Video & Transcript Research : 'farm labor contractor'

Page 1 of 500
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 5/6/25

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • These delays don't just affect contractors.
  • </c><00:58:46.079><c> and</c> to support the Department of Labor and to support the Department of Labor
  • </c> delays don't just affect contractors. delays don't just affect contractors.
  • of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association
  • There's not even a labor union who is representing these workers.
Bills: HF3228, HF2441
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Apr 27th, 2026

Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • My father farmed for my grandfather, who had a working farm. And we do not come here lightly.
  • And I grew up on a farm. I'm a farm boy. I worked in the sugar fields. I love the farmers.
  • We go overboard with farming, and we're not anti-farming, by all means. Great deal of respect.
  • It does not offset our labor market at all.
  • You know, Department of Labor here.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which would create an Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force to study issues such as Chinese drones, farmland ownership, and other technology-related concerns that could affect farmers and national security. Senator Kathy Stewart said the goal was to avoid unintended consequences in legislation and to bring agriculture stakeholders together. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections. The committee then took up Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League, said the bill would clarify that bagasse is an agricultural byproduct and would protect storage practices that comply with department best practices from local ordinances. Several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near their homes was out of compliance, created dust and odors, and caused health and property-value concerns. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably with no objections. House Bill 512, by Representative Schamerhorn, would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of cell-cultured food products in Louisiana while allowing university research to continue. An amendment was adopted to make the bill effective only if certain federal court rulings allow such a ban. The sponsor and Commissioner Strain argued the issue is still scientifically uncertain and that the state should avoid costly litigation; the bill was reported favorably with amendments after no objections. House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was amended to shift food-desert research and mapping duties to the LSU AgCenter, while the financing authority would continue handling grants and related funding mechanisms. Supporters said the bill would improve data on food deserts and help target grocery access in underserved urban and rural areas; some members raised concerns about government subsidies and long-term dependence, but the sponsor and Commissioner Strain said the program is intended as infrastructure support to launch stores, not ongoing operating aid. After debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a 10-3 roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably House Concurrent Resolution 65, which urges federal action to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes; testimony emphasized labor shortages, the impact on crawfish and rice producers, and the need for more legal guest workers. The meeting ended with a brief informational handout on direct marketing and custom slaughter plants and adjournment.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • It adds a sentence that says the Department, being the Department of Labor, shall not retroactively apply
  • oversight, in increasing the membership of the board from 9 to 15, including the lieutenant governor, the labor
  • Members, HB 3673 updates current law to allow journeymen and contractors to renew a license that has
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Apr 27th, 2026

Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • My father farmed for my grandfather, who had a working farm. We do not come here lightly.
  • And I grew up on a farm. I'm a farm boy. I worked in the sugar fields. I love the farmers.
  • We go overboard with farming, and we're not anti-farming, by all means. Great deal of respect.
  • to school, the farm to table, all of those things.
  • It does not offset our labor market at all.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Apr 28th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Not as many technologies and different equipment kind of overrode the labor cost.
  • A crime of being in the country illegally to do farm labor. I'm very concerned.
  • You know, in everyone's district, there are farm workers that are migrants.
  • H-2A is for seasonal farm workers, while H-2B has a cap.
  • You've got to go through the Department of Labor.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Great day to be here in Minnesota at the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and
  • ,</c><00:13:46.320><c> public</c> here such as local union labor, public here such as local union labor
  • My name is Josiah Moore, and I'm the legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry.
  • </c> at the Department of Labor and Industry. at the Department of Labor and Industry.
  • of the Child Labor Act.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:17:02.560><c> and</c> first up is Department of Labor and first up is Department of Labor and
  • Department of Labor fines totaling nearly $700,000, with additional fines because these cheating contractors
  • </c> cheating contractors cheating contractors um um um forgo<00:19:31.360><c> paying</c><00:19:31.840
  • If the contractor or the owner and contractor are really just not complying or it's irreparable, then
  • If the contractor or the owner and contractor are really just not complying or it's irreparable, then
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported. Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee Meeting Jun 18th, 2026

