Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 137, a concurrent resolution adjourning the 2026 regular session of the General
• session.
• <00:09:56.400> Speaker,<00:09:56.840> I during regular session. Mr.
• Speaker, I during regular session. Mr.
• Ladies and gentlemen, during this 2026 regular session here of the Kentucky General Assembly, we celebrate

Bills: SB141, SB124, SB56, SJR116, SB94, SB37, SB127, SB197, SB66, SB70, SB133, SB160, SB214, SB312, SB52, SJR62, SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• To our guests, we need to go into executive session. It'll be a few minutes.
• I move that the committee go into executive session. So moved.
• Okay, we are back from executive session. Doors are open. Mr. Vice Chair: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Now we're going to the regular agenda. Let's see. Let's see.
• “I have not received formal requests for supplementals yet for this year going into this session.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Borrero: The Adoption Act is enacted in each regular session as part of the statutory revision
• Members, on your desk is the Special Order letter for Special Session Wednesday night, February 4.
• The amendment deadline for Wednesday's session is tomorrow, which is Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• families and each person represented in this process as we come together to finalize our budget this session
• Representative Garrison, House Concurrent Resolution 1635, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular
• session of the Florida Legislature under the authority of Section 3D, Article 3 of the state constitution
• HCR 1635 extends session until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, and provides that the legislation

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The Speaker recognized recent deaths in the chamber’s community, including Representative Plakon’s father, Bartow William Saunders Jr., and former Speaker John Thrasher, and the House observed moments of silence in their honor. The journal was approved, and there were no Senate messages, committee reports, reconsiderations, third-reading bills, or special-order bills on the desk. The House then adopted a motion to waive the rules to introduce House Bill 5, House Bill 5017, and House Joint Resolution 5019. Representative Garrison moved to take up House Concurrent Resolution 1635, which was read twice by title and explained as extending the 2025 regular session until June 18, 2025, while limiting further consideration to the general appropriations act, the implementing bill, and specified conforming bills; all other measures would be indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration as of May 3, 2025. The resolution was adopted without recorded opposition. Before adjournment, the Speaker noted Representative Yvette Benarroch’s birthday. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn after receiving reports and to reconvene upon call of the chair for committee and subcommittee meetings and other House business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, as we begin day 43 of this session, we know there are times to speak and times to be silent.
• So, much like in 2024 session where we covered a large spectrum, a wide spectrum of projects that can
• So, much like in<00:56:49.640> 2024<00:56:50.560> session<00:56:51.040> where<00
• Uh, going back to when cannabis-infused beverages hit last session, a new product that was out there,
• orders for Wednesday, March the regular orders for Wednesday, March 11th,<01:41:27.560> 2026.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We initiated what we're calling a scallop strategic plan and some business sessions.
• the most pressing issues considered by the fishing industry through several different visioning sessions
• And then, watching the climatic conditions this year, we had a pretty regular winter, we had a regular
• We had a regular spring bloom, and the meat weights are up.
• I’ve tried every session to lead the effort to get rid of the cod and put in the scallop.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, with particular attention to Massachusetts ports, federal scallop management, the proposed reopening of the Northern Edge on Georges Bank, and permit stacking/consolidation. The chair opened by noting the hearing would take written and oral testimony, that time was limited, and that the discussion was intended to inform legislative engagement with federal regulators rather than decide the issue directly. Dan McCarron of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council outlined the federal management structure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the role of annual catch limits and rotational closures, and the economic importance of scallops to New Bedford, Gloucester, and other Massachusetts ports. O’Keefe said the council’s current scallop framework is based on annual management, research surveys, and public input, and that recent environmental changes and uncertainty are affecting catch advice and biomass. Dr. O’Keefe and later Dr. Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the fishery’s recent condition: abundance has increased in some areas, but biomass has fallen because many scallops are still too small to harvest, and changing ocean conditions and natural mortality are affecting the stock. They said the Northern Edge action was considered as a joint scallop/habitat framework but was discontinued in 2024 because the council could not reconcile competing objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and impacts on other species such as cod, lobster, and herring. Stokesbury emphasized the long-running collaborative survey work with industry, said the fishery remains highly productive, and argued that the science supports careful rotational management and that the Northern Edge could be highly productive for scallops, though he acknowledged habitat tradeoffs. Committee members pressed both witnesses on why the issue had remained unresolved for so long and whether the council could revisit it through a future framework. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, including attorney Drew Kavage, John Lees, Sam Blasley, and Tony Alvernes, urged support for reopening the Northern Edge and for permit stacking, which would allow more than one scallop permit on a vessel while keeping ownership caps in place. They argued the fishery is a major economic driver, that industry-funded research has supported sustainable management, and that stacking would help family-owned operators reduce costs, improve safety, and avoid financial distress. They also stressed the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure in New Bedford and other ports. The chair said he was not opposed to stacking in principle but wanted to avoid a slippery slope toward excessive consolidation or private equity control; he noted that any stacking change would require an amendment to the fishery management plan or federal action. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with an invitation for continued engagement and future updates on the council process.

Transcript Highlights:

• would also remind this committee that this bill had passed through the Senate during an informal session
• passed through the Senate during an informal session, 2016, thanks to then-Senator Downing's leadership
• we could do now would be to pass policies that would enrich utility shareholders at the expense of regular
• This session, every lawmaker must decide who they serve: the people of Massachusetts or its utilities
• We need to continue the progress from recent sessions on that front and not do Trump's dirty work for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of late-file energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on battery storage siting, gas system expansion, propane consumer protections, gas workforce safety, and a Taunton home-rule petition on water rates for manufactured housing communities. Representative Sweeney urged support for H. 4689 and H. 4690, which would impose a moratorium and setback requirements for lithium battery storage facilities, citing fire risk, proximity to homes, and environmental concerns. Several local officials and residents from Oakham, Tewksbury, and other communities described proposed battery projects near homes, schools, wetlands, and conservation land, while industry and clean-energy advocates argued the bills would effectively block storage development and conflict with state energy goals and existing fire-safety standards. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2290/H. 3547, a bill to prevent gas expansion near environmental justice communities, from environmental justice advocates, municipal officials, and clean-energy groups. Testimony emphasized rising gas bills, the cost of new pipelines, methane and health impacts, and the need to avoid locking in long-term gas infrastructure costs. Witnesses also discussed related bills on gas workforce safety, gas shut-off valves, and gas meter replacement plans, with labor representatives supporting safety-focused measures and opposing changes they said would weaken inspections, while consumer and environmental advocates argued that some utility replacement practices are unnecessarily expensive and should be reined in to reduce ratepayer costs. Other testimony included support for H. 3518 on propane gas ratepayer protections, with the witness arguing for clearer contract terms and website price disclosure, and support for S. 2652, which would authorize Taunton to create a separate water billing rate for manufactured housing communities because residents there are effectively paying higher water costs through rent due to a single master meter. No committee votes or final actions were taken during the hearing, and members mostly asked brief clarifying questions or made no comment after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• A situation that needs to be thought through and potentially addressed this session.
• So regular vessels are in blue.
• State revenue, like on the regular PSCCA and the CVRA account, averages $122 million per biennium.
• Well, in the near term, I can tell you that the ferries accounts, when we left session this year, and
• We left session this year, and I don’t think this has changed. Our balance through 2027-29.

