Video & Transcript Research : 'Yuma County'
Page 168 of 500
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriation and Revenue. (4-14-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- > an Martin County.
- Martin County was an Martin County.
- Martin County was in between senators. Martin County was in between senators.
- [Laughter] I don't know who Martin County is, but I don't know who Martin County is, but they did well
- Martin County, city of Martin? >> I believe they are in the same county, yeah.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:05
HJR 81 Discussion 00:00:33
HJR 81 Vote 00:04:30, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up only House Joint Resolution 81, which allocates the remaining $52,502,260 in the W Waters program for wastewater and wastewater assistance to troubled or economically restrained systems. The chair explained the funds would be distributed according to Kentucky Infrastructure Authority criteria under KRS 224A.320, with the goal of restoring systems to operational and financial stability and improving drinking water and sanitation in affected communities.
Senator Funke Frommeyer asked how the funded systems would be kept in good repair after receiving the money and whether there would be a regional or long-term management plan. The chair responded that the funding is intended as a corrective measure to address compounding failures and that KIA has already weighed the relevant factors, while also stressing that communities should not expect repeated rescue funding. Senator Webb added context from earlier water and wastewater task force work, citing Martin County as an example and noting that KIA had adopted many of the task force’s recommendations for oversight, accountability, and operating protocols.
The committee then voted on the resolution. Senator Funke Frommeyer explained her vote, saying she supported the measure with hope that better protocols and procedures were being put in place, though she emphasized that hope is not a plan. The roll call resulted in 12 yes votes and no no votes, and the measure passed with favorable expression and was sent to consent. A motion to adopt on consent was then made and seconded, and the committee adjourned with no further business.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Human Services - 03/05/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Stearns County, Anoka, and St.
- Stearns County, Anoka, and St.
- 00:04:13.079>
St worth Sterns County um Anoka and St worth Sterns County um Anoka and St Louis - <00:08:59.440>
long-term from Blue Earth County long-term from Blue Earth County long-term - and also in croing in Douglas County and also in croing county<00:14:19.839>
and <00:14:20.000
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Environment and natural resources committee hears HF8 - Pt. 1 2/13/25
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- A hospital in Valencia County.
- or McKinley County.
- Services, and that covers all of San Miguel County and all of Mora County. So with that, Mr.
- One's for multiple counties.
- and the surrounding counties.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 11th, 2026 at 05:14 pm
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It was going to hurt the county and hurt not just our county, but all counties, based on the insurance
- I think she represents the counties, and that's a portion of the claim in the cost of the counties, and
- Madam Chair, panel, this is a huge fix to counties, especially some of the rural counties.
- Counties would cover the county and the cities. ...of law enforcement.
- Counties would cover the county and the cities would cover the local people.
Keywords:
massage therapy, licensure, health and safety standards, continuing education, establishment licensing, civil rights, sovereign immunity, damages, public body, lawsuit limitations, legal notice, child welfare, computing infrastructure, data management, Department of Health, appropriation, foster care, Indian children, cultural competency, training services
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 24th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Famous Ector County.
- Ector County in 2024, Ector County authorized approximately $317.5 million in CEOs for a new county courthouse
- Um, Travis County in 2016, Travis County voters rejected a $287 million bond for a new civil courthouse
- Existing county or in the perimeter of that county but surrounding counties because patients are transferred
- So Dallas County is a pay as you go county.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State & Local Government (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:11:24.519>
throughout um in several counties throughout um in several counties throughout - particular group in Pike County particular group in Pike County apparently<00:11:37.320>
about - I also want to note that the Kentucky Association of Counties and the County Judges and Magistrates are
- Association of counties and the county<00:22:38.360>
judges <00:22:38.679>and <00:22:38.880 - in Knox County, and it's not my district, but the county judge is a friend of mine.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:12
SB 4 (Sen. Mays Bledsoe): 01:34
SB 58 (Sen. Webb): 04:53
SB 117 (Sen. Madon): 07:40
SB 121 (Sen. Wheeler): 10:52
SB 237 (Sen. Howell): 13:09
SB 71 (Sen. Boswell): 18:54
SB 174 (Sen. Nunn): 38:18
SB 176 (Sen. Nunn): 40:54
SB 183 (Sen. Nunn): 42:31
Adjournment: 49:51, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Bledsoe, which would create a risk-based AI governance framework for state government and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The sponsor said the bill came from the AI task force and is intended to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible use of AI while distinguishing between internal and external systems. The committee took a roll call vote and reported the bill out 7-0.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 58, sponsored by Sen. Webb, which would allow Kentucky Retirement System benefits to be designated to a Special Needs Trust for a beneficiary. Webb said the bill would help families of special-needs children preserve benefits for supplemental needs such as adaptive equipment, technology, and medical or dental care not covered by government programs. He said retirement systems had provided no-impact letters, and the bill passed 7-0.
Members also approved Senate Bill 117, which would let cities adjust incentive payments for training by appointed and elected city officials and remove the statutory minimum from ordinance requirements, and Senate Bill 121, which would authorize county judges to contract with rescue groups to deal with wild horse herds in rural areas. SB 117 passed 10-0 and SB 121 passed 10-0. The committee then took up Senate Bill 71, as amended by a committee substitute, dealing with local library board appointments. Sen. Boswell said the bill was a compromise but that he preferred removing KDLA from the process entirely; library representatives opposed the committee substitute and said they wanted KDLA out of the selection process. Several senators expressed conditional support but said they wanted further changes, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out after a roll call vote with 10 yeas and 1 pass, with members noting they expected further floor amendments.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Jun 10th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The local people in McKenzie County and Williams County, for example, and Mountrail County, they're still
- We’re located up in Walsh County. We do move into a little bit of Pembina County.
- Stutsman County early on said, we're discharging water into Kidder County.
- Stutzman County early on said, we're discharging water into Kitter County.
- And I know a lot of people in Kidder County, it's a small county.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection (7-15-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- County after the tornadoes came through. County after the tornadoes came through.
- I mean 14 14 different counties.
- <00:36:14.160>
Just County creating over 1500 jobs. Just County creating over 1500 jobs. - And there's other counties.
- And there's other counties. I projects. And there's other counties.
Summary:
The committee received an update from Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, joined by Matt Wingate and Terry Bradshaw of the Kentucky Association of Economic Developers, on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) and the closing fund. The presentation focused on how KPDI helps communities develop shovel-ready industrial sites by funding infrastructure, engineering, geotechnical work, and other site-preparation costs. Noel emphasized that the program is designed to reduce uncertainty for companies, improve speed to market, and support statewide job creation and investment, especially in rural and eastern Kentucky where development costs are often higher.
Testimony highlighted the complexity and expense of preparing sites, with examples of road, water, power, and rock-removal costs, and the importance of third-party evaluation in scoring applications. Noel said the program has 116 total projects statewide, with 20 active projects stemming from pilot efforts and 35 projects already resulting in about 6,381 jobs and $4.4 billion in investment. He cited examples including Crown Holdings, Flash Metals, Phoenix Paper, Pratt Paper, AESC, Sound Elements, Kitchen Foods, Latte, Krueger, Biomass, and Anna Munsman. Bradshaw added that even communities that have not yet landed a project have benefited by building spec buildings or improving access to industrial property.
The speakers said the last KPDI round drew $81 million in requests but only $35 million in available funding, and they urged lawmakers to consider whether additional funding or program adjustments are needed. Suggested changes included modestly increasing eligibility or funding flexibility for rural and eastern Kentucky, while maintaining third-party performance metrics, and continuing to prioritize finishing existing parks and creating strong regional sites. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- issues in their counties, as far as city council or county commissioners.
- Senator Martin, you specifically list Hillsborough County as one of the counties where this bill would
- Broward County, Miami-Dade County, the floor.
- , but not your own Lee County.
- I hope the Miami-Dade County delegation will stand up and stick up for your county.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions and recognitions. The Rules Chair moved CS/CS/SB 622 to the end of the special order calendar, which was adopted without objection. SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed, as were later bills SB 716 and CS/CS/CS/SB 1348.
The chamber then took up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and adopting amendments before final passage. Measures approved included a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan (HB 295, 38-0), mitigation banking and land development changes with a phosphate mining lands amendment (CS/CS/SB 492, 35-3), aggravated animal cruelty with a searchable FDLE database and sentencing multiplier (HB 255, 37-0), the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism and related training/funding (HB 711, 37-0), newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (CS/CS/HB 1089, 36-0), and revisions to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects and adjust approval thresholds (CS/CS/HB 393, 37-0).
The Senate also passed workforce education legislation allowing charter schools access to grant funding and expanding money-back guarantees (HB 1145, 37-0), a statewide study on automation and workforce impact (HB 827, 35-0), parole guideline revisions (HB 181, 37-0), court-appointed psychologist procedures in family law cases (HB 901, 37-0), sexual cyber harassment protections covering digitally forged intimate images (HB 1451, 37-0), a home health aide program for medically fragile children with training and reimbursement provisions (CS/CS/SB 1156, 37-0), substance abuse and mental health care changes including 988 oversight and involuntary examination procedures (HB 1091, 37-0), a feasibility study for a statewide pond data database (HB 1359, 37-0), and Department of Law Enforcement housekeeping changes and retired police dog reimbursements (HB 1053, 37-0). The most extensive debate centered on the charter schools bill (HB 443), which expanded charter autonomy, reporting parity, enrollment flexibility, and governance rules; after a delete-all amendment and a friendly amendment, it was placed on the third-reading calendar rather than immediately voted on. Several bills were briefly discussed with concerns about transparency, accountability, funding, and constitutional issues, but all bills brought to a vote during this segment passed.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:13:18.639>
we're we're looking at Three Counties we're we're looking at Three Counties - >
Dodge <00:32:39.240>County where I live Olstead County Dodge County where I live Olstead - County Dodge County that<00:32:39.720>
I <00:32:39.919>represent <00:32:40.720>a - coming through the county.
- <00:41:44.119>
Road that uh County state aid and County Road that uh County state aid and
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So we're located up in Walsh County. We do move into a little bit of Pembina County.
- Stutsman County early on said, we're discharging water into Kidder County.
- And I know a lot of people in Kidder County, it's a small county.
- The Kidder County issue is unique in and of itself in that Stutsman County and the letters in exchange
- The county paid on their own to do the evaluation of the Long Lake Creek and the Kidder County issues
Summary:
The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information.
The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand.
A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability.
The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 013 Jan 27th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have groups from Jackson County, Routt County, Moffat County, Grand County, Garfield County, Eagle
- We have groups from Jackson County, Routt County, Moffat County, Grand County, Garfield County, Eagle
- We have groups from Jackson County, Routt County, Moffat County, Grand County, Garfield County, Eagle
- I am privileged to get to represent Boulder County and Larimer County, the rural areas.
- I am privileged to get to represent Boulder County and Larimer County, the rural areas.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- Counties will get new revenue.
- differently in all 58 counties.
- Nicole Wardleman on behalf of San Bernardino County in opposition. Thank you.
- SB 1408 would authorize the County of Contra Costa, which I represent.
- For more than 35 years, Contra Costa County has had a very clear record of success as a self-help county
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , could be two county, and creating rail districts.
- So John Clowder, Clardier, yeah, Russ County RELP, please come up.
- I'm here from the Rusk County Rural Rail District in favor of SB 2366.
- Rusk County is not blessed with an interstate, nor an institution of higher education.
- And so here, to you before, the monies, the excess monies would go to the counties, and the county would
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes.
The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably.
The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Apr 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- County.
- multiple districts in very different areas of the county.
- McLean Rosansky at the Alameda County Office of Education.
- I live in Placer County.
- County overseeing 500 youth service providers.
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding.
For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting.
On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- to, and that was Harding County this year.
- to, and that was Harding County this year.
- Santa Fe County at 30%, Otero County at 19%, Taos at 8%, and Valencia County at 2%.
- , Valencia County, and RFP recipients.
- But we shouldn't just award Bernalillo County in...
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Elections Committee Aug 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm from Vaisa, born and raised there, Tularee County.
- Good morning, Lars Knutzen, El Dorado County.
- San Bernardino, and Los Angeles County.
- San Bernardino, and Los Angeles County.
- It is very clear that counties... It is stated.
Summary:
The Assembly Elections Committee met on August 19, 2025, to consider ACA 8, SB 280, and an informational hearing on AB 604. The meeting began with several failed motions to adjourn, to read public comments into the record, and to recess so members could review the roughly 16,000 public comments submitted through the committee portal. The chair emphasized the hearing’s expedited format, transparency measures, and rules limiting witness testimony, and noted a letter from Speaker Rivas authorizing Assemblymember Berman to present ACA 8.
ACA 8, described by supporters as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” would place before voters a temporary congressional redistricting plan tied to AB 604 and triggered only if another state, especially Texas, adopts a partisan mid-decade redistricting. Supporters, including Assemblymember Berman, labor groups, CTA, Planned Parenthood affiliates, SEIU, and other allied organizations, argued the measure was a response to partisan gerrymandering elsewhere and a defense of democracy, with voters having the final say in a November 4, 2025 special election. Opponents, including current and former redistricting commissioners, good-government groups, business and taxpayer organizations, and many members of the public, argued the proposal undermines California’s independent redistricting model, was rushed without adequate public review, could cost roughly $200 million or more, and would invite litigation and partisan manipulation.
The committee also debated a proposed amendment that would bar legislators who voted for ACA 8 from later running for Congress in districts adopted under the measure. After extended procedural disputes, the committee voted to lay the amendment on the table. The hearing then continued with extensive public testimony, overwhelmingly divided between strong support and strong opposition, but the transcript provided does not show a final committee vote on ACA 8 or SB 280 before the excerpt ends.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The delegation includes County Judge Hank Whitman, County Court at Law Judge Tina Hartman, County Attorney
- Teresa Nettles, County Clerk Genevieve Martinez, County Commissioners Russell King and Scott Aiken,
- Dick, I don't remember which county.
- And this is in Grayson County, correct? Correct, Grayson County.
- There are two large counties, effectively two small counties, and a county selected in the most recent
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, received a House message announcing passage of H.B. 500, and a gubernatorial nomination for the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including SR 409 recognizing Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, SR 402 honoring the discovery of the woolly devil plant at Big Bend National Park, and recognitions for Operation Christmas RGV and Wilson County Day. The Senate also heard an announcement that the Committee on Senate Nominations action report had been placed on members’ desks.
The body then took up and passed several bills. SB 2365 was passed to prohibit personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time, with exceptions for health, special education, and safety needs. SB 1869 was passed to reaffirm the DSHS commissioner’s authority over controlled-substance schedule changes without rulemaking or judicial review. SB 1124 was passed to revise criminal discovery procedures in response to the Heath decision, with supporters saying it preserves exculpatory evidence protections while limiting suppression of inculpatory evidence when the defense already knew of it. SB 1758 was passed to create a Grayson County pilot study and temporary permitting hold concerning a cement kiln/quarry near a semiconductor wafer facility, and SB 2078 was passed to regulate composting in certain counties, after a clarifying amendment.
The Senate also passed SB 33, barring governmental entities from transactions that support abortion assistance or out-of-state abortion procurement; SB 34, expanding wildfire preparedness measures, studies, equipment databases, and rural fire department funding; SB 1208, increasing the penalty for interference with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony; SB 1030, removing the maintenance, repair, and overhaul tax for general aviation; SB 505, creating processes to address election irregularities; SB 2411, updating the Business Organizations Code and changing filing-method requirements; and SB 1333, addressing unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, or conveyance of real property. Most measures advanced on voice vote or recorded roll call after motions to suspend the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule, with several members raising questions or objections, especially on the criminal justice, abortion, and public duties bills.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (9-24-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- I’m chief of the Wolf County Search and Rescue Team located in Wolf County.
- Morgan County.
- That's not in Wolf County. It's kind of in between Powell and Lee County.
- County and me county going on in Harden County and me county and<01:29:44.560>
bullet <01:29:44.960 - Harden County to get my plates. Harden County to get my plates.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort.
The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises.
Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.