Video & Transcript Research : 'wage increases'
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TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 31st, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And so the number of veterans residing there is increasing from what I can see when I'm down there at
- And so because of that, they're the benefits have increased exponentially.
- So we're seeing a trend of increasing claims coming to our state and the population is increasing with
- it's not a matter of Increasing the number of people applying for it.
- This not only supports our current tenants and the increased security that of the activities that are
Bills:
HB101
TX
TX
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 28th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- the bill that relates to workers' wages in the construction industry.
- For failure to pay wages.
- could be recovered from them for liability of those wages.
- You know, what do rates have to be increased from?
- This year, employers saw, as representatives noted, an average increase rate of 4.9%.
Keywords:
transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing, workers' compensation, occupational disease, firefighters, fire investigators, law enforcement officers, first responders, heart disease, cardiac conditions, respiratory disease, cancer presumption
Summary:
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met on January 28, 2026, first taking executive action on several bills and then holding public hearings on House Bill 2563 and House Bill 2188. HB 1571, which makes heart conditions a presumptive occupational disease for certain firefighters and law enforcement officers, was advanced without amendment on an 8-1 vote. Supporters said the bill recognizes the stress, exposures, and hardships of those jobs, while the lone no vote was recorded by Representative Schmidt.
The committee then considered HB 2144 on electronic monitoring notice requirements. Members adopted Tang 189, which clarifies the bill does not override existing laws on recording private communications, but rejected amendments that would have removed the word “imminent” from the emergency exception and eliminated the private right of action. The bill, as amended, passed 6-3. The committee also advanced HB 2191 on construction wage enforcement after adopting amendments that removed the Attorney General as an enforcement authority and made other changes to liability and cure provisions; amendments to add public entities and subcontractors back into the bill were rejected. HB 2191 passed 6-3.
HB 2372, which requires workers’ compensation time-loss benefits to include the full employer-paid health care benefit amount, was also reported out 6-3 after the committee rejected an amendment that would have added notice and invoicing requirements and barred attorney fees from the health-care-benefit portion. Supporters said the bill ensures injured workers receive the full benefit needed to maintain coverage, while opponents raised access-to-counsel concerns. The committee then heard HB 2563, a pilot allowing the Office of Administrative Hearings to send unemployment-case notices electronically by default through July 2029. OAH said the change would save money and improve service, while the Unemployment Law Project warned it could harm claimants with limited digital access and make appeals harder to manage. Finally, HB 2188 was heard; it would require L&I to publish actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates and explain when rate caps shift costs to other classes. Business groups supported the transparency measure, and L&I testified the information is already available internally and could be posted publicly without fiscal impact.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We've seen an increasing number of veterans living further away from military bases.
- The bill increases the number of semester credit hours that can be received from 12 to 15.
- It also extends the ability of tuition assistance from five academic years to seven, an increase of two
- The bill would... revise the maximum number of awards given from 30 to 45, which will increase the number
TX
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 30th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill gives the department discretion when enforcing wage complaints under the Wage Payment Act.
- There is one amendment. ...discretion when enforcing wage complaints under the Wage Payment Act.
- This is the wage recovery bill that comes from the wage recovery task force or work group, excuse me.
- It creates the program and creates a wage recovery account.
- We are aligning provisions from two bills on wage recovery and wage enforcement this year, one L&I request
Keywords:
labor protections, domestic workers, wage standards, employment rights, worker safety, mental health, PTSD, treatment program, research, pilot program, veteran support, trauma, healthcare funding, labor, communication, Department of Labor and Industries, workplace standards, modernization, collective bargaining, labor relations
Summary:
The committee met in executive session on eight bills and first received staff briefings on each measure and the proposed amendments or substitutes. The bills covered domestic worker labor protections (HB 2355), a PTSD treatment pilot in workers’ compensation (HB 2405), electronic notices from L&I (HB 2406), private-sector collective bargaining triggers tied to federal labor law (HB 2471), fire sprinkler contractor licensing and fitter certification (HB 2472), wage complaint enforcement discretion (HB 2478), wage recovery and a wage recovery account (HB 2479), and behavioral health and wellness training for apprentices (HB 2492). Members discussed several amendments that narrowed or clarified exemptions, preserved current law in certain areas, and aligned related wage enforcement provisions.
