Transcript Highlights:

• That is how local control works and it is a balance to be sure.
• That is how local control works and it is a balance to be sure.
• That is how local control works and it is a balance to be sure.
• That is how local control works and it is a balance to be sure.
• That is how local control works and it is a balance to be sure.

Bills: HF3351

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun control, gun safety, local control, home rule, preemption, municipal regulation, county regulation, city ordinances, zoning, firearm dealers, gun dealers, ammunition, carry permits, permit to carry, pistols, Saturday night special, metal-penetrating bullets, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's, I'm all about balance, but we need to be strategic because, again, I'm just...
• ideological viewpoints, often on topics like race, gender, or social justice, in ways that go beyond balanced
• And that's the proper balance between what a teacher's supposed to do and what law enforcement is supposed
• I think you've got to balance, certainly inclusivity, but then there's the fairness piece that you cannot
• out, certainly doesn't balance out.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horn’s annual State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, school choice, teacher pay, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools and teacher preparation. Horn said the department has expanded school police officers, promoted Project Momentum and tutoring, supported cell phone restrictions in classrooms, and pushed for more phonics-based reading instruction and stronger university teacher-prep programs. Members questioned him about DEI complaints, cell phone implementation, ESA oversight, school safety funding, reading proficiency, and teacher compensation; Horn said ESA spending is reviewed and recovered when inappropriate, and argued teacher raises should come directly to teachers, not through districts. No formal action was taken on his presentation. The committee then considered HB 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues to professional library associations. Sponsor Representative Cooper argued the bill would keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while saying membership itself would still be allowed if paid privately. Opponents, including a former librarian, a school board member, and the ACLU of Arizona, said the bill would undermine professional development, local control, literacy support, and constitutional rights of association and petition. Supporters said associations promote ideological content and that free professional-development alternatives exist. After public testimony and debate, the committee voted to return HB 2008 with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe it's a balance of a fund and a liability cap.
• We believe it's a balance of a fund and a liability cap.
• We believe it's a balance<01:06:37.520><c> of</c><01:06:37.680><c> a</c><01:06:37.920><c> fund</c><01
• :38.640><c> and</c><01:06:39.280><c> um</c><01:06:39.440><c> a</c><01:06:39.680><c> liability</c> balance
• of a fund and um a liability balance of a fund and um a liability cap.<01:06:40.480><c> And</c><01:06

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In conclusion, MGRC strongly urges passage of 2105, its balanced necessary reform that clarifies lobbying
• </c><00:08:25.120><c> of</c><00:08:25.400><c> 2105</c><00:08:26.400><c> its</c><00:08:26.639><c> balanced
• </c> urges passage of 2105 its balanced urges passage of 2105 its balanced necessary<00:08:27.879><c>
• broader lobbying community have worked diligently to refine this language, striking an appropriate balance
• I think this is a really fair and balanced bill overall that deals with some pretty nuanced and complex

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Be Balance ABA Inc., in support. And we've got approximately 42 other people all in support.
• Be Balance ABA Inc., in support. And we've got approximately 42 other people all in support.
• Be Balance ABA Inc., in support. And we've got approximately 42 other people all in support.
• Be Balance ABA Inc., in support. And we've got approximately 42 other people all in support.
• Be Balance ABA Inc., in support. And we've got approximately 42 other people all in support.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to find a balance where the infrastructure costs are shared fairly among all user classes to
• large data center, many of whom those companies, which we're all familiar with, have the healthiest balance
• **Bob:** I think it balanced out to 8.5.
• You know, many of those companies, which we're all familiar with, have the healthiest balance sheets
• Yes, I think it balanced out to eight and a half, back when, you know, the interest rate was like 1%.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:10:43.360><c> below</c><00:10:43.600><c> a</c><00:10:43.839><c> minimum</c><00:10:44.160><c> balance
• </c><00:10:44.480><c> of</c> fund not go below a minimum balance of fund not go below a minimum balance
• I mean, I see this bill is trying to strike the balance between the department having the information
• between the department having balance between the department having the<00:42:31.920><c> information
• So, we're landowner rights, and so we have to strike that balance.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think that this is a, as Senator Harrell just said, I think this is a very strong balance.
• And there is a strong balance that we need.
• This is a balanced approach that does it, and it's really looking at the safety of our children.
• This is a balanced approach, and I want to thank you for what you're doing right here.
• There's a balance to it. I served at the local level. I served at the local level.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but that's absolutely the right balance but that's absolutely the intent<04:05:05.199><c> of</c><04:
• This bill is important because it restores balance to this conversation.
• This bill is important because it restores balance to this conversation.
• This bill is important because it restores balance to this conversation.
• </c> restores balance to this conversation. restores balance to this conversation.

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You want a bill that has the ability to have balanced regulations.
• You want a bill that has the ability to have balanced regulations.
• Sorry, now the revenue is balanced between patient registrations and dispensary licensing.
• We have a cash balance of approximately $1.6 million.
• system, which is the largest signaling system in our body, and how medical cannabis works to help balance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the program, those balances are swept back to the state.
• for the program, those balances are swept back to the state.
• </c> eligible for the program, those balances eligible for the program, those balances are<01:33:46.880
• Litman, and Commissioner Balanc Mr.
• Balancing Court uh Bell &amp; Court.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 66, a right-to-know measure that would broaden access from “citizen” to “person,” including out-of-state requesters. Members also adopted an amendment removing the current no-filing-fee provision for appeals of unfavorable right-to-know ombudsman rulings, citing budget concerns. The bill was then reported ought to pass as amended on a 16-9 vote, with a minority report requested. House Bill 187, which would let a parent or guardian seek a protective order on behalf of a minor alleging abuse by someone outside the family or household, was described as a narrow fix with little fiscal impact. It passed unanimously, 25-0, and was placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 215, requiring landfill permit applicants to submit a report on potential harms and benefits, was retained because its policy had been folded into House Bill 2; the committee voted 25-0 to retain it. House Bill 219, dealing with renewable portfolio standard changes and lower renewable energy certificate values, drew opposition from members who said it would weaken renewable energy development and raise concerns about energy costs, but the motion to retain was adopted 14-11, allowing the bill to be moved into House Bill 2. The committee then retained House Bills 365, 552, 566, 572, 607, 611, and 624, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, generally because the relevant policy or funding had been incorporated into House Bill 2 or because the bills were viewed as technical or low-impact. HB 566 was described as a landfill leach-management bill with a fiscal note under $10,000 annually and was sent to consent. HB 572 and HB 607 were retained because their money components were moved into HB 2, though one member objected that HB 607 represented an unfunded mandate for the Hampton Beach Area Commission. House Bill 511, concerning ICE detainers and county detention practices, generated the most debate. Supporters said the amendment clarified how long counties may hold detainees without a federal contract and compared the detention period to existing bail rules; opponents argued the bill could sanction detention of people not charged with crimes and raised due-process concerns. The committee adopted the amendment 14-11 and then reported the bill ought to pass as amended on another 14-11 vote, with a minority report requested. House Bill 639, involving securities and digital currency issues, was also reported ought to pass after members noted unresolved concerns but said the Secretary of State’s Securities Division was willing to continue working on it in the other body; the vote was 16-10.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like a perfect, perfect balance. Members, on the desk is the special order.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's why I rise and urge your support of Senate File 1 as we try to balance the budget, but
• And so that's why I rise and urge your support of Senate File 1 as we try to balance the budget, but
• And so that's why I rise and urge your support of Senate File 1 as we try to balance the budget, but
• And so that's why I rise and urge your support of Senate File 1 as we try to balance the budget, but
• We really strive for balance uh state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> raising of money on one side, balancing raising of money on one side, balancing consumer<01:32:33.440
• our books and help balance our budget.
• our books and help to help balance our books and help balance<02:27:29.840><c> our</c><02:27:30.080>
• Uh, the state balance our budget.
• </c><05:43:38.638><c> So</c> balances. I understand. So balances. I understand.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 733, a third-party litigation financing reporting bill. Representative Cole explained that the bill shifts reporting from the Secretary of State to the courts, which he said removes the fiscal note and helps insurers obtain information for underwriting and premium-setting. The committee accepted the explanation and voted ought to pass; the roll call was 8-0 in favor, with one member taking a pause. The committee then heard House Bill 219, dealing with the renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund. Representative Bose argued the bill would reduce electricity costs by lowering the REC purchase obligation from 220,000 to 170,000, which he said would reduce payments into the renewable energy fund by roughly $1 million to $2 million and save consumers only pennies a month. After questions about timing and whether to wait for a DOE report, the committee voted to retain the bill for further discussion rather than advance it; the motion to retain passed 5-4. House Bill 365 was then discussed as an election-related bill intended to help verify citizenship for voter registration and create a voucher process for people who cannot afford a birth certificate. The sponsor said the Secretary of State may be able to use federal and state databases to verify citizenship, and if not, indigent applicants could receive a voucher reimbursed by the state, with a $25,000 appropriation included. Members raised concerns about the Secretary of State’s access to databases and the bill’s timing and cost, and the committee decided to hold the bill until Secretary Scanlan could come testify. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 552, which updates retiree health coverage rules so dependent children can remain on the plan until age 26, consistent with the Affordable Care Act. DAS officials said retirees pay the full cost for dependents, about $1,000 per month, while the state covers only the retiree and spouse. The committee voted ought to pass unanimously, 9-0. The committee then began discussion of House Bill 572, a housing bill aimed at missing-middle housing, describing a voluntary program to identify developable public land, support construction, and streamline review, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO BUILD ON THE PROGRESS MADE AND FINALIZED AT BALANCED

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So how do we balance a product that has post-mortem mentions with general public and over-the-counter
• I mean, how do we balance the day? ...counter sales, warning labels.
• I mean, how do we balance the dangers with what you're saying are some good attributes of it that, you
• So the story is actually a little bit more complicated, and the issues that you raise call for balanced

Summary: The Kratom Working Group met to hear public testimony and expert presentations on whether North Dakota should prohibit or regulate kratom and 7-OH products. Early testimony split sharply between speakers who described natural kratom as a helpful, lower-risk alternative for chronic pain, opioid withdrawal, PTSD, and recovery, and speakers who urged prohibition because of dependence, overdose risk, and the growth of concentrated or synthetic 7-OH products sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online. Several witnesses, including consumers and shop owners, argued that banning kratom would push people to more dangerous drugs or unregulated internet sources, while public health and medical witnesses said the marketplace is confusing and inadequately controlled. A number of witnesses, including representatives of the North Dakota Public Health Association, the state crime lab, and addiction-treatment and pediatric clinicians, emphasized risks from adulterated or concentrated products, lack of labeling and age restrictions, contamination concerns, and harms to adolescents, pregnant patients, and newborns. The crime lab described recent cases involving mitragynine, 7-OH, and pseudoindoxyl, and said products purchased in a smoke shop were inaccurately labeled. A Sanford pediatric hospitalist testified that kratom exposure in pregnancy can cause severe neonatal withdrawal and that adolescents are using the product. By contrast, American Kratom Association representatives and other advocates argued that natural leaf kratom should be distinguished from synthetic 7-OH, that deaths usually involve other substances, and that a regulatory framework with testing, labeling, age limits, and product registration would better protect consumers than a blanket ban. No formal bill was debated or voted on in this transcript. The working group heard testimony, asked questions, and took no final action before breaking for lunch and later resuming with additional presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And do recognize that we've gotten out of balance, gotten out of whack a bit, but thank you for your
• :56:41.040><c> of</c> recognize that we've um gotten out of recognize that we've um gotten out of balance
• 00:56:42.640><c> out</c><00:56:42.880><c> of</c><00:56:43.040><c> whack</c><00:56:43.280><c> a</c> balance
• , gotten out of out of whack a balance, gotten out of out of whack a bit,<00:56:43.839><c> but</c><00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee met on July 16 and approved the June meeting minutes. Members received six information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, notice that the committee did not approve a Kentucky Community and Technical College System fire academy maintenance building project, reports of upcoming school district debt issues, leasehold improvements, a Northern Kentucky University asset preservation revision, and prior debt issues from the School Facilities Construction Commission. The committee then heard five project reports from the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Three new projects were presented for action and approved: a $1.3 million White Haven rest area renovation in Paducah, a $6.5 million Boone County north- and southbound rest area remodel and expansion to add truck parking, and a $4.5 million Bluegrass Station Building 14 modernization project funded by a Department of the Army grant. Members asked several questions about the Boone County rest area project, including truck congestion, restroom capacity, staffing, and the need to keep the facility open during construction; Transportation staff explained the project is meant to expand parking and improve facilities. Two emergency projects were reported with no action required: an amended Fort Boonboro flood remediation project in Madison County and a Kentucky Horse Park emergency flood repair project. The committee also approved three new leases after hearing from the Division of Real Properties. The leases included Department of Corrections parking spaces in Louisville, a Kentucky State Police office and lab lease in Hopkins County, and an Education and Labor Cabinet lease in Kenton County that was negotiated at a lower rate. Members asked about lease terms and how local match or negotiated rates were set, and staff explained that lease lengths are generally set by lessors and that the Kenton County lease was reduced through direct negotiation to stay within budget. A separate lease modification for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, involving reception-area renovations, was reported with no action required. Finally, the committee considered seven grant reallocations from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, including six Clean Water Program grants and one EKSF-related reallocation. Members questioned whether some flood-related water infrastructure work, especially an Olive Branch subdivision storage tank project, fit the intended purpose of the funding; staff explained the reallocations were needed to keep federal dollars from being returned and to move funds to eligible projects. The committee initially failed to approve the package on a 4-4 vote, but after a member noted a missed vote and changed to yes, the grants passed with favorable expression. The committee then began hearing three Kentucky Product Development Initiative grants for industrial site development in Russell County, Cumberland County, and Berea/Madison County, with members asking about match requirements, funding sources, and the scope of the projects; the transcript ends during the roll call on those grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not unusual for political subdivisions to have to use reserve funds to balance a budget in any given
• capital purchases that they've saved money for or something like that in the past, not necessarily to balance
• It's not unusual for political subdivisions to have to use reserve funds to balance a budget on any given
• capital purchases that they've saved money for or something like that in the past, not necessarily to balance

Committee: Joint Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee

Summary: The committee met to receive updates from the Tax Commissioner’s office on property tax relief programs and related compliance work. Commissioner Brian Croshys reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting that the Homestead program expanded significantly after HB 1158, that some households are “adjusting out” of eligibility as incomes rise, and that the committee may want to consider indexing income thresholds. Members asked for additional data on bracket breakdowns, possible costs of eliminating income limits for seniors, and how many households are zeroed out by the combined programs. Croshys also discussed the simpler administration of the disabled veteran credit, the growth in participation, and the heavy workload and auditing safeguards built into the new primary residence credit system. He said the department found no material compliance findings and that the program is designed to be digital-first, with county auditors and the Tax Commissioner’s office both involved in review and notification. The committee recessed for lunch and later reconvened, with the chair noting that more detailed PRC information would likely be available at a September meeting. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase, or “zero growth,” report and the 2025 statistical report. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and which jurisdictions showed the largest percentage changes in countywide, citywide, school district, and park district levies. In the statistical report, she summarized recent trends in assessed values: agricultural values remained relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed property values increased over the past five years. She also reviewed statewide tax levies by property class and clarified that centrally assessed growth figures were annual averages. Members discussed how shifts in land use and annexation can make it appear that tax burdens are moving from ag to residential/commercial property. Myers then summarized the interim study on the 3% levy limitation under HB 1176, saying most counties complied without budget changes, while some used hiring freezes, deferred purchases, or reserve funds; 23% of counties had to reduce levies, and the affected funds were mainly general, road and bridge, and weed control. She said 12 counties reported zero new growth in the data and that 35 counties reported not using all of their cap. The committee also received an oil tax presentation from Croshys on the stripper well extraction tax exemption. He outlined the number of active stripper wells, the production and revenue implications of the exemption, and projections for future biennia under different tax scenarios. He said the exemption represents substantial savings to operators but also corresponds to production tax revenue that would otherwise be collected, and he emphasized that future outcomes depend on oil prices, well counts, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly answered a question about why Red River wells have a different production threshold than Bakken wells, explaining it was tied to completion costs and lateral length. The committee then heard from Charlie Gorecki of the EERC, who presented an analysis of typical Bakken well decline curves and argued that most oil is produced before a well reaches stripper status, but that keeping wells open and investing in refracturing or other interventions can recover additional production. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; the main actions were receiving reports, asking for follow-up data, and scheduling further discussion for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now the balance is approximately ...
• Right now the balance is approximately $12 million that would revert under this bill to the LSRA.
• Martin now could tell us what the balance of that fund is as well. Thank you, Ms. Martin now. Mr.
• standing in terms of payback and in... ...loan standing in terms of payback and in terms of account balances

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recommend whether or how to offer full licensure to internationally trained physicians in a manner that balances
• How do you then balance the brain drain, you know?
• So how do you balance the brain drain? They may or they may not. That is true.
• It's been hard to balance.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Keywords: 987, senate, all