Transcript Highlights:

• It is still a very anemic program.
• he's on the T-CAP program.
• any other program.
• But are you aware of the program? I'm aware of the program, and if I can explain one...
• From the Compassionate Use program, that program is more in a controlled environment.

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SNAP education, and Sunbucks program. SNAP education, and Sunbucks program.
• trails program. trails program.
• um increase for the Hathaway program. um increase for the Hathaway program.
• conservation program is passed. conservation program is passed.
• <03:01:01.840> Program, through2, Language and Literacy Program, through2, Language and Literacy

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture through the broadband technical assistance program, which is a program that
• any issues uh across an audit program any issues uh across an audit program and<01:38:04.239>
• You know, there's a waiver program about getting their children access to programs and help across the
• You know, there's a waiver program about getting their children access to programs and help across the
• You know, there's a waiver program about getting their children access to programs and help across the

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:27 Legislative Research Commission 00:01:15 KentuckyWired Operations Company 00:17:30 Wireless Internet Service Providers Association 00:40:15 Administrative Office of the Courts 01:08:55 Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts 01:33:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the July 9 minutes without objection and heard from Jay Hartz and Jonathan Harris of the Legislative Research Commission. Members asked about Capitol and legislator security in light of recent targeted shootings in other states. Hartz said LRC had removed members’ home addresses from its website, was reviewing other state-government records for similar information, and was working with the Speaker, Senate President, Kentucky State Police, and outside security experts on broader safety measures. He also said LRC is exploring commercial products to help block personal contact information from public view, but declined to name vendors publicly. Harris added that driver’s license scans at the Capitol are handled by Kentucky State Police, while LRC has a process for flagging high-volume or concerning contacts for police review. The LRC also reported that redistricting work has already begun, with census coordination underway, evaluation of redistricting software including Mapitude and open-source tools, and plans to make the same tools available to the public in the LRC library. The committee then heard from Kentucky Wired Operations Company CEO Robert Morphonius, COO Tom Snyder, and counsel Patrick Hughes about the Kentucky Wired network. They explained the corporate structure: Kentucky Wired Operations Company is a private for-profit special purpose entity that designs, builds, operates, and maintains the network; Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Company is a nonprofit instrumentality used for financing; and Open Fiber Kentucky handles commercialization of excess capacity under a wholesale agreement. They said Kentucky Wired Operations is in the operations and maintenance phase, with those obligations continuing until 2045, and that technical changes to the network generally require KCNA approval through formal change-order processes. They also said the company conducted a market test in June 2023 under Schedule 19 of its contract, considered proposals including Open Fiber and the incumbent service provider, and retained the existing provider. Members asked about KCNA’s role, procurement, network customers, and revenue. The witnesses said Quac operates outside normal state procurement because its process is governed by contract, while KCNA acts as the Commonwealth’s oversight authority and filter for changes. They identified current network users as including AOC, KCTCS, postsecondary education, and other Commonwealth agencies, with all requests routed through KCNA; they also said a separate change process for Exceliccom is in litigation. On funding, they said the operation is paid through monthly appropriations, with roughly a million dollars a month for the service provider and a couple hundred thousand for Quac’s oversight, not including debt service, which is bundled into the availability payment. The discussion ended as members began asking about responsibility for damage-related costs such as squirrel-related outages.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, Medicaid is a $1,16 billion program with about 85 million people enrolled in the program as of
• Recently, Minnesota's applied behavioral analysis program, or ABA program, stole national headlines.
• But some programs may be lifelong programs for independence for people. Absolutely.
• Program.
• And it is on the HHSC program. Where did the money go? And it is on the HHSC program.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you need to fix the language to make it do that, I'd appreciate the help.
• I trust you to have that language.
• The language within this bill, I think, is funky to say the least.
• > insufficient<02:19:25.599> to believe that language is insufficient to believe that language
• They have a dual role.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment further clarifies language The amendment further clarifies language around<00:48:20.720
• crafted the language in the amendment. crafted the language in the amendment.
• <00:56:58.240> in because we passed this very language in because we passed this very language
• The Senate Health and federal program.
• language and said no. language and said no.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chronic care prevention programs, right?
• My example was the state-run insurance program.
• They do this through a variety of very innovative programs and sometimes nationally recognized programs
• It's a federal program that needs a federal fix.
• It's the second-largest prescription drug program after Medicare Part D and will be the largest program

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do they come to the program?
• How do they come to the program?
• Yes, it's based on historical and it's based on the program needs and the program evaluation.
• Yes, it's based on historical and it's based on the program needs and the program evaluation.
• going to have to sustain the program. going to have to sustain the program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from its May 13 meeting. Members then reviewed a deferred contract with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy for the Kentucky Pharmacist Recovery Network (KYPRN), a program that provides monitoring and support for pharmacists and pharmacy interns with substance abuse or mental health issues. Board representatives explained that the contract is a long-running arrangement, renewed periodically, with an option for two additional two-year renewals. Senators asked about the program’s structure, participation trends, follow-up, and consequences for noncompliance. The board said enrollment has remained fairly consistent at about 52 participants, with roughly 500 participants over the life of the program, weekly and monthly check-ins during the five-year typical enrollment period, and possible additional sanctions if participants fail to meet obligations. The committee then approved the contract. The committee next considered a group of economic development contracts, including items from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Secretary Jeff Null and general counsel Matt Wingate testified about contracts tied to regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Members focused on the large differences in funding between regions and pressed for more support for rural and eastern Kentucky. Null said the cabinet is working on a more tailored, non-one-size-fits-all approach, including possible changes to capital support, build-to-suit options, and additional resources for rural areas. He said the hubs have helped 193 startups over the last two years and helped attract nearly $350 million in private capital, and he agreed to provide a written report by hub district on startup viability. The committee approved the economic development contracts. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation then presented its contracts with vendor IGT for retail and internet sales systems. Lottery officials said the contracts are mission-critical, cover both the traditional retail system and iLottery, and are structured as a percentage of sales so no payment is made until revenue is earned. They described planned equipment upgrades, including refreshed terminals, new ticket checkers, cashless vending and bill acceptors, and connected-play features that would link retail and online wallets. Officials said keeping the same vendor reduces the risk of business disruption and that the arrangement has already produced cost savings. They also said the lottery continues to see year-over-year growth and expects to meet its annual contribution target of $360 million for scholarships and grants. The committee approved the lottery contract after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it is a program.
• Same language.
• section 4 is also boilerplate language. section 4 is also boilerplate language.
• No fiscal impact. language in here. Uh so we're going to language in here.
• I remember some of those programs. I remember some of those programs.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 met to review revenue estimates and begin working through a side-by-side of the budget. New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre testified that lottery revenues are outperforming prior estimates, projecting a $27 million return to the state this year, up $7 million, and $200 million per year in the next biennium, up $6.5 million per year. He attributed the increase to stronger scratch ticket sales, no negative impact from Massachusetts sports betting, and overall better performance. Members questioned the assumptions behind the higher numbers, including the proposed $50 scratch tickets, the effect of inflation, and whether the projections were conservative enough. McIntyre said the $50 ticket could produce modest growth and that the estimates were intentionally cautious. The discussion also covered gaming revenue assumptions for historical horse racing and video lottery terminals, with McIntyre saying the state market is not yet saturated and that future conversions from HHR to VLTs should be net positive for the state. Members also discussed differences between House and Senate revenue numbers for gaming, including machine counts, daily revenue assumptions, and the tax split. The Senate version used higher machine counts and a 31.25% tax rate, with a quarter-point reserved for responsible gaming and the remainder split between charities and the state. The House had used a 30% rate with a different distribution. McIntyre and committee members also reviewed House Bill 2 items affecting Kino hours and local option games of chance, with McIntyre explaining that the bill would expand playing hours and shift towns to an opt-out model. No votes were taken during the lottery discussion, but the committee indicated it would continue refining the revenue model and circulate the spreadsheet used for the estimates. The committee then moved through the HB 1 detail change sheet, accepting several Senate positions and holding others for later. It agreed to a zero-cost realignment in the Department of Safety moving the international fuel tax agreement function from administration to motor vehicles, and it restored eight passenger motor vehicle inspection positions for later discussion in HB 2. The Department of Corrections reorganization was set aside for a later, more detailed discussion. The committee also accepted no-change positions for the Department of Employment Security and agreed to a technical footnote fix in the Judicial Council section. It discussed a new HB 2 item moving contract counsel for involuntary mental health admissions from the judicial branch to the Judicial Council, funded at $100,000 per year, and noted that the public defender funding issue would be revisited when the overall budget picture is clearer. The meeting ended with the committee continuing its review of the remaining pages of the detail change sheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• The exclusions from the ability to carry them is uh almost as long as the language of the bill itself
• federal level, really making states a subservient entity to the federal government as opposed to a dual
• action, and then what it would go on says related to or arising out of an incident involving the language
• action, and then what it would go on says related to or arising out of an incident involving the language
• So, the language talking about the issuance of a permit in New Hampshire to a non-resident to acquire

