Transcript Highlights:

• specific<00:35:43.440><c> typec><00:35:43.720><c> ofc><00:35:43.880><c> risksc><00:35:44.240><
• ><c> aboutc><00:36:47.400><c> twoc><00:36:47.640><c> differentc><00:36:48.000><c> typesc><00:
• c><00:51:46.640><c> claimsc><00:51:47.119><c> thatc><00:51:47.280><c> mayc> Insurance types of
• c><00:53:33.640><c> saidc><00:53:33.960><c> toc><00:53:34.160><c> ac> such that type of risk if
• ><01:06:59.160><c> toc><01:07:00.160><c> bringc> other types of things to help to bring other types

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:05:13.039><c> Umc><00:05:13.759><c> soc><00:05:14.400><c> emergec> liquidation type situation
• under the criteria for for this<00:22:00.480><c> typec><00:22:00.720><c> ofc><00:22:00.880><c> facility
• c> this type of facility?
• <c> typesc><00:34:05.120><c> ofc><00:34:05.279><c> offenders.
• ><c> thisc><00:36:14.160><c> typec><00:36:14.400><c> shouldc><00:36:14.640><c> bec> a a facility

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard from the Department of Corrections first about Wellpath’s medical services contract and the contractor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. DOC officials said Wellpath’s reorganization plan was confirmed in May 2025, the contract was automatically assumed, and services have continued without lapses. They said DOC has not seen any reduction in care, staffing problems, or known impact on Kentucky operations, and that DOC and health services staff meet with Wellpath almost weekly. Members asked whether “emergence” meant discharge from bankruptcy; staff clarified that Wellpath has not yet been discharged and is still in the process of paying debts. The discussion then shifted to the Department of Juvenile Justice’s proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. DJJ said the facility is still in the conceptual and preliminary programming stage, with no full design funding yet and no entry into the formal A/B process with DECA. The proposed facility would have 24 beds total, split into 16 clinical beds and 8 assessment/stabilization beds, and would need to separate males and females as well as high- and low-risk youth under Senate Bill 162. Officials said the concept was developed with DJJ and CHFS mental health staff and outside design experts, and that the project was submitted in the capital plan for consideration. Members questioned the need for the facility, the estimated construction and staffing costs, and whether the state has enough youth to justify it. DJJ said the number of youth needing this level of care changes frequently, that they currently have one youth in Pennsylvania and typically send one to five youth out of state each year, and that out-of-state placement is increasingly difficult. Officials argued that a dedicated facility would reduce delays, keep youth closer to home, and avoid the need to retrofit multiple detention centers. Some members expressed concern that the projected operating costs seemed high compared with the small number of current out-of-state placements, and asked for more information on annual out-of-state spending and the number of youth who would qualify for the facility.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:40:03.200><c> thatc><00:40:03.440><c> arec><00:40:03.680><c> utilizingc> larger type companies
• 40:16.160><c> arec><00:40:16.240><c> thec><00:40:16.320><c> typesc><00:40:16.480><c> ofc><00:
• 40:16.560><c> companiesc> these are the types of companies these are the types of companies utilizing
• ofc><00:41:05.680><c> thec><00:41:05.760><c> typesc><00:41:05.920><c> ofc> anecdotal information
• of the types of anecdotal information of the types of companies<00:41:06.400><c> thatc><00:41:06.720

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review tax expenditures, elect a chair and clerk, and hear updates on two credits due for periodic review: the career and technical education (CTE) center tax credit and the research and development (R&D) tax credit. Members first organized the meeting, then heard from Jennifer Ramsey of DRA, who explained the purpose of the tax expenditure review process and summarized the CTE and R&D credits. She said the CTE credit allows donations to CTE centers for a credit against business profits tax, is capped at 25% of a taxpayer’s liability, has a $500,000 aggregate limit, and was extended in SB 98 to fiscal year 2031. She also noted DRA could not provide detailed financial data because of statistical disclosure limits when too few taxpayers claim the credit. Committee members pressed for more historical and aggregate information, arguing they needed numbers to judge whether the credit is effective and worth continuing. The committee then heard from Chrissy Vanderhook of the Department of Education on the CTE credit. She described New Hampshire’s CTE system as serving 26 secondary centers and seven post-secondary centers, with industry partners providing internships, work-based learning, equipment, employee time, and other in-kind support that can qualify for the credit. She said the department reports annually to legislative leaders and that fiscal year 2025 credit activity was down about 48% from FY24, partly due to staffing changes and outreach issues. Members asked whether the program extends to community college-level programs, and she said it can, though she was not sure how broadly it is used that way. The committee also discussed a new Granite Patron of the Arts credit, which DRA said went into effect July 1 and is included in the tax expenditure report even though it is not yet listed in the statute. For the R&D credit, Ramsey explained that it offsets business profits tax and can carry forward to business enterprise tax, is based on incremental research spending, and currently has a $7 million annual aggregate cap. She said the cap has not yet been reached but could require proration as early as fiscal year 2026 if not increased. She noted there were 271 taxpayers claiming the credit in fiscal 2024 and that a proposal last session to raise the cap to $10 million and increase the per-company limit did not advance. Mark Liberty of BEA said the credit is an important recruitment and retention tool, especially for life sciences, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, but acknowledged BEA does not track direct revenue return. Andrea Hchvaria of New Hampshire Life Sciences argued the R&D credit is critical for startups and cited growth in applicants from 71 in 2008 to 248 in 2024, with qualified wages rising substantially over that period. Committee members repeatedly asked for more objective economic-impact data, but DRA said it only tracks who claimed the credit and the amount claimed, not broader business outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49.120><c> typec> building for whatever reason some type building for whatever reason some type of
• ><00:14:59.279><c> thisc><00:15:00.160><c> thisc><00:15:00.399><c> typec> building uh which which
• :21.800><c> typec><00:16:22.040><c> ofc><00:16:22.279><c> helpc><00:16:22.959><c> forc><00:16
• :23.600><c> fullyc><00:16:24.600><c> uhc> provide that type of help for fully uh provide that type
• ><c> ofc><00:52:08.760><c> motionc><00:52:09.160><c> fromc> type of motion from type of motion

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> havec><00:02:11.680><c> gonec><00:02:11.840><c> tooc><00:02:12.080><c> far.
• :19.200><c> statesc><00:02:19.760><c> billsc><00:02:20.080><c> ofc><00:02:20.160><c> rightsc>
• /c><00:02:27.120><c> additionc><00:02:27.360><c> toc><00:02:27.520><c> this,c><00:02:27.920><c>
• c> billc><00:04:02.400><c> umc><00:04:02.560><c> arec><00:04:02.799><c> canc><00:04:03.120><c
• ><c> thec><00:04:39.840><c> A26c><00:04:40.960><c> uhc><00:04:41.040><c> bec><00:04:41.280><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, is there any<00:28:50.960><c> typec><00:28:51.200><c> ofc><00:28:52.159><c> clinicalc><
• 00:28:52.640><c> carec><00:28:53.279><c> underc><00:28:53.600><c> thec> any type of clinical care
• 40:24.079><c> moneyc><00:40:24.240><c> onc><00:40:24.480><c> thesec><00:40:24.720><c> typesc>
• <00:40:24.960><c> ofc><00:40:25.200><c> programsc><00:40:25.760><c> andc> of money on these types
• ><c> isc><00:40:34.160><c> veryc> these types of programs is is is very these types of programs is

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 125, sponsored by Sen. Danny Carroll, which would create a structure for evaluating and placing juveniles with acute mental illness, including a continuum of care and a process for resolving placement disputes between the Justice Cabinet and Juvenile Justice Cabinet through a judge. The committee adopted a committee substitute before hearing the bill. Carroll described several changes in the substitute, including removing language that would have made juvenile information nonconfidential in certain lawsuits, requiring public escape information to be removed once a juvenile is returned to custody, clarifying escape charges for juveniles absent without leave, and revising language about when hospitals may discharge high-acuity youth until a new facility is built. Carroll and Justice Cabinet officials Mona Wamik and Dr. Clark Lester argued that Kentucky needs a secure high-acuity mental health facility for violent juveniles because detention centers are not equipped to provide psychiatric treatment, private hospitals often refuse these youth, and current staff cannot administer the level of care needed, including intramuscular medication. They also said the bill would support two new female detention centers to help return DJJ to a regional detention model. Carroll cited prior juvenile detention crises, ongoing lawsuits, and a Department of Justice investigation, saying the bill could affect whether Kentucky faces a consent decree. Wamik said the proposed high-acuity facility would serve youth clinically assessed as needing secure treatment and would be designed to balance security with clinical care. Senators asked about how the bill would apply to a violent 14-year-old, whether the facility would simply isolate dangerous youth, what clinical care DJJ can currently provide, and staffing and cost estimates. Carroll said the bill would not change criminal accountability but would apply only if a youth were found to be severely mentally ill and need treatment placement. Dr. Lester said DJJ currently can provide only oral psychiatric medication and cannot administer intramuscular injections or the physical holds needed for acute psychiatric treatment. Cabinet staff said staffing would need to be higher than in a standard detention setting and estimated annual operating costs for the high-acuity facility at about $12 million, compared with about $8 million for a regular juvenile detention facility. No vote on final passage was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> I<00:08:28.319><c> Ic><00:08:28.479><c> wantc><00:08:28.639><c> youc><00:08:28.800><c> to<
• c><00:12:08.959><c> Soc><00:12:09.920><c> itc><00:12:10.160><c> isc><00:12:10.800><c> umc><
• :24:21.120><c> type?
• we would draw a line through alcohol<00:27:11.919><c> typec><00:27:12.159><c> andc><00:27:12.400>
• c> alcohol type and quantity. alcohol type and quantity.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up several liquor-related bills. Senate Bill 24, allowing students under 21 to taste wine in educational settings, drew no opposition or amendment and was reported out 6-0. Senate Bill 79, authorizing self-pour automated systems under the liquor commission, also faced no opposition and was voted ought to pass 6-0. Senate Bill 80, shifting licensing, auditing, and enforcement for wholesale and retail e-cigarette sales to the liquor commission, prompted discussion about whether the change would add cost; members heard that the liquor commission already handles similar enforcement and that the change was meant to address nonreporting. It was voted ought to pass 6-0. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 87, concerning alcohol service in salons, barbershops, and spas. Members and staff focused on how to limit the amount served, whether to require recordkeeping, and privacy concerns about tracking what patrons drank. The discussion settled on removing references to alcohol type and quantity and keeping only patron records, with the understanding that the agency would set the details by rule. The bill was not formally amended at the meeting, but members agreed an amendment would be drafted for the following week; the bill itself was reported ought to pass with that amendment to be determined. Finally, the committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 245, the EMS No Surprises Act and System Stabilization Act. The sponsor, Senator Suprena, said the bill would prohibit balance billing for emergency ambulance calls and unscheduled transfers, while setting reimbursement at either locally set public rates or 325% of Medicare. She explained that the proposal was based on national work on ground ambulance billing and was intended to stabilize struggling EMS providers. Committee members sought clarification that the bill did not eliminate balance billing for non-emergency transfers, and the sponsor confirmed it did not. A second witness, Jerry Stringham, testified in support, citing his reimbursement background.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:38:16.960><c> againc><00:38:17.119><c> isc><00:38:17.240><c> ac><00:38:17.440><c> type<
• :52:36.359><c> typec><00:52:36.520><c> ofc> should also be safe I that's the type of should also
• securityc><01:37:12.080><c> typec> run other sort of security type run other sort of security type
• c> inc><05:18:42.600><c> onc><05:18:42.760><c> thec> type things or to weigh in on the type things
• ><c> somebodyc><05:26:22.878><c> hasc> depends on the type of plan somebody has depends on the type

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, which would add ski, snowboard, and boat wax containing PFAS to the state’s consumer-product restrictions. The sponsor argued the product is already banned in many places, has PFAS-free alternatives, and is used in ways that can directly contaminate water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and said the bill was a simple extension of prior PFAS legislation. A witness also described a personal experience where a liquid ski wax disappeared from the market and later returned, likely because of PFAS concerns. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167 without a vote. The committee then opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett said the bill was modeled on New Jersey law and intended to let student-athletes earn compensation from NIL without losing institutional scholarships, while also requiring licensed representation and setting limits on certain endorsements. He described the measure as proactive because NIL rules are evolving and could create conflicts among schools and future lawsuits. Members questioned whether the bill should apply to two-year institutions, whether it should exclude firearms and weapons, and whether the scholarship protections would cover need-based or academic aid as well as athletic scholarships. Moffett said the scholarship language was intended to protect scholarships generally, but not need-based aid specifically, and he acknowledged discomfort with some of the endorsement restrictions. Public testimony on HB 312 was mixed. One supporter, a former Division III athlete and coach, backed the bill but urged removal of a section allowing institutions or athletic bodies to use an athlete’s NIL without compensation, arguing most New Hampshire athletes do not receive NIL money and should not have to work extra jobs to cover basic expenses. The chair also raised concerns about the bill’s contractual and identity-rights implications, referencing prior committee work on a J.D. Salinger-related identity case and noting the committee had previously declined to get involved in similar contractual disputes. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• type<00:12:44.079><c> andc><00:12:44.279><c> againc><00:12:44.519><c> onc><00:12:44.680><c> the
• 04.320><c> casec><00:22:04.640><c> typesc><00:22:04.960><c> inc><00:22:05.080><c> ourc><00:22
• ><c> typesc><00:34:35.159><c> ofc> civil litigation those are types of civil litigation those are
• ><01:03:11.799><c> thec><01:03:12.039><c> typec><01:03:12.200><c> ofc><01:03:12.640><c> crime
• 06.119><c> isc><01:30:06.360><c> exactlyc><01:30:06.760><c> thec><01:30:06.920><c> typec> suggestion

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> ofc><00:29:39.799><c> servicec> care and different types of service care and different types
• c> ofc> types of uh different types of types of uh different types of Healthcare<00:31:55.399><c> in
• <c> typec><00:53:29.280><c> orc> uh between race and disability type or uh between race and disability
• type or other<00:53:29.920><c> typesc><00:53:30.160><c> ofc><00:53:30.319><c> thingsc><00:53:30.520
• c> whatc><01:06:45.440><c> happensc> that's where this type of what happens that's where this type

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> differentc><00:03:39.239><c> typesc><00:03:39.480><c> ofc> options for all different types
• of options for all different types of energy<00:03:40.159><c> generationc><00:03:41.159><c> toc>
• so we need these types<00:09:24.320><c> ofc><00:09:24.680><c> strongc><00:09:24.959><c> Baselc
• ><00:09:25.519><c> loadc><00:09:26.519><c> uhc><00:09:27.120><c> generationc> types of strong Basel
• load uh generation types of strong Basel load uh generation to<00:09:28.120><c> underpinc><00:09:28.839

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:17:25.199><c> Andc><00:17:25.520><c> whenc><00:17:25.760><c> wec><00:17:26.000><c> signed
• c> thec><00:17:30.720><c> councilwomanc><00:17:31.440><c> Bakerc><00:17:32.240><c> gavec><00:
• c><00:17:34.080><c> So,c><00:17:34.640><c> I'mc><00:17:35.120><c> happyc><00:17:35.520><c> to
• bloodc><00:30:10.000><c> typec> don't have time to test the blood type don't have time to test the
• blood type of<00:30:10.320><c> thec><00:30:10.559><c> personc><00:30:11.360><c> umc><00:30:11.520

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal from the prior day. Members then adopted House Joint Resolution 1001, which set the officers, employees, and positions for the second regular session of the 75th General Assembly, and House Resolution 1001, which solidified House staff titles and positions. After that, House staff were invited to the well and sworn in, with members offering thanks and applause. The chamber also adopted House Joint Resolution 1003, recognizing January as National Blood Donor Month in Colorado. The resolution highlighted the need for blood donations, especially during winter shortages, and urged citizens, businesses, and organizations to support blood drives. Floor remarks from both majority and minority leaders emphasized the importance of donating blood, including the special need for type O and O-negative donors, and noted a blood drive taking place that day with a friendly House-Senate competition. Members then confirmed Assistant Majority Leader Bacon’s appointment to the Legislative Audit Committee by recorded vote. The House also laid over the balance of the calendar until the next day and made several announcements, including upcoming Judiciary and Transportation SMART Act presentations, recognition of visiting schoolchildren, birthday celebrations for Representatives Suckla and Michael Carter, and reminders about the National Western Stock Show and related fundraising. The House ultimately recessed for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> typesc><00:19:49.280><c> ofc><00:19:50.000><c> umc><00:19:50.320><c> devicesc><00:19:50.799
• 52.320><c> somec><00:24:52.559><c> typec><00:24:52.720><c> ofc><00:24:53.039><c> protectionc>
• c><00:24:55.600><c> typec><00:24:55.760><c> ofc><00:24:56.000><c> thingsc><00:24:56.480><c> are
• c><00:28:18.320><c> themc> type situation.
• <00:48:18.240><c> uhc><00:48:18.400><c> inc><00:48:18.640><c> thisc><00:48:18.800><c> typec><

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:07 26RS BR 8 - AN ACT relating to machine gun conversion devices: 00:01:33 Department of Public Advocacy Update: 00:51:33 26RS BR 126 - AN ACT relating to boating under the influence: 01:23:46 26RS BR 60 - AN ACT relating to grooming: 01:33:23, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 29 minutes, and then heard testimony on a bill relating to machine gun conversion devices, often described as Glock switches or auto sears. Representative Jason Nemis presented the bill with Louisville police Chief Paul Humphrey and Lt. Drew Fox, arguing the measure would mirror existing federal law, make possession of these devices unlawful under Kentucky law, and give state and local law enforcement authority to seize and prosecute them without relying solely on federal agencies. They said the devices are small aftermarket or 3D-printed parts that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons and emphasized that the bill would not affect lawful gun ownership. The presenters cited rising seizures and public-safety concerns, saying LMPD and Jefferson County seizures increased sharply from 2023 to 2024 and that the average age of possession had dropped. They argued the devices are used offensively, are inaccurate and dangerous, and have been linked to violent crime. Two Alabama legislators, Representatives Philip Ensler and Russell Bedsole, testified in support based on Alabama’s recent enactment of a similar law. They said local police and prosecutors there had been unable to act effectively because the devices were handled mainly by federal authorities, and they described bipartisan support, immediate enactment, and reported confiscations after passage. Members asked about the bill’s penalty level, the source and manufacture of the devices, the scope of the definition of “conversion device,” and whether the bill could create constitutional problems given ongoing federal litigation over machine gun restrictions. The sponsors said the penalty would be a Class C felony and that the bill was intended to cover only the device attached to the firearm, not tools like 3D printers. They acknowledged that if federal machine gun laws were ultimately struck down, the state law would also be unenforceable. Some members supported the bill as common-sense public safety legislation, while Representative Roberts opposed it on Second Amendment grounds, arguing Kentucky should focus on expanding gun rights rather than adding restrictions already covered by federal law.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:13:33.440><c> otherc><00:13:33.920><c> typesc><00:13:34.240><c> ofc><00:13:34.480><c> public
• ><c> withc><00:13:55.120><c> otherc><00:13:55.760><c> typesc><00:13:56.160><c> ofc> >>
• withinc><01:01:48.160><c> thesec><01:01:48.480><c> typesc><01:01:48.799><c> ofc><01:01:48.960
• ><c> TRAc><01:03:55.839><c> typec><01:03:56.160><c> thingc><01:03:56.400><c> andc><01:03:56.559
• ><c> Ic><01:03:56.799><c> don'tc><01:03:56.880><c> knowc><01:03:57.039><c> ifc> the TRA type

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Audit Commission Evaluation Subcommittee met on October 6, 2025, to choose additional program evaluation topics for the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jody Mson Rodriguez explained that the commission had previously selected seven topics from an initial list of 11, with background papers already prepared on five of those items, and that the subcommittee was now being asked to select five more topics for background papers before narrowing the full set to four recommendations later in the fall or early spring. Members discussed several possible topics, especially emergency medical services, non-emergency medical transportation, MinnesotaCare eligibility, child care assistance, medical assistance fraud prevention, and U.S. Bank Stadium. David Kersner of OLA said emergency medical services and non-emergency medical transportation are distinct programs, and noted the EMS topic was evaluated in 2022 while non-emergency medical transportation had not been reviewed since 2011. Auditor Judy Randall said MinnesotaCare eligibility, child care assistance, and medical assistance fraud prevention are better suited to OLA’s financial audit division or special review unit rather than program evaluation, and that financial audits and special reviews do not require Legislative Audit Commission nomination. On process, Mson Rodriguez said the subcommittee had already met its minimum required selections under the commission’s policy and was free to choose additional topics. The discussion also covered whether to broaden the stadium topic beyond U.S. Bank Stadium; staff said the U.S. Bank financing structure alone would be a major undertaking, but they could help craft a future topic focused on maintenance across multiple facilities. No final vote or motion was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue nominations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:27:46.000><c> somec><00:27:46.159><c> typec><00:27:46.320><c> ofc> you're putting a name or
• ><c> thatc><00:28:16.240><c> somec><00:28:16.480><c> typec><00:28:16.720><c> ofc> to that fact
• So it it gives you<00:32:50.240><c> somec><00:32:50.480><c> typec><00:32:50.640><c> ofc><00:32:
• ><c> themc><00:33:11.600><c> somec><00:33:11.760><c> typec><00:33:11.919><c> ofc><00:33:12.080
• 01:03:53.200><c> umc><01:03:54.000><c> partc><01:03:54.400><c> thisc><01:03:54.720><c> typec>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:14:52.320><c> forc><00:14:52.720><c> thisc><00:14:52.959><c> typec><00:14:53.120><c> of
• c><00:14:53.760><c> Members,c> idea for for this type of bill.
• c><00:15:43.360><c> questionsc><00:15:43.760><c> wouldc><00:15:44.000><c> bec> those types of
• ><c> typesc><00:27:12.480><c> ofc><00:27:12.640><c> things.
• c><01:09:58.640><c> Andc> types of communities needs are met.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 22.160><c> samec><00:43:22.520><c> typec><00:43:22.720><c> ofc><00:43:22.920><c> workc><00:43
• :23.160><c> thatc><00:43:23.280><c> wec><00:43:23.400><c> didc> it's the same type of work that
• we did it's the same type of work that we did at<00:43:23.720><c> thec><00:43:23.839><c> commission
• c><01:39:49.520><c> differentc><01:39:49.800><c> typesc><01:39:50.040><c> ofc><01:39:50.199><
• c> hempc><01:39:50.800><c> asc> know there's different types of hemp as know there's different types

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00:36.640><c> Loganc><00:00:37.280><c> Shac><00:00:37.760><c> toc><00:00:38.000><c> myc> committee
• 00:00:39.520><c> atc><00:00:39.680><c> thisc><00:00:39.840><c> time,c><00:00:40.079><c> I'llc
• 00:26:02.799><c> typec><00:26:02.960><c> ofc><00:26:03.200><c> projectsc> limits the size and type
• of projects limits the size and type of projects they<00:26:03.760><c> canc><00:26:03.840><c> take
• <00:34:44.879><c> Anyc><00:34:45.200><c> typec><00:34:45.520><c> ofc><00:34:46.960><c> uhc><00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The August 2025 interim meeting of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, approval of the June meeting minutes, and welcoming a new member, Ivonne Smith, who noted her background in MWBE and DBE work. The chair also offered condolences to a member whose father recently passed away and explained that the committee had invited agency officials to answer questions raised at the prior meeting. The first presentation was from Singer Buchanan of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, who described the state’s equal opportunity and contract compliance office and its certification programs for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and minority/women business enterprises. He outlined outreach efforts, including partnerships with veterans’ organizations, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, UK, and transportation-related groups; explained that the programs are intended to expand market access rather than provide grants; and said the office has moved to an online application portal that has processed 227 new applications since December 2023. He reported 536 total vendors across the programs, including 29 service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and said the office is considering website testimonials to improve outreach. Members asked about staffing, application assistance, and whether the state program conflicts with federal policy; Buchanan said the office has three staff members and that the program is state-funded and, based on legal advice, should continue under Kentucky law. Tony Yusefi of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet then presented on the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. He explained the program’s legal basis under federal DOT regulations, its eligibility standards, and its purpose of creating a level playing field while helping firms grow and eventually compete without assistance. He described certification requirements, annual documentation, prompt-payment protections, commercially useful function reviews, good-faith effort requirements, and sanctions for violations. He also discussed barriers facing DBEs, including access to capital, bonding, insurance, training, and prequalification requirements, and noted that 50 firms were removed last month for noncompliance with annual documentation rules. Yusefi said the cabinet has expanded supportive services, including an online application platform, bid notifications, and a nine-class business development program; 95 DBEs are enrolled this year, and the bid-matching system reaches an average of 377 DBEs monthly.

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: 916, all