Transcript Highlights:

• The first two options are sometimes referred to as RE-1 and RE-2.
• The first two options are sometimes referred to as RE-1 and RE-2, both of which have a tax rate of 0.25%
• I urge you to vote con on SB 5650.
• For the record, Maria H. Duerr with committee staff.
• We're signed in con today.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A great example of why we think it's no longer needed is the Semi-Con West conference, usually held in
• Henderson, that this elimination of that tax credit would trigger a Prop. 108 supermajority. Mr.
• I believe Prop. 108 requires a supermajority to repeal any tax credit. My apologies, Mr. Chairman.

Summary: The joint House-Senate appropriations committee met to review the governor’s fiscal 2027 budget presentation from Ben Henderson, director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting. Early discussion focused on the state economy and revenue outlook, with Henderson describing strong GDP growth and low unemployment but also fragility for working families. Members questioned the executive’s revenue assumptions, which were said to be about $100 million per year higher than the JLBC baseline, and the committee chair asked for a written comparison of the revenue differences. Henderson also said the governor’s budget is structurally balanced and includes both ongoing spending and proposed revenue changes. A major portion of the hearing centered on data centers, AI investment, and water policy. Henderson argued Arizona’s data center tax incentive should be eliminated because it had already succeeded in attracting investment, while lawmakers questioned whether repealing the incentive and imposing a new water-related fee would discourage future growth. The executive said the water proposal would create a Colorado River Protection Fund and give the Department of Water Resources fee-setting authority, with the aim of encouraging more modern air-cooled facilities. Members also raised concerns about whether the data center changes would require a supermajority vote and whether the fee was effectively a new tax. The committee then reviewed major “critical spending” items, including correctional officer pay, prison health care compliance, probation funding, body-worn cameras, law enforcement staffing, fentanyl enforcement, cyber readiness, and border-related costs. Henderson said the budget includes $24.4 million ongoing for correctional officer pay and $118.3 million one-time for prison health care staffing, plus other public safety and homeland security items. He also defended the governor’s assumption of $759.7 million in federal reimbursement for border expenses, saying the governor had met with federal officials and that the state would seek the full amount. Members expressed skepticism about relying on that reimbursement and asked what would be cut if it does not materialize. Education and health and human services were also discussed. The governor’s budget includes K-12 funding, Prop. 123-related school facility bonding, and a proposal to shift some school facilities funding to bond financing, which several members criticized as inappropriate for short-term maintenance needs. The committee also reviewed AHCCCS/Medicaid costs, Division of Developmental Disabilities funding, and the expected impacts of federal HR1 changes on eligibility, provider funding, and rural hospitals. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly limited debate and directed members to keep questions brief while the presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:41:58.080><c> know</c><01:41:58.440><c> appeal</c><01:41:59.280><c> now</c><01:41:59.679><c> H<
• /c><01:41:59.880><c> how</c> enough to uh you know appeal now H how enough to uh you know appeal now
• H how is<01:42:00.159><c> that</c><01:42:00.320><c> remedied</c><01:42:00.800><c> how</c><01:42:00.920
• /c><01:47:43.040><c> that</c> questionable or cases that um H that questionable or cases that um H that
• </c><01:59:54.960><c> they</c> nurse puts in the note they cons they nurse puts in the note they cons

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> example the definition of qualified H example the definition of qualified H home<00:03:35.000><c>
• Jerome Pararo, Captain, H Police Department? Captain Pararo?
• Jerome Pararo, Captain, H Police Department? Captain Pararo?
• Uh, the H Police Department supports this. Okay, thank you so much. Uh, T.
• H. N.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are H-2A visa holders.
• And we know that H-2A has increased and doubled almost in the last 10 years or so.
• But the H-2A program has a lot of issues. The H-2A program has a lot of issues.
• I will also highlight that they are not H-2A visa holders.
• I will also highlight that they are not H-2A visa holders, and that is simply because the H-2A program

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Following resolution, the clerk will read the resolution. resolution H. R.
• HR number 94949 by Ashby, recognizing March 19th, 2025 as 4-H Day at the State Capitol.
• alumni or are alumni. of this outstanding organization and so that you know what a positive impact 4-H
• Members, I'm honored to welcome a group of proud 4-H students that are up in the gallery.
• Bar Association refused admission of African American attorneys. which prompted HLA founders Robert H.

Transcript Highlights:

• if we're noticing that no response has come out, you know, we would take that as an opportunity to re-engage
• if we're noticing that no response has come out, you know, we would take that as an opportunity to re-engage
• And in the green dash box, you see the abbreviated code RES, which stands for residential.
• So it might say 108 Smith Street, Unit 108. So it might say 108 Smith Street, Unit 108.
• The town only recognizes that as 108 Smith Street.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on September 22, 2025 focused on preparations for the 2030 census, with an emphasis on Massachusetts’ role in building a complete address list and improving local participation in census-related address review programs. Chair Brownsberger and witnesses from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, the UMass Donahue Institute, Watertown, and MassGIS described the importance of accurate address data for congressional apportionment, federal funding, and state and local planning. They also discussed the first major upcoming step, the Block Boundary Suggestion Project, and the later Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) process, both of which rely on municipalities reviewing and correcting census geography and address files. John Rosenberry of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office said outreach to cities and towns is beginning now, with a likely December start for the block boundary process based on the 2020 cycle. He stressed that local officials, clerks, building inspectors, housing authorities, and GIS staff should be engaged early, especially to capture new development and conversions created under the state’s housing policies. Susan Strait of UMass Donahue explained that LUCA allows local governments to compare their address lists with the Census Bureau’s master address file, and that Massachusetts had very high participation in 2020; she cited examples where local review added hidden or newly built housing units and noted that Boston later corrected a group-quarters undercount of about 6,000 students through a post-census review program. In response to questions, she clarified that those corrections affected annual estimates and funding formulas, but not the 2020 apportionment count. Watertown City Manager George Proakis described how local address review is complicated by accessory dwelling units, single-family to two-family conversions, and large multifamily projects, and urged continued state support for local governments doing this work. Dan Marrier of MassGIS then outlined the Massachusetts Master Address Database, explaining that it combines multiple sources, including E911, assessor, voter, and municipal data, to create a standardized residential address repository used for census preparation and other state functions. He said the database has helped improve census accuracy, including by updating more than one million Census Bureau address-point locations before 2020, and noted that local municipalities remain the final authority on addresses even as MassGIS standardizes and reconciles variants across the Commonwealth.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:00:38.440><c> compensations</c> enforcement public con compensations enforcement public con compensations
• /c><01:33:40.000><c> chair</c><01:33:40.920><c> any</c><01:33:41.080><c> other</c><01:33:41.400><c> con
• </c><01:33:41.800><c> comments</c> the bill Mr chair any other con comments the bill Mr chair any other
• con comments from<01:33:42.480><c> the</c><01:33:42.760><c> committee</c><01:33:43.119><c> Senator</
• my only my only comment to that all c h my only my only comment to that Senator<01:37:50.880><c> rest

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• During the 2021–23 biennium, the state generated $108 million in boating-related revenues.
• One was about pesticides, and one was about H-2A visa workers.
• The majority of the conversations were around the H-2A visa workers.
• The majority of the conversations were around the H-2A visa worker study, and a lot of the discussion

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, welcomed new members, and initially lacked a quorum until Representative Berg arrived. The committee adopted the July 15/16 meeting minutes and discussed a proposed 2026 meeting schedule, including possible changes to address the heavy July workload from tax exemption reviews. Staff then presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, which showed 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, 91% reporting compliance, about $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and over 115 million attendees reported. Several members questioned the self-reported nature of the data and whether the report had enough value; the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the lodging tax reporting requirement from statute because it is not a compliance tool and consumes significant staff time. The committee next heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection. Staff said OPDP generally meets its statutory responsibilities and is well regarded by users, but its statute should be updated to match its current capacity and focus. The audit found OPDP’s work is largely centered on state agencies, with limited public outreach and some overlap with other entities on broadband and privacy education. Two recommendations were presented: review and update OPDP’s statutory duties, including broadband reporting and public outreach, and develop performance measures that better assess long-term privacy outcomes rather than just outputs. Committee members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they can provide broader privacy training and would be willing to offer more specific training if requested. The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without opposition. Staff reported that boating-related revenues in 2021–23 totaled $108 million, with 53% directed to general government and transportation accounts and 47% to boating programs or projects; no recommendations were made. Members asked about boater education outcomes and agency overlap, and staff and agency representatives said education appears to have reduced fatalities and that the six involved agencies have distinct roles coordinated through a quarterly work group. Finally, staff presented planned study questions for upcoming reviews of L&I’s enforcement of farm worker labor laws, DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, and seven 2026 tax preference performance reviews. Members raised scope questions about the farm worker study and whether it should be framed around agricultural workers, and staff said they would follow the legislative mandate and could consider any future clarification. For the DNR review, staff said they are tracking DNR’s ongoing harvest calculation and will assess whether its data and methods align with best practices, while noting that future wildfire or other disturbances are outside the study’s scope. The tax preference review discussion covered the seven preferences to be studied in 2026, including data centers, Main Street credits, equitable access to credit, private airplane sales, landfill gas equipment, adaptive equipment for disabled veterans, and a real estate excise tax exemption for supported living transfers; members asked about equity, environmental impacts, and how staff would evaluate eligibility and savings. The meeting adjourned before noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• D G S, D P S C alphabet soup, I C D D A, D G S, D P S C S,<00:14:36.720><c> M</c><00:14:36.960><c> H<
• </c> S, M H and B C C. S, M H and B C C. &gt;&gt; All<00:14:39.080><c> right.
• to meet this week, we will be meeting Monday at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom for our next installment of Cafe con
• next installment a.m. via Zoom for our next installment of<00:15:12.200><c> Cafe</c><00:15:12.480><c> con
• Can't wait to see you of Cafe con Amigo. Can't wait to see you there. there. there.

Transcript Highlights:

• G-o-u-g-h.
• G-<00:10:02.399><c> o</c><00:10:02.640><c> u</c><00:10:02.800><c> g</c><00:10:02.959><c> h.
• </c> cons considered unconstitutional. cons considered unconstitutional.
• </c><01:28:21.600><c> grassroots</c> There's a h a healthy grassroots There's a h a healthy grassroots
• We will also re-referrals as assigned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 by Representative Wright is a concurrent resolution to encourage
• House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 by Representative Wright is a concurrent resolution to encourage
• Senator Mizell moves to concur in HCR 108. When the machine is open, vote yes; if opposed, vote no.
• Senator Mizell moved to concur in HCR 108. When the machine is open, vote yes; if opposed, vote no.
• Senator Cloud moved to re-close objection. Next bill.

Bills: SR134 , SR135 , SR136 , SR137 , SR140 , SR141 , SR142 , SCR75 , SCR77 , SCR12 , HB75 , HB1199 , HB221 , HCR89 , HCR96 , HCR103 , HCR108 , HCR58 , HB9 , HB177 , HB181 , HB198 , HB202 , HB223 , HB225 , HB387 , HB398 , HB457 , HB459 , HB540 , HB591 , HB616 , HB766 , HB775 , HB783 , HB797 , HB895 , HB906 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1028 , HB1052 , HB1057 , HB1076 , HB1100 , HB1139 , HB1155 , HB1160 , HB1182 , HB1186 , HB1220 , HB1222 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1228 , HB1231 , HB1245 , HB1256 , SCR3 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB426 , SB435 , SB487 , SB488 , SB523 , SB56 , SB163 , SB341 , SB504 , SB322 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR72 , HCR31 , HCR47 , HCR41 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB386 , HB392 , HB431 , HB441 , HB559 , HB664 , HB685 , HB715 , HB741 , HB822 , HB856 , HB908 , HB980 , HB990 , HB999 , HB1010 , HB1243 , HB54 , HB137 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB321 , HB396 , HB512 , HB552 , HB578 , HB638 , HB663 , HB708 , HB717 , HB718 , HB1009 , HB1082 , HB1104 , HB1107 , HB1198 , HB1246 , HB27 , HB143 , HB205 , HB259 , HB267 , HB288 , HB308 , HB403 , HB405 , HB414 , HB417 , HB478 , HB546 , HB548 , HB555 , HB557 , HB609 , HB670 , HB672 , HB740 , HB779 , HB786 , HB796 , HB812 , HB848 , HB915 , HB917 , HB921 , HB930 , HB933 , HB1095 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1129 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1187 , HB1195 , HB1230 , HB316 , HB511 , HB799 , HB1039 , HB12 , HB66 , HB145 , HB167 , HB196 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB256 , HB291 , HB326 , HB352 , HB401 , HB430 , HB433 , HB434 , HB448 , HB456 , HB476 , HB481 , HB487 , HB492 , HB549 , HB579 , HB608 , HB621 , HB624 , HB626 , HB632 , HB637 , HB656 , HB722 , HB745 , HB804 , HB818 , HB821 , HB833 , HB864 , HB867 , HB874 , HB893 , HB909 , HB951 , HB968 , HB969 , HB978 , HB979 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1005 , HB1007 , HB1024 , HB1032 , HB1038 , HB1050 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1059 , HB1077 , HB1080 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1108 , HB1112 , HB1153 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1175 , HB1192 , HB1193 , HB1204 , HB1218 , HB1242 , HB1244 , HB1249 , HB1252 , HB1254 , HB17 , HB36 , HB41 , HB47 , HB73 , HB126 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB211 , HB226 , HB271 , HB324 , HB337 , HB351 , HB399 , HB571 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB750 , HB759 , HB844 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1036 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB441 , SB449 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB149

Summary: The Senate met with 23 members present, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then took up a long calendar of resolutions and House bills. Early action included adopting numerous Senate resolutions, such as studies on the Upper Pontchartrain Basin, economic development boards, remote notarization, retirement system investments in China, and several commendations. The chamber also concurred in House Concurrent Resolutions on the Louisiana Maneuvers museum/trail study, roundabout education, plumbing code review, and economic ties with Taiwan, with most of these adopted unanimously or near-unanimously. A special recognition was also held for 2025-26 Teachers of the Year from Senate District 15. On the bill calendar, the Senate advanced a wide range of measures. Several bills dealt with education, public safety, and local government, including allowing virtual school students to participate in school activities, requiring mayoral training, updating rules for justice of the peace jurisdiction, and increasing penalties or fees in certain local matters. Other measures addressed health and human services, such as suicide prevention signage and 988 hotline placement on school IDs, Medicaid and provider payment rules, medical records fees for veterans, mental health protective custody procedures, and housing support for trafficking survivors. The chamber also passed bills on insurance, insurance-related venue rules, prompt payment to contractors, hazardous waste cleanup funding, and motor vehicle insurance requirements for out-of-state vehicles. The Senate also approved several criminal justice and public safety measures, including school threat penalties, autopsy photographs as evidence, impaired driving-related provisions, and restrictions on cell-cultured food products and labeling. Additional bills covered economic development and business regulation, such as wood pellet and brick manufacturing incentives, digital asset custody, CPA licensure pathways, and licensing for motor vehicle/recreational product dealers. Most bills were passed by wide margins, though a few drew notable opposition, including the constitutional and policy measures on gender/sex terminology, child custody arbitration, and the out-of-state vehicle insurance bill. Many bills were amended on the floor before final passage, and motions to reconsider were routinely laid on the table.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will lock the machine in and announce. 108 yay, zero nay. It passes. Read the next bill.
• The clerk will unlock the machine and announce the vote. 108 yay, zero nay.
• Lock the board and announce the vote. >> 108 yea, zero nay.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 108 YEA, 0 NAY.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 108 YEA, 0 NAY. Show the bill passes.

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• the</c><03:13:40.200><c> law</c><03:13:40.479><c> and</c><03:13:40.600><c> to</c><03:13:40.880><c> re
• </c><03:13:41.880><c> reiterate</c><03:13:42.640><c> what</c> violate the law and to re reiterate what
• violate the law and to re reiterate what Elizabeth<03:13:43.880><c> Harper</c><03:13:44.239><c> said
• uh in restoration or if to engage in res uh in restoration or if the<03:17:06.560><c> Damage</c><03:
• will there's any further is H will there's any further is information<04:47:21.638><c> I'll</c><04:47

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 332, a bill to add protection and remediation of surface waters as a new authorized purpose for New Hampshire village districts. Prime sponsor Rep. Rosemary Rung said the bill is intended to give local voters in lake communities a voluntary tool to address cyanobacteria blooms and other water-quality problems through village districts, including the ability to raise revenue, adopt ordinances, and pursue treatments or watershed management measures. She emphasized that the proposal is meant to complement, not replace, state law and that any district action would still need to comply with existing permitting and environmental requirements. Supporters, including Andrea Laro of New Hampshire Lakes and Elizabeth Harper of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, said the bill would help municipalities collaborate on lake protection when state resources are limited. They argued that local districts could bring subject-matter expertise, access grants and technical assistance, and respond more quickly to problems such as septic impacts, runoff, culvert repairs, and in-lake treatments. They also suggested clarifying the bill’s wording around “protection and remediation” to better define the scope of authorized activities. Opponents, including Steve Wolf and Chris Norwood of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, argued that village districts can already be overly broad and sometimes expand beyond their original purposes. Wolf said existing town and state agencies already handle shoreline protection and warned that village districts can impose ongoing taxes and create governance problems. Norwood urged a study bill instead, citing concerns about the scope of village districts and examples where some districts have taken on planning and zoning powers beyond their original mission. No vote or final action on HB 332 was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• our third party um um I guess<00:38:03.520><c> third</c><00:38:03.920><c> party</c><00:38:05.200><c> re
• party re reissuing of license,<00:38:08.160><c> driver's</c><00:38:08.640><c> license.
• considerably since um in has gone up con considerably since um in in<01:03:01.599><c> that</c><01:03
• </c> and the project must be a re and the project must be a re rehabilitation<01:09:12.960><c> project
• /c> This this was his brainchild, this H This this was his brainchild, this H House<01:15:01.360><c>

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum and first received a maintenance update from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials James Ballinger and John Moore. They described how repeated disasters, including floods, tornadoes, and ice storms, have strained routine road maintenance and forced crews to focus on emergency response, snow and ice removal, pothole patching, ditching, signal repairs, mowing, striping, sign work, and other day-to-day upkeep. They said snow and ice costs have averaged about $60 million to $61 million annually in recent years, disaster response has totaled hundreds of millions of dollars over five years, and the cabinet often must carry those costs until FEMA or FHWA reimbursement arrives. They also said maintenance work is increasingly contracted out because of staffing and resource limits, and that competitive pay is needed to retain employees and contractors for around-the-clock emergency work. Members then discussed traffic roundabouts and other intersection designs. Senator Hickden asked about their cost savings and safety benefits compared with traffic signals, and cabinet staff said they would provide life-cycle cost figures later. They emphasized that roundabouts and related designs reduce serious injuries and fatalities, with serious injuries down roughly 70% to 80% and fatalities over 90% in their experience. Chair Douglas and others asked about roundabout sizing for trucks and farm equipment, and staff explained that designers tailor the inscribed diameter to local traffic needs and context. The committee also briefly discussed red-light running and traffic-light cameras, with members stressing the safety risks of drivers ignoring signals. The committee adopted the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and voice vote. It then heard from Sarah Jackson and Matthew Cole on the Real ID and driver licensing transition. They said the cabinet has expanded from almost no regional offices to 35, grown driver licensing staff from 89 to 400, and now issues about 1.3 million credentials annually. They reported improvements in office capacity, queue management, staffing, and compensation, including added workstations, new or expanded offices in Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown, and the use of contract staff. They said statewide average wait times have fallen to just under 30 minutes, and Kentucky’s Real ID adoption rate has risen to 42.9%. Members asked follow-up questions about driver testing and CDL scheduling. The presenters said all permit and CDL testing is coordinated through Kentucky State Police, with written tests available in most regional offices and CDL testing at a smaller number of KSP locations. Senator Douglas asked when the driver testing requirements were last updated, and the presenters said that was set by KSP. The discussion ended with additional questions about which regional offices lack KSP testing presence, but no further action was taken before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108
• of the most Grammys. with 35 awards in her most recent album, Cowboy Carter, she paid homage to. to H-Town

Transcript Highlights:

• 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108
• UTRGV, Sam Houston State, U of H, all across the state. and region of our state, EPPs will benefit from
• public education system so that being said your your bill also creates a framework to or methodology to re-score
• Before he went to H-Town, we're happy he's in H-Town, at least this senator is.
• The IMRA process was enacted under H. Bill 1605. in the 88th session, which is the last year.

Bills: SB451 , SB762 , SB1490 , SB1262 , SB1459 , SB1750 , SB1962 , SB2252 , SB2253 , SB2365

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, Scott Waller and Sean Dene Wagonseller, all remote to our other and to our con.
• Scott Waller and Sean Dene Wagonseller, all remote to our other and to our con.
• I'm testifying con on Senate Bill 6290.
• But otherwise, I'm con on Senate Bill 6290. Thank you for your time this morning.
• There is one amendment, titled H.1, offered by Senator Schoesler.

Bills: SB6290 , SB6282 , SB5379 , SB6197 , SB6158 , SB6302 , SB5882 , SB6303 , SB6180 , SB6195 , SB6196 , SB6204 , SB6287

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: liquor regulation, cannabis board, reorganization, state agency, governance, apprenticeship, behavioral health, construction trades, workforce training, wellness, interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• New<00:07:00.479><c> H</c><00:07:00.960><c> uh</c><00:07:01.919><c> 1745</c><00:07:02.800><c> would</
• c><00:07:03.120><c> prohibit</c><00:07:03.680><c> public</c> New H uh 1745 would prohibit public New
• H uh 1745 would prohibit public utilities<00:07:04.720><c> from</c><00:07:04.960><c> passing</c><00:07
• So we very well h may have the state.
• </c><04:05:00.560><c> And</c><04:05:01.040><c> um</c> Notification system per RSA 106-H.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Harter, the motion is that House File 1524 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the
• </c> be um recommended to pass and re-refer be um recommended to pass and re-refer to<00:03:29.120><c
• </c> you madam so is this getting to the con you madam so is this getting to the con constitutionality
• </c><00:49:49.559><c> to</c> that house file 2456 be re-referred to that house file 2456 be re-referred
• </c><00:57:24.000><c> to</c> 2456 be recommended to be re-referred to 2456 be recommended to be re-referred

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money