Elections & Government Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And in doing so, they also undermine the many honest, hardworking contractors across our state.
  • structured dispute resolution process, first requiring a good-faith effort between the homeowner and contractor
  • And importantly, it creates consequences when contractors refuse to engage in good faith.
  • its core, this bill helps level the playing field, protecting homeowners, supporting reputable contractors
  • more industry expertise, including working production professionals, new media specialists, includes labor
Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee met in hybrid format, approved the June 10 draft minutes, and then heard a long agenda of bills. HB 89 (home improvement fraud dispute resolution) was presented as a consumer protection measure developed with DOJ to address contractor fraud, especially against vulnerable homeowners; members voiced support and asked to be added as sponsors. HB 283 updated realty transfer tax exemptions to use gender-neutral “spouses” language and add a direct grandparent-to-grandchild transfer exemption; it drew supportive public comment. HS1 for HB 390 would let DelDOT choose electronic-only bidding for projects, remove newspaper bid-opening notices, and clarify bidding records, with no opposition raised. HB 328/H.A. 2 modernizes the Register of Regulations statute, keeps newspaper distribution requirements, and delays some effective dates to 2027; it was described as a technical update. HB 365 would create the Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, prompting supportive testimony from Indigenous community members and some discussion about representation and internal tribal اختلافs, but no formal opposition. HB 423 would automatically enroll new state employees in the 457B deferred compensation plan unless they opt out, with exclusions for collective bargaining units and implementation tied to payroll readiness; it was presented as a retirement-savings measure. SS1 for SB 342 would modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission to support a broader film/media incentive package, with support from the Delaware Arts Alliance and a request to help attract productions to Delaware. The committee also heard SB 331, a cleanup bill on garagekeeper liens for manufactured housing and related assets. The sponsor and an attorney explained it as clarifying who can recover funds and attorney’s fees in lien sales, but the Chief Magistrate and the manufactured housing association said the issue should be addressed more carefully and possibly in another section of code; they were open to further work. HB 436 would update the Smyrna charter, including school impact fees, election challenge procedures, vacancy rules, domicile standards, Board of Elections terms, and meeting schedules. HS1 for HB 376 made technical and organizational changes to the Millville charter, including a tiebreaker for municipal elections and a property tax cap, with the town solicitor saying there was little substantive change. HB 460 would require New Castle County municipalities to submit permit data monthly rather than on a much slower schedule, limited to closed permits with certificates of occupancy, to improve property assessment data; it was presented as part of broader reassessment/data-quality efforts. Public comment was heard on several items, especially HB 365 and SS1 for SB 342. Indigenous speakers supported the commission as a way to preserve heritage, improve representation, and create a formal seat at the table. The Delaware Arts Alliance supported the film commission modernization bill as part of a broader creative-economy plan. No recorded votes were taken on the individual bills in the transcript, and the meeting ended with a unanimous motion to adjourn.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025 at 10:04 am

