Transcript Highlights:

• We will now turn to the legislative portion of the agenda.
• So House Bill 447, I have the great privilege of presenting this bill from Speaker Minor-Brown.
• So House Bill 447, I have the great privilege of presenting this bill from Speaker Minor Brown.
• We've got legislators, although we are non-voting members, Rev. Smith and I.
• They also, you know, I think in Legislative Hall, we know when there's not a person...

Bills: SB293, SB279

Keywords: SB 293, youth camp, child care licensing, Office of Child Care Licensing, OCCL, American Camp Association, ACA accreditation, Purchase of Care, POC reimbursement, summer camp, school-age child care, child care exemption, Division of Public Health permit, Title 14, Delaware Department of Education, health and safety standards, child care provider reimbursement, summer child care, camp licensing, license exemption

Summary: The Senate Education Committee approved the June 10 minutes and then heard House Bill 447, which would create a framework for voluntary child care cost-sharing partnerships among the state, employers, community sponsors, and families. Supporters said the bill is meant to help make child care more affordable and support workforce participation by using the existing Interagency Resource Management Committee to coordinate planning and funding. Committee discussion focused on how the tri-share model would work, who would participate, and whether it would reach lower-income families; no public comment was offered on the bill. The committee then took up House Bill 300, as amended, which would establish a statewide Title IX coordinator within the Department of Education to provide training, technical assistance, data collection, and oversight for interscholastic athletics in grades 6 through 12. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the position would help schools comply with Title IX, improve consistency, and make athletic participation and spending data more transparent; opponents or skeptics questioned whether a new DOE position was needed and whether districts were already meeting their obligations. The sponsor and witnesses responded that existing federal data are delayed and incomplete, that some Delaware schools have participation gaps, and that a state-level coordinator would provide needed support and accountability. Public comment on HB 300 included testimony from the Delaware State Education Association, the Delaware Association of School Administrators, the Delaware School Sports Network, and the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy, all generally supporting the bill or its goals. DASA noted it remained neutral but appreciated changes made in House Amendment 1 to reduce reporting burden. After public comment, the chair asked members to sign the bill release forms for the two bills heard, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislative Budget Commission will now come to order. Alicia, please call the roll.
• So this has been aggressive since the very beginning of application, and now we get the privilege of
• We have Roy Clark, Director of Cabinet and Legislative Affairs, to take up Amendment EOG B 2026-0492.
• I am Roy Clark, and I am the Director for Cabinet and Legislative Affairs with the department.
• I am Roy Clark, and I am the Director for Cabinet and Legislative Affairs with the department.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the gallery from interfering with legislative
• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• I rise today as the co-chair of the California Legislative Irish Caucus to present ACR 51 in honor of
• So thank you to the members representing San Diego and to the Legislative Black Caucus for coming together
• So thank you to the members representing San Diego and to the legislative black caucus for coming together

