Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, since 2008, the state has been mapping out broadband infrastructure.
• out<00:02:06.719> broadband been mapping out broadband been mapping out broadband infrastructure
• c> And<00:02:08.560> finally,<00:02:09.039> tools<00:02:09.440> that infrastructure
• And finally, tools that infrastructure.
• be around infrastructure in some component,<00:19:06.960> but<00:19:07.440> again<00:19

Bills: HF3508, HF3548, HF3549

Keywords: dairy assistance, agriculture, investment, relief initiative, farm support, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Infrastructure.
• Infrastructure. Infrastructure. Infrastructure.
• Access and assistance on future infrastructure on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation is needed.
• This incident is a reminder of the risk posed by aging infrastructure and the serious consequences when
• posed by aging infrastructure posed by aging infrastructure and<02:42:34.319> serious<02:

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um services went down the infrastructure um services went down the half<00:36:27.440> the<00:
• Blockchain technology will transform the core infrastructure of the coming digital economy, delivering
• Blockchain technology will transform the core infrastructure of the coming digital economy, delivering
• Blockchain technology will transform the core infrastructure of the coming digital economy, delivering
• Blockchain technology will transform the core infrastructure of the coming digital economy, delivering

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held an informational briefing on digital assets, blockchain, and related regulatory developments. Chair Jarrett Keohoko said the committee was focusing on national and state policy issues around digital assets, while leaving the separate issue of Bitcoin kiosks and fraud to the House Consumer Protection Committee, which had already noticed a similar briefing. No public testimony was taken; the session was for informational updates and member questions. Representatives from the Aptos Foundation, including JC Yun and Michael Cheng, gave a detailed presentation on blockchain basics and Aptos’s technology. They described blockchain as a tamper-resistant digital ledger, explained proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems, and argued that proof-of-stake networks are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. They also emphasized smart contracts and potential uses beyond speculation, such as car titles, college transcripts, collectibles, digital IDs, real estate, and other tokenized assets. The presenters highlighted Aptos’s Hawaii connections and said the technology could help local residents and businesses participate in the digital economy. They cited adoption statistics, including billions of transactions on Aptos, tokenized money market funds from major financial firms, micro-lending applications, decentralized cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of stablecoins. They acknowledged concerns about scams and consumer protection, but argued that the answer is stronger regulation and education rather than avoiding the technology altogether.

Transcript Highlights:

• Biofuels infrastructure grant is a very important bill or infrastructure program that has been funded
• <00:10:38.240> Bofuels<00:10:39.040> infrastructure for our farm.
• Bofuels infrastructure for our farm.
• Bofuels infrastructure grant<00:10:39.920> is<00:10:40.399> um<00:10:40.720> a<00
• grant program within AGri infrastructure grant program within AGri the<01:03:09.839> maximum<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can't guarantee that all the infrastructure that they put in is going to save one life.
• I'm a big believer that the people of Cheyenne and the people of Wyoming would vote for infrastructure
• They can't guarantee that all the infrastructure that they put in is going to save one life.
• <00:06:48.720> and<00:06:49.199> projects uh infrastru infrastructure and projects
• that is truly vote for infrastructure that is truly needed. needed. needed.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . infrastructure. infrastructure.
• There are um methods infrastructure.
• >> and that's that's infrastructure. >> and that's that's infrastructure.
• But there's another aspect to this, which is the environment and the infrastructure.
• . infrastructure. infrastructure.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an infrastructure system and an improvement.<01:07:51.880> I<01:07:51.960> mean,<01:07
• issue or be in just any<01:09:14.680> infrastructure<01:09:15.600> upkeep<01:09:16.880
• any infrastructure upkeep of our state buildings.<01:09:18.560> Okay.
• There's going to be more infrastructure because they're active duty units.
• There's going to be more infrastructure There's going to be more infrastructure because<01:18:59.720

