Transcript Highlights:

• That was a huge difference wage-wise with the private sector. Now we are on a level playing field.
• Chair, the first item on the request is for an increase in support for additional funding for our ESCO
• </c><00:19:34.679><c> in</c><00:19:35.480><c> and</c> request is for um an increase in and request is
• We are asking for an increase of $5 million to our spending ceiling permanently.
• We're looking to increase the fringe benefit for the office.

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Fair stakeholder input increases Fair stakeholder input increases accountability<00:57:37.960><c
• This bill proposes a flat rate increase for this vital service based on the cost-of-living increase over
• </c><01:19:40.040><c> since</c> rates have not increased since rates have not increased since 2015<01
• </c><01:25:01.560><c> in</c> been one 1% Cola increase in been one 1% Cola increase in 2015<01:25:03.440
• </c><01:25:31.880><c> may</c> communities the proposed increase may communities the proposed increase

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We have $7 minimum wage that affects the amount of money that they can earn at their jobs.
• c><00:54:22.680><c> have</c><00:54:22.920><c> $7</c><00:54:23.640><c> minimum</c><00:54:24.040><c> wage
• In regards to the changes about to increase the residency to the 12 months per the UNH requirement, is
• </c><01:08:26.080><c> the</c><01:08:26.400><c> residency</c> changes about to increase the residency
• He said he thinks it is an increasing problem in New Hampshire campaigns, and that the door right now

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reforms will help achieve by increasing reforms will help achieve by increasing the<02:43:29.359
• 56:23.680><c> regular</c> bill also increases muchneeded regular bill also increases muchneeded regular
• That's an increase from the program.
• > federal</c> increases incentives for federal increases incentives for federal employees<03:34:59.600
• </c> honest workers, and increase honest workers, and increase accountability.<03:39:44.160><c> Thank

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> vertically aligned model would increase vertically aligned model would increase reliance<01:22:45.520
• So, it actually increases choice.
• ,</c> there going to be any increases, there going to be any increases, this<01:41:31.440><c> is</c><
• c> that</c> versus the double digit increases that versus the double digit increases that we<01:42:04.120
• </c> can just share on the rate increase can just share on the rate increase question.<01:42:48.120><

Transcript Highlights:

• I support legislation for the enforcement of gun violence protective orders to increase safety for all
• I support legislation for the enforcement of gun violence protective orders to increase safety for all
• I support legislation for the enforcement of gun violence protective orders to increase safety for all
• I support legislation for the enforcement of gun violence protective orders to increase safety for all
• So I support any measure that will increase gun safety, and I think this will.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard opening remarks and ground rules from Chair David Tarnas, including a request for two-minute testimony limits, clear speaking, Zoom etiquette, and respectful conduct. The first measure taken up was HB 2062, relating to gun violence prevention, which would appropriate funds for enforcement of gun violence protective orders and for public awareness campaigns. Judiciary submitted written testimony recommending technical changes to clarify that it does not enforce laws and instead should be funded for personnel to process temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders; the Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill and said it is well positioned to conduct public education. Support also came from county and advocacy witnesses, including Moms Demand Action, Giffords Gun Owners for Safety, HGEA, and a retired police officer, while opposition testimony argued the measure raises due process and Fifth Amendment concerns and that education, not enforcement, should be the focus. The chair noted 37 testimonies in support, 103 in opposition, and three comments; no vote was taken in the portion provided. Testimony on HB 2062 emphasized both public safety and constitutional concerns. Supporters described the bill as a way to increase awareness of an existing legal tool, prevent suicides and shootings, and help law enforcement and the public understand gun violence protective orders. Opponents, including gun owners and firearms groups, argued that red flag laws can be abused, lack due process, and should not be expanded through state funding. A county neighborhood safety witness suggested an amendment to allow public, private, and nonprofit consultants to assist with training and implementation. Members asked a few questions, but the agencies with written testimony were not present, so the chair referred members to their submissions. The committee then moved to HB 2061, relating to firearms, which appropriates money for the state gun buyback program and requires at least two buyback events in each county. Written support was noted from the Department of Law Enforcement, Hawaii County Council, the County of Kauai Prosecuting Attorney, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, with the latter emphasizing that buybacks are voluntary prevention tools that can reduce risk before crises escalate. Opposition came from the Mid-Pacific Pistol League, SDM Training Group/Bows and Bullets, and others; one witness argued buybacks are ineffective, costly, and can be vulnerable to misuse or black-market diversion, and suggested a year-round surrender option instead. The committee heard additional support from a retired police officer and from a gun violence survivor with Students Demand Action, but no final action or vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I open an executive session on House Bill 213, an act relative to wage garnishment for child support.
• The motion before us is on House Bill 213, which is an act relative to wage garnishment for child support
• people to have confidence, so we want to be partners in the measures that legislators are taking to increase
• people to have confidence, so we want to be partners in the measures that legislators are taking to increase
• want to have confidence, so we want to be partners in the measures that legislators are taking to increase

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened its February 4, 2025 hearing with a business item on House Bill 553, appointing a subcommittee chaired by Representative Greg and including several named members. The committee then took up House Bill 486, which would revise New Hampshire’s grandparents’ visitation law. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to address gaps in current law, especially in situations involving divorce, separation, kinship care, and parental substance use, so that children can maintain important relationships with grandparents or other kin caregivers. He emphasized that the proposal was meant to supplement existing law rather than replace it, and said the language was modeled on statutes from other states. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 486, describing painful family separations and arguing that current law can be interpreted too narrowly. One grandmother said the existing statute had been used to dismiss her visitation case because she was restricted while the parents were separated, and she asked for language changes so courts could still order visitation in similar circumstances. Another witness, testifying online, urged passage of the bill as being in the best interest of children. A third witness described a family living arrangement in which grandparents had been a consistent presence in their grandchildren’s lives but were later cut off during a contentious separation, and said the bill would help repair those relationships. Committee members asked about the six-month timeframe in the bill, whether the proposed language would affect cases where a grandparent does not live with the child but is still a regular caregiver, and whether the sponsor had written amendment language; the sponsor said the six-month language was taken from other states’ statutes and that the new language would not change existing visitation rights but would add to them. After hearing the testimony, the chair said the committee would hold HB 486 aside for a week or two while awaiting additional information before voting. The hearing then moved to House Bill 320, an act relative to enforcement of marital property settlements. The sponsor explained that the bill would require courts to enforce final property decrees and would clarify the difference between enforcement and contempt, arguing that courts should have clear authority to fashion remedies and that litigants, especially self-represented parties, need clearer statutory guidance. Committee members questioned the legal distinctions the sponsor drew, including whether the bill was aimed at enforcement rather than contempt and how the proposed language would operate in practice. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 320.

Transcript Highlights:

• You mentioned wage theft, and we've talked about that in previous other committees, and there's a lack
• of enforcement on it before we try to, you know, increase the penalties on that.
• Representative Anderson: There is a lack of enforcement on it before we try to, you know, increase the
• :46.280><c> to</c> um you know agencies will need time to um you know agencies will need time to increase
• staff and provide proper notice increase staff and provide proper notice to<01:26:48.440><c> those</

Bills: HF1 , HF2

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• He continued that the article said the health care system’s revenue increased by every measure last year
• is a training that is a high-level training that is essentially free for the agency, other than the wages
• As an employer of truck drivers in the county, the CDL program has actually increased the pool of applicants
• :30.279><c> actually</c> county the CDL program has actually county the CDL program has actually increased
• the pool of applicants who are increased the pool of applicants who are applying<01:09:33.719><c> to

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This increases the risk that required mitigation will not be finished, leading to permanent habitat and
• landfills, livestock operations, and wastewater treatment facilities into pipeline quality gas, increasing
• Maybe just speak to us about some of the mitigation efforts you're making so we don't potentially increase
• by encouraging an abbreviated inspection program for providers that are in good standing, and it increases
• employee or person is engaged in working on critical infrastructure, the criminal offense is to be increased

Bills: HB24 , HB45 , HB15 , HB35 , HB38 , HB47 , HB318 , HB349 , HB554 , HB1359 , HB1373 , HB1647 , HB2254 , HB2259 , HB2853 , HB3073 , HB3088 , HB353 , HB355 , HB786 , HB762 , HB705 , HB932 , HB849 , HB 1160 , HB 1119 , HB1612 , HB3041 , HB713 , HB3104 , HB3970 , HB3962 , HB5061 , HB4042 , HB4115 , HB4490 , HB1731 , HB1705 , HB2607 , HB3556 , HB138 , HB3689 , HB1788 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB1809 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB3527 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR90 , SB1806 , SB783 , SB1271 , SB326 , SB1637 , SB769 , SB897 , SB1035 , SB1706 , SB1185 , SB1194 , SB384 , SB1426 , SB1468 , SB1215 , SB1066 , SB599 , SB1930 , SB2065 , SB767 , SB1619 , SB1738 , HB1500 , HB718 , HB23 , HB34 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB2756 , HB166 , HB406 , HB186 , HB331 , HB380 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB621 , HB303 , HB552 , HB366 , HB463 , HB 1211 , HB1327 , HB1461 , HB923 , HB1760 , HB2467 , HB5333 , HB1592 , HB1576 , HB1552 , HB2018 , HB3511 , HB1781 , HB2013 , HB2340 , HB2508 , HB2970 , HB865 , HB2851 , HB3385 , HB3336 , HB3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB1397 , HB4236 , HB4041 , HB1965 , HB2730 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB163 , HB201 , HB272 , HB405 , HB519 , HB654 , HB694 , HB791 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1842 , HB1868 , HB1894 , HB1943 , HB1990 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB2622 , HB2652 , HB2692 , HB2842 , HB2885 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3248 , HB3255 , HB3479 , HB3611 , HB3623 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3810 , HB3816 , HB4129 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4238 , HB4454 , HB4588 , HB4643 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HB5616 , HB1749 , HB1775 , HB 118 , HB1762 , HB2520 , HB24 , HB45 , HB15 , HB35 , HB38 , HB47 , HB318 , HB349 , HB554 , HB1359 , HB1373 , HB1647 , HB2254 , HB2259 , HB2853 , HB3073 , HB3088 , HB353 , HB355 , HB786 , HB762 , HB705 , HB932 , HB849 , HB 1160 , HB 1119 , HB1612 , HB3041 , HB713 , HB3104 , HB3970 , HB3962 , HB5061 , HB4042 , HB4115 , HB4490 , HB1731 , HB1705 , HB2607 , HB3556 , HB138 , HB3689 , HB1788 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB1809 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB3527 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR90

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, information network, health services, client referral, data privacy, disaster preparedness, accreditation, community services, sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination

Summary: The Florida House conducted legislative business including prayer, pledge, and voting on multiple bills. Key legislation included land development and wetlands mitigation (SB 492), renewable natural gas infrastructure investment (SB 1574), local government regulation (SB 1080), housing and accessory dwelling units (SB 184), recovery residences (SB 954), and various health, education, and criminal justice measures. The session also addressed returning messages from the Senate with amendments, transportation facility designations, and claims bills for wrongfully convicted individuals. Several bills passed unanimously while others faced structured debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• placement for increase proactive placement for students<00:12:02.480><c> that</c><00:12:02.720><c> are
• The Forum Institute convened a national task force several years ago on increasing access to advanced
• showing in in increased outcomes uh improved<00:37:49.359><c> student</c><00:37:49.680><c> outcomes.
• </c> taught digital skills has increased 16%. taught digital skills has increased 16%.
• You may hear will increase inequities.

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 213, relative to wage garnishment for child support.
• number of instances, an increasing number of instances, blatantly<01:02:30.640><c> illegal</c><01:02
• Well, increasing the mandatory minimum to 18 years really doesn't address the problem.
• </c><01:24:31.520><c> mandatory</c> And if I know that increasing mandatory And if I know that increasing
• Nothing is enabling about a mandatory budget increase.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> waiver system and then it also increases waiver system and then it also increases the<01:32:18.480
• </c> um also the other services are increased um also the other services are increased to<01:47:41.199
• ,</c> this money is used for salary increases, this money is used for salary increases, unless<02:22:
• So, do is increase the state workforce.
• You know, they've been uh you increase.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> can increase can increase transparency<00:50:02.319><c> while</c><00:50:03.160><c> simultaneously
• </c><01:04:58.520><c> the</c> are left further behind increasing the are left further behind increasing
• </c><02:12:02.880><c> matter</c> great concern and an increasing matter great concern and an increasing
• </c><02:30:23.800><c> mental</c> complications and increased mental complications and increased mental
• </c><02:33:01.120><c> risks</c> hormonal therapy have increased risks hormonal therapy have increased

Transcript Highlights:

• It increased substantially during the pandemic.
• So what this language is relative to is the 2% annual increase, where we’re increasing the grant floor
• But my question is, when we are looking at such increases because our estimated number of students increase
• </c> um are are we I guess are we increasing um are are we I guess are we increasing beyond<03:53:28.760
• :54:35.560><c> go</c> number of students increase that will go number of students increase that will

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee work session focused primarily on House Bill 115 and a proposed amendment, 114H, which would carry over language from HB 2 into HB 115 and place limits on Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). Representative Murray described the amendment as a way to keep the 350% federal poverty eligibility cap, require students to have attended a charter public school in grades K-12 for the preceding year before entering the voucher system, and add guardrails against universal eligibility. She argued the state was facing a severe budget crisis, that expanding EFAs would divert money from other programs, and that public testimony and local votes showed widespread opposition to expansion. She also cited a letter from former Finance chair Neil Kirk opposing expansion. Other members responded that the committee should not revisit policy already decided by the House, though some said the amendment was fair to discuss because of its fiscal implications and supported it on that basis. The discussion then broadened into a debate over the fiscal impact of universal vouchers and the reliability of enrollment and cost estimates. Representative Luno argued that prior EFA projections had relied on assumptions that could badly underestimate state exposure, pointing to Arizona as a cautionary example and saying New Hampshire should not expand the program without better analysis. Representative Papovich similarly warned that universal eligibility could create a large, unexpected cost, estimating a potential exposure of about $285 million based on school-age children not currently in public, charter, or EFA programs. In contrast, Representative Weyler said EFAs can save money because public school spending is already high and parents using EFAs still pay taxes and take on more responsibility for their children’s education. After discussion, Representative Murray moved to accept the amendment, and Representative Bean seconded it. There was some procedural clarification about voting on the original bill and the amendment. The transcript ends before a final recorded vote on the amendment or on HB 115 itself, though the committee had also been told it would likely reconsider several retained bills later in the week, including HB 129, HB 133, HB 671, and HB 781.

Transcript Highlights:

• State licensing is not increasing safety.
• From 2020 to 2023, gun death rates increased 36%.
• Gun crime in Colorado has increased over the last 5 years.
• Every 10% increase in regulation, 9,000 fewer firms statewide.
• Every 10% increase in regulation, 9,000 fewer firms statewide. This is what's happening.

Transcript Highlights:

• This increases the average Christina residential tax by $582 per year.
• So if our tax base increased because of, or I'm sorry, yeah, increased because of the quality control
• We're resetting it so that our revenue remains neutral. revenue from that increased tax base.
• or other matters... ...as referendums for tax increases or other matters that came before the town for
• So for a, let's say, a tax increase, if you're a person, you can do that.

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statute says that it can only increase by, I believe, 3% every year.
• High-capacity pumps, increased power delivery.
• And that increases at 3% a year.
• Is there a man-made way to increase the artesian pressure? I'm not aware of one.
• The first is that we need to continue to increase funding for groundwater science.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh and this is a problem<00:04:49.360><c> that</c><00:04:49.680><c> has</c><00:04:49.840><c> increased
• that has increased uh steadily over<00:04:51.440><c> the</c><00:04:51.680><c> past</c><00:04:51.840>
• So, we've seen an increase.
• This has become an increasing problem. What this bill seeks to do is define what a groomer is.
• This has become an increasing attorney.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 29 minutes, and then heard testimony on a bill relating to machine gun conversion devices, often described as Glock switches or auto sears. Representative Jason Nemis presented the bill with Louisville police Chief Paul Humphrey and Lt. Drew Fox, arguing the measure would mirror existing federal law, make possession of these devices unlawful under Kentucky law, and give state and local law enforcement authority to seize and prosecute them without relying solely on federal agencies. They said the devices are small aftermarket or 3D-printed parts that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons and emphasized that the bill would not affect lawful gun ownership. The presenters cited rising seizures and public-safety concerns, saying LMPD and Jefferson County seizures increased sharply from 2023 to 2024 and that the average age of possession had dropped. They argued the devices are used offensively, are inaccurate and dangerous, and have been linked to violent crime. Two Alabama legislators, Representatives Philip Ensler and Russell Bedsole, testified in support based on Alabama’s recent enactment of a similar law. They said local police and prosecutors there had been unable to act effectively because the devices were handled mainly by federal authorities, and they described bipartisan support, immediate enactment, and reported confiscations after passage. Members asked about the bill’s penalty level, the source and manufacture of the devices, the scope of the definition of “conversion device,” and whether the bill could create constitutional problems given ongoing federal litigation over machine gun restrictions. The sponsors said the penalty would be a Class C felony and that the bill was intended to cover only the device attached to the firearm, not tools like 3D printers. They acknowledged that if federal machine gun laws were ultimately struck down, the state law would also be unenforceable. Some members supported the bill as common-sense public safety legislation, while Representative Roberts opposed it on Second Amendment grounds, arguing Kentucky should focus on expanding gun rights rather than adding restrictions already covered by federal law.

Transcript Highlights:

• That will increase premiums illnesses.
• It doesn't increase business investment. And it doesn't grow the economy.
• </c> doesn't increase business investment. doesn't increase business investment.
• </c> also terroristly worked to increase also terroristly worked to increase reading<04:17:34.080><c>
• </c><04:28:00.399><c> Medicaid</c> budget resolution, we increase Medicaid budget resolution, we increase