Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Nelson, we just recently released a report, or submitted a report, to the... just make
• Not seeing any other member questions, Commissioner, so I think we will release you and give Bowser a
• > questions commissioner so I think we questions commissioner so I think we will<00:50:34.960> release
• 36.680> uh<00:50:37.160> give<00:50:37.559> Bowser<00:50:38.040> a will release
• you and uh give Bowser a will release you and uh give Bowser a few<00:50:38.319> moments<00:50

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to release some of our audience members who are here specifically for that bill.
• I just want to release some of our audience members who are here specifically for that bill.
• In January of 2025, the FCC released a preliminary study indicating a wide range of personal data was
• compliance for developers and grandfathering games that are still under development and approaching the release

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The functional purpose of the bill is to require that the Commissioner of Safety authorize the release
• the Commissioner of Safety<00:41:57.040> authorize<00:41:57.640> the<00:41:57.760> release
• <00:41:58.200> of<00:41:58.320> certain Safety authorize the release of certain Safety
• authorize the release of certain necessary<00:41:59.280> information<00:42:00.120> from

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the sex was consensual, and that led the Italian Supreme Court to overturn the conviction and release
• overturn the Italian Supreme Court to overturn the conviction<01:38:41.520> and<01:38:41.680> release
• conviction and release him. conviction and release him.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• being shot in the back or babies being used as bait and taken out of state and then sent back or released
• taken out of state and then sent<00:48:54.559> back<00:48:54.800> or<00:48:55.040> released
• <00:48:55.359> on<00:48:55.520> the<00:48:55.680> streets sent back or released
• on the streets sent back or released on the streets somewhere<00:48:56.640> else.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you get released and have a job, chances are you're less likely to recommit.
• ,<00:34:12.000> if<00:34:12.240> you<00:34:12.480> get<00:34:12.800> released
• If your job, if you get released crime.
• If your job, if you get released and<00:34:13.440> have<00:34:13.520> a<00:34:13.760>

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• a crime, that type of crime, well, it's day for day, so that means you're not eligible for early release
• 00:42:01.599> eligible<00:42:02.160> for<00:42:02.800> early<00:42:03.200> release
• <00:42:03.520> or you're not eligible for early release or you're not eligible for early release

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 25 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 611, which would require the Mississippi Board of Law Enforcement Standards and Training to provide discovery to an officer facing suspension of certification. Representative Burch said officers currently may receive only a brief notice of alleged misconduct without access to the underlying information, and the bill would give them the materials related to the infraction. There were no questions, and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The next measure, House Bill 1142, would modernize notice requirements for judgment nisi and bench warrants by allowing clerks to notify bail agents electronically or by personal notice instead of certified mail. Representative Owen said the change would reduce county costs, align bail-agent notice with the electronic notice already used for attorneys, and had support from the clerks’ association. Senators asked whether notice would still appear on MEC, and Owen said attorneys already receive notice there and bail agents could receive it electronically as well. The committee then adopted the motion by voice vote. The committee then heard House Bill 1404, sponsored by Representative Yates, creating the crime of fraudulent utility conversion. Yates explained the bill was aimed at apartment complexes and other landlords that collect utility payments from tenants as part of rent but fail to remit those funds to the utility provider, citing large unpaid water bills and similar legislation in Louisiana. Senators raised concerns about intent, possible criminal liability for landlords or LLCs when utility bills are delayed, faulty, or disputed, and the severity of penalties, which could reach 20 years in prison for higher amounts. Yates said she was open to adding intentional-conduct language and clarified the bill targets those who collect tenant utility money and do not remit it, not tenants themselves. Members discussed possible amendments, including adding mens rea language and a defense for disputed bills, but no final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• will turn around and then go into the expedited grant program and hopefully also at the same time release
• /c><00:57:05.920> the<00:57:06.079> same<00:57:06.160> time<00:57:06.480> release
• <00:57:06.720> the<00:57:06.880> RFP also at the same time release the RFP also at
• the same time release the RFP for<00:57:07.680> the<00:57:07.920> the<00:57:08.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just released the RFP. We're going to be giving out grants any day now.
• No, we we had a grant program.<00:33:49.360> We<00:33:49.519> just<00:33:49.679> released
• We just released the the RFP. program. We just released the the RFP.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that surgical smoke is essentially generated whenever an electrical tool is used on tissue, which releases
• ><00:30:40.480> will is used on tissue um and that will is used on tissue um and that will release
• 41.360> kind<00:30:41.520> of<00:30:41.679> smoke<00:30:42.000> because release
• some kind of smoke because release some kind of smoke because there's<00:30:42.880> um<00:30:

Bills: SB2211, SB2025, SB2038, SB2050, SB2051, SB2090

Keywords: emergency funding, food assistance, healthcare, federal shutdown, Hawaii, DHS, jury duty, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, exemption, patient care, financial hardship, medication abortion, anonymous prescription, pregnancy rights, healthcare privacy, pharmacy regulations, chiropractic education, clinical training, student supervision

Summary: The House Committee on Health held its first hearing of the session and opened with housekeeping notes, introductions of members, and an explanation that the agenda would be taken out of order to accommodate a sign language interpreter. The committee first heard HB 469, relating to parking for disabled persons. Testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill, explaining that a travel placard would help people with disabilities who must travel interisland or to the mainland for medical care. Members asked about emergency travel, misuse prevention, and how to distinguish the travel placard from existing disabled parking placards; witnesses said the bill would need to be tied to administrative rules, and agreed the placard should clearly show an expiration date and likely be a different color. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 218, relating to hospital surgical smoke. The Department of Health supported the measure, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii supported it with amendments, saying hospitals already follow existing standards but that any new policy should account for different procedures and provider safety. A committee member questioned the proposed amendment language and whether it was too flexible; the witness explained the intent was to allow case-by-case application because some procedures generate only brief exposure. Members also asked what surgical smoke is, and the witness explained it is produced when electrical or cauterizing tools are used on tissue and creates vapor or fumes. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported. The committee next took up HB 814, which would fund a public information campaign and related services on cannabis use among youth. The Department of the Attorney General said the bill should be amended to clarify whether the funding would be used for contracts or grants and to include proper grant standards if grants are intended. The Department of Health supported the bill and said the funds would expand prevention, treatment, recovery, and public education efforts, including social media outreach, PSAs, and school-based youth services. Multiple organizations and individuals testified in support, emphasizing the harms of youth cannabis use and the need for prevention and treatment resources. Members asked what the department currently does, whether it is fulfilling existing law on science-based cannabis information, and what kinds of treatment would be provided; the department said services would mainly be intensive outpatient, outpatient, counseling, and related youth-focused supports. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• regard to the housing need, we are in the process of updating our 2022 housing strategy that was released
• back then, and we received some Housing strategy that was released back then, and we received some new
• We do not release the funds at the time that an award is made or at the time that we close on the loan
• We release those funds upon a reimbursement basis based on invoices that are submitted and inspections

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• investment in our technologies around parental-based tagging, our ability to fine-tune some of our release
• Fry releases and diversifying our hatchery release portfolio are part of trying to get better life strategies
• I would actually reference in this moment a collaboration with the Ocean Protection Council to release

Summary: The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held its annual State of the Fishery forum, focusing on salmon, Dungeness crab, kelp, ocean conditions, and related aquaculture and committee reports. Opening remarks from committee leadership emphasized climate impacts, reduced federal NOAA support, state investments through Proposition 4, coastal resilience funding, and the importance of fisheries to rural economies and tribal communities. Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot described a decade of drought and climate stress, highlighted progress such as Klamath River dam removal, wetland restoration, and the state’s salmon strategy, and warned that federal funding uncertainty and staffing cuts could undermine restoration and fishery recovery efforts. Senator Cortese raised concerns about illegal cannabis cultivation damaging riparian habitat and water flows, and both Crowfoot and Fish and Wildlife Director Bonham said enforcement against illicit grows remains a major environmental priority but is constrained by resources. Director Bonham provided a broad update on California fisheries, reporting encouraging signs for salmon after several difficult years, including improved ocean conditions, stronger returns in some runs, and successful short recreational openings in 2025. He also noted major challenges, including reduced federal hatchery production at Nimbus, ongoing uncertainty around winter-run and spring-run recovery, and the need for continued habitat restoration, monitoring, and hatchery investment. On Dungeness crab, Bonham said the fishery remained valuable but constrained by whale entanglement risk, warming ocean conditions, and domoic acid concerns; he described new marked-line distribution, ropeless and alternative gear trials, and ongoing aerial and vessel monitoring. He also said the department’s unified cannabis enforcement task force had served numerous warrants and seized large amounts of illegal cannabis, but more funding is needed for sustained operations. In the salmon panel, Yurok Tribe fisheries director McCovey said the Klamath still faces low run sizes, climate-driven warming, wildfire impacts, and federal uncertainty, but he pointed to dam removal, restoration work, and AB 263’s river-flow protections as major advances. PCFFA president Bradshaw stressed that the three consecutive salmon closures have devastated coastal communities and argued for major reinvestment in aging Central Valley hatchery infrastructure and better broodstock management at Fall Creek. CalTrout’s Schneider said salmon remain at risk statewide, but cited Prop 4, habitat reconnection, floodplain restoration, improved water management, and monitoring as the main tools for recovery. In the crab panel, CDFW’s Schumann reported that the 2024–25 season produced record prices per pound and about $55 million in value despite delays and trap reductions, but he warned that three confirmed whale entanglements and elevated whale presence could force a conservative opener for 2025–26. PCFFA’s Domrash supported marked line, alternative gear, and a new gear-recovery network, while also criticizing the current ramp system as a response to a problem not fully grounded in science.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was released several months ago and it's referred to in the legislation that you all enacted to
• Uh<00:10:05.360> that<00:10:05.600> was<00:10:05.800> released<00:10:06.320>
• uh<00:10:06.440> several<00:10:06.840> months Uh that was released uh several months
• Uh that was released uh several months ago<00:10:07.960> and<00:10:08.080> it's<00:10:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force was called to order with a quorum present, and Commissioner Mark Carter of the Kentucky Department of Aviation gave the first presentation. He outlined the state’s airport system, noting 58 public-use airports, the department’s small staff, and its funding structure through a jet fuel tax that generates about $23 million annually, leaving roughly $15 million for airport investment after required deductions. Carter highlighted recent projects at airports including Bardstown, Madisonville, Central Kentucky Regional, Paducah, Sparta, Danville, and Henderson, and said the department has also expanded data collection on airport activity, hangars, schools, and training programs. He emphasized that the department recently completed the first statewide economic impact study of general aviation airports and is developing a five-year airport needs plan. Carter said several things are working well, including stronger communication with airports, the public, the legislature, and especially the FAA’s Memphis district office, which now involves the state more in project selection. He said the department is reasonably staffed overall, but identified workforce development and advanced air mobility as major gaps. In response to questions from Senator Nunn and Representative York, he said he did not have specific workforce shortage numbers on hand, but cited Boeing reports showing large national and global shortages of pilots and mechanics, and explained that instructor shortages and low wages limit training capacity. He also said air traffic control is an FAA function, though EKU has shown interest in developing a training program. Carter identified several needs for improvement: more workforce investment, more aviation education in high schools, more scholarships for pilot and mechanic training, more attention to advanced air mobility, and more frequent, institutionalized data collection. He also pointed to major pending capital needs at airports such as Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Harlan, Leitchfield-Grayson County, and Whitesburg-Letcher County, all of which would require FAA and state support. He urged airports to do a better job marketing their economic value and said the state should continue updating aviation studies so lawmakers have current information for policy decisions. The task force then heard from Lexington Blue Grass Airport Director Eric Frankl, who welcomed the new CVG director and thanked the legislature for creating the task force and supporting aviation infrastructure. Frankl said Blue Grass Airport has rebounded from the pandemic and now exceeds pre-pandemic passenger levels, while serving a mix of private aviation, pilot training, corporate aviation, and commercial airline activity. He described ongoing terminal-area planning, parking technology upgrades, and a major parking lot expansion expected to finish by early spring 2026, and said the airport is planning for future technologies such as vertiports and electric aerial vehicles. Frankl estimated that a broader terminal modernization program will cost roughly $500 million to $700 million over the next 5 to 10 years and said the airport needs continued state support to close funding gaps and remain competitive with other states investing in aviation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like Ana, who shared, "I'm a single mother of five children and this program has definitely released
• program mother of five children and this program has<00:04:12.400> definitely<00:04:12.879> released
• c><00:04:13.200> some<00:04:13.439> stress<00:04:13.680> and has definitely released
• some stress and has definitely released some stress and anxiety<00:04:14.319> for<00:04:14.560

Bills: HF1646, HF2443

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, DHS released a study that made recommendations on what outpatient mental health and physician
• state.<00:08:05.440> In<00:08:05.879> 2024,<00:08:06.879> DHS<00:08:07.520> released
• In 2024, DHS released a study state.
• In 2024, DHS released a study that<00:08:08.800> made<00:08:09.039> recommendations<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those parameters and the actual calculation, how to do it, were released fairly late, and so our projections
• to<00:32:20.960> do<00:32:21.120> it<00:32:21.519> were<00:32:21.760> released
• <00:32:22.240> fairly um how to do it were released fairly um how to do it were released fairly

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MDOT<00:14:39.440> recently<00:14:39.839> released<00:14:40.079> its<00:14:40.320
• > road<00:14:40.560> funding MDOT recently released its road funding MDOT recently released
• <00:14:50.399> bonding<00:14:50.639> bill<00:14:50.880> that MnDOT recently released

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So since they established the education, they then released a statement in 2022, a position paper, stating
• So since they established the education, they then released a statement in 2022, a position paper, stating
• So since they established the education, they then released a statement in 2022, a position paper, stating
• So since they established the education, they then released a statement in 2022, a position paper, stating

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 46, which would allow lottery winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. After brief discussion and a motion with a second, the committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the House floor. Members then heard House Bill 54, a workforce and education measure aimed at aligning dual credit and project-based learning with licensed construction trades and other high-demand careers. The sponsor and witness said the bill is intended to help students meet both education and on-the-job training requirements, address labor shortages, and speed entry into the trades. Several members raised concerns about possible abuse of internships, the need for input from unions and other trade groups, and the amount of authority left to the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction to write regulations. The sponsor said the bill does not replace current hands-on training requirements and expressed willingness to continue discussions. The committee passed the bill, with some members explaining their votes as conditional or in hopes of further amendments. The committee also approved House Bill 261, which would let retired CPAs provide certain uncompensated services, such as nonprofit work, while retaining their CPA designation, and would create a retirement-based CPE waiver for those limited services. A question from Representative Donworth focused on how retired CPAs would disclose their status to nonprofits; the board representative said retired status is noted in board records, but there is currently no separate requirement governing use of the CPA designation. The bill passed. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 262, which would remove restrictions on small CPA firm names after an owner dies or retires. The sponsor said Kentucky is an outlier because current law requires the remaining owner to change the firm name. The bill passed unanimously. After that, the chair turned the gavel over to the vice chair and began presenting House Bill 306, which would change engineering education requirements for licensure, especially to help Eastern Kentucky University fire protection engineering technology graduates qualify for licensure in Kentucky rather than leaving the state. The sponsor and witnesses explained that the bill would not change the rest of the PE licensure pathway, only the education component, and said most other states already allow this route. Members noted that engineers may have concerns and encouraged continued discussions before the bill advances further.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is, I’ve studied the ADL audit that you just released for 2024 incidents, which is very important
• And how it works is we release a competitive application of our own well before that and have all the
• coming out from the federal government across the country about a month ago, and they haven't been released

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Anti-Semitism met to focus on the role of law enforcement in responding to anti-Semitic incidents. After approving amended minutes, the chair opened with remarks emphasizing that the Commission would confront anti-Semitism from any political direction and outlined the day’s agenda: extremist activity trends, hate-crime statutes, intergovernmental coordination, and security funding. The first presentation came from Ben Pott of the ADL Center on Extremism, who described rising extremist propaganda and anti-Semitic incidents nationally and in Massachusetts, highlighting groups such as NSC-131, GDL, and Patriot Front. He said these groups increasingly use anti-Zionist language, public disruptions, and online platforms to spread hate, and recommended prosecution where possible, civil litigation, education about symbols and tactics, and community reporting to law enforcement and ADL. Assistant District Attorney David Solvin then reviewed federal and Massachusetts hate-crime laws, including federal civil-rights and hate-crime statutes and state provisions for civil-rights violations, assault and battery to intimidate, religious vandalism, terroristic threats, and criminal harassment. He explained that many of these laws enhance penalties based on bias motivation, but some do not create standalone offenses or qualify as dangerousness predicates under current law. Commissioners pressed him on hypothetical fact patterns involving anti-Semitic slurs, symbols, and attacks, as well as on the limits of existing law for pretrial detention and the need for better data collection. Solvin said more training, better reporting, and possible legislative updates could improve enforcement, and he noted pending bills that would require more regular hate-crime reporting and expand protected classes. Detective Lieutenant Ryan Cepiel of the State Police Anti-Terrorism Unit and HART described the unit’s creation in 2023, its role in implementing prior hate-crime task force recommendations, and its work with local, state, federal, and community partners. He said HART has trained civil-rights officers, developed recruit and in-service curricula, created resource pamphlets and a Teams page, and is building a GIS-based reporting portal to improve tracking and victim support. Cepiel reported a year-over-year rise in reported anti-Semitic hate crimes in Massachusetts, while noting that current numbers are incomplete because reporting is inconsistent and there is no mandate for local departments to notify HART. Commissioners discussed underreporting, rural versus eastern Massachusetts coverage, the need for more officers and training, and the importance of making victims feel safe coming forward. The meeting ended with agreement that better data, training, and coordination are needed to address the rise in anti-Semitic hate and bias incidents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Among the many tasks that they handle are helping us with our press releases, helping us with... ...they
• handle are helping us with our press releases, helping us with dealing with the press, helping us write
• payments because they are imprisoned or otherwise confined, that person will have up to one year after release

Keywords: 959, house, all