Transcript Highlights:

• However, the chair of labor is not here.
• However, the chair of labor is not here.
• Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> We will recess to wait for the labor chair to go back to the wait.

Bills: HB2241, HB1163, HB1514, HB1696, HB2021, SB2135, SB2466, SB2727, SB3082, SB3097, SB2861, SCR100, SB3096, SB99, SB2138, HB2289, HB2319, HB1711, HB2270, SB3138, SB3076, HB1642, HB2338, HB2171, HB1785, SB2881, HB2505, SB2552, HB1518, HB1815, SB3125, SB3234, SCR162, SB2614, SB3118, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB2158, HB1718, HB2207, HB1801, SB3229, SB2338, SB3069, SB2600, HB2300, HB1800, HB1960, SB2999, SB2060, SB2866, SB2239, HB1741, HB1713, HB2023, HB2417, SB2877, SB2598, SB2921, SB2645, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2329, HB2339, HB1838, HB1509, HB1661, HB2271, HB2272, HB2344, HB1888, HB1707, SB2340, HB2474, HB1576, HB1853, HB1804, HB1854, HB2095, HB2050, HB472, SB3215, SB2247, SB2400, HB1618, HB1802, HB1969, HB1541, HB2310, HB2498, HB2443, HB2218, HB649, HB2104, HB1710, SB2802, HB1973, HB1974, HB1894, HB1891, HB1890, SB177, SB2101, SB3320, SB2487, HB2429, HB1870, HB1839, HB2583, HB1391, HB2094, SB2671, SB2673, SB2892, SB2057, SB3245, HB306, HB2592, SB3157, SB3204, SB3324, SB2580, SB2074, SB411, SB3025, SB2934, SB2567, SB2125, SB3238, SB2367, SB2599, SB3007, SB2001, SB2756, SB3029

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, commercial driving, driver's license

Transcript Highlights:

• councils generally and more boards and commissions, this is a necessity based on the Department of Labor
• reverse repealer in the bill because, based on communications I've had from MDES, the Department of Labor
• trying to create the advisory council that is required to participate in the federal Department of Labor

Keywords: Government Structure - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 11:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills and committee substitutes, most of them described as cleanup or implementation measures tied to federal requirements. On SB 2623, Senator Sparks explained that the bill would create an apprenticeship advisory council needed to access federal Department of Labor apprenticeship funds; the committee adopted a reverse repealer and then passed the committee substitute. On the aging-related bill 2746, staff said it would update Mississippi statutes to reflect that the state is already the state unit on aging, clean up outdated language, and emphasize accountability for area agencies on aging; the committee passed it title sufficient do pass. The committee also considered 2622, described as moving the state toward a one-door website for constituent access to state services and building on prior work to centralize data and services online. Senator Williams supported the direction as a way to improve virtual access to state government, and the bill was reported out on a do pass motion. The final item, 2673, was presented as a committee substitute creating a study committee to examine government structure and efficiency over the next year, with several planned meetings and participation from House committees and agencies; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out. The chair then indicated the remaining agenda items would not be taken up unless circumstances changed, and the committee rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by consolidating that, we have We can reduce the amount of labor required to go after this and redeploy
• The majority of the savings does come from a labor reduction.
• consolidation of various agencies that we can do by cabinet level that should allow us to pull our labor

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Labor Relations and Compensation Policy Director for the Office of Financial Management.
• We resumed bargaining again, consistent with our labor obligation, and concluded bargaining in August
• My name is Jenny Sheehan, and I'm the labor and policy strategy officer for the Office of Financial Management

Summary: The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met for work sessions on supplemental bargaining for Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA) agreements in general government and higher education, followed by an overview of the collective bargaining process. OFM staff explained that bargaining for the 2025-27 biennium began in 2024, reached tentative agreements, was not ratified in time for the October 1 deadline, resumed, and ultimately produced ratified agreements in August 2025 that were submitted for financial feasibility review under RCW 41.80.010. Staff outlined the tentative agreements’ costs and covered employee counts, including roughly 2,500 FTEs in general government and 2,100 in higher education, with estimated 2025-27 total fund costs of about $22.25 million and $13.5 million respectively. Staff then gave a broader briefing on how state collective bargaining works, including the bargaining calendar, the role of class and compensation review, the June revenue forecast, interest arbitration, and the October 1 submission deadline. They described the groups OFM bargains for, including general government, higher education, health care coalitions, and certain non-state provider groups such as adult family home providers, child care providers, and language access providers. In response to a question from Senator King, staff said the legislature requires bargaining for those non-state provider groups and has also provided interest arbitration for them. Staff also discussed bargaining priorities such as general wage increases, targeted classification adjustments, recruitment and retention, low-wage worker increases, and maintaining the health care premium split. In executive session, the committee voted to keep the current co-chairs, Senator Robinson and Representative Couture, through 2026. Members also voted to recognize that the committee met twice in 2025 and to set the 2026 meeting schedule at two meetings. The motions passed without opposition, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• proud to strongly support AB 1415 and proud to have worked with Health Access. consumer groups and labor
• Awari, 992 Irwin, 1085 Stephanie, 1177 Connolly, 1478 Hoover, 1515 committee on labor and employment,
• public employees and intervene as a party to help maintain a consistent application and enforcement of labor

