Video & Transcript Research : 'call processing'
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KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel and Public Retirement (9-17-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a caravan; it's called the caravan, and that goes out to rural Kentucky.
- So, yes, we want them to call us.
- We want them to call us if they don't already have, you know, our information.
- <00:25:29.200>
us them to call us. - We want them to call us them to call us.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:20
Kentucky Humane Society 00:01:20, 958, all
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from Alyssa Gray, president and CEO of the Kentucky Humane Society, on the organization’s statewide animal welfare work and its request for a $5 million matching contribution from the General Assembly for a new Kentucky Animal and Community Campus in Louisville. Gray said KHS, an independent nonprofit founded in 1884, serves cats, dogs, and horses, reaches 96 counties, provides shelter relief, spay-neuter services, low-cost veterinary care, and disaster response, and has supported communities during recent tornadoes and floods. She described the new campus as a hub for disaster housing, shelter transfers, veterinary training, and expanded services to reduce overpopulation and relieve pressure on county shelters and local governments.
Members asked about the campus’s location, staffing, veterinary student involvement, and the scope of KHS’s services. Gray said the new site would be next to KHS’s current spay-neuter clinic on Preston Highway, that the facility would include shelter medicine, high-volume spay-neuter, and a low-cost clinic, and that it could host veterinary students and interns for hands-on training. She also explained that KHS works with county officials and shelters to move animals during crises or cruelty cases, can connect counties with partner organizations when KHS is full, and provides mobile clinic services and occasional grant support for rural shelters.
Committee members praised the presentation and discussed how KHS could fit into disaster recovery planning. One member suggested the organization could be folded into long-term recovery efforts because of its role in post-disaster animal care. The presenter said KHS wants to be a formal disaster response resource and already works with the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and other partners. No vote on the funding request was taken during the meeting.
At the end of the meeting, the committee noted it still lacked a quorum, so approval of the minutes was postponed to the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for October 15. The meeting then adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub on General Government (2-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We’ll go ahead and ask the secretary to call the roll.
- be here today to talk about the good work that you all have done, and that is exactly what I would call
- This year there was $850,000 for next fiscal year, 2026, a million dollars. call this budget that you
- all passed call this budget that you all passed last<00:01:40.720>
year <00:01:40.920>and< - of funds into the Kentucky rural mental health suicide prevention and farm safety program that we call
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:19
Department of Agriculture 00:01:29, 958, all
Summary:
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met with Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell to discuss the Department of Agriculture’s current budget priorities and the impact of recent legislative investments. Shell praised funding for the Farms to Food Bank program, saying it helps food banks serve Kentuckians, especially seniors, while also supporting farmers. He also highlighted County Fair Grant funding, noting a $250,000 increase helped finance a record nine county fair projects, and he described the Raising Hope rural mental health, suicide prevention, and farm safety program as life-saving, citing one event in Owensboro where 14 people were sent to the hospital after health screenings.
Shell also addressed emergency preparedness and bird flu response, saying the department’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response is working effectively and that Kentucky has not had affected commercial or backyard flocks, only some wild geese cases. He discussed federal efforts to address egg prices and avian influenza, including biosecurity, farmer relief, and research funding, and said he expects those actions to affect prices in the coming months. He also urged the committee to codify Senate Bill 28 and referenced House Joint Resolution 371, which he said would allow the department to retain $5 million for rural economic development efforts aimed at attracting processors and other large-scale operations.
In response to questions from Representative Hart, Shell said the department’s disaster role is mainly to coordinate response plans and identify agricultural needs for state and federal relief, rather than provide direct relief funding itself. He said recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky has mainly affected hay supplies for livestock producers, and that the department is working with the Cattlemen’s Association and UK Extension to locate affected farmers and secure hay donations. Shell closed by asking for continued support for agriculture economic development and for improved staff recruitment and retention, saying the department struggles to compete with other state agencies for employees. The meeting ended with thanks and adjournment, with the next meeting announced for the following Thursday.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee (6-11-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- is always open um to that process. is always open um to that process.
- That's always that process.
- <00:35:52.560>
All That's always that process. So Okay. All That's always that process. - much we've spent, if there's any process much we've spent, if there's any process to<00:40:06.079
- That's part of the process.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:18
KOAP Report 00:58
Approval of Minutes 53:58, 958, all
Summary:
The Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee met on June 11 but did not have a quorum, so it could not approve the prior minutes. The committee then received a compliance and program update from Brandon Reed and Bill McClowski of the agricultural development board, who said the office is fully staffed, has digitized most records, and has added a Facebook page to share board actions, projects, and compliance work. They also reported that the board and finance corporation continue to operate with strong county-council participation and that the office had completed numerous site visits, program reviews, and project closeouts over the reporting period.
The presenters reviewed monthly funding actions from December through May, including board approvals ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, with a December finance meeting delayed by a snowstorm. They highlighted that the Kentucky Agriculture Finance Corporation now has 57 loans generating more than $2 million per month in payments, and that the revolving loan program has grown to support more than $24 million annually in repayments available for relending. They also noted that 75% of the portfolio is in beginning farmer loans and that the office had recently surpassed 1,000 active loans.
Several projects were discussed in detail. These included a grain facility in Callaway County supporting organic corn production for expanding egg-layer operations, a Union County cattle business expansion, a West Liberty Veterinary Clinic project to build a working cattle facility, a Grayson County farmers market project, a Casey County veterinary services project, and a packing warehouse for the Kanye family to support specialty crops. The presenters emphasized that county and state tobacco settlement funds are often combined, sometimes with participation loans, to leverage local investment. They also stressed the importance of supporting greenhouses, farmers markets, specialty crops, and large-animal veterinary services as key agricultural priorities. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the lack of quorum and the informational presentations.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (3-19-26)
Tourism & Outdoor Recreation
Transcript Highlights:
- If not, Madam Secretary, please call the roll. >> Representative Baker. >> Representative Chester Burton
- listening and to the committee, uh, because you just can't eat any mushroom out there. >> And so, so we call
- Please call the roll for the vote.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (3-12-26)
Tourism & Outdoor Recreation
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Small Business & Information Technology. (3-11-26)
Small Business & Information Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- So, if you would please call the roll. >> Representative Fister. >> Here. >> Representative Gber. >>
- Seeing none, please call the roll. >> Representative Dodson. >> Representative Fister. >> Yes. >> Representative
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (2-26-26)
Tourism & Outdoor Recreation
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor (2-26-26)
Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (2-19-26)
Tourism & Outdoor Recreation
Transcript Highlights:
- The process should work after talking to a whole lot more stakeholders.
- >> Seeing none, Madame Clerk, please call the role.
- >> Seeing none, Madame Clerk, please call the role. >> Representative Baker.
- >> Seeing none, Madame Clerk, please call >> Seeing none, Madame Clerk, please call
- I think it's a very very process.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Roll Call: 00:04
HB 168 Discussion: 01:20
HB 168 Voting: 05:12, 958, all
Summary:
The committee took up House Bill 168, with Representative Fleming presenting a committee substitute after additional stakeholder discussions. Fleming explained that the substitute returns the boating-related penalties to the original monetary fine structure rather than mirroring DUI penalties, while keeping the requirement that officers seek a warrant for blood testing in fatal or serious-injury cases. He also described a communications change intended to speed emergency response on the water: 911 dispatchers would notify state police, who would then contact Fish and Wildlife, addressing delays in prior incidents.
Representative Fugate asked for clarification about which agency would respond to boating accidents and fatalities. Fleming confirmed that Fish and Wildlife would remain the primary responding agency and that the substitute would not require state police or local departments to investigate boating incidents on the lake. After questions concluded, the committee called the roll and adopted the committee substitute.
The committee then voted on the bill as substituted, and House Bill 168 passed out of committee favorably. Members and the chair praised the sponsor for continuing to work with stakeholders and improving the bill through the committee process.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor (2-19-26)
Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor
Transcript Highlights:
- Madame Clerk, if you could please call the roll. >> Senator Boswell, Senator Clemons, Senator Girdler
- find somebody to spend every bit of it. >> [laughter] >> All right, Madame Clerk, if you could please call
- find somebody to spend every bit of it. >> [laughter] >> All right, Madame Clerk, if you could please call
- Stand up and ... please call the role. please call the role.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Roll Call: 00:25
SB 129 Discussion: 01:14
SB 129 Voting: 03:35, 958, all
Summary:
The Standing Committee on Economic Development, Labor, and Tourism met for its fourth meeting and considered one bill sponsored by Senator Mike Nees concerning unemployment insurance and the SCUF (Service Capacity Upgrade Fund). Senator Nees explained that the bill would lower employer rates tied to the fund, while continuing to support unemployment insurance system upgrades. He said the fund was created after problems with the unemployment computer system and that employers had borne the cost successfully.
Nees also described a planned floor amendment, agreed to by the chamber and cabinet, that would cap the SCUF fund at $15 million and redirect contributions to the regular unemployment insurance fund if that fund falls below the prior year’s level. He said this would prevent overfunding technology while ensuring benefit payments remain protected. Committee members responded favorably, with remarks praising the bill and joking about government spending and the unemployment system’s handling during COVID.
The committee first reported the bill favorably on a 9-0 vote, then later recorded additional votes from members and guests, bringing the tally to 11-0 in support. The chair announced the bill would be reported with favorable expression and that it would have the same recommendation on the floor.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Small Business and Information Technology (2-18-26)
Small Business & Information Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- These laws enable what's called a quote one-and-one evasion.
- These laws in<00:05:13.680>
enable <00:05:14.320>what's <00:05:14.720>called <00: - 05:14.880>
a <00:05:15.120>quote in enable what's called a quote in enable what's called - A second concern is the wholesale prohibition on the use of what are called addictive features in the
- And clerk may call the roll.
Keywords:
Meeting start: 00:00
Roll call: 00:05
HB 227 discussion: 01:10
HB 227 voting: 49:38, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum to consider House Bill 227, a time-sensitive measure focused on social media use by minors. The bill sponsor, Rep. Matt Lockett, and supporters including counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, the Attorney General’s office, and the Family Foundation argued that social media is addictive and harmful to children, contributes to mental health problems and exploitation, and that the bill would give parents more control while regulating addictive features rather than banning speech. Supporters said the bill is narrowly tailored, content-neutral, and designed to withstand constitutional scrutiny; the Attorney General’s office said it would defend the bill if challenged and described ongoing multi-state litigation against major platforms. One committee member also described seeing inappropriate AI-generated content on a 16-year-old’s phone as an example of the problem the bill seeks to address.
Opposition testimony came from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, NetChoice, and the Computer and Communications Industry Association. They argued the bill raises First Amendment concerns because it conditions minors’ access on parental consent, regulates how private platforms communicate with users, and could function as a de facto speech ban. They also warned that the age-estimation requirement could force platforms to collect more sensitive data, creating privacy and security risks, and that the ban on “addictive features” was overly broad and could sweep in personalized feeds, notifications, autoplay, and other common tools. Opponents said the bill could especially harm vulnerable youth who rely on online access for community or safety information and urged the committee to craft a constitutional alternative.
During questions, members asked how the state could enforce the law against national companies and were told enforcement would come through the Attorney General within Kentucky and potentially through multi-state litigation. Members also discussed the bill’s practical effects, including advertising revenue from youth users and the need for guardrails to protect children. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s scope, parental consent, age estimation, and liability provisions, but no final vote or other committee action was shown in the excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor (2-12-26)
Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor
Transcript Highlights:
- And with all that being said, Madame Clerk, please call the roll.
- <00:03:56.720>
and ceases to be a neutral process and ceases to be a neutral process and instead - 03.120>
years <00:04:03.840>and bureaucratic process can take years and bureaucratic process - c> ensures decision-making process and ensures decision-making process and ensures fairness<00:05
- Uh the second part of very fair process.
Keywords:
Meeting start: 00:00
Roll call: 00:24
SB 52 discussion: 01:28
SB 52 voting: 25:08, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met with a quorum and adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 52. The sponsors, Senators Rawlings and Elkins, explained that the substitute narrowed the bill to state public agencies, exempted cities and counties, extended the basic decision deadline from 30 to 60 days, added an additional extension for safety, health, and public welfare concerns, removed an earlier jury-trial provision, and exempted Kentucky State Police exams. They said the bill is intended to require clear permit criteria, timely agency decisions, and meaningful appeal rights for permits tied to constitutionally protected activity, without eliminating existing licensing or permitting requirements.
Senators supporting the bill described long agency delays and uncertainty in permitting as costly for contractors, schools, landfill projects, and energy development. Senator Elkins gave a detailed example of a landfill permit process that took years, and other members said agencies should be held to timelines or at least provide reasons for delay. Senator Boswell and Senator Clemens raised concerns that the safety/health/welfare extension could remain subjective and that hard deadlines might pressure agencies and risk public safety. Senator Thomas also said he supported the goal but was voting no because he wanted a safer middle ground.
Audrey Ernsburger of the Kentucky Resources Council testified in a neutral-to-cautious position, saying the group agreed that complete applications should be reviewed in a timely and predictable way, but objected to the default-approval mechanism and some burden-shifting provisions in the original language. She warned that deadlines could begin before an application is complete, that deficiencies might not toll the clock, that automatic approval could create public-health risks in some licensing contexts, and that KRS Chapter 13B already governs administrative hearings and judicial review. She said KRC would prefer a statutory process without a hard deadline. After discussion, the committee voted 9-2 to report Senate Bill 52 favorably, as amended.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Health and Family Services. (1-28-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- So at this time I have a secretary call roll.
- <00:12:49.680>
it immediate needs is what we called it immediate needs is what we called it - So when we have to actually process.
- We call it and they have premiums. We call it capitation<00:36:55.680>
payments. - There will have to be more individuals in order to process and help process those applications, those
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:36
Department for Medicaid Services 00:01:44, 958, all
Summary:
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met for an overview of the Department for Medicaid Services budget. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal described Kentucky Medicaid enrollment at about 1.4 million members, including more than 600,000 children, and said the agency’s 2025 total budget was $20.6 billion. They reviewed enrollment trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, noting that redeterminations begun in 2023 reduced enrollment from its peak but that total membership remains above pre-COVID levels. They also explained the difference between the fee-for-service population, which includes long-term care and waiver members, and managed care members, and gave examples of the kinds of services and diagnoses seen in each group.
A major focus was the governor’s recommended Medicaid budget and the department’s forecast process. Lee said the budget is split into benefits and administration, with benefits covering fee-for-service services, managed care capitation, transportation, and Medicare premiums, while administration covers contracts, personnel, operating costs, and IT-related advanced planning documents. She said the department uses a consensus forecasting group and actuary input, and that its forecasts have been within 1% of actual spending in recent years. The department also said the governor’s budget includes new waiver slots to address waiting lists, a 2% staff COLA, and a 10% phase-down on state-directed payments beginning in January 2028.
Much of the discussion centered on House Resolution 1 and the funding needed to implement its Medicaid-related provisions, including community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, and future cost sharing. Lee said the department requested about $35 million in total funds for fiscal 2027, including about $8.2 million in general funds for system changes to the integrated eligibility system, claims processing, notices, and monitoring; and about $11 million in fiscal 2028 for ongoing maintenance, with about $1.6 million in general funds. She said the department expects to seek federal APD matching funds for the IT work. In response to questions, she explained that community engagement would apply to Medicaid expansion members, with qualifying activities including work, school, volunteering, or equivalent income, and that certain groups such as pregnant women, children, caretaker relatives, and some people with chronic disease or substance use disorder would be excluded. She said the department identified roughly 70,000 expansion members who could be subject to the requirement. No votes or formal actions were taken.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (1-22-26)
Tourism & Outdoor Recreation
Transcript Highlights:
- And this right there, if they find that the call is on the water or on the shore, then that call be made
- that a few minutes ago, that when a call that a few minutes ago, that when a call is<00:19:04.080
- >> Seeing no further questions, uh, Madam Secretary, please call the roll, or please call the vote.
- the role or Secretary, please call the role or please<00:21:04.240>
call <00:21:04.400>the - please call the vote. Thank you. please call the vote. Thank you.
Keywords:
Meeting start: 00:00
Roll Call: 00:04
HB 168 discussion: 01:39
HB 168 vote: 21:04, 958, all
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 168, sponsored by Representative Ken Fleming, known as “Keegan’s Law.” The bill was presented with a committee substitute that made a wording change from “is involved” to “causes” in one section, which the sponsor said was intended to better focus on the operator of a motorboat or vessel. The bill was prompted by the death of Heather Yelton’s 12-year-old son, Keegan, in a jet ski accident, and she testified that the investigation was delayed and no blood test was taken, leaving the family without answers about whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
Representative Fleming said the bill would do two main things: allow law enforcement to seek a blood test after a serious boating injury or fatality, subject to probable cause and a judge-issued warrant, and require 911 dispatchers to notify State Police so Kentucky Fish and Wildlife can respond more quickly to water-related incidents. Committee members asked about how probable cause would work if field sobriety tests were passed, whether the bill’s penalties align with existing DUI laws, and whether the bill would affect driver’s licenses. Fleming said the bill incorporates DUI-style penalties for boating offenses but would not suspend a driver’s license because boating does not require one.
Several members expressed sympathy and support for the goal of the bill, while some raised concerns about the severity of the penalty structure and how it might interact with existing laws. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Director of Law Enforcement Jeremy McQuary said the agency would enforce the law as written. After discussion, the committee voted to pass House Bill 168 out of committee, making it eligible for consideration on the House floor.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor (1-22-26)
Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so Sammy, if you would, before we get started, please call the roll. Senator Boswell.
- Um, this is a prime example in my call you a child but how do we get our call you a child but how do
- So how is that problematic, uh, Commissioner Storm, from the current process in place?
- Uh, madame clerk, if you could please call the roll. >> Senator Boswell. >> Hi. >> Senator Clemens. >
- madame clerk, if you could please call madame clerk, if you could please call the<00:26:35.120><
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met with a quorum and first heard a brief presentation from Vice Chair Frommeyer on a resolution recognizing January as Kentucky Mentoring Month. She highlighted mentoring as important for personal, academic, and professional development and cited partnerships such as Northern Kentucky University’s Norse Network Hub and local community mentoring efforts.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 39, sponsored by Senator Gary Boswell, which would treat fish in private lakes and ponds as the property of the landowner and allow landowners to extend fishing rights by written or electronic permission. Boswell and supporter Jason Kenner argued the bill would strengthen property rights, reduce burdensome regulation, support selective harvest and stocking decisions, and could boost tourism, local economies, and aquaculture. Kenner also described bass fishing’s economic impact, youth fishing growth, and examples of tournaments and habitat projects in Kentucky. Boswell said the bill does not change fishing license requirements and does not alter invasive species rules except to clarify that largemouth bass, including F1 Florida bass, are not invasive.
Commissioner Rich Storm and other members raised concerns that the bill’s language could affect the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fee-based funding, federal grant eligibility, enforcement authority, and creel-limit cases, especially if written permission on private waters were interpreted broadly. Senator Webb said she supported the idea of bass stocking but wanted more guardrails and a pilot approach. Senator Howell asked whether Boswell would consider further work on the language, but Boswell declined to accept a committee substitute or amendment at that time. The committee then voted 8-1 with one pass to report the bill favorably, and the chair announced the bill would be reported with favorable expression that it should pass.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight committee (7-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Madame Secretary, please call the roll. Senator Chambers Armstrong? Senator Haron? Senator Reid?
- <00:08:34.399>
it <00:08:35.039>an there is a is a uh what they call it an there is - those products and years processing those products and making<00:09:03.279>
them <00:09:03.519 - and Stockyards Division that also oversees the application process.
- As soon as they get them in, we'll process them and do compliance on them.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:04
Approval of Minutes 00:36
KOAP Report 00:51, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 12 minutes, and then received a presentation from Brandon Reid and Bill McCloskkey of the Agricultural Development Board on the June report and the 25th anniversary of the Agricultural Development Fund. They described a joint anniversary meeting held at the Kentucky Historical Society, thanked staff, and noted that the board presented members with a token of appreciation. They also reported a clean annual audit, with the audit report to be shared more fully at a later meeting.
The presenters reviewed June activity and funding decisions, saying the development board approved about $3.3 million and the finance board about $5 million in loans. They highlighted program activity such as advisory council meetings, site visits, project reports, and county comprehensive plans. Specific projects discussed included the Food Chain project, which sought support for equipment and improvements to expand Kentucky product marketing; Miller Rockbridge Farms LLC, which sought county support for a barn for an education program; and Thompson Family Farm LLC, which sought funding for a livestock buying station. The board approved reduced or county-only funding in some cases, including $45,643 for the Food Chain project and county money for the farm projects.
Members asked about the meaning and purpose of the county comprehensive plans and how counties use them to guide funding decisions. The presenters explained that House Bill 611 created a structure in which each county council develops a comprehensive plan, updated on a five-year cycle, to prioritize local agricultural investments and evaluate applications. They said county councils work with extension agents and the Agricultural Development Office, and that staff attend meetings, provide training, and help new agents and council members understand the program. Members emphasized that the planning process helps ensure funds are targeted to local needs and supports diversification of agriculture beyond tobacco.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Banking & Insurance (3-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- They called me and said, “Hey, we're going to have an 8:30 meeting,” and I was like, “Is that p.m. or
- Secretary, please call the roll. Senator Rocky Adams. Senator Chambers Armstrong.
- All right, I'll ask the secretary, please call the roll. Senator Rocky Adams, aye.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Roll Call 00:18
HB 524 Discussion: 00:45
HB 524 Vote: 02:30, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up its only item, House Bill 524. Representative Aaron Thompson, joined by State Controller Joe McDaniel and State Risk Director Sher Wisman, explained that the bill would extend the Finance Cabinet’s authority over the state self-insurance fund for state buildings through July 2030. The bill also renames the State Fire and Tornado Insurance Fund to the Commonwealth’s Property and Casualty Insurance Fund to better reflect the more than 7,100 buildings and contents covered.
Members briefly discussed the measure, with the chair noting the need to move it before the current authority expires on July 1. A motion and second were made, and the committee voted favorably on the bill. The roll call showed support from the members present, and the chair announced the bill passed with favorable expression.
Because there was no consent, the bill will still need to be considered on the floor. The chair thanked staff and attendees and noted the committee was likely nearing the end of its session work.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (3-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Would the secretary please call the roll? Would the secretary please call the roll?
- The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee is called to
- Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Representative Baker, members please stand.
- the boards, fish and wildlife, for example, and you know the governor has the ability, through his process
- Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:02
Attendance Roll Call: 03:09
SB 245 (Sen. Smith): 05:55
Adjournment: 11:21, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met, established a quorum after some initial roll-call and IT issues, and recognized several guests, including a student page, local tourism representatives, and Scott Smith of the East Kentucky trail authority. Members also briefly highlighted ongoing tourism and trail development efforts in eastern Kentucky and thanked guests for their work and local support.
The main item of business was Senate Bill 245, sponsored by Senator Brandon Smith. He explained that the bill closes a loophole in the confirmation process for board appointments and reappointments, so that if the Senate declines to confirm a reappointment—or takes no action on it—the person cannot continue serving for an extended period without confirmation. In response to questions, he clarified that the bill is aimed narrowly at preventing unconfirmed members from remaining in office and making major fiduciary decisions, while preserving the governor’s appointment authority.
After discussion, a motion and second were on the bill, the clerk called the roll, and the committee voted to pass Senate Bill 245 favorably. The chair announced that the bill is now eligible for consideration on the House floor, and the committee adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, but Miss Sasha, please call the roll. Chair: Yes, absolutely.
- Um, but Miss Sasha, please call the roll.
- Um, but Miss Sasha, please call the roll. Roll call: Representative Baker.
- <00:01:21.159>
the but miss Sasha please call the but miss Sasha please call the role<00:01 - Seeing none, please call the vote.
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members and Vice Chair Susan Tyler Whitten, reviewed committee procedures, and introduced staff. Members also introduced several guests, including family members, interns, and visitors from Kenton County. The chair noted there were no minutes to approve because it was the first meeting.
The committee then heard House Bill 552 from Judge Executive John Sims of Falmouth County, who said the bill is a joint effort supported by KLC and the County Judge/Executive Association. He explained that the measure makes minor wording changes, replacing references to “jurisdiction” with “county or city” and changing “chairman” to “chair,” with the goal of ensuring smaller communities retain representation on local tourist commissions. Chair King added that the bill would allow a mayor or judge executive to appoint a county resident to a tourism board even when the tax district or business ownership crosses city-county lines.
After brief discussion and no further questions, the committee voted on the bill. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with members present voting yes and Representative Whitaker explaining his support by saying tourism is a team effort in the counties. House Bill 552 passed out of committee and was sent to the House floor for further consideration.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment(2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Sasha, please call the roll. Representative Bowling? Here. Representative Callaway? Here.
- He asked them to come up, and called Dustin Ryler and Gerald Atkins to the table.
- Representative Calloway, there is a process for any state to work with Federal OSHA.
- So I just want to point that out: there is a process to make that happen. Thank you.
- <00:30:36.880>
the <00:30:37.000>role Sasha please call the role Sasha please call
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met for its first 2025 session meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. The committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 398, an act relating to occupational safety and health, before hearing testimony. Sponsor Representative Walker Thomas said the bill is intended to align Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules more closely with federal standards, provide clearer reference points for employers, and improve consistency and compliance while maintaining worker safety. He also explained that the substitute added and clarified a de minimis citation provision and defined “qualified representative,” and he noted a typo in the substitute would be corrected on the floor.
Members asked whether the bill would change Kentucky’s OSHA structure or affect state offices, and Thomas said Kentucky remains a state-plan state with its own offices and enforcement staff, and that the bill would not eliminate those offices. He said the measure is meant to streamline rules and clarify that certain notices would carry no penalty when there is no substantial impact on safety or health. He also said employers must be given an opportunity to be present for inspections, typically with 45 minutes to an hour to arrange representation.
Opposition testimony came from Dustin Ryan Stadler of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO and Gerald Atkins of Working Strategies 2 on behalf of the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council. They argued the bill weakens worker protections, reduces accountability, limits who may request inspections, and could prevent family members from seeking inspections after a fatal workplace incident. Stadler described a fatal construction accident he witnessed in 2006 and said OSHA protections exist for a reason. Atkins cited workplace deaths and injuries, said the bill would go beyond prior 2021 changes, and warned that allowing Franklin Circuit Court to award uncapped costs and attorney fees against OSHA could chill enforcement. Several members then questioned whether federal standards are sufficient, with supporters saying the bill simply aligns Kentucky with federal rules and opponents arguing Kentucky should retain the ability to keep stronger protections for certain industries. No final vote on House Bill 398 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.