Transcript Highlights:

• And, Madam Chair, that's one of the big reasons that we brought this forward: to bring some awareness
• Are you aware of that, Madam Chair? Thank you, Madam Chair.
• For indirect costs to administer the program.
• What kinds of programs are we going to be running with this research?
• How many new programs?

Transcript Highlights:

• They understand what the programs are, and we're doing the appropriate outreach to use these programs
• . the whole plan so you're aware.
• Our pilot programs are two main programs: assisted outpatient treatment.
• Our other program is our Competency Diversion Program. This arises in the criminal context.
• outpatient treatment program.

Transcript Highlights:

• coral stewardship program. coral stewardship program.
• I'm the Forestry Program Manager for the Forestry Program at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, DLNR
• the I'm the Forestry Program Manager for the Forestry<00:34:19.720> Program<00:34:20.159>
• But, uh, I'm not aware of what the numbers would be from the ICE side of things.
• The expansion of programs and projects that increase tree canopy coverage.

Bills: HCR13, HCR61, HCR136, HCR185, HCR155, HCR68, HCR174, HCR178, HCR179, HCR91, HCR103, HCR115, HCR199, HR15, HR128, HR175, HR147, HR62, HR164, HR168, HR169, HR83, HR95, HR107, HR189

Keywords: coral reefs, sunscreen, environmental education, student stewardship, marine conservation, reforestation, Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, native forests, climate resilience, sustainable practices, economic opportunity, biodiversity, wildland-urban interface, WUI, wildfire mitigation, wildfire safety, Maui County, County of Maui, Kauai

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 31, 2026, and heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 13/HR 50, which asks DLNR to work with DOE and the Public Charter School Commission on a student coral stewardship program, drew comments from DLNR, which said it stood on written testimony and had proposed amendments, and from supporters in the room. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, nursery capacity, and related support for public and private lands, received strong support from DLNR and multiple testifiers, including members of a reforestation policy hui, a resident, and others who emphasized watershed protection, flood and fire resilience, and the need to upgrade nursery infrastructure and staffing. Committee members asked questions about nursery modernization, staffing, island-specific needs, and whether reforestation could reduce wildfire impacts; the DLNR witness said all islands need investment, with especially large opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island, and that healthier forests improve resilience though they cannot eliminate climate-related risks. The committee then heard HCR 136/HR 128 on wildland-urban interface safety standards for Maui plantation towns, but no one testified. It also heard HCR 185/HR 175, which urges denial of permits for ICE detention-related warehouses; Chris Coffey of Immua Alliance testified in support, saying migrant survivors of exploitation are harmed when ICE detains people and that Hawaii would not be the first place to take such action, citing examples from other states and cities. In questioning, members explored whether a local facility would keep people closer to families and services or instead increase local detention; Coffey said detention generally cuts off access to services and can intensify fear, and that a local facility could incentivize more detention and make survivors less likely to come forward. Finally, the committee heard HCR 155/HR 147 supporting the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition’s Hawaii Water Safety Act. Testifiers included Allison Shapera, who described the statewide water safety plan, Hawaii’s high drowning rate, the economic and human costs of drownings, and her personal loss of her daughter in a preventable drowning; Kirsten Hermstead and Kalani Vierra of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association said the plan’s recommendations need legislative recognition to help with implementation and grant funding; and Jessamine Town Horner testified by Zoom as a co-founder and bereaved family advocate. The transcript provided does not show any votes or final committee actions on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This type of program creates more tangibility, and that's why we're in favor of more Programs like this
• Have you found that the school districts across the state are aware of this program, or most of them
• It's not your program, correct?
• of this program.
• They do all the programming.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, I'm not asking you for funding or programming, but want to make you aware of some of the momentum
• , oil and gas research program, and renewable energy programs.
• , oil and gas research program, oil and gas research program, and renewable energy programs.
• That's typically what the Lignite Research Program, Oil and Gas Research Program, Renewable Energy Program
• Typically what the Lignite Research Program, Oil and Gas Research Program, Renewable Energy Program,

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you aware of that? I am not. Okay. They all come out of the same fund.
• Some of the programs are a little bit longer.
• There are some associate degree programs that apply to some of the demand out there.
• As a little backup that I'm sure that you are all aware of.
• As a little backup that I'm sure that you are all aware of.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we say we have a matching program here where we reimburse homeowners to have these, and they become
• Um, creates a pilot program to help Kentuckians build residential safe rooms that can be used in any
• <00:07:45.520> by<00:07:45.680> creating<00:07:46.120> the administer program
• Many times the people on post may not be aware of it until that vote has been taken by the planning and
• of it until that vote has been aware of it until that vote has been taken<00:13:54.280> by<00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met for its first meeting of the 2026 session, took roll, established a quorum, and heard three bills. The chair reviewed committee procedures, including deadlines for amendments, cell phone etiquette, and sign-in rules for testimony. Senator Clemons was welcomed as a new member, and the committee later noted that Senator Berg had arrived late and wanted his vote recorded on Senate Bills 11 and 13. Senate Bill 11, sponsored by Senator Meredith, would create a pilot rebate program for residential safe rooms in response to increased tornado activity. The bill would reimburse homeowners for 50% of construction and installation costs up to $5,000, require FEMA and code compliance, and allow safe rooms to be used by neighbors during emergencies. Members asked about cost, oversight, and capacity; the sponsor said the bill was not seeking an appropriation this session and would be administered by Kentucky Emergency Management. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably. Senate Bill 13, sponsored by Senator Deneen, would allow military installations to have an ex-officio, nonvoting representative on local planning and zoning bodies to raise national security concerns before zoning decisions are made near bases. Members spoke in support, emphasizing protection of military installations and surrounding land. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably. Senator Deneen also presented Senate Bill 42, which would require law enforcement to submit missing-person cases to Kentucky State Police for entry into the national database within 30 days for minors and 60 days for adults. Supporters said it could help in cases where children are missing but do not trigger an Amber Alert. After discussion about timing and law enforcement workload, the committee again voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced a later Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee presentation on Kentucky’s veteran centers, to be held in the same room after adjournment of both chambers, and then the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need people to be aware of that.
• We need people to be aware of that. I think that makes a lot of sense.
• I also found a program, a mental health program created by Lady Gaga, the music singer... ...a mental
• health program created by Lady Gaga, the music singer.
• You've got your federal guys, but I think they need to be made aware of some.

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• advise MINT and our agency partners on the responsible adoption of AI to improve how we deliver programs
• and services to how we deliver programs and services to motans.<00:04:14.080> So<00:04:14.239
• <00:08:08.639> around<00:08:09.280> uh and to create more awareness around uh and to
• create more awareness around uh the<00:08:09.599> risks<00:08:10.000> associated<00:08
• background for those who aren't aware background for those who aren't aware minute<00:24:57.440>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , mobile integrated healthc care programs, mobile integrated healthc care programs, and<00:09:29.600
• updates the clinical pilot program updates the clinical pilot program application<00:09:40.959><
• Um, and we were not made aware until after the fact.
• <00:15:47.199> So not made aware until after the fact.
• So not made aware until after the fact.

