Transcript Highlights:

• begin by thanking Speaker Rivas and his staff, your committee staff, and various stakeholders that led
• Application and the current Kohler proceeding at the commission, and I led the team that's addressing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In his retirement, he worked as a defense consultant for government and private business and also led
• are here to say, soldier, the watch stands relieved, relieved by those you have guided, trained, and led

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so let's say someone speeds through a red light or doesn't stop or goes over the speed limit.
• Okay, so let's say someone speeds through a red light or doesn't stop or goes over the speed limit.
• Okay, so let's say someone speeds through a red light or doesn't stop or goes over the speed limit.
• for all of those you fix your tail light for all of those you fix your tail light fix<00:34:54.760
• environmental degradation and light environmental degradation and light pollution<01:25:05.159><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's led by the PGA of America golf professionals.
• It's led by the PGA of America golf professionals.
• and emotional mental, social, and emotional well-being.<00:33:17.760> It's<00:33:18.080> led
• It's led by the PGA of well-being.
• It's led by the PGA of America<00:33:19.760> golf<00:33:20.159> professionals.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Calendar/2nd Readings 06:06 Report of Committees 07:10 Orders of the Day 09:21 HB 253 09:35 HB 508 16:18 HCR 44 29:09 HB 436 31:53 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 35:50 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 41:19 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 43:02 ConC/Rules Report 46:27 Floor Amendments 47:56 Adjournment 48:34, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and approval of the prior day’s journal. Committee reports were read for a range of bills and resolutions, including measures on privacy protection, theft by deception, social work, licensed occupations, an adult workforce diploma pilot program, parole board changes, alternative high school diplomas, campaign finance, child care, mental health treatment, gubernatorial transitions, unclaimed property, and state contracts. Those items received first reading and were placed on the calendar. The chamber then considered House Bill 253, relating to reading and language arts instruction. Supporters said the bill follows the earlier Read to Succeed law by requiring instruction grounded in the science of reading and phasing out the three-cueing system, which they argued encourages memorization rather than phonics. A member from House District 93 opposed the prohibition, saying teachers need flexibility and that some district-approved methods remain useful in classrooms. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 94-1, then laid a motion to reconsider on the table. House Bill 508, relating to the protection of veterans benefits, was also debated and passed unanimously 93-0. The sponsor said the bill regulates paid veterans-claims services, requires clear disclosures about free services, limits fees, bars certain practices, and adds annual reporting, while exempting attorneys and law firms. Several members spoke in support, citing personal experiences and the need to protect veterans from bad actors, though some also expressed concern about access to help and urged future federal accreditation language. House Concurrent Resolution 44, urging Congress to create a VA accreditation pathway for private claims companies, was adopted 95-0, and House Bill 436, creating a PGA HOPE-related state parks benefit for veterans and active-duty military participants, passed 94-0. At the end of the session, the House received Senate Bill 172, relating to utility fuel adjustments and declaring an emergency, for first reading and return to committee. Members also made announcements about upcoming breakfasts, meetings, guest groups, and other events.

Transcript Highlights:

• a few of these programs, like our Communities to Careers program and our Enlace program, which are led
• And in fact, our library has also led efforts to put telemedicine booths in other libraries across the
• I have led this effort legislatively by doing memorials, etc., but we haven't gotten there yet. because
• This effort is structured into one stand-alone division, led by Dr.
• The division is led by two departments that work in tandem to support and provide integrated care.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Oklahoma, a similar campaign led to an 185% increase in volume.
• In Oklahoma, a similar campaign led to an 185% increase in volume.
• research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that enrollment in RX Pass led
• to... ...the Journal of the American Medical Association found that enrollment in RX Pass led to 27%
• That discovery led me to file SB 1578 and other measures to ensure protections in the process, such as

Bills: HB 107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the invocation to be led today by Reverend Talitha Arnold of the United Church here in Santa Fe.
• Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to be led today by Senator Brantley.
• In Español, once again to be led today by Senator Nava, and the salute to the New Mexico flag to be led
• Alone led the charge, I will say, with the rehab and restoration after the Black Fire that destroyed

Transcript Highlights:

• The board wasn't aware of it, or fully aware of it, and so that led to one of the reasons we changed
• The board wasn't aware of it, or fully aware of it, and so that led to one of the reasons we changed
• aware of it or fully aware of it and so aware of it or fully aware of it and so that<00:28:36.080> led
• 36.720> of<00:28:36.840> the<00:28:36.960> reasons<00:28:37.320> we that led
• to one of the reasons we that led to one of the reasons we changed<00:28:37.960> to<00:28:38.120

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2442 represents the Lights On Bill and adheres to the zero target that our committee was given
• Today in Minnesota, I would ask for your support for House File 2442 in light of what it potentially
• This bill is a lights-on bill. It spends a little bit more than I would like.
• I think having a lights-on bill is really important to continue the work we're doing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , you're no stranger to many on this committee, but for the record would you please make sure your light
• please<00:05:17.560> make<00:05:17.759> sure<00:05:18.080> your<00:05:18.400> light
• <00:05:18.680> is please make sure your light is please make sure your light is illuminated

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 01:21 HB 552 Discussion 04:54 HB 552 Vote 07:12, 958, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything in the light green shows the states that allow this, and the ones in blue do not.
• current law to require drivers to slow down when approaching a stationary vehicle whose emergency lights
• <00:58:45.359> are vehicle whose emergency lights are vehicle whose emergency lights are flashing
• who cannot be seen by someone driving a big truck or SUV, I have often stood there waiting at the light
• street before the light turns green. street before the light turns green.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1688, which would provide a general excise tax exemption for certain aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and facility construction, received comments from the Department of Taxation and support from Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Kohala Coast Resort, the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Testimony indicated the measure was intended to clarify an existing exemption rather than create a new one. The bulk of the hearing focused on HB 2386, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms and a water carrier inflationary cost index. The Department of Transportation said it would change its testimony to support the bill, citing a 2020 working group recommendation, while the PUC and DCCA offered comments. Matson, the Maritime Group, Hawaii Harbors Users Group, and Young Brothers supported the measure, arguing it would modernize regulation, improve predictability, and help maintain reliable interisland shipping. Hawaii Farm Bureau offered comments, while Hawaii Food Industry Association, Maui Brewing Company, Lani Kai Brewing Company, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii opposed it, arguing automatic rate increases were not the solution and that underlying costs and efficiencies should be addressed first. The chair noted the bill was essentially the same as one previously considered, and asked questions about how Hawaii’s water carrier regulation compares with other states. The committee also heard HB 1691, which would allow electronic signatures for certain motor vehicle title transfers after total-loss insurance settlements and remove the notary requirement for that narrow transaction. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and one individual supported it, with Copart saying the change would reduce delays and could allow a faster, largely electronic settlement process. Members asked about county impacts, and Copart said counties would only see a different form with no added cost or electronic integration. HB 1680, requiring county finance directors to notify agencies through a centralized system for vehicle transfers, drew opposition from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services and one individual in support. HB 2516, raising helmet requirements for electric foot scooters and bicycles and requiring helmets for high-speed or Class 3 electric bicycles, received support from DOT, DOH, AAA Hawaii, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. HB 193, allowing deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement, drew support from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, the Hawaii Disabilities Rights Center, and an individual who suggested amendments to broaden the bill to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and adjust the proof standard. HB 2442, increasing required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in larger parking lots, was supported by the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Disability Rights Center, which said the bill would address shortages of accessible parking and may need technical amendments to align terminology with the ADA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you shed just a little bit more background and light on those kinds of things, since there are
• Could you shed just a little bit more background and light on those kinds of things, since there are
• Could you shed just a little bit more background and light on those kinds of things, since there are
• Could you shed just a little bit more background and light on those kinds of things, since there are
• Could you shed just a little bit more background and light on those kinds of things, since there are

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going on nine years in the Kentucky State Senate, and, uh, but I don't make light of this whatsoever
• 00:03:51.200> make State Senate and uh but I don't make State Senate and uh but I don't make light
• 00:03:53.799> this<00:03:53.920> has<00:03:54.040> been<00:03:54.239> a light
• of this whatsoever this has been a light of this whatsoever this has been a Endeavor<00:03:54.920>
• I'd just like to thank Senator Storm for bringing this to light.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum, first taking up referred administrative regulations. One regulation was deferred, and two others were noted as deficient; with no one wishing to speak, the committee treated the regulations as reviewed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 13 from Chairman Meredith, which would reduce the number of Medicaid managed care organizations from five to three. Meredith argued the bill would reduce administrative burden, improve oversight, help rural providers, and potentially lower costs for families and the Medicaid program. Senators Berg, Herron, and Douglas asked about data, patient impact, network adequacy, and prior authorization burdens; Meredith said the effect on patients would be indirect through better access and less administrative delay. The committee approved a committee substitute and passed SB 13 favorably on a 10-0 vote. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 26, presented by Senator Richardson and Kentucky Pharmacists Association Executive Director Ben Mudd. The resolution asks the Department of Medicaid Services to provide data and cost analysis on paying pharmacists fairly for clinical services already within their scope of practice under Medicaid and KCHIP. Supporters said pharmacists can improve access, especially in rural areas, by providing services such as medication therapy management, chronic disease management, and preventive care, and that the resolution is intended to gather information before any future bill. Senator Douglas questioned whether expanded pharmacy duties have actually improved access or outcomes and whether there is published data; Mudd said the Board of Pharmacy tracks use of protocols but that more data is needed. The committee approved the resolution by roll call, with all members voting aye. At the end of the meeting, Chairman Meredith announced that Senate Bill 27 would be heard for discussion only and not acted on that day so members could review it further. Senator Brandon Storm introduced SB 27, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry, and noted that a Michael J. Fox Foundation representative could not attend because of a winter storm; her letter was included in the packet. Storm said the registry is intended to support research and policy by tracking Parkinson’s disease in Kentucky, citing national prevalence and cost figures. No vote was taken on SB 27 during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 694 and I'm actually usually looking up at you more so I'm sure you know about the green light
• So the best way to try to tackle this issue is to bring light to it, and one way to do that is this group
• this issue is best way to try to tackle this issue is to<00:32:24.679> bring<00:32:24.919> light
• to it and one way to do to bring light to it and one way to do that<00:32:26.880> is<00:32:27.080
• making it clear and uh shining a light making it clear and uh shining a light to<00:32:36.399>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:17 Attendance Roll Call: 00:41 Approval of Minutes: 02:40 HB 694: 03:16 SB 183: 18:32 Discussion on PPOB Membership: 36:10 Adjournment: 42:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its January 27 meeting and then took up House Bill 694, which would create a default rule for the Teachers’ Retirement System health insurance trust fund once it reaches 100% funding, currently anticipated around 2027. The bill would redirect two funding streams now going to the health trust—state payments on behalf of local districts and other employer contributions—into TRS pension benefits if the health fund reaches and maintains full funding. The sponsor said this would add about $154 million annually to TRS pensions and would only serve as a default if no other plan is adopted later. Members asked whether the bill would shift the unfunded liability to teachers or affect employee contributions. The sponsor and staff said it would not shift liability to teachers and would not change the employee contribution; only the employer-side payments would be redirected. Several members asked about the meaning of actuarial 100% funding, whether the fund could fall back below 100%, and whether employee contributions might be reduced in the future. The sponsor said the bill is based on actuarial projections, would revert the money back to the health trust if funding fell below 100%, and does not prevent future legislative or board action. Senator Higdon and others spoke in support of discussing the issue, noting the 2010 shared-responsibility changes and the need for a default approach as full funding is reached. The committee then heard Senate Bill 183, which would amend Kentucky law governing proxy advisers used by retirement systems. The sponsor said the bill would require proxy advisers, when handling shareholder-sponsored proposals, to act solely in the interest of retirement system members and beneficiaries and to provide an economic analysis when voting against a company board’s recommendation. He argued the measure is aimed at proxy advisers such as ISS and Glass Lewis, which he said often advance ESG-related proposals not tied to shareholder value. A guest from APCIA said the bill is meant to distinguish proxy advisers from investment managers and to strengthen the 2023 law by requiring a clearer economic justification for votes that depart from board recommendations. Members asked how proxy advisers differ from other financial advisers, whether Kentucky uses them, and whether the bill would prevent pension funds from investing in companies with ESG factors if those investments are profitable. The sponsor and guest said the bill would not bar such investments; it is intended to regulate proxy voting recommendations, not investment decisions. They described the bill as a proactive measure to reinforce fiduciary responsibility and limit outside proxy influence on pension voting. No final vote on either bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Today the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Representative Johnson. >> Colleagues, please join
• The exploitation led Doe to multiple suicide attempts.
• The exploitation<03:47:16.520> led<03:47:16.800> Doe<03:47:17.360> to<03:47:17.520
• > multiple<03:47:18.040> suicide exploitation led Doe to multiple suicide exploitation
• led Doe to multiple suicide attempts.<03:47:19.560> A<03:47:19.680> spokesperson<03:47:

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:48.559> on again, make sure your green lights on again, make sure your green lights
• Is the green light on? Yes. There you go. All right. Good afternoon, everyone.
• <00:42:47.760> There<00:42:47.920> you Is the green light on? Yes.
• <01:35:19.360> So will get a guardian and light item.
• So will get a guardian and light item.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:14 Staff Report on the Firefighter Commission Minimum Training Standards and Administrative Spending- 00:02:02 Response from the Kentucky Fire Commission-00:32:06 Judge Testimony on Child Removal-00:42:47 Update on Child Removal and Reunification-01:11:19 Staffing at Kentucky Veteran Centers-01:40:15 Adjournment-02:05:55, 958, all

Summary: The Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee met without a quorum, so no votes were taken. Staff presented a study of the Kentucky Fire Commission focused on firefighter minimum training standards and administrative spending. The presentation explained that Kentucky’s training standards are built from NFPA guidelines, that the commission currently requires 115 hours for volunteer firefighters and 300 hours for paid firefighters, and that those reduced hours were adopted by removing electives and other non-NFPA content. Staff also said the commission’s IFSAC certification testing for firefighter 1 and firefighter 2 aligns with NFPA standards, but the commission cannot require local departments to train or certify firefighters. Staff recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours and work with KCTCS to better separate administrative costs for certain programs so compliance with the statute can be demonstrated. The finance portion of the report said the commission is funded by general fund appropriations for State Fire Rescue Training and by an insurance premium surcharge that supports the Firefighter Foundation Program Fund. Staff reported that the commission stayed within the 5% administrative cap tied to the overall surcharge allotment, but could not confirm compliance with a separate 5% cap for specific programs because KCTCS accounting does not break out those costs in enough detail. Staff suggested the General Assembly may want to clarify what counts as administrative cost in statute. Members asked about investment returns, local fire department funding, and whether training documentation is required; staff said some of those topics were outside the study scope and that IFSAC testing relies on chief certification that a candidate is ready to test. Representatives from the Fire Commission then responded, saying they agreed with the report’s recommendations and would work to clarify the 5% issue with legislators and KCTCS. They explained that the reduction in training hours was intended to remove electives, better align with NFPA standards, and address the difficulty volunteer departments have in getting members to complete lengthy training. Commission officials said training is documented through rosters and annual compliance reviews, and that IFSAC-certified firefighter testing is based on demonstrated skills rather than a required number of training hours. They also said the difficulty in tracking the second 5% cap stems from the way KCTCS’s PeopleSoft system records reimbursements as single transactions, making it hard to isolate administrative costs by program.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a series of questions which then came to light as to what the anticipated power usage, just
• There was a series of questions which then came to light as to what the anticipated power usage, just
• as to what the anticipated came to light as to what the anticipated power<00:33:24.039> usage
• of the mandate to be carbon free light of the mandate to be carbon free it<00:35:09.560> is<00
• I think that we've lost what it means to turn on a light switch, and this bill today is addressing that

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 9 was heard as a proposal to alter Minnesota energy policy by creating exemptions and “off-ramps” from the state’s 2023 clean energy requirements. The bill would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility, end the moratorium on new nuclear plants, delay certain carbon-free energy compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, restrict demolition of fossil fuel plants under that same benchmark, support carbon capture and sequestration, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round. The author moved the A1 amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture policy language does not create a state funding obligation; the committee took up the amendment with no discussion and proceeded to a vote, though the result was not stated in the transcript. The bill was then referred to the Committee on Taxes. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to improve reliability and affordability, especially during extreme cold, and said current mandates are forcing coal retirements faster than replacement generation can be built. They cited MISO and NERC reliability concerns, Xcel’s proposed rate increases, and the need for an “all-of-the-above” energy approach that includes nuclear and hydro. Supporters also said the bill would help keep energy costs down for families and businesses and would allow Minnesota to use existing generation assets longer if rate targets are not met. Testimony from the Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on reliability, affordability, nuclear power, hydroelectric power, and carbon capture. The Chamber said Minnesota’s electricity costs have become less competitive for businesses and argued that stable, affordable power is essential for economic growth and future technologies such as AI. The Minnesota Utility Investors also supported allowing new nuclear and all hydro power to be considered. In contrast, the Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable long-term waste solution, describing its long history living near the Prairie Island nuclear plant and spent fuel storage and urging continued consultation on the issue. Xcel Energy said it supports low rates and sees nuclear as one option, but emphasized that any support for lifting the moratorium depends on full participation by the Prairie Island Indian Community and that decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.

Transcript Highlights:

• I invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by Pastor
• Pastor Richard Hamlin, senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Cabot, led the prayer, and Representative

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Make sure that green light is really, really on.
• Uh, if you could dark green light and then make sure you introduce yourself for the record, and then
• Make sure that green light<00:01:09.040> is<00:01:09.439> really,<00:01:09.760> really
• <00:01:11.520> And,<00:01:12.000> uh,<00:01:12.159> if light is really, really
• And, uh, if light is really, really on.

Keywords: 1:00 Roll Call 2:38 Overview of Citizen Identity Security and Threat Reduction 9:36 Identity Solution and Casts 13:51 System Application and Discovery Issues 21:31 Staffing and Timelines 29:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance received a presentation from Jim Barnhard, CIO of the Commonwealth Office of Technology, and David Carter, deputy CIO/CISO, on the state’s citizen identity management project. They said the project is intended to streamline citizen logins across agencies, reduce duplicated identity-management costs, improve security by centralizing authentication, and provide a flexible system that can scale with demand. The presenters described major implementation challenges, including integrating with diverse and legacy applications, and said the chosen software-as-a-service vendor was selected because it can connect to many systems and maintain the service in a federally certified cloud environment. The presenters emphasized that the project scope is limited to login, authentication, identity management, and identity proofing, while leaving authorization decisions to the individual applications and agencies. They said the work is being done in phases, beginning with discovery sessions with agencies, then selecting representative applications for onboarding rather than attempting a “big bang” rollout. They also said the vendor agreement includes professional services and knowledge transfer to reduce long-term dependence on outside support, and that the state has already begun outreach to agencies, including initial work with the Finance Cabinet and the Department of Revenue. Members asked about staffing, current spending, future costs, and whether existing systems or contracts could be reduced. The presenters said the project is being supported with existing staff, with no expectation of a large increase in positions, and that the vendor will carry most of the operational load. They said they did not have statewide spending figures with them but could try to gather them, and explained that the negotiated pricing is intended to be all-inclusive, with fixed costs for the first five years and capped increases in years six and seven. They said centralizing identity services should eventually allow the Commonwealth to stand down some duplicated agency-level licensing and reduce overall operational costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, here you can see we have the 2021 as that dark blue bar and the light blue bar is for fiscal year
• blue bar is for um fiscal year the light blue bar is for um fiscal year ending<00:10:39.680> June
• Now that light blue bar is showing your expenditures.
• <00:35:10.480> where<00:35:11.040> it<00:35:11.280> was shedding a little light
• on where it was shedding a little light on where it was inconsistent<00:35:12.240> with<00:35

Keywords: 1183, house