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They invest in infrastructure and maintain their property with intention.
• > and When infrastructure is ignored and When infrastructure is ignored and communication<00:36
• He thinks that could include certainly infrastructure, maintenance, the grounds, and roads.
• He thinks that could include certainly infrastructure, maintenance, the grounds, and roads.
• include certainly infrastructure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whether that's through infrastructure, roads, water, sewer, etc., whether that is through some of
• One of the biggest things that we've had to face in the last year is digital infrastructure.
• One of the biggest things that we've had to face in the last year is digital infrastructure.
• One of the biggest things that we've had to face in the last year is digital infrastructure.
• One of the biggest things that we've had to face in the last year is digital infrastructure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding the HOA language, common-area infrastructure such as stormwater ponds, private streets, and
• So it's not a city problem that we're not welcoming new units; it's the cost of infrastructure, mortgage
• A recent 30-lot subdivision had $50,000 of infrastructure costs alone and make it a challenge for new
• So it's not a city problem that we're not welcoming new units; it's the cost of infrastructure, mortgage
• A recent 30-lot subdivision had $50,000 of infrastructure costs alone and make it a challenge for new

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all<00:10:27.160> told<00:10:27.920> um<00:10:28.079> additional infrastructure
• all told um additional infrastructure all told um additional funding<00:10:28.760> would<00:10
• to co or to cover the infrastructure to co or to cover the salary<00:36:40.640> of<00:36:40.760
• Innovation to create the infrastructure Innovation to create the infrastructure for<00:47:28.359
• handling that efficient infrastructure handling that efficient infrastructure doesn't<00:51:25.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:25:42.320> even<01:25:42.560> with nuclear infrastructure even with nuclear infrastructure
• So I can't trust them to do so with new nuclear infrastructure in the state of Minnesota.
• So I can't trust them to do so with new nuclear infrastructure in the state of Minnesota.
• So I can't trust them to do so with new nuclear infrastructure in the state of Minnesota.
• So I can't trust them to do so with new nuclear infrastructure in the state of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Energy Committee heard Senate File 426, authored by Senator Icorn, which would remove the 100-megawatt cap on hydropower for purposes of qualifying as an eligible energy technology under Minnesota law. Supporters said hydropower is carbon-free, reliable, flexible baseload power that can help Minnesota meet its 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2040. Testifiers from Missouri River Energy Services and Minnesota Power described existing hydropower resources, including allocations from federal Missouri River dams, Minnesota hydro stations, and Manitoba Hydro, and argued that the bill would preserve and expand options for clean energy development. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s purpose and potential environmental impacts. Senator McEwen questioned why the size limit should be removed without specific proposed projects or more information about the need for larger dams, citing concerns about fisheries, water resources, and land use. Senator Port and others asked about costs, environmental effects, and where new projects might be built. In response, supporters said the bill is intended to open the door to future projects and allow agencies to review proposals through existing permitting and environmental processes, rather than approving any specific dam. Committee members offered mixed reactions. Senator Frentz said he supported the concept but recommended laying the bill over for further discussion and possibly sending it to the Environment Committee, noting environmental concerns and the need for more conversation. Senator Gruenhagen strongly supported the bill, arguing that it merely lifts a cap while leaving permitting and review requirements in place. Senator Hoffman also supported the bill, saying current policy blocks consideration of new projects and that the change would allow regulators to evaluate proposals on their merits. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left open for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the cost of infrastructure needed to provide water to your facility, of course, increases the
• So there is an effort now in the industry to try to look at modernizing our training infrastructure,
• that while it's great to have it at the federal level, as you all know, much of the educational infrastructure
• There was no supply chain infrastructure, no trained workforce, but the completion of Vogtle units three
• and four addressed infrastructure, no trained workforce.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the biggest strength is that we're looking at an infrastructure package.
• And with that infrastructure in place, then if we decide to increase regulatory quality or change the
• All Stars system, then you have that infrastructure at the bottom that's saying these programs are there
• And with that infrastructure in place, then if we decide to increase regulatory quality or change the
• So, we increase the infrastructure.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It leverages federal dollars, strengthens our health care infrastructure, and supports the providers
• ,<00:04:20.400> and<00:04:20.639> supports<00:04:21.040> the infrastructure, and
• supports the infrastructure, and supports the providers<00:04:21.759> who<00:04:22.000> care
• This bill creates the infrastructure<00:59:48.640> needed<00:59:49.280> to<00:59:49.599
• > responsibly infrastructure needed to responsibly infrastructure needed to responsibly analyze

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:15:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 689 00:17:02 - Discussion of 26RS HB 407 00:45:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 407 00:49:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 713 00:55:50 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 713 00:56:54 - Discussion of 26RS HB 676 01:06:42 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 676 01:08:43 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek federal approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning in 2026. Rep. Amy Neighbors and witnesses from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare said the bill would bring in about $29 million in new federal Medicaid dollars without using general fund money, help retain physicians, support rural and underserved access, and tie payments to quality metrics. Witnesses described staffing shortages, rising costs, and the need to sustain services such as OB care, primary care, and preventive outpatient services. After questions about how the funding would work and whether private practices were included, the committee voted on the bill and passed it with favorable expression. The committee then moved to House Bill 407, as substituted, which would streamline Kentucky’s certificate-of-need process. Rep. Marianne Proctor and supporters from the Pacific Legal Foundation and the Institute for Justice said the bill would not repeal CON but would modernize a system they described as outdated and overly restrictive, citing national trends toward reform and arguing that Kentucky’s process has changed little since the 1970s. They said the substitute added language requiring the cabinet to contact a dominant provider when needed for data to make CON determinations. Mark Gilfoil, speaking in opposition for St. Elizabeth Healthcare, argued that CON is not a barrier to care in Northern Kentucky and said the bill would weaken the process by limiting who can request hearings, present evidence, and appeal decisions, effectively giving applicants control and making approvals nearly automatic. He said St. Elizabeth serves as a safety-net hospital for low-income and publicly insured patients and warned the bill could harm that role. Members questioned both sides about the appeal process, the definition of safety-net hospitals, and whether the bill could increase facilities and create waste or abuse. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• had said, um, basically a minute ago that these sorts of things, uh, community amenities and infrastructure
• <00:34:59.200> and<00:34:59.520> so amenities and infrastructure and so amenities and
• infrastructure and so forth<00:35:00.320> ought<00:35:00.400> to<00:35:00.560> be
• Well, I mean, to the extent some of these things have to be put in by infrastructure for utilities and
• , which can help lower the infrastructure, which can help lower the cost<00:50:58.079> of<00:50

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered several housing-related measures. On SB 2068, which would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to study how to maximize housing on transit-oriented development and other state and county lands, testimony was mostly supportive from agencies and housing groups, with one opposition witness. In response to questions, OPSD said it was already working on a list of potential parcels but could not yet identify unit counts or a timeline, and estimated about $250,000 would be needed for staffing and contractual support. The committees also heard SB 2227 on rental assistance, which would require HPHA to make monthly rent supplement payments, prioritize certain tenants including kupuna, allow agreements with counties and nonprofits, and create a special fund supported by a transaction fee on recordings. HPHA supported the bill, and the Department of the Attorney General said it recommended amending the measure to describe the fee as a tax. Additional testimony included support from elder and community organizations and one opposition witness. For SB 2061, relating to residential condominiums and the 99-year leasehold program, HCDA and the project developer testified in support of amendments intended to preserve owner-occupant requirements while making the project more marketable and financially feasible. Members focused heavily on parking, affordability, and financing. HCDA and the developer said the parking stalls would be unbundled from the units, that the project would be a 99-year leasehold with 60% of units reserved for buyers at or below 140% AMI and 40% market-rate, and that the state’s $15 million equity contribution would cover only part of the parking garage and commercial component. The hearing then moved on to SB 3327, relating to HCDA and complete communities, but the transcript cuts off before that measure was fully discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why fossil fuel infrastructure is such a part of our daily life.
• He said this infrastructure is needed both for local agriculture and as a means to reduce the transportation
• <01:04:19.680> for efforts, the infrastructure for efforts, the infrastructure for processing
• <01:04:26.880> both<01:04:27.119> for<01:04:27.440> local infrastructure both for
• local infrastructure both for local agriculture<01:04:28.240> but<01:04:28.480> also<01

Bills: SB2309, SB2317, SB2318, SB2319, SB2321, SB2323, SB2332, SB2405, SB2485

Keywords: agricultural loans, financial support, Hawaii agriculture, food security, revolving fund, agriculture, insurance, small producers, state support, biosecurity, farm coverage, public-private partnerships, agricultural policy, agricultural statistics, data collection, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, economic analysis, market development, grant funding, climate resiliency

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition. The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds. The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just in the infrastructure<00:14:28.560> that<00:14:28.880> we<00:14:29.120> have
• <00:14:29.279> committed<00:14:29.839> to infrastructure that we have committed to
• infrastructure that we have committed to this<00:14:30.639> single<00:14:31.040> project,
• renew the facilities and infrastructure renew the facilities and infrastructure that's<00:25:34.559
• Infrastructure in place equals projects can move more quickly.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:11 Approval of Minutes 00:02:00 Information Items 00:02:25 CPE Special Report 00:03:26 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:31:48 A. Attorney General 00:32:10 B. Court of Justice 00:36:41 C. Cabinet for Economic Development 00:50:44 D. Kentucky Public Pensions Authority 00:56:06 E. Board Discussion of Planning Issues 01:05:12, 958, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And the proposed $150 million in one time funding for the kitchen infrastructure and training program
• We urge maintaining full funding for this program, including kitchen and infrastructure grants, which
• There's a lot of infrastructure that is required to stand up technical assistance provision units and
• And in a very tight budget year, it seems very odd to basically wind down existing infrastructure to
• So having that infrastructure to focus on supporting students is. absolutely critical in helping them

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some key challenges include legal compliance and building infrastructure.
• I think, again, because we have the infrastructure of several licensed clinicians on staff, we're providing
• They're sort of a centralized cost for the billing infrastructure.
• There's sort of a centralized cost for the billing infrastructure.
• I do think that there's infrastructure that the state has already invested in. That is supportive.

Summary: The Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access held its third hearing to review the state of youth mental health, progress under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), and remaining implementation and funding challenges. The chair emphasized that schools are often the main point where education, health care, and social services intersect for students, and that the committee’s goal is to ensure public investments translate into better access and outcomes. The hearing featured testimony from researchers, a youth advocate, state officials, and local practitioners. PPIC researcher Shalini Mostala reported that teen mental health remains a serious concern, with high rates of chronic sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, though recent California data show some improvement since the pandemic. She noted persistent disparities by gender, race, and rural status, and said school-based health centers, wellness centers, and community schools are associated with lower suicidal thoughts. Youth advocate Ella Cruz, speaking for NAMI California, described her own mental health struggles and argued that youth voice, peer-to-peer support, and reducing stigma are essential; she also said technology and AI cannot replace trusted adults or trained professionals. Committee members asked about phone use, stigma, cultural barriers, and how to make supports more accessible and relatable to students. Dr. Sohill Sood of the California Health and Human Services Agency said statewide survey data show declining stigma, increased counseling use, and lower suicide ideation among students, and he highlighted CYBHI’s certified wellness coaches, digital tools, awareness campaigns, and the first-in-the-nation fee schedule that allows schools and colleges to bill health plans for behavioral health services. He said the program is growing quickly, with more than 230,000 claims and over $11 million in new revenue to date, while acknowledging that billing systems and coordination are still being built. Trina Frazier of Fresno County described a multi-tiered system of care supported by CYBHI, CalAIM, and other grants, serving thousands of students through school-based services, wellness centers, and mobile therapy units; she said ongoing funding and flexibility are critical. Rachel Kroberniski of El Segundo High School’s James Morehouse Project described a long-running wellness center and peer mentorship model that supports students in multiple languages, and said peer programs help students feel seen, connected, and more willing to seek help. Members broadly praised the flexibility, collaboration, and peer-based approaches described by the witnesses. Questions focused on sustaining funding after one-time grants expire, improving coordination among schools, counties, and providers, expanding the fee schedule to higher education, and ensuring continuity of care for students after high school. Officials said county offices of education, DHCS, and other partners are using communities of practice and technical assistance to spread best practices, and that CYBHI services can follow some young adults through age 25, with additional supports through community-based programs and digital platforms.