Transcript Highlights:

• And I also just believe that the AG gets involved with fraud, with criminal acts.
• And I also just believe<00:50:48.320> that<00:50:49.160> the<00:50:49.360> AG<00
• :50:49.680> gets<00:50:49.920> involved<00:50:50.440> with believe that the AG gets
• involved with believe that the AG gets involved with um um um with<00:50:51.800> fraud,<00:50
• just because it hasn't very minimum just because it hasn't worked<01:13:16.720> for<01:13:17.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :42:32.640> women<00:42:32.960> of<00:42:33.119> childbearing<00:42:33.760> age
• treatment with women of childbearing age treatment with women of childbearing age and<00:42:34.160
• that improves access because it gives clinicians some reassurance that if you follow these bare minimums
• that improves access because it gives clinicians some reassurance that if you follow these bare minimums
• that improves access because it gives clinicians some reassurance that if you follow these bare minimums

Keywords: 00:00:20 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:00 - Update on Rural Health Transformation Program 00:29:20 - Discussion of 26RS HB 134 00:36:35 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 134 00:37:41 - Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 01:09:44 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee met to receive an update from Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Steven Stack on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Grant. He explained that all 50 states applied and were awarded funding, and Kentucky received about $212.9 million over five years, with the first year treated as a nine-month period. He emphasized that the award is a cooperative agreement with CMS, is not Medicaid funding, cannot be used to supplant existing funds, and is limited to the five areas approved in Kentucky’s application. He also said the state must submit a revised budget before major spending begins, and that CMS could claw back money if performance metrics are not met. Secretary Stack outlined the five focus areas: maternal health, mental health, oral health, emergency medical services, and chronic disease prevention/management, especially obesity and diabetes. He described possible approaches such as expanding behavioral health crisis stabilization models like EMPath, using teledentistry and mobile services, strengthening EMS staffing and treat-in-place options, and building healthier nutrition and activity supports. He said the application was developed quickly with broad stakeholder input and that the state plans to work with universities, nonprofits, and other partners through procurement and other formal processes. He also noted the program will be overseen by the public health department, with Commissioner John Langfeld leading the effort. Committee members asked about the grant timeline, the split between formula and competitive funding, the role of certificate of need, and whether new laws or regulations would be needed. Stack said the state believes it can implement the approved projects under current law, though some broader policy issues such as certificate of need were not included because they would be risky to change within the grant timeline. Members also asked how stakeholders can submit ideas; Stack pointed them to the public website and contact email, saying additional partner information will be posted soon. The committee did not take any formal vote or action during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes details about the birth mother's age, health history, pregnancy complications, the baby's
• personal identifiers and the minimum personal identifiers and the minimum amount<00:21:55.760>
• So if the birth data is incomplete without the information of mother's age or the information of infants
• So if the birth data is incomplete without the information of mother's age or the information of infants
• But yes, more time than we want to admit in terms of our age. >> Um, if I could jump in for a moment,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Roberts [member_21208]: This day and age, we're having more severe weather than we've ever had.
• A few years ago, the federal minimum says you have to identify every three years, so we're not due for
• A few years ago, the federal minimum says you have to identify every three years, so we're not due for
• A few years ago, the federal minimum says you have to identify every three years, so we're not due for
• A few years ago, the federal minimum says you have to identify every three years, so we're not due for

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first took up House Bill 14, which would establish Alyssa’s Law in Kentucky public schools. The bill, as amended by committee substitute, would allow districts to implement wearable panic alert systems for school staff beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Sponsor Rep. Kevin Jackson and supporters described the system as a silent badge/button that can alert school offices, 911, first responders, and other personnel, with different button sequences for different emergencies. Testimony from Lori Alade, Alyssa’s mother and founder of Make Our Schools Safe, emphasized that “time equals life” and said the technology can help in active threats, medical emergencies, weather events, and other urgent situations. Students from St. Margaret Mary’s Kentucky Youth Assembly also supported the bill, citing the Georgia school shooting response as an example of how such systems can save lives. Members asked about vendor neutrality, costs, training, and whether the system could be used off campus; sponsors said the bill is intended to be vendor neutral, estimated statewide costs ranged from about $2 million to $6 million, training would be provided before the school year, and they would follow up on the off-campus question. The committee approved HB 14 with the committee substitute attached. The committee then reconsidered and approved House Bill 48, a cleanup measure related to school reporting requirements. The substitute was described as addressing department concerns about eliminating certain reporting forms while preserving district flexibility and reducing burdensome reporting. It would allow schools to maintain or use alternative reporting methods, provide KDE a timeline and guidelines for reporting on Cognia software used for CPS and C-dips, and require a written report to the LRC describing reporting requirements imposed on public schools and districts, with items not reapproved by the legislature sunsetting in 2026. The bill passed the committee with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 190, as amended by committee substitute, which would shift the measure from a planning-and-action bill to a planning-only bill for advanced coursework and codify some gifted-student regulations. Rep. Duvall and Dr. Julia Link Roberts of WKU said the bill is intended to expand opportunities for high-potential students by requiring districts to set policies on advanced coursework or accelerated learning options for grades 4 through 12. The substitute changes the standard from “proficient” to “distinguished,” allows districts flexibility in how they implement the policies, and may require automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished, with opt-out provisions and a principal exception if coursework conflicts with career pathways or CTE access. Members discussed how the proposal differs from current advanced programs, the broader inclusion of students, and district variation in available opportunities. No final vote on HB 190 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• But at the same time, a lot of ag values across the state this year have decreased.
• And it's been a number of years before that's happened, but there's a lot of decreased ag values.
• We have an ag formula that does it for agriculture.
• I'm not quite sure of the numbers right at this point, and so much for ag land, and they pay it based
• At a minimum, yeah, we bring in three years; more normal is five years.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met to begin its study of whether the content of the real estate tax statement should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive from HB 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, legacy fund share, discounts for early payment, and special assessments. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statewide statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from NDACO, including auditors from McKenzie and Richland counties, described the full annual property tax timeline from budgeting through mailing final statements. They explained how counties gather budgets, calculate levies, verify taxable values, handle centrally assessed property, and prepare required notices and statements. They also said public attendance at budget hearings is generally very low, though the notices and statements generate some calls, mostly about whether attendance is required or why taxes are changing. Several members questioned the usefulness of the legislative tax relief line and the complexity of the 5% discount calculation, and county officials said the current process can be confusing and depends on manual data entry and coordination among counties, vendors, and taxing districts. The committee also discussed assessment frequency, valuation equalization, the 3% cap, and whether more frequent reassessment would reduce large jumps in taxable value. County officials said they try to use rotating reassessments and sales-ratio reviews to keep values within statutory tolerance, but staffing, training, and local market changes make the work difficult. NDACO staff estimated, based on a small county survey, that tax statement preparation and mailing costs average about 74 cents per statement, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing, and said HB 1176 added some mailing and administrative costs even if the tax statement itself did not change dramatically. Software vendors from CPT and Tyler then began presentations showing how their systems handle budgeting, valuation notices, tax statement generation, primary residence credit processing, and levy worksheets, emphasizing that many of the required calculations and reports are still manually entered or verified by county staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• But at the same time, a lot of ag values across the state this year have decreased.
• And it's been a number of years before that's happened, but there's a lot of decreased ag values.
• We have an ag formula.
• I'm not quite sure of the numbers right at this point, and so much for ag land, and they pay it based
• At a minimum, yeah, we bring in three years; more normal is five years.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met to begin its study of the feasibility and desirability of revising the content of the real estate tax statement to improve property tax transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive under House Bill 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, and the Legacy Fund portion of that credit. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual tax cycle, from county budgeting and valuation notices to budget hearing notices, levy certification, cap calculations, and final tax statement mailing. They emphasized that counties and auditors do extensive coordination with taxing districts and neighboring counties, and that the process is labor-intensive and often manual. Members discussed the limited public response to budget notices and tax statements, the difficulty of explaining the legislative tax relief line, the 3% cap and valuation issues, and whether more frequent assessments or different timing would improve understanding. Several members and witnesses noted that many taxpayers only engage when they receive their final bill, and that clarity may be more important than adding more detail. NDACO also presented a rough cost survey from eight counties, estimating an average tax statement cost of about 74 cents and a statewide total near $600,000 for printing and mailing tax statements alone, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing. Witnesses noted that House Bill 1176 added other mailings and notices, increasing county workload and cost beyond the statement itself. The committee then heard from software vendors, who explained how their systems handle tax billing, budget notices, valuation notices, primary residence credit processing, and tax levy calculations, and they identified the 1600/1685 primary residence credit and discount interaction as a current programming challenge. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Granite Staters affected by the lack of capacity are parents of preschool-age children.
• are parents of preschool age children. are parents of preschool age children.
• "Those are minimums.
• >> Those<01:11:42.960> are<01:11:43.040> minimums.
• Yes, those are minimum numbers.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, children have cell phones at younger and younger ages. They have other sorts of technology.
• I don't want to make value judgments, but it certainly is at a minimum as good as Hovarts. Okay?
• I would agree with you that, um, at that age, we try very hard to keep them out of that.
• And so I have a college-age daughter and then down to a... ...college-age daughter and then down to a
• I cannot recall having someone of your age talk... ...having someone of your age talk about this issue

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At a later age, I think you're still able to rely on that early cognitive development and get yourself
• , you have a child coming in and you want to do the right thing for your child and children at that age
• You talked about making it age appropriate, as was commented on by my colleague, to use technology but
• making it age appropriate.
• Or even thinking about a tiered structure here of how we look at age appropriateness, it might be wise

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From my experience, state buildings vary widely in condition, age, and hazards found within them.
• In most instances, those are around the ages of the children that fall out.
• In most instances, those are around the ages of the children that fall out.
• So, again, that sort of points back at what I was saying about the ages of these children.
• Why not have units in them that are adaptable so that people can age in place?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Public Safety and Homeland Security Joint Committee heard testimony on several bills focused on accessibility, fire safety, and transportation safety. House 2569, expanding adaptable housing for people with disabilities and seniors, drew broad support from Rep. Christine Barber, disability advocates, and members of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. Witnesses said the bill would close gaps in the Architectural Access Board’s authority, require more adaptable housing in rehabs and older conversions, and extend accessibility requirements to employee-only work areas. They emphasized the shortage and cost of accessible housing, the benefits for aging in place, and the risk of institutionalization when accessible units are unavailable. The committee also heard strong support for House 2577, which would allow local fire departments to inspect and enforce fire code compliance in state-owned buildings. Rep. Robert Cataldo and Boston Fire Chief Pat Ellis described this as closing a long-standing loophole that leaves state properties outside local fire-code enforcement, despite the hazards posed by aging state buildings and life-safety systems. Fire service representatives also supported bills to create a statewide technical rescue system under the Department of Fire Services, standardizing training, equipment, funding, and coordination across regional rescue teams, and they backed related fire-safety measures including sprinkler-related legislation and professionalism measures. Rep. James O’Day testified for House 2676, which would require window screens to prevent child falls, arguing it is a common-sense safety measure and noting recent fatal incidents. Ann Shuey and John Kalura testified for House 2601, which would require motor coach passengers to wear seat belts, citing a family tragedy, low seat-belt use, and research showing signage can improve compliance. Steven Poglisi of NAGE supported House 2568, requiring carbon monoxide alarms in public buildings, describing a past CO exposure incident involving a union member. The committee took no votes on the bills during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bracy Davis: They are also more likely to get them at a younger age and experience more severe symptoms
• We will now take up Tab 16, CS for SB 1630 on Aging and Disability Services by Senator Grall.
• It requires Area Agencies on Aging to procure a contract in excess of 30 thousand dollars.
• It requires Area Agencies on Aging expenditures to follow financial guidelines and applicable law.
• The Association of Area Agencies on Aging in support.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also does a little bit in terms of putting in minimums of property.
• The bill also does a little bit in terms of putting in minimums of property.
• it's currency the bill puts in a minimum it's currency the bill puts in a minimum of of of $1,000
• We've spoken about the fact that, you know, there are minimum amounts in this bill.
• And they have a daughter who's the same age as a teenage daughter, and they have a pool.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard CACR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment by Representative Keith Ammon to recognize a fundamental right to use computation resources. Ammon argued that computing is now essential to daily life, speech, education, and economic opportunity, and said the amendment was intended to push back against government or corporate restrictions, citing a 2023 federal executive order on AI registration and reporting as an example of the kind of precedent he wanted to oppose. He said the proposal should be simple and clear because it would go to voters, and he compared the right to compute to other constitutional rights that do not require the government to provide the underlying tools. Committee members raised concerns about the breadth of the language, including whether it could affect encryption, authentication, network security, energy use, and other regulatory issues. Representative McFarland questioned whether the amendment could interfere with security measures, while others asked whether it would prevent ordinary network management such as throttling or require the state to provide internet access or hardware. Ammon responded that the right would not entitle someone to other people’s resources and said encryption and similar issues would sort themselves out. Several members also raised concerns about child safety, public safety, and whether existing laws could still regulate misuse of computing; Ammon said reasonable limits would still apply, similar to other constitutional rights. Sarah Scott of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the amendment would protect innovation, individual autonomy, and economic competitiveness by preventing overregulation. After questions concluded, the chair closed the hearing on CACR 6. The committee then opened House Bill 615, sponsored by Representative Dan Maguire, which would substantially rewrite the state’s drug-forfeiture law. Maguire said the bill is intended to improve fairness and efficiency in cases where property such as cars or cash is seized in connection with drug offenses, noting that the criminal case and the civil forfeiture case are currently handled separately, with the property case prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office. He explained that the bill addresses courtroom procedure for these forfeiture actions and is meant to make the process more specific and orderly.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm so grateful to the OIG and the AG.
• Always excited anytime I can be on the same side with the AG on anything.
• They value ensuring that they can help them age in place in the home.
• Children have to be under the age of 13 or 19 if they're disabled.
• But yes, it was aged.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've raised children, cared for aging parents, and invested their savings into modest homes.
• Often, raised children, cared for aging parents, and invested their savings into modest homes, often
• So if you look, it'll say, at a minimum, decontamination shall include all of the following: removal

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The average age of folks getting trained up at 35—that's exciting to me just from an economic development
• The development would set a minimum of 20% of their units as affordable.
• Number two, a minimum of 20% of all the dwelling units within the development are qualifying multifamily

Bills: HB310, HB323, HM51, HB194

Keywords: museum, cultural affairs, lowrider, Espanola, appropriation, feasibility study, broadband access, low-income, rural areas, Indian nations, affordable internet, employment opportunities, detention centers, immigration, economic development, repurposing facilities, job transition, rural development, housing, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• THE FIRST OF FLORIDA MANATEES DATE BACK TO AGE 93 INCURRED OF THE FLORIDA CENTURY ACT GUIDE STATE SANCTUARY
• COMBINED ACCOUNTS AT KNOWN WARM WATER SITES AND DID NOT PROVIDE POPULATION ESTIMATES BUT OFFERED A MINIMUM
• CONSENSUS OR ACCOUNT FOR THE STATE'S AND SURVEY PROVIDE POPULATION ESTIMATES BUT OFFERED A MINIMUM CONSENSUS

Transcript Highlights:

• his operations—but a small portion does development in a rural community where they need housing for ag
• It establishes a minimum mandatory sentence of four years if convicted.
• homicide and stipulates that BUI manslaughter includes the death of an unborn child and establishes a minimum

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first considered the appointment of Joshua Kellam to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellam described his background with Garcia Companies, emphasized his conservation interests and land stewardship work, and addressed concerns about his development ties, the commission’s composition, the recent black bear hunt vote, and a prior Yes on 2 campaign supported by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Supporters said he is a conservation-minded landowner and good steward of large acreage, while opponents argued the commission is already overrepresented by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend his confirmation, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no and the rest of the members present voting yes. The committee then received an FWC implementation update on recently enacted boating and waterways legislation. FWC staff reviewed five laws: the Boater Freedom Act (SB 1388), Vessel Accountability (SB 164), Lucy’s Law/Boating Safety (HB 289), Disposition of Migrant Vessels (SB 830), and Water Access Facilities (HB 735). The presentation covered new rules on vessel stops, safety decals, Springs Protection Zones, derelict and at-risk vessel enforcement, long-term anchoring permits, tougher boating penalties, removal of migrant vessels, and grants for boating access infrastructure. Staff said rulemaking and officer training were underway, with some provisions already effective and others scheduled to take effect later in 2025 or January 2026. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and the new Springs Protection Zone standard. FWC explained that responsible owners must reimburse removal costs and can lose vessel registration privileges if they do not pay. On Springs Protection Zones, staff said the new law raises the threshold from any harm to significant harm and requires vessel activity to be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make that determination. Senator Smith questioned whether the higher standard makes protections harder to establish and asked about Silver Glen Springs; FWC said that proposal was paused and would be revisited under the new criteria. The committee took no further action and adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• RETROFITS THAT AN EXISTING BUILDING HAS THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THAT WILL THEN MAKE THE BUILDING MEET AT THE MINIMUM
• RETROFITTING IN THIS INSTANCE VARIES DEPENDING UPON WHETHER OR NOT THE BUILDING NEEDS TO BE BUILT TO MEET MINIMUM
• AND SEE THIS IN PERSON WE WOULD LOVE TO HOST YOU AND SHARE HOW WE ARE IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THESE NEW AGE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• million for the third installment of the adequacy and tax equity funding, guaranteeing a $50,000 minimum
• million for the third installment of the adequacy and tax equity funding, guaranteeing a $50,000 minimum
• The Chair recognizes the gentlelady from Monroe, Majority Chair of Aging and Older Adult Services, Representative
• workers, Madam Speaker, and there's money in there to keep them in front of our children at the earliest age

Summary: The House met in extended session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and a series of journal, committee, and Senate bill reports. Members also received several referrals and Senate messages, and the Speaker signed multiple bills already prepared for the Governor. The chamber then took up a long slate of measures, largely budget-related and conference/concurrence items, with repeated roll-call votes and several brief floor remarks for and against the bills. Among the major actions, the House passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills addressing fiscal code and budget implementation, abusive towing practices, telemarketing robocalls and caller ID spoofing, prostitution penalty changes, veteran notification procedures, the cosmetology licensure compact, solar decommissioning, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, E85 flex fuel definitions, local road transfers, civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and trailer sales. The House also adopted House Resolution 580 designating July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day. Most of these measures passed overwhelmingly, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most significant debate centered on House Bill 2400, the General Appropriations budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, and House Bill 1505, the education-related budget implementation bill. Supporters described the budget as a bipartisan compromise that funds adequacy and tax equity for schools, public safety, mental health, roads and bridges, veterans, seniors, and workforce programs while avoiding broad-based tax increases. Opponents argued the budget used accounting maneuvers, deferred spending, and was structurally unbalanced. After extended debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendments to HB 2400 by a 167-35 vote and to HB 1505 by a 172-30 vote. The House also considered House Bill 2559, which included Commonwealth property conveyances and a controversial provision affecting Penn State branch campus properties. A motion to recommit the bill failed, and the House ultimately concurred in the Senate amendments by a 105-97 vote after members debated property rights, labor effects, and the future use of the campuses. The session concluded with the Senate later concurring in several House amendments, the Speaker signing the final bills, and the House adjourning until September 9, 2026, unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the questions that I had was really around kind of like the age limit.
• Is there an age limit for who would be eligible for these treatments?
• Other union workers I talked to are making minimum wage.
• I spoke to workers who have worked for the same employer for 29 years and were still making minimum wage

Keywords: 988, house, all