Transcript Highlights:

• for relatives to become verified, which means that they would then be. receiving the foster care payment
• serve these kids either for free, which again isn't a lot. allowed right now, or for a small cash payment
• We're willing to step in and serve for a small cash payment. give that information to foster parents
• least a full megawatt. $1.2 million, that adds. about $10,000, $11,000, $12,000, $13,000 a month to a payment
• And then we're asking the... to add another $12,000 a month to his payment just for the power.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• They don’t have a car payment.
• What Jack said is that if you send it to medical payment for payment through your Blue Cross or whomever
• Regardless of what practices and actual payments for that same issue, at the end of the day, through
• What the average payment is for that, correct? Yes. Okay, thank you. Bye.

Bills: SB30, SB517, SB1313, SB1314, SB1316, SB1541, SB1698, SB1845, SB1860, SB2420, SB2429, SB 30

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

Transcript Highlights:

• It streamlines the payment system and creates efficiency in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services
• to receive services in a community-based setting and that the community-based people may receive payment
• 00:05:00.720> receive community based people may receive community based people may receive payment
• <00:05:03.120> So,<00:05:03.440> we're payment. That's all it is.
• So, we're payment. That's all it is.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up administrative regulations, found no concerns, and then passed House Bill 389 with a favorable expression by a 9-0 vote. HB 389 was described as a cleanup bill for the CASPER prescription monitoring program: it clarifies that practitioners must have active CASPER accounts, exempts charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allows sharing CASPER data with certain federal entities such as military-base providers, and updates references to hydrocodone’s Schedule II status. The sponsor said there was no expected fiscal impact. The committee then passed House Bill 392, also by a 9-0 favorable expression. HB 392 would streamline payment for non-elective medical care for patients in state mental facilities when the facility cannot provide the needed treatment, allowing care in community-based settings and payment to those providers. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve efficiency and would not have a fiscal impact on the cabinet. House Bill 501 was next and likewise passed 9-0 with favorable expression. The bill would allow pharmacists, in their professional judgment, to refill certain prescriptions for up to 180 days when a physician has died, while excluding controlled substances and preserving pharmacist discretion to require follow-up care. Senators raised concerns that the bill does not require patients to seek a new provider during that period, but supporters said the longer window addresses rural provider shortages and access delays. The committee then heard House Bill 495, as amended by a committee substitute. The substitute would prohibit Medicaid services and managed care organizations from covering cross-sex hormones above normal levels and gender reassignment surgery. Testimony on the bill was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers including a former senator, psychologists, advocates, and legal and social work representatives arguing that conversion therapy is harmful, that the substitute would deny medically necessary gender-affirming care, and that the measure could increase suicide risk and litigation. One witness from the Family Foundation of Kentucky spoke in favor, arguing the executive order on counseling limits free speech and that counseling should not be restricted by government. The transcript ends during testimony, with no final committee vote on HB 495 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just have some concerns about the payment structure and the cost it will be to the hotels.
• I just have some concerns about the payment structure and the cost it will be to the hotels.
• concerns about ordered I just have some concerns about the<00:41:50.640> uh<00:41:50.800> payment
• 52.240> and<00:41:52.560> the<00:41:52.800> cost<00:41:53.079> it the uh payment
• structure and the cost it the uh payment structure and the cost it will<00:41:53.400> be<00:41

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate you including the Medicaid add-on payments for trauma safety. speaking to sharing detailed
• We appreciate you including the Medicaid add-on payments for trauma, safety net, and rural hospitals.
• We also appreciate the $1,500 Medicaid add-on payment for rural labor and delivery, which was maintained
• We appreciate you including the Medicaid add-on payments for trauma safety net in rural hospitals.
• We also appreciate the $1,500 Medicaid add-on payment for rural labor and delivery, which was maintained

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, it's a payment to the government based on income.
• <02:08:30.159> Again, does not tie payments to income.
• Again, does not tie payments to income.
• Google search, an income tax is a Google search, an income tax is a payment<02:09:15.199> received
• This will result in adequacy payments topping $1 billion each year for the first time ever.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After receiving payment, the contractor stopped work. Must be torn out and redone.
• 42.5% of all soybean payments. 42.5% of all soybean payments.
• <02:53:43.320> Do acres and federal payments to match.
• Do acres and federal payments to match.
• Your car payment isn't going to get paid.

