Transcript Highlights:

• of the dust bowl and has continued to exist for nearly a century. and while the programs that we operate
• The agency only has so many dollars to operate these programs, and when we look at the child, yes, it
• The program, as it operated at The end of September cost roughly $285 million.
• It would allow us to Continue to operate the program and serve forty thousand children.
• I mean, are we operating with QR codes now?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And under the statute, if an operator fails to plug the well...
• I think this is a different type of operation and different source of funds.
• And one final comment, I was looking at the operator responsibility...
• I think this is a different type of operation and different source of funds.
• And one final comment, I was looking at the operator responsibility.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, it does not include general operations and maintenance.
• , wastewater operators.
• They're not operating and maintaining their systems as they should. So thank you.
• It's just like they don't know they can be a water operator, start with a level one.
• I don't even know if they still operate the Solid Waste Facility Grant Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• is actually our third round of grants for local and state cybersecurity. for $605,000 in state operations
• Those will improve. operational efficiencies within CDCR.
• And then the third issue related to San Quentin. that the budget provides custody staffing to operate
• We'll start with the Department of Justice. of Fiscal Operations with the Department of Justice.
• Sure, so in 2023 the county was operating two juvenile halls in the county.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have the biofuel refineries, they have the feedlots, they have the poultry operations, they have
• <00:10:36.760> to<00:10:36.920> have points on our grain operations to have points
• on our grain operations to have opportunities<00:10:37.720> for<00:10:37.839> our<00:10
• He has rental properties, and those all subsidize his farming operation, just like Senator Carpenter
• especially in our beef cattle operations especially in our beef cattle operations that<00:15:58.160

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard extended testimony from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and several senators about using agriculture economic development funds to make Kentucky farms more profitable and attract related businesses. Discussion focused on expanding markets for corn, soybeans, beef, dairy, and other products through biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, feedlots, processing plants, transportation, and other infrastructure that would keep more value in-state. Members also discussed the profitability pressures on farmers, high land prices, and the need for small-farm support and aggregation programs such as Kentucky Proud, BCAL, KOAP, CAP, food-is-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. Senators raised specific ideas and concerns, including raw milk and food-freedom innovation, support for 5-acre and other small farms, and the possibility of a beef processing plant in Kentucky. Shell said raw milk testing is not currently a department function but could be explored with legislative direction, and he emphasized that Kentucky must first prove it can feed cattle at scale before a processor is likely to locate here. He also argued that changing conditions in the West and Midwest, including water limits, workforce shortages, and regulatory pressure, could make Kentucky increasingly competitive for beef processing and feedlot operations. Several senators shared personal farming experiences to underscore the difficulty of making a living in agriculture and the need for off-farm income or value-added businesses. They cited examples such as grain storage, dairy products, chicken and hog operations, and restaurant or rental income supporting farm operations. Commissioner Shell said the fund is intended to fill gaps and attract businesses that need Kentucky agricultural products, creating premium markets and more local jobs. After questions concluded, the committee took up the bill, with a motion by Senator Richardson and a second by Senator Nunn. The roll call was taken, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• you'll see in the governor's operating you'll see in the governor's operating budget<01:13:36.760
• collect there to offset the operations collect there to offset the operations at<01:19:09.280>
• The B for the state to continue operating that.
• primarily related to the operational primarily related to the operational cost<01:24:56.360>
• Tomorrow we’ll be covering the Office of the Commissioner operations.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began as a Division 3 work session on HB 71, but much of the early discussion focused on whether a previously discussed non-germane amendment could be considered or voted on that day. Members and the chair debated process and notice requirements, and the clerk’s guidance was that the amendment needed a separate public hearing before the full Finance Committee. The amendment was described as requiring DHHS contracts and addenda to include compliance with the Patient Bill of Rights, with a repeal date so the requirement would expire on November 30, 2026. The motion to move OTP on HB 71 with the amendment was withdrawn, and the committee agreed the amendment would be scheduled for a future full Finance hearing instead. The committee then turned to HB 71 itself and heard testimony from DHHS representatives John Williams and Jenny O’Higgins on the fiscal note and policy implications. Members questioned the estimate that the bill could put $12 million to $18 million per year in federal funding at risk, including HUD and Office of Refugee Resettlement funds. DHHS explained that the estimate was based on a broad reading of the bill’s term “specified alien,” which they said was not clearly defined in the bill, so they analyzed it using the federal definition of “alien” and assumed the bill could affect lawfully present non-citizens as well as undocumented individuals. They said the figure represented a worst-case scenario and that they were not claiming the loss was certain. Members also pressed DHHS on whether the bill could affect emergency sheltering in schools, public academies, or institutions of higher learning during disasters. DHHS said the language could create conflicts with federal funding conditions because emergency shelter programs generally cannot impose barriers on who may be sheltered, and they warned that excluding certain people could affect refugee-related and HUD funding. Questions were raised about whether the bill’s language would apply to private institutions as well as public ones, and whether the state could still use schools in short-term emergencies. DHHS said the language was broad, that they could not answer every legal question definitively, and that they would need input from public health and legal staff. No final vote on HB 71 was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/work session mode after the amendment motion was withdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we not allowed to accept bingo equipment to operate these things as it, as it is today?
• HB 2820 would relieve financial strain on charitable bingo organizations by increasing the operating
• Expenses to operate a bingo hall for one week exceed $22,000.
• This is especially beneficial for startup brewers and small operations grow, looking to grow without
• Um, Um, I own and operate St. Elmo Brewing Company here in Austin, Texas. I started St.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to this day, there are over 60 active ongoing operations with the Hurricane Debbie footprint.
• So all of these projects At a school location concurrent with the school being in operation.
• The more we make those other states operate with the efficiency and the focus on our business...
• So Port Canaveral really is our home for the offload and recovery operations of New Glenn.
• It's quite tall, so you certainly won't miss our operations ongoing there.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session, with members introducing themselves and expressing support for veterans, military families, first responders, space industry growth, and domestic security. The first presentation was from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and recovery efforts. Officials described response and recovery operations for Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, including sheltering, meals, water, tarps, power restoration, flood control, debris removal, and public assistance funding. They emphasized that recovery is ongoing, that mitigation and resiliency investments are critical, and that Florida’s shelter space remains in deficit in many counties, especially for special needs populations. Senators asked about improving logistics capacity, technology for grant processing, HOA/private property debris issues, drainage and culvert maintenance, and ways to expand shelter capacity; the witness said more technology, better local coordination, and county-by-county planning would help, while noting limits on state authority over private property and county emergency manager qualifications. Committee members praised FDEM’s response and asked how the Legislature could help, including whether more logistical hubs, pumps, and flood-control equipment were needed. The witness said technology investments could reduce fatigue and improve grant and recovery processing, but that manpower would still be necessary. The committee also discussed the statewide emergency shelter plan, the use of schools as shelters, and the need to identify vacant commercial space and other facilities for future sheltering and special-needs needs. The witness said FDEM works with counties and commerce partners to identify available space and uses legislative funding for shelter retrofits and new construction when needed. The second presentation was from Blue Origin on its Florida operations. The company outlined its work in New Glenn, New Shepard, Blue Ring, lunar landers, and engine production, highlighting its Space Coast presence, more than 3,600 Florida employees, and over $3 billion invested in facilities. Blue Origin also described partnerships with Space Florida, public school Space Academies, internships, SkillBridge, and STEM outreach through Club for the Future. Members asked about the upcoming New Glenn launch window, which the company said was targeted for later that week, and the committee expressed interest in Blue Origin’s role in Florida’s space economy. The meeting ended with no further business and a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a lot of desires to be seen as a national hub for UAS operations, testing, and activities,
• these drones for homeland security as well as a downrange operational portfolios.
• So, these test cells are for those vehicles to ensure those vehicles can be operational so that when
• And so that means us unmanned aircraft operators have to really focus on that.
• My understanding is they have since shut down that operation.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Colorado Airport Operators Association legislative reception is tonight.
• The Colorado Airport<00:25:11.279> Operators<00:25:12.000> Association Airport Operators
• operators from all across the state. operators from all across the state. learn<00:25:24.720>
• obstructing law enforcement operations. obstructing law enforcement operations.
• policy or operation. policy or operation.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 55 members present and 10 excused, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Monday, January 26, 2026, as corrected. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 5, designating Colorado 4-H Day. Representatives Johnson and McCormick spoke in support, noting the visit from 4-H members and reciting the 4-H pledge. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 59-0, with six excused. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements and recognitions. Members highlighted upcoming legislative receptions for the Colorado Airport Operators Association and livestock groups, committee meetings including SMART Act hearings, Judiciary Committee items, Transportation/Housing/Local Government business, and a House Finance Committee meeting. Several members also recognized visiting groups and constituents, including behavioral health providers, Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, Heritage Heights Academy students, and House District 6 community leaders. A significant portion of the floor time was devoted to a personal privilege statement by Minority Leader Caldwell, who responded to concerns about immigration enforcement, emphasized the rule of law and due process, and criticized rhetoric he said endangered law enforcement and others. The House then moved into recess later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• LORENA, YOU ARE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS PROGRAMS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
• APD IS ABLE TO OPERATE A DENTAL PROGRAM AND SO WE OFFER DENTAL SERVICES THROUGH SEVERAL MECHANISMS.
• ONE IS THE ODD BUDGET WAIVER WHICH IS ONE OF THE MEDICAID PROGRAMS ARE AGENCY OPERATES.
• THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR THIS IS EXTREMELY LOW AND THE FACILITY FEE FOR AN OPERATING ROOM
• SEVEN YEARS YOU CAN SEE WHAT A 2 TO 3 PERCENT INCREASE IN OPERATING BUDGET HAS BROUGHT US.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He served as major, chief deputy, and in the Criminal Justice Operations Bureau until he was appointed
• up to 10% of the revenue into their general revenue for government operations.
• So right now, if you are operating a water utility outside of your municipal boundary, you can charge
• They can operate beyond their municipal boundary.
• So when you're operating beyond the municipal boundary— Make it more fair and equitable.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered five bills. The first, PCS for HB 987, was an honorary transportation facility designation bill naming several roads and an overpass for fallen officers, a military service member, and first responders. An amendment added the Sheriff Gary S. Borders Memorial Highway designation in Lake County. Members offered supportive remarks, and the bill passed 17-0. The committee then heard HB 703, which would require authorities such as FDOT or local governments to pay the costs when they require telecom providers to relocate infrastructure from public rights-of-way. Support came from Charter Communications, Associated Industries of Florida, and Florida Internet and Television, with discussion focused on the communication services tax and the cost burden of relocations. The bill passed unanimously 18-0. HB 1523 followed, addressing municipal utilities serving customers outside their boundaries by requiring public meetings, annual reporting, limits on transfers to general revenue, and reduced or eliminated surcharges for outside-boundary customers. Municipal utility representatives opposed parts of the bill, citing rural impacts, debt obligations, and the need for a glide path, while supporters argued for transparency and fairness to ratepayers outside municipal boundaries. An amendment changed a reporting date to January 31, 2026, and the bill passed 14-4. HB 867 established a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor, including insurance and indemnification arrangements for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties using the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. An amendment clarified that Florida East Coast Railway and Brightline are not state entities and do not have sovereign immunity unless expressly provided by law. The bill passed 18-0. Finally, HB 1137 clarified a prior energy preemption law by adding boards, agencies, commissions, and authorities of counties and municipal corporations to the entities covered, aimed at preventing discriminatory energy-source practices by an appointed board. Public testimony included support from the Florida Natural Gas Association and the Florida Home Builders Association and opposition from Florida Student Power. Members noted the bill was a cleanup measure, and it passed favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• looking at utilizing the advanced technology to actually do real-world revenue-generating type operations
• so, yeah, we have our work cut out for us, and we're really looking toward beginning our first operations
• We have a 90-day operational window that they want first operations.
• So as it applies to Lift Off Louisiana in the operations that we're conceiving of under that program,
• They're going to be operating, or conceived to be operating, in that environment, and they don't have

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met and was told this would likely be its final meeting because the committee sunsets after the 2026 regular session unless legislation reconstitutes it. Members discussed the need to reduce the committee’s size and adjust quorum rules so it can function more reliably, and they later adopted a motion supporting reconstitution of LADAC with a smaller membership and new appointments effective July 1, 2027. The committee also approved the June 2025 minutes and added a legislative briefing item to the agenda. Under subcommittee and project updates, members heard about the new counter-drone effort tied to House Bill 940 and the “Let’s Go” initiative, which would create a joint task force of State Police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-UAS work. The committee also received a briefing on the state’s advanced air mobility work from newly named Advanced Aeronautics Director Josh Deplanis, including Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s eVTOL/AAM Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and the development of a statewide strategic plan covering airspace integration, vertiport infrastructure, charging networks, economic development, education, and community engagement. Deplanis and members emphasized that Louisiana is among a small number of national EIPP sites and that the state’s proposal is notable for also addressing international airspace and “high seas” operations beyond 12 miles offshore, which could help inform FAA and ICAO policy. Members praised the state’s leadership, the work of DOTD, OMC, GOSEP, State Police, and legislative partners, and noted the potential economic importance for oil and gas logistics and other advanced aviation uses. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the committee’s votes and updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bridge is currently operating at maximum capacity.
• House Bill 2455 amends the Transportation Code regulating the maximum weight of vehicles operating at
• This has fueled growth in the illegal sales of untitled vehicles at locations operated by unlicensed
• by unlicensed and unregulated operators.
• These illegal operators do not report to the state or federal government.

Bills: HB2026, HB2427, HB2455, HB2560, HB3510, HB3966, HB3986, HB4429, HB5436, SB3062

Keywords: memorial highway, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Archer County, highway designation, vehicle weight, ports of entry, Texas Transportation Code, truck regulations, load limits, Adopt-a-County Road, funding, road maintenance, county partnership, public recognition, memorial designation, highway, Sergeant Mark Butler, transportation, Brazos County

Transcript Highlights:

• Half of our parks operating budget is used to fund our over 1,000 FTE and over 500 OPS employees.
• So for 2026-27, it went down in the operating allocations. Can you tell me why? **Mr.
• So the operating, you see the difference in the operating from fiscal year 25, 26?
• So the operating is down, so I was wondering why the recommendation is to go down on that?
• And it gives our concessionaires a chance to operate some different services within the park.

Transcript Highlights:

• Belongs to our operator, not this does this facility belong to the state of Florida.
• We have seven contract operators.
• Finally, consistency in our state's operating rooms can only be...
• Safety in the operating room must be equitable.
• And Will McKinley with the Association of Operating Room Registered Nurses, waving in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's Chief Deputy over law enforcement operations.
• Centers operate on officers' schedules, which means they can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week—weekends
• ...integrated into daily operations?
• So that's where the embedded piece into daily operations comes in. ...operations, and I think it's a
• So this is the way we operate.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are operational.
• They’re doing very risky operations, very dangerous operations.
• > operations.
• operations, very dangerous operations. operations, very dangerous operations.
• That is not operation spending. That is not operation spending.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort. The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises. Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Operations. My name is Walter Hullet. Operations. My name is Walter Hullet.
• into their operations. into their operations.
• Both centers operate 24/7 facilities.
• OVR operates the Carl the community.
• <00:31:43.440> The centers operate 247 facilities. The centers operate 247 facilities.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project. The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• CADS is the voice of the 304 CBAS centers that are currently operating and providing person-centered
• So now, just operating as a Budget Subcommittee Two, let's bring up issue number three, please.
• This allocation includes operational costs and $5 million for tribal entities.
• And this program has been operating under a continuing resolution...
• IHSS relies on county social Funding and program operations.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.