Video & Transcript : 'employer support' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/24/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We have to support honest employers.
- We have to support honest employers.<00:08:34.560><c> And</c><00:08:34.719><c> that</c><00:08:34.959>
- ><c> employment</c><00:51:58.880><c> for</c> seeking or supporting employment for seeking or supporting
- Today, we're asking for your support for a bill that provides critical services to both employers and
- Helping employers find talent and providing training and support services to help career seekers access
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- to retaliate against and fire workers, making it illegal for employers to Employers to retaliate against
- and fire workers, making it illegal for employers to voluntarily recognize unions, allowing employers
- I urge you to support these bills to support construction workers, their families, and the state overall
- , we also are asking for support for.
- And in light of that, I urge you to support and advance the Protect Labor Act and other bills to support
Summary:
The hearing focused on employment rights legislation, especially the Protect Labor Act (H. 2086/S. 1327), which would create state-level labor protections if federal private-sector labor law is weakened or struck down, and would also add protections such as bans on captive audience meetings, virtual elections, stronger misclassification rules, and protections for health care workers and immigrant workers. Supporters from the AFL-CIO, nurses, SEIU, UAW, building trades, teachers, graduate workers, and policy groups argued that the bill is needed because of Trump administration actions, Project 2025, and threats to the NLRA and NLRB. They described the bill as a “trigger” law meant to preserve organizing and bargaining rights in Massachusetts if federal protections disappear or if the NLRB declines jurisdiction over certain workers.
The committee also heard testimony on bills to restore a limited right to strike for certain public employees (H. 2078/S. 1311 or related filings). Supporters, including a representative, educators, and labor advocates, said the current ban on public employee strikes weakens good-faith bargaining and leaves workers without leverage to secure wages, staffing, and student supports. They argued that strikes are used as a last resort and that legalizing them under defined conditions would improve negotiations and better reflect the realities of recent teacher strikes in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Municipal Association opposed the strike bills, warning that public employee strikes are already prohibited by state law, that strikes disrupt students and communities, and that local governments face budget constraints under Proposition 2 1/2.
The committee also took testimony on paid family and medical leave bills (S. 1351/H. 2110 and S. 1352), which would improve notice to workers, expand public reporting on claim denials and demographics, and fix a technical definition issue that has limited access for some covered contract workers. Witnesses from legal aid, policy organizations, and a small business owner said the changes would improve transparency, equity, and access to benefits without imposing major burdens on employers. Additional testimony supported a railroad sick leave bill and a private construction transparency bill, with Senator Keenan urging favorable action on both. No votes were taken during the hearing; members asked questions, and several witnesses and legislators requested favorable reports on the bills.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Two - Tuesday, February 17 -Morning Session-
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Had wildly positive support.” “Health Committee had wildly positive support.
- So, yeah, for the purposes of the joint employer, being considered a joint employer, essentially we're
- That would affect their employment. So I think that would be an employment decision. Do you agree?
- I rise to support this amendment.
- So support the amendment and support the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Gentleman from St. Louis.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> it's the failure to play pay employment it's the failure to play pay employment taxes<00:04:15.519
- Unit that does employer trainings.
- Unit that does employer trainings.
- Unit that does employer trainings.
- , and we support the incentives that are in place to of our construction employers as well as of our
Committee:
Senate Labor
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Responsible employers already invest in training.
- We're here today in support of House Bill 2513.
- We're here today supporting HB 2611.
- It is the county employment that did that. Employers have the ability to do that.
- It is the county employment that did that. Employers have the ability to do that.
Summary:
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard pay, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from security licensing fees. The bill’s sponsor and labor supporters said it would professionalize the industry, improve safety, and address high turnover and inadequate training. Security workers described unsafe conditions, retaliation, and being expected to handle crises without enough support. Opponents from business and security companies argued the bill duplicates existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much authority to an unelected board; L&I said it had administrative concerns about timing and fee handling. The hearing on HB 2524 was then closed.
HB 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for non-residential plumbing violations. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and labor said repeat violators undermine safety and fair competition, and that the bill gives L&I a stronger enforcement tool against bad actors in commercial work. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on a new subsection they said was vague and could create an undefined corrective process or overly broad discretion for L&I; they asked that the subsection be removed or the bill be delayed for more stakeholder work. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking.
HB 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours starting January 1, 2028, and would also change paid sick leave accrual from one hour per 40 hours worked to one hour per 32 hours worked. The sponsor and labor supporters said a shorter workweek would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and turnover, and could increase productivity, citing examples from San Juan County and other places. Business, hospitality, grocery, construction, agriculture, and janitorial representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, reduce hours and flexibility, complicate scheduling, and hurt industries with thin margins or seasonal demands. The committee heard no votes or final action on HB 2611 before closing the hearing and ending business for the day.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- for Technology and Democracy, in support.