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then handled several procedural matters before moving to the daily file. Members approved a motion to withdraw Assembly Bills 100 through 219 to the second reading file by a roll call vote of 42-15, and unanimously approved re-referrals of AB 440 and AB 1265 to different committees. The chamber also welcomed international visitors, student and community guests, and later heard a series of guest introductions tied to agriculture, immigration, and Irish heritage. The main floor action centered on two resolutions. H.R. 19, recognizing California Agriculture Day, drew strong support from members representing agricultural districts, who highlighted the state’s farm production, exports, and the role of farmworkers and ranchers; the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 65 co-authors were added. ACR 51, honoring Irish American Heritage Month, was also adopted by voice vote after 66 co-authors were added, with members speaking about Irish immigration, labor history, California-Ireland ties, and St. Patrick’s Day. The Assembly also held multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes for the Honorable Leon Lawson Williams, a pioneering Black civic leader in San Diego who served on the City Council and County Board of Supervisors and helped expand public transit and advance civil rights. Members from San Diego and others described his barriers-breaking career and lasting influence on local government and community leadership. The House then received announcements about upcoming committee hearings and adjourned until Thursday, March 20, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• All those not having a privilege floor, please vacate the chamber.
• President, and distinguished guests, it is my privilege to introduce you today to the official delegation
• President, and distinguished guests, it is my privilege to introduce you today to the official delegation
• All those without privilege on the floor, please vacate the chamber. Senator from Lewis.
• All those without privilege on the floor, please vacate the chamber. Senator from Lewis.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first suspended Rule 54 to allow guests on the floor, then took up and adopted Senate Resolution 65. The resolution recognized West Virginia as a global hub for critical mineral processing and encouraged lawful private-sector dialogue and commercial engagement between West Virginia businesses and rare earth/critical mineral institutions abroad, beginning with institutions in Somalia. The sponsor emphasized that the measure was nonbinding and intended to open conversation about minerals, processing, and advanced materials, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then recessed briefly to receive and introduce a visiting delegation from Somalia, including the deputy prime minister, ministers of petroleum/mineral resources and commerce/industry, parliamentary leadership, and diplomatic representatives, along with other guests involved in the visit. After the recess, the Senate received several Finance Committee reports and advanced multiple House bills on first reading: HB 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia program; HB 4006 creating the West Virginia Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Act; HB 2009 creating the Portable Benefit Account Act; HB 5412, the Future Ready Education Act; HB 5453 modifying the school aid funding formula; and HB 5510 removing the acreage/location requirement for private wedding venues. Each bill was reported as amended by Finance and taken up immediately without objection. During remarks, a senator from Randolph spoke about the death of Riley Wingfield in a side-by-side accident and praised students and administrators at Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Tucker County High School for wearing orange and black in solidarity with grieving Elkins High School students. The remarks were ordered placed in the Journal appendix. The Senate then announced adjournment until the next day at 10 a.m., with the Rules Committee scheduled to meet at 9:45 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's your privilege as chairman.
• That's your privilege as chairman.
• that's I haven't seen the committee sub that's that's<00:03:05.000> your<00:03:05.599> privilege
• <00:03:06.239> as<00:03:06.440> chairman<00:03:07.080> well that's your privilege
• as chairman well that's your privilege as chairman well there's<00:03:07.360> a<00:03:07.560>

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:00PM est. Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:08 HB 662: 00:00:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up House Bill 662, relating to personally identifiable information. Representative John Blanton explained that the bill would let judges, including federal and state judges, request redaction of their personal and immediate family information from public records, but that the protection would end if they later made identifying information public themselves. He also said the bill would restrict access to certain medical examiner information tied to insurance-company examinations, while still allowing doctors and hospitals access to know who is reviewing the information. The chair noted a committee substitute with a small change on page 3, line 12, removing name and license number language. After discussion, the sponsor agreed to proceed with the substitute. Senator Nemes moved adoption of the committee substitute, seconded by Senator Carroll, and it was adopted without opposition. The committee then voted on the bill itself. Senator Nemes moved passage, Senator Carroll seconded, and the roll was called. House Bill 662 was reported favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• athletics, to require certain study components, to require the department to submit a report to certain legislative
• committees, to provide for deadlines and legislative findings, and to provide for related matters.
• I had the privilege of speaking at the House Education Committee when they heard... ...at the House Education
• But a few weeks back, I had the privilege of speaking at that House Education Committee, and then President
• of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges, LSU, and Southern, to require reporting and legislative

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• athletics, to require certain study components, to require the department to submit a report to certain legislative
• committees, to provide for deadlines and legislative findings, and to provide for related matters.
• I had the privilege of speaking at the House Education Committee when they heard... ...at the House Education
• But a few weeks back, I had the privilege of speaking at that House Education Committee, and then President
• of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges, LSU, and Southern, to require reporting and legislative

Bills: HCR26, HB28, HB195, HB283, HB316, HB319, HB363, HB380, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB636, HB738, HB807, HB905, HB992, HB1146

Keywords: human growth, development education, prenatal education, state standards, biological science, teacher certification, certification appeals, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Teacher Certification Appeals Council, educator licensure, teaching license, teacher licensure, appeals process, certification denial, administrative appeal, special meeting, board president, retroactive application, education board

