Transcript Highlights:

• Um,<01:02:35.280><c> was</c><01:02:35.599><c> talking</c><01:02:35.839><c> about</c><01:02:36.079><c>
• going</c><01:02:37.920><c> to</c><01:02:38.079><c> change</c><01:02:38.640><c> or</c><01:02:38.960><c
• or was going to<01:02:39.440><c> be</c><01:02:39.680><c> changed</c><01:02:40.480><c> that</c><01:02
• :22.080><c> a</c><04:02:22.319><c> statute</c><04:02:22.720><c> that</c><04:02:22.880><c> was</c> that
• um this was a statute that was that um this was a statute that was passed<04:02:23.199><c> in</c><04

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :05.200><c> So,</c><01:02:05.359><c> it</c><01:02:05.599><c> follows</c><01:02:06.400><c> a</c><01:02
• <01:02:16.640><c> with</c><01:02:16.880><c> a</c><01:02:17.040><c> larger</c><01:02:17.359><c> dollar
• I think<01:02:37.520><c> the</c><01:02:37.680><c> folks</c><01:02:37.920><c> here</c><01:02:38.079><c
• :02:47.200><c> we</c><01:02:47.520><c> support</c><01:02:47.839><c> this</c><01:02:48.160><c> bill</c
• 02:57.520><c> which</c><01:02:57.839><c> was</c><01:02:57.920><c> we</c><01:02:58.160><c> were</c><01

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I I okay<01:02:19.559><c> we</c><01:02:19.720><c> just</c><01:02:19.880><c> going</c><01:02:19.960><c
• c> going</c><01:02:21.119><c> to</c><01:02:21.240><c> get</c><01:02:21.319><c> a</c><01:02:21.400><c>
• heard</c><02:03:59.119><c> teson</c><02:04:00.119><c> testimony</c><02:04:00.639><c> over</c><02:04:
• is why I made the<02:04:09.880><c> aop</c><02:04:10.280><c> pass</c><02:04:10.480><c> motion</c><02:
• </c><02:05:50.239><c> very</c><02:05:50.520><c> close</c><02:05:51.320><c> bill</c> um<02:05:57.119><

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; It<00:02:44.640><c> appears</c><00:02:44.959><c> today</c><00:02:45.200><c> that</c><00:02:45.519
• 00:02:46.800><c> we're</c><00:02:47.040><c> constituted</c><00:02:47.680><c> to</c><00:02:47.840><c>
• c> Before</c><00:02:48.879><c> we</c><00:02:49.040><c> get</c><00:02:49.280><c> into</c><00:02:50.319
• :02:54.560><c> that</c><00:02:54.800><c> they</c><00:02:55.040><c> would</c><00:02:55.200><c> like</c
• <00:02:56.239><c> this</c><00:02:56.560><c> morning</c><00:02:56.879><c> before</c><00:02:57.200><c>

Keywords: Voter List Maintenance - State Board of Elections -- 05:38 State Employee Health Insurance Plan – 44:18 Discussion of HB 622 (2025 RS) – 01:01:43, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Committee on State Government met on July 29, established a quorum, approved the June 24 minutes unanimously, and heard an update from the State Board of Elections on voter list maintenance. Taylor Brown, the board’s general counsel, explained the federal NVRA requirements and Kentucky’s statutory process for maintaining voter rolls, including use of USPS change-of-address data, ERIC reports, and agreements with non-ERIC states. He said Kentucky has entered or discussed agreements with several states, and that the board sends postcards to voters believed to have moved; if a voter does not respond to an 8D2 postcard and does not vote over two federal election cycles, the registration may be removed. He also described other removal categories such as death, felony conviction, incompetency, duplicate registrations, and self-requested cancellations. Brown reported that between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the board removed 284,381 registrations from the rolls, including 42,675 for death, 5,940 for felony conviction, 5,527 for registration in another state, 578 for incompetency, 223 based on jury questionnaires indicating non-citizenship, 746 self-removals, and 3,381 duplicates, along with 225,311 removals through the address-maintenance program. He said Kentucky’s total registrations decreased by roughly 169,000 over the year and are now below the Census Bureau’s estimate of the state’s voting-age population. Brown emphasized that receiving a postcard does not mean a voter has been purged and that failure to vote alone does not trigger removal. Members asked about the 223 non-citizen-related removals, the availability and effectiveness of alternatives to ERIC, the partisan criticism of ERIC, and how duplicate registrations are identified. Brown said the non-citizen jury questionnaire cases had been referred to the Attorney General for further review, that Kentucky currently has no organized alternative to ERIC but is pursuing reciprocal agreements with states such as Florida, and that ERIC recently changed bylaws to remove a postcard requirement that had been costly for member states. On duplicates, he said the board uses multiple data points, not just name and address, and noted that fuller Social Security data could improve accuracy. Committee leaders praised the board’s work and said they wanted to meet before session to discuss possible statutory changes to improve voter list maintenance.

