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:

• 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.
• Under PERB, there is a well-established framework for addressing unfair labor practices and ensuring
• Item number one, SB 1024, the motion is due pass and re-refer to the Committee on Labor.
• Elmer Lazzardo, with the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills, beginning with SB 1166 by Senator Arreguín, which would allow AC Transit and its employees to use the Public Employment Relations Board to resolve unfair labor practice charges instead of the courts. The author and union supporters said PERB would provide a faster, fairer, and more specialized process, while no opposition testified. The committee members expressed support, and SB 1166 was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 1024, SB 1207, and SB 1444, which were moved on consent and placed on hold for absent members. Later, SB 1083 by Senator Perez was heard; it would refine last year’s school misconduct database law by adding an administrative law judge review process for classified employees, requiring stronger employer notification and record-sharing procedures, and extending vetting requirements to certain contracted workers. Supporters, including classified employees and labor groups, argued the bill adds due process and fairness while preserving student safety. Opponents, including school administrators, school districts, and liability organizations, argued it could create gaps in misconduct records, increase liability, and weaken protections for students. After discussion, the author said he was continuing to work with opponents on amendments and emphasized the bill’s goal of balancing due process with child safety, referencing his own experience with grooming as a student. SB 1083 was passed on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Education. The chair then announced that all bills had passed and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Labor Day bill. Sorry.
• permitting schools to start before Labor permitting schools to start before Labor Day<00:06:53.120
• <00:10:49.320> Day tradition of starting after Labor Day tradition of starting after Labor
• So we're not talking about losing a week before Labor Day.
• We're not talking about losing a week before Labor Day.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to um uh thank my collaborator uh in the other body, Rhett Baker, um, as well as the Department of Labor
• <00:04:23.040> and fund at the Department of Labor and fund at the Department of Labor and
• Um, and I didn't think about this when I heard the bill in labor committee.
• They have been through both the labor committee and the environment committee.
• I'm the legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the Department of Labor and Industry is leading this work.
• So, the Department of Labor and Industry is leading this work.
• So, the Department of Labor and Industry is leading this work.
• speaking from the department of labor speaking from the department of labor and<00:14:03.360>
• So, the Department of Labor ourselves.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 129 is the Labor Trailer Bill.
• , I believe it's Section 54, is there to protect those long-standing labor standards.
• That's labor management negotiations.
• Below 85 feet, there are no labor provisions—no labor provisions.
• Thank you for your continued support and solidarity with labor. Yochadeh he went to nation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Labor and Industry does to protect meat Labor and Industry does to protect meat and<00:02:25.520>
• provisions from the Department of Labor provisions from the Department of Labor and<00:04:14.120
• of Labor and Industry. of Labor and Industry.
• and organized labor.
• Of unionized labor and organized labor really fall off.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Chair of the Senate Labor Committee, and the Senate Labor Committee is called to order.
• welcome very much uh to the Senate labor welcome very much uh to the Senate labor committee<00:02
• only the AI in the realm of the labor only the AI in the realm of the labor industry<00:36:05.839
• <01:03:36.920> committee welcome to the Senate labor committee welcome to the Senate labor
• With that, the Senate Labor Committee is adjourned. The Senate Labor Committee is adjourned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With state and federal labor laws. That is the amendment. We have questions. Representative Nixon.
• to pay them a fair wage for their labor, regardless of how much experience they have.
• Who will define, though, how that structured work study is actually work study and not free labor?
• Who will define, though, how that structured work study is actually work study and not free labor?
• This is a way for people to get cheap labor, free labor.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 455, a local bill for the City of Lake Wales that would allow open containers in a downtown arts district. The sponsor said the city had invested heavily in the area and wanted to support business growth. An amendment clarified that the allowance was intended for cups, not bottles taken from restaurants, and the bill was then adopted favorably without opposition. Members then heard HB 1049 on building permit requirements, which would remove permits for certain work under $7,500 and for battery or backup power systems, while also preempting local governments from adding extra permitting rules. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying modular homes on RV lots, and another addressing contractor “splitting” of projects to avoid the threshold and requiring five years of record retention. County and local-government groups raised concerns about inspections and permitting, while several business and advocacy groups supported the bill. It passed favorably. HB 1175, dealing with safety design standards for office surgery suites, was presented as a measure directing the Florida Building Commission and State Fire Marshal to establish new standards to improve safety and efficiency. There was no amendment or public testimony, and it passed favorably. The committee then spent extensive time on HB 221, which would let workers waive the state minimum wage for certain work-based learning, internship, or pre-apprenticeship positions for up to nine months, later narrowed by amendment to 252 days, or 126 days for minors with parental consent, and defining the program as structured learning. Supporters framed it as a way to expand apprenticeships and help small businesses offer training opportunities; opponents argued it would create free or subminimum labor, invite abuse and coercion, and raise constitutional concerns. Despite strong opposition testimony from labor, civil rights, and policy groups, the bill passed favorably after debate. The committee also heard HB 4035, a Palm Beach County local bill requiring applicants for a certificate of competency to pass the licensing exam before applying to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. The sponsor said it would streamline and modernize the process, and members discussed it briefly in support. The transcript ends before the final action on that bill is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support. Thank you.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support. Good morning.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Federation of Labor Unions, proud co-sponsor and support.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support.
