Committee approves amendment and refers Department of Labor and Industry policy bill to judiciary committee

Chair Pinto, acting as bill author for House File 16 71, presented the Department of Labor and Industry's policy and technical bill and moved the A-1 amendment to remove provisions eliminating the subminimum wage available to certain employees. The committee approved the A-1 amendment by voice vote and then moved the amended bill to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.

What changed: Chair Pinto said the A-1 amendment removes the subminimum-wage elimination sections from the bill to focus the measure on remaining DLI policy and technical issues. Josiah Moore, legislative director for the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), testified that the department was "disappointed to see the deletion of the portions of the bill eliminating the subminimum wage for people with disabilities" and said DLI sees the minimum wage as a floor for all workers. Moore also described remaining provisions in the bill that would expand DLI's authority to seek temporary restraining orders in time-sensitive enforcement situations beyond its current child-labor authority.

Example and rationale: Moore told the committee that some violations (for example, denial of pregnancy accommodations or retaliation claims) can cause irreparable harm to workers by the time a full investigation and compliance-order process is completed; temporary restraining-order authority would allow DLI to seek quicker judicial intervention to halt ongoing violations and secure urgent workplace relief.

Other technical changes: The bill also contains construction-code and licensing clarifications: corrected statutory references, updates to align with the current National Electrical Code, and clarifications to the scope of an exemption from electrical licensing for utilities.

Votes and procedural action: Chair Pinto moved and the committee adopted the A-1 amendment by voice vote (members signified by saying "aye"). The committee then approved moving House File 16 71, as amended, to the Judiciary Committee.

Ending note: DLI asked the committee to note its disappointment about removing the subminimum-wage sections but said it appreciated the author's advance communication; the agency indicated it supports the remaining provisions and technical updates.