Transcript Highlights:

• because many Kentuckians, including seniors and individuals with disabilities, people working low-wage
• because many Kentuckians, including seniors and individuals with disabilities, people working low-wage
• because many Kentuckians, including seniors and individuals with disabilities, people working low-wage
• because many Kentuckians, including seniors and individuals with disabilities, people working low-wage
• </c> disabilities, people working low-wage disabilities, people working low-wage jobs,<00:50:43.040><

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• income per worker will be the primary driver of growth in total wage and salary disbursements through
• per worker reflects revision in underlying variables and lower observed wage growth since February.
• Nonetheless, we still expect nominal wage growth will exceed the rate of inflation in Minnesota, which
• will raise real wages per worker and rate workers' purchasing power.
• Wage growth for working families is up. Wage growth for working families is<01:34:41.120><c> down.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From what the testifier described, it sounds like this is all pegged to the wages of the person who owes
• From what the testifier described, it sounds like this is all pegged to the wages of the person who owes
• 00:52:15.440><c> increases</c><00:52:15.880><c> in</c><00:52:16.000><c> their</c><00:52:16.160><c> wages
• </c><00:52:16.960><c> or</c> substantial increases in their wages or substantial increases in their wages
• </c><00:53:25.920><c> of</c> like this is all pegged to the wages of like this is all pegged to the wages

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• For every dollar invested by the state in wage reimbursement, private employers contribute $3.22 in wages
• For every dollar invested by the state in wage reimbursement, private employers contribute $3.22 in wages
• State funding provides a 50% wage match, up to $3,000, helping small businesses access top talent and
• State funding provides a 50% wage match, up to $3,000, helping small businesses access top talent and
• Tolison, to answer that, most of the funding is the wage match that goes to employers.

Bills: HF1936 , HF849 , HF989 , HF1130 , HF1223 , HF1907 , HF1847 , HF1957

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, career guidance, education, job skills, Duluth Promise, education funding, career training, employment support, youth apprenticeship, economic development, minority support, internship program, Bloomington, funding, youth mentorship, job training, disadvantaged youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youthprise

Transcript Highlights:

• The weeks when there was school, I got partial unemployment benefits along with my wages.
• We struggle with retention due to the low-income paraprofessional wages.
• We struggle with retention due to the low-income paraprofessional wages.
• Our wages are horrible.
• Our wages are horrible.

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The longer, the more expense that's incurred, both on their wage replacement, the medical costs that
• And medical cost and wage replacement come in as secondary factors into that calculation.
• employers so that they know what they're getting when an apprentice applies for a high-demand, high-wage
• apprenticeships and creating pathways for young people to access economic development opportunities and high-wage
• employers so that they know what they're getting when an apprentice applies for a high demand, high wage

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• decade have decade have had<00:31:56.400><c> almost</c><00:31:56.880><c> 43%</c><00:31:57.880><c> wage
• <00:31:58.160><c> growth,</c><00:31:58.560><c> whereas</c><00:31:58.840><c> our</c> had almost 43% wage
• growth, whereas our had almost 43% wage growth, whereas our non-exempt<00:32:00.880><c> bargaining</
• ><c> have</c><00:32:02.360><c> had</c> Non-exempt bargaining staff have had just a little over 30% wage
• Non-exempt bargaining staff have had just a little over 30% wage growth.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are family-wage jobs that provide a means of raising a family, putting kids through college.
• This program helps support good, livable-wage jobs and upholds California's clean future goals.
• This policy protects high-wage union jobs and accelerates real emissions reductions.
• For generations, the oil and gas industry has provided high-wage union careers that sustain families
• We are a proud union shop providing about 600 livable-wage jobs, including contractors and skilled labor

Summary: The meeting began with a budget subcommittee hearing on a proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit trailer bill. Assembly Members Ávila Farías and another member spoke in support, emphasizing union jobs, refinery investments, and the need to decarbonize aviation. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s proposal would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold in California from 2026 to 2036. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing it is a relatively expensive way to reduce emissions, has uncertain environmental benefits, could significantly reduce transportation revenues, and conflicts with the spirit of voter restrictions on transportation taxes. Committee members questioned whether the credit would mainly benefit out-of-state producers, whether firms would have diesel tax liability to use the credit, and whether the proposal would shift production away from renewable diesel and raise fuel prices. Administration and CARB staff said the credit is intended to support aviation decarbonization, preserve jobs, and help keep California on track toward its 2045 climate goals. LAO and UC Berkeley testimony countered that the policy could mostly subsidize existing technologies, that feedstock supply is limited, and that the net emissions benefit may be small relative to the cost. Members also asked about the effect on local streets and roads, SHOP, and trade corridor funding; Finance estimated a $165 million annual revenue impact would reduce those programs, while LAO said the reductions would mean fewer projects over time. No vote was taken, and the chair said the issue would remain open for further discussion. The committee then moved to a zero-emission vehicle incentive trailer bill proposing a one-time $200 million appropriation to CARB for a new point-of-sale incentive program focused on first-time buyers and leases of new and used light-duty ZEVs. Supporters said the program would help offset the loss of the federal EV tax credit, maintain momentum in California’s ZEV transition, and use a one-to-one match with participating automakers to double the state’s investment. LAO recommended rejection, saying the proposal does not meet the high budget bar this year, lacks enough program detail to evaluate, is unlikely to move sales significantly given the size of the appropriation, and could duplicate existing state and utility programs. Members asked about current incentives across light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors, the recent decline in ZEV sales, and whether the program would help lower-income buyers rather than subsidize purchases that would have happened anyway. CARB said the proposal is meant to fill a gap in the light-duty market, where sales fell sharply after the federal credit expired, and noted existing programs for other vehicle classes. The Department of Finance also addressed a separate question about the Motor Vehicle Account, saying a previously planned GGRF transfer was no longer needed because updated forecasts showed the fund had sufficient balances, though LAO said the account still has a structural long-term imbalance. The discussion ended before any vote or action on the ZEV proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you cut wages? And the mayor told me. Did you cut wages?
• I believe we have the ability to earn over a million in wages that we'd be happy, Madam Speaker, you
• I believe we have the ability to earn over a million in wages that we'd be happy, Madam Speaker, you
• And those policies, my history, include things like the $15 minimum wage, public financing on campaigns
• off government assistance, because that means we have fostered a business environment that increases wages

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• Things that will help me are higher wages and more support in buying a home, not taking away from my
• When workers lose the ability to speak up, wages fall behind, benefits disappear, and families pay the
• However, our grocery bill, insurance, and such continue to go up, and wages have not gone up to match
• They have higher wages, better health insurance, better retirement plans, improved work... ...better
• Philip Randolph, you know, he would always talk about unionization and how it was about wages, but it

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work hard for our wages, and we do it with a lot of grit.
• Well, Madam Speaker and Representative, is median household income necessarily a living wage in today's
• is perhaps, I'm not sure that it's particularly related in any way to what we think of as a living wage
• , the kind of wage that you need to have.
• I'm not sure that tying it to the median wage will get the results you want.

Bills: HB145 , HB164 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB166 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HB99 , HB206 , HB213 , HB270 , HJR5 , SB104 , SB193 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:25:35.120><c> leads</c><00:25:35.440><c> to</c><00:25:35.640><c> higher</c><00:25:35.880><c> wages
• </c> earning a degree leads to higher wages earning a degree leads to higher wages and<00:25:36.880><
• challenges cost of living<00:26:42.919><c> is</c><00:26:43.080><c> outpacing</c><00:26:43.720><c> Wages
• </c><00:26:44.360><c> mental</c><00:26:44.679><c> health</c> living is outpacing Wages mental health
• living is outpacing Wages mental health concerns<00:26:45.279><c> are</c><00:26:45.440><c> on</c><00:

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the corporations receiving these huge tax cuts from H.R. 1 should not be able to pay poverty wages
• That begs the question: which companies and why are paying poverty wages and not providing affordable
• subsidizing giant corporations that do not want to pay their employees or give them health care or good wages
• Giant corporations that do not want to pay their employees or give them health care or good wages.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review subcommittee heard four budget trailer bills: AB 110, AB 122, AB 125, and AB 177. AB 110 was described as a budget bill junior identifying budget-related legislation. AB 122 would extend sales tax to electronically delivered or remotely accessed prewritten software, extend and later limit business tax credits, reduce the annual LLC/LLP/LP tax for first-year businesses for three years, and impose a 100% tax on certain federal anti-weaponization fund settlements. AB 125 would renew the managed care organization (MCO) tax for three years beginning in 2027 to support Medi-Cal and targeted provider rate increases. AB 177 would require the Department of Finance to return by March 1, 2027 with options for assessing large employers for the Medi-Cal costs of employees enrolled in the program, including at least one employer-paid premium option for firms with 250 or more employees, and would appropriate $1,000 General Fund for implementation. Administration witnesses said AB 122 modernizes the tax system and helps create general fund revenue, while AB 125 is needed to preserve Medi-Cal financing and targeted rate increases under new federal constraints from H.R. 1 and to avoid a budget hole if the MCO tax expires. On AB 177, Finance said the bill is only a study and does not itself impose a tax, but would direct the administration to develop options for future consideration. Supportive members argued the package is part of a balanced approach to address the structural deficit, protect health care and other safety-net programs, and ensure large corporations pay more of their share. They also said AB 177 is a necessary step toward asking large employers to help cover public health care costs for workers who rely on Medi-Cal. Opponents, led by Vice Chair Niello and several other Republicans, argued the state does not have a revenue shortage but a spending problem, warning that the proposals would raise costs on consumers and businesses, discourage innovation, and expand taxes beyond their intended scope. They criticized AB 122 as potentially taxing labor-like services and limiting research and development credits, and said AB 125 would increase premiums for commercial enrollees and employers. On AB 177, they questioned the lack of definitions and specifics, saying the bill is too vague and could eventually burden employers, including hospitals and part-time workers, without clear standards. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and questions before public comment and later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would strike current law, which provides that a primary wage-earning parent in a two-parent
• They will miss work, they will lose wages, they will lose hours, and some will lose their jobs.
• Yet, we struggle even to meet the minimum wage.
• Yet, we struggle even to meet the minimum wage.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• certified payroll reporting portal and database requirement for all state projects covered by prevailing wage
• all state projects covered<00:35:09.120><c> by</c><00:35:09.240><c> prevailing</c><00:35:09.800><c> wage
• </c> covered by prevailing wage requirements. covered by prevailing wage requirements.

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that will be available to recipients, expanded use of verification sources for real-time hours and wages
• that will be available to recipients, expanded use of verification sources for real-time hours and wages
• We did some math on that wage and determined that they could have been working 20 hours or more, and
• That goes to hardware stores, employee wages, machinery, veterinarians, compost, that list goes on and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would also preserve all applicable prevailing wage and labor standards such as public works
• grow, there is a risk that some contractors could exploit gaps in procurement authority to undercut wages
• This bill would also preserve all applicable prevailing wage and labor standards such as public works
• grow, there is a risk that some contractors could exploit gaps in procurement authority to undercut wages

Summary: The hearing opened with several procedural announcements and then took up AB 2148, which would prohibit artificial intelligence from replacing education workers. The author and supporters from the California Federation of Teachers and California School Employees Association argued the bill was a modest first step to protect human educators, students’ social-emotional development, and teacher agency in classroom technology decisions. Public support came from labor and education groups, while some school administrator and county office representatives said they were moving to neutral or awaiting the printed amendments. The committee discussed teacher shortages and the role of AI as a supplement rather than a replacement, then passed AB 2148 as amended to Higher Education on a 5-0 vote. The committee then heard AB 2202, which would create a Closing the Achievement Gap Commission to advise the State Board of Education. The author and sponsors said the commission would improve coordination between state and local education leaders and help the state better support local efforts to close achievement gaps. Support came from CSBA, CFT, charter schools, and many district leaders. Members raised questions about early childhood representation on the commission, and the author said he would discuss that with the sponsor. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. The consent calendar, including AB 1569, AB 2071, AB 2206, AB 2298, AB 2467, AB 2580, AB 2652, and AB 2726, was also approved. AB 2555 was then heard as a special order bill to reform English learner reclassification. The author said the current system is outdated, inconsistent, and too subjective, and proposed a more automatic, transparent process with stronger parent involvement and post-reclassification monitoring. Testimony in support emphasized personal experiences of delayed reclassification and the need to recognize biliteracy; there was no opposition. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations on a 6-0 vote. The committee also approved AB 1860, which would extend design-build authority to county offices of education while preserving prevailing wage, apprenticeship, and skilled workforce requirements; opposition from county superintendent and facilities groups was removed after amendments, and the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. Later, the committee passed AB 2514, which would create a State of Achievement Gap Dashboard to track state-level progress in closing achievement gaps, and AB 2149, which would require the Legislative Analyst’s Office to publicly assess the state’s progress and recommend actions. Both bills were presented as part of a broader package to improve state accountability for student outcomes, and both passed as amended to Appropriations on 7-0 votes. Finally, AB 2490 was heard, proposing to allow longer-term substitute assignments with added training, mentorship, and parent notification to address teacher shortages and classroom instability. Supporters said it would reduce “subchurn” and help maintain continuity, especially in special education; opponents, including CTA, Public Advocates, and CTC staff, argued the bill was unnecessary given existing rulemaking and could create legal and training concerns. The transcript cuts off during committee discussion of AB 2490, so no final vote is shown for that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• other testimony is that it's projected over the next decade that there needs to be 170,000 living wage
• and providing a long-term generational commitment to help make sure we are working towards living wage
• I stand on my written testimony in support of this measure and just have a couple living wage jobs for
• It's living wage jobs for our Kiki.

Bills: HCR92 , HCR46 , HCR172 , HCR147 , HCR112 , HCR100 , HR84 , HR42 , HR139 , HR104 , HR92

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: automated external defibrillator, AED, cardiac arrest, state buildings, health education, public health, lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, Hawaii, workers' compensation, auditor, procurement audit, compliance, Department of Human Resources Development, transparency, accountability, medical care

Transcript Highlights:

• the idea that a tech or a vocational path is noble, worthy, and can put you in a high-demand, high-wage
• fill jobs in areas like health care, construction, IT, manufacturing, transportation, and high-demand wages
• We want to see it all the way through to the workforce and, you know, in career and wages and all those
• It's a long-term piece if you're talking about wages and careers, but it's a short-term piece when you're

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 31, 2026, and heard several bills focused largely on workforce training, student aid, and school safety. HB 325 by Rep. Brass would add successful completion of nine dual-enrollment credit hours as a third eligibility pathway for the TOPS Tech Award; after a clarifying amendment limiting the change to students graduating in the 2026-2027 school year, the bill drew broad support and was reported favorably. HB 407 by Rep. Larvadane would return the M.J. Foster Promise Program’s initial eligibility age to 21 for two years, grandfathering in current younger participants while the state addresses funding shortfalls; despite concerns about access for 18- to 20-year-olds, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill as amended on a 12-2 vote. HB 482 by Rep. Turner would loosen TOPS Tech requirements, including lowering one academic threshold, raising the age window to 25, and increasing the award amount at community and technical colleges; after an amendment expanding the affected institutions beyond LCTCS, it was reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 283 by Rep. Newell, which strengthens penalties and school responses for assault and battery on teachers and other school employees and expands sick-leave coverage for related medical, psychological, and rehabilitation treatment. Testimony from educators and union representatives described serious incidents of violence and fear of retaliation, while a school district attorney warned about unintended consequences for rural districts, transportation, and students with disabilities; the bill was amended to include students as protected victims and then reported with amendments. HB 448 by Rep. Adams would allow scholarships for firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty, and their spouses, to be used for graduate study rather than only a bachelor’s degree; after an amendment clarifying the scholarship could be used for bachelor’s or advanced degrees, it was reported as amended. HB 319 by Rep. Beham, a cleanup measure for the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education to improve quorum and update organizational references, was reported favorably. HB 195 by Rep. Beham, which would bar public postsecondary institutions from prohibiting students from carrying self-defense chemical spray on campus, was amended to add exceptions and then reported with amendments. The committee also heard testimony on HCR 10 by Rep. Wilder, which asks the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to recognize dance and cheer as sanctioned sports; the sponsor said the resolution was prompted by a parent request and safety concerns, and an amendment was expected to broaden the measure. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly emphasized workforce development, dual enrollment, and the need to align education programs with labor-market demand, while also debating how to balance student access, funding limits, and school safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I see this data, you know, normally you would look at, you know, what's the wage, what's the
• , you know, normally you would look at, you know, what's<00:41:14.840><c> the</c><00:41:15.440><c> wage
• ><00:41:16.080><c> what's</c><00:41:16.440><c> the</c><00:41:17.400><c> electricity</c> what's the wage
• , what's the electricity what's the wage, what's the electricity cost,<00:41:18.520><c> what's</c><00

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all