Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:03.200> of recommendations and the development of recommendations and the development
• reviews, and analyzes cases, develops reviews, and analyzes cases, develops findings<00:21:40.640
• , develops findings and recommendations, develops annual<00:21:42.960> reports,<00:21:43.919><
• > and The benefits of developing and The benefits of developing and maintaining<00:28:49.039><
• staff develop formal written procedures. staff develop formal written procedures.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Summary of Staff Report on the Firefighter Commission Minimum Training Standards and Administrative Spending- 00:01:00 Staff Update on Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel 00:16:00 Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel Representatives Available for Questions-00:39:34 Kentucky State Police & Finance Cabinet Status Update on Kentucky Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System-00:52:35 Adjournment-01:46:24, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from December 19 and June 12, then received a staff report on the Kentucky Fire Commission’s minimum training standards and administrative spending. Staff explained that the commission’s current minimum training hours are 115 for volunteer firefighters and 300 for paid firefighters, down from 150 and 400 before January 1, 2023, after the commission removed elective classes not directly tied to NFPA standards. The report found the commission’s certification testing aligns fully with NFPA standards, but recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours. On finances, staff said the commission complied with the first statutory cap on administrative reimbursements to KCTCS, but could not verify compliance with a second, more specific cap because the finance system does not break out program-level costs and the statute is vague. Staff recommended the commission work with KCTCS to fix that issue and suggested the General Assembly may wish to clarify the statute. After questions about reimbursement levels and investment income, the committee voted to accept the report. The committee then heard an update on the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel. Staff reported that the panel has implemented two of three prior recommendations: it revised its agency notification letter to clearly state the 90-day response deadline and added response prompts and checkboxes to improve completeness. The third recommendation, to adopt formal written procedures, remains in progress; staff said the panel plans to develop those procedures alongside its new case management system. The panel is meeting its statutory membership and meeting requirements, but agency responses to its recommendations have been inconsistent: 48% were timely and appropriate in 2022, 36% in 2023, and 82% in 2024, though only three of nine timely 2024 responses were fully complete. Staff also described the new case management system project, funded with $200,000 in one-time money, and recommended the panel consult budget staff about use of those funds beyond fiscal year 2025. They reissued the recommendation that the panel develop written procedures for case review, findings, recommendations, and annual reports. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of penalties for noncompliance, the volume and length of panel meetings, and technology barriers to reviewing cases, and one member said the panel’s findings should inform future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development will not be with us today, as mentioned in
• We needed it very quickly, and our partners and a developer were able to secure that for us.
• Theresa Cook, on behalf of Vecunor, one of the offshore wind developers.
• Chair, members, Dan Chaw, this time on behalf of GreenGen Storage, a pumped hydro developer.
• We've got a coalition that includes environmental groups, the ports, labor, the developers.

Summary: The hearing was an informational budget session on energy agency proposals, with no votes taken. Early discussion focused on Proposition 4 climate bond implementation, including funding for demand-side grid support, offshore wind development, and transmission financing. The Department of Finance said the budget includes allocations for demand-side grid support and offshore wind, but not yet for the $325 million transmission financing piece pending a required study. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to consider whether to wait on offshore wind funding, whether to keep shifting funds into demand-side grid support, and how to direct future transmission financing. Members also raised concerns about local technical assistance for offshore wind, Salton Sea priorities, and the need for more information before final decisions. The California Energy Commission and CPUC then reviewed the broader energy package. The CEC highlighted the demand-side grid support program’s growth, distributed energy backup assets, long-duration storage, hydrogen grants, and the SIRP clean energy reliability program. CPUC testimony emphasized affordability, wildfire mitigation costs, rooftop solar cost shifts, and efforts to reduce rates while maintaining reliability and clean energy goals. Members questioned CPUC staffing, delays in proceedings, coordination with the CEC and CAISO, and the impact of rate increases on customers. The agencies also discussed the AB 3264 transmission financing study, with CPUC saying work on the study had already begun and was on track for the July 1 