• Yvonne Fernandez, California Federation of Labor Unions, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement met for its first hearing of the session, adopted committee rules, and heard several labor-related bills. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including limits on testimony and expectations for orderly conduct. Members then took up measures affecting public employee bargaining, contracting, confidentiality, school employee benefits, pay stub information, and state correctional health staffing. AB 672 would require public employers to notify PERB when filing court actions involving statutes PERB administers and allow PERB to intervene; it drew support from SEIU, AFSCME, school employees, labor groups, and no opposition, and was passed out of committee. AB 283 would move IHSS bargaining from the county to the state level; providers and recipients testified about low wages, long delays in bargaining, and care access concerns, while counties and public authorities raised cost, scope, and implementation issues. The bill passed 7-0 after members discussed family care worker concerns and the author said he would continue working on the issue. AB 339 would require local governments to give unions 120 days’ notice before contracting out bargaining-unit work. Labor supporters said the bill would make existing meet-and-confer rights meaningful and protect jobs, while counties, cities, special districts, chambers of commerce, and staffing groups argued it would burden local agencies and interfere with existing MMBA procedures. The committee also heard AB 340, which would make communications between employees and union representatives confidential for PERB purposes; supporters said it codified existing case law, while school administrators, special districts, counties, and business groups warned it could hinder investigations. AB 378 would extend the classified school employees summer assistance program to JPA employees, and AB 374 would require more detailed pay stubs for classified school employees; both had labor support and some education-sector opposition over implementation and cost concerns, and both advanced. AB 393 would require cost analyses before contracting out physician work at CDCR and the Department of State Hospitals; supporters argued the state was overpaying contractors amid high vacancy rates, and the bill also advanced. At the end of the hearing, the committee recorded final votes showing AB 283, AB 340, AB 374, AB 378, AB 393, and AB 672 all passing out of committee, while AB 339 remained on hold with a 4-0 vote and some members not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Labor Committee.
• If you'd the Senate Labor Committee.
• c> Committee,<00:16:00.880> good the Senate Labor Committee, good the Senate Labor Committee
• Welcome to the Senate Labor Kina.
• is that we support your work as laborers is that we support your work as laborers as<01:10:09.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the House Workforce, Labor, Economic Development, Finance and Policy Committee.
• Welcome to the Workforce, Labor, Committee. It's great to have you here today.
• recent nfib data indicates that labor recent nfib data indicates that labor quality<00:36:14.560
• Is that because he's having a hard time getting a hold of Labor? Is it ESST?
• Is that because he's having a hard time getting a hold of Labor? Is it ESST?

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee’s first official meeting was framed as an informational session, with the chair saying no legislation would be acted on and that testimony would focus on what is working and not working for businesses and workers in Minnesota. The stated topics included earned sick and safe time, paid family and medical leave, labor shortages, and broader business climate concerns. The chair also noted the absence of DFL members and invited questions to be held until the end so testifiers could present fully. Lauren Shodor of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued that Minnesota’s business climate has worsened because of high taxes, rising costs, regulation, and new workplace mandates. She cited chamber survey and research findings saying more businesses are considering leaving the state, that Minnesota companies are investing more in other states than vice versa, and that the state lags national growth rates. She said employers are especially concerned about earned sick and safe time and the upcoming paid family and medical leave program, which the chamber believes add compliance burdens and costs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Matt Hilgart of the Association of Minnesota Counties said the new leave laws affect county budgets and operations because labor is the main county cost and services are often state-mandated. He said the programs were imposed outside the collective bargaining process and can duplicate existing county benefits, increase costs, and create staffing and service challenges. He asked for changes including clearer premium-sharing language, exclusion of elected officials and short-term election workers from paid leave requirements, better exemption and private-plan rules, coordination requirements for intermittent leave, and more clarity for essential employees during weather emergencies. Owen Worth of the League of Minnesota Cities said cities are facing similar implementation problems, with overlapping leave policies and concerns about stacking state and federal leave rules, and he indicated the league would support changes to reduce administrative and budget pressures on cities.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1480, Labor Law, Child Labor Penalties, Private Sector Employee Labor Relations and State
• law<01:38:36.920> child<01:38:37.360> labor House bill 1480 labor law child labor
• child labor laws.
