Transcript Highlights:

• As follows: $25 million in fiscal year 26 and an annual $50 million in fiscal year 27.
• And just to set your mind at ease, we do not believe there will be a fiscal note, so that's always a
• <00:59:07.839> note<00:59:08.680> uh believe there will be a fiscal note uh believe
• there will be a fiscal note uh so<00:59:09.000> that's<00:59:09.400> always<00:59:09.799
• The second thing that I wanted to note is workforce housing in Cass County.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I read the fiscal note, it says that, in fact, the ETF revenue will decrease by $5.36 million in FY
• <04:22:14.880> note<04:22:15.840> it funding uh as I read the fiscal note it funding
• uh as I read the fiscal note it says<04:22:16.399> that<04:22:16.600> in<04:22:16.840>
• But what I see in the fiscal note, the bill keeps SWEPT constant, so the amount going into SWEPT doesn't
• /c><04:23:57.000> swept fiscal note the bill keeps swept fiscal note the bill keeps swept constant

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, did you, Representative Grieman, did you say that you did ask for a fiscal note on this?
• This bill does have a fiscal note of $20,000. We have... which was the lowest.
• note will look different.
• <00:34:45.119> Um<00:34:45.440> the fiscal note will look different.
• Um the fiscal note will look different.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for fiscal year 24 within CFANS.
• This is for fiscal year 24 within CFANS.
• This is for fiscal year 24 within CFANS.
• This is for fiscal year 24 within CFANS.
• <01:27:01.320> year uh gone at the end of this fiscal year uh gone at the end of this fiscal

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So our department gave us a fiscal note indicating that in their opinion implementation of this idea
• <04:54:19.200> notes<04:54:19.520> that bills where there were fiscal notes that bills
• where there were fiscal notes that the<04:54:20.798> administrative<04:54:21.600> costs
• So, I see the fiscal note and I see the numbers there, but I also heard that if we don't pass this, that
• But I do want to point out that the fiscal note for the Healthy Choice waiver specifically does assume

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess just an editorial note: this is not practical or feasible to bid this kind of makes us a sole
• related to I have to look at my notes related to I have to look at my notes because<00:59:53.799
• Why are these contracts on a calendar year rather than a fiscal year?
• <01:23:26.280> year counter year rather than a fiscal year counter year rather than a fiscal
• , so that could have some bearing on the actual calendar year versus fiscal year.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4156 is the capital outlay bill for fiscal year 2027.
• year 2028 to fiscal year 2030.
• year 2028 and that it withstands the 10% cap on the fund for fiscal year 2027.
• year 2028 and not withstands the 10% cap on the fund for fiscal year 2027.
• I don't have those notes here, sorry. Staff, thank you. Mr.

Summary: The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members. Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board. The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• While Congress has not acted on the fiscal year 2026 budget, I will note that both the House and Senate
• <00:38:18.160> that fiscal year 26 budget, I will note that fiscal year 26 budget, I will
• has experienced a 50% cut to our fiscal has experienced a 50% cut to our fiscal year<01:19:09.199
• Children's Action Network, our fiscal Children's Action Network, our fiscal sponsor.<01:25:38.480
• > ending<01:35:35.600> 2026 for fiscal year ending 2026 for fiscal year ending 2026 which

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• it rescaled the premium contributions families make to participate in the program to avoid a major fiscal
• And I also want to note that the initial Florida Kid Care Program and the CHIP program in Florida serve
• So during the— as was noted by Chair Anderson— it passed in 2023 and was signed by the governor, and
• The fiscal impact on that, I don't have numbers specifically here, and I guess it would vary depending
• You've received a letter noting that you will be fined.

Summary: The committee received a briefing from AHCA Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer and Florida Healthy Kids CMO Ashley Carr on implementation of HB 121, which was enacted in 2023 to expand Florida’s KidCare/CHIP eligibility from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level and replace the sharp premium “benefits cliff” with a tiered premium glide path. Sponsor Rep. Bartleman described the bill as a bipartisan effort to help working families keep children insured while moving toward economic self-sufficiency. The presenters explained that the program remains a joint federal-state structure, with Medicaid unchanged and the bill affecting only the CHIP-related portions of KidCare. AHCA said implementation has been delayed by federal CMS actions. The agency reported that CMS first rejected a state plan amendment approach, then required revisions to the premium tiers under a new maintenance-of-effort interpretation, and later issued a new interpretation of continuous 12-month eligibility that would prevent disenrollment for nonpayment of premiums. AHCA said it submitted an 1115 waiver, but negotiations over special terms and conditions reached an impasse, and the state has filed litigation challenging CMS’s interpretation. Members asked about the cost of litigation, the effect on future bills, the review process for CMS documents, disenrollment and reenrollment rules, and whether any additional legislative action is needed; AHCA said no further state action is needed at this time and that the key issue is the pending federal litigation. Several members and the sponsor emphasized the need for immediate implementation and asked about possible interim relief. AHCA said current coverage remains in place under the preexisting program, that there is a 30-day grace period for premium payment, and that reenrollment does not require a penalty or back payment, though coverage is not active during lapsed periods. The committee also heard public comment from Nicholas Hessing of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County and the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts, who supported HB 121 and said the expansion could make about 17,600 additional children eligible in Broward County alone. The meeting ended with Rep. Bartleman thanking staff and expressing hope that the new federal administration would allow the program to move forward, and the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• a fiscal and updated fiscal note.
• The House will stand in a brief recess. request a fiscal note and I have 10 request a fiscal note and
• That is fiscal and updated fiscal note.
• that no new fiscal note is required and that the latest fiscal note that you have either in your folders
• Speaker Pro Tem. required and that the latest fiscal note required and that the latest fiscal note that

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then spent much of the early portion of the meeting on recognitions and announcements. Members welcomed the Sikh community of Colorado for Baisakhi and Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month, noted a langar lunch at the Capitol, and announced a governor’s proclamation later in the day. Other tributes highlighted Jackie Robinson Day, Golf Day at the Capitol, an upcoming Colorado Religious Freedom Day event, and an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority legislative day and youth leadership program. After announcements, the chamber moved to business and adopted a motion making Senate Bill 109, Senate Bill 104, House Bill 1245, and Senate Bill 121 special orders for April 15. The House then began consideration of Senate Bill 109, concerning building code standards for accessible housing supported by public money. The committee report was adopted, and debate focused on an amendment offered by Representative Soper to exempt counties that have not adopted international building codes. Supporters argued the amendment would protect rural counties, preserve local control, and avoid higher housing costs and budget strain; opponents said it would undermine uniformity. Several members spoke in favor, and the amendment was still under discussion when the transcript ended. Committee announcements also noted that Judiciary would hear Senate Bill 1283 and Senate Bill 85, Education would hear Senate Bill 153, and Health and Human Services would hear Senate Bill 60, House Bill 1347, and House Bill 1314 for action only. The House also heard that House Bill 1250 would be pushed to the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Noted. Noted. The attendance is noted. Mr. Vice Chair, first amendment. Mr.
• $160,000 for physical security costs for the Secretary of State that were already incurred during the fiscal
• year. ...for security costs for the Secretary of State that were already incurred during the fiscal

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Budget Committee approved the January 29, 2026 minutes and then took up a Secretary of State budget transfer tied to unused funds from the U.S. Congressional District 7 special election line item. JLBC staff explained that $2.49 million would be transferred to the operating budget, including $500,000 for 2026 primary and general election costs, $240,000 for Secretary of State physical security costs from March through June 2026, and $1.7 million for county-related expenses, including $1 million for the state’s voter registration database share. Staff said the request was smaller than the Secretary of State’s original $2.9 million request because it excluded $200,000 for future database replacement planning and $160,000 in already-incurred security costs. The Secretary of State’s representative said the security funding covered physical security measures and presence at public events, but declined to provide operational details in open session for safety reasons. Members questioned the size and purpose of the security request, the status of communications with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding voter rolls, and whether litigation costs related to that dispute were being tracked. The Secretary of State’s representative said the office had been in active communication with federal officials and had participated in virtual meetings, but could not discuss litigation details or confirm face-to-face DOJ meetings. One member asked for a written or verbal list of meetings and another requested ongoing litigation cost information, expressing concern about spending on legal disputes. The representative said none of the transferred special-election funds would be used for litigation and that the office would discuss budget questions further if needed. The vice chair said the issue had been discussed for months and noted dissatisfaction with the office’s response to DOJ and voter-roll issues, but said the transfer was still needed. He moved a favorable review of the item with provisions requiring monthly expenditure reports to JLBC staff beginning April 15, 2026, and prohibiting the transferred money from being used for contracts with individuals. The transcript cuts off before the full vote or any additional provisions were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also just want to note and spend a little bit of time talking about the kind of project life cycle
• And so I'll just note<00:19:19.360> that<00:19:19.600> the<00:19:19.919> majority
• And I'll just note that betterment of buildings is a really important complement to the NRAP funding,
• I'll just note priorities at the time.
• Um, so it looks like for fiscal year 2028-29, it looks like it's about $1.4 billion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I was interested to see there wasn't really a fiscal note and if we're talking about changing speed
• really a fiscal note and if we're really a fiscal note and if we're talking<03:16:32.560> about
• And then, as Representative Lichfield noted, and I believe it's noted in the Select Board letter as well
• had been a fiscal note, and it doesn't had been a fiscal note, and it doesn't appear<04:05:08.399
• appear there is here, but I did note appear there is here, but I did note that<04:05:10.000>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:05.520> constrained me um is that a a fiscally constrained me um is that a a fiscally
• So, I put this bill in, and I want to just talk a little bit about the fiscal note that came back from
• The fiscal note from DOT included a line that said current federal regulations may prevent the actual
• As noted during the fiscal note worksheet, we did identify several issues that we feel need to be addressed
• Do we have an updated fiscal note? It says due to time constraints, they don't have one.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to CARAS 45812 sub1, through their fiscal agents, five school districts, none of which needed
• Next, we have Pendleton County Fiscal Court on behalf of the Pendleton County Industrial Development
• So approximately out of the Next, we have Pendleton County Fiscal Next, we have Pendleton County Fiscal
• Next, we have Russell County Fiscal Next, we have Russell County Fiscal Court<00:46:27.359> on
• > Court<00:47:02.880> on Next, Scott County Fiscal Court on Next, Scott County Fiscal Court

Keywords: 0:00:08 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:38 Approval of Minutes 0:01:02 Information Items 0:02:17 Lease Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:06:42 Project Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:15:03 Lease Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:24:00 Rpt from OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 0:42:55 Economic Development Fund Grants 0:53:38 Rpt from OFM – New Debt Issues 1:16:33 Remaining 2025 Meeting Dates 1:16:45 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have another 1,275 slots that will be allocated on July 1st of 2025 at the beginning of State fiscal
• year 2023 and another 10% in fiscal year 2024.
• of our providers provide fiscal of our providers provide fiscal stability<00:11:57.320> for
• <00:13:40.000> year 2023 and another 10% in fiscal year 2023 and another 10% in fiscal year
• As you noted, the rate study took a look at actual provider costs.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met with a quorum still coming together and first handled roll call and minutes. The main presentation came from the Department for Medicaid Services, with Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beckle giving an overview of Kentucky Medicaid, its federal-state financing structure, and the department’s 1915(c) home- and community-based waiver programs. They explained FMAP funding levels for traditional Medicaid, administration, IT, expansion adults, and CHIP, and noted the size of the program, including more than 600,000 Kentucky children eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, about 485,000 expansion adults, over 69,000 enrolled providers, and $18.5 billion in 2024 expenditures. A major focus was the waiver system, including the acquired brain injury waivers, model waiver, independence waiver, Michelle P. waiver, and Supports for Community Living waiver. The department said these waivers are intended to keep people with physical or developmental disabilities in home and community settings rather than facilities, and that many services are not covered by Medicare or commercial insurance. Officials described participant-directed services, interagency administration, and eligibility rules, including that some waiver programs use the child’s income only rather than family income. They also reported an unduplicated waiver wait list of 13,930 people and said the General Assembly had added waiver slots in the last budget, including 650 ABI slots and 1,275 more to be allocated July 1, 2025. The department also discussed a waiver rate study conducted by Guidehouse, explaining that CMS requires a defensible rate methodology because there is no Medicare or commercial benchmark for many waiver services. They said the study used cost and wage surveys, provider and stakeholder input, and aimed to improve transparency, provider stability, and rate parity. Officials reviewed prior COVID-era Appendix K rate increases and budget-driven increases, and said the budget ultimately funded rates at about 70% of the benchmark study, while preserving higher existing rates where needed so no provider would be cut. They highlighted larger differences in behavioral support and case management rates, and said a public report is available. Members asked several questions about the potential impact of federal FMAP changes, especially possible reductions in the enhanced match for expansion adults and Medicaid IT/admin activities. DMS said any FMAP reduction would require more state general fund dollars, estimating about $75 million for each 1% drop in the expansion match, while impacts on administrative IT funding would depend on the systems being built or implemented in a given year. Members also pressed for clarification on waiver wait-list procedures, funded versus filled slots, and what happens when someone on the wait list is later found ineligible. DMS said people on the wait list may not yet have been assessed, can be reevaluated if conditions change, and are still eligible for regular Medicaid state-plan services if they qualify, even if they are waiting for waiver services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair continued: If you read the fiscal note to the original bill, it indicates that there was a
• /c> if you read the fiscal note to this uh if you read the fiscal note to this uh to<00:50:35.520>
• I just want to point out the fiscal note indicates that, uh, we're—the state is spending about $754,000
• Yeah, just looking to where I made my notes on this.
• Hang on, I just want to make a note on this.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 547, Representative Petrie, an act relating to fiscal matters.
• House Bill 787, to fiscal matters.
• Thank you. >> Members state note.
• >> Members<01:05:58.560> state<01:05:58.800> note. >> Members state note.
• >> Members state note.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a low fiscal impact in here and no deferral costs, and we have a message from the governor as
• The substitute came to the rec on the recommendation from the fiscal impact report and bill analysis
• I do think that it is more appropriate to have that fiscal agent for DFA to ensure the compliance and
• agent do like your amendment i do think that it is more appropriate to have that fiscal agent for dFA
• Madam Chair, just in response to that, I am taking notes.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know how this could create a million dollar fiscal note.
• Tell me about the fiscal note. A million dollars.
• Now, Madam Chair, my fiscal note says the impact is zero. That's what my mind says.
• note.
• May I go grab my notes? So we'll start with Sam, and then we'll go to you next.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity