Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:11:02.560><c> have</c><00:11:02.720><c> spent</c><00:11:03.040><c> a</c><00:11:03.120><c> lot</c
• you, with you, and<00:11:06.360><c> I</c><00:11:06.440><c> remain</c><00:11:07.040><c> to</c><00:11:
• 07.360><c> to</c><00:11:07.920><c> to</c><00:11:08.280><c> act</c><00:11:08.680><c> in</c><00:11:08.760
• ><c> I</c><00:11:10.839><c> If</c><00:11:11.040><c> you</c><00:11:11.200><c> fail</c><00:11:11.640><c
• 34.680><c> a</c><02:11:34.760><c> vote</c><02:11:35.080><c> of</c><02:11:35.240><c> 11</c><02:11:35.600

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• They customize<00:11:06.959><c> a</c><00:11:07.200><c> flag</c><00:11:07.600><c> at</c><00:11:07.839>
• <c> no</c><00:11:08.079><c> cost</c><00:11:08.720><c> to</c><00:11:09.040><c> a</c><00:11:09.200><c>
• :10.240><c> uh</c><00:11:10.320><c> to</c><00:11:10.560><c> the</c><00:11:10.720><c> family</c><00:11
• :10.959><c> of</c><00:11:11.120><c> a</c><00:11:11.279><c> of</c><00:11:11.519><c> a</c><00:11:11.680
• :11:19.440><c> anyway</c><00:11:20.160><c> last</c><00:11:20.399><c> year</c><00:11:20.480><c> with</

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• That won't happen until like late September at this point.
• happen until like late September at this point.
• Yes, Senator. 11 Del.
• I actually don't have someone here right now because now it is almost 11, well, it's after 11 o'clock
• Now it is almost 11, well, it's after 11 o'clock at night.

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:

• And the numbers I went over previously with just the 1,100 filings in 11 to 12 weeks, you can see that
• opted for treatment. ...mandated felonies and only 11 opted for treatment.
• The proposed funding would support 11 budget proposals, including eight related to workload resulting
• So is that a date that we could look forward to in September as far as the completion of that in 2025
• So is that a date that we could look forward to in September as far as the completion of that in 2025

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair<00:11:26.640><c> can't</c><00:11:27.040><c> change</c><00:11:27.360><c> the</c><00:11:27.600
• What we can<00:11:29.040><c> do</c><00:11:29.519><c> or</c><00:11:29.839><c> you</c><00:11:30.079><c>
• can</c><00:11:30.320><c> do</c><00:11:30.800><c> is</c><00:11:31.120><c> to</c><00:11:31.440><c> take
• ><c> tell</c><00:11:37.040><c> him</c><00:11:38.399><c> that</c><00:11:38.720><c> it</c><00:11:38.959
• I'm aware of that, but<00:11:55.440><c> I</c><00:11:55.600><c> I</c><00:11:55.920><c> found</c><00:11

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• I brought with me this that was delivered to me back in September from a group of kids who are tired
• 04:24.919><c> of</c><00:04:25.040><c> kids</c><00:04:25.800><c> who</c><00:04:26.280><c> are</c> September
• from a group of kids who are September from a group of kids who are tired<00:04:27.200><c> of</c><00
• we need to do. is to come back now and take a look at is to come back now and take a look at the<00:11
• :58.920><c> state</c><00:11:59.280><c> of</c><00:11:59.360><c> our</c><00:11:59.480><c> hospitals</c>

Summary: A Minnesota Senate leader discussed the end-of-session budget deal and said the Senate had passed a comprehensive budget that addresses several recent crises and federal policy changes. He highlighted funding to respond to gun violence, Metro Surge, and the effects of a federal Republican budget bill, saying the package includes retroactive medical assistance coverage, support to keep SNAP functioning, $10 million for food banks and shelves, rental assistance, and aid for counties and property taxpayers. He also said the Senate secured $205 million for HCMC, a $30 million uncompensated care pool for other distressed hospitals, and a $500 million health care stabilization reserve, along with a one-year license tab fee reduction and a $1.2 billion bonding bill. He said some priorities were left out or rejected in negotiations, including small business relief, low-income rent, energy assistance, rural EMS stabilization, a manufactured home bill of rights, a social media platform data collection tax, and proposals to block private equity from nursing homes and single-family homes. He also said the House Speaker had promised but not brought a gun vote to the floor, and he expressed disappointment that immigration-related action and some gun control measures did not advance further. He defended the rental assistance as available to Minnesotans regardless of documentation status and said it was not tied only to Operation Metro Surge. The leader also addressed concerns about payment withholding and program integrity in human services, saying the goal was to fight fraud without cutting services. He said hospitals seeking access to the stabilization reserve would need to show distress and financial need, and that both the governor and a legislative advisory committee would have to approve. He closed by saying the process had been difficult and too much negotiation had moved into backroom settings, but that the chambers were working toward an orderly conclusion and that he expected the remaining bills to be finalized and sent to the governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Linda Lopez, State Senator, District 11, the southwest quadrant of Bernalillo County, and I have
• I just would encourage that it not be done during September because of the air races.
• And um in September 11th and 12th, um, I, if you are considering going to the Southeast, the Rossville
• Rossville Air Show is September 10th through the 14th. So there's those dates. Thank you.
• Of those two charts on page 11. And given that the Current reconciliation bill is far along.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeas: 11. Nays: 11. The motion is adopted. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• It looks like it's under Section 11. Each board of trustees shall.
• For the public watching that may not know, this budget process started last September.
• President just said, starting in September early in the process and working through Starting in September
• There being 20 ayes and 11 nays, the resolution is adopted. Ayes and 11 nays.

Bills: SB27 , SB1494 , SB2121 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB30 , SB37 , SB260 , SB268 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2601 , SB2753 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB40 , HB46 , HB 119 , HB145 , HB300 , HB493 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2011 , HB2017 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2885 , HB2963 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB3642 , HB3909 , HB5138 , HB5246 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB 1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB 111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB 123 , HB5606 , HB 1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SR634 , SR687 , SR703 , SR709 , SR715 , SB1494 , SB2121 , SB2373 , SB2431 , HB46 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB37 , SB260 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB763 , SB1405 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB2018 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2878 , SB3059 , HB705 , HB2017 , HB2067 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB3909 , HB5246

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote. A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11. The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0. Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to Montreal in September. So... And don't forget Chicago in July. In Chicago in July?
• Kind of a high point was 2020, where we removed 11 chapters from the code, but last year only one was
• So we are planning to move the first or second week of September.
• There's going to be some kind of grand opening open house for the building September 24th.
• September is an excellent time for us to move.

Committee: Joint Statute Law Committee

Summary: The Statute Law Committee meeting began with introductions of new staff, approval of the December 10 minutes, and election of Kyle Shiketty as vice chair by acclamation. The committee also approved a step increase for Code Reviser Kathy Buckley, with members praising her work and noting she had reached the top step. Max Weeks reported on publications: session laws had been published online and physical copies were nearing completion, while RCWs were expected online by the end of the next month with print copies following about a month later. The committee discussed print runs, free distribution to libraries and courts, and rising shipping costs, with a plan to charge actual shipping rates rather than the prior flat fee. Kathy Buckley also reviewed the office’s financial condition, reporting healthy balances in the publications account and general fund and expecting a year-end return of about $600,000. Alice reported on the annual multiple-amendment review process, explaining how the office merges nonconflicting amendments and flags possible items for a future technical corrections bill. The committee adopted the multiple amendments table and discussed plans to prepare a technical corrections bill for the fall and likely the 2027 session. The committee then heard a presentation from Kevin and Judge Anne Levinson on improving RCW disposition tables by adding hyperlinks to repealed session laws and chapter-level cross-reference notes to help readers trace recodified or replaced laws, especially in areas like protection orders and unclaimed property. In other business, the committee discussed clarifying statutory references that sometimes use “Statute Law Committee” when “Office of the Code Reviser” is intended, and agreed to review the statutes for possible cleanup legislation. Members also received an update on the office’s upcoming move to a new building in September, with an open house planned for September 24. The meeting adjourned without setting the next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each year by September 1st, our cabinet submits a report to the governor and to LRC detailing the fund's
• Each year by September 1st, our cabinet submits a report to the governor and to LRC detailing the fund's
• </c><00:11:00.640><c> About</c><00:11:01.040><c> 60%</c><00:11:01.680><c> of</c><00:11:02.160><c> of<
• /c><00:11:02.480><c> folks</c><00:11:02.720><c> who</c><00:11:02.959><c> are</c> Their AI.
• Early September, we'll be meeting &gt;&gt; Yeah.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% Tourism Meeting and Convention Marketing Fund. Officials said Kentucky tourism is a $14.3 billion industry that welcomed more than 80 million travelers last year, supports nearly 97,000 jobs, and uses the fund solely for tourism marketing and promotion, not capital projects. They noted the fund received additional appropriations in the enacted budget and also supports several designated tourism-related initiatives. Commissioner Mike Manet described how the fund is used for paid media, public relations, international marketing, cultural heritage promotion, website content, regional matching grants, research, trade shows, and travel expenses. He said the department spent $10.8 million on paid media in 23 markets in 2024, focused on seven tourism pillars, and used research and advertising ROI studies to guide spending. He reported 180 PR placements, 3.2 billion earned impressions, 3% growth in international visitation, and 12% growth in international spending to $257 million. He also highlighted the African-American Heritage Trail and said the regional matching funds program distributed $2 million to 87 local tourism commissions. Members asked about the rise of AI in search results, how domestic and international visitor data are collected, how ad agencies are selected, and how regional matching funds are allocated. The commissioner said the department uses GPS-based and federal data, including National Travel and Tourism Office figures, and that ad agencies are chosen through an RFP process. Representative McDaniel raised concerns about bourbon tourism and Canadian visitation; the commissioner said Canadian travel is down significantly, bourbon-related visitation has softened, and the department is shifting more spending toward in-state and closer drive markets while emphasizing bourbon’s heritage story. Representative Fugate asked about eastern Kentucky tourism and ATV trails, and the commissioner said those trails are included in advertising, social media, and earned media efforts. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:38.320><c> I</c><00:11:38.440><c> need</c><00:11:38.639><c> the</c><00:11:38.800><c> pink<
• card so<00:11:39.519><c> I</c><00:11:39.600><c> can</c><00:11:39.800><c> arrange</c><00:11:40.279><c
• ><c> down</c><02:11:24.400><c> on</c><02:11:24.880><c> on</c><02:11:25.079><c> September</c> would close
• down on on September would close down on on September 30th<02:11:27.599><c> okay</c><02:11:27.840><c
• :11:02.720><c> a</c><03:11:02.840><c> lot</c><03:11:03.040><c> of</c><03:11:03.160><c> our</c><03:11:

Summary: The meeting was an orientation for the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, led by Chair Bob Harb. He reviewed committee procedures, including pink cards for witnesses, blue sheets for counts, use of drawers in the committee room, scheduling practices, and how bills would be posted and distributed. Members briefly introduced themselves and explained why they wanted to serve on the committee, with several citing interests in conservation, water quality, outdoor recreation, land use, and related local issues. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1113, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways within the town of Windsor. Representative Ré Colcombe, the sponsor, explained that the bill would allow local OHV/UTV access across a short section of state road in Windsor so residents on divided portions of town could travel legally between areas. He said the town selectmen were already allowing OHRV use on town roads, the route was paved, traffic impacts were expected to be minimal, and local police had no objections. He also said the town would hold public hearings and notify abutters as required, and that if the select board ultimately opposed the proposal he would recommend killing the bill. Members asked about the legal authority for the change, speed limits, traffic volume, winter maintenance, and whether the Department of Transportation or select board had to approve the route. Colcombe said the town must hold a public hearing and that the change would need to be incorporated into RSA 258:10, section 4. He said the road is maintained by the town in winter and by the state in summer. An opponent, Anne Davis, testified that she opposed the bill, saying ATV use should be treated as a tool for forest management rather than recreation, that law enforcement capacity in Windsor was a concern, and that she believed affected residents should be fully notified before any approval. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that's our 11-member board.
• Of the projects that we've approved to date, they are on page 11.
• I move the subcommittee move to September. Thank you very much. Is there any objection?
• As of September 2025, the board had 261 pending cases.
• As of September 2025, 25 of the board's 27 FTEs were filled.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:11:01.519><c> I</c><00:11:01.760><c> I</c><00:11:01.839><c> I</c><00:11:02.079><c> know</c><00
• :11:02.240><c> I</c><00:11:02.480><c> speak</c><00:11:02.640><c> for</c><00:11:02.800><c> everybody</
• 00:11:07.760><c> see</c><00:11:07.920><c> you</c><00:11:08.079><c> again</c><00:11:08.399><c> soon.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Thank<00:11:13.360><c> you</c><00:11:13.519><c> guys</c><00:11:13.760><c> so</c><00:11:
• 13.920><c> much</c><00:11:14.079><c> for</c><00:11:14.240><c> the</c><00:11:14.399><c> work</c><00:11

Transcript Highlights:

• :43.839><c> is</c><00:11:44.640><c> we</c><00:11:44.959><c> are</c><00:11:45.120><c> seeing</c><00:11
• We continue to have<00:11:57.120><c> folks</c><00:11:57.360><c> who</c><00:11:57.600><c> are</c><00:11
• :05.440><c> bases</c><01:11:06.480><c> and</c><01:11:06.800><c> to</c><01:11:07.520><c> our</c><01:11
• :18.719><c> eyes</c><01:11:18.960><c> were</c><01:11:19.120><c> open</c><01:11:19.440><c> to</c><01:11
• </c><01:11:33.520><c> land</c><01:11:33.679><c> that</c><01:11:33.920><c> surrounds</c><01:11:34.400>

Summary: The committee heard first from Kentucky Farm Bureau leaders, who outlined the organization’s current priorities and recent work on farmland transition. Eddie Melton said Farm Bureau is working through 983 county and advisory committee resolutions and highlighted support for the updated selling farmer tax credit, now law through House Bill 775, as well as Senate Bill 28’s agriculture economic development provisions. He said Farm Bureau’s likely priorities include maintaining the 50% share of the tobacco settlement fund for agriculture, protecting funding for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, preserving sales tax exemptions on farm inputs, keeping property taxes controlled, and exploring additional tools to keep farmland in active farmers’ hands, including possible loan or inheritance-tax changes. He also raised concerns about eminent domain transparency, nuisance deer permits, and access to agricultural inputs and crop protection products. Alita Bots described the farmland transition initiative in more detail, saying the revised state tax credit is generating strong interest and that a new federal tax provision now allows eligible land sales to actively engaged farmers to spread capital gains taxes over time. She said the initiative has reached 22 counties and more than 1,300 people this year through outreach and meetings, and that Farm Bureau is pairing policy work with resources to help farm families plan transitions and prepare wills and other estate documents. Drew Graham added that the effort is also meant to bridge the rural-urban divide and support rural communities, and Farm Bureau invited members to its annual meeting in early December. Members asked about rising insurance costs and deer damage. Farm Bureau representatives said severe convective storms, inflation, and higher repair and material costs have driven insurance rate increases, citing five major storm events since 2021 and a recent Owensboro hailstorm that caused about $350 million in losses; they said the company is moving toward percentage deductibles to help moderate increases. On deer, they said crop-loss totals are hard to quantify but acknowledged the problem and discussed possible coordination with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Hunters for the Hungry. Commissioner Jonathan Shell then began the Department of Agriculture presentation, reporting gains from the department’s school agriculture outreach program, including a 23% increase in county participation between March and September and improved teacher-reported student learning, before continuing into the department’s legislative priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:11:54.480><c> Um</c><00:11:54.959><c> I'm</c><00:11:55.200><c> a</c><00:11:55.440><c> little</c>
• <00:11:55.600><c> nervous.
• I'm sorry.<00:11:57.760><c> But</c><00:11:58.320><c> um</c><00:11:58.959><c> I</c><00:11:59.200><c> feel
• </c><00:11:59.360><c> like</c><00:11:59.440><c> it's</c><00:11:59.760><c> important</c> sorry.
• :00.719><c> and</c><01:11:01.040><c> I</c><01:11:01.199><c> don't</c><01:11:01.280><c> know</c><01:11

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.399><c> of</c><00:11:00.560><c> eyes</c><00:11:00.800><c> to</c><00:11:01.040><c> make</c><00:11:
• 01.120><c> sure</c><00:11:01.200><c> that</c><00:11:01.440><c> we're</c> We value that extra set of eyes
• So, right now it could be July, it could be August, September, October, November or earlier.
• So, right now it could be July, it could be August, September, October, November or earlier.
• ,</c><00:26:28.960><c> October,</c> it could be August, September, October, it could be August, September

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> at</c><00:11:57.839><c> the</c><00:11:58.200><c> at</c><00:11:58.279><c> the</c><00:11:58.440><c
• </c><01:11:03.040><c> within</c><01:11:03.400><c> food</c><01:11:03.640><c> and</c><01:11:03.840><c>
• different<01:11:09.440><c> food</c><01:11:09.640><c> entrepreneurs</c><01:11:10.159><c> or</c><01:11
• analyzers<01:11:16.960><c> and</c><01:11:17.120><c> mineral</c><01:11:17.480><c> analyzers</c><01:11:
• :11:42.719><c> as</c><01:11:42.840><c> you</c><01:11:42.960><c> look</c><01:11:43.080><c> at</c><01:11

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> in</c><00:11:01.760><c> order</c><00:11:02.000><c> to</c><00:11:02.160><c> consider</c><00:11:02.480
• consider in the House<00:11:03.040><c> the</c><00:11:03.200><c> bill</c><00:11:03.920><c> HR</c><00:11
• Although<01:11:09.520><c> for</c><01:11:09.760><c> any</c><01:11:09.920><c> families</c><01:11:10.320
• </c><01:11:13.520><c> the</c><01:11:13.760><c> name</c><01:11:14.239><c> of</c><01:11:14.400><c> the<
• </c><01:11:19.440><c> Speaker,</c><01:11:19.760><c> I</c><01:11:19.920><c> yield</c><01:11:20.159><c>

Bills: HB7194 , HB3377 , HB7211 , HB7148 , HR1032

Keywords: Medal of Honor, valor, Army, Nicholas Dockery, military service, James Capers Jr., Vietnam War, acts of valor, military recognition, military valor, John W. Ripley, Marine Corps, appropriations, omnibus, consolidated appropriations, fiscal year 2026, FY2026, federal spending, budget bill, defense appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• So I only had 11 pay periods worth of actual data to look at, but my basic process is: what have we spent
• Tab 11 Youth Development Center administration of settlement fund request for $55 million.
• I have spent the past 21 years as a circuit court judge, 11 and a half of those as the presiding judge
• 11:00 okay again? Does that work out for everybody?
• Let it be published that the next meeting will be on August 21st at 11:00.

Summary: The Fiscal Committee opened by approving the May 15 minutes and then recognized Pam Ellis for her long service with the Legislative Budget Assistant’s office and upcoming retirement. The committee adopted the consent calendar with two items removed for separate consideration, then approved transfers for the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Environmental Services after questions about court benefit costs and dam project funding. The Department of Health and Human Services also received approval for a general fund transfer item. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Youth Development Center settlement fund. New administrator Jared Boyle, joined by the Attorney General, described the fund’s remaining caseload, the payment matrix, and the need for additional funding to begin hearings in August. Members raised concerns about administrative costs, attorneys’ fees, payday loans, structured settlements, and the long-term fiscal impact on the state. Boyle requested $55 million, but the committee ultimately approved a reduced appropriation of $20 million, with members noting the possibility of returning for more funding later depending on revenues and the October revenue review. The Department of Corrections then received approval for a smaller shortfall transfer and a larger overtime-related transfer, with officials citing a 52% corrections officer vacancy rate, ongoing recruitment, academy classes, and efforts to use civilian staff in some non-security roles. A late item from the Veterans Home was also approved to cover overtime, holiday pay, and indirect cost shortfalls within its existing budget. The committee then heard an informational presentation on implementation of Senate Bill 134 and the new federal Medicaid work-requirement rule. DHHS said it plans to submit a state plan amendment, seek approval for hardship exceptions, start with one eligibility check cycle, and use existing federal grant funding to make system changes. Finally, the committee received a performance audit of the Doorway opioid treatment program, which found weak written procedures, incomplete data use, reimbursement delays, and problems with the Governor’s Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention. Members discussed follow-up reporting, and the next Fiscal Committee meeting was scheduled for August 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our most recent one was in September.
• And of course, the shutdown, when we did the forecast in September, it was a risk.
• We actually did get the September data despite the shutdown.
• You'll note that the 2025 bar is quite a bit lower in the September forecast.
• I talked to a business owner on September 30th. A follow-up.

Committee: House Finance

Summary: The Finance Committee work session began with a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), explaining how the state’s revenue forecasts are built from economic models and how they are used to support the budget process. He described the main revenue sources for state operating funds, the ERFC’s membership and quarterly public process, and the factors affecting the latest forecast, including slow employment growth, weak taxable sales, higher inflation pressures, tariffs, federal spending uncertainty, and the federal shutdown. He said the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, with smaller changes to capital gains and other funds, though revenues were still roughly on track and the base case remained slow growth rather than recession. Committee members asked about whether Washington’s economy can lag national downturns, and Dr. Reich said the timing and severity of impacts can differ by recession and sector. Representative Chase asked what happens if revenues fall short of expenses, and Dr. Reich said that is a budgeting question for elected officials rather than the forecast council. Members also noted the importance of the forecast for policy decisions, especially given slowing employment and manufacturing. The committee then heard from the Department of Revenue on implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to certain services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained the existing sales and use tax framework, sourcing rules, reseller permits, and the multiple points of use exemption, then walked through the new taxable categories, including live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software changes. He described DOR’s implementation efforts, including listening sessions, a public landing page, notices to taxpayers, and interim guidance, and noted a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts but no general penalty or interest relief. Committee members raised concerns about taxpayer confusion, the burden on new taxpayers, sourcing and allocation issues, and the difficulty of determining liability in cases like speakers, nonprofits, and advertising services. DOR said it would continue outreach, answer ruling requests, and likely seek technical cleanup legislation in the 2026 session. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.