Summary: The committee received a detailed staff presentation on Washington State Ferries’ capital needs, current fleet status, and long-range funding outlook. Staff described the current service pattern, ridership recovery since the pandemic, the aging fleet, and the state’s plan to add three new hybrid-electric Olympic-class vessels under the 2025 budget, with delivery expected around 2030-2032. Members also heard that the fleet is operating with no reserve vessel, that preservation time is below the desired level, and that terminal electrification and vessel conversion plans face timing, cost, and procurement risks. Questions focused on ridership trends, biofuel supply, design-risk allocation in vessel contracts, sequencing of terminal electrification with new vessel delivery, and the cost and feasibility of restoring international Sidney service, which would require a SOLAS-certified vessel. Staff then outlined ferry capital funding, saying recent spending and programmed needs are far above regular ferry-specific revenues and that the system relies on a mix of dedicated accounts, transportation package money, federal grants, and transfers. They said the near-term budget is balanced through 2027-29, but the longer-term capital outlook shows a shortfall of roughly $250 million to $300 million per biennium, with broader unmet needs much higher. The presentation estimated costs for future vessels, life extensions, terminal electrification, and additional Jumbo Mark II conversions, and noted that the current enacted plan does not fully fund fleet replacement, full electrification, or life extension of older vessels. Members asked for follow-up information on terminal seismic/environmental issues, contract options for additional vessels, and the timing and cost of alternative vessel designs. The committee then shifted to WSDOT maintenance and preservation. Pascoe Focktich described maintenance operations, including winter response, guardrail repair, facilities, equipment, and the effects of underfunding and inflation. He said most of the maintenance budget is fixed cost and labor, that material prices have risen sharply, and that many facilities are in poor condition with asbestos issues and deferred upkeep. He also noted growing guardrail damage, increasing pavement claims, and the burden of maintaining aging bridges and facilities. Members asked about prior planning for these needs, the role of asbestos, and whether more proactive sequencing could help budget decisions. Troy Suing then presented the highway preservation program, saying WSDOT is in the early stages of critical failure and has stretched preservation dollars as far as possible. He explained the distinction between pavement, bridge, and other highway asset preservation, said the department is largely reactive, and estimated that delaying work can make it three to five times more expensive later. He said about 40% of roadways are currently due or overdue for preservation, bridge conditions are nearing the federal poor-bridge threshold, and the department’s 10-year preservation need is about $8 billion. Members asked about the cost of deferring work, whether the department could do more if funded, how priorities are set, and whether other states face similar problems. Finally, Evan Grimm and Mike Fay briefed the committee on bridge strikes by overheight vehicles. They described recent incidents on I-90 near Cle Elum and SR 410 near White River, the damage and closures caused, and possible countermeasures such as public outreach, improved trip-planning tools, and a pilot warning system with sensors and flashing beacons. Fay explained the state’s financial recovery process for third-party damage, saying WSDOT recovers roughly $20 million per biennium and about 78% to 80% of billed damages, with money going to the motor vehicle fund. Members asked about prevention, insurance recovery, and whether the state uses claim data to inform future design or safety changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's that committee review and then legislative session item.
• With chronic absence data, we already have some of that with our regular attendance counts.
• Unless in the next, in the 30-day session, we were to give more money and make openings for the next
• Yes, so for the initial five programs that you all funded during this last legislative session, the map
• We actually put together, we got after session to map out this work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, because Becky was teaching all 550 kids, everybody in the school got regular notifications. regular
• I believe the House bill that had some of this last session was a bit more expansive in terms of removing
• also want to share a few areas of opportunity that this committee can continue to build upon this session
• So, a regular program offset results in some special education students... ...I'm generating only half
• I do have a bill this session to look at how, you know, just do a study—a commission just to maybe like

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• I was here in the 86th and 87th legislative sessions.
• In the last session, it did go to calendars and came out of calendars.
• And so it's going to be subject to appropriations each session? Yes, sir.
• But it will just be subject to appropriation each session.
• On a regular basis. So we have a shortage of veterinarians.

Bills: HB 43, HB 3364, HB 3469, HB 3479, HB 43, HB 3364, HB 3469, HB 3479

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, veterinarian, veterinary medicine, veterinary telemedicine, telehealth, telemedicine, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, animal health, livestock, pets, remote care, electronic means, telephone consultation, controlled substances, prescription drugs

Summary: The second bill, House Bill 3469, was introduced to address pest control regulations concerning nuisance birds. Representative Campos explained how the bill proposes non-lethal methods to deter these birds, such as the use of laser lights and sounds, which avoids conflict with both state and federal regulations. The committee heard impassioned testimonies from members of the public who shared firsthand experiences regarding the adverse effects of these birds on property and public health. The meeting concluded with both bills being left pending, reflecting a desire for further deliberation among the committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• we really think outside the box, are we really trying to help the homeless, not just the homeless, regular
• homeless Hawaiians okay in the Regular homeless Hawaiians okay in the district<00:16:28.319> of
• and in section 2028 legislative session and in section three<00:48:30.839> dhhl<00:48:31.680>
• We're back in session, and on the subject of Senate Bill 1405, the recommendation of this chair is to
• We're back in session, and on the subject of Senate Bill 1405, the recommendation of this chair is to

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused primarily on Senate Bill 1409, which would cap county user fees charged to Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the measure, arguing it would reduce monthly housing-related costs for lower-income beneficiaries and help make homesteading more affordable. Several testifiers, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and some individuals, also submitted comments or support. County and city water and sewer agencies, including the County of Kauai Department of Water, the City and County of Honolulu Department of Facility Maintenance, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and the City and County Department of Environmental Services, strongly opposed the bill, saying it would shift substantial costs to other ratepayers, create lost revenue, and could force fee increases for everyone else. They also raised concerns about the bill’s cap structure and potential misuse, while noting their systems are funded by user fees rather than taxes. During committee discussion, Honolulu Board of Water Supply officials estimated about 4,500 DHHL customers on Oʻahu and projected lost revenue of roughly $30 million to $36 million over five years, with larger cumulative impacts over time; they said any waiver would be absorbed by other customers. The County of Hawaiʻi representative estimated nearly 2,000 DHHL customers on the Big Island and about $2.4 million in annual lost revenue. DHHL responded that it is pursuing revenue-generating projects on unused lands, but members questioned whether the department should do more to generate its own revenue and suggested looking at other affordability mechanisms, including market rent on commercial properties or a similar cap on other beneficiary fees. After hearing the testimony and discussion, the committee chair announced the recommendation to defer SB 1409 indefinitely, and the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs agreed with that decision. The hearing then moved to Senate Bill 1408, a housekeeping measure. DHHL testified in support, saying the bill was part of an effort to lower housing costs through a modular manufacturing approach. DHHL described plans to use an unused hangar at Kalaeloa for a potential modular housing manufacturing plant, including discussions with the University of Hawaiʻi and a Denver-based company, and said it was also exploring a pilot project with Habitat for Humanity on Maui. No vote or final action on SB 1408 was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• session of 2025.
• Concurrent Resolution No. 2 requesting the Governor to address the Legislature assembled in joint session
• He said the resolution had been introduced last session but was not adopted because it was not the right
• time to amend the Senate rules in the middle of session.
• colleagues last session this resolution was<00:03:39.680> introduced<00:03:40.319> but

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, >> Senator<01:30:04.960> Sessions. >> Senator Sessions.
• >> Senator Sessions.
• Roberts, Mr.<04:49:05.280> Sessions, Mr. Sessions, Mr.
• Senator Sessions.
• Senator Sessions. Amendments adopted. Senator Sessions. All right.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate first recognized the Montgomery Academy boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 3A state championship, their second straight title. Senator Barfoot introduced the team and read a resolution commending the players, coaches, and school community for the 66-39 win over Southside Selma, noting standout performances by Braden Gordon, Mason Ellis, and Jarrett Friendley. Coach Jeremy Aant and school head John Williams thanked the Senate and emphasized the team’s selflessness, teamwork, academic standards, service, and leadership development. The Senate applauded the team, added all senators to the resolution, and arranged for a picture and challenge coins for the players. After the recognition, the Senate came to order, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Committee reports followed. The Committee on State Government Affairs reported House Bill 541 favorably with one amendment; the bill would create the Safeguard Alabama Voter Engagement Act, requiring party registration for primary voting, restricting crossover voting, retaining voter history as a public record, revising voter registration forms, and requiring parties to publish candidate qualifications. The bill was ordered to a second reading and placed on the calendar. The Committee on Local Legislation reported House Bills 630, 631, and 632 favorably, all relating to Etowah County, including changes to tax exemptions and personnel board membership. These bills were also sent to second reading and the calendar. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 117, commending Dylan Nut for winning the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, and added all members as co-sponsors. During discussion, one senator used the opportunity to speak at length about a separate concern involving alleged unlicensed real estate solicitation and the need for legislation to protect citizens from property-related scams; he also discussed the calendar process and other bills. The floor later included extended informal remarks about fishing and a separate discussion of a proposal to designate Miss America as an official state ambassador, with support expressed for a possible stipend amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• in here, but it did not make it to the special session.
• specific special session for a specific purpose.
• The session.
• . ...for the next session.
• That's going to fill the requirements for that session.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been some discussion with staff of whether, when we're out of session, that's the right approach
• Due to end-of-session budget negotiations, they requested a delay, which we were happy to accommodate
• We are grateful for the legislature's focus on preventing and detecting fraud last session.
• on fraud oversight led to many important reforms in the governor's budget being enacted this last session
• This paused regular eligibility checks and renewals.

Transcript Highlights:

• And um what I have seen this session is there's basically a referendum on the judiciary.
• We included the sunset clause this legislative session because last legislative session, you all as members
• that as long as water water parks post signs which clearly outline the risks of participating in regular
• Um, the first bill was enacted during the 78th regular legislative session in 2003.
• to incorporate enactments of that session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So on March 12th, right, as we were coming into session, Greg Hilburn wrote an article. ...trying to
• So on March 12th, right, as we were coming into session, Greg Hilburn wrote an article about the fatalities
• So I did agree with those costs, and I put in the cost to the department for that, in addition to regular
• Because what I would say again is this session, the department requested budget for a system.
• sitting up here, we know an inflation and a fiscal note when we see it because we deal with it on a regular

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on May 26, 2026, and first took up Senate Bill 433, which would provide Medicaid coverage for certain weight-loss medications. After adopting a House amendment adding customary subject-to-appropriation language, the committee heard from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein, who said the state currently spends about $240 million a year on GLP-1 drugs for Medicaid patients with obesity and certain other conditions, and that the bill would let the department expand coverage gradually while controlling costs and negotiating better pricing. Members spoke in strong support, and SB 433 was reported favorable as amended. The committee then considered Senate Bill 157, which creates paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 educators and staff. An amendment was adopted to adjust fund language and make the bill proper for Appropriations. Senator Jenkins and supporters, including the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, described the bill as providing six weeks of paid leave for birth, adoption, fostering, and related family-building events, while members discussed whether medical leave should also be included and confirmed the leave applies to fathers as well. The bill drew broad support and was reported favorable as amended. Senate Bill 250, requiring the Office of Group Benefits to offer a comprehensive weight management plan with employees paying the full premium and medication costs, was briefly discussed and reported favorable without objection. The committee then spent considerable time on Senate Bill 237, a child welfare measure from Senator Barrow that would expand notification, access, and investigative procedures for the Child Ombudsman and DCFS, including child-on-child sexual abuse cases and multidisciplinary fatality reviews. Members and agency officials debated the fiscal note, with estimates ranging from about $525,000 to $3.2 million and disagreement over whether some costs were already covered or could be absorbed; after a roll call, the bill passed 10-9 and was reported favorable as amended. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 155, which requires insurance coverage for medically necessary dental care tied to cancer treatment. Senator Talbot and medical and cancer advocacy witnesses said the bill would remove a barrier to timely chemotherapy or radiation and could prevent more expensive complications later. Members expressed support and discussed a relatively small fiscal note, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last session, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Memorial 2, directing a diverse group of stakeholders
• I think I'll likely grudgingly support this, although I'm very skeptical about its passage this session
• And I think that should be done on a regular basis with or without the request of the PRC.
• Should be done on a regular basis, with or without the request of the PRC.
• And this is the final piece of Senate Bill 5 from last session. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nice reminder for this time of session.
• Nice reminder for this time of session.
• Nice reminder for this time of session.
• whether another memorial resolution could be added to it, I guess, but it can't be a vehicle for regular
• whether another memorial resolution could be added to it, I guess, but it can't be a vehicle for regular

Keywords: 1187, senate, all