Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Elliott: I so with 17 yes votes and no no votes, Senate Bill 169 is passed with favorable expression
• Chair Elliott announced that Senate Bill 169 passed with favorable expression by a 17-0 vote.
• I'd just like to remind Kentuckians that anyone affected by this policy are certainly free to not break
• c> not<00:31:30.760> break<00:31:31.120> the<00:31:31.240> laws certainly free
• uh to not break the laws certainly free uh to not break the laws of<00:31:31.679> our<00:31:31.880

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:08 SB 169: 00:01:07 SB 02: 00:05:56 Discussion in Opposition to SB 02: 00:19:22, 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee first took up Senate Bill 169, which would expand the Attorney General’s and Kentucky State Police’s authority to use administrative subpoenas in child exploitation investigations. Senator Danny Carroll and Attorney General’s office staff said the bill updates existing law to reflect modern online platforms, adding social networking companies, mobile payment services, and cloud storage services so investigators can obtain limited account-holder information tied to online child exploitation cases. Members raised no opposition, and the committee approved SB 169 17-0 with favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2, which would prohibit the use of public funds for certain cosmetic or elective procedures in correctional facilities, including gender-affirming surgeries, and would also affect some hormone-related treatment. Senator Mike Wilson and supporters said the bill was intended to stop such procedures from being authorized by memo rather than regulation and to ensure taxpayer money is not used for elective care. Several members asked whether any such surgeries had occurred in Kentucky; Wilson said none had been approved, and he emphasized the bill was about public funding, not general medical care. Supporters argued the state should not pay for elective procedures, while opponents said the bill targeted a tiny population and could create constitutional problems. Opponents included incarcerated and advocacy voices, a psychologist, and legal advocates, who said gender-affirming care is medically necessary for some patients, that withholding it can cause serious mental health harm, and that similar restrictions have faced court challenges. One speaker described personal harm from being denied hormone therapy while incarcerated. Another warned the bill could violate the Eighth Amendment and lead to costly litigation. After debate, the committee moved to vote on SB 2, with members giving explanations both for and against, but the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to echo the Secretary and his team in expressing our enthusiasm for this bill and run through
• So just wanted to express my gratitude for that. Thank you. More than welcome. Thank you.
• There are other components where that money frees up money to do things.
• system and more ability to run not only more frequent trains, but to run bi-directional and run more express
• system and more ability to run not only more frequent trains but to run bi-directional and run more express

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the administration’s transportation bond bill centered on Chapter 90 roadway funding and related capital programs. Administration officials described the bill as a roughly $5.5 billion package that would continue $300 million per year for Chapter 90 over four years, with part of the funding distributed by the traditional formula and an additional $100 million based solely on road miles to better support rural and smaller communities. They also highlighted authorizations for municipal pavement work, Shared Streets and Spaces grants, accelerated bridge and pavement repairs, MBTA rail modernization and reliability, housing-related transportation improvements, and a new DCR-focused PRISM program for parkways and related infrastructure. Officials emphasized that the bill is financed through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues, and said it would help municipalities plan more predictably, speed project delivery, and support housing, safety, and climate goals. Committee members and witnesses discussed the bill’s broader scope beyond traditional Chapter 90, especially the $200 million for transportation projects that support housing development and the $200 million for MBTA modernization and rail reliability. Members asked about the rationale for a four-year authorization amid fiscal uncertainty, federal funding volatility, and the status of commuter rail electrification. Administration officials responded that the capital authorization is backed by dedicated transportation revenues rather than the operating budget, and said multi-year certainty helps cities and towns make better long-term repair decisions. They also said the MBTA’s rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurements, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives, as part of a longer-term regional rail and electrification strategy. Municipal officials and regional advocates strongly supported the bill. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, along with town and city officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth, said the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile-based distribution are especially important for small and rural communities with limited local revenue capacity, and that multi-year funding would let them bundle projects, bid at better prices, and address backlogs more proactively. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to treat it like a traditional bond bill by adding policy provisions and considering new transportation revenue tools, such as TNC fee changes, road pricing, parking taxes, and other mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal was intended to align with the legislative intent that was expressed in the conference
• Feel free to correct that if that's wrong—when the EPA visited and uncovered what was happening in the
• I'm here to express my organization's support for House File 2293, which appropriates dollars from the
• permitting, when the issues around the helium issue came through, where a number of the tribes were expressing
• A similar comment was made by the MMUA, expressing concern that it would authorize the MPCA to require

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• If members recall, there was a 2024 pilot that expired on December 31, 2024, for free fares for Metro
• If members recall, there was a 2024 pilot that expired on December 31, 2024, for free fares for Metro
• If members recall, there was a 2024 pilot that expired on December 31, 2024, for free fares for Metro
• If members recall, there was a 2024 pilot that expired on December 31, 2024, for free fares for Metro
• We are here to express our strong support for the inclusion of work zone safety content and driver's

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one of the ways that we can kind of free up the opportunity for folks if they choose to be able
• This is one of the ways that we can kind of free up the opportunity for folks if they choose to be able
• <00:48:15.800> of Hampshire were fully owned free of Hampshire were fully owned free of mortgage
• and would be happy Waters is expressing and would be happy to<00:59:47.039> work<00:59:47.200
• an opinion rather be able to express an opinion rather than<01:49:48.679> being<01:49:49.320>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think the two co-chairs in the House have expressed, and I feel the same frustration, because we
• co-chairs in the house have expressed co-chairs in the house have expressed and<00:31:24.080>
• I mean, let's go to the big stuff: R&D, data centers, free file, ballpark tax, PGA.
• stuff. uh R&D, data centers,<01:13:47.280> uh<01:13:48.239> uh<01:13:48.560> free
• file, ballpark tax, centers, uh uh free file, ballpark tax, PGA.<01:13:53.840> I<01:13:54.320

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent free towns in South Central Walkingham County.
• Please feel free to ask me to repeat if my voice doesn't work.
• Please feel free to ask me to can.
• <02:02:22.080> I basically expressed my my feelings.
• I basically expressed my my feelings.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:44.160> to town of Stratam, please feel free to town of Stratam, please feel free to
• We have national partners who will provide training free of cost to us for the centers.
• of cost to us um for for training free of cost to us um for for the<00:52:53.680> centers.
• concern uh about the expressed concern uh about the rebuttable<03:21:30.399> standard.
• attorney to represent the express attorney to represent the express interests<03:35:50.479> of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first opened with brief remarks about a member’s recovery and then heard House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of Health and Human Services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs related to DCYF. The sponsor, Representative Erica Layon, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how much time and money are spent on DCYF work versus other departmental work, and help future discussions about staffing, resources, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely produce the report without additional cost, though she was open to adjusting the reporting date and possibly adding more detail about federal mandates. Former Representative Betty Gay and several members supported the bill as a way to better document costs and procedures, while DCYF Director Marie Nunan said the department was not taking a position on the bill, already has many policies and operating procedures, and believed it could comply without a fiscal note. Members raised questions about whether the reporting requirement duplicated existing oversight, whether it should apply to other agencies, and whether the report should include federal funding mandates. Some suggested that a broader review or subcommittee on DCYF might be more useful than a single reporting bill. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, so it will not go on the calendar. Members said they wanted more time to discuss the bill, watch the budget process, and consider whether the reporting requirement could be implemented informally or through a broader oversight effort. The committee then moved on to House Bill 775, which was introduced by Representative Jodi Nelson as a measure to support supervised visitation centers. Dr. Scott Hampton testified in favor, describing the loss of visitation centers since 2019, the role of supervised visitation in protecting children and vulnerable parents in domestic violence cases, and the potential benefits for child safety, crime prevention, and family preservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• significantly in our community free significantly in our community free health<00:51:45.280>
• We would like to express 150,000 people.
• We would like to express our<01:14:11.440> appreciation<01:14:11.920> to<01:14:12.239><
• This will also free up hospital beds as well as mitigate risks of complications and infections.
• This will also<01:30:36.080> free<01:30:36.239> up<01:30:36.560> hospital<01:30:

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• To be clear, filing a claim for veterans benefits is free, as it should be.
• To be clear, filing a claim for veterans benefits is free, as it should be.
• To be clear, filing a claim for veterans benefits is free, as it should be.
• Clear: filing a claim for veterans benefits is free, as it should be.
• that they are entitled to, they can receive support in activating and securing those benefits for free

Bills: HF1855, HF102, HF1082, HF1354, HF2184, HF1792, HF2296, HF2429, HF2543, HF2566

Keywords: veterans, benefit services, accreditation, consumer protection, civil penalties, disclosure requirements, HF102, Sibley County Road 166, Freedom Drive, Arlington, Sibley County, Minnesota transportation bonds, bonding bill, capital investment, road extension, highway access, intersection improvements, right-of-way acquisition, water main, sewer improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:53.480> equipment the other thing is some free equipment the other thing is some free
• <01:08:13.920> access tried to really push uh uh free access tried to really push uh uh free
• We do have some of our implementing agencies that do offer free access and certainly free access days
• It's a free day for anyone to get out, try on skis, get a free lesson.
• implementing agencies that do offer free implementing agencies that do offer free access<01:09:34.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• just wanted to note that the Center for Social Work Excellence at New Mexico Highlands does offer free
• Master's level license, and they also offer free CEs to maintain your license.
• dominated our attention—if you look at the total picture, the total numbers, for all the families who express
• People are expressing interest.
• So I frequently express emotions about these issues, but I just do it in a mildly different way.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I felt like our colleagues did such an incredible job the other day, expressing our frustration,
• And there's not an express timeline in this language now. Additional questions. Senator Davis.
• As we discussed yesterday, you're free We'll skip that part.
• As we discussed yesterday, you're free to return home to your districts and families next week.
• So I just wanted to express my love to her and thank her for being such a great supporter in all this

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into a series of special-order bills and House messages. Early floor action included passage of a claim bill for Mandy Penny Lemon (HB 6503) and bills on sewer collection systems (HB 1123) and farm products (HB 211), all passing unanimously. The chamber also took up an ad valorem tax exemption resolution for agricultural tangible personal property (CS/HJR 1215), which passed 37-0. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the Senate recessed and later returned to House messages and additional special orders. The Senate then addressed multiple House amendments and conference-style motions. It concurred in amended versions of SB 994 on driver safety, SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, and HB 1609 on waste incineration/auxiliary containers after extended debate over hurricane recovery rules, local government restrictions, and plastic container preemption. The chamber also concurred in CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiative petitions, increasing the number of petitions a volunteer may carry from 2 to 25, and in CS/HB 733 on Brownfields. Other House amendments were rejected or sent back, including SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, SB 116 on veterans policy, SB 168 on mental health, and HB 1101 on out-of-network provider referrals. Later, the Senate approved CS/HB 1255 on education and CS/HB 875 on educator preparation, with discussion focused on school readiness, teacher training, and changes to certification and testing requirements. It also concurred in CS/HB 1427, a broad health care bill, after the House added a major nursing education amendment that tightened Board of Nursing oversight, required standardized evaluation and remediation, and imposed accountability measures tied to NCLEX pass rates and program performance. Several members raised concerns or praised negotiated compromises throughout the day, but the recorded actions were mainly concurrence motions, refusals to concur, and final passage votes on the bills considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• They will produce firm, carbon-free energy with significantly less waste than traditional reactors.
• Why should we let the free market decide? Why should Texas be putting their foot into this?
• Currently, however, the Texas A&M System Board of Regents does not have the express statutory authority
• This bill addresses the statutory issue by providing the board the express statutory authority to...
• I'd like to express our gratitude to the staff for discussing this bill with us along the way.

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• They're getting land in our city tax-free. Our taxpayers lose that revenue.
• land, free police service, and free other things.
• Kelly Millett, Florida Smoke-Free. Kelly Millett, Florida Smoke Free Association, speaking for.
• Hi, Kelly Millett, Florida Smoke Free Association.
• So Florida am just given away for free, then the cycle starts all over again.

Summary: The committee took up several bills and reported each favorably after brief debate and roll call votes. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it had support from Americans for Prosperity. SB 606 clarified when nonpaying guests may be removed from public lodging establishments, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from Florida Realtors, the Asian American Hotel Association, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. SB 202 addressed a long-running dispute between Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach over a water utility surcharge, requiring the utility to charge residents in the city where the plant sits the same rate as its own residents; supporters argued it was a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach opposed it as a burden on its residents. All three bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 570, which updates and clarifies the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and CS/SB 928, which targets non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display visible to minors, increasing inspections and penalties, and adopting an amendment to clarify the bill does not cover fully unlawful products and to add a 500-foot school buffer for smoke shops. SB 346, dealing with state preemption of local regulation of hoisting equipment, was reported favorably after testimony about the St. Petersburg crane collapse during Hurricane Milton; supporters said local governments need authority to address hurricane-related crane safety, while builders and contractors warned against patchwork regulation and urged a more targeted approach. The committee then considered SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks under veterinarian supervision, including limited surgical procedures after an amendment clarified those procedures are limited to spay/neuter and non-cavity surgeries. Supporters said the bill would expand access to veterinary care and help shelters, while some veterinarians expressed concern about training and safety; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up SB 354 on the Public Service Commission, adopting a substitute amendment that would expand the commission, require stronger financial expertise and more detailed rate justifications, set rate-filing schedules, tighten storm-hardening review, and add transparency rules for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the bill drew support from consumer advocates and AARP, while Florida Rural Water warned of unintended consequences for nonprofit systems. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 354 is still underway, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne co-founded the first national 24-hour toll-free child abuse hotline, later expanding it to include
• of Representatives of the State of Arizona: One, that the members of the House of Representatives express
• of Representatives of the State of Arizona, one, that the members of the House of Representatives express
• their profound sympathy to the family, loved The House of Representatives expresses its profound sympathy

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, this morning to lay out HCR 102, which expresses the Texas Legislature's strong
• Chairman and members this morning to lay out HCR number 102, which expresses the Texas legislature's
• Today, Texas has the opportunity to continue its leadership in energy policy by expressing support for
• benefits from four nuclear reactors that provide nearly 8% of our electricity and 20% of our carbon-free

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• and basically when you die at a federal level, your spouse inherits everything in your estate tax-free
• a rural county spanning 1,360 square miles with a population just over 3,100, I am here today to express
• I'm here to express my strong support for Senate Bill 1377.
• And we can't express how important that is. So we really appreciate your support on this issue.

Bills: SB868, SB1337, SB1371, SB1377, SB1426, SB1620, SB2064, SB2065, SJR4

Keywords: SB 868, rural volunteer fire department assistance program, volunteer fire department assistance fund, Texas Government Code, wildfire, wildland fire, high-risk wildfire area, fire suppression, rural fire departments, volunteer firefighters, emergency response, public safety, grant allocation, appropriations, disaster preparedness, tax penalties, interest calculation, overpayment, tax law, refund process

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several bills focused on tax administration, transportation, emergency services, historic preservation, forensic training, pension funding, and the state’s rainy day fund. Senate Bill 1337, by Senator Creighton, would require the comptroller to assess penalty and interest only on the net tax due and allow sales and use tax overpayments to offset underpayments more automatically; it was left pending while the author, comptroller staff, and a private witness continued working on the language and fiscal note. Senate Bill 1371, by Senator Hinojosa, would address Corpus Christi transit authority operations, including emergency refueling coordination, fare-setting procedures, and board term limits; it received supportive testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 1377, by Senator Perry, would create a grant program for rural counties to buy ambulances, with a committee substitute expanding eligible uses in some cases to equipment and setting a sunset date; numerous EMS officials, county representatives, and association witnesses testified in support, emphasizing rising ambulance costs, staffing shortages, and the need for rural emergency coverage, and the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Bill 868, by Senator Sparks, would direct at least 10% of volunteer fire department assistance funding to high wildfire-risk areas; Texas A&M Forest Service explained the map and methodology, and the committee substitute was adopted. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1426, which would place the First Capitol State Historic Site in West Columbia under Texas Historical Commission stewardship, and Senate Bill 1620, which would create a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program through the Office of Court Administration to address forensic scientist shortages; both had no opposition in testimony and their committee substitutes were adopted. Senate Bill 2065 would change the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System funding structure to require an actuarially determined state contribution and address the system’s unfunded liability over 30 years; Pasadena fire department representatives testified that the pension is an important volunteer retention tool, and the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Joint Resolution 4 would raise the Economic Stabilization Fund cap from 10% to 15% of biennial revenue deposits, with a committee substitute correcting the effective date to September 1, 2027; the committee discussed the fund’s current balance and purpose before adopting the substitute. After quorum was established, the committee voted out the measures. Senate Bill 1868, Senate Bill 1371, Senate Bill 264, Senate Joint Resolution 4, Senate Bill 1426, Senate Bill 1620, and Senate Bill 2065 were all reported favorably to the full Senate, with some bills also certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee substitute for Senate Bill 868 was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as well. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2230 ensures that these spaces remain safe, free from fear and intimidation.
• I understand some of the concerns that were expressed today.
• , get-out-of-punishment-free program.
• It's not one-sided; it's not just the author saying we want to give everybody a free pass.
• It is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Let's be extraordinarily clear about that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we can express the outcomes that we want from the system and not necessarily have the kind of
• I think we can express the outcomes that we want from the system and not necessarily have the kind of
• I think we can express the outcomes that we want from the system and not necessarily have the kind of
• This is not a free ride here.
• So it's not just free money. It's something he's going to have to do.

Bills: HF3298

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, 1183, house