The committee then took up each bill in turn. Proposed Substitute HB 2355, which expands domestic worker protections and remedies, was advanced on a 6-3 vote after members debated the scope of the bill and a fiscal note; supporters emphasized protections for a vulnerable workforce, while opponents cited cost concerns. HB 2405 was amended to make participation in the PTSD pilot optional for workers and self-insurers, then passed unanimously. HB 2406 was amended to preserve current law for certain workers’ compensation and transportation-network-company notices while allowing electronic notices with recipient consent, and it passed unanimously. Proposed Substitute HB 2471, which would create a state collective bargaining trigger if federal labor law is no longer effective, passed 6-3 after debate over whether the bill was premature.
The remaining bills also advanced with broad support. HB 2472 was amended to remove a stop-work reference for residential sprinkler fitting and then passed unanimously. HB 2478 was amended to require L&I to prioritize wage complaints and make its enforcement priorities public, then passed unanimously. HB 2479, the wage recovery bill, was amended to adjust repeat-willful-violator penalties and passed unanimously after members from both parties praised the bipartisan work group behind it. HB 2492 was amended to allow certain behavioral health training to count toward continuing education for licensed electricians and plumbers, then passed unanimously. At the end of the meeting, all eight bills were reported out of committee with due pass recommendations, and the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And then Item 5 discusses **Riders 40 and 41** pertaining to targeted salary increases for assistant
- It requires the agency to report increases for the other four positions listed in the packet.
- This pertains to an increase in appropriated receipts.
- As such, I am requesting a **6 percent salary increase** for 2026 and the same in 2027.
- I have come every time that I have asked for the salary increase.
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement
Summary:
The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.
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:
- ><c> of</c><00:14:23.560><c> 1,500,000</c> then there's a increase of 1,500,000 then there's a increase
- </c> 500 or five million uh dollar increase 500 or five million uh dollar increase each<00:15:35.920>
- That is an operating increase.
- </c> mclassification enforcement increase. mclassification enforcement increase.
- </c> have not seen fee increases since 2007. have not seen fee increases since 2007.
Keywords:
workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- work</c><00:08:35.120><c> where</c> low-wage uh workers, low-wage work where low-wage uh workers, low-wage
- :09:37.760><c> working</c> better wages and better working better wages and better working conditions
- </c> folks are still working low uh low wage folks are still working low uh low wage jobs<00:46:37.440
- </c> proposal would set a new mandated wage proposal would set a new mandated wage and<01:15:14.159><
- Thank you. for increased labor costs. House File for increased labor costs.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Feb 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- otherwise leaves in place the administrative enforcement provisions, as well as enforcement under the Wage
- This is a really important amendment in order to increase that staff because I believe that what we're
- This amendment would also ask that those claims managers, as we increase the number of claims managers
- right of action, because these individuals, even with the Labor Board, would still be able to file wage
- We also have the new wage recovery that's moving forward and believe that the private right of action
Keywords:
transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, workers' compensation, medical care, healthcare access, employee rights, insurance coverage, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards, industry board, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing
Summary:
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met to executive several bills, briefly setting aside House Bill 2563 and later removing it from consideration. House Bill 2188, which requires L&I to publish more information about workers’ compensation premium rates and actuarial data, had no amendments and was reported out with a due-pass recommendation on an 8-0 vote, with one member excused. Members described it as a transparency measure, and support was unanimous.
The committee then considered House Bill 2218, dealing with access to medical care in the workers’ compensation system. After a proposed substitute was explained, Representative Schmidt’s Amendment RL 025 was adopted to allow L&I to hire additional claims managers and reduce caseloads. The substitute, as amended, was reported out with a due-pass recommendation on a 6-2 vote, with one excused. Supporters emphasized improving access to care, especially in rural areas and for workers who struggle to navigate the system, while opponents raised concerns about the fiscal note and said they would follow up on inducement language in provisos.
