Bills: SR1, SR2

Keywords: Texas Senate, senate rules, caucus report, legislative administration, senate officers, parliamentarian, assistant parliamentarian, secretary of the senate, sergeant-at-arms, calendar clerk, journal clerk, doorkeeper, enrolling clerk, senate staff, employee policies, leave policy, compensatory time, outside employment, staff salaries, per diem

Summary: The Senate reconvened from recess and received a message from the House stating that the House was organized and ready to conduct business. The House also reported passage of SCR 7, which directs the State Preservation Board to begin steps to replace the Children of the Confederacy plaque with a plaque honoring victims of Texas’s convict leasing system. The Senate then took up and adopted Senate Resolution 1, the caucus resolution offered by Senator Zaffirini, which sets recommendations for Senate operations. The officers of the Senate were then sworn in. Next, the chamber considered Senate Resolution 2, the Rules Resolution, offered by Senator Hughes; it was adopted by a 31-0 roll call vote and makes only limited changes to committee structure while retaining prior rules. The Senate also authorized the President to appoint a five-member committee to notify the House that the Senate was organized and ready to transact business. Senator Eckhardt introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Liu, a family medicine physician from Austin. With no further business, the Senate recessed until 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 22.

Bills: SR1, SR2

Keywords: Texas Senate, senate rules, caucus report, legislative administration, senate officers, parliamentarian, assistant parliamentarian, secretary of the senate, sergeant-at-arms, calendar clerk, journal clerk, doorkeeper, enrolling clerk, senate staff, employee policies, leave policy, compensatory time, outside employment, staff salaries, per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• DEI programs exist to ensure fair access to employment and education for all Texans, making sure that
• The prayers occurred during free time outside of official duties.
• these examples are, uh, Austin and San Antonio attempted to require paid sick leave for private employers
• Currently, state agencies must get approval from the Attorney General to hire outside legal counsel,

Bills: SB 231, SB 667, SB 689, SB 825, SB 965, SB 992, SB 1059, SB 1220, SB 2368, SB 2601

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• DEI programs exist to ensure fair access to employment and education for all. all Texans, making sure
• The prayers occurred during free time, outside of official duties.
• Some examples include Austin and San Antonio attempting to require paid sick leave for private employers
• Currently, state agencies must get approval from the Attorney General to hire outside legal counsel,

Bills: SB231, SB667, SB689, SB825, SB965, SB992, SB1059, SB1220, SB2368, SB2601

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• Granted, the appropriation, you need the money, but the other part would allow DPS to employ outside
• Really, there's conflicts of interest that happen, and sometimes they have to use outside counsel.
• I don't really understand the need for DPS having their own outside counsel, just, you know, other than

Bills: HB2148, HB2993

Keywords: federal funding, state budget, appropriation, block grants, noncustodial funds, legislative authority, Arizona attorney general, Department of Public Safety, DPS, consumer fraud revolving fund, consumer protection fund, gang and immigration intelligence team enforcement mission fund, public safety appropriation, supplemental appropriation, outside counsel, state agency legal representation, legal services, state settlement proceeds, general fund, A.R.S. 41-192

Transcript Highlights:

• So between 2004 and 2025, the average cost of employer-sponsored healthcare insurance for families and
• small employers has increased 167% from $9,737 to $26,000.54 dollars.
• So if you are an employer and you want to see what you spent as a company on health benefits for your
• I mean, I do think some of those challenges that you're citing are outside of our control.

Bills: SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364

Keywords: massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• So between 2004 and 2025, the average cost of employment. Insurance.
• So between 2004 and 2025, the average cost of employer-sponsored health care insurance for families and
• small employers has increased 167 percent, from $9,737 to $26,054.
• So if you are an employer and you want to see what you spend as a company on health benefits for your
• I mean, I do think some of those challenges that you're citing are outside of our control.

Bills: SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364

Keywords: massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits

Summary: The Senate Business and Insurance Committee met and first laid over Senate Bills 1969 and 1624 without hearing them. It then considered SB 1953, a health insurance transparency bill requiring third-party administrators to provide employers information on what was spent on employee health benefits; an amendment deleting the word “welfare” was adopted, and the bill passed 7-1. SB 1277, which codifies a three-week work-search requirement for unemployment benefits, passed 8-0. SB 1287, amended to change “may” to “shall,” would bar the Oklahoma Abstractors Board from licensing applicants not legally authorized to work in the U.S.; after questions about the need for the bill and the alleged loophole, it passed 7-2. The committee also passed SB 1061, a cleanup measure on mortgage broker licensing and renewal fees, and SB 1916, which would move the Oklahoma Receivership Office under the Insurance Department and streamline receivership operations. SB 1589, as amended to reference Indian Gaming Regulatory Act authorization, would increase penalties for illegal sweepstakes/gambling operations and expand enforcement against entities profiting from illegal gambling; it passed unanimously. SB 2178, a compromise special-event license bill requiring liability insurance coverage, also passed unanimously. Two major insurance reform bills were debated at length and failed. SB 1444 would shift homeowners insurance rate regulation from a use-and-file system to prior filing with authority for the Insurance Commissioner to declare rates excessive; after testimony from a homeowner about a large premium increase and extensive debate over regulation and market effects, it failed 4-5. SB 1438 would require reporting of underwriting gains and profits, cap average profits at 5% over three years, and require rebates or premium credits if profits exceeded that level; supporters argued it would protect consumers, while opponents warned of market disruption and reduced competition. It failed 2-7. The committee then passed SB 1501, clarifying medical marijuana grow reclamation bond requirements, SB 1873, correcting a drafting error in a prior bill and delaying its effective date, and SB 1364, requiring an affidavit of encumbrances before transferring a medical marijuana business license.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:33.959><c> in</c> considerable uncertainty Employers in considerable uncertainty Employers
• </c> good employes good employes raises<00:21:24.520><c> um</c><00:21:24.880><c> so</c><00:21:25.080>
• </c> need time off of work and the employers need time off of work and the employers who<00:57:08.640
• pro-employment.
• Yeah, the employer part of this that I increased on the employer was to get to the point that the DFL

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that own 25% or more of the employer that own 25% or more of the employer corporation<00:02:13.720
• </c><00:29:55.200><c> reach</c> because I've had many employers reach because I've had many employers
• ,</c><01:14:03.200><c> educators,</c> brings together employers, educators, brings together employers
• Seeing none, I'll close public testimony. employment providers and have room to employment providers
• ,</c><01:30:28.640><c> the</c> is a change in their employment, the is a change in their employment,

Bills: HF3843, HF3597, HF4003, HF3167, HF4193

Keywords: workforce development, appropriations, nonprofit organizations, employment services, state funding, paid leave, S corporations, employment law, exemptions, Minnesota Statutes, cancer, healthcare, appropriation, Rural Cancer Institute, Minnesota clinicians, pilot program, nursing, education, University of Minnesota, equity

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> employer allows them to waive a break. employer allows them to waive a break.
• </c> outside their home. outside their home.
• </c> employer at that time. employer at that time.
• . employers. employers.
• </c><01:13:46.600><c> opt</c> an employer If an employer doesn't opt an employer If an employer doesn't

Bills: HF4110, HF2113, HF4569, HF4414

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• Just regular people of all types in employment issues.
• I'm the secretary of the Texas Employment Lawyers Association.
• Director for Education to Employment Partners.
• Many thousands of Texas employers...
• This bill is a common-sense fix to help employers and...

Bills: HB875, HB1667, HB2369, HB3844, HB4415, HB4479, HB4483, HB4676, HB5118, HB5400, HB5545

Keywords: workers' compensation, municipal construction, bidding requirements, small municipalities, contracting policies, first responders, PTSD, mental health, emergency services, medical expenses, injury claims, insurance carriers, opportunity youth, workforce development, employment, education, federal funds, employment discrimination, immunity waiver, public employees

Transcript Highlights:

• With individuals and families, not with employers or government mandates.
• This bill applies to every daycare, school, employer, and business in Arizona.
• Food service employers are private businesses.
• I would disagree with you as to the law, and again, this is outside the scope of this bill.
• ... ...questions about whether you'll be able to feed your family, hold employment, right?

Bills: HB2086, HB2248, HB2688

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:33.519><c> covenants,</c> covenants, employment covenants, covenants, employment covenants
• </c> at the discretion of their employers at the discretion of their employers high<00:08:17.440><c>
• They talked about useful tools for employers. They talked about discretionary for the employers.
• </c> balance of power that employers have. balance of power that employers have.
• </c> Um, someone's looking for employment. Um, someone's looking for employment.

Bills: HF3889, HF2567, HF3878

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> helped 1,250 people secure employment helped 1,250 people secure employment last<00:58:49.039><c
• </c><01:00:11.400><c> were</c> sustaining wage with employers were sustaining wage with employers were
• </c> the success of employees and employers the success of employees and employers and<01:03:45.920><
• </c> we produce workers with employable we produce workers with employable skills<01:08:45.359><c> that
• He said that as an employer, he has had employees who have struggled in the past because outside life

Bills: HF500, HF718, HF1096, HF1246, HF1469

Keywords: nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, workforce development, job training, economic stability, low-income, career pathways, education funding, Summit Academy, employment, STEM programming, GED preparation, Neighborhood Development Center, NDC, small business, entrepreneurship, business training

Transcript Highlights:

• Non-compete agreements are a valid tool for employers to protect legitimate employer interests. this
• </c><00:02:37.400><c> for</c> means um that for some employers for means um that for some employers for
• </c> $500,000 of income where those employes $500,000 of income where those employes EMP<00:04:00.000
• of Minnesota's largest employers.
• </c> this would little to protect employers this would little to protect employers employers<01:09:57.800

Bills: HF1355, HF1469, HF1768

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF1469, Minnesota, workforce development, job training, job skills training, reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, ex-offenders, inmates, recently released inmates, felony conviction, felony-level offense, corrections, prison release

Bills: HF2440

Keywords: labor market, employment, economic development, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for new curriculum based on the needs of the employer or a consortium of employers.
• </c> individuals who have gained employment. individuals who have gained employment.
• </c> employer or a consortium of employers. employer or a consortium of employers.
• They look at—and it's inclusive of unions, education, employers, and usually they are employer-led as
• </c> we deal with a lot of employers we deal with a lot of employers um<00:41:53.680><c> investing</c

Bills: HF2440

Keywords: labor market, employment, economic development, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> experience on how to retain employment experience on how to retain employment in<00:05:17.440><c
• that goes to employers um we do have two that goes to employers um we do have two staff<00:31:35.559>
• uh ages 16 to 24 with local employment uh ages 16 to 24 with local employers<00:41:22.839><c> public
• </c><00:42:06.440><c> uh</c> round collaboration with employers uh round collaboration with employers
• The private sector employers and the other public employers that participate in our program do pay the

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

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:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5874 relates to the quarterly report sent by employers to the Employment Security
• Starting with some background, employers must file quarterly reports with the Employment Security Department
• A penalty applies if an employer files an incomplete or incorrectly formatted report.
• A violation by a self-insured employer subjects the employer to penalties for delaying or refusing to
• A violation by an employer insured through the state fund may subject the employer to a penalty between

Bills: SB5944

Keywords: language access, collective bargaining, labor relations, employment rights, worker protections, 904, all

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee heard several bills related to employment standards, workers’ compensation, prevailing wage, collective bargaining, and public-sector labor rights. Substitute Senate Bill 5874 would let the Employment Security Department waive penalties for minor or inadvertent errors in quarterly employer wage reports, including software-related mistakes. Senator McEwen said the bill is intended to relieve small businesses from fines tied to administrative reporting errors, and the committee closed the public hearing without opposition testimony. The committee then heard Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5847, which would expand workers’ compensation medical treatment options by allowing injured workers more flexibility in choosing providers, prohibiting employers from requiring treatment from a specific provider, and setting timelines for utilization review. Supporters said the bill would improve access to care and reduce delays, while business groups opposed it as weakening the provider network and increasing costs. L&I said it could implement the bill with a technical fix and noted that fiscal impacts were still being updated. The committee also heard Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, which would require annual prevailing wage updates on public works projects, with exemptions for residential construction and small works roster projects. Labor groups supported the bill as protecting wages on long projects, while contractors opposed it unless change-order protections were added for large unexpected wage increases; L&I requested a delayed effective date to accommodate IT changes. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5944, which would allow language access providers to bargain over compensation for missed or canceled appointments and clarify that collective bargaining agreements prevail over conflicting agency rules or policies, but not statutes. Testimony was supportive, with union representatives saying the bill would make bargaining consistent across agencies and help retain interpreters. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5972 would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of county population, and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302 would require L&I to investigate possible misclassification when three or more independent contractors perform the same type of covered finishing work on a public works project. The correctional arbitration bill drew support from labor and opposition from counties and a city over costs and budget impacts, while the misclassification bill drew broad support from labor and contractor groups as a targeted enforcement tool. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript.