Transcript Highlights:

• September is known for many things, but one of the favorite things that September is also known for is
• More so than anything, September 20th is known as Fried Rice Day, and— September 20th is known as Fried
• I rise today to present House Resolution 70 to proclaim the week of September 7th through September 13th
• Ayes, 46; no, 11. Senate amendments are concurred in. File item number 43.
• Monday, September 8th, floor session at 1 p.m.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled a large consent and concurrence agenda. Early procedural actions included moving several Senate bills to the inactive file, setting a September 5 amendment deadline for floor managers, rescinding passage of SB 733 for further action, withdrawing AB 710 from committee to the third reading file, and re-referring AB 406 to Labor and Employment. The chamber also recognized guests and celebrated Assembly Member Muratsuchi’s birthday. The Assembly adopted several resolutions, including HR 58 declaring October 2025 California Promotoras Month, HR 70 recognizing Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, HR 71 designating National Fried Rice Day, and HR 67 commemorating All California Day. Members also concurred in Senate amendments or passed a series of bills on topics including insurance, horses and community events, emergency vehicles, Medi-Cal provider directories, geological survey duties, CPA regulation, muralist licensing, tax technical corrections, water planning, used-car fee protections, rural health workforce support, coastal affordable housing, and foster youth funding. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition. A major floor debate centered on SB 694, which would prohibit unaccredited companies from charging veterans fees to help with VA disability claims and would strengthen state consumer protections and enforcement. Supporters argued it would stop predatory “claim sharks” from exploiting veterans and protect benefits; opponents and some supporters raised concerns about access, choice, and uneven county VSO capacity, urging broader reforms and more funding for veteran services. After extensive debate from multiple members, the bill passed 46-0. The Assembly also concurred in SB 576 on streaming ad volume, SB 512 on transportation tax ballot initiatives, and additional concurrence items, with some measures receiving recorded no votes but still passing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first item of business is commission business, and on that, we need approval of the September 22nd
• This is a roll call vote to approve the September 22nd, 2025 Citizen Commission meeting minutes.
• We've got May 6th, August 4th, September 15th, and October 20th.
• So, hence an endorse, and I believe the same was true for 9, and 10, and 11, and 11, and 12.
• , 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16.

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on October 22, 2025. Members approved the September 22, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously and reviewed a draft 2026 meeting schedule, tentatively setting meetings for May 6, August 4, September 15, and October 20, 2026, without taking a formal vote. The commission then worked through its commissioner comments on tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself from the natural gas for transportation and energy sales to silicon smelters items. The discussion focused on reconciling endorse/endorse with comment/does not endorse positions into final recommendations. The commission adopted comments for the liquefied natural gas preference, the natural gas for transportation preference, the energy sales to silicon smelters preference, several low-income housing and veterans-related preferences, and other reviewed tax preferences. Several comments emphasized reporting burdens, the need for clearer legislative guidance, and in the veterans’ item, the possibility that low use may reflect limited visibility of the preference. Staff also clarified the reporting requirements for the natural gas transportation preference and the rationale for continuing the LNG preference while asking the legislature to consider a Department of Revenue workgroup report. All commissioner comment packages were ultimately adopted by roll call votes, with the relevant recusals noted. No members of the public testified in person. The chair invited written testimony by email or mail and thanked staff and members for their work. The next commission meeting was announced for May 6, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're off the record until 11:30. All right. We're now back on the record. It is 11:32.
• Struz was writing you on September 25th, 2020?
• In September of 2023, I had an event called Freedom. It was a Freedom Day.
• Yes, so this was on September 11, 2024.
• Yes, so this was on September 11, 2024.

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first item of business is the commission business, and on that we need approval of the September
• This is the roll call vote to approve the September 22nd, 2025 Citizen Commission meeting minutes.
• This is a roll call vote to approve the September 22nd, 2025 Citizen Commission meeting minutes.
• We've got May 6th, August 4th, September 15th, and October 20th.
• Okay, in this package, we would consider 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on October 22, 2025, approved the September 22, 2025 meeting minutes, and reviewed a draft 2026 meeting schedule. The commission informally settled on four 2026 meeting dates: May 6, August 4, September 15, and October 20, with no vote required. One commissioner noted a possible travel conflict for the August meeting, but the schedule was accepted as planned. The bulk of the meeting focused on adopting commissioner comments and recommendations for tax preference reviews. Commissioners discussed and refined language on several items, including liquefied natural gas preferences, natural gas for transportation, energy sales to silicon smelters, nonprofit low-income housing development, veterans’ housing adaptations, and other preferences. Commissioner Forsyth recused himself from the natural gas for transportation and silicon smelter items, and the commission handled those separately. Staff clarified several technical questions about reporting requirements, the rationale for recommendations, and how to reconcile differing comments. The commission ultimately adopted the recommendations in multiple grouped votes, with unanimous approval on each vote. The commission also addressed a yellow-item recommendation related to reporting burden and another item concerning whether a preference is exempt from automatic expiration or subject to review. After discussion, the commission adopted revised consensus language for those items as well. No members of the public appeared to testify in person, and the chair reminded the public that written testimony could still be submitted by email or mail. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and commissioners, and the next meeting was set for May 6, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those signed in not wanting to testify, there were 11 in opposition, and that's it. Thank you.
• note, our Civil Protection Order cases, my colleagues and I resolved over 1,000 of those in the first 11
• and you need a trial in Yakima County, perhaps if you asked right now, your trial would occur in September
• child support, if you needed a one-day trial, again, you'd be looking for having a resolution in September
• The Washington State Constitution in Article 11, Section 5 states that the Legislature shall prescribe

Bills: SB5865 , SB5880 , SB5912 , SB5855 , SB6011 , SB6009 , SB5868 , SB5974

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Transcript Highlights:

• September 11, 2001, was one of America's darkest days, with the coordinated hijackings and attacks claiming
• This year marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, a solemn milestone in our
• 11, 2001.
• The symbol was first officially recognized as Virginia's official flag of remembrance for 9/11.
• -9/11 grows larger, it is imperative that we hold true to the promise of never forget.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um you know,<00:11:01.200><c> we</c><00:11:01.440><c> have</c><00:11:02.000><c> I</c><00:11:02.240><c
• 00:11:04.560><c> gas</c><00:11:04.800><c> pipelines</c><00:11:05.920><c> uh</c><00:11:06.000><c> that
• Um this<00:11:26.880><c> slide</c><00:11:27.360><c> uh</c><00:11:27.519><c> you</c><00:11:27.600><c>
• :11:33.920><c> we</c><00:11:34.160><c> get</c><00:11:34.240><c> our</c><00:11:34.480><c> funding</c><
• from and,<00:11:35.760><c> uh,</c><00:11:35.839><c> and</c><00:11:36.079><c> who</c><00:11:36.240><c>

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were licensed in September 2024.
• I know we’re looking at that September 22 date.
• We have requested an extension to 11:00.
• The Swimming Lesson Voucher Online Application Portal launched in September 2024.
• The Swimming Lesson Voucher Online Application Portal launched in September of 2024.

