Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations report. Appropriations report.
• committee report. committee report.
• To the committee report. To the committee report.
• report.
• . report. report.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So looking at this once a year, reporting on it once a year... ...looking at this once a year, reporting
• Some, it's just a report.
• Some, it's just a report.
• Are you speaking of the report of the value?
• You mentioned the child care report.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the question comes on acceptance of the report.
• We're both pleased and happy with this report, and I think that's important.
• The conference report includes a number of reforms. Legislature.
• And now, if this conference committee report is adopted, they will be.
• I wish to be reported in the affirmative. Michael D. Brady votes yes.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first adopted three congratulatory resolutions recognizing the retirements of Dolores Hayes, Lisa Audet, and Kate Fitzpatrick. It then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 to refer a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to the Committee on Public Service and referring House petitions to their respective committees. The chamber also adopted a conference report on the joint rules for the 2025-2026 session after remarks from Senators Creem, Tarr, Lovely, and Fattman emphasizing transparency, public access, recorded votes, longer notice for hearings and conference reports, remote participation, and periodic review of the rules. The report was accepted by a 40-0 roll call. The Senate then took up the bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth, Senate No. 2538, commonly described as Shield Act 2.0. Senator Friedman and others argued the bill was needed to protect reproductive and gender-affirming care from out-of-state and federal interference, to limit disclosure of sensitive information, to create a state-level EMTALA-style protection for emergency care and active labor, and to strengthen privacy and licensing protections for providers and institutions. Senators Cyr, Lovely, and Fattman also spoke in support, framing the bill as a response to recent federal and state threats and as an extension of Massachusetts’ prior shield-law work. The chamber considered numerous amendments. Several were rejected, including amendments by Senators Finegold and Keenan and multiple Tarr amendments on topics such as medical records, consistency with existing law, and public health data collection. Some amendments were adopted, including a Montigny amendment on health-connected data disclosure, a Brownsberger amendment further protecting privacy for reproductive and gender-affirming care, a Rauch amendment clarifying protections for patients in active labor, a Tarr amendment removing an exemption for data from personal tracking devices, and a Rodrigues corrective amendment. After the amendments, the Ways and Means substitute was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and it then passed to be engrossed by a 37-3 roll call. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted a memorial adjournment in honor of former Senate Majority Leader Louis P. Bertinazi. The Governor also filed a message submitting a bill to build resilience for Massachusetts communities, authorizing future capital spending for energy and environmental affairs, which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 1 p.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a state-generated report that I was reading from.
• Higher up and reporting directly to our Medicaid director.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 1412 is reported favorably.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 22 is reported favorably. Thank you.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 1182 is reported favorably.

Summary: The Health Policy Committee met for its final meeting of the session and handled a very full agenda, beginning with a few housekeeping items and a brief thank-you to staff. Senate Bill 596 was temporarily postponed. The committee then reconsidered and amended SB 1606 on patient access to records, clarifying portal access obligations and deleting a section that would have improperly affected nursing home facility records; the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of appointees and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after testimony focused on transparency, financial oversight, Medicaid managed care accountability, and internal controls at AHCA. Harris said she would prioritize staffing, monitoring, and improved reporting, and several health care groups waived in support. The committee next heard and passed several bills, including claims bills SB 28 and SB 22 for South Broward Hospital District settlements, both reported favorably. It also approved SB 772 on undesignated glucagon in schools, SB 998 on allowing physician assistants and APRNs to complete death certificates under hospice/palliative protocols, SB 1412 on home health agency administration and staffing flexibility, SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF, SB 306 on Medicaid managed care network access during holidays and after hours, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies and informed consent, SB 1602 on pediatric readiness standards in emergency departments, SB 1156 on the home health aide program for medically fragile children, SB 1490 on Children’s Medical Services and Medicaid managed care administration, and SB 1182 on Medicaid coverage of continuous glucose monitors. Most of these bills were amended, generally to narrow scope, align with the House, or make technical changes, and most received support from provider associations, advocacy groups, or affected institutions. The most debated measure was SB 1270, which combined several health freedom and medical marijuana provisions. The strike-all amendment retained language prohibiting discrimination based solely on vaccination status, added protections related to mRNA vaccine documentation requirements, and included medical marijuana regulatory and background-screening language. The committee heard extensive testimony both in support and opposition, including concerns from senators about whether the bill would force providers to treat patients contrary to medical judgment, and support from witnesses arguing it protected patient autonomy and access to care. After a time-certain motion, the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded their votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, this bill is reported favorably. Congratulations.