• of the National Labor Relations Board. of the National Labor Relations Board.
• child labor laws. child labor laws.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met with 125 members present and began with the pledge, prayer, and opening formalities. Two House resolutions were presented and adopted by voice vote: one honoring the pioneering women of the Maryland State Police and State Fire Marshal’s Office during Women’s History Month, and another recognizing the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Infant and Childhood Loss on its 50th anniversary. Both resolutions highlighted the honorees’ service and contributions, and the clerk read each resolution into the record. The chamber then received Senate bills introduced in the House, including Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 551, which were read the first time and referred to committee without objection. The House also took up multiple committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and ordering bills printed for third reading. Measures advanced included bills on residential real estate contract contingencies, Maryland data privacy, local alcoholic beverages licenses and fees in several counties, county salary study commission membership, sheriff and municipal enforcement matters, estates, health occupations background checks, school book fair tax exemptions, school board compensation and voting, and a Calvert County medical center bill. Several bills were amended before advancing. House Bill 443 on Prince George’s County small event center alcohol licensing received a capacity-related amendment; House Bill 348 on Baltimore City alcohol license extension received a technical amendment and a change expanding coverage to transfers of ownership before July 1, 2029; House Bill 682 changed a license classification from Class C to Class GC; House Bill 405 on EV recharging equipment in condo/HOA documents was amended to clarify budget treatment; and House Bill 895 on dynamic pricing and predatory pricing received amendments clarifying definitions, disclosures, and enforcement. After extended discussion of HB 895, including questions about whether it bans dynamic pricing for food, how it treats discounts and loyalty programs, and whether supply-and-demand pricing changes are affected, the House agreed to special order the bill until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a labor standards supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at the labor standards
• I'm a labor standards supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at the labor standards
• I'm a labor standards supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at the labor standards
• I'm a labor standards supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at the labor standards
• I'm a labor standards supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at the labor standards

Bills: HF3707, HF3732, HF2581, HF3731

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since that time, the National Labor Relations Board has regained a quorum.
• Commissioner's office in the Labor Code.
• And after she had left the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Labor Commissioner's Office,
• There was another recent audit of the Labor Commissioner's Office.
• There was another recent audit of the labor commissioner's office.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• under the National Labor Relations Act. under the National Labor Relations Act.
• I urge the Faster Labor Contracts Act.
• Whether it's safer labor contracts act.
• <05:03:50.400> attracted Labor Contracts Act has attracted Labor Contracts Act has attracted
• <05:04:20.958> contracts<05:04:21.520> act faster labor contracts act faster labor

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 129 is the labor trailer bill. This bill implements the following notable labor...
• That's labor-management negotiations.
• Below 85 feet, there are no labor provisions—no labor provisions.
• labor.
• The labor issues in construction are barely enforced now.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.
• Labor trafficking includes situations of debt bondage, forced labor, and involuntary child labor.
• This provided in-depth labor trafficking definitions as well and created restitution for survivors.
• Eight percent were coded as labor trafficking.
• As you heard, human trafficking is made up of two types of exploitation: labor trafficking...

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received three presentations and took no bill votes. The Department of Children and Families gave an extensive update on human trafficking prevention and services, describing Florida’s statutory framework, hotline and investigation data, placement options such as safe houses and safe foster homes, new adult safe house certification rules, expanded screening tools for vulnerable adults, and prevention efforts including youth-led outreach and training. Members asked about whether current funding is sufficient, how DCF addresses grooming and re-victimization in residential settings, and how long youth typically remain in safe-house placements; DCF said funding is only one part of the support system, that families and youth receive prevention resources even when allegations are not substantiated, and that placement length varies by child. OPPAGA then presented its 2024 annual report on commercial sexual exploitation of children. The report found that verified CSE victims slightly declined in 2023, with Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, and Escambia among the highest-prevalence counties. Most verified victims were community youth rather than children already in care, though dependent youth had higher rates of prior maltreatment. OPPAGA also reported continued concerns about limited placement capacity, especially for less restrictive Tier 1 safe houses, and service gaps such as the need for survivor mentors. Its recommendations focused on expanding placement options, improving data collection, and strengthening collaboration to support survivor mentors. Finally, DCF presented the Step into Success pilot program for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 26. The program combines workforce education, professional development, and paid internships with mentor support; the first cohort launched in 2024 with 15 participants, all of whom secured placements, and the department reported strong satisfaction and early outcomes. Committee members asked about scalability, costs, and whether the model could be moved beyond DCF-run operations into community-based providers. DCF said the program was designed to be scalable, currently costs about $500,000 annually for the pilot, and could be expanded statewide with additional funding and partner support. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• some labor market indicators send early signals of economic contractions and expansions.
