Transcript Highlights:

• :35.840><c> uh</c><01:49:36.080><c> was</c><01:49:36.480><c> there</c><01:49:37.520><c> um</c><01:49:
• Um, yes,<01:49:43.040><c> it</c><01:49:43.360><c> does.
• </c><01:49:43.840><c> Uh,</c><01:49:44.239><c> that's</c><01:49:44.560><c> a</c><01:49:44.719><c> property
• ><c> city</c><01:49:54.560><c> of</c><01:49:54.719><c> conquered</c><01:49:55.199><c> or</c><01:49:55.360
• </c><01:49:58.000><c> be</c><01:49:58.080><c> a</c><01:49:58.239><c> taking</c><01:49:58.880><c> and<

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 497, a technical correction to last year’s capital budget. Shannon Reid of the Community College System of New Hampshire explained that the bill removes leftover state-agency boilerplate from a repurposed capital appropriation and replaces it with community college language, without changing any dollar amounts. She also described a requested amendment to rename a respiratory therapy renovation appropriation at Nashua Community College as an allied health instructional center, so the space can be used more flexibly for programs such as phlebotomy, radiologic technology, and LNA training. Terry Poff of the General Court then testified on the second part of the bill, which changes legislative space references to support the move of General Court offices from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex as part of the legislative office building reconfiguration. Members asked whether the community college changes affected funding, and Reid confirmed the amounts do not change and that the bill simply speeds up a correction that otherwise would have been handled later in the lapse process. Poff said the annex space change is part of a permanent transition, though the work cannot proceed until the General Court has legal control of the space. The committee then entered executive session, adopted Amendment 1031H on a 12-0 vote, and voted ought to pass as amended on SB 497 by a 12-0 vote, with several members absent. The bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee next opened a hearing on Senate Bill 529FN, which would give preference to lumber sourced in the United States on state-funded building projects. Representative Davis, introducing the bill for Senator Roachford, argued that New Hampshire timber is disadvantaged by grading rules that treat U.S. lumber differently from Canadian SPF lumber, even when the wood is from similar species and climates. He said the bill is intended to support New Hampshire’s timber industry and that architects and engineers would still be able to specify stronger materials when needed. Committee members questioned whether the bill should instead refer specifically to New Hampshire lumber, how it would be enforced, and what the cost impact would be. Davis and later witness Mike Olette said the issue is tied to industry grading standards rather than a government code, that the bill is meant to create a preference rather than a mandate, and that price differences are hard to pin down because lumber is a commodity. Olette, who lives near the border, testified that New Hampshire logs are often sent to Canada for milling and then return under a different grade, which he said puts New Hampshire loggers and mills at an economic disadvantage.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:49:20.880><c> uh</c><00:49:21.119><c> so</c><00:49:21.280><c> I</c><00:49:21.440><c> think</c>
• <00:49:21.599><c> that</c><00:49:21.760><c> on</c><00:49:21.920><c> the</c><00:49:22.079><c> financial
• ><c> our</c><00:49:23.520><c> loggers</c><00:49:23.920><c> are</c><00:49:24.079><c> getting</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:52.800><c> another</c><00:49:53.200><c> committee</c><00:49:53.520><c> but</c><00:49:53.680
• :54.000><c> a</c><00:49:54.160><c> house</c><00:49:54.400><c> bill</c><00:49:54.720><c> that</c><00:49

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.720><c> more</c><00:49:00.960><c> fraud</c><00:49:01.839><c> um</c><00:49:02.240><c> we're</c><00
• um we're kind of disillusioned<00:49:03.240><c> to</c><00:49:03.359><c> it</c><00:49:03.440><c> at</
• c><00:49:03.599><c> this</c><00:49:03.760><c> point</c><00:49:04.559><c> but</c> disillusioned to it
• the</c><00:49:06.040><c> um</c><00:49:06.319><c> questions</c><00:49:06.680><c> that</c><00:49:06.799
• 00:49:08.880><c> and</c><00:49:09.079><c> see</c><00:49:09.319><c> if</c><00:49:09.559><c> this</c><00

Bills: HF1 , HF779 , HF1034

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:06.960><c> any</c><00:49:07.599><c> other</c><00:49:08.599><c> discussion</c><00:49:09.000><c>
• we have<00:49:09.359><c> a</c><00:49:09.680><c> motion</c><00:49:10.680><c> yes</c><00:49:11.119><c>
• 00:49:27.799><c> a</c><00:49:27.960><c> motion</c><00:49:28.240><c> to</c><00:49:28.680><c> retain</c
• go yes all righty<00:49:57.920><c> sorry</c><00:49:58.240><c> for</c><00:49:58.520><c> the</c><00:49
• :18.400><c> in</c><05:49:18.558><c> our</c><05:49:19.160><c> um</c><05:49:19.360><c> State</c><05:49:

Summary: The Finance Division 2 work session first took up HB 506, a bill dealing with the return of seized firearms. Members discussed how the measure would shift background-check processing for firearm returns through the Department of Safety, while the physical firearms would still remain with local police unless State Police had taken custody. The department said the bill would change which cases come to it, and members clarified that the bill concerns the background-check decision rather than possession of the firearms. The committee then voted OTP on HB 506 FN by a 7-0 roll call. The committee next discussed HB 671, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. Department of Education staff explained that the bill grew out of a COVID-era Waterford contract that provided home-based early literacy support for families using federal relief funds, at a cost of about $600,000 per year, but that the program ended when those funds expired. Members raised concerns that the bill’s $1 appropriation was not realistic, that the prior program lacked sufficient outcome data, and that the references to ESSA tier-one benchmarks were unclear. The department said it was conducting a broader literacy needs assessment and updating the state literacy plan, including data from the zero-to-five range, K-5, and dyslexia-related work. Waterford representatives described the program as an early-literacy, pre-K readiness service for children ages zero to five, originally designed to work in homes with computers and internet provided where needed, and later expanded in some settings such as daycares and pre-K classrooms. They said the program used assessments at the beginning and end, had served hundreds of children, and was intended to support family engagement and kindergarten readiness. Despite that testimony, members remained concerned about funding and the lack of clear results, and one member moved to retain the bill for more information. The discussion ended with the bill retained rather than advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rapid<00:49:00.520><c> sea</c><00:49:00.800><c> level</c><00:49:01.080><c> rise</c><00:49:01.800><c>
• Um be happy<00:49:40.600><c> to</c><00:49:40.680><c> elaborate</c><00:49:41.080><c> more</c><00:49:41.320
• Um<00:49:46.360><c> but</c><00:49:46.480><c> what</c><00:49:46.600><c> I</c><00:49:46.680><c> can</c>
• <00:49:47.000><c> say</c><00:49:47.360><c> from</c><00:49:47.600><c> the</c><00:49:47.680><c> evidence
• </c><00:49:55.760><c> Um,</c><00:49:55.920><c> and</c><00:49:56.040><c> while</c><00:49:56.480><c> I<

Bills: HF4470 , HF2418 , HF3417 , HF3365 , HF3463

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• We we do have<00:49:06.400><c> a</c><00:49:06.559><c> lot</c><00:49:06.640><c> of</c><00:49:06.720><c
• </c><00:49:06.800><c> We're</c><00:49:06.960><c> going</c><00:49:07.040><c> to</c><00:49:07.119><c> get
• </c><00:49:07.599><c> So,</c><00:49:07.760><c> I'm</c><00:49:07.920><c> happy</c><00:49:08.079><c> to
• </c><00:49:08.240><c> put</c><00:49:08.400><c> you</c><00:49:08.480><c> on</c> to the bill.
• </c><00:49:09.280><c> Um,</c><00:49:09.599><c> but</c><00:49:09.760><c> if</c><00:49:10.000><c> your<

Bills: HF3900

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:49:42.640><c> I</c><03:49:42.960><c> move</c><03:49:43.439><c> a</c><03:49:43.600><c> to</c>
• I move a to pass<03:49:44.239><c> and</c><03:49:44.479><c> I</c><03:49:44.880><c> would</c><03:49:45.040
• ><c> like</c><03:49:45.680><c> just</c><03:49:45.920><c> to</c><03:49:46.160><c> speak</c><03:49:46.319
• Do I have<03:49:55.040><c> do</c><03:49:55.199><c> we</c><03:49:55.279><c> have</c><03:49:55.359><c>
• an</c><03:49:55.520><c> amendment</c><03:49:55.760><c> on</c><03:49:55.920><c> this</c><03:49:56.080>

Summary: The committee first took up SB 297 and a new amendment, 2462, which combined the original Senate bill with the Carson amendment and added a proposed alternative regulatory system, RSA 420R. The chair and members discussed that the amendment was intended to give the Senate what it had asked for while also creating a dual system for public entity risk pools. Members asked whether the new structure would affect ownership or governance of health trusts, and the chair explained that 420R would be a separate regulatory statute while existing 420J-style arrangements could remain in place. The committee also noted that a paragraph had been accidentally deleted from the amendment and that another amendment would be prepared to correct it, with the subcommittee recessed while that was done. Public testimony focused on School Care, represented by Executive Director Lisa Ducette, who opposed the shift to Department of Insurance oversight under 420R. She argued that public entity risk pools are not insurance companies, that they are accountable to member entities and taxpayers, and that the proposed dual regulation would add unnecessary costs through examinations, higher reserves, and additional accounting requirements. She said the change could threaten tax-exempt status and create an uneven playing field, and she urged the committee to support SB 297 with the Carson amendment instead of moving to 420R. Committee members questioned whether the amendment would actually affect pools that stayed under the Secretary of State model, and one member cited support from the New Hampshire Municipal Association for the dual system. The discussion then shifted to amendment 245 on ambulance reimbursement and contracting timelines. Members reviewed a provision giving insurers 45 days and ambulance providers 60 days in the contracting process, and one member suggested making both periods 60 days. The chair and others said the current language was intentional and part of a broader compromise aimed at ending balance billing and forcing insurers to establish reimbursement rates. Members noted that the measure was unusual and that its effects would be reviewed over the next two years, with one member saying the bill would likely be difficult to roll back later. No final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's<04:49:30.480><c> it's</c><04:49:30.798><c> not</c><04:49:31.040><c> enough</c><04:49:31.280><c>
• could</c><04:49:38.320><c> raise</c><04:49:38.560><c> the</c><04:49:38.798><c> total</c><04:49:39.200
• </c><04:49:44.000><c> So</c><04:49:44.240><c> I</c><04:49:44.560><c> guess</c><04:49:45.280><c> um</c
• </c><04:49:46.638><c> Um</c><04:49:47.200><c> or</c><04:49:47.520><c> is</c><04:49:47.680><c> there</
• /c><04:49:48.878><c> are</c><04:49:49.120><c> I</c><04:49:49.280><c> mean</c><04:49:49.360><c> in</c>

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• possible, including the selection of<00:49:02.480><c> specific</c><00:49:02.920><c> parcels</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:05.000><c> We'll</c><00:49:05.120><c> also</c><00:49:05.320><c> take</c><00:49:05.520><c>
• to amend the<00:49:07.520><c> sentence</c><00:49:07.880><c> beginning</c><00:49:08.200><c> on</c><00
• :49:08.320><c> page</c><00:49:08.880><c> two,</c><00:49:09.200><c> line</c> the sentence beginning on
• read,</c><00:49:10.400><c> "Revenue</c><00:49:10.760><c> bonds</c><00:49:11.120><c> treated</c><00:49

Summary: The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors. During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• um would<00:49:36.280><c> uh</c><00:49:36.520><c> would</c><00:49:36.680><c> be</c><00:49:37.480><c>
• larger groups<00:49:39.079><c> of</c><00:49:39.359><c> children</c><00:49:39.839><c> of</c><00:49:40.040
• <c> think</c><00:49:42.880><c> that's</c><00:49:43.040><c> all</c><00:49:43.119><c> the</c><00:49:43.240
• 00:49:44.319><c> for</c><00:49:44.480><c> you</c><00:49:44.640><c> right</c><00:49:44.720><c> now</c>
• <00:49:44.880><c> but</c><00:49:45.000><c> I</c> Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; I'm<03:49:02.399><c> not</c><03:49:02.479><c> aware</c><03:49:02.720><c> of</c><03:49:02.880
• funding</c><03:49:16.800><c> and</c><03:49:17.279><c> put</c><03:49:17.439><c> it</c><03:49:17.600><c
• in the adequacy<03:49:18.399><c> column</c><03:49:18.720><c> and</c><03:49:18.880><c> gave</c><03:49:
• which</c><03:49:21.199><c> would</c><03:49:21.359><c> be</c><03:49:22.399><c> at</c><03:49:22.800><c
• &gt;&gt; I<04:49:14.240><c> didn't</c><04:49:14.400><c> see</c><04:49:14.560><c> any</c><04:49:14.718

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Um everything<00:49:04.079><c> is</c><00:49:04.400><c> fixed</c><00:49:04.800><c> income</c><00:49:05.440
• </c><00:49:07.839><c> So</c><00:49:08.000><c> we</c><00:49:08.240><c> have</c><00:49:08.480><c> of</c
• :49:06.239><c> that</c><01:49:06.480><c> was,</c><01:49:06.639><c> and</c><01:49:06.960><c> one</c><01
• </c><01:49:15.360><c> Kentucky</c><01:49:15.840><c> or</c><01:49:16.239><c> northern</c><01:49:16.639
• Uh and then the<01:49:20.800><c> final</c><01:49:21.119><c> issue</c><01:49:21.440><c> that</c><01:49

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed a new member, approved the July meeting minutes, and then took up testimony on the statewide emergency responder voice system, also described as the state police radio system replacement project. John Hicks, secretary of the governor’s executive cabinet and state budget director, testified that the project is unusually complex because it combines multiple IT replacements, land acquisition, and tower construction. He said the existing system dates to the early 1970s and that the administration is treating the project as a priority, with work proceeding in phases and weekly coordination among the Justice Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, and Finance and Administration Cabinet. Hicks said the project has already spent about $110 million, with nearly 1,900 portable radios acquired, microwave replacement completed at 56 sites and underway at 76 more, and routers, switches, and network upgrades addressed. He explained that because the State Police are not set up to handle real property work, the administration brought in outside real property consulting vendors through an RFP, and three vendors are now qualified to help identify and negotiate sites. He said the goal is to speed up land acquisition and tower construction while the State Police continue the technology work, and he emphasized that the project is intended to close coverage gaps for state police first and later benefit local governments and other first responders. Members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s cost and pace. Representative Petri noted that about $218.8 million has been authorized since 2018 and questioned whether the project could stretch into 2030 or later, asking what more the General Assembly could do to help. Representative Blandon also raised concerns about the long timeline and the risk of the project becoming another costly, delayed infrastructure effort, while asking when the vendor RFP was completed and whether any sites had been acquired since then. Representative Sharp asked whether there was a detailed plan and timeline, and Hicks responded that the technology side is well defined but the property acquisition side must proceed site by site because each location depends on ownership, access, power, and other factors. Hicks said the west-to-east phasing has been a smart approach and that the executive branch should improve performance to beat the current timeline expectations.

Transcript Highlights:

• 49:02.559><c> is</c><00:49:02.720><c> the</c><00:49:02.960><c> governor's</c> Article.
• 12 setting.<00:49:18.960><c> Section</c><00:49:19.359><c> two</c><00:49:20.240><c> is</c><00:49:20.480
• :49:28.000><c> education</c><00:49:28.599><c> aid.
• The stricken<00:49:30.400><c> and</c><00:49:30.480><c> new</c><00:49:30.640><c> language</c><00:49:30.880
• :49:33.680><c> the</c><00:49:33.920><c> requirement</c><00:49:34.720><c> that</c><00:49:35.359><c> a<

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• :58.480><c> it</c><00:49:59.319><c> the</c><00:49:59.520><c> case</c><00:49:59.799><c> that</c><00:49
• :49:39.199><c> and</c><01:49:39.719><c> Grant</c><01:49:40.040><c> bossy</c><01:49:40.480><c> is</c><
• </c><01:49:44.480><c> Senator</c><01:49:44.840><c> Pro</c><01:49:45.080><c> members</c><01:49:45.320>
• c><01:49:48.000><c> chief</c><01:49:48.199><c> of</c><01:49:48.360><c> staff</c><01:49:48.560><c> for
• 01:49:51.840><c> behalf</c><01:49:52.360><c> of</c><01:49:52.760><c> Senator</c><01:49:53.119><c> Tim

