Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Print 1052, Senator May, an act to direct the Department of Economic Development to move the Central
• President, there was an understanding that The Central New York Welcome Center would be placed in the
• On the bill. >> Senator Walczyk on the bill. >> This bill would move Central New York Welcome Center
• I know it well because I grew up in the Central New York region. I also represent the North...
• I KNOW IT WELL BECAUSE I GREW UP IN THE CENTRAL NEW YORK REGION.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on March 13, 2026, approved the prior day’s journal, received a message discharging Assembly Bill 2330 from committee and substituting identical Senate Bill 5843, and welcomed visiting delegations from Connecticut. The chamber also adopted privileged resolution J.1753, honoring Saint Patrick and Irish Americans and memorializing the Governor to proclaim March 2026 as Irish American Heritage Month. Senators Kavanagh and Fahy spoke in support, emphasizing Irish heritage, immigration, public service, and the St. Patrick’s Day tradition; the resolution was adopted and opened for co-sponsorship. The Senate then acted on a series of bills on the calendar. Measures passed included bills by Senators Hinchey, Comrie, Skoufis, Stavisky, Sanders, Kavanagh, Gianaris, Cleare, and others, with several receiving unanimous support and a few drawing recorded negative votes. Senator Fernandez’s education bill related to placing opioid antagonists with AEDs and first aid kits in schools passed 60-1 after supportive remarks from Senators Oberacker and Fernandez. A bill authorizing a study on lithium-ion battery fires also passed unanimously, with Senators Borrello and Weik explaining affirmative votes while urging caution about electric bus mandates. The most debated item was Calendar 446, Senator May’s bill directing the Department of Economic Development to move the Central New York Welcome Center from Destiny USA to the Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn. Senator Walczyk questioned the move’s cost, location, visitor traffic, and local support, arguing Destiny USA was the better site; Senator May responded that the state had built the Auburn facility and should provide sustainable operating support. The bill passed 47-15. The Senate then completed the controversial calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under this bill, the South Central Foundation Land Transfer Act, titled to the land where the South Central
• Under this bill, the South Central Foundation Land Transfer Act, titled to the land where the South Central
• Under this bill, the South Central Foundation Land Transfer Act, titled to the land where the South Central
• Under this bill, the South Central Foundation Land Transfer Act, titled to the land where the South Central
• South Central proud to sponsor it.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, December 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said East Central Energy serves 68,000 homes and businesses in east central Minnesota, probably a
• Uh Justin John's East Central Energy. Uh Justin John's East Central Energy.
• > is<00:57:04.000> developing fact, East Central Energy is developing fact, East Central
• E Central that cost recovery fee is.
• Central Energy. They do a very good job. Central Energy. They do a very good job.

Bills: HF3830, HF3688

Keywords: utilities, rate cases, cost recovery, reporting requirements, gas infrastructure, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, central Hagen booze here. on his substitute.
• So the chair left that as a matter of pending business in a bill 27 42 Central Hagen Booth bill about
• under Bill 2225, 2225 Senator Hancock's bill on creation of a spirit cooler certificate. 2225 and Central
• And he is a previously laid out his committee substitute explained it to us central hall Moves that
• The committee sub deletes the language. from the central accumulator from section 127.333b clarifying

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator from Chittenden Central. >> Thank you, Mr. President.
• My colleague uh from Chittman Central<00:17:56.240> will<00:17:56.480> be<00:17:56.960>
• Senator from Chittenden Central. >> Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator<00:19:57.520> from<00:19:57.679> Chitten<00:19:58.240> Central.
• Senator from Chitten Central. Senator from Chitten Central.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

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:

• These workers have already helped come. 19 miles of construction in the Central Valley.
• It is already shaping infrastructure in the Central Valley.
• We have opened the dialogue on that with local jurisdictions in the Central Valley.
• If Central Valley was decided because there were environmental challenges there...
• So getting outside of the Central Valley...

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan, with testimony from the authority, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General. Chair Cortese framed the hearing around the project’s recent changes: a new CEO, revised delivery strategy, loss of federal funds, renewed interest in private financing and value capture, and proposed adjustments to the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment. He also raised concerns about statutory compliance, transparency, and whether the draft plan fully reflects required elements and true costs and timelines. Authority CEO Ian Chaudhry said the project has made substantial construction progress in the Central Valley and is moving toward track installation, with the state’s $1 billion annual cap-and-invest funding providing a stable base. He argued the plan uses design optimization, direct procurement of materials, and revised sequencing to reduce costs and support an early operating segment by about 2032-33. He also promoted broader commercialization of the corridor through real estate, energy, broadband, logistics, and public-private partnerships, saying private sector interest is now real. Several senators pressed him on station locations, tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, permitting delays, transparency, and whether the project can realistically reach Los Angeles and San Francisco on the current timeline and budget. The LAO and Inspector General were more skeptical. LAO analyst Helen Kirstine said the draft plan assumes major scope changes, including a shorter segment, a Merced station outside downtown, more single-tracking, and several statutory changes that have not yet been enacted. She warned that the plan may not comply with recent legislative requirements, that funding may still be insufficient even for the reduced segment, and that borrowing against future cap-and-invest revenues is risky because those revenues are uncertain and volatile. Inspector General Ben Belknap said the draft plan fails to comply with newer statutory requirements, especially regarding the Merced-to-Bakersfield scope, the funding plan, and missing procurement milestone dates. He said the presentation obscures cost increases and schedule delays and limits the Legislature’s ability to compare current estimates with prior reports. Committee members generally supported continued oversight and some form of project delivery reform, but several expressed concern that the plan relies on legislative changes that have not been approved and on private financing that may not materialize. Chaudhry said the authority would address the Inspector General’s findings in the final business plan and continue to pursue federal grants, private capital, and corridor commercialization. No vote was taken at the hearing.

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:

• 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:

• 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:

• <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