Transcript Highlights:

• It's been shown to be one of the most beneficial areas for economic development.
• Resilience, positive executive social emotional development.
• Cognitive, social, emotional, physical development, and approach to learning.
• He's the director of the Infrastructure Planning and Development Division.
• Chair, members of the committee, on the 2026 Capital Development Program Fund, we did develop a policy

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Water Development Board mesonet.
• There is Texas Water Development Board that has their coverage area.
• They'd already, Water Development was already gauges that tie in as well as MesoNets.
• money is intended to help develop it.
• And so I'm confident that the Governor's Office will work in a way help develop it.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then observed a moment of silence after Senator Eckhardt referenced a mass shooting in Austin. The chamber also agreed to postpone reading and referral of bills until later in the day. Early procedural business included a motion not to print Senate Bill 3, which was adopted without objection. Later, Senator Mendez raised a parliamentary inquiry about moving flood relief bills to the top of the calendar, but the presiding officer said the order of business was up to the chair. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 4, the congressional redistricting bill. Senator King laid out the bill, describing it as the companion to the House version, based on 2020 census data, and arguing it was legal, race-blind, more compact, and likely to elect more Republicans. Senators asked extensive questions about the process, public hearings, and the map’s effects on districts and communities. The Senate voted to suspend the regular order of business and the three-day rule, then passed SB 4 to engrossment and finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 19 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 6, relating to abortion and civil liability for the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs. Senator Hughes argued the bill was needed to stop illegal abortion pills being mailed into Texas and harming women and unborn children. The Senate suspended the regular order of business and the three-day rule, passed the bill to engrossment, and then finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 18 yeas, 10 nays, and one present not voting. A lengthy discussion followed on the committee substitute for Senate Bill 14, which would standardize law enforcement personnel and departmental files statewide. Senator King said the bill codifies a TCOLE model policy and limits public access to personnel files to substantiated misconduct, commendations, and evaluations, while keeping other records available through other legal processes. Senators Eckhardt, West, Hinojosa, and others questioned how the bill would affect transparency, meet-and-confer agreements, civilian review boards, and access to unsubstantiated complaints. An amendment by Senator Hinojosa of Dallas to narrow the bill to unfounded complaints failed, and SB 14 was then passed to engrossment on a vote of 18 yeas and 10 nays. The final major item was Senate Bill 1, the natural disaster omnibus bill responding to the July flooding. Senator Perry said the bill addresses camp and RV park safety, evacuation plans, emergency rooftop access, lines of succession for local emergency management, annual drills, volunteer management, drone restrictions over disaster areas, small-business recovery loans, and a statewide data hub for flood and weather monitoring. Senators Menendez, Eckhardt, and Kolkhorst asked about autopsies, volunteer background checks, liability, warning systems, floodplain mitigation, and coordination with FEMA and local governments. Perry said the bill focuses on preparation, response, and recovery, while broader prevention and mitigation issues may be addressed later. The transcript ends during this extended discussion, before final action on SB 1 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of the orderly development of education and workforce kinds of issues.
• We've developed some good systems to do that.
• the workforce that we develop and the like.
• Developments that are critical to all of us.
• So we developed, in a prototype way, a money-making system. money-back guarantee.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, developers<00:09:48.840> encounter<00:09:49.240> barriers<00:09:49.880> to developers
• Provides for developer accountability Provides for developer accountability provisions<00:10:37.240><
• :42.240> in<00:10:42.360> sections those developer pieces are in sections those developer
• . development. development.
• <01:13:13.760> good over the years in helping develop good over the years in helping develop

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have you know software development.
• ><00:13:18.639> engineers software developers, software engineers software developers, software
• > getting<00:13:28.000> uh four software developers getting uh four software developers
• :49.839> uh, Things like software developers, uh, Things like software developers, uh, market<
• > this<00:21:05.919> interactive We've also u developed this interactive We've also u developed

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Diana Sennis from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.
• development and cultural protection. development and cultural protection.
• The intent of Chapter 6E is not to stop development but ensure that development proceeds responsibly.
• but ensure that stop development but ensure that development<00:49:45.280> proceeds<00:49:45.839
• development proceeds responsibly. development proceeds responsibly.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Speed Task Force met on December 15, 2025, with members participating in person and via Zoom. After roll call and introductions, the chair filed the previous meeting minutes without objection. The chair then gave a report on outreach presentations statewide about the task force’s permitting-simplification work, noting appearances before groups such as the Chinese Chamber, Small Business Regulatory Review Board, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chamber, and the Land Use Commission. He also introduced the new task force coordinator, Reginald K. T. King, and outlined a January 6, 2026 process for member-submitted recommendations, including first-come consideration and structured debate. No public testimony or member questions were offered on these items. The task force heard a presentation from the Building Permit PIG. The presenter said the group reviewed 79 SWAT recommendation forms over seven meetings, with participation from 15 disciplines and about 270 hours of work. The group’s findings emphasized workforce shortages, inconsistent plan quality, limited departmental resources, and a lack of centralized tools for applicants to self-resolve issues. Recommendations focused on building a workforce pipeline, expanding training on codes and technology, and developing a universal platform, including AI-assisted review tools. The presenter also raised offsite construction, including factory-built, modular, tiny homes, and ADUs, as an area needing clearer state and county alignment to speed permit review and support housing needs. No public testimony or Q&A followed, and discussion and voting were deferred to the January 6, 2026 meeting. The task force then began the Chapter 6E Historic Preservation PIG presentation. The chair described historic preservation as a broad process covering research, protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and interpretation of significant properties, including burial sites and iwi kūpuna, and said Chapter 6E is intended to guide responsible development rather than stop it. The presentation explained SHPD’s role and the complexity of 6E review, including archaeological surveys, monitoring, and preservation plans. Early findings highlighted uncertainty in sensitivity determinations for iwi kūpuna and subsurface resources, repeated review of the same projects, and staffing and technical capacity shortages among SHPD and consultants. Public testimony was closed and no immediate Q&A was allowed; further discussion and voting on recommendations were scheduled for January 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have developed their water action team.
• <00:34:00.000> um closure task force also has developed um closure task force also has developed
• And so as new data is collected, the model is going to continue to develop and be improved, and we'll
• . developed. developed.
• > um<00:51:46.640> sort<00:51:46.880> of develop differently, but um sort of develop

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill received an update from the Hawaii Department of Health and EPA Region 9 on regulatory oversight of the Red Hill facility, the Navy drinking water system, and ongoing environmental investigation and cleanup. The agencies reviewed the authorities governing the work, including DOH’s emergency orders, EPA’s 2023 administrative consent order, and the older 2015 agreement, and explained that the newer framework is being used for most current oversight because it includes closure, remediation, drinking water protections, and stronger community engagement requirements, even though some requirements overlap. EPA and DOH reported major milestones and current work. Defueling was completed in March 2024, with about 104 million gallons removed, and the agencies said this eliminated the risk of another catastrophic release. They described the current tank-closure phase, expected to finish in July 2029, along with site assessment, site investigation, remediation, and long-term monitoring that may continue through at least 2040. They also summarized drinking water actions: emergency response flushing and sampling after the 2021 spill, lifting of the public health advisory in 2022, completion of extended drinking water monitoring in 2025, and ongoing system improvements such as repairs, flushing plans, valve work, complaint-response protocols, and upgrades to storage tanks and pumps. Members asked several questions about monitoring results, the meaning of TPH, the status of the 2015 agreement, and the Navy’s groundwater model. EPA said its sampling and the Navy’s results were in alignment during extended monitoring, and that it plans to issue a summary report covering the full response period. On the groundwater model, EPA and DOH said they have not yet approved it for decision-making, are reviewing it iteratively with outside experts and University of Hawaii data, and may approve it for specific uses in the future. DOH said its latest comment letter states the model cannot yet be used for decision-making purposes, and noted that UH’s separate modeling work is contingent on funding and may not be completed until next spring. The agencies also said they continue community outreach through open houses, webinars, neighborhood boards, legislative hearings, and fuel tank advisory committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• chamber, we are funded outside of the chamber and we consult all kinds of voices and experts when we develop
• When we develop our research, for example, Mil Shaver from the University of Minnesota was on our advisory
• Over the past several years, examining opportunities to grow and further develop the state's economy
• the fen management plan and then three years to develop an operating plan.
• the fen management plan and then three years to develop an operating plan.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the January 21, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Chamber Foundation on its report about Minnesota’s environmental permitting system. The presenters said the report was based on research by Barr Engineering and the Policy Navigation Group and argued that permitting delays can discourage investment and make Minnesota less competitive for manufacturing, mining, energy, clean tech, and other industrial projects. They highlighted that Tier 1 permits are generally issued quickly, but Tier 2 air and water permits often take much longer than the state’s 150-day goal, with some median timelines ranging from 419 to 771 days for Tier 2 air permits and similar delays for industrial water permits. The report also said Minnesota’s permit timelines were longer than peer states and estimated that reducing delays could increase annual output by $260 million to $910 million and support 960 to 3,400 additional full-time-equivalent jobs per year. Committee members asked about which businesses fall under Tier 2 permits, the economic impact of permitting delays, and whether the Chamber had discussed the report with the governor or MPCA. The presenters said Tier 2 permits typically involve higher-emitting facilities such as manufacturing, utilities, mining, and other industrial operations, and that the economic estimates were based on modeling rather than exact lost-job counts. They also noted that the governor had been briefed and that MPCA had been invited to the hearing but did not attend. The committee then took up House File 8, which Chair Heintzeman said is intended to improve permitting efficiency while maintaining environmental standards. He described provisions that would reduce the number of 60-day wetland application extensions, require MPCA to issue permitting efficiency reports twice a year, break out data on missed timelines by municipal versus industrial applicants, treat failure to meet the 150-day Tier 2 deadline as a final action subject to judicial review, and require quicker notice when applications are incomplete. He also outlined sections that would allow separate construction and operating permits, expand expedited permitting, and change environmental assessment worksheet petition rules. The bill was moved to be re-referred to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee, and the discussion began, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development Certification.
• This bill creates the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development Certification.
• It does not prohibit data center development.
• Protecting farmland and encouraging economic development are not mutually exclusive goals.
• It does not prohibit data center development.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed numerous guests and interns to the chamber, and established a quorum with 202 members voting on the master roll call. The House then received committee reports on several bills and a resolution, including measures from Consumer Protection, Finance, Communications and Technology, Rules, and Appropriations, and agreed to the reports. House Bill 1877 was reported as passed by the Senate without amendment and was signed by the Speaker for presentation to the Governor. The chamber adopted House Resolution 363, as amended, directing the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania’s early childhood education system, including the role of public and private equity in child care and recommendations to improve access and affordability. The House also advanced several bills on final passage, including House Bills 2551, 75, 76, 426, 1127, 2234, and 1585. These measures addressed issues such as banning government text-message collection of fees and tolls, medical licensing for physician assistants and physicians, native habitats at Commonwealth facilities, joining the dental and dental hygienist compact, a spent grain donation tax credit, and restrictions on mugshot removal fees. Most passed with broad support, though House Bill 1127 drew opposition over concerns about licensing standards and the compact structure. Members also considered House Bill 2650, creating the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development Certification for data centers, and House Bill 2496, establishing a temporary pause on data center proposals while local ordinances are reviewed. Both bills were amended several times. Debate on HB 2650 focused on data center impacts on electricity costs, water use, noise, community benefit agreements, and farmland protection; one farmland-protection amendment was tabled, while other amendments on closed-loop cooling and enforceable local criteria were adopted. Debate on HB 2496 centered on preserving local control and home rule authority for municipalities, with amendments clarifying that local governments could continue curative amendment procedures and retain zoning powers. The House agreed to both bills as amended. The House also re-reported several bills from Appropriations and Rules, reconsidered and re-accepted a prior committee report on House Bill 2359, and announced caucus and committee meetings. At the end of the session, the House moved several bills to Appropriations, removed Senate Bill 1058 from the table calendar to the active calendar, and adjourned until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 11 a.m., unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• And second, it will require each system to develop policies, guidelines, and supporting sequences to
• It requires that career coaches participate alongside counselors and parents in developing eighth-grade
• The bill directs the Department of Education to provide professional development for career coaches,
• There are several bulletins that BESSI had already developed. This kind of puts it into statute.
• It really expands who can help support with that IGP development from just counselors to counselors and

Summary: The House Education Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several higher education and K-12 bills. SB 234 by Sen. Presley, which would provide grading for medical school students, was briefly discussed and reported favorably without objection. SB 142 by Sen. Reese, dealing with continued management and oversight of Board of Regents support fund matched endowments if a related constitutional amendment passes, drew questions about endowment matching, oversight, and the roughly $75 million in unmatched requests; it was also reported favorably without objection. SB 482 by Sen. Reese, expanding the role of career coaches in middle and high school graduation planning and reporting on career development fund spending, received support from BESE and others, with committee members discussing counselor workload and district flexibility; it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up SB 64 by Sen. Hodges, which would require two people to review initial video/audio recordings from cameras in self-contained classrooms when complaints arise, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 1063 by Rep. Owen, a broad higher education governance bill that would increase board oversight of curriculum, hiring, faculty senates, and discipline, generated extensive discussion and testimony from Rep. Owen and a representative of Parents Defending Education Action, but the author said he did not want to vote on it yet and moved to voluntarily defer it; the committee agreed without objection. HB 818 by Rep. Riser, as amended, was converted into a reporting bill requiring public inventories and state reporting on assessments, with Cynthia Posey of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers explaining the amendments; the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with one opposition card noted. Finally, SB 28 by Sen. McMath, carried by Rep. Carver, would lower the age for associate teachers from 25 to 21 to help address the teacher shortage; Department of Education staff said the change could expand the pipeline, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also announced it would meet the following week on Wednesday, May 6, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the human development centers? That was DDS, yes, sir.
• For the human development centers? Yes. That was DDS, yes, sir.
• This is for dental services with the Arkadelphia Human Development Center.
• This is for psychology services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center.
• This is physician services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center.

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• "For the human development centers?" "That was DDS. How many people does it..."
• "For the human development centers. Yes, that was DDS.
• This is for dental services with the Arkadelphia Human Development Center.
• This is physician services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center.
• This is physician services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, for HB 927, Local Land Planning and Development. You're recognized to explain the bill.
• It's better than having piecemeal fragmented developments that we've seen across the state of Florida
• I think Not only the community, but the developer actually benefits from that type of review process.
• Things like walkability and compact development are great descriptors, but they aren't standards.
• Our Clay County Board of County Commissioners Doesn't just deny all development, but it's intended to

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome you to the first meeting of the House Standing Committee on Economic Development
• Uh, first item on the agenda is House Bill 577, an act relating to economic development.
• This bill modernizes Kentucky's economic development statutes to better support early stage and high
• So we were a little surprised that there didn't seem to be a lot of interest to develop that plan.
• <00:13:56.079> that a lot of interest um um to develop that a lot of interest um um to develop

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll call: 01:22 HB 577 discussion: 03:04 HB 577 vote: 05:26 HB 392 discussion: 06:55 HB 392 vote: 09:54 HCR 16 discussion: 11:00 HCR 16 vote: 14:07, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met for its first meeting, reviewed housekeeping procedures, and established a quorum. The committee first considered House Bill 577, relating to economic development. The bill sponsor and a representative from Blue North said it would modernize Kentucky’s economic development statutes to better support startups and high-growth companies, rename the innovation center program as the Kentucky Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub program, clarify statutory definitions, expand the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, allow certain out-of-state companies to qualify if they commit to becoming Kentucky-based within 180 days, and broaden the angel investment program to include pass-through entities. The committee approved HB 577 with a favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 392, relating to local public agency transactions, and adopted a committee substitute negotiated with stakeholders including the Kentucky Press Association and the Kentucky Association of General Contractors. The sponsor said the substitute removed the original bill’s best value and reciprocal bidder provisions, lowered the small purchase threshold from $60,000 to $50,000, and would increase that threshold by $10,000 every five years to account for inflation. It would also allow local governments to use certain state contracts with price ranges, permit independent evaluation of some small non-evaluative equipment, and exempt law enforcement vehicles and related equipment from procurement code requirements. HB 392, as amended by committee substitute, passed with a favorable expression. House Concurrent Resolution 16 was then heard. The sponsor, who had co-chaired the Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force, said the task force held six meetings and heard from airports, aviation and education stakeholders, logistics companies, and others. She said the group found there was no real strategic plan for advanced air mobility and recommended that state agencies study infrastructure needs and that the General Assembly develop a strategic plan and legislation for AAM vehicles. Members discussed airport and drone-related issues, and the resolution passed with a favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 593, relating to data centers, was announced but passed over for a later hearing, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• IT REQUIRES HOSPITALS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO PEDIATRIC PATIENT
• BACK IN THE 2012 TIMEFRAME WE ARE IN A DEEP LEARNING OF AI DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, AND THE
• I AM VERY PROUD OF THE TRAINING WE ARE CURRENTLY SUPPORTING AND WE ARE ALSO DEVELOPING TO SUPPORT.
• SOME OF THE OTHER USE CASES AS WAS MENTIONED WE HAVE USED IT FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT.
• ALSO WE RECENTLY FUNDED BY THE MACY JUNIOR FOUNDATION TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK IS ANOTHER WAY

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, good morning everyone, and welcome to the Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth
• Development Board also known as Celico. Today I am here on behalf of Executive Director Ms.
• She wasn't able to come, but I want to take the opportunity through workforce development.
• He's worked with me on operations, marketing, website development.
• I also serve as a part-time consultant for the Los Angeles Mall Development Center.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:25.440> these recognized as a in developing these recognized as a in developing these
• They've worked development messaging.
• <00:26:26.720> and business economic development and business economic development and tourism
• <00:26:30.400> this feedback as they are developing this feedback as they are developing this
• Development. Development.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:58 Putting Young Kentuckians to Work: First Year Update 00:04:06 Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative 00:21:59 Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership 00:57:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October minutes, and heard first a progress report on the state-funded “Putting Young Kentuckians to Work” initiative. Workforce leaders from Cumberland Workforce Development Board and Kentucky Works said the HB 1 funding has allowed them to contract with all 10 workforce boards and build new pipelines with high schools, area technology centers, school districts, and community and technical colleges. They reported an end-of-year goal of 3,600 job placements, with 218 placements reported as of October 2025 and enrollment numbers continuing to rise. Testimony emphasized that the program is aimed at disconnected youth and high school seniors, that federal WIOA funds are too limited to support this work alone, and that the flexible state funding has enabled short-term training and placements in fields such as welding, CDL, and CNA. Members asked about barriers to implementation, wage levels, and services for students with disabilities; presenters said the main challenge was building school relationships and that wage growth should improve as students gain more skills and credentials. The committee then received an update on the Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative. Representatives from Greater Louisville Inc. and Commerce Lexington explained that the General Assembly previously provided $250,000 for a consultant to develop a statewide talent attraction and retention strategy, and that more than 13 organizations across the state support the effort. Development Counsellors International described its research process, including statewide stakeholder engagement, and said the goal is to create a Kentucky talent value proposition that combines job opportunities with quality-of-place messaging. They reported that Kentucky faces a shrinking labor force and a projected national worker shortfall, while internal research found 47% of working-age respondents could consider leaving the state within two years because they are not confident in career opportunities. At the same time, they said 96% of surveyed higher education students would stay if offered a full-time job, and 72% of employers expect to expand staffing in the next two years. The presenters said they are moving from research into messaging and an action plan, and that the strategy should be customized and measurable rather than one-size-fits-all.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:12.480> its<00:16:12.800> own education will develop its own education will
• One in five Americans eventually develop skin cancer from not acquiring everyday sunscreen habits.
• developing SPF habits from a young age. developing SPF habits from a young age.
• Children and teenagers like me in public schools are at major risk for developing skin cancer because
• This will allow them to develop sunscreen habits that they will use for the rest of their lives.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:02 Bills for Consideration: 26RS HB 383: 1:03 26RS HB 469: 6:32 26RS HB 586: 14:46 26RS HB 621: 19:58 Adjournment: 28:32, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education met and first considered House Bill 383, which concerns military-connected students with IEPs and 504 plans. The sponsor explained that the bill, as amended by a committee substitute and then a committee amendment, is intended to emphasize Kentucky’s priority for military children and to have their existing or new plans adopted within 30 days of arrival to the greatest extent possible, while documenting cases where that is not possible. Members spoke in support, including references to military families who would benefit. The committee adopted the substitute and amendment and then passed HB 383 favorably to the House floor with the committee substitute attached. The committee next heard House Bill 469, which would require school board candidates to undergo a background check and can test before appearing on the ballot. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns about school board access to children and school buildings, and that the cost would be paid by the candidate. Members asked about the criteria for disqualification and the open records exemption; the sponsor said the background check would use existing pass-fail criteria and the records exemption would protect candidates from embarrassment if they failed. The committee passed HB 469 favorably with the committee substitute attached. House Bill 586 was then considered, clarifying that sunscreen is not a medication in schools. The sponsor and a student advocate testified that some districts treat sunscreen as an over-the-counter medication, limiting student use without a provider order, and argued the bill would help prevent sunburn and skin cancer by allowing students to use sunscreen more freely. Members praised the advocacy and asked about the medication issue; the sponsor said the concern came from dermatology stakeholders. The committee passed HB 586 favorably to the House floor. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 621, which would move special education caseload and class-size limits from regulation into statute. The sponsor said the bill responds to proposed Department of Education changes that worried special education teachers, would slightly increase class-size maximums when a paraprofessional is present, and would not affect waiver procedures, preschool caseloads, or speech-language pathologist caseloads. Members asked about the rationale and supporting data for the limits; the sponsor said there are no federal guidelines and the bill was meant to preserve current regulatory numbers. The committee passed HB 621 favorably to the House floor, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• because of my district, but it would be Lincoln Trail Area Development District, Green River Area Development
• the development and proposing the development and implementation<00:19:50.080> of<00:19:50.240
• <00:21:13.679> which three area development districts which three area development districts
• be Lincoln Trail air development be Lincoln Trail air development district.<00:21:19.440> Green
• Green River area development district.

Keywords: 26RS SB 38 Testimony 00:28 26RS SB 38 Roll Call Vote 06:54 26RS SCR 9 Testimony 11:06 26RS SCR 9 Roll Call Vote 32:00 Adjournment 32:49, 958, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Richardson, which would require Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for services already within their legal scope of practice. Richardson and Taylor Williams of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association argued the bill would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, reduce emergency room use, and lower Medicaid costs by using pharmacists as lower-cost providers. Members asked whether the bill’s language simply aligned Medicaid with an earlier commercial parity law, and Richardson confirmed that it did. He also cited prior study work, research articles, and examples such as strep/flu testing and medication therapy management as covered services. The bill passed unanimously, and several members commented in support, including concerns about pharmacy access and the need for pharmacists to remain available to patients. The committee then took up a concurrent resolution sponsored by Sen. Meredith calling for a feasibility study of a proposed new Medicaid delivery model. Meredith argued that Kentucky’s Medicaid spending is growing unsustainably and that current managed care arrangements are not improving outcomes enough. He proposed an accountable community health care organization, described as a locally owned, not-for-profit public-private partnership combining elements of accountable care models, with the goal of reducing bureaucracy, improving outcomes, and lowering costs. He said the study would examine a five-year program and ultimately test the model in five regions, with initial focus on the Lincoln Trail, Green River, and Barren River area development districts. Members asked about the study timeline, vendor costs, rural versus urban impacts, and provider recruitment; Meredith said the resolution would be studied by November and that no fiscal note had been prepared. The resolution passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:42.000> sustainable<00:02:42.480> funding developing sustainable funding developing
• everybody's talent to be developed as absolutely as far as they can go.
• everybody's talent to be developed as absolutely as far as they can go.
• everybody's talent to be developed as absolutely as far as they can go.
• We really need in the state, and we need to develop everybody's talent to be developed as absolutely

Keywords: 1183, house