Transcript Highlights:

• :27.600> outside moved into campaigns and and outside moved into campaigns and and outside groups
• <00:18:28.320> issue<00:18:28.600> group<00:18:28.760> group<00:18:29.039> so
• <00:18:29.240> I<00:18:29.320> know<00:18:29.480> this groups issue group group
• so I know this groups issue group group so I know this area<00:18:30.039> pretty<00:18:30.559
• or groups of individuals and<00:18:42.480> they<00:18:42.600> have<00:18:42.720> their

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:36 SB 4 Discussion 01:16 SB 4 Vote 28:30 SB 130 Discussion 31:18 SB 130 Discussion 36:02, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 4, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create a state artificial intelligence governance framework for Kentucky government agencies and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The bill’s sponsors said it is intended to regulate only state government use of AI, not the private sector, and would require oversight by the Office of Technology, agency reporting, and annual reporting to the General Assembly. They also said the elections provisions were narrowed to focus on AI-generated audio and video, remove image disclosures, eliminate prior restraint and monetary damages, and rely on disclosure requirements modeled on laws they said had survived constitutional review in Texas. Testimony on SB 4 was mixed. Supporters emphasized transparency, human accountability, and the need to prepare state government for rapidly changing AI tools, citing possible uses such as fraud detection, inmate classification, and transportation planning. An opponent from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argued the bill would burden core political speech, create First Amendment problems, and invite litigation and abuse, especially in the election context. Members asked about litigation, constitutional concerns, costs, and whether the bill should be expanded later to cover ordinary citizens harmed by AI-generated content. Several members expressed support but noted reservations about the election sections or the need for future amendments. After discussion, the committee voted on SB 4 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed the measure passing with favorable expression, with some members explaining votes as supportive but cautious, and one member initially passing before later recording a yes vote. The chair then moved to Senate Bill 130, and Senator Scott Maiden and Kentucky Retail Federation representative Shannon Stiglets began presenting it as a response to gift card scams and theft of redemption information, describing recent large-scale supermarket fraud cases in Kentucky and saying the problem is tied to broader organized retail crime.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:36:45.560> of tell you as a bipartisan group of tell you as a bipartisan group of senators
• but there are services that that group but there are services that that group provid<00:37:27.599
• <01:13:45.159> about that are in this group about that are in this group about 31.5%<01:13
• A lot of groups, like volunteer groups, where they're purely volunteer, they're not getting paid, but
• For me personally, I also was not approached by an advocacy group to introduce this bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The individual and small group market.
• large group market.
• , and then the fully insured small group, and then the fully insured large<00:37:18.720> group
• So when commerce large group market.
• larger businesses more group coverage. larger businesses more group coverage.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They came to the legislature, that group, seeking help because during COVID the group had largely ceased
• The House then started to look at disbanding the group itself, despite the fact that the group serves
• they came to the legislature that group they came to the legislature that group uh<00:22:50.000>
• had put in uh on behalf of this group. had put in uh on behalf of this group.
• One with 91A. group with no funds can do. group with no funds can do.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to figure out what the retiree groups are looking for there.
• I know your groups would like to get rid of the cap because they wanted to help everyone.
• Happy to incorporate them if they want to send me information, same as the offer to every other group
• And so, you know, they have a separate group that they meet with to talk about left, retired left issues
• the two proposals on the COLA to be discussed in the executive board and to work with the retiree groups

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Executive Committee approved the April minutes by roll call vote, with members present voting aye and the minutes adopted. Staff then provided an Attorney General update on pension-related litigation, including the newly filed Dawson class action challenging Gross Second Substitute House Bill 2034, the concluded Dolan case, and the Fowler case, where the trial court orally ruled for plaintiffs on interest calculations and potential disgorgement of state gains, with a written ruling still pending. Committee members emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and regular reporting on the Dawson case because of its potential impact on the committee and retirement systems. An actuarial update followed, noting that June will include the preliminary 2025 valuation results and contribution-rate information, along with commentary on the demographic experience study. Staff said actuarial resources are limited and asked that any additional actuarial agenda items be scheduled for July or later. The committee also discussed the draft interim work plan and agreed to move the OSA annual update to July. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on Plan 1 COLA policy. Retiree representatives urged the committee to keep working on both immediate ad hoc COLA relief and a longer-term ongoing COLA solution. Members discussed a possible budget proviso requiring legislators to consider a COLA each budget cycle, and staff was asked to develop proposals for further discussion. The committee also agreed to add a June briefing on the PERS/PEACERS request involving animal control technicians, and to include an introductory Plan 3 briefing, with possible comparison to Plan 2, on the June agenda. Staff also explained changes to correspondence handling, including removing letters from the public website to better protect privacy while still making records available upon request. The committee approved the revised June agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to really kind of figure out what the retiree groups are looking for there.
• I know your groups would like to get rid of the cap because they want to help everyone.
• Happy to incorporate them if they want to send me information, same as the offer to every other group
• And so, you know, they have a separate group that they meet with to talk about left, retired left issues
• the two proposals on the COLA to be discussed in the executive board and to work with the retiree groups

Summary: The Executive Committee approved the April minutes by roll call vote, with members present voting aye and the minutes adopted. The committee then received an Attorney General update on several pension-related cases. Counsel discussed the newly filed Dawson class action, which seeks to invalidate Gross Second Substitute House Bill 2034 on federal and state constitutional grounds; she said the pleadings were unclear, the committee’s involvement was uncertain, and the case would need monitoring. She also reported that the Dolan case appears concluded after the Court of Appeals upheld the trial court’s ruling on constructive payment of attorney fees, and that the Fowler case remains pending after an oral ruling for plaintiffs on retroactive interest and possible disgorgement of state gains, with a written ruling still awaited. The actuarial update said June would include the preliminary 2025 valuation results and contribution-rate discussion, along with commentary on the demographic experience study, and staff noted actuarial resources were limited for additional items until later in the summer or fall. The committee then discussed the interim work plan and correspondence, including letters supporting a Plan 1 COLA recommendation, retiree organization comments, and a request from Senator Robinson to study whether certain animal control technicians should be included in PERS. Members emphasized the need to keep working on an ad hoc COLA for Plan 1 retirees while also exploring a longer-term COLA mechanism, including possible budget proviso language to require COLA consideration each budget cycle. Staff also explained changes to correspondence handling: materials will no longer be posted publicly on the website, but will still be available through public records requests and distributed securely to members by email or form submission. The committee agreed to add a June briefing on the PERS animal control technician issue and an introductory discussion of Plan 3, and to bring back COLA proposals in July for further executive committee review. The agenda was approved as amended, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 14 is based on recommendations from the 2025 Senate Study Resolution Work Group.
• Senate Bill 14 is based on recommendations from the 2025 Senate Study Resolution Work Group.
• So as a good group, met multiple times, we produced a report and came up with recommendations related
• With this going to 50%, that could reduce that to two, which is huge for a group of students learning
• We thank Representative Price for bringing this forward and for TRSL for bringing together a great group

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Retirement Committee met with a quorum and heard a series of retirement-system bills, mostly described by sponsors and system directors as cleanup measures, technical corrections, or changes to funding and re-employment rules. Early bills included SB 22, which made the constable position for the Second City Court of New Orleans eligible for membership in the Municipal Employees Retirement System, and SB 17, which created a funding deposit account for cost-of-living adjustments for registrars of voters’ employees. The committee also advanced SB 455 and SB 456, addressing employer participation in the Parochial Employees Retirement System and compensation for assigned retired judges, respectively. The committee then took up a group of State Police and teacher-retirement measures. SB 8 added the Louisiana Access Management Pool as a participating employer in MERS. SB 10, SB 11, and SB 12 adjusted State Police retirement funding and actuarial treatment, including changes to COLA funding, benefit increase funding, and administrative definitions. SB 16 reduced annual trustee education requirements for retirement boards from 16 hours to 12. SB 13 made similar actuarial-funding changes for the Teacher’s Retirement System, and SB 14, developed from a study group, consolidated and simplified TRSL return-to-work rules while expanding some re-employment options for retirees. Later bills focused on re-employment and system funding. SB 18 repealed a special exception allowing certain MERS retirees to return to part-time work while collecting full benefits, while protecting current participants. SB 20 and SB 21 updated actuarial gain and loss handling for the School Employees’ Retirement System and LASERS, respectively, to align with newer COLA funding structures. SB 416 expanded re-employment options for retired Department of Public Safety and Corrections employees in critical shortage positions, prompting discussion about staffing needs and cross-gender strip-search issues in prisons. SB 477 clarified the retirement status of the Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as a full-time state employee. All bills discussed were reported favorably, and the chair announced the committee’s next meeting would be moved from Monday to Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a group of people that help make your lives easier this time of the year.
• This is a group of CPAs with the Oklahoma Society of CPAs, and if today is the day for you to get some
• You probably belong to this Ethnic group, for instance.
• colleges of education, more in the 50 to 75% range, as opposed to what we're seeing across all labor groups
• Alternatively certified, he took a group of underperforming Hispanic students and took them to the top

Bills: HB4319, HB4317, HB1225, HB3076, HB3081, HB4226, SCR17, HB4432, HB3304, HB3411, HB3435, HB4339, HB4331, HB4341, HB4342, HB1770, HB1016, HB4113, HB2950, HB4141, HB3277, HB2988, HB3029, HB3338, HB1889, HB3834, HB3831, HB2939, HB3045, HB3657, HB1739, HB3759, HB3755, HB4484, HB4486, HB4108, HB1250, HB2961, HB1219, HB3025, HB1782, HB1907, HB3718, HB4459, HB2976, HB3548, HB3545, HB2952, HB2929, HB2956, HB2973, HB3055, HB3086, HB3040, HB3794, HB4336, HB3151, HB1590, HB3581, HB3313, HB3429, HB3448, HB1752, HB2650, HB3584, HB4202, HB3586, HB4321, HB4280, HB3650, HCR1020, HB2116, HB2206, HB4301, HB3625, HB3147, HB3403, HB3498, HB3970, HB3975, HB3976, HB3980, HB4265, HB4266, HB3638, HB3880, HB3930, HB3942, HB3944, HB4191, HB3242, HB3678

Keywords: administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, moving on to HB 2469 relating to a regular session review working group.
• relating to a regular session review relating to a regular session review working<00:21:06.960> group
• We have the state working group.
• And very last bill, HB 2469 relating to a regular session review working group.
• HB 2469 relates to a regular session review working group.

Bills: HB1805, HB2110, HB2180, HB2184, HB2219, HB2469

Keywords: child welfare, advocacy, oversight, independent office, foster care, child advocate, child safety, nepotism, ethics, government transparency, accountability, legislative standards, electronic voting, legislative transparency, Hawaii House, voting system, appropriation, lawmaker safety, political violence, confidentiality

Summary: The House Committee on Legislative Management heard testimony on several measures. HB 1805, relating to child welfare, drew support from the University of Hawaii and concerns from the Attorney General about the bill’s definition of state agency and possible separation-of-powers and supremacy clause issues. During decision-making, the committee opted to move the child advocate function to the Attorney General’s office, accepted the Attorney General’s suggested scope and jurisdiction amendments, set the salary at 90% of the Department of Health deputy director’s salary, and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2110, relating to nepotism, received support from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, which said the bill would apply the rule consistently and noted the existing good-cause exception process. The committee later deferred the bill, saying existing House rules on nepotism were already strict and that the proposal would be duplicative in statute. HB 2180, relating to voting boards, had no oral testimony in the room during the hearing, but the committee later amended it into a blank appropriations vehicle for the House of Representatives and passed it with amendments. HB 2184, relating to lawmaker safety, drew concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the bill would require redaction of address information and could create implementation issues, and the Attorney General noted missing language regarding appointed officials and an internal cross-reference issue. The committee adopted amendments to address those concerns and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2219, relating to disclosure of privileged communications to the Ombudsman, was clarified by the Ombudsman’s office as not requiring disclosure of privileged material, only preserving privilege if such material is voluntarily provided; the bill passed with amendments. HB 2469, relating to a regular session review working group, received testimony from the State Procurement Office, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and others in support and opposition, and the committee passed it with amendments after changing references and funding language.

Transcript Highlights:

• program and revise them with new numbers that have been part of our discussions during the technical group
• That were part of our discussions during the technical group.
• You can see the consensus tech group estimates for all of those items there.
• Chair and Representative, the tech group talked about budgeting agency balances in the state road fund
• Chair and Representative, the tech group talked about budgeting agency balances in the state road fund

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee met with quorum and took up only HB 3, the Department of Transportation Appropriation Act of 2026 for FY27. The bill was presented as an amended budget that would increase NMDOT’s operating budget by about $132.6 million, or 10.2%, using available cash balances, additional projected revenue, and contingent revenue tied to Senate Bill 2, the highway bond bill. Staff walked through the amendment section by section, explaining changes to project design and construction, highway operations, program support, modal programs, federal and interagency transfer lines, corrected performance-measure language, and added budget adjustment authority for the current and next fiscal years. Several members raised concerns about the late circulation of a revised amendment and the appearance of multiple bill versions, arguing the committee had not had enough time to review the changes and that the process may have violated the 24-hour rule. Others asked for clarification on how the budget distinguished between rehabilitation and maintenance, and DOT staff explained that major rehabilitation is generally tied to STIP projects while maintenance is handled through district-level plans and contracts. Members also discussed the use of cash balances for non-recurring spending, the impact of electric vehicles on road revenue, and the need for more maintenance, litter cleanup, fencing, and beautification funding. DOT and executive representatives noted the amendment includes a significant maintenance increase and said additional non-recurring funding could also come through House Bill 2 and the capital bill. The committee first rejected a substitute motion to delay action, then adopted the amendment and later voted due pass on HB 3 as amended. Public comment was opened, but no one spoke in support or opposition. After passage, members explained their votes, with some supporting the bill as a needed transportation investment and others objecting to the process and the compressed review timeline.

Transcript Highlights:

• See none, moving to our last reso, HR 147, establishing a legislative working group for the continued
• 39.360> working 147 establishing a legislative working 147 establishing a legislative working group
• > continued<00:23:41.279> oversight<00:23:41.840> of<00:23:41.960> the group
• for the continued oversight of the group for the continued oversight of the Department<00:23:42.520>
• Moving on to our last resolution, HR 47, establishing a legislative working group for the continued oversight

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing met on March 21, 2025, first taking testimony on several resolutions related to housing policy and building codes. HCR 1/HR 1 urged HHFDC to continue working with the City and County of Honolulu to transfer roads in the Villages of Kapolei; the committee noted one supportive testimony from HHFDC. HCR 66/HR 60 sought action by the State Building Code Council to authorize point access block, or single-stair, residential construction up to six stories; testimony included support from Housing Hawaiʻi Future and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaiʻi, and opposition from the AIA Hawaiʻi State Council. HCR 67 asked state and county officials to develop a comprehensive strategy for updated building codes; Grassroots Institute testimony was in support and AIA Hawaiʻi State Council was in opposition. HCR 78 addressed housing credits under Act 31, clarifying that qualifying projects approved before July 1, 2031, would remain eligible after repeal; HHFDC and Na Uho testified in support. HR 147 proposed a legislative working group to oversee DHHL’s use of Act 279 funds; DHHL supported the measure, along with one individual supporter who was not present. No public testimony was offered beyond those submissions, and the committee moved to decision-making after a short recess. In decision-making, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HCR 1/HR 1 as is, with several members excused. HCR 66/HR 60 was also passed as is after discussion emphasizing the potential for lower construction costs, more design flexibility, and better ventilation from single-stair buildings. HCR 67 was passed with amendments, including removing the housing committee chairs from the recipient list and adding language calling for reinstating and adequately funding the State Building Code Council so it can carry out its mandate. HCR 78 was passed as is, and HR 147 was passed as is after brief supportive comments about DHHL accountability. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• series of compromises and details, and that you have been very intentional and worked with so many groups
• There was an experiment in Texas where they had two different groups of students.
• They were teaching basically a 45-minute class; one group had cell phones in their... ...group had cell
• phones in their classroom while the other group did not.
• They presented the same material to both groups of students and tested them at the end.

Bills: SB92, HB9, HB9

Keywords: K-12 education, wireless communication devices, digital safety, social media education, classroom distraction, three-cueing system, reading instruction, structured literacy, scientific strategies, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Advanced Nuclear Reaction Work Group released their required report to the upcoming legislature
• The report listed two recommendations that the work group would like the legislature to adopt, which
• The Public Counsel's exempt salary will increase from group 4 to group 5 with a $20,000 per year increase
• The ED position is currently in group 3, and we're requesting an upgrade to group 4 at a cost of $29,821

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• local historical organizations around the Commonwealth, some 300 of them, all from small genealogy groups
• local historical organizations around the Commonwealth, some 300 of them, all from small genealogy groups
• local historical organizations around the Commonwealth, some 300 of them, all from small genealogy groups
• local historical organizations around the Commonwealth, some 300 of them, all from small genealogy groups
• local historical organizations around the Commonwealth, some 300 of them, all from small genealogy groups

Keywords: Pledge of allegiance, roll call, welcome of new members 00:00:15 Consideration of HB 313 00:03:20, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee held its first meeting of the session, established a quorum, welcomed new members, and heard only one item of business: House Bill 313, sponsored by Representative Kim King. King said the bill would add a Kentucky History Month recognition and tied it to recent local anniversary celebrations, arguing it could support education, economic development, and tourism. Kentucky Historical Society Executive Director Scott Alvi testified in support, describing the proposal as part of a broader effort to create a legacy around the nation’s 250th anniversary, coordinate statewide history events, and promote heritage tourism. Members asked why June was chosen and whether an emergency clause should be added so the measure could take effect in time for this June. King said June was selected because it aligns with Statehood Day and Boone Day and leads into July 4th, and she said she was open to the emergency-clause idea, though any amendment would need to be filed in writing later. The committee then voted on the bill and passed it 19-0, with no opposition. The chair noted the bill would next go to the House floor and closed by joking that the meeting was unusually short.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our air quality monitoring group, you know, the group that's responsible for measuring the air quality
• , you know, the quality monitoring group, you know, the group<03:18:05.600> that's<03:18:05.920
• > responsible<03:18:06.479> for group that's responsible for group that's responsible for
• the large c for the small customer group the large c for the small customer group uh<05:22:44.080
• And there was a group that got wrong.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, there were two aggrieved groups in those cases: Republicans and minority voters.
• But if you create the minority district, you ended up with fair maps for both of those two groups.
• <00:49:29.640> in you know there were two agre groups in you know there were two agre groups
• but of course ultimately um you groups but of course ultimately um you know<00:50:03.200> the
• I'm wondering, when you were crafting this bill, what groups, what organizations, what states did you

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that group has met with our team upwards of five or so times.
• have a step those groups, and then they have a step in the middle.
• or in small groups as in front of groups or in small groups as well.
• And both groups will tell you they're... And both groups will tell you they're the most important.
• And I think it's probably better to try to get a sense of what each of those kinds of groups could do

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I’m not suggesting it’s a genuine solution, but for employees group insurance, we don’t have
• Um, but back to the go or the group purchasing. Purchasing. Um, no, there's there's not push back.
• Secondly, you'll have a more cohesive group that could maybe do some planning and utilization of all
• Spoiler alert for the Department of Health facilities: most GPOs, or group purchasing organizations,
• Why have we this group together?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This group ensures that our research stays focused on real-world North Dakota issues.
• And so for Chinoa's group, in particular, To our on-farm trials with the growers.
• And so for Shinwa's group in particular, we've just started moving into controlled environment.
• We really appreciate the offer from the department to keep that working group moving forward.
• And I come out and compliment your group and Dr. Poole’s group.

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was an attorney at Pacifica Law Group at that time, and I worked at a nonprofit.”
• , which is the support group that I made when I went through the harm I did at Civil Survival.
• him to come to that support group because I didn't feel like that was a place of trust.
• I needed that support group for a place of trust.
• I don't want you to come to the support group.

Summary: The hearing resumed in the Legislative Ethics Board matter involving Tara Simmons after the board confirmed no ex parte communications had occurred overnight. Respondent’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she violated ethics rules by combining legislative support for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and personal dealings were intertwined. After a recess for deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss, and the hearing moved into the defense case. The first defense witness was Sharon Navas, executive director of the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC). Navas testified that she met Simmons in 2018, later hired her, and took steps to separate Simmons’s legislative duties from her work for EEC. She said Simmons was never paid for lobbying or legislative acts, that her compensation came from unrestricted funds, and that the organization used written ethics-compliance language and a formal scope of work. Navas also described the proviso-funded dashboard project involving Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley, testifying that Simmons was not involved in the project’s day-to-day work, did not attend the meetings about the dispute, and was not part of the alleged contract disagreement. On cross-examination, staff focused on the contract documents, the dashboard work, and whether the scope of work matched the parties’ understanding. Tara Simmons then testified in her own defense. She described her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics guidance from House counsel and board-related materials before taking outside employment or supporting provisos. She said she relied on prior ethics advice when separating her legislative role from outside work and when seeking provisos for AEJG and EEC. Simmons also addressed her relationship with Anthony Powers, describing it as a friendship rooted in criminal justice reform work and prior collaboration. The hearing was still in the middle of Simmons’s direct testimony when the transcript excerpt ended, with no final ruling on the merits or disposition of the allegations.