Transcript Highlights:

• But over the past few years, we have had considerable health safety issues with that facility because
• But over the past few years, we have had considerable health safety issues with that facility because
• We've had structural assessments done and also health and safety assessments done on the air quality
• We've had structural assessments done and also health and safety assessments done on the air quality
• </c><00:48:33.680><c> and</c> ways especially regard to safety and ways especially regard to safety and

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board opened its fourth meeting, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes by unanimous voice vote, and then heard information items and agency presentations. The main substantive presentation came from the Council on Postsecondary Education, which outlined its capital planning recommendations for the 2026–28 biennium. CPE staff described the role of Kentucky’s research and education network (Kron), including connectivity to cloud services, Internet2, identity services, and new local AI/inferencing capacity, and argued that the network is now essential to higher education, health care, and extension services. They said the network’s recent upgrades were driven by privacy, security, redundancy, and the need to support modern research and AI workloads at lower cost than commercial providers. CPE also presented its broader higher-education capital request: $700 million for asset preservation and $1.73 billion for new construction, for a total recommendation of about $2.4 billion. Staff said they do not plan to recommend IT projects or equipment in this cycle, despite reviewing 48 IT submissions totaling nearly $1.4 billion and equipment requests totaling $322.6 million. For asset preservation, they said the recommended allocation method would remain based on each institution’s share of Category 1 and 2 square footage, and they noted that the state’s prior facility assessment is now 12 years old, with deferred maintenance still estimated in the $7–9 billion range. For new construction, they said the requests are heavily focused on STEM and health-related facilities that are difficult to retrofit into older buildings. Board members asked about how asset-preservation amounts were determined, including why Northern Kentucky University’s request was much larger than its prior allocation. CPE staff responded that campus size, building age, and institutional prioritization affect the requests, and that schools are asked to submit more projects than are likely to be funded. The board then moved on to an Attorney General capital plan overview, where senior counsel Will Schroeder began describing the office’s technology needs and the office’s prior reliance on a 2020 appropriation to replace legacy systems and improve security.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about safety, dignity, and survival.
• The law excludes safety-sensitive employees.
• We have extraordinary public safety.
• for employees Who work in safety-sensitive positions.
• We represent a lot of public safety people.

Bills: SB20 , SB53 , SB86 , SB96 , SB129

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• Crossings that do not have any safety equipment or are marginal at best.
• There's a lot of safety needs at railroad crossings and roads.
• There's a lot of safety needs at railroad crossings and roads.
• We went from two lane to four lane due to safety.
• And then, as I mentioned, our 213 corridor safety and capacity improvement.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 299, a bill to support the Highway 180 project between Deming and Silver City. The sponsors described it as a three-phase road expansion that is already partly complete, but they emphasized rising construction costs, frequent accidents, heavy mining traffic, and the importance of the route to the local economy, tourism, and access to Silver City. A DOT engineer confirmed the project’s phases and cost increases, and the bill drew support from a former DOT official and others. The committee voted do pass, 6-0. The committee then heard HB 325, which would create a railroad crossing safety fund to help improve crossings statewide with lights, gates, overpasses, and other safety measures. Sponsors said the fund would be seeded with a modest amount and could leverage local, federal, and possibly public-private funding, with DOT setting rules and priorities. Railroad lobbyists from Union Pacific and BNSF supported the bill, saying it would help address a major public safety issue, especially for smaller communities. The committee voted do pass. Next, SB 73 was presented to require driver education schools to include at least three hours of instruction on vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Supporters said the bill would improve awareness and safety at low cost, and public testimony included a bicyclist and a parent who lost a daughter in a crash involving a vulnerable road user. Some members asked how the requirement would apply to first-time or older drivers, and sponsors said it would be part of driver education curriculum developed by MVD and DOT. The committee voted do pass, with one member explaining a vote to note the bill should be read as applying to any first-time driver, not just young drivers. The committee also heard SB 111, which would align the Motor Vehicle Division’s confidentiality rules with last session’s SB 36 by protecting personal information such as sex, gender identity, immigration status, and national origin from public disclosure. The Taxation and Revenue Department said the change was meant to close a gap in the law and prevent release of sensitive data in response to public records requests, while still allowing disclosure for law enforcement and other legally required purposes. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, with one member voting no and saying he was frustrated by last-minute efforts to fix problems he did not see as existing. The meeting concluded with lengthy DOT district presentations from District 1 and District 6, covering budgets, completed and ongoing projects, local road and bridge work, equipment needs, and unfunded priorities. Members asked about specific projects, freight routes, cattle guards, dust and weather issues, striping contractors, and how projects are prioritized under the state’s asset management scoring system. DOT officials said many projects were complete or underway, that some major projects would be funded through Senate Bill 2 or other appropriations, and that equipment and recurring maintenance funding remain major concerns. The committee adjourned after thanking DOT staff and members for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those priorities, namely protecting public health, safety, and welfare under the least restrictive method
• And you see it in the cyber domain, where threats to public systems and that critical infrastructure
• I think you kind of answered one of my questions as far as the cyber issue and things like that.
• “And number three, integrating military assets for civilian safety.
• And number three, integrating military assets for civilian safety.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those priorities, namely protecting public health, safety, and welfare under the least restrictive method
• advisor for each of those organizations and oversaw military justice, operational law, fiscal law, cyber
• And you see it in the cyber domain, where threats to public systems and that critical infrastructure
• I think you kind of answered one of my questions as far as the cyber issue and things like that.
• And number three, integrating military assets for civilian safety.

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2107 pertains to workplace safety inspections.
• The Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries to
• inspect and investigate workplaces for compliance with safety and health standards.
• This supports our workers, their safety, and our bargaining rights.
• We value our corrections officers and all those who work in our local public safety facilities.

Bills: HB2107 , HB2137 , HB2243 , HB2264

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: construction safety, hazard notification, worksite regulations, labor safety, state law, law enforcement, correctional officers, interest arbitration, collective bargaining, public safety, workers' compensation, healthcare providers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, employment, unemployment insurance, benefits, layoffs, workforce reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a necessary thing that we need for safety.
• If we don't have safety, all the rest of your rights are gone.
• The Department of Public Safety... Mr. Chairman, please.
• Until our communities actually feel safe, and public safety has to mean safety for everybody, I cannot
• Again, that was a safety issue.

Bills: HB2207 , HB2225 , HB2602 , HB2641

Committees: House Public Safety & Law Enforcement , House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, HB 2225, Yavapai County, northern Arizona regional training academy, training academy, public safety training, law enforcement training, police academy, first responder training, capital appropriation, state general fund, state treasurer, lapsing appropriation, section 35-190, capital costs, regional training facility

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> modern tools to identify and stop cyber modern tools to identify and stop cyber threats<00:30:05.680
• </c> cyber incidents, or surge events. cyber incidents, or surge events.
• So, these are while while cyber,<00:40:42.840><c> uh,</c> cyber, uh, cyber, uh, as<00:40:44.160><c> you
• The last one, Revenue blocks approximately 20 million attempted cyber attacks.
• </c> attempted cyber attacks. attempted cyber attacks.

Bills: HF1338

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The Homeland Security and Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee will now come to order.
• So, again, my name is Rebecca Hibbs with the Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, and
• Fire marshals are vital to the safety and resilience of our communities, no doubt.
• You guys are the Public Safety Commission, and I know I don't have to remind you of that.
• We'd like to get away from decentralized; it's bad for the industry, it's bad for your safety record,

Bills: HB5097 , HB5513 , SB523 , SB857 , SB964 , SB1101 , SB2143 , SB2332 , SB2383 , HB 1108

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: criminal history, background checks, government code, licensing, information access, rural law enforcement, child care grants, community support, law enforcement retention, advisory committee, SB 523, Texas driver’s license, alternative address, residential address, confidential address, address confidentiality, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Transportation Code, Section 521.1211

Transcript Highlights:

• information about construction or maintenance work zones in the curriculum. of Driver Education and Driver Safety
• the submission of boiler certificate inspection reports, which delays the notification of potential safety

Bills: HB2450 , SB378 , SB764 , SB917 , SB1254 , SB1255

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: elevator inspection, building safety, construction standards, health and safety code, regulatory requirements, SB 378, Texas Occupations Code, barbering, cosmetology, barber, cosmetologist, licensing, professional licensing, unauthorized practice, medical procedures, skin incision, dermis, injections, devices, consumer safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a great three-tiered system, I know once and that there are other times public safety bargaining
• There are stricter rules for nonpublic safety and I didn't ask this as a question of course, but this
• Microsoft has published that TP Link is used to stage cyber attacks on behalf of the party state.
• Katie Barnett, Alliance for Safety and Justice, waiving in support.
• This is exactly the type of bill, efficiency and safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• U.S. command and control systems, and an improved ability to counter China's increasingly capable cyber
• Lastly, DPRK's cyber threat is increasingly sophisticated, as demonstrated by the recent theft of approximately
• We need to build a cyber space counter space to ensure that the United States can see understand decide
• adapting its force posture or training to counter the hybrid nature of. threats including military, cyber
• It's important that we stay... on that network with cyber defense teams and then encourage our partners

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. military strategy, China military drills, Taiwan, Philippines, North Korea, defense budget, military modernization

Summary: The meeting focused on significant strategic discussions regarding the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its military posture in the region. Admiral Paparo and General Brunson were commended for their services, with the Chair noting an alarming shift in the balance of power towards China. Key topics included China's aggressive military drills near Taiwan, the increasing coercion against the Philippines, and the need for the U.S. to reaffirm its commitments to its allies in the region. Concerns were raised regarding China's military modernization and its implications for U.S. forces, alongside discussions on North Korea's threats and its burgeoning nuclear capabilities. The committee emphasized the urgent need for military and defense appropriations to counteract these growing security challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cyber units employ illegal cyber... espionage, and hacking operations, and Chinese agents coerce American
• don't like it, and although we should maintain as good a defense as possible, we can probably tolerate cyber
• There are two others I would like to mention: cyber assistance is frozen.
• We are giving Beijing a blank check to commit cyber attacks against some of our partner nations.
• So it not just kneecaps us in human rights, in protecting Taiwan, and in resisting cyber attacks; it

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• presidents weekly; I have the ability to do it biweekly, and they're very excited with this school safety
• That will provide on safety measures.
• Florida-first budget works to continue that momentum by rewarding excellence and prioritizing campus safety
• We have a site building, which is our newest building that’s for the cyber community, cybersecurity.
• So we have a site building, which is our newest building that's for cyber community, cybersecurity.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office and the Commissioner of Education on the proposed higher education budget. The presentation highlighted a $117.4 billion overall state budget, with education at $32.5 billion and higher education receiving a modest overall increase. Key items included no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, major financial aid funding such as Bright Futures, Benacquisto, EASE, Open Door, and first responder scholarships, as well as workforce investments including apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, nursing pipeline funding, and performance-based funding for colleges and universities. Committee members asked questions about the proposed expansion of the Guardian program at state colleges and the $100 million university recruitment and retention fund. Officials said the Guardian funding would give colleges flexibility to use trained personnel for campus safety, sometimes alongside or in place of campus police or private security. The Chancellor explained that the recruitment and retention money would be distributed to universities with no specific directives beyond using it for faculty recruitment and retention, emphasizing Florida’s favorable demographics and the opportunity to attract faculty from states facing enrollment declines. The committee then heard testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees at state colleges and universities, including Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College. Each described their backgrounds and stressed themes of affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and technical programs, dual enrollment, and local community needs. Several cited strong nursing licensure pass rates and college outcomes. After hearing all appointees, the committee voted unanimously to confirm the full block of nominees, and the confirmations were reported favorably before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Luckily, cyber liability hasn't been continuing to escalate so high, but adding an additional, um, I
• <00:23:17.520><c> liability</c><00:23:18.080><c> insurance,</c><00:23:19.039><c> insurance</c> cyber
• liability insurance, insurance cyber liability insurance, insurance costs<00:23:19.760><c> have</c><00
• Luckily, cyber<00:23:22.320><c> liability</c><00:23:22.960><c> hasn't</c><00:23:23.360><c> been</c><00
• :23:23.679><c> continuing</c> cyber liability hasn't been continuing cyber liability hasn't been continuing

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, software is a little different because with cyber attacks you do not need to be in close proximity
• to utilize technology to do a cyber attack.
• which is in turn a... ...direct contributor to how high a windmill has to go, which can pose certain safety

Bills: HCR1030 , HB1370 , SB893 , SB2 , SB1589

Summary: The House first took up Senate Bill 893, a conference committee report on property and critical infrastructure. The bill would bar foreign principals from countries designated as foreign adversaries from owning agricultural land or other land, especially within 10 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure, and also restrict certain state software purchases tied to adversarial countries. Members asked about how later-designated adversary countries would be covered and about the delayed effective date, which was explained as giving current owners time to divest. The conference report was adopted without objection, and the bill then passed the House 89-0. The chamber then considered Senate Bill 2, another conference committee report on wind energy setbacks. The measure would establish statewide setback standards for industrial wind turbines, including 2.5 tip heights from occupied dwellings and 1.5 tip heights from nonparticipating property lines, with exceptions for projects that had already secured most site control or queue positions before the effective date and for small community-scale systems. Supporters said it was a compromise that at least put some protections into statute, while opponents argued it weakened earlier House language and eliminated county local-control options. After debate, the bill failed on a 20-67 vote. Later, the House voted 60-19 to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1589, allowing it to become law notwithstanding the governor’s objections. The session also included prayers and announcements, including updates about Representative Cantrell’s hospitalization and a note that the Senate had adjourned sine die. The House then adjourned sine die for the second regular session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• The new language is on page e Just directs the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to allow them to
• we're going to be looking at pretty soon possibly that talks about rebuilding, access, and driver safety
• This is an Otter request bill pertaining to the rebuilding of Ocom access and driver safety, also known
• This would allow the Department of Public Safety to place a speed-controlled device at the front of the
• these traffic zones are by far the biggest place that we're seeing fatality fatalities among our safety

Bills: SB1220 , SB1221 , SB1239 , SB1309 , SB1349 , SB1434 , SB1516 , SB1531 , SB1538 , SB1861

Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation

Keywords: memorial designation, interchange, Terry Walker, transportation, Oklahoma, driver license, tracking system, expedited delivery, Service Oklahoma, REAL ID, public safety, apportionment, state revenue, funding, vehicle registration, infrastructure, state roads, bridges, economic development, highway construction

Transcript Highlights:

• D.I.R. only receives general revenue for cyber security services.
• They are doing the monitoring and then that's training up our future cyber pipeline.
• And to those non-public safety related exceptions that were included in the law.
• Department of Public Safety with costs of $17.7 million.
• So, having these additional safety- safeguards or safety measures or what have you, you're asking that

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• And in 2024, we started tracking separately cyber tips that are specific to sextortion.
• And what we found is that in 2024, there were 107 cyber tips of sextortion in Idaho.
• In 2025, that number almost doubled to 197 cyber tips for sextortion.
• And in January of this year, which is the most recent data we have, there were 25 cyber tips for sextortion
• If that trend continues, you're looking at more than 300 cyber tips for sextortion this year alone.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• presidents weekly; I have the ability to do it bi-weekly, and they're very excited with this school safety
• That'll provide on safety measures.
• office, very similar to the K-12 system, a trained guardian who's able to provide that additional safety
• So we have a site building, which is our newest building, that’s for the cyber community, cybersecurity
• So we have a site building, which is our newest building that's for cyber community, cybersecurity.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office on the proposed higher education budget, which emphasized no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, continued affordability, and increased funding across workforce, colleges, and universities. The presentation highlighted major investments in Bright Futures, other scholarships, workforce development, the Florida College System, and the State University System, including funding for performance, student success, campus safety, and faculty recruitment and retention. Committee members asked questions about the Ocoee Scholarship, the proposed Guardian program on campuses, and how university recruitment and retention funds would be used; officials said the Ocoee Scholarship remains funded at current levels, Guardian options could vary by campus, and university funds would be distributed to institutions for faculty recruitment and retention without additional directives. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities. Witnesses from Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College described their backgrounds and stressed workforce development, affordability, dual enrollment, nursing, cybersecurity, adult learners, and local economic needs. Several highlighted strong nursing outcomes and job placement, and some discussed campus expansion, business incubators, and programs tailored to regional industries. One appointee from Miami Dade College emphasized helping adult students return and complete degrees by better using prior credits. After hearing from the appointees, the committee took up the confirmation package as a block. A motion was made and seconded, the roll was called, and the confirmations were reported favorably by the committee. The meeting then adjourned.