Transcript Highlights:

• program, aptly called the FARM program.
• I know they'll be able to partake in the road program.
• in the ACA grant program?
• of being able to stabilize the scholarship program?
• There are a great deal of these scholarship programs.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> how things are going, what the programs how things are going, what the programs are,<00:04:29.759
• Our traditional program is the KBI.
• Our traditional program is the KBI. Our traditional program is the KBI.
• Our traditional program is the KBI. Our traditional program is the KBI.
• There's another program licensing.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Energy and Environment, and Tourism met for its fourth meeting and approved the February 10 minutes. The committee then heard a presentation from the Cabinet for Economic Development, led by Secretary Jeff Noel, with staff from the cabinet and Kentucky Innovation. The presentation focused on the cabinet’s strategy, including workforce, entrepreneurship, innovation, infrastructure, and placemaking, and emphasized a goal of supporting higher-wage jobs while tailoring programs to urban, non-urban, and rural “heritage communities.” The cabinet reviewed several funding tools and programs, including economic development bond funds, EDF funds, KBI, the Kentucky Innovation Pool, KSTC-related startup and commercialization programs, veteran workforce programs, and Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training funds. Officials said many projects take years to close and that funds are often committed before they are actually disbursed because reimbursements occur after project completion. They also said Kentucky is less competitive than before because of changes in tax policy and that EDF funds are increasingly important to remain competitive with other states. Members asked about whether previously allocated money remained available, whether some funds could be clawed back, and the status of the Blue Oval project. The cabinet said it is oversubscribed, with some committed dollars likely to go unused and be reoffered to other projects. On Blue Oval, officials said progress had been made and described negotiations tied to repayment and job creation requirements. They also discussed the Ford/SK loan structure, saying the companies may assume the full $250 million obligation and that repayments would be required if job targets are not met. The presentation closed with discussion of workforce coordination and the need to connect economic development projects with training and support systems, including possible ripple effects for rural suppliers and related businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for Family First Services and Prevention Act programs.
• This is for Family First Services and Prevention Act programs.
• This is for actuarial services for the Medicaid program.
• This is for the independent assessment and support program.
• This is for comprehensive substance abuse treatment programs.

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures. The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ALIGN program—that's the Arkansas Linking Industry to Grow Nurses program—is requesting to move $18,000
• This is to pay personnel costs at the Law Enforcement Safety Office program and is supported by program
• or the crime victims program.
• It’s a once-a-year grant program.
• And then we manage that program.

Summary: The committee met to review a large slate of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. Early items included temporary appropriations for agencies such as Health, DHS, Education, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, and Game and Fish, covering items like maternal health outreach, energy assistance repayments, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim reparations, aviation grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Members asked questions on several items, including DHS aging carry-forward funds and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to COVID-era balances; the committee also approved a disclosure by the chair on the Game and Fish-related item before voting to approve the section. The committee then approved continuation requests, CARES Act and ARPA reallocations, and federal grant appropriations. Notable discussion included the Boonville developmental disability project, ALIGN program reallocations at several universities, a small business technical assistance grant at UA Little Rock, and a Department of Public Safety highway safety grant, for which members requested more detail on operating expenses and professional fees. Additional approvals covered a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive program, restricted reserve fund transfers for military medical command and university projects, and a state central services deduction held at 2%. The Department of Commerce also received approval for a reallocation of positions and spending authority tied to its organizational realignment. Later sections included shared technology and higher education transfers, cash fund appropriations for school Medicaid reimbursements, corrections, youth mental health, narcotics detection canines, bike safety equipment, a state motor pool pilot, and law enforcement safety costs. The committee also reviewed budget classification transfers, including a Governor’s Office legal fee transfer related to a California lawsuit, and heard explanations about E-Rate reimbursements affecting the Office of State Technology. Members asked about VOCA funding levels for crime victim services and about the National Security Grant Program for nonprofits and faith-based organizations; officials said federal funding had declined from prior highs but appeared to have stabilized, and that the nonprofit security grant is an annual federal program. The meeting concluded with review of pay plan requests, DHS overtime funding for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustment request allowing DFA to make up to $1 million in transfers to close the books, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• program, aptly called the FARM program.
• codify the grant programs at this time or cause any conflict.
• I know they'll be able to partake in the road program.
• in the ACA grant program?
• There are a great deal of these scholarship programs.

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day, a visiting debate student, and later Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol. The chamber then took up committee reports and confirmed a slate of 52 executive appointments by a 39-0 vote. On special order, senators considered SB 250 on rural communities. The bill, described as a “Rural Renaissance” package, would create an Office of Rural Prosperity, establish a Renaissance Grant Program, increase housing and transportation support, and direct new funding to rural education and health care. Two amendments were adopted to update rural health funding and hospital estimates. Members from both parties spoke in support, while raising questions about eligibility and access to grants for certain rural areas. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then debated CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. The bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, tightening payment and audit procedures, and creating a stabilization fund for scholarships. Three amendments were adopted to remove a district declining-enrollment provision from the bill, adjust private-school documentation timing, and clarify withdrawal form and parent-attestation procedures. Senators from both parties supported the measure while noting concerns about oversight, school quality, and future conforming legislation. The bill passed 38-0, and both SB 250 and CS/SB 318 were certified to the House before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> go over the programs and initiatives. go over the programs and initiatives.
• Don't tell me about the programs. Programs are good. I've been through all of them.
• Don't tell me about the programs. Programs are good. I've been through all of them.
• </c><01:12:59.360><c> I've</c><01:12:59.520><c> been</c> programs. Programs are good.
• I've been programs. Programs are good.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Landscape program.
• The Lawns to Legumes program is one of our most popular programs.
• </c><01:35:29.360><c> of</c> for The Lawns to legumes program of for The Lawns to legumes program of
• Another program these are statutory programs, you can see here under chapter 103F.
• in Minnesota program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> programs teaching the same way. programs teaching the same way.
• certification program.
• So, program review. However, um program review.
• </c> programs that this is specifying. programs that this is specifying.
• </c> responsibility of collegiate programs. responsibility of collegiate programs.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She did mention a program transfer, but on the paperwork it says this motion does not provide a program
• She did mention a program transfer, but on the paperwork it says this motion does not provide a program
• The agency consists of five budgeted programs. The agency consists of five budgeted programs.
• The first program is General Services. The second program is the Audit Division.
• The fourth program is Revenue Operations, and the last program is the Property Tax Program.

Summary: The committee began by recognizing two pages, Conrad and Easton Chandler, thanking them for their service and presenting letters and gifts before moving into budget work. Christopher LaHosette then gave a general fund budget update, explaining how the green sheet reflected JFAC’s prior base and maintenance actions and highlighting two policy bills tied to budget reductions: House Bill 622, which would reduce the IDLA appropriation by about $9 million, and Senate Bill 1312, which would reduce Medicaid general fund spending by about $21 million through a residential habilitation rate change. The committee then considered several budget-setting items. It approved a $17,800 reimbursement for the military division’s hazardous materials deficiency warrants, but a larger military division enhancement request to restore funding for the State Guardsman Education Assistance Program was debated at length and ultimately failed on the original motion; a substitute motion to hold the item at the call of the chair passed. The committee also approved enhancements for PERSI, the Division of Veteran Services, the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the State Tax Commission’s supplemental request for federal tax conformity implementation costs. The Tax Commission’s larger FY 2027 enhancement package also passed, with language directing that one appropriation be used only for fast tax collection vendor payments and any unused amount revert to the general fund. The committee then took up language for the Division of Veteran Services intended to signal future funding for cemetery maintenance, but that language failed after members objected that it could not bind a future legislature. Additional cleanup language was later adopted to correct previously approved maintenance bill language, including clarifying transfer authority and fixing year references and agency names. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would hold budget hearings for the Department of Water Resources and the Soil and Water Conservation Commission on the following Monday, with no votes scheduled.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rhode Island has a long history with this program.
• , including authorization of the Brownfields program.
• Once again, the Superfund program uses this policy too sparingly.
• In conclusion, a Superfund program has proven accomplishments.
• The volunteer program of Indiana versus how we did it under the Superfund program, just my consulting

Keywords: presidential nominations, EPA, environmental policy, Fish and Wildlife, committee meeting

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the presidential nominations of Brigadier General Brian Nesvick as Director of Fish and Wildlife and Jess Kramer and Sean Donahue as assistant administrators at the EPA. Each nominee presented their qualifications and experiences in their respective fields, with an emphasis on their commitment to uphold the laws passed by Congress. The discussion highlighted the nominees' dedication to addressing environmental issues and their proactive stances on regulatory matters. After deliberation, votes were held to report the nominations favorably, despite some members voicing concerns regarding their qualifications and potential conflicts with environmental interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• the PCA program.
• for the two-year programs.
• for the two-year programs.
• for the two-year programs.
• </c> appropriation for the grant program appropriation for the grant program those<00:21:17.760><c> will

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• MISSION IS TO ADMINISTER TRAINING SERVICES PROGRAM.
• THE VETS PROGRAM IS HE WILL SEE, THAT IS THE PROGRAM WHERE WE CONDUCT OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND OUTREACH
• SINCE WE WERE CREATED IN THE PROGRAMS KICKED OFF.
• UCR AGRICULTURE PROGRAM, YOU SEE THE US PROGRAM.
• SO FAR WE HAD 663 INDIVIDUALS ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do they come to the program?
• How do they come to the program?
• Yes, it's based on historical and it's based on the program needs and the program evaluation.
• Yes, it's based on historical and it's based on the program needs and the program evaluation.
• </c> going to have to sustain the program. going to have to sustain the program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from its May 13 meeting. Members then reviewed a deferred contract with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy for the Kentucky Pharmacist Recovery Network (KYPRN), a program that provides monitoring and support for pharmacists and pharmacy interns with substance abuse or mental health issues. Board representatives explained that the contract is a long-running arrangement, renewed periodically, with an option for two additional two-year renewals. Senators asked about the program’s structure, participation trends, follow-up, and consequences for noncompliance. The board said enrollment has remained fairly consistent at about 52 participants, with roughly 500 participants over the life of the program, weekly and monthly check-ins during the five-year typical enrollment period, and possible additional sanctions if participants fail to meet obligations. The committee then approved the contract. The committee next considered a group of economic development contracts, including items from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Secretary Jeff Null and general counsel Matt Wingate testified about contracts tied to regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Members focused on the large differences in funding between regions and pressed for more support for rural and eastern Kentucky. Null said the cabinet is working on a more tailored, non-one-size-fits-all approach, including possible changes to capital support, build-to-suit options, and additional resources for rural areas. He said the hubs have helped 193 startups over the last two years and helped attract nearly $350 million in private capital, and he agreed to provide a written report by hub district on startup viability. The committee approved the economic development contracts. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation then presented its contracts with vendor IGT for retail and internet sales systems. Lottery officials said the contracts are mission-critical, cover both the traditional retail system and iLottery, and are structured as a percentage of sales so no payment is made until revenue is earned. They described planned equipment upgrades, including refreshed terminals, new ticket checkers, cashless vending and bill acceptors, and connected-play features that would link retail and online wallets. Officials said keeping the same vendor reduces the risk of business disruption and that the arrangement has already produced cost savings. They also said the lottery continues to see year-over-year growth and expects to meet its annual contribution target of $360 million for scholarships and grants. The committee approved the lottery contract after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• But um, it's an opt-out program. That should probably be an opt-in program.
• But um, it's an opt-out program. That should probably be an opt-in program.
• It's a fantastic at the program. It's a fantastic program. program. program.
• If it's going to be a program, it should be an opt-in program, not an opt-out program.
• ><c> out</c> an opt-in program, not an opt- out an opt-in program, not an opt- out program.<02:38:30.720

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CalVet has a home loan program.
• alongside other farm-based programs And the remaining licensing programs were placed within the Department
• We're now seven years into the program.
• Cohort 2 program.
• Programming statewide through grants, programs, and services.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It renames the office of programming.
• federal program that had a subsidy there.
• for our program.
• for our program and can meet those uh for our program and can meet those uh speed<00:17:14.079><c> goals
• Um as such eligible for our program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In case you're unaware, the federal government has a program that they call the Continuum of Care program
• In case you're unaware, the federal government has a program that they call the continuum of care program
• And so there you're able to actually find, Program level.
• , for SSDI, for housing, all these different programs?
• , for SSDI, for housing, all these different programs?

Summary: The committee first approved a motion, then heard a lengthy presentation on homelessness policy and behavioral health. Testimony focused on the view that Arkansas should shift toward more data-driven, outcomes-based responses to homelessness, including stronger treatment options for serious mental illness and substance use disorder, better data collection, provider accountability, and possible statewide use of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. Speakers from Fort Smith, Restore Hope, Our House, and Western Arkansas Counseling described local work, the need for better coordination across providers, and the role of crisis services, ACT teams, and employment support. Members asked about sex offender tracking, the difference between sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, how to scale successful programs statewide, and whether Arkansas could apply for a statewide Continuum of Care or CCBHC planning grant. The discussion also touched on camping bans, civil commitment, and federal funding changes, with several speakers urging the state to pursue the CCBHC planning grant and more transparent reporting systems. After the homelessness discussion, the committee moved through a series of Department of Energy and Board of Nursing rule reviews. DEQ proposed updating the post-closure cleanup threshold for solid waste matters from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025, and members asked about financial assurance and oversight; the rule was reviewed without objection. The Board of Nursing then presented multiple rule changes tied to recent acts, including adding fees for dialysis patient care technician registration, expanding contact-information requirements, implementing APRN delegation authority to unlicensed workers, clarifying APRN authority for death certificates and durable medical equipment prescriptions, updating certified medication assistant training and insulin-injection authority, and conforming independent-practice rules for clinical nurse specialists. Each rule was reviewed without objection. Near the end of the meeting, Senator Irvin announced that UAMS had completed its NCI designation submission for the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, calling it an important milestone for the state. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The weights and measures program is one of our programs that is lesser known but essential to regulatory
• Another program here is the Youth Education and Outreach Program, which facilitates place-based, career-connected
• A key focus of this program points to equity.
• Another program here is the Youth Education and Outreach Program, which facilitates place-based career-connected
• A key focus of this program points to equity.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on HEAL Act implementation, beginning with an orientation from Environmental Justice Council member David Mendoza. He described the law’s purpose as integrating environmental justice into agency decision-making, community engagement, tribal consultation, strategic planning, and environmental justice assessments, with the goal of reducing environmental health disparities and improving accountability to communities and tribes. He also discussed the council’s role, the interagency work group, challenges with limited volunteer and agency capacity, and concerns about inconsistent assessment formats and future funding pressures. Committee members asked about council composition, including the balance of tribal, community, business, and other representation, whether the HEAL Act increases permitting time or costs, how “overburdened” and “vulnerable” populations are defined, and whether the council should be refreshed or audited. Mendoza said the statute is not limited to racial categories and can include rural and low-income communities, that the council has not quantified permitting delays, and that there is no formal audit requirement, though the council is discussing how to improve its work. Members also raised questions about the relationship between the Environmental Justice Council and the Office of Equity, with Mendoza saying the bodies are complementary but should coordinate more closely. The Department of Agriculture then reported on its HEAL Act work. Director of Equity and Environmental Justice Nicole Johnson said WSDA conducts environmental justice assessments for significant actions, applies an equity lens to licensing, funding, rulemaking, and strategic planning, and has completed 11 EJ assessments to date. She highlighted pesticide regulation, animal health, and weights-and-measures work as examples of environmental and economic justice, and said the department recently hired a full-time tribal consultant and has only 1.5 FTE supporting HEAL implementation. Members asked whether WSDA’s assessments apply to its role on boards such as the Forest Practices Board; Johnson said the department’s current understanding is that assessments are conducted on agency work. The Department of Natural Resources then presented on its HEAL Act implementation, focusing on strategic planning, community engagement, tribal consultation, environmental justice assessments, and equitable funding. DNR officials said environmental justice is being embedded in the agency’s 2025-2029 strategic plan, in its Community Access and Impact Plan, and in its advisory committee and board representation efforts. They reported conducting EJ assessments for sustainable harvest calculations, agency request legislation, and a prescribed burn manager certificate program, and said DNR has invested about $130 million in overburdened communities and vulnerable populations in fiscal year 2025 through wildfire resilience, youth education, and urban forestry programs. Committee members pressed DNR on how it identifies impacted communities, why landowners were not more visible in the process, how agency-request legislation is being assessed, and whether assessments are required for actions taken through other boards and commissions. DNR said its current interpretation is that assessments apply to internal agency actions, that some notices may appear on OFM’s notices page rather than the completed-assessments dashboard, and that it would follow up on specific questions about its posted assessments and process.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have an award program through the.
• And then when you were talking about the program.
• So, is it the FMR program, or is it a different program?
• That pilot program was short-lived.
• What do we want this program to meet?

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• as well: the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, as well as the Emerging Contaminants Program.
• Contaminants Program.
• That's a record for the program.
• Program.