Keywords: :54 – Board of Pharmacy 2:00 – Board of Social Work 3:44 – Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy 4:43 – Board of Registration for Professional Geologists 7:27 – Board of Imaging and Radiation Therapy 8:33 – Board of Emergency Medical Services 10:38 – Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources 17:37 – Transportation Cabinet 18:37 – Department of Education 25:00 – Department of Workplace Standards 27:06 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services, 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a series of agency regulations, most of which had staff-suggested amendments. The Board of Pharmacy regulation on remote prescription processing was amended to make grammatical and KRS Chapter 13A compliance corrections, and the Board of Social Work regulation on continuing education, telehealth training, waivers, and related fees was deferred at the agency’s request. The Occupational Therapy Compact rule update and the Professional Geologists fee increase regulation both received staff amendments and were approved, with the geologists’ board explaining the increases were driven by rising oversight costs and declining revenue. The committee also reviewed emergency regulations from the Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, the Board of Emergency Medical Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and the Department of Workplace Standards. The EMS package covered licensing classifications, compliance audits, ambulance service rules, and electronic forms; the Transportation Cabinet’s emergency rule established procedures for street-legal special purpose vehicles; and Workplace Standards’ emergency rules updated Kentucky requirements to align with federal standards and House Bill 398, including shortening the discrimination complaint filing deadline from 120 days to 30 days and adjusting appeal procedures. Staff amendments were approved where offered, and members asked several clarifying questions about the rationale and effect of the workplace and EMS changes. The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources explained rules on aircraft and drone use in taking wildlife and on reciprocal hunting and fishing agreements with neighboring states. The agency said the drone restriction was intended to align with federal law and address hunter complaints, while the reciprocal agreement rule was a cleanup of older agreements that had lapsed or been overlooked; the committee deferred the wildlife regulation 301 KAR 2:031 at the agency’s request. The Department of Education also presented multiple KHSAA-related and standards updates, including academic eligibility, sports timing, health and physical education standards, and career studies/financial literacy standards; staff amendments were approved, and members questioned the athletic forms and the designation of KHSAA as the state’s athletic agent. Finally, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented emergency regulations to support a pediatric teaching hospital expansion and related certificate-of-need changes, which the agency said were aimed at improving pediatric and neonatal access to care; staff amendments were approved, and the committee concluded by setting its next meeting for October 13 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the state grant program. to the state grant program.
• supplemental assistance grant program. supplemental assistance grant program.
• resources for the state grant program. resources for the state grant program.
• those programs may need a sunset. those programs may need a sunset.
• program cuts, and massive staff layoffs. program cuts, and massive staff layoffs.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Higher Education Finance and Policy Conference Committee met publicly to compare House and Senate positions on the higher education budget, with the chairs emphasizing transparency and alternating gavel control. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through a spreadsheet of differences across the Office of Higher Education and Minnesota State, including major items such as state grants, childcare grants, work study, tribal college grants, emergency assistance grants, hunger-free campus grants, student parent support, direct admissions, paramedic scholarships, and several medical residency and fellowship programs. The House and Senate also differed on administrative funding, campus sexual assault reporting, and a House FY25 cancellation that would be carried forward. Members discussed several of the larger policy and funding choices. The Senate explained its increase for Minitex as support for operating costs and statewide access to information. The House explained its cuts to student parent support and other items as necessary to work within a zero target and to prioritize direct aid to students, while the Senate said it focused on direct appropriations and access-related programs. On hunger-free campus grants and emergency assistance grants, the Senate said it was changing the distribution method and direct appropriations rather than reducing the overall money, while the House noted differences in whether nonprofit institutions remained included. The committee also reviewed Senate-only additions and reductions in Minnesota State, including free course materials, Lake Superior College remediation, and changes to the Kids on Campus appropriation. A representative from Lake Superior College testified that the PAS remediation funding would help address contamination issues at an emergency training site near Lake Superior and that the money was shifted from the Kids on Campus initiative. No final conference agreement or vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee continued discussing differences and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• to take a course or a part of a program; we do 17%.
• Delaware, they send over 50% of our kids to CTE programs to take a course or a part of a program; we
• <01:01:55.680> and facilitate early awareness and facilitate early awareness and understanding
• Having considered scholarship program.
• It is highly questionable if program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:33.400> U program. Madam chair that is the A7. U program.
• North Memorial that is involved in this program, and also the Minnesota Twins.
• I appreciate I aid program. Great.
• we created a variety of new programs we created a variety of new programs that<01:13:22.560>
• ,<01:13:37.040> including those programs, including those programs, including cannabis.<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I would like to talk to you about a program called Project Momentum.
• If the abuse is bad enough, we cut them out of the program.
• Obviously, there's more work we can do in all of our government programs.
• program.
• We were aware that our daughter was struggling.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent Tom Horn’s State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, teacher pay, school choice, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools. Horn argued that students cannot learn unless schools are safe, cited increased funding for school police officers and a recent Tucson charter school incident as evidence for more officers, and said the department’s academic efforts have centered on Project Momentum, tutoring, cell phone restrictions, career and technical education partnerships, and support for Native American districts. He also urged direct teacher pay increases through Proposition 123 and said the state board should revise teaching standards and school grading practices. Members questioned him about DEI compliance, cell phone enforcement, ESA accountability, teacher preparation programs, school safety funding, and literacy outcomes; Horn said the department’s role is largely advisory in a local-control state, that it tracks school practices on a website, and that it lacks academic outcome data for ESA students because private schools are not tested by the state. The committee then took up House Bill 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues or memberships to professional library associations that advocate for libraries and information services. Representative Cooper, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while arguing that membership could still be paid privately and that free professional development options exist. Opponents, including former librarian Judy Schweber, Marana board member Hunter Holt, and the ACLU of Arizona, argued the bill would undermine professional development, local control, and constitutional rights of association and petition, and that there was little evidence public funds were actually being used this way. Supporters, including Adrienne Johnson, said some library materials and associations promote political viewpoints and should not be funded with public dollars. After public comment and debate, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2008 a do pass recommendation. Members who explained no votes said the bill targeted a non-issue, lacked data showing a problem, and would divert attention from funding and literacy needs. Members supporting the bill said it was a reasonable restriction on public spending and a way to keep school libraries ideologically neutral. The committee then announced it would move on to House Bill 2249, the Parents’ Bill of Rights and Remedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• They must also have worked for the child care program for a minimum of 30 days.
• They must also have worked for the child care program for a minimum of 30 days.
• <00:09:26.680> will<00:09:26.839> be of childcare programs will be of childcare programs
• So thank you, Chair. program after school program and does a program after school program and does a
• money for child care we also are aware money for child care we also are aware we<01:04:28.359>

Bills: HF1247, HF628

Keywords: child care, aides, supervision, child care centers, staffing regulations, childcare, day care, licensed child care center, early childhood education, child care licensing, director qualifications, staff ratios, group size, staff-to-child ratio, substitutes, volunteers, assistant teacher, teacher qualifications, infant care, toddler age

Transcript Highlights:

• and the support needed for those academic programs.
• and the support needed for those academic programs.
• needed for those academic programs.
• <00:59:35.280> It's<00:59:35.520> a employees, maintain our programs.
• It's a employees, maintain our programs.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 History of SEEK 00:02:15 Summary of On-Behalf Payments 00:12:40 Discussion on Collection of University Debt Department of Revenue 00:32:40 Northern Kentucky University 00:57:10, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the September 17 meeting, and heard a presentation from Kentucky Department of Education staff on SEEK school funding and KDE on-behalf payments. KDE explained recent SEEK changes, including the guaranteed base per-pupil amount, attendance-based calculations, second-month and January growth, the 2022 change funding kindergarten at 100% instead of 50%, and the existing add-ons for at-risk students, exceptional children, limited English learners, home/hospital instruction, and transportation. Staff also reviewed tier one funding, noting the 2024 increase from 15% to 17.5% and explaining that eligibility depends on local tax effort and property wealth. They also described Senate Bill 6 from the 2025 session as a reporting proposal to include on-behalf costs in education spending totals. KDE staff then outlined on-behalf payments made for districts, including roughly $458 million for Teachers Retirement System contributions, $942 million for health insurance, about $12 million for technology costs, and additional SFCC debt service outside KDE’s appropriation, for a total of about $1.5 billion. Members asked how a future Senate Bill 6 would affect local contributions and whether folding on-behalf payments into SEEK would shift costs among districts. KDE and Senator Gibbons clarified that the bill was intended only as a reporting mechanism and would not change local contribution or district payments; it would simply present a broader total of state education investment. The discussion also noted that Kentucky’s reported SEEK amount alone does not capture all state education spending. Members raised questions about home and hospital instruction data, saying local concerns suggest growth in some communities even if statewide numbers appear stable. KDE said the statewide figure has been relatively consistent but offered to provide district-level trend data. Co-Chair Petrie also asked about the accuracy of SEEK projections and on-behalf calculations, referencing prior concerns from the Office of Education Accountability. KDE responded that it works with the state budget director’s office in a consensus forecasting process and has been reviewing demographic and property-assessment data, including exceptional child counts, to improve forecast accuracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so SANDAG doesn't, by itself, program dollars for the State Highway Operation and Protection Program
• I'll skip the overview of the grant program itself.
• 36 programs. ...is implementing new or expanding programs to include Proposition 36 programs.
• We are aware that Delta Dental has experienced provider turnover.
• We are aware that Delta Dental has experienced provider turnover.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• for Health and Family Services to allow applicants for the Kentucky Employee Child Care Assistance Program
• to access, view, and download the standardized agreement required for participation in the program.
• employee child care assistance program employee child care assistance program to<00:01:41.399>
• c><00:01:47.399> and<00:01:47.640> two<00:01:48.320> it participation in the program
• and two it participation in the program and two it allows<00:01:49.000> applicants<00:01:49.520

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 1:00PM est. Roll Call - 00:03 Discussion on HB 508 – 00:34 Vote on HB 508 – 03:52 Discussion on 805 – 05:00 Vote on HB 805 -09:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first adopted a Senate committee substitute covering House Bills 718 and 194, then heard testimony on House Bill 508, House Bill 805, and the committee substitute for Senate Bill 111. HB 508 would let applicants for the Kentucky Employee Child Care Assistance Program view and download the required agreement and submit it by mail, email, or online, codifying a change the Cabinet for Health and Family Services had already agreed to make. The child-protection portion of the committee substitute would require animal control officers to receive training to identify child abuse and neglect, with the sponsor saying the training materials would be provided at no cost to local governments. For HB 805, the sponsor said the committee substitute mainly cleans up last year’s juvenile justice legislation, including changing “plaintiff” to “victim,” narrowing language on confidentiality of juvenile records when information is disclosed in a civil suit, and changing a status offender provision from mandatory to discretionary charging for escape when absent without leave from a DJJ facility. The bill also incorporates “Baby Maya’s Bill,” requiring the Cabinet to physically locate a child within a set time and, in certain cases involving prior removals, contact law enforcement if the child cannot be found. A committee member asked whether the changes would affect public access to records for juveniles transferred to circuit court on felony charges, and the sponsor said they would not. The committee then voted on HB 805 as amended by the committee substitute and passed it 7-0 with favorable expression. A title amendment was also adopted. After brief thanks and comments from members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you're aware, everyone is aware, in March 2021, we implemented Operation Lone Star at the charge of
• As I mentioned earlier, the TMPC has 2 financial assistance programs for local communities.
• Last session, we appropriated $30 million for the grant program.
• March of 2024, the, uh, if, if you, uh, I think some of you are aware, you may not be aware, uh, when
• So it's a, it's a grant program. We apply for it every year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Greg Takushima, Pesticides Program Manager with the Department of Agriculture, said the department stands
• of<00:05:26.280> all<00:05:26.479> the<00:05:26.639> chaos they are fully aware
• It should be going up through that chain to you guys, and examples of this stuff for programs in the
• in the states like for programs in the states like California<00:15:08.839> have<00:15:08.959
• Greg Takashima here, Pesticides Program Manager, representing the Department of Agriculture.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint AEN-PSM hearing on February 7, 2025 focused primarily on three agriculture-related measures and one animal welfare bill, with additional discussion of pesticide drift monitoring, coffee labeling, and a gas-pump labeling bill. SB 762 would create an Agricultural Crimes Council and authorize agricultural crime investigators; testimony from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Law Enforcement, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and several members of the public was generally supportive, with repeated calls for stronger enforcement, community involvement, and in some cases allowing investigators to be armed. Some testifiers also urged changes to the appointment process for council members, preferring neighborhood boards or local officials over gubernatorial appointments. The committee discussed combining related agricultural crime bills and noted concerns about investigator safety in remote areas. SB 763 would establish an agriculture enforcement program within the Department of Law Enforcement and a special fund. Testimony was strongly supportive from state agencies and farm groups, with speakers emphasizing the need for more effective response to agricultural theft, poaching, and related crimes. Several public testifiers linked the bill to broader community safety and asked for clearer funding, training, coordination, performance metrics, and technology use. The committee also heard SB 1022, which would prohibit leaving pets in dangerous conditions in vehicles and allow officers, firefighters, animal control, and in some cases private citizens to rescue animals; the Attorney General said existing cruelty statutes may already cover the conduct and suggested amendments, while HPD opposed the bill. Members asked about liability for rescuers and whether the proposal might affect property-crime enforcement. The committee also heard SB 1304 on pesticide drift monitoring funding, with the Department of Agriculture supporting the measure and explaining it was needed to complete a required project under an EPA-related agreement. A Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action representative raised concerns about the methodology of prior studies, and a public testifier described a recent odor incident near a roadway and school. SB 1015, requiring labels on gas dispensing equipment warning about fossil fuel impacts, drew support from the Department of Agriculture and the Public Utilities Commission but opposition from the Hawaii Energy Marketers Association. SB 500 on coffee labeling and regional origin was also heard, with the Department of Agriculture in support. In decision-making, the committees adopted recommendations to pass SB 762 with amendments, SB 763 with amendments, SB 1022 with technical amendments, SB 1304 with technical amendments, and SB 1015 as is; SB 500 was not acted on in the portion provided.