Transcript Highlights:

• would<00:45:40.240> be labor and organized labor would be labor and organized labor would
• Labors, but not only labors, all workers from all the different trades in the construction industry face
• <01:04:38.640> I'm construction and general labors. I'm construction and general labors.
• workers labors, but not only labors, all workers labors, but not only labors, all workers from
• not by the department of labor. not by the department of labor. members.<01:26:13.520> Today<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• PERB oversees labor-management relations for the vast majority of California's public sector employees
• , ensuring that claims of unfair labor practices and disputes are resolved.
• Al Austin with the Labor Council 57 in full support. Thank you.
• Item number one, SB 1024, the motion is do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Labor.
• Elmer Lazzardo, with the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are honored to be joined in the Senate by former Acting United States Secretary of Labor Julie Su,
• in making the Biden administration the most pro-labor federal administration of modern history.
• the United States Secretary of Labor.
• Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Secretary. Thank you. We're going to do the photo. Thank you.
• and labor issues.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial recognitions. Members welcomed championship student-athlete teams from Medfield and Georgetown High School, including Georgetown’s 2025 MIAA Division 4 boys basketball champions, and presented citations. The chamber also welcomed former U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, with remarks highlighting her labor and worker-protection record. On formal business, the Senate adopted a Ways and Means report on House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, amended to insert Senate Document No. 2512 and providing $1,283,200,000 in direct appropriations. The Senate also adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for Thursday, May 8, 2025, for immediate consideration, with amendments in order. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. without printing a calendar. Members also approved a motion to adjourn in memory of former state representative, state senator, Amesbury mayor, and civic leader Nicholas J. Costello, followed by a moment of silence in his honor.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:36.040> market now the concern is on the labor market now the concern is on the labor
• Now, when the Labor Department, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, constructs this index, they say they
• Now, when the Labor Department, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, constructs this index, they say they
• Now, when the Labor Department, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, constructs this index, they say they
• <01:05:44.200> that perception some pool of laborers that perception some pool of laborers

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a Ways and Means briefing opened by the vice chair, who introduced Jason Wong of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to discuss the national and regional economy. Wong focused on inflation, asking why it had fallen from about 9% in 2022 to the 2%–3% range, and what that meant for monetary policy and the risk of an economic downturn. He said the Fed’s target is 2%, noted that recent PCE inflation was about 2.4% and core PCE about 2.7%, and described the ongoing debate over whether interest rates should stay tight or be lowered further to protect the labor market. Wong explained that the improvement in inflation has been driven largely by goods prices, especially durable goods such as cars, appliances, and furniture, as well as non-durable goods like food. He said supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic caused major price spikes in 2022, but those pressures have eased and many goods prices are now at or below the Fed’s target. He also referenced the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, saying it showed extreme pandemic-era disruptions that have since receded. The main remaining inflation problem, he said, is in services, especially housing. Wong broke services into rent of shelter and all other services, explaining that shelter is a large share of household budgets and that housing inflation has a lag because rent measures often reflect older lease terms rather than current market rents. He said monthly Zillow data suggest market rents have cooled and may eventually feed through to official inflation measures. Members asked several questions about the chart’s time scale, the treatment of real estate, property taxes, and utilities, and Wong clarified that housing costs are counted in services and that the slides would be shared digitally. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a project labor agreement with Laborers' Local 89, and the plans for the subdivision are fire
• James Thore Wactor at the California State Council of Laborers, also here on behalf of Laborers' Local
• day laborers.
• day laborers.
• Of the Jewish day labor centers, the Italian day laborers, right?

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on civil rights, housing, public safety, and administrative process. Early items included SB 46, which would authorize the Secretary of State to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice presidential candidates from California ballots; SB 1078, requiring notice to the Civil Rights Department when court filings involve civil rights violations; SB 989, expanding access to Care Court by letting first responders refer cases through county behavioral health agencies; SB 998, clarifying and expanding discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights; SB 1146, requiring disclosure for AI-generated health advertisements and giving physicians a limited private right of action; SB 1164, a California Voting Rights Act expansion responding to federal voting-rights rulings; SB 1256, a housing bill aimed at limiting repeated litigation over the Harmony Grove Village South project; SB 1267, addressing HOA liability and indemnification for EV charger installations; and SB 1425, authorizing an encroachment permit program for high-speed rail right-of-way management. The committee also later heard SB 873, restricting ICE arrests near courthouses, and SB 1160, requiring eviction data reporting by zip code. Most bills drew support from sponsors, advocacy groups, labor organizations, or local officials, while opposition centered on concerns about county workload, due process, fire safety, civil liberties, or the scope of the policy changes. Members generally expressed support for the bills while noting unresolved issues and the need for amendments or further stakeholder work, especially on SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, SB 1425, and SB 1160. The Judicial Council opposed SB 1160 because of the burden of adding zip-code reporting to court systems, while the author and supporters argued the data would help target eviction-prevention efforts. SB 873 drew strong support from public defenders, immigrant-rights groups, and court-related stakeholders, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department opposing. SB 989 drew support from firefighters and family advocates, while Disability Rights California opposed, arguing Care Court is too costly and diverts resources from community-based services. SB 1164 received broad civil-rights and voting-rights support, with cities opposing unless amended over definitions, cure periods, and litigation risk. SB 1256 drew support from housing and labor interests and opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about fire safety and evacuation. SB 1267 was supported by the HOA and utility stakeholders after amendments addressing liability concerns. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass a consent calendar and then approved the listed bills, sending them to the appropriate committees or to Appropriations, including SB 46, SB 873, SB 989, SB 998, SB 1078, SB 1146, SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, and SB 1425. The transcript ends with SB 1160 still under discussion, with members indicating support for the bill’s goals but acknowledging the Judicial Council’s implementation concerns and the need for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee will come to order.
• We're flexible here in the Labor Committee. Thank you. Yeah.
• Elmer Lazzardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support.
• Omer Lazzardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support.
• The Senate Labor Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement is resumed.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation, public pensions, workplace training, public works wages, and disability/paid family leave benefits. AB 1048 would require greater transparency when medical provider payments in workers’ compensation are reduced through network or administrator arrangements; supporters said providers need the underlying contract to verify reductions, while opponents argued the problem is overstated and existing dispute remedies are available. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to provide targeted cost-of-living adjustments to retirees; supporters emphasized retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and that the retirement system is well funded, with no opposition testimony heard. AB 1439 would request a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in real estate and infrastructure projects funded through CalPERS and CalSTRS portfolios; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it as unnecessary and potentially burdensome. AB 1697 would delay implementation of last year’s AB 692 on stay-or-pay and related employment contract provisions to 2027, with some support from the NFL and a support-if-amended request from the financial services industry for a 2028 date. AB 1803 would add anti-hate speech content to existing workplace harassment training; supporters framed it as a response to rising antisemitism and workplace hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued current law already addresses harassment. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of such employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for completing disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and no opposition testimony in the hearing. AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would tie prevailing wage to the time work is performed rather than bid advertisement, with supporters calling it a fairness fix and opponents warning of uncertainty and higher costs on public projects. The committee later reconvened and voted all of the heard bills out, with most passing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes; AB 1439 was the only measure with recorded dissent, passing 4-1 on the final committee vote. Several items were also placed on call before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look at labor market information, but also wages that are being earned in Arkansas.
• Department of Labor.
• Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
• Department of Labor, employment and training administration.
• Department of Labor Field Office in Dallas.