- We support this. Your time is up, please close. We support this and appreciate the Senator's bill.
- Support witnesses may sit. Thank you. Support witnesses may sit. You each have two minutes.
- So I'm supporting the bill today.
- Mariko Yoshihar on behalf of the California Employment Lawyers Association in support.
Summary:
The committee heard several labor-related bills focused on workplace technology, data centers, staffing agencies, and environmental health. SB 947, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” would require human review before automated systems can be used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis; labor groups and worker advocates supported it, while business and industry groups opposed it as overbroad and litigation-prone. After extended discussion about due process, human oversight, and private rights of action, the bill passed 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee.
SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay for new infrastructure costs, create a separate rate structure to protect other ratepayers, and impose skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said it would prevent cost shifts to households and ensure good jobs, while opponents argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings and that the bill unfairly singles out one industry. The committee discussed balancing economic growth with labor and ratepayer protections, and the bill passed 3-1 to Senate Appropriations. SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for AI-related layoffs and require reporting on displaced jobs and first consideration for openings; supporters said it would improve transparency and help policymakers respond to AI-driven job loss, while opponents warned it was too broad and conflicted with existing WARN law. It passed 3-1 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection.
The committee also considered SB 1032, which would create a licensing and registration framework for temporary staffing agencies. Supporters said it would curb fraud and protect workers from illicit staffing operators, while opponents—many from the staffing industry—said the bill was vague, burdensome, and could hinder small and minority-owned businesses. The bill passed 3-1 to Senate Judiciary. Finally, SB 1046, dealing with protections for lifeguards and park rangers exposed to transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards for exposure, PPE, training, and incident reporting. With support from park workers and community groups and no opposition, it passed unanimously 4-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar item and adjourned after completing the agenda.
VA
Virginia 2026 1st Special Session
Commission on Unemployment Compensation Jul 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have to facilitate employment, recruiting, and retention.
- That kind of employer back into Virginia?
- I serve as the Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission.
- employer.
- So when we, so for 2026, the employers were only For 2026, the employers were only subject to the base
Summary:
The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave.
Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting.
Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Commission on Unemployment Compensation Jul 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have to facilitate employment, recruiting, and retention.
- All of the resources and supports that are needed.
- That kind of employer back into Virginia?
- employer.
- So when we, so for 2026, the employers were only For 2026, the employers were only subject to the base
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services Mar 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- employer.
- would support a revenue model that would, for example, require employers to pay a fee to support health
- For example, require employers to pay a fee to support health coverage.
- Rather than imposing these measures, we'd like to focus on collaborative solutions that support employers
- And we support...
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- I urge your support of this bill.
- We're here today in support of HB 2513.
- We're here today supporting HB 2611.
- It is the county employment that did that. Employers have the ability to do that.
- It is the county employment that did that. Employers have the ability to do that.
Committee:
House Labor & Workplace Standards
Keywords:
plumbing contractor, plumber, license suspension, credential suspension, administrative penalty, infractions, repeat violator, consumer protection, residential plumbing, construction licensing, Washington Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, plumbing certificate fund, code enforcement, professional licensing, trade regulation, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here in strong support of SB 6152.
- And data supports this.
- And data supports this.
- On behalf of the Washington Employment Lawyers Association, I represent employees with regard to employment
- It only supports the working class."
Summary:
The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes.
The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact.
Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/21/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- But I would say that most employers are extremely supportive.
- </c> that we have a program called employer that we have a program called employer support<05:45:18.478
- But I would say that mostly we encounter employers that are very supportive, and they like the energy
- Would you like me to put you in contact with our Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve office?
- </c> contact with our um employee uh employer contact with our um employee uh employer support<05:48:
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Two - Tuesday, February 17 -Morning Session-
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, yeah, so, and once again, for the purposes of the joint employer, being considered a joint employer
- That would affect their employment. So I think that would be an employment decision. Do you agree?”
- I rise today in support of House Bill 2423.
- Rise to support this amendment.
- So support the amendment and support the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker." "Gentleman from St.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 126-0. Members then offered several points of personal privilege and introductions, including recognition of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, a tribute and moment of silence for the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, and greetings to various visiting groups such as manufacturers, FFA students, university graduate students, and the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps for an America 250 event.
