Transcript Highlights:

• Motion prevails. And we have a set from March 26th.
• Motion prevails and those Any opposed?
• Motion prevails and the Any opposed?
• </c><01:14:50.520><c> Motion</c><01:14:50.880><c> prevails.
• Motion prevails. The Any opposed? Motion prevails.

Bills: HF4077, HF3809, HF3639, HF4478, HF3363, HF3874

Keywords: municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations

Summary: The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the minutes from March 25 and March 26, then took up House File 4077, a bipartisan bill authored by Representatives Greenman and Roach. The bill would prohibit municipalities from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities that restrict disclosure about land development, economic development, or publicly funded projects, while preserving existing Chapter 13 data practices rules and trade secret protections. The authors argued the bill is needed to prevent secret agreements and backroom decision-making that undermine public transparency, and they moved that the bill be re-referred to the general register. Several local officials and residents testified in support, including a St. Louis County commissioner, the mayor of Lonsdale, and residents from Farmington and Hermantown. Supporters said NDAs had been used in connection with data center and other development projects to keep elected officials and the public in the dark, eroding trust and limiting community input. They described the bill as a common-sense transparency measure and said existing law already protects legitimate trade secrets. Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, which argued that NDAs are often necessary in early-stage economic development discussions to protect sensitive business information and remain competitive with other states. They warned the bill could discourage investment, jobs, and tax growth, and said it would impose a one-size-fits-all state mandate that limits local discretion. Committee members then debated whether the bill was too broad and whether it should be narrowed to data centers; supporters responded that the issue extends beyond data centers to other forms of economic development. A roll call vote was requested on the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register, but the final vote result was not stated in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the tax is 5% of the total annual employee wages that exceed the Social Security wage limit.
• Costs have been increasing at a rate nearly double that of wages.
• Contractors pay highly competitive wages, and this bill will...
• It will be a direct hit to job creation and worker wages.
• I expect less hiring, jobs to be shifted out of state, or wages capped.

Bills: HB2334, HB2140, HB2326, HB2100

Keywords: cash transactions, pennies, currency adjustment, economic impact, consumer protection, tax exemption, governmental transfer, agriculture, land use, property tax, emergency medical services, levies, healthcare funding, local government, taxation, excise tax, large companies, payroll expenses, minimum wage, Well Washington fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Wages have definitely not more than doubled during this time.
• Wages have definitely not more than doubled during this time.
• Wages have definitely not more than doubled during this time.
• Wages have definitely not more than doubled during this time.
• </c> priced out of range for many wage priced out of range for many wage earning earning earning families

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The the chair hears none and the motion prevails.
• OK, OK, there being 10 eyes and 0 nase motion prevails.
• I There being 10 ayes and 0 nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 8 eyes and 2 nays, the motion prevails.
• Dipping 10 eyes in 0 nay, the motion prevails.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The amendment is adopted. There is an amendment at the desk.
• The motion<00:04:06.000><c> prevails.
• The amendment is motion prevails.
• The motion prevails. The amendment is adopted. um really good work there as well.
• The motion prevails. The say nay. The motion prevails.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This time, I filed at least three complaints with the Office for Civil Rights, and I prevailed on behalf
• one point in time, people were paid to scalp Indians, usually the equivalent of about six months' wages
• Usually the equivalent of about six months' wages, the top of your head cut off in proven show of death

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That average wage is somewhere between $115,000 and $119,000 a job.
• We've got 33,000 teammates, and I told you we pay what I would consider fantastic wages.
• was associated with the penalty, even though the ruling is pending appeal, and you might actually prevail

