Transcript Highlights:

• $6 million for maintenance and repair of detention and residential facilities to ensure safe and functional
• The surcharge annually provides approximately $4 million in revenues to support the administrative functions
• The term media reliability and bias monitor means any contractor whose primary principal function is
• Thank you. contractor whose primary principal function is to rate or rank news and information services

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• number of important administrative changes so that the program, which is open now, can continue to function
• open now, can program um, which is open now, can continue<00:11:54.920> to<00:11:55.040> function
• <00:11:56.000> Um,<00:11:56.240> it's<00:11:56.400> doing continue to function
• Um, it's doing continue to function. Um, it's doing very<00:11:56.800> well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got some administrative functions that will continue to operate out of that building.
• two intersect and folks are having to deal with repaying their, you know, their SCO, you know, functionally
• Access to child care is essential for working families and for a functioning economy, but child care
• working families, the small businesses, the communities who pay into the system and expect it to function

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state agencies and offices that oversee rural programming to work together to evaluate programs, functions
• number of other state departments, if you just look at the statute, that have some mission-based functionality
• composition of the State Board of Architectural Examiners, to provide for the powers, duties, and functions
• composition of the State Board of Architectural Examiners, to provide for the powers, duties, and functions

Bills: HB387, HB673, HB947, HB975, HB1102, HB1228, HB1229, HCR66, SB102, SB165, SB280, SB291, SB326, SB521

Keywords: engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, security cameras, abandoned property, blighted structures, property management, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, Department of Public Service, statutory entities, public administration

Transcript Highlights:

• taxation in West Feliciana Parish, to authorize a rebate program in the parish and provide for the functions
• West Feliciana Parish to authorize a rebate program in the parish, provide for the functions of tax recipient
• Williams Memorial Airport District and provides for the domicile, powers, duties, functions, and governance
• What this bill does is it brings the duties and functions of the advisory council under the commission

Bills: HR165, HR166, HR167, HR168, HR169, HR170, HR171, HR172, HR173, HR174, HR175, HR176, HR177, HR178, HCR65, HCR66, HCR67, HCR68, HCR69, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR73, HCR74, HR159, HR160, HR161, HR162, HR163, HR164, HCR60, HCR61, HCR62, HCR63, HCR64, SCR23, SCR32, SB105, SB125, SB304, SB430, SB438, SB442, SB522, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB573, HB741, HB1242, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB27, HB71, HB214, HB225, HB241, HB244, HB306, HB345, HB366, HB446, HB511, HB514, HB655, HB730, HB743, HB1027, HB1037, HB1043, HB1082, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1167, HB1174, HB1175, HB1230, HB1237, HB1238, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB51, HB58, HB140, HB750, HB911, HB982, HB1010, HB151, HB180, HB192, HB193, HB310, HB635, HB690, HB961, HB1003, HB1146, HB864, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB615, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB9, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1113, HB1234, HB1236

Keywords: condolences, community service, education, local government, Port Allen, HR166, House Resolution 166, condolences resolution, memorial resolution, Billy D'Aquilla, William Henry D'Aquilla, St. Francisville, Louisiana House of Representatives, tribute, obituary, mayor, alderman, mayor pro tempore, public service, sympathy

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the pledge, adopted the journal, and granted several members leave. The chamber also recognized visiting groups and honored individuals and organizations, including Livingston Parish Day at the Capitol, the Denham Springs High School robotics team, Principal Justin Wax, and the Louisiana Primary Care Association. Multiple House and Senate resolutions were introduced, adopted, or referred, including commendations, memorials, and study requests on topics such as TOPS, workforce outcomes, health issues, and transportation. In regular order, the House considered and passed several measures. HB 27, a constitutional amendment on applying state monies to retirement system unfunded liabilities, passed 87-0. HB 71, extending civil liability protection to licensed armed private security officers when use of force is deemed justified, drew extensive debate over training standards, criminal versus civil liability, and the role of prosecutors and law enforcement before passing 70-28. HB 214, a constitutional amendment on ad valorem tax exemptions for certain property, passed 82-10. HB 241, a technical correction to bank records disclosure law, passed 91-0. HB 244, clarifying constitutional convention ballot language and delegate/vote requirements, passed 77-16. The House also passed HB 345 to add port rail infrastructure to the Class 2 and Class 3 Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program, HB 446 to change when local bond and tax elections may be held, HB 511 to create a grant program for pursuit intervention safety technology after the death of Sgt. Grant Candies, HB 514 to expand the ad valorem tax exemption for seniors age 65 and older, and HB 65 to allow DOTD more contracting options for ferry operation and maintenance. HB 730, which would bar use of ADS-B aircraft tracking data to levy fees or taxes, prompted lengthy discussion about aviation safety, privacy, airport revenue, and alleged misuse of tracking data before the bill was presented for final action near the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said the people she represents need both a functional transportation system and a voice in the decisions
• represent<00:20:46.080> need<00:20:46.320> both<00:20:46.640> a<00:20:46.720> functional
• represent need both a functional represent need both a functional transportation<00:20:48.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriations, providing financing and conditions for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning
• the operations, maintenance, support, the operations, maintenance, support, and<00:54:00.520> functioning
• <00:54:01.520> of<00:54:01.680> the<00:54:01.800> Transportation and functioning
• of the Transportation and functioning of the Transportation Cabinet<00:54:03.120> of<00:54:03.240

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it seems like the Department of Water Resources ought to have at least some kind of review function
• chair to the you mentioned the Yuma project where were they getting the crude for that project the function
• It is also... ...correct me if I'm wrong, but it is also the location of a lot of out-of-state functions
• We just want to make sure that the State Land Department can function.

Bills: HB2014, HB2055, HB2145, HB2150, HB2696, HB2755, HB2763, HB2781, HB2782, HB2787, HB2795, HB2889, HB2975, HB2985, HB2986, HCM2009, HCR2020, HCR2038

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, Arizona Revised Statutes, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, state land department, mineral lease, renewals

Transcript Highlights:

• will address the future in greatest areas of risk and signal that flood resilience is a master plan function
• 26.640> plan that flood resilience is a master plan that flood resilience is a master plan function
• :27.760> be<00:43:28.000> addressed<00:43:28.400> on<00:43:28.560> a function
• that can be addressed on a function that can be addressed on a long-term<00:43:29.280> basis.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We agree with Jason's comments with regard to the fact that it's no longer functioning the way that it
• should be functioning.
• We agree with Jason's comments with regard to the fact that it's no longer functioning the way that it
• should be functioning.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard presentations on the Department of Industrial Relations’ labor-related budget items, with the main focus on proposed trailer bill language to reform the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) and a related budget change proposal for staffing. DIR said SIBTF has grown far beyond its original purpose, citing the 2020 Todd decision, expanded eligibility based on chronic or asymptomatic conditions, and a backlog that has grown to more than 30,000 pending cases. The administration argued the reforms would restore guardrails, reduce liabilities and employer assessments, and speed processing for severely injured workers; the LAO said the proposal was largely consistent with its prior recommendations. Members raised concerns about using trailer bill language for major policy changes, the retroactive application to open cases, and the impact on workers already in the queue, while supporters from employer groups and public agencies backed the proposal as necessary to control costs and restore sustainability. Public comment was split, with injured-worker advocates opposing the retroactive changes and business/public employer representatives supporting the reforms. The committee then heard the SIBTF workload request, which would phase in 177 positions over five years at a cost of $36.5 million, including staff for the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Office of the Director Legal Unit, and administrative support. DIR said the additional staffing is intended to address very high caseloads and reduce processing times, but emphasized that the request assumes the reform package is adopted; LAO agreed the staffing increase made sense if paired with reforms. Members asked about vacancy rates, current staffing, and whether the workload request would become the new normal, and DIR said it would monitor caseload trends and adjust future requests as needed. Finally, the committee received an update on the California Workplace Outreach Program (CWOP), which DIR described as a partnership with community-based organizations to educate workers and help employers comply with labor laws. DIR reported that CWOP has reached 1.75 million workers and employers and made 8 million touchpoints since 2020, with the current round awarding $50.7 million to 87 partners for a two-year period through June 2027. Members and public commenters highlighted the program’s role in reaching immigrant, farmworker, janitorial, nail salon, and other vulnerable communities, and several speakers urged continued funding at $30 million per year for five years. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill clarifies enforcement authority so the system created last year can function as created.
• :26.920> create created last year that uh can create created last year that uh can create function
• function as created. function as created.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened, received the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. The clerk also announced Senate passage of Senate Bills 59, 137, 177, and 199 and requested concurrence. The chamber then moved into second reading, reporting a slate of bills and resolutions on health care, energy, child welfare, Medicaid, workplace violence, and coal/energy assessment, before proceeding to third reading and passage of several measures. A major focus was House Bill 542 on eminent domain. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure to improve communication with property owners, require better notice, prohibit misleading statements, allow owner-paid appraisals to be used throughout negotiations, and account for agricultural improvements and access. Members discussed the bill’s intent to treat property owners fairly and reduce court costs; the House adopted House Committee Substitute 1 and passed the bill 89-0. House Bill 565 on fire protection was presented as technical cleanup to clarify enforcement authority for local fire appeal boards created last year, and it passed 91-0. The House also passed House Bill 611 on domestic relations, which creates a 10-year interpersonal protective order for certain felony assault convictions involving family members, unmarried couples, or dating partners, and updates domestic violence data reporting requirements; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed 91-0. House Bill 657 on professional licensing background checks was explained as giving five licensure boards authority to obtain FBI ORI numbers so they can receive fingerprint background checks and comply with interstate compacts; it passed 91-0. House Bill 762 on legal representation was amended on the floor to avoid excluding appellate attorneys, then passed 91-0; it was described as clarifying Department of Public Advocacy representation and related salary provisions. The House also passed House Bill 108 on solid waste management, which its sponsor said closes a loophole allowing residual waste landfills to be sited in a different county from the industry without local input; it passed 79-8. House Bill 67 on schools, a cleanup measure to prior legislation requiring traceable communication systems for school employees, was introduced with a committee substitute and discussed as clarifying definitions and exemptions while preserving protections for students; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• While this space functions well, the structure and mechanical requirements significantly increased the
• clear that the safety of our staff and of our students is our highest priority and every day... functions
• well, functions well, um,<00:18:53.760> the<00:18:53.880> structure<00:18:54.360> and
• We would like to help create a regulatory system that accommodates a modern, safe, functional, and economically

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can provide a somewhat similar function for these super speeders that ignition interlock devices
• 02:50.800> similar They can provide a somewhat similar They can provide a somewhat similar function
• these<00:02:52.480> super<00:02:52.800> speeders<00:02:53.680> that function
• for these super speeders that function for these super speeders that ignition<00:02:54.480> interlock

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It got rid of some outdated language and some things that were no longer functioning in the postsecondary
• and some things that were<00:21:11.919> no<00:21:12.080> longer<00:21:12.400> functioning
• <00:21:13.679> uh<00:21:13.840> in<00:21:14.080> the were no longer functioning
• uh in the were no longer functioning uh in the postsecary<00:21:15.600> uh<00:21:15.760> institutions

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:05:32 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:06:28 Orders of the Day 00:08:06 HB 459 00:08:16 HB 293 00:10:44 HB 379 00:20:16 HB 526 00:24:16 HB 264 00:39:32 HB 448 00:43:37 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:46:17 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 00:57:26 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 00:58:27 ConC/Rules Report 01:01:42 Floor Amendments 01:03:00 Adjournment 01:03:24, 958, all

Summary: The House convened, prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were offered, a quorum was established, absent members were excused, and the journal was approved. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had passed several bills and requested concurrence. Members then reviewed a slate of second-reading measures, including bills on child care, gubernatorial transitions, campaign finance, local public agency transactions, unclaimed property, state contracts, mental health treatment, economic development, aviation task force continuation, and a child care study resolution. The House then took up and passed House Bill 459 on licensed occupations. The sponsor said the bill would require licensure boards to collect workforce data and would recognize certain out-of-state marriage and family therapists who meet Kentucky standards. House Bill 293 on vehicle wheels was also passed after its sponsor explained it was narrowed to require rubber on heavier horse-drawn equipment to reduce road damage while exempting lighter personal transportation; it passed 80-8. House Bill 379 on postsecondary education passed unanimously after a committee substitute added provisions on governing board attendance, collection of enrollment-related debts by the Department of Revenue, formalizing Northern Kentucky University’s role with the Center for Mathematics, and allowing preliminary presidential evaluations in closed session. House Bill 526 on members of the bar generated the most debate. A floor amendment was adopted to add explanatory language and delay the bill’s effective date until July 1, 2027. Supporters argued the bill would make bar membership voluntary while preserving Supreme Court authority over admission and discipline; opponents warned it would weaken attorney oversight and public protection. A motion to suspend the rules to consider another amendment failed 22-? against the required 51 votes. The bill then passed 70-21. House Bill 264 on theft by deception was also advanced after a floor amendment added vacant lots to the property covered by the bill’s fraud presumption; the sponsor said it targets real estate scams involving property listed without authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about ensuring every kid in Kentucky has a functional, safe place to learn.
• <00:46:58.560> Kentucky<00:46:59.200> has<00:46:59.520> a<00:46:59.760> functional
• ,<00:47:00.560> safe<00:47:00.880> place in Kentucky has a functional, safe place in
• Kentucky has a functional, safe place to<00:47:01.359> learn.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• the other thing that tells us is really the central corridor, especially in some of those areas, functions
• and non-residential burglary differently, so the definition of dwelling serves a very important function
• and non-residential burglary differently, so the definition of dwelling serves a very important function
• It also serves the function of differentiating between different types of structures.

Bills: SB100

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• science and safety monitoring, including pulse oximetry, has changed how patients' heart and lung function
• 17.280> lung has changed how patients heart and lung has changed how patients heart and lung function
• and<00:35:18.240> blood<00:35:18.560> oxygenation<00:35:19.359> levels function
• and blood oxygenation levels function and blood oxygenation levels are<00:35:20.400> monitored

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened with an invocation marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, followed by the pledge, roll call, and a quorum declaration. The chamber approved the prior journal, received new bill and resolution introductions, and heard a House message that House Bill 312 had passed the House and was sent over for concurrence. The Senate also recessed briefly for committee meetings, then received committee reports referring several bills and resolutions to standing committees and placing Senate Joint Resolution 23 on the regular orders for January 28, 2026. The main floor action was on Senate Bill 17, relating to the Kentucky Court-appointed Special Advocate Network. The Senate adopted a committee substitute that updated CASA statutes, including reducing the minimum board size from 15 to 12, narrowing a volunteer/employment restriction to Department of Community Based Services employees, removing outdated references to the National CASA Association while retaining compliance with national standards through the Kentucky CASA Network, and updating the state association’s name. The bill passed 33-0, and a title amendment was adopted without objection. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 181, an emergency bill relating to schools and traceable communications. The chamber adopted a committee substitute and two floor amendments: one requiring parent notification after investigations involving alleged unauthorized electronic communication by a student, and another adding limited exemptions for communications involving school resource officers and directors of pupil personnel when certain school officials are included. Supporters said the changes were intended to refine implementation while preserving the bill’s original student-protection purpose. The bill then passed unanimously, 33-0. In addition, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 36 recognizing January 25-31, 2026 as Physician Anesthesiologist Week, with remarks highlighting the specialty’s contributions to anesthesia, airway management, patient safety, ICU care, pain management, and major surgeries. The Senate also heard announcements thanking road crews, first responders, and utility workers for winter storm response, and members made several co-sponsorship requests and announcements, including notice of Kentucky Audiologist Association advocacy day and a committee cancellation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other uses that provide a functional benefit are substitutes for the use of fertile material that must
• Other uses that<00:06:44.000> provide<00:06:44.240> a<00:06:44.479> functional<00
• :06:44.880> benefit<00:06:45.440> are that provide a functional benefit are that provide
• a functional benefit are substitutes<00:06:46.319> for<00:06:46.479> the<00:06:46.639>

Bills: HB61, HB176, SB12

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the building itself, by its age and its government function, it would be eligible for the national
• :33:36.320> and<00:33:36.480> its<00:33:36.720> government<00:33:37.039> function
• <00:33:38.159> um its age and its government function um its age and its government function

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it's not small, but small relatively small chunks in order to get something active and functioning
• Secretary and to the panelists, one of the big concerns that I have will be looking at is sort of a function
• It is a function of success in many ways, but it will be one of the pieces we have to tie up.
• childhood and multi-generational education facility on The Navajo Technical University facility will function

Keywords: 996, all