Summary: The committee met to receive implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws from AHCA and the Department of Health. AHCA reported on rural emergency hospitals, explaining the new Class 4 hospital designation, rule changes completed June 1, 2025, and that no Florida hospitals have yet converted, though one North Walton/DeFuniak Springs-area hospital has expressed interest. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement for hospitals with emergency departments, saying 83 plans had been received since July 1 and 63 approved, with plans emphasizing patient education, referrals to primary care or urgent care, and coordination for Medicaid managed care enrollees through the Florida HIE/ENS system. Members asked about HIE capacity, data collection, and whether the plans would identify shortages or trigger accountability measures; AHCA said it had moved to a new HIE vendor and would continue gathering data. AHCA also updated the committee on the TEACH workforce program, reporting $6.8 million in FY 2024-25 spending across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed, and said a federal 1115 workforce waiver was unlikely to move forward under CMS. On KidCare, AHCA said House Bill 121’s expansion to 300% of the federal poverty level remains blocked by federal litigation and CMS action tied to premium nonpayment rules, and members and public witnesses urged prompt implementation and asked for enrollment/disenrollment data and the rural health transformation funding outlook. Public testimony largely supported the NCAP and TEACH programs and pressed for action on KidCare. Representatives from health centers said NCAP has strengthened hospital-health center relationships and improved care coordination, including reduced recidivism in some hospitals. A Bond Community Health Center physician said TEACH is helping offset the burden of training students and could help address workforce shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas. Advocacy groups urged the committee to push for implementation of the KidCare expansion, citing children in the coverage gap and rising uninsured rates. The Department of Health then presented on several programs from the 2024-25 session. It reported on the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program, including 78 dentists and 15 dental hygienists funded under the dental track and nearly 1,300 medical professionals funded overall, with 123 dental applications and 71 funded dentists in the most recent cycle. DOH also updated the Screening and Services Grant Program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, the statewide telehealth maternity care program, and the swimming lesson voucher program, noting strong participation and outcomes such as reduced ER visits and improved postpartum follow-up in the maternity program. Finally, DOH said implementation of the HIV prevention drug/pharmacist dispensing law is underway, with three certification courses approved and five certifications issued. Members asked about barriers to wider use of HIV prevention drugs, more detailed maternal outcome data, and the dental workforce program report; DOH said more detailed reports would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of 11% withholding only decline 4%. of 11% withholding only decline 4%.
• They have to give their first preliminary estimate by the end of September.
• They have to give their first preliminary estimate by the end of September.
• June or September and they were up and down just year to year.
• </c><01:08:13.599><c> Chaired</c> September the 17th. back here.

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline. Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue. The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, do I have a motion and a second to approve the September meeting minutes?
• have a motion and a second to approve have a motion and a second to approve the<00:00:43.280><c> September
• </c> the September meeting minutes? the September meeting minutes?
• pressing I just<00:10:57.440><c> don't</c><00:10:57.839><c> fully</c><00:10:59.040><c> grasp</c><00:11
• :00.160><c> does</c><00:11:00.800><c> DJJ</c> I just don't fully grasp: is DJJ, is it a must for Hardin

Summary: The committee met with quorum, approved the September meeting minutes, and received a set of information reports on capital projects, debt, school district bond issues, UK and KCTCS asset preservation projects, and the Louisville Arena Authority’s financial report, with the latter noted as lengthy and expected to be discussed further in person in December. The committee also heard a Finance and Administration Cabinet lease report covering three leases: a temporary lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Louisville due to ongoing maintenance and safety issues at its current site, a Department of Juvenile Justice lease in Hardin County for a day-treatment/alternative school program, and a Warren County lease renewal. Members questioned the Hardin County lease about the higher rate and limited competition; agency staff explained the specialized school setting, transportation and program requirements, and the difficulty of attracting bidders for alternative-school space. The lease package was approved after roll call. The committee then considered seven economic development grants: four EDF grants and three KPDI grants. The projects included infrastructure for Allen County’s industrial park, flood-related repairs for Weddington Plaza in the Big Sandy area, an Owensboro manufacturing expansion for Mscan America, a new Louisville manufacturing facility for Anthro Energy, a Henderson due-diligence study, a Paducah spec building, and utility extensions for the Riverbend site in Carrollton. Staff said the projects had been approved by KEFA and recommended by the relevant cabinet leadership, and the committee approved them by roll call. Finally, the committee reviewed a new Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit bond issue for about $43 million for 233 Louisville housing units, which was approved. It then took up five SFCC debt issues together: new money for an Edmonson County elementary school and Knox County middle school gym improvements, plus refundings for Callaway, Hardin, and McCracken counties. Members raised concerns that the refundings were bundled together and that some did not appear to meet a newly referenced 3% net present value savings guideline, but the package was still approved on a 5-2 vote. The meeting ended with calendar updates, including a November 20 meeting at noon and a December 16 meeting featuring the Yum Arena presentation, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:11:02.800><c> and</c><00:11:03.200><c> even</c><00:11:03.760><c> um</c><00:11:04.000><c> with</
• <00:11:09.920><c> as</c><00:11:10.160><c> an</c><00:11:10.320><c> option</c><00:11:10.640><c> as</c><
• </c><00:11:11.839><c> I</c><00:11:12.079><c> think</c><00:11:12.160><c> with</c><00:11:12.399><c> the
• good</c><00:11:15.760><c> to</c><00:11:16.399><c> let</c><00:11:16.720><c> people</c><00:11:17.040><c
• ><c> like</c><00:11:18.000><c> you</c><00:11:18.240><c> said</c><00:11:18.640><c> a</c><00:11:18.880>

Summary: The committee first heard from Personnel Cabinet officials on House Bill 6, which required the Kentucky Employees Health Plan to offer a qualified high-deductible health plan by the 2026 plan year. Officials said the plan was already added for 2025, described it as the lowest-premium option with higher deductibles, and explained that federal rules prevent first-dollar coverage except for limited preventive services. They said 264 members had selected the plan out of about 142,000, and noted it also allows health savings accounts. Members asked about the plan’s benefits, what “catastrophic” meant, the deductible amounts, and whether employees were aware of the option; the cabinet said it would continue to highlight the plan in communications and that the deductible is above $8,000 for individuals and above $16,000 for families. The committee then received an update from the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs on the Bowling Green veterans center. Officials said the current target is to move into the building on October 28, with first admissions about two months later, pending final fixes and certification steps for Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA. They explained that about $7 million in FY25 appropriations lapsed because of construction delays, staffing ramp-up was postponed to avoid unnecessary spending, and the unspent funds should be considered in the next budget request. Members praised the project and asked about annual operating costs; officials said the current operating budget is about $15 million, though they do not expect to spend all of it this year. The commissioner also announced the fifth annual state commanders conference in Lexington, focused on veterans issues and featuring state, federal, and advocacy leaders. State Auditor Allison Ball then outlined her office’s budget priorities. She said the office is primarily a billing agency that charges audited entities for its work, and warned that some agencies are now signaling they may refuse to pay for audits related to kinship care and the medical cannabis application process. She said the office plans to continue requesting outlier credits for unusually burdensome county audit fees, funding for the ombudsman office’s transition and expanded in-office operations, and revenue replacement for local government audits and possibly state audits and special examinations. Ball also said the office conducts about 500 audits, reviews, and examinations a year and wants to restore performance audits with seed funding, as well as add investigators to the ombudsman office to focus more on child abuse and neglect cases. Members discussed the value of performance audits, the possibility of raising certain board thresholds to account for inflation, and the need for additional capacity to handle more audits.

Transcript Highlights:

• Biggest<00:11:00.600><c> concern</c><00:11:01.080><c> there</c><00:11:01.360><c> is</c><00:11:01.560>
• /c><00:11:02.880><c> hearing</c><00:11:03.320><c> is</c><00:11:03.560><c> we're</c><00:11:03.720><c>
• were</c><01:11:57.520><c> not</c><01:11:57.960><c> able</c><01:11:58.280><c> to</c><01:11:58.400><c>
• Um<02:11:19.920><c> but</c><02:11:20.080><c> I</c><02:11:20.120><c> wanted</c><02:11:20.560><c> to</c
• ><c> our</c><02:11:22.920><c> revenue</c><02:11:23.360><c> streams</c><02:11:23.760><c> are</c><02:11

Committee: Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, as we remember today, 9-11, please join us.
• September 11, 2001, was one of America's darkest days, with the coordinated hijackings and attacks claiming
• 11, 2001.
• Tragedies such as 9/11 have profound effects on us.
• Members of Natural Resources Committee will now meet at 11 a.m. in Capital Room 437. 11 a.m.

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, completed the roll call, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate and several bills taken up for final votes. The chamber also handled procedural motions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest introductions, and later a roll-call vote on a motion to print a journal letter, which passed 41-16. Among the major Senate bills considered on third reading, SB 385, SB 753, SB 838, SB 643, SB 645, SB 761, SB 774, SB 400, SB 24, SB 37, SB 258, SB 364, SB 403, SB 770, and SB 22 all passed, with debate focused on topics such as shopping cart recovery, housing and land use, carbon removal grants, jury selection rules in civil cases, student CalFresh access, real estate licensing sunsets, renewable energy tax incentives, utility spending transparency, attorney advertising ethics, spousal rape protections for disabled spouses, freeway advertising placement, medical aid in dying, EV charging access in HOAs, and gift certificate redemption values. SB 596 on hospital nurse staffing drew the most extended debate, with supporters arguing it enforces existing law and protects patient safety, while opponents warned it could worsen rural hospital closures; the bill ultimately passed 59-0. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments to Assembly bills, including measures on service of process, firearms, workers’ compensation, family leave for crime survivors, solid waste, water reporting for data centers, student information privacy, Diwali recognition, wildfire workforce recovery, educational equity, civic education, office-to-housing conversions, cannabis tax relief, browser privacy, housing element transparency, landlord-tenant appliances, code enforcement, homelessness, DEIA in state government, inmate firefighter wages, children’s health, real estate, rehiring protections for laid-off hospitality workers, hazardous materials, housing covenants, aging, care facilities, species protection, CalWORKs modernization, cannabis access for seriously ill patients, foreign labor contractors, and downtown revitalization financing. Most of these concurred with broad bipartisan margins; AB 247 on inmate firefighter wages drew especially extensive bipartisan support and passed 74-0, while AB 93 on data center water reporting and AB 766 on state DEIA planning drew some opposition but still passed concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:11:01.280><c> You</c><02:11:01.520><c> truly</c><02:11:01.920><c> never</c><02:11:02.159><c>
• </c><02:11:08.480><c> Buddy,</c><02:11:08.960><c> you</c><02:11:09.199><c> should</c><02:11:09.280><c
• You're Superman.<02:11:12.719><c> I</c><02:11:13.040><c> applaud</c><02:11:13.440><c> you,</c><02:11:
• </c><02:11:18.000><c> And</c><02:11:18.159><c> with</c><02:11:18.320><c> that,</c><02:11:18.639><c> Mr
• </c><03:11:08.160><c> in</c><03:11:08.399><c> AI</c><03:11:09.840><c> with</c><03:11:10.160><c> China

Bills: HR1047 , HB3015 , HB3062 , HR719

Keywords: mentoring, youth support, education, community engagement, National Mentoring Month, coal industry, energy, advisory council, regulation, Department of Energy, cross-border infrastructure, renewable resources, investment, state regulation, political violence, Charlie Kirk, civil discourse, freedom of speech, unity, political extremism

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we<00:11:00.560><c> have</c><00:11:00.720><c> seven</c><00:11:00.959><c> that</c><00:11:01.200><c
• c> either</c><00:11:05.760><c> go</c><00:11:05.920><c> to</c><00:11:06.079><c> the</c><00:11:06.640><
• </c><00:11:10.000><c> of</c><00:11:10.160><c> those</c><00:11:10.399><c> seven</c><00:11:10.640><c> are
• <00:11:19.839><c> um</c><00:11:20.000><c> due</c><00:11:20.240><c> to</c><00:11:20.720><c> theft</c><
• </c><00:11:22.560><c> And</c><00:11:22.720><c> then</c><00:11:22.880><c> we've</c><00:11:23.200><c> been

Summary: The committee received reports on special purpose governmental entities from the Department for Local Government and the Fire Commission. DLG staff described SPGEs as limited-jurisdiction political subdivisions and reviewed the department’s registry, reporting portal, compliance monitoring, and planned system upgrades such as a two-way message center, automated noncompliance notices, and tracking for new entities and board expirations. They reported that, as of October 10, 2025, 69% of SPGEs were active and discussed compliance data by cycle, fiscal year, and district type. The Fire Commission reported that fire department mergers have reduced the number of departments by 16 since last year, largely because of volunteer staffing shortages, while financial disclosure compliance had risen to 94%. The commission also noted 509 compliance reviews, 19 in-house inquiries, seven referrals to outside agencies, and one recent federal prison sentence in a theft case. Members asked whether DLG advises SPGEs on tax rates; staff said it only performs calculations and the entities set their own rates. Questions to the Fire Commission focused on whether department reductions meant station closures; officials explained that most changes were mergers that keep physical buildings in place while combining personnel and finances to meet minimum staffing requirements. They said the trend is spread across the state but is especially pronounced in rural areas. The Kentucky League of Cities then presented its 2026 legislative agenda. Its priorities included modernizing city revenue options, increasing equity in road funding, fixing tax increment financing issues, addressing transient room tax collection from web-based platforms, strengthening emergency response coordination, clarifying massage parlor regulation preemption, correcting unintended consequences of House Bill 606, improving newspaper publication rules, and modernizing procurement statutes. KLC also said it supports allowing all cities to collect restaurant tax revenue, wants cities to receive a larger share of road funds and EV-related revenues, and seeks state collection and remittance of any future local sales tax to comply with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. Members asked about best-value bidding, road-fund equity, Airbnb tax litigation, EV prevalence, and disaster funding applications; KLC said cities currently must accept the lowest bid, the road split should better reflect city street costs, the Airbnb tax case remains pending, EV data by locality has not been studied, and allowing cities to apply directly for disaster funds would reduce reliance on county officials. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the September meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :38.000><c> Uh</c><01:11:38.400><c> but</c><01:11:38.560><c> but</c><01:11:39.040><c> still</c><01:11
• </c><01:11:46.480><c> We</c><01:11:46.560><c> we</c><01:11:46.880><c> had</c><01:11:46.960><c> a</c>
• :11:58.719><c> But</c><01:11:58.880><c> I</c><01:11:59.120><c> just</c><01:11:59.280><c> wanted</c><01
• ><c> I</c><02:11:07.599><c> don't</c><02:11:07.679><c> want</c><02:11:07.840><c> to</c><02:11:08.079>
• :11:30.079><c> why</c><02:11:30.320><c> did</c><02:11:30.480><c> we</c><02:11:30.880><c> not</c><02:11

Summary: The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile. Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Sunset staff completed their evaluation of the Texas Lottery Commission as directed at the September
• , the Sunset staff completed their evaluation of the Texas Lottery Commission as directed at the September
• The SAO determined that 89% of the directives were fully implemented, and 11% had ongoing or incomplete
• Of the remaining changes, which span 11 agencies, 48 are in progress and five have been partially implemented
• During the September meeting of the Sunset Commission, we adopted a motion directing Sunset staff to

Keywords: Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Ethics Commission, recommendations, Angelina River Authority, Natchez Valley Authority, public testimony, legislative session

Summary: The meeting of the Sunset Advisory Commission served as a concluding assembly for the current biennium, where various agencies were reviewed. Notably, the Commission focused on staff recommendations and modifications regarding the Angelina and Natchez River Authority, Lower Natchez Valley Authority, and Texas Ethics Commission. After discussing various modifications, the members voted unanimously on multiple recommendations aimed at improving operational efficiency and accountability within these agencies. The Chair emphasized the collaborative effort of the Commission members and staff, acknowledging their hard work throughout the biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• > like</c><00:11:04.160><c> all</c><00:11:04.399><c> boards</c><00:11:04.800><c> it</c><00:11:04.959>
• </c><00:11:10.399><c> And</c><00:11:10.560><c> if</c><00:11:10.720><c> you</c><00:11:10.800><c> look<
• </c><00:11:33.839><c> It's</c><00:11:34.000><c> it's</c><00:11:34.240><c> it</c><00:11:34.480><c> is<
• > to</c><00:11:39.920><c> keep</c><00:11:40.079><c> them</c><00:11:40.160><c> going</c><00:11:40.399>
• But there<00:11:41.440><c> are</c><00:11:41.600><c> some</c><00:11:41.760><c> things</c><00:11:41.839

Bills: SB78 , SB103 , SB113 , SB180 , SB78 , SB103 , SB113 , SB180

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: inhalants, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, possession, sale, misdemeanor, felony, criminal penalties, public health, public works, sealed bids, bid advertisement, procurement, government contracting, construction bids, municipal bidding, county bidding, state bidding, Department of Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, 11 more comment.
• When I joined in September of 2000, we had made only 50 loans between 1992, September of 2000, 50 loans
• If you go to page 11.
• We, we have our last two-day meeting in September, pretty early in September.
• It will next meet on July 9 and 10, which is in Las Vegas, August 11 and 12 in Espanola, September 9

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 11 in favor and zero opposed, House Bill 1651 has passed.
• And I think that something like this, a day, a week in September would provide.
• And I think that something like this, a day, a week in September, would provide for that.
• My question is, why the first week of September? The first week of September. Okay.
• And I urge... week in September, it will help other families like ours.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism