Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator from Chen Central. >> Senator from Chen Central.
• President. >> Senator from Chittenden Central. Thank you, Mr.
• >> Senator from Chittenden Central. >> Senator from Chittenden Central.
• Senator from Chin Central. That's<00:36:15.040> it.
• Senator from Chittenden Central. >> I do aim to please. Um, with that said, Mr.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The senator from Chittenden Central has moved that the Senate suspend its rules in order to take H211
• Senator from Chittenden Central has moved that the Senate suspend its rules moved that the Senate suspend
• Senator from Chittenden Central has moved that the Senate suspend its rules in order to take up H. 957
• [clears throat] Senator from Chittenden Central has moved that the Senate suspend its rules in order
• [laughter] The Senator from Chittenden Central has moved that... Do we need a vote on that?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . $15 million for a Center for Technical Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development at Central New Mexico
• I don't think it's in any one part from the northwest, northeast, southeast, southwest, and central.
• Chair, that storage is a central component of how we move through an energy transition.
• Central Avenue right there is the second most dangerous road in America for pedestrians.
• Pull that down to Central. Grass and trees right in the middle, pull that down to Central.

Bills: HB248, HB309, HB332, SB48

Keywords: general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, we can look to other central banks as well across the world.
• Ultimately, we can look to other central Ultimately, we can look to other central banks<01:07:29.920
• Now to discuss the concept of a central Now to discuss the concept of a central bank<01:08:25.319
• gave, Canada does not have a Central gave, Canada does not have a Central Bank<01:09:34.319>
• Central Bank digital currency. Central Bank digital currency.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:38 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 00:01:34 Proposed Legislation for the 2026 Session 00:10:14 Basic and Added Reparation (PIP) Benefits 00:10:41 Prior Authorization 00:46:15 Measures to Strengthen Kentucky’s Economic Infrastructure 00:59:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee met in a special-called session of the Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance and first took up three Department of Insurance regulations tied to House Bill 256, the Strengthen Kentucky Homes program: 806 KAR 22:00, 22:10, and 22:20. Commissioner Sharon Clark said the program would provide $5 million in grants to help homeowners strengthen roofs, with regulations covering eligibility and operations, contractors and evaluators, and reinspections in cases of suspected fraud. A committee substitute to 806 KAR 22:10 was explained as a technical correction to conform to the statutory preference for in-state contractors and evaluators. Representative Hampton moved and Representative Rudy seconded approval of the substitute, and it was adopted by voice vote; the amended regulations were then reviewed. Clark also said the grant money would be distributed statewide rather than targeted to storm-prone areas. The committee then heard an update from Commissioner Clark on mental health parity in response to questions from Representative Pollock. Clark said the department reviews insurer filings and conducts market conduct examinations, but does not have authority over provider reimbursement rates or to require providers to join insurer networks. She said complaints are investigated and, when needed, teams review claims and data on site to check compliance with parity requirements. No action was taken on that discussion. After approving the November 4 meeting minutes, the committee heard testimony on a proposed PIP reform package from Representative Josh Bray, the Kentucky Hospital Association, the Kentucky Justice Association, and State Farm. Supporters said the bill would apply the workers’ compensation fee schedule to most PIP medical claims, keep the $10,000 PIP limit in place while stretching benefits further, reduce balance billing, modernize benefit amounts, and address fraud and delayed billing. They noted hospitals would be exempt from the fee schedule, while hospital-based physical therapy would be included, and said the compromise reflected negotiations among stakeholders. Some members questioned whether exempting hospitals undercut the bill’s purpose and asked about possible rate effects; proponents said they had not done a rate analysis and that the bill could lead to more treatments within the existing PIP limit. No vote was taken on the PIP proposal during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• CENTCOM, United States Central Command, of which he was the commander. U.S.
• United States Central Command...
• The United States Central Command is a geographic designation that refers to the central part of the
• Central Command in March 2019.
• Florida is the key central agency that really helps not just people in the Central Florida area, but

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information. Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Examine whether local candidate campaign finance reports should be filed centrally with the Campaign
• place for the public to look to central place for the public to look to find<00:43:47.040> this
• And so, um, having this be handled centrally, um, by the CFB perhaps, um, would allow some additional
• So is it reported to the local city clerks locally in each town, county, or is it reported centrally
• If everything is filed centrally with the CFB, it would be sort of a one-stop shop to see both my state

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this aims to create a centralized digital platform where students can find internships and stuff
• There should be a solution to that and we see that there are programs out there but nothing is centralized
• And this is a this aims to create<00:04:15.360> a<00:04:15.599> centralized<00:04:16.320
• > digital<00:04:16.799> platform create a centralized digital platform create a centralized
• there but nothing is centralized. there but nothing is centralized. students<00:04:55.440> don't

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• office. 255 new employees at central office. 255 new employees at central office. office. office
• And again, the 255 new central that.
• But 255 new central office anybody.
• There've been 255 new central office employees.
• >> Well, we did we did reduce central >> Well, we did we did reduce central office<01

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:28 Approval of Minutes 0:00:40 Information Items 0:01:13 Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:26:46 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:30:53 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:39:20 Rpt from OFM – KIA 0:52:42 Econ Development – EDF Grants 0:55:15 OFM Debt Issues 0:58:43 Informational Discussion 1:44:36 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of minutes, and informational items on school district financing and KCTCS equipment purchases. It then considered two KCTCS capital projects after initially rolling them together and later unrolling them: a Fire Commission Fire Academy maintenance building project that had grown from an original $2 million authorization to $4.7 million because of design changes, soil issues, and higher mechanical costs, and a $1.5 million renovation of the Blake Lee building at Somerset Community College for a health science simulation lab. Members questioned the large cost increase on the fire academy project and the adequacy of front-end due diligence, while KCTCS said the project was bid and ready to proceed and that a 15% contingency had been included. Both projects were approved by roll call vote, with the Blake Lee project ultimately approved after the committee unrolled the items and took them separately. The committee next heard and approved a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for the Hamburg East Medical Office Building, a five-story, 220,000-square-foot facility with a not-to-exceed budget of $275 million. UK said the project is intended to expand outpatient access, consolidate some services, and support projected growth in patient volume; the building will house multiple specialties, urgent care, therapy, imaging, and a retail pharmacy. Members asked about possible community uses, consolidation of services, and whether the project would free up other space, and UK said it hopes to consolidate some services and free campus space. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved three UK lease renegotiations: a specialty pharmacy and infusion services lease at Wellington Way in Lexington, a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences lease at Conte Terrace, and a College of Social Work lease at McGrath Park Way. Members asked about rising lease rates, occupancy, and whether space needs should be reduced; UK and the lessor’s representative said the pharmacy space remains busy, the ophthalmology lease was lower than before, and the social work lease had been negotiated down from a higher request. The committee also approved a Department of Military Affairs project amendment for a Mutual Field Maintenance Shop Restoration project, increasing federal funding by $1 million to $4.5 million because of higher construction costs, and approved a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation project funded by bond and HBCU Title III funds. Finally, it approved a new lease for the Office of Mines and Minerals in Pike County, a new lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Pulaski County, and a lease renewal for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Kenton County after questions about rent increases and office utilization; the cabinet said the Kenton County space still has limited vacancy and remains in use by field staff. The meeting ended as the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority began presenting six sewer and water loans and six cleaner water program grant reallocations, with members agreeing to roll those items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator from Chittenden Central. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator from Chittenden Central. Senator from Chittenden Central.
• Senator from Chittenden Central. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator from Chittenden<01:52:28.160> Central.
• Chittenden Central. Thank you, Mr. Chittenden Central. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• treated differently from the centralized treated differently from the centralized uh<01:23:50.639
• Central bank digital currency.
• oh, we're behind the European Central oh, we're behind the European Central Bank<03:08:46.240>
• The central bank.
• would centralize unprecedented power in would centralize unprecedented power in the<03:30:00.640

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously, the University of Central Florida go Knights.
• United States Central Command is geographic designation of the first of the central part of the globe
• And the University Central Florida is the key to a central agency that really helps not just people in
• the central Florida area, but throughout the state.
• Central Florida has a coordinating center.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:47.320> plants<00:04:47.800> and approve is our central plants and approve is
• This project for our central plants and utilities infrastructure is part of the Chandler expansion and
• It will construct a new central utility plant to provide chilled steamed water.
• This project for our central plants and utilities infrastructure is part of the Chandler and that is
• It will construct a new central utility plant to provide chilled steam water.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of the April 27 minutes, and a report of informational items. Those informational items included University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s planned use of restricted funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt notices, UK’s use of construction management at risk for five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital project reporting, and UK lease improvements. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request for approval of a $600 million central plants and utility infrastructure P3 tied to the Chandler expansion and other campus facilities. UK said the project would modernize and expand utility capacity, improve redundancy and efficiency, and support 24/7 hospital operations. UK explained that the financing would combine private equity and nonprofit debt, with no UK or Commonwealth debt or upfront payment, and that future availability payments would come from UK Healthcare funds. Members asked about the financing stack, the source of the restricted funds, and whether existing units would be replaced or modernized. The committee then approved the P3 agreement by roll call vote. The committee also considered and approved a lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine facility near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease would cost $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports its long-running partnership with Bowling Green Hospital and planned medical student growth in the region. Members spoke favorably about the local impact of the program, and the lease renewal passed by roll call vote. Finally, the Finance and Administrative Cabinet reported three items requiring no action, including a $2.103 million Transportation Cabinet Department of Aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport. Cabinet staff said the project would be funded by federal aviation money and restricted aviation funds, and later explained that the restricted funds come from a jet fuel tax deposited into the Aviation Economic Development Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I think some of the benefits of doing this would be having one central location for good-cause
• favoritism or nepotism could find, you know, why that good-cause exception was allowed um in one central
• /c><00:17:02.160> be<00:17:02.560> having<00:17:02.880> one<00:17:03.120> central
• this would be having one central this would be having one central location<00:17:03.920> for<
• was allowed um in one central location. was allowed um in one central location.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 5 and SB 1545. SB 5 drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General, which said the bill conflicted with two sections of the state constitution. A member of the public also opposed SB 5, arguing that representatives should be elected by the people and urging the committee not to pass the measure. After discussion, the committee deferred SB 5, citing the deputy attorney general’s view that it was unconstitutional. The committee then heard SB 1545, which concerns nepotism rules and good-cause exceptions. The State Ethics Commission testified in support, saying the bill would create a clearer, more transparent central process for good-cause exceptions and noting that several exceptions had already been publicly filed. A public testifier also supported the bill but questioned why the judiciary appeared to be excluded from its coverage. After a brief recess, the committee decided to amend SB 1545 by striking the exemption for the legislature and judiciary and changing the effective date to the House defective date. The committee then voted to pass SB 1545 with amendments. The chair, vice chair, and Representatives Ichiyama and Morikawa voted aye; Representative Matsumoto was excused, and the recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator from Chittenden Central. Senator from Chittenden Central.
• May I inquire from Chittenden Central?
• <01:28:05.480> has The Senator from Chittenden Central has The Senator from Chittenden Central
• Senator from Chittenden Central.
• Senator from Chittenden Central.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who are central service technicians?
• Who are central service technicians?
• Central service they so important?
• <01:32:47.360> service uh we support the central service uh we support the central service
• committee again and to all the central committee again and to all the central service<01:35:48.800

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• reappointed by the governor and Dr and the governor DeSantis to continue serving at the University of Central
• What would you like to see happen with University of Central Florida?
• are as a trustee for the University of Central Florida. trustee for the University of Central Florida
• in this country by so doing UCF will continue to drop companies with good jobs to central Florida.
• Review 3 trustees live in the central time zone on the uwf board.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Guillermo Smith, State Senate District 17, representing Orange County, downtown Orlando, University of Central
• You can see, for example, in the very middle, the long area going down the entire central Florida is
• We also included some additional protections prohibiting new septic tanks in BMAP areas where central
• If central sewer is not available, instead of using traditional septic tanks, new septic systems are
• and the locations of all the different projects. prohibiting new septic tanks in B-MAP areas where central

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present, heard opening remarks from Chair Rodriguez and member introductions, and discussed broad priorities including water quality, climate change, budget oversight, and accountability for environmental investments. Members emphasized concerns about nutrient pollution, springs, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and the need for better data and measurable results. The committee then received a presentation from DEP Deputy Secretary Adam Blaylock on the state’s water quality restoration framework. He explained how water quality standards, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), and reasonable assurance plans work together to address impaired waters, and noted that BMAPs are updated every five years with annual reviews in between. He also described recent statutory changes requiring five-year milestones, restrictions on new septic systems in certain areas, and public-facing data tools to track projects and water quality trends. Members questioned whether BMAPs are producing enough improvement and whether the five-year update cycle is too slow. Blaylock said results can take years because of project lag and environmental variability, but that the department can adjust plans if data show they are not working. He also highlighted $2.9 billion in statewide water quality funding since 2019, nearly 1,100 funded projects, and a $1.1 billion water quality improvement grant program that now covers impaired waters beyond BMAP areas. The committee discussed agricultural projects, DEP and FDACS funding roles, and a new dashboard and centralized monitoring platform under development. No formal votes or other actions were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment moved by the vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• District 5, Central Florida, just north of my old stomping grounds, is a whirlwind of activity.
• Because in Central Florida, you not only have three major tourist hubs with the three major amusement
• District 5, Central Florida, just north of my old stomping growing.
• District 5, Central Florida, just north of my old stomping grounds, is a whirlwind of activity.
• We've recently opened the Central Polk Parkway project from US 17 to State Road 60.

Summary: The committee heard two informational presentations: one from the Department of Commerce and one from the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy and tools, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, defense, life sciences, and international trade. He described programs such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative, the Rural Community Investment Program, the Florida Opportunity Fund, the Rural Infrastructure Fund, the Job Growth Grant Fund, performance-based tax credits, and disaster recovery loans, and cited examples including ServiceNow, Williams International, NeoCity, and Point Blank Enterprises. Members asked about small-business grants, foreign investment interest, workforce needs, and whether additional tools are needed; Mahon said most Commerce programs are loan-focused and noted ongoing workforce and site-readiness challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, highlighting congestion relief, express lanes, bridge and interchange work, and accelerated delivery methods. She cited projects such as Golden Glades, I-95 improvements, the NASA Causeway Bridge, the DuPont Bridge, I-4 corridor work, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, A1A seawall work, and Turnpike projects, along with examples of cost savings and schedule acceleration. Senators asked about how express lane locations are chosen, toll revenue use in South Florida, the status and cost of the I-395 downtown Miami project, and whether EV and rideshare access to express lanes should be preserved. FDOT said it would follow up on several of those questions, and the committee adjourned without taking any legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you refresh my memory for a non-germane ruling to >> Senator from Chittenden Central. >> Thank
• President. >> Senator from Chittenden Central. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. President.
• , Senator Gulick for the report Central, Senator Gulick for the report of<00:31:03.120> the<00
• Senator from Chittenden Central. "Thank you, Mr. President.
• Seeing none, the senator from Chittenden Central is moved that the Senate stand in adjournment until

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need one in that north-central section.
• So this is the Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office.
• Florida and South Florida to Central Florida.
• It's a prime location in the heart of Central Florida.
• This is now going to allow us to load right there in Central Florida.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.