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nucor Corporation on its Arizona operations, including the Kingman steel facility, recycling-based electric arc furnace production, workforce development, safety improvements, veteran hiring, and recent investments. Nucor emphasized that its Arizona materials support local infrastructure and manufacturing jobs, and members asked about scrap sources, annual tonnage recycled, average pay, safety practices, and future expansion. No formal action was taken on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2574, which would require ADOT to hold off on enforcing a civil traffic judgment while an appeal is pending if a stay is granted. The sponsor and a witness argued the bill would close a due-process gap by preventing penalties from taking effect before appeals are resolved. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2574 a due pass recommendation. HB 2057, which lowers the fee for Arizona Centennial special plates on fleet vehicles and directs the fee split to administration and the Centennial Plate Fund, also passed 7-0 after discussion about possibly expanding the discount to other specialty plates. HB 2109, which raises penalties for repeat distracted-driving violations and adds an enhanced penalty when such conduct causes a motorcycle crash, drew extensive testimony and discussion. Supporters argued stronger fines are needed to change behavior and improve road safety, while members raised concerns that the bill lacked an education component and discussed possible committee-of-the-whole amendments. The committee voted 7-0 to pass the bill. HB 2317, which would bar local governments from prohibiting cruising, generated significant testimony both for and against; supporters framed cruising as a cultural practice tied to lowriding, while opponents described neighborhood congestion, blocked access, trash, and public-safety problems. The chair held HB 2317 so the sponsor and stakeholders could work on amendments. The committee also heard HB 2003, which would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit to 15 and extend permit validity and supervised-driving time for teen drivers; the sponsor argued the changes would improve safety by increasing supervised practice, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a little less than $900 million in general revenue provided to increase wages to $12 per hour
• Human Services. $892.5 million in general revenue. $2.2 billion in all funds to increase attendant wages
• . that the procurement was clean and fair procurement, and I believe that the end of the day will prevail

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Earned wage access allows workers to access wages they’ve already earned, without interest, without turning
• So we do not have any subscription fees for the earned wage access product.
• This bill creates a licensing framework for earned wage access products.
• Earned wage and early wage access services, both of which are covered by the proposed legislation, help
• In other words, this is wage erosion.

Bills: HB2118, HB2181, HB2308, HB2309, HB2402, HB2476, HB2682, HB2698, HB2875, HB2877, HB2903, HB2910

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Transcript Highlights:

• That tax at the state level is paid on the first $8,000 of each employee's annual wages.
• That's what we refer to as the taxable wage base.
• At the federal level, the taxable wage base is $7,000.
• While we are moving up in the ranks there, I want to go back to the taxable wage base.
• We have, and this is due in part to our low taxable wage base and also to our low tax rates.

Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those we served experienced an average annual wage increase of more than $17,400.
• So there is no minimum threshold for wage.
• So it starts with our foundational data set, which is the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
• So it starts with our foundational data set, which is the quarterly census of employment and wages.
• quarterly wages, through that process.

Summary: The subcommittee met to receive an informational presentation from CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrian Johnson, joined by Anthony Gagliano of CareerSource Suncoast, on the structure, funding, and services of Florida’s workforce development system. Johnson explained that CareerSource serves job seekers and businesses through 21 local workforce development boards and nearly 100 career centers, using federal and state funding streams such as WIOA, Wagner-Peyser, SNAP Employment and Training, and TANF. She described services including case management, training, wraparound supports, job matching, rapid response for layoffs and disasters, and business services such as recruitment, customized training, and on-the-job training. She also highlighted the REACH Act’s role in consolidating local boards from 24 to 21, creating the Master Credential List and Credential Review Committee, and implementing performance-based letter grades for local boards. Members asked detailed questions about funding formulas, letter grade metrics, apprenticeships, youth services, small business access, and the demand occupation list. Johnson said federal allocations are driven largely by unemployment and poverty formulas, which has reduced Florida’s WIOA funding by about $27 million over four years because of the state’s low unemployment rate. She explained the letter grades measure outcomes such as increased earnings, reduced public assistance, employment and training outcomes, work-based learning, business engagement, and service to individuals in certain programs, and said the system is being reviewed for possible changes, including removing extra credit and adjusting weights. On youth services, she said Florida has a waiver allowing a 50/50 split between in-school and out-of-school youth funding, and that local partnerships drive outreach. On the demand occupation list, she said it is based on state labor market data and projections, but local boards can submit evidence of local demand when data does not reflect conditions in their area. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on apprenticeships and workforce training grants. Johnson and Gagliano described apprenticeship navigators funded by the $7.75 million apprenticeship expansion allocation, which help employers navigate registration and expand apprenticeships into nontraditional fields such as IT, health care, education, and hospitality. Gagliano gave examples from CareerSource Suncoast and said navigators helped employers move faster through registration and develop programs with local education providers. Johnson also discussed Incumbent Worker Training Grants and Quick Response Training Grants, noting recent awards of nearly $3 million to 69 businesses and $6.5 million to 24 businesses, respectively, and said these programs are targeted toward high-skill, high-wage occupations and priority industries. The meeting ended with no votes or formal action; the chair thanked the presenters, invited follow-up questions, and adjourned the meeting without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• You got the salary and wages. And then The administration part of it. You got the salary and wages.
• So the salary and wages, and this is all general fund for the most part.
• So the salary and wages, and this is all general fund for the most part.
• You've got salary and wages, which is a three and three.
• We got the salary and wages, of course, the operating expense.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2014, the budget for the Industrial Commission, with Representative Kempenich walking through the agency’s major components: the administrative office, Bank of North Dakota, housing finance, Department of Mineral Resources, and the State Mill and Elevator. He described mostly special-fund operations, including bond payments, economic development programs, the rail loan program, the Rebuilder’s Loan Program, housing incentive funding, abandoned well reclamation work, lignite research, litigation reserves, and a capacity purchase arrangement for a future natural gas pipeline. He also explained several one-time funding items, such as grid resiliency grants, housing-related transfers from the Strategic Investment Fund, and enhanced oil recovery funding repurposed from a prior salt cavern study. Members asked about the reduction in housing incentive funding from the Senate version, the use of one-time Strategic Investment Fund dollars for ongoing housing programs, and whether a trigger should be added to increase housing funding later. Kempenich said no trigger was discussed and emphasized that housing needs vary widely across the state. Another exchange focused on the enhanced oil recovery grant program, which he said would be driven largely by the Energy and Environmental Research Center and would use repurposed funds. A longer discussion covered the natural gas pipeline capacity purchase, including its purpose, possible routes, and the idea that the state would be buying capacity rather than immediately building a pipeline. The committee adopted Amendment 25.0181.0207 on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then passed HB 2014 as amended on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. Representative Kempenich was designated to carry the bill. The chair then noted this was the final budget hearing for the committee, with one bill remaining to be heard later.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN RECENT YEARS IT'S MAINLY DRIVEN BY WAGE GROWTH AND WAGES MAKE UP ABOUT 50% PLUS ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL
• JUST BECAUSE OF OUR LARGE SENIOR POPULATION THAT DOESN'T EARN WAGES AND SALARIES.
• THAT'S LARGELY BEING DRIVEN WITH WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH WAGES.
• THAT IS STILL TRUE BUT AFTER THE PANDEMIC WE SAW WAGES STARTING TO INCREASE STRONGLY PARTICULARLY IN
• IN TERMS OF OUR AVERAGE WAGE. SO WE WENT ABOVE THAT 88.8% BENCHMARK. IN 2021.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, it ensures that nobody fighting a wildfire gets paid less than the federal minimum wage.
• Essentially, it ensures that nobody fighting a wildfire gets paid less than the federal minimum wage.
• Essentially, it ensures that nobody fighting a wildfire gets paid less than the federal minimum wage.
• We've reduced that from $19 an hour to the federal minimum wage, saving the state significant resources
• Unfortunately, it just provides federal minimum wage, a wage that hasn't been raised in well over a decade

