Transcript Highlights:

• Tina Moore, Director of Workforce Development, Division of Higher Education.
• through the review with the Career Education and Workforce Development Board, those adjustments kind
• I'm just state for workforce development-wise.
• needs and through the review with the Career Education and Workforce Development Board.
• And I think it really helps put Arkansas on what we're doing in workforce development on the map.

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:

• then forays into workforce development. then forays into workforce development.
• The workforce development fund.
• Um and to my workforce development fund.
• > development This bill supports workforce development This bill supports workforce development
• fiscal the workforce development fund in fiscal the workforce development fund in fiscal year

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Growth and workforce development for the Los Alamos School Board a couple of weeks ago.
• and how our workforce programs tie to the statewide economic development. plan, how they tie to our
• And I represent New Mexico Junior College and Hobbs in our workforce development.
• McCleary, quite fitting as he was a pioneer for workforce development in southeastern New Mexico.
• At times in workforce development strategies, planning and strategies aligned with our economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• investment from the Workforce investment from the Workforce Development<00:02:32.319> Fund
• <00:10:26.079> development<00:10:26.640> fund um from the workforce development fund
• :36:06.640> development family centered workforce development family centered workforce development
• And so it workforce development program.
• Thinking ahead to what workforce Thinking ahead to what workforce development<00:40:10.880> will

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on the development demand, we'll give you an update on the development programs that we have
• the Housing Development Fund.
• workforce housing.
• There is a bill to increase the distributions from the Workforce Apprenticeship and Development Trust
• development and apprenticeship?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:58.960> Development from the Workforce Development from the Workforce Development Fund
• , also from the Workforce Development Fund.
• , also from the Workforce Development Fund.
• > to<00:41:21.800> the Workforce Development Fund also to the Workforce Development Fund also
• fund of the workforce develop Vel ment fund of the workforce develop Vel ment fund that<00:51:58.200

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal of the AWE project is to enhance workforce well-being through specialized leadership development
• It's really meant to develop the individually identified professional development goals of that particular
• We have three areas of focus for coaching: professional development, competency and skill development
• this entire approach to training our workforce and assisting our workforce.
• About workforce enhancements, can you give us a few examples of workforce enhancements that you're doing

Summary: The committee heard three presentations focused on child welfare workforce development and the needs of children in Florida’s dependency system. First, the Florida Institute for Child Welfare described its Grow Center and related initiatives, including academic curriculum enhancements, simulations, virtual reality training, coaching, on-demand learning, advanced certifications, and the planned Tallahassee learning lab opening in January 2026. Members asked about conflict resolution, domestic violence, addiction, and microcredentials; the presenter said the institute is expanding training in those areas and is working with DCF to align advanced certifications with the department’s career ladder. The Department of Children and Families then presented on the Continue the Mission initiative, which recruits veterans, military spouses, and former law enforcement officers into CPI, API, and case management roles. DCF said it has held more than 240 hiring events and hired 372 such workers since launch, while also improving recruitment and retention through higher starting pay, streamlined hiring, rebranding, wellness supports, and enhanced pre-service training. Senators asked about PTSD concerns, staffing levels, caseloads, hotline vacancies, and salaries; DCF said it had not seen direct PTSD issues from the hiring effort and provided figures including a $50,000 starting salary for CPIs, $37,000 for APIs, and average caseloads of 12 to 15 investigations for CPIs and about 10 for APIs. Finally, DCF discussed the increased acuity of children in the dependency system, explaining that fewer children are entering care overall but those who do often have more complex behavioral, mental health, developmental, or medical needs. The department highlighted a new Behavioral Qualified Residential Treatment Program (BQRTP) designed for youth who need more intensive support than traditional foster or group home settings but do not require inpatient psychiatric treatment; one facility is licensed with 12 of 14 beds filled, and DCF said it is seeking funding for placement for 230 youth total. Members pressed for details on licensure timelines, standards, funding, and the handling of crossover youth and lockouts, and DCF said it uses braided funding and works with DJJ, APD, and lead agencies through local and state review teams. A representative of the Florida Coalition for Children also testified, saying the issue is complex and multi-year, and that the coalition is working on possible legislative and programmatic solutions. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and me: workforce development, and how the state implements and delivers on this issue and all
• education, career pathways, and workforce development.
• For decades, Edge has brought together leaders from business, labor, education, workforce development
• College Chancellor's Office, the Department of Education, and local workforce development boards.
• We worked; we had a whole labor and workforce development division.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met in a special hearing and took up SB 638 by Senator Padilla, a workforce development bill aimed at creating a coordinating entity called the Middle Class Pipeline Project. The bill would streamline interagency education and workforce programs, improve career technical education and career pathways, and direct resources toward high-unemployment, low-income regions through changes to the CTE incentive grant program. Supporters, including the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the California Edge Coalition, National University, Long Beach City College, and United Ways of California, argued that California needs a statewide coordinating body to reduce silos, improve access to high-quality jobs, and better align education with labor market needs. Committee members focused heavily on whether the proposed entity would duplicate existing bodies such as the California Workforce Development Board and other education/workforce agencies, and whether its broad duties could be carried out with the $1.5 million budget allocation. The author said the bill is intended to move an operational coordinating entity into broader tri-party negotiations with legislative leadership and the Governor, and that the final structure and staffing would depend on those talks. Some members supported the concept but raised concerns about scope, duplication, and whether the bill should be delayed or audited; one member opposed it as too broad and underfunded. The committee ultimately voted to pass SB 638 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on a courtesy vote. The roll call showed five ayes and three noes, with one member not voting, and the chair later allowed additional members to add on, including an additional aye from Assemblymember Haney. The hearing then adjourned with the chair noting that further conversations would continue on the coordinating entity and its responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• in workforce development, as well as our Secretary Kelly.
• Workforce development, again, key to our... Or underserved.
• Workforce development, again, key to our future and the money we've invested thus far to create those
• We've been working with our CareerSource Florida team as well as the local workforce boards to develop
• So when we are educating and have a footprint on those literacy training efforts workforce development

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism met briefly and first announced that Senate Bill 232 by Senator Rodriguez was temporarily postponed at the sponsor’s request. The main item was a presentation from Leo Garcia of the Office of Broadband on Florida’s broadband programs, current deployment progress, and upcoming funding opportunities. Garcia said the office is administering multiple grant programs that have awarded hundreds of millions of dollars for broadband infrastructure, community facilities, and digital device access, with a focus on rural areas, workforce development, and digital literacy. He also described the state’s strategic plan and partnerships with local governments, ISPs, workforce boards, community colleges, and community action agencies. Garcia explained that Florida has already deployed over 1,100 miles of fiber and enabled about 4,300 connections, and said the remaining unserved and underserved locations should drop significantly by the end of 2026 before the BEAD program addresses the rest. He said BEAD is a fully federal program for Florida, providing $1.16 billion from NTIA, with most of it reserved for infrastructure and additional amounts for workforce training and cybersecurity/digital literacy. He noted that Florida is prioritizing fiber but will also use fixed wireless or satellite where fiber is not cost-effective or feasible. He also said the office is seeking additional spending authority for the Digital Capacity Grant Program. Members asked about county coverage, especially Duval County, and Garcia said Duval and Monroe had not yet received funds because they currently have limited unserved or underserved areas, but they are expected to be addressed through BEAD and related workforce and literacy efforts. Senator Davis raised permitting delays as a major challenge, and Garcia said the office is exploring ways to help local communities process permits more quickly. Senator Wright asked about competition with satellite-based broadband providers, and Garcia said the state is technology-agnostic but prioritizes fiber for reliability. There were no public comments, no votes or formal actions taken, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to fund the development of the workforce housing and the state authorizing fee for the Committee of
• The Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• Consent for the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• Commission for the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• and Tourism Officer for the Committee on Trade Workforce and Economic Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO GROW AND HOW TO BE DEVELOPED WORKFORCE TO MEET THAT.
• IT'S A HUGE JOB CREATION, HUGE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
• A FEW YEARS AGO YOU GAVE US AUTHORITY TO INVEST BUDGET WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS A PROGRAM.
• BEFORE THAT WE COULD ONLY DO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ON A PROJECT BY PROJECT BASIS.
• AT THE SAME TIME AS WE ARE FOCUSING ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WE ARE BUILDING THE STRATEGY AND IF WE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > due the Workforce Development Fund and due the Workforce Development Fund and due to<00:02:47.720
• I'm the Adult Services director with Workforce Development Incorporated, serving southeastern Minnesota
• <00:03:52.599> Development director with Workforce Development director with Workforce Development
• um my my journey with the Workforce um my my journey with the Workforce Development<00:08:31.520
• <00:15:00.920> Development thank you so Workforce Development thank you so Workforce Development

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This session we're focusing mainly on workforce development, um, on education, small business, technical
• This session we're focusing mainly on workforce development, um, on education, small business, technical
• This session we're focusing mainly on workforce development, um, on education, small business, technical
• This session we're focusing mainly on workforce development, um, on education, small business, technical
• focusing mainly on workforce focusing mainly on workforce development,<00:05:24.400> um,<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Career education strengthens Florida economy by developing a skilled workforce, supporting high-demand
• And that's been the use of the workforce development, capitalization, incentive grant.
• The BTC commitment to C T E and workforce development remains unwavering through innovative programs.
• But when we talk about CTE and we talk about workforce development, what we're really talking about is
• Continued investment in workforce development is going to continue to uplift the people in the citizens

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fees and taxes report the committee on trade workforce upcoming development HB 4451 by Kane relaying
• Refer the committee to trade workforce. and economic development.
• Association's books and records for the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development.
• governance scores or for the committee of trade workforce and economic development.
• and Tourism Officer for the Committee on Trade. workforce and economic development.

Bills: HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Um they the workforce development side.
• <00:20:33.840> development um on what workforce development um on what workforce development
• and workforce development boards, um, and workforce development boards, um, and through<00:36
• > then the workforce development side and then the workforce development side and then uh<01:03
• 52.400> we<01:18:52.640> should workforce development grants, we should workforce development

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So our ultimate goal is to have a thriving workforce.
• It's really meant to develop the individually identified really meant to develop the individually identified
• We have 3 areas of focus for coaching professional development, competency and skill development and
• this entire approach to training our workforce and assisting workforce is one of the things you mentioned
• So thank you for for building this workforce.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this bill appropriates $20 million for the workforce housing development program.
• Uh, this bill appropriates $20 million for the workforce housing development program.
• Uh, this bill appropriates $20 million for the workforce housing development program.
• , and financing related to market-rate rental workforce housing developments.
• , and financing related to market-rate rental workforce housing developments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have data centers, renewable developers, transmission developers, utilities, public advocacy organizations
• And as we look at these climate-aligned workforce projections, we see workforce demand increased substantially
• development are.
• development are.
• And I look forward to being a part of the program. ...agencies involved in workforce development are.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shoemake as chair and Representative Alex Ibarra as vice chair. Members then moved into a series of work sessions focused on data centers, transmission, and workforce needs tied to Washington’s clean energy and grid planning challenges. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, created under Executive Order 25-05. They said the group met for six months, received more than 1,000 public comments, and included representatives from agencies, industry, tribes, labor, utilities, environmental groups, and research institutions. The presenters emphasized that data centers are expected to be the largest source of load growth over the next five to ten years, creating concerns about grid capacity, ratepayer impacts, forecasting, water use, backup generation, and compatibility with Washington’s energy and climate laws. They described nine recommendations, including protecting existing energy and climate policy, improving forecasting, seeking more clean power and transmission, and encouraging flexible data center operations. A proposed tax incentive change that would have expanded eligibility while tying the exemption to new clean electricity sources narrowly failed in the work group. Members asked about tribal consultation, cooling technologies, and local benefits from data centers; the presenters said tribal consultation was ongoing and a final report would follow. Keegan Moyer of West Tech then outlined a regional transmission study showing major strain on the Western grid from load growth, electrification, resiliency needs, and limited transmission capacity. He said the 10-year study identified about 12,000 line miles of needed projects across the West, with roughly $56 billion in estimated costs, including planned projects, reliability upgrades, and new interregional transfer projects. He stressed that many projects are upgrades within existing rights-of-way, but new corridors are still needed, and he previewed recommendations on permitting, equipment procurement, cost allocation, and project sponsorship. In response to questions, he discussed the difficulty of crossing jurisdictional “seams,” the role of federal coordination, landowner compensation, eminent domain as a last resort, and the limited role of public financing beyond a federal GRIP grant. Stephanie Scott of Commerce presented the transmission workforce study, which focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers. She said current workforce levels are far below what will be needed under a clean energy expansion scenario, and that active projects are essential because apprenticeship training depends on thousands of hours of hands-on work. She highlighted barriers such as high upfront CDL and pre-apprenticeship costs, the need for wraparound supports, and the importance of expanding access for women, people of color, and tribal communities. Members asked about tribal utility apprenticeship programs, utility-run training pipelines, and whether the study included funding sources; Scott said the report would include an inventory of apprenticeship programs and tribal considerations, but revenue ideas were outside the study scope. Finally, Brant Johnson of Grid United described the North Plains Connector as a case study in large transmission development. He said the project, a 420-mile, 3,000-megawatt HVDC line connecting Montana and North Dakota, has relied on early stakeholder engagement, route changes, tribal consultation, and coordinated federal and state permitting to reduce risk and shorten timelines. He said the project aims for permits by the end of 2026 and construction beginning in 2028, with an earliest commercial operation date of 2032. In response to questions, he discussed the challenges of crossing regional seams, interconnection queues, land acquisition and compensation, eminent domain, and financing, noting that the project is primarily privately financed with a $700 million federal grant covering a portion of costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Banette Mis Lucha, executive director of the Workforce Development Council.
• <00:10:20.240> Our Workforce Development Council. Our Workforce Development Council.
• Uh, again for the Workforce Development Council nominee is Scott Collins.
• Keith Melo again for Workforce Development Council. Okay, thank you.
• confirmation to the Hawaii Workforce confirmation to the Hawaii Workforce Development<00:16:44.320

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Labor and Technology Committee met on April 4, 2025, to consider four governor’s messages involving nominations to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board and the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Barbara Creek, nominated to the Retirement Savings Board for a term ending June 30, 2029, testified that she had already served two years on the board, had prior experience with deferred compensation plans, and wanted to help operationalize the program quickly and efficiently. In response to a question about Senate Bill 855, she explained that an opt-out auto-enrollment model is the gold standard for retirement savings programs, would increase participation and contributions, and would help Hawaii avoid being an outlier and improve the chances of joining a multi-state compact for a cost-effective program. Amber Aana, nominated to the Workforce Development Council for a term ending June 30, 2029, emphasized her maritime-industry background and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and training opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. Scott Collins, nominated to the same council for a term ending June 30, 2028, said he had served on the board since 2022 and could contribute public-sector and union experience to help address government workforce challenges. Pane Mayonga II, also nominated to the Workforce Development Council for a term ending June 30, 2029, was absent due to union travel, but the committee heard extensive testimony in support from labor, industry, and community representatives. Support testimony was recorded for all four nominees, including from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, United Public Workers, Hawaii State AFL-CIO, Hawaii Nurses Association, Hawaii Ports Maritime Council, and other organizations and individuals. For Pane Mayonga II, the committee noted support from a broad coalition including labor unions, maritime and construction groups, and community advocates. No opposition testimony was presented, and members did not raise substantive questions on the Workforce Development Council nominees. After a brief recess, the committee reconvened for decision-making and voted to recommend advice and consent on all four governor’s messages: GM 727 for Barbara Creek, GM 744 for Amber Aana, GM 717 for Scott Collins, and GM 728 for Pane Mayonga II. Each recommendation was adopted unanimously, and the committee congratulated the nominees before adjourning with no further business.