Transcript Highlights:

• I can ask them to be ready to respond to that when they come before Commissioner Ed Bluck, going to be
• I can ask them to be ready to respond to that when they come before Commissioner Ed Bluck... ...to be
• ready to respond to that when they come before Commissioner Ed Bluck.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways committee held a capital budget orientation led by Legislative Budget Assistant Office staff, who walked members through the budget materials, the capital budget process, and the committee’s compare sheet. The presentation explained that agencies begin developing capital requests nearly a year in advance, submit them by May 1, and that the governor’s recommended capital budget is a reduced version of the much larger agency wish list. Members were told the agencies initially requested about $1.1 billion in projects, the catalog was trimmed to just over $400 million in general fund projects, and the governor’s recommendation in the pink book totals about $143 million in general fund capital appropriations. The committee also reviewed the prior capital budget and related statutes and committee procedures. Several specific projects drew discussion. The Department of Education’s CTE projects were explained as having been shifted into the operating budget in the prior cycle and now returning to the capital budget recommendation; members asked whether there was a backup CTE project and whether local approval had been secured for the named project. The Cannon Mountain tramway request was highlighted as a $20 million recommendation, with the presenter explaining that an earlier $18 million appropriation would be lapsed back to the general fund to help balance the budget. The Department of Corrections’ new prison project was also discussed; members were told the state has already appropriated $50 million for planning and site evaluation, but the governor’s current capital budget does not include a new prison construction appropriation because the project is not yet ready for that phase and may need to be funded differently, possibly through a separate, staggered appropriation. State Treasurer Monica Mezzapelli then presented on debt affordability and the state’s borrowing capacity. She said the state’s credit position has improved, with the debt-to-revenue ratio falling from 8.2% in 2015 to 3.8% in 2024, and explained that RSA 6-C limits debt authorization to 10% of unrestricted prior-year revenue. She noted that the Treasury’s planning assumes $60 million in annual bond issuance, with the prison-related $40 million now expected to be issued in 2026 rather than 2025 because the project is not ready to spend the funds. She said the state can still borrow more, but additional debt service must be paid from operating funds, and recommended keeping capital bonding in the $120 million to $130 million range to preserve affordability and the state’s credit rating. Members asked for clarification on the CTE funding shift, the prison schedule, and the meaning of the large agency request totals. The chair and treasurer discussed the governor’s $143 million recommendation versus the committee’s usual target range, and the treasurer said $130 million would be more comfortable than $140 million, with $135 million described as a possible compromise. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting was informational and ended with the presenters offering to answer follow-up questions as agencies come before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Martin of Tour's Church, and a steady presence in the neighborhood that shaped him.
• <00:23:53.840> Martin<00:23:54.159> of<00:23:54.320> Tour's devoted member of
• Martin of Tour's devoted member of St.
• Martin of Tour's Church,<00:23:55.679> and<00:23:55.840> a<00:23:56.080> steady<
• Martin Luther King, told me a story. >> I yield the gentle lady an additional minute.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Martin. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, thank you, Senator Sieberger and members of the committee.
• Um, again, Tony Martin.
• Um, again, Tony Martin.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next testifier is Zach Martin from Minnesota Power. Welcome to the committee. Thank you.
• I'm Zach Martin, Government Affairs Manager at ALLETE Minnesota Power.
• <00:07:52.240> thank<00:07:52.400> you<00:07:52.560> Mr<00:07:53.120> Martin

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Energy Committee heard Senate File 426, authored by Senator Icorn, which would remove the 100-megawatt cap on hydropower for purposes of qualifying as an eligible energy technology under Minnesota law. Supporters said hydropower is carbon-free, reliable, flexible baseload power that can help Minnesota meet its 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2040. Testifiers from Missouri River Energy Services and Minnesota Power described existing hydropower resources, including allocations from federal Missouri River dams, Minnesota hydro stations, and Manitoba Hydro, and argued that the bill would preserve and expand options for clean energy development. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s purpose and potential environmental impacts. Senator McEwen questioned why the size limit should be removed without specific proposed projects or more information about the need for larger dams, citing concerns about fisheries, water resources, and land use. Senator Port and others asked about costs, environmental effects, and where new projects might be built. In response, supporters said the bill is intended to open the door to future projects and allow agencies to review proposals through existing permitting and environmental processes, rather than approving any specific dam. Committee members offered mixed reactions. Senator Frentz said he supported the concept but recommended laying the bill over for further discussion and possibly sending it to the Environment Committee, noting environmental concerns and the need for more conversation. Senator Gruenhagen strongly supported the bill, arguing that it merely lifts a cap while leaving permitting and review requirements in place. Senator Hoffman also supported the bill, saying current policy blocks consideration of new projects and that the change would allow regulators to evaluate proposals on their merits. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left open for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Kentucky, we have a lot of different centers and mission areas that fall outside of that higher ed
• responsibility areas that fall outside of<00:37:13.960> that<00:37:14.360> higher<00:37:14.680> ed
• 00:37:14.960> four-year<00:37:15.560> degree<00:37:15.960> that of that higher ed
• four-year degree that of that higher ed four-year degree that you<00:37:16.200> might<00:37:16.400

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:36 Homeland Security: 00:03:46 Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership: 00:36:29, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Excuse me, Ed.
• >> Excuse<01:13:20.280> me,<01:13:20.360> Ed. >> Excuse me, Ed.
• >> Excuse me, Ed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 3983 is sitting in ED finance, and it was amended in the A19 amendment with guidance from
• file 3983 Senate file 3983 is<00:35:32.079> sitting<00:35:32.320> in<00:35:32.560> ed
• > um<00:35:33.920> and<00:35:34.160> it<00:35:34.320> was is sitting in ed
• finance um and it was is sitting in ed finance um and it was amended<00:35:34.880> in<00:35:35.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 9:00 a.m. in 1200 this room to take up a package of memorial bills as well as the Commerce, Higher Ed
• memorial bills as well as the Commerce, memorial bills as well as the Commerce, Higher<01:16:40.320> Ed
• Higher Ed, and Ag omnibus bills. Higher Ed, and Ag omnibus bills.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She relied on my sex ed Pacific Way to teach me, but as I said earlier, menstrual education was not in
• She relied<00:11:14.320> on<00:11:14.400> my<00:11:14.520> sex<00:11:14.800> ed
• Pacific<00:11:15.640> Way<00:11:15.800> to<00:11:15.880> teach relied on my sex ed
• Pacific Way to teach relied on my sex ed Pacific Way to teach me,<00:11:16.520> but<00:11:16.640

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 78, which urges the Department of Education to strengthen natural health education and adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. The Department of Education said it supported the intent and had offered technical amendments to scaffold the curriculum by grade level. The Commission on the Status of Women and several advocates, including students and Ma'i Movement Hawaiʻi, testified in support, describing gaps in menstrual health education, stigma, and the need for more inclusive, age-appropriate instruction. No opposition was heard, and the chair moved on after no questions from members. The committee then took up SCR 194, urging the Department of Education to meet the criteria to recognize cheerleading as a Title IX sport. The Department supported the measure, noting recent expansion of girls flag football and surfing as recognized sports and saying cheerleading would create additional opportunities for students. The Commission on the Status of Women also supported the resolution, saying it could improve participation, resource allocation, and representation for female students. No opposition or further action was recorded in the excerpt. Finally, the committee discussed SCR 195, requesting the Board of Education and Department of Education to revise graduation requirements to include a standalone financial literacy course. The Board of Education and Department of Education both supported the intent but cautioned against a one-size-fits-all mandate, emphasizing school-level flexibility, existing stand-alone and online options, and the requirement that the class of 2030 must complete financial literacy before graduation. Hawaii Kids Can supported the resolution while raising questions about equity, access, quality, and how different delivery models compare; it also asked for more information on community survey data. Committee members questioned the department and board about asynchronous versus in-person instruction, standards, and how the requirement would be tracked in the personal transition plan. No vote or final action was taken in the provided portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Elizabeth providers as primary care have significantly lower utilization of ED and inpatient services
• Elizabeth providers as primary care have significantly lower utilization of ED and inpatient services
• Elizabeth providers as primary care have significantly lower utilization of ED and inpatient services
• Elizabeth providers as primary care have significantly lower utilization of ED and inpatient services

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:15:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 689 00:17:02 - Discussion of 26RS HB 407 00:45:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 407 00:49:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 713 00:55:50 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 713 00:56:54 - Discussion of 26RS HB 676 01:06:42 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 676 01:08:43 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek federal approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning in 2026. Rep. Amy Neighbors and witnesses from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare said the bill would bring in about $29 million in new federal Medicaid dollars without using general fund money, help retain physicians, support rural and underserved access, and tie payments to quality metrics. Witnesses described staffing shortages, rising costs, and the need to sustain services such as OB care, primary care, and preventive outpatient services. After questions about how the funding would work and whether private practices were included, the committee voted on the bill and passed it with favorable expression. The committee then moved to House Bill 407, as substituted, which would streamline Kentucky’s certificate-of-need process. Rep. Marianne Proctor and supporters from the Pacific Legal Foundation and the Institute for Justice said the bill would not repeal CON but would modernize a system they described as outdated and overly restrictive, citing national trends toward reform and arguing that Kentucky’s process has changed little since the 1970s. They said the substitute added language requiring the cabinet to contact a dominant provider when needed for data to make CON determinations. Mark Gilfoil, speaking in opposition for St. Elizabeth Healthcare, argued that CON is not a barrier to care in Northern Kentucky and said the bill would weaken the process by limiting who can request hearings, present evidence, and appeal decisions, effectively giving applicants control and making approvals nearly automatic. He said St. Elizabeth serves as a safety-net hospital for low-income and publicly insured patients and warned the bill could harm that role. Members questioned both sides about the appeal process, the definition of safety-net hospitals, and whether the bill could increase facilities and create waste or abuse. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in particular, what Ed Minnesota brought up, I think there likely would be some exceptions for particular
• Um, in in particular,<00:15:50.560> what<00:15:50.800> Ed<00:15:51.040> Minnesota
• ><00:15:51.519> brought particular, what Ed Minnesota brought particular, what Ed Minnesota brought

Bills: HF3489, HF3550

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we have the board members, Mark Luckett and Ed Ward, who are board members, and they collectively
• Mark Lucett we have the board members um Mark Lucett Luckett<00:18:10.880> and<00:18:11.440> Ed
• > who<00:18:12.960> are<00:18:13.280> who<00:18:13.440> are Luckett and Ed
• Ward uh who are who are Luckett and Ed Ward uh who are who are board<00:18:13.919> members<00

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh, from folks that already with the signage in place and the coverage by the media and all the op-eds
• uh, from folks that already with the signage in place and the coverage by the media and all the op-eds
• heard from folks that already, with the signage in place and the coverage by the media and all the op-eds
• heard from folks that already, with the signage in place and the coverage by the media and all the op-eds

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Transportation approved the minutes from its September 16 meeting and then heard a presentation from Jason Sawala, deputy state highway engineer with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, on rest areas and truck parking. He described Kentucky’s system of eight welcome centers, 14 rest areas, and four truck havens, and said the Cabinet spent just over $12 million in fiscal year 2025 to operate and maintain those facilities. He also explained that the Cabinet’s truck parking study found truck parking demand has increased 24% since 2012, driven by just-in-time delivery, stricter hours-of-service and electronic logging requirements, and fewer drivers. Sawala said the study looked not only at Cabinet-owned facilities but also private truck stops and lots, and identified unmet parking demand across the state, especially at 1:00 a.m. He noted that 11 sites, mostly existing rest areas, weigh stations, or welcome centers, were identified as promising expansion locations, with estimated project costs in the $30 million to $36 million range in 2022 dollars. He said the Cabinet is working on design and project development for those sites and is seeking federal funding opportunities where available. Members raised concerns about safety, congestion, and trucks parking on ramps or in residential areas, and several asked about funding, charging for parking, and whether autonomous vehicles might reduce future demand. Sawala said the 820 public rest-area spaces are marked spaces only, that he was not aware of any state charging for public truck parking, and that federal programs can help fund some expansions. He also said he was not aware of local-government parking programs offhand but would look into it. Members generally emphasized the importance of truck parking for safety, commerce, and avoiding burdens on local communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have you all been able to evaluate higher ed changes in that legislation and project what the future
• <00:19:23.919> to<00:19:24.320> evaluate<00:19:25.039> higher<00:19:25.360> ed
• of scholarship eligibility sitting in the budget language that essentially allows two additional gen ed
• We still convene with higher ed. We're convening with adult learners.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met and approved the July 15, 2025 minutes before hearing a presentation from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA/KIA) on student financial aid ahead of the January biennial budget session. KHEAA outlined its role administering 17 state-funded grant and scholarship programs, 529 plans, and outreach services, and emphasized that net lottery proceeds after a $3 million literacy appropriation are statutorily dedicated to student aid. The agency focused on the major need-based programs—College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), and KEES—along with dual credit, Work Ready Kentucky, teacher scholarship, and National Guard tuition assistance. Officials said the new federal FAFSA methodology created a major increase in eligible students, especially for CAP, and thanked lawmakers for adding substantial funding this biennium to meet the higher demand. Staff explained that CAP is for Pell-eligible, low-income students, while KTG is a need-based grant for students at private Kentucky colleges; both use FAFSA data, but schools verify final eligibility. They said CAP awards are first-come, first-served and that the higher funding level allowed the program to last the full 21-month application cycle in FY 2024-2025, compared with much shorter periods in earlier years. KHEAA reported about $232 million spent on CAP for roughly 72,000 students last year, with current applications running about 10% ahead of the prior year. Members asked about the difference between applicants and recipients, the effect of lower lottery revenues, and whether recent federal legislation would affect state aid; KHEAA said it does not expect major impacts on grants and scholarships, though student loan changes could affect graduate students. The committee also discussed KEES and dual credit. KHEAA said KEES has been fully funded since its creation and that its forecast was within $76,000 of actual need last year. For dual credit, staff said a recent bill consolidated work-ready dual credit and career/technical education under one scholarship program, and KHEAA will seek growth funding because participation and costs continue to rise. The agency said FY 2025 dual credit spending reached $26.4 million across dual credit and work-ready funding, requiring transfers from Work Ready Kentucky to keep dual credit fully funded. Members asked about transferability of dual credit hours and whether the program reduces later college costs; KHEAA said it does not have hard data on every credit transfer, but it does see higher bachelor’s completion rates and lower student debt, suggesting positive effects. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement, the differentiated assistance, regional English learner lead agencies, changes to California Ed
• As the legislature weighs difficult decisions on higher ed investments, we ask you to maintain the promise
• On behalf of Ed Trust West, we want to echo comments made before or focused on protecting our higher
• I've been a student at all three higher ed systems in the state of California, and as a non-traditional

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at night on the last night of session, in a sense of urgency, when we could have taken up the higher ed
• taken<01:10:31.040> up<01:10:31.199> the<01:10:31.360> higher<01:10:31.600> ed
• could have taken up the higher ed could have taken up the higher ed conference<01:10:32.239>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There are clearinghouses nationwide that look at resources such as ED reports, I know, does comprehensive
• resources<00:10:12.560> such<00:10:12.880> as<00:10:13.360> um<00:10:13.519> ED
• that look at resources such as um ED that look at resources such as um ED reports,<00:10:14.320>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met after several reschedulings due to flooding, welcomed a new assistant, and confirmed a quorum. It first approved the March 11 minutes, then reported that the day’s agenda included 310 items totaling about $139.4 million, with all vendors registered with the Secretary of State. The committee then approved deferred items involving the Transportation Cabinet/Department of Highways, including one routine PSC green-list item and one PSC amendment item, after hearing from the Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Professional Services and noting prior questions had been answered. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Education contracts tied to reading and literacy initiatives. Officials described a competitive grant program for high-quality instructional resources and related professional learning, explaining that resources are selected through evidence-based reviews and a quality curriculum task force, and that districts apply using an instructional resources alignment rubric. Members questioned the program’s reach, whether districts opt in, how many schools applied, and whether the effort is producing measurable reading gains. Department witnesses said about 155 schools applied and were awarded, the program is voluntary, and the University of Louisville’s Reading Research Center is collecting qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate effectiveness. Several members expressed concern that the state has repeatedly funded literacy efforts without improving reading scores, though the committee ultimately approved the education items, with Senator Meredith noting support but frustration about the lack of progress. The committee also approved an MOA amendment item supporting the Principal Partnership Project, which provides tools, resources, and professional learning for administrators and helps meet statutory evaluation-training requirements. Members asked about the use of nonrecurring federal funds and whether the arrangement affects retirement benefits; staff said the contract pays districts based on daily wage and additional workdays, which does increase retirement packages. Representative McCool voted yes but voiced caution about possible supplanting. Finally, the committee took up an Office of the Controller contract for a brokered insurance-related procurement. Representative Balman moved to disapprove the contract, arguing the winning broker was not the low bidder and that the committee lacked answers about how technical scoring outweighed a roughly $600,000 price difference. The motion to disapprove did not prevail, and the contract was approved after further discussion about procurement scoring and the committee’s limited information.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ed Snippy with the Department of Transportation. We send our testimony and support.
• Transportation hello chair Vice chair Transportation hello chair Vice chair members<00:20:48.440> Ed
• 49.000> white<00:20:49.200> do<00:20:49.720> we<00:20:49.799> send members Ed
• snippy with white do we send members Ed snippy with white do we send our<00:20:50.200> testimony<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the board office, in addition to their existing two professional staff. 56 is to add two FTE for Ed
• pram<00:33:53.679> FTE<00:33:54.639> uh<00:33:54.720> for<00:33:54.919> Ed
• 56 is to add two pram FTE uh for Ed 56 is to add two pram FTE uh for Ed specialist<00:33:55.639>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so whereas we don't have a portion on teacher training in higher ed, and that may be relevant, that
• And so whereas we don't have a portion on teacher training in higher ed, and that may be relevant, that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to review and discuss draft preliminary recommendations, with the co-chairs explaining that the draft had been released publicly and that the meeting was intended for open discussion and edits rather than a final vote. They emphasized the urgency of addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, especially in K-12 schools, while noting that the recommendations are preliminary, may be revised, and will be supplemented by further testimony and a final report later. Several members also referenced recent allegations and incidents in local schools as examples of why the commission’s work is needed. Commissioners broadly supported the draft but proposed numerous refinements. Common themes included clarifying the distinction between antisemitic incidents and hate crimes; strengthening reporting systems and privacy protections; adding clearer guidance from DESE and the Attorney General on First Amendment issues, curriculum, and investigations; expanding Holocaust and genocide education; and improving professional development for educators, school committees, and administrators. Several members urged better links to mental health and victim services, more support for the Genocide Education Trust, and stronger language on bystander training, digital literacy, and the role of school committees in addressing bias. There was also discussion of how to frame antisemitism as a distinct form of hate, how to address antisemitism related to Israel and Zionism without restricting legitimate political speech, and how to avoid unfunded mandates for school districts and municipalities. Some commissioners suggested adding timeframes, a centralized reporting or investigative mechanism, and more explicit model policies for schools. The meeting ended with the chairs thanking participants and the public for their input, and the commission then moved to adjourn.