Transcript Highlights:

• Definitely timing also matters.
• and it's definitely not about favors. and it's definitely not about favors.
• After Definitely timing also matters.
• included in that definition included in that definition >> to<00:18:22.640> the<00:
• and I is um having some some definitions and I is um having some some definitions there's<00:26:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, the bill clarifies that university research facilities are included within the definition
• But we're not changing anything in this bill regarding that.
• We can definitely get you the current numbers. Thank you, Representative Ehrenstein.
• Per degree, how would this conformity bill change that? Ms. Sotomayor. Thank you, Chair.
• So we're not changing how much We're not changing how much we're spending or, I guess, allocating right

Transcript Highlights:

• They could definitely go into that high school and teach.
• They could definitely go into that high school and teach.
• Well, we know one of the reasons is we have definite openings.
• One of the reasons is we have a definite openings.
• We did not change our standards at all.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the LightRecycle program is undergoing changes.
• Clear definitions help with implementation.
• Those are massive changes that have enormous consequences.
• It is designed to change what goes into the market.
• It is designed to change what goes into the market.

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the big change in here, you'll see And then the big change in here, you'll see there is an amendment
• I'm a little hesitant to add a lot of language that changes some significant A lot of language that changes
• just the funding change, taking the funding back?
• Removing that change as well, or if it's just the funding change, taking the funding back?
• Because the conference committee will definitely...

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs appropriation. Representative O’Brien explained the House changes, including funding for a restored Veterans Benefits Specialist FTE, salary equity adjustments for the commissioner and veterans service officers, one-time funding for veteran homelessness services, carryover authority for the Fargo Fisher House, and a highly rural transportation grants program. Members also discussed the commissioner’s prior salary increase and the use of transportation grant funds for administrative costs, as well as the status of the Fisher House project. The committee adopted amendment 25.092.0203 and then gave SB 2025 a do pass recommendation as amended, with Representative O’Brien as carrier. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2307, the library bill. Members debated a proposed amendment that would have removed the fiscal note, but several members objected on policy and process grounds, citing constitutional concerns, potential costs to counties and state’s attorneys, and the fact that the bill had not been heard as a full policy hearing. The amendment failed 4-19. The committee then voted do not pass on SB 2307 as introduced, and Representative Murphy was named carrier. The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 2188 on the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority. Representative Bosch described the program’s grant and low-interest loan authority and the Senate’s reduced funding levels. The committee amended the bill to restore the Senate funding amounts in Section 3, then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Kempenich carrying it. Finally, the committee considered two rural development bills and chose Senate Bill 2097, the rural endowment fund bill, for do not pass while advancing House Bill 2390, which uses regional councils to distribute rural development grants. The committee amended HB 2390 to lower the population threshold from 4,500 to 3,000, kept the 50% set-aside for communities under 1,500, and then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Mitskog as carrier.

Transcript Highlights:

• that is going to change batch by batch. that is going to change batch by batch.
• definition is used anywhere else? definition is used anywhere else?
• /c><00:47:23.760> to >> Definitely difficult for tenants to >> Definitely difficult
• <01:35:34.560> of we're going to amend the definition of we're going to amend the definition
• keep up with some of the the changes. keep up with some of the the changes.

Bills: HB1991, HB1776, HB1897, HB1900

Keywords: liquor tax, alcohol, inflation adjustment, small craft breweries, public health, tenant rights, housing stability, landlord-tenant code, eviction prevention, multilingual resources, condominium, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, attorneys' fees, common expenses, construction defects, building code, statute of repose, statute of limitations

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers. Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels. Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• something that could be done definitely something that could be done I<00:32:20.399> know<00:
• Yes, definitely. Senator, thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Nelson and Mr. Guilford.
• okay thank you thank time yes definitely okay thank you thank you<00:35:33.119> Senator<00:35
• <00:41:29.440> it amendments if uh you want to change it amendments if uh you want to change
• So let's total and change votes to ballots. Okay, so just those three changes? Yes, thank you.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And um just for the viewing change.
• that the number would be would change that the number would be would change every<00:15:18.800><
• in um in benefits or a as a change in um in benefits or a change<00:17:00.480> in<00:17:01.360
• that you know this is a major sea change that you know this is a major sea change um<00:17:25.039
• This is a major sea change.

Keywords: 0:00 – Meeting start/roll call 0:10 - Roll call/approval of minutes 1:43 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Medicaid Services 27:40 - Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 55:54 - Board of Veterinary Examiners 1:33:15 - Testimony in support of 804 KAR 13:010E, 020E, 030E and 040E. 1:49:04 - Education Professional Standards Board 1:49:58 - Attorney General, Office of Regulatory Relief 1:52:18 - Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) 1:54:28 - Board of Nursing 1:56:44 - Board of Occupational Therapy 1:57:37 - Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy 1:58:58 - Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources 1:59:50 - Economic Development Finance Authority 2:01:34 - Department of Corrections 2:02:37 - Department of Juvenile Justice 2:04:02 - Department for Employment Services, Unemployment Insurance 2:04:57 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Public Health, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up Department for Medicaid Services regulations 907 KAR 23:010 and related rules. DMS explained that one regulation would establish a beneficiary advisory council and another would remove language barring coverage of GLP-1 drugs for obesity-related use. The department said coverage would still be limited by prior authorization and clinical criteria, with use tied to underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and that the pharmacy and therapeutics committee would help set the detailed standards. Members discussed the potential health benefits, but several raised concerns about cost, timing, and whether the legislature and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board should review the policy first. DMS said the drugs are already on the formulary, that current Medicaid users with diabetes are already covered, and that the fiscal impact was estimated using current utilization, rebates, and expected savings; the department also said it would only cover the drugs if subject to rebates. The committee then voted 5-1 to find 907 KAR 23:010 deficient. The committee next considered several emergency regulations from the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control implementing SB 100. The rules covered tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing, including the application form, denial standards, and transitional licensing. ABC counsel said the department had received about 5,500 applications and issued nearly 5,000 licenses, with additional provisional licenses issued to avoid interruption in sales after the law’s effective date. He said some applications remained pending because inspections and photographs revealed possible unauthorized nicotine vapor products, and the department was seeking documentation before approval. A staff amendment was adopted without objection before the ABC presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• And these trends are not expected to change. So our funding system has to change.
• The bill changes.
• That's a change.
• That's a change.
• The number would not change, and the number would not change for the reasons that you gave.

Summary: The committee first heard the Pre-K-12 education budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 and voted to adopt it as the committee’s recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed $34.7 billion budget includes increases for the FEFP, Family Empowerment Scholarships, VPK, school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. Members asked no questions on the budget before it was advanced, and staff was authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then passed CS/SB 1402, which expands eligibility for dropout retrieval services to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer only dropout retrieval services. An amendment to clarify the grading calculation was adopted without objection, and the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also took up SPB 7030, a comprehensive scholarship-program bill sponsored by Senator Gates, which would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding as its own categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, change payments to a monthly schedule, require background checks for paid instructional providers, mandate annual FTE audits by the Auditor General, and standardize reimbursement and eligibility procedures. After extensive discussion and public testimony, the bill was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 508, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide for students with existing plans such as IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services, and the bill was reported favorably. Public testimony included support from parent-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about administrative burden and the scope of the required disclosures. The meeting concluded after the final roll call votes and adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me. with probably some changes on the with probably some changes on the laundry<00:03:54.000><
• > to<00:10:09.279> add<00:10:09.519> school only change is to add school only change
• I did not change. Okay.
• grant money, uh I think it definitely grant money, uh I think it definitely does<00:27:12.799>
• Well, and I don't know if that's changed if your interpretation of this bill has changed since we went

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members these changes changes improve transparency, they standardize the review process, and they give
• A couple of changes we'd like to make to the bill. I do agree with Tim Ellis' testimony.
• So this basically this does not change any safety requirements anything changes who reviews the permitting
• So we are definitely a. your concerns in the substitute. Happy to answer any additional.
• Organizations like Strong Towns are advocating for change recognizing this is a problem.

Bills: HB602, HB1322, HB1930, HB2225, HB2304, HB2494, HB3275, HB3810, HB3919

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:50.480> that you'll you'll notice the changes that you'll you'll notice the changes
• That would basically make that definition.
• Who's what definition of good cause.
• <01:06:02.480> of under that, whatever the definition of under that, whatever the definition
• <01:08:18.239> of<01:08:18.560> good definition of good definition of good cause,<01:08

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To make changes.
• Medicaid outlays, depending on how they, they, um, do their changes.
• Policy change that slows that to 6%.
• Down south is definitely dark red.
• there to be any changes for this coming fire season.

