Transcript Highlights:

• And happier workers might be more productive.
• And happier workers might be more productive.
• I have been a state worker for five years.
• I have a co-worker whose husband just died of pneumonia.
• For many workers, this order represents a step backwards.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• is good for workers.
• In these short few months I've had literally tens of or hundreds of union workers and workers come to
• tens of of or hundreds of union workers tens of of or hundreds of union workers and<00:27:53.560
• > me and workers come to see me and workers come to see me about<00:27:56.960> employment
• <00:29:13.280> I how that is dangerous for workers. I how that is dangerous for workers.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sole worker. work It's very clear. Sole worker.
• or workers' rights means if any worker or workers' rights organization<01:14:26.200> would<01
• all workers.
• Colorado covers all workers. Maine covers all workers. Rhode Island covers all workers.
• ,<01:38:38.760> workers businesses still need workers, workers businesses still need workers

Bills: HF4110, HF2113, HF4569, HF4414

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. and assault for all workers in Hawaii and assault for all workers in Hawaii but<00:12:29.680
• Many workers in the tourism industry are immigrants, including 68% of housekeeping workers who are immigrants
• , primarily Filipino and Kofa workers.
• Many workers in the tourism industry are immigrants, including 68% of housekeeping workers who are immigrants
• , primarily Filipino and Kofa workers.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a nationally certified school social worker from Jessine County. All right.
• I'm a nationally certified school social worker from Jessine County. All right.
• I'm a nationally certified school social worker from Jessine County. I'm Lesie Gilpin.
• I'm a nationally certified school social worker from Jessine County. Thank you. All right.
• workers at that time across the state.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael Lobb concluded by saying the bill is bad for all workers in Florida and that workers are the
• He said the bill hurts him and his fellow workers and asked the committee not to turn its back on workers
• Thank you. support Florida workers as you claim to.
• Navy and a public service worker.
• At a time when workers were being extremely abused, exploited, and Black workers were not allowed to

Bills: S0042, S0688, S0762, S1168, S1296, S1298, S1300, S1318, S1332, S1376, S1548, S1570, S1574, S1632, S1634, S1750

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, criminal defense, legal representation, death penalty, indigent defense, regional counsel, conflict of interest, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 42 on specific medical diagnosis and child protective investigations. A late-file strike-all amendment was adopted that made only stylistic changes to align with the House version. Supporters said the bill would help DCF and child protective teams better identify rare medical conditions and give parents a chance to defend against mistaken abuse findings. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1570, which restores a prior program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices and CARD centers, with nonrecurring funding included. Members then advanced several education, disability, and public services measures. CS for CSSB 182 created a teacher training and mentoring program for high-performing current and retired teachers to mentor teachers in D- and F-rated schools, and CS for CSSB 794 required background screening for employees in residential and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities while directing APD to study support coordination quality, workforce issues, and service gaps. Testimony on SB 794 strongly supported better training, lower caseloads, and more consistent support coordination. The committee also favorably reported CS for CS SB 1168 on background screenings, CS for CS SB 214 to allow rural special districts to pay verified invoices directly, CS for SB 1376 to create grants for genetic counseling education, and SB 1574 (Maddie’s Law) to add newborn screening for biliary atresia; the latter drew emotional support and testimony that early screening could save lives and reduce transplant costs. The committee heard and passed a number of other policy bills, including CS for CS for SB 1510, the DEP agency package, after environmental groups warned that one provision could delay basin management protections and allow more septic systems in impaired watersheds; the bill still passed favorably. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 688 to license naturopathic doctors, SB 1318 on scholarship account reversion rules, CS for CS for SB 682 on domestic violence injunctions and penalties, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local affordable housing update. Several bills were briefly postponed or taken up later in the meeting. In the latter portion of the meeting, the committee approved CS for C.S. for SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria, CS for C.S. SB 762 on assigning conflict capital cases across regional counsel offices, SB 1332 on career offender registration requirements, CS for CS for SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a child, and CS for SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The committee also debated CS for SB 1226 on Public Employee Relations Commission procedures and union certification rules, including a late-file amendment setting a 60% threshold and 25% quorum for recertification; the discussion focused heavily on constitutional concerns, union rights, and differences between first responders and other public employees. The transcript ends while that bill’s debate is still underway, with the committee having already taken numerous favorable votes throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is hourly workers across the state.
• licensed social workers, school social workers,<00:04:56.400> counselors,<00:04:56.880> nurses
• <00:04:57.280> and workers, counselors, nurses and workers, counselors, nurses and psychologists
• better opportunities to hourly workers. better opportunities to hourly workers.
• <00:29:59.120> in<00:29:59.440> every workers are your constituents in every workers

