Video & Transcript Research : 'bear hunting'
Page 107 of 312
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- load customers pay for their own costs of service and that the general body of ratepayers does not bear
- And if ratepayers as a result are going to bear any substantial risk if large data centers don't pay
- And if ratepayers as a result are going to bear any substantial risk if large data centers don't pay
- is to try to mitigate that risk as much as possible so that our ratepayers, our residents, do not bear
- diligence because we are giving clear guidance here in this legislation that the ratepayer is not to bear
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no weekend conference. The chamber then took up a long special-order calendar of bills, generally moving each measure through third reading and final passage, often by substituting House companion bills. Early measures included trust law modernization (SB 786/HB 895), military affairs changes and Guard retirement corrections (SB 474), rounding rules for cash transactions as pennies phase out (SB 1074), podiatric medicine regulation and informed-consent requirements (SB 1092), veterans court expansion (SB 50/HB 199), RV park special assessment clarification (SB 118), concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile offenses on military installations (SB 502/HB 351), alcoholic beverage loss deductions (SB 678/HB 1137), and bail bond/pretrial release revisions (SB 600). Most passed unanimously or near-unanimously; SB 600 passed 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and an amendment aligning with the House version and prosecutors’ concerns.
The Senate also considered bills on portable electronics and eyewear insurance (SB 772), the linking industry to nursing education fund and health science workforce programs (SB 1246), recovery residences and behavioral health licensing (SB 1030, with a technical amendment on background checks and probationary licenses), felony battery enhancements for repeat offenders and offenses against law enforcement (SB 436), and child welfare changes including foster-home visitor screening, a permanent statewide Step Into Success program, and a best-practices repository (SB 1718). These measures were explained by sponsors as efforts to streamline regulation, improve workforce and health-care training, strengthen public safety, and reduce administrative burdens while preserving safeguards. Votes on these bills were overwhelmingly favorable, with final tallies typically 36-0 or 37-0.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell tribute to Senator Lori Berman. Members from both parties praised her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, and family law. Berman delivered a lengthy farewell reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her caucus leadership, and the importance of dignity, respect, and public service. The Senate adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and then recessed before returning to continue the calendar.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- load customers pay for their own costs of service and that the general body of ratepayers does not bear
- And if ratepayers as a result are going to bear any substantial risk if large data centers don't pay
- And if ratepayers as a result are going to bear any substantial risk if large data centers don't pay
- is to try to mitigate that risk as much as possible so that our ratepayers, our residents, do not bear
- try to mitigate that risk as much as possible so that our ratepayers, our residents, do not, do not bear
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including guests from the press, Florida State women’s soccer, and former Senator Janet Cruz. Members also announced there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and proceeding quickly to third reading and final passage.
Among the measures approved were bills modernizing trust settlement and trustee discharge procedures; revising military affairs laws, including leave protections, retirement eligibility, and assistance programs; creating uniform cash-rounding rules as Florida prepares for the end of the penny; refining podiatric medicine rules on cellular/tissue-based products and informed consent; expanding veterans’ court access statewide; clarifying RV park special assessments; establishing concurrent state-federal jurisdiction for juveniles on military installations; reauthorizing alcoholic beverage loss deductions; and revising bail bond and pretrial release laws, including training, electronic notices, forfeiture timing, and related procedures. Members also passed bills on eyewear insurance licensing, expanding the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund into health science education, streamlining recovery residence regulation, enhancing felony battery penalties, and updating child welfare rules to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success program permanent, and create a best-practices program.
Several bills drew brief supportive remarks, especially those affecting veterans, the National Guard, foster youth, and military families. One bail bond bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor stating the current statute would remain unchanged. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously; the bail bond measure passed 36-1, while the others noted here passed with no or minimal opposition. The Senate also adopted an amendment to the military affairs bill and a delete-all amendment to the military-installation jurisdiction bill before final passage.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman on her farewell. Members from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, preparation, collegiality, advocacy on issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, Israel, anti-Semitism, breast cancer, school safety, and family law, and her effectiveness in committee and on the floor. Berman delivered an extended farewell speech reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, her district, and her legislative priorities, and the Senate ordered her remarks spread upon the journal before recessing and later returning to continue the calendar.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Education Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 09:36 am
Education
Transcript Highlights:
- There is no ultimate bringing to bear of the individuals.
- There's no ultimate bringing to bear of the individuals.
- have to bring some truant students back in because their parents— There's no ultimate bringing to bear
- There's nothing that will bring a parent to bear unless we go through an abuse and neglect proceeding
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Feb 18th, 2026
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Transcript Highlights:
- We believe our approach to this problem is effective, and that those numbers bear that out.
- numbers, and we'll look to make sure that there's been an increase and make sure that those numbers bear
- numbers and we'll look to make sure that there's been an increase and make sure that those numbers bear
- Those numbers bear out that commitment, and before we go into the 2027 session, that conversation will
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Preston Griffith, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary, and Dario Gil, of New York, to be Under Secretary for Science, both of the Department of Energy. Apr 10th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It's imperative that we, as the department's history has shown, bring all those resources to bear for
- Resources, technology, and we need to bring them all to bear to meet this growing demand.
- should I be confirmed, I look forward to learning more about all the activity and bringing that to bear
- the building and working to unleash all the tools and expertise of the department to bring that to bear
Keywords:
nominations, Undersecretary of Energy, Undersecretary of Science, Preston Griffith, Dario Gil, energy policy, scientific innovation
Summary:
The meeting was convened to discuss several significant nominations, particularly focusing on Preston Wills Griffith III for Undersecretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gil for Undersecretary of Science. The committee underscored the importance of these roles in shaping American energy policy and scientific innovation. The discussion highlighted the nominees' backgrounds, with Griffith having extensive experience at the Department of Energy and the White House, and Gil bringing expertise in quantum technology and energy research. Members expressed a strong desire to understand the nominees' perspectives on current challenges facing the energy sector, including regulatory mandates and national security concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluations of the candidates and their proposed approaches to pressing issues.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State government committee hears anti-fraud bill, HF2 1/23/25
Transcript Highlights:
- that stole more than $250 million from taxpayers nationwide, the Minnesota Department of Education bearing
- Minnesota Department educ<00:01:15.000>
of <00:01:15.240>Education <00:01:15.960>bearing - <00:01:16.280>
the educ of Education bearing the educ of Education bearing the responsibility
Summary:
The committee took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as a response to recent fraud scandals and said it would require state agencies to report suspected fraud immediately to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts and staff contacts online, require unannounced site visits to verify grant recipients and financial stability, mandate reporting of grant-process violations to supervisors, the commissioner or designee, and the legislative auditor, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related criminal offenses. He also said the bill’s concepts would apply to nonprofits through grant-making and oversight provisions.
Members asked several clarifying questions about whether reporting obligations were either/or or cumulative, whether whistleblower protections would cover those making reports, and whether contract employees should be included. One member suggested adding language for inspectors general or other appropriate law-enforcement contacts for clarity, and another raised the idea of halting funding immediately when fraud is reported; the author responded that section 10 already provides for immediate suspension upon criminal charges. Representative Joy supported the bill but suggested funding should stop during investigations, and Representative Anderson noted surprise that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent. The author said he was open to considering contract employees and additional wording.
The chair announced the bill would be laid over because a fiscal note was not yet available, stating a commitment not to move bills out of committee without one. He said members could continue refining the bill and that the committee administrator could help contact the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to seek more detailed concerns. The author closed by emphasizing the bill as a nonpartisan effort to address waste, fraud, and abuse in state spending.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 19, March 4, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Alamand, Andrew, Angelos, Banks, Bear, Brady, Bratten, Brown.
- bear that in mind as you as we have just bear that in mind as you as we have these<00:52:09.680>
- Representative Bear, if you're... Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- Representative Bear, Any other member?
- Representative Bear: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Jun 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- going to talk a little bit about some of the implications that different technologies might bring to bear
- I don't understand why the public should bear any of the costs, especially when it comes to specified
- I just don't understand why the public has to bear some of that cost burden.
- I just don't understand why the public has to bear some of that cost burden.
- But I still think that whether it's a large sighting or a smaller siting, industry should bear these
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/27/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- It... ...of the owners of the City of Tucson utility to pay for the costs that they bear.
- It apportions those costs to the folks outside the City of Tucson who do not bear those costs.
- I love the City of Tucson, bear down. We're going to go back to 1974.
- It says that it shows up in legacy mine tailings and often for bearing minerals, especially principal
- implement, you know, change to infrastructure and it seems like ratepayers essentially would have to bear
Keywords:
solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 20th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- on many boards and commissions, she got her degree from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, go Bears
- Go Bruins, I mean, go Bears. Welcome. Go Bruins, I mean, go Bears. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you.
- Bear with us. We are, it's a ping-pong of whether it's on call. Bear with us.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Press Conference: End of Special Session DFL Media Availability - 06/10/25
Transcript Highlights:
- of people in Minnesota and parents who have a lot of experience, and that experience will come to bear
- of people in Minnesota and parents who have a lot of experience, and that experience will come to bear
- experience<00:15:34.320>
will <00:15:34.560>come <00:15:34.639>to <00:15:34.880>bear - <00:15:35.279>
on <00:15:35.600>that experience will come to bear on that experience - will come to bear on that question.<00:15:36.399>
This <00:15:36.639>budget <00:15:37.040
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Jonathan Gould, of Virginia, to be Comptroller of the Currency for a term of five years, Luke Pettit, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Paul Atkins, of Virginia, to be Mar 27th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- financial crash when he voted to loosen the reins on big investment banks like Lehman Brothers and Bear
- In 2004 when Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns asked the SEC to allow them to reduce their capital buffer
- And then days after Bear Stearns collapse in March of 2008, you made fun of people who thought we needed
- And the stock immediately went down and the American investors had to bear the losses.
- Which, you know, contributed to Bear Stearns and issue and then the underlying issues of Fannie and Freddie
Keywords:
financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- When we too bear witness to the strength of heaven revealed in the light of the sun, in the speed of
- 556, which would tear down regulations that have dictated how men and women across the nation can hunt
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I’m still working out the kinks, but I think it works, so bear with me.
- He added that he sold hunting and fishing licenses too, and when there are issues with that or if he
Summary:
The committee met on January 16, 2025, for an organizational and informational session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Jim Nash reviewed committee expectations, including that nonpartisan staff are to be used for factual information rather than political arguments. He also noted the committee rules were a blend of prior chairs’ rules and would be posted without a vote.
Helen Roberts of House Fiscal gave a high-level overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and budget structure. She explained that the State Government Finance Committee oversees funding for major administrative agencies, the legislature, constitutional offices, and several boards, councils, and commissions. She emphasized that the committee’s general fund base for fiscal years 2026-27 is about $1.31 billion, less than 2% of the state general fund, and that the largest pieces are the Department of Revenue, the legislature, and pension aids. She also described how all-funds presentations differ from general fund views, highlighting internal service funds such as Minnesota IT Services, Department of Administration services, and other chargeback or reimbursement arrangements. Members asked questions about House and Senate budgets, debt service related to the Capitol Area building project and move costs, and how Minnesota IT Services is funded through fee-for-service chargebacks.
Colby Sullivan of House Research then summarized a memo in the packet that outlines the entities within the committee’s jurisdiction and the constitutional and statutory provisions governing them. He pointed members to the memo as a reference and noted that the committee also has jurisdiction over the Legislative Coordinating Commission, the legislative auditor, the legislative reference library, the reviser of statutes, the Secretary of State’s budget and certain duties, and three gambling-related agencies, though gambling policy itself is generally handled by another committee. He offered to help members with bill drafting and amendments and to provide a linked electronic version of the memo.
The Office of the Legislative Auditor then began an overview of its work. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall explained that the office is nonpartisan, serves all 201 legislators, and provides oversight through financial audits, program evaluations, and special reviews focused on state funds. She distinguished the Legislative Auditor from the State Auditor, noting that the State Auditor is an elected constitutional officer who focuses on county and local government funds. Randall said the office would also present a deep dive into its November performance audit of the Minnesota State Lottery. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
PA
Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Jun 25 2026)
Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And also, I think it bears mention that the Governor and his brief before the court maintain that while
- Still another layer by a lesser legal standard, and again, it bears mention that that's Lesser legal
- And again, it bears mention that that's after the legal standard required to convict someone beyond a
- I think it also bears mention when we talk of accomplice liability and you talk of individuals that were
- We are asking taxpayers to bear the brunt of this supposed savings by gutting the general fund of almost
Summary:
The Senate returned from recess and first handled routine calendar matters, laying several bills on the table or over in their order without objection. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 1400, which addresses sentencing for second-degree murder in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Commonwealth v. Lee decision. Senator Street offered an amendment to replace mandatory life without parole with parole eligibility after 25 years and individualized review, but the Senate tabled the amendment by a 26-24 roll call. The bill then advanced to final passage after extended debate over whether it adequately met the court’s constitutional ruling and how it would affect victims, culpability, and retroactivity. It initially passed 31-19, then after reconsideration and a correction to one member’s vote, passed 30-20 and was sent to the House.
The Senate next considered Senate Bill 1212, which tightens the handling of sexual assault evidence kits by removing discretionary language that had contributed to inconsistent testing practices. Supporters said it would improve statewide consistency, preserve a survivor’s right to decline testing, and help reduce the rape kit backlog. The bill passed unanimously, 50-0, and was sent to the House. The chamber then moved through additional calendar items, including re-referrals of several House bills to Appropriations and multiple bills being passed over.
Later, the Senate took up House Bill 1667 on a supplemental calendar after suspending the rules. The bill became the vehicle for several amendments tied to affordability and tax policy. Senators adopted a back-to-school sales tax holiday amendment, a data-center tax exemption repeal amendment, and a school-choice-related amendment transferring EITC provisions and increasing scholarships by $25 million. Other proposed amendments, including a digital advertising tax and a combined reporting corporate tax reform, were tabled. After further debate on the bill’s impact on electric bills, data centers, and the state budget, House Bill 1667 was agreed to as amended and the Senate recessed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Please excuse Representative Lopez of Bear because of important business in the district on motion of
- Garcia of Bear for a recognition. Thank you, Mr.
- breeder deer release site for the Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism, HB 4544 by Lopez of bear
- Public health HG 4711 by Lopez A Bear relating the confidentiality of information used to prevent, detect
- AG 4896 by Garcia Bear relating to the rules and reports related to the brackish water on ground.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAL-PBS Joint Public Hearing - Tue Mar 31, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Water & Land
Transcript Highlights:
- Because, like, Kalauaʻi Loa went to Hunt and the housing development former—where is that?
- Because, like, Kalauaʻi Loa went to Hunt and the housing development former—where is that?
Bills:
HCR13, HCR61, HCR136, HCR185, HCR155, HCR68, HCR174, HCR178, HCR179, HCR91, HCR103, HCR115, HCR199, HR15, HR128, HR175, HR147, HR62, HR164, HR168, HR169, HR83, HR95, HR107, HR189
Keywords:
coral reefs, sunscreen, environmental education, student stewardship, marine conservation, reforestation, Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, native forests, climate resilience, sustainable practices, economic opportunity, biodiversity, wildland-urban interface, WUI, wildfire mitigation, wildfire safety, Maui County, County of Maui, Kauai
Summary:
The Committee on Water and Land met on March 31, 2026, and heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 13/HR 50, which asks DLNR to work with DOE and the Public Charter School Commission on a student coral stewardship program, drew comments from DLNR, which said it stood on written testimony and had proposed amendments, and from supporters in the room. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, nursery capacity, and related support for public and private lands, received strong support from DLNR and multiple testifiers, including members of a reforestation policy hui, a resident, and others who emphasized watershed protection, flood and fire resilience, and the need to upgrade nursery infrastructure and staffing. Committee members asked questions about nursery modernization, staffing, island-specific needs, and whether reforestation could reduce wildfire impacts; the DLNR witness said all islands need investment, with especially large opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island, and that healthier forests improve resilience though they cannot eliminate climate-related risks.
The committee then heard HCR 136/HR 128 on wildland-urban interface safety standards for Maui plantation towns, but no one testified. It also heard HCR 185/HR 175, which urges denial of permits for ICE detention-related warehouses; Chris Coffey of Immua Alliance testified in support, saying migrant survivors of exploitation are harmed when ICE detains people and that Hawaii would not be the first place to take such action, citing examples from other states and cities. In questioning, members explored whether a local facility would keep people closer to families and services or instead increase local detention; Coffey said detention generally cuts off access to services and can intensify fear, and that a local facility could incentivize more detention and make survivors less likely to come forward.
Finally, the committee heard HCR 155/HR 147 supporting the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition’s Hawaii Water Safety Act. Testifiers included Allison Shapera, who described the statewide water safety plan, Hawaii’s high drowning rate, the economic and human costs of drownings, and her personal loss of her daughter in a preventable drowning; Kirsten Hermstead and Kalani Vierra of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association said the plan’s recommendations need legislative recognition to help with implementation and grant funding; and Jessamine Town Horner testified by Zoom as a co-founder and bereaved family advocate. The transcript provided does not show any votes or final committee actions on the measures discussed.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Energy Development and Transmission Committee Feb 26th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- big one in our county is recreation, outdoor recreation, you know, from water sports on Sakakawea, hunting
- You know, if any of you hunt, I know, oftentimes the reason you can't get onto a piece of land is because
Summary:
The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval.
Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development.
Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines.
Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.
MN
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Information Technology Oversight Committee (10-8-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- The layers we have range from everything from, you know, soils to boundaries on hunting areas to all
- You know, soils to boundaries on hunting areas to all the transportation network, you know, our hydrography
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Discussion of the KentuckyWired Network 00:00:55
Discussion of the Water Resource Information System 00:35.40
Discussion of Geographic Information Systems 00:52:30
Discussion of Committee Report to LRC 01:15:05, 958, all
Summary:
The Information Technology Oversight Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a presentation from Leadcore representatives Jimmy Bird, Mike Murray, and Rebecca Moss on the Kentucky Wired network. Leadcore described its role as the design-builder and service provider under the KCNA contract, saying the network was built with roughly 13,200 feet of fiber, mostly aerial, and that the use of non-armored cable was a Kentucky-side decision made to reduce cost. They also said aerial construction and non-armored cable increase maintenance challenges, including storm damage and squirrel-related damage, and reported FY25 service activity of 104 break-fix events, 30 maintenance replacements, 64 storm-damage events, and nearly 13,000 feet of fiber replaced to date.
Committee members questioned whether the original project anticipated this level of replacement and whether any forecast existed for maintenance under non-armored cable. Leadcore said it did not do a formal forecast and could not say whether the replacement rate was above or below norms, though it acknowledged the decision not to use armored cable came from the Kentucky side of the contract. Members also asked about whether replacements caused network degradation; Leadcore said it tries to replace cable at existing splice points to avoid degradation and, where needed, uses armored cable for replacement sections going forward.
The committee then explored Leadcore’s relationship with Excel and KCNA. Leadcore said it has a service-level agreement for KCNA-related fibers but not for dark fibers used by Excel, and that Kentucky Wired fibers get priority on service requests. It said outages are reported through a 1-800 number and that it was not aware of any access problems to the huts. On the tech refresh, Leadcore said its understanding is that maintaining the network is its responsibility, but the technology refresh is not; it said only a very limited amount of refresh has occurred and that this did not match the original contract intent. Leadcore also said it had not been asked to defer maintenance. The chair closed by saying the testimony would inform a committee report and that he intended to recommend clawing back or withholding some previously authorized Kentucky Wired and refresh funding until an audit is complete, with the committee to vote on a report later.