Transcript Highlights:

• Locking it down because staff is actively engaged in organized crime and the administration. can't control
• It also encourages violence and other negative activities from the use of drugs in our prisons.
• Uh, I think this is an amazing bill, and I know that we had efforts, uh, last year regarding licensing
• Third, to codify the post-secondary Education advisory board to support these efforts further.
• That may be rebutted upon procedures and evidence that requires an individual's rehabilitative efforts

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got to use it for transformation type of activities.
• You've got to use it for transformation type of activities.
• You've got to use it for transformation type of activities.
• We had to really plus up the effort.
• <00:54:00.800> That's efforts, right? You reduce spend. That's efforts, right?

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Executive Budget 00:00:50, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• These rules are the rules pertaining to lead-based paint activities.
• So recruiting efforts are going well as the last couple of years.
• Even competitive cheerleading activities would... ...opportunities covered.
• Even competitive cheerleading activities would fall under this limitation.
• A number of extracurricular activities depend on parents to even exist.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• because of a medically activity because of a medically determinal<00:13:39.200> determinable<
• Our work could not be completed without their efforts.
• So, is the committee criminal activity.
• Would have liked to perhaps have some opportunity to amend it to at least go after criminal activity
• <00:41:53.960> Uh go after criminal activity more. Uh go after criminal activity more.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on Monday, March 16th, with an invocation focused on safety during storms, support for first responders, and recognition of Women’s History Month. A quorum was present, and the President noted the chamber was preparing for a very busy week, with possible double sessions and a Saturday session if needed. The House message on House Bill 297, concerning adult education and high school diploma pathways, was received and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The chamber then took up several committee reports, mostly adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection. Among the bills advanced to third reading were SB 85 on use of Information Technology Investment Fund revenues, SB 520 on public safety spending flexibility in charter counties, SB 558 creating a Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program, SB 641 on procurement exceptions for historic preservation services, SB 647 establishing a catastrophic disability benefit tier for certain law enforcement retirement members, SB 654 raising the State Police mandatory retirement age to 62 and adjusting DROP rules, and SB 668 on Children’s Cabinet funding for local management boards. SB 756, a Baltimore City PILOT/tax exemption bill for a Downtown Rise District project, was also advanced. Several bills were special ordered to allow time for amendments or further discussion. SB 334 on machine gun convertible pistols was special ordered to the next day after members said amendments were not ready. SB 309, concerning a statewide sales and use tax exemption for precious metal bullion or coins, was also special ordered for the next day so members could add co-sponsors. SB 818 on State Center development contract requirements and an advisory group was special ordered to the appropriate time the next day after discussion of its community input and federal-law compliance provisions. The Budget and Taxation Committee then reported on the fiscal 2027 operating budget, SB 282, and the budget reconciliation and financing act, SB 284. The committee chair said the budget left a $250 million cash surplus and $2.2 billion in the rainy day fund, kept general fund spending below the current year, imposed no tax or fee increases, and funded priorities including behavioral health in schools, child care scholarships, local government disparity grants, nursing homes, developmental disabilities services, public schools, Medicaid, energy assistance, and economic development. Both SB 282 and SB 284, along with their committee amendments, were laid over until the next day for second reading debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and Of those 13 active projects, there are 9 standards teacher housing projects that are active.
• Similarly, the district's capacity to actively participate, especially during early design phases, is
• Activity after a couple of years, and I kind of feel an increasing sense of urgency about that.
• This is in terms of projects that are actually moving versus old projects whose activity level we don't
• With the district and the design professional's efforts, they have made changes to eliminate vertical

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also joined by Gabriela Barahona, who comes to our team after leading advocacy efforts in Texas.
• It also will prohibit removing physical activity for disciplinary reasons.
• This bill puts belts and suspenders on that to say we want our kids active.
• But we don't want to disrupt the food supply in our efforts to make it healthier.
• Today, and you're right, this is a bipartisan effort—it's about our kids and healthy eating.

Bills: SB 25, SB25, SB314

Keywords: attorney ad litem, indigent parents, parent-child relationship, legal representation, Texas Family Code, court procedures, nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are increased, changing from reasonable efforts to active efforts just changes caseloads right now
• <02:09:13.960> to<02:09:14.239> active<02:09:14.719> efforts reasonable efforts
• to active efforts reasonable efforts to active efforts just<02:09:15.800> changes<02:09:16.360
• c> that<02:09:30.559> case to active efforts can reduce that case to active efforts can reduce
• c> if<02:10:16.320> a because active efforts means that if a because active efforts means

Bills: HF25, HF4

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief

Transcript Highlights:

• There are rulemaking efforts, data-sharing agreements, and analytical processes to put in place.
• led uh to legislation act that is active led uh to legislation act that is active in<00:33:12.639
• Section 10 I think it's a great effort in transparency.
• We've put a lot of effort and resources into getting the board up to where it is today until Mr.
• We've put a lot of effort and resources into getting the board up to where it is today until Mr.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The working session focused on the New Hampshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board’s budget request and its recent work. Early discussion centered on a technical question about a statutory dedicated fund for donations: members asked why the budget did not show a line item for accepting donations, and DHHS CFO Nathan White explained that the statute already authorizes the fund, but because no revenue has been received yet, it does not appear in the budget. He said any future donations would go through the normal process under RSA 14:30-a, with fiscal committee and Governor and Council approval and a memo to the Department of Revenue Administration. The chair clarified that the account was not a prerequisite to soliciting donations, and White said the fund would supplement, not replace, General Fund support. Kirk Williamson, the board’s executive director, then presented the board’s mission and budget. He said the governor’s budget provides about $256,500 in the first year and slightly more in the second, all General Funds, and that the board had distributed a technical amendment to continue the executive director position. He described the board’s role as analyzing prescription drug costs, identifying savings opportunities, monitoring market trends, promoting transparency, and making recommendations to the legislature and public payers. He also emphasized that the board operates publicly, with live-streamed meetings and a stakeholder advisory council that includes unions, state agencies, Medicaid, corrections, higher education, and other stakeholders. A major topic was the board’s estimate of $6 million in potential savings, based on Medicare’s newly negotiated prices for 10 drugs. Williamson explained that the board used those federal negotiated prices as a benchmark to estimate what New Hampshire public payers might be missing by not having similar leverage, and said the board is trying to build evidence for future recommendations rather than directly setting prices. Members asked how those potential savings could become actual savings, and Williamson said the board is sharing findings through its advisory council and feedback loops, though it has not yet sent a formal recommendation letter to specific purchasers. He also discussed the difference between pharmacy-benefit spending, which relies heavily on PBM-negotiated rebates, and medical-benefit spending, which is administered differently and is being added to the board’s next report. Williamson highlighted other work, including a model on Humira and a pending legislative effort to improve biosimilar competition, plus a proposed state-backed pharmacy savings card that would be no cost to the state and could save users about $240 per prescription based on Connecticut’s experience. No votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the email address and other personal sensitive
• unless you have clearly advised the committee otherwise in writing the committee make reasonable efforts
• MAR, however, only represents one-third of real estate licensees in the state, and despite these efforts
• So what we're talking about here is suspension of all activities, really.
• saying is that that suspension be applicable to not just the aisle of alcohol but to all business activities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened its first hearing of the session with remarks from Chair Chan and Senate Co-Chair Pavel Payano, who emphasized consumer affordability and professional licensure reform. The chairs also reviewed public testimony rules, noting the hearing was recorded, testimony would be public, and speakers should avoid including sensitive personal information. The committee then heard testimony on several bills carried over from prior sessions and new proposals, with each witness generally speaking in support of the measure they addressed. On self-storage, Joe Doherty of the Self Storage Association supported House Bill 340 and Senate Bill 236, saying the bills would clarify abandonment procedures, allow electronic delivery and signatures for rental agreements, and address situations where a renter fails to return a signed contract after a facility sale, while preserving existing consumer protections. On housing and fair housing education, Nicholas Pelletier and counsel Justin Davidson of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors supported House Bill 343 and Senate Bill 232, which would require fair housing education for real estate licensees; they said fair housing training is already part of MAR’s programs but is not required for all licensees, and Pelletier described a personal example of discriminatory treatment in a rental application. Senators asked whether other states have similar requirements and requested follow-up information. The committee also heard strong support for House Bill 348 and Senate Bill 220 on licensure of applied behavior analysts from Dr. Pauli Gidej of MABA and Dr. Charlie Newfield of Beacon ABA Services. They argued that a dedicated board would improve oversight, speed licensing, and help reduce delays that affect access to autism services, noting the growing number of practitioners and the strain on families waiting for care. Later, Robert Mellion of the Massachusetts Package Stores Association testified for House Bill 390, which would expand alcohol license suspension penalties to all business activity for certain retailers; members questioned the impact on grocery and big-box stores, the difference between suspending alcohol sales versus closing an entire store, and whether fines in lieu of suspension would be sufficient. The committee also heard testimony in favor of House Bill 407 and Senate Bill 277 to license veterinary technicians, with witnesses saying standardized education and licensure would improve animal safety, clarify scope of practice, and better distinguish technicians from assistants. Finally, Craig Orlin of Honda supported House Bill 474 and Senate Bill 291, which would use RMV contacts to notify drivers of open safety recalls and require recall completion as part of registration renewal; he said the bills could improve recall completion rates and address the large number of unrepaired vehicles on the road. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted several bills that did not receive testimony that day, invited written submissions by email, and announced the committee would reconvene in about two weeks. Representative McKenna moved to adjourn, Representative Keefe seconded, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there's a lot of effort in trying to revive that and diversify our economy there.
• Again, Hospital 325 is an effort to begin a program on railroad safety equipment.
• And I have with me my co-sponsor who spearheaded this effort in the Senate.
• So, there is activity, just no ground turning yet. Thank you for that.
• These efforts reflect ongoing partnerships between the DOT and our local and tribal governments.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to bring you up to date on some of the adjacent efforts that are underway, and perhaps by the
• That work has proceeded apace, notably among other activities.
• Notably, among other activities, the project has adopted three statements of principle, which very soon
• It does require an effort.
• One is the idea of actively seeking people out to connect with.

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Civic Health met to discuss next steps for its work on civic health, including related efforts by the Project for Civic Health and a proposed Evans School research survey of legislators. The chair reviewed the committee’s mandate and described ongoing partner initiatives, including shared principles of engaging with respect, seeking common ground, and disagreeing constructively. Members generally supported the Evans School proposal, though one member asked how the project would measure success, and the chair said the goal was to gather broad input from legislators on strengths, weaknesses, and future directions. A major portion of the meeting focused on a draft committee statement condemning political violence. Members agreed to remove the word “crazed” from the description of a recent assassination, with concerns raised that the term implied irrationality and could stigmatize disability. Members also suggested broadening the language to include non-abusive and productive dialogue, and replacing or supplementing “pray” with more inclusive wording; the final phrasing settled on “hope and pray.” The committee also briefly debated whether to describe the United States as a democracy or a representative republic, ultimately agreeing on “representative democratic republic” and approving the statement for posting and distribution, with several members still needing to provide digital signatures. The rest of the meeting was an open discussion about how to improve civility and relationship-building in the Legislature. Members emphasized the value of in-person meetings, shared meals, mentoring newer legislators, and more intentional cross-party conversations. Several said there are fewer informal opportunities now than in the past, especially after the pandemic, and suggested ideas such as retreats, regular gatherings, and bringing in outside experts like the National Institute for Civil Discourse. The chair said he would relay the committee’s support for the Evans School survey and adjourned the meeting after noting the discussion had produced several constructive ideas for future work.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are, in my community, quite a few folks and fairly politically active people, but they know us.
• We're also active in the association and we absolutely support transparency. participation, people coming
• Um, Senator Newton led a big effort, as Diana mentioned, um, got us to a place we are now.
• The statute requires notice when an applicant seeks an area permit for mining activities.
• Quality levels both low and high prior to mining which are used to assess groundwater restoration efforts

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THAT'S THE ONE WE FINISHED IN 2021 THAT WAS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WITH THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
• THEY DON'T HAVE AS MUCH WATER SO THAT'S WHY WE HAD TO GO THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO FIGURE OUT
• PART OF 2022 PROVIDED COMMENTS AND THE DEPARTMENT MADE A LARGE NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN AN EFFORT
• Johnson: IN 312 ITS GRANDFATHERED ACTIVITIES AND THIS IS IN SUBSECTION E4, PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT
• WE ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE RULE AND RULEMAKING AND THE RULE ROLLOUT SO I WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are related PUC activities. I'll let Chairman Gleason address those.
• Rhett Bennett: We're active in energy and natural resources.
• So it'd have to be an industry effort Panelist: To figure that out.
• We applaud the effort with Texas trying to make these reforms.
• We are an active participant in energy infrastructure.

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rhett Bennett: We're active in energy and natural resources.
• So it'd have to be an industry effort to figure that out.
• And I think that's, you know, part of the active working process.
• We applaud the effort with Texas trying to make these reforms.
• We are an active participant in energy infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• had been going through the House, not just this session but, you know, it was an accumulation of efforts
• And then the position is crystal clear about all of the work that has been put into this effort in solid
• And then the position is crystal clear about all of the work that has been put into this effort in solid
• put into this effort in in solid waste. put into this effort in in solid waste.
• > in active well-run landfill in active well-run landfill in Rochester<00:23:12.400> very

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on a non-germane amendment to SB 302, a Senate bill originally requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment was intended to preserve and separate out language developed for the governor’s budget proposal and HB 2 concerning a solid waste facility site evaluation committee, a moratorium, and related public-benefit/site-benefit provisions, so the policy would still have a vehicle if the budget language did not advance. He said the proposal reflects extensive work by the House, the governor’s office, and DES, and he was open to further changes to align with any budget conference committee outcome. Dr. Adam Finkele testified in support of the amendment and the underlying site evaluation concept, arguing that landfill siting decisions should be based on cost-benefit analysis that includes public harms, local impacts, and regional impacts rather than only private benefits. He praised the committee process and prior legislation requiring agencies to respond substantively to public comments, and said the new language improves on the governor’s version by moving the committee’s review earlier in the process and requiring more complete application information, including alternatives and impacts on nearby wells and aquifers. He also supported a three-year moratorium on new landfill applications, saying it would give the state time to address leachate, PFAS, waste reduction, and weak siting rules. Members asked about possible conference committee changes, the value of having a separate review body, and whether the new rules would invite litigation. Dr. Finkele said he would likely sue over the rules because he считает them too weak, but also said the legislature could fix the problems through other bills such as HB 77. He acknowledged that the site evaluation committee is not a perfect solution, but said it is a useful intermediate step between the agency and the courts and likely would meet only rarely if capacity need remains the main trigger for future landfill decisions. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• then I want to talk about our economic development pipeline and what we're seeing today in terms of activity
• Uh that will transition activity level.
• So again, they're just more active than the previous two that we talked about.
• And of course, you all of this activity.
• <00:44:18.319> in<00:44:18.640> AI the US efforts in AI the US efforts in AI um<00:

Keywords: Meeting Start - 00:00 Roll Call – 00:15 Approval of Minutes of the July 15, 2025, Meeting 00:55 Helping Power Kentucky’s Growth – 01:25 Powering and Deploying AI – 41:00 Fueling America’s Intelligence – 56:12 Adjournment – 01:10:37, 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met with a quorum, adopted prior meeting minutes, and then focused on energy policy and economic development as they relate to AI and data centers. John Bevington of LG&E and KU, introduced by Caroline Clark of LG&E/KU and PPL, described the utility’s Kentucky-only service territory, vertically integrated system, 1.3 million customers, and about 7.5 gigawatts of generating capacity. He said the company has supported 76 Kentucky projects in 2024 totaling about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, with a large share of statewide announcements occurring in its service area. Bevington said LG&E and KU’s current project pipeline is unusually strong, totaling about 170 projects and 8.5 gigawatts of requested power, with data centers accounting for about two-thirds of that demand. He broke the pipeline into existing customer expansions, new-to-Kentucky projects, and 20 data center projects representing about 5.6 gigawatts of potential load. He highlighted a Louisville data center project by PO Development Company and Powerhouse Data Centers that has announced a 400-megawatt facility and may expand to 525 megawatts, estimating that such a project could represent about $4 billion in investment. He also explained that large data centers generally must locate near transmission lines and that utilities must conduct studies, order long-lead equipment, and secure reimbursement commitments before proceeding so other customers are not harmed. Members asked about how Kentucky compares with other states, the size of data center projects, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects reflect current Kentucky interest, which he attributed in part to the state’s sales tax exemption for data centers, and noted that states like Ohio have had similar incentives for years. In response to questions from Senator Thomas, he confirmed that data centers can vary in size and said the state should have a regulatory environment that supports economic development, while emphasizing that the benefits would flow to the state, local communities, and schools rather than just the utility. He also cited national and regional data suggesting data centers generate indirect jobs and tax revenue, and said LG&E and KU are investing in transmission, reliability, solar, and gas generation projects, including proposed additional 645-megawatt natural gas units and other system upgrades, to meet expected demand.

Transcript Highlights:

• they were made after two-year effort they were made after two-year effort again<02:11:52.360>
• :04.880> just<02:19:05.000> a religious activities or not just a religious activities or
• <02:44:28.040> for $3.4 billion of economic activity for $3.4 billion of economic activity
• It may be a collaborative effort.
• on our behalf could there be an effort on our behalf could there be an effort<04:16:18.279> on

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , meaning they have many more active members paying in than we do.
• We'll be paying more retirees out than we have active members paying in.
• That’s how they joined us, bringing their active population.
• They may join their spouses' benefit plan while they're an active participant because, as an active participant
• So their active population is still.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the bipartisan effort.
• It's a bipartisan effort.
• And that's kind of how we're handling the effort to reduce regulations.
• The proposal before you does not allow for... ...active THC.
• Yes, and if it's illegal activity, it does not.

Keywords: 977, all