Transcript Highlights:

• shutoffs, PSPSs, that have left residents, businesses, and critical facilities without power.
• Imperial County is ready, not only to power our state's future, but to help build it.
• Powering data centers can't come at the cost of powering our homes.
• Powering data centers can't come at the cost of powering our homes.
• In January, Illinois Governor J.B.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• city council, ...with the power you gave the city council, we reconciled $34 million in bad bills.
• And so this bill is also one that the, in addition to the council, the governor has also said that he
• And we know we can do better if you give us the power to do so.
• So they have the power in law to fix their compensation. Yes, sir. Which is the per diem.
• .a task force on behalf of Governor Landry that had a number of recommendations.

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB517 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB362 , HB368 , HB377 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB664 , HB741 , HB822 , HB990 , HB1243

Committee: Senate Municipal

Summary: The committee on Local and Municipal Affairs met on May 7, 2026 and approved the prior meeting minutes before taking up a series of local bills. Early action included HB 362, creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish, which was reported favorably. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew discussion about how long an entity must be out of compliance and whether notice should be required; the committee adopted an amendment changing the threshold to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would shift more authority over the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board to the Orleans Parish City Council. Supporters, including Representative Hilfriddy and Council President J.P. Morrell, argued the current structure is dysfunctional and unresponsive, and that local elected officials need authority to act more quickly. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified without taking a position on the bill itself but urged a formal transition plan or study committee so the city would have a clear governance path. Despite that concern, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying asset ownership and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills. SB 348, allowing local law enforcement to contract for administrative support related to motor vehicle enforcement, was reported favorably. SB 444, granting St. George expropriation authority for certain public infrastructure projects, was also reported favorably. SB 485, concerning the city’s authority over insurance premium taxes, initially had amendments adopted but was then reconsidered; the amendments were stripped and the bill was reported favorably in its original form. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete annual continuing education, was amended to clarify approved training and then reported favorably. Other measures reported favorably included HB 990 on Jefferson Parish master water meters, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish tax rebates tied to a data center project, HB 664 raising the maximum fine for parish ordinance violations, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief position in Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil service pay-plan restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 allowing a fee increase for the Jefferson Place/Bocage Crime Prevention District, HB 368 increasing fines for improper demolition of historic properties in New Orleans, and HB 441 returning New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees to city civil service. The committee adjourned after reporting the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Edible food recovery is one of the most powerful things that we can do from the perspective of both reducing
• You know, just today, the Governor and our chair of the California Air Resources Board joined the Attorney
• So the Governor appointed me, Vice Chair Alexis Strauss-Hacker, and recently Reese Williams, who will
• Since most of these landfills are privately owned, what enforcement power, what legal power do we have
• StopWaste is a joint powers authority located in Alameda County, and we help our member agencies and

