Labor committee advances 16 concept bills, schedules Feb. 6 public hearing

Senator Kushner opened the Labor and Public Employees Committee meeting on Jan. 28, 2025, and moved 16 items forward as concept bills or subject-matter hearings, announcing a public hearing on Feb. 6 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2B (and via Zoom). Votes on the items were taken by roll call and the chair said votes would be held open until 1 p.m. or until the Senate convened.

The committee advanced a range of agency and member proposals. Senator Kushner summarized an agency bill to change fixed statutory percentages for youth employment and training funds so the Labor Commissioner can set allocations using U.S. Department of Labor data. The committee also moved several recurring or placeholder bills on working conditions, workers’ rights and the Labor Department.

Several items drew substantive discussion. On a proposal about transportation network and third-party delivery companies, Senator Sampson asked whether this year’s bill would replicate last year’s focus on receipt-level transparency or include broader pay or penalties; Kushner said it would likely resemble last year’s approach but may add concepts. Representative Weir stressed that driver advocates — not riders — have sought extra transparency so drivers can determine whether they are being paid fairly. Representative Canino noted drivers already see the fare on their screens: "the fare pops up on their screen showing them exactly how much they will make off of that," she said, arguing drivers can decline rides they judge unprofitable.

Item 9, a proposal prompted by the comptroller, asked whether the comptroller should be empowered to act on Department of Labor findings by stopping payment on public works contracts where contractors are found to violate wage, tax or workers’ compensation duties. Senator Sampson and others pressed whether the proposal would merely allow the comptroller to act on DOL recommendations or whether it would create independent investigatory authority. Kushner said the request originated with the Department of Labor and that the comptroller would retain discretion; she emphasized the proposal is intended to add an enforcement tool rather than transfer investigative responsibility.

Members also approved drafting a bill to establish statewide standards to prevent heat-related illness in workplaces (proposed S.B. 830). Senator Sampson and others asked whether existing state or federal guidance already covers the issue; Kushner said the measure came from Senator Looney and will consider what other states have done.

On social-policy items, the committee reserved House Bill 5607 — which would eliminate the subminimum wage for persons with disabilities — for a subject-matter hearing. Senator Sampson expressed strong opposition, saying he feared loss of employment opportunities for people with disabilities and criticizing subject-matter hearings as offering little concrete text for public comment; others asked staff for historical background and OLR reports.

Votes at a glance (action and committee motion outcome):
- Agenda item 1: Act concerning youth employment and training funds — raised as a concept (motion approved).
- Item 2: Labor Department minor statutory revisions — raised as a concept (motion approved).
- Item 3: Transportation network and third-party delivery companies — raised as a concept (motion approved).
- Item 4: Just cause and binding arbitration for teachers — raised as a concept (motion approved).
- Item 5: Working conditions (placeholder) — raised as a concept (motion approved).
- Item 6: Workers’ compensation — raised as a concept (motion approved).
- Item 7: Workers’ rights (placeholder) — raised as a concept (motion approved).
- Item 8: Labor Department (agency bill) — raised as a concept (motion approved).
- Item 9: Allowing the comptroller to enforce wage statutes — raised as a concept (motion approved).
- Item 10: Proposed S.B. 829 (pre- and post-shift hours) — motion to draft approved.
- Item 11: Proposed S.B. 830 (heat-related illness protections) — motion to draft approved.
- Item 12: Proposed S.B. 831 (advance notice of employee work schedules) — motion to draft approved.
- Item 13: Proposed S.B. 1027 (tribal land trust application requirement) — motion to draft approved.
- Item 14: Proposed S.B. 1037 (increase per diem for State Board of Labor Relations) — motion to draft approved.
- Item 15: H.B. 5607 (subminimum wage for persons with disabilities) — reserved for subject-matter hearing (motion approved to reserve).
- Item 16: Proposed S.B. 1031 (full employment trust fund) — reserved for subject-matter hearing (motion approved to reserve).

Committee members stressed that many items are concept or placeholder bills and that final policy specifics will be developed in public hearings and drafting sessions. Kushner directed staff to schedule material for Feb. 6 and reminded members votes were held open until the Senate convened or 1 p.m.

The committee recessed after completing roll-call votes on items 1–16; the public hearing on this slate of matters is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2B (and via Zoom).