Transcript Highlights:

• to the general register.
• </c> to move House File 3556 to the general to move House File 3556 to the general register. register
• </c> agriculture and electricity generation. agriculture and electricity generation.
• Our electricity generation difference.
• </c> electrical generation. electrical generation.

Bills: HF3556

Keywords: community solar, energy, solar power, renewable energy, Melissa Hortman, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If the general fund will be paid back.
• </c> to ask the fiscal committee for general to ask the fiscal committee for general funds<00:26:44.000
• Seeing no other questions. important plan to use state general important plan to use state general funds
• </c><01:03:06.480><c> from</c><01:03:06.640><c> general</c> &gt;&gt; And I'm Brian Clark. from general
• </c> not require us to appropriate general not require us to appropriate general funds,<02:00:59.280>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> residential infrastructure is generally residential infrastructure is generally 10%<00:14:54.560
• </c> years um the fees have only generated years um the fees have only generated about<00:37:15.839><
• </c> &gt;&gt; Was that money from the general &gt;&gt; Was that money from the general assembly?
• </c> from the general assembly. from the general assembly.
• </c> full circle in the Kentucky General full circle in the Kentucky General Assembly.<01:38:22.239><

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:03 Roll Call 00:00:08 Discussion of Indiana Residential Infrastructure Fund 00:01:27 Discussion of Affordable Housing Trust Fund 00:33:30 Discussion of Urban Infill 01:12:37 Approval of Minutes from July Meeting 01:39:00 Adjournment 01:39:42, 958, all

Summary: The Housing Task Force heard a presentation from Anita Sanford of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky and Sheri Cybert of Indiana’s Residential Infrastructure Fund about Indiana’s low-interest loan program for local housing infrastructure. They described the program as a voluntary, locally driven model that helps communities finance roads, sewers, sidewalks, traffic lights, turning lanes, and other infrastructure needed for new housing development. Sanford emphasized that infrastructure and regulation are major drivers of housing costs, citing estimates that infrastructure can account for up to 30% of a home’s cost and regulations another 25%, and said the association is studying Kentucky-specific regulatory costs. She also noted that every $1,000 added to new home construction can price out about 2,000 Kentucky households. Cybert explained that Indiana’s program, administered through the Indiana Finance Authority, began in 2023 with $75 million appropriated over two years and has since closed 17 loans totaling $60.7 million, with more than 2,700 projected housing units. The program reserves 70% of funds for rural communities and 30% for urban communities, requires applications from local governments rather than developers, and asks communities to show need through a market study, describe the infrastructure and housing to be built, and provide preliminary engineering plans and a repayment source. She said the loans currently carry an interest rate around 3.5%, reset quarterly, and that the program has generated about $25 million in savings to communities compared with private borrowing. She also described recent Indiana legislative changes that encourage higher density and other zoning reforms, and said a majority of those local ordinance changes must be adopted for an application to be fundable. Members asked about the ordinance requirements, the funding split between rural and urban areas, repayment mechanisms, and whether there were caps on project size. Cybert said repayment is worked out case by case, often through existing or project-specific TIFs, temporary tax agreements, or letters of credit, and that the program has no cap on request size or income/affordability restrictions. She said the largest request funded was $19 million for a 700-unit project. Co-chair Mills and others discussed whether Kentucky could adopt a similar model and what it would cost, while Sanford and Cybert said they were still refining budget estimates. Later, Scott Welch, president of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky, testified that upfront infrastructure costs are a major barrier in his projects, citing a $1 million pump station and road-widening and utility relocation costs as examples, and said an infrastructure fund would help get projects off the ground.

Transcript Highlights:

• General Paxton has commented on this issue.
• It's usually a place where property value is generally low, the people in the surrounding area are generally
• And then the Attorney General has to approve that contract.
• General has to approve that contract.
• I am a third-generation small business owner from Fort Worth.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending. Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• The city is seeking a general sales tax exemption on construction materials for that project, and the
• </c><00:02:13.760><c> sales</c><00:02:14.280><c> tax</c> the city is Seeking a general sales tax the
• city is Seeking a general sales tax exemption<00:02:15.200><c> on</c><00:02:15.400><c> construction</
• Many of us would like to stop that bad practice in general.
• We generate typically about $300 million in economic impact every year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Forecasted programs generally need to be adjusted because of changes in pupil counts, actual costs, and
• Forecasted programs generally need to be adjusted because of changes in pupil counts, actual costs, and
• School districts reserve part of their general education revenue called operating capital.
• revenue called general education revenue called operating<00:07:08.600><c> capital.
• </c> fund, which is fund six, to the general fund, which is fund six, to the general fund<00:08:24.360

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate File 4282 met with a quorum present and heard a walkthrough of the bill, which contains forecast adjustments for several agencies. Senate staff explained that Article 1 makes education forecast adjustments for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, Article 2 adjusts appropriations for the Department of Human Services, Article 3 does the same for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Article 4 increases special transportation services funding for Metropolitan Council programs including Metro Mobility and Metro Move by $8.9 million in FY 2026 and $10.9 million in FY 2027 to match the February forecast. House staff noted that the House language matched Article 1 but did not include Articles 2 through 4. Representative Youakim presented amendment A26-0180, describing six sections that add provisions on paraprofessional qualifications, aid for tribal contract schools tied to revised permanent school fund distributions, expanded allowable uses of school operating capital revenue to include certain utility costs, an extension of an existing appropriation for gender-neutral single-use restrooms, and two school district fund transfer provisions for West St. Paul/Mendota Heights/Eagan and Maple Lake. Members discussed that several items were no-cost and that some fund transfer language had been previously discussed in committee. The amendment was adopted on an 8-0 roll call vote. After adopting the amendment, the committee voted on the bill as amended. The conference committee agreement for Senate File 4282 passed on an 8-0 vote, and the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, it's the general register, Representative Bliss.
• So I'd like to—I think this is going to the general register from here. Correct.
• The general register, Representative Bliss. Um, I guess I'm trying to think through.
• The general register, Representative Bliss. Um, I guess I'm trying to think through.
• </c> House File 3350 be placed on the general House File 3350 be placed on the general register.<00:13

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That they do not conflict with Idaho's commitment to reliable, dispatchable, baseload generation, repair
• Representative, on page 2, line 23, what does 'responsibly developed natural gas generation' mean?
• And so with the responsibly generated, it's to basically go and mitigate the fallout from CO2 and things
• , geothermal, and natural gas generation as a proper foundation.
• , geothermal, and natural gas generation.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Monday, March 2, by voice vote. It then considered RS 33585, a resolution on Idaho energy policy that emphasized energy sovereignty, reliable and dispatchable baseload generation, protection of the Snake River Plain Aquifer, and support for hydroelectric, nuclear, geothermal, and natural gas generation. Members discussed the phrase “responsibly developed natural gas”; after debate, the committee unanimously adopted an amended substitute that moved “responsibly developed” to modify all listed energy sources and struck the phrase from the natural gas line. Next, the committee took up RS 33601, which proposed a task force to study sex torsion, its impact on victims, prevention, and response. Representative Boyle objected to the term “task force” because it is not in committee rules, and Representative Green agreed to change it to “interim committee.” The committee then approved the motion to introduce the resolution with that change and send it to second reading. The committee also considered RS 33587, a proposal to add kratom-related substances to Schedule I. Representative Pohanka cited law enforcement concerns and deaths in his district, while Representative Scott argued kratom is used by some people to get off opioids and urged limiting the bill to synthetic forms. The committee rejected Scott’s substitute amendment 12-1, then approved the original motion to introduce the resolution, with Scott recorded as voting no. Finally, House Bill 638, which would restore Idaho’s presidential primary to March and include a $50,000 ballot-access fee to offset costs, was heard with testimony from Secretary of State Phil McGrane and others; the committee sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with Representative Scott voting no. The committee also held RS 3347 subject to the call of the chair and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It defines a portable solar generation device as a movable photovoltaic generation device that, among
• It defines a portable solar generation device as a movable photovoltaic generation device that, among
• Enforcement is by the Attorney General under the Consumer Protection Act, and no private right of action
• the extent commercially and technically reasonable, to include provenance data in AI-altered or generated
• It provides for enforcement by the Attorney General and specifies a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It defines a portable solar generation device as a movable photovoltaic generation device that, among
• It authorizes an electric utility with fewer than 25,000 customers to prohibit portable solar generation
• Enforcement is by the Attorney General under the Consumer Protection Act, and no private right of action
• It provides for enforcement by the Attorney General and specifies a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000
• Provenance data in AI-altered or generated content that is deceptive.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Second Substitute House Bill 1906 concerning water systems, focusing on a striking amendment that would require more notice to customers and relevant entities before ownership changes, require certain planning documents to be submitted, and direct the UTC to consider cost of capital, external funding, rate smoothing, notice, and planning compliance when setting rates for private water companies. Testifiers from the Washington PUD Association, Northwest Natural, Thurston PUD, and Washington Water Service generally supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency for customers, help avoid failed systems ending up in receivership, and better inform customers about future costs; one senator asked about PFAS contamination, receivership, and the removal of a right of first refusal, and staff explained the bill’s intent was to improve front-end notice rather than change the back-end takeover process. The committee then moved into executive session and received briefings on several bills and proposed striking amendments, including measures on distributed energy resources (HB 2296), emerging large energy use facilities (HB 2115), AI disclosures (HB 1170), waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act (HB 2416), low-income energy assistance (HB 1903), environmentally sustainable urban design (HB 1742), and the Spark Act AI grant program (HB 1833). Members discussed issues such as utility worker installation authority, data center load and ratepayer protections, AI provenance and disclosure requirements, waste-to-energy allowance timing, reimbursement mechanics for energy assistance, and safeguards for an AI regulatory sandbox. The committee adopted striking amendments and passed HB 2296, HB 2115, HB 1170, HB 2416, HB 1906, HB 1903, and HB 1833 out of committee, generally with due-pass recommendations and referral to Ways and Means where applicable. The committee did not take action on HB 1742. The meeting concluded with members and staff offering personal thanks and farewell remarks to the chair, who was noted to be leaving the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the statewide voter registration database, all requests for public records generated by the statewide
• The bill before you clarifies the public records request process as it relates to records generated by
• statewide voter registration database, to prohibit county election offices from producing any records generated
• and generations beyond, and I think it's an important piece of work.
• Safeguarding these materials for generations to come.

Summary: The committee heard three measures. SB 5892 would clarify that only the Secretary of State may respond to public records requests for data generated by the statewide voter registration database, prohibit county election offices from producing those records in response to PRA requests, and make unauthorized disclosure of certain sensitive voter information a Class C felony. The Secretary of State, the prime sponsor, and the staff all described the bill as a privacy and database-security update reflecting the centralized VoteWA system, while one testifier opposed it, arguing it would not help maintain clean voter rolls. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed. The committee also heard SCR 8406, which reestablishes the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health, expands its membership, and extends its work through January 2029. Staff explained that the prior committee expired after issuing recommendations, and the sponsors and supporters said the measure would continue work on respectful dialogue, common ground, and civic education. Testimony was uniformly supportive, with members and the Lieutenant Governor emphasizing civic health as a way to strengthen democracy and encourage constructive disagreement. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed. Finally, the committee heard SB 5863, which extends the moratorium on destroying Lakeland Village records until fiscal year 2030 and changes the rules for restricted records transferred to State Archives so they become open after 75 years without needing a separate archivist determination. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would preserve important disability history, support family research, and protect records and artifacts tied to the state’s treatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Testimony from disability advocates and self-advocates was strongly in favor. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed, and the committee adjourned after announcing caucus rooms for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The column to the right is the general fund, other state funds, or interagency transfers.
• The general fund.
• That's correct, and it's in lieu of general fund.
• So it's saved general fund. This was done initially in our... So it's saved general fund.
• That generated $300 million.

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really just who can benefit from the enhanced credit rating in general.
• Most district schools already have credit ratings that are at this enhanced rate, and in general most
• tax base and are therefore deemed a safer investment, and again this is all kind of, you know, in general
• I want to begin by thanking the Auditor General, specifically Auditor General Perry, Mr.
• The auditor general or the auditor mentioned operation plans.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite this legal interpretation by the Attorney General.
• The motion prevails, it will be sent to the General Calendar. Thank you for watching.
• However, statutorily only the Attorney General can prosecute price gouging during a declared disaster
• We know that the AG, the Attorney General, has the authority to go after these cases. but we also stand
• More definitions were expanded to clarify, define artificial intelligence system or grid. generative

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, are you generally familiar that in the absence of the listing of a burden of proof?
• I mean, are you familiar with that general test under Rule 65.1 of the Texas Rules of Procedure?
• I'm generally familiar with where the developments are.
• These industries generate substantial revenue. Revenue to Texas rural economies.
• The state of Texas generates millions if not billions of dollars from tourism.

Bills: HB3129, HB3251, HB3556, HB3724, HB3887

Keywords: construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, HB 3887, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Parks and Wildlife Code, performance bond, payment bond, contractor bonding, public works, construction contracts, public building, procurement, bid security, subcontractors, suppliers, contractor payment protection, project completion

Transcript Highlights:

• UNFORTUNATELY, THE GENERAL LIABILITY OF INSURANCE COVERS IT IN A CAR CRASH ON THE WAY TO THE INSPECTION
• OR IS IT JUST THAT YOU WANT IT IN GENERAL?
• >> WHEN I MET WITH GENERAL INSPECTORS, THESE ARE SHORTCOMINGS THAT THEY BELIEVE THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY
• FIFTH GENERATION CLAY COUNTY. THIS BILL IS IMPORTANT.
• SENATOR BRADLEY YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE LANDSCAPE LOOKS LIKE IN GENERATIONS TO COME.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the voice of the people, the General Assembly has been tasked with building and tweaking this system
• And so with this data, the General Assembly would be able to make informed decisions about what programs
• As the voice of the people, the General Assembly has been tasked with building and tweaking this system
• And so with this data, the General Assembly would be able to make informed decisions about what programs
• assembly would be data uh the general assembly would be able<00:10:38.760><c> to</c><00:10:38.880><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met with a quorum and considered two bills. House Bill 131, sponsored by Rep. Michael Meredith, would give certain former second-class cities more flexibility to change firefighter schedules without a collective bargaining agreement, allowing alternative schedules such as 24-on/72-off and a 48-on/72-off pattern. Meredith said the measure was developed with the Kentucky League of Cities and Kentucky Professional Firefighters and was permissive rather than mandatory. Senators generally supported the bill, noting it would not affect departments that want to keep their current schedules. The committee then heard House Bill 136 from Rep. Jared Bowman, with testimony from Josh Crawford of the Georgia Center for Opportunity. The bill would require more comprehensive annual reporting from the Department of Corrections so lawmakers can better evaluate sentencing, parole, recidivism, rehabilitation, and re-entry outcomes. Supporters said Kentucky currently relies too much on anecdote and incomplete data, and that better information would help direct funding and policy decisions; Bowman also tied the bill to follow-up on last year’s criminal justice reforms. Some members praised the data-gathering effort and discussed possible future tweaks, while one senator criticized HB 5 and said the data should have been collected earlier. Both bills were advanced unanimously by the committee and sent to the Senate floor with favorable consideration. The chair also announced a reminder about the Kentucky National Guard briefing and aerial flight event RSVP deadline.

Transcript Highlights:

• These farms often are managed and operated by multi-generational family members—brothers and sisters,
• </c><00:53:54.200><c> of</c> helping teach the next generation of helping teach the next generation of
• </c> related exemption and the more generous related exemption and the more generous paid<00:59:19.079
• Counties have been much more generous than ESS. St.
• </c> Counties have been much more generous Counties have been much more generous than<01:02:21.359><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are not funded by the general fund.
• </c><00:21:15.200><c> f</c> supported and receives no general f supported and receives no general f general
• </c><00:33:58.960><c> fund</c> previous appropriated general fund previous appropriated general fund
• </c><00:52:49.880><c> fund</c> three uh million in the general fund three uh million in the general fund
• </c> we're talking about people who generally we're talking about people who generally don't<01:59:40.320

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...vets the proposals before they are certified by the Attorney General.
• Under Article 48, the Attorney General does not have the authority to determine whether a proposed ballot
• As I prepare to cast my last vote on a general appropriation bill for my 33rd budget, and three as a
• I am thrilled that this budget prioritized some increased unrestricted general government aid, which
• It's a budget that reflects, I think, the general values of ...the general values of not only the House

Keywords: 1212, all