Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike revenue-generating campus facilities like dorms and parking structures, our academic buildings
• That is a major structural gap that we cannot afford to ignore. That is why AB 48 is crucial.
• For a nominal fee, absolutely anyone can challenge the validity of CEQA analysis for years and years
• We've structured AB 906 to achieve that.
• AB 913 further authorizes HCD to waive certain loan and monitoring fees, fee payments for affordable

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development heard a long agenda focused mainly on housing production, higher education facilities, homelessness, and permitting reform. Early items included AB 6, which would direct HCD to convene a working group on allowing three- to ten-unit “missing middle” housing to be built under the Residential Code rather than the Building Code; AB 48, a higher education bond proposal that would fund campus repairs, modernization, disaster recovery, and student/employee housing; and AB 76, which would clarify a Chula Vista university innovation district exemption so the project can include academic buildings and housing without conflicting with surplus land rules. Supporters emphasized affordability, cost savings, student housing needs, and access to education, while members raised questions about implementation, affordability requirements, and project scope. The committee later took votes on these items, with AB 6, AB 48, and AB 76 all moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Members also heard AB 595, which would create a state homeownership tax credit pilot to support affordable for-sale housing. The author and supporters argued that California’s homeownership rate is at historic lows and that the bill would help close racial wealth gaps by financing homes working families can buy. The committee approved AB 595 and sent it to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including several other housing-related bills, was also approved unanimously. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act of 2025, which would require ongoing state investment and a financing plan to address homelessness and housing affordability. The author and witnesses described the scale of homelessness, the limits of one-time funding, and the need for sustained, accountable funding streams. After testimony from housing advocates and people with lived experience, the committee passed AB 1165 on a 10-0 vote to Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard AB 609, a CEQA reform bill that would create a simplified exemption for qualifying infill housing projects in already developed areas. Supporters framed it as a targeted way to reduce delays and costs for housing near jobs and transit, while opponents from environmental justice, labor, and tribal groups warned it could reduce public participation, weaken protections for disadvantaged communities, and create consultation concerns for tribal cultural resources. The author said the bill would not change zoning or affordability tools and would continue to work with opponents on amendments. The bill was moved forward after extensive discussion, with members noting ongoing negotiations on tribal consultation and labor concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Someone had taken duct tape and taped the undercarriage together that it had major structural damage
• The outdated and expensive structure of our current red light camera programs has proven itself to be
• It should reduce fines, fees, and insurance burdens.
• here, a civil fine structure, which I certainly support.
• here, a civil fine structure, which I certainly support.

Summary: The committee heard several AI- and consumer-protection-related bills, with extensive testimony from authors, supporters, and industry opponents. SB 53 by Senator Wiener would create transparency requirements for large AI developers, including disclosure of safety and security protocols, reporting of critical safety incidents, whistleblower protections, and the CalCompute public cloud. Supporters said it is a narrower, transparency-based follow-up to last year’s vetoed AI safety bill, while opponents argued it still relies too much on company size, could expose trade secrets, and should be narrowed further. The committee approved SB 53 on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members. SB 766 by Senator Allen would codify the FTC’s Cars Rule and create a three-day cooling-off period for certain used-car purchases, along with stronger disclosure rules on pricing, add-ons, and government affiliation claims. Supporters said it would save consumers money and time and help buyers avoid bad deals, while dealer and industry groups said amendments addressed many of their concerns. Several former opponents moved to neutral, and the committee passed SB 766 unanimously as amended to Appropriations. SB 7 by Senator McNerney would regulate automated decision-making systems in employment by requiring notice, human review for discipline and termination, and limits on predictive behavior analysis. Labor and consumer advocates supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or overly automated workplace decisions, while employer and industry groups raised concerns about scope, notice burdens, and the predictive-analysis ban. The committee passed SB 7 to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote, with the roll held open. SB 833, also by Senator McNerney, would require human oversight of AI used in critical infrastructure, along with training and system assessments; it drew limited opposition focused on scope, and the committee passed it as amended to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote, also holding the roll open. Later, the committee took up SB 11, which would address AI-generated voice, image, and video cloning and deepfakes by clarifying likeness protections, requiring consumer warnings, and addressing misuse and evidence tampering. Supporters framed it as a targeted response to nonconsensual deepfakes, while industry groups said recent amendments improved the bill but still had concerns about penalties and warning language. The committee also heard SB 720, the Safer Streets Act, which would let cities opt into a revised red-light camera system that shifts from driver to owner liability, removes facial identification, makes violations civil rather than criminal, and directs revenue toward transportation safety projects; the author presented the bill, but the transcript ends before any final action on SB 720.

Transcript Highlights:

• That tax structure needs to be changed in order to be maintained.
• , and we'd like to pay for roads with user fees.
• The user fees are relatively flat and typically need periodic adjustments.
• If those people properly registered at DMV, they're going to pay higher fees, and these higher fees offset
• And these higher fees offset the loss on fuel tax. We have that in place in the code.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the January 15 morning meeting. The main agenda item was the Department of Revenue’s budget and revenue presentation from Secretary Eric Nelson, Deputy Secretary Peter Shirley, and Deputy Secretary Mark Mucco. Nelson said the state remains double-A rated with a positive outlook, the budget includes a 5% personal income tax reduction, and the 2027 general revenue estimate is $5.493 billion, up $170 million from the prior year. Shirley gave an economic overview, saying West Virginia is forecast to see continued but slowing employment growth, continued wage growth, gains in private education/health services and business services, declines in some sectors, improving labor force participation relative to the nation, and strong recent net in-migration. He also noted continued growth in natural gas production and a modest rebound in coal production, though coal faces longer-term demand pressure. Mucco reviewed revenue trends and said 2025 collections were about $5.5 billion, below the prior year but above estimate, with personal income tax and sales tax driving the surplus. He explained that the forecast incorporates the 5% PIT cut and annual conformity to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including changes such as Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, business interest deductions, and a new manufacturing facility expensing provision. He also discussed the effects of tax credits, severance tax volatility, declining tobacco revenues, and health care provider tax changes tied to federal Medicaid rules. He said road fund revenues are largely flat absent policy changes, and county commission revenues are growing faster than state revenues. Members asked about when new economic development projects like NewCore would appear in the projections, how much 20,000 new jobs would matter, whether the department had a calculator for job-growth impacts, the status of recent tax cuts, road fund growth, tobacco/vape taxation, and whether migration data could be broken down by county. The witnesses said major projects are not yet in the S&P-based forecast but would likely add jobs, wages, and tax revenue over time; they estimated 20,000 jobs would be a significant increase. They also said the state is unlikely to hit the current personal income tax trigger in the near term. No substantive votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• BRING A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL, SOMEONE THAT HAS TO DEPEND ON THEMSELVES TO GET FUNDING AND MONEY AND FEES
• THIS BILL SHIFTS ALLOCATION OF FEES AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO ASSIST UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS WHILE USING
• IT PROVIDES FEE WAIVERS FOR STATE BOARD MEMBERS FOR RESTRICTION.
• GRANDPARENT WHO IS A LEGAL RESIDENT FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR CAN QUALIFY OR A WAIVER OF THE OUT-OF-STATE FEE
• THAT SIMILARLY IS THE MISSION OF ANY POST SECONDARY SUPPORT STRUCTURE TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS GRADUATE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Across Hawaii's shoreline, structures are increasingly undermined by erosion and rising sea levels.
• The state sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation report estimates roughly 6,500 structures could
• County coordination, leading to a risk assessment and demolition order for an adjacent structure.
• I mean, baggage fees alone have just surpassed anything I've ever seen.
• > have<01:33:12.800> just mean, baggage fees alone have just mean, baggage fees alone have

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 3322 relating to law enforcement. Chairs recommended adopting amendments from the Department of Law Enforcement that would exempt plainclothes officers from identification requirements, limit conspicuous agency markings to vehicles used in immigration enforcement operations, and allow a plainclothes officer to wear a mask when within eyesight of an unmasked officer from the same agency while performing official duties. Although there was an initial quorum issue, both committees ultimately voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation and advance the bill as amended. The next major item was SB 3333 relating to property tax treatment for certain housing. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from a Maui County real property tax board member and a representative of Nali Maui, who described homeowners in affordable housing being taxed at much higher rates when exemptions were missed or when resale restrictions kept values below market. The committees recommended passing the bill with amendments, including a deferred effective date of April 19, 2042, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 2422 on a pro housing score program for counties, SB 2981 on eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements in urban districts, SB 2007 on county land use boundary amendments, SB 3028 on restructuring the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system, SB 3033 on public petitions for review of beach structures, and SB 2434 on electric vehicle infrastructure. SB 2422 drew support with a request for flexibility and an appeals process for counties facing extraordinary circumstances; the chair’s recommendation was to pass it with amendments and note a $200,000 implementation study request, which was adopted. SB 2981 received strong support from housing and transportation advocates and was advanced unamended, while SB 2007 drew opposition from the Sierra Club and discussion about the Land Use Commission’s limited enforcement tools and the number of approved but unbuilt units. SB 3028 received mixed testimony, with support for the marginal-rate change but concerns about earmarking and blanks in the bill, and SB 3033 was supported as an early-warning mechanism for erosion-threatened coastal structures, though OPSD said it should not be the regulatory decision-maker. SB 2434 prompted concern about whether utility capacity can support EV infrastructure goals, with the chair citing a recent report suggesting transmission and distribution constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this is a structural bill.
• And the reason is that there's the unknown of the legal fees. Ms.
• That partition took another seven years. $1.2 million in legal fees only.
• . fees to the government if it loses its appeal, discouraging delay tactics.
• Where there was no structural damage to the car, a $1 million lawsuit.

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:29.959> are 75% of the attorney fees are 75% of the attorney fees are reimbursable<
• and implementation consulting fees over 10 years.
• <00:21:05.960> um Consulting fees so the licensing fees um Consulting fees so the licensing
• university so you say the license fees university so you say the license fees are<00:21:48.400><
• This contract is only for consulting fees.

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon adjournment of both chambers today. There is not an exact time, there for the live stream has been created with a place holder time of 4:00 PM est., 958, all

Summary: Chairman Hart called the meeting to order, confirmed a quorum, welcomed Representative Rachel Roarx, and the committee approved the February 11 minutes. The committee then moved through its agenda of PSC and related contract items, including a motion to consider the reviewed contracts without objection. One Department of Highways item was deferred when the virtual representatives were not yet available. The committee first took up Kentucky Housing Corporation contracts. Members questioned outside legal services for foreclosures and bankruptcies, why the work was not handled entirely in-house, and how much of the workload and cost it represented. Witnesses said the agency’s need was largely geographic rather than a lack of expertise, that less than 1% of the loan portfolio is referred out for foreclosures, and that many fees are reimbursable through FHA. Both Kentucky Housing Corporation items were approved. The committee then considered a Department for Community Based Services contract tied to a protest and a temporary renewal with PCG. Witnesses said the contract increase was needed to bridge the gap while the protest and RFP process were unresolved, and that the initial vendor received no funds. The committee approved the item, with Senator Douglas explaining his vote as a preference for straightforward answers. The committee also heard a Northern Kentucky University contract for a Workday ERP replacement, including implementation consulting and separate license fees. University officials explained the move from SAP to Workday, the complexity of the systems, and the need for a consulting partner; they said the total effort would span 10 years and that the contract was priced below comparable institutions. After extensive questioning about cost, budget, and value, the vote ended 4-4 and the chair noted the contract would move forward through the Finance Committee if no disapproval motion was made. Finally, the Office of Inspector General presented a contract for culture change training in nursing facilities funded by civil monetary penalties; witnesses said the goal was to improve staff satisfaction, communication, and resident outcomes, and that the CMP fund balance was about $38 million. Discussion also covered survey backlogs and CMS restrictions on the funds, with the item still under review as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:43.519> on development account was uh is a fee on development account was uh is a fee
• <01:11:07.760> U<01:11:08.239> the structures, often called wraps.
• U the structures, often called wraps.
• Think of rollover protection structures.
• They provide services at no fees to producers.

Bills: HF2103, HF4508

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, elk, cervidae, cervid importation, chronic wasting disease, CWD, animal health, livestock, wildlife disease, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, state veterinarian, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA

Transcript Highlights:

• structures that encourage bad actors. structures that encourage bad actors.
• And so it's like it seems to be a structured piece. We're going to keep moving along.
• additional fees on top of that process? additional fees on top of that process?
• We're going to keep structured piece. We're going to keep moving<00:47:47.680> along.
• to the Department of Human licensing fee to the Department of Human Services<00:52:20.880> to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with Senator Lang after our hearing last week about possibilities of having some kind of designated fee
• structure to support the work of the Fish and Game Department and had some conversation with D.E.s and
• <00:09:07.800> structure<00:09:08.640> uh<00:09:08.760> to<00:09:08.959>
• support designated fee structure uh to support designated fee structure uh to support the<00:09:09.519
• <01:45:53.360> of apparently the ownership structure of apparently the ownership structure

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pay the legal fees of an insured if the insured prevailed in the action against the insurer.
• reasonable in a case in which the attorney's fees are determined by the court.
• A lodestar fee is determined by multiplying the reasonable number of hours by a reasonable fee.
• This change limits the application of multipliers to an award of attorney's fees.
• This change limits the application of multipliers to an award of attorney's fees.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through. The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support. Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• collaboration with private and nonprofit developers and a common redevelopment finance tax credit structure
• Um, practical funding model: revenues from sales, lease fees, grants, limited time-bound ad valorem tax
• collaboration with private and nonprofit developers and a common redevelopment finance tax credit structure
• Developers and a common redevelopment finance tax credit structure when it's appropriate.
• Um, practical funding model: revenues from sales, lease fees, grants, limited time-bound ad valorem tax

Keywords: Municipalities - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2578, which would create a federal match land bank fund administered by the Mississippi Development Authority, with a 1.25% administrative allowance and an effective date of July 1, 2026. The chair explained it as a municipal tool to help purchase dilapidated property using available federal and state funds. The committee asked no questions and passed the bill by voice vote, title sufficient, do pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2679, the Mississippi Land Bank Act. Sheri Visay of the Mississippi Municipal League testified in support, describing land banks as locally created entities to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. She emphasized that the bill would not authorize eminent domain, would be locally controlled, and would be subject to public accountability requirements. Senators asked about title, acquisition, funding, and whether the bill should also allow acquisition of privately owned non-tax-forfeited parcels; the sponsor said the bill was intentionally limited at first to tax-forfeited properties, though future expansion could be considered. The committee then passed the bill by voice vote. Next, Senate Bill 2729, with a committee substitute, was explained as a narrow change to allow Capitol Police in Jackson to enforce local noise ordinances for alcohol-permitted businesses, without removing authority from local police or sheriffs. The sponsor said he had spoken with Commissioner Tindle, who did not object, though the chief of Capitol Police was still consulting internally. The committee nonetheless adopted the motion to pass the committee substitute, title sufficient, by voice vote. The committee also took up Senate Bill 2862, a code-forwarding bill related to annexation. The chair noted it made no substantive changes and only brought forward existing code sections, and a reverse repealer was added by amendment. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill, title sufficient, do pass committee substitute. Finally, Senate Bill 2893 proposed expanded notice requirements for zoning changes, including newspaper notice, posting on social media platforms, online posting, public access to the proposed changes, and extending the appeal period from 10 to 20 days. After discussion, an amendment was added to require signage for 30 days instead of 7, and the committee then passed the committee substitute by voice vote. The meeting ended with the bills reported and the committee in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, structurally, I think that's not a good structure.
• Hopefully, once the registration starts, there will also be some fees associated with that that we will
• The current law is Mostly related, from my understanding, to the structure of the university, hiring
• There's no fee for anybody bringing a concern to your office?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not substantially change the structure.
• So the public interest standard… maybe I’m missing… So the way this bill is structured, would it abolish
• The way that it's structured...
• There have been examples brought up about ETJ issues, annexation, impact fees, and what have you; we
• And I don't know if it's because of the revenue cap, but we've got impact fees.

Bills: SB324, SB1978, SB2139, SB2401, SB2587, SB2610, SB2858, SB3016

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, state contracts, immigration, labor compliance, ERCOT, Texas electric grid, interconnection, Public Utility Commission, PUC, Public convenience and necessity, electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, electric utility, transmission, generation facilities, grid reliability, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, SERC

Transcript Highlights:

• WILL HAVE SENATOR LEEK TAKE UP TAB THREE ON THE UNLAWFUL DEMOLITION OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
• AMENDMENT SECTION 10 ARTICLE 10 SECTION 24 REQUIRES THE EMPLOYEES PROTECT THE RIGHT BY PAYING A CERTAIN FEE
• IS NOT GIVING THE VIBE, ALSO BIG VOICES OF FLORIDA DOES DE-ESCALATION TRAINING AND WE WILL DROP THE FEE
• IN THE BILL IT TALKS ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT US TO MAINTAIN A STRUCTURE OR THE AREA AROUND A STRUCTURE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The licensing fee itself, we believe, goes back to the general fund, but the background check fee sits
• The licensing fee itself, we believe, goes back to the general fund, but the background check fee sits
• The licensing fee itself, we believe, goes back to the general fund, but the background check fee sits
• fees.
• The licensing fee forfeited those fees.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, thank you. but the word structures to us implies but the word structures to us implies buildings,
• There are water fees that do not cover the full cost of water, but there are permit fees for that.
• > directly<01:30:44.440> the example, air fees cover directly the example, air fees cover
• Uh but there are fee cost of water.
• Uh but there are fee permit<01:30:54.880> fees<01:30:55.280> for<01:30:55.480> that.

Bills: HF3426, HF3896, HF1426, HF3793, HF4061, HF4246

Keywords: natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, wild rice, watercraft regulation, environmental protection, aquatic ecosystems, HF1426, product stewardship, extended producer responsibility, EPR, electronics recycling, e-waste, battery recycling, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, electrical products, covered products

Transcript Highlights:

• This keeps benefits where they are and the premium structure where it is.
• This keeps benefits where they are and the premium structure where it is.
• On page three, this again just shows you how our agency is structured in that 91% of our budget goes
• On page three, this again just shows you how our agency is structured in that 91% of our budget goes
• and TexQuest membership fees.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:28.640> is<00:26:28.760> the one single Statewide structure is the one single
• Statewide structure is the right<00:26:29.080> thing<00:26:29.240> to<00:26:29.399>
• <00:31:50.559> every waiver funding is structured every waiver funding is structured every
• now here cutting services and<01:35:05.480> Hiking<01:35:05.840> up<01:35:06.000> fees
• is not helpful to and Hiking up fees is not helpful to seniors<01:35:07.800> and<01:35:08.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what I'm looking at is just making sure we have a reasonable contract and a reasonable fee structure
• One of those is a fee-based stream.
• Um, and this 125 fee structure we have is sorely outdated.
• Um, and this 125 fee structure we have is sorely outdated.
• , and some miscellaneous, um, MEP design. uh increase their fee related to uh increase their fee related

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the October 13 minutes and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, including a deferred list from the September 2025 agenda. Members questioned several agencies about the purpose, cost, and duration of the items before them, with repeated motions to consider the contracts reviewed without objection passing by roll call. The Office of Energy Policy and Energy and Environment Cabinet presented a solar-and-battery program. Members asked about panel and battery lifespan, warranty coverage, who would pay for replacement or disposal, and whether the program made sense in Kentucky. The agency said panels and batteries generally last 25 to 30 years, warranties would cover replacement during the warranty period, EPA guidance would govern disposal, and federal funds would cover program expenses. Officials estimated the program could reduce participating homeowners’ utility bills by about 70%, with a minimum required savings of 20%. The Department for Community Based Services explained a new vendor contract for SSI initial and redetermination work for children in out-of-home care, saying the work is federally required, the department lacks in-house capacity, and the contract replaced a prior vendor after an RFP protest and rebid. The Department of Highways described umbrella traffic engineering contracts for smaller highway safety projects, noting they are used for spot improvements and are nearing full utilization. The Kentucky Historical Society said its contract funded a temporary exhibit tied to 250th anniversary programming, and the Board of Medical Licensure discussed an amended audit contract, explaining that annual audits were adopted after an auditor’s recommendation and that the board is funded by state allocation plus fees and fines. The Department for Natural Resources/Abandoned Mine Lands gave the most extensive presentation, describing a $5 million engineering services contract as part of a much larger workload increase driven by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, with projects prioritized by citizen complaints and safety impacts; the agency said the contract supports design and oversight for community-scale mine reclamation projects that exceed in-house capacity.