House Bill 2524, creating a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board to set minimum employment standards and authorize enforcement, was also advanced. Amendment 236, a technical change adjusting the board’s first meeting date and remittance language, was adopted, while Amendment 237 to remove the private right of action was rejected. The substitute bill then passed out of committee on a 5-3 vote, with supporters arguing it would improve training, stability, and worker protections for security guards, and opponents citing cost concerns and potential impacts on collective bargaining and existing private-sector security jobs.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the quality service wage. the quality service wage.
- This relates to wage and surveillance-based price and wage discrimination.
- And then you offer the wage.
- </c> employer to push wages down. employer to push wages down.
- </c> been doing this price wage setting. been doing this price wage setting.
Keywords:
airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, consumer rights, automated decision systems, Minnesota Statutes, suitable seating, employee seating, workplace seating, occupational safety, workplace safety, labor standards, employer requirements, chair, stool
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- This is just saying, given the high cost of living, let's put a pause on any tax increases—no increases
- in utility rates in order to make up for any rate increase that they otherwise would have increases
- Income tax collections and overall revenue have increased, and so that increase in revenue has... ...
- And with that comes increased costs.
- So every year, a 5 percent increase on average created a substantial increase in the cost of living,
Keywords:
judicial foreclosure, tax lien, redemption rights, excess proceeds, property auction, income tax, federal tax conformity, revenue analysis, legislative session, tax reporting, municipal fees, county fees, utility rates, moratorium, tax classification, local government, inflation, economic stability, tax increases, cost-of-living protection
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The wage increase in House File 3119 as amended would help our family immensely.
- The<00:39:42.000><c> wage</c><00:39:42.480><c> increase</c><00:39:42.960><c> in</c><00:39:43.080><c>
- House</c><00:39:43.360><c> File</c><00:39:43.640><c> 3119</c><00:39:44.600><c> as</c> The wage increase
- in House File 3119 as The wage increase in House File 3119 as amended<00:39:45.440><c> would</c><00:
- In my first 5 years, I received a single 50-cent wage increase, and our step movement was frozen.
Bills:
HF3119
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 19th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- and increased costs for workers, employers, and the system.
- The legislature did a tremendous job in 2020 in protecting the rights of lower-wage and moderate-wage
- employees,” “In protecting the rights of lower-wage and moderate-wage employees.
- Employees may file wage complaints with L&I, alleging violations of wage payment requirements.
- for a wage complaint.
Keywords:
noncompete, noncompetition agreement, restrictive covenant, nonsolicitation, employment contract, worker mobility, labor law, wage suppression, trade secrets, confidentiality agreement, franchise, independent contractor, employee mobility, economic growth, entrepreneurship, job mobility, restraint of trade, customer solicitation, post-employment restrictions, FTC noncompete rule
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several labor and commerce bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation. Supporters said it would speed care, reduce delays and costs, and better reflect PT/OT expertise in musculoskeletal and functional recovery; opponents, including the Washington Retail Association, WSMA, NFIB, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation costs, and the need for a later effective date. The committee also heard SB 5337, which would void non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups argued non-competes restrict worker mobility and entrepreneurship, while business groups and some health care employers warned the bill was too broad, could affect current employees and executives, and should preserve stronger protections for business investments and customer relationships. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.
The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion to decide whether to investigate wage complaints and would adjust timelines and tolling rules for wage-related civil actions. The sponsor and L&I described it as a way to improve enforcement within existing resources, and the bill drew broad support in sign-in testimony. SB 5944 would clarify that compensation for language access providers includes payment for missed or canceled appointments and would align bargaining rules across agencies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency and fairness, with no opposition testimony recorded. SB 6039 would allow L&I to use electronic communications for certain notices while preserving a non-electronic option; L&I said it was a permissive modernization measure with no fiscal impact, while labor and justice advocates warned against defaulting vulnerable workers into email for notices affecting benefits and rights.
