Transcript Highlights:

• Gomez, fairness for agricultural laborers. Amendment No. 41 by Mr.
• lawmakers who wanted to continue exploiting Black agricultural labor.
• Those discriminatory exclusions... ...Black agricultural labor.
• Workers who perform skilled, physically demanding labor deserve the same wage floor as every other worker
• By passing Amendment 41, we are saying clearly, in Massachusetts, immigrant labor is valued labor, and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate resumed debate on An Act Fostering Agricultural Resilience in Massachusetts and considered a series of amendments focused on farm economics, land preservation, energy, labor, and agricultural education. Senator Tarr’s Amendment 5, allowing local-option tax exemptions for newly constructed farm buildings for up to five years, was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-0. Several other Tarr amendments were debated but not adopted, including proposals on APR criteria and climate resilience, a one-stop permit and grant portal, a foreign-ownership farmland registry, horse-riding instructor licensing, expanding farm-based renewable energy, a farm stand waiver process, non-agricultural conversion notice requirements, and a health and wellness amendment. Senator Mark’s Amendment 20, creating a Massachusetts Food Tourism Task Force to support marketing and procurement of agricultural goods, was adopted. Senator Gomez’s Amendment 41 on farmworker fairness and wage protections was withdrawn after discussion, with Senators Eldridge and Comerford speaking in support of continued work on the issue. Senator Fattman’s Amendment 34, directing a study of agricultural schools and regional workforce needs, was adopted by roll call vote 37-0. The chamber also took up several procedural matters and extension orders. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means amendment and then ordered the agricultural bill to a third reading before passing it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39-0. Separately, the Senate adopted extension orders for the Committee on Revenue and the Committee on Financial Services, with Senators Eldridge and Feeney explaining the need for additional time on revenue and financial services bills; Senator Tarr raised concerns about the scope and duration of some of the extensions. The Senate also approved an extension for a financial technology services bill. In addition to legislative action, the Senate observed a moment of silence in memory of Mark K. Harris after a motion by Senators Collins and Miranda, and recognized guests for Youth Mentoring Day and the Mass Mentoring Program. The chamber also passed a memorial overpass designation for U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville and a local alcohol-license bill for the town of Topsfield. The session concluded with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m., with the adjournment also dedicated to the memory of Mark K. Harris.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gomez: fairness for agricultural laborers. Amendment No. 41 by Mr.
• lawmakers who wanted to continue exploiting Black agricultural labor.
• Those discriminatory exclusions Black agricultural labor.
• Workers who perform skilled, physically demanding labor deserve the same wage floor as every other worker
• By passing Amendment 41, we are saying clearly, in Massachusetts, immigrant labor is valued labor, and

Summary: The Senate resumed consideration of An Act Fostering Agricultural Resilience in Massachusetts and took up a series of amendments focused on farm taxation, land preservation, permitting, renewable energy, marketing, and labor standards. Amendment 5, offered by Senator Tarr, would allow local option tax exemptions for newly constructed farm buildings for up to five years; it was supported by Senator Comerford and adopted by a roll call vote of 38-0. Amendment 20, offered by Senator Mark, created a Massachusetts Food Tourism Task Force to improve marketing and promotion of agricultural goods, and it was also adopted. Several other Tarr amendments were debated but rejected, including proposals on APR criteria, a one-stop permitting and grants portal, foreign ownership tracking in the farmland registry, horse-riding instruction licensure, higher solar/agrovoltaics caps on farmland, farm stand waiver flexibility, notice before conversion of registered farmland, and a health and wellness amendment. A major point of debate was Amendment 41, offered by Senator Gomez, which sought to extend wage and hour protections to agricultural laborers, including raising the subminimum wage, adding overtime, paid breaks, and paid time off. Senator Gomez described the measure as a correction to racist historical exclusions, and Senator Eldridge and Senator Comerford spoke in support of stronger worker protections and continued negotiations. The sponsor ultimately withdrew the amendment, saying talks with stakeholders and Senate leadership would continue. The chamber also heard a brief recognition for youth mentoring guests and later adopted a study amendment from Senator Fattman directing an assessment of the need for a Central Massachusetts agricultural school; that amendment passed 37-0. After the agricultural bill was amended by the Senate Ways and Means amendment and ordered to a third reading, the Senate passed the bill, An Act Fostering Agricultural Resilience in Massachusetts (S. 3029), to be engrossed by a vote of 39-0. The Senate then adopted several committee extension orders, including extensions for the Revenue Committee and the Financial Services Committee, with some discussion about the number and scope of bills covered. The chamber also passed a local bill designating the U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville Veterans Memorial Overpass in Sandwich and another local alcohol licensing bill for Topsfield. The session ended with recognitions for community and youth groups, a motion to adjourn in memory of Mark K. Harris, and adjournment to the following day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gomez, fairness for agricultural laborers. Amendment No. 41 by Mr.
• lawmakers who wanted to continue exploiting Black agricultural labor.
• Those discriminatory exclusions... ...Black agricultural labor.
• Workers who perform skilled, physically demanding labor deserve the same wage floor as every other worker
• By passing Amendment 41, we are saying clearly, in Massachusetts, immigrant labor is valued labor, and

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• authority to teach our students, that we are confident, and they are confident, that they have the skills
• As was stated by the sponsors of this bill, obtaining the foundational skills for literacy by the third
• relationship between vision problems in young children and deficits in pre-literacy and literacy skills
• stigma that may go along with that child who's trying to learn, legitimately has the educational skills
• With the making sure our children have the appropriate literacy skills is so beneficial to all of us

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first handled a House petition from John H. Rawlers and others seeking eminent domain authority for a parcel in Norwood; Joint Rule 12 was suspended and the matter was referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The chamber then resumed debate on the literacy bill, with Senator Tarr offering a series of amendments focused on school district funding, teacher competency, reporting, waivers, and curriculum implementation. Most of Tarr’s amendments were rejected, but one requiring written, appealable denials of district waivers was adopted by roll call, and another amendment on reporting from the Early Literacy Fund, including provisions for English language learners and special education educators, was also adopted. A separate amendment extending the timeline for DESE to publish high-quality curricula was adopted, while several other amendments were withdrawn or defeated. The Senate also considered and adopted an amendment from Senator Comerford addressing rural and regional equity in education funding. That amendment expanded eligible uses of the Early Literacy Fund to include screening assessments, required DESE to prioritize geographic and funding equity, mandated a public hearing in Western Massachusetts before final grant criteria were finalized, and directed technical assistance to rural districts. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, emphasizing chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, minimum-aid pressures, and the need for a broader review of the Chapter 70 formula and a Foundation Budget Review Commission. The amendment passed unanimously. Later, the Senate took up an amendment from Senator Moore on children’s vision care, which would have created a registry for vision screening and expanded eye exam requirements, but it was withdrawn after supportive debate. The chamber then adopted the Ways and Means redraft, ordered the bill to third reading, and passed An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. Final passage was also achieved for a separate House land-taking bill allowing the town of Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, which passed by the required two-thirds vote and was enacted. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday and adjourned in memory of Donna Goldstein.

Transcript Highlights:

• ability of the T.S.A., or Transportation Security Administration, to recruit and retain a highly skilled
• ability of the T.S.A., or Transportation Security Administration, to recruit and retain a highly skilled
• The axe falls regardless of skill, regardless of merit or accomplishment; it falls without Regard to
• Imposing tariffs on North American companies already struggling to compete with penny-wage labor abroad
• IMPOSING TARIFFS ON NORTH AMERICAN COMPANIES ALREADY STRUGGLING TO COMPETE WITH PENNY WAGE LABOR ABROAD

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> inspiring future child labor laws. inspiring future child labor laws.
• His caregiver is receiving family skills training. He's back in school.
• </c> placement, he is now receiving skills placement, he is now receiving skills training<01:36:49.560
• </c> caregiver is receiving family skills caregiver is receiving family skills training.<01:36:53.880
• </c> his support team are learning the skills his support team are learning the skills they<01:36:57.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• public safety to... ...with these members on many issues, from transportation and public safety to labor
• And based upon the words that you speak, the quality or the quantity, but our communication skills are
• And Charlie's excellent communication skills are exhibited through his listening skills.
• , transportation considerations, travel time to the hospital, and identification of an alternative labor
• , transportation considerations, travel time to the hospital, and identification of an alternative labor

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, opened with a moment of silence for Ted Williams, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then accepted the previous day’s minutes and moved into a series of recognitions, beginning with House Resolution 27 designating June 24, 2026 as Staff Appreciation Day. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber spent much of the meeting honoring legislative staff across both caucuses, with members and staff introducing themselves and being recognized for years of service and behind-the-scenes work. The House also recognized staff member Justin, who is leaving for a position with the Delaware State Board of Education, and later gave farewell remarks for Representative Kevin Hensley and Representative Charles Postles, both of whom are retiring. Numerous members spoke in tribute to their service, constituent work, and personal character, and both Hensley and Postles offered remarks thanking colleagues, staff, and family. The House then received communications from the Senate, including several bills and resolutions passed and returned, and a notice of Senate concurrence on other measures. Representative Wilson-Anton made a brief statement explaining her vote on Senate Bill 100 and reaffirming support for marriage equality and related civil rights issues. The chamber also took up Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, which set the official revenue estimates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027; both were read, called to roll, and passed by constitutional majority votes of 37-4 and 40-1, respectively. Finally, the House considered Senate Bill 335, the operating budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Representative Williams presented the budget on behalf of the Joint Finance Committee, describing major funding items including raises for state and education employees, health insurance and retiree benefit funding, developmental disability services, Medicaid growth, purchase of care, and maintenance of reserve funds. Several members praised the committee’s work, while Representative Shupe said he would vote no, citing concerns about the budget’s 6.3% growth despite appreciating the committee’s effort. After the budget presentation and comments, Leader Harris moved that the House recess for party caucuses, and the House stood in recess until the call of the bell.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the labor movement, local chapters unite to create a powerful collective voice. ...branches of SEIU
• In the labor movement, local chapters unite to create a powerful collective voice.
• supports like housing and educational support, financial stipends, and independent living and life skills
• So I'm proud of our child care providers today that offered testimony, of course, to our labor partners
• So I'm proud of our child care providers today that offer testimony, of course, to our labor partners

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard testimony on a series of bills affecting disability services, child welfare, foster youth, domestic violence survivors, guaranteed income pilots, crisis response, and child care providers. AB 1575 would update the Lanterman Act to use person-first language and broaden respite services to allow safe community access; supporters said it would improve dignity and consistency in services, and there was no opposition. AB 2470 would create a statewide one-stop reentry program for survivors of intimate partner violence to replace documents, repair credit, and access housing supports, while also giving CalWORKs emergency housing funds more flexibility; the Little Hoover Commission backed the bill based on its prior recommendations. AB 2510 would clarify and expand CalWORKs family reunification aid so parents can keep receiving support during reunification even if not all children are removed, and supporters said it would reduce barriers and better align with reunification goals. AB 2585 would expand guaranteed income pilot funding to rural and underserved counties, with testimony emphasizing the need for geographic diversity and data from places like the Central Valley. AB 1932, the Crisis Act 2.0, would continue and strengthen community-based mental health crisis response programs; testimony from family members and advocates strongly favored non-law-enforcement responses, and the bill drew broad support. AB 1925 would direct a feasibility study on a statewide permanent disability certification process to reduce repeated verification burdens; the committee approved it 4-0 and sent it to Appropriations. AB 2189 would fund a statewide special education parent action network to train and connect parents for systemic advocacy; after some opposition over the use of state funds for advocacy, it passed as amended and was referred to Education. AB 2684 would allow out-of-state nonminor dependents to do monthly social worker visits virtually, with in-person visits still required quarterly; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1967 would improve pathways for older youth experiencing homelessness or failed adoptions to enter or reenter foster care, and it passed to Appropriations. AB 2126 would create a targeted background-check exemption for certain former foster youth hired as peer partners, and it passed as amended to Public Safety. AB 2379 would require DSS to notify family child care providers of Fourth Amendment rights and provide multilingual know-your-rights training regarding immigration enforcement; it passed to Judiciary after some members questioned whether DSS was the right agency to administer the training.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether they're acquiring their English language skills or earning a high school equivalency credential
• Speaker, your Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, to whom has been referred House Bill 270
• Speaker, your Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, too much been referred House Bill 270,
• Speaker, your Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, to whom has been referred House Bill 280
• Speaker, your Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, to whom has been referred House Memorial

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB145, HB154, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB38, HB47, HB63, HB64, HB127, HB165, HB184, HB200, HM20, HM51

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• knowledge of the Administrative Procedures Act, and the regulatory process is a pretty specialized skill
• Most people that have that skill are already within state government.
• We said, sit down with labor, labor saying, hey, should we really have to replace these, but we're not
• We're a business-labor coalition working to deploy CCS and CDR technologies in California.
• Chairman, Virgil Welch, on behalf of the California Carbon Solutions Coalition, we're a business labor

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• , work skills, and social skills.
• , work skills, and social skills.
• , work skills, and social skills.
• So, talking about the work skills that are needed and social supports, so soft skills and social skills
• and social supports, so soft skills and social skills<01:13:02.719><c> through</c><01:13:03.120><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Department of Defense puts all this money into their training, puts money to their job skills,
• Walters, I am concerned about the imprisonment piece at hard labor.
• Is there a reason why you need to imprison someone for smoking marijuana at hard labor?
• Does it say at hard labor or does it say with or without hard labor?
• So, with or without hard labor is just the distinction between a misdemeanor and a felony, Rep.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 74, which would create a Louisiana Spectrum Alert for missing persons with autism spectrum disorder. Representative Eccles said the alert would be modeled on Amber and senior alerts and could be absorbed within existing resources. The committee heard emotional support testimony from a parent describing the dangers of elopement and drowning risks for autistic children, and several members voiced support. HB 74 was reported favorably. Members then considered HB 1033 and HB 1034 by Chairman Bacala. HB 1033 expands the statutory definition of critical infrastructure to include additional facilities such as airports, spaceports, aerospace facilities, mass transit, government facilities, military installations, and oil and gas exploration platforms. It drew mostly support from economic development and law enforcement groups, with one opposition card from the Sierra Club, and was reported favorably. HB 1034 authorizes parish presidents, mayors, sheriffs, police chiefs, and chief executive officers to establish temporary protection zones for public safety for up to 72 hours, with a warning before criminal penalties attach. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying that the bill cannot be used in a manner inconsistent with state firearms preemption law, heard concerns from the ACLU about vagueness and possible overreach, and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 59, by Representative Marcel, would require East Baton Rouge Parish and its municipalities to fund the 19th Judicial District public defender’s office in a manner parallel to the district attorney funding structure. The bill drew support from the public defender, the district attorney, and the state public defender, but several members raised concerns that the language could create an unfunded mandate or litigation risk for local governments. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 59 favorably. HB 175, as amended, redirected $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund administered by a new board in the Department of Veterans Affairs; testimony emphasized support for veterans programs, treatment courts, homelessness services, and community organizations, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced HB 568, which increases penalties for drug-free school zone violations involving open marijuana use and other drug activity. Supporters said the bill would give law enforcement and prosecutors a clearer tool to address visible drug use near schools and large events, while opponents warned it could over-criminalize marijuana and create proof problems. The committee reported HB 568 favorably. Finally, HB 525, which requires DPS&C to publish certain incarceration data online, was amended to remove parish jail census data after DPS&C said it would not post that portion; the department said it would publish the remaining data and codebook online. The committee then reported HB 525 favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not the most robust labor pool we have.
• My concern would be a large-scale labor market competitor right next door to another facility that's
• Probably first and foremost would be a healthy labor market, and then access to major transportation
• But the first thing is going to be a labor market.
• So you'll be considering the size of the labor market, the regional cost of living, things like that.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Budget Committee first heard the Missouri National Guard’s FY27 budget request. Brig. Gen. Bob Payne described the Guard’s dual state and federal mission, recent deployments, counterdrug work, and infrastructure needs. Committee members asked about spending priorities, an internal auditor position required by statute, and a new NDI for World Cup support in Kansas City. The committee then moved into executive session on House Bill 2014, reviewed the House committee substitute and several amendments, and adopted amendments related to the State Fair language, a $50,000 legal expense item, and committee communication language, while rejecting a proposed fund swap for the Great American State Fair. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass by 24-0, with one present vote. The committee then began its public hearing on the Department of Corrections FY27 budget. DOC officials outlined a new stipend for CERT team members, core reductions in several administrative areas, and multiple new decision items, including staffing incentives for maximum and medium security institutions and a large increase for food service costs. Members asked about PREA allegations, education funding through Title I and Perkins grants, restitution payments, overtime, utility costs, inmate canteen funds, and staffing/retention challenges. DOC also discussed the prison nursery, vacancies in warden positions, and the limits on using facilities for pre-sentence mental health housing. No votes were taken on the Corrections budget during the portion shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So on the labor shortage, could you maybe just give us an update? Chair.
• So on the labor shortage, could you maybe just give us an update?
• The thing that's, that I put for labor shortage, one of the things is...
• laborers, it's still a difficult time period and the need continues to grow for those.
• So that will labor in the point. So you mentioned utilization.

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget presentations and questions from several health and human services agencies, with members repeatedly emphasizing that agency numbers had been posted since October and that questioning should stay focused and brief. The Office of Juvenile Affairs said its $5.45 million request would support 162 employees receiving a pay adjustment, and members asked about juvenile care conditions and staffing. The Department of Human Services discussed major changes to child care subsidy funding, including a reduced subsidy request, a $11.5 million child care teacher recruitment/retention request, and planned eligibility and reimbursement changes; it also reviewed SNAP administrative cost shifts under federal law, the state’s SNAP error rate, and the risk of large future state costs if the error rate is not reduced. DHS also addressed TANF reserves, the DDS waiver wait list, the Greer Center buildout, the Advantage waiver supplemental, and meal service options for waiver members. OCCY described a largely personnel-driven budget, requests for more oversight staff, and workload pressures in juvenile competency evaluations. The Office of Disability Concerns reported a flat budget and said it relies mainly on mediation and informal resolution rather than enforcement. OSU Medical Authority said its Tulsa expansion, VA skybridge, and c-section suites remain on schedule, that psychiatric residency funding is being phased in over several years, and that it is working to reduce contract labor and evaluate service lines. J.D. McCarty Center reported its new ABA outpatient clinic is on time and on budget and is nearing full capacity. OMMA said its lab is following required standards, its FTE count is below budgeted levels because hiring depends on lab accreditation and other unknowns, and dispensary numbers continue to decline as the market matures. Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services said it needs about $1.4 million to avoid a maintenance-of-effort penalty and discussed aging campus capital needs and staffing vacancies. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority then outlined a very large budget requirement driven by utilization growth and the shift to value-based care, saying FY26 is currently stable but FY27 would likely require additional appropriations if the request is not fully funded.

Transcript Highlights:

• must be positioned to respond to workforce needs, but more importantly, to lead in developing high-skill
• Equal opportunities to access something that no one can ever take from them: an education, skills, and
• labor to grow their businesses.
• have worked with continue to express how important participating in this program has been to their skill
• A skilled workforce is essential to our state's economic future, and this program lays the foundation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> apprentichip occupations in the skilled apprentichip occupations in the skilled trades<00:08:00.400
• </c> know every student can get these skills. know every student can get these skills.
• </c><00:29:31.360><c> because</c> help students get these skills because help students get these skills
• apply the their skills in help students apply the their skills in competitive<00:42:39.599><c> platforms
• These critical thinking skills for us.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 0:25 Approval of Minutes – 3-50 2025 RS SB 253 – 4:25 Computer Science and AI Literacy – 27:36 Fayette County School District Budget Update – 51:46 Adjournment – 2:09:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, introductions, and approval of the previous meeting minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation on SB 253, focused on expanding support for teacher apprenticeship and teaching-and-learning pathways. Senator Hickman and staff from the Kentucky Department of Education and Nelson County Schools described how the program uses dual credit, work-based learning, and registered apprenticeship to help students earn an associate degree in high school and continue toward a teaching degree. They said the goal is to address the teacher shortage by creating a sustainable pipeline into the profession. Witnesses emphasized that the main barrier is cost. Mary Taylor said Kentucky’s youth apprenticeship model has been successful in other fields and that education should be added as an in-demand sector, but an associate degree alone will not solve the teacher shortage because teachers still need a bachelor’s degree and certification. Laura Arnold of Nelson County Schools described the district’s Lead Nelson program, saying the district has invested more than $800,000 since 2021, currently has 37 students in the pathway and seven committed apprentices, and spends about $85,000 per apprentice from freshman year through certification. She said district staffing, planning, and university partnerships are also significant hurdles. Members asked about job guarantees, tenure, and retirement; Arnold said employment is performance-based and retirement issues are being considered. Senator Hickman said the bill would use lottery funds to help cover tuition and dual credit costs so more districts can participate, noting that a prior version died because of a high fiscal note. Representative Payne and Representative Tipton praised the program but stressed the need for funding and noted inconsistencies between statute and budget language on Work Ready Kentucky and dual credit support. Representative Tipton also cautioned that lottery revenue may not keep pace with demand and said the General Assembly may need to make broader funding decisions. After the apprenticeship discussion, the chair moved the committee to the next agenda item on computer science and AI literacy, where Code.org began a presentation on the importance of computer science for all students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recent EPR laws have moved toward reimbursing demonstrable costs for local governments, which include labor
• Recent EPR laws have moved toward reimbursing demonstrable costs for local governments, which include labor
• energy project owned by an ELUF, there are requirements for community workforce agreements or project labor
• ...protect against stranded assets, ensure grid reliability, that we count on the highly trained skills
• These are high-quality, family-wage jobs that support local communities and sustain a skilled construction

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2343, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain CAFO or individual discharge permit coverage for its game farms, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. The prime sponsor and local officials from Centralia said the WDFW pheasant farm has contributed to nitrate contamination in a critical aquifer, affecting drinking water and public health, and argued the state should be held to the same standards as private operators. WDFW testified that it has already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and is working with Ecology and local partners. Testimony from county health and residents largely supported the bill, citing elevated nitrate levels and health risks, especially for infants and pregnant people. The committee then heard House Bill 2301, which expands Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, aerosol paints, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the existing paint recycling program is working well and should be broadened to keep more materials out of landfills and reduce local hazardous waste costs. Local government witnesses supported the expansion but asked for changes on convenience standards, packaging coverage, and reimbursement for local collection costs. Ecology supported the overall concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for uniform standards, full reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservatives industry representative opposed including wood preservatives, saying they are not paint and have different handling requirements. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2515, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, defined mainly as large data centers and virtual currency mining facilities. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts, demand response or curtailment provisions, reporting on energy and water use, and new clean energy targets for these facilities, while also changing how no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act are allocated and creating an annual fee for the facilities. Supporters, including environmental groups, community action agencies, some utilities, and labor and tribal representatives, said the bill would protect ratepayers, improve transparency, and keep Washington on track for climate goals. Opponents, including data center and business groups, some ports, and several labor organizations, argued the bill is too prescriptive, could raise costs or discourage investment, may affect existing contracts and other large industrial loads, and could reduce construction jobs. No votes or final actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't some sort of win through wily negotiation skills; this is a mistake.
• It is important to note that labor is not on these letters that Representative Kosnick passed around.
• Labor is not on here.
• In the 2024 Transportation, Housing, and Labor Omnibus Budget Bill, there was a study requested on youth
• The United States has repeatedly benefited from immigrant labor and then judged and punished the very

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:24.760><c> to</c> research experts and use those skills to research experts and use those
• skills to develop<00:32:25.559><c> the</c><00:32:25.840><c> recommendations</c><00:32:26.840><c> but<
• She can get that done for us as this heads off to Workforce and Labor, so I appreciate your input and
• She can get that done for us as this heads off to Workforce and Labor, so I appreciate your input and
• But we are going to be done at 10:10 sharp. be moving to Workforce labor and be moving to Workforce labor

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and labor. and labor.
• To learn safe driving skills.
• These are highly skilled professionals.
• </c> These are highly skilled professionals. These are highly skilled professionals.
• ,</c><05:37:00.520><c> their</c> for their courage, their skill, their for their courage, their skill

Bills: SB141, SB124, SB56, SJR116, SB94, SB37, SB127, SB197, SB66, SB70, SB133, SB160, SB214, SB312, SB52, SJR62, SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development