CMC Report

March 2025 – by Justin Swanson

OFFICE OF MANUFACTURING UPDATE FROM CMO PAUL LAVOIE

  • The CMO team is actively tracking all bills that impact manufacturing, monitoring developments within DECD daily, including bills, hearings, and meetings. The Commissioner either testifies or submits written testimony on legislation that negatively affects business or manufacturing. Paul is scheduled to meet with the House Chair on labor within the next week.
  • Gjede raised a question to Lavoie regarding Commissioner O’Keefe’s opposition to the regulatory flexibility analysis bill. DECD testified against the bill, and after speaking with the liaison responsible for introducing it, there is uncertainty about whether she fully understood Gjede’s position.

ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES

  • The 2025 goals focus on driving engagement, implementing Salesforce, accelerating program adoption, and leveraging the regional sector partnerships more effectively.
  • The Governor has allocated $20 million to the MIF, increasing to $30 million and then $45 million within the two-year budget, marking a 50 percent increase each year.
  • The Manufacturing Assistance Act is under review to explore ways to implement programs using reinvested funds
  • The organization remains focused on three key areas: talent development, fostering sustainable companies, and driving innovation.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM STATEHOUSE PARTNERS

  • We have come a long way since the opening day of the session on January 8th. Last week more than half of the legislative committees wrapped up their work. This week more than three quarters of the committees will be done. The process is going to slow down a bit before it ramps back up for the final two month stretch.
  • All eyes will now turn to the budgeting committees. The uncertainty of events in Washington D.C. will have a significant impact on their work and the negotiations that will stretch into the final weeks of the legislative session.

Legislative Report Summary

  • The public hearing for the Pass-Through Entity R&D Tax Credit Bill went well, with strong expertise demonstrated on the issue.
  • The Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Modification Bill (SB 1402) was worked on throughout the summer and was well received, though there was some opposition from DECD.
  • Bonding Bill in Finance (SB 1247) is in stable condition.
  •  Regarding the Apprenticeship Ratio Public Hearing in the Commerce Committee, the committee voted to draft the bill.
  • In the Labor & General Law Committee, discussions took place on alternative solutions beyond the apprenticeship ratio, including simplifying the exemption process and providing ratio relief.
  • Warehouse Worker Bills currently under review. SB 8 would require employers to inform warehouse employees about performance metrics and track their use. Another provision allows striking workers to receive unemployment benefits after 14 days. SB 1254 applies to businesses with 250 or more warehouse employees, while a similar proposal in the Labor Committee affects businesses with 100 or more workers.
  • HB 6517 mandates that when an employer has an open position, they must disclose the estimated salary range and benefits for that role. Additionally, HB 7196 addresses non-compete agreements, proposing that they be invalidated unless the employee earns at least three times a certain threshold.
  • A full list of bills currently being tracked by STATEHOUSE PARTNERS is available upon request.

For additional info regarding these updates contact our committee chair Justin Swanson at justin@unitedwirecompany.com