Transcript Highlights:

• But my point is if they fail the drug test initially, what are we looking for with the second drug test
• looking for with the second drug test? looking for with the second drug test?
• all their board tests and stuff. all their board tests and stuff.
• So, this basically lets somebody be tested so they don't burn anyone and cause harm.
• ready to be tested every year on that. ready to be tested every year on that.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 4 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then heard several guest introductions, including a minister for the day, visiting school groups, forestry and farm organizations, and members of the Divine Nine. Members also recognized the East Webster Wolverines football team, the East Webster non-tumbling cheer champions, and the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars softball team for state championships. The chamber then moved to the calendar after dispensing with the journal reading. On the concurrence calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1758 by a vote of 120-0 after members noted the Senate had made only grammatical changes. On the general calendar, the House passed Senate Bill 2126, with a strike-all amendment clarifying that sex-offender registry restrictions on name changes still allow changes for marriage or divorce with notice; the bill passed 118-0. The House also passed Senate Bill 2230, expanding authority for electronic hearings, notices, and certain electronic orders and warrants for justice, circuit, and county court judges on misdemeanors, by 116-0. Senate Bill 2631, creating a Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to help grain producers recover losses if a buyer goes bankrupt, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2637, giving the Northeast District livestock shows flexibility to move locations if facilities are inadequate, passed 121-0 after questions about the Verona site and possible improvements. Senate Bill 2648, allowing MSU Extension Service assistance with poultry litter plans and amended to include Alcorn State University in developing comprehensive nutrient management plans, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2809, concerning ag theft officers’ firearm rights in the event of death or retirement, passed 116-2. Senate Bill 2638, removing a reverse repealer from a meat-labeling bill, passed 119-0. The House also began consideration of Senate Bill 2399, which would authorize DPS security personnel at certain Mississippi Department of Agriculture facilities to respond to security alarms because those facilities were omitted from the Capitol complex security arrangement. The transcript ends during the explanation of that bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• What would be an alternative?
• Okay, alternatives to this, the $100 million line of credit, there is no alternative.
• alternatives that are being considered. alternatives that are being considered.
• The those facilities are alternative.
• <01:09:00.920> to an alternative to an alternative to uh<01:09:03.120> needing<01:09

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:28 Approval of Minutes 0:00:40 Information Items 0:01:13 Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:26:46 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:30:53 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:39:20 Rpt from OFM – KIA 0:52:42 Econ Development – EDF Grants 0:55:15 OFM Debt Issues 0:58:43 Informational Discussion 1:44:36 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of minutes, and informational items on school district financing and KCTCS equipment purchases. It then considered two KCTCS capital projects after initially rolling them together and later unrolling them: a Fire Commission Fire Academy maintenance building project that had grown from an original $2 million authorization to $4.7 million because of design changes, soil issues, and higher mechanical costs, and a $1.5 million renovation of the Blake Lee building at Somerset Community College for a health science simulation lab. Members questioned the large cost increase on the fire academy project and the adequacy of front-end due diligence, while KCTCS said the project was bid and ready to proceed and that a 15% contingency had been included. Both projects were approved by roll call vote, with the Blake Lee project ultimately approved after the committee unrolled the items and took them separately. The committee next heard and approved a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for the Hamburg East Medical Office Building, a five-story, 220,000-square-foot facility with a not-to-exceed budget of $275 million. UK said the project is intended to expand outpatient access, consolidate some services, and support projected growth in patient volume; the building will house multiple specialties, urgent care, therapy, imaging, and a retail pharmacy. Members asked about possible community uses, consolidation of services, and whether the project would free up other space, and UK said it hopes to consolidate some services and free campus space. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved three UK lease renegotiations: a specialty pharmacy and infusion services lease at Wellington Way in Lexington, a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences lease at Conte Terrace, and a College of Social Work lease at McGrath Park Way. Members asked about rising lease rates, occupancy, and whether space needs should be reduced; UK and the lessor’s representative said the pharmacy space remains busy, the ophthalmology lease was lower than before, and the social work lease had been negotiated down from a higher request. The committee also approved a Department of Military Affairs project amendment for a Mutual Field Maintenance Shop Restoration project, increasing federal funding by $1 million to $4.5 million because of higher construction costs, and approved a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation project funded by bond and HBCU Title III funds. Finally, it approved a new lease for the Office of Mines and Minerals in Pike County, a new lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Pulaski County, and a lease renewal for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Kenton County after questions about rent increases and office utilization; the cabinet said the Kenton County space still has limited vacancy and remains in use by field staff. The meeting ended as the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority began presenting six sewer and water loans and six cleaner water program grant reallocations, with members agreeing to roll those items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair will alternate recognition between the parties, with time equally allocated between the parties
• Career and technical education programs can offer viable alternatives.
• Career and technical education programs can offer viable alternatives.
• Career and technical education programs can offer viable alternatives.
• Career and technical education programs can offer viable alternatives.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But thank you very much for your support, and we hope that you can look at other alternative routes such
• But thank you very much for your support, and we hope that you can look at other alternative routes such
• But thank you very much for your support, and we hope that you can look at other alternative routes such
• <00:10:36.000> routes<00:10:36.440> such<00:10:36.639> as at other alternative
• routes such as at other alternative routes such as funding<00:10:37.079> more<00:10:37.320>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held decision-making and hearing sessions on February 4, 2025, covering a range of bills on public funds, cremation contracts, condominium insurance, insurance protections, veterinarians, landlord-tenant issues, agriculture, sex offender licensing restrictions, and service animals. In decision-making, SB 69 on deposits of public funds was passed with a defective effective date, SB 525 on cremation service contracts was deferred for later work on a concurrent resolution, SB 805 on condominium insurance was passed with amendments incorporating Attorney General recommendations, and SB 1141 on insurance protections was passed with amendments expanding the bill to catastrophic disasters and adding insurer response and loss-run reporting requirements. All of those measures were adopted by committee votes, with some members excused. During the hearing portion, SB 493 on veterinarians drew mixed testimony: state agencies and animal welfare groups supported efforts to create a workforce development fund and scholarship/loan repayment program, while the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association opposed the bill as written, arguing the board lacked capacity to administer the program, suggesting more WICHE funding instead, and objecting to new licensing fees. SB 606 on online business registration received comments from DCCA, SB 822 on landlord-tenant injunctions drew opposition from HPD and comments from the Judiciary, and SB 825 on eviction mediation received broad support from mediation advocates, the Judiciary, and others. Other measures heard included SB 276 on false labeling of Hawaii-grown roasted coffee, SB 1293 on tenant recovery in disaster areas, SB 1369 on solvency reporting for insurers and mutual benefit societies, and SB 1373 on automatic license actions against registered sex offenders, which received support from DCCA and several licensing boards. The committee also heard SB 1493 on emotional support animals, where the Attorney General raised constitutional and enforcement concerns, while disability advocates and others supported the bill and suggested clearer enforcement and disclosure language. SB 1662 on landlord application fees was also heard with comments from Hawaii Realtors and support testimony from individuals. In the later decision-making session, SB 493 was passed with amendments removing the proposed licensing fees and blanking appropriations, while SB 606 was deferred. SB 822 was passed with amendments adopting Judiciary recommendations, adding a Judiciary-facilitated working group to review the landlord-tenant code, and setting a defective effective date of July 1, 2050.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on alternative learning environment, that's actually a K-12 program where schools set up alternative
• And then on alternative learning environment, that's actually a K-12 program where schools set up alternative
• Alternative learning environment.
• That's actually a K-12 program where schools set up alternative learning environments.
• Smith talk about some of the other alternatives.

Summary: The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth approved the December 10 minutes and confirmed Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee. The committee then heard the annual Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review report, which said the state reviewed 148 of 170 non-natural child deaths in 2023; the reviewed deaths included 69 accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined causes. Members asked about how the report’s recommendations could be used, grant opportunities tied to prevention work, and whether the data could be broken down by age; presenters said the report is intended as a prevention tool for agencies and nonprofits and that some age detail is available in later pages of the report. The committee next took up HCR 1010 and then a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Senator Missy Irvin, judges, and Administrative Office of the Courts staff described Arkansas’s use of validated risk assessments, including SAVRY, the Ohio Youth Assessment Tool, MAYSI, and substance-abuse screening, as part of a long-running effort to reduce juvenile incarceration and tailor services to individual youth and families. They said the reforms have contributed to fewer delinquency filings, fewer DYS commitments, and more diversions, while also emphasizing that mental health, substance abuse, school issues, and trauma often drive juvenile court involvement. Several members raised concerns about data gaps, school collaboration, and whether community-based services are sufficient, and presenters said more shared data and stronger school use of safety dashboards could help intervene earlier. Division of Youth Services Director Michael Crump then presented custody, education, recidivism, and cost data. He said DYS commitments rose after the pandemic, secure residential populations remain high, and detention-center use increased when intake beds filled; he also noted that DYS pays about $320 per day for secure custody and that detention beds cost roughly $90 to $100 per day. Crump said most youth in custody are older teens, about 80 percent are male, and many have behavioral-health needs or educational deficits; he reported 222 GEDs and 102 high school diplomas over six years. He also said about 15 to 19 percent of youth return to DYS within three years and that a larger share later enter the Department of Corrections, while members pressed him on how assessments relate to commitments, how low-risk cases are handled, and how to improve mental health and substance-abuse services statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• of professional consensus, from a test of professional consensus, the<00:18:28.680> First<00:
• Now the law has to go back and be tested in a lower court on the basis of strict scrutiny.
• <00:46:43.720> set<00:46:43.960> forth that that would meet the test set forth that
• that would meet the test set forth by<00:46:45.520> the<00:46:46.240> by<00:46:46.400>
• <00:47:43.560> and<00:47:43.720> the itself has not yet been tested and the itself

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas in 2000, an important step in serving those Vermonters for whom alternative communication
• <00:31:59.440> methods<00:31:59.760> of<00:32:00.000> communication, alternative
• alternative methods of communication. alternative methods of communication.
• And whereas in 2000, an important step in serving those Vermonters for whom alternative communication
• Vermonters for whom alternative Vermonters for whom alternative communication<00:33:53.279> methods

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with devotional remarks and then handled several procedural referrals. Senate bills 198 and 323 were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means under House Rule 35A because they affect state revenue, and Senate Bill 326 was also referred to Ways and Means after the Transportation Committee reported it favorably with amendment. House Resolution 18, supporting preservation of the Julian Scott birthplace in Johnson, was read by title and referred to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions under House Rule 52. The chamber then read a series of adopted House concurrent resolutions honoring Vermont schools and individuals, including the Fair Haven Union High School Slater bowling team, the Hartford High School Hurricanes girls ice hockey team, the Hartford girls basketball team, Theres Black as Vermont Mother of the Year, and the Mount Mansfield Union High School girls tennis team. Members made brief announcements welcoming some of the honorees and guests to the chamber, including the Mount Mansfield tennis team, Theres Black, the Fair Haven bowling team, and others. The main floor action was on House Resolution 17, affirming that all Vermonters are presumed competent to communicate and must be provided communication resources of their choice. The Human Services Committee chair explained the resolution grew out of testimony on alternative communication methods, including facilitated communication and rapid prompting method, and said the committee heard from people with lived experience, professionals, and written testimony from medical and speech-language organizations. The committee reported the resolution out 9-0-2, and the House adopted it. The House then took up Senate Bill 209, relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations, and proceeded to its third reading and concurrence-with-amendment question.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:40.079> benefit the creation of an alternative benefit the creation of an alternative
• alternative benefit plan in the middle. alternative benefit plan in the middle.
• consider developing an alternative consider developing an alternative dental<01:30:50.560> delivery
• I appreciate the recommendation to evaluate an alternative dental delivery model.
• I appreciate the recommendation to evaluate an alternative dental delivery model.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• the ability of health plans to review dosage increases even when new clinical evidence, safer alternatives
• The alternatives, which is like, you know, the other alternatives that we have to use also have very
• The alternatives, which is like, you know, the other alternative. alternatives, which is like, you know
• , the other alternatives that we have to use also have very similar side effects, if not added side effects
• But just to be able to have that opportunity to have another alternative that was an organic alternative

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, insurance coverage, public health, and patient protections. SB 1023 by Senator Laird would require insurers that cover injectable PrEP under the medical benefit to also cover it under the pharmacy benefit, to reduce billing barriers and improve access to HIV prevention. Supporters included HIV/AIDS organizations, the Department of Insurance, medical groups, and LGBTQ advocates; health plans opposed the bill as an unnecessary benefit-design mandate. The committee later voted the bill out on a due pass motion, and it remained on call before being finalized out later in the hearing. SB 964 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would limit repeated prior authorization requirements when a clinician needs to adjust the dose or frequency of a covered medication for a patient with a chronic or complex condition, with safeguards for off-label use and controlled substances. Support came from physicians, hospitals, and patient advocates, especially in gastroenterology and chronic disease care, while insurers argued it weakened safety and utilization-management safeguards. The committee approved the bill on a due pass vote to Appropriations. SB 1323 by Senator Rubio, as amended in committee, would strengthen protections for patients receiving medical care while in immigration custody by requiring facilities to train staff on responding to such requests and allowing patients to notify a family member or loved one of their location. It passed the committee on a due pass as amended vote to Judiciary, with one no vote recorded. SB 1099 by Senator Reyes would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state and local public benefits to all residents under the federal PRWORA exemption, giving cities and counties more certainty when operating low-barrier services such as health care, shelter, crisis response, and homeless outreach. Local government attorneys and service providers supported the measure, and there was no opposition testimony; it passed to Human Services. SB 895 by Senator Wiener would place a $12 billion science research bond on the November ballot and create a state research funding institute to help sustain California’s research economy amid federal cuts. The bill drew broad support from universities, labor, health organizations, patients, and business groups, with one member voting no because of the bond cost; it passed to Appropriations. SB 944 by Senator Wiener would stabilize Medi-Cal coverage for acupuncture, which supporters described as a cost-effective, nonpharmacological treatment for pain and other conditions. It passed to Appropriations with strong support and no opposition testimony. At the end of the hearing, the committee also took add-on votes to confirm the bills’ passage status and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• required from this specific working group would be far better spent, um, supporting renewable alternatives
• required from this specific working group would be far better spent, um, supporting renewable alternatives
• > um<00:20:04.080> I<00:20:04.240> respectfully<00:20:04.799> urge alternatives
• So, um I respectfully urge alternatives.
• the alternatives might be. Thank you. the alternatives might be. Thank you.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on April 16, 2025, and heard three resolutions. STR 57 SD1 urged Congress to create a national reinsurance program to address insurance impacts from catastrophic natural disasters; there was no public testimony, and the committee later recommended passage without amendment. STR 198 SD1 encouraged Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to pursue subrogation claims against polluters to reduce insurance costs for residents; again, there was no public testimony, and the committee recommended passage without amendment. The committee spent most of its hearing on STR 136 SD1/HD1, which would create a Hawaii State Energy Office nuclear energy working group to study advanced nuclear power technologies. The Public Utilities Commission and State Energy Office provided written testimony and answered questions. Testimony from 350 Hawaii, Energy Justice Network, and an individual witness opposed the measure, arguing nuclear power and small modular reactors are too expensive, unproven, slow to deploy, create unresolved safety and waste issues, and do not align with Hawaii’s renewable energy goals. Opponents also criticized the measure’s amendment process, saying it replaced the original contents without adequate public notice. During decision-making, the committee adopted the recommendation to pass STR 57 SD1 unamended and STR 198 SD1 unamended. For STR 136 SD1/HD1, the committee adopted a recommendation to pass the measure with amendments, including changing it to a one-year working group with an interim report in 2026 and a final report before the 2027 Legislature. The motion passed with one recorded no vote and some excused members, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were a few changes to the construction test and some of the penalties, but we didn't dig into this
• So there are a number of different tests that we have, um, under Minnesota law.
• that have carved out a specific test.
• Um, so first, um, I do just want to say I would love to simplify the act, the tests that we have.
• Um, I think it is confusing that we have so many different tests, and I would love to dig into that,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In December, we announced six alternatives that we are proposing to move forward to the next stage of
• any of those alternatives.
• Rydin, I was trying to search on your website: is this information, your six alternatives, and for not
• information your your six Alternatives information your your six Alternatives and<00:08:29.840><
• <00:08:51.720> to link with uh with those alternatives to link with uh with those alternatives

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the Uniform Commercial Code was amended to give states two options: a strict name-matching rule, Alternative
• A, and a more flexible approach, Alternative B.
• the Uniform Commercial Code was amended to give states two options: a strict name-matching rule, Alternative
• A, and a more flexible approach, Alternative B.
• In 2014, California adopted Alternative A, but did not include a key provision that allows mortgages

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then proceeded with bill presentations and later formal votes once enough members arrived. The chair reviewed committee procedures, including how to submit written testimony and rules for witnesses and conduct. The agenda included AB 771, AB 1507 on the consent calendar, and AB 1166. AB 771 by Assemblymember Massetto was presented as a technical fix to California’s Uniform Commercial Code. Supporters said it would allow a mortgage or deed of trust to serve as a fixture filing without requiring an exact match to the debtor’s ID, reducing duplicate filings, fees, and administrative burdens. There was no formal opposition, and the committee voted due pass. AB 1507 was then adopted on the consent calendar with a due pass recommendation. AB 1166 by Chair Valencia addressed debt settlement protections for small business commercial financing recipients by extending existing California debt settlement standards from consumer loans to business loans. Supporters, including the Responsible Business Lending Coalition and several financing providers, said the bill would curb harmful practices and align incentives, while still allowing debt settlement services. Members asked about the private right of action and statutory damages, and the bill was approved due pass. The committee later reopened the rolls for absent members, recorded additional aye votes, and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN ORDER OF PRECEDENCE THAT'S THE STATE TERM CONTRACT, ALTERNATE CONTRACT SOURCES AND THEN AGENCY PROCUREMENTS
• THESE AGREEMENTS INCLUDE BOTH STATE TERM CONTRACTS AND ALTERNATE CONTRACT THEY ARE DEFINED IN CHAPTER
• IN THE EVENT A COMMODITY IS NOT AVAILABLE ON A STATE THERE ARE ALTERNATE CONTRACT SOURCES THAT THEY CAN
• IN THE EVENT A COMMODITY IS NOT AVAILABLE ON A STATE THERE ARE ALTERNATE CONTRACT SOURCES THAT THEY CAN
• IF THE COMMODITY CONTRACTUAL SERVICE IS AVAILABLE ON THE STATE TERM CONTRACT OR ALTERNATE CONTRACT SOURCE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to test. Right. Increases are impacting immigrants.
• By scaling the principles demonstrated in the 100 Homes program, TOPA offers a practical, tested solution
• of the rent control and rent-stabilization bills. the 100 Homes Program, Topa offers a practical, tested
• Despite her age and limited mobility, the other lower-cost alternative in our area is $2,400 per month

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of landlord-tenant and home rule bills, with most testimony focused on rent stabilization, tenant opportunity to purchase (TOPA), tenant fees, access to counsel, algorithmic rent fixing, and tenant protections in subsidized housing. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty outlined the hearing procedures and noted that written testimony could also be submitted. Several members and invited speakers emphasized that the committee was hearing from both local officials and residents affected by housing instability, especially in Somerville and other communities facing high rents and displacement. Supporters of rent stabilization and local-option rent control argued that Massachusetts needs tools to prevent displacement while new housing is built. Senator Eldridge, Senator Jalen, Somerville officials, tenant organizers, and residents described steep rent increases, no-fault evictions, and the loss of naturally occurring affordable housing. Somerville’s home rule petition was described as allowing annual increases tied to CPI plus 2%, capped at 5%, with exemptions for owner-occupied two- and three-family homes and a 15-year exemption for new construction. TOPA supporters said it would let tenants or their designees buy buildings before speculative buyers, preserving affordable housing stock; opponents, including small landlords and property managers, argued rent control would reduce supply, discourage investment, and that TOPA could delay sales and harm properties. The committee also heard testimony on bills to curb junk fees and regulate tenant charges, including limits on late fees, lease renewal fees, payment portal fees, attorney’s fees, and other add-on charges. Advocates said these fees can add hundreds of dollars a month and disproportionately harm low-income renters and renters of color. Another major topic was algorithmic rent fixing: Senator Moore and Representative Sabadoza said landlords should not use software such as RealPage to coordinate pricing, citing federal antitrust actions and arguing that competition is essential to lowering rents. Additional testimony supported a statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, with legal services providers saying representation dramatically improves outcomes and can save the state money, and a bill to create an office of tenant protections to better enforce sanitary code violations. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• only allows local governments in counties with more than 880,000 residents to use cost-saving alternatives
• <00:15:54.279> for<00:15:54.639> publishing<00:15:55.639> Public alternatives for
• publishing Public alternatives for publishing Public Notices<00:15:57.319> right<00:15:57.560
• speak thank you the second alternative speak thank you the second alternative option<00:16:51.680
• The member added that the bill also provides an alternative if people do not have access, since they

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore the end of the meeting Meeting Start 00:01 Roll Call 00:05 HB 131 discussion 01:55 HB 131 vote 05:08 HB 256 discussion 07:09 HB 256 vote 08:58 HB 290 discussion 10:59 HB 290 vote 13:25 HB 368 discussion 15:11 HB 368 vote 31:30 Adjournment 36:27, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. House Bill 131, sponsored by Representative Meredith, was amended with a committee substitute and would allow former second class city fire departments more scheduling flexibility, including hybrid shift patterns, while preserving existing collective bargaining agreements. There was no opposition or questions, and the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably by voice/roll call vote. House Bill 256, sponsored by Chairman Flannery, would impose a 40-year statutory limit on root-of-title interests to clear dormant title issues and improve marketable title, while excluding coal and mineral interests. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. House Bill 290, sponsored by Representative Wilson, would update county law library funding/use rules to allow more modern expenditures such as online legal services; Representative Willner supported it as a useful modernization, and the bill also passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. House Bill 368, sponsored by Representative Decker, would expand local governments’ ability to use online public notice alternatives instead of relying solely on newspaper publication in smaller counties. Supporters from local government groups argued the change would save money, improve efficiency, and still keep the public informed, while the Kentucky Press Association cautioned that website standards should be addressed and noted concerns about losing newspaper notice revenue. After discussion, the committee passed the bill favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional yes votes for HB 131, HB 256, and HB 290, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• money, because when they're doing these studies, they're going out and if they've advertised in a test
• c><00:38:50.400> advertised<00:38:51.200> in<00:38:51.520> a<00:38:51.640> test
• and if they've advertised in a test and if they've advertised in a test market<00:38:52.200>
• The program was set up as an alternative to a state paid leave program, to a state-funded paid leave
• I do not believe there is an alternative as of right now.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• might not work as well it alternative might not work as well it might<00:25:18.720> cause<00:
• <00:31:19.840> through Alternatives through Alternatives through competition<00:31:22.039>
• lower cost Alternatives out of the<00:36:58.760> way<00:36:59.760> we're<00:36:59.960>
• for an alternate um make intelligent<00:40:32.520> informed<00:40:32.920> decisions<00
• that they could use rather alternate that they could use rather than than than changing<00:43:31.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:49.360> were in person, but those alternatives were in person, but those alternatives
• Information about alternative dispute resolution methods and any other helpful information.
• Or an alternative could be to take the bill in front of us and on line eight, after “crime,” insert “
• Or<02:47:46.399> an Or an Or an alternative<02:47:49.439> could<02:47:49.680> be
• could be to take the bill in alternative could be to take the bill in front<02:47:50.960> of<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House bill and the strike all each add a new designation: imported, domestic, imported, and then alternatively
• House bill and the strike all each add a new designation: imported, domestic, imported, and then alternatively
• something else out beside it. >> So if I [clears throat] excuse me as I read it, it says as an alternative
• <00:17:19.760> says<00:17:19.919> as<00:17:20.160> an<00:17:20.400> alternative
• <00:17:20.959> to read it, it says as an alternative to read it, it says as an alternative

Keywords: Ports and Marine Resources - Room 216, 2 March, 2026; 3:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills related to marine and airport matters. One measure would amend an existing prohibition on using a “pane” in parts of the Mississippi Sound to add Jackson County back into the restricted area. Another, House Bill 735, would authorize the Department of Marine Resources to pay reserve marine patrol officers for special events using existing federal or local funds rather than new state money. Both were presented as straightforward updates, and HB 735 received a title sufficient do pass motion and was reported out. House Bill 1441 on airport authorities drew more discussion. The bill would give airports authority similar to other property owners to deal with abandoned vehicles on airport property, including notice and abandonment procedures. Members asked about notification requirements, the abandonment timeline, and whether the authority could retain vehicles for official airport use; the sponsor said the existing process and state law notice requirements still apply. An amendment was offered to clarify the 90-day notice language, and the bill was advanced after that amendment. The committee also considered House Bill 1466, a seafood labeling strike-all bill. The sponsor said the Department of Marine Resources and stakeholders were still working on the language, including where labels may be affixed on menus and how grocery store labeling should work. Members discussed the use of “imported” versus country-of-origin labeling, and a representative explained that the language was intended to let restaurants identify specific foreign products by country rather than simply marking them imported. The committee also adopted a grammar correction in the short title and restored a reverse repealer before reporting the bill out. At the end of the meeting, the committee said it was pressed for time and recessed before taking up one remaining bill related to reef issues.