Transcript Highlights:

• in already in um<02:12:14.320><c> in</c><02:12:14.639><c> statute,</c><02:12:15.400><c> but</c><02:12
• the at the top of the statute<02:12:42.639><c> since</c><02:12:42.960><c> this</c><02:12:43.199><c> would
• </c><02:12:43.360><c> be</c><02:12:43.760><c> 186</c><02:12:44.239><c> C23</c> statute since this would
• ><c> in</c> statute.<02:13:03.440><c> So</c><02:13:03.599><c> the</c><02:13:03.840><c> way</c><02:13:
• </c><02:28:39.200><c> statute</c><02:28:39.760><c> with</c><02:28:40.240><c> the</c><02:28:40.560><c>

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are 41 states plus the District of Columbia that have a compensation statute.
• and then later defined in the trafficking of children for sexual purposes statute.
• and then later defined in the trafficking of children for sexual purposes statute.
• This bill amends only one statute. It originally started a little more comprehensive.
• It simply amends the statute involving what is a sex offense that requires registration.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on April 29, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred House Bill 517. The committee then heard and passed several bills focused on impaired driving, wrongful conviction compensation, gaming promo play, child protection, and criminal penalties related to sexual exploitation and worship-service interference. Senate Bill 118 would require substance use disorder screening for all misdemeanor DUI offenders, with supporters arguing early screening could identify treatment needs and reduce repeat offenses; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 125 increased the wrongful conviction compensation cap from 10 to 15 years and from $400,000 to $600,000, with testimony emphasizing the hardship faced by people who were wrongfully imprisoned for decades; it also passed favorably. Senate Bill 294 allowed gaming operators to allocate promotional play across licenses without increasing the total amount, and it was reported favorably despite one opposition card. The committee also approved Senate Bill 87, which clarified the definition of commercial sexual activity to address conflicts in child sex trafficking statutes and better reach online solicitation and related conduct. Senate Bill 93 established minimum bond amounts for certain child sex abuse material offenses, and Chair Villio offered an amendment expanding related bail and revocation provisions for certain violent, sex, and firearm offenses; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 98 added certain school employees, including school resource officers and security guards, to the definition of educator for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, and it passed favorably. Senate Bill 199 imposed a mandatory minimum sentence for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity and required sex offender registration; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 333, which would require the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to house inmates within 30 miles of their home or offense location. The author argued this would preserve family ties and reduce recidivism, but sheriffs, district attorneys, and DOC representatives opposed it as impractical given limited bed space, security needs, and existing placement criteria; the bill was not moved. House Bill 828 would create an independent Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board to investigate deaths in custody, but law enforcement and corrections witnesses warned it could interfere with homicide investigations and duplicate existing coroner and agency reviews; the author asked for voluntary deferral, which the committee granted. House Bill 146, authorizing a Sabine Parish sports wagering election, was heard but received no motion and remained in committee. The committee also approved Senate Bill 277, expanding concealed-carry exemptions for certain statewide elected officials in the State Capitol, and Senate Bill 306, creating the crime of obstructing worship services in a church or other place of worship; SB 306 was amended to reduce a proposed fine from $10,000 to $2,500 after concerns about jury-trial implications. The meeting ended with adjournment after all remaining items were disposed of.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:13:30.560><c> statute.
• I don't<02:13:31.920><c> have</c><02:13:32.000><c> the</c><02:13:32.239><c> statute</c><02:13:32.719>
• :35.599><c> I'll</c><02:13:35.760><c> get</c><02:13:35.920><c> the</c><02:13:36.079><c> statute</c><02
• </c><02:30:13.359><c> statutes</c> the statute.
• /c><02:30:29.280><c> is</c><02:30:29.520><c> expanding</c><02:30:30.080><c> to</c> statute because this