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on June 3, 2025, and considered one bill, AB 247. The author said the bill would require incarcerated hand crew members actively fighting wildfires to be paid at least the federal minimum wage, and explained that recent amendments were added to clarify inclusion of the Pine Grove Conservation Camp and to update co-authorship. There was no organized opposition or support testimony, but committee members discussed the bill’s cost, how any annual pay adjustment would be determined, and whether higher pay could reduce opportunities in the program. The author and supporters argued the current pay is extremely low and that the bill would provide fairer compensation without creating parity with Cal Fire wages. Several members expressed conceptual support while raising questions about the amendment language and the impact on the state budget and inmate firefighting opportunities. The chair noted the bill had been brought back because post-approval amendments added costs and needed further analysis. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed AB 247 on a 9-0 due pass recommendation, with several members not voting. The committee adjourned after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• wage growth in the state.
• wage growth in the state.
• wage growth in the state.
• </c> pandemic, total wage growth has grown. pandemic, total wage growth has grown.
• </c> UI taxes as a percentage of total wages UI taxes as a percentage of total wages was<01:34:42.480

Bills: HF3545, HF4004

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There being ten ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• The motion prevails. The Chair lays out HB 3066.
• There being ten ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 10 ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• If there are no nays, the motion prevails.

Bills: HB2963, HB3005, HB3287, HB3288, HB3289, HB3290, HB3344, HB3712, HB3862, HB3874, HB4196, HB4308, HB4901, HB4984

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails, and the DE2 amendment is adopted.
• The motion prevails, and the A1 amendment is adopted.
• The motion prevails, and the oral amendment is adopted.
• The motion prevails, and House File 2067, as amended, is placed on the General Register.
• The motion prevails, and the oral amendment is adopted. Is there one more oral amendment yet?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails and the amendment is adopted. There's an amendment at the desk.
• The<00:04:00.040><c> motion</c><00:04:00.400><c> prevails</c><00:04:00.880><c> and</c><00:04:00.960><
• c> the</c><00:04:01.080><c> amendment</c><00:04:01.560><c> is</c> The motion prevails and the amendment
• is The motion prevails and the amendment is adopted.
• The motion prevails and the amendment is adopted. There are no further amendments at the desk.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The median wage for a child care worker is actually $10 lower than the average median wage across our
• </c><01:22:16.320><c> there</c> making some of the lowest wages there making some of the lowest wages
• A teaching position gives them a much higher wage and longer security in the field.
• </c> in different high growth High wage in different high growth High wage Fields<01:39:33.080><c> the
• provides, I think, a minimum wage employers can choose to add to.

Bills: HF2582, HF2266, HF2518, HF2039, HF1941

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• A second thing is wages.
• Again, I started at minimum wage. I worked for my dad.
• Again, I started at minimum wage. I worked for my dad. We were a two-man show.
• And they're commanding high wages. So the biggest incentive for them is a labor force.
• They're high-wage, very secure jobs, 100% placement, tuition-free, progressive wage increases.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met to discuss apprenticeship education and workforce development, with panelists from Santa Fe College, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, ABC East Coast/ABC Institute, and Piper Fire Protection. Members heard that apprenticeships are growing in Florida, with panelists emphasizing that these programs offer paid, tuition-free training, progressive wage increases, and strong job placement in high-demand fields such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and construction. Panelists also described efforts to expand into new areas like accounting, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and surgical technology, while stressing the importance of aligning programs with employer demand. A major topic was funding and reimbursement. Panelists said the current model is complicated and often leaves providers with only a portion of the funds appropriated for apprentices, with one provider saying reimbursement can be as low as 44% and others describing caps, contract delays, and inconsistent CareerSource support. They argued that more of the money should reach training providers, that small businesses need more support to participate, and that transparency and contract reform could help expand enrollment and improve program quality. Several also raised barriers such as instructor approval rules, paperwork, and facility costs. Members asked about admission criteria, program costs, employer incentives, outreach to high school students, and whether apprenticeships should have greater access to other funding sources. Panelists said the main requirements are being employed and willing to work and learn, and that outreach through schools, career fairs, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns is essential. They also discussed articulation agreements that can provide college credit for apprenticeship training and suggested statewide credit recognition and possible direct funding to providers as policy improvements. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with the subcommittee adjourning.