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Labor is not here.
• <01:45:25.360> is is important to note that labor is is important to note that labor is not
• <01:45:31.199> Labor<01:45:31.600> is<01:45:31.840> not<01:45:32.000> on<
• Chinese laborers built the and harsh.
• warned of an acute labor warned of an acute labor shortage.<02:42:24.399> A<02:42:24.640>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It does nothing with the federal Department of Labor.
• <00:21:32.400> So, the um federal department of labor.
• So, the um federal department of labor.
• If you raise the price of labor, people buy less labor. I do not want to get young people fired.
• <01:48:26.800> force seen before um where uh labor force seen before um where uh labor force

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:12.240> Um, of Labor throughout other statutes.
• Um, of Labor throughout other statutes.
• Could you do that gray area and speak to the labor committee? Oh, sure. Okay.
• Could you do that gray area and speak to the labor committee? Oh, sure. Okay.
• I I the labor committee? Oh, sure. Okay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going to go to labor and then come<00:30:08.280> back.
• With that, the chair renews his motion that House File 1234, as amended, be referred to Labor.
• <00:39:52.160> All<00:39:52.320> in amended be referred to Labor.
• All in amended be referred to Labor. All in favor? favor? favor?
• labor intensive for an agency. Is that labor intensive for an agency. Is that correct?

Bills: HF1234, HF3528, HF3672, HF3679, HF3680, HF1944

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, data transparency, Legislative Budget Office, state agencies, fiscal notes, public data, standard time, federal law, time zone

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any further discussion on the Business Affairs and Labor Committee report?
• affairs and labor committee report? affairs and labor committee report?
• Um, members, House Business Affairs and Labor will not be meeting this week due to supplementals.
• <02:12:51.040> will House Business Affairs and Labor will House Business Affairs and Labor
• committee on business affairs and labor. committee on business affairs and labor.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Friday, February 6, 2026. Members then proceeded out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 8, honoring Colorado’s 2026 Winter Olympians and Paralympians. The resolution was read at length, and members spoke in support of Colorado athletes, training communities, families, and facilities. An amendment correcting an athlete’s state affiliation was adopted, and the resolution passed 63-0 with two excused. Representative Bottoms then asked to co-sponsor the resolution. The chamber also set several bills as special orders for February 9, 2026. It then considered House Bill 1020, concerning colorimetric field drug tests in drug possession cases. Sponsors said the bill addresses unreliable field tests and had support from the Judiciary Committee and stakeholders. The committee report and the bill both passed without opposition. House Bill 1040, concerning the sterilization rights of a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was also taken up. Sponsors said the bill seeks to undo a historical harm by removing language that allowed sterilization against a person’s wishes. Two amendments to the committee report were adopted: one narrowing language around an imminent threat to life or health, and another adding a petition clause. The committee report and the bill then passed. Finally, the House considered House Bill 103, which modernizes the Colorado Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Loan Fund. Sponsors said it would better support small businesses facing higher costs and access-to-capital challenges. One amendment to direct 30% of funding to rural counties, veteran-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses was debated but failed after the sponsor urged a no vote, saying the bill already included distribution metrics and that a fixed percentage was not workable in statute. The bill itself was then discussed further, with concerns raised about state lending programs and the use of the term “equitable,” but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• and human rights attorney Peru a labor and human rights attorney practitioner<00:58:07.680> and
• People were forced into labor camps. I'm sorry.
• People were forced into labor camps. I'm sorry.
• People were forced into labor camps. I'm sorry.
• trafficking um updating did around labor trafficking um updating some<01:38:04.639> definitions

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And as of the spring, all four departments under the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, as well
• And how would the Labor and Workforce Agency and some of the short-term career programs that they have
• And how would the labor and workforce agency and some of the short-term career programs that they have
• I’m going to turn it over to my colleague, Allison Hewitt, who has labor in her portfolio.
• I've unfortunately witnessed about five raids at our day labor center, including the infamous Operation

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the May Revision’s Proposition 98 changes for K-12 and community colleges. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, full payment of the prior settle-up, and larger deposits into the school rainy-day fund. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF updates were reasonable, but urged caution about the settle-up approach and recommended using more of the available funding to protect ongoing programs and build budget resilience. Members focused heavily on the size of the proposed $3.9 billion settle-up, the $10.3 billion reserve deposit, declining K-12 enrollment, and how much of the new funding should be ongoing versus one-time. The committee then reviewed the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described the May Revision’s higher SCFF COLA, additional funding for enrollment growth, a student support block grant, apprenticeship adjustments, and continued funding for deferred maintenance, Calbright, Common Cloud, and credit for prior learning. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended prioritizing the statutory COLA increase, noted that more than half of districts are already above current-year growth targets, and said the new adult learner demonstration project should be rejected because districts already have tools to support similar services. Members also discussed a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall, which Finance said was discovered too late for the May Revision and would need to be addressed later. Finally, the committee took up the proposed implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the California Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career to build eligibility and data systems, along with trailer bill changes to set up state approval processes. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, that California lacks the needed infrastructure, and that the state will need emergency regulations, data linkages, and ongoing funding beyond the one-time proposal. The LAO agreed that some initial funding is needed but warned that the amounts and ongoing costs remain uncertain and that the Legislature should carefully draft the trailer bill language. Members asked about timing, other states’ actions, and how the state would ensure the program is ready for students and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, so the more labor-intensive a case is, the more likely DPA is in it.
• So, um, so the more labor-intensive a case is, the more likely DPA is in it.
• And again, on the most labor-intensive, we're far higher than 75%.
• And again, on the most labor-intensive, we're far higher than 75%.
• And again, on the most labor-intensive, we're far higher than 75%.

Keywords: 0:00:04 Call to Order 0:00:50 Dept for Public Advocacy 0:51:31 Life Learning Center 1:21:06 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:15:26.560> and<01:15:26.800> Economic<01:15:27.360> Development, Labor, and
• Um, so House File 1671 is the policy technical bill from the Department of Labor and Industry.
• I'm the legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry.
• I'm Josiah Moore, the legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry.
• [Music] be re-referred to the Workforce, Labor, be re-referred to the Workforce, Labor, and<01:18:30.719

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• The eyes have it and the report is The Committee on Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services, to
• The majority of the Committee on Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services, to which was referred
• The majority of the Committee on Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services, to which was referred
• This bill is from the Committee on Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services on page 14 of your
• Senate Bill 171 is presented to, if I know that Senate Bill 171 was presented to the Labor Committee

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These students will be able to go to the Education and Labor Cabinet website, and on this website they're
• <00:20:05.520> the<00:20:05.760> education<00:20:06.240> and<00:20:06.480> labor
• <00:20:06.880> cabinet forces the education and labor cabinet forces the education and labor
• <00:20:16.080> cabinet<00:20:16.960> to<00:20:17.280> their education and labor
• cabinet to their education and labor cabinet to their website.<00:20:18.400> And<00:20:18.720

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:26 Report of Committees 05:13 Orders of the Day/ HB 6 06:22 HB 480 14:13 HB 562 17:55 HB 136 25:53 HB 257 29:47 HB 490 35:54 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 40:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 52:44 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 53:49 ConC/Rules Report 57:12 Floor Amendments 58:49 Adjournment 58:59, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 96 members present, excused absent members, and approved the journal from February 13, 2026. The Senate also transmitted Senate Bills 72 and 110 for concurrence. Committee reports advanced several bills, including measures on deputy coroner training, local jail booking procedures, local business tax collection, peace officers, Kentucky National Guard benefits, and first responder mental health. The chamber then considered House Bill 6 on child care. The sponsor described it as the product of extensive stakeholder collaboration aimed at improving affordability, quality, access, and data in child care, including changes to the low-income subsidy program, employee child care assistance, Kentucky All-Stars, micro-centers, and a military child care pilot program in House Committee Substitute 1. The substitute was adopted, and the bill passed 84-11 with one abstention after supportive remarks from members emphasizing workforce needs, family support, and military families. House Bill 480, relating to state contracts, was explained as requiring clearer contract terms for appropriated funds, partial payment protections, a 1% penalty for late payment, and semiannual reporting on whether cabinets are paying bills on time. A member noted a planned amendment to limit the bill to state-funded appropriations, but the bill passed 96-0. House Bill 562, relating to alternative high school diplomas, would create a Kentucky alternative diploma for certain students with disabilities and require the Education and Labor Cabinet to maintain employer information for graduates; members spoke in strong support of the bill’s workforce and dignity goals, and it passed 96-0. House Bill 136, relating to campaign finance, was amended to remove a $15,000 cap and allow campaign funds to pay for reasonable security costs for candidates; the sponsor cited rising threats to elected officials, and the bill passed 97-0. The transcript ends as the House moved on to House Bill 257.

Transcript Highlights:

• She took the pills, and her labor began.
• She had severe hemorrhaging, and again, no one warned them of the intense bleeding, the labor, the risks
• Dosages for softening a cervix, for induction of labor, or for management of hemorrhage.
• Pro-life policy should not cover conception to labor.
• And then after the children are born, the labor laws here ensure that working-class people forced into

Bills: SB10, SB16, SB6, SB 6, SB 10, SB 16

Keywords: trafficking, prostitution, affirmative defense, victims, criminal justice reform, victim rights, criminal justice, judicial reform, court procedures, mental health services, criminal penalties, court security, SB 6, Woman and Child Protection Act, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, pro-life

Transcript Highlights:

• of times; that will now uh extend through the beginning of September, so September 2nd, just after Labor
• want to develop something or you want to think about something more, um you have until uh just after Labor
• <00:04:25.759> So Labor Day um for written comments.
• So Labor Day um for written comments.
• Day to get those to us just after Labor Day to get those to us for<00:04:39.120> consideration.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the main sticking point between industry and labor is still in the bill.
• He added that this issue should be handled in labor or workforce, not in this bill, and that the reason
• <00:14:33.720> on<00:14:33.920> this between the industry and labor on this between
• the industry and labor on this is<00:14:34.240> still<00:14:34.399> in<00:14:34.560>
• a issue this should be done in labor a issue this should be done in labor this<00:15:27.320>

Bills: HF1704, HF2052

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an agreement between the ride-share industry and labor.
• The existing process to file and pursue a wage theft claim to the State Labor Commissioner is long and
• Even after the Labor Commissioner issues that judgment, employers often don’t pay.
• It’s also an unfair practice that hurts honest businesses by undercutting their labor costs.
• This bill is supported by the CLSB and a coalition of labor organizations, including the State Building

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a long floor file with many Senate bills. Early procedural actions included unanimous-consent motions, a successful roll-call to rescind prior action on SB 351, and a 54-vote suspension of Joint Rule 61(a)(3) to allow floor amendments on SBs 80, 351, and 415. The chamber also made several referrals, moved one item to the inactive file, and welcomed new Assembly Member Natasha Johnson and other guests. The bulk of the meeting consisted of concurrence and third-reading votes on a wide range of measures, many of them passing with little or no opposition. Topics included tribal gaming grants (AB 221), State Bar fee and bar exam changes (SB 253), AI guardrails in community colleges (SB 241), consumer arbitration clauses (SB 82), due process for law enforcement in Racial Justice Act cases (SB 734), dental payment fee disclosures (SB 386), HOA balcony inspection reports (SB 410), farmland protection and EIFD rules (SB 5 and SB 516), emergency shelter zoning (SB 340), HIV confidentiality (SB 504), election signature-cure reforms (SB 3), contractor workers’ compensation compliance (SB 291), fire training funding (SB 345), wage theft enforcement (SB 355 and SB 261), food allergen disclosures (SB 68), ride-share insurance coverage (SB 371), housing and disaster recovery measures (SB 233, SB 625, SB 21), midwifery education (SB 520), mobile home insurance access (SB 525), epinephrine in schools (SB 568), health facility emergency licensing (SB 582), hair relaxer enforcement (SB 236), wastewater surveillance (SB 317), and several tax, transportation, and public health bills. A number of bills drew brief policy debate or opposition. SB 388, creating a California Latino Commission, prompted criticism from some members who argued the money should go directly to community needs rather than a new commission; it still passed. SB 50 on digital safety for victims of abuse, SB 20 on silicosis prevention, SB 306 on prior authorization reform, SB 373 on oversight of out-of-state special education placements, and SB 437 on reparations descendant-status verification were among the more substantive and discussed measures. Most bills passed by wide margins, often unanimously, and several urgency or tax-levy measures required 54 votes and were approved. The session ended with continued passage of remaining file items and multiple items retained or passed temporarily for later action.