Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about a lot of different types of reactors, so-called microreactors.
• We spoke about different types of reactors.
• But now we have many types of reactors. It depends on the type of fuel and type of coolant.
• There are a lot of reactor companies that are working on that type of reactor.
• So on your first question, look at some of the fuel types we have developed.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• onc><00:06:27.600><c> uhc><00:06:27.759><c> Housec><00:06:28.080><c> Billc><00:06:28.400><c>
• c><00:48:02.480><c> Anyc><00:48:02.800><c> otherc><00:48:03.119><c> typec><00:48:03.359><c> of
• Any other type of support<00:48:03.920><c> isc><00:48:04.240><c> completelyc><00:48:04.720><c> different
• unless these the state of New Hampshire unless these types<03:48:27.439><c> ofc><03:48:27.600><c>
• > therec><03:48:29.359><c> orc> types of factors are are in there or types of factors are are in

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> whatc><01:11:04.800><c> typec><01:11:05.040><c> ofc> very good at figuring out what type of
• thatc><01:11:10.360><c> typec><01:11:10.560><c> ofc><01:11:10.640><c> training.
• c> any of that type of training. any of that type of training.
• a little bit of a different<02:14:25.520><c> typec><02:14:25.760><c> ofc><02:14:25.840><c> system
• c> different type of system. different type of system.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:52:37.160><c> differentc><00:52:37.440><c> typesc><00:52:37.640><c> ofc> years that have had
• different types of years that have had different types of fluctuations<00:52:39.040><c> andc><00:52
• ><c> samec><03:52:45.720><c> typec><03:52:45.920><c> ofc><03:52:46.120><c> discussionc><03:52
• they're at so to provide<03:59:45.640><c> thisc><03:59:45.800><c> typec><03:59:45.960><c> ofc>
• this type of information it seems<03:59:47.279><c> toc><03:59:47.760><c> mec><03:59:48.760><c> is

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 695, relating to school districts and medically related grants. The sponsor argued the bill was vague and could undermine existing law, and another member said it would add an unnecessary mandate for school districts. The committee voted to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the motion passed 18-0. Next, House Bill 765, which would consolidate school administrative units and make superintendent jobs elected positions, was also recommended inexpedient to legislate. Members said the bill raised too many questions, could duplicate other legislation, and would move away from local control. That motion likewise passed 18-0. House Bill 768, allowing public school districts to contract with approved private schools, drew more debate. Supporters described it as a language cleanup and an expansion of educational opportunity, while opponents raised concerns about the placement of the language and pending Supreme Court cases. The committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass, and then 10-8 to recommend ought to pass as amended, with a minority report noted. The committee then considered House Bill 446, dealing with parental notice for non-academic surveys. An amendment was offered to make the Youth Risk Behavior Survey opt-in rather than opt-out. Supporters said parents should be informed and should choose whether their children participate, while opponents argued the survey is an important tool for mental health data, grants, and school programming, and that opt-in would reduce participation and data quality. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report noted. Finally, the committee began House Bill 741, which would allow parents to send children to any school district they choose and expand open enrollment. The sponsor described it as broadening choice and keeping public funds in public schools, and an amendment was proposed to restore provisions for children of military personnel. Discussion on the amendment began, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on House Bill 741 or the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• who was trying a<00:49:42.480><c> certainc><00:49:42.720><c> typec><00:49:42.880><c> ofc><00:49
• c> a certain type of matching protocol. a certain type of matching protocol. call<00:49:44.800><c>
• types of treatments and the physician types of treatments and the physician providing<00:58:50.240><c
• typesc><04:22:04.640><c> ofc><04:22:04.800><c> topicsc> We have all different types of topics
• We have all different types of topics that<04:22:05.359><c> wec><04:22:05.520><c> addressc><04:22

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:17:04.280><c> thatc><00:17:04.439><c> typec><00:17:04.600><c> ofc> books and libraries
• and that type of books and libraries and that type of thing<00:17:04.919><c> Ic><00:17:05.000><c> mean
• types<02:47:01.160><c> andc><02:47:01.319><c> that'sc><02:47:01.520><c> alsoc><02:47:01.880><c
• > veryc><02:47:02.240><c> importantc><02:47:02.880><c> toc> types and that's also very important
• to types and that's also very important to look<02:47:03.240><c> atc><02:47:03.399><c> toc><02:47

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. The Department of Education testified that the bill’s definition would conflict with federal definitions and be very restrictive, potentially affecting a wide range of instructional methods, curriculum materials, teacher training, civics requirements, suicide prevention training, and other programs. The department said the bill could force a broad overhaul of school practices, create local implementation burdens, and require at least one new state position, with a fiscal note estimating roughly $118,000 in FY 2026 rising in later years. Members also raised concerns about possible impacts on federal pass-through funding and whether the bill was workable. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. The committee then heard HB 133, a Department of Safety/DMV bill involving follow-up when a person votes using an out-of-state license or non-driver ID and then does not obtain a New Hampshire credential within the statutory timeframe. DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology upgrade plus a new full-time position, and that the fiscal note did not include postage or fully account for the manual work needed to match records, send notices, and review responses. They said the proposal also raised broader tracking issues because it would apply not only to voters but to anyone who had not obtained a New Hampshire license within 60 days, and they questioned whether DMV was the proper agency to make those inquiries. Committee members pressed the department on how the 60-day clock would be determined, whether the bill could amount to a kind of poll tax or raise privacy concerns, and whether voter ID cards or other exceptions would avoid that problem. The department explained that New Hampshire offers a free voter identification card through town clerks for people without a license or state ID, but said the bill did not exempt those cards and that the DMV would still be asked to investigate status after voting. Officials also said the bill would be difficult to enforce, that some cases would be ambiguous, and that any response from the DMV would likely amount to a request for information rather than an enforceable consequence. No vote on HB 133 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• thec><00:16:17.800><c> otherc><00:16:18.000><c> dayc><00:16:18.200><c> andc><00:16:18.360><c
• Mind<00:16:20.600><c> you,c><00:16:21.240><c> thec><00:16:21.360><c> passingc><00:16:21.840><c>
• c> leanc><00:16:29.200><c> onc><00:16:29.360><c> forc><00:16:29.520><c> direction.
• The<00:16:31.120><c> MKSOAc><00:16:32.120><c> stillc><00:16:32.480><c> facesc><00:16:33.120><c>
• <c> affordabilityc><00:37:06.040><c> andc><00:37:06.200><c> thec><00:37:06.240><c> qualityc><

Bills: HB1800, HB1860, HB2250, HB472, HB649, HB1391, HB1481, HB1509, HB1511, HB1515, HB1518, HB1541, HB1548, HB1576, HB1618, HB1642, HB1643, HB1661, HB1667, HB1678, HB1682, HB1688, HB1692, HB1707, HB1710, HB1711, HB1713, HB1718, HB1721, HB1728, HB1737, HB1740, HB1741, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1804, HB1810, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1839, HB1853, HB1854, HB1864, HB1870, HB1881, HB1888, HB1890, HB1891, HB1894, HB1920, HB1959, HB1960, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2023, HB2050, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2104, HB2137, HB2152, HB2158, HB2171, HB2207, HB2218, HB2246, HB2270, HB2271, HB2272, HB2279, HB2282, HB2289, HB2293, HB2297, HB2300, HB2309, HB2310, HB2314, HB2319, HB2329, HB2338, HB2339, HB2344, HB2361, HB2385, HB2395, HB2417, HB2429, HB2443, HB2452, HB2474, HB2475, HB2498, HB2505, HB2547, HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• c> wec><00:13:15.920><c> putc><00:13:16.079><c> itc><00:13:16.160><c> inc><00:13:16.320><c> the
• > toc><02:21:54.479><c> thec><02:21:55.120><c> typec> car value.
• So that's neutral to the type of of of fuel.<02:21:57.359><c> Thec><02:21:57.680><c> financec><02
• ><c> tinyc><03:31:43.520><c> typec><03:31:43.840><c> therec><03:31:44.160><c> onc><03:31:44.399
• ><c> thec> see it in very tiny type there on the see it in very tiny type there on the left.<03:31:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a House budget briefing focused on the overall state budget and the first of three divisions. The presenter reviewed the size and structure of the budget, noting that the state had eliminated the interest and dividends tax and still balanced the budget. He explained the major spending categories in the general fund and total budget, emphasizing that health and human services and education remain the largest areas, while transportation is largely self-funded. He also walked through the revenue picture, including business taxes, insurance taxes, court fees, communications taxes, and Medicaid recoveries, and said the remaining interest and dividends tax revenue reflected late payments from prior assessments. Members asked about the size of the tax cut from eliminating the interest and dividends tax, federal funding stability, and why Medicaid was being reduced if federal support was expected to remain steady. The response was that the lost revenue would have been about $200 million absent repeal, and that the budget gap was addressed through many small cuts across departments. On federal funds, the presenter said most aid is tied to multi-year grants and that core programs such as Medicare and Medicaid were expected to remain relatively stable, though some federal reductions could occur. He also said some agency reductions came from eliminating long-vacant, funded positions and from expected lapses. The discussion then moved into Division One, which covers smaller and miscellaneous agencies. The division made cuts to the governor’s office, eliminated a temporary position at the Governor’s Commission on Disability, reduced Department of Information Technology spending through a back-of-budget cut, and found savings in Administrative Services. It also delayed maintenance at the Sununu Youth Services Center, stopped advertising for paid family medical leave, changed retiree health insurance funding, and consolidated several personnel-related boards into one. The division eliminated the Commission on Aging and the Office of the Child Advocate, made a temporary special education advocate position permanent, reduced the Secretary of State’s budget, kept municipal rooms-and-meals distributions flat, and made changes to the retirement system, including $55 million to improve Group 2 retirement benefits and a new retirement structure for future state hires. The judicial branch was also asked to find savings and received two additional judges because of expected caseload increases from other eliminations.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> thisc> w if if people did want to make this w if if people did want to make this type<02:23:53.760
• ><c> thinkc><02:23:55.359><c> itc><02:23:55.600><c> shouldc> type of change, I don't think it should
• type of change, I don't think it should be<02:23:55.920><c> donec><02:23:56.080><c> byc><02:23:56.239
• ><c> typesc><02:24:03.760><c> ofc><02:24:04.560><c> uhc><02:24:05.279><c> youc><02:24:05.439>
• <c> knowc> include uh these types of uh you know include uh these types of uh you know sexuality<02

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> types of consequences for those folks. types of consequences for those folks.
• /c><03:19:30.640><c> toc><03:19:30.800><c> usec> types of things they're going to use types of things
• :32:38.399><c> thesec><03:32:38.880><c> typesc><03:32:39.200><c> ofc><03:32:39.680><c> vehicles
• c><03:32:40.080><c> orc><03:32:40.239><c> orc> one of these types of vehicles or or one of these
• types of vehicles or or contraptions.<03:32:41.120><c> Andc><03:32:41.840><c> nobodyc><03:32:42.239

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took the roll, establishing a quorum. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of Senate File 3720, a workers’ compensation bill adopting 2026 recommendations of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and then moved through routine author changes and motions, including sending House File 3825 to the Finance Committee and advancing House File 3298, which was described as funding the removal and replacement of underground tanks to protect water supplies. A major floor item was Senate File 4282, the education forecast-adjustment bill. Senator Kunish explained that the conference committee updated appropriations to reflect forecast changes, added language on highly qualified paraprofessionals for Title I special education, provided tribal contract aid if a permanent school fund amendment passes, allowed districts to use operating capital for utility costs, extended grants for gender-neutral bathrooms, and made two school district fund transfers. The Senate adopted the conference report and passed the bill 34-33. The Senate then considered House File 3489, which would establish a felony offense of grooming, require reporting to licensing boards, update school and mandated reporter rules, and add funding for investigators. Supporters framed it as a child-protection measure based on a survivor’s testimony and a teacher-abuse case; one member also spoke in favor, while another offered a strongly partisan critique of public education. The Senate adopted the A11 amendment, gave the bill third reading, and passed it 66-0, then recessed briefly to honor guests in the gallery. After recess, the Senate took up House File 5074, the annual claims settlement bill. Senator Clark said it appropriates just over $5.1 million for claims including exoneration payments and a permanent injury claim, highlighting compensation for James Lamar Davis, Clayton Douglas Groves, and Marvin Haynes. The bill drew some debate over the Haynes payment and the calculation for an ankle injury claim, but it ultimately passed 64-2. The final item was House File 4074, the 2026 omnibus pension bill, described as improving public safety and other public employee retirement benefits, removing a COLA delay, creating work groups on duty disability, and addressing pension provisions for probation officers, 911 telecommunicators, St. Paul teachers, and other groups; the discussion was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1268, signed David C. Farnsworth, chairman. Mr.
• Senate Bill 1268, signs David C. Farnsworth's chairman. Mr.
• Senate Bill 1051, signed David C. Farnsworth, Chairman. Mr.
• Rule C. 9C. Rule 19 as such.
• Senate Bill 1316, signed by David C. Farnsworth, Chairman. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• toc><00:01:21.680><c> craftc><00:01:22.560><c> ourc><00:01:22.880><c> endc><00:01:23.040><c>
• <c> andc><00:01:25.680><c> uhc><00:01:25.920><c> askc><00:01:26.240><c> thatc> We've received
• c><00:01:31.680><c> whatc><00:01:31.920><c> you'vec><00:01:32.400><c> gotc><00:01:32.640><c>
• c><00:01:36.479><c> Andc><00:01:36.640><c> Ic><00:01:36.799><c> wantc><00:01:36.880><c> toc
• c><00:02:48.800><c> Wec><00:02:49.040><c> wouldc><00:02:49.200><c> notc><00:02:49.360><c> be<

Keywords: 00:03 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:57 Capital Projects and Highway Plan 56:11 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met to hear the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s presentation on the governor’s 2026 capital projects budget and recommended highway plan. Secretary Gray and cabinet staff first thanked KYTC snow and ice crews, local road departments, first responders, utility workers, and others for their work during a major winter storm, then outlined the capital budget request. The cabinet said its facilities are aging, with about 35% at or beyond useful life, and that limited road fund revenues led it to focus mainly on maintenance, maintenance pools, aircraft maintenance, environmental compliance, AASHTOWare upgrades, state park road maintenance, truck parking, and reauthorization of several projects, including airport work and road projects. The cabinet said the governor’s budget includes about $22.8 million in state funds for the capital budget over the biennium, plus carry-forward language for maintenance pools and project reauthorizations to avoid losing federal funds. Members asked about repeated reauthorizations, cost increases, and whether projects should be restarted as new requests after carrying over for multiple budgets. The cabinet responded that budget office policy generally allows only one reauthorization before a project must be resubmitted, and said many delays are due to acquisition or other project issues. Members also questioned the basis for increased-cost line items and the $5 million request for commercial truck parking; cabinet staff said they could provide original project cost details and that many increases are inflationary, while the truck parking project is expected to use federal funds and is a cabinet priority. The committee also discussed the decline in road fund receipts, which the cabinet attributed largely to lower motor fuels tax revenue. The presentation then shifted to the 2026 recommended highway plan. Officials said the plan covers more than 1,300 projects over six years and anticipates about $9.5 billion in federal and state funding. They said the plan is intended to maintain existing assets, advance long-term priority projects, and honor prior commitments, including the Mountain Parkway, the Brent Spence Companion Bridge, and the I-69 Ohio River Crossing. About 40% of plan funds are dedicated to existing pavements, bridges, and guardrails, and officials cited a 61% rise in highway construction costs from 2020 to 2025 as a major challenge. To help offset those pressures, the cabinet is seeking $125 million from the budget reserve trust fund for the Brent Spence Bridge and release of a federal grant condition tied to the already appropriated $150 million for the I-69 crossing. No votes were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:05:58.880><c> Ic><00:05:59.039><c> hadc><00:05:59.199><c> allc><00:05:59.360><c> green.
• c><00:06:07.280><c> Ic><00:06:07.440><c> amc><00:06:07.600><c> herec><00:06:07.759><c> onc>
• c><00:11:34.959><c> Timc><00:11:35.200><c> Langc><00:11:35.600><c> isc><00:11:35.760><c> ac
• typec><00:50:04.720><c> ofc><00:50:04.960><c> financing,c><00:50:05.440><c> there'sc><00:50:
• 05.680><c> goingc><00:50:05.760><c> toc> any type of financing, there's going to any type of financing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:00:43.440><c> thankc><00:00:43.640><c> youc><00:00:43.720><c> forc><00:00:43.840><c> being
• ><c> I'dc><00:00:47.560><c> likec><00:00:47.800><c> toc><00:00:47.880><c> openc><00:00:48.160
• ><c> sadc><00:00:49.520><c> bitc><00:00:49.720><c> ofc><00:00:50.000><c> sadc><00:00:50.400><
• c><00:26:20.480><c> types.
• c><00:26:21.360><c> Thesec> Um there are many different types.

Bills: HB20, HB276, HB644, HB812, HB816, HB916, HB1131, HB1247, HB1518, HB1525, HB1537, HB1541, HB1546, HB1553, HB1562, HB1565, HB1566, HB1576, HB1577, HB1591, HB1605, HB1612, HB1613, HB1614, HB1618, HB1620, HB1650, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1664, HB1668, HB1676, HB1707, HB1711, HB1713, HB1715, HB1718, HB1727, HB1749, HB1756, HB1774, HB1776, HB1801, HB1802, HB1805, HB1813, HB1815, HB1831, HB1838, HB1853, HB1854, HB1859, HB1863, HB1871, HB1872, HB1918, HB1920, HB1952, HB1965, HB1966, HB1967, HB1969, HB1972, HB1973, HB1974, HB1975, HB1980, HB1985, HB2005, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB2062, HB2113, HB2114, HB2116, HB2138, HB2139, HB2156, HB2158, HB2159, HB2171, HB2208, HB2268, HB2270, HB2272, HB2273, HB2276, HB2289, HB2310, HB2315, HB2335, HB2338, HB2339, HB2340, HB2343, HB2361, HB2384, HB2387, SB2338, SB2431, SB2438, SB2593, SB2907, SB2671, SB2321, SB3084, SB2401, SB3033, SB2972, SB3032, SB2806, SB3014, SB2108, SB2981, SB2973, SB2423, SB2078, SB2322, SB2397, SB2896, SB2088, SB2347, SB2408, SB2970, SB2851, SB2713, SB2697, SB2312, SB2192, SB2363, SB2530, SB3028, SB2024, SB3007, SB2599, SB2596, SB2662, SB2930, SB3334, SB2378, SB3019, SB3231, SB2240, SB2372, SB2175, SB2046, SB2298, SB2922, SB2835, SB3263, SB2174, SB2128, SB2006, SB2489, SB3134, SB2982, SB2425, SB2849, SB2797, SB2795, SB2575, SB2521, SB2765, SB2386, SB2852, SB2022, SB2117, SB2277, SB2387, SB2688, SB2885, SB3132, SB3219, SB2169, SB2591, SB2090, SB2983, SB888, SB3249, SB2611, SB2429, SB2463, SB3154, SB3131, SB3152, SB3315, SB2448, SB2054, SB2140, SB2520, SB2377, SB2986, SB2010, SB2189, SB2026, SB3010, SB2818, SB2002

Keywords: lava insurance, homeowners, insurance market, subsidy, Hawaii, condominiums, annual report, filing fee, real estate, developer, residency, property regime, PFAS, single-use plastics, environmental health, food ware, pollution reduction, local produce, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the<00:17:44.960><c> secondc><00:17:45.200><c> type.
• c><00:17:45.600><c> Thisc><00:17:45.760><c> isc><00:17:45.919><c> ac><00:17:46.080><c> post-mortem
• c> the second type. This is a post-mortem. the second type. This is a post-mortem.
• c><00:17:49.440><c> lookc><00:17:49.679><c> atc><00:17:49.919><c> isc><00:17:50.640><c> umc>
• c><00:17:52.960><c> andc><00:17:53.440><c> howc><00:17:54.720><c> umc><00:17:55.360><c> how

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> youc><00:01:04.720><c> canc><00:01:04.879><c> hangc><00:01:05.040><c> aroundc> questions.
• :12.080><c> butc><00:01:12.320><c> we'llc><00:01:12.640><c> tryc><00:01:12.799><c> toc><00:01
• c><00:02:44.160><c> 22c><00:02:44.640><c> onc><00:02:44.800><c> 2248c><00:02:45.599><c> orc
• ><c> whatc><00:37:14.000><c> typesc><00:37:14.240><c> ofc> that is specifically about what types
• of that is specifically about what types of products<00:37:14.960><c> arec><00:37:15.119><c> are

Bills: SB2040, SB2248, SB2530, SB2732, SB2871, SB2919, SB3076, SB3300, SB3301

Keywords: freedom of speech, elections, campaign finance, non-natural persons, regulated participation, constitutional amendment, financial disclosures, government transparency, public confidence, Senate confirmation, conflicts of interest, state ethics commission, campaign contributions, state contracts, transparency, conflict of interest, government ethics, pretrial release, bail reform, financial ability

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2248 would expand financial disclosure requirements to certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. The State Ethics Commission supported the measure, saying disclosures should be filed before confirmation so the public and interested parties can review them in advance. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with 22 supporters, no opposition, and one comment. SB 2530 would broaden Hawaii’s campaign contribution ban for state and county contractors to include officers and immediate family members, and would extend the ban to certain grantees and their officers and family members, with specified contract thresholds. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is its own proposal and would align the thresholds with procurement guidelines. Testimony was entirely favorable, with 30 in support, no opposition, and two comments. Members asked about conforming amendments and how the existing prohibition on soliciting contributions applies; CSC said the calendar-day language clarifies current practice and that the solicitation ban already applies to contractors, with the bill extending the same standard to officers and immediate family members. SB 2732 would require courts to consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail, including excluding public benefits from income calculations and clarifying the 40-hour affordability benchmark for those above 150% of the federal poverty level. The Office of the Public Defender, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that unaffordable bail creates wealth-based disparities, contributes to jail overcrowding, and can cause severe collateral consequences for people not yet convicted. There was one opposition testimony and 18 supporters. Committee discussion focused on when the 40-hour period should begin, how income would be verified, and whether misrepresentation could affect bail; the Public Defender said the measure should be read to start from initial appearance and that judges could address false statements through existing remedies. SB 2871 would prohibit discrimination based on perceived characteristics, association with someone who has or is perceived to have protected characteristics, and intersectional combinations of characteristics. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked for clear definitions, while the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the bill does not add new protected classes and simply codifies the Lamb v. University of Hawaii decision on intersectional discrimination. LGBTQ+, civil rights, ACLU, and other advocacy groups testified in support, with one opposition testimony and a total of 27 in support, two opposed, and one comment. The committee then heard SB 2919, which appropriates funds for one full-time public deputy public defender position. The Public Defender’s Office said the position would provide statewide legal support and a centralized resource on constitutional, appellate, and immigration-related issues; several advocacy groups supported the measure, and committee questions focused on how the new position would complement existing training and keep staff updated on changing law.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> youc><00:02:18.800><c> doc><00:02:19.040><c> thingsc><00:02:19.239><c> thec><00:02:19.400>
• <c> wayc><00:02:19.519><c> Ic><00:02:19.680><c> tellc><00:02:19.959><c> youc><00:02:20.879><c
• c> itc><00:03:34.159><c> saysc><00:03:34.599><c> thatc><00:03:34.799><c> ifc><00:03:34.959><c
• ><c> themc><00:05:25.639><c> inc><00:05:25.840><c> inc><00:05:25.960><c> ac><00:05:26.160><c>
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Keywords: Discussion on SB 132 - 00:06 Vote on SB 132 - 04:41 Discussion on HB 219 - 43:49 Vote on HB 219 – 49:00 Discussion on HCR 20 – 50:08 Vote on HCR 20 – 51:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, which would create conscience protections for health care professionals who object to participating in certain procedures or services on religious, moral, or ethical grounds. Senator Donald Douglas and several supporters argued the bill is a recruitment and retention tool for Kentucky’s health care workforce, emphasizing provider shortages, maldistribution, and the need to protect individual conscience rights. Supporters said the bill would not apply to emergency care, would not permit denial of care based on a patient’s identity, and would mainly protect professionals from being forced to perform procedures they believe are unethical. They also cited similar laws in six other states and said the bill would have a cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Supportive testimony came from an emergency physician, a registered nurse, and others who described personal experiences or examples involving objections to abortion-related care, opioid prescribing, and pressure to participate in procedures that conflicted with conscience. They said conscience protections would help attract providers, preserve ethical integrity, and allow clinicians to make professional judgments without corporate or institutional coercion. In questioning, senators asked about practical examples, the scope of the bill, whether it would cover hypothetical cases involving patients of particular religions or identities, and which states have similar laws. The sponsor and supporters repeatedly said the bill is about procedures, not patients, and that it should not be read to allow discrimination against individuals. Opponents, including pediatricians and a registered nurse/minister, warned that the bill is overly broad and could allow refusals of care by not only physicians but also pharmacists, clerks, and ambulance drivers. They argued it could delay treatment, increase discrimination, and worsen access problems in rural areas, especially for contraception, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other services. Critics said existing professional ethics already require patient care and that the bill could undermine evidence-based medicine and worsen Kentucky’s provider shortage. The committee took testimony and questions; no final vote or disposition was announced in the portion provided.

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• appropriation types<00:21:25.000><c> thatc><00:21:25.120><c> wec><00:21:25.240><c> dealc><00:21

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an organizational hearing of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several legislators noting their backgrounds in farming, mining, water management, and outdoor recreation, and the chair reviewed draft committee rules emphasizing decorum, quorum, timely starts, and submitting bill hearing requests to the committee administrator. The committee also heard from nonpartisan staff and caucus staff who will support the committee this session. House Research and House Fiscal staff then provided an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the major agencies and programs it oversees. The presentation covered the Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Quality Board, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Metropolitan Council regional parks and water resources, Conservation Corps of Minnesota, Minnesota Zoological Board, Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Staff summarized the main statutory chapters and subject areas under each, including wildlife, state lands, mining, water use, air and water permitting, environmental review, wetlands, drainage, and natural resources funding. The finance portion explained the committee’s appropriation types and major funding sources, including direct, statutory, and open appropriations. Staff highlighted the general fund, bonding, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Game and Fish Fund, and the Heritage Enhancement Account, along with how those dollars are typically used for parks and trails, habitat, land acquisition, flood and drainage projects, and agency operations. Members also discussed whether DNR and BWSR responsibilities in overlapping water statutes can conflict; staff said responsibilities are generally clear in statute, though conflicts can occur and are usually resolved.

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Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:04 Economic Development Projects Funding 00:01:25 Blue Oval SK 00:05:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to hear a recap of the 2021 special session legislation, Senate Bill 5, and then receive testimony from the Secretary of Economic Development on the Blue Oval SK project and related economic development issues. Staff explained that Senate Bill 5 appropriated five amounts from the budget reserve trust fund for a project tied to a minimum $2 billion investment: $350 million for forgivable loans through the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, $10,639,600 to pay off a Hardin County loan tied to 47 tracts of property, $20 million for Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training grants, $5 million for KCTCS training grants, and $25 million for a KCTCS on-site training center. Staff also noted there were no job-related requirements in the bill itself. The secretary said the Blue Oval SK incentive was structured as a $250 million forgivable loan rather than the state’s usual pay-as-you-go incentives, with clawback provisions tied to jobs, wages, investment, and changes in ownership or operations. He said the project had already exceeded the $2 billion investment threshold, that corporate guarantees were required from SK On and Ford, and that the agreement’s compliance period begins in December 2026 with payments starting in March 2027 and running through 2038. He said the state’s goal after the joint venture dissolution was to protect taxpayers, support affected workers, and preserve future job creation, while also ensuring the money would be repaid if performance targets are not met. Members asked about the workforce impact, the training programs, and whether the jobs targets would be revised. The secretary said the project had about 1,850 workers at the site, with both production and salaried employees affected, and described state-led job fairs, a job portal, and other rapid-response efforts to help displaced workers find new jobs or training. He said Ford had agreed to continue discussions, invest an additional $2 billion in the site for energy storage solutions, and pursue roughly 2,100 new jobs, while the state sought to keep the company accountable for the full repayment obligation if jobs are not created. One senator raised broader concerns about mega-projects displacing small businesses and creating infrastructure burdens in surrounding communities.