Transcript Highlights:

• And it tells you in section one that it's spread upon—let me see—requesting that is provide indicating
• The segment it's in section two.
• <00:02:24.000> tells<00:02:24.160> you<00:02:24.319> in<00:02:24.560> section
• <00:02:25.040> one And it tells you in section one And it tells you in section one that<00
• the segment it's in section two. Yeah. the segment it's in section two. Yeah.

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 25 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several Mississippi highway designation bills. House Bill 223 would name a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Jones County the Sergeant John Howard Tanner Memorial Highway, effective July 1, 2026. House Bill 342 would designate two segments in Edwa County: Highway 370 as the Roger Campbell Memorial Highway and Highway 363 as the Jacob Edward Kent Memorial Highway, also effective July 1, 2026. House Bill 655 would create the Davis Lake Road Scenic Byway in Chickasaw County, covering about 12.32 miles along County Roads 124, 413, and 134 to Mississippi Highway 41. House Bill 1402 would name about one mile of Highway 49 North in Yazoo County the Colonel Donald Barry Memorial Highway, effective July 1, 2026. Members asked whether the affected senators were in favor of the bills, and the chair responded that the senators were not in the districts involved or had not objected. Senator Barrett said he had no objections to the measures but asked for clarification on the mileage and route descriptions, particularly for House Bills 342 and 655. The chair and staff confirmed the routes and noted that the scenic byway bill covered 12.32 miles. After discussion, a motion was made that the title was sufficient and the bills should do pass. The committee approved the motion, and the measures were recorded for the rise report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 2 allowed for a judgeship, and I’ll explain it this way.
• Uh, in Section 2, it says qualifying by February 2nd. However, that date’s already passed.
• Um, and that’s the other sections are the sections that were from the bill from last year.
• So there’s bound and there’s moving parts from a map to the code sections to all of that.
• So honestly, to sections to all of that.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A - Room 216, 17 February, 2026; 10:45 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up a technical fix to last year’s judicial redistricting plan, affecting only parts of Carroll, Grenada, Montgomery, Panola, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Yalobusha Counties. The sponsor explained that the bill corrects issues left out of the prior redistricting legislation, including judgeship/chancellery details and qualifying deadlines. Because the original February 2 qualifying date had already passed, the bill includes backstop language allowing qualifying until May 1, 2026 if the measure is not enacted in time. Senator Turner Ford raised concerns that the bill was changing the law after some judges had already qualified and may have believed they were unopposed, saying the timing felt unfair and that he would likely vote against it. The sponsor responded that a cleanup bill had already been passed, that this measure applies only to the affected district, and that judges and other interested parties had been notified during the two-year redistricting process. He said the changes were necessary technical corrections rather than a hodgepodge approach. The committee then approved the bill, adopting a motion that the title was sufficient and that it do pass. The motion to rise and report also passed, and the bill was sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 3, Sections 10 and 11. Section 10 actually talks about the quorum.
• Section 11 actually talks about... Punishments that can be applied.
• Sure, I don't disagree that there's a section on punishments.
• It's page four, Section A of that ruling from 2021 where they say that the Texas Constitution enables
• Page 2, section B says you can't use campaign dollars for items such as travel, food, lodging.

Bills: HB18

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• On there on the last lines four and five on page two, which is the last section, section C.
• , section C.
• to implement that section.
• That's another section of law.
• Such providers are compliant with this section. All right.

Bills: HB267, HB478, HB617, HB659, HB800, HB922, HB924, HB947, HB1166, HB1223

Keywords: home inspectors, board membership, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board, utility, reimbursement, overcharges, consumer protection, economic relief, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price, service fees

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 267 by Vice Chair Polly Thomas, which would revise the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors. The bill would update who may nominate board members, add qualifications and term limits, and allow the governor more flexibility in appointing or reappointing members from less populated districts. After adopting technical amendments, the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee then considered House Bill 478 by Representative Knox, dealing with utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill requires reimbursements to be clearly labeled on customer bills and sets a deadline for repayment; after discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee amended the bill to extend the repayment period from 45 to 90 calendar days and clarified that some settlement or regulatory credits would be treated differently. The bill was then reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 924 by Representative Glorioso, a consumer-protection measure aimed at contractor solicitation after disasters. The bill would restrict certain direct solicitations of residential property owners during a declared disaster period, address misleading insurance-related practices, and add disclosure and rescission requirements. After substantial debate over impacts on legitimate contractors, emergency repairs, and enforcement, the committee adopted a conceptual amendment shortening the disaster-response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split, with the sponsor, the insurance commissioner, and some contractors supporting the bill as a fraud-prevention measure, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses and was better addressed through enforcement. The transcript ends before final committee action on HB 924.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you go to Section 4 under Section 41.001 in the definitions, ...mental and emotional pain and anguish
• In the section starting at line 3, this is in the section in 41... 104 that is designed to operate as
• You go down to section B.
• The first is the Open Courts Provision, Article 1, Section 13. The other is Article 3, Section 66.
• So, Article 3, Section 66.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 61.014 deals with that.
• So this bill basically repeals Section 41.00D.
• So this bill basically repeals Section 41.00D.
• So Sections 1 and 2 are current law, and HB 4253 only adds clause 2. Mr.
• Documenting their residence using a form described by Section 15.054.

Bills: HB1968, HB2279, HB2739, HB2803, HB3909, HB3918, HB4253, HB4475, HB5115, HB5430

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code

Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• -606 to increase the required number of units to satisfy the land component impact fee to 100 in sections
• Remove the preamble section, and in section 2 require that Cales must have connections to public utilities
• 5 and 6, and removing the appropriation section 7 for May Wright Homes Redevelopment.
• <00:57:37.720> five<00:57:37.960> and year 27 and sections five and year 27 and sections
• six remove the appropriation section six remove the appropriation section seven<00:57:43.119>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 422, relating to school impact fees. The Education Committee recommended passage with amendments, and Ways and Means concurred. The amendments would repeal the construction fee component of the school impact fee while retaining the land impact fee and in-lieu fee requirements, remove related statutory language, exempt certain developments from school impact fees, raise the unit threshold for satisfying the land component to 100 units, require the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules and policies, and require a report to the Legislature on the effect of repealing the construction portion of the fee. The measure was also given a sunset date of June 30, 2029, with the committee report to note that the changes are intended to test the efficiency and efficacy of the fee structure and could be made permanent if the report supports that outcome. The committees adopted the recommendation, with one senator initially voting no and then changing to yes after the amendments were explained. The meeting also included a separate hearing on House Bill 1155, concerning procurement for Department of Transportation projects and construction manager/general contractor procurement. DOT testified that it supported the concept but wanted to narrow the bill, saying the current language was too broad and that the goal was to allow more innovative procurement while preserving selection safeguards. The State Procurement Office said it supported the bill’s language but was willing to work with DOT on alternative wording. Several construction-related organizations, including subcontractors, iron workers, elevator constructors, and building trades representatives, opposed the bill, arguing that exemptions from the procurement code would weaken protections such as retainage, equality, and prompt payment and could invite favoritism or corruption. In response to those concerns, the chair proposed amendments limiting the exemption to DOT, narrowing the qualifying contracts, adding a two-year sunset, requiring a report after the first year, and clarifying that project management could not be procured under the section. The amended recommendation passed, though several members voted with reservations. A separate item, House Bill 476, was briefly called up at the end of the agenda, with a recommendation to pass with amendments to increase a rate from 7.25% to 8%, but discussion was not completed in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Upon receipt of the the section I.
• Chair goes aye. that would go to section 291 uh C-27 on that would go to section 291 uh C-27 on the<01
• Um, it has to do with section 286-12.
• <02:03:22.880> 286-12 amendments to section 286-12 amendments to section 286-12 A<02:03:25.119
• <02:03:28.480> uh<02:03:28.639> 431- sections uh 431- sections uh 431- 1<02:03:31.599><

Bills: HB1694, HB1695, HB1986, HB1797, HB1879, HB2034

Keywords: sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, Hawaii, economic development, carbon footprint, aviation sector, renewable fuels, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation, clean fuel standard, alternative fuels, carbon intensity, emission reduction, greenhouse gases, transportation, autonomous vehicles

Summary: The committee opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a two-minute oral testimony limit and that decision-making would follow after testimony. It then took up SB 20008, which would set 55 mph as the maximum speed limit on all parts of the DKI/Saddle Road highway. The bill’s introducer described it as a response to safety concerns and noted prior public opposition when the speed limit was lowered from 60 mph; the Hawaii Police Department was listed in opposition, while DOT and several individuals testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 20009, requiring new plates/tags or emblems for used motor vehicles transferred between private individuals, and SB 2026, which would require drivers approaching stationary vehicles on the shoulder or roadside to slow down and, if necessary, change lanes. The Attorney General supported SB 2026 but recommended narrowing and clarifying the language by removing references to shoulder/roadside, collision or mechanical problem, and other limiting definitions so the duty would apply more broadly and be easier to enforce; AAA and OMA also supported the measure. Members discussed the practical need for a mandatory move-over rule, especially for roadside workers and tow operators, and the committee heard concerns about enforceability on two-lane roads and in accident scenes. SB 2053 was then heard, authorizing electronic signatures on supporting documents used to transfer ownership of total-loss vehicles to insurers without notarization and requiring insurers to indemnify the finance director for claims arising from those electronic title issuances. The Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, the City and County of Honolulu, and others supported the bill, with Copart describing it as a modernization that would reduce delays for total-loss settlements; technical amendments were requested. The committee also heard SB 2172, which would allow all-terrain vehicles to operate at night if equipped with lights and a slow-moving vehicle emblem, adjust helmet requirements, define utility terrain vehicles, and include ATVs in motor vehicle insurance law. DOT said it could support the bill only if limited to low-speed areas, and the insurance industry warned it could create a new insurance scheme; the City and County of Honolulu opposed while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and an individual supported. Finally, SB 2253 was introduced to expand first-degree negligent injury to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, with DOT, county prosecutors, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office in support; Honolulu prosecutors said they would oppose a proposed amendment because they wanted the language to preserve the offense as a lesser included offense tied to negligent homicide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section and the state grant program.
• Section 3 is the language that we removed.
• Section two extends the State.
• Section three is the language that we removed.<01:40:09.520> And<01:40:09.760> section<
• And section four deals with the removed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, in the effective date section, the reference to section three should be changed to section two.
• Also, in the effective date section, the reference to section three should be changed to section two.
• date section um the reference<02:02:31.440> to<02:02:31.639> section<02:02:32.079>
• to section three should be changed<02:02:33.360> to<02:02:33.639> section<02:02:33.920
• them blank also on page three section them blank also on page three section four<02:15:01.280>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• SECTION 29 SENATE BILL 716 IS TRAINING CLINICAL HEALTH TEACH FUNDING PROGRAM.
• SECTIONS NINE, TEN, AT 11 THE SENATE BILL 330 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEACHING HOSPITALS.
• SENATE SECTION 7887 A SENATE BILL 760 AMEND SECTION TO THE FLORIDA STATUE RELATED TO THE SENATE LICENSURE
• SOMETHING THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THIS DISCUSSION WAS THE ADVANCED BIRTH CENTERS DO C SECTIONS.
• SO, RIGHT NOW ARE THERE ANY BIRTHING CENTERS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA DOING C SECTIONS?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a question on page 49, section 31, section 908.13.
• Section 26 on lines 1074...
• I will shift gears a little bit to sections 38 and 39.
• There is a whole section on FDLE, and I can point you to it after. It's an 87-page bill.
• There is a section on FDLE, and of course... Rep.

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, both section 3 and section 4 are at final plans, and section 3 is under the process of beginning
• > and<00:23:22.520> section<00:23:22.840> 4 actually both section 3 and section
• 4 actually both section 3 and section 4 are<00:23:23.120> at<00:23:23.160> final<00:23:
• :23:25.040> is are at final plans, and section 3 is are at final plans, and section 3 is under
• of each individual section.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its January 13 meeting and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, with members repeatedly voting to review items without objection. The chair noted the agenda included 227 contracts totaling about $89.5 million, all with vendors registered with the Secretary of State. Most items were approved after brief discussion and roll-call votes. Several contracts drew questions. Kentucky State University explained two four-month contracts tied to its online academic program: one for continued implementation support and one for marketing. University officials said the program is in a transition year under a management improvement plan, that the university owns the intellectual property, and that the marketing effort is aimed at growing enrollment in targeted programs such as business and social work. They reported online enrollment had grown from 74 students to 612, with an overall university enrollment of 2,872, and said the goal is to reach about 1,000 online students by fall. The committee approved both items, though Senator Douglas said he would keep watching university spending. The Department of Education presented a contract cancellation for administrative reviews of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. Officials said USDA changed the review requirement from every three years to every five years, making the outside contract unnecessary because internal staff can now handle the work. The committee approved the cancellation. The Transportation Cabinet also explained an increase to a professional services contract for engineering work on a section of KY 54 in Owensboro, describing it as preliminary design and commissioning work for a multi-section roadway project; the committee approved that item as well. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation sought approval for an amendment tied to its iLottery platform. Officials said the increase reflected higher sales volume, since the contract structure causes prize and platform-related expenses to rise as sales grow. The committee approved the amendment. The Department of Public Health also discussed a perinatal psychiatry consultation program funded by a five-year federal HRSA grant; members raised concerns about what would happen if federal support changes, but no action beyond discussion was noted in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remove sections 18 and 19.
• We're going to remove section one and remove subsection C, subsection one from section 8 of SB 2479.
• We're going to remove section<00:50:54.559> one<00:50:55.040> of<00:50:55.440> section
• one and remove section one of section one and remove section<00:50:58.559> sub<00:50:59.280><
• <00:51:02.079> 8<00:51:02.720> of section sub C sub one from section 8 of section sub

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard several health-related measures. SB 3132 on syndromic surveillance drew support from the Department of Health, healthcare organizations, and others, with DOH explaining the bill would formalize a surveillance program that has helped with real-time flu tracking and response to events like the Maui fires. A member raised privacy concerns from opponents, and DOH responded that the data are deidentified and do not include Social Security numbers or dates of birth. No votes were taken on the bill in the portion provided. SB 3134 on emergency medical systems of care received broad support from SHIPA, DOH, military and EMS representatives, and others, who said it would modernize the EMS system. SB 3136 on lead materials and water infrastructure was also supported by DOH and SHIPA; members asked whether the bill would allow Hawaii to keep stronger standards if federal drinking water rules were weakened, and DOH said the state would not have to follow weaker federal standards as long as Hawaii remained as stringent or more stringent. SB 3138 on independent audits of deposit beverage distribution drew support from DOH and several industry groups, but with amendments to reduce burdens on small businesses, raise the audit threshold, and modernize reporting; opponents also testified. DOH later clarified that the measure would affect a limited number of distributors and said it is working on an electronic submission system, though not yet for audit filings. SB 3139 concerning SHIPA was supported by SHIPA and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, while HMSA suggested one provision should remain under the insurance commissioner’s purview. SHIPA said the bill is about collaboration and a broader health vision, not regulation, and members indicated they were comfortable with removing the disputed portion. SB 3207 on background checks drew support from healthcare providers but opposition from the Attorney General and DOH. Supporters argued the FBI fingerprinting requirement is costly, duplicative, and difficult to schedule, while opponents said the bill would improperly shift fingerprint collection authority to hospitals and other facilities and could conflict with federal law. The committee engaged in extended questioning about costs, federal requirements, and whether the mandate would be passed on to patients; no final action is reflected in the excerpt. The committee then began SB 2271 on hospital licensing, with support from SHIPA, the Developmental Disabilities council, healthcare groups, Kaiser Permanente, and DOH, and commenters said the bill would allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance through CMS-recognized accreditation, with a suggested wording change to “approved” accrediting organization.

Transcript Highlights:

• The section is effective upon enactment, and then you can see the assumptions where MOT assumes where
• <00:35:33.680> is and removal of signage um the section is and removal of signage um the section
• <00:53:26.799> one Auction companies face uh section one Auction companies face uh section
• our our neighboring states uh in section our our neighboring states uh in section two<00:53:59.960
• c><00:54:44.680> this<00:54:44.799> bill section the section two of this bill section the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:41.360> 8 actual costs associated with Section 8 actual costs associated with Section
• He said they did not hear any opposition from the bankers last year on Section 8.
• This section was in there last year, and nobody came to testify against this.
• But this section, section eight, was there last year, and nobody came here and said one word about it
• She said section eight was there last year, and nobody came here and said one word about it.

Keywords: 00:00 -- Introduction 00:13 – Attendance Roll Call 08:25 – Discussion of HB 315 23:45 – Roll call vote on HB 315 26:35 – Discussion of HB 356 46:30 – Roll call vote on HB 356, 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee first spent much of the meeting recognizing the large number of 4-H and FFA students and guests in attendance, with members from several counties introducing their groups and praising the programs for developing future agricultural and civic leaders. Comments emphasized the value of youth involvement in agriculture, leadership, and public speaking, and several members noted their own 4-H or FFA backgrounds. The committee then took up House Bill 356, and adopted a committee substitute before hearing testimony on the revised measure. House Bill 356, sponsored by Representative Carney, would create the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative, expanding the original urban farming concept into broader agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, and work-ready skills. The substitute removed the requirement that participants have access to farmland, lowered the age floor from six to five, broadened participation, and established a pilot program with implementation left to Cooperative Extension. Supportive testimony came from a 4-H student and Kentucky 4-H representatives, who described how the program helps youth explore many interests and removes barriers for urban students. Members from both parties praised the bill as a way to reach more youth and strengthen agricultural education. The committee approved House Bill 356 as amended by the committee substitute on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes. The committee then heard House Bill 315 from Representative Sharp, a foreign adversary land bill intended to limit certain foreign entities’ ability to purchase Kentucky land. Before member questions, Tim Shank of the Kentucky Bankers Association testified in opposition to one section of the bill, saying banks already screen borrowers through federal systems and that Section 8’s reference to an Attorney General lien for “actual costs” was too vague. He warned the language could create uncertainty for mortgage holders and potentially affect credit availability for farmers. Representative Sharp said he had just learned of the concern and may need to work with the Attorney General’s office to address it. He also said the bill was largely the same as last year’s version, except for the removal of a leasing-related paragraph, and the committee began discussion of the bill after that testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• two refers to 701-108 and section one refers to the campaign spending statute.
• 'cause as you know, section two refers to 7 0 1 1 0 8 and section one refers to the campaign spending
• The exceptions that are listed in the previous section.
• I think it's redundant because the whole section is about criminal prosecution.
• I think it's redundant because the whole section is about criminal prosecution.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several nominations and bills. It first recommended advise and consent for Governor’s Message 573, confirming Luann Blake to the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee after she described her experience as a blind voter and her goals of improving outreach and accessibility for voters with print disabilities. The committee then took up the judiciary supplemental budget bill, HB 2095, with testimony from the courts and several supportive organizations. The courts requested funding for security, cybersecurity, substance use treatment contracts, public guardian services, staffing, and capital projects; members questioned the lump-sum CIP request, the substance use contract funding, and the Kamanu Hale elevator project. The committee later voted to pass HB 2095 with amendments, including changes to cybersecurity funding, security-related report language, and other committee-report notes. The committee also heard HB 1520, which changes the five-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of campaign finance violations to begin upon discovery by the Campaign Spending Commission. The commission supported the bill, saying it would prevent delayed reporting from avoiding prosecution, while one senator raised concerns about due diligence, tolling, and the difference between administrative and criminal enforcement. The bill drew broad support from advocacy groups and was advanced with an amendment clarifying “criminal prosecution.” HB 1548, which reduces the maximum sentence for misdemeanors and other offenses punishable by up to one year to 364 days, received strong support from the Public Defender, immigrant-rights groups, OHA, and others, who said the change would reduce immigration consequences for noncitizens. The committee later amended and passed the bill, limiting it to non-violent offenses. HB 2050, increasing partial public financing limits and available public funds, was supported by the Campaign Spending Commission and good-government groups, while OHA asked for parity with lieutenant governor races. The committee passed it with amendments increasing the public-fund match and funding levels, and requested additional appropriations in the committee report. HB 2494, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require documentation of the justification, drew strong support from the Public Defender and civil-liberties advocates but opposition from the Attorney General’s office, prosecutors, police, and some business groups, who warned it would restrict officer discretion and trigger litigation. The committee nevertheless passed it with amendments. In a final decision-making agenda, the committee also passed HB 2250 with amendments, adding blank appropriations and committee-report language related to claims against the state, including claims involving exonerees and a disputed USEPA-related claim.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, and this is my favorite part, under Section 2, this bill asks CPE to convene the chief academic
• Secondly, and this is my favorite part, under Section 2, this bill asks CPE to convene the chief academic
• On the last page, there in section five, basically KIA, when they notify students with this KEYS letter
• And section six, the last thing, this act may be cited as the My Kentucky Future Act.
• And section six, the last thing, this act may be cited as the My Kentucky Future Act.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00 Bills for Consideration: 26RS HB 94 – 2:40 26RS HB 307 – 15:00 Adjournment: 20:15, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met with a quorum, welcomed new member Representative Beverly Chester-Burton, and recognized interns in attendance. The committee then took up House Bill 94, which would require the Council on Postsecondary Education to host an online transfer portal for students, require annual university updates to transfer data, and convene academic officers to study and report on streamlining high-demand pathways such as teaching and nursing. Representative Vanessa Grossl said the bill was revised in response to prior concerns and emphasized that the goal was to improve transparency, reduce time to degree, and lower student debt. Travis Powell of CPE supported the measure, saying the portal and study would improve transparency and help identify barriers to transfer. The committee adopted the committee substitute for House Bill 94 and then passed the bill out favorably by roll call vote, sending it to the House floor. The committee also reconsidered House Bill 307, dealing with proactive postsecondary admissions, after earlier discussion and additional meetings. Chair James Tipton explained that the new substitute made several changes, including addressing a FERPA concern by having KDE share student information directly with universities, limiting social security number use to the last four digits plus date of birth, and adding provisions for KIA to include a link or QR code to the common online application in KEYS scholarship notifications. Members adopted House Committee Substitute 3 for House Bill 307, with Representative Stalker noting support for the social security number change. The committee then passed House Bill 307 as amended with a favorable recommendation to the House floor. No other substantive actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Martha Edenfield from the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar waiving
• The amendment removes a section of the bill because the Medicaid liens have now been paid, so there's
• no need for that section of the bill.
• Section 14 closes a real gap in Florida's security architecture by prohibiting the use of state funds
• And then the other section at Section 5 allows for law enforcement officers to use a drone when executing

Transcript Highlights:

• In the added section of Government Code Section 404.0242, it requires the ESF to have a sufficient balance
• Federal tax provisions, specifically Sections 45Y and 48E of the Internal Revenue Code, Sections 45U,
• Section 45U supports zero-emission nuclear production.
• Section 45Y offers clean electricity production credits, and Section 48E provides investment tax credits
• Just to edify us here, Sections 45U, 45Y, and 48E of the Internal Revenue Code, not known in the tax

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.