Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:41.280> owner a property Improvement a project owner a property Improvement a project
• That's going to be a good point about this project. Thank you, Mr.
• :55.760> 1st<00:25:56.039> we<00:25:56.159> talk<00:25:56.360> about<00:25
• :57.080> uh<00:25:57.200> State<00:25:57.480> Hood<00:25:57.640> day June
• for Kentucky for Kentucky we<00:25:59.279> also<00:25:59.480> talk<00:25:59.720>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:27 SB 76 Discussion 01:20 SB 76 Vote 04:51 SB 59 Discussion 05:50 SB 59 Vote 20:49 SB 313 Discussion 23:46 SB 313 Vote 28:18, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met and first took up Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Senator Greg Elkins. The bill would raise the construction retainage/escrow statute threshold from $500,000 to $2 million to reflect inflation, and would also make any contract term waiving the escrow protection void and unenforceable. Elkins said the measure would not apply to government contracts and was intended to protect contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers from delayed payment. The committee voted 9-0 to pass the bill with a favorable expression and send it to the floor. The committee then considered Senate Bill 59, sponsored by Senator Jimmy Higdon, with a committee substitute adopted first. Higdon said the substitute limited the bill to existing church property and the measure would allow religious institutions to build affordable housing on their property while still requiring local governing-body approval and compliance with building codes. Supporters framed it as a housing-supply tool and a way to use nonprofits and churches to help address Kentucky’s housing shortage, while questions focused on tax impacts, local control, and whether the bill could be used for single-family homes or other developments. A public witness from Henry County opposed the bill, arguing it could enable discriminatory housing and reduce local tax revenue. After discussion, the committee voted 9-0 to pass SB 59 with a favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 313 from Senator Phillip Wheeler, which would designate June as Kentucky History Month. Wheeler and Kentucky Historical Society Executive Director Scott Alvi said the bill would help promote Kentucky history statewide, especially in connection with the U.S. 250th commemoration in 2026, and would build on existing June observances such as Statehood Day and Boone Day. The committee approved the bill with favorable expression, and the chair announced it would proceed to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:25:00.799> we<00:25:01.120> also<00:25:01.600> don't<00:25:01.919> know
• amendment<00:25:06.159> and<00:25:06.400> add<00:25:06.640> them<00:25:06.799
• 25:12.880> be<03:25:13.120> used<03:25:13.439> very much.<03:25:17.040> So
• > they're the way it looks to me that they're the way it looks to me that they're projecting<03:25
• :28.800> just<03:25:29.120> a<03:25:29.359> 40 projecting just a 40 projecting just

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to<00:25:41.559> include<00:25:41.919> inflation<00:25:42.520> on<00:25:
• side of the forecast<00:25:46.760> uh<00:25:46.840> so<00:25:47.000> the<00:25:
• 47.080> chair<00:25:47.360> asked<00:25:47.600> us<00:25:47.760> to<00:25
• that<00:25:50.240> were<00:25:50.360> made<00:25:50.559> in<00:25:50.960> 2002
• 58.399> this<00:25:58.520> was<00:25:58.679> before<00:25:58.919> my<00:25

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And the projects that have been approved...
• Some of these projects are pursuing federal grants.
• Okay, because you're in some major, major projects.
• There are five projects continued using unexpended balance authority, three projects that have been removed
• We can do facilities capital improvement projects and facility improvement projects on all of those properties

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The $23.8 billion projected ending balance for 2024-25 is robust, but it differs in a meaningful way
• projected base by method of finance.
• projected base by method of finance.
• Do you have a 10-year projection or some projection of where that's going to be five, 10 years from now
• Do you have projections?

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:25:44.520> would<00:25:44.800> keep<00:25:45.320> like<00:25:45.640> an
• > if<00:25:48.240> they<00:25:48.400> wanted<00:25:48.920> to<00:25:49.600
• <00:25:54.679> the<00:25:54.800> curriculum<00:25:55.400> has<00:25:55.560><
• :56.800> that<00:25:56.960> is<00:25:57.120> not<00:25:57.800> I<00:25:57.880
• ><00:25:59.320> a<00:25:59.360> little<00:25:59.560> bit<00:25:59.679> to

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Summary: The committee first approved the previous day’s minutes, then took up House File 3776, as amended by the A2 amendment, which clarified how the bill would apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans. The bill’s author argued that Minnesota should address screen time for preschool and kindergarten students, saying current law is too broad, that young children are especially vulnerable to developmental and attention harms from screens, and that parents and teachers should have more control over device use. The bill was laid over after discussion. Testimony on HF 3776 was split. Amanda Faye of Minnetonka Public Schools opposed the bill as drafted, saying it would conflict with existing academic standards, READ Act screening requirements, accessibility tools, and local control, and would force districts back to paper-based screening. Katherine Myers of Live More Screen Less supported the bill, citing concerns about early childhood screen exposure and arguing that screen-free time supports child development. Members raised concerns about local control, parental rights, and how to protect students who need devices for accommodations; the author and nonpartisan staff noted that schools can already adopt cell phone policies, but exceptions may be needed for certain students and uses. After laying over HF 3776, the committee began House File 3557. Representative Craft introduced the bill as a voluntary program to promote practical science education and workforce development tied to climate literacy, including a proposed Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students. The bill was only introduced before the transcript ended, with no vote or final action recorded on HF 3557.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:07.600> in<00:25:07.760> the<00:25:08.000> department<00:25:08.320>
• > on<00:25:10.559> you<00:25:10.720> know<00:25:10.799> when<00:25:11.039>
• know special differential by doing you know special projects projects projects I<00:25:19.840> guess
• c><00:25:39.919> or<00:25:40.240> you<00:25:40.480> know<00:25:41.120> those<
• > of<00:25:42.400> parts<00:25:42.640> of<00:25:42.799> it<00:25:43.360><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several resolutions focused on workforce shortages and program development. STR 145/SR 117 would create a legislative working group on paid family and medical leave; testimony from state agencies, labor groups, advocacy organizations, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, though some asked for broader representation and legal expertise. Members raised questions about prior studies, staffing estimates, and funding needs for administering a future program. The chair ultimately deferred decision making on this measure to March 28, 2025. The committee also heard STR 55/SR 37 on reviewing the boiler and elevator inspection branch to improve recruitment and retention. DLIR supported the measure, while the Department of Human Resources Development supported the intent but suggested labor should lead the study. Industry witnesses described long inspection wait times, backlogs, and difficulty recruiting inspectors, and several said higher pay and training pathways were needed. The committee voted to pass the resolution unamended. For STR 64/SR 49, which would establish a Hawaii State Fellows Program, the department supported the concept but said resources would be needed and should be included in the budget rather than a resolution; the committee recommended deferral indefinitely. STR 67/SR 51, addressing hiring shortages in the public mental health care system, drew support from the State Council on Mental Health and others, with requests for amendments to ensure broader cooperation and added agencies. The committee moved the measure as a Senate draft with amendments. STR 63/SR 48, proposing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award, received support from DLIR, and the committee later recessed and reconvened for decision making on the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• While that<00:25:11.039> case<00:25:11.279> is<00:25:11.520> going<00:25:11.679>
• <00:25:21.840> It's<00:25:22.159> also<00:25:22.400> viewed<00:25:22.799>
• <00:25:58.720> I<00:25:58.880> I<00:25:59.200> talked<00:25:59.440> about
• <01:25:05.760> And<01:25:06.320> I<01:25:06.639> think<01:25:06.800> your
• c> trying<01:25:09.679> to<01:25:09.840> get<01:25:10.000> at,<01:25:10.639>

Bills: HF4236, HF4122, HF4377

Keywords: public utility, interim rates, utility rates, rate case, general rate case, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, PUC, rate increase cap, rate freeze, refunds, customer refunds, ratepayer protection, electric utility, gas utility, regulated utility, ratemaking, return on equity, rate base, test year, rate design

Transcript Highlights:

• This project has led to over $31 million statewide.
• Projects such as this lend to that.
• I wanted to provide background on this project.
• This project. We just secured a contract through GSD, and this project has a $4 million cap.
• getting 25 billion to upgrade its systems and its workforce?

Transcript Highlights:

• We administer the project fund.
• We size our projects.
• How do you develop a project? What is a good project? How do we do that?
• So on an infrastructure project, 10%. On an equipment project, it could be 100%.
• from the IIJA, and that's for supplemental projects for those people. based kinds of projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:44.279> at<00:25:44.440> the<00:25:44.640> same<00:25:45.480> time
• <00:25:49.480> with<00:25:49.679> the<00:25:49.840> same<00:25:50.120> thing<
• are<00:25:50.840> in<00:25:51.120> all<00:25:51.320> across<00:25:51.679>
• in<00:25:56.240> the<00:25:56.480> pipeline<00:25:57.240> so<00:25:57.399
• :25:30.679> um<01:25:31.000> I<01:25:31.119> did<01:25:31.320> want<01:25

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to make<00:25:49.919> a<00:25:50.159> motion<00:25:50.880> uh<00:25:50.960
• > to<00:25:51.120> pass<00:25:51.360> as<00:25:51.600> amended<00:25:52.080
• :13.520> but<04:25:13.920> when<04:25:14.159> I<04:25:14.319> read<04:25:
• <04:25:21.199> Maybe<04:25:21.359> you<04:25:21.600> could<04:25:22.239>
• :25:41.280> projected towns and looking at their projected towns and looking at their projected

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There were some initial thoughts about this project or that project, but there were questions.
• We're hoping to continue that project as well.
• And then there are system or project revenue bonds, which are bonds issued to fund specific projects
• Are they set by project?
• Chair, our fees for the oversight of the projects are tracked, and we charge those projects accordingly

Transcript Highlights:

• the from the projection is, is what we do project to receive an actual funds from the, from the tax
• Is that an actual projection? Not based on our projections. No, sir. Okay.
• Because that is in another area, but we do have actual expenditures in 24-25 and 25-26?
• And then the second thing is, based on your projections, the full effects of the... ...projections.
• It's because it has no expenditures in 24, 25, and 25, 26.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are<00:25:29.440> those<00:25:29.679> that<00:25:29.919> sit<00:25:30.159><
• They live<00:25:40.720> in<00:25:40.880> the<00:25:41.120> places<00:25:41.760><
• c> that<00:25:42.000> you<00:25:42.320> live<00:25:42.480> in<00:25:43.120><
• Our goal at Maryman<00:25:48.880> House<00:25:49.039> is<00:25:49.200> to<00:25:
• c><00:25:51.360> step<00:25:51.520> of<00:25:51.679> the<00:25:51.919> way

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its July 30, 2025 meeting. Members then heard a presentation from Roger McCann of the Department for Community Based Services on Kentucky’s 2026-2027 Community Services Block Grant state plan. He explained that the federally funded grant, now about $12 million annually, is distributed through 23 local community action agencies that use flexible funds for locally identified needs such as housing, nutrition, transportation, Head Start, and domestic violence services. McCann said the plan is submitted every two years and that the agencies served about 264,000 Kentuckians and 130,000 families in 2024. Senator Meredith asked whether there was a central place to review local projects, and McCann said regular reports exist and could be shared with members. The committee then approved the CSBG state plan by roll call vote. After that, members received an update on Kentucky’s state-designated domestic violence shelter programs from Angela Yanelli of ZeroV, Mary Foley of Maryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and Elizabeth Martin of the Center for Women and Families. The presenters described ZeroV’s role as the statewide domestic violence coalition, its 15 member programs across all area development districts, and its contract with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide emergency shelter, supportive services, housing assistance, and batterers intervention programming. They emphasized that services are available 24/7 and are trauma-informed, with a strong focus on children and family support. The domestic violence providers reported high demand and rising costs. ZeroV said its network served more than 14,000 adults and children in fiscal year 2025, including nearly 900 children in shelter and more than 500 in outreach, while Maryman House reported operating at 90-92% capacity, with 53 households waiting for emergency shelter and 63 more waiting for intake. Maryman House also described an 8-unit transitional housing complex and plans for a 48-unit apartment complex if tax credit funding is approved. The Center for Women and Families highlighted school-readiness support for children, tutoring, counseling, and family services, including back-to-school supplies and rights information for homeless students. No additional votes or formal actions were taken during the domestic violence presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:25:00.120> I'm<00:25:00.240> not<00:25:00.400> going<00:25:00.520> to
• >> Mr.<00:25:06.840> Chairman,<00:25:07.120> you<00:25:07.200> said<00:25:
• :25:08.800> it<00:25:09.120> didn't<00:25:09.440> come<00:25:09.520> out
• :10.240> but<00:25:10.400> when<00:25:10.520> you<00:25:10.600> look<00:25
• <00:25:14.800> uh<00:25:15.040> you<00:25:15.120> know,<00:25:15.280> many

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 78, which urges the Department of Education to strengthen natural health education and adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. The Department of Education said it supported the intent and had offered technical amendments to scaffold the curriculum by grade level. The Commission on the Status of Women and several advocates, including students and Ma'i Movement Hawaiʻi, testified in support, describing gaps in menstrual health education, stigma, and the need for more inclusive, age-appropriate instruction. No opposition was heard, and the chair moved on after no questions from members. The committee then took up SCR 194, urging the Department of Education to meet the criteria to recognize cheerleading as a Title IX sport. The Department supported the measure, noting recent expansion of girls flag football and surfing as recognized sports and saying cheerleading would create additional opportunities for students. The Commission on the Status of Women also supported the resolution, saying it could improve participation, resource allocation, and representation for female students. No opposition or further action was recorded in the excerpt. Finally, the committee discussed SCR 195, requesting the Board of Education and Department of Education to revise graduation requirements to include a standalone financial literacy course. The Board of Education and Department of Education both supported the intent but cautioned against a one-size-fits-all mandate, emphasizing school-level flexibility, existing stand-alone and online options, and the requirement that the class of 2030 must complete financial literacy before graduation. Hawaii Kids Can supported the resolution while raising questions about equity, access, quality, and how different delivery models compare; it also asked for more information on community survey data. Committee members questioned the department and board about asynchronous versus in-person instruction, standards, and how the requirement would be tracked in the personal transition plan. No vote or final action was taken in the provided portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing<00:25:07.280> no<00:25:07.360> one<00:25:07.520> seeking<00:25:07.840>
• to change<00:25:09.240> or<00:25:09.440> explain<00:25:10.160> their<00:25:10.360
• Mr.<00:25:18.080> President,<00:25:18.440> I<00:25:18.480> move<00:25:18.840>
• > from<00:25:21.120> its<00:25:21.240> place<00:25:21.480> in<00:25:21.560
• > of<00:25:21.960> the<00:25:22.040> day,<00:25:22.400> read<00:25:22.640