Bills: HF1049

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• workers from organizing into a union. workers from organizing into a union.
• It is a barrier designed to stop workers It is a barrier designed to stop workers from<01:49:27.480><
• Um, union<02:04:12.680> workers<02:04:13.080> do union workers do union workers do good
• autonomy is preserved and that workers autonomy is preserved and that workers are<02:08:35.160><
• We're talking about workers, and I appreciate the fact that we need to take care of the worker.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports moving bills forward, including measures from Transportation and Energy and Corporations. The chamber also heard a House message transmitting House Bill 1281. Later, senators used moments of personal privilege to recognize Día del Niño guests and welcome children and community representatives to the chamber; those remarks were ordered spread upon the journal. On the consent calendar and third reading calendar, the Senate passed a number of bills, including Senate Bill 171 on pre-production plastic disposal, Senate Bill 173 on teacher training in certain fitness disciplines, House Bill 1290 on assault sentencing, House Bill 1052 on Victim Rights Act changes, House Bill 1214 on continuation of the controlled substances licensing act, House Bill 1260 on child care assistance, Senate Bill 17 on out-of-network health care dispute resolution, House Bill 1313 on Statewide Affordable Housing Fund requirements, House Bill 1283 on confiscation of identification documents, Senate Bill 174 on lead generation marketing for legal services, House Bill 1193 on vision tests for pre-kindergarten students, Senate Bill 170 creating a task force on public school access, House Bill 1242 on interlock restricted licenses, House Bill 1258, and Senate Bill 165 on species conservation funding. Several of these passed with recorded no votes, especially House Bill 1214 and House Bill 1283. The most substantive debate centered on Senate Bill 138, which was described as reducing administrative burden in the health care system by repealing or modifying certain requirements on health facilities and insurance carriers. The Senate adopted committee report amendments, including provisions on opioid training for veterinarians and dentists, before passing the bill. Another extended discussion involved Senate Bill 172 on the Front Range Passenger Rail District; supporters said it would shrink and better tailor the district to the planned rail corridor, while a senator from Adams County argued the district should not ask communities to pay for rail service they may not use. The Senate also reconsidered and repassed Senate Bill 170 after a procedural mix-up, then proceeded to special orders and adopted the Committee of the Whole report on Senate Bill 165, which was placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• File 3238, which is the Workers File 3238, which is the Workers Compensation<00:18:25.039> Advisory
• Uh, the Workers Compensation 2025.
• serves as the chair of the workers serves as the chair of the workers compensation<00:19:47.440>
• Workers' Compensation Advisory Council.
• Workers' Compensation Advisory Council.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to protect workers here.
• We need to protect our workers.
• I want to protect workers here.
• We need to protect our workers.
• We need to protect our workers.

Bills: HF23, HF1355

Keywords: whistleblower, whistleblower protections, public employees, state employees, retaliation, reporting fraud, misuse of authority, personal gain, state government, state services, state programs, legislative auditor, constitutional officer, public corruption, fraud reporting, government accountability, employee rights, labor law, Minnesota Statutes 181.931, Minnesota Statutes 181.932

Transcript Highlights:

• pockets of the workers as we intended. pockets of the workers as we intended.
• <00:07:26.240> They not paying workers as much. They not paying workers as much.
• shared service rate go to workers. shared service rate go to workers.
• . workers. workers.
• . worker. worker. represent. represent. represent.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Worker Unemployment Aid Appropriation. Worker Unemployment Aid Appropriation.
• I think they're basically summer worker UI expenses.
• I mean expenses for worker UI expenses.
• the hourly workers unemployment benefit. the hourly workers unemployment benefit.
• Whatever benefits those hourly workers Whatever benefits those hourly workers over<00:32:31.279>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill gives ride share workers.
• Minnesota's labor movement is proud to stand with these workers because we believe that every worker
• proud to stand with these workers proud to stand with these workers because<00:21:21.919> we<
• because we believe that every worker because we believe that every worker should<00:21:23.600>
• co-workers uh in solidarity like this. co-workers uh in solidarity like this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and add subdivision 5-8 to define what a social worker is.
• We're trying to add social workers. OK.
• On the, what is the salary range for a social worker?
• on this list and recognizes them as Essential workers.
• Social workers are essential to public service in Texas.

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• , the federal workers that keep workers, the federal workers that keep us<00:30:45.080> safe<00
• We have these workers: VA workers, USAID workers, USDA workers.
• federal workers have been devastated. federal workers have been devastated.
• <00:53:28.480> We workers. This is about Minnesotans. We workers.
• to lift up and center workers as well. to lift up and center workers as well.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3732, the Department of Employment and Economic Development appropriations bill, was presented as a package of budget and policy changes from the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee. The author described it as a set of practical fixes, including changes to reporting requirements, repealing unused programs, recommendations from a Governor’s Workforce Development Board subcommittee on direct appropriations, and creation of an Office of Community Investment within DEED. Members also noted the bill had been revised after earlier floor debate and included a modified version of a previously contentious proposal. The first major floor debate centered on Amendment A12, offered by Representative Zeleznikar, which would create an exemption from meal and break requirements for certain 24-hour care settings such as disability group homes and home care. Supporters argued the current break law does not fit the realities of one-on-one or overnight care and could force providers into unsafe or impractical staffing models. Opponents, including Representatives Johnson and Pinto, said the amendment would weaken or repeal worker break protections and remove clear standards and remedies. After debate, the House took a roll call and the amendment failed on a 67-67 tie. A second amendment, A13 by Representative Tabke, proposed a $150,000 state aviation fund-backed loan fund to help TSA and other airport workers who had gone without pay during a federal shutdown, by backstopping bank loans for affected families. Tabke framed it as worker relief tied to the aviation system, while Representative Niska argued it was not a serious proposal, had not been vetted, and unfairly used state money to address a federal dispute. Debate on the amendment became highly partisan and included a point of order over personalities in debate before the Speaker ruled the point well taken and returned discussion to the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• obligated to provide workers obligated to provide workers compensation<00:02:56.800> uh<00
• <00:12:52.279> were sector workers were sector workers were misclassified<00:12:54.160>
• > an misclassified um that workers lost an misclassified um that workers lost an estimated<00:
• um from state income tax workers um from state income tax workers compensation<00:13:14.240>
• workers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Of New Hampshire's roughly 780,000 total workers, around 53% are hourly wage workers, and of those, only
• And this is a workers in total.
• There shrink by around 6,000 workers.
• However, they also found that worker However, they also found that worker incomes<00:24:22.880><
• Um minimum wage workers who are young.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 56.320> face<00:00:56.600> in challenges county workers face in challenges county workers
• > to<00:09:44.000> 400 Workers have approximately 350 to 400 Workers have approximately
• '<00:14:14.959> perspective, And so, from our workers' perspective, And so, from our workers
• . workers. workers.
• ." workers." workers."

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:28.400> into pay provisions that trap workers into pay provisions that trap workers
• So think about the PetSmart or sandwich artist kind of training, and workers that it costs the workers
• , construction workers.
• It's estimated that 10% of all U.S. workers are bound by traps, and that's millions of workers in jobs
• So these restrict workers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:57.360> will anticipate 1,00 to 1500 workers will anticipate 1,00 to 1500 workers will
• <00:57:52.799> and safety sensitive certified worker and safety sensitive certified worker
• about the safety of not only the workers about the safety of not only the workers but<00:57:58.520
• there's an explosion and that worker there's an explosion and that worker loses<00:58:08.000>
• So when we discredit workers, any worker, it is an insult to them and to all the workers that are actually

Bills: HF47, HF335

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF335, Greater Minnesota, economic development, public infrastructure, grant program, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, business development, infrastructure grants, local government aid, general fund appropriation, rural development, site development, utilities, roads