Video & Transcript Research : 'Project 25'

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KY
Transcript Highlights:
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  • /c><00:25:08.480> when<00:25:08.640> patriotism<00:25:09.279> was<00:25:09.440><
  • Even<00:25:15.600> going<00:25:15.840> so<00:25:16.080> far<00:25:16.159> to<
  • /c><00:25:21.039> want<00:25:21.120> to<00:25:21.200> opt<00:25:21.520> out
  • Even if<00:25:30.400> you<00:25:30.480> agree<00:25:30.720> with<00:25:30.799>
Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Even if<00:25:34.400> you<00:25:34.480> agree<00:25:34.720> with<00:25:34.799>
  • <00:25:38.640> We<00:25:38.960> also<00:25:39.279> have<00:25:39.840> case
  • <00:25:53.039> right<00:25:53.279> to<00:25:53.679> speak,<00:25:54.400> but<
  • whether<00:25:56.240> or<00:25:56.480> not<00:25:56.720> to<00:25:57.039
  • That<00:25:58.000> right<00:25:58.240> of<00:25:58.400> silence<00:25:58.720>
Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
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  • >> He's<00:25:31.120> happier<00:25:31.440> to<00:25:31.520> be<00:25:31.679
  • <00:25:33.360> I<00:25:33.520> can<00:25:33.679> tell<00:25:33.760> you
  • <01:25:04.159> and<01:25:04.800> to<01:25:04.880> do<01:25:05.040> that.
  • So what we<01:25:05.840> like<01:25:06.000> to<01:25:06.159> do<01:25:06.239>
Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance met for its first interim meeting, established a quorum, approved routine opening items, and welcomed a new committee assistant and a legislative intern. The committee first heard a Kentucky Bankers Association presentation from Tim Shank and John Cooper focused on the state’s housing shortage, which they described as affecting all 120 counties and especially low- and moderate-income and workforce housing. They urged support for a proposed $20 million banker-backed revolving fund, paired with tax credits, to finance new housing construction; they said the program would be flexible, could support alternatives such as manufactured housing, and would use below-market loans with tax credits vesting over five years only after units are completed. They also asked for extension of the historical tax credit carryforward from five to seven years and for continued support of new market tax credits, arguing that supply-chain delays make the longer period necessary for historic rehabilitation projects. The bankers also raised concerns about credit unions, arguing that because credit unions do not pay the same taxes as banks, they should not be allowed to acquire healthy state-chartered banks or hold state and local deposits. They cited the recent purchase of First State Bank of Middlesborough as an example, saying the transaction would reduce state, county, and city tax revenue and weaken local tax bases. In response to committee questions, the presenters said local regulations, zoning, parking, sidewalk, and utility easement issues can significantly delay housing projects, and they emphasized that state policy and infrastructure support are needed to help address affordability and development barriers. The committee then shifted to a Department of Insurance presentation by Commissioner Sharon Clark on how to read KRS 6.948 health mandate and federal cost defrayal impact statements. Clark explained that the mandate statements were created in 1998 so legislators would have actuarial estimates of how proposed health insurance mandates would affect administrative costs, premiums, and total costs, and she noted that later legislation added federal cost-defrayal analysis. She also reviewed the background of the Affordable Care Act’s essential health benefits framework and said the department’s statements are intended to help lawmakers make informed decisions on proposed health coverage mandates. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Transportation. (2-3-26)

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
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  • 226 is reported with favorable<00:25:05.200> expression<00:25:05.600> that<00:25:05.840
  • <00:25:07.600> Thank<00:25:07.760> you,<00:25:08.080> Representative should
  • Thank you, Representative Brerel.<00:25:09.039> Thank<00:25:09.200> you,<00:25:09.440><
  • c> Madam<00:25:09.679> Chair,<00:25:09.840> and Brerel.
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met for its second meeting of the 2026 session and first took up House Bill 7, sponsored by Representative Hale, which would allow school districts to install stop-arm camera systems on school buses to enforce civil penalties against drivers who illegally pass stopped buses. Hale said the bill had passed the House before, described widespread violations and the danger to children, and outlined the bill’s provisions, including public warning signs, privacy protections, and fines of $300 for a first offense and $500 thereafter. Supporters cited child safety and personal experiences with school-bus-related incidents, while one member opposed the bill on the grounds that it relied too heavily on technology instead of a human officer. The committee then voted and reported HB 7 favorably. The committee next considered House Bill 226, sponsored by Representative Bratcher, which would redirect the $5 fee from Kentucky National Guard specialty license plates from the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs to the Kentucky National Guard Association. Bratcher and National Guard representatives said the change would send roughly under $15,000 a year to support readiness, mobilization, and professional development for serving Guard members, and argued that specialty plate revenue should go to the organization tied to the plate. Representative Donworth raised concerns about taking money from the veterans trust fund and suggested a direct budget allocation instead, but the sponsor said the amount was small and that the current arrangement did not return the funds to the Guard. The committee voted to report HB 226 favorably. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 258, sponsored by Representative Payne, as amended by a committee substitute. The bill raises the weight limit for hauling milk from 80,000 to 90,000 pounds and clarifies that the rule applies to both state and federal highways, based on federal treatment of milk as a non-divisible product. After the substitute was adopted, the committee approved the bill, and HB 258 was reported favorably with the committee substitute attached.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
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  • That's<01:25:16.520> the<01:25:16.640> TRS<01:25:17.120> return<01:25:17.480>
  • Um Just<01:25:21.760> I'm<01:25:22.080> making<01:25:22.360> a<01:25:22.400>
  • So,<01:25:53.160> we<01:25:53.320> really<01:25:53.800> tightened<01:25:54.080><
Summary: The meeting began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from KPPA officials Ryan Barrow and Erin Saratt on the annual actuarial valuations for the retirement and insurance systems. They said the systems’ funding status improved overall, with three of five insurance funds fully funded, CERS hazardous dropping from over 100% funded to 90.9% because of premium changes, and KRS receiving $650 million in supplemental funding over the biennium. They also reported strong investment returns above assumed rates, higher payroll and membership counts, and resulting actuarial losses tied to higher salaries and premiums, especially on the insurance side. Members asked several questions about what drove the actuarial losses and whether legislation affected them. KPPA said the CERS insurance loss was driven by premium increases and Senate Bill 10, while the pension-side losses were largely due to higher payroll and benefits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 members. They explained that new Tier 3 employees are designed to add no additional unfunded liability, and that the state administers the systems but does not directly control all hiring. Questions also focused on retiree health premiums, which KPPA said rose about 15% for non-Medicare retirees and 38% for Medicare retirees, with the increase attributed to utilization, prescription costs, and the Inflation Reduction Act. The committee then heard from TRS Deputy Executive Secretary and General Counsel Beau Barnes on the 2025 TRS actuarial valuation. He reported that the Retirement Annuity Trust and Health Insurance Trust both received full funding, the retirement trust’s funded ratio improved to 61%, TRS 4 remains well funded with no liability, and the health insurance trust improved to 89.1%. Barnes said TRS is on track to fully fund legacy liabilities within the amortization period, with 2044 as the point when the system reflects 100% funding and 2046 as the last year needing additional dollars for the legacy liability. He also explained that lower assumed investment returns and updated mortality assumptions increased liabilities, but that TRS uses direct rate smoothing for budgeting purposes. At the end of the meeting, the chair circulated a proposed set of “do’s and don’ts of pensions,” emphasizing that future legislation should not create unfunded liabilities. Barnes also noted he would later discuss several legislative proposals for the 2026 session, but the transcript provided ends before that discussion or any votes on those proposals.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
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  • > department<01:25:46.360> to<01:25:46.840> do<01:25:47.840> uh I would trust
  • :48.920> good<01:25:49.119> job<01:25:49.360> at<01:25:49.560> determining
  • who gets<01:25:51.080> these<01:25:51.280> grants<01:25:52.040> and<01:25:52.400
  • use<01:25:55.000> them<01:25:55.199> and<01:25:55.320> utilize able to use
Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations. (2-10-26)

Licensing & Occupations

Transcript Highlights:
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  • ><00:08:09.360> on<00:08:09.680> large<00:08:10.000> scale<00:08:10.400> projects
  • <00:08:10.960> so best sense on large scale projects so best sense on large scale projects
Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 10, 2026, with a quorum present and welcomed student visitors from the University of Louisville and Graves County DECA. The committee first considered Senate Bill 145, relating to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and declared an emergency. The bill was described as clarifying caterer licensing language, allowing catering services in certain venues, permitting advance storage of alcohol for multi-day events, and requiring ABC to act on applications within 45 days. Members discussed concerns about alcohol sales in conservative districts, while others praised ABC’s interpretation of the law and the need for practical regulatory fixes. SB 145 was approved by the committee and sent to the floor on a 10-1 vote, with Senator Donald Douglas voting no and explaining that he wanted more time to discuss the issue with constituents. The committee then heard Senate Bill 98 on welding safety, presented as a measure to require compliance with specified welding certifications and design plans on projects where such standards are called for, in order to improve structural safety and reduce liability. Supporters, including the sponsor, a representative, and a lobbyist, said the bill would apply only in limited cases and would help ensure welds are properly inspected and performed according to engineering specifications. SB 98 also received favorable action, passing 9-2 and advancing to the floor. Senators Christian McDaniel and Matt Nunn voted no, while supporters emphasized public safety, code compliance, and avoiding future damages by doing the work correctly upfront. After the two bills were considered, the committee had no further business and moved toward adjournment.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
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  • you<00:25:38.000> if<00:25:38.240> you<00:25:38.320> and<00:25:38.480> I<
  • And projections are that they'll achieve and reach 25% in 2025.
  • And projections are that they'll achieve and reach 25% in 2025. So for us, Mr.
  • projects? projects?
Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match. The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium. Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Capital Investment Committee 3/11/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
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  • city<01:25:12.280> in<01:25:13.000> Minnesota<01:25:13.639> with<01:25:13.760
  • 25:18.080> uh<01:25:18.199> the<01:25:18.360> city<01:25:18.600> is<01:25
  • > sanitary<01:25:45.679> sewer<01:25:46.159> pipes<01:25:46.520> are<01:25
  • <01:25:55.960> the<01:25:56.400> value<01:25:57.400> uh<01:25:57.560> the