Video & Transcript : 'Alabama Department of Insurance' :
Page 275 of 500
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 23rd, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Since fiscal year 2021, the department has noted that over 40 instances of theft and more than 120 acts
- of vandalism of personal property of employees and caseworkers. by youth wards of the state or those
- This bill doesn't provide or deal with the issue of insurance coverage.
- Initially, these plans were not regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance. and required approval
- Oversight has since shifted to the Department of Insurance, which now manages them through grant oversight
Bills:
HB50
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Agriculture (3-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a gentleman in the crowd with a lot of history, a lot of background serving here.
- office in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to mitigate that, so that's who would deal with that
- office in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to mitigate that, so that's who would deal with that
- office in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to mitigate that, so that's who would deal with that
- office in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to mitigate that, so that's who would deal with that
Keywords:
00:00 – Introduction
00:20 – Attendance Roll Call
01:42 – Introduction of guests
09:15 – House Bill 278
18:16 – Roll Call Vote
19:33 – House Bill 527
23:03 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Agriculture met on March 5 and began with roll call, confirming a quorum. The committee spent much of the opening portion introducing guests, including FFA groups from Barren, Christian, and Pulaski counties, a fifth-grade student shadowing a member, and other visitors connected to agriculture and public service. The chair also recognized former Senator Joey Pendleton, who spoke briefly about his background and mentorship in Frankfort.
The committee then heard House Bill 278, sponsored by Representative Josh Bray, which would allow Kentucky to use an existing USDA exemption for small poultry producers to process and sell poultry directly at farmers markets and similar venues. Testimony emphasized that the bill would not loosen food safety standards, but would instead require compliance with federal commercial food processing rules, sanitation requirements, HACCP plans, and labeling tied to the USDA exemption. Members raised questions about avian flu, traceability, refrigeration, and inspection; the sponsor and witnesses said the bill would preserve traceability by limiting sales to direct channels and that avian flu response would remain with the state veterinarian. The committee voted favorably on HB 278.
The committee also considered House Bill 527, sponsored by Representative Susan Whitten, which would authorize licensed veterinary technicians to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets under direct veterinarian supervision on the premises. Supporters said the measure would help free veterinarians for other work while maintaining safety, and noted rising rabies concerns in Kentucky. Members asked why ferrets were included, and witnesses explained that ferrets can contract rabies like other mammals and are routinely vaccinated along with cats and dogs. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed HB 527 with favorable expression. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Transportation (2-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- So basically, we're trying to avoid the non-consensual tracking of the movements of American citizens
- So basically, we're trying to avoid the non-consensual tracking of the movements of American citizens
- from that would be considered fruit of the poisonous tree and would not be admissible for purposes of
- </c><00:08:04.479><c> uh</c><00:08:04.560><c> for</c> of this the insurance premium uh for of this the
- The outcome of your decision will determine the future of our business.
Keywords:
Roll Call 00:32
Approval of Minutes 01:38
HB 20 Discussion 02:08
HB 20 Vote 06:00
HB 188 Discussion 07:07
HB 188 Vote 10:10
Administrative Regs 11:09, 958, all
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting’s minutes, and heard two House bills plus several Transportation Cabinet regulations. House Bill 20, sponsored by Rep. Hodson, would restrict the retention and sale of automated license plate reader data, limit storage to 60 days, and prohibit nonconsensual tracking devices such as micro-trackers and subcutaneous trackers. Hodson said the bill was aimed at protecting citizens’ privacy and noted it had passed the House previously; members asked about enforcement and deletion responsibility, and one member suggested criminal penalties might be worth considering in the future. The committee voted to report HB 20 favorably.
House Bill 188, sponsored by Rep. Duvall, addressed driveaway plate businesses that transport vehicles for others. Duvall said Kentucky law had created confusion about how many vehicles could be on the road and had driven up insurance costs, hurting a Warren County business; the bill would let such companies purchase the exact number of plates needed, which he said would reduce exposure and premiums. He emphasized the bill would not affect dealer tags or trailer transport and said he was working on a floor amendment to make that clear. The committee reported HB 188 favorably as well.
The committee then reviewed five administrative regulations, including Transportation Cabinet rules allowing technology to be used in title examinations, extending an off-road vehicle pilot program to July 2026 and updating the definition of local government, aligning truck weight-mass rules with statute, adopting the MUTCD traffic control manual, and an emergency Kentucky State Police regulation adjusting a TSA-related hazardous materials endorsement fee because the federal change came too quickly for the normal regulatory process. Members asked whether the title rule covered rebuild titles, and staff said it applied to all titles. The committee noted the regulations had been reviewed and then adjourned, with the next meeting tentatively set for the following Tuesday.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration LOB 104 (02/07/2024)
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration LOB 302/304 (02/02/2024)
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Governor's Budget Hearing (11/30/22)
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- from the Department of Commerce that we have received, so with your permission, Mr.
- So, 1264 is the Department of Commerce agency bill.
- So, Senate Bill 1264 is the Department of Commerce agency bill. It does many things.
- I, too, would like to comment on, and give credit to, the Department of Commerce.
- By the end of 2025, if this bill happens, the department will see a cost of $3.24 million.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Tourism
Summary:
The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and favorably reported several bills. SB 1672 removed duplicative state provisions related to labor pools; CS/SB 940 prohibited third-party sale of restaurant reservations without the restaurant’s consent; and CS/SB 1820 made changes to motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer franchise law, including disclosure of performance measures, anti-retaliation protections, and limits on franchise termination or nonrenewal. The committee also approved CS/SB 324, creating a revolving loan program to help small businesses affected by prolonged public works construction, and SB 936, which creates a recurring three-year study of the effects of AI, robotics, and automation on Florida’s workforce and economy. SB 1322, the Florida Rural Jobs Act, was amended and reported favorably to encourage private investment in rural small businesses through a state tax credit program. The committee also reported favorably on CS/SB 910, which regulates for-profit veterans’ benefit assistance services, and CS/SB 656, which extends protections from extraordinary collection actions to all bill-of-care payment actions by hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 1264, a broad Department of Commerce agency bill. The strike-all amendment added or revised provisions on Secure Florida, the RISE venture capital tax credit program, data center tax exemptions, business development classifications, military land transfers, and other economic development matters, while also repealing regional planning councils from statute. That repeal drew extensive opposition from local officials and regional council representatives, who argued the councils are important for emergency management, grant writing, planning, and support for small and rural communities. Supporters of the amendment said the councils could continue locally without state statutory involvement. After debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, though Senators Davis and Smith voted no.
The committee also considered CS/SB 1238, which would tighten reemployment assistance rules by disqualifying claimants who fail to meet job-search requirements or refuse work, and by adding verification and reporting requirements. Supporters framed it as adding guardrails and preventing fraud, while opponents argued Florida’s unemployment system is already difficult to access and that the bill would add unnecessary barriers and costs. Despite opposition from labor and advocacy groups, the bill was reported favorably, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of Alexis Yarborough and John Gilbert to the Board of Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- the state of Alabama.
- </c> retirement system of Alabama. retirement system of Alabama.
- </c> of title 8 of the code of Alabama 1975. of title 8 of the code of Alabama 1975.
- Alabama because of this hospitals across Alabama because of this bill.<01:16:28.640><c> Well,</c><01:
- :55:50.399><c> Department</c><02:55:50.560><c> of</c> Department of Revenue, Department of Department
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Tuesday, August 12th, pending the receipt of committee reports. Motion by Judith Zaffirini.
Bills:
SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16
Keywords:
education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 4, 2026 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 53 authorizes our Governor of Florida to enter into a compact with Alabama and Louisiana. Mr.
- In fact, Florida's GDP is more than twice that of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana combined.
- Department of Transportation and state transportation policy.
- I'm going to line 225; it should be the duty, function, and responsibility of the Department of Transportation
- The chair and I created, a couple of years ago, the Office of the Ocean Economy, and a lot of that is
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Alabama and is interning for protim of Alabama and is interning for protim of Alabama and is interning
- of Veterans Affairs will be Department of Veterans Affairs will be Department of Veterans Affairs will
- in all of uh Public Health departments in all of uh Public Health departments in all of our counties
- the state of Alabama this personally but the state of Alabama this personally but the state of Alabama
- the people of Alabama um agree with that the people of Alabama um agree with that the people of Alabama
Bills:
SB 2
HI
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SRXoF8fbBI, 2026-07-02T01:22:43+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Scheduled for February 4, 2020
Ka ‘Aha Kenekoa
THE SENATE
Ka ‘Aha ‘Ōlelo Kanakolu
THE THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE
‘Aha Kau Kānāwai 2020
REGULAR SESSION OF 2020
Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana
COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY
Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair
Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair
Ke Kōmike Ikehu, Ho‘omohala Waiwai, a me ka ‘Oihana Ho‘okipa Malihini
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM
Kenekoa/Senator Glenn Wakai, Luna Ho’omalu/Chair
Senator Brian T. Taniguchi, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair
Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 4, 2020/ Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Hola / TIME: 2:45 p.m.
Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 414 / Conference Room 414
Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street
Papa Kumuhana
A G E N D A
SB 2527 RELATING TO BROADBAND SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE.
Establishes the broadband service infrastructure grant program to award grants to applicants to extend deployment of facilities used to provide broadband service to unserved and underserved areas of the State. Makes an appropriation.
TEC/EET, WAM
Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana
COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY
Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair
Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair
Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Peleluali 4, 2020/ Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Hola / TIME: 2:50 p.m.
Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 414 / Conference Room 414
Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street
Papa Kumuhana
A G E N D A
SB 2837 RELATING TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STEERING COMMITTEE.
Preserves the continuity of the Information Technology Steering Committee to properly administer 27-43, Hawaii Revised Statutes, while redefining the composition of the committee.
TEC, JDC
SB 2243 RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY.
Requires the house and senate to permit remote testimony, via telephone, at public hearings.
TEC, WAM
SB 2432 RELATING TO CABLE TELEVISION.
Amends the factors the director of commerce and consumer affairs must consider when determining whether cable service should be made available upon a new application of a cable franchise. Requires that the director require cable operators to provide cable service to residences in their service area where there is a minimum density of at least twenty-five homes per linear mile, with certain exceptions.
TEC, CPH
Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana
COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY
Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair
Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair
Ua Ho‘opane‘e ‘ia nā Pila a i ka Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 4, 2020
MEASURES DEFERRED TO Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 4, 2020/ Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Hola / TIME: 2:55 p.m.
Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 414 / Conference Room 414
Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street
Ka Ho‘oholo Mana‘o ‘ana ma nā Pila i Helu ‘ia ma Lalo Nei:
DECISION MAKING ON THE FOLLOWING MEASURE(S):
SB 2307 RELATING TO STATE PROCUREMENT OF WIFI AND INTERNET SERVICES.
Requires that all state and state funded facilities have internet computer and wireless access filters to block access to pornography sites.
GVO/TEC, WAM
SB 2836 RELATING TO THE ACCESS HAWAII COMMITTEE.
Gives agencies more flexibility and online options to provide enhanced digital services to the public in order to better serve the public and businesses
TEC/GVO, JDC
No Ka ‘Ike ‘Ē A‘e, E Kelepona Aku I Ke Kākau ‘Ōlelo Kōmike Ma (808) 587-7217.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT (808) 587-7217., 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 18th, 2026
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm also a Prattville resident, and I'm one of the founding members of Refree Alabama.
- </c><00:38:02.480><c> purports</c><00:38:02.880><c> to</c> of Alabama, a state that purports to of Alabama
- have the honor of serving as the president of the Public Library Directors Association of Alabama.
- And with this amount of foot traffic, I would argue that the governance of Alabama libraries is working
- </c> all sorts of problems to get insurance all sorts of problems to get insurance to<00:46:51.920><c
Committee:
House County and Municipal Government
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Social Services Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026
Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there some kind of accounting of that setup? Absolutely.
- Meredith Seitz, Chief of Staff with the Children's Department.
- About 60% of children in foster care are between the ages of zero and 12, just to give you a sense of
- But if it's okay with you, I'd like to ask Shauna Slaughter to come forward from the Department of Professional
- But if it's okay with you, I'd like to ask Shauna Slaughter to come forward from the Department of Professional
Committee:
Senate Health & Social Services
Keywords:
human remains, indigent, burial, cremation, next of kin, social services, environmental impact, nursing education, preceptorship programs, healthcare workforce, nurse shortage, clinical training, dry needling, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, referral process, neuromusculoskeletal pain, Western medicine
Summary:
The Senate Health and Social Services Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior two meetings, and briefly acknowledged the tragedy at Christiana Care before moving to legislation. The committee heard House Bill 385, which creates a statewide nurse preceptor grant program to expand clinical training placements for nursing students; testimony from nursing organizations, health care associations, and educators emphasized workforce shortages, the need for preceptor stipends and training, and the bill’s potential to help students complete programs and remain in Delaware. Members asked about eligibility and reporting, and several senators asked to be added as co-sponsors. Public comment was uniformly supportive, and the bill was advanced out of committee.
The committee then considered House Bill 424, which repeals Delaware’s Autism Surveillance and Registration Program and requires DHSS to expunge protected health information collected through the registry. The sponsor and DHSS said the registry is no longer used for research or policy development and that repeal would reduce outdated reporting burdens; Autism Delaware, the Delaware Health Care Association, and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities support the change. A committee member raised the question of whether families would be notified before records are expunged, and DHSS said that process was not yet clear and would need further verification. Members discussed the issue, and the bill also moved forward.
House Bill 419 was next, making children in foster care automatically eligible for the Purchase of Care child care subsidy and extending the same treatment to certain kinship and safety-plan placements through House Amendment 1. The Children’s Department and advocacy groups said the bill would provide immediate stability for children and caregivers, reduce delays from applications and income verification, and support working foster and kinship families. The committee also heard House Bill 359, which would allow cremation as an option for unclaimed and indigent remains when there is no family objection or next of kin cannot be found, addressing a shortage of burial plots and lowering costs; funeral industry testimony focused on preserving next-of-kin rights. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 475, creating a Delaware Nursing Advancement Fund financed by a $10 surcharge on nursing licenses and disciplinary fines to support workforce data collection and analysis through a nonprofit partner, and House Bill 165, authorizing physician associates, occupational therapists, and APRNs to perform dry needling under training and practice standards set by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. All of the bills received supportive testimony, several members added their names as co-sponsors, and the committee adjourned after moving through the agenda.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Information Technology Oversight Committee (5-21-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- And I can tell you in my 30-plus years of Department of Education, anything technology-related had to
- <00:14:21.280><c> Department</c><00:14:21.640><c> of</c><00:14:21.720><c> Education,</c><00:14:22.680
- ><c> anything</c> of Department of Education, anything of Department of Education, anything technology-related
- I serve at the pleasure of of Bevin.
- Department of Education.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Report of KCNA Board Meeting 00:00:09
KCNA Transition to COT 00:35:55
KCNA Request for Proposals 00:42:00
Kentucky Wired Operations Company 00:42:30, 958, all
Summary:
The Information Technology Oversight Committee met, approved the January 12, 2026 minutes, and then heard testimony from KCNA Chair David Couch, KCNA Director Jim Barnhart, and KCNA General Counsel Adam Adkins about the ongoing dispute involving KCNA, Excelacom, and the implementation of House Bill 314. Couch said the board and vendor had recently shown some willingness to work toward a settlement, and he emphasized the importance of KCNA’s broadband service to K-12 schools, noting that litigation had already cost about $1.4 million and could cost another $1.4 million if it continued. He also said the board had identified five immediate goals, including reconnecting 38 K-12 sites, de-escalating disputes, better understanding KCNA finances, protecting the state’s bonding rating, and examining whether duplicate networking hardware could be consolidated.
A major portion of the discussion focused on whether House Bill 314 changed KCNA’s authority and how much control the Finance and Administration Cabinet and KCNA’s legal counsel have over operations and contracts. Senator Williams argued that the board now has authority to set policy, implement policy, and approve budgets, and questioned why the cabinet appeared to be exercising operational control. Adkins responded that HB 314 changed the reporting chain from the general government cabinet to the finance cabinet but did not alter the board’s authority, and said budget work on the Ice Miller contract predated HB 314. Couch and other members disputed that interpretation, saying the board had not been properly informed about a recent extension or increase in legal spending and that the board’s directives were not being followed.
Representative Hodgson asked why the board could not terminate a contractor if it was not carrying out the board’s wishes, and Adkins replied that Ice Miller was not a party to the board’s contract and that the Finance and Administration Cabinet signs such agreements. The exchange ended with committee members and KCNA representatives agreeing to disagree on the meaning of the statute and the extent of board authority. No formal action was taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving testimony.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/11/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- of the United States.
- He's in favor of the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
- He was also sponsor of House Bill 2200, which passed out of the House and the Senate last year with no
- have disposition of fetal remains.
- Okay, pleasure of the bill. Madam.
Keywords:
technical registration, engineering, architect, land surveyor, reciprocity, endorsement, qualification standards, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, contractors, administrative recovery, regulation, statute of limitations, residential contractors' recovery fund, 1182
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 5 (1-12-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Forgive us of our sins. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
- business is the orders of next order of business is the orders of the<00:05:51.039><c> day.
- The House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Kentucky does hereby adjourn this legislative day
- ><c> of</c><00:08:27.199><c> the</c> The House of Representatives of the The House of Representatives
- business is a meeting of Next order of business is a meeting of the<00:16:17.199><c> committee</c><00
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Juvenile Justice Oversight Council (11-7-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Preston to correct me if I'm wrong, but my experience is when we're in court, the Department of Public
- Preston to correct me if I'm wrong, but my experience is when we're in court, the Department of Public
- c> is</c> the Department of Public Advocacy is the Department of Public Advocacy is very<00:21:31.920
- Kind of somewhat of a sea change as far as the way the Department of Public Advocacy approaches that?
- So, if Laura Caram and Lindsey Yates would come forward, Department of Public Advocacy, introduce yourselves
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:09
State of the Judiciary: 00:02:33
The Corrections - KCTCS Reentry Program: 00:49:44
Update on 2022 RS SB 90: 01:27:49, 958, all
Summary:
The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met with a quorum, approved the October 8, 2025 minutes, and welcomed guests including Marshall County Attorney Jason Darnall. The main topic was juvenile interrogation, with a presentation from Kentucky Youth Advocates by Courtney Downs and Shannon Moody. They said their organization is supporting a 2026 Blueprint priority requiring children to consult with an attorney before waiving Miranda rights, and they emphasized research on adolescent brain development, susceptibility to peer pressure and impulsive decision-making, and the risk of false confessions. They cited National Registry of Exonerations data showing high rates of false confessions among exonerated youth, especially younger children, and described approaches in other states such as Maryland’s Child Interrogation Protection Act, Indiana’s statute allowing certain adults to waive rights in some circumstances, and laws in other states requiring recording of interrogations or limiting deceptive tactics.
Members asked about trauma and adverse childhood experiences, whether the proposal would require attorney consultation in every juvenile interview, whether parents could instead be the ones consulted, and how such a rule would affect law enforcement investigations and juvenile accountability. Senator Carroll and others raised concerns about feasibility, delays, and whether juveniles might avoid accountability if attorneys are required before questioning. The presenters responded that they were focused on ensuring children understand their legal rights, that some states use age- or offense-based limits, and that parent consultation is another model used elsewhere, though they said a lawyer is best suited to explain legal rights and process. Members also discussed the role of the Department of Public Advocacy and whether legislative action or court decisions should address the issue. The council did not take final action on the policy, but requested additional materials, including the text of laws from Maryland, Indiana, and North Carolina, for further review.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary (11-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:53:07.359><c> a</c> and Department of Corrections, DOC. a and Department of Corrections, DOC.
- </c><00:59:54.400><c> of</c> Uh Kristen Porter from Department of Uh Kristen Porter from Department of
- I'm the director of re-entry services for the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
- We hope that we can work with Department of Corrections and this great building of trust that we have
- We hope that we can work with Department of Corrections and this great building of trust that we have
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:09
State of the Judiciary: 00:02:33
The Corrections - KCTCS Reentry Program: 00:49:44
Update on 2022 RS SB 90: 01:27:49, 958, all
Summary:
The Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary met on November 6, 2025, approved the minutes, and welcomed guests including Kentucky Specialty Courts manager Elizabeth Nichols and Boyle/Mercer Family Court Judge Bruce Petri. The committee then heard the Chief Justice of Kentucky, Deborah Lambert, deliver her state of the judiciary address, focused largely on judicial branch funding, facilities, technology, and specialty court programs.
Chief Justice Lambert said the branch is facing a projected $14.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and asked lawmakers for supplemental support, access to reserve funds, and higher base appropriations to cover inflation and nondiscretionary costs. She also requested a 15% across-the-board pay increase for judicial branch employees, citing salary gaps with other state workers and declining judicial compensation relative to national averages. She emphasized that the branch has received a clean FY 2025 audit and said the requests were intended to sustain current operations rather than expand them.
A major portion of her remarks covered court technology and facilities. She described the move to Chamberlain during Capitol renovations, the purchase of that building as a cost-saving measure, and the need to fund courtroom audio/video systems and a new statewide case management system. She also discussed courthouse maintenance, flood damage, mold issues, security system upgrades, and the $47 million asset preservation fund created last session, while asking for additional local facilities funding and one-time disaster-related support. Lambert highlighted specialty court and statewide program results, including foster care review boards, family recovery courts, court designated worker programs, drug and mental health courts, and the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. She thanked legislators for prior bills and support, including House Bill 1, Senate Bill 26, and the CES law, and said 2026 recommendations will focus on civil commitment reforms under KRS 202C.
During questions, Senator Wheeler asked whether some courthouses are being overbuilt; Lambert said most facilities are inadequate, though some may be larger than needed, and that future needs and population changes must be considered. She also noted that virtual hearings and technology have improved efficiency. No votes or formal committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the presentation.
NH