Transcript Highlights:

• Our employees are clearly the most important for us.
• It was designed and implemented entirely by ITD employees.
• About 250 to 270 employees leave ITD every year.
• , and even employee salaries are funded out of dedicated funds.
• Employees vote amongst themselves.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• GET PAID ABOUT HALF AS MUCH AS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE FOR ROUGHLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF WORK.
• ARE THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY BUDGETS GOING UP MUCH FASTER THAN THE STATE BUDGET?
• WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SORT OF OVERSIGHT OR MONITOR THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS OF CLERK EMPLOYEES THAT ARE
• I HAVE 1,110 EMPLOYEES AND 190 UNFILLED POSITIONS.
• MILITARY PERSONNEL DON'T GET OVER TIME LIKE FDC EMPLOYEES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Knavni Perrier on behalf of the California School Employees Association in support.
• As a past 20-year legislative employee, I knew at-will every day.
• , student-centric approach and how we treat our employees, because how our employees are treated is how
• However, the definition of local educational agency excluded employees of JPAs.
• representing more than 250,000 classified public school employees across the state.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a whistleblower provision that protects employees from termination or discipline for refusing
• are doing with no accountability for their employees.
• And looking at the defense as it's crafted here, it's aimed to make sure that an employee who didn't
• As discussed, the felony charges that this bill allows for employees working in areas governed by the
• This also puts the employee in a position... ...and out to pass the blame onto the worker.

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a whistleblower provision that protects employees from termination or discipline for refusing
• are doing with no accountability for their employees.
• And looking at the defense as it's crafted here, it's aimed to make sure that an employee who didn't
• As discussed, the felony charges that this bill allows for employees working in areas governed by the
• This also puts the employee in a position... ...and out to pass the blame on to the worker.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two main bills. ESSB 5975 dealt with lead limits in cookware and a proposed striker that would shift more of the standard-setting and testing process to the Department of Ecology under Safer Products for Washington. Supporters, including industry groups, Ecology, the Department of Health, and environmental advocates, said the striker would provide clearer, science-based, and more workable standards while still reducing lead exposure. Some witnesses, including environmental groups, argued the bill should remain stronger, while others said the striker was an acceptable compromise. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 5360, which would create tiered criminal penalties for violations of the Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, and Hazardous Waste Management Act, including felony penalties for knowing or negligent conduct in certain circumstances. The prime sponsor and Attorney General’s Office said the bill targets egregious polluters, adds whistleblower and worker protections, and responds to serious environmental harm cases. Tribal, environmental, and advocacy witnesses supported the bill as a way to hold repeat polluters accountable. Labor, business, industry, county, utility, and forestry representatives opposed it, warning that the language could expose workers and permit holders to criminal liability for mistakes or routine operations and that the bill needed more stakeholder work. At the end of the meeting, the committee took executive action on Substitute Senate Bill 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by modernizing the definition of motor fuel and folding alternative fuels into that definition. The bill passed the committee on a 19-0 vote, with two members excused, and was reported out with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Was there any doubt in this decision that the employee was injured at work?
• So the employee was injured at work, right? I mean, that's...
• The employee knows where they stand.
• It's going to leave employees without coverage, and that's my concern.
• For employees, I have concerns about it.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 3 by roll call vote, 131-1. Members spent much of the morning introducing special guests, including Missouri State University Citizen Scholars, Jobs for America’s Graduates participants, school counselors observing National School Counselor Week, Gainesville Elementary students joining online, interns and student shadows, and a tribute to Josephine Baker highlighting her St. Louis roots, artistic career, wartime service, and civil rights legacy. The chamber then took up first reading of several measures, including a firearms-related joint resolution, a bill on flags at cemeteries, and a bill on ownership of single-family residential property. The main floor action centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2273, a large anti-trafficking package combining provisions on child sexual abuse material terminology, trafficking, grooming, sextortion, training requirements for professionals, a statewide council in the Attorney General’s office, longer civil statutes of limitation, and tougher penalties. Supporters cited survivor testimony, the need for training and enforcement, and the bill’s role in helping victims; the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Members also advanced House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312, and 1755, a bill string aimed at curbing abusive website accessibility lawsuits against Missouri businesses while preserving ADA rights. Sponsors and supporters said the measure would protect small businesses from sue-and-settle tactics and give businesses notice and time to fix problems; the House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered House Bill 2375 on workers’ compensation, which would clarify the prevailing-factor standard, adjust treatment of pre-existing conditions, change how certain benefits are treated, and add an early dismissal mechanism and temporary appeal process. Supporters called it a fairness and clarification measure for employers and insurers, while opponents argued it could raise barriers for injured workers; the House nevertheless adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements, including committee meetings, a Black History program, a reminder for American Heart Month, concern for the city of Cameron after a fire, and a moment of reflection for the House doorkeeper Charlie, followed by a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides that no public school student or employee may be penalized or discriminated against for engaging
• On top of that, this could give them access to employee health records.
• They could ask who's been to see the employee assistance program. ...employee health records.
• They could ask who's been to see the employee assistance program.
• I need to ensure our employees are protected.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Education Pre-K-12 Committee met and took up several education bills. It first heard SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools, which would place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot to protect voluntary religious expression by students and school personnel. The sponsor said it would codify existing protections and not require prayer or religious activity, while opponents argued it was unnecessary, could be used to advance Christian nationalism, and could make minority-faith students uncomfortable. The committee reported the resolution favorably. The committee then approved SB 1738 on educational facilities, as amended, to require the Department of Education to review school facility requirements and recommend design and construction practices intended to improve safety and accountability. It also approved SB 824 on charter schools, as amended, which shifts the bill to a transparency-focused strike-all requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to the Department of Education. The committee also confirmed appointees on Tabs 7 and 8. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 1620 on public education, described by the sponsor as a “school board members’ bill of rights.” The bill would give board members broader access to district documents and staff, limit nondisclosure agreements, clarify attorney representation, and strengthen budget transparency and nepotism rules. Supporters said it would help board members do their oversight jobs, while opponents warned it could undermine superintendents, expose confidential student or employee information, and create confusion in district governance. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170 on education, as amended, which would allow parents of students with disabilities to request cameras in self-contained classrooms and set district procedures for reviewing those requests. Supporters, including parents and disability advocates, testified that cameras would protect non-speaking and vulnerable students and provide accountability, while one opponent argued the measure should be funded if adopted. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also adopted a committee-bill motion for SPB 7036, a broad education package covering school turnaround, literacy, safety, early learning, instruction, and educator pipeline issues, though members raised concerns about a possible state role in producing instructional materials; the bill was reported favorably as a committee bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the... ...order, or TRO, on behalf of their employees.
• Hello, Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association in support. Mr.
• Hello, Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association in support. Mr.
• We've got, we can shore that up and protect other transit employees as well.
• So now it expands to more employees within the system.

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met to consider several bills, with six measures approved on consent, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies purchasing firearms, ammunition, or accessories to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said taxpayer funds should not go to dealers with serious violations; opponents argued the bill added burdens and vague standards. The committee approved the bill as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by broadening enhanced battery penalties, clarifying who may seek temporary restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, and law enforcement supported the bill, while public defender and civil liberties groups raised concerns about vagueness, duration, and impacts on access to transit. The committee passed AB 394 to Judiciary as amended. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture convictions involving a child under 14 in the perpetrator’s care or custody from seven years to 20 years. Prosecutors, sheriffs, and police groups supported the bill, citing the severity of the abuse and the need to protect child victims; opponents argued the parole system already screens for risk and that harsher sentences do not improve public safety. The committee approved the bill as amended to Appropriations. AB 1092, by Assembly Member Castillo, would extend concealed carry weapon license renewals from two years to four years; supporters said it would reduce costs and administrative burdens, while the chair and others opposed it as unnecessary. The committee ultimately voted the bill down. AB 1036, by Assembly Member Schultz, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people convicted of felonies with sentences of one year or more, including Brady materials and jury selection notes. Innocence organizations and defense groups supported it, while district attorneys opposed the broader discovery obligations; the committee passed it to Appropriations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• employee does?
• Compensation and classification that you want to have on behalf of all state employees.
• Not only our chairman, but also the Director of LFC and our employees.
• We had a rapid hire and a resource event on Friday for federal employees.
• than that department's employees.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• title: An act to amend the civil service law in relation to prohibiting falsely impersonating an employee
• organization or employee organization representative.
• or employee organization representative.
• or employee organization representative.
• I'm sorry. an employee organization or employee organization representative.

Committee: Senate Civil Service And Pensions

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and 10 bills on the agenda. The committee considered measures affecting retirement and pension benefits, civil service rules, and public safety personnel, including bills to raise the mandatory retirement age for certain NYPD uniform members, provide a heart disease presumption for fire alarm dispatchers, authorize a widow to file a retirement option election, create an optional 25-year retirement plan for certain deputy sheriffs, and adjust retirement or disability benefits for specific individuals or groups. The committee also advanced bills allowing named individuals to take civil service or police officer examinations and be placed on eligibility lists, and a bill prohibiting falsely impersonating an employee organization or representative. One bill concerned notification requirements for public employers before procuring or deploying new AI-related technology. Members asked a few clarifying questions, including the location of the Village of Leroy, but there was no substantive opposition recorded. Most bills were approved unanimously, with reported votes of 7-0 and no abstentions or with recommendations. The committee reported several bills to the floor, others to the Finance Committee, and the AI notification bill to the Internet and Technology Committee. The chair then adjourned the meeting after noting there were no further speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:39:49.360><c> I</c> currently is an at-will employee. I currently is an at-will employee.
• :50.960><c> don't</c> thought that at-will employees don't thought that at-will employees don't have<
• We may have it in aggregate employees.
• </c><01:06:48.640><c> of</c> specifically on permanent employees of specifically on permanent employees
• </c> restrictions for state employees. restrictions for state employees.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> unions</c><01:07:15.440><c> received</c> State employees in those unions received State employees
• So, landlord's employee or contractor.
• </c> a landlord or the landlord's employee a landlord or the landlord's employee contractor. contractor
• I think, and I would say it... employees? employees?
• ,</c><01:27:29.640><c> but</c> um these are well-paid employees, but um these are well-paid employees

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their employees make over—one employee at a credit card company earns the company over $650,000 in a
• They made $58,000 in profits per employee.
• They made $58,000 in profits per employee.
• And we pay them on tips, which go directly to our employees.
• This affects real people—our employees.

Summary: The commission met to hear testimony on the future of credit card payments and swipe fees, with a focus on impacts to small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members and witnesses discussed interchange fees, processing fees, chargebacks, fraud risk, rewards programs, and the growing use of card-not-present and digital wallet transactions. Several witnesses urged the commission to support legislation that would prohibit fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions and allow businesses to pass credit card fees on to customers if they choose, while others warned that state regulation of interchange could reduce fraud protections and harm consumer rewards programs. Small business owners and trade groups described rising costs and thin margins, saying card fees are now among their largest expenses and are often charged on money that is merely passing through the business, such as sales tax and gratuities. Restaurant representatives said the current system shifts fraud and chargeback losses onto merchants, with little ability to negotiate rates or recover disputed funds, and argued that transparency and fee relief would help keep independent businesses open. Retailers gave similar testimony, citing rising swipe fees, complex statements, and the burden of online and phone transactions. A representative from the airline industry opposed interchange reform, arguing that airline credit card rewards are popular with consumers and support travel and jobs in Massachusetts. Credit union representatives cautioned that state-level interchange limits could weaken fraud prevention and force higher rates or reduced services, while the National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that banks and networks already operate under fee caps in other contexts and that interchange rates are fixed rather than competitive. Commission members asked questions about how chargebacks work, how fees are broken down, whether businesses can negotiate with processors or POS providers, and how consumer behavior has shifted toward cards, online ordering, and delivery since the pandemic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to a $11,000 fine per day per employee to a $11,000 fine per day per employee is<00:41:18.960><c
• </c><00:43:45.559><c> affected</c> business uh number of employees affected business uh number of employees
• in Minnesota, regardless of whether the employee is part-time or full-time.
• It would apply to anybody who is defined as an employee under chapter 177.
• </c><01:15:57.360><c> who</c><01:15:57.480><c> are</c> government employees who are government employees

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, because CYFD employees are not at the hospital to do that.
• Of the 54 employees that are currently attending the new employee training, how many have participated
• This was voluntary for employees to participate in that training.
• I will get you a breakdown of the new employees and where they went.
• Madam Chair, Representative, those employees at the receiving center go through all of the new employee

Transcript Highlights:

• For the family share, employees pay 100%.
• For the family share, employees pay 100%.
• Employees don't like to pay taxes, and employers don't like to pay taxes.
• This includes exemptions for employees engaged in casual labor and are about private homes, employees
• This includes exemptions for employees engaged in casual labor and are about private homes, employees

Bills: HB2675 , HB2681 , HB2714 , HB2688 , HB2481 , HB2116 , HB1408

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: accounts, finance, business regulation, transparency, audits, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, HB 2714, caseload forecasting, food assistance, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, state food assistance, budget forecasting, caseload forecast council, caseload forecast supervisor, Washington State

Transcript Highlights:

• Full-time employee.
• </c> an employee. an employee.
• </c> already, they're employees. already, they're employees.
• a municipal employee.
• a municipal employee.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> enterprise director for employee enterprise director for employee insurance<01:11:20.159><c> at</c
• </c><01:11:23.199><c> program</c> state employee group insurance program state employee group insurance
• ,</c><01:11:28.560><c> family</c> for over 130,000 employees, family for over 130,000 employees, family
• And I just so thank you for employees.
• </c><01:23:00.560><c> were</c> In 2024, only two employees were In 2024, only two employees were employed

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hurting employees. hurting employees.
• employees either.
• </c> employees of large businesses. employees of large businesses.
• You heard from fewer employee employees.
• If there's 15 employees, per employee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:16:25.120><c> to</c> It would require school employees to It would require school employees to
• </c> any assault of any school employee any assault of any school employee believed<01:16:29.360><c>
• </c><01:16:36.800><c> report</c> school employees to immediately report school employees to immediately
• ,</c> facilities, uh uh school employees, facilities, uh uh school employees, hospital<01:39:26.719><
• employees, things like that hospital employees, things like that listed,<01:39:28.080><c> people</c>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Agency Updates: 00:01:45 26RS SB 125: 00:02:10 26RS SB 101: 01:14:58, 958, all

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met on February 6, 2026, took roll, approved a motion to convene, and heard agency updates from materials in the packet. The council then took up Senate Bill 125 out of order because Senator Carol was present. The bill was presented as a collaborative effort focused on creating a secure, state-run high-acuity mental health facility for justice-involved youth who need specialized psychiatric care and cannot be appropriately served in detention or by private hospitals. Speakers said the facility would fill a gap in services, improve safety and treatment outcomes, and be designed with trauma-informed, medically equipped spaces rather than a jail-like setting. The presenters also outlined other parts of the bill, including a placement process in which DJJ and CHFS would evaluate youth and provide recommendations before the judge makes the final decision, with certain hospital-declination provisions to be delayed until the new facility is operating. They described payment incentives for hospitals treating high-acuity youth, confidentiality and escape-related disclosure provisions, and contracts with a public teaching university for clinical services. The proposed facility was described as a 24-bed center at Central State, with staffing to include mental health professionals and juvenile detention staff receiving enhanced training. Dr. Clark Lester said staffing needs would vary by youth and could include one-to-one supervision for some patients. The bill also addressed female juvenile detention capacity. Speakers said the number of detained girls has risen sharply since 2024, peaking at 51 in 2025, and that current facilities cannot meet the separation requirements for boys and girls or high- and low-level youth. The proposal would build two female detention centers, with possible locations discussed in central Kentucky and western Kentucky, and a third or fourth center could be added if population data show the need. Members asked about hospital placement authority, staffing, and average length of stay for girls; the presenters said the current court-order process would remain until the new facility is built and that they would provide additional data later. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.