Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation<00:13:46.200> for<00:13:46.320> labor<00:13:46.600> and<00:13:46.680><
• c> medical<00:13:47.040> supplies Inflation for labor and medical supplies Inflation for labor
• that charity care, when you look at it, has originated directly from either the emergency room or labor
• being gone for an extended period of time, which we have impacts for looking at overtime, contract labor
• being gone for an extended period of time, which we have impacts for looking at overtime, contract labor

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a labor union representing over 18,000 state workers across all agencies, boards, and commissions
• heard both pro and con from various interests in the state: business interests, education interests, labor
• heard both pro and con from various interests in the state: business interests, education interests, labor
• heard both pro and con from various interests in the state: business interests, education interests, labor
• :53.160> state, ...various interests in the state, business interests, education interests, labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, rising labor costs, inflation, labor shortages, scarcity of ... some degree flood uh flooding
• Um,<00:10:51.680> again,<00:10:52.079> rising<00:10:52.480> labor<00:10:52.880><
• c> costs, Um, again, rising labor costs, Um, again, rising labor costs, inflation,<00:10:54.640><
• , labor shortages, and scarcity of materials all lead to increased costs for the insurers and increased
• needed to repair and rebuild pose labor needed to repair and rebuild pose new<00:58:00.319> levels

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:15 Department of Insurance Update 00:01:39 Department of Financial Institutions Update 00:37:07 Insurance Industry Update 00:54:50 Credit Union Industry Update 01:10:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 16 minutes, and then received an update from Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark and staff on the Department of Insurance. Clark reviewed department activity, including growth in premium volume and licensing, consumer complaints and recoveries, and a rise in fraud referrals. She said the department has 66 open fraud cases and described common schemes such as staged auto accidents, inflated repair or cleanup charges, and roofing scams. She also said the department’s investigators often prepare strong cases but face reluctance from local prosecutors, especially in Fayette and Jefferson counties, to pursue them. Clark reported favorable workers’ compensation news, saying rates will decrease 9.7% next year for the 20th straight year. She contrasted that with a difficult property insurance market driven by storms, reinsurance costs, inflation, labor shortages, and litigation, but said Kentucky’s market remains relatively stable, citing the Kentucky Fair Plan’s small number of policies. She then warned of significant 2026 health insurance premium increases on the exchange: 16.1% for Molina, 23% for Anthem, and 37% for WCare, after CareSource withdrew. She said the rates were reviewed by actuaries and found fair, but that the biggest pressure point is the scheduled expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which she said could leave about 90% of exchange enrollees facing a compounded increase. Members questioned Clark about fraud prosecution, the number of people in commercial versus public coverage, and the impact of expiring subsidies. Clark said the prosecution issue is mainly with Commonwealth attorneys and that rural counties are more cooperative than urban ones. She also said the health market is individually rated and that older enrollees would be hit harder, while the loss of tax credits could push some people out of the marketplace. One member asked about the attorney general’s recent opinion on SB 188, the PBM bill; staff said attorneys were still reviewing it. Clark closed by noting that Kentucky’s fraud and towing/storage legislation has become a model for other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• different<01:31:26.400> studios<01:31:26.880> as<01:31:27.120> I Erotic Laborers
• I would even volunteer Erotic Laborers Alliance to be involved.
• Erotic<01:32:55.360> Laborers<01:32:55.760> Alliance<01:32:56.159> has<01:32:56.400
• > been Erotic Laborers Alliance has been Erotic Laborers Alliance has been included<01:32:57.280
• > be laborers alliance to be laborers alliance to be involved.<01:33:14.480> The<01:33:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And last year it led to 74,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in labor income, $9.1 billion in GDP.
• And last year it led to 74,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in labor income, $9.1 billion in GDP.
• And last year it led to 74,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in labor income, $9.1 billion in GDP.
• And last year it led to 74,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in labor income, $9.1 billion in GDP.
• And last year it led to 74,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in labor income, $9.1 billion in GDP.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• compacts that have come before this committee in the area of regulatory oversight, patron protections, labor
• exactly as the Chair mentioned, it contains our standard protections for workers, including a tribal labor

Summary: The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee held an informational hearing on a tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Big Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono Indians. Chair Blanca Rubio explained that no formal vote would be taken because the Legislature cannot amend the compact; SB 49 by Senator Grove is the ratification bill that would later come before the Assembly floor. The hearing focused on the compact’s background, including two amendments to extend an existing 1999 gaming compact while the new agreement was finalized. Matthew Lee from the Governor’s Office said the new compact is substantially similar to prior compacts but was revised to address the federal Department of the Interior’s earlier disapproval. He explained that the compact now includes CEQA exemptions and an explicit exclusivity provision that Interior had wanted to see in the compact itself. He also described standard terms such as worker protections, revenue sharing with the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, reimbursement of state regulatory costs, local government distributions, and authorization for up to 3,000 gaming devices at up to two facilities. Big Sandy Rancheria Chairwoman Elizabeth Hutchins testified in support of SB 49, saying the compact is important to the tribe’s long-term economic development, self-sufficiency, and ability to provide services to members. She noted the tribe’s ties to the Fresno area and said the new compact includes an impact mitigation fund to support local law enforcement, emergency services, and neighboring jurisdictions. No committee questions were raised, there was no public comment, and the chair adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have the too labor intensive. We don't have the staff.
• It's labor the staff to do this. It's labor intensive. intensive. intensive.
• It's not just your special ed costs are mostly labor. Your public school costs are mostly labor.
• Your public school costs mostly labor.
• are mostly labor. They're people. are mostly labor. They're people.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission meeting focused on reviewing and correcting draft minutes and then working through a draft report on the cost of special education. Members made mostly clerical corrections, including clarifying references to Spalding, fixing acronyms such as LETRS, and cleaning up membership titles and appointee roles to match SB 57. The minutes were approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair also noted the commission’s deadline to complete findings and recommendations by July 1 and said the final report must be delivered to legislative leaders, the governor, the state librarian, and others. The main substantive discussion centered on the report’s findings about special education funding. Members agreed the report should emphasize that the commission was created to study the cost of special education and reduce reliance on local property taxes. One draft section described FY24 special education funding as coming from three primary state and federal sources totaling about $152 million, or roughly 15% of annual costs, with the remaining 85% paid by local school districts through property tax revenue, estimated at about $825 million. Members discussed adding historical or longitudinal data to show trends over time, and some suggested attaching charts or tables showing funding over the last 20 to 30 years. A second major topic was demographic data. The draft noted that statewide K-12 enrollment has declined since 2003 while the number and share of students with IEPs has increased. Members questioned whether the data compared like with like, especially given the growth of Education Freedom Accounts and charter school enrollment, and whether the figures included or excluded those students. Several members asked for clearer sourcing from the Department of Education and suggested keeping a list of unresolved questions, including the impact of the shift from ADMA to ADMR and the effect of the EFA program. The discussion ended with agreement to continue refining the report and to gather additional attachments and clarifications before finalizing recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• in New Hampshire and also cost of labor in New Hampshire and also cost of labor here<00:56:49.359
• <01:33:51.760> Um labor for manufacturers etc. Um labor for manufacturers etc.
• chairman, chairman of the labor chairman, chairman of the labor committee<03:47:52.720> said,
• It because it didn't go to the labor.
• It got to you didn't get back to labor.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I spoke to Rich Labors, Deputy Commissioner over at NHES, who was here last week. um<01:52:55.199>
• on assumptions I spoke to Rich labors on assumptions I spoke to Rich labors Deputy<01:53:27.960>
• So the two I thought of, that's one: the Labor Department.
• Most of these cases have to do with labor.
• <04:35:43.320> Relations that Labor Relations that Labor Relations Board<04:35:45.719>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and maintenance has continued to labor, and maintenance has continued to escalate<01:30:50.800>
• Labor and delivery units across New Hampshire are already facing increasingly uncertain conditions as
• in ending labor and delivery services<03:29:00.479> at<03:29:00.720> that<03:29:00.960
• <03:29:05.040> and Dartmouth Health ended its labor and Dartmouth Health ended its labor and
• across<03:29:11.520> New Labor and delivery units across New Labor and delivery units

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Labor unions were obviously desirous of having it passed, but it would have benefited all Americans,
• American laborers, the working class.
• <05:23:25.400> unions<05:23:25.798> were Americans labor unions were Americans labor
• <05:23:38.200> the<05:23:38.480> working laborers the working laborers the working class
• <05:25:23.718> would raised if we pass the proa labor would raised if we pass the proa labor

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Elmer Lazzardo, with the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support. Thank you.
• Alma Lazzardo, with the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support. Thank you.
• Elmer Lozardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support. My name is Yolanda Rieta.
• And if this were the Labor Committee or another committee, perhaps I'd raise it there.
• Elman Lassardi, on behalf of the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, members, this bill comes to us from the Labor Committee, and it is anticipated that this will be
• We testified in opposition to this bill when it was before the Senate Labor Committee a few weeks ago
• Schoddehorst, this bill was heard in Labor Committee three weeks or so ago.
• Schoddehorst, this bill was heard<01:19:37.120> in<01:19:37.240> Labor<01:19:37.520>
• Committee 3 weeks or so heard in Labor Committee 3 weeks or so ago.<01:19:39.440> Have ago.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After my scheduled and planned delivery did not go as expected, after 23 hours of labor, the medical
• These include rising pharmaceutical costs, labor costs, medical supplies, equipment, health insurance
• AFSCME is a public- and private-sector labor union.
• > researchers, systems, business leaders, researchers, systems, business leaders, researchers, labor
• unions, and above all patients and labor unions, and above all patients and staff<01:01:41.680> must

Bills: HF4841, HF4234, HF3697

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll go ahead and read an introduction of this bill as it did come out of joint labor, health, and
• Again, committee, this bill was sponsored by Joint Labor and Health, and I'll give a brief overview of
• facility fee to us for a client in labor facility fee to us for a client in labor and<01:31:01.520
• Can you give us any idea of hospitals, communities that have lost labor and delivery units, say in the
• and delivery units, say in the labor and delivery units, say in the last<01:38:10.000> one<01

Bills: HB0003, HB0004

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Labor Committee will be providing the same recommendation: to pass with amendments.
• This would establish labor standards for renewable energy projects.
• Same recommendation for the Labor Committee to pass with amendments. Members, any comments?
• For the Labor Committee, the same recommendation to pass with amendments is adopted.
• establish labor standards for renewable<02:28:47.200> energy<02:28:47.680> projects<02

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later. The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as we’ve learned in Children and Families, the largest cost is labor cost, right, and paying health
• We’ve learned in Children and Families that the largest cost is labor cost, right, and paying health
• talk to, you know, I know we have some unique challenges in Greater Minnesota with costs and with labor
• talk to, you know, I know we have some unique challenges in Greater Minnesota with costs and with labor
• talk to, you know, I know we have some unique challenges in Greater Minnesota with costs and with labor

Bills: HF1277, HF812, HF457, HF633

Keywords: data centers, tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, economic development, employment growth, income tax, tax brackets, tax adjustments, Minnesota, tax policy, underutilized buildings, adaptive reuse, building conversion, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, vacant property, vacancy reduction, refundable tax credit, income tax credit, grant in lieu of credit

Transcript Highlights:

• He has spoken to the labor chair, and as the chair of the Commerce Committee, I support the move as well
• <02:08:37.840> and<02:08:38.040> economic<02:08:38.599> development Workforce labor
• and economic development Workforce labor and economic development finance<02:08:39.639> and<02
• inadvertently assigned to the labor inadvertently assigned to the labor committee<02:09:02.599><
• <02:09:03.559> chair committee have spoken to the labor chair committee have spoken to the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we're already struggling to have enough labor to run the stores.
• limited have limited space we have limited resources<00:44:43.640> limited<00:44:44.160> labor
• > run struggling to have enough labor to run struggling to have enough labor to run the<00:44:
• That's what I'm saying, and I don't think we have the labor and the health and safety...
• and the health and safety have the labor and the health and safety well<00:48:48.680> well<00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 103, relating to electric vehicle batteries, and then moved to Senate Bill 995, relating to renewable fuel. On SB 103, the Department of Health and the State Energy Office supported the measure, and Redwood Materials said it supported the bill’s intent but requested an amendment to add a battery recycler to the commission. Other testimony on SB 103 included support from several individuals and organizations, with one opponent noted. A committee member also raised a possible deadline change requested by the Alliance of Automobile Innovation for future work on the measure. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 995, which would create tax incentives for sustainable aviation fuel and related renewable fuel production. Supporters included the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, Pono Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines, the Tax Foundation, PAR Hawaii, Pacific Biodiesel, and others. Supporters said the bill would help build a local SAF industry, encourage camelina and other feedstocks, and advance decarbonization goals. Several supporters also said they had proposed amendments or technical comments and stood on their written testimony. Opposition testimony argued the bill could allow toxic waste feedstocks, such as construction and demolition waste, into fuel production, and questioned whether the incentives would truly benefit Hawaii farmers or consumers. One opponent said the bill’s benefits could flow to the producer and to imported feedstocks rather than to local agriculture, and another questioned the scale of local land and water available for camelina production. Committee members pressed witnesses on acreage, water use, expected yields, the role of PAR Hawaii’s refinery investment, and whether the state would be subsidizing a business decision that might not produce significant local fuel. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• board process involves 10 staff members in the Department of Corrections, and the total cost for the labor
• extremely reduced wages that are well below the legally allowable minimum wage for non-incarcerated labor

Bills: SB309, SB309

Summary: The House Corrections Committee met and considered Senate Bill 309 with Senate Amendment 1, which would end the Department of Corrections’ practice of deducting room-and-board charges from wages earned by incarcerated people. Supporters said the bill would help people in work release and other correctional programs keep more of their earnings for reentry needs, while still allowing deductions for child support, restitution, court costs, fines, and other court-ordered obligations. The sponsor also argued the current collection process costs the state more to administer than it brings in, citing roughly $40,000 in annual revenue versus about $137,000 in administrative costs. A Department of Correction witness clarified that the bill applies to level four work release only, affecting about 300 people, and would not change level five populations or Delaware Correctional Industries programming. He also said the funds are held in a non-interest-bearing account and then sent to the general fund. Public commenters, including a private citizen, the ACLU of Delaware, and the Tide Shift Justice Project, strongly supported the bill and argued that incarceration costs should be borne by the state rather than deducted from already low wages. After discussion, a motion was made to release the bill from committee and a roll-call vote was taken. The vote appeared to have enough support among members present, but because fewer than five members were present, the committee could not fully release the bill and instead would circulate it for additional signatures. The committee then adjourned.