Summary: The committee approved the November 3 minutes and then received an extensive presentation from Arkansas education and workforce officials on how the LEARNS and ACCESS Acts are affecting career and technical education, concurrent enrollment, and postsecondary readiness. Officials said the state’s goal is for students to leave high school employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment from about 161,000 to 171,000 students and concurrent CTE enrollment from about 12,000 to 16,000. They also described the new success-ready pathways, merit and distinction designations, and how those measures tie into school accountability and graduation outcomes. The discussion then turned to scholarships and grants. Officials explained that ACCESS expanded concurrent credit support, increased funding per credit hour, and broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar programs by adding diploma-of-merit and diploma-of-distinction pathways. They said the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself did not change, but the non-distinguished Governor’s Scholar award now includes diploma of distinction as an additional eligibility route. Members raised concerns about how these requirements apply to private school and homeschool students, and officials said the intent is to ensure those students can qualify if they meet the same standards, though some implementation details are still being worked out. Questions also focused on whether students who explore multiple pathways could be penalized in school letter grades; officials said the system allows multiple ways to earn credit, including AP, IB, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships. Officials also reviewed workforce scholarships and short-term training funding. They said the state is developing policy for the Workforce Challenge and related professional skills training to set an 80-hour minimum and tiered funding, and they discussed the new federal Workforce Pell rules, which they said are very narrow and will likely apply to only a small number of Arkansas programs unless providers repackage training into stackable, credit-bearing pathways. Members asked for lists of eliminated programs, apprenticeships, and data on scholarship recipients, and staff said they could provide those. The committee also heard from Cody Waites on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, which Arkansas will administer nationally. He said the grant will support advanced manufacturing apprenticeships, use a pay-for-performance model, and be distributed to sponsors after apprentices are employed for 90 days, with applications opening January 28 and the state expecting to keep administrative costs under 8-9%.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had one or two that were denied, but ultimately why should we have to have a labor?
• Let's be honest about the real labor crisis in Florida.
• Let's be honest about the real labor crisis in Florida.
• Since 2016, child labor law violations have only increased.
• We're also removing all of the child labor protections for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• labor<01:18:32.640> committee's related to the labor committee's related to the labor committee's
• <01:21:52.800> also labor because the labor committee also labor because the labor committee
• mean, but this bill has to go to labor. mean, but this bill has to go to labor.
• Labor. Senator Westerm. Labor. Senator Westerm.
• re-referred to the Committee on Labor. re-referred to the Committee on Labor.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In August, I wrote to the Secretary of Labor urging her to stop these rollbacks.
• We stand union strong, labor strong, America strong, and worker strong. And, Mr.
• It's personal, because I grew up in a labor family.
• We will always stand for labor. And we will always stand for the American worker.
• BECAUSE I GREW UP IN A LABOR FAMILY.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne Fernandez, on behalf of the California Labor Federation, in support. Thank you.
• At the Labor Commissioner's Office, tens of thousands of wage claims remain backlogged, often taking
• Madam Chair and members, Yvonne Fernandez on behalf of the California Labor Federation in support.
• The motion is due pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Labor and Employment.
• Due pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Labor and Employment. McKinner, aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard three bills. SB 939 (Laird), sponsored by CalPERS, would end new enrollment in the actuarial equivalent reduction option for service credit purchases after January 1, 2028, and require any unpaid balance at retirement to be paid within 90 days. The author said the change would reduce unintended consequences for retirees, employers, and CalPERS. There was no opposition, and the bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was referred to Appropriations. SB 1038 (Laird), sponsored by the California School Employees Association, would expand CalPERS audit notifications so bargaining units receive notice of employer audits, affected-member lists, and final audit reports. Supporters said this would help unions protect members from benefit reductions or repayment demands caused by audit corrections, citing a Kern High School District example. There was no opposition, and the bill also passed 6-0 and was referred to Appropriations. SB 1227 (Drozzo) would require the Department of Industrial Relations to work with state worker unions to create apprenticeship pathways into key enforcement jobs, including roles at Cal/OSHA and the Labor Commissioner’s Office. Supporters from United Steelworkers, SEIU Local 1000, CSEA, and the California Labor Federation said the bill could help address staffing shortages and improve enforcement capacity. The committee approved the bill 6-0 as amended and re-referred it to the Committee on Labor and Employment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of labor relations and benefits for Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
• I'm the director of labor Mensync.
• , committee, 10 of whom represent labor, committee, 10 of whom represent labor, will<00:18:51.360
• Uh the labor management >> Yes, please.
• So while it would function labor unions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a project labor agreement with the Laborers' Union, Local 89, and the plans for the subdivision
• James Thore Wactor at the California State Council of Laborers, also here on behalf of Laborers' Local
• day laborers.
• day laborers.
• There's plaques in New York and West Massachusetts of the Jewish day labor centers, the Italian day laborers

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it um through department of labor.
• <00:32:33.600> and >> For the committee on labor and >> For the committee on labor
• Um, um labor committee and technology.
• labor and industrial relations. labor and industrial relations.
• /c><00:37:17.839> vice committee labor and technology vice committee labor and technology vice

Bills: SB3179, SB2872, SB2391, SB3282, SB2836, SB2181

Keywords: educational workers, harassment, workplace safety, temporary restraining orders, investigation procedures, retired education employees, teacher shortage, rehired retirants, entry level salary, collective bargaining agreements, pension benefits, education, teacher salaries, automatic increments, collective bargaining, teacher retention, workforce development, Pell grant program, short-term education, eligibility

Summary: The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1. The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am general counsel for the New Hampshire Department of Labor.
• disruptive nature that certainly a labor disruptive nature that certainly a labor inspector<00:46
• leadership in the Department of Labor leadership in the Department of Labor would<00:57:51.160><
• > trainings, In Department of Labor trainings, In Department of Labor trainings, Michelle<01:16:13.760
• I don't Department of Labor for numbers.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• contribution and this shows the labor contribution and this shows the labor market<01:11:52.719>
• <01:29:26.480> Force to reduce the US Labor Force to reduce the US Labor Force significantly
• , this is labor force on Maui.
• So, importantly, Eugene was talking about labor force and about the loss of labor force, right?
• So, importantly, Eugene was talking about Maui, labor force, and about the loss of labor force, right