Summary: The committee met with a large docket and adopted the April 29 minutes. Several bills were heard and advanced, mostly on education, workforce, literacy, early childhood, charter schools, and student mental health. Testimony was generally supportive, with many witnesses waiving in favor; a few bills drew questions about implementation, student awareness, and whether proposals were sufficiently broad or specific. House Bill 406, requiring the Department of Education to study the direction and regulation of interscholastic high school athletics and report back by March 1, 2027, was reported favorably after testimony from a retired principal who urged an open-minded study and discussion from the bill author about compliance and the bill’s purpose. House Bill 380, creating a pilot program between community and technical colleges and local school systems to expand awareness of CDL, entry-level driver training, and related programs, was also reported favorably. House Bill 807, creating a workforce and structure capacity investment program and fund to help industry partner with colleges to train instructors, was reported favorably after support from higher education and industry witnesses; senators raised interest in adding a stronger health care component and in reaching students earlier, but the author said he would work on amendments. The committee also advanced House Bill 316 on adolescent literacy and high-dose tutoring, with amendments clarifying teacher training timing, existing statutory bans on outdated literacy practices, and charter school participation; House Bill 1146, consolidating early childhood governance into a commission; House Bill 28, creating an appeal path for denied teacher certification applicants through BESE; and House Bill 992, assigning early childhood education identification numbers to support data collection on outcomes. House Concurrent Resolution 26, urging BESE to add the science of human growth and development to science and health standards and provide approved instructional resources, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 386, allowing local districts to let locally authorized charter schools operate as their own LEA under district rules, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 392, expanding suicide prevention information requirements on school websites, ID cards, handbooks, and signage, was reported favorably as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• My question is real simple: what you're asking us today is to vote for this piece of legislation so that
• We're releasing A through F ratings every year, channeling disputes through legislative oversight rather
• This is the last in a series of tremendous bills that have occurred in this legislative session: Senate
• The honor and privilege of the last 15 years did not come from my own talents.
• It's been my privilege and honor to be among you for the last 15 years. God bless you. Thank you.

Bills: SB 3, SB 16, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB17, SB 54, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB192, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB48, HB149, HB192, HB254, HB17, SB54, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB3, SB16, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, over the course of the legislative session.
• I know there's some other legislation pending that's going to address some of that acuity level.
• privilege.
• Unfortunately, the way that the law is written, you do have to request it under legislative privilege
• You know, you can request those through legislative privilege.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:04:15.600> with<00:04:15.760> a privilege of meeting monthly with a privilege of meeting
• Every student legislation forward.
• legislation in the US. legislation in the US.
• the record, Megan Ariola, legislative the record, Megan Ariola, legislative policy<01:33:25.720>
• would be a task force or the legislative would be a task force or the legislative auditor<01:47:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being here today. My name is Scott Halligan.
• Jakes, who's also a legislative agent.
• I'm a legislative agent with the professional firefighters of Massachusetts and with my partner, Paul
• Jakes, who's also a legislative agent.
• And we would like to just go on the record in ...of Paul Jakes, who's also a legislative agent.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 15th hearing of the 194th General Court, focused on retirement group classifications for a range of public safety and related employees. Much of the testimony centered on bills affecting Barnstable County dispatchers and 911 telecommunicators, who argued they should remain in or be moved to Group 2 because their work is highly stressful, life-or-death in nature, and historically had been treated that way. Speakers said the proposed changes would largely grandfather in current employees, would not add costs in some cases, and were needed to correct outdated statutory language and PERAC rulings that had created uncertainty for workers nearing retirement or already retired. Similar support was offered for bills to reclassify 911 dispatchers statewide from Group 1 to Group 2, with testimony from dispatch supervisors, sheriffs, and police associations describing chronic stress, PTSD, staffing shortages, and retention problems. The committee also heard testimony on several other retirement-related bills. Representatives of Massport and campus police supported measures to align retirement benefits for Massport police and public higher education police with other law enforcement groups, arguing they perform comparable duties and face similar risks. The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association also backed a bill to ease post-retirement earning restrictions for retired police and firefighters so they can continue consulting, training, or advising without penalty. MOSES testified in favor of bills moving certain state employees into Group 2, including forensic scientists at the State Police Crime Lab, DCR aerial foresters, and Department of Correction construction coordinators, citing hazardous work environments and physical danger. Department of Fire Services compliance officers likewise sought Group 4 classification, describing exposure to toxins, fatal fire scenes, and cancer risks. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony from affected employees, union and association representatives, and public safety officials, all urging favorable reports on the bills. At the end of the hearing, the chairs thanked witnesses and staff, and the committee adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're going to talk about somebody's bill, somebody's legislation, keep it factual.
• And that's a tremendous honor and a privilege, and we hope you keep it as such.
• And that's a tremendous honor and a privilege, and we hope you keep it as such.
• Any piece of legislation that runs through here, her hands are all over it.
• I think he worked with a lot of your own legislation. And then Mr.

