Transcript Highlights:

• </c> patients back to Skilled care facilities patients back to Skilled care facilities and<01:00:35.839
• </c> child critical access nursing facilities child critical access nursing facilities increased<01:18
• </c> according to DHS 20 rural facilities according to DHS 20 rural facilities receed<01:19:53.639><c
• The next closest facility for our type is almost 50 miles away.
• </c> long-term care and nursing facilities long-term care and nursing facilities have<01:26:14.840><c

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> especially in our safety net facilities especially in our safety net facilities um<00:12:36.160>
• </c> capital construction for new facilities capital construction for new facilities or<00:23:16.480>
• We are a safety net facility.
• Um so we try to be flexible uh facility.
• That's those are the types of facility.

Bills: SF0010 , SF0005

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• >>> THE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS WILL COME TO ORDER.
• SOMETIMES FACILITIES WILL RECLASSIFY THEIR SERVICES IS OPTIONAL SUPPORTED SERVICES TO BYPASS LICENSING
• THAT THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR AND BE CERTIFIED, A MEMORY CARE FACILITY IS NOT ONE OF THOSE.
• ON A TRUE MEMORY CARE FACILITY BUT MAYBE MONDAY MORNING HAS A MEMORY CARE ACTIVITY OPEN TO ALL OF ITS
• FLORIDA'S ADVOCATE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES OWNERS AND OPERATORS.

Transcript Highlights:

• or host it at an additional facility, I think that is where we left off our discussion for necessary
• That kind of addresses school-owned facilities, if you want to take a minute to look at that.
• their coaches and trained responders have the responsibility of at least identifying where that facility
• Life-threatening emergency on school-owned facilities and grounds.
• What's in the email would say, on school-owned facilities and grounds, comma, continuing on to the next

Bills: HB1404

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with six members present and first took up House Bill 1404, which would update North Dakota scholarship eligibility language by allowing the NDA Plus assessment to be used in place of ACT scores in certain pathways. The Department of Public Instruction explained that the bill does not eliminate the ACT entirely, but removes outdated references tied to ACT accountability testing that will no longer apply after this year’s seniors graduate. Members discussed how the change affects public and nonpublic schools, then voted 6-0 to give HB 1404 a do pass recommendation. The committee then returned to House Bill 1363, a bill dealing with school emergency response planning and automatic external defibrillators. Members adopted an amendment clarifying that the requirements apply to school-owned facilities and grounds, replacing language about school events and venues, and revising the planning language for school-based events not held on school-owned property. The committee also debated whether the bill should be mandatory or permissive; a motion to change “shall” to “may” failed, with members noting the bill’s liability protections. The committee then voted 5-1 to pass HB 1363 as amended, with Senator Gerhardt carrying the bill. Before recessing, the chair noted that House Bill 1533 would be taken up later in the day after additional information from DPI was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is about helping patients have an advocate when they are brought to a mental health facility
• And by the time they have that guardianship all lined up for a hearing, the mental health facility is
• And when they get picked up and brought to the facility, under federal law, they're allowed to have an
• these aren't state facilities.
• They have a history with the mental health facility. And they know who the family is.

Committee: House Legislative Review

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, then heard testimony on House Bill 2516, which would allow a qualified family advocate to participate in a patient’s care during a 96-hour mental health hold. Representative Burns said the bill is intended to prevent facilities from using blanket HIPAA-based policies to exclude family members who often provide critical background, medication history, and discharge support. Members asked whether the bill assumes incapacity based on detention and whether a doctor could still deny family participation; Burns said the goal is to let physicians permit family input and that the advocacy role would end once the patient is released. No one testified for or against the bill, and the hearing was closed. The committee then heard House Joint Resolution 171, which would count property held in Chapter 100 bond arrangements toward a school district’s bonding capacity even though the property is tax-exempt while under municipal or other government ownership. Representative Faulkner said the change would help districts borrow more and noted an amendment was being considered to include all government entities, not just municipalities. Members raised concern that the proposal would extend school district credit without allowing the district to use the property’s tax revenue to repay the bond, though Faulkner said Chapter 100 projects are temporary and eventually return to the tax rolls. No public testimony was offered. After a quorum was established, the committee entered executive session and voted on House Bill 3205. The motion to do pass the bill was approved 6-0, with six ayes and no noes. The committee also postponed executive action on another measure until the following week, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• PMB will be medical facilities.
• </c> paid to the university upon facility paid to the university upon facility lease<00:17:21.240><c>
• </c> appropriate to this type of facility. appropriate to this type of facility.
• and across our facilities.
• Churchill Park facilities.

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of minutes, and informational items on school district financing and KCTCS equipment purchases. It then considered two KCTCS capital projects after initially rolling them together and later unrolling them: a Fire Commission Fire Academy maintenance building project that had grown from an original $2 million authorization to $4.7 million because of design changes, soil issues, and higher mechanical costs, and a $1.5 million renovation of the Blake Lee building at Somerset Community College for a health science simulation lab. Members questioned the large cost increase on the fire academy project and the adequacy of front-end due diligence, while KCTCS said the project was bid and ready to proceed and that a 15% contingency had been included. Both projects were approved by roll call vote, with the Blake Lee project ultimately approved after the committee unrolled the items and took them separately. The committee next heard and approved a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for the Hamburg East Medical Office Building, a five-story, 220,000-square-foot facility with a not-to-exceed budget of $275 million. UK said the project is intended to expand outpatient access, consolidate some services, and support projected growth in patient volume; the building will house multiple specialties, urgent care, therapy, imaging, and a retail pharmacy. Members asked about possible community uses, consolidation of services, and whether the project would free up other space, and UK said it hopes to consolidate some services and free campus space. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved three UK lease renegotiations: a specialty pharmacy and infusion services lease at Wellington Way in Lexington, a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences lease at Conte Terrace, and a College of Social Work lease at McGrath Park Way. Members asked about rising lease rates, occupancy, and whether space needs should be reduced; UK and the lessor’s representative said the pharmacy space remains busy, the ophthalmology lease was lower than before, and the social work lease had been negotiated down from a higher request. The committee also approved a Department of Military Affairs project amendment for a Mutual Field Maintenance Shop Restoration project, increasing federal funding by $1 million to $4.5 million because of higher construction costs, and approved a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation project funded by bond and HBCU Title III funds. Finally, it approved a new lease for the Office of Mines and Minerals in Pike County, a new lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Pulaski County, and a lease renewal for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Kenton County after questions about rent increases and office utilization; the cabinet said the Kenton County space still has limited vacancy and remains in use by field staff. The meeting ended as the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority began presenting six sewer and water loans and six cleaner water program grant reallocations, with members agreeing to roll those items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• There may be some decisions within the city of Burlington regarding that facility.
• ,</c><00:59:06.720><c> our</c> healthc care facilities, our healthc care facilities, our organizations
• </c><01:07:02.960><c> or</c> addestation from those facilities or addestation from those facilities or
• </c><01:07:22.720><c> services</c> facility um or management services facility um or management services
• </c><01:07:56.799><c> or</c> July 1st 26 a healthcare facility or July 1st 26 a healthcare facility or

Transcript Highlights:

• It's kind of a safety net facility.
• It's kind of a safety net facility.
• It's kind of a safety net facility.
• Transportation for needed up facilities Transportation for needed up facilities that<00:12:44.959><c>
• </c> facility residents. facility residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:11.200><c> to</c> facilities from adult day facilities to facilities from adult day facilities
• </c><00:41:51.880><c> to</c> you know, it requires the facility to you know, it requires the facility
• to, they blame the facilities, unfortunately, and they require the facilities to send a staff member
• ,</c><00:44:17.960><c> but</c> not only the facility, but not only the facility, but obviously<00:44:
• </c><00:44:24.920><c> Um</c> the facility. Um the facility.

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board first approved the September 24 minutes and then heard a presentation from four certified community behavioral health clinic providers: Pathways, NorthKey, Seven Counties Services, and NewVista. The presenters explained the difference between traditional community mental health centers and CCBHCs, describing CCBHCs as an enhanced model that integrates behavioral health, primary care, wraparound services, and crisis response. They reviewed the federal history of the model, Kentucky’s entry into the Medicaid demonstration in 2022, and the scheduled end of the enhanced federal match on December 31, 2027. They also emphasized required services such as 24-hour mobile crisis, care coordination, and services for veterans, and described care coordination as a key feature that helps patients follow up after hospital or emergency discharge, manage medications, and connect to transportation and other supports. The presenters gave examples of improved outcomes, including a patient who was able to remain living independently because of coordinated home-based and telehealth support, and they argued that CCBHCs are helping Kentucky build a more responsive crisis system through 988, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization units. They said the model is data-driven, uses performance metrics, and has led to stronger collaboration among community partners. One speaker said more than 100 agencies participated in a Jefferson County community health needs assessment and continued meeting afterward to reduce redundancies and barriers to care. They also said crisis call hub compliance and mobile crisis outreach compliance improved significantly over the past year. Members asked about how navigators and connectors fit into the model, how CCBHCs work with managed care organizations, and how the program could expand statewide. The presenters said navigators are not built into the CCBHC model but may be used through referrals, while the CCBHCs continue to bill MCOs the same way and receive a Medicaid wrap payment for the enhanced rate. They said the goal would be for all community mental health centers to become CCBHCs, but that a state plan amendment would be needed and could not be limited only to CMHCs if submitted to CMS. They estimated about $28 million would be needed statewide to continue the program in the next biennium, combining the loss of enhanced federal match and the state share of enhanced service costs. The board also discussed transportation, with one presenter explaining that their program arranges Medicaid transportation for eligible appointments, and members raised concerns about mental inquest warrant transport and whether sheriffs should remain involved. No votes were taken on the CCBHC or transportation items during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Goodell and I serve as executive director of LifeKY, a nonprofit life sciences lab, an innovation facility
• An innovation facility is not an accelerator. It's not a program.
• ><c> not</c><00:04:42.240><c> an</c> An innovation facility is not an An innovation facility is not an
• 00:04:57.680><c> businesses</c> those facilities, these small businesses those facilities, these small
• I've had the opportunity to tour the life sciences facility and see it firsthand.

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, so it began with an informational presentation from Dr. Kristen Goodell, executive director of LifeKY, about innovation infrastructure and a proposed grant program to support life sciences and other startup facilities. She argued that Kentucky’s research investments only translate into jobs and companies if startups have access to physical lab and equipment space, and said shared facilities can serve many companies over time. Goodell described LifeKY’s Northern Kentucky facility as a proof of concept, noting it has attracted companies from other states and Japan, secured a Thermo Fisher Scientific partnership, and could be replicated elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Members asked about university pipelines, local talent development, sustainability, and how the grant program would measure return on investment; Goodell emphasized public-private partnerships, earned revenue, philanthropy, internships, and STEM programming as part of the model. The committee then took up Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would limit school board occupational license tax increases by raising the population threshold for such increases from 300,000 to 500,000. Bledsoe said the bill was intended to respond to Fayette County’s recent tax controversy, restore public trust, and provide stability for employees, employers, and the school system. He argued that occupational taxes affect many commuters who work in Fayette County but live elsewhere, and said the measure would give time for community buy-in before any future increase. Supportive comments came from Senator Nunn and others, while Senator Boswell asked about the tax rate and cautioned against local tax increases offsetting state income tax reductions. After discussion, the committee called the roll on SB 76. The bill advanced on a roll-call vote, with Senator Armstrong explaining a no vote because he did not want to take tools away from local government and preferred local control. The transcript indicates the measure moved forward from committee after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, one of our largest facilities is in Kalaoa.
• The second largest facility is in Pāʻoa, as you know, out on the Hamakua Coast.
• facilities like on the continent.
• 49.560><c> kalaloa</c> of our largest facilities is in kalaloa of our largest facilities is in kalaloa
• </c><00:14:40.000><c> they</c> again but in our smaller facilities they again but in our smaller facilities

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 345, which would establish ʻōpae ʻula as the state shrimp. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kua Ulu Aumo testified in strong support, saying the designation could help protect endemic shrimp in anchialine pools and increase public education and awareness. In response to questions, DLNR said it would use existing education programs, press releases, and partnerships for statewide outreach and was not seeking a separate appropriation for that purpose. Members then took up SCR 132 and SR 111, which encourage adoption of recommendations from the UN Global Plastics Treaty and the Rapa Nui Summit Declaration on climate justice and sustainable development. Greenpeace Hawaii supported the measures, arguing that plastic production is tied to fossil fuel interests and that microplastics pose serious health and environmental risks. The committee later adopted the measures with amendments, including a change from “waste hierarchy” to “zero waste hierarchy” and technical edits. The final measures, SCR 157 and SR 127, urged the state to adopt and implement the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. DLNR testified that it had only just reviewed the resolution but stood on its written testimony. The committee passed SCR 157 and SR 127 as is. The meeting also included a separate hearing on SCR 89 and SR 72, which would create a University of Hawaiʻi Community College pathway for meat processing. The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the idea, citing workforce needs and local protein supply, while several members raised concerns about whether a formal educational pathway or degree requirement might unnecessarily limit entry into the field; discussion focused on whether the proposal should be more vocational and whether there is enough data on workforce demand. No final vote on those measures was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> secondary inspection facility. secondary inspection facility.
• </c> and new schools and facilities. and new schools and facilities. 126.2 126.2 126.2 million<00:53:
• </c> University of Hawaii facilities University of Hawaii facilities statewide. statewide. statewide.
• people outside the facility, not in the facility, outside of the facility, that ever stop someone from
• ,</c><01:03:49.600><c> outside</c> facility, not in the facility, outside facility, not in the facility

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> complicated set of facility complicated set of facility requirements.<00:03:00.239><c> You'll</c
• </c> curve, ensuring that our facilities curve, ensuring that our facilities remain<00:16:20.399><c>
• </c> facilities daily. facilities daily.
• </c><00:21:14.480><c> they</c> the modern high-tech facilities they the modern high-tech facilities they
• </c><00:35:59.680><c> and</c> because we toured the facility and because we toured the facility and although

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, if we're talking about a setting or a treatment facility, right, that can indicate
• They have the most psychiatric residential treatment facility beds.
• So we have two residential treatment facilities that just do eating disorders, for example.
• Because yes, we're a psychiatric residential treatment facility, but this is our specialty treatment
• , finding an ASL interpreter, for example, for somebody to be in that facility and being able to get

Transcript Highlights:

• one registered facility, and update incorporated material.
• </c><00:02:01.600><c> compliance</c> control over the facilities compliance control over the facilities
• Limit a vet manager to no more than five<00:02:10.200><c> registered</c><00:02:10.759><c> facilities<
• update incorporated facility and update incorporated material. material. material.
• That's not the stated goal of facility.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum present, approved the minutes without objection, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations received staff-suggested amendments and were approved without objection, including fish and wildlife rules on fishing limits and deer hunting on local government property, veterinary board changes to responsible party and veterinary manager requirements, election procedures for safe-at-home voters, attorney general regulatory relief rules, emergency gasoline tax pricing, public pensions updates, controller fraud-prevention policies, physical therapy licensure and English proficiency standards, school nutrition and fee-waiver rules, public health conference procedures, and Medicaid waiver regulations. Several agencies briefly identified themselves and answered procedural questions, but most items drew no substantive opposition. The Board of Veterinary Examiners regulation included an agency amendment that removed a proposed limit on the number of facilities a veterinary manager could oversee. The Department of Education regulations updated fee waiver and meal program procedures, while the Department of Public Health regulation clarified notification and conference-request procedures. The Department of Revenue and Kentucky Public Pensions Authority items were largely technical or conforming changes, including a special-needs trust definition added for consistency with Senate Bill 85. The most extensive discussion involved the Department for Medicaid Services’ 1915C child waiver regulations. Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified in opposition to the waiver’s lack of participant-directed services, arguing that consumer-driven services such as respite and community living support are required and especially important in rural areas and for higher-acuity children. Cabinet representatives responded that the waiver is intended to provide wraparound services to keep children in homes and communities, that it has CMS approval, and that the program is limited to 100 slots with about 21 participants already enrolled. Members did not move a deficiency motion, and the chair indicated the regulations would continue through the process. The meeting adjourned after setting the next meeting for Tuesday, August 11 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can't tell if a facility had a rat infestation or if staff were found to have scammed an elder
• The licensing agency cited the facility for violating the resident's rights.
• That facility was also cited for a resident's rights violation.
• Those facility staff also admitted to tying their dad to his wheelchair.
• And then, more recently, an ombudsman walked into a care facility, a residential facility for the elderly

Committee: Senate Human Services

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard several bills focused on developmental disabilities, food security, veterans, aging services, child care, and elder abuse reporting. SB 969 by Senator Reyes would make remote services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a permanent option; supporters said virtual programming improves access, continuity, and choice, and there was no opposition. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate state food programs, improve CalFresh enrollment, and develop a 24-hour hotline; committee members raised questions about duplication, metrics, and oversight, but the bill advanced after discussion. SB 1052 by Senator Gonzalez would allow the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to appoint contingent authorized representatives so people with disabilities are not left without support if a family member becomes unavailable; supporters described immigration enforcement, illness, and family separation as reasons for the bill, and members discussed administrative burden and renewal procedures before the bill passed. SB 1077 by Senator Gonzalez would require CDSS to prepare for future federal shutdowns by creating a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions and a state-backed emergency food assistance mechanism; members discussed how it would work with existing CalFresh administration, and the bill passed. SB 1201 by Senator McNerney would seek federal waivers to protect vulnerable veterans from new SNAP work requirements and require referrals to county veterans service officers; supporters said the federal cuts would harm homeless, newly discharged, and disabled veterans, and the bill passed. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would let aging and disability resource centers continue operating through partner transitions so services would not be interrupted; supporters emphasized continuity of care and the bill passed. SB 1110 by Senator Becker would revise child care subsidy funding and stabilization rules for alternative payment programs and community providers; supporters said the current reimbursement structure is outdated, and the bill passed after the author said a budget-related provision would be removed. The committee also later voted SB 969, SB 1052, SB 1077, SB 1201, SB 1261, and SB 1110 out of committee, with the bills kept on call for absent members, and began hearing SB 991 on elder abuse reporting, where supporters argued that licensing records should distinguish abuse from lesser resident-rights violations so families and policymakers can better understand facility conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if anyone has anybody who likes to donate to a wonderful science learning facility, let us know.
• I don't know many other state facilities that can show that kind of private support.
• I don't know many other state facilities that can show that kind of private support.
• , whether a physician might be properly ordering treatment at the facility?
• We might see evidence that there was an issue with the facility.

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget proposals for Exposition Park, the California Science Center, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), the Debt Collection Licensing Act program, and the Board of Registered Nursing. For Exposition Park, the administration requested $96.5 million for utility replacement, site improvements, code compliance, accessibility, and safety upgrades, plus $1.698 million for operational sustainability funded from the park’s improvement fund. The LAO said the proposals had merit but noted the first item could be downscaled if needed because of the state’s budget condition. Members emphasized the park’s deferred maintenance, major upcoming events, and the need to protect a statewide asset; both Exposition Park items were held open. The Science Center requested funding to open and operate the new Air and Space Center, including staffing for the facility that will display the Space Shuttle Endeavour and expand exhibit space. The LAO supported the proposal but suggested the Legislature consider alternative funding sources such as admission fees, parking fees, or private funds. Members discussed the Science Center’s public-private funding model, the importance of keeping access affordable for disadvantaged communities, and the tradeoff between free admission and long-term operating support. The item was also held open. DFPI sought continuation of expenditure authority for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law, debt collection licensing, and broker-dealer/investment adviser workloads, and the LAO recommended limited-term funding with more cumulative reporting before permanent funding is considered. Members pressed the department on whether its workload and spending are tied to measurable outcomes rather than just activity counts, and DFPI cited complaint resolution, enforcement actions, and restitution recovered as examples of impact. The Debt Collection Licensing Act item drew similar LAO comments, but members raised stronger concerns about the financing model, the gap between projected and actual licensee counts, and whether spending levels are justified; that item was held open. The Board of Registered Nursing requested $1.4 million for eight special investigators to address rising complaints, and the board said most complaints are resolved through investigation, referral, probation, or rehabilitation rather than discipline. Members asked about complaint backlogs, viral and potentially automated complaints, bias in care, and the lack of broader inspection authority; the item was also held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• information transmitted over the internet, a wager may be placed and accepted at a tribe's gaming facility
• if the customer placing the wager is physically present on the premises of any tribe's gaming facility
• if the customer placing the wager is physically present on the premises of any tribe's gaming facility
• It provides clear procedures for addressing serious safety situations in storage facilities.
• This protects the customers' property rights and the safety of everyone at the facility.

Bills: SB6061 , SB5844 , SB6079 , SB6137 , SB5831 , SB6031 , SB6178

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, storage rental, tenancy agreements, tenant rights, landlord obligations, termination notice, insurance, wildfire prevention, policy nonrenewal, cancellation, risk management, sports wagering, sports betting, sports gambling, bookmaking, gambling regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:35.360><c> that</c> consumed in the use of the facility that consumed in the use of the facility
• in the facility that the janitor in the facility that the district<00:31:52.399><c> is</c><00:31:52.559
• Unlike many sports, we cannot practice without a safe, available facility.
• </c> &gt;&gt; You know there's I know these facilities &gt;&gt; You know there's I know these facilities
• I would rising cost to use the facility.

Bills: SF0035 , SF0090 , SF0072

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is about helping patients have an advocate when they are brought to a mental health facility
• And by the time they have that guardianship all lined up for a hearing, the mental health facility is
• And when they get picked up and brought to the facility, under federal law, they're allowed to have an
• , because these aren't state facilities.
• They have a history with the mental health facility, and they know who the family is.

Committee: House Legislative Review