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:05.280><c> use</c><01:02:05.520><c> county</c><01:02:05.839><c> names</c><01:02:06.240><c>
• /c><01:02:15.119><c> I</c><01:02:15.520><c> would</c><01:02:15.680><c> ask</c><01:02:16.079><c> I</c>
• </c><01:02:19.520><c> uh</c><01:02:19.680><c> had</c><01:02:19.839><c> a</c><01:02:19.920><c> visit</
• Let<01:02:29.520><c> me</c><01:02:29.760><c> have</c><01:02:29.920><c> a</c><01:02:30.160><c> chance<
• /c><01:02:30.480><c> to</c><01:02:30.720><c> go</c><01:02:30.880><c> back</c><01:02:31.119><c> and</c

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:03.360><c> language</c><00:02:03.840><c> in</c><00:02:04.159><c> the</c><00:02:04.560><c> uh</c> to
• </c><00:02:05.360><c> statute</c><00:02:05.759><c> to</c><00:02:05.920><c> make</c><00:02:06.079><c>
• it</c><00:02:06.240><c> a</c><00:02:06.399><c> little</c><00:02:06.479><c> more</c> in the statute to
• make it a little more in the statute to make it a little more clear<00:02:07.280><c> to</c><00:02:07.520
• </c><00:02:12.480><c> do</c><00:02:12.560><c> this</c><00:02:12.800><c> by</c><00:02:13.040><c> by</c

Bills: HB0032

Committee: Senate Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Keywords: English proficiency, commercial drivers, vehicle operation, traffic safety, penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> statute</c><02:37:33.960><c> I</c><02:37:34.040><c> went</c> familiar with this statute I went familiar
• with this statute I went through<02:37:35.160><c> uh</c><02:37:35.279><c> its</c><02:37:35.520><c> Genesis
• electioneering<02:38:02.680><c> in</c><02:38:02.840><c> the</c><02:38:03.000><c> statute</c><02:38:03.479
• ><c> there's</c> electioneering in the statute there's electioneering in the statute there's the<02:38
• covers the whole statute and<02:38:05.760><c> then</c><02:38:05.880><c> there's</c><02:38:06.080><c>

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:34.959><c> spend</c><00:02:35.200><c> a</c><00:02:35.519><c> few</c><00:02:35.680><c> seconds
• ><c> oil</c><00:02:41.680><c> and</c><00:02:41.840><c> gas</c><00:02:42.080><c> bonding</c><00:02:42.480
• That was a<00:02:48.239><c> result</c><00:02:48.400><c> of</c><00:02:48.560><c> the</c><00:02:48.720>
• ><00:02:58.000><c> not</c><00:02:58.239><c> stay</c><00:02:58.400><c> in</c><00:02:58.560><c> the</c>
• But that's<01:02:14.480><c> what</c><01:02:14.799><c> came</c><01:02:15.040><c> in</c><01:02:15.520><

Bills: SJ0001 , SF0017

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:00:24.880><c> what</c><02:00:25.040><c> you</c><02:00:25.280><c> do</c><02:00:25.880><c> if</c><02
• :02:55.840><c> not</c><02:02:56.040><c> we'll</c><02:02:56.199><c> see</c><02:02:56.400><c> how</c><02
• :02:56.520><c> it</c><02:02:56.800><c> goes</c><02:02:57.800><c> but</c><02:02:57.960><c> at</c> maybe
• c><02:02:59.000><c> the</c><02:02:59.119><c> chair</c><02:02:59.360><c> will</c><02:02:59.560><c> open
• ><02:03:41.960><c> uh</c><02:03:42.239><c> the</c><02:03:43.199><c> my</c><02:03:43.679><c> my</c><02

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :19:11.920><c> if</c><02:19:12.160><c> this</c><02:19:12.479><c> statute</c><02:19:13.359><c> If</c><
• if this statute If This Were statute statute statute and<02:19:17.920><c> it</c><02:19:18.120><c> doesn't
• in</c><02:30:25.720><c> this</c><02:30:26.120><c> statute</c><02:30:27.120><c> no</c><02:30:27.279><
• statute<02:30:55.920><c> no</c><02:30:56.200><c> I</c><02:30:56.319><c> think</c><02:30:56.479><c> what
• c> statute no I think what it says is you statute no I think what it says is you can't<02:30:58.479><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects. Representative Cahill, the prime sponsor, said the bill would raise the annual minimum from $50 million to $60 million and help address a long backlog of school construction and renovation needs after years of a moratorium on applications. He argued that districts forced to build during the moratorium were left to shoulder costs through local property taxes, and he cited examples such as Londonderry, Claremont, and other communities with aging or inadequate facilities. He also said the current aid structure, including paying 80% upfront and 20% at completion, concentrates too much spending at once and limits how many projects can be funded. Several committee members asked about the fairness and structure of the program. Representative Maguire questioned whether aid should be distributed more broadly to all districts rather than only a few selected projects, and Representative Luneau noted that the committee would also be considering related bills on catastrophic aid, special education aid, and the school foundation formula. Cahill responded that building aid has historically been targeted to property-poor communities and that the state should be a reliable partner in school construction. He also said the bill includes a small retroactive component for communities that built during the moratorium, which he described as a compromise. Testimony in support came from Representative Cluder, who described Claremont’s Stevens High School project as a case where a bond issue narrowly failed and the city later had to fund renovations without state aid, contributing to high property taxes. He said the bill would help property-poor communities and urged passage. Tony Weinstein of New Market also supported the bill, saying his community had serious facility and safety needs, had moved forward with scaled-back renovations during the moratorium, and still faced debt-service burdens without state participation. Robert Thompson, superintendent in Hampstead, testified that his district needs an addition for overcrowding, safety, and special education space, and said building aid would help reduce out-of-district placements and transportation costs. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.079><c> so</c><00:02:00.320><c> they</c><00:02:00.479><c> can</c><00:02:00.560><c> hear</c><00:02
• :01.600><c> Uh</c><00:02:01.840><c> we</c><00:02:02.079><c> worked</c><00:02:02.560><c> uh</c><00:02:
• <c> review</c><00:02:35.440><c> of</c><00:02:36.000><c> of</c><00:02:36.400><c> the</c><00:02:37.120>
• the HHR machines and<00:02:38.400><c> and</c><00:02:38.720><c> how</c><00:02:38.879><c> it</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:44.160><c> So</c><00:02:44.480><c> you</c><00:02:44.800><c> to</c><00:02:45.120><c> have</

Bills: SF0045 , SJ0001

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, HHR terminals, horse racing, gaming commission, Wyoming Gaming Commission, local control, city approval, county approval, municipal approval, permit renewal, gaming permit, wagering regulation, racetrack, live pari-mutuel event, district court appeal, public notice, land use, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:26.639><c> you</c><02:02:26.760><c> be</c><02:02:26.960><c> open</c><02:02:27.400><c> to</c><02:02
• </c><02:02:30.079><c> the</c><02:02:30.199><c> original</c><02:02:30.639><c> language</c><02:02:30.960
• language of this bill<02:02:32.880><c> oh</c><02:02:33.079><c> I</c><02:02:33.159><c> didn't</c><02:
• ><02:02:35.400><c> um</c><02:02:36.119><c> I'm</c><02:02:36.320><c> sorry</c><02:02:36.639><c> I</c><
• know<02:02:37.280><c> no</c><02:02:37.480><c> I</c><02:02:37.560><c> don't</c><02:02:37.719><c> have

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 13, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of housing, land, and resource bills. Early bills included HB 743 on fiscal sustainability, HB 1318 on affordable housing, and HB 1409 on the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Testimony on the housing measures was largely supportive from agencies and advocacy groups such as the Office of Planning, Hawaii Housing Future, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities, and the County of Kauai, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) raised concerns on HB 1318 about public trust duties for ceded lands. On HB 1409, members questioned whether the bill needed updating in light of a separate bill changing the board structure, and witnesses said the measure did not change funding but only the board’s mission and scope. The committee also heard HB 1410, which would create a supportive housing special fund. Supporters, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Appleseed, argued that predictable dedicated funding is needed for supportive housing, social services, and long-term homelessness solutions. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed tax earmarks in general, saying they subvert the constitutional budgeting process. Members asked how the fund would be administered and who could access it; witnesses said HHFDC and the counties would coordinate the process, but DLNR noted the bill did not provide additional administrative capacity and suggested language to address that. Later bills included HB 528 on residential leaseholds, HB 1359 on flood mitigation, HB 1087 on historic preservation reviews, HB 868 on disabilities, and HB 1323 on transfer of non-agricultural park lands. HB 528 drew limited testimony, with a Catholic Charities/Hawaii Public Housing Authority representative offering a general example of leasehold development but saying the bill’s exemptions had not been discussed in detail. HB 1359 prompted discussion of homeowner and county responsibilities for drainage and flood damage, with DLNR saying private owners are responsible for drainage on private property and counties for county roads. HB 1087 was supported by DHHL, which said historic preservation reviews currently take about 165 days and the bill could improve timeliness, while Hawaii Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed it. HB 868 drew support from the Disability Rights Center and DCAB, with testimony focusing on beach access and the need for clearer legal authority. On HB 1323, DLNR opposed the bill, saying it did not reflect Act 90 and that some agricultural parcels should remain under DLNR for conservation, watershed, recreation, or fire protection reasons; DOA, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the measure, arguing that productive agricultural lands should be transferred to agriculture to protect local food production and family ranches.

Transcript Highlights:

• :18.959><c> who</c><00:02:19.200><c> is</c><00:02:19.360><c> convicted</c><00:02:19.680><c> of</c><00
• <c> outlined</c><00:02:23.120><c> in</c><00:02:23.280><c> the</c><00:02:23.440><c> statute</c> that's
• basically outlined in the statute that's basically outlined in the statute that<00:02:24.400><c> these
• </c><00:02:24.720><c> are</c><00:02:24.879><c> felony</c><00:02:25.280><c> offenses</c><00:02:25.840>
• that are expunable<00:02:26.879><c> under</c><00:02:27.120><c> the</c><00:02:27.280><c> law.

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:17.360><c> and</c><00:02:17.680><c> distributed</c><00:02:18.480><c> across</c><00:02:18.879><
• </c><00:02:20.319><c> It</c><00:02:20.560><c> protected</c><00:02:21.280><c> prayer</c><00:02:21.680>
• It passed um<00:02:25.440><c> this</c><00:02:25.680><c> document</c><00:02:26.080><c> was</c><00:02:26.319
• It<00:02:39.519><c> only</c><00:02:39.680><c> applies</c><00:02:40.000><c> to</c><00:02:40.239><c> K<
• They<00:02:43.840><c> are</c><00:02:43.920><c> excluded</c><00:02:44.400><c> for</c><00:02:44.560><c>

Bills: HB0159

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02.039><c> today</c><00:02:03.039><c> I</c><00:02:03.240><c> have</c><00:02:03.719><c> uh</c><00:02:
• c><00:02:07.200><c> man</c><00:02:08.200><c> he</c><00:02:08.319><c> was</c><00:02:08.599><c> having<
• :26.319><c> but</c><00:02:27.160><c> they</c><00:02:27.280><c> were</c><00:02:28.319><c> uh</c><00:02
• going<00:02:32.239><c> out</c><00:02:32.360><c> of</c><00:02:32.920><c> business</c><00:02:33.920><c
• ><c> this</c><00:02:36.560><c> and</c><00:02:36.959><c> uh</c><00:02:37.280><c> if</c><00:02:37.360><

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:20 SB18 Discussion: 01:36 SB18 Vote: 05:07 SB24 Discussion: 06:37 SB24 Vote: 10:50 HB524 Discussion: 12:03 HB524 Vote: 13:55 HB421 Discussion: 15:13 HB421 Vote: 20:50 HB236 Discussion: 21:53 HB236 Vote: 23:34 HB210 Discussion: 25:40 HB210 Vote: 29:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up several insurance and health-related bills, beginning with Senate Bill 18, which was presented by Senator Girdler and insurance witness Adam Sheridan. The bill was described as addressing a shortage of garage liability insurance for used auto dealers in Kentucky, which has left many small dealers with only one or two coverage options and, in some cases, unable to obtain the insurance needed for a dealer license. The committee adopted a motion and second, then passed SB 18 unanimously and reported it favorably with the recommendation that it pass on the House floor. The committee then considered Senate Bill 24, also presented by Senator Girdler with testimony from Eric DeCampo of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The bill was framed as an anti-fraud measure that would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover misrepresentations about property damage and repair costs in property insurance claims. Testimony emphasized that insurance fraud raises premiums for consumers and that the bill would help deter inflated or fabricated claims. After a brief question about whether the bill created new felonies, the committee voted to pass SB 24 unanimously and report it favorably. House Bill 524, presented by Rep. Aaron Thompson with officials from the Office of the Controller and State Risk, would extend reinsurance requirements for the state’s fire and tornado/self-insurance fund from July 1 of this year to July 1, 2030, and rename the fund the Commonwealth’s Property and Casualty Insurance Fund. The bill was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously. House Bill 421, presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors, would require full coverage of FDA-approved bowel preps without out-of-pocket cost or prior authorization issues and update colorectal cancer screening coverage rules for high-risk patients by incorporating multisociety task force guidelines. Members discussed the bill’s personal importance and its minimal fiscal impact; it passed unanimously with a committee substitute. House Bill 236, presented by Rep. Adam Moore and Commissioner Sharon Clark, would cap annual out-of-pocket costs for epinephrine at $100. Members spoke in support, including personal remarks about the importance of access to epinephrine, and the bill passed unanimously with a favorable recommendation. Finally, House Bill 210, presented by Rep. Michael “Sarge” Pollock and Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association, addressed dental limited benefit plans and direct payment to dentists. Members asked whether the bill also affected vision/hearing arrangements or third-party administrators; the witness said it was intended for non-ERISA dental plans in Kentucky and suggested follow-up with the commissioner for further clarification. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then passed HB 210 favorably, with 15 yes votes and no votes against. The meeting then adjourned, with a reminder about the Banking and Insurance dinner later that evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• No the other uh right now in the statute No the other uh right now in the statute if<02:01:50.079><c>
• /c><02:02:06.480><c> I</c><02:02:06.599><c> call</c><02:02:06.760><c> it</c><02:02:06.880><c> the</c>
• doile</c><02:02:15.040><c> okay</c><02:02:15.880><c> and</c><02:02:16.040><c> that's</c><02:02:16.239
• a firearm under purchasing or possessing a firearm under the<02:29:59.640><c> statute</c><02:30:00.359
• c> hearing</c><02:30:02.640><c> and</c> the statute the right to a hearing and the statute the right

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 03.679><c> know,</c><02:02:04.000><c> it's</c><02:02:04.320><c> it's</c><02:02:04.639><c> an</c><02:02
• :02:05.520><c> and</c><02:02:05.760><c> I</c><02:02:05.920><c> see</c><02:02:06.080><c> that,</c> problem
• I think the numbers<02:02:13.920><c> are</c><02:02:14.080><c> going</c><02:02:14.159><c> to</c><02:02
• </c><02:02:16.880><c> So</c><02:02:17.280><c> that's</c><02:02:17.520><c> my</c><02:02:17.760><c> comment
• </c><02:02:18.239><c> Thank</c><02:02:18.480><c> you.

Committee: Joint Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee

Keywords: 916, all