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:01.679><c> do,</c><01:49:02.239><c> and</c><01:49:02.480><c> I</c><01:49:02.719><c> appreciate</c
• </c><01:49:05.280><c> I</c><01:49:05.520><c> think</c><01:49:05.600><c> you</c><01:49:05.840><c> know
• </c><01:49:06.719><c> So,</c><01:49:06.880><c> if</c><01:49:07.119><c> you</c><01:49:07.280><c> will<
• &gt;&gt; Please<01:49:17.280><c> raise</c><01:49:17.520><c> your</c><01:49:17.760><c> right</c><01:49
• You about to give<01:49:20.719><c> the</c><01:49:20.880><c> truth,</c><01:49:21.040><c> the</c><01:49

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Austin Reid of the National Conference of State Legislatures on education-related provisions in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). Reid said the law is projected to increase the federal deficit over 10 years, with major savings coming from Medicaid, student loan changes, and SNAP. He focused on how those changes could affect schools, including possible effects on free and reduced-price meal certification, state funding formulas that use SNAP as a proxy for low-income status, and Medicaid-funded school services for students with disabilities. Reid also outlined the new federal scholarship tax credit, which gives a dollar-for-dollar credit for donations to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations. He said families up to 300% of area median income may benefit, the program begins in 2027, and states must opt in and designate eligible organizations. He noted unresolved questions about whether states can add their own criteria and said Treasury regulations will be important. He also described the expansion of 529 plans to cover more K-12 and postsecondary expenses. On higher education, Reid explained a new workforce Pell grant option for short-term programs, with states and governors playing a role in determining eligible programs. He said the programs must meet placement, completion, and earnings measures and that implementation is expected to be tight before the July 1, 2026 effective date. He also reviewed student loan changes, including lower institutional loan limits, prorated borrowing for part-time enrollment, new caps on graduate and Parent PLUS loans, and a new earnings-based accountability standard that could make some programs ineligible for student loans if graduates earn too little. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:49:36.160><c> this</c><00:49:36.319><c> amendment</c><00:49:36.720><c> and</c><00:49:36.880><c
• :49:41.839><c> get</c><00:49:41.920><c> what</c><00:49:42.079><c> they</c><00:49:42.240><c> want</c><
• and get<00:49:42.720><c> it</c><00:49:42.880><c> off</c><00:49:43.040><c> the</c><00:49:43.200><c> Senate
• ><c> we</c><00:49:46.880><c> hear</c><00:49:47.119><c> before</c><00:49:47.359><c> we</c><00:49:47.599
• </c><02:49:51.200><c> And</c><02:49:51.359><c> I</c><02:49:51.680><c> think,</c><02:49:52.240><c> you

Transcript Highlights:

• We've<00:49:00.880><c> been</c><00:49:00.960><c> in</c><00:49:01.200><c> an</c><00:49:01.440><c> open
• This is<00:49:02.800><c> one</c><00:49:03.119><c> that's</c><00:49:03.680><c> been</c><00:49:03.839><
• We<00:49:10.640><c> had</c><00:49:10.800><c> to</c><00:49:10.960><c> go</c><00:49:11.119><c> back</c>
• That's what<00:49:13.119><c> was</c><00:49:13.359><c> awarded</c><00:49:13.839><c> and</c><00:49:14.160
• </c><00:49:16.319><c> So,</c><00:49:16.800><c> we've</c><00:49:17.119><c> had</c><00:49:17.359><c> to

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met for its first 2026 meeting, approved the December 9 minutes, and reviewed 337 contracts totaling about $71.8 million. After a motion to consider the routine contract lists without objection passed, the committee pulled several items for discussion, including contracts from the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Department of Highways, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, and Kentucky State University. Most items were ultimately approved by roll call votes. For the Council on Postsecondary Education item, members discussed why the contract was not handled through the usual Finance Cabinet bidding process. Staff explained it stemmed from House Bill 200 and the healthcare workforce incentive fund, which uses a separate competitive award process and steering committee under different statutory standards. The committee accepted that explanation and approved the contract. Department of Highways staff then explained the difference between scour assessments, which evaluate erosion and foundation risk around bridge piers, and load ratings, which assess the bridge structure itself. Members also questioned a larger engineering contract increase; staff said it reflected progression from preliminary engineering to final design on a phased project and estimated the funding split at roughly 80% federal and 20% state. Those highway contracts were approved. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission presented a legal services contract. Officials said the new corporation had identified legal needs, issued an RFP, and awarded four firms to create a pool of counsel to avoid conflicts as the agency now licenses racing, sports betting, and charitable gaming. They also said an emergency contract was needed after a temporary restraining order was issued in litigation involving charitable gaming machines and alleged losses to charities. The committee asked about the litigation and the affected organizations, and the contract was approved. Kentucky State University then defended a marketing/enrollment contract despite financial concerns, saying the work was intended to raise awareness of the university, improve enrollment, and support financial stability. University officials also said they were tightening student payment enforcement and collection practices, including payment plans and holding students accountable for balances. That contract was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• :39.920><c> our</c><00:49:40.160><c> current</c><00:49:40.400><c> terminal</c><00:49:41.359><c> which
• which was initially<00:49:42.160><c> built</c><00:49:42.400><c> in</c><00:49:42.640><c> 1978,</c><00
• 00:49:46.480><c> for</c><00:49:47.200><c> 50</c><00:49:47.440><c> and</c><00:49:47.680><c> 70</c><00:
• </c><00:49:51.520><c> That's</c><00:49:51.760><c> good</c><00:49:51.839><c> for</c><00:49:52.000><c>
• It's<00:49:52.640><c> good</c><00:49:52.800><c> for</c><00:49:52.960><c> central</c><00:49:53.359><c>

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development and Tourism met to hear presentations on a proposed downtown Lexington Arts Center. Visit Lex opened by framing the projects as regional economic development efforts that could support tourism, quality of life, and workforce attraction and retention. NextStage Development Corp. and ATG Entertainment then described a proposed $120 million project featuring a 2,500-seat performing arts center and a 20,000-square-foot visual arts gallery, with plans for up to 180 events a year, over 300,000 annual visitors, and an opening target of 2029. The presenters said the project would be funded through a $30 million state request, $30 million from ATG Entertainment, and $60 million raised by the nonprofit through philanthropy and other financing sources. They cited a feasibility study by Sound Diplomacy and compared the proposal to the Durham Performing Arts Center, arguing that similar venues have driven downtown revitalization, tourism, and economic activity in other cities. They also said the venue would include community access, school partnerships, subsidized tickets, and revenue returned to the nonprofit for grants and arts programming. Members asked about the total cost, the funding mix, whether the city of Lexington would contribute, and the building’s design. The presenters said they are in contact with city officials and are seeking city support, but have not yet hired an architect or begun conceptual design. They said the design process will involve community input and should fit Lexington’s historic downtown character. Representative Whitten asked whether the project would compete with Louisville; the presenters responded that their market analysis suggests the venue would serve audiences from Lexington, eastern Kentucky, and surrounding areas who are unlikely to travel to Louisville or Cincinnati, making the project complementary rather than competitive.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.240><c> another</c><00:49:00.960><c> major</c><00:49:01.440><c> and</c><00:49:01.760><c> for</c><
• ><c> have</c><00:49:05.119><c> been</c><00:49:05.200><c> a</c><00:49:05.520><c> private</c><00:49:06.079
• ><c> existed</c><00:49:13.119><c> for</c><00:49:13.440><c> the</c><00:49:13.760><c> explicit</c><00:49
• ><c> not</c><00:49:20.319><c> taking</c><00:49:20.640><c> care</c><00:49:20.960><c> of</c><00:49:21.520
• 49:24.480><c> and</c><00:49:24.640><c> the</c><00:49:24.800><c> state.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:37.680><c> Um</c><00:49:38.160><c> but</c><00:49:38.720><c> that</c><00:49:40.000><c> oh</
• whatever</c><00:49:49.599><c> just</c><00:49:50.400><c> say</c><00:49:50.640><c> that</c><00:49:50.880
• check<00:49:54.800><c> and</c><00:49:55.040><c> therefore</c><00:49:55.440><c> you're</c><00:49:55.599
• 56.720><c> we</c><00:49:56.960><c> do</c><00:49:57.040><c> that</c><00:49:57.200><c> all</c><00:49:57.359
• And so the order<05:49:08.638><c> from</c><05:49:08.878><c> the</c><05:49:09.120><c> public</c><05:49

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy