Transcript Highlights:

• analytics to help reduce that fraud, and how can other federal agencies work to get that number closer to zero
• So actually, the cost, other than if you're looking at the very immediate time frame, is zero.
• Of course, at GAO, we are interested in reducing fraud to zero in theory.

Committee: Joint Joint Economic Committee

Keywords: artificial intelligence, waste reduction, fraud prevention, government efficiency, improper payments, data reliability, oversight

Summary: The meeting was chaired by Chairman Schweikert and involved a comprehensive discussion on how to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for reducing waste, fraud, and improper payments within federal programs. Key witnesses, including Mr. Andrew Canarsa from the Council of the Inspectors General, provided insights on the potential of AI in enhancing government efficiency. The committee emphasized the importance of reliable data and thorough examination of AI application to avoid unintended consequences while addressing the estimated $162 billion in improper payments reported by the federal government. Concerns were raised regarding the recent firing of inspectors general and the impacts that could have on oversight and accountability processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes. 11 yeas, zero nays, Madam Chair.
• Yeager. 11 yeas and zero nays, Madam Chair.
• Yeager. 13 yeas, zero nays, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Pre-K Through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered four bills. CS/HB 1403, by Rep. Yeager, would allow child care facilities to participate in the school guardian program and clarify school perimeter and door security requirements. An amendment clarifying that private security companies would pay for training was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 447, the Evan B. Hartzell Act by Rep. Salzman, would provide guidance for schools that choose to teach disability history and awareness during the first two weeks of October, including age-appropriate instruction by grade band. The bill received supportive testimony from advocates and was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 257, by Reps. Chambliss and Tramont, would expand on a prior pilot program to allow video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms serving nonverbal students and others with significant disabilities, as a safeguard against abuse and to improve accountability. The bill drew strong support from parents and disability advocates describing abuse concerns, and it was reported favorably 13-0. CS/HB 1255, by Vice Chair Trabulsy, was a broad education bill addressing teacher shortages, scholarship program screening, health and math instruction, corporal punishment policy, and restrictions on spending public funds on organizations tied to discrimination or political/social activism. A major focus of debate was the bill’s human embryologic development instruction and related video language, with supporters calling it science-based and opponents warning it could be medically inaccurate or ideological. After the sponsor said she would amend some language, including removing ABCTE-related text and clarifying the video language, the bill was reported favorably 12-1. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My vote is 41 in the affirmative, zero in the negative. House Bill 99...
• I vote 40 in the affirmative, zero in the negative.
• By a vote of 40 in the affirmative, zero in the negative, House Bill 219, as amended, has passed the

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also had zero affected commercial flocks, but we have had three backyard bird areas for 160 birds
• Seeing no objection... ...zero. Is there objection? Seeing no objection, show the motion adopted.
• We are adjourned. zero. Is there objection? Seeing no objection, show the motion adopted.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health Policy considered several health-related measures. SB 890 on improving screening and treatment for blood clots was presented as a work-in-progress based on a prior working group. The bill would define certain clot-related conditions as chronic diseases, create a DOH registry, require screening and training in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities, and several senators raised concerns about definitions, training requirements, facility responsibilities, and public records impacts. Survivors and family members testified in strong support, describing blood clots as a preventable public health crisis. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. SB 668 on storage and disposal of prescription drugs and sharps would direct a study of medical sharps collection and address conflicts between state and federal law on disposal of certain prescription drugs. Senators discussed whether the study should include both individual and commercial disposal and whether newer injectable medications increase sharps waste. The bill received supportive testimony from waste and recycling stakeholders and was reported favorably. SB 762 on preventing the spread of avian influenza would create a DOH task force to develop a statewide response strategy, monitor outbreaks, study wastewater monitoring, and recommend cost-effective testing and prevention measures. An amendment extended the task force deadline, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also approved SB 182, which creates the Home Away From Home tax credit for businesses donating to charities that house families of critically ill children, with supporters saying it would help expand lodging for families in need. SB 942, the chair’s bill on restrictive covenants in health care, would limit non-compete clauses for physicians under a salary threshold, with debate focused on patient access, workforce retention, and concerns about small practices and contract enforcement. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee adopted SPB 7018 to preserve a public records exemption for minors seeking judicial bypass of parental consent requirements for abortion, and then reported it favorably. Several members later recorded votes on earlier bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a secret, so you know, it's 256 zeros and ones.
• unabashedly support free markets and oppose political agendas, things like ESG, DEI, decarbonization, net zero
• Zero, actually. To my knowledge, Senator, we have not received any lawsuits because of it.

Bills: SB 21 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: emergency alerts, weather alerts, public safety, local government, municipality, county, website posting, online notice, emergency management, disaster preparedness, evacuation, National Weather Service, NOAA, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, localized alerts, hazard warnings, severe weather, watch warning advisory, public information

Transcript Highlights:

• Zero. You know how many ideas they brought into negotiation? Zero. Just put more money in it.
• Zero. other side of the aisle agreed to? Zero.
• </c><01:30:09.760><c> Zero.</c> into negotiation? Zero. into negotiation? Zero.
• We got a zero target.
• We got a zero target.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 35 yeas, zero nays, Mr. President.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 34 yeas, zero nays, Mr. President.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 35 yeas, zero nays, Mr. President.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 35, yay, zero-nays, Mr. President.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 36 yeas, zero nays, Mr. President.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't allow transportation entities to come in the state with zero accessible vehicles.
• We can't allow transportation entities to come in the state with zero accessible vehicles.
• We can't allow transportation entities to come in the state with zero accessible vehicles.
• </c><01:24:21.280><c> That</c><01:24:21.440><c> we</c> zero to 60 in one fell swoop.
• That we zero to 60 in one fell swoop.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that direction and that just makes that direction and that just makes absolutely<03:06:13.920><c> zero
• </c><03:06:15.520><c> Um,</c> absolutely zero sense to me. Um, absolutely zero sense to me.
• It makes absolutely zero sense.
• It makes absolutely zero sense.
• That child is automatically given a zero and that gets averaged in.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to get closer to losing zero. We the network was set up.
• </c><01:15:30.320><c> We're</c><01:15:30.680><c> we</c> closer to losing zero.
• We're we closer to losing zero.
• </c><01:15:44.600><c> But</c><01:15:44.800><c> this</c> probably won't get to zero.
• But this probably won't get to zero.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Commonwealth Office of Technology 00:01:00 Department of Education 00:21:00 Transportation Cabinet 00:35:30 Secretary of State 00:45:15 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:56:11 Discussion of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Related legislation 01:09:11, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then focused first on the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s legacy systems and two specific projects. COT officials said many agencies have made progress moving off legacy applications, with remaining mainframe systems slated to be retired through RFPs or other work orders. They also described a legacy funding pool of $10 million per biennium used to help agencies transition. The two projects discussed were the Kentucky aerial photography and elevation data program, which provides statewide aerial imagery and lidar data for GIS, E911, environmental, transportation, and other uses, and a citizen identity and access management system intended to give residents a single login for state services. Officials said the GIS program costs about $1.2 million annually to host and maintain, with data acquisition costing several million more per year, and that the citizen identity system would cost about $2.5 million per year after an initial three-year COT investment. Members asked about duplication of funding, licensing, local government use, and whether multi-factor authentication would be required; COT said the GIS data is being acquired as statewide unlicensed data and that MFA would be available but not yet mandated statewide. Committee members pressed COT on costs, overlap with cabinet-level IT spending, and the practical benefits of the GIS and identity projects. COT explained that GIS hosting is generally covered through enterprise assessments billed quarterly to agencies, while the new aerial data is intended to benefit the whole state and local partners. On the identity project, officials said it would centralize authentication for citizens who use state systems, improve compliance with zero-trust and NIST-related security expectations, and reduce help desk and maintenance burdens through self-service account tools. Members also discussed whether the system would extend to local governments; COT said it would be a Kentucky.gov-style state login for users inside the state identity infrastructure, not a local-government system. The Department of Education then testified that it does not operate mainframes or major legacy systems, having moved long ago to cloud-based, off-the-shelf products and vendor-supported services. KDE officials described a strong emphasis on staff cybersecurity awareness, standardized statewide systems, vendor risk-sharing, and reducing sensitive data exposure, including efforts to move away from student Social Security numbers. They also highlighted a transition from Microsoft Active Directory to Identity Automation, which they said will improve identity management and make multi-factor authentication universal across K-12. In response to questions about Kentucky Wired and internet service, KDE said all 171 school districts and KDE agencies have been moved to a new next-generation internet service through ENA by Zayo, with strong satisfaction, e-rate savings, and better reliability. Officials warned that any internet disruption would immediately affect attendance, grades, student records, payroll, security systems, and communications across the K-12 system.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal would be the state statute on transitioning the transportation sector to net zero by 2050.
• The goal would be the state statute on transitioning the transportation sector to net zero by 2050.
• So I was just looking at the transportation goal of net zero by 2050, and over the past 10 years we've
• um our<00:51:39.720><c> goal</c><00:51:40.240><c> of</c><00:51:40.440><c> Net</c><00:51:40.720><c> Zero
• by 2050 and over our goal of Net Zero by 2050 and over the<00:51:43.680><c> past</c><00:51:44.359><c

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• transportation infrastructure and help us achieve our transportation climate goals, which are net zero
• transportation climate goals which are transportation climate goals which are net<00:23:15.159><c> zero
• by 2050 net zero emissions by 2050 representative<00:23:17.240><c> craft</c><00:23:17.520><c> I</c><
• So the impacts of rounding is significant as well, and a lot of times there it may be zero and other
• and other times it there it may be zero and other times it may<01:08:57.040><c> be</c><01:08:57.520>

Bills: HF198 , HF269 , HF185 , HF303 , HF305 , HF189

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• , of course, it comes down to management of those funds to make sure that we are keeping that at a zero
• ><c> out</c><00:36:53.400><c> every</c><00:36:53.640><c> year</c><00:36:54.280><c> Marshall</c> of zero
• itself out every year Marshall of zero itself out every year Marshall CER<00:36:56.079><c> chair</c>
• </c><00:37:29.960><c> balance</c> uh we are keeping that at a zero balance uh we are keeping that at
• a zero balance uh<00:37:32.000><c> I</c><00:37:32.119><c> can</c><00:37:32.480><c> I</c><00:37:32.599

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet these veterans still face zero.
• </c> is uh 30 uh 43 opposed and zero neutral. is uh 30 uh 43 opposed and zero neutral.
• </c><04:03:22.720><c> and</c><04:03:22.960><c> neutral</c><04:03:23.520><c> zero</c> opposed to zero
• and neutral zero opposed to zero and neutral zero and<04:03:25.439><c> the</c><04:03:25.680><c> paper
• </c> were four in support and zero opposed. were four in support and zero opposed.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The count was 96 in support, 15 opposed, with zero comments.
• But if there's with zero comments.
• The total count was 24 in support, one opposed, zero comments.
• The total count was 24 in support, one opposed, zero comments.
• </c> support, one opposed, zero comments. support, one opposed, zero comments.

Bills: SB2041

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: land court, real property, legal documents, bureau of conveyances, judicial confirmation, property registration, working group, Hawaii Revised Statutes, reform, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard SB 2041, which would repeal the Land Court, transfer its functions to the Bureau of Conveyances, and create a working group to recommend implementation. DLNR and Judiciary stood on their written testimony, while Realtors supported the bill and one testifier raised concerns about the loss of judicial authority, title disputes, adverse possession, and possible effects on Kuleana lands. Members questioned whether property could be deregistered and what the legal consequences would be, and the Bureau of Conveyances said deregistration is already available but burdensome. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by both committees. The Judiciary Committee then heard SB 2247, which restricts certain governor-appointed, Senate-confirmed executive branch employees from participating in campaign fundraising. The State Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill as a way to curb pay-to-play concerns and the appearance of undue influence, and several advocacy and civic groups also testified in support, with one person opposing. The committee agreed to amend the bill so the restrictions apply only after confirmation and continue until the person leaves the covered position. The committee voted to pass SB 2247 with amendments. Finally, the Judiciary Committee heard SB 2143, which would make the Attorney General the interim Chief Election Officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. Supporters argued the bill would provide continuity, prevent delays in certifying election results, and protect election integrity; opponents argued it would politicize the office, create a conflict of interest, and was unnecessary because current law already provides a process for filling vacancies. Testimony was extensive and sharply divided, with many speakers on both sides. The transcript provided does not include a final vote or action on SB 2143.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a zero dollar contribution.
• So we have a zero dollar fund.
• These would have all been zeros, okay?
• These would have all been zeros, okay?
• </c> be zero, is that right? be zero, is that right? &gt;&gt; Yes,<01:18:22.719><c> sir.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:12 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:34 Actuarial Valuation Update – KPPA: 00:02:10 Actuarial Valuation Update – TRS: 00:25:32, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from KPPA officials Ryan Barrow and Erin Saratt on the annual actuarial valuations for the retirement and insurance systems. They said the systems’ funding status improved overall, with three of five insurance funds fully funded, CERS hazardous dropping from over 100% funded to 90.9% because of premium changes, and KRS receiving $650 million in supplemental funding over the biennium. They also reported strong investment returns above assumed rates, higher payroll and membership counts, and resulting actuarial losses tied to higher salaries and premiums, especially on the insurance side. Members asked several questions about what drove the actuarial losses and whether legislation affected them. KPPA said the CERS insurance loss was driven by premium increases and Senate Bill 10, while the pension-side losses were largely due to higher payroll and benefits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 members. They explained that new Tier 3 employees are designed to add no additional unfunded liability, and that the state administers the systems but does not directly control all hiring. Questions also focused on retiree health premiums, which KPPA said rose about 15% for non-Medicare retirees and 38% for Medicare retirees, with the increase attributed to utilization, prescription costs, and the Inflation Reduction Act. The committee then heard from TRS Deputy Executive Secretary and General Counsel Beau Barnes on the 2025 TRS actuarial valuation. He reported that the Retirement Annuity Trust and Health Insurance Trust both received full funding, the retirement trust’s funded ratio improved to 61%, TRS 4 remains well funded with no liability, and the health insurance trust improved to 89.1%. Barnes said TRS is on track to fully fund legacy liabilities within the amortization period, with 2044 as the point when the system reflects 100% funding and 2046 as the last year needing additional dollars for the legacy liability. He also explained that lower assumed investment returns and updated mortality assumptions increased liabilities, but that TRS uses direct rate smoothing for budgeting purposes. At the end of the meeting, the chair circulated a proposed set of “do’s and don’ts of pensions,” emphasizing that future legislation should not create unfunded liabilities. Barnes also noted he would later discuss several legislative proposals for the 2026 session, but the transcript provided ends before that discussion or any votes on those proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so a years with a zero default rate.
• </c><00:39:31.359><c> Um,</c> zero dollars member cost sharing.
• Um, zero dollars member cost sharing.
• And I honestly, you know, this passed the Senate 38 to zero.
• the Senate uh 38 to zero. It made it the Senate uh 38 to zero.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:23 Kentucky Bankers Association 00:02:32 How to Read and Understand KRS 6.948 Health Mandate and Federal Cost Defrayal Impact Statements 00:25:40 Proposed Amendments to Kentucky's Essential Health Benefit-Benchmark Plan 00:50:18 Proposed Health Insurance Legislation for the 2026 Session 01:04:22 Reimbursement for Covered Benefits Delivered Through the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model 01:01:46 Coverage of Eating or Feeding Disorders 01:18:47 Coverage of Hearing Loss 01:25:31, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance met for its first interim meeting, established a quorum, approved routine opening items, and welcomed a new committee assistant and a legislative intern. The committee first heard a Kentucky Bankers Association presentation from Tim Shank and John Cooper focused on the state’s housing shortage, which they described as affecting all 120 counties and especially low- and moderate-income and workforce housing. They urged support for a proposed $20 million banker-backed revolving fund, paired with tax credits, to finance new housing construction; they said the program would be flexible, could support alternatives such as manufactured housing, and would use below-market loans with tax credits vesting over five years only after units are completed. They also asked for extension of the historical tax credit carryforward from five to seven years and for continued support of new market tax credits, arguing that supply-chain delays make the longer period necessary for historic rehabilitation projects. The bankers also raised concerns about credit unions, arguing that because credit unions do not pay the same taxes as banks, they should not be allowed to acquire healthy state-chartered banks or hold state and local deposits. They cited the recent purchase of First State Bank of Middlesborough as an example, saying the transaction would reduce state, county, and city tax revenue and weaken local tax bases. In response to committee questions, the presenters said local regulations, zoning, parking, sidewalk, and utility easement issues can significantly delay housing projects, and they emphasized that state policy and infrastructure support are needed to help address affordability and development barriers. The committee then shifted to a Department of Insurance presentation by Commissioner Sharon Clark on how to read KRS 6.948 health mandate and federal cost defrayal impact statements. Clark explained that the mandate statements were created in 1998 so legislators would have actuarial estimates of how proposed health insurance mandates would affect administrative costs, premiums, and total costs, and she noted that later legislation added federal cost-defrayal analysis. She also reviewed the background of the Affordable Care Act’s essential health benefits framework and said the department’s statements are intended to help lawmakers make informed decisions on proposed health coverage mandates. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of you know we had targets of $40 million in the first biennium for the READ Act specifically and zero
• Um, but the zero targets does not allow us to provide an increase in investment in our schools.
• That nets to $40 million, which is the target, and of course it nets to zero in fiscal years 28 and 29
• That nets to $40 million, which is the target, and of course it nets to zero in fiscal years 28 and 29
• That nets to $40 million, which is the target, and of course it nets to zero in fiscal years 28 and 29

Bills: HF1388

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have zero recycling of all of the parts to deal with. And this is a natural resource.
• Wind is figured up until just recently on a zero ground factor because when you're looking at a wind
• Wind is figured up until just recently on a zero ground factor because when you're looking at a wind
• Wind is figured up until just recently on a zero ground factor because when you're looking at a wind
• Wind is figured up until just recently on a zero ground factor because when you're looking at a wind

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Ten to zero. The bill passes with favorable expression. Congratulations, Mr. Chairman.
• </c> chairman Carroll I 10 vote to 10 to zero chairman Carroll I 10 vote to 10 to zero bill<00:15:57.040
• If you want to calculate that, an example of that zero, right?
• An example of that zero, right? Somebody who comes immediately into care.
• It could, we could have zero tomorrow, but this is the type of child that we are seeing.

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.