Transcript Highlights:

• It was, um, now looking back, a very affordable project, but then when we started renovating the old
• bonding potential to complete that project, which created us a career technical center and then renovating
• It was, um, now looking back, a very affordable project, but then when we started renovating the old
• bonding potential to complete that project, which created us a career technical center and then renovating
• It was, um, now looking back, a very affordable project, but then when we started renovating the old

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Private prisons do not make good neighbors. This bill Assembly Member Lee, you're recognized.
• Private prisons do not make good neighbors.
• clearing, education, community leadership, and greater opportunities for people returning home from prison
• state agencies are required to obtain green building certification for new construction and major renovations
• They go to private prisons in California and across the United States.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and heard a prayer and pledge before moving through a long concurrence calendar and later Senate bill items. Early procedural actions included rereferrals of several bills to committees, approval of journal dispensation and adjournment-memory requests, and multiple unanimous-consent motions. The chamber also took up a brief moment of silence honoring Dolly Parton before returning to business after caucus recesses and a vote change on AB 1775. On concurrence, members acted on a wide range of Assembly bills covering housing, health, education, environmental regulation, elections, corrections, wildfire relief, tribal issues, alcohol regulation, and consumer protections. Many were described as technical, clarifying, or support measures and passed overwhelmingly or unanimously, including bills on behavioral health licensing, common course numbering, medical supervision sunsets, tribal child welfare, wildfire mortgage relief, Prop 65 oversight, water quality, and tied-house alcohol rules. A few measures drew some opposition, such as AB 1645, AB 1775, and AB 2348, but still concurred. The Assembly also adopted an urgency measure on AB 2663 to extend the Cocktails to Go program in time for New Year’s Eve. The chamber then considered numerous Senate bills. These included SB 608 on youth sexual health and contraceptive access, SB 633 on recycled plastic verification, SB 675 restructuring the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, SB 747 on civil rights accountability against government officials, SB 772 on housing infrastructure grants, SB 891 and SB 1379 on missing and murdered Indigenous people and custody-death transparency, SB 1077 on CalFresh shutdown contingency planning, SB 1105 on limits for joint law-enforcement operations, SB 1114 on protecting sensitive state data, SB 1125 on water rate assistance, SB 1208 on returning stolen cryptocurrency to victims, SB 1213 on zero-emission vehicle pricing transparency, SB 1237 on pay data enforcement, SB 1276 on child sexual exploitation and AI-generated content, SB 1322 on tribal housing grants, SB 1388 on affordable housing insurance, SB 1393 on fisheries management, SB 329 on drug treatment facility complaint timelines, SB 758 on nitrous oxide sales restrictions, SB 828 on fireworks licensing disclosures, SB 909 on public works enforcement fees, and SB 920 on gambling fee transparency. Most passed with strong margins; some drew notable opposition, including SB 675, SB 747’s urgency vote, SB 1105, SB 1114, SB 1125, SB 1237, SB 1379, and SB 1388. The transcript ends amid debate on SB 920, with Assembly Member DeMaio raising budget concerns before the record cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Consistent with other severe mental illnesses, however, bipolar I disorder is overrepresented in prison
• rate in the world, making up less than 5% of the world's population, but nearly a quarter of its prison
• evidence indicates increasing these penalties does nothing to deter crime, and the state's history of prison
• what constitutes stalking, a crime that carries with it a punishment between one and five years in prison
• In October of 2019, $11.8 million, which is allowed for the round-the-clock work to renovate Los Padrinos

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as part of efforts to curb ghost guns. Supporters, including Brady Campaign and the California Police Chiefs Association, said barrels are a key unregulated component used in ghost guns; opponents argued the bill would burden lawful gun owners and would not meaningfully stop criminals. The bill was held for a later vote because the committee did not yet have a quorum when it was heard. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would remove the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability. Support came from prosecutors, sheriffs, and disability service organizations, while disability rights groups and public defender organizations opposed or sought amendments, warning the bill could worsen misunderstandings about consent for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After extensive testimony, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 258 to Appropriations. Senator Umberg presented SB 27, which would make CARE Court more efficient and expand eligibility to some people with schizophrenia-like conditions and certain mood disorders with psychotic features, including some misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial. Supporters said it would improve treatment linkage and reduce jail cycling; opponents, including county behavioral health directors and many disability advocates, argued it could make CARE Court more coercive and expand a program they view as ineffective. The committee passed SB 27 on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard SB 36, a price-gouging measure with a proposed search-warrant expansion, and SB 571, which increases penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and looting during disasters; SB 571 passed on a 4-0 vote, while SB 36 was held on call after mixed testimony and a vote. Later, SB 627 by Senator Wiener, which would restrict masking by law enforcement and federal agents with exceptions for safety and undercover work, drew strong support from immigrant-rights and civil liberties groups and strong opposition from police associations; the transcript ends during that hearing before any final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• in determining, for example, if a senior taxes or freezes their property taxes and then does a renovation
• interfacing with the taxpayer in a positive experience where they're saying, yes, your particular renovation
• interfacing with the taxpayer in a positive experience where they're saying, yes, your particular renovation
• in determining, for example, if a senior taxes or freezes their property taxes and then does a renovation
• So for a variety. renovation or changes their home, whether or not that counts as new construction.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2923, which would give homeowners a temporary property tax exemption of up to four years on qualifying home improvements between $7,500 and $75,000, so long as the property is the owner’s homestead and the required intent and completion forms are filed. The sponsor said the bill is meant to encourage reinvestment in homes, including after catastrophic events, and said the fiscal note showed no impact. Members asked about the bill’s effect on assessors, taxing districts, school districts, the definition of homestead, and whether the state would reimburse lost revenue. Testimony in support argued the bill would reduce ambiguity in new-construction assessments, encourage repairs and improvements, and help homeowners avoid being penalized for fixing damaged homes. Concerns were raised about routine maintenance, the four-dwelling language, possible burdens on assessors, and whether the bill could affect senior tax freezes. The hearing on HB 2923 ended without a vote. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 3256, adopted a committee substitute, and voted the substitute do pass by a roll call of five yes and one no. Discussion focused on criminal penalties in the bill, with the ranking member objecting to those provisions and noting that other states do not include them. The sponsor explained changes in the substitute, including broader retail-establishment language, explicit coverage of sports venues and concert halls, and removal of banks and credit unions from the bill. Members suggested further floor amendments and additional review of other states’ statutes. Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 95, which would create the Show Me Prosperity Fund as a constitutional endowment intended to eventually replace all state-imposed taxes with investment earnings. The senator said the fund would be seeded by a one-time appropriation, managed by the treasurer, audited by the auditor, and protected from borrowing or diversion, with distributions capped at 3 percent. Supporters said the proposal would use compound growth to create long-term tax relief and eventually make Missouri the first state to eliminate state taxes; one witness called it straightforward and honest. Members questioned the size of the needed appropriation, how the fund would work if state income tax changes separately, whether state law allows the needed investments, and how the fund would avoid becoming unstable if distributions begin before it is large enough. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing concluded without action on SJR 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just like your public schools when they do a renovation, they don't pay permit fees. Sorry.
• So that's what building renovations.
• Just like your public schools when they do a renovation, they don't pay permit fees. Sorry.
• ,</c> they need to spend money on renovations, they need to spend money on renovations, which<03:45:17.840
• </c><04:06:58.800><c> or</c> parts of their building renovations or parts of their building renovations

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• of the equin facilities which renovation of the equin facilities which is<00:16:27.040><c> estimated
• </c><00:32:56.880><c> and</c> to invest $4 million in renovation and to invest $4 million in renovation
• So phase three, which would be renovation of the equine hospital, would follow on right away.
• 04:13.680><c> would</c><01:04:14.000><c> follow</c> renovation equin hospital would follow renovation
• </c> existing hospital and we would renovate existing hospital and we would renovate that<01:04:26.880

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> predesign design furnish equip renovate predesign design furnish equip renovate and<00:48:27.720
• And the last time that road was renovated was 1997.
• is 19 or time that road was renovated is 19 or was<00:58:12.720><c> 1997.
• and overlay of that project, which would be, I'm sure, close to matching the cost of the renovation
• and overlay of that project, which would be, I'm sure, close to matching the cost of the renovation

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• because what it allows individuals to do is to allow state funds to be used for remodeling and renovation
• So that gives about three years to do that renovation and remodeling, which has been phenomenal. criteria
• So that gives about three years to do that renovation and remodeling, which has been phenomenal.
• So that gives about three years to do that renovation and remodeling, which has been phenomenal, because
• With that four million dollars, they're going to renovate a wing of their facility and they're going

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee met to hear an overview of Florida career and technical education (CTE) from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell and presentations from Big Bend Technical College and Santa Fe College. O’Farrell described Florida’s CTE structure, including career clusters, postsecondary program types, enrollment and completion growth, apprenticeship expansion, and the state’s credentials review process. He said postsecondary CTE enrollment is near 480,000 students and completions reached a record 76,806, with strong growth in nursing, law enforcement, EMT, and other public-safety credentials. He also discussed the CTE audit, which uses retention/success, employment or continued education, and labor-market demand metrics; programs not meeting thresholds would eventually require phase-out plans beginning in 2026. He highlighted the workforce development capitalization grant as a major driver of program expansion and facility renovation, and answered questions about business outreach, construction trades, apprenticeships, and space-industry training. Shelby McCall of Big Bend Technical College described how the college responded to hurricanes, mill closures, and regional economic disruption by expanding rural workforce training. She highlighted aluminum welding, millwright, welding technology, health sciences, and a new advanced manufacturing facility funded by state grants and local partnerships, along with a new LPN-to-RN bridge program. She said the college has strong placement and certification results and is working with employers such as Lippert, NAMO, and others to align training with local demand. Senator Simon praised the college’s role in Taylor County’s recovery and workforce development. Dr. Paul Brody of Santa Fe College said state workforce grants have helped the college expand nursing, skilled trades, apprenticeship, automotive, diesel, and manufacturing programs, including partnerships with Bradford County Technical College, UF Health, Habitat for Humanity, and local employers. He reported growth in CTE enrollment, nursing credentials, apprenticeship enrollment, and job placement rates, and described new efforts in semiconductor training, CDL training, and a charter school model that combines high school, an AS degree, and industry credentials. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentations and adjourned after Senator Berman moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• delivery<00:01:42.560><c> method</c><00:01:42.960><c> for</c><00:01:43.200><c> its</c><00:01:43.439><c> renovate
• </c><00:01:44.000><c> expand</c> delivery method for its renovate expand delivery method for its renovate
• Subject to completion of the agreed-upon renovations, the agency has recommended approval of the lease
• Renovations<00:24:28.320><c> were</c><00:24:28.559><c> necessary</c><00:24:28.960><c> to</c> Renovations
• were necessary to Renovations were necessary to accommodate<00:24:29.679><c> the</c><00:24:29.840><c

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including approval of the February meeting minutes and several information items. Those items covered university equipment purchases, school district and transportation-related debt issuances, Northern Kentucky University’s planned construction-manager/general-contractor delivery method for the medical examiner/crime lab relocation project, a lease-space advertisement, postsecondary asset preservation allocations, and lease-law compliance reports. Members then discussed the Northern Kentucky crime lab project in more detail; staff explained that the memorandum of agreement would cover the construction portion while the lease would cover operations, and members were told the project should move forward without procurement problems. The committee approved a Kentucky Community and Technical College System project to modify the fire academy maintenance building after the related dormitory project was set aside because of major cost overruns. KCTCS said the dormitory would be about $3 million over budget, so it would not be bid; instead, the maintenance building would be expanded to add showers and restroom/locker facilities, bringing that project from $2 million to about $3.2 million. The committee also approved a Transportation Cabinet project for the Hardin County I-65 southbound commercial motor vehicle station relocation, with members asking about the estimate, the lack of a direct prior example, and the fact that the loadometer equipment itself would be purchased separately and was not included in the construction estimate. Finance and Administration Cabinet lease items were then considered. The committee approved a Department of Public Advocacy lease in Christian County and a Transportation Cabinet vehicle regulation lease in Kenton County, both negotiated down from initial asking prices and both including utilities. Two lease modifications were reported without action: a Department of Revenue fit-up in Jefferson County and an expanded vehicle regulation lease in Adair County. Members also approved a package of Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items, including four loans and six Cleaner Water Program grant reallocations, covering sewer and water projects such as MSD’s Patty’s Run flood pumping station, Paducah-McCracken County’s wastewater treatment plant, Mount Washington’s lift station replacement, and Eminence’s wastewater plant expansion. Finally, the committee heard a batch of Kentucky Product Development Initiative economic development grants and approved the action items in one vote. The projects included due diligence and infrastructure work for industrial and site-development projects in multiple counties, with local match requirements and KEDFA approvals described for each. The committee also received three line-item water grants from House Bill 1 that required no action, and the meeting ended after the grant presentations and approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that how they do the full renovation? That was a plumbing issue, right?
• So it would be full gut and renovation of buildings G and H.
• So it would be full gut and renovation of buildings G and H.
• So that I would think full renovation.
• Uh as we renovate there are same.

Summary: The committee heard three University of Hawaiʻi-related measures. HB 718 HD1 would appropriate funds for faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in cardiovascular, law, biology, tropical medicine, quantitative health/biostatistics, and environmental health and safety. Testimony was in support, including from university representatives and others who submitted written testimony. Members asked whether the positions were additional and how they would affect enrollment; the university said the hires would teach medical students and conduct biomedical research, helping increase the class size to about 77 and eventually 80, and noted a workforce paper requested by the committee would be provided soon. The committee then discussed SB 1170 HD1, which would grant resident tuition at any UH campus to certain graduates of Hawaiʻi high schools enrolling in undergraduate programs. UH supported the bill and said it had adjusted its testimony in response to prior committee concerns. Members focused on the proposed four-year window, asking why that timeframe was chosen and whether the change was needed at all. UH explained that four years would allow students who left the state to return and still complete an undergraduate degree or prepare for graduate school, and said the bill would help students who come back after one or two years but otherwise would have to wait a year to reestablish residency under current rules. UH also said it was discussing possible administrative rule changes as an alternative if the bill did not pass. Finally, the committee heard HB 1300 HD1, which would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center pilot study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and people living near landfills in Nanakuli, focusing on social determinants of health, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and resilience factors. Testimony from researchers and advocates strongly supported the measure, saying the study could help explain cancer disparities and support future research funding. Members questioned the cost, the reliance on future federal or foundation funding, and the practical outcome of the study. The Cancer Center said the pilot would cost about $500,000 per year for two years, with later funding sought from federal, nonprofit, or private sources; it said the study would produce longitudinal data that could help identify at-risk groups and provide evidence for policy decisions, though members expressed concern that the project needed a clearer end goal and stronger case for public investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor's plan continues to prioritize public safety by investing $47 million for the renovation
• After the Centennial Office Building renovation, excuse me, after the state office building renovation
• To prepare this space, the governor recommends $22 million for renovating the transportation building
• The funds would now be used for scaledown renovation of the Hastings Veterans Home and a renovation of

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> And so stewardship of these assets requires ongoing repair and renovation as well as replacement
• Paul College Student Services and Classroom Project, which will renovate over 100,000 square feet and
• over 100,000 square feet will renovate over 100,000 square feet and<00:44:44.560><c> demolish</c><00
• Lastly, the Hines Center renovation at Rochester Community and Technical College will serve a number
• Lastly, the Hines Center renovation at Rochester Community and Technical College will serve a number

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> insurance companies uh on renovations, insurance companies uh on renovations, on<00:16:52.560><
• </c><00:50:02.880><c> at</c> projects, the Hein Center renovation at projects, the Hein Center renovation
• The renovation will collate welding.
• So anywhere where we can we try and renovate the existing buildings.
• That that sort of four renovated space.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This renovation will make necessary renovations to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, architectural
• This renovation<00:17:55.039><c> will</c><00:17:55.200><c> make</c><00:17:55.360><c> necessary</c> renovation
• will make necessary renovation will make necessary renovations<00:17:56.240><c> to</c><00:17:56.400>
• <c> the</c><00:17:56.559><c> mechanical,</c> renovations to the mechanical, renovations to the mechanical
• ><c> accommodate</c> Renovations are necessary to accommodate Renovations are necessary to accommodate

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes and received information items on University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts reporting upcoming bond issues with no additional tax levies needed, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues for fiscal year 2026. It then considered an appropriation increase for a University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. University officials said the project is 100% federally funded and will construct a terminal building tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school. Members asked about the relationship to aviation expansion and whether the flight school would be publicly operated; the witnesses said EKU would operate it, public appropriations had already been applied, and student revenue would help offset costs. The committee approved the item by roll call vote. Next, the committee approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for property at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead, Rowan County, for $6.4 million. UK said the property, which includes an 85,000-square-foot facility on 9.6 acres, is directly across from UK St. Clair and was offered by the Rowan County Board of Education after it moved to a new location. Members questioned why the payment schedule was structured as quarterly installments and why the price was below two appraisals; UK said the board requested the arrangement and did not want the full amount upfront, and there was no interest on the purchase price. The committee also approved this item. The deputy state budget director then reported three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Ballard Wildlife Management Area pump station project, Lake Barkley State Resort Park emergency repairs, and Lake Barkley lodge wing exterior repairs. After questions, staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies because bids came in close to available funding. The committee approved the action items, then heard four no-action pool projects: HVAC upgrades at the FFA leadership training center in Hardinsburg, Kentucky School for the Blind’s McDaniel Scoggin building, KSD’s Brett Brady Hall, and a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation for the School of Engineering Technology. Finally, the committee heard two real property items: a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the high per-square-foot cost and whether another county location could be used; CHFS said it maintains offices in every county seat, this lease would replace an existing 1977 office, and the new construction was negotiated down from a higher initial bid. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing space, with renovation costs partly absorbed by the lessor and the remainder amortized over the lease term.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just recently finished a 50,000-foot renovation of two old buildings in northeast Minneapolis.
• of uh two old 50,000 foot renovation of uh two old buildings<00:47:47.440><c> in</c><00:47:47.680><c
• Now that the building<00:48:18.079><c> is</c><00:48:18.319><c> renovated,</c><00:48:19.040><c> uh</c>
• </c> what this is what what these renovations what this is what what these renovations do<00:48:34.480
• ><c> let's</c><01:00:15.839><c> also</c> we renovate our buildings, let's also we renovate our buildings

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Southern Elementary School renovations, an add of $3,826,604.
• Under Red Clay, for the AI DuPont High School renovation, an add of $9,308,603.
• Then, for the Baltz Elementary School renovation, an add of $3,888,311.
• And then, for Red Clay Cab Calloway School of the Arts renovations, there's an add of $14,506,635.
• DuPont Middle School renovation, an add of $8,310,491.

Committee: Joint Capital Improvement

Summary: The committee met to finalize the FY27 bond bill, beginning with a roll call and a detailed review of updated appropriation amounts. The Comptroller General walked through major changes across agencies, including additions for OMB, the Department of State, DNREC, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, and explained the funding sources that would cover the total $1.256 billion package. Members then debated several large items, especially the $110 million appropriation for the Diamond State Port Corporation, the $35 million Legislative Hall addition, the $20 million Community Reinvestment Fund, and the $30 million land and building acquisition line. Questions focused on the port project’s costs, expected jobs, return on investment, and whether the state would face future commitments; Secretary of State Charney Patitofunded Chances and other officials testified that the port expansion would create construction and permanent jobs and support long-term economic growth, while some members remained skeptical and objected to the process and spending priorities. The committee also discussed school construction funding, with officials explaining that additional money would forward-fund projects already in the pipeline and help districts that had been turned down for certificates of necessity. Other items reviewed included funding for park improvements, marina acquisition, the Plummer Center demolition and transfer, the Pyle Center sewer project, the Site Readiness Fund, affordable housing, the Arts Endowment Fund, an unclaimed property task force, and various transportation and community transportation projects. Several members raised concerns about county distribution, minority-party involvement in negotiations, and the scale of certain appropriations, but the majority defended the package as statewide investment and economic development. The committee then voted on the Section 1 addendum and a series of new and replacement epilogue sections, including provisions for the port project, Legislative Hall minor capital improvements, land acquisition, affordable housing, the Community Reinvestment Fund, downtown development districts, the Rite Aid demolition, the Site Readiness Fund, school construction formula review, and enhanced school capital funding. Most motions carried, with a few recorded no votes or abstentions on the main addendum. The meeting concluded with a motion authorizing technical corrections by the Comptroller General’s office, followed by closing remarks thanking staff and members for their work and noting that this was likely the final bond committee meeting for some participants before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so when I'm not here, in the next week, I'll probably be renovating one of my units, getting it ready
• week, I'll I'm not here, in the next week, I'll probably<00:04:56.560><c> be</c><00:04:56.720><c> renovating
• one</c><00:04:57.280><c> of</c><00:04:57.360><c> my</c><00:04:57.520><c> units,</c> probably be renovating
• one of my units, probably be renovating one of my units, getting<00:04:58.160><c> it</c><00:04:58.320

Transcript Highlights:

• Testifying today as it relates to the investments in the minor renovation portion of the Early Learning
• Investments in the minor renovation fund can go a long way toward preserving existing child care slots
• It is our goal to leverage this current minor renovation grant cycle and fund as many ready projects
• This $1.5 million request goes to renovate and update an old vacant facility that will allow us to more
• This $1.5 million request goes to renovate and update an old vacant facility that will allow us to more

Summary: The committee first heard a briefing on the proposed Senate capital budget, Substitute Senate Bill 6003, which would spend about $723 million total using debt-limit bonds, Climate Commitment Act funds, and other cash resources. Staff described major investments in housing and homelessness, human services, local infrastructure, flood response, water conservation and clean energy, K-12 school modernization and seismic work, and higher education projects. Members then took public testimony from a wide range of advocates and project sponsors, most of whom urged the Senate to preserve or increase funding for specific projects in the final budget, including affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, child care facilities, food banks, behavioral health and substance use treatment centers, tribal courthouse relocation, school modernization, community colleges, university projects, floodplain restoration, community forests, and local civic or cultural facilities. Several witnesses also asked the Senate to match or approach House funding levels on items such as the Housing Trust Fund, permanent supportive housing, the Community Forest Program, Floodplains by Design, and CCA-supported clean energy and water projects. The chair noted that amendments to the capital budget were due the next day at noon. The committee then received a briefing on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, which would restructure Climate Commitment Act accounts by repealing three existing accounts and replacing them with two new accounts: a CCA operating account and a CCA capital account. Staff explained that the bill would preserve most existing uses while changing revenue distribution formulas, capping Ecology administrative costs, expanding allowable uses for EV-related costs, housing, and carbon capture/sequestration, and changing reporting and tribal consultation provisions. The bill also shifts some reporting from annual to biannual and modifies the thresholds for tribal-supported and overburdened-community investments. The fiscal note was described as relatively small, with the main impact being the revised revenue allocation structure. Public testimony on the CCA bill was mixed. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, said the restructuring better aligns spending with the intent of the CCA and could improve investments for tribes and overburdened communities. Critics, including the Washington Policy Center, argued the bill still lacks strong requirements to ensure CCA spending is effective and objected to reducing the frequency of the state’s climate-spending report. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you've shared your ability to renovate you've shared your ability to renovate or<01:28:30.560><c
• So renovations were done previously with EOEL. It took about two years to do a renovation.
• </c> Unfortunately all we have is renovations Unfortunately all we have is renovations because<01:33:
• </c> for the 85 classrooms that we renovated for the 85 classrooms that we renovated for<01:33:58.480
• So work for educator workforce... doing the renovations, it was done the doing the renovations, it was

Transcript Highlights:

• of Somerville to establish a net zero emission standard for new constructed buildings and major renovation
• of Somerville to establish a net zero emission standard for new constructed buildings and major renovation
• of Somerville to establish a net-zero emissions standard for new constructed buildings and major renovation

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a Senate message referring a petition on certain property in Lowell to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, which the House concurred in after a suspension of Joint Rule 12. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then recommended several bills for consideration, including measures on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, security bonds, police officer age requirements in Worcester and Boston, a Somerville net-zero building standard, waivers of police age limits, pre-employment medical record retention for Peabody public safety personnel, smart meters, and an additional alcohol license for Bridgewater; Rule 7A was suspended and the bills were read a second time and ordered to a third reading. The House also welcomed former Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis M. O'Brien as a guest of Speaker Mariano. Two engrossed bills were then taken up: House No. 4259, designating the Wheeler Park Tennis Courts as the Kim O'Connell Tennis Courts, for which the emergency preamble was adopted by a 9-0 vote and the bill was passed to be enacted; and House No. 4602, changing the membership of the select board in Monson, which was also passed to be enacted. Finally, the House received a gubernatorial message recommending legislation on Massachusetts winning global investment, talent, and innovation, which was referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The House adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned in formal session.