Transcript Highlights:

• In grain, grain and fiber processing or storage facilities, sprinklers would destroy any crop that was
• The committee substitute to House Bill 1835 prohibits cities from requiring unnecessary permits, bonds
• They create arbitrary permitting process as well as weaponization of their zoning code to prevent and
• So I appreciate your willingness to consider this as we continue this process.
• Not all MUDs are equal, so we're just trying to find a streamlined process.

Transcript Highlights:

• YOUR CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT IS THROUGH DEPARTMENT.
• WE ARE COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONIZED THE WAY THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE PERMIT.
• WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED WHAT IS THE PROCESS? >> Commissioner Wilton Simpson: MR. CHAIRMAN.
• OUR PROCESSING FACILITIES HAVE BEEN STARVED OF PRODUCT AND NOW WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROCESS
• I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REGULATION PROCESS ORDER WOULD BE. MAYBE YOU CAN ANSWER THAT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and where they are in that process.
• This will become part of the university's repatriation process, working with tribes.
• This bill only permits a preference for UC employees.
• The application process was repetitive and confusing.
• The framework and process is established by the advisory board.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.

Transcript Highlights:

• This process also reduces disputes.
• Well, I'm new to the process, sir.
• It is troubling whenever a process is negotiated and then that process has not been used, not by a single
• Hancock owned that struggle, that that process has not even been utilized once.
• That's what this process is about.

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , with the bill, access to peer-to-peer support counseling, but then if boards have a more formal process
• This bill would remove personal care and IDD waiver services from the CON process.
• I didn't think that should happen, so that's another reason I went through the CON process.
• I didn't think that should happen, so that's another reason I went through the CON process.
• So it's why I went through the CON process back then. Yeah. And you mentioned the needs out there.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be required that step therapy is that the insurer would require that step number one be a certain process
• be required that step therapy is that the insurer would require that step number one be a certain process
• Uh a permit<00:05:00.479> would<00:05:01.120> uh<00:05:01.440> need<00:05:01.680
• And then there was a message that were sent out to all fire departments to gather... that process.
• Uh total firefighters in that process.

Keywords: Insurance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several insurance and health-related bills. Earlier discussion focused on metastatic cancer step therapy and biomarker testing, with the sponsor explaining that the bills would prevent insurers from requiring patients to try less effective treatments first and would require coverage for biomarker testing to better target treatment. The biomarker bill was described as a product of a summer study committee and was reported favorably. The committee also advanced a bill setting standards tied to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and a private residence elevator bill requiring licensing, inspection, and permitting for elevator installers, with an amendment exempting those elevators from annual inspections after the initial inspection. Members then considered a mitigation program for retrofitting homes, with the sponsor saying the Department of Insurance and industry were close to a workable statewide program. The bill would be funded by increasing a fee paid by insurance companies, not policyholders, and would allow use of a third-party administrator capped at 5% of program funds. The committee also reported bills extending the state health plan repealer, extending the LOSAP volunteer firefighter program repealer, and creating a fraud detection trust fund at the Insurance Department to address AI- and cyber-related fraud. The fraud fund bill drew questions about whether it would raise premiums and how it would help investigators; supporters said the fund would support staffing and equipment and that the existing fund had been dormant. Additional bills included a transparency measure for dental insurance spending, which would require reporting on the share of premiums spent on dental services beginning in 2027, and a bill expanding access to self-funded group health plans for members of legitimate professional and trade associations. The committee also heard a Mississippi Patient Protection Act aimed at strengthening willing-provider protections and limiting insurer discrimination against qualified providers; an amendment was proposed to clarify that vision benefit managers would not be treated as pharmacy benefit managers. Most measures were moved by title sufficient due pass and reported without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• We seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have effective
• facilitate the goal of hearing as much from the public within the limits of our time, we will not permit
• Public comment may be provided only at the designated time and place as permitted by the chair.
• While we have consistently raised these issues through legislative hearings and C&C see in the budget process

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:59.520> is had made sure that that the process is had made sure that that the process
• process has to happen. process has to happen.
• Can you give clarity who did what is this process? Who determines the process?
• on line 2.6 where you say the process. on line 2.6 where you say the process.
• Who determines the this process? Who determines the process? process? process?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation that we're not going to be required to look at a permit or an approval process, so evidently
• then that annual inspection process then that annual inspection process happens<00:22:25.600>
• Since the permitting or approval process is limited for this application, this legislation, what input
• But that being said, you do have to... public process public process um<01:02:51.279> you<01:02
• I don't know certification process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a problem with pole attachment process in rural Texas.
• Well, I'm, I'm new to the process, sir.
• Since you've spoken, uh, the committee is not permitted to do that.
• But the point is that it is troubling whenever a process is negotiated, and then that process has not
• Uh, dispute resolution process we believe has already been settled.

Transcript Highlights:

• that<00:03:29.599> part<00:03:29.840> of<00:03:29.959> the<00:03:30.120> process
• I just I'm it that part of the process I just I'm it would<00:03:32.840> be<00:03:33.040>
• That is a great question, and I would love to understand the process piece of it legally.
• prepare for fiscal 25 grant process prepare for fiscal 25 grant process funding<01:37:27.480>
• We have to help them navigate that whole process.

Bills: HF22, HF45

Keywords: parent's bill of rights, parental rights, minor consent, minors, parents, guardians, education rights, school records, home schooling, charter school, private school, health care consent, medical privacy, patient records, exam room access, biometric data, DNA samples, blood samples, mental health, physical health

Transcript Highlights:

• We hope to amend that to the processes of appeal that are currently in law. Any further questions?
• Does it include expedited permits? Does it include infrastructure improvements?
• An expedited permit without a tax incentive would not necessarily be part of it.
• Just for clarification, as I'm trying to process the details of the bill.
• I think where I can start is talking a little bit about the process.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor. The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So please bear with us as we kind of work through your process. It's new to us.
• Yes, yeah, absolutely, as it moves forward with the process. Thanks.
• What's the process that you've gone to to do that?
• And the process is not over for folks in the audience.
• This bill will start the grant-making process sooner. That is our hope.

Summary: The Assembly Agriculture Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then adopted its committee rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by a 5-0 vote. The committee heard a series of agriculture-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and moving forward. AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover would raise the fee thresholds for small public horse events that are exempt from equine medication monitoring rules; supporters said the current limits are outdated and hurt small riding clubs, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 411 by Assemblymember Papin would allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on-farm; supporters cited cost, environmental, and predator-control benefits, while rendering industry representatives asked for amendments to protect existing services and limit the bill’s scope. The bill passed to Natural Resources. AB 482 by Assemblymember Solache would modernize the California Table Grape Commission law and raise assessment caps without increasing assessments themselves; it passed to Appropriations. AB 312 by Vice Chair Alanis would shorten the holding period for ag theft property from six months to three months; it also passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 937 and AB 947 by Assemblymember Connolly. AB 937 would make technical changes to the Organic Transition Pilot Program to improve access to organic transition support, with testimony from a farmer who said the program helped him pursue organic certification; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 947 would expand and refine technical assistance under the Healthy Soils/Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including training, grant writing, matching funds coordination, equipment sharing, and outcome monitoring; supporters said the changes would help small and organic producers access state climate programs, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1486, presented by the chair, would use Proposition 4 funding to start grants for public postsecondary agricultural research farms focused on climate resiliency; members praised the role of CSU and UC research farms, and the bill passed to Natural Resources as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on AB 928 by Assemblymember Rogers, the California Cockfighting Cruelty Act. Supporters argued the bill would help law enforcement target cockfighting and rooster trafficking, reduce avian disease risks, and protect public health and animal welfare; opponents, including poultry hobbyists, breeders, and 4-H-related participants, said it would overreach into lawful poultry keeping and harm heritage-breed and youth programs, urging instead that cockfighting penalties be increased to a felony. Committee members echoed concerns about unintended impacts on legitimate poultry owners and requested continued work on exemptions and language. The bill passed to Judiciary on a 5-2-1 vote, with one no vote and one abstention, and the chair noted that further committee review would continue as the bill advances.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has built-in mandatory reporting and review process.
• It addresses special land use permits.
• It addresses special land use permits, mutually agreed-upon licensing time frames, due process, and there
• This is something that will instill transparency and trust back into our election process.
• No one cares about the process unless it benefits them. Ten seconds. And with that, I vote no.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This act also voids a permit to purchase and gives the director of the State Bureau of Identification
• , better known as SBI, permission to revoke a permit to purchase if the person is no longer a qualified
• Foreclosure is a pretty lengthy process anyway.
• The process is that there are... ...multiple amendments coming over from the Senate.
• They acted, they created land use rules, and they denied the permit for that.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The meat processing facility tax credit program has a $4.13 return on investment.
• I think that would be a better process and you could be more nimble.
• And so it’s an extraordinarily challenging process. There’s no question about that.
• No, no, and I appreciate that because it’s a coalition-building process.
• Maybe the tax credit process ought to actually be an appropriated process so that instead of having $550

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Interfering with judicial processes.
• The bill also permits the department to track inmate movement.
• The bill also amends the appointments process for the Florida Commission on Defender Review.
• It streamlines the legal processes necessary to Commission on Defender Review.
• the decision-making process for incompetent inmates.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, and local government bills. Early measures included HB 743 on social media use by minors, which would require platforms to provide access to parents and law enforcement with a warrant; PCS for HB 1049 on protection of court officials; PCS for HB 491 restricting warrantless government use of AI cameras to detect concealed firearms; and HB 1053, an FDLE agency bill that removed obsolete provisions, renamed a program, combined reports, expanded security-related definitions, and added support for retired police dogs. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 1053 adopted as amended after some questions about eliminating the Victim and Witness Protection Review Committee and related reporting changes. The committee also approved HB 4075, a Leon County local bill capping reimbursement for inmate medical transport and care at Medicare-based rates, and HB 1095, a Hillsborough County pilot program for probationers with substance-abuse conditions that uses frequent testing and short jail sanctions for violations; both were reported favorably as amended. Several bills focused on law enforcement and public safety. HB 1129 clarified that victims’ identifying information, including names, is protected from public release under Marsy’s Law, and its amendment added a 72-hour confidentiality period for law enforcement officers involved in critical incidents, with possible extension if safety concerns remain; the bill passed favorably as amended. PCS for HB 1371 addressed a range of protections and tools for law enforcement and first responders, including limits on vehicle kill switches, funding for critical infrastructure mapping, a 25-year minimum for attempted first-degree murder of specified justice personnel, and procedures after exposure to bodily fluids; it was reported favorably. HB 857 increased penalties for assault or battery on utility workers and was also approved. HB 317 required written, sworn complaints against law enforcement and correctional officers, imposed penalties for false complaints, and limited the use of unsubstantiated investigations in personnel files; it passed despite opposition from some law enforcement groups and support from others. The committee spent substantial time on HB 903, a corrections bill that would tighten inmate complaint procedures, authorize tracking of inmate movement, adjust execution-related provisions, streamline mental health and competency processes, and change contracting authority for prison services. Members raised concerns about costs, civil rights, and the statute of limitations, but the bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-3 vote. HB 181 on objective parole guidelines, which would require the Commission on Offender Review to incorporate vocational, educational, and self-betterment programming and provide its statistical analysis to legislative leaders, drew strong support from criminal justice reform advocates and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved HB 1455 on repeat sexual offenders, which creates mandatory minimum sentences for subsequent specified sexual offenses and bars gain time or discretionary early release; an amendment increased one mandatory minimum from 10 to 20 years for selling or buying minors for sexually explicit conduct. Throughout the meeting, several bills drew testimony from law enforcement, industry, advocacy groups, and members of the public, with votes generally favoring the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Within the district, the local government could exempt projects from permitting or set up an expedited
• planning review process.
• or set up an expedited permitting or set up an expedited planning<00:40:41.120> review<00:40:
• 41.680> process.
• planning review process. planning review process.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee and House messages. The Families and Children’s Committee reported Senate Bill 191 favorably, and the House transmitted several passed bills requesting concurrence. New filings included Senate Bill 203 on community health workers and several resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Marie Childers, Military Kids Day, and Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. The chamber then considered and passed Senate Bill 141 on legal advertisements. The sponsor said the bill updates longstanding legal notice requirements to better balance public transparency with lower costs for cities and counties, reflecting an agreement among the Kentucky Press Association, Kentucky League of Cities, and Kentucky Association of Counties. The bill passed 36-1. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 69, creating an autism spectrum disorder trust fund to support services, research, and grants through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, with an emergency clause; it passed 37-0. Senate Bill 9, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, was also passed 35-2. The bill creates two local housing tools: a residential infrastructure development district to finance infrastructure for larger developments, and a housing development district to encourage new housing through negotiated incentive payments and expedited review. The sponsor said the measure is intended to address Kentucky’s housing shortage. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 102 honoring Marie Childers for decades of service on the Pike County Board of Elections, with remarks praising her bipartisan election work and influence in Pike County politics. Later, the Rules Committee recommitted Senate Bill 125 to Appropriations and Revenue, and the Committee on Committees referred several bills and resolutions to standing committees or to the floor. Announcements were made about upcoming committee meetings, and the Senate took up Senate Resolution 104 honoring Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., with remarks describing his national and international civil rights legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a bidding process, and is that a continual—do you keep asking for bids, or just how does that
• We do an RFP process, and normally it's an initial two-year contract, depending on when it's issued.
• and we could use the help permits and we could use the help marketing<00:26:21.520> the<00:26
• We're selling permits<00:26:28.640> and<00:26:29.520> the<00:26:29.760> executive
• ><00:26:30.159> director<00:26:30.559> could permits and the executive director could permits

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% Tourism Meeting and Convention Marketing Fund. Officials said Kentucky tourism is a $14.3 billion industry that welcomed more than 80 million travelers last year, supports nearly 97,000 jobs, and uses the fund solely for tourism marketing and promotion, not capital projects. They noted the fund received additional appropriations in the enacted budget and also supports several designated tourism-related initiatives. Commissioner Mike Manet described how the fund is used for paid media, public relations, international marketing, cultural heritage promotion, website content, regional matching grants, research, trade shows, and travel expenses. He said the department spent $10.8 million on paid media in 23 markets in 2024, focused on seven tourism pillars, and used research and advertising ROI studies to guide spending. He reported 180 PR placements, 3.2 billion earned impressions, 3% growth in international visitation, and 12% growth in international spending to $257 million. He also highlighted the African-American Heritage Trail and said the regional matching funds program distributed $2 million to 87 local tourism commissions. Members asked about the rise of AI in search results, how domestic and international visitor data are collected, how ad agencies are selected, and how regional matching funds are allocated. The commissioner said the department uses GPS-based and federal data, including National Travel and Tourism Office figures, and that ad agencies are chosen through an RFP process. Representative McDaniel raised concerns about bourbon tourism and Canadian visitation; the commissioner said Canadian travel is down significantly, bourbon-related visitation has softened, and the department is shifting more spending toward in-state and closer drive markets while emphasizing bourbon’s heritage story. Representative Fugate asked about eastern Kentucky tourism and ATV trails, and the commissioner said those trails are included in advertising, social media, and earned media efforts. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The process of expenses being expended, Madam Chair.
• That process takes anywhere between six months and a year because the funding is out for two months to
• So how are we moving along with that process, and why does it have to come out of a grant from us?
• Processes and procedures, the monies that we have going out to do similar things.
• I actually think this is a really important part of the process with public...