Summary: The meeting was a Girl State House session in which members received a brief orientation on chamber rules, decorum, voting procedures, and how to use the floor, followed by prayer, the pledge, and attendance. The parliamentarian and House leaders emphasized respectful conduct, recognition procedures, live microphones/cameras, and how motions such as immediate consideration work. After the rules overview, the chamber began considering bills in order. House Bill 1001, which would have prohibited over-the-counter diet pills from being sold or transferred to anyone under 18, drew debate over eating disorders, teen health, and whether parents or sellers would be affected. Supporters argued it would protect minors from harmful diet culture, while opponents raised concerns about medical exceptions and whether the age limit should be 21 instead. The bill failed, 42-55 with two present. House Bill 1002, allowing lottery winners to remain confidential, was amended during discussion to cover a $100,000 threshold and special rules for elected officials; supporters said it would protect winners from scams and harassment, while opponents raised transparency concerns. It passed 79-17 with one present. House Bill 1003, requiring schools to provide resources and courses on child labor/workplace laws, was debated as a workforce-readiness measure, but members questioned whether it should be a required course, an online option, or limited to older students. The bill failed 22-73 with three present. House Bill 1004, creating the Arkansas Head Injury Act and requiring helmets and face protection for motorized cycle operators and passengers, received strong support based on safety and personal testimony about motorcycle deaths; it passed 94-4. House Bill 1005, the Adult Preparedness Act, would have required a year-long personal finance course before graduation; members debated whether the material was already covered in existing classes and whether schools had time and staffing to implement it. It failed 35-60 with four present. House Bill 1006, increasing the teacher classroom investment tax deduction from $500 to $1,000, was broadly supported as a way to help teachers pay for classroom supplies and student needs, and it passed 97-0 with one present. House Bill 1008, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial businesses by limiting national franchises in local economic zones, sparked debate over how to define zones, whether existing chains would be affected, and the impact on jobs and affordable shopping options; it failed 23-69 with six present. The session then moved to House Bill 1009, establishing a blue envelope program for people with intellectual disabilities during police interactions; the sponsor explained it would be optional and included in law-enforcement training, and supporters said it could reduce confusion and improve safety. The transcript cuts off before the bill’s final action.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:56.240> is<00:08:56.399> an surrounded by legislators is an surrounded by legislators
• <00:16:04.880> is caution before this legislation is caution before this legislation is passed
• <00:30:46.039> contradicts taxpayers this legislation contradicts taxpayers this legislation
• <00:34:50.800> and deciding to carry this legislation and deciding to carry this legislation
• forward and I appreciate the legislator forward and I appreciate the legislator work<01:29:34.560

Bills: HF10, HF27

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, permit to carry, concealed carry, handgun permit, firearm permit, pistol training, sheriff, application process, electronic filing, mail application, fax submission, certified mail, certified delivery, gun rights, Second Amendment, firearms regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is straightforward.
• This legislation is straightforward. This legislation is straightforward.
• Do we legislate for specific groups or do we legislate for the masses?
• legislation? legislation?
• we legislate for the groups or do we legislate for the masses?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first moved through administrative regulations without comment. The committee then heard Senate Bill 56, sponsored by Senator Gerald Neal, which would require Medicaid and its managed care entities to treat non-opioid pain medications on equal footing with opioid analgesics by prohibiting more restrictive coverage controls, prior authorization, or step therapy for non-opioids. Neal argued the bill would improve access to safer pain treatment options and reduce the risk of opioid use disorder, and Billy O'Brien of Young People in Recovery testified in support, describing personal experiences where non-opioid options were difficult to obtain despite a desire to avoid opioids. After discussion, the bill received a motion and second and passed the committee on a 10-0 vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 72, sponsored by Senator Don Douglas and presented with Greg Chaffin of Alliance Defending Freedom. Douglas described the bill as a provider recruitment and retention measure intended to protect health care workers from being compelled to act against their conscience and to address workforce shortages and pressure in health care settings. He said the bill would protect individual beliefs while maintaining professionalism. A large number of witnesses then testified, and the chair limited public comments to two minutes each because of the number of speakers and the controversy surrounding the bill. Most public testimony opposed SB 72. Speakers including representatives of the Kentucky Council of Churches, a psychologist, an ordained minister and nurse, a nurse practitioner, and an ACLU policy strategist argued the bill was overly broad, could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health care workers, and could delay or deny treatment, especially for vulnerable patients and in rural or emergency settings. Several cited concerns about discrimination, patient safety, and the lack of adequate protections for patients. One witness recounted the death of an 18-year-old pregnant patient as an example of the harm that can result from delayed care. The transcript ends during additional testimony on SB 72, before any committee vote or final action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• to pending litigation, that privileged to pending litigation, that some<00:04:21.120> of<00:04
• I'm Lillian Pittman, a legislative policy analyst with the League of Municipalities, and I'm speaking
• Um I'm Lillian<00:06:19.400> Pittman,<00:06:19.600> a<00:06:19.800> legislative<
• 00:06:20.280> policy Lillian Pittman, a legislative policy Lillian Pittman, a legislative policy
• language available at the legislative language available at the legislative level.<00:08:29.640>

Bills: SB32, HB404, SB105, SB32, HB404, SB105

Keywords: machinegun, enhanced sentencing, homicide, manslaughter, assault, public safety, HB404, Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, cosmetology, barbering, makeup artist, makeup application, lash artist, brow artist, lash/brow permit, esthetician, salon licensing, studio licensing, mobile salon, mobile studio

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take a little break and do a privilege quickly before we get to the amendment.
• Chairman's privilege of the floor. Please proceed. >> Yes, on the bill. Uh thank you, Mr.
• <00:33:52.240> quickly little break and do a privilege quickly little break and do a privilege
• Chairman's privilege of >> Thank you Mr. Chairman's privilege of the<00:34:00.080> floor.
• by the Wyoming Women's Legislative by the Wyoming Women's Legislative Caucus.<01:45:36.880> Uh

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For that reason, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
• For that reason, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
• THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRES T.V.A.'
• I urge my Senate colleagues to reject this harmful legislation. I yield back.
• I spent 18 years as a state legislator and now here in Congress.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:43:01.960> Services that um legislative Services that um legislative Services could<00
• uniqueness of how the legislator uniqueness of how the legislator established<01:10:54.560> the
• He said that there are certain kinds of things that are a privilege to do versus not a privilege to do
• He said that there are certain kinds of things that are a privilege to do versus not a privilege to do
• that's that would be a bad legislation that's that would be a bad legislation bad<03:39:19.680><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on HB 650, a housekeeping-style bill from the Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds. Testimony explained that the bill would remove references to two already-repealed dedicated funds, split the state parks dedicated fund so Cannon Mountain winter activities would be tracked separately from the rest of the parks system, and place a $1 million cap on the robotics education fund so excess money would revert to the general fund. Supporters said the changes were mainly administrative but would improve accounting and avoid timing issues; committee members asked about a typographical error in the bill text and whether the measure was more than housekeeping. The committee later voted 16-0 to recommend HB 650 ought to pass, and then placed it on the consent calendar. The committee also opened a public hearing on HB 585, which would revise the property tax exemption for religious organizations. Representative John Janigian, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to help small churches and other religious groups that own parsonages or worship buildings but no longer have a resident pastor, allowing them to rent space or use property for church purposes without losing the exemption so long as the money is used for church operations, maintenance, or outreach. He described his Salem church’s parsonage being taxed after it was no longer occupied by a pastor, and said the bill would prevent similar burdens on small congregations. Former Representative Betty Gay testified in support, describing prior assessor actions in Salem that taxed church land and buildings very aggressively, while a Municipal Association representative testified in opposition. Committee members raised questions about how terms such as “regularly recognized and constituted denomination” would be defined, whether the bill could be applied consistently to larger denominations with multiple parishes, and whether legislative research should review past treatment of similar cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• Margie, today it is my honor and privilege...
• Well, as you're well aware, the legislative...
• As committees meet and they're doing their legislation and rolling out, there'll be a lot more legislation
• Well, you know how the legislative process works.
• legislation of the day.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the privilege of representing the members of the Kentucky Historical Society.
• I have the privilege of representing the members of the Kentucky Historical Society.
• I have the privilege of representing the members of the Kentucky Historical Society.
• <00:26:24.760> moments celebrations on your legislative moments celebrations on your legislative
• Thank you for bringing such tough legislation, Phillip. All right, do we have a motion to adjourn?

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

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