Video & Transcript : 'safety fund' :
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KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Planning Advisory Board (5-21-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- Safety and security.
- Safety and security.
- Safety and security.
- Safety and security.
- provide public safety and emergency information.<00:35:36.480><c> Funds</c><00:35:36.880><c> for</c>
Summary:
The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies.
The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures.
The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:12:41.399><c> on</c><00:12:41.560><c> Minnesota</c> improve safety on Minnesota improve safety
- </c><00:45:40.880><c> through</c> do you all ever pursue funding through do you all ever pursue funding
- </c> up AAS on the backside and so we funded up AAS on the backside and so we funded that<00:48:12.400
- </c><00:48:33.000><c> so</c> just hope it gets to Public Safety so just hope it gets to Public Safety
- </c><00:54:36.720><c> when</c><00:54:36.880><c> we</c> funds and sometimes those funds when we funds
Committee:
House Public Safety Finance and Policy
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, May 4, 2026 - PM
Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- . funding. funding.
- </c> safety practices. safety practices.
- </c> to cost the fund. to cost the fund.
- </c> safety plans, their safety training safety plans, their safety training practices, practices, practices
- . fund. fund.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/27/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- in the general fund.
- this can be funded through the HURF Fund.
- I am here today to request funding for certain safety improvements to U.S.
- safety improvement on U.S.
- A lot of that federal funding, The question was brought up regarding the federal funding.
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced six measures. SB 1118, as amended, appropriates $3 million to the Department of Health Services for a grant program to help rural hospitals install enhanced radiation protection systems in cardiac catheterization rooms; testimony from an interventional cardiologist emphasized worker safety, reduced radiation exposure, and recruitment/retention of physicians, and the bill passed 10-0. SB 1154 provides $500,000 to ADOT for a traffic and safety study on SR 64 between Williams and the Grand Canyon; local officials, law enforcement, and fire personnel described heavy tourism, rising crashes, and the need for broader roadway improvements, and it passed 6-4. SB 1063 appropriates $10.4 million for safety improvements on U.S. 70 in the San Carlos Apache area; tribal leaders and law enforcement cited high fatality and injury rates, dangerous design features, and limited federal funding, and it also passed 6-4.
The committee then approved SB 1153, which creates a Grand Canyon National Park specialty license plate and fund; the Grand Canyon Conservancy supported the measure as a way to generate dedicated revenue for park programs, and it passed 10-0. SCM 1001, as amended, urges naming SR 260 the Donald J. Trump Highway through the State Board on Geographic and Historic Names rather than ADOT; the memorial drew sharply divided testimony and debate, but it passed 6-4. Finally, SB 1209 exempts homeless individuals and those using shelter addresses from non-operating ID fees and extends the validity period for those IDs to eight years; advocates said the change would help people obtain housing, jobs, and services, and it passed 9-0.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The state general fund makes up about $1 million of our funding, and the remaining $290 million comes
- from other funds such as special revenue funds.
- While those are funds that don't belong to the state, they don't necessarily show up in a budget fund
- Commissioner Brown: Chair, the funds that we're talking about are program funds.
- ><c> the</c> about are program funds they are the about are program funds they are the funds<00:49:41.280
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Making this declaration in the law about STEM funds, Title I funds being used for STEM education, is
- It's presented as a public safety issue, predominantly.
- That's not about safety. That's about shifting control.
- Folks, when I say this is a public safety issue, that is problematic.
- Public safety and economic stability will exist. And with that, Mr.
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy considered several bills and reported all of them favorably. SB 70-24, on state planning and budgeting, was presented as a modernization of the long-range planning program to simplify reporting, remove outdated measures, and focus on key data points and outcomes; it passed without opposition. CS/SB 166, on administrative efficiency in public schools, made broad changes to school accountability and operations, including lowering the stakes of certain student assessments, giving districts more flexibility on evaluations, contracts, certification, calendars, facilities, and VPK oversight. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that Title I funds may be used for STEM services, and another refining how advanced degrees count on salary schedules. The bill passed favorably after testimony both supporting and opposing the changes, with supporters emphasizing flexibility and opponents raising concerns about teacher evaluation and instructional practice.
CS/SB 164, on vessel accountability, was described as a measure to address derelict and at-risk vessels by improving owner identification, creating a free long-term anchoring permit program, increasing penalties, and authorizing grants for local governments in the FWC prevention program. It received support from marine industry groups and was reported favorably. CS/SB 472, on education and correctional facilities for licensed professions, would allow inmates to receive credit toward licensure for qualifying coursework; a strike-all amendment added coordination with DBPR and professional boards. The bill drew support from criminal justice, business, and policy groups and passed unanimously.
The committee spent the most time on CS/SB 438, on food and hemp products. Senator Burton and co-sponsor Senator Davis argued the bill was needed to regulate intoxicating hemp products, restrict child-appealing packaging and signage, ban synthetic hemp products, cap THC content in edibles and beverages, and require hemp beverages to be sold through alcohol-style distribution channels. Supporters, including alcohol distributors and some public safety advocates, said the bill would improve testing, labeling, and consumer protection. Opponents, including hemp retailers, farmers, and libertarian advocates, argued it would harm small businesses, reduce consumer choice, and push sales to the black market. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tab five, and the committee adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The law should clearly protect their safety.
- Was this program originally started with ARPA and COVID funds?
- This funding was originally started with ARPA funds when they first put it in, and then it was replaced
- ... ...with general fund as the ARPA funding had been spent, and so then it went back to a general fund
- These workers are paid by programs that are funded by Medicaid.
Committee:
House Health and Welfare
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- There are four appropriations that are funded with general revenues, federal funds, and other funds.
- a cash fund?
- of those funds.
- It's funded with general revenues, federal funds, and various programs support, and does fund the people
- Any additional funding left over that moves down to isolated fund special needs isolated funding.
Committee:
All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Education Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 65 does not identify a funding source.
- AB 65 does not identify a funding source. We want to highlight the importance of a funding source.
- that they are being assisted with funding itself.
- that they are being assisted with funding itself.
- Sometimes it's also what you can do with the funds that are equally as important as funds being available
Summary:
The committee heard and acted on several education-related bills, beginning with AB 65 on paid pregnancy leave for public school employees. The bill drew strong support from teachers, school employees, unions, and education groups, who argued it would provide up to 14 weeks of paid leave, reduce financial penalties tied to sick leave use, and help recruit and retain educators. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about funding, district eligibility, and implementation, but the bill was advanced on a do-pass recommendation to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, with one member not voting and the bill placed on call for absent members.
Members then heard AB 673 on an unaccompanied youth support grant program for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, AB 1552 on reporting recommendations to strengthen civic engagement in higher education, AB 1572 on annual CIF review and qualification standards for sports officials, and AB 1586 on opioid overdose response training and naloxone access for school resource officers. AB 673 and AB 1552 received support from education, youth, and advocacy organizations; AB 673 also drew questions about overlap with existing homeless and foster-care-related programs, while supporters said the bill targets a vulnerable subpopulation that is often missed. AB 1552 and AB 1572 were broadly supported and advanced, and AB 1586 was backed by treatment providers, school nurses, and education groups as a practical student-safety measure; all were moved forward with do-pass recommendations and placed on call.
The committee also considered AB 1721, which would create a work group to review and streamline school safety plans, and AB 2060, which would establish a mentor teacher grant program and stipend to strengthen the teacher pipeline. Both bills were supported by administrators, educators, and school-related organizations, and both advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 2440, aimed at clarifying Proposition 28 arts and music education funding rules and allowing small districts to pool resources, also received broad support and moved to Appropriations. AB 1784, which would extend pregnancy-related protections to undergraduate students and prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions, passed to the Senate Judiciary Committee after support from higher education and women’s advocacy groups. Finally, AB 2660, which would codify the CalBridge STEM pathway program and related efforts to diversify the STEM workforce, was supported by higher education and workforce advocates and advanced to Appropriations after questions about the related EnLACE program and its funding sources.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House tax panel considers HF526 4/8/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> concerns regarding the lack of funding concerns regarding the lack of funding available<00:02:26.080
- </c> such as facilities replacements to fund such as facilities replacements to fund and<00:07:27.919
- </c> the limitation in funding opportunities. the limitation in funding opportunities.
- </c> certain state grant funding certain state grant funding opportunities<00:07:47.919><c> as</c><00
- </c><00:15:12.000><c> In</c> at the challenge of funding EMS. In at the challenge of funding EMS.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
911 Management Authority Mar 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- We wanted to ensure that 911 funding was protected and that 911 funding would remain the primary use
- our own protected funds.
- to fund this bill.
- of Public Safety.
- Our funds will remain within emergency management and will not be within the department of public safety
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It is focused on safety.
- So, this is a safety requirement only, and it is narrowly focused on a few safety requirements.”
- So, this is a safety requirement only, and it is narrowly focused on a few safety requirements.”
- One was to fund it through general funds.
- One was to fund it through general funds.
Summary:
The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases.
Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version.
Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568.
The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety May 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Fund to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, thereby reducing the General Fund backfill needed
- funding.
- funding.
- Not funding these programs is going to lead to increased public safety and health issues.
- This victims of crime act funding saves, Funding ask.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard May Revision presentations for the Office of Emergency Services, Judicial Branch, CDCR, and the Department of Justice, with the LAO offering comments and recommendations throughout. For Cal OES, the administration outlined funding for relocating the Red Mountain communications site, increased FEMA reimbursement authority, cybersecurity grants, next-generation 911 support, and a reduction to the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime program. Members raised concerns about VOCA backfill and disaster reimbursement, while the LAO recommended approving the 911 request with reporting, adding contingency planning for cybersecurity grants, clarifying the FEMA reimbursement language, and increasing reporting on emergency spending.
For the Judicial Branch, the May Revision included funding for implementation of the Trial Nations Access to Justice Act, reductions tied to court facilities and employee benefits, and General Fund solutions such as a reduction to the pretrial release program, a reversion from the Trial Court Trust Fund, and elimination of the jury duty pilot program. The LAO cautioned that the pretrial reduction could affect detention and release decisions and recommended tighter legislative oversight over the trust fund transfer and reallocation language. Members questioned the impact of the pretrial cut, the lack of Prop. 36 court funding, and the rationale for the jury pilot elimination; the Judicial Branch said it was generally supportive of the budget as proposed.
CDCR presented requests for roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, CalAIM-related costs, and trailer bill changes on incarcerated college students, mental health hiring, and tuberculosis testing, along with a planned prison closure by October 2026. The department also proposed reducing or delaying several items, including radio replacement, ADA improvements, COVID mitigation, and some facility upgrades, while adding a $125 million placeholder for consultant-driven operational savings. The LAO recommended rejecting or reducing several San Quentin-related proposals, questioned the staffing and contract medical requests, and urged more transparency on the consultant savings plan; members expressed concern about the realism of the savings targets and the potential legal or operational risks from delaying ADA and radio projects.
For DOJ, the May Revision proposed ongoing funding and 44 positions to defend against federal actions, IT and accounting system upgrades, implementation funding for AB 1877, and a special fund loan. The LAO supported the KLETS connection but asked for a contingency plan if the new DMV link is delayed, noted that AB 1877 would not be fully implemented without additional funding, and recommended limiting and reporting on the federal accountability workload. Members questioned the size and permanence of the DOJ request, the use of the earlier $25 million special session appropriation, and the pace of federal litigation; DOJ said the new request would support ongoing litigation, expert assistance, and coordination across multiple cases and states.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- For the protection of funds, so that we have that protection if the funds were to disappear or whatever
- You said that 98% of counties that have a senior services fund are using the majority of the fund for
- Federal and state funding for home-delivered meals and senior centers are closing because of funding
- It's a safety measure. What we're doing is a stopgap. It's a safety measure.
- It included Thompson, House Bill 2432, Richmond safety. Thompson, House Bill 2432, Richmond safety.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Feb 24th, 2026
Emergency Management
Transcript Highlights:
- Public safety officials must also communicate clearly with the public to provide safety instructions,
- UCLA is a state university, taxpayer funded.
- So any funding you can do for all our partners to make sure they have the safety equipment, whether it's
- The big push would be funding.
- Should we... ...with the safety plans.
Committee:
House Emergency Management
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/28/2026 - Senate Public Safety
Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- The Public Safety Committee is now called to order.
- Chairman, members, great to be back in the Public Safety Committee.
- must appoint an office director, administer the fraud fund, and transfer all fraud fund monies exceeding
- fund and repeals the fraud fund and the office on January 1, 2031, and the rip-and-replace fund on January
- Committee on Public Safety is adjourned.
Summary:
The Public Safety Committee approved several bills during the meeting. SB 1107, as amended, creates an alternative pathway to peace officer certification for honorably discharged veterans who served as military police, allowing abbreviated AZPOST training while still requiring certification testing, background checks, and fitness standards. The sponsor and a former military police officer testified that the bill would help address law enforcement staffing shortages without lowering standards. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 7-0.
The committee also passed SB 1308, which creates a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office in the Attorney General’s Office to pursue consumer fraud claims involving technology produced by foreign adversaries and to help fund replacement of such technology in critical infrastructure. Supporters said the measure would protect consumers and critical systems from national security risks tied to foreign-made technology. SB 1020 was approved to create an Arizona Space Commission specialty license plate, with proceeds supporting the space exploration and aeronautics research fund; members and witnesses described it as a voluntary fundraising tool for Arizona’s growing space industry.
SB 1160, as amended, was passed to prohibit operating drones within a mile of ticketed entertainment events, with exceptions for authorized personnel, utilities, and certain property owners. Supporters from Live Nation and NASCAR said it would improve safety and close a loophole around large events. SB 1117 was also approved to fund DPS crime lab services for evidence from counties under one million population, with the sponsor saying it would add staff to help rural counties process DNA evidence more quickly. Finally, SB 1216 passed to remove the sunset on traumatic event counseling for public safety employees and to add crime scene and digital forensic technicians to the covered employee definition. All bills received do-pass recommendations, and the committee adjourned after the final vote.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
TRN Public Hearing - Tue Feb 17, 2026 @ 9:15 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> us is HB2347 relating to vehicle safety us is HB2347 relating to vehicle safety requires<00:32:37.120
- </c> safety check process to give the safety safety check process to give the safety checks.<00:39:03.200
- </c> special funds. special funds.
- </c> [clears throat] safety. Same thing. [clears throat] safety. Same thing.
- </c> safety H I would like to adopt the HD1. safety H I would like to adopt the HD1.
Summary:
The House Committee on Transportation heard several vehicle and traffic safety measures. HB 2347, which would require the director of transportation to adopt rules allowing mobile vehicle safety inspections, drew support from DOT and individual testifiers who said it would add convenience and efficiency for passenger vehicle owners. Committee members questioned how home or driveway inspections would handle safety standards such as headlight checks and whether added convenience would come with higher costs; DOT also said it would follow up on inspection fees and audit procedures. HB 182, which would exempt motorcycles and passenger cars from safety inspections, received opposition from DOT, the Hawaii Police Department, and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, with Grassroot Institute in support. HB 2022, which would equalize county and state annual vehicle registration fees, was opposed by the Hawaii Transportation Association because it would raise costs that would likely be passed on to consumers.
The committee also took testimony on HB 1708, which would make operating a vehicle under the influence at a high intoxication level a class C felony and add probation requirements. Prosecutors, police, DOT, and the Honolulu customer services department supported the bill, while the Public Defender’s Office opposed it, arguing that it would increase court workload, require more defense resources, and create collateral consequences, including possible immigration impacts. Several witnesses and members discussed a proposed HD1 that would change the bill to a graduated penalty structure, making a first offense a misdemeanor and a second offense a felony, while also addressing deferred pleas and DUI deferrals. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill’s intent but warned that Oahu lacks a reliable electronic or telephonic warrant system, which could lead to more refusals and additional court impacts.
HB 2086, which would amend negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, received support from DOT, county prosecutors, police, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. Honolulu’s prosecutor supported the bill but recommended against the attached HD1, saying the current drafting better preserves negligent injury as a lesser included offense and avoids blending it with a separate statutory scheme. HB 2154, which would create a framework for intelligent speed assist technology and require a report to the legislature, was supported by DOT, county police, Smart Start LLC, AAA Hawaii, and others, with the Alliance for Automobile Innovation offering comments and proposed amendments. A testifier described the bill as a way to prevent repeat speeding by limiting vehicles from accelerating beyond the speed limit. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Apr 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In the area of public safety, for example, the county would be forced to eliminate $13 million in funding
- It is a direct compromise to safety.
- This is our general fund at threat.
- If you take away our funding, if we're impacted by this 18% decrease in funding, it's really going to
- And the ARPA funding had to be under contract by the end of 2024 in terms of all of the funding.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/02/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Safety to pay for state radio communications using E911 dedicated funds directly.
- Funding decisions for this mission-critical public safety system could become politicized or subject
- Funding decisions for this mission-critical public safety system could become politicized or subject
- Funding decisions for this mission-critical public safety system could become politicized or subject
- But I thought it would seem appropriate that E911 funds would go to Department of Safety, right?
Committee:
House Science, Technology and Energy
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Planning Advisory Board (5-21-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> and impacting public safety, and impacting public safety, safeguarding<00:04:44.240><c> existing
- We have received funds for that.
- </c> two in particular that are funded now. two in particular that are funded now.
- Safety and security. This has potential. Safety and security.
- 29.359><c> resiliency</c> nextgen public safety resiliency nextgen public safety resiliency project.<
Summary:
The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project.
The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs.
The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.