone call from my brother on April 1st saying that his wife at the time was in labor
- She ended up being in labor all day.
- ago today, I got a phone call from my brother on April 1st saying that his wife at the time was in labor
- She ended up being in labor all day.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/19/2026 - House Rural Economic Development
Rural Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I remember watching the fires when I was in labor.
- And so I remember watching the fires when I was, when I was in labor.
- There's sex trafficking, but there's also the labor trafficking, where they take them and have them work
- our city of 16,000 people, this is transformational, creating 220 permanent jobs, boosting the local labor
Bills:
SB1272
Keywords:
appropriation, Douglas port of entry, state funding, infrastructure, federal support, 1182, all
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 2nd, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- you could make that work, if we could focus on some groups that I think are not participating in the labor
- In the labor market because of difficulties that they might have.
- I think we need a focus group on that that would add a lot of people to our labor market.
- I think the goal is to try to increase the labor force participation rate.
Summary:
The committee met to review an audit and recommendations from the Alliance for Opportunity on reforming Arkansas workforce and social service delivery. Members discussed creating a more integrated, regional, “one-door” system that would combine eligibility screening, job training, and service referrals across DHS, workforce, health, and related programs, with an emphasis on reducing administrative overhead and redirecting more funds to direct services and training. Several members raised the need to include groups such as people in generational poverty, rural residents, reentry populations, and people involved in the court system, while also ensuring access for those without digital skills or technology.
Artificial intelligence was a major topic. Members suggested using AI and a centralized database or virtual hub to pre-populate forms, identify program eligibility, notify workforce agencies, and improve efficiency, while still maintaining case managers and in-person support for those who need it. There was also discussion of benefit cliffs, DHS processes that may hinder employment, and the need for industry input and working groups to study AI and other issues. Members repeatedly asked for measurable outcomes, including return-on-investment estimates, cost savings, and performance metrics tied to the number of people moved into self-sufficiency and employment.
The committee then reviewed a draft consultant services agreement with Work Ed Consulting LLC, represented by Mason Bishop, to assist with the study under Act 145 of 2025. The contract would run from March 20, 2025 through June 30, 2027, with a maximum amount of $158,000 plus possible additional services up to 10% if approved. Bishop said his work would include ongoing ROI updates and that his experience included helping create Utah’s workforce department and assisting Louisiana with similar reforms. After questions about oversight and deliverables, Representative Beck moved to advance the contract, Senator Sullivan seconded, and the committee approved it by voice vote before adjourning.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 2nd, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- you could make that work, if we could focus on some groups that I think are not participating in the labor
- market because of difficulties that they might have, that... ...in the labor market because of difficulties
- I think we need a focus group on that that would add a lot of people to our labor market.
- I think the goal is to try and increase the labor force participation rate.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Feb 5th, 2026 at 02:57 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm going to go ahead and call the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee to order.
- Chair and members of the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, I am here today to present
- As this committee specifically, there's in many ways no greater charge of a union and labor than to look
- members of the committee, Carter Bundy, speaking for the 36,000 members of the New Mexico Federation of Labor
Summary:
The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee began by rolling House Bill 132 at the sponsor’s request because amendment language was still being worked on. The committee then proceeded without quorum as a subcommittee until additional members arrived. House Bill 285, as amended, was heard first. The bill was described as a cleanup measure to clarify New Mexico’s disabled veterans property tax exemption, including that it applies to a veteran’s primary residence and how it works for properties with multiple owners. Testimony from New Mexico counties, the Tax and Revenue Department, and the Department of Veterans Services supported the bill, saying it would reduce confusion for assessors and help veterans access the exemption. One member raised broader concerns about housing insecurity among unhoused and renting veterans and asked for interim data on how many veterans would actually benefit, but the committee noted those issues were outside the bill’s scope. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 285 as amended with a do pass recommendation.
The committee then heard House Bill 128, which updates the state’s occupational disease and disablement law for firefighters by expanding the list of covered cancers and related conditions, aligning the state law with newer research and recent federal changes, and standardizing the employment period to five years. The sponsor and supporters said the bill reflects current science, removes outdated age limits for some cancers, and makes it easier for firefighters to receive workers’ compensation without having to prove causation case by case. Firefighters and union representatives gave emotional testimony about personal cancer diagnoses and the burden of fighting insurers while undergoing treatment. The Workers’ Compensation Administration, labor groups, and trial lawyers all supported the measure. Committee members asked about the federal model, the five-year threshold, the impact on rural jurisdictions, and why women’s cancers were not previously included; witnesses explained that the changes reflect updated data and the underrepresentation of women in the fire service. Dr. Dan Wu, speaking online, said firefighter cancer is an epidemic and argued the science supports the bill. The committee then adopted the motion and passed HB 128 with a do pass recommendation before adjourning.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Oct 10th, 2025
Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- House costs in general are going to be pretty static, other than a labor component.
- Really taxing labor.
- costs that are exempt in the state of New Mexico, aside from that development, materials, development labor—Wade
- mentioned those—and then construction materials and construction labor.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Insurance Committee Jul 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And item number 7, SB 854 by the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement.
- this is item number two, SB 230 by Senator Laird, and item number seven, SB 854 by the Committee on Labor
- this is item number two, SB 230 by Senator Laird, and item number seven, SB 854 by the Committee on Labor
- calendar, item number two, SB 230 by Senator Laird, and item number seven, SB 854 by the Committee on Labor
Summary:
The Assembly Insurance Committee met to hear several bills related to insurance coverage, wildfire risk, workers’ compensation, and paid family leave. SB 8 by Senator Ashby would extend workers’ compensation and disability protections to Sacramento County park rangers, with testimony emphasizing that they perform law-enforcement-like duties and should receive the same protections as comparable officers. SB 429 by Senator Cortese would create a public wildfire catastrophe model and related wildfire safety program, with support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates who said public access to modeling data would improve transparency and help evaluate private insurance risk models.
The committee also heard SB 525 by Senator Jones, which would require the FAIR Plan to offer coverage options for manufactured and mobile home owners, including replacement cost coverage. Supporters said the bill would help lower-income residents obtain meaningful insurance protection, while no opposition testified. SB 495 by Senator Allen, as amended, would require insurers to provide a larger contents-coverage advance after a total loss during a declared emergency without requiring an immediate itemized inventory, extend proof-of-loss deadlines, and require insurers to provide catastrophe modeling and reinsurance data to the Department of Insurance. Several insurers withdrew opposition after amendments, and the Department of Insurance and United Policyholders supported the measure.
SB 590 by Senator Durazo would expand paid family leave to cover care for designated persons or chosen family members, with strong support from AARP, labor, civil rights, caregiving, and health organizations, and testimony from a parent describing the need to care for a non-legal family member during surgery recovery. The committee also took up consent items SB 230 and SB 854. After roll calls, SB 8, SB 429, SB 495, SB 525, and SB 590 all received do-pass votes, with SB 429 sent to the Committee on Emergency Management, SB 495 to Judiciary, and SB 525 and SB 590 to Appropriations. The consent calendar bills were also approved, and the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jul 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Sarah Flox, California Federation of Labor Unions, in support. Thank you.
- county representatives of California and strong support thank you Sarah flocks California Federation of Labor
- Unions in support thank you Sarah Flox, California Federation of Labor Unions in support.
- It initially listed someone who was harmed by purchasing one of these products, a parent, a labor union
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several measures, including SB 402 by Senator Valadares, which would move existing qualification requirements for qualified autism service providers and related professionals from the Health and Safety Code and Insurance Code into the Business and Professions Code without changing the standards. Supporters said it was a technical cleanup that would improve consistency and legislative oversight, while an opponent argued the bill was unnecessary and could create access issues; another witness urged inclusion of the QABA credentialing board. The committee approved SB 402 on a due pass motion to the Committee on Health.
The committee also heard SB 378 by Senator Wiener, aimed at online platforms that facilitate sales of illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp products. Supporters, including labor, local government, and cannabis industry representatives, said the bill would help protect consumers, minors, legal businesses, and tax revenue by creating accountability for online marketplaces. Opponents from the hemp industry and TechNet argued the bill was overly broad, could sweep in legitimate platforms and payment services, and should better distinguish bad actors from compliant hemp businesses; members discussed implementation, enforcement through a private right of action, and coordination with AB 8. The committee passed SB 378 to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection.
Senator Arreguín presented SB 779, which would establish minimum enforcement fines for Contractors State License Board citations where minimums are currently very low or absent, and would raise the board’s reserve cap from six months to 12 months. The sponsor said the changes would better match penalties to violations and help support consumer protection and board operations during economic downturns. There was no opposition, and the committee approved SB 779 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.
The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included SB 344 and AB 652, both sent to Appropriations. SB 508 was not heard because it had been pulled by the author.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- authority in subsection on page three, line 17 to 19, because they're already, well, the Department of Labor
- <00:22:06.960>
the <00:22:07.360>department <00:22:07.679>of <00:22:07.840>labor - <00:22:08.080>
and um well the the department of labor and um well the the department of labor
Summary:
The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary decision-making meeting on April 1, 2025 considered several measures previously heard in committee and took action on each. HB 228 HD1 SD1, relating to license plates, was recommended to pass with amendments defining the terms “cover” and “shield”; it was adopted with votes of aye from the chair, vice chair, Senator McKelvie, and Senator Richards, and a no from Senator Awa. HB 125 HD1, relating to firearms and secure storage notice requirements, was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted, though Senator McKelvie noted reservations and Senator OA did not vote. The committees also noted they would wait for a full complement on some JDC votes before finalizing all actions.
HB 1194 HD2 SD1, relating to midwives, drew the most discussion and testimony. The recommendation was to pass with amendments, including DCCA-proposed changes and a revised effective date; members discussed concerns about regulation, the role of unlicensed birth attendants, and whether the bill could criminalize people present at births. The chair explained the intent was not to criminalize invited, uncompensated birth attendants who do not use the title “midwife,” while also clarifying limits on practicing midwifery without a license. The measure passed with reservations from Senator McKelvie and a no vote from Senator Awa.
HB 348 HD1 SD1, relating to single-use plastics, was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted without objection. HB 874 SD1, concerning trust accounts for minors in theatrical employment, was recommended to pass with amendments accepting the Attorney General’s suggestion to remove rulemaking authority; it passed in both committees without opposition. After the CPN portion adjourned, JDC also took up HB 125 and HB 1194, adopting the same recommendations and passing both measures, with the midwifery bill again reflecting the committee’s intent to preserve invited, unpaid attendance at births while restricting unlicensed practice.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- the project a year ago is going to be an order of magnitude greater because of those material costs, labor
- costs, because of labor shortages, what have you.
- Every input, whether it be materials inputs, land, which is a huge problem, and rising in costs and labor
- So many people in our business started as laborers on job sites and now own multimillion dollar companies
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Labor costs and labor shortages also contribute to the issue. So time is the number one factor.
- affordability—every input, whether it be materials, land—which is a huge problem rising in cost—and labor
- So many people in our business started as a... as laborers on job sites and now on multi-million dollar
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Transportation panel considers bill to increase funding for town roads, bridges 3/5/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Often our members don't have any staff whatsoever, relying on the labor of the elected officials themselves
- 26.880>
the have any staff whatsoever relying on the have any staff whatsoever relying on the labor - 27.479>
of <00:04:27.639>the <00:04:27.759>elected <00:04:28.360>officials labor - of the elected officials labor of the elected officials themselves<00:04:29.919>
now <00:04:30.080
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Investing in Minnesota Housing - Senator Eric Lucero Feb 3rd, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- contributes to the cost, whether it be the materials, whether it be the permits, whether it be the labor
- whether<00:08:10.319>
it <00:08:10.440>be <00:08:10.599>the <00:08:10.800>labor - c><00:08:11.199>
that <00:08:11.360>goes <00:08:11.599>into whether it be the labor - that goes into whether it be the labor that goes into it<00:08:12.560>
all <00:08:12.759>of
Summary:
Senator Eric Lucero testified about Minnesota’s housing affordability challenges, arguing that rising interest rates, insurance costs, property taxes, and construction expenses are being passed on to renters and homeowners. He said the core problem is supply and demand: demand has risen while supply has not kept pace, in part because fewer homeowners are selling or downsizing. Lucero said the legislature should look for ways to reduce costs without creating major new state expenses, especially in a budget year with a projected deficit.
Lucero highlighted several policy ideas and bills. He said he has introduced a bill to exempt sales tax on building materials, which he argued would lower the final cost of new homes. He also said he is interested in reducing permit costs and examining other factors that affect construction costs, including materials and labor. On insurance and property taxes, he suggested lawmakers should consider reforms or relief measures, while noting that interest rates are largely beyond state control.
The discussion also focused on homeowners associations and common interest communities. Lucero said he has been part of a bipartisan work group for about six months that reviewed public testimony and expert input, and that the group has now issued recommendations. He said he and other legislators plan to turn those recommendations into one or more bipartisan bills aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and reducing costs for homeowners. He closed by saying housing affordability affects everyone and that he believes there is momentum this year for reforms that support homeownership and generational wealth.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- How do we do that accurately right now with labor shortages the way we have, and the lack of people choosing
- That's just a result of labor issues, the cost of inputs, and everything else.
- It's a function of our economy, labor costs, and everything else.
Bills:
SB7
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Apr 15, 2025, 11:30AM HST - Day 51
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Senators Tan Parker, Brent Hagenbuch, and Adam HinojosaRegarding efforts to stop human trafficking in Texas. Jan 29th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And on top of that, over half of the young men in our care have also been labor trafficked.
- The labor trafficking problem is huge.
- So labor trafficking in the daytime and sex traffic at night, big problems.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, February 23, 2026
Labor, Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to House Labor, Health and Social Services Committee.
- It's really the vast majority of that is labor cost.
- And it's really mostly labor.
- It's really the vast majority of that is labor cost.
- And it's really mostly labor.
Bills:
HB0004
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Workforce committee debates HF1325 to change MN's earned sick, safe time law 3/12/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
- Moreover, we obviously are not concerned with the need for accounting or additional labor for payroll
- need for accounting or additional labor need for accounting or additional labor for<00:16:00.240
- I believe that the Department of Labor said, well, you can do the accrual first, and then you can do
- I believe that the Department of Labor said, well, you can do the accrual first, and then you can do
Summary:
The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties.
Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing.
Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- That means cities with prevailing wage ordinances or labor standards policies like Richfield, Bloomington
- <00:15:22.800>
standards <00:15:23.160>policies ordinances or labor standards policies - noted, would allow those local governments that have their own local prevailing wage ordinances or labor
- <00:21:24.120>
standards <00:21:24.600>to <00:21:24.720>opt ordinances or labor - standards to opt ordinances or labor standards to opt into<00:21:25.160>
the <00:21:25.240>
Keywords:
Central and Eastern European Affairs, ethnic council, advisory council, Minnesota state government, immigrant communities, refugees, humanitarian parolees, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Russia
Summary:
The committee first approved the April 7, 2026 minutes and then held an informal hearing on House File 4364, which would establish a Central and Eastern European Ethnic Council in Minnesota. Representative Jordan and testifiers Mykola Mager and Julia Miller described the large Central and Eastern European community in Minnesota, its contributions to the state, and the need for a formal advisory body to help address barriers to government services, support refugees, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and cultural understanding. Members expressed general support and noted the bill’s importance, but no formal action was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then took up House File 4543, a bill to create a centralized payroll reporting portal for prevailing wage projects. Representative Frazier said the bill would reduce administrative burden on project owners, improve transparency and accountability, and help prevent wage theft, misclassification, tax fraud, and insurance fraud. Testifiers from county, city, and contractor groups largely supported the idea of streamlining reporting, but contractor representatives raised concerns about employee data privacy, public access to sensitive payroll information, duplication of existing systems, interoperability with contractor software, and the need for stakeholder engagement. Members echoed both support and caution, and the bill was laid over as amended rather than advanced.
Finally, the committee considered House File 4821, described by Chair Klevorn as addressing the “penny problem” and a related change to high-deductible insurance plans. The bill would authorize state agencies to round cash transactions because of the penny shortage and would change MMB’s obligation to offer certain high-deductible health plans from “must” to “may,” producing modest administrative savings. Members questioned the drafting of the rounding language and asked about cash transactions at state agencies and the handling of cannabis tax payments. The chair noted the bill had missed the deadline and would be caught by the chief clerk’s office; the discussion ended with the bill being laid over as amended.