• corporate profits, inflation, and labor corporate profits, inflation, and labor market<00:18:04.240
• Uh much of our labor force particular.
• Um but that was the our labor force.
• labor supply in a number of areas. labor supply in a number of areas.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget officials presented the February 2026 budget and economic forecast, saying the state remains in a strong financial position but faces continued structural imbalance and significant uncertainty. Commissioner Aaron Campbell said the FY 2026-27 balance is now projected at more than $3.7 billion, up about $1.3 billion from November, and the FY 2028-29 planning period is projected to end with a $377 million positive balance. He emphasized that the improvement comes largely from higher projected revenues, especially individual income and corporate franchise taxes, but warned that the state is increasingly reliant on more volatile sources such as capital gains, interest income, and corporate profits. State Economist Dr. Anthony Becker said the national outlook improved slightly, with stronger projected GDP, consumer spending, and investment, but weaker payroll growth and ongoing trade-policy uncertainty. He noted that the forecast was complicated by missing federal data because of the federal shutdown, and that tariffs, immigration policy, equity markets, and possible AI-related shifts all present risks. Revenue projections were raised for the current biennium, including individual income tax receipts, sales tax revenue, corporate franchise tax revenue, and other revenues, while Becker stressed that federal funding threats, especially involving Medicaid and other entitlement programs, could materially alter the outlook. State Budget Director Anna Mingi said general fund spending in the current biennium is projected to be $68 million lower than previously estimated, but planning-year spending is up $152 million. The biggest spending changes came from education, where special education costs rose sharply after updated local spending data, and from human services, where a new prepayment review process for certain Medicaid benefits reduced projected spending by $133 million this biennium and $105 million in the next. She also said discretionary inflation is now estimated at $1.04 billion, up $104 million from November. Campbell closed by saying the state’s reserve remains at a record $3.8 billion and that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy help protect against downturns. He cautioned, however, that the long-term structural imbalance remains about $3.4 billion in the planning years, or $2.3 billion excluding discretionary inflation, and urged policymakers to offset any new spending with reductions. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session on the forecast.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wear heels and makeup to work and a jacket, my back still has residual pains from that physical labor
• theft, outright exploitation, and unsafe working conditions precisely because their work and their labor
• Labor trafficking and forced labor can and do occur when workers have no clear route to safety or to
• Let us ensure that the labor of domestic workers is recognized, their rights are protected, and their
• I want to especially thank our labor leaders and union partners, whose commitment to apprenticeship and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine procedural business, including adoption of resolutions congratulating Yolanda Kruger on her 100th birthday and two orders extending the Public Health Committee’s reporting deadline on House documents 4984 and 4988. The chamber then moved through a series of local bills and calendar items, passing to engrossment measures including authorization for the town of Hudson to grant an additional wine and malt beverage license, authorization for Cohasset to grant five additional liquor licenses, and an amendment to the Plymouth town charter. It also advanced several other bills on second reading, including a land conveyance for Barnstable County and Bourne, a bill requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events, and a bill preparing apprentices through training and hiring in Massachusetts. The House took up House 3417, designating June 16 as Domestic Workers’ Rights Day. Representative Sousa spoke in support, describing domestic workers as essential but often invisible workers and arguing that the designation would raise awareness of rights and protections under the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The bill passed to engrossment by roll call, 156-0. The House also passed House 4992, authorizing Barnstable County and Bourne to convey certain parcels of land, and later passed House 4994, the Paths Act, which would require a phased-in apprentice-hours requirement on large public construction projects, condition bidding on participation in approved apprenticeship programs, and create a commission to study apprenticeship participation. The chamber then debated House 4993, the Preston Settles Every Minute Counts Act, requiring AEDs and trained personnel at sporting facilities and events. Representative Decker urged passage, citing the death of a young athlete and the need to close safety gaps outside schools. Representative Frost offered amendments to create a state fund to help communities pay for AEDs and to allow exemptions for remote fields without permanent power, arguing the bill could otherwise burden municipalities; both amendments were defeated on roll call. The bill itself then passed to engrossment by roll call, 154-1. The House also enacted a bill allowing Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, and the session ended with an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjournment.