Transcript Highlights:

• of pre-processing.
• this starts the process for. this starts the process for.
• expedite voters through the process. expedite voters through the process.
• the requirements of this legislation. the requirements of this legislation.
• Um, and I also chair legislative legislative legislative administration.<04:58:47.120> Uh,<04:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we took legislation<00:31:55.120> action<00:31:55.679> legislative<00:31:56.799>
• action<00:31:57.519> in legislation action legislative action in legislation action legislative
• But what that looks process in place.
• process.
• They are not legislative processes.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services heard Senate Bill 18, a bill described by the sponsor and podiatry witnesses as a modernization of Kentucky’s podiatry laws. The bill would recognize and regulate podiatric assistants, podiatric residents, and supervising podiatrists; allow podiatrists to supervise physician assistants in podiatry practices with approval from the relevant licensing boards; require new podiatrists licensed after January 1, 2027 to complete at least two years of residency; and extend disciplinary authority to the new categories. Witnesses said the measure would improve access to foot and ankle care, especially in rural areas, without expanding scope of practice. The Kentucky Medical Association was said to be neutral after working on the language with the sponsors. Committee members raised concerns about the meaning of “supervision,” whether it required direct or indirect oversight, and whether the bill could broaden billing or coding privileges. Dr. Roberts said supervision could mean direct supervision or indirect supervision, including being available by telephone, and noted the bill mirrors language used in allopathic PA supervision. He also said the bill would not change office staff billing roles and that podiatric assistants would not bill separately. Several senators said they supported moving the bill forward but remained concerned about workforce, cost, and scope creep. The committee adopted a committee substitute, then voted on the bill. The motion passed unanimously with favorable expression. After the vote, the committee moved on to a presentation on outpatient pediatric therapies, where providers described Medicaid reimbursement pressures, workforce turnover, and long waiting lists for children’s therapy services, but no action was taken on that presentation in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:00.000> when the environmental review process when the environmental review process
• There's a judicial process underway.
• There's a judicial process underway.
• one year um to go through the process. one year um to go through the process. um<00:55:08.160>
• <00:55:17.599> the you guys have started the process the you guys have started the process

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures. SB 1602 would appropriate funds to DLNR for monitoring wells for the Koho aquifer system; DLNR and HHFDC supported it, and written testimony from several organizations and individuals was also in support. Members asked whether monitoring wells are a statewide function rather than a county function, and staff confirmed they are done statewide. The second bill was an administration measure clarifying that criminal water pollution enforcement remains with the Department of Health rather than DLNR. The Attorney General’s office said it was a cleanup clarification and that DOH has stronger enforcement powers and better testing capability; DOH and DLNR supported it, and there was no opposition noted. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1074 on environmental impact statements. The bill would let previously authorized or permitted commercial activities continue for up to one year while an agency determines whether environmental review applies after a challenge, and would allow permit renewals during that review. DLNR said it stood on written comments and suggested aligning the bill with similar House language. Supporters, including several ocean tourism and Maui business representatives, argued the bill would provide certainty and keep families and small operators working while environmental review is completed, especially in the wake of the Lahaina fires and ongoing business losses. Some supporters said the measure should be narrowed with a sunset or limited to recently renewed permits. Opponents, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could weaken HEPA/NEPA-style environmental review, especially for fisheries and other commercial activities. They said the bill could be used as a “Trojan horse” to avoid review and that DLNR could resolve the underlying disputes more quickly through settlement or existing exemption processes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in the process of applying for our fee airport.
• With the building process and working with the, I believe With the building process and working with
• And it will also provide a process for enforcement.
• And it will also provide a process for enforcement.
• But we don't have the authority to legislate like you do or to enforce any legislation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was some very productive public process on...
• The approval process for... And new development regulations.
• We're in the process of updating all of our development code.
• And we're comfortable taking those public hearings out of the process.
• . ...and not as a mandate from a government permitting process.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation around the the leasing. So, legislation around the the leasing.
• <00:15:43.720> would not um, this proposed legislation would not um, this proposed legislation
• sort of step process.
• Um so and I know there was legislation Um so and I know there was legislation to<00:31:01.240>
• Um to legislative liaison.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of changes happened in the state in general and in the legislative process. Very good.
• general and in the legislative general and in the legislative process<00:13:52.759> very<
• We occasionally do have a robust debate sometimes with the legislative staff and legislators about the
• <00:19:39.559> staff<00:19:39.840> and<00:19:40.000> legislators the legislative
• staff and legislators the legislative staff and legislators about<00:19:41.280> the<00:19:41.559

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . process. process.
• avoid through this process. avoid through this process.
• process went and if it went well? process went and if it went well?
• . legislation. legislation.
• part of their accounting process. part of their accounting process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair. >> And now, Representative Thibo. legislators deal with every single day. legislators deal with
• own safety policies, this legislation own safety policies, this legislation strips<00:36:53.440>
• :10.239> having so the legislator legislature having so the legislator legislature having sworn
• You HB1 1793 inexpedient to legislate.
• However, they oppose this legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hiring and training process for the HDCs.
• Yeah, that was legislatively created.
• Yeah, that was legislatively created. that one yeah that was legislatively created so my question is
• Yeah, that was legislatively created.
• If I, as a legislator, am telling you that I'm going to... ...budgetary item if I, as a legislator, am

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• THROUGHOUT THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS.
• WHAT I OBSERVED WORKING HIS PASSING LEGISLATION BUILDS EXPECTATIONS.
• THEY OPEN THE PROCESS TO STAKEHOLDERS.
• ANOTHER GOAL OF THE LEGISLATION WAS TO EMPOWER FAMILIES.
• IT IS MORE OF AN AUTOMATED PROCESS THAN A SINGLE SOURCE OF TRUTH.

Transcript Highlights:

• they're going to explain that process they're going to explain that process they're<00:37:18.319
• process.
• <01:24:11.560> process<01:24:12.560> thank forward in the legislative process thank
• forward in the legislative process thank you<01:24:12.800> for<01:24:12.960> your<01:24
• from the official legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate your interest and participation in the legislative process.
• We appreciate your interest and participation in the legislative process.
• difficult process of exition from state. difficult process of exition from state.
• . legislators. legislators.
• Good and was disrupted in that process. Good and was disrupted in that process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would take legislation to this.
• processing of rare earths.
• processing of rare earths.
• legislative intent was. Thank you, Mr. legislative intent was. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• amendments, legislation, and the like. amendments, legislation, and the like.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:12.480> to<00:09:13.040> uh additional legislation to uh additional legislation
• <00:09:50.880> the didn't get through the process. the didn't get through the process. the
• legislative session, creating KRS 202. legislative session, creating KRS 202. 202<00:34:45.040><
• So how long is it taking for an appeals process, a typical process right now? >> I may pass that.
• Oh, for the appeals process.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes of its June 10, 2025 meeting and then heard testimony on House Bill 198, “Angela’s Law,” sponsored by Representative Samara Hein. The bill would add a new aggravating circumstance in death-penalty cases when an offender abuses the corpse of a kidnapping or murder victim by engaging in deviate sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse, or sexual contact. Representative Hein and the victim’s parents described the case that prompted the proposal, saying the current law did not allow the conduct to be treated as an aggravating factor because the sexual act occurred after death. They emphasized that the bill would not require a death sentence or life without parole, but would give judges and juries another sentencing factor to consider. Doug and Angela Kerr gave emotional testimony about their daughter’s murder and said the current sentencing options were inadequate given the facts of the case. Several members expressed sympathy and supported the bill’s purpose. Senator Wheeler said the measure would signal that the Commonwealth will not tolerate such conduct, and Representative Petrie said he supported the concept but urged careful drafting so the language would not be too narrow or unintentionally reach co-conspirators or others whose conduct differed from the principal offender. The committee then received an informational presentation on KRS Chapter 202C from Judge Lisa Payne Jones and Shauna Mitchell of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. They explained that 202C was enacted in 2021 to address a gap in Kentucky’s civil commitment laws for defendants found incompetent to stand trial after serious offenses. The presentation outlined the process: a Commonwealth’s attorney must file a petition for qualifying offenses, an evidentiary hearing must be held quickly, and if the respondent is found by a preponderance of the evidence to have committed the offense, a commitment hearing follows with a higher burden of proof. They also described the 2024 amendment changing the commitment criteria from requiring all four factors to only one, and noted the statute’s review-hearing schedule and the availability of later review if circumstances change or new evidence emerges.

Transcript Highlights:

• it is on that form and this legislation it is on that form and this legislation will<00:27:44.080
• process.
• process.
• process.
• process.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there is a notification and approval process for Finance, but there's no notification process
• So we would recommend... ...process for Finance, but there's no notification process for the Legislature
• And we plan to establish a process that would allow us to vet qualified private businesses that A process
• , inspection process, decontamination process.
• We've streamlined processes.

Summary: The subcommittee began by announcing a change in the agenda order, moving item 6 ahead of item 1 and then item 7, and noting there would be no votes taken on any items that day. Item 6 covered a proposed operational efficiencies control section for the Natural Resources Agency that would let multiple departments jointly fund landscape-scale or multi-jurisdictional projects and allow Finance to transfer climate bond funds to a lead state entity. The LAO said the proposal was reasonable but suggested the Legislature consider requiring summary notification on how it is used; Finance said it would consider that request. Item 7 focused on the 2026-27 biodiversity and nature-based solutions spending plan. Finance and the Wildlife Conservation Board described the climate bond funding for habitat restoration, wildlife crossings, public access, tribal nature-based solutions, and related work, including $111 million proposed for WCB and $30 million for Salton Sea habitat and public access projects. The LAO supported the overall approach but flagged the San Andreas Corridor Program as an area where the Legislature may want to specify geographic priorities. Members discussed the pace of Salton Sea work and whether the proposed projects would count toward disadvantaged community goals. Item 8 addressed Cal Fire’s aviation contract and staffing needs for wildfire response. Cal Fire said year-round fire activity, a larger and more complex aircraft fleet, and labor market pressures justified the proposed contract increase, including more mechanics, pilots, and maintenance support. The LAO recommended approval, saying the proposal addressed health and safety concerns. Members asked about contractor staffing, competition in the bidding process, and future technology for early fire detection and suppression. The committee then took up item 1 on golden mussel containment. Fish and Wildlife described the invasive species’ spread in the Delta, the task force and response framework, and a request for eight new positions funded by Prop. 4 to support control plans, outreach, monitoring, research, and coordination with partners and law enforcement. Members pressed the department on whether the state should fund more direct decontamination infrastructure and grants to local water managers, and on the realistic goal of containing the mussel. The chair and several members emphasized the urgency of the threat and requested an itemized breakdown of the $20 million request. The hearing then moved to a broader LAO overview of wildfire prevention and response funding, where the LAO summarized the state’s funding mix and warned that ongoing wildfire resilience funding will likely decline as one-time bond and GGRF funds are exhausted, prompting discussion of long-term funding options and the balance between prevention, suppression, and community hardening.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:47.759> then attempting to influence legislation then attempting to influence legislation
• <00:09:35.839> has of these new rules and legislation has of these new rules and legislation
• government body makes a legislative government body makes a legislative decision<00:14:18.399>
• the legislation with the legislative intent.
• intent and clarifying leg legislative intent and clarifying leg legislative<00:41:57.720> intent<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's where legislation like this comes into place to fill that void.
• Right now, everything is going through the legislative process to sit down and meet with policymakers
• We're also working through that process with Bernie. It's just at the beginning of the process.
• Senator Quayton, thank you very much for this legislation.
• It is a very quick process." "Sound recognition.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We strive to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have
• Nicholas Sackett for social compassion in legislation.
• We're processing the support.
• I'm happy to be here today to support this legislation.
• Thank you, because we had a mixed presentation. process here.

Keywords: 988, house, all