Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, do we have any agency updates?
• I note that AOC has provided an agency update in the packet, but would anyone like to provide an agency
• </c><00:10:05.839><c> by</c><00:10:06.160><c> county</c> going to look also at county by county going
• </c> judges within Jefferson County as well. judges within Jefferson County as well.
• </c> offer this in every county in the state? offer this in every county in the state?

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met on October 8, 2025, approved the minutes from the August 29 meeting, and then focused its agenda on truancy and chronic absenteeism. Chad Butler, director of pupil personnel for Meade County and president of the Kentucky Department of Pupil Personnel directors, said chronic absenteeism remains a major problem statewide, citing recent Kentucky rates around 28% to 30% and noting that schools are trying to identify best practices to get students back in class. He said causes appear to include post-COVID social-emotional distress and confusion about when students should stay home, and he described a local effort to use a Healthy Kids Clinic model to keep some students in school when possible. In response to questions, he said chronic absenteeism has only been tracked seriously in the last two to three years and that House Bill 611 appears to have increased the number of youth entering the court system for habitual truancy; AOC said it would provide county-by-county data and outcomes later in the meeting. The council then heard from John Tyson of Alabama, a former Mobile district attorney, who described the Helping Families Initiative as a school-community partnership designed to address truancy and related behavior issues without arrest. Tyson said Alabama defines chronic absence as missing 10% of the school year and emphasized that the program is preventive rather than punitive, using warning letters, family engagement, assessments, individualized intervention plans, and referrals to community services. He said the program has operated since 2003, now includes 20 district attorneys and 44 school systems, and served more than 95,000 students, 73,000 families, and 162,000 parents in the most recent year. Tyson reported that in Mobile County the program was associated with a 3.15% attendance improvement in 2023-24 and a 4% reduction in the issue in 2024-25, along with a 50% reduction in truancy and 58% reduction in chronic absenteeism, and he said the program produced a large return on investment. Tyson also stressed that student absenteeism wastes tax dollars and that better attendance improves educational outcomes and community safety. He described the program’s use of a case-management database, real-time data tracking, and more than 1,000 referral agencies, and said the model is intended to be replicated statewide. He closed with examples of students whose attendance and family circumstances required coordinated support rather than punishment, including a teen mother and a disruptive child, to illustrate his view that schools, courts, and social services should work together to address underlying needs and keep children in school.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Idaho State Senator Kevin Cook from Legislative District 32 in Bonneville County.
• This bill just clarifies the timeline if an agency falls short.
• This bill just clarifies the timeline if an agency falls short.
• I always get jealous when I hear of people saying all the counties they represent.
• I only represent part of Ada County.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Amanda Kirchner on behalf of the County Welfare Directors Association.
• On behalf of Nourish County, thank you.
• Nicole Wardleman on behalf of the Orange County Board of Supervisors in San Bernardino County.
• Orange County is also supportive of the investment into the foster family agencies on behalf of the Children's
• We work in both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• and Rural County Representatives of California, in support.
• County, also in support.
• Yeah, because using the local fire agencies, most of them, you know, Ventura County, L.A.
• When we can't handle what we're doing locally, we go to the county.
• And when we can't handle it on a county level, we go to the state.

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard two main bills. AB 1934 by Assembly Member Bennett would create a voluntary home hardening certification program under the State Fire Marshal’s Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee. Supporters, including local governments, counties, fire-related organizations, and conservation groups, said the certificate could help guide future incentives for wildfire resilience and home hardening. Senators discussed how long certifications should last, whether recertification should be required, and how the program could align with local fire inspections and future state incentive funding. The bill was advanced to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. The committee also heard AB 2411 by Assembly Member McKinner, which would create a process to train and deploy out-of-state law enforcement officers as temporary supplemental security for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The author, the Los Angeles mayor’s office, and the Los Angeles Police Protective League supported the bill, saying the Games will require far more officers than California can supply on its own and that out-of-state personnel should augment, not replace, California officers. Opposition from PORAC and the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs focused on ensuring California POST standards, accountability, and proper training, while also raising concerns about recruitment, retention, and cost. Committee members generally supported the concept but emphasized that California officers should remain the primary source of personnel and that federal involvement should be limited; the bill was sent to the Senate Public Safety Committee. The committee also took up a consent calendar of additional measures, which were approved. After several roll calls and calls placed on absent members, both AB 1934 and AB 2411 ultimately passed the committee 9-0, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It applies only to the counties directly affected.
• I'm Mike Gallagher, County Manager of Eddy County.
• I was the county manager of Lea County for 14 years prior. I strongly support HB 207.
• I live in San Juan County, which has over 40... ...of the impacted Eastern Agency of the Navajo Nation
• The Environment Department is, with other agencies, defined as a constituent agency, and we as constituent

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Summary: The committee met to hear House Bill 207, as amended, which would direct the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt rules for permits allowing certain beneficial uses of treated produced water, including industrial, commercial, energy-related, infrastructure, pilot project, and other approved uses. Representative Brown presented the bill as a science-driven response to New Mexico’s water scarcity, citing the state’s 50-year water plan and research from the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium. The committee adopted an amendment requiring the rules to be informed by credible scientific data and other evidence, including consortium research, before moving to public comment. Supporters argued the bill would create a regulated framework for reuse of treated produced water, preserve scarce freshwater, and support economic development, construction, and energy-related uses. Testimony in favor came from the bill sponsor, the consortium’s Dr. Zach Stoll, the chair of the Water Quality Control Commission, business and industry representatives, local economic development officials, and some residents. They emphasized recent peer-reviewed studies, pilot projects, and the need for the commission to act on updated science. State agencies, including the Environment Department, said the amended bill addressed some of their concerns and kept the focus on science-based rulemaking. Opponents said the bill would override the Water Quality Control Commission’s prior findings and force approval of uses that remain scientifically unproven and potentially harmful. Many speakers from environmental groups, acequia and agricultural organizations, faith groups, and local residents warned about unknown contaminants, risks to groundwater, crops, roads, and human health, and the possibility of spills or long-term environmental damage. Several argued the bill would politicize a technical process and create liability or cleanup burdens for the public. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion provided; the committee recessed briefly after public comment and then returned to sponsor remarks and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was on the county commission for 12 years.
• Once it's approved, rather, once the review is complete and it's submitted back to the county, the county
• It's the Bay County, now it's the Bay County Walton West Bay Sector Plan. It's over 100,000 acres.
• I know that in my own county currently, when someone comes in to do a development, our county commissioners
• No ability for a city or county to deny this.

Bills: S0002 , S0026 , S0354 , S1112 , S1192 , S1220 , S1352 , S1670

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the county seat package is changing to $4,200,000.
• The county seat package is changing to $4,231,543.
• And the third county actually had the opportunity to learn from those two counties and didn't capitalize
• You know, I'm a Kent County boy and always will be.
• So it's a Newcastle County fix.

Committee: Joint Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• There isn't any agencies.
• ,</c> estimates of the county, estimates of the county, $2,880<01:51:16.400><c> per</c><01:51:16.800>
• But at the same time, um, our counties will be bearing the brunt of this and our counties are getting
• are</c> brunt of this and our counties are brunt of this and our counties are getting<01:57:28.239><
• </c> that they sent out to their counties that they sent out to their counties came<01:57:52.719><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency is not quite there yet, but that is in the works. Thank you. Thank you.
• of movement, especially in Jonesboro where I live, people moving across town or moving out in the county
• We have one county that has two cultivators, a couple of counties, a few counties with one.
• An agency does not have the ability to create these standards wholesale without a concrete standard set
• The agency is limited to the power that is given to them under the vesting statutes.

Committee: All ALC-MEDICAL MARIJUANA OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The ALC Medical Marijuana Oversight Subcommittee met to consider rules governing medical marijuana management contracts for cultivation facilities and dispensaries. ABC regulatory staff said the rules are intended to ensure Arkansas license holders retain actual control over operations and are not effectively run by out-of-state management companies. They explained that the rules require commission review of management contracts and use a “commercially reasonable” standard to identify terms that could give undue control to outside entities. Staff also distinguished these management rules from separate future licensing rules that would address any additional dispensary or cultivation licenses, including unresolved issues tied to a Hot Springs license dispute. Representatives of the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association opposed the rules, saying the industry has matured, no out-of-state management companies remain in Arkansas, and the added review process is unnecessary and burdensome. Their counsel argued the “commercially reasonable” standard is too vague, could lead to arbitrary enforcement, and may exceed the commission’s authority under Amendment 98. They also warned that requiring commission approval before contracts take effect could create delays and operational problems for day-to-day business functions. Committee members questioned both sides about the scope of the rules, whether they apply to in-state as well as out-of-state entities, how they would affect payroll and other service contracts, and whether the commission has authority to review private contracts. Staff said the rules are meant to prevent hidden control arrangements and do not cover ordinary service contracts like lawn care, while industry witnesses said the current filing system already provides oversight. After discussion, the committee reviewed the rule and adjourned without taking a recorded vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c> County community development agency and County community development agency and I<00:40:
• Then her agency, the Washington County CDA, has a 40-unit public housing building in Forest Lake called
• Then my agency, the Washington County CDA, we have a 40-unit public housing building in Forest Lake called
• Then her agency, the Washington County CDA, has a 40-unit public housing building in Forest Lake called
• Then her agency, the Washington County CDA, has a 40-unit public housing building in Forest Lake called

Bills: HF2148 , HF2693 , HF2542 , HF1141 , HF1770 , HF1489 , HF1709 , HF244 , HF1266 , HF807 , HF2619 , HF1340

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:44.959><c> if</c> interim can you just each agency if interim can you just each agency if
• as well and the counties.
• Question on the counties.
• </c><00:47:12.599><c> and</c> agencies as well and the counties and agencies as well and the counties
• So I think the counties and your communication should be very active with the counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• With all the reorg and HCD and different agencies, a homelessness or their agency council, it's a lot
• My name is Danielle Brazel, and I have the distinct honor of leading this incredible agency.
• The Arts Council was established in 1976 as a state arts agency.
• The $50 million ask is not for local assistance grant funding, not the total agency budget.
• In Nevada County, cultural district funding is not symbolic. It is practical infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• With HB 1839, this bill requires state and county law enforcement agencies to notify an individual in
• the custody of a state or county law enforcement agency of their rights before any interview with federal
• By January 1st, 2027, it requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations
• </c> 1st, 2027, requires all state and county 1st, 2027, requires all state and county agencies<00:14
• County agencies to engage in immigration enforcement, prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement

Bills: HB2241 , HB1163 , HB1514 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SB2135 , SB2466 , SB2727 , SB3082 , SB3097 , SB2861 , SCR100 , SB3096 , SB99 , SB2138 , HB2289 , HB2319 , HB1711 , HB2270 , SB3138 , SB3076 , HB1642 , HB2338 , HB2171 , HB1785 , SB2881 , HB2505 , SB2552 , HB1518 , HB1815 , SB3125 , SB3234 , SCR162 , SB2614 , SB3118 , SB2053 , SB2494 , SB2851 , SB3073 , HB1678 , HB1721 , HB2475 , HB2246 , HB1667 , HB1516 , SB2532 , SB3131 , SB3154 , HB2297 , HB1737 , SB2143 , SB2398 , SB2623 , HB1740 , HB1920 , HB1682 , SB2153 , SB3140 , HB2158 , HB1718 , HB2207 , HB1801 , SB3229 , SB2338 , SB3069 , SB2600 , HB2300 , HB1800 , HB1960 , SB2999 , SB2060 , SB2866 , SB2239 , HB1741 , HB1713 , HB2023 , HB2417 , SB2877 , SB2598 , SB2921 , SB2645 , HB2547 , HB2275 , HB2452 , HB2329 , HB2339 , HB1838 , HB1509 , HB1661 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2344 , HB1888 , HB1707 , SB2340 , HB2474 , HB1576 , HB1853 , HB1804 , HB1854 , HB2095 , HB2050 , HB472 , SB3215 , SB2247 , SB2400 , HB1618 , HB1802 , HB1969 , HB1541 , HB2310 , HB2498 , HB2443 , HB2218 , HB649 , HB2104 , HB1710 , SB2802 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB1894 , HB1891 , HB1890 , SB177 , SB2101 , SB3320 , SB2487 , HB2429 , HB1870 , HB1839 , HB2583 , HB1391 , HB2094 , SB2671 , SB2673 , SB2892 , SB2057 , SB3245 , HB306 , HB2592 , SB3157 , SB3204 , SB3324 , SB2580 , SB2074 , SB411 , SB3025 , SB2934 , SB2567 , SB2125 , SB3238 , SB2367 , SB2599 , SB3007 , SB2001 , SB2756 , SB3029

Transcript Highlights:

• that do not have the resources that a parent or a student has in Clark County or Washoe County.
• county that struggles with this.
• White Pine County.
• It authorizes the Board of County Commissioners of a county to enact ordinances to authorize covered
• The bill was presented by Cadenz Mityevich with Washoe County and Joanna Jacob with Clark County.

Bills: AB49 , AB93 , AB108 , AB169 , AB188 , AB212 , AB221 , AB224 , AB251 , AB282 , AB284 , AB296 , AB304 , AB331 , AB356 , AB366 , AB375 , AB409 , AB467 , AB475 , AB476 , AB479 , AB494 , AB514 , AB515 , AB533 , AB542 , AB550 , AB558 , AB567 , AB568 , AB571 , AB581 , AB583 , AB584 , AB585 , AB595 , AB596 , AB597 , SB170 , SB427 , SB460 , SB508

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Bethany Allen and the Pike and the Pike County Commissioner the Pike County Commissioner the Pike County
• County. County.
• Barber County, Bullet County, road. Barber County, Bullet County, road.
• Barber County, Bullet County, Russell County. Yes, sir. And ain't no Russell County. Yes, sir.
• certain county municipal agencies to present a municipal agencies to present a municipal agencies to

Bills: SB 1 , HB 500 , SB 1 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HB 500

Transcript Highlights:

• Discussion from city and county? Is anyone here from the city and county on Zoom?
• </c> from the city and county from the city and county on<01:31:57.040><c> Zoom?
• Office of the County Clerk, Council Services, County of Kauai, in support. Okay.
• current law giving the counties 15 acres up to 15 acres within the county.
• </c> other agency from some of the agencies other agency from some of the agencies about<01:57:49.119

Summary: The committees heard several housing-related bills and resolutions. HB 1298 HD3 would create a government employee housing revolving fund and a government employee 99-year leasehold rent-to-own program; testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, labor groups, and the Maui Chamber, with the Tax Foundation and Budget and Finance raising concerns about the revolving fund. The committees recommended passage with non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency, and the motion was adopted. HB 741 H2, which would exempt certain affordable housing projects financed by a certified nonprofit CDFI from prevailing wage requirements, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from several construction unions; the chairs said they were concerned about the labor objections and deferred the measure, with the labor committee agreeing to defer it as well. The housing committee then took up HB 417 HD1, which creates a housing efficiency and innovation subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund and allows HHFDC to transfer funds between the subaccount and the main fund without legislative approval. Testimony was largely supportive. The chair described a series of amendments, including changing the funding-efficiency standard, adding perpetual affordability language, allowing any land tenure type, broadening eligible financing tools, adding priority criteria for mixed-income projects and government-employee projects, and inserting blank appropriations tied to a requested $75 million per year and a $75 million subaccount appropriation for the HCDA 99-year leasehold project. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. HB 422 HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and move remaining balances to the school facilities special fund, drew broad support from housing and taxpayer groups and opposition from the Department of Education and some individuals. The School Facilities Authority and DOE argued the current system had not produced enough usable land or school sites and suggested narrowing the exemption to government housing projects’ construction costs instead of repealing the fee entirely. Members pressed DOE and SFA on how much land had actually been obtained and whether the fee had been effective; the discussion highlighted concerns about unused balances, school overcrowding, and the role of the Land Use Commission and county zoning in securing school sites. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion shown. The committee also heard STR 60/SR 45, urging HHFDC to develop a plan to meet housing demand, and STR 77/SR 60, addressing continued eligibility for housing credits for certain projects after repeal of Act 31; both sets of resolutions had HHFDC support, with DHHL supporting STR 77/SR 60 and Johnny May Perry opposing both.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's for the agency to be able to meet their payments in June.
• It's for the agency to be able to meet their payments in June.
• It's for the agency to be able to meet their payments in June.
• And in an agency like ours budget.
• So that is counties across the state.

Bills: HF3006 , HF2130 , HF1290

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Those school districts were McGoffin County and Owen County.
• </c> McGoffen County and Owen County. McGoffen County and Owen County.
• counties and the other counties that should be going to Jefferson County.
• </c><00:59:28.400><c> that</c> counties and the other counties that counties and the other counties that
• c> county</c><01:27:43.280><c> because</c> it changes county to county because it changes county to county

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• to authorize the county County to authorize the county County to authorize the county commission to
• I serve a portion of Blunt County, northern Blunt County. Um Blunt County, northern Blunt County.
• Then from one county to another county? Then from one county to another county?
• So if you happen to move from say Marshall County into Blunt County, say Marshall County into Blunt County
• or other counties that Montgomery County or other counties that Montgomery County or other counties

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> as you can hear a lot of the agencies as you can hear a lot of the agencies that<01:15:57.520><c
• </c><01:16:43.920><c> and</c> members from each of the agencies and members from each of the agencies
• agency.
• And the accepting agency is not defined in HRS language; it should be a mandate to say approving agency
• </c><02:00:06.199><c> I'm</c> mandate to say approving agency I'm mandate to say approving agency I'm

Summary: The joint committees first heard SB 1146, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan for debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai Watershed. Testimony was largely supportive from DLNR, a UH student, and a special improvement district representative, while one speaker suggested the work should be coordinated with existing efforts to avoid duplication. Committee discussion focused on the multi-jurisdictional nature of the watershed, existing debris-trap work that captures only about 20 to 30 percent of debris, the role of the university in capstone projects and recommendations, and the relationship to the existing Geni project and other community efforts. Members also asked about costs, tracking progress, and the difference between water-quality improvements and the larger debris problem. The committees then voted to pass SB 1146 with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation and deferring the effective date to July 31, 2050. The motion passed in both committees, with votes recorded in support and no opposition noted during the decision-making. The committees also heard SB 321, which would deem certain fee simple privately owned lands transferred to adjacent property owners or community associations if specified conditions are met. Testimony was in support from several individuals, but members raised concerns about the lack of input from counties and the state, and about how the bill might affect roads already used by the public or maintained by local governments. After discussion, the committees voted to advance SB 321 unamended to the next committees, with the measure adopted in both committees despite one recorded no vote in the Water and Land committee.