Transcript Highlights:

• And we do cap our loan forgiveness at 75% of eligible costs.
• Whether it's a FEMA grant at 75%, or whether it's a DWR grant at 75%, it'd be about $18.5 million.
• And then you're 75%, 25%, $18.45 million FEMA or State Water Commission and NDDOT?
• "Well, and the 75%, Chairman Swantec, Senator, the idea being is that that 75% potentially can come from
• But the idea would be to come up with 75% of the total cost from those parties.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Quebec saw 75% fewer single parents on public assistance by expanding child care access.
• So budget year plus two shows 75%, and then budget year. The 100% would be that.
• We're here in support of the continuation of the $75 million and all other increased budget requests.
• We're here in support of the continuation of the $75 million and all other increased budget requests.
• So we're here to speak on behalf of keeping the $75 million annual allocation...

Transcript Highlights:

• of</c><00:08:22.440><c> general</c><00:08:22.840><c> fund</c> So what is the division think maybe $75
• to</c> Speaking of which, I would like to rewrite this sentence here such that the $50, well, the $75
• Maybe $75 wouldn't either. Have you ever figured out what it cost to inspect an elevator?
• All right. $75. Okay, so we'll rewrite this and have an amendment for $75.
• okay so we'll we'll rewrite right 75 okay so we'll we'll rewrite this<00:12:15.519><c> and</c><00:12

Summary: The committee first heard from the Department of Labor on several House Bill 2 sections. Members discussed raising the annual elevator certificate fee, which had been $50 since at least fiscal year 2014; the commissioner said the Inspection Division generates more revenue than its costs, and members agreed to amend the fee to $75 and later voted unanimously to accept Section 137. The department also explained a proposed change to civil penalty/warning language in Section 139 to align enforcement across labor laws; that section was accepted unanimously. The commissioner then gave a detailed overview of the second injury fund, describing how it is financed by assessments on insurance carriers, how claims are reviewed for reimbursement, and how the fund is intended to reimburse certain workers’ compensation costs. Members questioned whether the program still serves its original purpose, whether it is revenue-neutral, and whether it should be sunset; the department said the fund is a mixed bag for the state and industry, but no sunset language was adopted. Sections 140 and 141 were then accepted unanimously. The committee next heard from the Judicial Council on Sections 125 through 127. The witness said the changes would streamline payment for indigent defense services other than counsel, reduce the number of bills requiring judge review, and expand the council’s ability to contract with providers for services such as translation and evaluations. He also explained a proposed fail-safe allowing the executive director to decline to process questionable invoices and send them to a judge instead. Members generally supported the streamlining, and Sections 125 through 127 were accepted unanimously. Toward the end of the discussion, members asked about the cost impact of changing the misdemeanor/felony threshold from $1,000 to a higher amount. The Judicial Council said felony cases are significantly more expensive than misdemeanors because they involve more hearings, more discovery, and more attorney time, with assigned felony cases costing several times more on average. No action was taken on that question in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• They lifted 120,000 single parents out of poverty, and Quebec saw 75% fewer single parents on public
• So budget year plus two shows 75%, and then budget year... The 100% would be that.
• support the proposals that were outlined today, supporting the governor's proposal to maintain the $75
• We're here in support of the continuation of the $75 million and all other increased budget requests.
• So we're here to speak on behalf of keeping the $75 million annual allocation. in our communities.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• billion slush fund. $75 billion.
• and at the same period of time give the Department of Homeland Security $191 billion, watch this, $75
• </c><00:28:25.600><c> $75</c><00:28:26.240><c> billion</c><00:28:26.960><c> in</c><00:28:27.200><c> a
• </c> billion, watch this. $75 billion in a billion, watch this. $75 billion in a slush<00:28:27.760><
• ><c> another10</c><01:05:31.119><c> billion</c> have $75 billion plus another10 billion have $75 billion

Bills: HB7147 , HR1142

Keywords: appropriations, fiscal year, budget, consolidated spending, government funding, consolidated funding, government spending

Transcript Highlights:

• So in southwestern Washington, these streamflow forecasts for the summer are less than 75% of normal,
• projections and try to get estimates for how often we might see statewide average snowpack less than 75%
• First, a hydrologic threshold: an area is receiving or is projected to receive less than 75% of normal
• And I'm going to explain exactly why, why the snowpack being, you know, 40, 45, 46%, 75% normal, why
• And I'm going to explain exactly why, why the snowpack being, you know, 40, 45, 46%, 75% normal, why