deadline. Several trailer bill and implementation items were also discussed. The committee reviewed a proposal to extend the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program surcharge, with members split over whether it should be handled in budget trailer bill language or policy legislation; the administration said the surcharge supports a critical program serving about three-quarters of a million Californians. The committee also heard a CPUC data-sharing proposal to allow nondisclosure agreements for transmission and reliability data, which members generally supported as a technical fix. DWR explained a proposal to clarify language for the Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve so it can potentially sell three gas-fired units it owns, and the CEC presented a federal transmission grant proposal tied to grid-enhancing technologies and ratepayer cost recovery. Finally, the committee discussed California Lifeline and possible broadband pilot reforms in light of uncertainty around federal Universal Service Fund support, with CPUC saying it is exploring a statewide standalone broadband option for eligible customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most contractors follow the law and work with a property owner to develop a project that will qualify
• 00:02:54.680> property<00:02:55.000> owner<00:02:55.280> to<00:02:55.480> develop
• <00:02:55.800> a<00:02:56.040> project a property owner to develop a project a property
• owner to develop a project that<00:02:56.599> will<00:02:56.840> qualify<00:02:57.360>
• Meaning if you had a utility-scale solar array that was being developed and the town liked it and the

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• said before we recessed, we had just heard the report of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
• S. 71 as amended by the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
• Are you ready and Economic Development.
• <01:47:55.040> of >> development of >> development of acute<01:47:57.200> lower
• corrected in the course of developing corrected in the course of developing the<01:58:23.760>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first returned to Senate Bill 71, a consumer data privacy and online surveillance bill. Members debated a proposed amendment that would have removed language allowing companies to rely on consumer consent to sell certain sensitive data. Supporters argued consent pop-ups and terms-of-service notices are not meaningful consent and that sensitive data should be categorically protected, citing Maryland and other states. Opponents, including the committee presenter, said the bill was a carefully negotiated compromise needed to establish Vermont’s first data privacy framework and warned that adopting the amendment could jeopardize passage in the Senate or with the governor. The committee reported the amendment unfavorable on a 9-0 straw poll, the House rejected the amendment, and then approved the committee’s recommended proposal of amendment by roll call vote, 129-3. During questioning on S. 71, members discussed the bill’s applicability thresholds, with the presenter explaining that the 35,000-consumer threshold was modeled on Connecticut, while lower 3,000 thresholds for sensitive data and data sales were based on business testimony and intended to capture smaller entities such as accountants, lawyers, nonprofits, and trade associations that share or sell lists. Members also asked about the bill’s many exemptions, which were described as covering entities already regulated by state or federal law, including health care entities under HIPAA and banking and insurance sectors. The presenter and supporters emphasized that the bill still requires clear privacy notices, limits data collection to what is reasonable and disclosed, and gives consumers rights to opt out, correct, and delete data. After the roll call vote, the House ordered third reading, suspended rules to place S. 71 in all remaining stages, passed it in concurrence with proposal of amendment, and suspended rules to message the action to the Senate forthwith. The House then moved to Senate Bill 193, relating to establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons. The committee presenter from South Burlington previewed that the bill would create a permanent forensic facility, with a separate amendment expected to address interim arrangements while the facility is being developed. The transcript ends as the House begins second reading of S. 193 and the committee reports are introduced, with further debate not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes they develop, and many times they do not.
• Sometimes they develop, and many times they do not.
• Sometimes they develop, and many times they do not.
• It highlights the sections of professional development.
• this professional development should be offering teachers.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development committee. development committee. >> Good<00:04:52.240> afternoon.
• On the workforce development agency.
• <01:02:42.240> program<01:02:42.960> important development program important development
• What's the development of that?
• Uh what's the development of that? Uh what's the development of that?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Connolly mentioned, we have so many developers and investors coming into Somerville.
• Racehorse Development Fund.
• Housing Nantucket is a nonprofit community development corporation.
• The cost per unit to develop this building is calculated at $694,000.
• CDCs are nonprofit developers.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on a series of bills focused largely on local-option real estate transfer fees and housing funding tools for communities facing severe affordability pressures. Testimony strongly favored bills for Somerville, Concord, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, and a statewide local-option transfer fee, with speakers arguing that high-end real estate transactions should help fund affordable housing, anti-displacement efforts, workforce housing, and related capital improvements. Elected officials and local housing leaders described rising rents and home prices, investor activity, shrinking year-round housing stock, and difficulty recruiting or retaining teachers, police, health care workers, and other essential employees. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals would be optional for municipalities, could include exemptions for first-time homebuyers or seniors, and would direct revenue into local affordable housing trust funds or housing banks. Committee members asked questions about who would pay the fee and whether it could make housing less affordable, and supporters responded that the fees would be targeted at higher-value transactions and designed with local flexibility. For Somerville, the delegation and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne backed both a local home rule petition and statewide enabling legislation, saying the city has already used zoning reform, inclusionary zoning, and local housing funds but still needs a new revenue source to address displacement and investor-driven purchases. For Concord, Representative Carmine Gentile and Concord housing advocates supported a home rule petition and the statewide bill, arguing that a modest fee on sales above $1 million could generate predictable revenue for affordable housing production and preservation. One committee exchange focused on whether the fee would affect most Concord sales and whether it would be passed on to buyers; supporters said the policy was intended to shift costs toward higher-value properties and help leverage other funding sources. The committee also heard testimony on House 4105, which would redirect a casino-related revenue stream to the Healthy Incentives Program. Farmers, advocates, and residents said the current funding was originally intended to support horse racing but has not met that goal, and that the money would be better used to support Massachusetts farmers and food-insecure residents through HIP. In a separate bill, Senator Becca Rausch testified in support of Senate 268, which would create a state-level hostile learning environment complaint process for higher education institutions and potentially strip tax exemptions from colleges or universities found to have such environments; she cited anti-Semitic and transphobic incidents on campuses and argued that existing federal protections should be mirrored in state law. The hearing also included testimony on college tuition debt reduction legislation from Senator Michael Moore, who said the bill would allow a deduction for tuition and fees paid to Massachusetts public colleges and universities to ease student debt and support the state’s workforce. A major portion of the hearing focused on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket housing bank proposals. Hospital, school, housing, planning, and municipal officials from Martha’s Vineyard said the island’s year-round housing shortage is harming health care, schools, and the local workforce, and urged approval of a housing bank funded by a local-option transfer fee. Nantucket witnesses made similar arguments, pointing to a very high median home price, a large seasonal housing stock, and the need for a dedicated revenue stream to preserve and create year-round housing. Supporters repeatedly cited the long-running success of the islands’ land banks as evidence that transfer fees can work without harming real estate markets. Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Thomas Moakley Luddy also backed the Cape and Islands transfer-fee bills, saying the region needs bold action and a sustainable local funding source to address its housing crisis.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] Hello and welcome to the hearing with the Senate Committees on Economic Development and our good
• work it talks about economic development work it talks about economic development initiatives initiatives
• Hawaiian economic development working group.
• First up on the testifiers is Wendy Giddy from Agra Development Corporation. Thank you.
• This is a supporting foundation of preparing for growth in development and farming.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs briefly met and adjourned after noting that GM 574, a nomination on its agenda, had been withdrawn, leaving the committee with no business to consider. A separate joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Economic Development and Hawaiian Affairs then took up HCR 192, a resolution to convene a tourism and gaming working group. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Nation of Hawaii, and CARES, said the measure would allow Hawaiians to have a seat at the table, learn from Native nations with gaming experience, and make informed decisions about whether and how gaming should be approached. Some supporters emphasized that the working group was about research and self-determination, not immediate legalization, and suggested the state should focus on broader economic development options as well. Opponents, including the Honolulu prosecuting attorney and several community members and faith leaders, warned that gambling would increase addiction, crime, family breakdown, debt, and exploitation of low-income and vulnerable residents. They argued that online sports betting and other forms of gaming would be especially harmful, with some citing examples from other states and concerns about problem gambling, domestic violence, and illegal activity. Committee members questioned witnesses about the purpose of the working group and whether it could provide enough data to make an informed decision, while supporters and opponents alike acknowledged the need for Hawaiians to be involved in any future discussion. No vote or final action on HCR 192 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to say that my real job at Southwestern Power Group is developing transmission lines, and
• But New Mexico is really driving a lot of developers, like our company, into the state.
