Transcript Highlights:

• We say you need a larger facility via adequacy standards.
• They have to be using all three facilities.
• It's actually run by the New Mexico Public Facility Managers.
• I'm a firm believer that nice facilities help kids.
• We need keys to your facilities.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• It is going to be about a 190,000-square-foot facility. This is a highly specialized facility.
• Next is our Hazelwood facility.
• </c> facility to serve DJJ committed youth. facility to serve DJJ committed youth.
• It was an 18-bed facility.
• It was a 18 bed facility. 21.6 million. It was a 18 bed facility.

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:

• I'll next talk about facility utilization.
• Aging facilities are a major concern.
• Based on the CRV of each segment's facilities.
• To address those issues with aging facilities and facility conditions discussed in our previous item.
• Facilities are important to student success.

Summary: The committee’s first major discussion focused on higher education facilities across UC, CSU, and the community colleges, with Chair Alvarez framing the issue as a final budget hearing before the May Revise. The LAO presented findings that campuses have grown substantially in buildings and square footage, while classroom and lab utilization remains below legislative standards and deferred maintenance backlogs continue to rise. The LAO also emphasized that the state and segments lack comprehensive data on capital renewal spending and recommended better reporting, clearer funding targets, and long-term planning for renewal and maintenance. UC, CSU, and community college representatives each described large five-year capital plans, aging facilities, seismic and deferred maintenance needs, and the role of student housing, while noting that construction costs are rising faster than inflation. Members questioned the segments about debt service, utilization rates, and how projects are prioritized. UC said its debt service tied to state support is about $665 million annually and described a $30 billion five-year capital financial plan, including housing, medical centers, and building renewal. CSU said it has about $31 billion in five-year needs and more than $8 billion in deferred maintenance, with funding coming from a mix of state-related and one-time sources since the state shifted capital responsibility to CSU. Community colleges said their unmet facilities needs total about $33.5 billion and explained their use of a scoring matrix and FUSION system to rank projects. The chair and members pressed all three systems to better distinguish between projects that are truly shovel-ready and those that are long-term needs, and discussed whether facilities condition data, total cost of ownership, and more standardized metrics should guide future bond proposals. The committee then turned to Proposition 2 and the Governor’s proposed community college capital outlay projects. The Department of Finance said Prop. 2 provides $1.5 billion for community colleges and that the Governor’s budget proposes 29 projects, with two continuing Prop. 51 projects also included. The LAO supported the overall use of the funds but raised concerns about the current 65/35 split between modernization and growth, the unusually large share of gymnasium projects, and some scoring metrics that favor larger campuses and certain regions. Community college officials said the scoring system was developed through participatory governance and would take one to two years to revise, but they supported the funding and agreed to follow up on questions about project categories and the rationale for the weighting. Members also suggested giving more weight to modernization, regional access, and intersegmental or collaborative projects. A final item addressed the CalKids program. The Department of Finance proposed $56,000 ongoing General Fund for three positions, while the LAO recommended approving two positions but rejecting a manager position until the current $7.5 million marketing campaign is evaluated. ScholarShare’s executive director said CalKids has enrolled more than 5 million children, with nearly 600,000 claims and over $45 million distributed, and argued that additional staff and outreach are needed to reach a goal of 1 million claimed scholarships by the end of 2025 and to implement AB 2808. Members asked about marketing effectiveness, data sharing, and eligibility rules, and the program said it is expanding partnerships with Cradle to Career and CSAC. No final vote was taken in the hearing, and the chair indicated the facilities item would be held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shifting over to the skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, there are 124 facilities in West Virginia
• As of the recent sale of the four state facilities, the state still maintains one long-term care facility
• Outside of that one facility, the state no longer operates any long-term care facilities.
• Some are taken into facilities, long-term care facilities, and then some historically used to go to some
• Some of the state facilities had specialized wings.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Marty Wright, CEO of the West Virginia Healthcare Association, on the state’s long-term care system. He described the continuum from home care to assisted living to skilled nursing facilities, emphasizing that these settings increasingly serve short-term rehab-to-home patients as well as older adults needing round-the-clock care. He also outlined the number of facilities in West Virginia, the predominance of Medicaid as the payer for long-term nursing home care, the private-pay nature of assisted living, and the role of OFAC/CMS in regulation. A major focus of the presentation was workforce shortages and turnover, especially for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, along with declining interest in nursing careers and the impact of regulatory burden and burnout. Wright said the system is also struggling to serve younger patients with substance use disorder, mental illness, or other behavioral needs, who are often not well suited for traditional nursing home placement but have limited alternatives. Senators raised concerns about where such patients are being housed, the long-term effects of opioid and behavioral health issues, and the gap between school-age special needs populations and adult care needs. Wright said Medicaid can cover long-term nursing home care for those who meet financial and medical eligibility requirements, but affordability and spend-down requirements remain major barriers. He also warned that Medicare Advantage can create confusion and shorter covered stays for rehab patients, and he urged early planning around long-term care insurance and estate planning. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• for developing this decarbonization plan would be on a facility-by-facility basis?
• You know, those are expensive to implement and to retool a facility.
• The folks that make the facilities work, right?
• I just did a little bit of looking at the WestRock facility.
• Simplot operates food processing facilities in Washington.

Bills: HB2537 , HB2245 , HB2296

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: emissions, climate commitment act, environmental regulation, trade regulation, facility compliance, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the facility knows exist. the facility knows exist.
• or assisted living facilities.
• </c> facility for three years, six months. facility for three years, six months.
• </c> for any facility that's a nonprofit. for any facility that's a nonprofit.
• </c><01:35:15.360><c> and</c> the facility. Um that sort of thing. and the facility.

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• would not be incorporating those facility fees.
• That was really the genesis of facility fees. That was really the genesis of facility fees.
• Facility fees, though, for hospitals.
• If this facility fee that you're...
• Surgery, there may be a facility fee attached to that.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll next talk about facility utilization.
• More than half of our facilities are more than 30 years old.
• Yeah, in-person enrollment at the actual facilities. Okay.
• So our facility condition assessment.
• and facility conditions discussed in our previous item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, we rent one of the Western facilities.
• And, um, our, our closest, municipal facility would be 240. our closest facility would be $240 a night
• So February 17th in Sunland Park for the Otero facility, February 18th in Grants for the Cibola facility
• I'm not talking about facilities to incarcerate.
• Who owns the facility?

Bills: HB63 , HB64 , HB184 , HB200 , HB47 , HB48 , HB2 , HB9

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the expected impacts of House Bill 9 on private detention facilities and the surrounding counties and municipalities, focusing on Cibola County/Milan, Torrance County/Estancia, and Otero County. Corrections Secretary Alicia Lucero explained that the Corrections Department does not oversee the immigration detention facilities directly, but said the department could help displaced workers through hiring fairs and expedited hiring into state positions, and suggested possible alternative uses for the buildings such as behavioral health treatment, training campuses, or transitional living centers. She also noted that a memorial would task several state agencies and affected counties with exploring alternate uses and economic options, and that Workforce Solutions had scheduled job fairs in February for the affected communities. Local officials described major fiscal and community impacts. Cibola County and Milan said the loss of the facility would reduce gross receipts tax revenue, force service cuts, and potentially shrink the county budget substantially; they also warned that the village uses the detention population to support federal grant applications and industrial park development. Torrance County and Estancia said the closure would eliminate jobs, reduce GRT revenue that funds public safety, and require transporting prisoners to other facilities at much higher bed rates, with estimated annual impacts around $3 million. Otero County reported 284 jobs and $20.8 million in payroll at risk, along with about $3 million in annual GRT and a $68 million facility that could be foreclosed if bonds defaulted. Committee members pressed for more precise numbers, including employee counts, transport costs, current bed costs, and the total fiscal impact after accounting for existing contract payments. Several members emphasized that each facility and community is different and asked for separate, detailed plans, including short-term cost replacement and long-term economic diversification. There was discussion of possible hold-harmless assistance, emergency bill drafting, and coordination with Workforce Solutions, Economic Development, and higher education partners. No formal vote was taken; the chair directed staff and agencies to meet the next morning to continue developing an emergency response and requested more detailed information from the counties and the department.

Transcript Highlights:

• facility."
• facility?"
• </c> &gt;&gt; Okay. in the facility. &gt;&gt; Okay. in the facility.
• > from</c> facilities or hospice facilities from facilities or hospice facilities from the<00:46:31.359
• </c> hospice facility? hospice facility?

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to hold these facilities more accountable.
• We want to hold these facilities more accountable.
• at those facilities?
• What we are doing when we visit the facilities is we'll be meeting with the facilities.
• , held at the facility, and treated at the facility.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fiscal stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products Program. Director Katie Butler said DTSC is now more transparent and proactive, citing stronger enforcement actions, an online inspections map, community open houses, the Environmental Justice Advisory Council, wildfire hazardous waste removal in Los Angeles, and progress on cleanup and permit decisions. She said the department is fiscally stable after fee changes, has released a draft hazardous waste management plan, and is revising it in response to public and board comments, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw described the board’s oversight role on fees, transparency, appeals, and performance metrics, and said the board is working toward revised metrics, a revised plan, and future fee votes. Members pressed DTSC on several issues. Senator Blakespear raised extended producer responsibility programs and asked how DTSC could reduce the cost and complexity of launching them; Butler said enforcement and partnerships with local authorities are essential, and Rakestraw suggested closer coordination with CalRecycle. Chair Connolly asked about wildfire cleanup, fee stability, Safer Consumer Products progress, and permit lengths; Butler said residential fire cleanup is largely complete, the fee system is now stable, the consumer products program has many technical projects underway and is expected to reach more listings over time, and some permits are set for five years to hold facilities accountable sooner. Senator Menjivar questioned how DTSC balances hazardous waste capacity with community impacts from facilities with violation histories, and Butler said permits are reviewed through engineering controls, health risk assessments, public comment, and, where needed, stricter conditions. Senator Reyes emphasized the need for stronger protections for overburdened communities and asked about landfill leachate and goal-setting in the hazardous waste plan; Butler said DTSC is using its hazardous waste authority where municipal landfill leachate shows hazardous characteristics and is looking at broader statewide responses. Panelists from the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance and Earthjustice offered contrasting views. CCEB’s Don Krepke supported SB 158’s reforms but urged risk-based decision-making, broader use of alternative management standards, alignment with federal and other state hazardous waste classifications, less duplication across agencies, and caution about added costs from permitting and cumulative impacts rules; he also warned that the generation-and-handling fee remains structurally weak and suggested more General Fund support for statewide planning work. Earthjustice’s Angela Johnson-Mazares argued DTSC remains too slow and too cautious, saying communities continue to face delayed permits, weak enforcement, and ongoing harm, and that the agency should prioritize source reduction, strong permit protections, and more decisive action to prevent emissions and protect frontline communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to hold these facilities more accountable.
• We want to hold these facilities more accountable.
• when at those facilities for any violation?
• the facilities is we'll be meeting with the facilities.
• , held at the facility, and treated at the facility.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Ken Weston is everything facilities, capital planning, facilities maintenance, all that for the university
• The library is a very familiar facility...
• We also have our turnpike facilities.
• And same thing with our patrol facilities.
• That's removed from our facility.

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• , information about emissions from each unit at the facility.
• in terms of what qualifies as an EITE facility, but right now I think none of those three facilities
• So I would just say there are a handful of facilities, large facilities in the state that have self-generation
• Almost all of these facilities...
• That's not necessarily true for all of those facilities.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took testimony on each. SB 6013 would update ski lift terminology in State Parks law to include aerial tramways, tows, and conveyors; the sponsor and Washington State Parks said it is a simple technical update and a companion to a House bill previously passed by the committee. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the time a non-certified on-site wastewater inspector may work under supervision before becoming certified; the sponsor and local public health witnesses said the change would help retain staff because the certification exam is difficult, offered only twice a year, and often results in turnover if the deadline is missed. The committee also heard ESB 6246, which would change policy for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act. The bill would require Ecology to produce a new report on post-2034 allowance reductions and leakage risk, and would require EITEs to submit periodic assessments of technically and economically feasible emissions-reduction options, reviewed by a licensed engineer. Supporters said the bill is a necessary first step to plan for decarbonization while keeping industry in Washington; environmental groups urged stronger third-party verification and clearer reporting, while industry groups supported the general framework but asked for changes on leakage analysis, confidentiality, and penalties. Ecology supported the overall direction but raised concerns about implementation language and resource needs. Finally, SSB 5982 would expand Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to include port districts that distribute electricity and certain large self-generating or affected market customers, while preserving some exemptions for pre-existing cogeneration and certain PUDs. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes so all new generation is subject to clean electricity standards, especially as ports and data centers explore behind-the-meter or fossil generation. Opponents from industrial and business groups argued the bill could sweep in facilities that were not intended to be covered and could create additional costs during a period of tight power supply. Ecology and Commerce testified that the bill would clarify CETA but noted possible effects on no-cost allowance allocations under the Climate Commitment Act. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• assessment on all of our facilities.
• The projects are prioritized within each facility, and then those facilities are all blended together
• This is for three facilities again: the Hampton Harbor parking lot, the Ry Harbor facility parking lot
• These three facilities need paving...
• wear of those facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in that case, they would still be required to run a facilities bond.
• modernizing school facilities, there appears to be an overlap.
• for safety or for over modernizing facilities for safety or other concerns.
• Charter schools, we know, don't go out for bonds for their facility needs.
• Charter schools, we know, don't go out for bonds for their facility needs.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• That facility, we don't receive taxes on it. Our police have to protect that facility.
• or maintaining that facility.
• or maintaining that facility.
• our transmission facility.
• My bigger members are to continue to build new facilities and upgrade facilities.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met with a quorum present and first heard HB 11 from Representative Robinson. The bill would address an unintended consequence in Florida’s municipal utility surcharge law by requiring the same water/utility rate for residents when a utility facility is physically located within one municipality but owned by another, rather than allowing the owning municipality to impose a 25% surcharge. The sponsor and several members described it as a fairness issue affecting residents who do not receive local tax support for the facility but still bear the surcharge. Public testimony included support from AARP and Miami-Dade County and opposition from North Miami Beach. The bill was reported favorably on an 18-0 vote. The committee then held a panel discussion on utility use of public rights-of-way and utility relocation. Panelists from FDOT, county government, gas, water, electric, and communications sectors described the permitting process, noting that FDOT uses a detailed utility accommodation manual and that local governments may use permits, franchise agreements, or ordinances depending on the utility type. They emphasized that utilities often must coordinate early with agencies using long-range work programs and project plans, and that the process differs by utility and jurisdiction. Communications witnesses discussed Chapter 337 and the 60-day local permitting shot clock, while others noted the role of Sunshine State One Call in locating facilities before excavation. A major focus was who pays for relocations when road or infrastructure projects require utilities to move. FDOT and several panelists said utilities generally bear the cost when they are in public right-of-way, with exceptions such as certain interstate/interchange projects and easement impacts. Utility representatives said relocations are often effectively new builds, can be costly, and are ultimately reflected in rates or customer costs. Members also asked about easements versus right-of-way, damage and disputes during construction, broadband workforce needs, and whether legislation could improve coordination. Panelists largely said the existing process works best when agencies, contractors, and utilities communicate early and continuously, and that more legislation may not be necessary compared with better planning, staffing, and use of technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and those include state police posts, our residential youth facilities, day treatment facilities,
• ><c> um</c> facilities, day treatment facilities, um facilities, day treatment facilities, um adult<00
• for those two facilities?
• facilities? facilities? &gt;&gt; Yes,<00:08:30.639><c> ma'am.
• Um you know that was facilities.

Summary: The subcommittee heard capital project requests from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for fiscal years 2026-28. The cabinet described its large statewide footprint and said its facilities face significant deferred maintenance, with the governor’s budget proposing full funding for maintenance pool requests, including an additional $60 million for the Department of Corrections’ maintenance pool and cash funding through investment income. Officials said the projects were based on facility assessments and were presented as necessary public safety investments rather than wish-list items. For the Department of Juvenile Justice, the main requests were $35 million for a high-acuity mental health treatment facility and $45 million each for two new female detention facilities. Officials said the mental health facility would fill a gap for youth needing psychiatric care, while the female facilities were needed to support a regional detention model and address overcrowding; they noted the current female population has grown by 50% since July 2024. Members asked about locations, and staff said they were considering western Kentucky abandoned mine land and available land in Fayette and Jefferson counties, with current female placements in Boyd County and Warren County. For the Department of Corrections, officials requested funding for critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roof, and structural repairs, including $15.78 million for Kentucky State Penitentiary utilities infrastructure and additional funding for North Point Training Center projects. They also highlighted two re-entry initiatives: a KCTCS partnership for a re-entry campus at North Point and the East Kentucky Applied Manufacturing Institute at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, both aimed at reducing recidivism through intensive training and job preparation. Members asked about the KCTCS re-entry model, and DOC explained it would be a more immersive, campus-style program than current prison-based vocational classes. The Department of Criminal Justice Training discussed projects at its Richmond campus and the planned Western Kentucky Training Center, including a replacement flat track and campus access road at Richmond and added training features in Madisonville. Officials said the Richmond changes were needed because EKU construction had removed the existing flat track and would affect access, while the Western Kentucky project would expand training capacity and reduce travel for law enforcement agencies. The Kentucky State Police then outlined the final phase of the statewide emergency radio system replacement, estimated at about $17.5 million, and said the system is being built in geographic phases; members asked how long completion would take, and staff estimated roughly four years after funding, assuming no major inflation spikes. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational with member questions and staff responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the facility itself is leased from the state.
• The facility is owned by the state of Washington and leased by the consortium."
• "Are you speaking specifically to juvenile detention facilities?"
• We're speaking specifically to a juvenile facility." "Okay, well, juvenile then.
• the adult or other private detention facilities.

Summary: The House Finance Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 2730 would clarify how JLARC evaluates the effectiveness of existing aerospace tax preferences by requiring a rolling five-year comparison of Washington aerospace employment with other states and asking JLARC to consider broader aerospace-sector changes and economic conditions. The prime sponsor and labor testifiers said the bill would add needed clarity and accountability for major tax investments supporting aerospace jobs. A committee question raised whether JLARC would be directed to make recommendations for improving the incentive, and staff and the sponsor said the bill does not specifically require that. HB 2713 would impose a 1% B&O tax surcharge, beginning July 1, 2026, on operators of private detention facilities with more than $1 million in annual Washington gross receipts. The sponsor said the bill is intended to respond to harms associated with private detention and to help fund services and legal support for affected families and communities. A remote testifier urged a much higher surtax on GEO Group, which operates the Northwest Detention Center, while county representatives testified that the bill as written could unintentionally apply to Martin Hall, a juvenile facility in Spokane County that is publicly governed and operated day-to-day by a nonprofit contractor. They asked for an exemption for Martin Hall, and the sponsor said that inclusion of nonprofits was not intended and that she would work with them on amendments. No votes were taken on either bill. The committee closed testimony on HB 2730 and HB 2713 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those facilities are county-grown and in this region of the country that go directly into those facilities
• When you think about that facility, those are 1,200 to 1,400 jobs in each one of those facilities and
• Those facilities not only have those jobs that are there directly created at those facilities, but you're
• </c> around poultry each of those facilities around poultry each of those facilities process<00:04:44.639
• /c><00:05:07.880><c> and</c> in each one of those facilities and in each one of those facilities and

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by guest Bob James of Barren County. The chair recognized visiting groups, including the Kentucky Leadership Program and the Kentucky Cattleman’s Leadership Program, before turning to the day’s only agenda item, Senate Bill 28. The committee adopted a committee substitute for SB 28 by motion and second, with no opposition recorded. The chair explained that the bill creates the framework and parameters for distributing $5 million in economic development funding included in the 2024 budget through the Department of Agriculture. Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell testified in support of the bill and described it as enabling legislation to help Kentucky attract more end users, processors, and further-processing operations. He highlighted the importance of existing agricultural processing in the state, especially poultry, citing growth in agricultural cash receipts from $3.1 billion in 1996 to $8.3 billion more recently, with poultry rising from 5% to 25% of the total. He also pointed to major processing facilities, job creation, and the broader impact on farmers and corn markets, including examples from Hopkinsville and other regions.