Transcript Highlights:

• so we're definitely open to that. that. that.
• ,<00:52:43.920> and I I cannot answer, um, definitively, and I I cannot answer, um, definitively
• And then the laws got changed on us.
• But I think it went back from the, you know, as the evolution changed, it changed the first part also
• Definitely. Yeah. Okay. Uh members of Definitely. Yeah. Okay.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so um to adapt to the changing so um to adapt to the changing educational<00:05:30.639> needs
• And as as um pieces of rules change.
• Are you talking about a change when you say basket of goods in changing whether to have a content area
• So, if you change it for one, you need to change it for all. And that's all I have.
• you need to change it for all. you need to change it for all.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I put a lot of my definitions in here, but I think you've got to have a template and you've got to
• have a definition to call a site shovel ready, not just the due diligence.
• <00:14:13.560> in<00:14:13.839> here so I put a lot of my definitions in here so I
• of what we're kind of the definitions of what we're trying<00:14:56.639> to<00:14:56.720>
• I want to thank you again you changed I want to thank you again you changed the<00:15:07.399>

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:34 Economic Development Cabinet 27:51 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum, so the minutes from the last two meetings were not approved. Secretary Noel of the Cabinet for Economic Development then gave a broad overview of the cabinet’s work and an update on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPD), with Deputy Secretary Katie Smith and General Counsel Matt also present. He said the cabinet’s strategy is to focus on high-wage job creation, especially in automotive transformation, business and financial professional services, tourism, logistics, agri-tech, aerospace, and other high-tech sectors, while also supporting small and medium-sized businesses and existing employers. Noel highlighted several program results and examples, including average incentivized wages approaching $27 per hour, 877 jobs and $346 million in investment through hub operations, $90 million through Commonwealth Ventures, help for hundreds of companies through the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance, work with 220 companies through the Kentucky Science and Technology Council, nearly 3,000 students in Advanced Kentucky, and more than 1,100 participants in Kentucky Valor. He also cited 35,000 workers trained through Bluegrass State Skills, 177 businesses helped by the small business tax credit, and 77 entertainment incentive transactions totaling about $200 million and 7,400 jobs. On the grant side, he said the cabinet had approved 155 projects under a federal grant program, committing $99 million, with outreach aimed at smaller communities and all 120 counties. The main focus of the second half was KPD. Noel described it as a program that requires more than basic due diligence, emphasizing community readiness, local vision, title and mineral-rights review, sewer validation, and consultant review. He said 109 projects had been awarded in the earlier rounds, and in 2024 there were 45 requests for information seeking $81 million against $35 million in available funding, showing strong demand. He also said the cabinet has worked with local economic developers through five regions aligned with area development districts, and that the secretary, deputy secretary, or commissioner of business development must attend the regional meetings, with 100% attendance reported for the key three last year. In response to questions, he said Jefferson County’s lack of KPD projects so far likely reflects where local land and development strategies are in the process rather than a lack of interest, and he said the cabinet has not heard that Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules are clearly helping or hurting competitiveness, though he offered to look into it further.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any benefits like health benefits would require a current change in the federal definition of veteran
• Any benefits like health benefits would require a current change in the federal definition of veteran
• Any benefits like health benefits would require a current change in the federal definition of veteran
• Any benefits like health benefits would require a current change in the federal definition of veteran
• Any benefits like health benefits would require a current change in the federal definition of veteran

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:05.920> to<00:14:06.040> language changes to language changes to language uh<00:
• superfluous due to the clear definition superfluous due to the clear definition of<00:15:14.400>
• The fifth instance of amendment is a technical change related to the previous change, increasing the
• > types<00:20:49.680> of This change clarifies the types of This change clarifies the types
• c><00:21:37.080> for<00:21:37.240> accessory change uh the date change for accessory change

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence, then reported favorable on House Bill 954, relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the town of Stowe, and referred it to Ways and Means. Members then adopted JRS 54, a joint resolution setting weekend adjournment so the two houses would reconvene no later than Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Several announcements followed, including a Memorial Day remembrance, which was journalized, an art project in the card room, and a recognition of Harwood Union High School athletes and one individual champion. The House also heard a farewell and birthday acknowledgment for a departing member from Bennington. The calendar was then announced, with House Bill 932, Senate Bill 325, and Senate Bill 323 slated for consideration. The House suspended rules to take up House Bill 932 immediately and concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. The bill concerns regulation of forestry under Act 250, and the Stowe member explained the amendment was a narrow technical revision developed with the Land Use Review Board and the Agency of Natural Resources. The House then suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 325, heard a 6-0 committee of conference report on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, and adopted the report after brief questioning about noise limits. The House also suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. Senate Bill 323 was postponed to the afternoon session, and the House recessed until 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wouldn't it be the case that the university then could change its definition of faculty any way it wanted
• <01:41:38.800> its university then could change its university then could change its definition
• <01:41:59.679> of referred existing definitions of referred existing definitions of faculty
• Any change still road to OHRB use.
• It extends state change that.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only was my financial life changed, but my American dream became a reality.
• A camel rating might change, correct? What happens if a camel rating changes for a bank?
• It's almost the definition of subjective. It's not really tied or linked.
• It's definitely regulators. All the big banks want to do it.
• That would be very difficult to define, Senator, because it really has no definition. Definition.