Transcript Highlights:

• the local government is permitted to draw upon regular property tax revenue collected from property owners
• The 20-year MFTE for residential and mixed-use buildings constructed within a station area does not apply
• They allow working families to buy a home, build modest equity, and stay rooted in their communities,
• Unemployment right now is problematically high in the building trades. 10,000 workers are out of work
• This bill's labor standards ensure that apprentices and local tradesfolk will build these projects.

Summary: The committee heard several public hearings on tax and housing-related bills. HB 2451 on local tax increment financing was briefed as a negotiated trailer bill adding new limits and consultation requirements for increment areas, including restrictions on using areas that already have needed public improvements, earlier sunset rules, more detailed project analysis, and stronger notice, mediation, and arbitration procedures for affected taxing districts. Supporters from cities, ports, and fire districts said the bill rebalances the process and protects impacted jurisdictions; the hearing then closed. HB 2322 would change the alternative jet fuel tax incentive program by replacing the current production-capacity trigger with a fixed effective period beginning in 2031 and ending in 2046, while clarifying carbon-intensity requirements. The sponsor said the change adds certainty and supports cleaner aviation fuel. A refinery representative supported the program but asked for clarification to include Pierce County or define “blender,” while a climate-health opponent argued the bill subsidizes continued fossil-fuel combustion and should be rejected. HB 2590 would revise the limited equity cooperative definition and exempt such cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, while preserving the property-tax exemption requirements; supporters said it would reduce red tape and better fit cooperative housing, while members raised concerns about unintended restrictive membership rules and asked for fair-housing guardrails. HB 2655 would create a new sales and use tax exemption for construction and equipment at certain new data centers in eastern Washington, subject to labor, wage, apprenticeship, employment, and sustainability requirements. Supporters framed it as a jobs and clean-energy opportunity tied to hydrogen development and regional competitiveness, while opponents said it was a subsidy for large corporations and could strain water, power, and public revenues. The committee then moved to executive action and advanced HB 1983, the second substitute for HB 1974, the substitute for HB 2334, HB 2367, and the substitute for HB 2650, all with due pass recommendations. Amendments were adopted on HB 1974 and rejected on HB 2367; the other bills were advanced without amendment. Votes were recorded on each measure, with HB 1974 passing 10-4, HB 2334 passing 13-1, HB 2367 passing 11-3, and HB 2650 passing 14-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and building a longitudinal data system. and building a longitudinal data system.
• So we differentiate the idea of data owners and data stewards.
• </c> differentiate the idea of data owners differentiate the idea of data owners and<00:12:01.360><c>
• the</c> and data stewards. data owners are the and data stewards. data owners are the folks<00:12:03.440
• We receive primarily annual submissions from our data owners.

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on State Government met for its first meeting and heard a presentation from the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KY Stats) by Executive Director Matt Barry and Legislative Director Calli Arnold. The presentation reviewed KY Stats’ statutory background, its evolution from KESUS, its board membership, and its role in housing Kentucky’s longitudinal data system and labor market information office. Barry explained that KY Stats links data from multiple state sources, validates and cleans it, deidentifies it, and uses it to produce reports, evaluations, and responses to data requests for policymakers, practitioners, and the public. Barry described the scale of the system, noting more than 6,000 active data elements, 178 unique file types, and data from 48 sources across 26 agencies. He highlighted the agency’s privacy and security practices, including separate servers for source data and deidentified reporting data, and said KY Stats does not use real-time data. He also outlined the types of reports produced, including the annual high school feedback report and a recent life outcomes report tracking the 2017 public high school cohort’s postsecondary education, completion, wages, and employment outcomes. Members asked about the timeliness and availability of data, especially SNAP and Medicaid information, and Barry said most data arrive annually or quarterly and that Medicaid data had been used in a limited one-time project rather than as an ongoing feed. Questions also focused on artificial intelligence; Barry said KY Stats has not integrated AI but is exploring it cautiously because of privacy and security concerns. Several members encouraged further work with AI tools, while Barry emphasized that any use would need to protect confidentiality. The committee also discussed staffing and funding, with Barry saying KY Stats has about 49 total staff and annual funding of roughly $3.1 million in state general funds, plus federal labor-related funding. Committee members praised the agency’s work and suggested legislators may not fully understand its capabilities. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:21.919><c> for</c> property owners are responsible for property owners are responsible for
• </c> sewer backups into homes and buildings. sewer backups into homes and buildings.
• They didn't have multiple buildings. It was that building.
• </c> exterior of the building. exterior of the building.
• Public housing buildings.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis for over 25 years and is an avid member of the community and a successful business owner.
• He taught me how to build something from nothing.
• Sports are supposed to build teamwork, build character, teach sportsmanship, and foster community.
• more bridges and opportunities rather than building more barriers.
• I urge all of my colleagues... ...bridges and opportunities rather than building more barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Operators must provide notice to owners and tenants within one mile of the facility at least 30 days
• Equipment and our tanks with product have to be within 750 feet from the building.
• We require 1,500 feet from a city's water well to a building, and a building can be a school, residential
• And then just build off of my previous question before I forget that one.
• This is beneficial for school buildings.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• You just have to—we've got to build a framework that works for us. Members, Mr.
• I am also the co-owner of Elevated CB & Smoke.
• You don't even know who the owner is.
• Arch-political donors have done absolutely nothing to build this industry.
• Hemp store owners are not marketing towards your children.

Bills: HB28 , SB3 , SB 3

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:14.320><c> As</c><00:15:14.560><c> owners</c><00:15:14.959><c> of</c><00:15:15.199><c> 16<
• As owners of 16 personal care care for.
• As owners of 16 personal care homes<00:15:16.399><c> in</c><00:15:16.560><c> the</c><00:15:16.639><c>
• We take all that information and<00:31:52.559><c> we</c><00:31:52.799><c> build</c><00:31:53.200><c>
• what's called um a rate and we build what's called um a rate tool,<00:31:55.039><c> which</c><00:31:

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services heard a presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults with serious mental illness who do not qualify for nursing home care but need structured support, medication assistance, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and supervision. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and rely on a state supplementation rate of about $50.70 per day, which they argued no longer covers operating costs because of rising food, labor, insurance, and maintenance expenses. The presenters said the sector has shrunk significantly over time, citing a drop from 64 homes in 2002 to 34 today among the homes serving this population, with 30 closures over 23 years and two more closures since August. They argued that the closures have contributed to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer stays in psychiatric hospitals, and they gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before stabilizing in a personal care home. One provider also described spending more than $800,000 on capital improvements after acquiring Kentucky facilities and said reimbursement is too low to sustain safe operations. They asked for an incremental reimbursement increase over two years and said they have also proposed an assisted-living model for people with mental illness. Members asked about staffing, reimbursement, and the number of people still needing placement. The presenters said there is no requirement for licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use medication technicians and occasional LPNs. They estimated they are currently serving about 2,000 residents and said they receive roughly 30 referrals for every one person admitted, with many referrals involving people whose needs exceed the personal care home level. Senator Meredith and Representative Fleming said any funding request would need documentation of savings and corresponding budget offsets, while Representative Duval expressed support and asked about possible staffing and program improvements. The witnesses also compared Kentucky’s flat-rate reimbursement to a more individualized reimbursement model in Minnesota, saying a needs-based system would better match staffing and reduce hospitalizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• high school, and it was homecoming week, and we were in charge, along with the junior class, of building
• There were 13 of us that one night, guarding and building the bonfire, and we looked over and it was
• The owners of...
• The owners of the outhouses graciously dropped nearly all the charges because they wanted to get rid
• After graduation, they went their separate ways, he to UT and she to A&M, each building their own lives

Transcript Highlights:

• opt-in provision for Kino and for sports betting, so we don’t have the opt-in situation for the HHR build
• situation<00:13:14.800><c> for</c><00:13:15.079><c> the</c><00:13:15.480><c> HHR</c><00:13:16.079><c> build
• </c><00:13:16.680><c> consequently</c> situation for the HHR build consequently situation for the HHR
• build consequently we<00:13:17.839><c> don't</c><00:13:18.040><c> have</c><00:13:18.240><c> any</c><
• home owners and it satisfies<00:46:09.760><c> both</c><00:46:10.000><c> Federal</c><00:46:10.400><c>

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to pay 10% of HHR winnings to host communities as mitigation. Representative Om said the amendment was intended to leave charities and the state whole while funding local costs tied to large gaming facilities. Supporters argued the measure would address future municipal expenses, while opponents said host towns have not reported current problems and that the bill would single out one industry. Members questioned the 10% rate, whether the proposal was retroactive, and whether it would apply to existing facilities; the sponsor said it would apply to facilities already in place or later added. The hearing was then closed without any vote recorded in the transcript. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises reimbursement caps and adjusts fees for the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly explained the funds as a state-backed insurance mechanism for oil spill cleanup and prevention, including replacement of leaking home heating oil tanks for low-income homeowners. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill, saying the fee structure helps fund remediation and tank replacement, though costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts described the bill as extending the fee collection for 10 years, changing reporting dates, increasing the cap for low-income tank replacement, and rebalancing fees based on an actuarial review. DES testified that the actuarial study found the fund needed to remain solvent and that home heating oil releases are the largest category of new releases, with the fuel oil fee otherwise needing to rise by more than 200% to cover projected costs. The board instead proposed a smaller increase and adjusted other fees accordingly, while maintaining a reserve to cover the first days of a major coastal spill before federal funds become available. Members asked about the basis for the fee changes, the role of the actuarial review, and the statutory language governing who pays the fees. The transcript ends during this hearing, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• If a business owner wants counterparts.
• their lives and New Hampshire and build their lives and build<00:56:55.359><c> their</c><00:56:55.680
• Um, but are build their careers here.
• </c> prioritize, and project building prioritize, and project building consolidation<04:55:23.680><c>
• The Senate Finance building aid program.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee is we do take legislators out of turn, knowing that they have other commitments in the building
• When they're building a school, there's inspectors there every day... ...right, when they're building
• We're building bridges. We're building infrastructure.
• When building a new home, typically there are three pours.
• The previous owner did a pre-home inspection for the house, and they gave us a home inspection.

Bills: S3091 , H5477

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: crumbling concrete, pyrite, pyrrhotite, homeowner assistance, financial relief, CEDAC, construction, insurance surcharge, foundation repair, Massachusetts

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides relative to sentencing for arson of a religious building.
• Senator Baham provides relative to sentencing for arson of a religious building.
• Senator Baham provides relative to sentencing for arson of a religious building.
• The people in this building do know better, and the hypocrisy is astounding.
• But unfortunately, the next morning, she woke up in this apartment building, not knowing who brought

Bills: HR73 , HR272 , HR273 , HR278 , HCR91 , HCR99 , HCR100 , HCR111 , HB255 , HB261 , HB328 , HB378 , HB479 , HB517 , HB564 , HB778 , HB1090 , SB135 , SB278 , SB448

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: domestic abuse, protective orders, victim protection, Louisiana State Law Institute, mandatory procedures, parental discipline, corporal punishment, child abuse, cruelty to juveniles, juvenile delinquency, juvenile justice, child welfare, DCFS, Office of Juvenile Justice, reasonable discipline, parental rights, family law, law enforcement reports, abuse allegations, single-parent households

Transcript Highlights:

• Um but we know that um, you know, in the last 10 years the average age of a first-time home owner has
• </c> middle inome families to um build middle inome families to um build wealth.<00:18:25.039><c> Um<
• has increased um a first-time home owner has increased um I<00:18:32.320><c> think</c><00:18:32.400>
• And of course, the other thing we knew is build a heck of a lot more homes, you know, and that's the
• a heck of a other thing we knew is build a heck of a lot<00:20:54.240><c> more</c><00:20:54.480><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• We've learned those deficiencies, not only from our communities but also building, and be able to be
• Hi, my name is Charlie Carrier, and I'm a public servant and co-op owner living in San Francisco.
• So the HOA is going to have that cost or the owner. So the owner, be the cost of replacing what?
• Certainly, look, it's one of a set of assets that are in a building.
• Building burning down, and then it adds an additional cost associated with the destruction of that unit

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• property, you don't have the right to protest on private property unless you get permission of the owner
• You cannot protest unless a private property owner gives you permission.
• Again, I'll go back: Did that incident block or even limit anyone's ability to access the church building
• President, it seemed like they didn't block or limit anyone's ability to access the church building.
• got an agreement with a private property... ...or if they got an agreement with a private property owner

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized a doctor of the day, interns, and student groups in the galleries. The main item of business was House amendments to Senate Bill 743, a measure described by the author as a worship protection bill updating an old Oklahoma law. The bill was presented as protecting religious worship services from disruption and obstruction, especially in light of incidents the author said occurred in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Creek County, Oklahoma. Much of the floor discussion focused on whether the bill would affect protest and speech rights on public property, with the author repeatedly saying it would not restrict speech generally, but would create an eight-foot buffer around unwilling listeners and a 100-foot zone near entrances to prevent obstruction of people entering worship services. Several senators questioned the bill’s constitutional basis and practical effect, especially its reliance on Hill v. Colorado and whether the U.S. Supreme Court might overturn that precedent. Opponents argued the measure could chill peaceful protest, sidewalk counseling, and other First Amendment activity near churches or other religious gatherings, while supporters said it was narrowly aimed at preventing trespass, harassment, and disruption of worship. The author emphasized that the bill was intended to protect congregants, including elderly worshippers, and to preserve access to services without interference. Debate also touched on the distinction between public and private property and whether the bill could apply to religious gatherings at the Capitol or other public places. After questions concluded, the Senate adopted the House amendments to Senate Bill 743 and then passed the bill on final passage by a vote of 31-15. The emergency clause also passed, 36-9. The chamber then moved to announcements, including a notice that the Energy Committee would meet the next morning, and adjourned until Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, we are building capability and capacity.
• We build bridges at night. We build roads at night.
• We build bridges at night. We build roads at night.
• Property owners were building houses right in the middle of the floodway.
• They were building them in the middle of rivers.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• My mom is a small business owner. I have Native roots.
• </c><01:03:49.680><c> to</c> contractors, unions, project owners to contractors, unions, project owners
• .<01:10:02.159><c> It's</c> owners.
• It's owners.
• It's often a into the building.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• . building. building.
• ,</c><03:21:48.399><c> I</c> about the bubble of this building, I about the bubble of this building,
• owner generally is property owner generally is kind<05:28:30.240><c> of</c><05:28:30.320><c> on</c><
• , owner, owner, somebody<05:29:36.080><c> who</c><05:29:36.320><c> is</c><05:29:36.480><c> fighting</
• You're doing something building infrastructure, and there is generally recourse for the business owners

Transcript Highlights:

• The building already going to happen.
• </c><00:26:07.039><c> the</c> the infrastructure to build the the infrastructure to build the densities
• </c> building permit data as it comes out. building permit data as it comes out.
• </c><01:56:57.119><c> that</c> tenants that are in the building that tenants that are in the building
• So, building permits, no problem.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• , or you'll have assisted living and CCRCs in the same building.
• So there are buildings that do all of those things, right?
• property owner won't have the capacity, the knowledge, the wherewithal to do that.
• But is there some incentive to build 55-plus housing? ...accused people of.
• Incentives to build 55-plus and responsibilities for the developer. That would be very helpful.

Bills: HB2299 , HB2118 , HB2236

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: seniors, independent living, ombudsman, elderly support, continuing care retirement communities, common interest communities, restrictions, property rights, homeowners association, community governance, housing finance, affordable housing, housing commission, state agency, financial assistance