Transcript Highlights:

• 18 to 59 remain open to plant-based meat and dairy. 71% of U.S. consumers aged 18 to 59 remain open
• accessible to the many alternative protein companies focused on building their first facilities.
• These facilities can typically run from $15 million to $20 million for pilot-scale facilities, or $40
• million to more than $250 million for commercial-scale facilities.
• , whether it's a small-scale or a large-scale facility.

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focusing on California’s alternative protein sector and the role of public institutions in expanding plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated protein options. Chair Ash Kalra opened by highlighting prior state investments in UC research centers, the importance of student engagement, and the hearing’s three panels: reducing the carbon footprint of institutional meals, addressing market challenges to scaling alternative proteins, and advancing future food research and workforce development. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan also briefly praised the committee’s work and its relevance to climate and health goals. The first panel featured Friends of the Earth, UCLA Dining, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Megan Jones described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts expand plant-based meals, reduce water and carbon footprints, and improve student satisfaction. Pete Angelese explained how UCLA Dining uses concept-driven venues, sustainable purchasing, and marketing nudges to increase plant-forward choices, while Dr. Michelle Wood outlined Los Angeles County’s 2024–2025 board motions to expand plant-based options in county food venues and programs, including joining the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and how student and consumer behavior can be influenced. The second panel addressed market barriers to scaling alternative proteins. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner emphasized that the sector faces a cost-and-scale trap, high capital needs, and financing gaps, and they recommended grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and workforce development. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat argued that the category has faced a recent downturn due to consumer skepticism, industry attacks on “fake meat,” and pricing pressures, and said the key to renewed growth is increasing demand through better taste, health, pricing, and messaging around “plant protein.” Panelists also discussed hidden subsidies and structural advantages for conventional animal agriculture, and committee members raised questions about iBank loan guarantees and supply chain challenges. The final panel highlighted UCLA’s research and training efforts. Dr. Amy Roet described the Future Food Fellows program, which trains students across disciplines in science, communication, leadership, and community-building, and supports research on scalable, safe, and nutritious alternative proteins. Corinne Smith shared her cultivated meat research and student leadership in the Alternative Proteins Project at UCLA. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and terminology strongly affect acceptance, with “plant protein” and “complementary proteins” testing better than “fake meat.” The hearing concluded with support for continued public investment, clearer messaging, and expanded education and workforce pipelines to help California remain a leader in alternative protein innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• on line 17, it says the department shall not exceed 13,000 child care assistance slots for children aged
• It says the department shall perform at least two unannounced visits per year to each child care facility
• are safe, that they are clean, are they going to put... ...that these facilities are safe, that they
• We were not put in a babysitting facility. Madam President, I have a...
• Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, Local Government Planning Fund, and Cultural Affairs Facilities

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on line 17, it says the department shall not exceed 13,000 child care assistance slots for children aged
• It says the department shall perform at least two unannounced visits per year to each child care facility
• are safe, that they are clean, are they going to put... ...that these facilities are safe, that they
• We were not put in a babysitting facility. Madam President, I have a...
• Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, Local Government Planning Fund, and Cultural Affairs Facilities

Summary: The Senate debated and passed Senate Bill 241, a child care assistance measure. Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s education requirements, residency definitions, sustainability if oil and gas revenues decline, fraud and misuse of funds, staffing needs for unannounced inspections, liability insurance, and whether the state would be left covering costs in a shortfall. Supporters argued the bill reflects the reality of working families, would expand access to child care, and includes guardrails and a five-year funding plan. After debate, the Senate passed the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 241, as amended, by a vote of 25-15. The chamber then received House messages announcing passage of several House bills and referred them to committees: HB 63 on water project funding to Senate Conservation, HB 64 on appropriations to Senate Finance, HB 165 on industrial revenue bond lease assessments to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation, HB 285 on disabled veteran property tax exemptions to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation, HB 184 on the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund to Senate Finance, and HB 291 on a range of tax and revenue changes to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation. Senate Memorial 30, requesting a study of safety and maintenance issues on U.S. Highway 491, was introduced and referred to Senate Rules. During announcements, members outlined upcoming committee meetings, including Rules, Tax, Business and Transportation, Education, Finance, Conservation, and others. The Senate also discussed the upcoming 100th Bill Party and related social events. The body then recessed until 11 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for the correctional facilities.
• File 1399, which requires the Commissioner of Corrections to stock opiate antagonists in the state facilities
• Of age before beauty.
• I'm concerned that we will face facility lockdowns, reductions in programming, increased idleness, and
• is warehousing the incarcerated, which not only increases the risk of violence and unrest in our facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• And it adds assisted living facilities to the health care facilities exempt from the provider tax.
• And it adds assisted living facilities to the health care facilities exempt from the provider tax.
• And it adds assisted living facilities to the health care facilities exempt from the provider tax.
• I see my work at the IRTS facility.
• </c> facilities. There's no tribal nations. facilities. There's no tribal nations.

Bills: HF4207, HF4338

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we know that many people have gone forward to talk to the AG about it.
• </c><00:22:22.240><c> We</c> post-production facility yet, right?
• We post-production facility yet, right?
• We have local post-production facility facilities that are small and currently being contracted by major
• have local post-production facility have local post-production facility facilities<00:26:56.040><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to Hawaii’s film tax credits, timeshare registration, and a Hawaii Technology Development Corporation matching program. For HB 1939, witnesses from the Governor’s office, DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Attorney General’s office, film industry groups, neighborhood boards, and others discussed changes to film tax incentives, including local hire requirements, indigenous content, and possible bonus credits. Supporters said the bill would diversify the economy and strengthen local jobs, while DBEDT and others raised operational, fiscal, and legal concerns about administering the multiple bonus options, defining indigenous content, and tracking compliance. The committee noted strong support in testimony and moved the bill forward with a Senate draft, including an amended effective date and a change to apply the bill to costs incurred rather than taxable years. HB 1941, also relating to taxation and film incentives, drew mixed testimony focused on the interaction between physical production and post-production credits. DBEDT, the Honolulu Film Office, and the Hawaii Film Alliance said the bill’s structure could discourage productions, especially because many productions complete post-production elsewhere and because the measure would be difficult to administer and verify. They urged keeping physical production and post-production separate or addressing post-production through workforce development instead. After hearing the testimony, the chair deferred HB 1941 for further work rather than advancing it. The committee also heard HB 1946 on timeshare registration, which had support from industry representatives and DCCA. The bill was advanced with a Senate draft incorporating DCCA’s requested language providing that renewal applications are deemed approved after 30 days unless a deficiency letter is issued. Finally, HB 2545 on HTDC’s matching program for federal SBIR/STTR awards was advanced with a technical amendment clarifying that the federal awards are separate and should be referenced in the alternative. All three of those measures were adopted unanimously by the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here in Washington, we operate two facilities, one in Vancouver and the other in Yakima, that together
• I've toured it, and you're a great facility.
• do operate transfer facilities, waste facilities that take recycling, take garbage, or consolidate.
• One is the impact on the MRFs, the material recovery facilities, recycling facilities.
• In addition, cookware releases more lead as it ages, but the test is only on new cookware.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills, beginning with SB 5965 on retail bags. Staff explained that the bill would prohibit single-use plastic and reusable film plastic carryout bags, raise the paper bag pass-through charge from 8 cents to 20 cents, exempt certain assistance-program customers from bag charges, and add manufacturer/distributor penalties. The sponsor and supporters, including environmental groups, Seattle Public Utilities, Tacoma, county solid waste representatives, and health advocates, argued the current law has led to thicker plastic bags and more plastic pollution, microplastics, and recycling contamination. Opponents from hospitality, grocery, retail, paper, and plastic bag industries said the bill would raise costs, create checkout confusion, burden food delivery and takeout operations, and amount to a de facto ban on paper bags as well; several urged waiting for more data on the current 12-cent fee. The hearing ended with a reported 1,240 non-testifiers on SB 5965, with 541 pro, 695 con, and 4 other. The committee then heard SB 6030 on plastic bags. Staff said the bill would allow film plastic and paper carryout bags if they meet recycled-content standards, keep the paper bag fee at 8 cents, reduce the plastic bag fee from 12 cents to 8 cents, and remove the minimum thickness standards for reusable film plastic bags while retaining recycled-content requirements and the SNAP exemption. No public testimony was taken on the bill, and the chair noted 208 non-testifiers, with 192 pro, 11 con, and 5 other. Finally, the committee heard SB 5975 on lead in cookware. Staff described it as a third-round update to the state’s cookware lead law, narrowing covered cookware, delaying the 10 ppm lead standard to 2030, and allowing compliance through FDA or European testing methods. Supporters, including some industry representatives, said the current law is unclear and difficult to enforce, that a workable test is still being developed, and that the bill would provide certainty and avoid unintended coverage of safe products. Opponents from Ecology, Health, environmental groups, and consumer advocates argued the bill would weaken Washington’s existing protections, create broad exemptions, and allow high-lead cookware to remain on the market; they also criticized shifting from total-content testing to leach testing. The hearing closed with 609 non-testifiers on SB 5975, with 54 pro and 552 con.

Transcript Highlights:

• These illustrate those marijuana grow facilities in existence when I took my oath of office You took
• Each plant produces approximately 1 pound of marijuana per harvest and each facility can be harvested
• 3 to4 times a year resulting in60 to 8000 pounds per year per facility with a maximum street value of
• A 20-year sentence from a Pawnee County woman who was perpetrating a romance scam targeting senior-aged
• The current facility and again, this is a roof under which I will never work, but it is necessary.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appearing on behalf of the California Department of Food and Agriculture because they are attending Ag
• Food and Ag is looking at the Highland cows.
• These are communities that are in state parks and those that don't have any recreation facilities or
• The final program is the Nature Climate Education and Research Facilities Grant.
• State Parks has completed a preliminary damage assessment, and a total of 59 facilities were damaged

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's up at the top of page four: certified to bond board, refer to prosecuting attorney, AG.
• It's my understanding that at the museum itself, we have rental space available as a rental facility,
• and the employee was taking money for the rent of the facility but never entering it into the cash register
• And do all of the museums have the ability to rent out the facilities, or is that the only one that does
• And do all of the museums have the ability to rent out the facilities, or is that the only one that does

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and then heard audit reports from Mr. Bullington. Four reports without findings were filed without objection. The Department of Human Services FY24 report contained three findings: suspected fraud involving disaster food assistance and Medicaid benefits by employees, a delayed notification of a forged and cashed state warrant for nearly $610,000, and several fixed-asset and sales-tax errors. DHS officials said they had referred the benefit fraud cases to prosecutors, recovered some restitution, and would change internal procedures so accounts payable staff report such incidents directly to the chief fiscal officer. Committee members questioned the missing assets, the warrant delay, and the tax issue, and the report was deferred to the next meeting so DHS could return with written policy changes. The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism FY24 report had two findings: the loss of nearly $3,500 in museum receipts, believed to be theft at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and issues with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium. Agency officials said they had implemented new controls, including a point-of-sale and reservation system for museum rentals and more frequent reconciliation of change funds. Members asked about the criminal case, the statute of limitations, bond board reimbursement, and whether the employee’s final paycheck could be withheld. Mr. Bullington later reported that the prosecutor’s office said the Parks and Tourism investigation remained open and that additional information had been requested from the agency. The committee then deferred that report as well, and adjourned after setting the next meeting for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can start with the **Facilities Commission**. Mr.
• My last question is about what the Facilities Commission's purpose is.
• We can do facilities, capital improvements, and enhancements as needed.
• We can do facilities, capital improvement projects, and facility improvement projects on all of those
• to the Facilities Commission.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And co-location of those types of facilities is not something that a bill like this or a restrictive
• By requiring age verification for in-store and online purchase, this legislation can help reduce the
• As we stated in previous policy committees, we do not oppose the 18-year-old age restriction for the
• I was incarcerated from the age of 15 until I was 32, and policy saved my life.
• I just think this is so—we're in an age of technology.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We moved to a sticker system to make it easier to enforce and also easier for facilities to actually
• The fees in that particular regulation are $15 a year per facility and per unit.
• or fuel production facilities.
• One such solution is to collect fees paid by owners and operators of regulated facilities to generate
• facilities throughout the state.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute still ensures that non-certified individuals, including facility employees,
• This is to protect our juvenile facilities from having someone who commits misconduct, say a janitor,
• having the opportunity to move to another facility.
• It is focused on strengthening employee eligibility requirements for facilities within the Texas Juvenile
• Children with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities in TJJD facilities, are

Bills: HB2947, HB3276, HB3513

Keywords: truancy, school attendance, parent responsibility, education code, community service, criminal record nondisclosure, juvenile board, Moore County, appointments, juvenile justice, county legislation, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jared DeVette, Director of Fleet. and Facilities. Amanda Colburn, Director of Housing.
• portfolio of successful investments, and whereas Bernalillo County operates a juvenile detention facility
• We are so close to finishing this, and it's going to be a great facility, again, not only for the folks
• in Albuquerque, but a... a facility that will attract national attention.
• It provides for a minimum age of 28 for magistrate judges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, we have been doing network testing between our state crime lab network and those facilities
• Where are we today, and where do we need to be when you get in this new facility with more room and..
• In this new facility, with more room and able to do more things.
• I think is Texas the facility you're having to use now for those? Yes, sir.
• Are we pretty well staffed now that will be needed at that facility?

Summary: The committee met with representatives from the Arkansas State Crime Lab for what members said was likely the first appearance by the lab before this committee. Lab officials gave an overview of the new crime lab facility now under construction, saying it is on schedule, under budget, and expected to be completed by the end of July next year, with phased move-in beginning around August 1. They explained that the current building is over 40 years old and overcrowded, with caseloads having doubled over the past 20 years, and said the new facility will improve workflow, add morgue capacity, and allow new technologies and equipment to be brought online. Members asked about staffing and recruitment, and the lab said recent pay changes and legislative support have made Arkansas more competitive for forensic specialists and medical examiners. Officials said vacancies have been reduced, a new deputy chief medical examiner has been hired, two more medical examiners are starting in August, and a new fellowship program has already attracted applicants. They also said the lab is prepared for the staffing needs of the new facility and that training periods remain long for many analyst positions. The discussion also covered rapid DNA, CODIS, sexual assault kit processing, genetic genealogy, and overdose-related data sharing. The lab said rapid DNA is in final testing with pilot agencies in Faulkner and Saline counties and could go live by the end of July, which would make Arkansas among the first states to do so. Officials described CODIS as a key investigative tool, said DNA profiles are entered automatically when they qualify, and reported that the sexual assault kit backlog has been cleared with the lab now maintaining a 60-day turnaround. They also confirmed Arkansas uses a kit-tracking system, works with private labs such as Othram and Bode for genetic genealogy, and is developing an overdose dashboard to share toxicology and overdose data with public health and law enforcement partners. Members praised the lab’s progress and the committee adjourned after announcing an August site visit to Lake Conway and the dam project.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently in Massachusetts, if you're incarcerated in a Massachusetts facility, you actually, in the
• Many of the DOC facilities are still struggling.
• My name is Angelia Jefferson, and I am in support of Bill 27, age 63. I am formerly incarcerated.
• And it changed the name prisons to facilities.
• And that is what the facility is supposed to do. Engage like every other citizen.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on S. 7 and H. 63, proposed constitutional amendments to restore voting rights to people incarcerated for felony convictions. Sponsors Rep. Erica Iderhoven and Sen. Liz Miranda argued that Massachusetts should reverse the 2000 disenfranchisement change, describing it as a recent and racially discriminatory policy that excludes thousands of residents—disproportionately Black and Latino—from civic participation. They said the amendment would put the question before voters, likely in 2028, and noted that implementation details such as domicile and where incarcerated people would register to vote would be handled separately through legislation and existing jail-based voting work. A large number of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people testified in support, many speaking remotely from MCI Norfolk, MCI Shirley, and MCI Framingham. They said voting would affirm dignity, accountability, rehabilitation, and connection to community, and several described civic education programs inside the facilities that had helped them engage with public policy. Witnesses repeatedly characterized disenfranchisement as “civil death,” linked it to racial injustice and the legacy of slavery, and urged the committee to advance the bills favorably. A few speakers also addressed practical questions about voting location and domicile, with sponsors saying those issues are not specified in the constitutional amendment and would be worked out later. Committee members asked several questions, including whether incarcerated people would vote in the community where they were incarcerated or where they previously lived, and whether future legislation could include carve-outs based on offense type or time served. Testifiers and sponsors generally said the amendment itself does not decide those implementation questions, and some said they would oppose carve-outs. One member raised a broader moral objection about allowing people convicted of serious crimes to vote; supporters responded that punishment should not erase democratic rights and that voting can support rehabilitation and reentry. No vote or final committee action was taken during the transcript provided. The hearing also briefly included testimony on a separate matter, S. 521, a proposed ratification of the federal Child Labor Amendment. Witnesses supporting that measure warned against renewed child labor rollbacks in other states and argued Massachusetts should reaffirm protections for children and education. That portion of the hearing was separate from the voting-rights discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with those factors in mind, can you help me understand why the facility was selected for closure?
• It's also, there's lots of ADA concerns at that facility.
• It's also, there's lots of ADA concerns at that facility.
• And also to the sergeants and all the people who make these facilities available.
• We think that money is better spent to help keep folks in their homes so that they can safely age.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund savings associated with the implementation of a $30 monthly premium per individual for adults age
• includes ongoing General Fund savings associated with the elimination of dental benefits for adults age
• and youth who are transferred from a secure youth treatment facility to an LRP, differentiating between
• in the superior court in the county in which a facility is located.
• Could it be based on the color of your hair, the color of your eyes, your gender, your age?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education and learning has always been emphasized to me from a very early age.
• and placing them in rural settings will help provide care, especially as the physician population ages
• </c><00:18:04.160><c> of</c> care because we know with the aging of care because we know with the aging
• </c><00:34:50.159><c> Just</c><00:34:50.639><c> scheduling</c> tour their facilities.
• Just scheduling tour their facilities.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education heard presentations from the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) on their strategic plans, enrollment trends, and budget priorities. University of Louisville President Bradley highlighted the university’s new five-year strategic plan, its R1 research status, community-engaged and opportunity college classifications, record enrollment of 25,005 students, and its role in serving first-generation, Pell-eligible, military-connected, and rural students. He also emphasized the university’s economic and workforce impact, including athletics, nursing, dentistry, and a recent Speed School building, and previewed major capital and program requests: a $142 million STEMH building, a $15 million one-time request for National Cancer Institute-related cancer research, and $5.3 million for the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership. He also discussed a planned $260 million health sciences building and the university’s efforts to expand health care access beyond Louisville through regional sites and residency partnerships. Members responded positively, with Representative Tipton asking about agency bond projects and regional health outreach, and President Bradley saying the university is evaluating debt capacity and exploring smaller projects while noting that the STEM building request would rely on state-funded debt service. He described UofL Health’s expansion into places such as Bullitt County, Shelbyville, Madisonville, and Paducah, and its efforts to train physicians for rural practice. Representative McCool praised the university’s military-friendly designation and cancer research priorities and noted personal family ties to UofL. Michaela Aman, a sophomore from Letcher County, also testified about how UofL has supported her as a rural student and emphasized the university’s commitment to opportunity and social mobility. KCTCS President Ryan Quarles and CFO Todd Kilburn then presented the system’s enrollment, completion, and workforce-training results. They said KCTCS now serves more than 110,000 students, graduated a record 24,000 students last May, and has moved from 45th to 4th nationally in graduation rate. They also highlighted that over half of students are first-generation, 60% work while enrolled, 70% of graduates work in Kentucky, and 74% graduate with no student loan debt. KCTCS described its common-course-numbering agreement with Morehead State as part of a broader transfer simplification effort, and said it trains about 200,000 Kentuckians annually when including workforce training and firefighter instruction. The system also outlined efficiency measures, including property sales, a new bookstore contract projected to save $4.3 million over five years, and a new evaluation process for real estate and facilities. KCTCS’s budget and capital requests included operating funding tied to enrollment growth, support for the TRAINs program, the ECTC training facility at Glendale, continued support for Health Force Kentucky, three capital construction projects at Jefferson, Bluegrass, and Gateway, and asset preservation funding focused on safety and security upgrades. Quarles also referenced House Bill 5, saying it would expand KCTCS’s correctional education and re-entry work and could help reduce recidivism. Members asked about the bill and its impact, and KCTCS said it already provides instruction in jails and prisons and sees the proposal as an extension of that work.