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget of 987 positions and $1.9 billion, and members focused on edible food recovery funding under SB 1383, beverage container recycling fees and infrastructure under SB 1013, plastic packaging reduction under SB 54, and composting implementation under SB 279. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has recovered more than 300 million meals but lacks ongoing funding, explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and reflect higher recycling costs for difficult-to-recycle materials, and noted that SB 54 implementation will include a pollution prevention mitigation fund for legacy plastic cleanup. The committee also discussed the need for more composting capacity and the role of volunteer cleanup groups, while public commenters urged continued funding for food recovery, composting, and landfill response. CalEPA presented its department overview and a proposal to strengthen landfill response and enforcement, emphasizing climate, air quality, water, and cleanup priorities. Secretary Garcia described the agency’s work on methane monitoring, toxics reduction, drinking water compliance, Exide cleanup, pesticide alternatives, and implementation of AB 617, while also noting the agency’s response to federal rollbacks. Members pressed CalEPA on landfill fires and subsurface elevated temperature events, especially at Chiquita Canyon, asking about authority, scientific resources, and when intervention should occur. CalEPA said it has authority to respond but needs more coordinated technical and enforcement capacity, and later presented a $5.1 million, 12-position multi-agency proposal involving CalEPA, CalRecycle, DTSC, and the Water Board to address current landfill events and improve future prevention and response. DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety presented several proposals tied to reform implementation, hazardous waste oversight, and emerging waste streams. DTSC reported progress in clearing its permit backlog, advancing safer consumer products regulations, and continuing Exide cleanup, while seeking additional resources for cost recovery and enforcement, PFAS work, recycling infrastructure for solar panels and lithium batteries, and a new statewide planning division to implement the hazardous waste management plan and consolidate reporting systems. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals process, and fee-setting authority, and said its priorities include permit appeals, hazardous waste plan oversight, and performance metrics. Members questioned whether DTSC was creating too many new subdivisions, but the department said the new structure is needed to handle growing workload and modernize regulation. Public testimony generally supported the landfill proposal, DTSC consumer product enforcement, water board staffing, and continued funding for food recovery and composting programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• By that, it means reports annually to the DED, to the governor, to the president pro tem of the Senate
• But again, the Department of Economic Development, the governor, But again, the Department of Economic
• Development, the governor sees it every year, the Speaker Pro Tem of the Senate, and the Speaker.
• Yeah, so we went back and forth on the structure of that, and there's a lot of executive power in here
• It's complete executive power. Thank you. No, there's no board. It's complete executive power.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and unanimously voted do pass on House Bill 1707, House Bill 2927, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2057. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1664, which would extend the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims from age 26 to age 41. Representative Brian Sites presented the bill as a needed step for survivors, and multiple witnesses and organizations testified in support, including survivors and advocacy, tort reform, chamber, and insurance groups. No opposition was heard, and the hearing concluded without a vote. The committee also heard House Bill 1845, a startup and angel investor tax credit proposal sponsored by Representative Gallick. The bill would create incentives for Missouri-based startups under $5 million in revenue, with higher credits for rural investment, annual caps, oversight by the Missouri Technology Corporation, and a sunset in 2033. Members questioned what taxes the credit would apply to, how it would work if Missouri changes its income tax structure, and what safeguards would prevent businesses from leaving after receiving credits. Business and economic development groups testified in support, saying the bill would help fill an early-stage capital gap and keep investment in Missouri. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3231, a broad economic development and “Missouri Innovation Zone” proposal sponsored by Representative Brad Christ. The bill would let cities opt in to create innovation zones with local permitting and governance changes, tax incentives, office-to-residential conversion tools, and reinvestment of net new revenues into public safety, infrastructure, and a rural development fund. Members and witnesses discussed local control, prevailing wage, revenue diversion, and implementation concerns, especially from the City of St. Louis and labor groups, while chambers, developers, municipal groups, and historic revitalization advocates generally supported the concept. The hearing ended with no opposition testimony and no committee vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in terms of the utilization, we offer powerful capabilities to California, and we see this as a strategic
• around later. for whatever means they want to sort of push their geopolitical power around later, are
• I spent years working with governors on helping them understand what cybersecurity is, what it means,
• I spent years working with governors on helping them understand what cybersecurity is, what it means,
• In 2021, Governor Newsom announced the development of CalSecure, a multi-year cybersecurity roadmap for

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Cybersecurity and the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management held a joint informational hearing focused on maximizing the value of state cybersecurity investments, especially by fully using security features already included in existing vendor contracts. The first panel included representatives from Microsoft, Zscaler, and Palo Alto Networks, who described the products and services they provide to California and generally agreed that agencies often have strong adoption in some areas but still face challenges from tool overlap, limited staff, lack of awareness of available features, and the need for ongoing training and configuration support. They also discussed major threats such as ransomware, data loss, attack-surface exposure, IoT/OT vulnerabilities, and the growing role of AI in both attacks and defenses. Members pressed the vendors on whether state departments underuse purchased cybersecurity tools, how to improve utilization, and how to address the cybersecurity workforce shortage. The vendors said utilization is often constrained by staffing, procurement complexity, and the need to align tools with agency missions and maturity levels, but emphasized that training, leadership buy-in, and regular vendor-agency collaboration can improve results. They also discussed how AI can help with phishing triage, data-loss prevention, and security operations, while warning that agencies must manage AI safely and with human oversight. The second panel featured officials from the Department of Technology, Cal OES/CalSIC, and the California Military Department. They described statewide oversight efforts including audits, independent security assessments, continuous monitoring, advisory services, vulnerability disclosure programs, and workforce development initiatives such as the Information Security Leadership Academy and Cybersecurity Education Summit. Officials said some underutilization is real, but it is often tied to differing agency maturity, overlapping tools, and deliberate feature restrictions to reduce attack surface and complexity; they emphasized a balanced approach using people, process, and technology, with plans of action and milestones to hold departments accountable. They also noted federal uncertainty around MS-ISAC and the state and local cybersecurity grant program, saying California is advocating through federal partners and monitoring the impact. The hearing ended after public comment and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, yes, if the taxpayer wants to buy their power from the community power and if they believe that
• </c> a customer of either a community power a customer of either a community power aggregation<01:46:
• </c> taxpayer uh wants to buy their power taxpayer uh wants to buy their power from<01:47:38.520><c>
• Well, first of all, there's no provision that a competitive electric power supplier or community power
• </c> learned since enabling Community power learned since enabling Community power to<05:11:34.638><c

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor is that subsection B.
• </c> authority and approval of the governor authority and approval of the governor to<01:11:20.560><c
• along power line corridors.
• The separation of powers, the one thing that this body has is the power of the purse.
• The separation of powers, the one thing that this body has is the power of the purse.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March of 21. We changed our strategies.
• Governor Abbott boldly launched Operation Lone Star nearly 4 years ago to defend the people of Texas
• And so the governor tells us to launch.
• Governor Abbott in his executive order GA 53 directed me to work with the NORTHCOM commander.
• Clearly your advice goes to the governor.

Committee: Senate Border Security

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security held its first hearing of the 89th legislative session, established a quorum, welcomed new and returning members, and adopted the committee rules without objection. The chair said the hearing would be limited to invited state agency witnesses and was intended as a status update for new members on current border operations, especially in light of the change in federal administration. Testimony came from the Office of the Attorney General, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Military Department. The Attorney General’s representative said border-related litigation is largely in a holding pattern while the new U.S. Department of Justice awaits additional leadership, and noted prior cases involving concertina wire, buoys, and the CBP One app. DPS described Operation Lone Star’s evolution from filling gaps when Border Patrol was overwhelmed to current operations focused on interdiction, criminal arrests, fentanyl and meth seizures, and national security concerns, while also noting improved morale and more voluntary deployments as border pressure has eased. The Texas Military Department reported more than 5,000 personnel on state active duty, extensive use of barriers, drones, boats, and rapid-response forces, and said Operation Lone Star has resulted in more than 531,000 apprehensions and a 90% reduction in illegal crossings. Members and witnesses discussed whether the state should maintain its current border-security footprint while federal policy settles, with the chair emphasizing preserving institutional knowledge and leaving tactical decisions to the governor. Questions also covered trooper fatigue, Border Patrol training under SB 602, and concerns about cartel-driven commercial trucking and fuel depots near the border. The committee heard that Border Patrol training with DPS has resumed, and the chair asked agencies to keep the Legislature informed as legal and operational circumstances change. No bills were heard and no votes were taken beyond adopting the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• This relates to emergency powers and prohibits the governor or mayor from suspending requests for public
• This relates to emergency powers and prohibits the governor or mayor from suspending requests for public
• This relates to emergency powers and prohibits the governor or mayor from suspending requests for public
• This relates to emergency powers and prohibits the governor or mayor from suspending requests for public
• Next up is SB 846, relating to emergency powers.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 114, which would create a presidential preference primary for the 2028 election. The Office of Elections said the bill would cost about $4.1 million. Supporters, including the Hawaii Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters, favored moving the process to a state-run primary, while several opponents, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women and multiple individual testifiers, argued it would be too expensive, would shift control away from the parties, and would replace volunteer-run caucuses with a mail-in system. Committee members questioned the chief election officer about election timing, certification, and how a primary might be scheduled with other elections. Testimony was recorded as 11 in support, 41 opposed, and 3 comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 725, which would require judges to make findings about a defendant’s ability to afford bail. Judiciary and Attorney General witnesses asked that the bill be deferred or amended, saying the Judicial Council is already reviewing pretrial bail reform and that the bill’s language could create practical problems for police, sheriffs, and courts. Supporters, including the Correctional System Oversight Commission, the public defender, the Community Alliance on Prisons, the ACLU of Hawaii, and disability rights advocates, said cash bail disproportionately harms low-income defendants, increases pretrial detention costs, and should require clearer findings and records. Opponents included the Hawaii County prosecuting attorney. Members questioned how bail is initially set, what records exist, and whether the bill would change current practice; Judiciary witnesses said initial bail decisions are often made by police or judges and later reviewed on the record, while supporters argued the bill would strengthen front-end due process. The ACLU said it supported the bill with amendments, including clearer standards for ability to pay and written findings. The committee also began hearing SB 733, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a continuous legislative session. Early testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates arguing that the current 60-day session limits public participation, makes it hard for working people to testify, and prevents lawmakers from collaborating effectively. Supporters said a year-round model could improve transparency, reduce duplicate bills, and better accommodate neighbor island legislators. The excerpt ends during the opening testimony on SB 733, before any committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is something that the governor, uh, heard about prior to being governor and introduced it in House
• It is something that the governor, uh, heard about prior to being governor and introduced it in House
• </c> additional water source for any power additional water source for any power needs<01:57:05.920><
• </c> flexibility while preserving governor flexibility while preserving governor and<05:05:35.200><c>
• </c><05:19:09.200><c> is</c> a program that the that the governor is a program that the that the governor

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Nor in our government, nor in our power, but in you, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
• Are there messages from the governor and other executive communications? None on the desk, Mr.
• I know our governor is Very passionate about law enforcement officers.
• hope that the other chamber sees fit to take the bill up as we pass it and let's send it to the governor
• The report contains the names of nominees appointed by the Governor to various states.

Transcript Highlights:

• government regarding the enforcement of federal immigration laws, and establish related responsibilities, powers
• The governor is the chief executive of our state, and it's important that we work together to build consensus
• consideration is identical to what we passed last month, I'm supportive of the enhancements suggested by the governor
• I'm thankful to Governor DeSantis for coming to the table and agreeing to work with us on a bill that

Summary: The Florida Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer and pledge, then the Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the session. The proclamation stated the session was called to address immigration-related legislation, including measures to coordinate with federal immigration enforcement, create a state immigration board, restrict benefits for undocumented immigrants, create offenses related to non-citizen voting, strengthen detention and bail rules, require identification in state interactions, and provide funding and penalties related to enforcement and officials. The Senate read the filed bills first time: SB 2C and SB 4C, both relating to immigration, and SM 6C, a memorial urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. The President and several senators discussed the immigration package, emphasizing support for President Trump’s immigration agenda, funding for law enforcement, and cooperation with the governor and House. The President also condemned threats and violent rhetoric directed at Commissioner Simpson and his family, and Senator Pizzo echoed concerns about threats and urged senators to discourage inflammatory social media behavior. The Rules Chair announced the Appropriations Committee would meet the next day, and the Senate adopted motions waiving rules to place SB 2C, SB 4C, and SM 6C on the special order calendar for Thursday, with an amendment deadline tied to the Appropriations Committee meeting. Another motion sent bills filed outside the call to the Rules Committee for review. Senator Burgess recognized USF Health medical and resident students in the gallery. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, February 13, or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Senator, yes, we have one vacancy where the governor has...
• Yes, we have one vacancy where the governor has appointed Mary Roman and is asking for Senate confirmation
• I'll say it again: I think the governor needs to officially point you.
• I think the governor needs to officially point you been doing the job for mears, two? Three.
• Project Jupiter is very different: 100% natural gas, equivalent to four large coal-fired power plants

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank Governor Newsom for the opportunity to serve the people of California.
• Medi-Cal through CalAIM and the transformation of California's behavioral health system through Governor
• I serve as power of attorney for a parent who is unable to live independently or manage their affairs
• It was truly illuminating and powerful to hear from these members, hear from them directly, hear about
• It's a real honor and a privilege to have this appointment from Governor Newsom to serve as Director

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointees and routine committee actions. Members approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, three not-required-to-appear appointments: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. The committee also approved references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, each by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access for 14 million Californians, navigating federal changes, and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, Medi-Cal redeterminations, work requirements, provider reimbursement, fraud oversight, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the effectiveness of CalAIM and community supports. Public commenters from county, hospital, and provider groups largely supported the nomination, citing his experience and collaborative approach. The committee voted 5-0 to send his appointment to the full Senate. The committee also considered Chris Thayer’s appointment as director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, science-based health assessments, improving risk communication, and supporting tools such as CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 guidance. Senators raised concerns about reliance on models versus real-world data, PFAS, environmental justice, wildfire and battery-fire impacts, and whether CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 are working as intended. Public testimony from environmental and health organizations supported the nomination and highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role. The committee approved Thayer’s appointment 3-1, with one senator not voting, and forwarded it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I am so fascinated of the power of uh this agency and how they are able to invest in the infrastructure
• back in the news as we've been, uh, tasked with doing more things under the executive order the governor
• that we offer, some of which are very small, very few dollars in some of these programs, but a lot of power
• It is where most of our organization spends its time and where we have the greatest amount of power to
• Ultimately, it received, it obviously went through both chambers unanimously and was signed by Governor

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, the buying power of the average judicial salary has failed to keep pace.
• As we sit here today, the average salary is 15% below the 1983 buying power.
• And so we have the power to do that without a constitutional amendment? Yes. All right.
• Christopher Walker, Deputy Executive Counsel for the governor, and the president would like to speak
• Walters, first of all, I want to commend you and the governor for at least attempting to address this

Bills: HB29 , HB39 , HB77 , HB153 , HB183 , HB211 , HB263 , HB299 , HB324 , HB519 , HB520 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB805 , HB823 , HB1004 , HB1011 , HB1018

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: insurance fund, retired employees, Ascension Parish, court clerks, premium costs, investment advisory board, HB 39, Act 283, peace officer, law enforcement officer, police certification, citizenship requirement, U.S. citizen, United States citizen, naturalization, lawful permanent resident, green card holder, immigration, public safety, law enforcement hiring

Transcript Highlights:

• The second one, this is a concept that you first heard about in Governor Ferguson's proposal...
• It was a smaller amount in Governor Ferguson's proposal, and the chair proposal was $395 million.
• You cannot use advanced technology without understanding the tools that power it.
• In a tumultuous budget season, you have acknowledged the power of early learning coalitions.
• But due to Governor Ferguson's veto of our legislative funding, ...newborns, but due to Governor Ferguson's

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• The second one is a concept that you first heard about in Governor Ferguson's proposal.
• It was a smaller amount in Governor Ferguson's proposal, and the chair proposal was $395 million.
• The Senate budget is better for higher education than the governor or the House budget.
• You cannot use advanced technology without understanding the tools that power it.
• But due to Governor Ferguson's veto of our legislative funding, ...newborns, but due to Governor Ferguson's

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on the Senate operating budget proposal, beginning with a staff briefing from James Kettle. He described the budget as built on relatively flat revenue after multiple forecast updates, with substantial mandatory cost growth, especially in Health Care Authority, DSHS, and DCYF. He highlighted major policy-level additions and savings, including large tort liability costs, continued support for long-term services, reductions tied to child care and K-12 items, several assumed revenue bills, and major transfers from reserves and other accounts. Kettle also noted the four-year outlook remained positive overall, with about $1 billion ending fund balance in the final year and roughly $3 billion in total reserves. A committee member asked about a diagram showing the loss of federal funds, and staff said they would follow up. Public testimony then focused first on K-12 education, where school leaders, teachers, OSPI, PTA, and rural district representatives largely opposed the proposed cuts to local effort assistance, transition to kindergarten, bus depreciation, and related school funding items. Many argued the reductions would disproportionately harm rural and property-poor districts and weaken early learning access, while several students and educators spoke in favor of career and technical education and IT Academy funding. The committee also heard support for wildfire prevention funding from the Commissioner of Public Lands, who thanked the Senate for restoring those dollars but raised concerns about recreation program reductions. Higher education testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the Senate proposal compared with the governor’s budget. Community and technical college leaders warned that the budget still shifts compensation costs to tuition and reduces Running Start funding, while university representatives from Western, Eastern, Central, WSU, and UW thanked the committee for avoiding deeper cuts. Private vocational college students and administrators urged extension of Washington College Grant eligibility for students already enrolled, and others asked to preserve IT Academy and related certification funding. In early learning, child care and advocacy groups praised the decision not to cap Working Connections Child Care but warned that child care and transition to kindergarten still bear a disproportionate share of cuts; they also requested continued support for Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Pierce County early childhood programs, including Family Connects. The hearing continued with testimony on employee compensation, mental health, and human services. State employee and retiree groups supported the budget’s COLA and wildfire funding but objected to cuts in retiree health benefits. Behavioral health and public safety advocates supported mentoring, Trueblood-related funding, crisis stabilization, and the Recovery Navigator Program, while others opposed reductions to those programs and to community-based recovery services. In human services, witnesses thanked the committee for funding victim services, child welfare supports, health homes, adult day care, community health centers, energy assistance, and disability services, while urging the committee to avoid further reductions to skilled nursing, case management, and recovery navigation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• individually, they would pay with certainty 40 to 60% more because we're using the collective buying power
• 03:03.920><c> the</c><00:03:04.080><c> collective</c><00:03:04.480><c> buying</c><00:03:04.800><c> power
• </c><00:03:05.519><c> uh</c><00:03:05.599><c> of</c> using the collective buying power uh of using the
• collective buying power uh of our<00:03:06.000><c> state.
• </c> submission to the governor for approval. submission to the governor for approval.

Summary: The committee heard an Office of Education Technology presentation on the Kentucky Education Technology System (KTS) and a request to increase its annual budget from $15.4 million to $30 million, including an additional $14.6 million. The witness described KTS as a statewide service model that provides districts with student information and financial systems, internet bandwidth, regional support, cybersecurity, online registration, learning management and email services, and collaborative instructional technology support. He argued the state’s centralized purchasing saves districts 40% to 60% compared with buying services individually, and said federal internet discounts and district matching funds create a strong return on investment. He also said KTS has faced long-term funding cuts, has not received a cost-of-living increase since 1992, and is now at a “breaking point” where some services may have to be shifted to districts at higher cost. The request was broken into six main items: restoring funding for the computer science and information technology academy; strengthening cybersecurity defenses in response to sharply rising attacks on K-12 systems; funding online registration through Infinite Campus; stabilizing ongoing support costs for Infinite Campus; providing cost-of-living increases for KTS services; and increasing the KTS financial assistance sent to districts, which requires local matching funds. Members asked about the current appropriation, and the witness said it is $15.4 million. One member praised the office’s work and support for districts, while another noted the district had been an early adopter of one-to-one technology. The committee then received an overview of the KRS 156 salary schedule and step-and-rank system for state-operated career and technical education staff at area technology centers. Officials explained that salaries are set under statute and regulation based on years of service and educational rank, with annual calculations tied to statewide teacher salary averages and retroactive adjustments to July 1. They said the current ABR request is $325,000 over the biennium to cover step and rank increases. The presentation noted that KRS 156 salaries are generally comparable to local districts but are less competitive with business and industry, making recruitment and retention difficult, especially for instructors coming from the trades. Members agreed that trade instructors are underpaid relative to the market and said the issue deserves further review, with department officials indicating they are considering possible statutory revisions and a delayed implementation in a future biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are powerful economic drivers.
• Seriously, in 2023, after the governor, the legislature, and stakeholders and television tax credit,
• I'm curious, how did the governor arrive... $750 million.
• And it's run by a whole bunch of powerful women of all different colors. I like that.
• As many of you know, the entertainment industry is powered by behind-the-scenes professionals.