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:

• Senate File 24, sponsored by travel, lottery tickets, acceptance of debit card payments.
• Senate File 24, sponsored by travel, lottery tickets, acceptance of debit card payments.
• Senate File 24, sponsored by travel, lottery tickets, acceptance of debit card payments.
• An act relating to debit card payments.
• acceptance of debit card payments. acceptance of debit card payments.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An increased ceiling for central services assessments payments as CSA paid out by the department has
• An increased ceiling for central services assessments payments as CSA paid out by the department has
• of increased benefits across payment of increased benefits across seven<00:18:19.280> programs
• <00:18:51.852> [laughter] services assessments payments [laughter] services assessments payments
• they're up to date on their payments they're up to date on their payments with<02:48:30.319>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a district gets partial payment, do they get off the list? Is that what happens?
• being said, we still had $769,000 left over, but nobody below wanted to accept that as a partial payment
• being said, we still had $769,000 left over, but nobody below wanted to accept that as a partial payment
• payment payment >> $769,000.
• have to be reviewed every 10 payments have to be reviewed every 10 years<04:06:11.760> or<04:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, all availability payments and all the cost of the equipment refresh flows through Quick to Quack.
• payments made by payments made by by<00:19:44.920> the<00:19:45.040> Commonwealth<00:19
• So, all availability<00:19:54.560> payments<00:19:55.440> and<00:19:55.600> all<
• 00:19:55.760> the<00:19:55.880> cost availability payments and all the cost availability
• payments and all the cost of<00:19:56.320> the<00:19:56.440> equipment<00:19:56.920>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 KCNA Request for Proposal Process 00:00:01 Overview of KWIC Board and Funding of Kentucky Wired Network Refresh 00:18:10 Zayo Network Services 00:34:40 Discussion of Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Funding 00:57:32, 958, all

Summary: The committee first focused on a disputed KCNA procurement for a statewide network-related RFP. Members questioned why the RFP had been labeled non-technical, whether COT should have reviewed it, and whether the KCNA board could direct that it be withdrawn. Finance and Administration Cabinet counsel Barbie Dickens said the RFP was authorized by KCNA working with procurement services after termination of the prior contract and breach notices, was issued in November 2025, paused during a protest, later resumed, and remained an open procurement. She said the agency—not the board—directs the procurement process, though she acknowledged an agency and OPS could cancel or reissue an RFP if needed. Legislators pushed back, citing KRS 154 and House Bill 314 as evidence that the KCNA board controls contracts and operations, and one member said the board had requested the RFP be withdrawn. Dickens said she could not predict the outcome and was not KCNA’s counsel. The discussion also touched on whether the current director had asked to stop the RFP and whether that request had been denied, with no final action taken during the exchange. The committee then turned to Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Corporation and the Kentucky Wired refresh project. Jim Barnhart described the structure of the nonprofit corporation, the role of Quick and Quack in the financing and operations arrangement, and the board membership, noting that the refresh funding had been approved in the 2024-26 capital budget. He said the equipment upgrade is necessary because of end-of-life hardware and software support issues, and that the refresh would expand capacity, lower risk, and reduce operating costs. Barnhart said some equipment had already been received, the rest would be purchased later, and the project should begin before September and take about a year to complete. When asked about contract disputes involving Ledcor and whether the vendor had an ongoing contract, Barnhart and the authority representative said they had not been notified of any issues and were not directly involved in that contract dispute. Committee members also raised concerns about a prior market test and whether a lower-cost bidder had been blocked from a previous RFP process. Barnhart said he understood Quack could make that decision and that the Commonwealth did not have input so long as the network was maintained, but he was not involved at the time. A legislator then read from the KCNA statute and argued that the board, not agency staff, is supposed to direct KCNA contracts and operations, saying House Bill 314 did not change those duties. The chair agreed the committee’s intent was for the board to control KCNA and direct contracts, and the discussion ended with a transition away from the KCNA dispute toward future testimony, including a presentation from Zayo Networks on open access networks and broadband infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Natural resource projects, including flood control measures; issuance of local bonds and debt service payments
• You just increased creditworthiness and payment ability in the billions for now cities and municipalities
• all of those homeowners have that savings window, that delta, to go ahead and make debt service payments
• So there's nothing here to try to get them off of being, you know, derelict in their payments of, you
• by having some direct Of this is to get local municipalities and counties to justify their payments

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account. Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Natural resource projects, including flood control measures; issuance of local bonds and debt service payments
• You just increased creditworthiness and payment ability in the billions for now cities and municipalities
• all of those homeowners have that savings window, that delta, to go ahead and make debt service payments
• So there's nothing here to try to get them off of being, you know, derelict in their payments of bonds
• So there's nothing here to try to get them off of being, you know, derelict in their payments of bonds

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• yesterday, but the week before last, I got an email stating that we had not budgeted for the first payment
• It's one of those things when you buy a new car and you have a 90-day, uh, no payment, and then the 90
• That $10 million is the first payment that will be due.
• And when we're looking to make a $10 million payment, that looked like an avenue to be able to, uh, deal
• , million payment, million payment, um,<01:10:05.520> that<01:10:05.840> looked<01:

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. It adopted motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be taken up throughout the day. The chamber received multiple House messages and a gubernatorial confirmation, including House Bill 1 on motor vehicles, Senate Bill 170 on health insurance, and Senate confirmation 90 for Chenica Johnson Anom to the Alabama Cickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission, all of which were referred to the appropriate committees. The Senate later concurred in the House amendment to Senate Bill 170 by a 29-0-1 vote. Committee reports covered a wide range of measures, with favorable reports and, in several cases, amendments or substitutes. Judiciary reported favorably on House Bills 228, 132, 347, 405, 86, 263, and 302, and on Senate Bills 318 and 260; State Government Affairs reported favorably on House Bills 435, 97, and 407 and Senate Bill 361; Education Policy reported favorably on Senate Bills 337 and House Bills 520 and 75; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported favorably on House Bills 303 and 477 and Senate Bills 360, 325, 329, and 330; Transportation and Energy reported favorably on Senate Bills 341, 354, and 340; Veterans and Military Affairs reported favorably on House Bills 465 and 307 and Senate Bills 338 and 359; and Local Legislation reported favorably on Jefferson County Senate Bill 243 and Shelby County House Bill 532. These reports generally advanced the bills to second reading and placement on the next legislative day’s calendar. The Senate also confirmed George Pierce to the Alabama Ethics Commission by a 33-0 vote after a favorable committee report, with several senators offering brief remarks of congratulations. In motions and resolutions, the chamber adopted Senate Joint Resolution 77 honoring the Section boys basketball team and Senate Joint Resolution 78 honoring the North Sand Mountain girls basketball team for state championships. It also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 79 establishing a legislative study commission on child sexual abuse laws and policies. A senator additionally urged colleagues to support broadband expansion efforts in rural Alabama and to ask the education chair to place HB 4 on the agenda. The most substantial floor discussion concerned Senate Bill 146, the state general fund budget substitute. The sponsor explained several budget provisions, including a $12 million transfer and an additional $5 million for the judiciary to address funding for newly created judgeships, a conditional $40 million for the Department of Corrections tied to progress on the Elmore and Escambia prison projects, conditional funding for DHR tied to reducing its federal error rate and developing a SNAP-related plan, conditional mental health funding tied to reporting and data requirements, and language preserving legislative control over certain federal rural health care funds. The Senate adopted the committee substitute for SB 146 by a 32-0-1 vote and then continued with the budget explanation as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• A piece for down payment assistance.
• $200,000 to the House of Representatives. $1,000 a pop to folks who need it for a first time down payment
• Standardizing the notification requirements for state park concession. payments, allowing the Department
• Even as a legislator, I cannot earn or save. enough to afford a down payment.
• This bill would extend the existing market development payment program for glass. local manufacturers

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with two kids goes and tries to put a with two kids goes and tries to put a down<00:56:45.599> payment
• on a house, it's it's a down payment on a house, it's it's a problem<00:56:48.559> for<00:56:
• We also need money for down payment assistance for residents.
• We also need money for down payment<01:04:15.920> assistance<01:04:16.400> for<01:04:16.640
• <01:04:17.359> We payment assistance for residents. We payment assistance for residents.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And while the Office of Grant Management policy says DEED must withhold payments for delinquent progress
• <00:44:25.440> for<00:44:25.680> delinquent withhold payments for delinquent withhold
• payments for delinquent progress<00:44:26.839> reports,<00:44:27.839> we're<00:44:28.079
• <00:48:14.160> for<00:48:14.400> that then will you receive payment for that then will
• you receive payment for that invoice.<00:48:15.599> So,<00:48:16.480> um,<00:48:17.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• missed their deadline and were able to get many of them into compliance in time to receive their LGA payments
• receive them into compliance in time to receive their<00:03:32.480> LGA<00:03:33.080> payments
• > we<00:03:34.239> will<00:03:34.480> call<00:03:34.760> them their LGA payments
• we will call them their LGA payments we will call them email<00:03:35.400> them<00:03:35.560>
• those payments um and as you alluded<00:42:06.400> to<00:42:07.359> uh<00:42:07.839>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Historical inflation growth has created a significant cost versus payment gap, and we are very thankful
• You capture on the front end, that's part of your payment.
• Thank you so much for continuing the rural add-on payment for labor and delivery in those rural areas
• But they know how important it is, and so that add-on payment really helps them.
• Freestanding behavioral health hospitals are also not eligible for most of the directed payment programs

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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