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • This applies only to materials, not labor.
  • Construction contracts often include multiple tiers of contractors.
  • So we have no licensing requirement for roofing contractors.
  • substitute for HB 3344 addresses that risk by creating a targeted licensing structure for re-roofing contractorscontractors
  • Contractors must provide a written contract before beginning work.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 3862, which would restrict social media app use for minors and limit smartphone/social media access in classrooms. Supporters, including representatives from Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media are linked to addiction, distraction, cyberbullying, and worsening youth mental health, and said the bill would help parents and schools protect children. After testimony, the committee left HB 3862 pending. Members then heard HB 3712, a construction retainage bill that would stop owners from withholding reserved funds on specially fabricated materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted, while still allowing retainage for labor and installation. Witnesses from the precast concrete industry said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk for subcontractors and suppliers. The bill was left pending after closing. The committee also heard HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for owners and independent repair providers, with carve-outs for medical devices, vehicles covered by existing repair agreements, trade secrets, and security protections. Support came from consumer, environmental, repair, and policy groups, while one witness from Safelite was neutral and urged removal of the MOU reference for auto manufacturers. HB 2963 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4308, which would create county industrial development districts to attract industrial employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and a board structure. Supporters, including the Fort Bend County commissioner, said the bill would help counties diversify tax bases and create jobs; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee took up several pending bills and voted to report HB 74, HB 112, HB 2214, HB 3016, HB 3133, HB 3173, HB 3807, HB 4063, HB 4115, HB 5008, and HB 2652 favorably to the full House, with some sent to the Local and Consent Calendars. The committee also heard HB 3874 on construction contract transparency and HB 4196 on creating a task force to modernize manufacturing, both of which were left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for re-roofing contractors; supporters said it would curb storm-chasing and protect homeowners, while one roofing contractor opposed it as too restrictive and argued existing fraud laws are sufficient. HB 3344 was also left pending.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025 at 10:04 am

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • This applies only to materials, not labor.
  • As you know, contractors who have fallen victim to unscrupulous contractors have very limited recourse
  • Many contractors are forced to observe the status of the building, call, or continually email the contractors
  • labor and materials for the project.
  • You know, there are a lot of good contractors, but even the best contractors fall short sometimes.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to technology, construction, economic development, and consumer protection. HB 3862 would restrict minors’ access to certain social media apps and limit smartphone use in classrooms; supporters, including Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media contribute to addiction, distraction, depression, self-harm, and trafficking risks, and the bill was left pending. HB 3712 would change Texas retainage rules so owners could not withhold payment on specially fabricated construction materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted; subcontractors and suppliers said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk, and the bill was left pending. HB 2963, the right-to-repair bill, would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for independent repair of digital devices, with exemptions for medical devices, vehicles under existing agreements, and trade-secret protections; consumer, environmental, business, and repair advocates supported it, while Safelite asked that automotive manufacturers not be excluded from the bill, and it was left pending. HB 4308 would create county industrial development districts to attract major employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and bonds; Fort Bend County supported it as a tool to add jobs and broaden the tax base, and it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing system for re-roofing contractors, require insurance and bonding, and establish a public database and complaint process. Supporters said it would help curb storm chasers and protect homeowners after storms, while opponents argued it would add burdens on legitimate small roofers, duplicate existing fraud laws, and potentially restrict consumer choice and contractor pricing flexibility. After extensive testimony and questions, the bill was left pending. HB 4196 would create a task force on modernizing manufacturing through digital integration and automation; Schneider Electric and the Texas Workforce Commission supported it as a way to improve competitiveness and create skilled jobs, and it was left pending. HB 3874 would require contractors to receive copies of incorporated contract documents before signing if requested; subcontractors and construction attorneys said it would improve transparency and prevent parties from being bound by unseen terms, and it was left pending. In pending business, the committee voted out several bills. HB 74, creating the Port Verde Port Authority District, was reported favorably to the full House without amendment. HB 112, relating to a science park in certain counties, was reported favorably as substituted. HB 2214, on floodplain notice requirements for leased dwellings, HB 3016, on rental vehicle damage waivers, HB 3133, on explicit deepfake material on social media, HB 3173, on workforce development program planning and evaluation, HB 3807, on child care waiting list priority for children of certain child care workers, HB 463, on unilateral memoranda of contract for residential property, HB 4115, on shareholder proposals to certain domestic corporations, and HB 5008, on use of the Skills Development Fund by certain entities, were all reported favorably, most without amendment and some as substituted. HB 2652, creating a certified caregiver pilot program in the Borderplex workforce area, was also reported favorably and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • This applies only to materials, not labor.
  • There are good contractors out there.
  • As you know, contractors who have fallen victim to unscrupulous contractors have very limited recourse
  • labor and materials for the project.
  • There are a lot of good contractors, but even the best contractors... ...fall short sometimes.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Mar 19th, 2025

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • increasing part of the um which is an increasing part of the um which is an increasing part of the labor
  • force to provide them that same labor force to provide them that same labor force to provide them that
  • is putting in the independent contractor is putting in the independent contractor is putting in as well
  • and offered to a independent contractor and offered to a independent contractor and is not expected.
  • and now it's department of um uh labor and now it's department of um uh labor and now it's department
Bills: SB199, HB142, SB86, HB152, HB297, SB1, SB1
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/26

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:19:38.640><c> So,</c><00:19:39.360><c> really</c> Contractors Association.
  • So, really Contractors Association.
  • I'm here on behalf of the 350 general and specialty contractors that make up Associated General Contractors
  • The system must be able to integrate with existing contractor software.
  • </c><00:24:04.560><c> software</c> closely with contractor software closely with contractor software
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Mar 3rd, 2026 at 03:00 pm

Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • I've been a plumbing contractor in the state of Oklahoma for 33 years.
  • So, plumbers, contractors, journeymen, apprentices, our family.
  • Those apprentices to licensed journeymen to contractors.
  • So, the other trades have 3 to 4 times the amount of apprentices and journeymen available per contractor
  • school, you don't have to serve three years of apprenticeship like you would working for a typical contractor
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AGR Public Hearing - Wed Mar 18, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • of the Hawaii Farm Bureau.
  • </c> Labor Industrial Relations in support. Labor Industrial Relations in support.
  • </c> Farm Bureau in support in person. Farm Bureau in support in person.
  • </c> can support a diversity of farm sizes. can support a diversity of farm sizes.
  • </c> to farming. to farming.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2885 SD1, which would create mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material beginning in 2027, with penalties and an effective date. Support came from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, DLNR, Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Testifiers generally said the bill would help reduce CRB spread, though some urged additional science-backed methods, better coordination, and technical or cost-share support for smaller operations. Hawaiian Earth Recycling recommended amendments to align the bill with existing Department of Health/EPA composting rules, add other materials that can harbor CRB, allow future approved treatment methods, and replace the bill’s 60-day turning requirement with existing pathogen-reduction standards. One individual supported the goal but argued the state’s CRB strategy has lacked community and cultural consultation and should include a cultural advisement role. Department witnesses said enforcement would rely on inspection and an educate-before-regulate approach, and they noted the challenge of creating enough drop-off sites, especially in rural areas. The committee then took up SB 2174 SD2, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to declare an emergency quarantine, halt operations in affected areas for 96 hours with possible extension, quarantine suspected pest areas, issue notices and compensation to affected farmers, and adopt interim transportation rules for materials that may harbor high-impact invasive species. The department and DLNR supported the measure, emphasizing the need for fast action in the first hours of an invasion. Hawaii Farmers Union supported the compensation provisions but asked for stronger communication with producers and a post-action report to the Board of Agriculture after about 90 days to evaluate effectiveness and economic impacts. In response to questions, department staff said the bill would be a short-term, department-only quarantine authority distinct from the governor-declared biosecurity emergency authority enacted previously, and that it could serve as an intermediate step. They also said outreach would need to be done through farm organizations such as Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, and Cattlemen’s groups. The final measure discussed was SB 2925 SD1, relating to coconut trees. The bill would recognize coconut trees as a source of food and water and a cultural treasure, require rules for coconut tree seed banks, require signage identifying landscape palms where applicable, set labeling standards for non-consumable landscape palms, and create an income tax credit for consumable coconut trees maintained through natural management practices. The transcript ended before testimony or action on this bill was completed, and no vote was taken on any of the measures discussed in the portion provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/23/26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> in</c> Farm, which is a small vegetable farm in Farm, which is a small vegetable farm in Northeast
  • bigger farms.
  • bigger farms.
  • bigger farms.
  • They may may farm things farm flowers.
Bills: HF3508, HF3548, HF3549