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that prison or do certain programming. So, prison or do certain programming.
• It prohibits access programs.
• the same language that's in the A1. the same language that's in the A1.
• Uses the exact same language, Mr. Chair. Uses the exact same language, Mr. Chair.
• Thank you, Chair. access program. The notion here to access program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:26.000> in or align it with the language in or align it with the language in department
• So, I'm on the language? All right.
• <01:31:57.920> Licensing language I put in there. Licensing language I put in there.
• programs. So, that's pretty important. programs. So, that's pretty important.
• what that language in the first section. what that language in the first section.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• training programs.
• as well, a residency program grant program that we run, and then the nursing grant programs too.
• the program.
• Programs hold.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, with the hemp program, we treat it just like any other regulatory program where we license
• You can't go get into a T-Cup program.
• But are you aware of the program? I'm aware of the program.
• The products being sold in the Texas Compassionate Use program and the hemp program are exactly the same
• The products being sold in the Texas Compassionate Use program and the hemp program are exactly the same

Summary: The House Committee on Public Health heard House Bill 5, a proposal to ban THC products outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and CBG products under tighter regulation. Chair Van Deaver gave a lengthy background on the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, arguing that the lack of guardrails allowed a large, unregulated THC market to develop. HB 5 would impose licensing fees, product registration, testing and inspection requirements, and restrictions intended to keep products away from children. Invited witnesses from law enforcement strongly supported the bill. Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and Brian Hawthorne of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued that THC consumables are widely mislabeled, often far more potent than advertised, and linked to youth access, impaired driving, and organized crime. Both said regulation would be ineffective and would amount to legalization, while a ban would be easier for officers to enforce. They also emphasized support for the Texas Compassionate Use Program and said medical THC should remain available. Dr. Peter Stout of the Texas Association of Crime Lab Directors and Alice Amelot of Texas DPS testified as resource witnesses about forensic testing. They said current lab resources are already stretched thin, that quantitative testing for THC and related cannabinoids is expensive and time-consuming, and that a ban would simplify enforcement because labs could focus on presence/absence testing rather than concentration. Amelot said DPS labs are neutral on the bill but explained that mislabeled products and inaccurate certificates of analysis are common. Committee members asked about traffic safety, impairment, youth use, and the costs of enforcement and lab testing; witnesses repeatedly said the bill would reduce complexity for law enforcement but that any approach would still require more resources for labs.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh languages spoken levels of language uh languages spoken and<01:14:51.040> language<01:14:51.920
• . language. language.
• Whatever language you speak, language.
• I speak six languages.
• So this uh languages.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there's other language in the right are there's other language in the right to<00:20:27.559> no
• <00:26:57.799> of included under the existing language of included under the existing language
• I think the language dealing because I think the language dealing with<00:42:20.839> preliminary<
• <01:03:51.599> the can't tailor the language the can't tailor the language the legislature
• <04:38:19.359> in<04:38:19.561> RSA the language in RSA the language in RSA 91a<04:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened its hearing with a procedural discussion about a forthcoming Monday hearing, and the chair confirmed that any amendment deemed non-germane would be made public in advance and included in the calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would replace the word “citizen” in the Right-to-Know law with “any person,” allow requesters to specify the format of records, and expressly reference preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body as disclosable material. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clarify existing law, remove uncertainty after a Rochester-related dispute over requester eligibility, and make records easier to obtain electronically unless doing so would be impossible, unusual, unduly burdensome, or harmful to recordkeeping integrity. Testimony was mixed. Cordell Johnston, speaking for himself as a municipal attorney, opposed most of the bill, especially the requirement that records be delivered electronically or by mail, arguing that out-of-state or out-of-country requests can be fishing expeditions that impose significant burdens on towns and clerks. He said local residents already can obtain records at town hall and that many municipalities voluntarily email records as a courtesy, but should not be required to mail large volumes of material. He also said the preliminary-draft language was unnecessary because such drafts are already covered when circulated to a quorum or majority. Representative Alexander raised concerns about the breadth of “any person,” potential abuse by bad actors, and the cost to municipalities, while Representative Peternell asked about whether the bill should account for nonresident property owners and business owners. The sponsor responded that limiting requesters by residency would not meaningfully stop abuse and said he did not know the bill’s fiscal impact, though he suggested it might improve efficiency. Yil Biset of the ACLU of New Hampshire testified in support of HB 6, calling it a modest and reasonable transparency measure. He said the preliminary-draft language was acceptable and consistent with existing exemption language in the public-meeting and documents statutes, and he said he was not aware of foreign-bot document requests occurring in New Hampshire. He also noted that current law already requires electronic disclosure when records exist electronically and can reasonably be provided that way. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> I'm the domestic violence program >> I'm the domestic violence program manager<00
• of<03:31:55.120> program<03:31:55.600> funding detailed accounting of program funding
• So by effect supporting that program.
• part of that program. part of that program. That's<04:32:05.920> interesting.
• three different programs on the 287G. three different programs on the 287G.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:45.039> and<00:28:45.279> FY conservation program and FY conservation program
• <00:32:41.919> to fee also known as Aloha Kai program to fee also known as Aloha Kai program
• which was that money to the Koo program which was that stewardship<01:11:32.320> program<01:11
• we saw the gains at the kopo program we saw the gains at the kopo program kind<01:13:16.960>
• <02:22:54.319> is<02:22:54.520> currently that program is currently that program is

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> I'm the domestic violence program >> I'm the domestic violence program manager<00
• Um, it in the youth operator program.
• of<03:31:55.120> program<03:31:55.600> funding detailed accounting of program funding
• So by effect supporting that program.
• part of that program. part of that program. That's<04:32:05.920> interesting.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on House Bill 1087 and House Bill 123, both related to firearms. HB 1087 was introduced as a Second Amendment measure, but after questions from the chair and discussion with law enforcement, the sponsor agreed it should be set aside and referred to a study committee for further review, rather than advanced as written. The New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association testified in opposition to the bill as written, while also indicating support for the sponsor’s proposed amendment or a study approach. The bulk of the discussion centered on HB 123, which would require the return of firearms after a not guilty verdict or dismissal. The sponsor and several members described the bill’s purpose as speeding up the return of property, but law enforcement and judicial branch witnesses raised concerns about federal law, the need to ensure a person is still legally eligible to possess firearms, and the bill’s 24-hour return requirement. Witnesses from the State Police and judicial branch explained the current process, including background checks through the state police gun line, and said the existing procedure already aims to return firearms promptly while allowing time to verify disqualifying information. Members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, including removing language that would bar background checks and instead tying return of firearms to completion of the check within a set time frame. Judicial branch and State Police witnesses said a process that requires a background check and return within a reasonable period, with notice if there is a delay or denial, would better address safety and legal concerns. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee closed the public hearing and indicated it would continue working on the language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tick riders definitely have a dual purpose right now.
• TPDES is a federally delegated program, and the U.S.
• Environmental Protection Agency retains oversight of that program.
• This is also a federally delegated program where the EPA retains oversight of TCEQ's primacy program.
• Well, the Brackish Resources Aquifer Characterization System Program—we just call it the BRACS program

Summary: During the meeting, legislative members discussed the practice of municipalities diverting water and sewer revenues to their general funds, which impacts infrastructure maintenance and project delays. Vice Chair Sparks proposed limiting public testimony to two minutes, which was adopted without objection. The committee heard from various witnesses, including Perry Fowler from the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, who emphasized that utility revenues should primarily support water services and that transfers should be transparent and justified. He noted that many utilities face financial pressures that could hinder infrastructure projects. Larry French from the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlighted the significant financial impact of water loss and general fund transfers, estimating the annual loss at $1.5 billion. He argued that these transfers can create disincentives for municipalities to address water loss issues. Brian Butcher, Assistant City Manager of Sugar Land, defended the city's cost allocation model for general fund transfers, asserting that they are necessary for equitable service provision and operational efficiency. The committee also discussed the implications of rising construction costs and the need for better procurement processes to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars. The second part of the meeting focused on the New World Screwworm and the state's preparedness to manage potential infestations. Dudley Hoskins from the USDA outlined the federal response efforts and the importance of collaboration with state agencies. He emphasized the need for ongoing surveillance and the production of sterile flies to combat the pest. Dr. Philip Kaufman from Texas A&M discussed the historical context of the screwworm and the challenges posed by its potential reintroduction, urging proactive management strategies among livestock producers. The committee acknowledged the need for increased resources and research to effectively address the threat of the screwworm.