Transcript Highlights:

• > organization, largest youth development organization, largest youth development organization
• So, I'm Lammer County, the rural areas.
• And so we trying to focus on rural life.
• any 4ers, any 4ers from rural Denver? any 4ers, any 4ers from rural Denver? >> Denver.
• of the maturity that had been developed of the maturity that had been developed and<00:49:54.960

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 23, 2026 journal, and then took up two resolutions. HJR 26-103, recognizing National Blood Donor Month, was adopted unanimously, 34-0, with the current roll call added as co-sponsors. SJR 26-005, designating Monday, January 26, 2026 as Colorado 4-H Day, was also adopted unanimously, 34-0, and the morning roll call was added as co-sponsors. Most of the meeting centered on SJR 26-005 and a large 4-H presence in the galleries and on the floor. Senators and guests gave extended remarks about 4-H’s role in youth development, agriculture, leadership, and hands-on learning, with several members sharing personal 4-H experiences and welcoming students from across Colorado. The resolution text highlighted 4-H’s statewide reach and its partnership with Colorado State University Extension. After the resolution, senators made announcements about upcoming Bible study, Smart Act hearings, a State Farm breakfast, and Joint Budget Committee presentations. The latter part of the meeting shifted to personal privilege remarks on immigration enforcement, protests, law enforcement, due process, and public safety, with sharply differing views expressed about ICE, CBP, and recent incidents in Minnesota. No further legislative votes or actions were taken after the resolutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent a rural district.
• As the electric co-ops highlight that they are rural, Windstream serves the same rural areas that the
• Our service territory includes 14 rural communities and nine rural counties.
• Yes, my understanding of that particular formula development was... ...more that it was developed at
• In the rural areas, obviously, you've seen your rural counties that are out there.

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:38.720> Health uh this is to help a small rural Health uh this is to help a small rural
• many of those deaths 40% were in rural many of those deaths 40% were in rural Minnesota<00:28:41.880
• <00:31:14.279> robust developed robust developed robust interdisciplinary<00:31:16.480> review
• most impacted communities developing most impacted communities developing this<00:31:31.679>
• Thank you. delivery I would argue that for a rural delivery I would argue that for a rural Hospital<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Small business and rural America run through the thread of the Loeffler family.
• Business Centers, Economic and Community Development Institute, U.S.
• And in equity, there's an imbalance between urban and rural.
• a rural community is a rural community.
• We have struggled with this for a very long time because of our rural areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing of the Minnesota Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development is
• Thank you to the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee for the opportunity
• Thank you to the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee for the opportunity
• And when by rural resiliency.
• rural development is now broadband, and rural development is now adjourned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:51.160> hospitals program so that more rural hospitals program so that more rural hospitals
• Critical access hospitals, rural referral centers, and rural sole community hospitals were made eligible
• this is certainly true in rural this is certainly true in rural areas<00:10:37.959> most<
• in-house areas most rural hospitals lack in-house areas most rural hospitals lack in-house pharmacies
• Kentucky we are a regional rural Kentucky we are a regional rural referral<00:16:17.600> center

Keywords: 00:00 Introductions 02:46 Roll Call 03:35 Discussion on SB 14 46:13 Vote on SB 14 48:07 Discussion on SB 17 50:38 Vote on SB 17, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services opened with the chair welcoming several new members and outlining session rules: hearings would start and end on time, the committee would limit the number of bills heard each meeting, prioritize bills heard during the interim, and generally avoid using the consent calendar except in extreme circumstances. The committee then briefly considered administrative regulations, which were treated as approved if members had no questions. The main item was Senate Bill 14, a measure addressing the 340B drug discount program. The chair said the bill had already passed the Senate in a prior session and had been heard in interim, so he did not present it again. He described the bill as prohibiting drug manufacturers from discriminating against 340B covered entities by refusing 340B pricing when the same drug is offered at that price in the state. He also said the committee would not debate the federal 340B program itself, but would hear testimony on the bill. Hospital leaders and Kentucky Hospital Association representatives testified in support, arguing that 340B savings are essential to rural hospitals, oncology services, transportation support, chronic care, addiction recovery, and new service lines such as chemotherapy and hepatitis treatment. They said the program helps keep care close to home and that manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies have reduced access and cost hospitals millions. Opponents from BIO Kentucky and the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions argued the bill would expand federal law beyond Congress’s intent, create administrative burdens, and not lower patient out-of-pocket costs. The chair repeatedly pressed opponents to address why Kentucky should be denied the same 340B pricing available in other states. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of our 37 counties are considered rural.
• All of our 37 counties are considered rural.
• All of our 37 counties are considered rural.
• Being a fairly rural Kentucky Legal Aid.
• <01:04:26.720> centers<01:04:27.680> um development centers um development centers um along

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky, including Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, Kentucky Legal Aid, AppalRed Legal Aid, and the Legal Aid Society in Louisville. The presenters explained that the four nonprofit programs provide civil legal services in all 120 counties, focusing on low-income clients and matters such as domestic violence, family law, housing, expungement, public benefits, and veterans’ issues. They emphasized that they do not handle criminal defense cases and described statewide efforts such as the kyjustice.org website and Project Renew, which helps people in recovery with legal issues that affect stability, employment, housing, and family reunification. Each organization highlighted regional service challenges and examples of casework. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass described its 33-county service area, its mobile “justice bus,” and expungement work for people in recovery. Kentucky Legal Aid focused on disaster response after the December 2021 tornadoes, including insurance disputes and contractor fraud, and said it has continued to handle repeated FEMA-declared disasters. AppalRed described serving 37 rural counties with limited attorneys, the shortage of lawyers in “rural legal deserts,” and its disaster-response work after flooding and tornadoes, including FEMA appeals clinics and volunteer attorney support. The Legal Aid Society described its Louisville-area veteran services, including Social Security and VA disability cases, veterans treatment court referrals, and homeless outreach. Committee members praised the organizations’ work and noted the importance of their services. In response to questions about funding, the presenters said their support comes from a mix of Legal Services Corporation funds, state appropriations, federal grants such as VOCA, VAWA, and HUD, United Way, and foundation funding. They stressed that many grants are restricted, while state funding is more flexible and useful for emergencies and day-to-day operations. The presenters said current funding does not fully meet demand and requested an increase in the General Assembly’s appropriation from $500,000 per year to $1 million per year, or $2 million over the biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• We talk about rural healthcare all the time. Well, let's get out of the way of rural healthcare.
• The Hill-Burton Act was passed to encourage the development of rural hospitals.
• The 1974 National Health Planning Resource Development Act was designed to develop...
• The Development Act was designed to develop national health planning policy to support cost containment
• We spend millions and millions of dollars on rural healthcare, incentivizing people to go to rural areas

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• including the Economic Development including the Economic Development Cabinet's<00:04:57.720>
• economic development grant side. economic development grant side.
• and rural settings.
• <00:19:19.320> KRS both urban and rural settings. KRS both urban and rural settings.
• cost of the developer and homeowner. cost of the developer and homeowner.

Keywords: Upon adjournment of the concurrent meeting, the Senate State and Local Government committee will continue meeting, 958, all

Summary: The concurrent meeting began with roll calls for both the Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government and the House Standing Committee on Local Government, establishing quorums. The committees then heard a Department for Local Government presentation on the Community Development Block Grant program, which serves smaller and more rural areas. Commissioner Matt Sawyers and Executive Director Mark Williams explained the 2026 HUD application as a public hearing, noting an estimated total of a little over $25 million, with proposed allocations for public facilities, community projects, economic development, public services/Recovery Kentucky, and housing. They also described proposed changes, including shifting some funding from economic development to housing, raising non-traditional application ceilings, extending the economic development application window, and giving the commissioner flexibility to reallocate funds if requests exceed the allotment. No legislators or members of the public asked questions, and both chambers approved the presentation and then adjourned the House portion. The Senate committee then took up Senate Bill 149 by Senator Elkins, which updates county treasurer statutes. The bill shortens the waiting period for appointing an acting treasurer from 30 days to 5 days and allows fiscal courts to appoint a temporary treasurer for up to 60 days during vacancies, illness, incapacity, or termination. Members discussed the need for continuity in county finances, and the bill received favorable expression 9-0. Next, the committee considered several housing-related bills from the housing task force. Senate Bill 224, by Senator Mills, creates vested property rights for development applications and narrows who may appeal certain local land-use decisions; the committee adopted a substitute, then approved the bill 8-1 after members raised concerns about standing language and possible impacts on local participation. Senate Bill 225 requires the housing and construction department to analyze the cost and housing-supply effects of proposed housing regulations; it passed 9-0 after a committee substitute. Senate Bill 233, by Senator Neal, removes annual financial reporting requirements for homeowners associations with 14 lots or fewer to reduce burdens on small developments; it passed 9-0. Finally, Senate Joint Resolution 75, as amended, directs the Public Service Commission to study affordability and water/wastewater utility regionalization, including possible consolidation of small districts; the amendment and the resolution both passed 9-0, with one member noting concerns about whether the matter should proceed as an administrative case rather than a study.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also was an ambassador for the Texas Council. development disabilities.
• This bill will expand coverage to rural.
• That has announced its intent to develop a processing facility also at the CGIF campus.
• And I support Vice President of Business Development, Jack Wu.
• Like HBCU's rural universities are vital institutions.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're Meeting with Four Corners Economic Development and New Mexico Economic Development to get them
• Good morning, Chairperson Charlie and members of the Economic and Rural Development and Policy Committee
• Because Madam Chair and committee members, you are the Economic and Rural Development and Policy Committee
• , and rural communities.
• and coal development.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have developed modular model.
• support from the renewable development support from the renewable development account.<00:10:21.120
• farm stress, and rural mental health. farm stress, and rural mental health.
• <01:25:03.199> He with the rural finance authority. He with the rural finance authority.
• they're farmers or rural members or not. they're farmers or rural members or not.

Bills: HF2103, HF4508

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, elk, cervidae, cervid importation, chronic wasting disease, CWD, animal health, livestock, wildlife disease, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, state veterinarian, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're up for economic development. That bill is... So we're up for economic development.
• But I also want to be realistic that rural economic development is very hard.
• But I also want to be realistic that rural economic, But I also want to be realistic that rural economic
• development is very hard.
• I will say, you know, the issue of rural economic development is near and dear to my heart.

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• We're seeking to expand our professional development offerings to public safety organizations through
• We're helping to address the critical shortage of primary care doctors in rural communities.
• Rural Texas is especially at risk as strong science on water availability, recharge, and projections
• workforce needs in and around the rural areas of Hardin County.
• We are in a rural area of Orange. It's Texas-Louisiana.

Transcript Highlights:

• This milestone marks a decade of significant contribution to education, community development, in the
• You bring those roots that you developed in South Texas in that small farm and community to serve the
• Economic Development.
• local workforce development boards, to Economic Development.
• local workforce development boards to economic development.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Rural Water Assistance Fund, RWAF.
• Texas Water Development Board, Brian. Yes, sir.
• care for rural Texans.
• We support rural communities through multitudes of other economic development programs, also through
• Water Development Board, we have one more underwater development work. water development board sorry

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two small rural counties are also impacted: Alpine and Mono.
• So we've taken all those considerations into account to develop the system we're developing now.
• We did a competitive procurement to acquire a vendor, and after which we developed the full project development
• That includes developing an SOP and a process by which we will be reporting this information.
• They are people that reside in rural parts of the state.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget item on vehicle license fee backfill funding, where the Department of Finance said the administration was not proposing the requested $119 million for San Mateo County, Alpine, and Mono, arguing the payment is discretionary and that existing excess ERAF formulas should remain unchanged. Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier testified that the money is owed under the VLF swap arrangement and that San Mateo County faces major service cuts without the backfill; Senator Cabaldon raised broader policy questions about county boundaries and the structure of the formula. The chair held the item open after public comment. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department requested funding for SB 851 implementation, including additional duties related to election litigation notice, voting system standards, and vendor reporting, with $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software. Members asked about election security, federal HAVA funding, staffing, and implementation timing; the department said current federal funds are expected to run out in 2027-28 and that it hopes to hire quickly once funded. The item was held open. The Secretary of State also presented the Cal Access Replacement System (CARS), seeking $11.8 million General Fund to finish the project and begin operations, and the notary automation replacement project, seeking $9.795 million in Business Fees Fund for continued development of the outdated notary system. Members focused on project delays, stakeholder input, and whether the funding requests matched prior plans; the department said both projects were still on their original funding tracks but had shifted timelines due to planning needs and election-related workload. Both items were held open. CalVet presented its department overview and then discussed the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility at Yountville, which is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building. Members asked about the future of Holderman, other campus capital projects, and a payroll/fringe-benefit issue affecting some employees; CalVet said Holderman will continue to house some functions, the roofing and steam projects remain in progress, and the tax issue has been addressed with new procedures and repayment arrangements. The committee also discussed eliminating vacant positions under Control Section 4.12, with CalVet saying the positions were long-vacant CNA and related jobs and the LAO noting the Legislature had not concurred; Senator Cabaldon said he had no objection, and the item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an overview of its work and its cultural districts program, describing grants and technical assistance in all 58 counties and citing examples of local impact. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas strongly supported additional funding, including a proposed $50 million General Fund investment and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts, arguing the program supports economic development, preservation, and community identity; council staff said the program is currently unfunded and has only been able to designate a fraction of applicants. Senator Cabaldon noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural districts and urged broader geographic representation. The item was informational and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• To Commerce and Economic Development. H649. To Commerce and Economic Development. H650.
• To Commerce and Economic Development. H651. To Commerce and Economic Development. H652.
• >> to commerce and economic development >> to commerce and economic development >>
• Community Development on strengthening Vermont's<00:09:02.080> rural<00:09:02.480> technical
• Speaker, if you don't receive rural Speaker, if you don't receive rural caucus<00:09:08.240>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the introduction of 23 House bills by number only after suspending the rules. Members then made several announcements, including birthday recognition for a member from Derby, a farm-to-school and universal school meals observance highlighting local agriculture, school nutrition, and five years of universal school meals, and welcomes for guests including the Garvey family, who were connected to legislation that became H.613. Additional announcements noted upcoming caucus meetings for Working Vermonters, Vermont’s economy, the rural caucus, and House Progressives, along with a reminder that a House photo and workplace training would follow adjournment. On the action calendar, the House took up H.28, relating to adding an affirmation option to oath requirements in titles 1 through 10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. The bill was read a third time and passed on voice vote. The chamber then considered H.409, relating to procedures for bail revocation. Representative Goodnau of Brattleboro offered an amendment, which was adopted on voice vote, and the amended bill was then read a third time and passed on voice vote. The discussion on H.409 referenced a Judiciary Committee straw poll and described the amendment as making the bill a more accurate reflection of its purpose. After completing the day’s orders, members made final caucus and scheduling announcements. The House Democrats and House Republicans said they would not caucus that day, while House Progressives announced a noon meeting in Room 44. The House then voted to adjourn until Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., with the motion approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona and the importance of rural economic development.
• I have a heart for rural.
• importance of rural economic development.
• I have a heart for rural.
• And the second way we do that is actually through a rural co-op program.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Alex Scalpsa Ridgeway’s nomination to serve as Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. In her opening statement, Ridgeway emphasized her Arizona roots, prior service in state government, and her view that tourism is a major economic driver for the state. She highlighted record 2024 visitation and spending, argued that tourism marketing produces strong returns for taxpayers, and said her priorities include improving data use, expanding social media and digital outreach, supporting rural communities, and strengthening international tourism and direct air service. Committee members questioned Ridgeway about the state of tourism, responsible visitor messaging, marketing the Grand Canyon and other parts of Arizona, rural tourism, budget priorities, use of public funds, and how she would respond to unlawful or poor policy directives. She said the office uses an activity-based marketing strategy focused on visitor personas such as family travel, outdoor recreation, culinary, wellness, and luxury, and that it partners with rural destinations and event organizers to spread visitor spending statewide. She also said she would follow the law, would raise concerns about bad policy, and described steps taken to improve transparency and conflict-of-interest practices after questions about a prior logo contract and a costly state branding project. Public testimony was strongly supportive. Representatives from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, the Cactus League Baseball Association, and Experience Scottsdale praised Ridgeway’s experience, collaboration with industry partners, and understanding of tourism’s economic impact, especially for rural areas and major visitor destinations. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation, with a 5-0 vote, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that the need for rural Florida, the needs of rural Florida are very different from urban Florida
• Floridians who call our rural communities home have access to all the opportunities.
• So important to our rural districts.
• We help with grant development.
• You know, that was a big challenge for our rural districts.

Keywords: 999, senate, all