The chamber then moved through first reading of several bills and took up multiple measures for perfection and printing. House Bill 2596, dealing with multiple employer self-insured health plans for small businesses, received supportive testimony from members who said it would help small employers recruit and retain workers and modernize outdated law; it was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1644, establishing a franchise-specific joint employer standard, drew extensive debate over liability, franchisor control, and whether it would protect small franchise businesses without limiting legitimate claims; it was also adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2423, updating consumer credit licensing fees for the fee-funded Division of Finance, was presented as a way to keep the agency self-funded and maintain consumer protection staffing, and it too was ordered perfected and printed.
The House also considered House Bill 2641, which would regulate intoxicating hemp products and align state law with federal changes set to take effect on November 12, 2026. The bill’s sponsor said it was intended to protect children, provide clarity, and create a coordinated enforcement framework, while opponents argued it was unconstitutional because it would effectively reclassify hemp products under the marijuana framework in Article 14 of the Missouri Constitution and could harm lawful hemp businesses. An amendment and a technical amendment were adopted, and the bill was then adopted and perfected and printed as amended. The House later announced committee meetings and other notices before voting to recess until 2 p.m.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- We support House Bill 1072.
- </c> uh which supports uh House Bill 1072. uh which supports uh House Bill 1072.
- So, uh we support the very beneficial. So, uh we support the bill. bill. bill.
- </c> employer because my friend uh Mr. employer because my friend uh Mr.
- Um, and it supports the fact that employers who take this step, put it all in the writing, it helps set
Committee:
Senate Commerce
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations May 7th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- It costs employers.
- The employer shall pay invoices...”
- This also protects, I believe, public safety while supporting great hiring practices, fair employment
- “Employment practices.
- This also protects, I believe, public safety while supporting great hiring practices, fair employment
Committee:
House Labor & Industrial Relations
Summary:
The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote.
The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- We urge your support. Thank you.
- When we reduce barriers to employment, support entrepreneurship, and invest in prevention, we reduce
- These organizations provide housing support, employment pathways, mentorship, and community connection
- We strongly support SB 6355.
- while supporting their teams.
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
Keywords:
collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I also want to note that we support sections 5 through 8 of the bill, which regulate how employers can
- I also want to note that we support sections 5 through 8 of the bill, which regulate how employers can
- </c> seating requirement on employers. seating requirement on employers.
- </c> employers of all sizes and industries. employers of all sizes and industries.
- I don't support that in the bill.
Committee:
Senate Labor
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee Mar 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The primary witnesses in support must be those accompanied by the author or who have registered a support
- Leah Griffin with AFSCME in support.
- We ask you to support AB 1818. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any other witnesses in support?
- Leah Griffin with AFSCME in support. Thank you. Sandra Brewer with SEIU California in support.
- For example, in two-party litigation, where an employer, between an employer and an employee, if an employer
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several labor and retirement bills. AB 1582 by Assembly Member Ortega would make it an unfair labor practice for a higher education employer to disregard or delay arbitration decisions involving contracting out, with make-whole relief including attorney fees and costs. Supporters from AFSCME and other labor groups said UC has repeatedly ignored arbitration outcomes on outsourcing disputes, while UC opposed the bill as an overbroad change that could create systemwide operational and financial risk. The committee passed the bill on a do-pass basis to Appropriations.
AB 1818 by Assembly Member Ortega would repeal an outdated HEERA provision that CSU has used to reopen bargaining when it claims state funding is insufficient. Teamsters and other labor supporters argued CSU has used the provision to avoid honoring negotiated raises, while CSU said the bill would limit its ability to manage compensation responsibly when state funding is uncertain. The committee also passed AB 1818 to Appropriations.
AB 1564 by Assembly Member Arreguín would make communications between an employee and union representative confidential in public employment matters. Labor supporters said the measure would protect trust in the representational relationship and codify existing PERB case law, while school, local government, county, city, and business groups warned it could hinder workplace investigations, including those involving student safety and harassment. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 1844 by Assembly Member Pacheco, placed on the consent calendar, would update Judges’ Retirement System 2 to allow non-spouse beneficiaries for survivor benefits and to extend access to survivor options for vested judges; it was approved unanimously, 7-0. After all items were taken up, the committee adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Beyond that, you will find employer-supported professional certifications, immigration assistance, and
- Beyond that, you will find employer-supported professional certifications, immigration assistance, and
- Beyond that, you will find employer-supported professional certifications, immigration assistance, and
- Beyond that, you will find employer-supported professional certifications, immigration assistance, and
- Employer investment in employee development, support, and training portfolios.
Committee:
Senate Labor
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- DCFS child support notification.
- The employment strategy: So with the employment strategy, as I mentioned a second ago, working with Vos
- itself is making in them, but what employers continually ask for is kind of clarity and support, right
- leads, and employment preparation.
- Once employment was verified, Goodwill's reentry program provided critical supportive services to Alex
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice