Transcript Highlights:

• Things like wildlife habitat restoration and improvements, soil and water quality improvements, um, and
• , soil and water quality and improvements, soil and water quality improvements,<00:24:12.040> um
• c> improvements, um improvements, um and<00:24:13.040> the<00:24:13.120> biggest<00:24:
• So, when they're looking improvements.
• <00:28:37.240> in to mark a timber stand improvement in to mark a timber stand improvement

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductions and approval of the previous minutes, including a small amendment clarifying a note about “leakage” in a prior presentation. The committee then heard a presentation from Sarah Hall of the American Forest Foundation on the Family Forest Carbon Program, which she described as a voluntary carbon and forest management program for smaller landowners. She said the program provides annual payments and technical assistance, requires a forest management plan within two years, and is designed to support improved forest management while still allowing compatible uses such as recreation, hunting, and some harvesting. Hall emphasized that the program is intended as one tool among many and is not a fit for every property. She said most enrolled landowners did not previously have a forest management plan or work with a forester, and that the program helps bring “unengaged” landowners into active management. She also said the program is compatible with current use and other commitments on a case-by-case basis, and that landowners retain ownership of their land and timber rights while AFF holds the carbon rights for the contract term. She highlighted examples of landowners using the program to support taxes, family ownership, wildlife habitat, timber stand improvement, and continued recreational or business uses. Committee members asked about registry compliance in New Hampshire and the relationship between carbon markets and the program. Hall responded that AFF handles registry administration for landowners and would follow up on the specific registry count raised by a member. She explained that the program is funded through a mix of carbon market revenue, philanthropy, and grants, and that carbon credits are generated through landscape-level methodology and monitored using randomly selected plots compared with FIA data. She also noted that consulting foresters are key partners in the program and that AFF has paid more than $3 million to consultants nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• All funds have improved.
• The funding status on a improved.
• improved to 61%. improved to 61%.
• June 30, 2025, it improved to 61%.
• But there have been improvements, but one thing that I think there is still room for improvement on is

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:12 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:34 Actuarial Valuation Update – KPPA: 00:02:10 Actuarial Valuation Update – TRS: 00:25:32, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from KPPA officials Ryan Barrow and Erin Saratt on the annual actuarial valuations for the retirement and insurance systems. They said the systems’ funding status improved overall, with three of five insurance funds fully funded, CERS hazardous dropping from over 100% funded to 90.9% because of premium changes, and KRS receiving $650 million in supplemental funding over the biennium. They also reported strong investment returns above assumed rates, higher payroll and membership counts, and resulting actuarial losses tied to higher salaries and premiums, especially on the insurance side. Members asked several questions about what drove the actuarial losses and whether legislation affected them. KPPA said the CERS insurance loss was driven by premium increases and Senate Bill 10, while the pension-side losses were largely due to higher payroll and benefits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 members. They explained that new Tier 3 employees are designed to add no additional unfunded liability, and that the state administers the systems but does not directly control all hiring. Questions also focused on retiree health premiums, which KPPA said rose about 15% for non-Medicare retirees and 38% for Medicare retirees, with the increase attributed to utilization, prescription costs, and the Inflation Reduction Act. The committee then heard from TRS Deputy Executive Secretary and General Counsel Beau Barnes on the 2025 TRS actuarial valuation. He reported that the Retirement Annuity Trust and Health Insurance Trust both received full funding, the retirement trust’s funded ratio improved to 61%, TRS 4 remains well funded with no liability, and the health insurance trust improved to 89.1%. Barnes said TRS is on track to fully fund legacy liabilities within the amortization period, with 2044 as the point when the system reflects 100% funding and 2046 as the last year needing additional dollars for the legacy liability. He also explained that lower assumed investment returns and updated mortality assumptions increased liabilities, but that TRS uses direct rate smoothing for budgeting purposes. At the end of the meeting, the chair circulated a proposed set of “do’s and don’ts of pensions,” emphasizing that future legislation should not create unfunded liabilities. Barnes also noted he would later discuss several legislative proposals for the 2026 session, but the transcript provided ends before that discussion or any votes on those proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• The facility will be centrally located and will strengthen and improve Minnesota's ability to respond
• :02:49.280> will<00:02:49.680> strengthen<00:02:50.200> and<00:02:50.640> improve
• and will strengthen and improve and will strengthen and improve Minnesota's<00:02:51.720> ability
• the understand and ultimately improve the pre-trial<00:29:11.159> practices<00:29:11.600>
• <00:49:02.680> from 99% uh a dramatic improvement from 99% uh a dramatic improvement from

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you know child outcomes going to improve you know child outcomes that<00:20:05.000> it's<00:20
• He said the Cub credit would catalyze private investment and bring new projects and improve tax bases
• You know, that this would cover a third of tenant improvements on commercial properties.
• <01:18:06.239> on cover a third of tenant improvements on cover a third of tenant improvements
• <01:35:29.000> the decreases blight helps improve the decreases blight helps improve the Vitality

Bills: HF1277, HF812, HF457, HF633

Keywords: data centers, tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, economic development, employment growth, income tax, tax brackets, tax adjustments, Minnesota, tax policy, underutilized buildings, adaptive reuse, building conversion, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, vacant property, vacancy reduction, refundable tax credit, income tax credit, grant in lieu of credit

Transcript Highlights:

• Project ECHO is an educational methodology that improves primary care skills in specialty areas, and
• Project ECHO is an educational methodology that improves primary care skills in specialty areas, and
• Project ECHO is an educational methodology that improves primary care skills in specialty areas, and
• qualifying priority Capital Improvement qualifying priority Capital Improvement projects<00:23:32.200
• No public road, street, highway, or public construction or improvement of any nature resulting in the

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken. Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount. Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2050 reduces disputes and improves compliance by providing the appropriate funding formula, and this
• my foster care bill package, and I also want to recognize my colleagues working on legislation to improve
• Since then, awareness of ALS has improved, but the exact causes still remain unknown and there's still
• Further funding and research is needed to improve the lifespan of those diagnosed with ALS and to Further
• funding and research is needed to improve the lifespan of those diagnosed with ALS and to ultimately

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They believe it improves accountability and responsiveness to the public.
• And if we're strategic in the way we think about improving government and efficiencies, we need to be
• So we talked about improving orientation for new legislators.
• Second is improving succession planning of legislative leaders.
• Second is improving succession planning of legislative leaders.

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up a draft bill to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records. Legislative Council and the Secretary of State explained the proposal was prompted by security concerns and would protect residential addresses while still allowing election officials to verify residency and keep candidate names and offices public. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and how the change would affect rural districts and residency enforcement. The Secretary of State suggested an amendment to end the confidentiality when a candidate’s term ends, and the committee agreed to hold the bill over for further discussion at the next meeting. The committee also reviewed follow-up materials on legislator security and best practices, including advice on situational awareness, internet hygiene, varying routines, and reporting threats, along with NCSL materials comparing capitol security practices in other states. Members discussed a recent security incident and the need to keep alert contact information current, and staff said they would continue working with the Highway Patrol on legislative-specific notifications. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on mitigating the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized survey, focus group, and stakeholder input showing concerns about loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, onboarding demands, and workload pressures, while also noting public support for term limits and annual sessions. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session and interim committee work, creating office hours and more structured orientation and mentorship, expanding ongoing training and staff support, improving public communication and virtual testimony rules, and addressing barriers to service such as employer support and travel costs. Members discussed the tension between making the legislature more effective and preserving a citizen-legislature model, and the report was received as a roadmap for future implementation rather than immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• that. not just to put money in it, but also to change the structure of special education funding to improve
• The investment goal was optimizing our assets. allocation and improving implementation.
• For the past five years, the Hogg Foundation has been working to improve the mental health and well-being
• Secondly TCTA appreciates funds for school safety improvements.
• This is something that I ran my campaign on, was improving the lives of special education students.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This improved clarity limits the exposure for the insurance company, thereby decreasing their premiums
• This is going to improve the process.
• this<00:12:16.680> is<00:12:16.839> going<00:12:16.959> to<00:12:17.079> improve
• <00:12:17.440> the this is going to improve the this is going to improve the process<00:12

Keywords: Roll Call 00:32 Approval of Minutes 01:38 HB 20 Discussion 02:08 HB 20 Vote 06:00 HB 188 Discussion 07:07 HB 188 Vote 10:10 Administrative Regs 11:09, 958, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting’s minutes, and heard two House bills plus several Transportation Cabinet regulations. House Bill 20, sponsored by Rep. Hodson, would restrict the retention and sale of automated license plate reader data, limit storage to 60 days, and prohibit nonconsensual tracking devices such as micro-trackers and subcutaneous trackers. Hodson said the bill was aimed at protecting citizens’ privacy and noted it had passed the House previously; members asked about enforcement and deletion responsibility, and one member suggested criminal penalties might be worth considering in the future. The committee voted to report HB 20 favorably. House Bill 188, sponsored by Rep. Duvall, addressed driveaway plate businesses that transport vehicles for others. Duvall said Kentucky law had created confusion about how many vehicles could be on the road and had driven up insurance costs, hurting a Warren County business; the bill would let such companies purchase the exact number of plates needed, which he said would reduce exposure and premiums. He emphasized the bill would not affect dealer tags or trailer transport and said he was working on a floor amendment to make that clear. The committee reported HB 188 favorably as well. The committee then reviewed five administrative regulations, including Transportation Cabinet rules allowing technology to be used in title examinations, extending an off-road vehicle pilot program to July 2026 and updating the definition of local government, aligning truck weight-mass rules with statute, adopting the MUTCD traffic control manual, and an emergency Kentucky State Police regulation adjusting a TSA-related hazardous materials endorsement fee because the federal change came too quickly for the normal regulatory process. Members asked whether the title rule covered rebuild titles, and staff said it applied to all titles. The committee noted the regulations had been reviewed and then adjourned, with the next meeting tentatively set for the following Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have done our part to keep improving Chester Elementary School.
• It’s really hard to make sure that our school keeps improving when we never know if rural school aid
• Being at Pappas has also allowed me to improve my relationships with my parents by making them become
• We have seen significant improvements in the behavioral health system over the last two decades.
• They take important steps toward not only securing housing, but also improving their health.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rest of the bill focuses on taking steps that would improve operations and reduce fraud within the
• <01:14:06.320> Um<01:14:06.719> I would greatly improve this bill.
• Um I would greatly improve this bill.
• are known things that help improve are known things that help improve maternal<01:37:25.920>
• We should always be looking for ways to improve accountability and efficiency in government.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 26, 2026. The clerk then reported several bills on second reading, including measures on state personnel, domestic violence, fish and wildlife resources, open records, workforce investment, data centers, guardians ad litem and domestic relations, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 on a Medicaid pilot feasibility study and Senate Joint Resolution 23 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. The main floor business was House Bill 2, the Medicaid reform and appropriation bill. The sponsor described it as a response to rising Medicaid costs and federal changes, saying it would improve transparency, oversight, fraud prevention, and program operations. He said the bill would apply mainly to the Medicaid expansion population and include community engagement, cost-sharing, eligibility safeguards, stronger managed care oversight, transportation and dental delivery changes, waiver program prioritization, greater legislative access to CHFS data, a transparency dashboard, periodic auditor review, and limits on certain weight-management drug coverage. A House committee substitute was adopted, and a floor amendment on phasing in a marginal medical loss ratio requirement over four years was offered as a friendly amendment and adopted. The House then debated House Floor Amendment 1, which would have removed state-mandated co-payments and limited cost sharing to the federal minimum, while also prohibiting reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Supporters argued the amendment would protect low-income Kentuckians from barriers to care and prevent medical debt from worsening poverty. Opponents said the bill’s co-pays were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, especially to reduce non-emergency emergency room visits, and noted that providers and MCOs could waive or work around some charges. After a roll call vote, the amendment failed 20-39. After the amendment vote, the House continued discussion of the bill, with the sponsor defending the co-payment structure as a way to promote personal responsibility and sustainability while preserving access to primary care. The transcript ends during further debate on House Bill 2, and no final passage vote is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's probably an improvement over the process we've had. I don't like this program.
• um if there's process can be improved um if there's funding<00:19:33.120> uh<00:19:33.200>
• over the process probably an improvement over the process we've<00:21:41.400> had<00:21:41.640
• That price is coming down pretty rapidly as the technology develops and improves.
• as the technology develops and improves as the technology develops and improves um<00:29:21.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to assure you that I come at this work respectfully and with a purpose to improve the lives of
• <00:01:53.920> a<00:01:54.119> purpose<00:01:54.600> to<00:01:54.799> improve
• <00:01:55.280> the<00:01:55.479> lives and with a purpose to improve the lives and
• with a purpose to improve the lives of<00:01:56.039> black<00:01:56.840> motans<00:01:57.840
• <00:53:18.319> training efforts related to improving training efforts related to improving

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Worldwide, developing nations are turning to fossil fuel energy to increase and improve their lifestyle
• Landscapes with meaningful improvements Landscapes with meaningful improvements to<00:32:13.760>
• inventory and approaches as improved inventory and approaches as well<00:35:11.400> as<00:35:
• We can try to improve our health and our sustainability at the same time.
• on infrastructure projects to improve on infrastructure projects to improve safety<01:30:34.920>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And and I look for ways to improve.
• We've got data that goes back to 2002 to show really how much our soil has improved.
• They help improve soil health, reduce nutrient loss, improve biodiversity, and make our farms more profitable
• They help improve soil health, benefit.
• 44.639> improve reduce nutrient loss, improve reduce nutrient loss, improve biodiversity,<01:47

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, not to say that the processes can't be improved, but we do have a way to gather information
• To a critical tool that could improve their health and their independence.
• This truly improves lives and brings joy.
• <01:15:10.760> in their families deserve improvement in their families deserve improvement
• I think there's some other tweaks that can be made that will improve the process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in turn leads to high cost to customers at a time when we need to make critical infrastructure improvements
• improvements to address safety<00:04:01.840> reliability<00:04:02.920> resiliency<00:04
• And finally, if I may, Senator, we believe that the stepwise improvement of our credit rating will more
• Improvement of our credit<00:19:03.919> rating<00:19:04.559> will<00:19:04.799> more
• um so this bill will time okay improves um so this bill will time okay thank<00:49:23.119> you

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.

Transcript Highlights:

• passed the House, House Bill 2950 enables a governing body to approve the formation of a tourism improvement
• assessment, which is levied 90 days after the governing body approves the petition to form the tourism improvement
• It's very hard for me to see courts administering this in a way that would improve the justice system
• It's very hard for me to see courts administering this in a way that would improve the justice system

Summary: The meeting covered seven Senate-amended House bills on the caucus agenda. HB 248 was described as changing prior language about private process servers and, in the Senate strike-everything version, prohibiting more restrictive utilization controls for FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications than those applied to opioid or narcotic drugs, with a repeal date of September 1, 2028. HB 2265 would continue limiting certain court fees charged to criminal defendants, though the Senate removed the provision barring courts from creating new fees without express legislative authorization. HB 2404 would require authorized transporters for certain mental health transports; the sponsor explained the Senate changes delay implementation until 2030 and preserve officer involvement when safety concerns exist. HB 2611 would strengthen DCS group foster home safety rules, including drug screening consequences for employees and additional security standards, with the sponsor emphasizing child safety and accountability. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas and lodging assessments, with the Senate shifting assessment approval to the governing body and removing some new-business assessment requirements. HB 2986 made multiple ADEQ-related changes, including replacing the recycling fund with the solid waste fee fund and expanding its uses. HB 2995 revised child custody and domestic violence standards to make domestic violence a dominant factor in custody decisions, with Senate amendments adjusting findings, evidence standards, burdens of proof, and adding an emergency clause. Most bills were met with sponsor concurrence and no recorded opposition. HB 2404 drew questions about whether peace officers would still be involved in transports; the sponsor clarified officers would still handle the initial pickup and could be recalled if the person remained high risk or aggressive. HB 2611 was supported as a child-protection measure based partly on recommendations from youth in group homes. HB 2950 was described as a private, opt-in tourism financing tool that would cost taxpayers nothing. HB 2986 was noted as having passed the Senate unanimously. HB 2995 generated the most discussion. Supporters said it addresses coercive control and financial abuse in domestic violence cases and was developed through a lengthy stakeholder process, including court input, to better protect children and families. One member objected that the bill’s wording could sweep in ordinary marital conduct, such as managing finances, making demeaning remarks, or threatening to call police or file for divorce, and urged an amendment to narrow the language. Supporters responded that the bill is aimed at coercive control in custody disputes, that the emergency clause reflects immediate need, and that fixes could be revisited later. The caucus ended with a reminder about a second caucus after floor for the budget bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So while this bill was sitting on the Senate, DHS suggested some improvements in case we have a dry year
• So while this bill was sitting on the Senate, DHS suggested some improvements in case we have a dry year
• So while this bill was sitting on the Senate, DHS suggested some improvements in case we have a dry year
• So while this bill was sitting on the Senate, DHS suggested some improvements in case we have a dry year

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Neighborhood Investment Program; and engrossed House Bill 5685, relating to authorizing bonds for improvements
• Neighborhood Investment Program; and engrossed House Bill 5685, relating to authorizing bonds for improvements
• Engrossed House Bill 5685, relating to authorizing bonds for improvements to the West Virginia Science
• Engrossed House Bill 5685, relating to authorizing bonds for improvements to the West Virginia Science

Keywords: 994, senate, all