Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 898, by the Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to state historic preservation, amending
• addition of a new Section 67-818A, Idaho Code, to establish provisions regarding the state historic preservation
• remove obsolete language; repealing Section 67-4127A, Idaho Code, related to the State Historic Preservation
• House Bill 898, by the Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to state historic preservation, amending
• remove obsolete language; repealing Section 67-4127A, Idaho Code, related to the State Historic Preservation

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received gubernatorial and Senate messages, including signed House bills and several Senate bills and House bills returned for enrollment or referral. Committee reports moved a number of measures forward, including bills on agriculture, education, revenue and taxation, state affairs, and appropriations, along with House Concurrent Resolution 35 recognizing Idaho athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics and House Joint Memorial 21 concerning tungsten, both sent for printing. The House introduced a large slate of new bills, including measures on tax refunds for erroneous sales tax payments, county commissioner vacancy procedures, codifier’s corrections, open meetings, data centers and water use, compliance with law, tax exemptions for information technology equipment, historic preservation, state office vacancies, administrative rules, abortion trafficking, irrigation districts, education strategic performance plans, and several appropriations and policy bills. The chamber also placed many bills on the third reading calendar and later returned some items to committee or general orders, including House Joint Memorial 19, House Bills 828 and 862. A major portion of the meeting was floor debate and passage of several budget and policy bills. The House suspended rules and passed House Bills 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, and 835, with debate focusing on maintenance and enhancement budgets, dedicated funds, one-time expenditures, agency consolidations, cybersecurity, and transparency in JFAC budgeting. House Bill 866 covered constitutional officers; House Bill 867 covered general government and military pay; House Bill 868 funded PERSI enhancements; House Bill 869 restored cuts for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; House Bill 870 funded OITS cybersecurity and Health and Welfare IT consolidation; House Bill 871 funded the State Tax Commission; and House Bill 835 limited non-cognizable spending authority. Most bills passed with recorded votes, though several drew significant opposition over spending levels and use of federal or dedicated funds. The House also heard announcements about upcoming committee meetings and possible floor action later in the week, and members introduced visitors in the gallery. The chamber adjourned by motion until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill also establishes a Preserve Washington account in the motor vehicle account,” “And then
• The Preserve Washington account, the newly created account, is one of those.
• While this bill does create important new mechanisms to preserve critical infrastructure, While this
• A delay or rollback would provide targeted cost relief, preserve jobs, and allow companies to reinvest
• A delay or rollback would provide targeted cost relief, preserve jobs, and allow companies to reinvest

Bills: HB2495

Keywords: vehicles, streetcar operation, public safety, urban regulation, transportation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• oversees the Department of Fish and Game, which has the responsibilities pursuant to Idaho Code to preserve
• As Janet mentioned, Fish and Game is charged with preserving...
• As Janet mentioned, Fish and Game is charged with preserving, protecting, perpetuating, and managing
• And as was noted... ...the state’s actions to preserve, protect, and restore species.
• state agencies and constitutional offices can trim contracts, delay projects, or reduce overhead to preserve

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and questions for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Office of Species Conservation, and the Office of the Attorney General. Fish and Game’s budget was described as largely dedicated and federal funding with no general fund support, with discussion of ongoing and one-time enhancements for fisheries inflation, habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, depredation claims, chronic wasting disease testing, and communications. Director Jim Fredericks also reviewed the new nonresident tag draw system, access challenges on private lands, and the department’s role in habitat work and species management. Members raised concerns about depredation claim shortfalls, survey and advisory committee processes, predator management, and the overlap between Fish and Game and the Office of Species Conservation on habitat and endangered species work. The Office of Species Conservation presentation focused on its role coordinating state actions for threatened, endangered, and candidate species, mostly through federal and miscellaneous revenue funds. Administrator Mike Edmondson explained that the office often serves as the policy and administrative lead while Fish and Game carries out much of the field work, and he described metrics for sage grouse, salmon and steelhead, and grizzly bear-related efforts. He also said the office has been working with the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources on a possible merger, with some staff reductions under consideration, and answered questions about grizzly bear delisting, wolf litigation, and tribal consultation. Attorney General Raul Labrador then argued that his office has produced significant results without asking for new money, but said the committee’s proposed reductions would force furloughs or position cuts and asked for $980,000 to be restored. He highlighted the ICAC unit’s elimination of a cyber-tip backlog, increased arrests, consumer protection recoveries, and expanded appellate and civil litigation work defending state laws. Members asked about the source of recovered funds, the office’s flexibility to absorb cuts, and whether the state could work on a framework to transfer incarcerated undocumented offenders to federal custody for deportation. The committee ended by noting upcoming budget-setting work and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, the bill preserves strong financial accountability.
• , and we appreciate the work of the bill's sponsor, but we believe with targeted amendments that preserve
• By design, LECs limit member equity at resale, which is precisely what allows them to preserve long-term
• NWCDC effectively uses the LEC model to preserve manufactured home communities across the country.
• In a few weeks, we will have 33 manufactured housing communities preserved using this model.

Bills: HB2304, SGA9280, SGA9281

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, the bill preserves strong financial accountability.
• , and we appreciate the work of the bill's sponsor, but we believe with targeted amendments that preserve
• By design, LECs limit member equity at resale, which is precisely what allows them to preserve long-term
• NWCDC effectively uses the LEC model to preserve manufactured home communities across the country.
• In a few weeks, we will have 33 manufactured housing communities preserved using this model.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on several measures and two gubernatorial appointments. At the start, the committee waived the five-day notice rule for Substitute House Bill 2354, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, and Second Substitute House Bill 2590. The committee also heard public testimony on House Bill 1859, which would expand affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the affordability threshold needed to qualify for a density bonus. Supporters, including the sponsor, faith leaders, and local officials, said the current 100% affordability requirement has made projects difficult to finance and that the bill would better unlock underused church land for housing. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, which would further standardize where and how permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and shelters can be sited, while limiting local barriers and allowing some negotiated conditions near schools or when local governments provide significant support. The sponsor and supporters from King County, housing providers, the Attorney General’s office, disability advocates, medical professionals, and others argued the bill would reduce discriminatory or inconsistent local siting rules and expand needed housing. Some local government representatives supported the bill but asked for additional amendments to preserve local flexibility, require on-site contacts, and clarify how operating conditions and funding agreements would work. The committee also heard House Bill 2590, which would revise rules for limited equity cooperatives so they can better function as a long-term affordable homeownership model and remain exempt from certain Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act requirements. Supporters said the bill would help preserve manufactured housing communities and other cooperative housing while maintaining affordability and oversight. House Bill 2354, a trailer bill to WACOIA, would make technical changes affecting common interest communities, including EV charging and heat pump cost responsibility, reserve studies, and audit thresholds; the Washington State Community Association’s Institute testified in support. In executive session, the committee confirmed gubernatorial appointments Aaron T. McGrath and Ann T. Malone and voted do-pass recommendations for EHB 1687, SHB 2269, and HB 2304, all subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• equipment downtime. ...for small repair businesses and reduce electronic and equipment downtime while preserving
• This history deserves preservation. This history deserves preservation.
• Because when we fail to preserve history, ...history, of the truth.
• Because when we fail to preserve history, we don't just lose information, we lose context, we lose empathy
• become a part of Black history in this month of February in 2026 by making sure that Black history is preserved

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing visiting groups and guests, including college students and leaders, health and nonprofit organizations, Catholic Days at the Capitol participants, foreign dignitaries from Morocco, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, with remarks honoring the Parkland community and the school safety law that followed. The chamber then took up a special order calendar of bills, beginning with several claims bills and local relief measures. SB 14 for Jose Correa against Miami-Dade County passed 37-1, and HB 6517 for A. Sanchez-Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg passed after substitution. HB 6515 for Lordes Latour and Edward Lator against Miami-Dade County also passed 38-1. The Senate then approved SB 52 on volunteer armed security at places of worship (39-0), SB 124 updating Florida Virtual School statutes (39-0), SB 504 on code inspector body cameras (39-0), and SB 506 on related public records (38-1). A lengthy debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Several senators argued for tighter oversight and supported an amendment by Senator Berman that would have limited fund use and required Legislative Budget Commission approval for continued spending; that amendment failed 12-27. The underlying bill then passed 29-10. Senators also adopted SB 594 on local housing assistance for mobile home owners (39-0), SB 656 strengthening Internet Crimes Against Children programs (39-0), SB 806 creating right-to-repair protections for wireless devices and agricultural equipment (39-0), SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute (39-0), SM 1186 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure by voice vote, SB 308 creating the Florida Museum of Black History with a late-filed amendment clarifying ex officio nonvoting legislative members (39-0), and SB 572 updating ethics law to include foster children and foster parents, as amended (38-0). The Senate also withdrew SB 1360 from further consideration, certified passed bills to the House, and adjourned until February 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• equipment downtime. ...for small repair businesses and reduce electronic and equipment downtime while preserving
• This history deserves preservation. This... This history deserves preservation.
• Because when we fail to preserve... ...history, of the truth.
• Because when we fail to preserve history, we don't just lose information, we lose context, we lose empathy
• part... ...of Black history in this month of February in 2026 by making sure that Black history is preserved

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their programs not only preserve heritage language, but also foster cross-cultural understanding across
• And I'm very proud that it was one of the ways that I preserved my link back to my culture.
• And growing up, I would go to Saturday Chinese school. ...preserve my link back to my culture.
• Despite this history, California Native American communities have endured and persevered, preserving
• stand with Native communities over the years and to partner with tribal leaders on legislation to preserve

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, adopted the previous day’s journal, and handled several procedural motions, including suspending rules to allow committee notices and moving some bills and items on and off the file. Members also introduced a number of guests and fellows on the floor, including Equality California Comcast Fellows, tribal youth visitors, interns, local officials, and community representatives. On the floor file, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1216 (TK-12 omnibus education technical changes), AB 377 (high-speed rail), and AB 951 (health care coverage), and adopted ACR 103 declaring July 14-18, 2025 as California Western Monarch Protection Week. The body also adopted AJR 18, a resolution calling for an official legislative apology to California Native Americans for historic injustices and affirming support for healing and reconciliation, and ACR 71 designating a portion of State Route 101 as the Little Saigon Freeway. Each of these measures drew supportive remarks from multiple members, and co-author rolls were opened before final adoption. The Assembly also adopted SCR 66 proclaiming Law Day, after a lengthy partisan debate over the rule of law, executive power, and recent federal and state actions; the resolution was ultimately adopted by voice vote after 51 co-authors were added. Members then adopted SJR 3 urging Congress to reverse SNAP cuts and protect CalFresh benefits, with debate focused on food insecurity, fraud, work requirements, and the impact on low-income Californians; the resolution passed with 69 ayes and no noes after 70 co-authors were added. SB 757, authorizing local governments to use nuisance abatement liens or special assessments to collect abatement costs, also passed 68-0, and ACR 94 on anti-microbial resistance was adopted on the consent calendar. The session concluded with adjournments in memory honoring Jane Day, agricultural leader John C. Harris, and Willie Earl Arno, followed by announcements of committee meetings and the schedule for the next floor session. The Assembly adjourned until Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to protect and preserve what we have, the waterways.
• weeks ago, maybe it was last week, about our oyster farmers and how critically necessary it is to preserve
• because that is a best practice for continuing to grow resiliency against wildfires as well as to preserve
• Maybe it was last week about our oyster farmers and how critically necessary it is to preserve what they
• As a scuba diver, I love them. preserve what they do. As an oyster eater, I love them.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee took up eight bills focused on water policy, coastal resilience, environmental regulation, beaches, wildlife funding, and carbon sequestration. HB 7001 preserved the public-record exemption for site-specific location information on endangered and threatened species before its scheduled repeal, and it was reported favorably 16-0. H.R. 661, expressing support for a “one-water” approach to the state water supply, drew discussion about whether it implied centralized control; an amendment aligning the resolution with Senate language was adopted, and the resolution passed 16-0 with a committee substitute. The committee also advanced HB 1345 on infrastructure and resiliency, which after a strike-all amendment authorized DEP to procure coastal resiliency projects through public-private partnerships and use incentives such as revenue-sharing, expedited permitting, public engagement, and workforce training; it passed 16-0. HB 477 on weather modification was substantially amended to return to current statute and add a $10,000 fine for failing to obtain a permit; the bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against weather modification and cloud seeding, and it passed as amended with a committee substitute. HB 6043, repealing the 2018 customary-use beach statute affecting Walton County, prompted testimony about beach access, tourism losses, and private property rights; it passed 17-0. The committee then approved CS for HB 843, making clarifying changes to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trust funds and allowing use of the non-game wildlife trust fund for law enforcement and coordination with related agencies and landowners; it passed 17-0. HB 1169 revised water management district planning, budgeting, reporting, and procurement practices, including restrictions on lobbyist funds and updated project preference rules; two amendments were adopted and the bill passed 16-0. Finally, HB 1063 created a task force to study carbon sequestration and related ecosystem services in Florida’s natural and agricultural lands and waters; after amendments removing a fiscal component and clarifying voluntary participation and property-rights protections, it passed 15-2. The meeting adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pepper Uchino, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
• Pepper Uchino, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association. Pepper, you are recognized.
• White, and I stand here today on behalf of a community that has shown unwavering commitment to preserving
• memorabilia collection was on display for 18 months at the Arlake because I have been collecting to preserve
• But for right now, here, we have an opportunity to stand together and preserve African American history

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met and took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 262 on trust law technical changes. Senator Berman explained four clarifications involving trust decanting, successor trustee actions, ademption by satisfaction, and homestead/community trust definitions; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SJR 174 and SB 176, which together would prevent certain homestead tax assessment increases when owners elevate flood-prone homes, and SB 180, a hurricane preparedness and response bill that included a strike-all amendment addressing FEMA reimbursement, mutual aid, hazard mitigation, and post-disaster rebuilding issues. Supporters from emergency management, beaches, counties, and local business groups testified in favor of SB 180, and it was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 608, which renames the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in Florida statutes, despite questions about cost and an appearance in opposition. SB 1002, dealing with utility service restrictions and local government limits on energy-related policies, drew opposition from Earthjustice and Florida for All over possible unintended consequences and fossil-fuel favoritism, but was still reported favorably. SB 466 on the Florida Museum of Black History generated extensive testimony, with strong support from St. Augustine, Florida Memorial University, pastors, local officials, and the museum foundation for locating the museum in St. Johns County; one witness argued for Eatonville instead, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 1128 on building permits for single-family dwellings after an amendment clarified local zoning review and added insurance and liability protections for design professionals. SB 582, increasing penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures, was reported favorably with support from preservation advocates. SB 1202, extending family health insurance premium benefits to firefighters permanently disabled during training exercises, also passed without opposition. Finally, SB 1242 on community redevelopment agencies prompted the most debate: supporters argued CRAs can be valuable tools for affordable housing and redevelopment, while opponents warned the bill would effectively end all CRAs by 2045 and block new projects; after extensive discussion, the bill was reported favorably. At the end, senators recorded additional votes on several tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have who would like to speak: Pepper Uchino, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
• Pepper Uchino, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association. Pepper, you're recognized.
• White, and I stand here today on behalf of a community that has shown unwavering commitment to preserving
• collecting to... ...was on display for 18 months at the Arlake because I have been collecting to preserve
• But for right now, here, we have an opportunity to stand together and preserve African American history

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met and considered a series of bills on trust law, homestead property assessments, emergency preparedness, utility service restrictions, Black history museum planning, historic preservation, firefighter benefits, and community redevelopment agencies. Several measures were presented as technical or policy updates, including CS/SB 262 on trust code clarifications, SJR 174 and SB 176 on limiting homestead assessment increases for flood-mitigation elevations, SB 608 renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in Florida statutes, SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, SB 582 increasing penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings, SB 1202 extending health insurance premium benefits to firefighters permanently disabled during training, and SB 1242 phasing out CRAs and restricting new projects. SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response also advanced after a strike-all amendment that added FEMA reimbursement streamlining, mutual aid coordination, and other disaster-response provisions. SB 1128 on building permits for single-family dwellings was amended to clarify local review authority and professional liability protections before passage. The committee heard substantial testimony on SB 466, which implements the Black History Task Force’s recommendation to locate the Florida Museum of Black History in St. Johns County/St. Augustine. Supporters emphasized the area’s civil rights and Black history significance, the task force process, and the backing of Florida Memorial University and local leaders; one witness opposed the bill and urged a feasibility study and consideration of other sites. SB 1242 drew the most sustained debate, with supporters arguing many CRAs have outlived their purpose and opponents warning the bill would eliminate a valuable local economic development tool, harm affordable housing projects, and create uncertainty for phased developments and existing projects. SB 1002 also drew opposition testimony from advocates who warned of broad unintended consequences for municipal utilities and local energy choices, while the sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve a specific legal misunderstanding. Votes were taken on each measure, and all of the bills considered were reported favorably by the committee. The committee adopted the amendment to CS/SB 262, the strike-all amendment to SB 180, and the amendment to SB 1128 before final passage. Several senators requested to be recorded on specific tabs after the meeting, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So really our approach was to preserve these provisions but phase them in to mitigate the impact that
• outright, but preserving and doing so in a way that fit into our budget and was fiscally responsible
• growth—and trying to figure out whether there are things that we can do that could maintain and preserve
• of wetlands and things we can do to mitigate and demand of wetlands, the preservation of wetlands, and
• team, Federal government funding has been preserved thanks to my incredible team at the Mass AGO and

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a policy attorney at the Housing Justice Center, where our mission is to preserve and expand affordable
• </c><00:04:48.560><c> and</c> where our mission is to preserve and where our mission is to preserve and
• The state is not funding preservation of these properties either.
• So it's kind of a chicken-and-egg problem where we need to preserve these properties in order to make
• c><00:47:17.040><c> these</c> not funding preservation of these not funding preservation of these properties

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Medical Practice are used to preserve Medical Practice are used to preserve the<00:32:58.159><c>
• I’ve had the honor of preserving life for 31 years as an EMT.
• </c><00:47:09.760><c> life</c> I've had the honor of preserving life I've had the honor of preserving
• </c><00:51:05.799><c> the</c> person and provide care to preserve the person and provide care to preserve
• </c><00:51:08.280><c> the</c> life Comfort Care is not preserving the life Comfort Care is not preserving

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The 90-day State Historic Preservation Division review period is clarified.
• preservation preservation division<00:14:20.560><c> welcome</c><00:14:21.560><c> please</c> proceed<
• </c><00:14:30.240><c> Division</c> the state historic preservation Division the state historic preservation
• yes the state historic preservation yes the state historic preservation<00:15:00.880><c> division</c
• </c> two relating to Historic preservation two relating to Historic preservation reviews<02:35:39.200

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing, land use, and preservation bills. HB 1008 HD2 would require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to complete historic preservation determinations for state affordable housing projects within 90 days and create sensitivity-based review pathways. HHFDC, DLNR’s State Historic Preservation Division, and written testimony from DBEDT supported the bill as an expedited process for projects unlikely to affect significant historic resources. Members asked how the bill would define significant versus non-significant historic properties, how it would interact with Kapakai analysis, and whether burial councils had been consulted; SHPD said the bill would not replace Kapakai review and that burial councils had not been included. Written support also came from OHA, Hawaii Realtors, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce. HB 1093 would clarify the Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s powers relating to housing projects. HPHA supported the measure, saying it would align definitions with prior law and help deconcentrate poverty by allowing mixed-income rebuilding. The director also said the bill was increasingly urgent because of reported federal HUD priorities that could affect public housing and Section 8 funding. HB 1096 HD1 would repeal state low-income housing preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans, with HPHA saying federal veteran programs such as VASH are a better mechanism and that the state preference has not been used in years. HB 1411 would allow HHFDC projects to give sale or lease preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a project; HHFDC and the Hawaii Chapter of NAIOP supported it as a way to keep residents connected to their communities, while members raised constitutional concerns about broader local-preference policies. The committee also heard HB 367 HD1, which would create county permit exemptions for certain agricultural and maintenance activities. Written testimony included opposition from the Department of Planning and Permitting and support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Grassroot Institute, and others. A public testifier opposed the bill, arguing that permit exemptions could worsen safety and compliance problems. Finally, HB 826 HD1 would allow county planning commissions, by special permit, to authorize residential housing in agricultural districts for agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental, or fee simple ownership under certain conditions. HHFDC supported it as a faster alternative to lengthy state land-use redistricting, but the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Commission, and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development raised concerns about food production impacts, due process, service provision, jurisdictional conflicts, and the use of special permits for what could amount to district boundary changes. Public testimony was mixed, with some support and some opposition. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Preserve, protect, and defend. The Constitution and laws. Of the United States and of this state.
• These are the people who have poured their hearts into preserving the county's history, fostering its
• His dedication to climate conservation, environmental preservation, and international development reflects

Transcript Highlights:

• At a time when we are still looking at a 60% illicit market, preserving consumer confidence in the regulated
• When both parties agree, appropriate cases can be resolved earlier while fully preserving the board's
• When both parties agree, appropriate cases can be resolved earlier while fully preserving the board's
• If the status quo is preserved, then we're in support of that. Okay. Thank you. Any other speakers?
• If the status quo is preserved, then we're in support of that. Okay. Thank you. Any other speakers?

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1921 on video game shutdowns. The author and Consumer Reports supported requiring game operators to give 60 days’ notice before ending server support and to offer a menu of remedies, including refunds or playable/offline alternatives, while the Entertainment Software Association opposed the bill as an unwarranted new standard for digital products and raised safety and legal concerns about community servers. Members questioned the scope of refunds, copyright, and community-server issues, and the author said he was open to further amendments. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. AB 1965, dealing with cannabis testing, was presented as a measure to strengthen the Department of Cannabis Control’s authority over testing labs and improve product safety and transparency. The California Cannabis Operators Association supported the bill, saying it would help ensure consistent standards and protect consumers in a market with a large illicit component. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2141, which would allow the Board of Pharmacy to resolve certain disciplinary matters through a voluntary pre-accusation settlement process. The author and a supporting pharmacist said it would speed resolution of smaller, technical cases and reduce costs, while a member raised concerns about transparency and whether the public would have less information about licensee misconduct. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations, with Senator Menjivar voting no, and was placed on call. AB 2163, creating strategic clean energy and critical mineral development zones, was supported by the author and Imperial County as a way to prioritize geothermal and lithium development in areas like the Salton Sea region; it passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. Later, AB 1990 on compounded weight-loss drug advertising drew significant debate. Supporters argued it would curb misleading ads and require disclosures about risks and non-FDA approval, while opponents from the compounding pharmacy community said it would create burdens, duplicate existing false-advertising law, and could harm patient access. Members questioned whether the bill actually addressed targeting minors and whether it would force use of FDA-approved labeling; the author said the bill was meant to add specificity and guardrails. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Judiciary, with some no votes, and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2783 on court reporters, which would add a national certification pathway and extend a remote reporting pilot; it drew support from court reporting stakeholders and passed unanimously on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations, placed on call. Finally, AB 2771, the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education sunset bill, and AB 2772, the interior design certification sunset bill, were presented and heard with mixed testimony: AB 2771 received support from student and borrower advocates and was moved to Senate Education, while AB 2772 drew both support and strong opposition over CCIDC governance and accountability, with the committee hearing extensive public comment before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill draft would require the PERS Board to provide coverage for fertility preservation health
• , including the diagnosis, testing, and medication related to fertility preservation, as well as the
• So this bill draft would require the PERS Board to provide coverage for fertility preservation health
• benefits requiring standard fertility preservation services. preservation health benefits, requiring
• , testing, and medication related to fertility preservation, as well as the storage of embryos through

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave policies, labor market conditions, and prevailing wage issues, then later took up committee rules and bill-draft jurisdiction. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the state has paid the full family premium since 1979, described cost-control and benefit-enhancement changes over time, and explained current plan options, wellness incentives, employer wellness discounts, and the upcoming bid process for the 2027-29 contract. HRMS then presented compensation comparisons showing state classified pay generally trails private and regional markets, with larger gaps at higher-level jobs, and reviewed benefits and leave policies, including the new enhanced annual leave and new-hire leave, the state’s unpaid family leave structure, and varying tuition reimbursement practices. Job Service reported on labor force trends, low unemployment, high labor force participation, job openings, and wage growth, and OMB said there are no state prevailing-wage requirements beyond federal Davis-Bacon rules for federally funded projects. The committee then considered a proposed amendment to Joint Rule 211 to better align the health insurance mandate review process with recent statutory changes. Members discussed how the rule should reference both the committee’s required actuarial reports and the Legislative Council cost-benefit analysis, and the amendment was adopted on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed how its jurisdiction decisions affect whether a bill draft receives actuarial analysis, with staff explaining that a decision not to take jurisdiction means the bill is not treated as impacting the relevant retirement or health plans for purposes of that analysis. After that, the committee began reviewing bill drafts for jurisdiction. The first draft, bill draft 33, would automatically renew pre-tax elections for dental and vision coverage during open enrollment instead of requiring annual re-election. Members debated whether it had any actuarial impact, noting the state does not pay those premiums directly, and the discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This preserves that relationship and that definition.
• But again, this preserves that definition.
• This preserves that relationship and that definition.
• But again, this preserves that definition. What's an independent contractor and what's an employee.
• But again, this preserves that definition.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. The body then received a series of committee reports and bill referrals, including multiple House bills reported out of committee with do-pass recommendations or sent to other committees, as well as gubernatorial and House messages. Several bills were advanced through first and second reading, and the Senate also noted that it would not take up the 10th order until later. The chamber then considered a long list of measures on third reading. Senate Bill 1227, as amended by the House, relating to education and generative AI, passed after Senator Cook explained that the bill preserves human judgment, local control, and parent transparency while adding House changes to the review committee. House Bill 603, revising Capitol Mall camping rules, passed after debate over balancing free speech with safety and sanitation; opponents warned about overreach, while supporters said the bill clarifies the line between protest and encampment. House Bill 688 on airbag systems, House Bill 645 creating a portable benefits framework for independent contractors, and House Bill 738 allowing LLC organizers to use a commercial registered agent’s address also passed after debate on consumer protection, tax treatment, worker classification, and privacy. Additional bills passed with little or no debate, including House Bill 521 on criminal history background checks for vulnerable populations, House Bill 615 clarifying disturbing-the-peace protections for houses of worship, House Bill 695 correcting a statutory term from possession to restitution, House Bill 568 repealing obsolete Department of Lands provisions, House Bill 774 repealing minimum fines for certain hunting violations, House Bill 762 revising charter school admissions preferences for foster children and military families, House Bill 661 extending county solid-waste disposal contract competition, House Bill 733 updating partnership audit procedures to align with federal tax law, House Bill 749 addressing annexation hardship exceptions and property rights, House Bill 662 expanding milk testing standards and dispute resolution, House Bill 664 removing differential speed limits for heavy trucks, and House Bill 716 revising transportation funding distributions and bridge inspection funding. Several bills were held on the calendar or referred for possible amendment, and the Senate later returned to committee and administrative business, including committee reports, gubernatorial appointments, and moving into the Committee of the Whole on the general calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to now stress that asset preservation funding is exceptionally important to NKU.
• We've had about $46 million in asset preservation funding in the last biennium, and in this current House
• I want to just stress how important these asset preservation dollars are to maintain or operate our buildings
• capital requests: the second Healthy Kentucky Research Building and continued support for asset preservation
• <00:41:38.880><c> infant</c><00:41:40.000><c> what</c><00:41:40.720><c> talent</c> Next, asset preservation

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum and postponed approval of the minutes. The committee first heard from Northern Kentucky University President Katie Short Thompson, who highlighted NKU’s enrollment growth, student success metrics, national recognition for value, lower student debt, and new programs tied to regional workforce needs, including AI, cybersecurity, supply chain analytics, cardiovascular perfusion, and the Norse Network Hub for employer access. She asked for a $5 million recurring base funding adjustment to align NKU’s general fund support with peer institutions, along with support for tuition waivers with FAFSA requirements, continued debt collection authority through the Department of Revenue, inclusion of fire and tornado insurance premiums in base funding, inflation and performance-funding support, and increased asset preservation funding. She also outlined capital priorities for the Hail College of Business building, Nunn Hall, and the MEP building, and requested $5.4 million to match private support for the Young Scholars Academy, a dual-credit program serving first-generation and low-income students. Representative Tipton questioned NKU about the number of older students using tuition waivers and whether the university could continue the program without a statutory age-based mandate. Thompson said the number of students over 65 using the waiver was small, that some students pursue degrees while others audit classes, and that external fundraising could potentially support the program if state funding changed. Tipton also confirmed NKU’s requested priorities and the $5.4 million match for the Young Scholars Academy. The committee then heard from University of Kentucky representative Dr. Cavallo, who framed UK’s request around accountability, workforce development, research, and health care impact. He described a patient story to illustrate UK’s medical mission, cited growth in enrollment, degrees awarded, hospital patients treated, and research grant revenue, and emphasized UK’s role in extension services and disaster response. He said UK is consolidating services for efficiency and is focusing on future workforce needs, especially artificial intelligence, noting the launch of the state’s first AI bachelor’s degree and a partnership with Microsoft to expand AI tools and training across campus and the Advancing Kentucky Together network. He also discussed demographic challenges, the need to retain graduates in Kentucky, and the importance of aligning programs and funding with long-term state needs.