The final major bill, SB 6117, would place certain workers and employers not covered by federal labor law under PERC jurisdiction if federal coverage no longer applies, including provisions for certification, bargaining, arbitration, and pre-hire agreements. Supporters said it would preserve collective bargaining rights if the NLRB becomes unavailable or ineffective, citing delays and enforcement failures under federal law. Opponents, especially agricultural employers, farm groups, and small business advocates, argued it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and would allow card-check certification and strikes that could disrupt harvests and other seasonal operations. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a state framework only where federal jurisdiction has been ceded. The committee did not take final action in the hearing, but testimony was recorded on all bills.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources & Energy.(7-2-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, when you do that, you're increasing the efficiency.
- So, when you do that, you're increasing the efficiency.
- </c><00:42:43.720><c> their</c> it's going to increase their it's going to increase their electricity
- </c><00:46:00.640><c> Um,</c> it comes to rate increases. Um, it comes to rate increases.
- Um, but there's been an increase of over 100% in the consumer.
Bills:
SB8
Keywords:
utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51
Approval of Minutes 00:02:07
Legislator Comments 00:02:18
LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19
PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18
WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (2-16-22)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzAhO2-EPOI, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:16
SB 69 Discussion: 00:01:30
SB 69 Roll Call Vote: 00:54:40
Discussion of Recent Increases in Utility Prices: 00:58:28, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- in the likely increases in increases in the likely increases in wages<00:23:17.919><c> over</c><00:23
- </c> wage that that would result in increased wage that that would result in increased cost<00:23:25.440
- c> so</c> care and the wage increases are only so care and the wage increases are only so much<00:48:
- /c> overall increase to our total wage overall increase to our total wage expenses<00:58:31.200><c> over
- c> a</c> capacity increasing caregiver wages is a capacity increasing caregiver wages is a very<01:00
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> increase in temporary price increases increase in temporary price increases following<00:37:08.680
- </c> savings, not increase prices. savings, not increase prices.
- . increasing. increasing.
- are</c> their wages.
- That's why wages are their wages.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Services Finance and Policy Committee hears HF500 2/27/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The proposed minimum wage standards present even greater concerns as it would significantly increase
- The proposed minimum wage standards present even greater concerns as it would significantly increase
- The proposed minimum wage standards present even greater concerns as it would significantly increase
- The proposed minimum wage standards present even greater concerns as it would significantly increase
- Day and Presidents Day who previously didn't get anything extra, and the wage increases are going to
Keywords:
nursing facilities, reimbursement rates, elderly care, minimum wage, healthcare funding, nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, 919, house, all
Summary:
The committee took up House File 500, which would require the legislature to fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s standards before they could take effect. An author’s DE2 amendment was adopted first; the amendment was described as pausing the board’s standards unless the legislature estimates and fully pays the cost for each nursing home. The bill author argued that mandates without money create serious consequences for seniors and providers, and said the measure would keep budget authority with the legislature rather than an appointed board.
Supporters, including nursing home operators and the Long-Term Care Imperative, said the board’s holiday pay and minimum wage standards would create large unfunded costs, citing estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for individual facilities and more than $200 million statewide. They argued that some facilities could face debt, reserve depletion, or reduced access to care if the standards are not funded. Opponents, including SEIU workers and union leaders, said the board has improved staffing, recruitment, morale, and worker safety, and that caregivers deserve higher wages and holiday pay. They argued the bill would weaken the board’s ability to address chronic understaffing and would shift focus away from worker protections.
Members also debated whether nursing home reimbursement rates have already risen enough to cover wages and whether the problem lies with how funds are used by providers. After public testimony closed, several members spoke in opposition and support. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted 9-7 to re-refer House File 500, as amended, to the Committee on Labor and Workforce and Economic Development Finance and Policy.