• By your vote, this bill is reported favorably. Congratulations.
• By your vote, this bill is reported favorably. Congratulations.
• What are we trying to convey here with the reporting of the school grade on the student report card,
• By your vote, this bill is reported favorably. Congratulations.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of education bills focused on transparency, accountability, attendance, school start times, student well-being, and career planning. HB 1321, by Rep. Salsman, would remove public-records and public-meeting exemptions for university presidential searches, eliminate the Board of Governors from those searches, require Board of Governors members to file full financial disclosures and be Florida residents, and expand syllabus posting requirements; it passed 15-0. HB 1079, by Rep. Botana, as amended, broadened eligibility for dropout retrieval programs to include students who withdrew and did not reengage in education, and it also passed 15-0 after a strike-all amendment and supportive testimony from a program provider. The committee also approved PCS for HB 969, by Rep. Kassel, which shifts evaluation of school mental health services to the Department of Children and Families and requires more detailed outcome data, surveys, and reporting related to the Mental Health Assistance Allocation program; it passed 15-0. HB 1367, by Rep. Booth, creates a statewide attendance policy with uniform definitions and reporting requirements to address chronic absenteeism; it passed 15-1 after support from business and education groups and some concern about state control over district policy. PCS for HB 261, by Rep. Gerwig, revises the 2023 middle and high school start-time law by allowing districts to document compliance efforts and unintended consequences rather than fully meet the mandated later start times; it passed 16-0. The most debated bill was HB 1483, by Rep. Valdez, which would align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar 90/80/70/60 letter-grade standard over a five-year transition and require school grades to appear on student report cards. Supporters argued the current scale is misleading and too lenient, while opponents warned it would sharply increase failing school labels, create costs and turnaround mandates, and confuse parents and students. Despite extensive testimony from school board members, teachers, students, and advocacy groups on both sides, the bill passed 12-4. The committee then quickly approved HB 1245, a one-year Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program for three universities with the highest share of Pell-eligible students, and HB 571, which expands career planning, paid work experience, and credit-transfer review for students; both passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, might be an adapted fed... report to the parent no later than 30 report to the parent no later than
• an IEP or a copy of an evaluation report an IEP or a copy of an evaluation report if<00:09:19.120
• c><00:32:16.960> or anonymous threat reporting systems or anonymous threat reporting systems or
• > 27%<00:43:09.359> of recent survey reported that 27% of recent survey reported that 27%
• In fact, reporting system bill came forward, reporting system bill came forward, Representative<00:57

Bills: HF4893

Keywords: education finance, student support, aid allowances, appropriation, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:46.880> and progress reports and progress reports and Reconciliation<00:15:48.639><
• requirements through the monthly reports requirements through the monthly reports that<00:40:58.520
• again as I shared earlier those reports again as I shared earlier those reports are<00:41:03.119
• can take to report can take to report concerns<01:32:38.119> in<01:32:38.280> terms
• he was a career uh a a um a peer report he was a career uh a a um a peer report was<01:34:54.440

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The report provides details about the findings in all five of the areas.
• The public report for this report also does not disclose details about the lack of OSPI's general IT
• Is that what I'm hearing in terms of the report that there was a budget?
• There's a budget. ...report that there was a budget.
• There's a budget. ...report that there was a budget.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on OSPI’s school apportionment system, which distributes K-12 funding to districts. Auditors said the system and its underlying 2008-era infrastructure are outdated, unstable, inefficient, and at high risk of errors or failure. They also found weak controls over data input, documentation, oversight, and monitoring, with heavy reliance on a small number of staff and vendor knowledge. In limited testing of three districts, the system calculated 2023–24 funding correctly, but auditors identified small discrepancies between state budget inputs and underlying statutory language and said broader system risks remain unresolved. JLARC members asked about the scope of the district testing, whether smaller districts face greater risk, the meaning of the funding discrepancies, and whether the system could support a future change to a simpler per-student funding formula. Auditors said the discrepancies were small but could compound into millions statewide, and that the audit did not evaluate broader policy questions or alternative system owners. They recommended OSPI modernize or replace the system and address current control weaknesses while the new platform is developed. OSPI officials largely agreed that the current platform needs replacement and said a feasibility study completed in 2024 found the system at catastrophic risk of failure. They clarified that the Legislature had approved up to $16 million in the state IT pool for the project, but that funding is released through gated oversight and not all of it had yet been appropriated for the current biennium. OSPI disputed the auditor’s characterization of some rounding and budget-law issues, saying the calculations were consistent with agency rules and legislative inputs, and explained that some manual workarounds are used to handle newer statutory requirements. One member of the public testified in support of modernizing the system and strengthening controls. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we'll move on to the reports. Mr.
• The second page of the report...
• K-5 is the Education Adequacy Fund Report.
• K-6 is the Medicaid Trust Fund Report.
• Chair, we have one last report on the agenda.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:36.279> and extension study it has two reports and extension study it has two reports
• <00:10:47.240> and loser I encouraged that the report and loser I encouraged that the report
• I think but I I you know today is report I think but I I you know today is report release<00:41:
• You keep reporting that this report says that this line should be mothballed, but it doesn't actually
• <00:56:33.799> cost here I'm seeing that this report cost here I'm seeing that this report

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• the OLA to do a report on CCAP fraud. the OLA to do a report on CCAP fraud.
• they are mandated to report to the OLA. they are mandated to report to the OLA.
• So, hearings were never OLA reports.
• You are not reporting, giving, etc.
• Nobles said that when he issued that report report report so so so quote,<00:57:53.160> "Some<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up an urgency motion to recall House File 3819 from committee and advance it to final passage. Supporters said the bill was needed to address fraud in the child care assistance program (CCAP), citing recent FBI raids on child care centers, prior audit findings, and long-standing concerns about weak oversight. They described the bill as restoring a penalty of perjury for attendance records, requiring electronic attendance tracking, mandating unannounced inspections, and requiring camera monitoring for higher-funded providers so the state can verify attendance and reduce improper payments. Opponents argued the bill was not ready, raised concerns about cost, implementation, and the inclusion of camera surveillance, and said the language could create problems related to retention and possible misuse of video. One member said the state had already taken bipartisan action on child care fraud in prior sessions and that the larger fraud estimates being cited were overstated compared with convictions. Another member emphasized that electronic attendance monitoring was the one part they supported, but said the bill lacked clarity and a Senate companion. Members also discussed the history of CCAP fraud investigations, including earlier OLA reports, criminal investigations within DHS, and allegations that fraud vulnerabilities had been known for years. Supporters argued the bill would help recover taxpayer dollars and improve affordability by reducing fraud, while critics warned that added camera requirements could increase costs for providers and potentially threaten child care center viability. The debate included questions and answers about video retention, with the bill author stating the intended retention period was 90 days, though a member noted that language was not clearly visible in the version before the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read the report.
• Every 90 days they have to report.
• Reports of standing committees.
• Rise and report. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
• The clerk will read the report. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know this bill, Chair Decker; you've reported it favorably.
• This bill was also, thank you, reported favorably.
• This bill was also, thank you, reported favorably.
• We respectfully urge you to give this bill a favorable report.
• Everyone in are still using them by self-report.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on environmental health, disease prevention, and access to care. Major topics included restricting polystyrene use, creating a pancreatic cancer awareness and early-detection initiative, improving indoor air quality through a task force and new regulations, expanding access to epinephrine in public places, improving access to health care for people with long COVID, creating an OBGYN loan repayment program for underserved areas, expanding access to hygiene products, modernizing licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, updating school postural screening requirements, and restricting harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements. Several legislators also testified in support of their own bills, including measures on menstrual product access and ingredient disclosure, and surgical smoke protections. Testimony on the polystyrene bill emphasized local municipal bans and the need to reduce plastic pollution. Pancreatic cancer advocates and patients described the disease’s low survival rate, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the need for an awareness campaign and implementation of commission recommendations. Indoor air quality supporters from environmental justice groups, public health organizations, and residents described asthma, mold, pollution, and the need for a task force with technical expertise; some witnesses urged adding remediation professionals to the task force. On epinephrine access, family members of a man who died after a bee sting and an allergy organization stressed that anaphylaxis can be sudden and fatal and that stock epinephrine in public venues could save lives. Long COVID advocates said the condition affects hundreds of thousands of residents and called for better surveillance and access to care, with a request to include MECFS in the bills’ scope. Other testimony focused on workforce and equity issues. Supporters of the OBGYN loan repayment bill said it would help address maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Hope and Comfort described widespread hygiene insecurity and a long waiting list for basic products, urging a task force to study statewide solutions. Dietitians and nutritionists supported modernization of licensure to clarify standards for medical nutrition therapy while allowing broader wellness counseling. School nurses backed reducing mandatory postural screenings, arguing the current law is not evidence-based, is not reimbursed by MassHealth, and takes time from other student health needs. On the supplement bill, the industry trade group opposed restrictions as overbroad and burdensome, while a public health expert cited research linking weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to serious harms and urged passage. The committee also heard support for menstrual product access and surgical smoke protections, with legislators and advocates describing those bills as longstanding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate amendments also prohibit penalties for untimely campaign finance reports.
• The Senate amendments also prohibit penalties for untimely campaign finance reports.
• Insofar as the penalties pertain to the untimely report.
• So they still have to file the report, but any time for the report in those prior periods where there
• ADE must annually submit and post on its website a school safety report that contains specified school

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across elections, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, public safety, transportation, rural development, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent or third-read consent items, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data for media, adjuster/contractor conduct during emergencies, Industrial Commission changes, association meeting closures, banking and remittance rules, central bank digital currency, public safety parity funding, barbering and cosmetology board continuation, digital asset reserve management, contractor licensing, gaming and racing commission continuation, school AED instruction, classroom removal procedures, school safety reporting, special education complaint transparency, foreign influence and land ownership restrictions, DCS and DES process changes, health care licensing and reimbursement rules, EMS compact adoption, and multiple tax, housing, and transportation measures. Staff repeatedly summarized each bill and answered questions, with several bills noted as mirror or identical to House measures or as strike-everything amendments from committees. A few bills drew discussion. On SB 2874, staff explained that the Senate amendment would limit penalties for untimely campaign finance reports when a committee certifies it received no contributions and made no expenditures, but the sponsor did not concur. SB 1074 prompted questions about whether parental notification changed; staff said it did not and that the bill was aimed at improving communication between teachers and principals about discipline. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction in abuse or neglect cases, drew concern about the scope of the photos, while supporters said it would improve continuity and documentation. SB 1180 also drew comment because the sponsor and committee chair disagreed over an amendment, though the bill was advanced for further work. The most extended debate came on SB 1751, which would allow death-row inmates to choose firing squad, lethal injection, or lethal gas if voters approve the related constitutional measure. One member strongly opposed the bill on moral and personal grounds, another argued it could be a more humane option if the state is going to carry out executions, and a third raised concern that it could be used against Second Amendment rights. The bill remained on the third-read consent calendar despite the objections. The caucus concluded after moving through the remaining agenda items, with no formal votes recorded in the transcript beyond committee status and consent-calendar placement.

Transcript Highlights:

• The staff report over and over. But we're gonna transportation, right?
• These are examples of the annual reports here on the screen.
• These are examples of the annual reports that we produce.
• The report purpose discussed the approach used to develop the report, provide an overview, transportation
• And finally, summarize the challenges and recommendations from the report.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to be House report. to be House report.
• have to do is sign the report. have to do is sign the report.
• file this report. file this report. >> Thank<00:30:29.039> you.
• as has been stated, the House report as has been stated, the House report will<00:33:49.440>
• The House language in the report.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 155 continued discussion of a compromise over business tax relief, small-business filing thresholds, and nursing home funding. Representative Sweeney proposed raising the filing threshold to $400,000 and creating a trigger for future Business Enterprise Tax reductions if business tax revenues produce a $200 million biennial surplus, with the Department of Revenue Administration commissioner able to exclude one-time or non-sustainable funds. Supporters said the proposal would provide a clear policy direction, immediate relief to about 4,500 small and micro businesses, and a future path back to the BET’s original 0.25% rate. Opponents, led by the Senate side, argued the trigger language was premature, better handled in a budget year with more revenue data, and inappropriate to decide in a short conference committee meeting. The Senate also emphasized that the tax policy should not be locked in without a fuller public process, while House members argued the trigger would not take effect until a future biennium and was therefore a prudent way to signal New Hampshire’s direction on taxes. A separate point of discussion involved nursing homes: the House said its report would include $2.5 million for nursing homes with non-lapsing language, and senators stressed the importance of that funding for the health care system and county property taxpayers. One senator warned that triggers could encourage revenue underestimation and noted bond rating concerns about a structural deficit. Several motions were made to accept the Senate position with the $400,000 threshold and related amendments, but the first motion failed on a party-line style split, with the Senate voting yes and the House voting no. A second House motion to accede to the Senate position while also including the nursing home funding, the threshold increase, and the future trigger language was also rejected by the Senate. The meeting ended with the report filed without agreement on the trigger language, and the transcript then notes a separate reconvened committee of conference on HB 751 being postponed until 12:30 the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would just ask the report as amended.
• Representative Brough has moved to report House Bill 1000 with amendments.
• Seeing none, House Bill 1024 will be reported favorably.
• Be reported via substitute. Also on behalf of Ms.
• Seeing none, House Bill 1207 be reported favorably? Thank you.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and heard a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. Early bills included HB 745, extending special permits for tandem/container loads serving port facilities; HB 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; HB 1050, which revises commercial driver’s license rules and allows certain 18-year-olds to drive intrastate with a Class A license; and HB 1172, designating a portion of US 165 in Oberlin as the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 1000 adopted with amendments. The committee then took up HB 896 on toll facilities, prompted by concerns about Belle Chasse toll charges and customer service access. The bill would require local toll customer service centers, toll dispute procedures, and limits on certain fees; amendments were adopted to refine those provisions, including in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, and limits on additional charges. The bill was reported with amendments. HB 493, which would have prohibited expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony and debate over reservoir planning and local flood-control authority, but was ultimately voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 1173 was approved to give people in the OMV reinstatement relief program up to three months without a late fee on installment agreements, while keeping the payment due and moving it to the end of the plan. HB 1024 created a Louisiana Democratic Party special prestige license plate and was reported favorably. The committee also approved HCR 32 urging the Port of New Orleans to secure backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and HB 1159, concerning automated speed enforcement in Jefferson Parish municipalities, was ultimately voluntarily deferred after discussion of local control, public input, and prior legislation on speed cameras. The final major item was HB 679, as substituted, creating a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and directing law enforcement training on interactions with those individuals. The sponsor and several witnesses described personal experiences with traumatic brain injury and argued the designation would improve safety and communication during traffic stops. The substitute bill was adopted and the measure was reported favorably. The committee concluded by reporting HB 1207 favorably; that bill would limit unduly restrictive contractor qualification requirements in public bidding and require such requirements to be reasonably related to the project and justified in writing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Report that out due pass. Representative, 25 aye and zero nay. Report that out due pass.
• We'll report that out with due pass.
• We'll report Representative, 23 aye and 2 nay. We'll report that out due pass. Thank you, Mr.
• We'll report that out with the due pass.
• We'll report that out with a due pass.

Summary: The committee took up a long series of Senate bills, beginning with SB 44, which extends a sales tax exemption to contractors working for nonprofits. It was presented briefly and reported out 24-0. The committee then considered SB 237, with a PCS and a written amendment that delayed the effective date and phased out the manufacturing exemption for solar and battery energy storage systems; members discussed the impact on ongoing projects, the treatment of solar and storage like prior wind and data center exemptions, and concerns from the renewable industry before the bill was advanced. Several other measures were heard and passed, including SB 248 on reinvesting proceeds from any sale of tourism real property back into state park maintenance and capital improvements; SB 1360 on the Pro Tem’s numeracy bill for the Department of Education; SB 985 codifying the local food for schools program; SB 1204 requiring three days of paid bereavement leave for school district employees; SB 1239 extending the bridge funding formula and moving certain motorcycle and moped fees to Service Oklahoma; SB 1307 cleaning up statutory language related to the ARCS Council, J.M. Davis Arms Museum, and Historical Society; and SB 2143 allowing county assessors to use aerial imagery, but not drones, to identify property changes. The aerial imagery bill drew the most debate, with questions about privacy, assessors’ authority, and whether the measure would save counties money; it passed 13-11. The committee also advanced SB 1428 creating an Alzheimer’s and related dementia services coordinator in the Health Department; SB 1390 extending a gross production tax sunset for tourism and water-related entities; SB 1400 combining sales tax exemptions for aircraft maintenance facilities; SB 1405 renewing the wildlife diversity check-off; SB 1732 raising fees for the construction industries board; SB 1832 adding voluntary ODVA checkboxes to licenses and hunting forms; SB 1859 creating a revolving fund for the OSBI cybercrimes and fraud unit; SB 1989 allowing electronic payment methods such as Cash App and Venmo for 529 accounts; SB 2018 changing valuation rules for new multifamily housing; and SB 1427, a bipartisan diabetes prevention and health bill. Most bills were reported out with overwhelming support, with a few receiving one or two no votes, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:44.239> favorably<00:03:44.760> with resolution 46 is reported favorably with
• So now I can say House Joint Resolution 46 is reported favorably. That's not House Bill 546.
• House Bill 443 is reported favorably with the expression of opinion that the same shall pass.
• House Bill 783 is reported favorably with expressions of opinion that the same shall pass.
• <00:16:00.880> favorably house bills 783 is reported favorably house bills 783 is reported

Keywords: Roll Call 00:15 HJR 46 Discussion 00:43 HJR 46 Vote 2:58 HB 546 Discussion 04:10 HB 546 Vote 06:00 HB 443 Discussion 07:30 HB 443 Vote 09:35 HB 783 Discussion 10:29 HB 783 Vote 15:29, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Joint Resolution 46, a county priority projects resolution. Members approved a committee substitute that added $1.47 million and included Butler, Carroll, Casey, Cumberland, McGoffin, Monroe, and Nicholas counties. The resolution was then reported favorably with a title amendment and an expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next took up House Bill 546, which creates the local assistance road program and related rules. The committee substitute moved $47 million from the state-supported construction program back to priority projects and amended the Transportation Cabinet budget to unlock I-69 funding tied to Garvey bonds. After discussion about continuing to refine the program, the committee approved the substitute, adopted a title amendment, and reported the bill favorably with an expression of opinion that it should pass. House Bill 443 was then heard, extending the Hal Rogers Parkway from Hazard along Kentucky Route 80 to Perry and Floyd to support future federal funding and four-laning of the corridor. The committee reported it favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass. Finally, House Bill 783 was presented as a response to temporary tag fraud in auto sales, with testimony from Representative Jackson, Warren County Sheriff Brad Hightower, and the Kentucky Auto Dealers Association. Supporters said the bill adds enforcement tools, including felony penalties for serious violations and discretion for the Motor Vehicle Commission so mistakes are not treated the same as deliberate fraud. The committee voted to report the bill favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, please report.
• The next order of business is the report of committees. Mr. Clerk, please report.
• Clerk, please report.
• Clerk, please report.
• Clerk, please report. resolutions. Mr. Clerk, please report.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 06:30 Calendar/2nd Readings 07:18 Report of Committees 08:19 Orders of the Day 09:04 HB 96 09:16 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 15:21 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 21:24 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 23:35 ConC and Rules Report 31:06 Floor Amendments 32:42 Return to Rules Report 33:28 Adjournment 34:27, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum of 98 members, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber approved the journal from January 21, 2026, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 29, 38, and 49, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, requesting concurrence. The House also took second reading on several bills, including measures on agriculture programs, milk transportation, food donation, criminal trespass, concealed firearms and deadly weapons, human trafficking, sexual material involving minors, reading and writing in schools, and educators. Committee reports advanced House Resolution 7 on Kentucky election principles, House Bill 134 on sexual assault nurse examiners, and House Bill 168 on boating under the influence. The House then considered House Bill 96, which would revise the membership of the postsecondary education performance-based funding work group, adding more legislators and changing the work group timeline to calendar years; the sponsor said the bill had support from university presidents and the Council on Postsecondary Education. After a question about geographic representation, the House passed HB 96 by a vote of 79-16 and applied the clincher. During motions and announcements, the House brought House Resolution 34 to the floor and heard it reported as recognizing January 22, 2026 as Kentucky Arts Day. Rep. Burke spoke in support, citing the economic impact of Kentucky’s arts and culture sector, and the resolution was adopted without objection. Members also announced upcoming events, including a Holocaust survivor program, a breakfast, and a conservation district reception, and one member withdrew House Bill 284. The House introduced a large slate of new bills and resolutions, including measures on real property, civil rights, local boards of education, peer support specialists, Medicaid coverage for doula services, public contracts, foster care, residential safety, gender, reproductive rights, hate crimes, a child welfare and family court reform task force, memorial highway designations, and constitutional recognition days. The Committee on Committees and Rules later referred and reassigned several bills to standing committees, posted selected bills and amendments for Friday’s calendar, and the House adjourned until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026.