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are proposing the annual Labor We are proposing the annual Labor Code 62.5 employer assessment require
• Commissioner's Office in the Labor Code.
• And after she had left the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Labor Commissioner's Office,
• she mentioned to me that she had... ...the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Labor Commissioner's
• There was another recent audit of the Labor Commissioner's Office.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held a May Revision budget hearing on state administration and related issues, hearing presentations from multiple departments and agencies. Early items included the Public Employment Relations Board on funding for implementation of AB 1 and a reduced request tied to AB 288, the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement on a technical College Corps adjustment, and the Secretary of State on building security upgrades, election security grant matching funds, and payroll system readiness costs. The Department of Consumer Affairs presented a Board of Pharmacy modernization request and a General Fund backfill for the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education; the LAO raised no concerns on the pharmacy item but recommended rejecting the private postsecondary backfill and questioned interest-free loan language. The Employment Development Department outlined several large workload and benefit adjustments, including EDD Next document management funding, UI loan interest, DI/PFL benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, school employee benefits, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical reversion correction; the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL increase and the expansion of the document management scope, while members asked about program impacts and timelines. The California Workforce Development Board presented an April adjustment to reimbursement authority for an interagency agreement with Caltrans, which the LAO said raised no concerns. Public comment on that item and others included support for workforce and apprenticeship initiatives, including the Jails to Jobs proposal and renewal of the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, though those were not part of the May Revision package. The Department of Industrial Relations then presented several proposals: reclassifying legal positions, continuing modernization of the workers’ compensation EAMS system, Cal/OSHA data modernization, creating a Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, reappropriating funds for the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship program, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the statutory treatment of the workers’ compensation administrative director’s salary. The LAO generally found the IT and salary proposals reasonable but urged close monitoring of the new emerging technologies unit. Committee members, especially Assemblymember Ortega, pressed DIR on long vacancy rates, wage theft claim delays, low collection rates for Cal/OSHA fines, and whether new resources would improve outcomes; DIR said it was pursuing recruitment, classification reviews, and process modernization, while the LAO noted that staffing alone may not explain the delays. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board also sought to make permanent a 2024 change to the 60-day reconsideration clock, saying it had reduced backlog and interim orders; the LAO had no concerns. Finally, the Department of Human Resources presented a statewide Employee Assistance Program contract consolidation that would lower costs compared with renewing separate contracts and requested one program manager position to oversee the contract and first responder services; the hearing continued with Finance’s response after the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem is the process at the Labor Commissioner itself.
• That's always been an issue for a while with the Labor Commissioner.
• That's always been an issue for a while with the Labor Commissioner.
• On the issue of the Labor Commissioner and other departments, absolutely.
• in labor in supporting AB 394 and respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes. Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call. The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, good morning, everyone, and welcome to our very first Labor Committee meeting for the 26th legislative
• I am excited to be back here with the Labor Committee.
• Protecting workers, also advancing the cause of labor.
• I am excited to be back here with the Labor Committee.
• Protecting workers, also advancing the cause of labor.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Labor Committee held its first meeting of the 26th legislative session, with Chair Senator Jessica Ramos outlining a worker-focused agenda centered on stability, fair hiring, clear benefits, and stronger systems for workers facing injury or family needs. She emphasized that the committee’s goal is to reduce worker crises by improving the rules before people need help. Senators Nathalia Fernandez, Christopher Ryan, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Mario Mattera, Robert Jackson, Shelley Mayer, and ranking member Steve Rhoads participated. Six bills were considered. Senate Bill 172A, by Senator Ramos, would increase short-term disability benefits and was reported to Finance. Senate Bill 496, by Senator Fernandez, would require employers to inform employees about certain contract provisions and was reported to the calendar. Senate Bill 2076, by Senator Mayer, would require notice of initial unemployment benefit determinations and was also reported to the calendar. Senate Bill 4518, by Senator Ramos, would address communications between a claimant’s attorney or representative and an injured worker’s treating provider or medical consultant, and was reported to the calendar. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 4816, by Senator Ryan, which would add Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for workers’ compensation purposes, and Senate Bill 5990B, by Senator Ramos, which would require employers to disclose benefits and other compensation such as bonuses, stock options, and commissions. All bills were moved by voice vote without opposition noted. Senator Rhoads briefly commented that protecting workers and advancing labor issues should be approached in a bipartisan way. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE WE DO NOT HAVE AN ADEQUATE DOMESTIC LABOR FORCE.
• TO BRING THAT LABOR AND PAY FOR THAT LABOR SO WE HAVE LABOR SHORTAGES AND POPULATION TRENDS SUGGEST THIS
• THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING QUALITY LABOR.
• WE PAY A REASONABLE SALARY, AROUND QUALITY LABOR.
• >> WAS THE QUESTION DO I HAVE ANY DATA ON THE ACCURACY OF HUMAN LABOR? >> Rep.