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought

Transcript Highlights:

• So in southwestern Washington, these streamflow forecasts for the summer are less than 75% of normal,
• projections and try to get estimates for how often we might see statewide average snowpack less than 75%
• First, a hydrologic threshold: an area is receiving or is projected to receive less than 75% of normal
• I'm going to explain exactly why snowpack being 40, 45, 46 percent, or 75 percent of normal is not going
• And I'm going to explain exactly why, why the snowpack being, you know, 40, 45, 46%, 75% normal, why

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first elected Rep. Reeves as chair and Rep. Dent as vice chair for the coming year, with the vote appearing unanimous. After a brief discussion about who would chair the rest of the meeting, the committee proceeded to its regular agenda focused on the 2026 drought situation in Washington. The Washington state climatologist, Karen Mbacca, and Department of Ecology drought staff presented data showing a statewide drought declaration issued April 8 due to very low snowpack, warm winter temperatures, and resulting water supply concerns. They described the state’s statutory drought criteria, current reservoir and streamflow conditions, Yakima Basin water supply forecasts, likely summer temperature and precipitation outlooks, and the possibility of an El Niño developing later in the year. Ecology said the declaration makes $3 million in drought response grants available and allows expedited water transfer processing, and staff said they are already hearing concerns about impacts to agriculture, fish, and drinking water systems. Committee members discussed the need for longer-term drought preparedness, possible legislative tools, and whether additional funding or reservoir/storage strategies should be considered. Rep. Dent and others asked about available grant money and future mitigation planning, while Ecology said it is open to working with the legislature and stakeholders on resilience measures. The committee then heard a contrasting presentation from Dr. Cliff Mass of the University of Washington, who argued there is no current drought emergency because reservoirs are full, precipitation and soil moisture are near or above normal in many areas, and agriculture is performing well; he said the state’s drought declaration is not justified by current conditions. Members questioned him about reservoir capacity, drought definitions, and forecasts, and the meeting ended with several members thanking departing legislators and noting the importance of continued water planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• place of business, but in practice served primarily to redirect sales tax to another city, offering a 75%
• the company entered into a new 380 agreement with a different city, one that was willing to rebate 75%
• They rebated 75% of the sales tax in exchange for simply becoming the new point of sale for the same
• That's, it could be 75 job fairs, or it could be 75 activities. ...job applications.
• For some people, 75 job applications is easy.

Bills: SB317 , SB1250 , SB1520 , SB1950 , SB2298 , SB2532 , SB2539 , SB2747 , SB2925 , SB2993

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• is going to be going to the DOT, which is $146 million, Going to the DOT, which is $146 million, and 75%
• The next bucket is $75 million for budget stabilization fund.
• mention, a lot of discussion on bridges, and frankly, I had, when I was looking at it, I wanted at least $75
• You know, if you put $75 million in and $25 million is sitting there, what good does it do anybody?
• This bill, the amendments, make sure that DOT can completely match all federal match, 75/25, and also

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met to consider Senate Bill 2012, the Department of Transportation budget, with Representative Brandenburg presenting a detailed House amendment package and Speaker Robin Weisz explaining the overall funding strategy. The discussion focused on restructuring transportation funding streams, including moving Prairie Dog money into a flexible transportation fund, adjusting gas tax distributions, increasing the legacy earnings transfer from 7% to 8%, and authorizing a $155 million bond for Highway 85. Members also discussed DOT operations, bridge funding, rest areas, electronic titling, and the use of funds for grants to counties, cities, and townships. A separate provision would let the DOT consider whether local ordinances or policies unreasonably restrict permitted agriculture or energy projects when scoring grant applications, which drew significant debate about local control and whether the language was punitive. Testimony from Brandenburg and Weisz emphasized that the plan was intended to provide more predictable funding, preserve the ability to match federal dollars, and direct money where needs are greatest through a grant process. Weisz said the package was designed to simplify multiple revenue buckets, ensure DOT can meet federal match requirements, and free up money for the general fund while still supporting transportation needs. Several members raised concerns about whether cities, counties, and townships would receive as much as under the prior Prairie Dog structure, whether the bridge allocation was correctly reflected in the bill, and whether the local-policy language would penalize subdivisions that oppose energy projects. Supporters argued the state needed to protect revenue tied to energy development and that local governments would still receive distributions plus additional grant opportunities. The committee adopted the House amendment to SB 2012 by a vote of 19-1-3, then rejected an amendment to remove the local-policy language on a 5-15-3 vote. The committee then passed SB 2012 as amended on a 20-0-3 vote, with Representative Brandenburg designated as the carrier. The chair announced that Senate Bill 2014 would not be taken up at that time and the committee recessed until called back.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we could go back<01:00:16.640><c> to</c><01:00:16.880><c> 75,</c> back to 75, back to 75, put<01:00
• If a student is only in school for 75% of the school day, they should be 75% of an ADM.
• 37.920><c> 75%</c><01:01:39.119><c> of</c><01:01:39.359><c> an</c><01:01:39.599><c> ADM.
• </c> should be 75% of an ADM. should be 75% of an ADM.
• </c> we want to fix the problem, not 75% we want to fix the problem, not 75% because<01:01:46.799><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Abeler said 50 million was a lot, and 75 is more than 50.
• is more than was a lot million and 75 is more than 50. 50. 50.
• I amendment uh upping it to 75 million.
• :41:33.839><c> in</c><00:41:34.000><c> emergency</c> be clear, $75 million in emergency be clear, $75
• Um and agree $75 million may not homelessness. homelessness.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Costs have grown over the last few years, making it a serious challenge for the state to meet the 75%
• million on top of the funds that will be contained in the forthcoming FY26 budget to help meet that 75%
• over the last few years making it serious, making it a serious challenge for the state to meet the 75%
• million on top of the funds that will be contained in the forthcoming FY26 budget to help meet that 75%

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two ceremonial resolutions: one commemorating the dedication of the Woburn Battle Road Memorial as part of the Massachusetts 250th celebration, and another recognizing May 1-7 as Elks National Youth Week. The chamber then took up House Bill 4005, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill using FY24 Fair Share surtax surplus funds, and ordered it to a third reading before later considering it for passage to be engrossed. During debate on the bill, the House heard a lengthy presentation in support of the proposal, which would direct about $828 million to transportation and $353 million to education. The transportation spending was described as primarily supporting the MBTA, including workforce and safety funding, reserve replenishment, station and infrastructure improvements, reduced fares, and reimbursement for tunnel closure costs, along with smaller amounts for regional transit authorities and unpaved roads. The education side included additional special education circuit breaker funding, vocational school capital, early education workforce supports, early literacy, universal school meals, higher education endowment matches, Green School Works, and ESOL waitlist reduction, with the Inspector General directed to review circuit breaker cost controls. Members then debated several amendments. One amendment related to a school athletics policy was modified by a further amendment calling for DESE analysis before implementation; both the further amendment and the underlying amendment as amended were adopted. A transportation amendment to shift $50 million from MBTA funding to Chapter 90 municipal roads was supported by members emphasizing rural road needs but was rejected on a roll call, 25-120. Another transportation amendment adding at least $300,000 for Route 93 mitigation costs in Medford was adopted, 133-20. The bill itself then passed to be engrossed on a roll call, 140-14. The House also observed moments of silence for former First Lady Kitty Dukakis and for victims of the Santo Domingo nightclub collapse, and later adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning in memory of former Representative Philip W. Johnston.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill, excuse me, House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 are identical bills filed in each chamber.
• Senate bill, excuse me, House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 are identical bills filed in each chamber.
• We have to do the same thing now for the Senate bill, which is Senate Bill 75.
• Now we need a motion to pass out as amended Senate Bill 75. Have a motion do pass.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first reviewed a long list of House and Senate bills that were ready to be passed out, then heard a special language subcommittee report. The report recommended do pass on six bills, including SB 63, SB 67, SB 73, HB 1089, HB 1090, and HB 1093, and amendments on 11 others. A motion to pull HB 107 out for separate consideration failed, and the special language report was adopted. The committee then took up the Revenue Stabilization Law and schedule. Staff explained the schedule’s differences from the governor’s balanced budget proposal and described several fund transfers, including $100 million for Medicaid sustainability, $70 million for the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom account, $43.7 million for the general discretionary majority vote set-aside, $5 million for the motor vehicle set-aside, and two $150 million transfers related to the Quick Action Closing Fund and public highway improvements. Members asked for clarification on allocations, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed both House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 as amended. Representative McClendon then presented a bill to support expansion of the Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor, but withdrew it, saying he would seek other funding sources. The committee then moved through the remaining captioned bills, including House Bills 105, 107, 1008, 1022, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1051, 1052, 1064, 1066, 1068, 1089, 1090, and 1093, and Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, 20, 21, 30, 31, 36, 41, 43, 58, 63, 67, and 77, generally passing them with little or no discussion, some as amended. The chair announced that all prior holds had been released and said the next Joint Budget Committee meeting would be Tuesday for peer issues only, then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill, excuse me, House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 are identical bills filed in each chamber.
• Senate bill, excuse me, House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 are identical bills filed in each chamber.
• We have to do the same thing now for the Senate bill, which is Senate Bill 75.
• Now we need a motion to pass out as amended Senate Bill 75. Motion to do pass. We have a second.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee met to consider a long caption of House and Senate bills, first announcing a list of measures ready to be passed out and then taking up a special language subcommittee report. The report covered several bills, including SB 63, SB 67, SB 73, HB 1089, HB 1090, and HB 1093, along with amendments to a larger group of bills. A motion was made to pull HB 107 out separately, but after discussion about the amendment’s impact on school districts and the process for further debate, the substitute motion failed and the special language report was adopted. The committee then considered the revenue stabilization law and schedule. Staff explained that the main changes from the governor’s balanced budget proposal were moving county operations and higher education allocations from category B to category A, and described several fund transfers, including $100 million to Medicaid sustainability, $70 million to the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom account, $43.7 million to discretionary set-asides, $5 million to the motor vehicle set-aside, and two $150 million transfers related to the Quick Action Closing Fund and highway improvements. After questions about the schedule’s funding changes, the committee adopted the amendment and then passed House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 as amended. Representative McClendon then presented a bill to support expansion of the Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor, requesting $400,000, but withdrew the bill, saying he would seek alternate funding. The committee then moved through the remaining captioned House and Senate bills, including HB 105, HB 107, HB 1008, HB 1022, HB 1035, HB 1036, HB 1037, HB 1051, HB 1052, HB 1064, HB 1066, HB 1068, HB 1089, HB 1090, HB 1093, and Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, 20, 21, 30, 31, 36, 41, 43, 58, 63, 67, 73, and 77, approving them with or without amendments as noted. The chair also announced that all prior holds had been released and said the next meeting would be a Joint Budget Committee meeting focused only on peer issues before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just curious. 5% lower and all of a sudden you're, you know, in a whole other territory at 75 versus
• you know in a whole another territory of you know in a whole another territory of at<00:05:09.199><c> 75
• </c><00:05:10.560><c> I'm</c><00:05:10.880><c> just</c> at 75 versus 80. I'm just at 75 versus 80.

Bills: HJ0002 , SF0118 , SF0016

Committee: House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So what's happening as our military guys get older, 75, 80, he's had several that are 80, pushing 90.
• So what's happening as our military guys get older, 75, 80, he's had several that are 80, pushing 90.
• So what's happening as our military guys get older, 75, 80, he's had several that are 80, pushing 90.

Bills: HB155 , HB155

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: homestead exemption, disabled veterans, tax relief, annual verification, property tax, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment section 75-156, right, statute, supplement 225, change, civil process, violation brass uniform
• Bringing up for state, and brass section 75-156, statute supplement 25,000, amendmentary 75-1561.
• Notification is required under section 75-17 and section 17.
• Section 75-116 and related rules and regulations are referenced.
• LB 1209 is amended by sections 59-75, 19-19-125, 126-7, and 128, respectively.

Bills: LB764 , LB815A , LB839 , LB888 , LB955 , LB972A , LB1029 , LB1087 , LB1091 , LB1126A , LB1181A , LB1237A , LB1261A , LB304A , LB762 , LB889 , LB929 , LB966 , LB1022 , LB1187 , LR508

Transcript Highlights:

• It's structured where applicants can request 75% of a project cost, up to $100,000.
• So the way it's structured, 75% of that is eligible.
• And I can't say much about it, but I do want to maintain an emphasis on east of I-75.
• And I can't say much about it, but I do want to maintain an emphasis on east of I-75.
• And I can't say much about it, but I do want to maintain an emphasis on east of I-75.

Summary: The committee convened for its first meeting, called the roll, elected co-chairs under KRS 248.723, and approved the prior meeting minutes. Representative Michael Pollock was elected House co-chair and Senator Jason Howell was elected Senate co-chair, allowing the meeting to proceed. The Agricultural Development Board then reported on activity from December 2024 through April 2025. Staff described board and finance corporation funding totals for each month, county council meeting activity, leadership trainings, lender trainings, and outreach events such as Kentucky Proud breakfast, Ag Tag Month, and agriculture education week. The report also highlighted several funded projects: a Whitesburg farmers market project for Cowan Community Action Group, Community Farm Alliance’s work supporting farmers markets and nutrition programs, a Metcalfe County 4-H ham project, Hopkinsville Elevator’s rail expansion, and W and W Veterinary Services’ large-animal facility upgrade. Members discussed the importance of the tobacco settlement funds and the committee’s stewardship role. Senator Webb urged new members to read House Bill 611 and its history, emphasizing careful use of the limited funds and noting the committee’s statutory mission. Representative King asked about possible federal nutrition policy changes, and staff said Kentucky is already pursuing a “Food as Medicine” initiative and a partnership with the Kentucky Hospital Association. The meeting also recognized interns and announced a June 20, 2025, 25th anniversary event for the Agricultural Development Fund at the Kentucky History Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then for the age group 65 and over, or 75 and over, actually, can you go and you get the Medicare
• So, this is the way you're doing this: people who have been born who are less than 75, essentially?
• Who are less than 75, essentially? Yeah, that's what it is. And okay, and you go back 120 years?
• That 75 and over becomes 85 and over.
• I'm not even talking about going back 75 years; I'm talking about even, you know, now.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census met on December 8 at 9:32 a.m. to examine the dynamics that drive census undercounts and overcounts, with testimony first from Joseph Salvo and then from Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute. Salvo explained the Census Bureau’s two main evaluation tools: demographic analysis, which uses vital records, migration estimates, and Medicare data to produce a national benchmark, and the post-enumeration survey (PES), which compares a separate sample-based count to the census. He said the 2020 census showed a small national net undercount, but larger age- and race-based disparities, including the highest undercount among children ages 0 to 4, higher undercounts for men, substantial undercounts for Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, and overcounts among some older and college-age groups. He also described how self-response, non-response follow-up, administrative records, proxy responses, and imputation affected data quality, arguing that proxies and imputation were especially weak and that outreach remains critical for 2030. Committee members asked Salvo to clarify the methods and error bands, the role of international migration estimates, and how the PES differs from the census address list and LUCA. He explained that PES is based on a separate sample of blocks and can add units within sampled blocks, but it does not measure units missed entirely from the original address list; LUCA matters because it improves that list before enumeration. He also discussed age heaping, duplicate responses among older adults, and why group quarters and COVID-related disruptions complicated the 2020 count. Senator Driscoll briefly interrupted to describe Randolph’s successful appeal of its 2020 count after an undercount in disability care homes, and Salvo noted that the post-census group quarters review helped correct some missed facilities. Susan Strait then focused on Massachusetts-specific results. She said Massachusetts’ 2020 count was strong overall, with population growth above the national average and a PES-based finding that the state was overcounted by 2.24 percent, though she emphasized that this did not mean all areas were accurately counted. Using demographic analysis, she said Massachusetts had an estimated 4.15 percent undercount of children ages 0 to 4, with the largest county-level undercounts in Hampden, Suffolk, and Essex, and she linked higher child undercounts to lower educational attainment and female-headed households. Strait also reviewed operational metrics showing that Massachusetts had relatively strong internet self-response, but that non-response follow-up relied heavily on household interviews, administrative records, proxies, and imputation in different counties. She highlighted higher proxy use in college-heavy counties such as Hampshire and Suffolk, and said counties with more minority residents were more likely to have population-count-only cases and other indicators of harder-to-count populations. The hearing ended with discussion of how these findings could inform outreach and census planning for 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• is very specific and talking about investors making offers and investors that specifically own over 75
• I don't care that you're 75 years old. You want to retire. You may not accept that offer.
• I don't care that you're 75 years old. You want to retire. You may not accept that. $500,000 offer.
• I don't care that you're 75 years old. You want to retire. You may not accept that offer.
• residents about it, and what they have requested of us, is that those investors that own more than 75

Committee: Senate Judiciary