Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRtulZFlsR8, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This meeting was uploaded after the fact from a back up copy. The original live stream encountered an error and did not fully upload. Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 01:50 HB 121 Discussion: 4:24 HB 121 Roll Call Vote: 25:01 SB 163 Discussion: 28:57 SB 163 Roll Call Vote: 45:37 HB 194 Discussion: 47:34 HB 194 Roll Call Vote: 51:34 HB 397 Discussion: 52:23 HB 397 Roll Call Vote: 55:07, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• And we went to the people of the state of Texas... and let them vote on it.
• can't get two-thirds of the Senate and two-thirds of the House to take it to the people to let them vote
• I am authorized to speak today on their behalf by unanimous vote of the board of that organization.
• Under the law that this body is asked to vote on, it disregards the value of those who are born, unborn
• We just aren't going to be able to value human life, us, as legislators, without our vote.

Bills: SB 30, SB 517, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 1698, SB 1845, SB 1860, SB 2420, SB 2429

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• The same should pass on the Senate floor, and it was a vote of 9-0. Congratulations, Senator.
• Senate floor and it was a vote of 9-0. Senate floor and it was a vote of 9-0.
• Aye, and I’d like to explain my vote.
• We have eight votes in favor, one pass vote. Senate Resolution 18 passes with favorable expression.
• in favor, one pass We have eight votes in favor, one pass vote. vote. vote.

Keywords: Roll Call - 00:10 Discussion on SCR 61 – 01:46 Vote on SCR 61 – 11:33 Discussion on SR 18 – 12:30 Vote on SR 18 - 30:01 Discussion on Ky Residential Autism Services – 32:34 Questions & Comments – 56:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Representative Matt Lockett. The resolution, as amended by committee substitute, would create a legislative task force tied to the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) framework to study Kentucky health policy, including Medicaid drug approvals, preventive and alternative therapies, holistic health education, oversight and transparency in health care, and research into integrative approaches. Supporters said the goal was to address chronic disease and reduce over-medication, while emphasizing the effort was not intended as an attack on agriculture or the pharmaceutical industry. The resolution received favorable expression and passed the committee 9-0. The committee then heard Senate Resolution 18 from Senator Neal, urging Kentucky to maximize participation in the federal SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program. Testimony from Jessica Klein of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy and Secretary Eric Friedlander explained that SNAP E&T provides job training, education, and support services for SNAP participants, and that the program is federally matched and does not require additional General Assembly funding in the normal course. Members discussed how the program works, whether it could create new state costs, and how it fits with efforts to connect food assistance, workforce development, and local agriculture. Questions also focused on whether SNAP spending can be steered toward healthier foods and farmers markets, including Kentucky’s Double Dollars program, which was described as helping participants buy produce, meat, and dairy at participating markets and some retailers. Several members expressed support for the workforce goals but asked for more information on fiscal impacts and purchasing data. Secretary Friedlander said the SNAP E&T funds are separate from nutrition benefits, and that the state match generally comes from employer, university, or workforce partner contributions rather than new state appropriations. Senator Herron explained her vote in favor by saying the program could help people gain education and employment and reduce reliance on SNAP over time. Senate Resolution 18 was then adopted by the committee.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIlZdumOu3E, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:09 HCR 68 Discussion 00:02:12 HCR Roll Call Vote 00:21:32 HB 323 Discussion 00:22.42 HB 323 Roll Call Vote 00:23:48 HB 388 Discussion 00:25:15 HB 388 Roll Call Vote 01:11:01, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySksoUrBQ8U, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00:25 – Roll Call Attendance 00:02:45 – Distinguished Soldier 00:10:25 – 24RS HB 42 Discussion 00:12:35 – 24RS HB 42 Vote 00:13:20 – 24RS HB 86 Discussion 00:19:50 – 24RS HB 86 Vote 00:21:15 – 24RS HB 200 Discussion 00:25:15 – 24RS HB 200 Vote, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7FuvJ4WqBw, 2026-06-21T07:17:01+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:05 HB 618 Discussion: 00:01:01 HB 618 Roll Call Vote: 00:06:35 HB 314 Discussion: 00:07:52 HB 314 Roll Call Vote: 00:32:44 HB 239 Discussion: 00:39:19 HB 239 Roll Call Vote: 01:00:56, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsiHBJVUIqc, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:16 Honor Distinguished Veteran Col. Johnson White Discussion 02:46 SB 189 Discussion 16:58 SB 189 Vote 22:26 SB 101 Discussion 24:00 SB 101 Vote 27:28 HB 106 Discussion 29:09 HB 106 Vote 39:21 Announcements from Rep. Massey 41:17, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXXqSrJxOkk, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:15 HB 330 Discussion: 00:02:55 HB 330 Roll Call Vote: 00:10:11 HB 564 Discussion: 00:11:09 HB 564 Roll Call Vote: 00:35:48 HB 740 Discussion: 00:37:52 HB 740 Roll Call Vote: 01:00:26, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 02:27 - Discussion of 26RS SB 156 22:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 156 23:35 - Discussion of 26RS HR 126 26:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HR 126 26:55 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , May I briefly explain my vote, May I briefly explain my vote, Chairwoman?
• Explain my vote, please.
• Explain my vote, please. Explain my vote, please.
• Please vote yes today. Treatment time. Please vote yes today.
• Explain my vote. Vice Chair Wilson. Explain my vote.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:00 - Discussion of 26RS SJR 54 03:23 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SJR 54 04:48 - Discussion of 26RS SB 122 17:08 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 122 21:30 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you very much for your passion, your energy, and I look forward to getting this on the floor and voting
• /c><00:19:50.720> the<00:19:50.799> floor<00:19:50.960> and<00:19:51.120> voting
• to getting this on the floor and voting to getting this on the floor and voting for<00:19:51.520
• May I speak on my May I explain<00:33:33.360> my<00:33:33.519> vote?
• Uh I do want explain my vote? Thank you.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:38 - Discussion of 26RS SCR 9 22:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SCR 9 23:15 - Discussion of 26RS SJR 23 33:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SJR 23 35:18 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 from Sen. Steve Meredith. He argued that Kentucky’s Medicaid system is too costly and bureaucratic, saying spending has grown dramatically and that managed care organizations do not align with improving health outcomes. His proposal would create a feasibility study for a five-year pilot of an “accountable community healthcare organization” in three area development districts, with a locally owned, nonprofit, provider-driven model intended to reduce costs, address social determinants of health, and keep savings in the community. Members asked about how the model would differ from MCOs, administrative costs, eligibility changes, and implementation costs; Meredith said the model would eliminate preauthorization barriers, rely on provider and community risk-sharing, and could be funded initially through existing grant opportunities. The committee then voted unanimously to report SCR 9 favorably. The committee next took up Senate Joint Resolution 23, the “Food is Medicine” resolution, introduced by Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Dana Feldman of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. They described the resolution as part of a broader wellness and rural prosperity effort, emphasizing that nutrition should be treated as part of health care and that Kentucky agriculture can support better health outcomes through local, healthy food. They said the effort grew out of task force work and regional listening sessions and is intended to build a foundation for continued collaboration between hospitals, agriculture, and state agencies. Members expressed support for the concept and the partnership approach, and the discussion highlighted using evaluation and shared learning to expand the initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I speak on my vote. >> Thank you all very much for working on this.
• Now, I'll explain my vote.
• Now, I'll explain my vote. Yes. Now, I'll explain my vote.
• So by a vote of 12 to 0 to one, >> Okay.
• By a vote of 13 to zero, the resolution passes unanimously.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:26 - Discussion of 26RS HB 6 17:45 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 6 20:20 - Discussion of 26RS HJR 50 22:30 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HJR 50 23:19 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 6, as amended by a committee substitute, which was described as a broad child care reform package developed through a multi-stakeholder collaborative. The substitute added a two-year pilot program for off-base child care at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox, beginning July 1, 2026, and making the bill an emergency measure for that purpose. Sponsors said the bill focuses on long-term reforms to affordability, quality, and access, including modernization of the All Stars quality rating system, creation of micro centers, support for children with special needs, child care data and transparency measures, CCAP improvements, and changes to the employee child care assistance partnership (ECAP). Testimony explained that micro centers are intended to fill gaps such as rural, third-shift, drop-in, and partnership-based care, would initially be limited to 10 statewide with no more than two per county, and could serve 4 to 24 children under a more flexible regulatory framework. Members also discussed whether family child care homes like the “Miss Barbara” model fit the bill; sponsors said they are not micro centers, but the bill includes other provisions to support family child care homes. Questions also focused on ECAP, which was described as a tri-share model in which employers contribute, the state matches for eligible employees, and the employee pays the remainder; sponsors said the bill privatizes ECAP first before considering expansion to teachers or public employees. House Bill 6 passed favorably by a vote of 12-0-1, and the title amendment passed. The committee then took up House Joint Resolution 50, also sponsored by Representative Heavrin. The resolution asks the Kentucky Auditor’s office to study the administrative regulations, statutes, agency policies, and processes affecting the opening and operation of licensed and certified child care services, with particular attention to the All Stars program. The sponsor said the goal is to identify opportunities for change through a thorough third-party review, noting that the All Stars system has been in place for about 10 years and that many child care rules are tied to federal funding and cannot be changed quickly. The resolution passed unanimously by a vote of 13-0. The meeting concluded with notice of the next committee meeting and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to vote yes today.
• The title amendment passes with a vote of 14 to zero with one pass vote.
• The title amendment passes with a vote of 14 to zero with one pass vote.
• vote.
• The bill vote zero with one pass vote.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:13 - Discussion of 26RS HB 109 26:47 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 109 32:30 - Discussion of 26RS HB 190 36:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 190 37:30 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Families and Children Committee met in the 2026 regular session and heard House Bill 109, which would amend Kentucky divorce law to waive the current 60-day waiting period for couples with minor children when the parties have already completed mediation or collaborative family law and are ready to finalize their decree. The bill sponsor, Representative Deetsz, argued the measure would reward families who have already done the work to resolve custody, parenting time, and property issues outside of court, and said it would not affect traditional litigation cases. She also explained that delays can be especially burdensome when retirement-account division requires a QDRO after the decree. Committee members discussed how long collaborative cases typically take, with the sponsor estimating about six months on average and longer in complex cases, and noted that some judges already require parenting classes or allow reconciliation conferences in certain circuits. David Walls of the Family Foundation testified in opposition, saying the bill would make divorce easier for parents with children and move Kentucky in the wrong direction. He argued waiting periods can encourage reconciliation, protect marriage commitments, and reduce harms to children and public costs associated with family fragmentation. He urged lawmakers to preserve or even lengthen the waiting period rather than eliminate it, and framed the issue as protecting children and strengthening marriage. During questions, Representative Bojanowski strongly objected to Mr. Walls’ characterization of divorce, saying her own divorce was necessary for her children’s well-being and that the bill simply shortens the process after mediation. Representative Elliott asked about typical timelines in collaborative cases and noted that some courts require parental education. Representative Moser asked whether counseling is required; the sponsor said it is not, though reconciliation conferences may be requested at a judge’s discretion. The transcript ends after discussion of the bill and before any recorded vote or final committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I respectfully ask for your vote for House Bill 470. the value of peer support.
• So I respectfully ask for your vote<00:06:56.880> for<00:06:57.120> House<00:06:57.440>
• Representative Holloway, yes. >> Representative Marzian, uh, may I explain my vote?
• >> may I explain my vote? >> may I explain my vote?
• I'd like to explain my vote, please. So, thank you so much for bringing this forward.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:27 - Discussion of 26RS HB 470 29:05 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 470 32:06 - Discussion of 26RS HJR 25 34:49 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HJR 25 37:08 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 470, which was presented as a cleanup and delay measure related to peer support specialists and Medicaid reimbursement. The bill would extend the deadline for registered alcohol and drug peer support specialists to be Medicaid reimbursable, address issues created by delayed regulations under House Bill 505, remove a limit on direct client care hours, and create a work group to examine oversight and possible future board structure for peer professionals. The committee adopted a committee substitute before hearing testimony. Bill sponsor Rep. Kim Moser and supporting witnesses said the change was needed because implementation problems and regulatory backlogs had created a peer support workforce shortage and confusion across multiple peer categories, including substance use, mental health, re-entry, and gambling peers. Elena Swezy argued the bill would stabilize the workforce, improve oversight, and allow time to develop a more effective credentialing framework. Frank Miller Jr. testified in opposition, arguing the bill lacked a proper enabling statute for Medicaid-related changes and would not be enforceable as written. Sarah Vaughn also raised concerns about the bill’s impact on mental health peer specialists, multispecialty behavioral health groups, and whether separate regulations would be needed for mental health and substance use services. Committee members questioned the bill’s structure, fiscal impact, training costs, and whether the work group would be appointed or informal. Sponsors responded that the bill does not require providers to hire anyone, only sets registration requirements if they do hire substance-use peer specialists, and said the work group was intended to help develop a more unified oversight model. Several members expressed concern about the complexity of the issue and the short testimony time, while others supported the bill as a way to improve oversight and reduce fraud risk. The committee approved House Bill 470 as amended by the committee substitute, and then adopted a title amendment; the bill passed with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Dossett voted yes and asked to record a vote on House Bill 88.
• voted yes. Representative Hancock voted yes. Representative Johnson voted yes.
• Representative McCool voted yes. Representative Miles voted yes. Representative Moore voted yes.
• Representative Smith voted yes.
• to declare a yes vote or a no vote on that bill.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:12 Introduction of Guests 01:09 HB 88 Discussion 01:46 HB 88 Roll Call Vote 03:24 HB 346 Discussion 04:20 HB 346 Roll Call Vote 21:58 Chair Comments 24:31, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 88, which was described as a short bill to clarify procedures for Waste Management boards, including term limits, appointments, and making sure consolidated governments actively recruit community members and make openings easier to find. The sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve confusion about members staying on after terms expire. The bill received no opposition, passed the committee unanimously, and was reported favorably for the floor. The committee then took up House Bill 346, as amended by a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the bill responds to a dispute over air emission fees, especially for emergency generators and backup generators used for worker safety and limited non-emergency testing. The bill would exempt emergency generators and backup generators operating 100 hours or less for maintenance/testing from fees, while also removing an existing 4,000-ton cap so the per-ton fee would drop for most permitted sources. Members discussed the possible impact on utilities and ratepayers, with concerns raised that costs could be passed through to consumers and affect coal-dependent areas. The sponsor and another member argued the change would generally reduce fees for most sources and incentivize emissions reductions; the cabinet was described as neutral, and the affected utilities were identified as TVA, LG&E, East Kentucky Power, and Big Rivers, with only TVA having raised comments. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation, though one member voted no and several members explained yes votes while expressing ongoing concerns about future rate impacts. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed broader concerns about utility surcharges and the need to monitor the effects of legislation on ratepayers, but those comments were not part of the bill under consideration. The chair noted that future meetings may include more bills and could start earlier if needed, and the committee then adjourned.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMeWhbt_ojg, 2026-06-21T07:17:03+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, The previously live streamed meeting was cut off prematurely and then reactivated. This is the complete version that was pulled from backup. Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:31 HB 238 Discussion: 00:02:02 HB 238 Roll Call Vote: 00:10:24 HB 241 Discussion: 00:12:13 HB 241 Roll Call Vote: 00:16:39 HB 334 Discussion: 00:17:50 HB 334 Roll Call Vote: 00:39:41 HB 248 Discussion: 00:42:35 HB 248 Roll Call Vote: 01:14:13, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmKzk0ZAl7U, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:31 Call to Order/Roll Call 02:46 Discussion on 24RS HB 52 03:49 Roll Call Vote on 24RS HB 52 05:42 Discussion on 24RS HB 10 20:44 Roll Call Vote on 24RS HB 10 22:45 Discussion on 24RS HB 194 28:05 Roll Call Vote on 24RS HB 194, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taHJzNq87To, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:10 HB 545 Discussion Only 03:28 HB 197 Discussion 28:09 HB 197 Vote 29:37 HB 490 Discussion 31:31 HB 490 Vote 32:12 HB 693 Discussion 33:38 HB 693 Vote 34:47 Administrative Regulations with Assistant General Counsel John Johnson 36:38, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Meredith, I explain my vote, please. Please proceed. I'm a yes vote. I like this provision.
• All right, this bill passes with all favorable votes.
• Douglas I but may I also explain my vote Douglas I but may I also explain my vote Madam<00:39:50.040
• I think I'm vote I and thank you for bringing this.
• please proceed think I'm explain my vote please proceed think I'm vote<00:41:18.720> I<00:41:

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:35 SB 22 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 22 Vote 00:11:45 SB 100 Discussion 00:15:07 SB 100 Vote 00:38:53 SB 88 Discussion Only 00:42:11 Adjournment 01:03:52, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Girdler, I’d like to explain my yes vote.
• I’ll vote yes, and I appreciate the hard work of Auditor Ball and Senator Meth to get this here.
• I—Senator Mills, I vote aye. Senator Webb, Senator Williams, aye. Senator Wise, aye.
• We’re going to move back to the administrative regs right quick and on 922. vote I Senator vote I Senator
• Would you like to place a vote on the bill that we heard earlier, Senate Bill 85? Yes, vote.

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.