Transcript Highlights:

• johnon Johnson<00:11:10.639> Bean<00:11:11.040> of<00:11:11.360> Florida<00:11:
• > grocery<02:11:18.840> costs<02:11:19.800> are<02:11:20.040> too<02:11:20.360
• > high<02:11:27.000> utility<02:11:27.719> costs<02:11:28.520> are<02:11:28.760
• <02:11:53.000> build<02:11:53.400> an<02:11:53.679> affordable<02:11:54.520>
• <04:11:02.520> for<04:11:02.680> our<04:11:02.880> seniors<04:11:03.880> but<

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:03.040> Um<01:11:03.520> and<01:11:03.840> director<01:11:04.400>
• <01:11:06.239> So<01:11:06.719> um<01:11:07.440> the<01:11:07.840> the
• <01:11:14.320> Um<01:11:14.719> your<01:11:14.960> perspective<01:11:15.360>
• 01:11:16.800> tourism<01:11:17.280> and<01:11:17.440> kind<01:11:17.600> of
• 11:34.800> some<01:11:35.040> data<01:11:35.280> on<01:11:35.440> that.

Bills: HF3004, HF3663

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, internships, mentoring, job opportunities, digital platform, online portal, career pathways, youth workforce, employment and economic development, DEED, general fund appropriation, nonprofit grant, social media outreach, digital outreach, workforce opportunities, teen jobs, young adults, career exploration, Minnesota youth

Transcript Highlights:

• > touches<00:11:39.160> a<00:11:39.279> lot<00:11:39.399> of<00:11:39.519>
• Insurance<00:11:42.920> uh<00:11:43.279> it's<00:11:43.639> it's<00:11:43.839
• ><00:11:46.560> the<00:11:46.639> state<00:11:46.800> of<00:11:46.920> Minnesota
• c> I<00:11:47.560> want<00:11:47.639> to<00:11:47.720> be<00:11:47.800> able
• > and<00:11:52.800> we'll<00:11:52.959> move<00:11:53.120> to<00:11:53.279

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota House Commerce Committee held its inaugural meeting with Chair Tim O’Driscoll and co-chair Representative Greg Davids opening the session and inviting members to introduce themselves. Members briefly described their districts, business backgrounds, and priorities, with recurring themes including small business competitiveness, insurance and health care access, property and real estate issues, agriculture, and making Minnesota easier to do business in. Committee staff also introduced themselves and reminded members and testifiers about sign-in procedures and microphone use. The committee then heard an overview from Eric Toell, interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management, on the agency’s work and budget priorities. He said the office now oversees adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis, and hemp-derived cannabinoid products, has grown from about nine employees to 90 full-time staff plus temporary workers, and has been working with a Cannabis Advisory Council on testing, warning labels, and implementation issues. He also described outreach efforts, including webinars, newsletters, guidebooks for local governments, and office hours for applicants, along with enforcement of hemp-derived product rules through more than 3,000 inspections and an increase in compliance rates from about 35% to 75%. Toell also reported that the medical cannabis program has surpassed 51,000 patients and nearly 2,500 registered health care providers, and that a chronic pain report found more than a third of patients reported decreased pain. On the adult-use side, he said the office has posted proposed rules for public comment, plans to adopt them after review, and will open a licensing window from February 18 to March 14. He explained that the office is also managing community reinvestment grants and a technical assistance grant, with an emphasis on safeguards to ensure funds reach intended recipients. No votes were taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• > I<00:11:22.560> I<00:11:22.639> don't<00:11:22.720> know<00:11:22.839><
• :23.279> I<00:11:23.320> don't<00:11:23.440> know<00:11:23.519> how<00:11
• :11:25.000> in<00:11:25.079> terms<00:11:25.320> of<00:11:25.480> the<00:
• <00:11:28.560> I<00:11:28.639> thought<00:11:28.800> you<00:11:28.920> were
• <00:11:30.519> the<00:11:30.880> uh<00:11:31.160> Medicaid<00:11:31.639>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a work session on revenue estimates and reviewed updated spreadsheet pages for several tax categories, using prior agreements and new testimony to refine FY 2025-2027 estimates. Early discussion covered insurance tax estimates, where members reviewed a letter from the insurance commissioner saying he was comfortable with the numbers provided; the committee accepted those estimates without opposition. Members also discussed utility property tax, with testimony about recent infrastructure buildout, tariffs, depreciation, and the difficulty of forecasting future growth. After debate over whether to use the average of high and low estimates or lean lower, the committee unanimously adopted the utility property tax numbers. The committee then turned to real estate transfer tax and communications tax. For real estate transfer tax, members cited county input, housing market conditions, interest rates, lumber costs, and uncertainty about future policy; they agreed to use the averages and adopted those estimates unanimously. For communications tax, members noted the decline in landline-based revenue and the shift to data services. After discussion of whether to use the low estimate or the average, the committee settled on the average with a small rounding-down adjustment when the figure ended in .5, and adopted the numbers unanimously. The chair also clarified that these estimates remain subject to change until the final resolution is adopted. The committee next accepted interest and dividends estimates as presented, with members noting the decline in that revenue source and the lack of additional information beyond the department’s analysis. Finally, the committee began discussing tobacco tax revenue, with members noting long-term declines in smoking, offsetting effects from out-of-state sales, and a suggestion to take a slightly conservative approach by reducing the average by 0.5. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, so no final vote on tobacco is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• every<00:11:12.040> student<00:11:13.040> has<00:11:13.480> has<00:11:13.760
• same degree<00:11:15.040> of<00:11:15.600> um<00:11:16.160> of<00:11:16.560>
• of<00:11:16.839> of<00:11:17.000> cost<00:11:17.600> maybe<00:11:17.880>
• <00:11:30.200> equity<00:11:30.959> and<00:11:31.160> then<00:11:31.519>
• then um uh bill<00:11:32.360> that<00:11:32.480> we'll<00:11:32.680> talk<00:11

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 651, a school-funding bill that would raise the base cost of an adequate education and increase differentiated aid for students in poverty, English language learners, and special education. The chair opened with housekeeping notices about parking and eating in committee spaces, and noted a revised fiscal note would be distributed. Representative David Luneau presented the bill as part of a broader package of public school funding measures, explaining that HB 651 builds on HB 550 and is intended to respond to court rulings and the ongoing school-funding litigation by adjusting both the base adequacy amount and equity-based funding factors. Luneau said the bill would raise the state’s adequacy grant from about $4,100 to $7,351 per student and increase differentiated aid, while also updating statutory language so future recalculations include the court-identified resource elements. He argued the measure is about fairness and shifting more of the burden from local property taxpayers to the state, not about increasing overall education spending. He reviewed fiscal-note figures indicating the bill would add roughly $576 million to the state share of school funding, bringing the total state share to about $1.65 billion, and said the note also mentions possible effects on charter schools and vouchers. Committee members asked about the evidence supporting higher costs for low-income and English learner students, how long ESL funding should continue, why free-and-reduced-lunch aid remains higher than special education aid, whether the formula is based on enrollment or average daily membership, and whether the bill is truly equitable across districts of different sizes and needs. Luneau and later witness Zach Shen of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project said the bill is supported by research and court findings, that the current formula relies heavily on local property taxes, and that shifting more funding to the state would reduce property-tax pressure and help address disparities among districts. Shen also cited broad public support for the related HB 550 testimony and said HB 651 is intended as a step toward a more equitable funding system. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:10.400> McGuire<01:11:10.800> we'll<01:11:10.960> let<01:11:11.080> you
• > okay<01:11:17.520> I'm<01:11:17.679> kind<01:11:17.800> of<01:11:17.920
• ><01:11:20.640> vny<01:11:21.640> did<01:11:21.840> I<01:11:21.960> say<01
• <01:11:42.920> you<01:11:43.120> this<01:11:43.360> morning<01:11:44.360> my<
• my name is<01:11:44.840> Brian<01:11:45.239> vahy<01:11:45.840> and<01:11:46.000

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:16.120> So,<00:11:16.480> the<00:11:16.640> last<00:11:17.000> 2
• Um and<00:11:22.200> off<00:11:22.360> the<00:11:22.480> top<00:11:22.720> of
• <00:11:22.839> my<00:11:23.000> head<00:11:23.240> I<00:11:23.320> can't<
• Um so,<00:11:32.960> the<00:11:32.997> [clears throat]<00:11:33.080> yeah,<00:11
• <00:11:38.000> Um<00:11:38.160> we<00:11:38.280> tend<00:11:38.520> to

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:05.040> Thank<00:11:05.200> you<00:11:05.279> very<00:11:05.519> much
• >> Yeah,<00:11:10.640> take<00:11:10.880> quick<00:11:11.760> uh<00:11
• Uh the<01:11:43.520> Supreme<01:11:43.760> Court<01:11:44.080> has<01:11:44.239>
• Many courts have<01:11:54.880> cited<01:11:55.199> Davis<01:11:55.520> to<01:11:
• executive director<02:11:25.199> to<02:11:25.360> the<02:11:25.520> board<02:11

Bills: SB2003

Keywords: Mauna Kea, land management, University of Hawaii, astronomical observatories, leasable lands, natural resource management, stewardship authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Education heard testimony and discussed SB 20003, which would require the auditor’s report under Act 255 to include a recommendation on whether the Monarch Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue managing Monaca lands. Testimony focused on the bill’s reversion language, the role of the auditor, and whether the measure gave the auditor too much discretion without clear criteria. The Office of the Auditor’s position, read into the record, was that it had strong reservations because the bill did not provide standards for assessing fitness and asked that the requirement be held or amended. Other testimony suggested a work group with relevant agencies and Hawaiian practitioners to manage the transition and reduce conflict. Committee members debated whether the bill should simply restore the original reversion language or also require an audit-based fitness determination. Several members questioned the need for a 2031 audit when Act 255 already provides for a performance and financial audit in 2031 and noted that the bill could shift authority away from the legislature. In response, the committee chair explained that the measure was intended to restore language removed during conference and to address the transition back to the University of Hawaii if the authority was not meeting the act’s purpose. The committees ultimately recommended SB 20003 be passed with amendments. The amendments would strike the auditor/audit section, add language addressing timelines by providing a 10-year lease extension and sublease extension, and make technical changes including a defective date. The committees voted to adopt the amended measure and send it forward as an SD1. The transcript also included a separate Education Committee hearing on SB 3286, which would require the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan and report to the legislature. University of Hawaii testimony said the system supports the intent but that the bill’s requirements are a heavy lift across 10 campuses and should follow development of a broader academic strategy. Members raised concerns about deferred maintenance, shifting priorities, and the lack of a systemwide plan, while the university said it already has a six-year capital improvement plan but acknowledged it does not fully incorporate the broader academic and housing strategy the bill contemplates.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you get<00:11:06.160> into<00:11:06.560> the<00:11:06.800> risk<00:11:07.120
• You're looking for<00:11:10.160> places<00:11:10.480> to<00:11:10.640> buy<00:11
• :11:15.200> the<00:11:15.440> surplus<00:11:15.839> lines<00:11:16.079> are
• <00:11:19.680> So,<00:11:19.839> I<00:11:20.079> would<00:11:20.240> ask<
• <00:11:22.560> uh<00:11:23.440> as<00:11:23.920> it<00:11:24.079> is<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:01.440> Long<00:11:01.680> story<00:11:02.000> short,<00:11:02.320>
• ><00:11:03.200> the<00:11:03.360> phones<00:11:03.600> blew<00:11:03.839> up<
• up on all<00:11:04.320> the<00:11:04.560> politicians,<00:11:05.120> and<00:11:
• <00:11:06.800> dog<00:11:07.040> was<00:11:07.200> on<00:11:07.360> its
• > 13<00:11:14.399> and<00:11:14.480> a<00:11:14.560> half<00:11:14.800>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:11:02.079> those<00:11:02.680> new<00:11:03.040> contracts<00:11:03.880><
• ><00:11:07.399> of<00:11:07.560> those<00:11:07.760> contracts<00:11:08.240>
• <00:11:13.040> part<00:11:13.360> of<00:11:13.680> the<00:11:14.240> plan
• is a<00:11:23.079> um<00:11:24.079> it's<00:11:24.200> not<00:11:24.360> a
• ><00:11:24.519> formal<00:11:25.200> uh<00:11:25.399> draft<00:11:25.760> of<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. Representative German introduced the bill and explained that it was prompted by recent reporting on leachate management problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations and deficiency letters from DES. He said the bill was intended to address public health concerns, PFAS contamination, and increased leachate volumes tied to more severe rainstorms, while still allowing innovation in treatment and transportation methods. He also described a set of proposed amendments developed after discussions with DES and a landfill operator, including changing “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” applying the bill to landfill expansions, moving contract-related language into the planning section, and removing a proposed new subparagraph. Committee members asked whether the bill would limit operator flexibility or duplicate existing DES rules. Representative German said the bill would not dictate specific treatment methods or lock operators into long-term contracts, but would require a plan showing how leachate will be managed, transported, and disposed of, with later contract changes reported to DES. Several members and the BIA representative questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing Env 806 rules and DES enforcement authority. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill as introduced, arguing that DES already has rules and technical expertise, that the issue is better handled through rulemaking, and that moving requirements into statute could freeze the framework and make future adjustments harder. Supporters countered that a statute would provide a stronger, more durable policy commitment in response to ongoing problems. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration and with the sponsor indicating that a revised amendment would likely be brought forward for later work session or executive session review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I know you<00:11:12.959> had<00:11:13.040> a<00:11:13.200> productive<00:
• 21.600> may<00:11:22.160> just<00:11:22.880> not<00:11:23.040> to<00:11:23.200
• :48.000> or<00:11:48.160> you're<00:11:48.399> just<00:11:48.560> st<00:11
• <00:11:50.480> It's<00:11:50.720> not<00:11:50.880> safe<00:11:51.120> for
• <00:11:58.480> Um<00:11:59.360> one<00:11:59.600> of<00:11:59.680> the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing was on an SP 15 replace-all, non-germane amendment to Senate Bill 15, a proposal to require hard labor for certain serious offenses in the New Hampshire prison system. Representative Jennifer Rhodess, the co-sponsor, said the bill is intended to make incarcerated people productive, help reduce costs, and serve as a deterrent; she also noted a two-year effective date for implementation and said anyone who refuses hard labor would receive a 50% sentence increase. She framed the work as ordinary labor already done by many people in the state and said the committee would later hear related testimony and possible amendments. Committee members questioned how the proposal would work in practice, especially for people already incarcerated, the difference between current prison work and the bill’s “hard labor,” and the impact on prison security and staffing. Rhodess said the bill only applies going forward, not retroactively, and that the Department of Corrections could better address operational details. Members also discussed the terminology, noting that “capital murder” is not a current New Hampshire charge and that the relevant offense is first-degree murder with mandatory life without parole. Department of Corrections officials Jane Graham and Nicholas Duffy testified in a neutral position but raised significant implementation concerns. They said the department would need more resources, vehicles, security equipment, and possibly armed supervision for higher-risk crews, and noted a 47% corrections officer vacancy rate. Duffy described current work programs inside prisons and in the community, including correctional industries, kitchen and education jobs, transitional work crews, and community service projects such as road work and landscaping. He explained that current community crews are limited by custody level, court approval, staffing, and safety, and said C1 and C2 inmates are already in transitional or work-release settings, while C3 and higher inmates would pose greater risks if taken outside the walls. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• > in<00:11:22.880> the<00:11:23.040> sand<00:11:23.279> in<00:11:23.519>
• > This<00:11:30.640> bill<00:11:30.959> expands<00:11:31.360> the<00:11:31.680
• <01:11:07.120> your<01:11:07.440> next<01:11:07.760> bill<01:11:08.080> is
• > To<01:11:51.760> go<01:11:51.920> through<01:11:52.080> the<01:11:52.239
• Chair,<01:11:53.280> sections<01:11:53.760> one,<01:11:54.080> two,<01:11:54.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > Mr<01:11:03.000> chairman<01:11:03.880> um<01:11:04.480> I<01:11:04.640
• :05.840> um<01:11:06.600> um<01:11:06.760> the<01:11:06.920> blank<01:11:
• now um do you have<01:11:17.880> any<01:11:18.239> idea<01:11:18.800> what<01:11
• <01:11:21.719> um<01:11:22.000> Senator<01:11:22.360> Pap<01:11:22.679> Mr
• to see what<01:11:27.120> their<01:11:27.480> penalty<01:11:28.040> range<01:11

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:15.519> Chair,<00:11:15.760> and<00:11:15.920> thank<00:11:16.079>
• Um, in the same<00:11:21.120> vein<00:11:21.440> as<00:11:21.760> the<00:11:22.000
• c> just<00:11:24.480> elucidate<00:11:25.120> a<00:11:25.360> little<00:11:25.440
• :47.519> um,<00:11:47.760> let<00:11:47.920> me<00:11:48.079> see,<00:11:
• <00:11:52.240> Um,<00:11:52.959> it<00:11:54.320> it<00:11:54.560> gives<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> duty<00:11:15.320> soldier<00:11:15.680> from<00:11:15.839> the<00:11:15.959
• > National<00:11:17.079> Guard<00:11:17.360> in<00:11:18.279> uh<00:11:18.480
• :41.360> wife<00:11:41.720> and<00:11:42.120> and<00:11:42.440> uh<00:11:
• :11:49.000> given<00:11:49.360> your<00:11:50.040> your<00:11:50.519> uh
• to<00:11:56.440> uh<00:11:56.680> Afghanistan<00:11:57.399> maybe<00:11:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:04.000> Thank<01:11:04.159> you<01:11:04.320> so<01:11:04.560> much
• :11:24.800> a<01:11:26.239> a<01:11:26.560> great<01:11:26.800> synopsis<
• <01:11:28.159> one<01:11:28.400> of<01:11:28.480> the<01:11:28.640> first
• 11:32.640> were<01:11:32.800> in<01:11:33.040> terms<01:11:33.199> of<01:
• numbers<01:11:33.920> and<01:11:34.640> not<01:11:34.960> only<01:11:35.199>

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. It adopted motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be taken up throughout the day. The chamber received multiple House messages and a gubernatorial confirmation, including House Bill 1 on motor vehicles, Senate Bill 170 on health insurance, and Senate confirmation 90 for Chenica Johnson Anom to the Alabama Cickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission, all of which were referred to the appropriate committees. The Senate later concurred in the House amendment to Senate Bill 170 by a 29-0-1 vote. Committee reports covered a wide range of measures, with favorable reports and, in several cases, amendments or substitutes. Judiciary reported favorably on House Bills 228, 132, 347, 405, 86, 263, and 302, and on Senate Bills 318 and 260; State Government Affairs reported favorably on House Bills 435, 97, and 407 and Senate Bill 361; Education Policy reported favorably on Senate Bills 337 and House Bills 520 and 75; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported favorably on House Bills 303 and 477 and Senate Bills 360, 325, 329, and 330; Transportation and Energy reported favorably on Senate Bills 341, 354, and 340; Veterans and Military Affairs reported favorably on House Bills 465 and 307 and Senate Bills 338 and 359; and Local Legislation reported favorably on Jefferson County Senate Bill 243 and Shelby County House Bill 532. These reports generally advanced the bills to second reading and placement on the next legislative day’s calendar. The Senate also confirmed George Pierce to the Alabama Ethics Commission by a 33-0 vote after a favorable committee report, with several senators offering brief remarks of congratulations. In motions and resolutions, the chamber adopted Senate Joint Resolution 77 honoring the Section boys basketball team and Senate Joint Resolution 78 honoring the North Sand Mountain girls basketball team for state championships. It also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 79 establishing a legislative study commission on child sexual abuse laws and policies. A senator additionally urged colleagues to support broadband expansion efforts in rural Alabama and to ask the education chair to place HB 4 on the agenda. The most substantial floor discussion concerned Senate Bill 146, the state general fund budget substitute. The sponsor explained several budget provisions, including a $12 million transfer and an additional $5 million for the judiciary to address funding for newly created judgeships, a conditional $40 million for the Department of Corrections tied to progress on the Elmore and Escambia prison projects, conditional funding for DHR tied to reducing its federal error rate and developing a SNAP-related plan, conditional mental health funding tied to reporting and data requirements, and language preserving legislative control over certain federal rural health care funds. The Senate adopted the committee substitute for SB 146 by a 32-0-1 vote and then continued with the budget explanation as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:11:38.320> each<00:11:38.480> unit<00:11:38.720> size<00:11:39.080> is
• <00:11:39.200> based<00:11:39.440> on<00:11:39.560> the<00:11:39.600> size
• 00:11:44.320> Dakota,<00:11:45.120> and<00:11:45.200> California<00:11:45.640>
• has a lot<00:11:46.040> more<00:11:46.160> people<00:11:46.440> in<00:11:46.520
• Our<00:11:55.320> budget's<00:11:55.680> now<00:11:55.920> over<00:11:56.120>

Bills: HF1338

Keywords: Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, state oversight, government accountability, fraud, waste, abuse, audit, investigation, subpoena, whistleblower, public integrity, transparency, state agencies, executive branch, public funds, taxpayer funds, law enforcement oversight, public safety programs, advisory council

Transcript Highlights:

• >> They<01:11:01.280> still<01:11:01.520> do<01:11:01.679> it<01:11:01.840
• <01:11:02.400> And<01:11:02.640> I<01:11:02.800> I<01:11:03.199> agree
• <01:11:04.239> It<01:11:04.560> ought<01:11:04.640> to<01:11:04.800> be
• Then you take<01:11:20.880> your<01:11:21.040> receipts<01:11:21.520> back<01:11
• > Sometime<01:11:26.880> it<01:11:27.120> might<01:11:27.360> take<01:11:

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:01.520> that<01:11:01.920> the<01:11:02.159> numbers<01:11:02.480>
• :11:07.679> uh,<01:11:07.760> I<01:11:07.920> mean,<01:11:08.080> you<01:
• <01:11:15.920> that<01:11:16.159> we're<01:11:16.400> there<01:11:16.560>
• :16.880> there<01:11:17.040> to<01:11:17.199> help<01:11:17.360> in<01:11
• <01:11:23.360> So<01:11:23.920> health<01:11:24.159> insurance<01:11:24.640>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met with leaders of the First Frontier Appalachian Trail System for an update on trail development, economic impact, and funding needs. Speakers said the system has expanded from 18 to 21 counties over the past year, with interest from additional counties, about 450 miles of trails currently open, and a goal of surpassing 1,000 miles within two years. They described the project as primarily an economic development effort that is already drawing public and private investment, supporting lodging and campground businesses, and creating new enterprises such as guide services, repairs, and recovery services for ATVs. The presentation highlighted permit sales, which began on a soft-launch basis earlier in the year and are now available both physically and online. Permits cost $25 per year for in-state residents and allow riding on First Frontier trails. Officials also discussed landowner agreements, saying the standard license agreement is modeled on Hatfield-McCoy, is favorable to landowners, and can be ended with 60 days’ notice. They said the agreements, along with patrols and cleanup efforts, help address trespassing and illegal dumping while encouraging property owners to participate. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Captain Jason Sloan reported 638 hours of patrols under the memorandum of agreement since January 1 and said the partnership has focused on safety, enforcement of existing laws, emergency planning, and cleanup support. The group also cited partnerships with the National Forest, Onyx Off-Road, ARC, and Yamaha, and said a Jeep Jamboree in Lee County drew 237 registered participants, mostly from out of state. They said a GNCC race in Knox County is being pursued for spring. The authority requested $3.5 million for the next two-year budget cycle and said it needs additional staffing, including two full-time trail development coordinators and part-time office help, to keep up with growth. Members praised the project’s progress and its potential to boost tourism and regional economic development.