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and excused absent members. The chamber received second readings of several bills and resolutions, including measures on ad valorem taxes, planning and zoning, tax-dollar restrictions, provisional medical licensing, Medicaid oversight, environmental regulations, municipal financial reporting, nuclear workforce development, and county law libraries. Committee reports advanced bills on economic development, education, judiciary, and veterans/public protection, and the body also received a list of newly filed bills and resolutions covering topics such as rural revitalization, athletics, SNAP eligibility, diaper tax exemption, domestic violence, middle school math, pedestrian bridges, constitutional amendments, education, and several honorary resolutions. The Senate then took up House Bill 314, which would reorganize the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (Kentucky Wired) by moving it under the Commonwealth Office of Technology, restructuring its board, and adding members representing cities and counties. Supporters said the bill was an administrative change, not a funding measure, intended to focus the network on students, teachers, and public users while awaiting an audit. Critics argued the project has been a costly taxpayer burden and called for stronger oversight. The bill passed final passage 32-6. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 157, which aligns Kentucky law with federal mortgage rules so that certain rate buy-down payments do not count against borrower fee caps, with supporters saying it would help housing affordability and reduce costs for borrowers. Senate Bill 214 also passed unanimously; it allows the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to accept non-federal funding for grants without routing those funds through the Department of Finance. The Senate later adopted several resolutions, including Senate Resolution 61 recognizing Links Incorporated Day, Senate Resolution 114 commemorating the 80th Southern Legislative Conference, and Senate Resolution 118 honoring Joseph H. Mattingly Jr. Additional remarks highlighted a Black History Celebration event and a lengthy floor speech criticizing the Kentucky Hospital Association’s reserves and urging investigation, followed by consideration of Senate Resolution 55 on Profound Autism Day in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• :55.560> had<01:25:55.840> had<01:25:56.040> a<01:25:56.280> program<01:25
• :25:58.600> the<01:25:58.840> past<01:25:59.360> okay<01:25:59.600> thank
• <03:25:23.640> it's<03:25:23.880> eligibility<03:25:24.720> yes<03:25:24.880>
• > programs<03:25:26.120> but<03:25:26.239> it's<03:25:26.439> also<03:25:
• <03:25:38.680> tedious<03:25:39.680> it's<03:25:39.840> a<03:25:40.160> lot

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a Division 3 budget work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Economic Stability. Karen Hebert, the division director, and Nathan White, DHHS chief financial officer, walked members through the governor’s operating budget pages and a briefing book, explaining that the division was consolidated in 2018 and serves programs aimed at financial stability, poverty reduction, child care access, and related supports. Members repeatedly asked for clearer breakdowns of general fund spending, historical growth since consolidation, and how the division’s broad mission areas map onto specific budget lines. A major portion of the discussion centered on the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration and the child care subsidy program. Hebert said the child care scholarship/subsidy helps low- and moderate-income families access daycare so parents can work, attend school, or receive treatment, and that eligibility is based on state median income up to 85%. She reported a 45% increase in utilization, 4,032 children receiving daycare support as of the end of January, and about 15% of eligible children being served. She also described the quality improvement system “Granite Steps for Quality,” with 160 providers enrolled out of 717 licensed programs, and noted that 1,200 child care professionals added credentials in the last year. Members pressed for cost-benefit information, asking for data on how much the state pays, how many providers and children are served, and whether the department could quantify unmet need. The witnesses said some projects were funded with short-term ARPA child care dollars and that detailed cost data for specific examples, such as the Gorm Community Learning Center expansion, would need to be looked up. They also explained that the child care fund is a federal block grant with required spending set-asides of 9% for quality, 3% for infants and toddlers, and up to 5% for administration, and that unused funds remain available. The committee also reviewed slide 10’s accounting units, including that the Child Care Workforce Fund is 100% general funds and was created as a priority item under HB 2 from the 2024 session, while some other child care-related units are 100% federal funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, if we project.
• We've funded 12 projects. I can't reveal the projects because they're still all in contracting.
• They do have to... who, some of them are project, are small projects, but they're having a significant
• This is the largest funding change, and that's related to the end of the 24-25 capital budget project
• Essentially, all three projects...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 38.760> very<00:25:38.960> grateful<00:25:39.320> for<00:25:39.520> that<
• for that but in present<00:25:40.760> day<00:25:40.960> OHA<00:25:41.440> also<
• <00:25:53.399> the<00:25:53.679> access<00:25:54.080> that<00:25:54.240> is
• 00:25:58.440> considered<00:25:58.919> right<00:25:59.039> now<00:25:59.200>
• It's project by project.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations. Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation. Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.