• Slide number 11 lists a couple of developing projects in terms of water.
• We have several developing projects in agriculture.
• He's also been able to develop certain kinds of organic solar cells.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next item on the agenda is SD170 SD2 HD1, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of
• Pacific Commercial Realty and myself, under KCOM, were actually the developers, submitted.
• Blanco actually I developed this project Blanco actually I developed this project back<00:16:02.639><
• kcom we were actually the developers kcom we were actually the developers submitted<00:16:15.600
• <00:24:48.679> of Redevelopment and development of Redevelopment and development of affordable

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee met on March 19 for a brief public hearing on two bills. SB 79 SD1, relating to historic preservation reviews, drew support from HHFDC, DLNR/SHIPY, and NAOP Hawaiʻi, with NAOP recommending a technical amendment to ensure applications submitted to the department are complete and accurate. No opposition or questions were raised during the hearing. The committee also heard SB 170 SD2 HD1, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. Testimony was generally supportive, including from HHFDC, Hal Māhu, Pacific Commercial Realty, KCOM Corporation, the Green Party of Hawaiʻi, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, and several individuals, with one person testifying in opposition. Supporters emphasized the need to speed affordable housing redevelopment, especially for Lahaina fire victims, displaced residents, workers, and people experiencing homelessness. A KCOM representative described proposed technical amendments to avoid special-law concerns and to clarify that a permit in process with the county should be sufficient if an emergency proclamation expires before completion. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 79 SD1 with amendments and to pass SB 170 SD2 HD1 with substantial amendments. For SB 170, the chair described amendments to incorporate Pacific Commercial Realty’s proposed changes, clarify application-completeness requirements, exclude shoreline- and erosion-impacted parcels, remove references to flooding and tsunami, clarify an exemption from HRS 343 for certain permanently affordable multifamily projects in the SMA on historic properties, and move the bill’s provisions into statute. Representatives Cochran, Kagawa, and Peric were excused on the vote. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a community solar developer with over 1.3 gigawatts of community solar projects nationwide, and
• We're proud to actually have developed the first community Projects right here in Delaware.
• We're proud to actually have developed the first community energy facilities project that came online
• That has been addressed through an escrow fund paid for by the facility developers, not by the customers
• That is why there is a surcharge paid for by community solar developers and put into a fund to cover

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and first considered SB 321 with Senate Amendment 1, the community solar utility billing bill. The sponsor explained that it would consolidate the two-bill system for community solar subscribers into one utility bill, with the utility forwarding the subscriber fee to the solar facility through an escrow mechanism so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers. Testimony from the solar industry, the Public Advocate, and environmental advocates supported the measure, emphasizing easier enrollment, fewer barriers for low-income customers, and guaranteed savings. The committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, but after a roll call vote it was released from committee. The committee then heard SB 9 with Senate Amendment 1, a wetlands protection bill creating a state non-tidal freshwater wetlands permitting program. The sponsor and DNREC described a framework of exemptions, general permits, and individual permits based on wetland type and value, with an advisory committee to develop regulations. Witnesses explained that “exceptional value” wetlands would include unique wetland communities and high-functioning wetlands, and that the bill was intended to preserve important habitat while allowing farming, drainage, and other exempt activities to continue. Some members raised concerns about flooding, land classification, and the balance of the advisory committee, while supporters said the bill was the product of broad stakeholder consensus and would protect wetlands without unduly harming agriculture or development. Public comment on SB 9 was strongly supportive from environmental groups, the Delaware Native Species Commission, the Home Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and affordable housing advocates, who said the bill balanced conservation with practical land use concerns. After remote testimony, the committee took a roll call vote and SB 9 was released from committee. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking the chair for her service and instructions for members to sign the backers before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will come to order.
• Private investment in STEM education and workforce development solves this problem.
• But I think we're skipping a population when we're talking about actual workforce development.
• But I think we're skipping a population when we're talking about actual workforce development.
• House Bill 3359, the Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. We are adjourned.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Rep. Travis Wilson on behalf of Rep. Riggs. The bill would create a state income tax credit for donations to school robotics/STEAM programs, including cash, equipment, software, materials, curriculum, and employee volunteer hours, beginning with the 2027 tax year. The credit would be 20% of the donation value, capped at $10 million annually, with a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, how volunteer hours would be valued and limited, whether the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Department of Economic Development would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Several members also questioned the fiscal note and the impact on a tight state budget. The main witness in support was Sarah Waldron, an 18-year-old Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team leader who said she wrote the bill. She argued that robotics programs are expensive, that private investment is needed to improve workforce readiness, and that the bill would help schools in both urban and rural areas. She clarified that the volunteer-hours provision was intended for business employees, not general individual volunteerism, and said the bill could be amended to add guardrails and better target under-resourced schools, including a possible tiered credit based on free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Committee members praised her initiative and testimony. One witness testified in opposition, State Public Advocate Arne C. Dinoff, who said robotics is worthwhile but the state cannot afford another tax credit given the budget deficit and the cumulative cost of tax credit programs. He objected particularly to subsidizing volunteerism and said schools should support robotics locally rather than through a state tax credit. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things I wanted to do in the Rural Economic Development committee is allow each of us, oh,
• In Arizona, rural communities have very limited economic development tools.
• We know the long-term benefits to environmental protection and economic development.
• Okay, so again, barriers to economic development that tribal communities face.
• We do have a number of businesses that want to develop on Navajo, for example, but again, because of

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee began with a series of presentations highlighting tribal communities as part of rural economic development. Representative Mae Peshlakai described Legislative District 6, emphasizing its large geographic size, the eight tribal nations within it, and the cultural and scenic importance of the Navajo Nation and other tribes. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis then presented on the Gila River Indian Community, focusing on its history, Hohokam heritage, water rights, the MAR-5 aquifer recharge project, cultural traditions, and the importance of collaboration with state lawmakers. Members praised the presentations and noted the need for greater attention to tribal issues in the legislature. The committee then took up SB 1016, with a strike-everything amendment that moved the property-owner petition requirement earlier in the process for municipal improvement districts and allowed certain notice and protest requirements to be waived. Supporters, including the mayors of Camp Verde and Clarkdale, said the change would improve transparency, reduce financial risk for small towns, and help rural communities build needed infrastructure such as wastewater systems, water lines, and housing-related improvements. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and passed SB 1016 on a 5-0 vote, with one member present and one absent. Next, the committee considered SB 1401, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, using a strike-everything amendment that would allow municipalities to create expedited plan review and permitting for qualified workforce housing projects and exempt project proceeds from the state portion of the prime contracting sales tax. Habitat for Humanity representatives said the measure would lower carrying costs and help build more affordable homes, while one member noted the tax exemption would reduce general fund revenue but supported the bill as a targeted tradeoff to address housing shortages. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1401 by a 5-1 vote. The meeting concluded with Representative Myron Sosec’s presentation on barriers to economic development on the Navajo Nation and other tribal lands. He discussed lower workforce participation, higher unemployment and poverty, limited access to capital, trust-land financing barriers, dual taxation, infrastructure deficits, and delays caused by federal and tribal review processes. He also highlighted Navajo economic strategies such as loan guarantees, renewable energy development, and tourism investments, and urged state action on tax reform, matching funds, and annual tribal field hearings. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development
• applicability to certain subdivisions referred to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development
• Refer to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• Our unit and an apartment referred to the Committee on Trade Workforce and and Economic Development.
• Refer to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• passed on for years of developing passed on for years of developing Gardens<00:57:51.200> to<
• planning design and development planning design and development guidelines<01:08:05.680> from
• recreational vehicle Trail development recreational vehicle Trail development that<01:15:31.040>
• During that time, the DNR also developed a seven-step process for new trail development that must go
• the development DNR also developed<01:24:40.760> a<01:24:40.960> seven<01:24:41.679>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You develop your own with it. Because again, and I mentioned this, Dr.
• We address challenges through workforce development.
• We're the most developed country in the world.
• This includes the development and use of artificial intelligence.
• It's going to be a huge driver of commercial development.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said an AAR is not a development shortcut.
• <00:13:48.399> the impacts of one specific development the impacts of one specific development
• to the environment on development to the environment on development scenarios<00:13:55.519> over
• infrastructure and Business Development infrastructure and Business Development I<00:20:34.760><
• <01:01:52.920> educational Traditions developing educational Traditions developing educational

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:04.840> board which is my Economic Development board which is my Economic Development
• yet still allow students to develop yet still allow students to develop their<00:41:35.200> skills
• our professional development our professional development opportunities<00:43:30.079> include
• sample of our professional development sample of our professional development opportunities<00:43
• <01:31:53.679> yeah to watch us develop yeah to watch us develop yeah yes<01:31:55.600>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The council and any contractor for a light rail project, and the development of future cost estimates
• The first, um, that we believe the council should develop best value criteria that are structured to
• He will probably be the point person in developing future reports to the legislature as well.
• He will probably be the point person in developing future reports to the legislature as well.
• <01:14:38.360> seven organization to one developing seven organization to one developing seven

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We develop the profiles necessary to be able to help them develop the funding packages to execute those
• Uh we develop project supposed to ask.
• Uh we develop the specific component.
• health benefits and economic development health benefits and economic development benefits<00:46
• and development in the the next bianium. and development in the the next bianium.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Discussion of the KentuckyWired Network 00:00:55 Discussion of the Water Resource Information System 00:35.40 Discussion of Geographic Information Systems 00:52:30 Discussion of Committee Report to LRC 01:15:05, 958, all

Summary: The Information Technology Oversight Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a presentation from Leadcore representatives Jimmy Bird, Mike Murray, and Rebecca Moss on the Kentucky Wired network. Leadcore described its role as the design-builder and service provider under the KCNA contract, saying the network was built with roughly 13,200 feet of fiber, mostly aerial, and that the use of non-armored cable was a Kentucky-side decision made to reduce cost. They also said aerial construction and non-armored cable increase maintenance challenges, including storm damage and squirrel-related damage, and reported FY25 service activity of 104 break-fix events, 30 maintenance replacements, 64 storm-damage events, and nearly 13,000 feet of fiber replaced to date. Committee members questioned whether the original project anticipated this level of replacement and whether any forecast existed for maintenance under non-armored cable. Leadcore said it did not do a formal forecast and could not say whether the replacement rate was above or below norms, though it acknowledged the decision not to use armored cable came from the Kentucky side of the contract. Members also asked about whether replacements caused network degradation; Leadcore said it tries to replace cable at existing splice points to avoid degradation and, where needed, uses armored cable for replacement sections going forward. The committee then explored Leadcore’s relationship with Excel and KCNA. Leadcore said it has a service-level agreement for KCNA-related fibers but not for dark fibers used by Excel, and that Kentucky Wired fibers get priority on service requests. It said outages are reported through a 1-800 number and that it was not aware of any access problems to the huts. On the tech refresh, Leadcore said its understanding is that maintaining the network is its responsibility, but the technology refresh is not; it said only a very limited amount of refresh has occurred and that this did not match the original contract intent. Leadcore also said it had not been asked to defer maintenance. The chair closed by saying the testimony would inform a committee report and that he intended to recommend clawing back or withholding some previously authorized Kentucky Wired and refresh funding until an audit is complete, with the committee to vote on a report later.