Representative says union bill is a vehicle; sponsor vows to reshape controversial provisions

Representative Kennedy told the committee he had taken House Bill 4253 as a vehicle and that the measure contains many provisions he did not like in its present form.

"I took this bill so that I would have control over the messaging in the situation," Kennedy said, noting he intended to reshape provisions he described as 'pejorative' toward union labor.

Members asked what specific changes the sponsor planned and whether provisions might run afoul of federal law. Kennedy said he understood the state-federal legal boundaries and planned to seek language that could garner bipartisan support. "If we can't fix it in a way where the colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree on it, I won't be moving it forward," he said.

Despite the discussion, the committee voted 10-0 to report the bill out of committee as passed for further consideration. Kennedy said the measure may change substantially as amendments are filed.

What happens next: The bill moves forward with a do-pass report but faces further amendment as the sponsor and other members reconcile constitutional and federal-law concerns.