Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:51.920> uh in consultation with chair Chang uh in consultation with chair Chang uh
• I have a question for Chair Chang.
• I'm not sure you changed that. Right? That's... Did we not change that language?
• > that you're not change you didn't change that you're not change you didn't change that right<01
• right that's did no we we did not change right that's did no we we did not change that<01:00:42.640

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 818 HD1, which would establish the Waiawa Community Development District. The Attorney General’s office said the bill may not comply with requirements for a special fund, and DLNR asked for further amendments so lease revenues would remain with DLNR while it continues managing the lands. DLNR cited ongoing costs, including the Uncle Billy’s demolition debt and management needs at Banyan Drive/Banyan Country Club. HCDA/Waiawa representatives supported the bill, agreed that DLNR should keep lease revenues while it remains the land manager, and said a future transfer of land management would change where revenues should go. Members focused on whether removing lease revenue would undercut the bill and on how existing and future revenues should be allocated. The committee then took up HB 338 HD1 and HB 339 HD1 on renewable energy-related utility transactions and procurement. Testimony came from the Consumer Advocate, the State Energy Office, the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric, IBEW Local 1260, Ulupono Initiative, and Life of the Land. Supporters generally backed the measures, while some asked for labor-related strengthening language. Discussion centered on how the PUC should handle competing bids or offers in utility merger or acquisition situations, with concerns raised about NDAs, timing, and whether the original version or amended language better allowed public and intervenor participation. A witness from Life of the Land argued that utilities should not negotiate under NDA in a way that blocks later public competition, and a PUC-related witness said the current language was changed from the original to address PUC testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1467 HD1 on housing resiliency. OIP was not present, while B&F raised concerns about placing federal funds into a special fund, saying federal grant money should remain in a separate P fund for transparency, accountability, and single-audit compliance. State agencies and groups including OPSD, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported the measure. Testimony emphasized that many older roofs lack hurricane clips and that strengthening homes could reduce disaster sheltering and temporary housing costs. IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill but argued that building to current standards upfront is preferable to retrofitting later. Members questioned funding structure, eligibility, and whether the program should be needs-based; the bill was described as limited to households under 140% AMI. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The numbers always change.
• So, I um, numbers always change. 60.
• Um that um with some uh some changes.
• And lastly, there are several changes to the border city program policy changes only.
• And one of the changes on this spreadsheet is just an interaction change with AIS on line 16.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, there is a proposed strike-and-insert amendment that makes one key change—two key changes,
• Chairman, there is a proposed strike-and-insert amendment that makes one key change—two key changes,
• Chairman, there is a proposed strike-and-insert amendment that makes one key change—two key changes,
• It changed two things.
• I said, I need you to run by me and us what the committee substitute changed. Changed two things.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:11.120> I<00:02:11.680> Senator<00:02:12.080> Chang.
• I Senator Chang. Hi, Senator Morywalk. I Senator Chang. Hi, Senator<00:02:14.400> Fabella.
• Myself, Chair Inoi, I'll quote Chang Chang Chang and<00:05:20.320> Roads<00:05:21.080> is
• for the new change on the 350<00:10:02.959> 350,000.
• The main changes are on page five; we added seaworm. Yes. See that? And...

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That changed everything for me. That changed everything for me.
• They're changing legacies, is what they're doing. are really changing they're changing legacies is what
• I'm changing people's lives because they changed my life. You know, so...
• So we need change.
• So we need change.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• and would you go over what those changes and would you go over what those changes are?
• <01:02:56.079> that it's been motivated by changes that it's been motivated by changes that
• And so I have made substantial changes And so I have made substantial changes to<01:08:57.679>
• and so I think that do when you change and so I think that do when you change or<01:24:07.600>
• can be very intentional about the change can be very intentional about the change and<01:24:35.120

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• participation policy just um uh change participation policy just um uh change the<00:36:09.440><
• ><00:36:38.720> commissioner change to changes to the commissioner change to changes to the commissioner
• > $35,000 So $600,000 pre-policy change, $35,000 So $600,000 pre-policy change, $35,000 post.<
• The lighting and pedestrian infrastructure changes are also positive changes to the CPP.
• also positive changes to the CPP. also positive changes to the CPP.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone wish to change your vote? Anyone wish to change your vote?
• Anyone wish to change your vote? Anyone wish to change your vote?
• Amendment 901 to Senate Bill 465 makes changes to the bill.
• Amendment 901 to Senate Bill 465 makes changes to the bill.
• Anyone wish to change your vote? Anyone wish to change your vote? Secretary will close the roll.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The only change to the bill is a change in the number of petitions a volunteer can carry.
• It does not change that at all.
• change that from 2 to 25, that a volunteer can change can carry 25 petitions, personal use petitions
• It does not change that at all.
• And the House sent back three amendments which change funding for the Data Center, change criteria for

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into a series of special-order bills and House messages. Early floor action included passage of a claim bill for Mandy Penny Lemon (HB 6503) and bills on sewer collection systems (HB 1123) and farm products (HB 211), all passing unanimously. The chamber also took up an ad valorem tax exemption resolution for agricultural tangible personal property (CS/HJR 1215), which passed 37-0. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the Senate recessed and later returned to House messages and additional special orders. The Senate then addressed multiple House amendments and conference-style motions. It concurred in amended versions of SB 994 on driver safety, SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, and HB 1609 on waste incineration/auxiliary containers after extended debate over hurricane recovery rules, local government restrictions, and plastic container preemption. The chamber also concurred in CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiative petitions, increasing the number of petitions a volunteer may carry from 2 to 25, and in CS/HB 733 on Brownfields. Other House amendments were rejected or sent back, including SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, SB 116 on veterans policy, SB 168 on mental health, and HB 1101 on out-of-network provider referrals. Later, the Senate approved CS/HB 1255 on education and CS/HB 875 on educator preparation, with discussion focused on school readiness, teacher training, and changes to certification and testing requirements. It also concurred in CS/HB 1427, a broad health care bill, after the House added a major nursing education amendment that tightened Board of Nursing oversight, required standardized evaluation and remediation, and imposed accountability measures tied to NCLEX pass rates and program performance. Several members raised concerns or praised negotiated compromises throughout the day, but the recorded actions were mainly concurrence motions, refusals to concur, and final passage votes on the bills considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really quickly, this bill, as modified by PHS1, doesn't change the formula, doesn't change the money,
• <00:04:48.080> the Modified by phs1 doesn't change the Modified by phs1 doesn't change the
• change the money doesn't change<00:04:51.560> the<00:04:51.720> substantive<00:04:52.320
• change the substantive terms it just changes<00:04:53.919> the<00:04:54.120> catchers<
• the cabinet's authority to make changes the cabinet's authority to make changes to<00:10:05.839>

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 537 Discussion 00:01:30 HB 537 Vote 00:05:15 HB 695 Discussion 00:07:00 HB 695 Vote 00:23:15 HJR 31 Discussion 00:27:40 HJR 31 Vote 00:29:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 537, as amended by PHS 1, which was described as a technical measure needed to ensure Kentucky can receive opioid settlement funds despite changes in bankruptcy court orders. The sponsor and Attorney General’s office explained that the bill does not change the settlement formula or substantive terms, but adjusts the mechanism for receiving the money. After brief discussion, the committee adopted PHS 1 and then passed HB 537 out favorably on a 17-0 vote, with one member recording attendance after arriving late. The committee then considered House Bill 695, also amended by PHS 1, a Medicaid stabilization bill. The sponsor said the measure is intended to hold the program steady while the legislature gathers more information and awaits work by a future Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board. The bill would limit new waivers, state plan amendments, and coverage expansions; require reporting and record retention; create a Kentucky Medicaid Pharmaceutical Rebate Fund; direct certain behavioral health and managed care changes; and include an emergency clause. Members raised questions about the rebate fund, work requirements, and whether the bill could affect coverage or funding, while supporters emphasized transparency, data collection, and preventing new expansions until oversight is in place. Several members spoke in favor of the bill’s goals but expressed caution about micromanaging a complex program and about possible unintended consequences for beneficiaries. Representative Fleming stressed the need for stronger oversight and noted the potential fiscal impact of federal Medicaid changes. Representative Stevenson voted pass, saying the committee should let the new oversight board handle the issue, and Representative Gentry also passed, citing concern about overreach and the burden of data collection. The committee ultimately reported HB 695 favorably on a 16-1 vote with three pass votes. Afterward, members recorded additional yes votes on HB 537 for the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• will be big changes for many.
• changes for many. changes for many.
• Uh, I recognize that that number could change based on if things change in Washington.
• <01:03:47.039> in change based on if things change in change based on if things change in
• <01:08:05.280> But change. So I want to recognize that. But change.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:21:12.040> you<00:21:12.160> know, changing of this word, you know, changing of
• That is purely a technical change.
• Um so, that that is the only change Um so, that that is the only change there,<00:58:51.520>
• <01:20:27.640> So bit and make some changes. So bit and make some changes.
• It's a real simple change. Yes. It's a real simple change. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's improvements all around, but we do need your approval to make this change.
• It's improvements all around, but we do need your approval to make this change.
• It's improvements all around, but we do need your approval to make this change.
• It's improvements all around, but we do need your approval to make this change.
• Um I don't know if it make this change.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The JLCAR meeting opened with approval of the prior minutes and the consent calendar, after one Fish and Game item was pulled from consent for separate discussion. The committee then reordered the regular calendar and postponed an HHS item at the agency’s request because work on the proposal was still ongoing and the sponsoring representative was absent. The committee next considered OPLC item 2547, dealing with amendments to licensure and discipline forms for regulated professions. Members raised concerns that the form appeared geared toward health professions and that boards were not sufficiently involved in the process. OPLC responded that the form was being moved toward a dynamic online format with logic to collapse irrelevant questions, and that the agency was trying to make the application more user-friendly. The committee approved the item. DNCR item 2551, concerning volunteer/adopt-a-park program rules, was approved after the agency acknowledged it had been operating the program and using forms before formal rules were adopted, and said it was now correcting that issue. Fish and Game item 2570, on electronic OHRV and snowmobile registration applications, drew discussion over processing times. The committee chair argued for consistency with the five-day mail-in processing period, while Fish and Game said it had concerns about file-transfer delays and workload and preferred 10 days. The committee ultimately approved the proposal with an oral amendment and conditional approval. In other business, staff described a broader move to an online agency portal for submitting rulemaking documents, replacing email submissions. Members supported the change as a modernization effort and noted it would also make it easier to see which rules are nearing expiration. The committee approved the manual change, with implementation planned for early August after agency training.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill responds directly to changes bill responds directly to changes imposed<00:02:14.640> from
• changes recommended by Counsel. changes recommended by Counsel.
• changes recommended by Counsel. changes recommended by Counsel.
• being changed by making technical changes noticed by counsel and staff, making changes to conform with
• governor's proposed changes governor's proposed changes um<00:17:23.839> for<00:17:24.079

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This change makes the department.
• changes made to this language. changes made to this language.
• I'm okay with the changes if necessary. I think it's okay with the changes.
• So, uh, the changes that I noted is it changes the title on page one, line six.
• >> I can still change it. That's on the >> I can still change it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We recognize that, and so therefore the board has made a change or wants to make a change to say that
• We recognize that, and so therefore the board has made a change or wants to make a change to say that
• We recognize that, and so therefore the board has made a change or wants to make a change to say that
• when it's been changed.
• And nothing's changed.

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:35 SB 22 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 22 Vote 00:11:45 SB 100 Discussion 00:15:07 SB 100 Vote 00:38:53 SB 88 Discussion Only 00:42:11 Adjournment 01:03:52, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members wishing to vote or change the vote, the chair is preparing to close.
• Members wishing to vote or change your vote, the chair is preparing to close.
• Members wishing to vote or change their vote, the chair is preparing to close.
• Members wishing to vote or change a vote, the chair is preparing to close.
• Members wishing to vote or change a vote, the chair is preparing to close.

Bills: HJR1101, SB1319, SB1264, HB4237, SB1277, SB2069, HB3066, HB2115, HB2153, HB2268, HB2961, SB1679, SB2018, HB4294, SB2095, HB4113, SB1894, SB1810, HB4268, HB1752, HB3413, SB625, HB3644, HB3940, HJR1096, HJR1100, HJR1099, HB2992, SB1636, HB4302, SB1613, SB1443, HB1409, HB1675, HB1225, HB1381, HB4359, SB1503

Keywords: SB1319, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma, remediation, environmental emergency, brine contamination, oil contamination, oilfield pollution, residential property, home buyout, property acquisition, fair market value, revolving fund, remediation fund, state plugging funds, well plugging, abandoned well, natural breakout, Department of Environmental Quality, DEQ

Transcript Highlights:

• due to CPI or salary increment changes given?
• due to CPI or salary increment changes due to CPI or salary increment given?
• Did something change?
• Did<00:07:25.199> something<00:07:25.599> change? Did something change?
• Did something change?

Keywords: Call to Order: 00:15 PVA Administration : 00:15 Adjournment: 10:17, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved prior meeting minutes, and then took up a single agenda item involving the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) salary schedule and payroll administration. Finance Cabinet representatives Dale Clemens and general counsel Barbie Dickens testified that the cabinet’s role is to administer PVA payroll and that it needs clear statutory language to do so without interpretation. They said the salary schedule is set in statute, not regulation, and explained that the last update they were aware of was in 2020, with later changes tied to CPI and then updated in 2024 through House Bill 122. Members asked whether PVA salaries had effectively doubled under the 2024 update, how the schedule had been adjusted before 2024, and whether the cabinet could update the schedule administratively. The Finance Cabinet responded that the current language would apply the same increment given to other state employees rather than a CPI-based increase, and that the schedule itself remains in KRS 132.590. The chair and members discussed proposed budget language, including references to the Kentucky Association of PVAs and issues arising since the 2022 budget, with the goal of cleaning up the language so the cabinet could make necessary adjustments. The chair indicated the most recent language appeared to be in the newly dropped HB 500 budget bill and asked whether the PVA representatives could live with it; the PVAs appeared agreeable. No formal vote was taken on the substantive issue during the meeting, and after concluding there were no further questions, the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any members wishing to change their vote?
• Are there any members wishing to change their vote?
• Can you kind of maybe summarize the changes in this bill and who...
• Or we could change the shall to a may?
• Are there any members wishing to change their vote?

Bills: HB4336, HB1818, HB3194, HB3538, HB3682, HB3762, HB3793, HB3930, HB3931, HB3934, HB4124, HB4200, HB4410, HB4457, HB4473, HB3884, HB1912

Keywords: interventional pain management, pain management clinic, chronic pain, acute pain, spinal injections, epidural steroid injection, peripheral nerve block, nerve ablation, spinal cord stimulator, intrathecal infusion pump, endoscopic diskectomy, fluoroscopy, physician supervision, allopathic physician, osteopathic physician, CRNA, certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse anesthetist, freestanding pain management facility, medical licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• It completely changed our system.
• These were drastic changes, $1 billion in benefits.
• That's what changed it.
• It will only change the 2004 reform that did absolutely nothing.
• Benefit change.

Bills: HB3015, HB3521, HB5632, HJR182, SJR57

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance deductibles, Texas Health Benefit Plans, telemedicine, police retirement, disability pension, municipalities, law enforcement, retirement benefits, retirement, beneficiary, Employees Retirement System of Texas, divorce decree, beneficiary designation, Veterans' Land Board, general obligation bonds, constitutional amendment, veterans, housing assistance