Transcript Highlights:

• That is built up of our National Guard helicopters, the state police helicopters, and our KYM USAR program
• That is built up of our National Guard helicopters, the state police helicopters, and our KYM USAR program
• , of our uh National Guard helicopters, of our uh National Guard helicopters, the<00:08:32.159>
• :08:33.919> our the state police helicopters, and our the state police helicopters, and our KYM
• helicopter. Everything goes great there. helicopter. Everything goes great there.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort. The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises. Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.

Transcript Highlights:

• And a $4 million decrease in general revenue for two helicopters and one airplane.
• We just had a conversation with one of the new representatives about a helicopter.
• So these six replacement helicopters, they were purchased originally in.
• That happens all the time. time and it's an issue where when the helicopter is not available a lot of
• Airplane and helicopter fuel, travel per diem, gas, and overtime.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the best place in the world to train helicopters, military helicopters.
• And that's what they do is they train helicopter pilots.
• And train those helicopter pilots to take some of the burden off of the active component.
• And that's what they do is they train helicopter pilots.
• Our Lakota helicopters were on active duty for about a year assisting with that mission.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also enlisted in the Army National Guard as a Chinook helicopter mechanic.
• I'm also enlisted in the Army National Guard as a Chinook helicopter mechanic.
• And after Army helicopter mechanic.
• Helicopters are terrible to work on. No, that's awesome. Awesome gig for you.
• Helicopters are fly apart physically.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 1791 was presented as a scholarship/grant program for students in postsecondary technical or career programs offered through their high schools. Representative Scott and Representative Lawrence described it as a way to help students transition into careers or further education by covering costs such as tools, boots, books, and other work-related expenses. The chair noted the bill would be laid over, with limited time for testimony because of a full agenda. Testimony strongly supported the bill. Steve Collina of the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association said manufacturing is a major Minnesota industry and that the bill fills a gap by supporting K-12 career pathways; he emphasized the proposal would not cost the state or taxpayers. Trevor Quennell, a Centennial High School graduate now at Dunwoody College, said the bill would have eased the burden of buying expensive tools and balancing work, school, and transportation. Eric Trost, an instructor at St. Francis High School, explained that Saints Manufacturing is a student-run, elective business-style program that teaches estimating, quoting, logistics, welding, machining, and employability skills, and he said the grant portion is especially important because many students go directly into the workforce. Naomi Brasky, a St. Francis student and Army National Guard enlistee, said the program has given her real-world problem-solving and communication experience and that grants would help cover costs not included in tuition. Members responded positively, with one noting broader trends away from four-year college and calling the bill common sense. In closing, Representative Lorentzen credited instructor Eric Trost for originating the idea and thanked an audience member, Mr. Yost, for supporting the program. The chair then laid House File 1791 over.

Transcript Highlights:

• But helicopters are pretty loud.
• <01:02:09.760> But<01:02:09.920> helicopters<01:02:10.480> are helicopter.
• But helicopters are helicopter. Great. But helicopters are pretty<01:02:10.880> loud.
• a helicopter how they take off and land. a helicopter how they take off and land.
• and and many many helicopters have them. and and many many helicopters have them.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force approved the October 14, 2025 meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from Austin Kaylor of WSP on alternative aviation fuels. Kaylor described an ongoing feasibility study focused on Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the other four commercial airports in Kentucky, with an eye toward both near-term use of alternative aviation fuel in existing supply chains and longer-term in-state production using local feedstocks. He said Kentucky’s current jet fuel use at the five airports is about 609 million gallons annually and could approach 1 billion gallons by 2050, and he outlined potential feedstocks such as soybeans, corn, and waste oils, along with existing logistics assets like river terminals, trucking, rail, and some pipelines. He also discussed federal and state policy support, including renewable fuel credits and the recent 45Z tax credit extension, and said the study suggests significant economic-development potential if Kentucky can leverage existing infrastructure and incentives. Members asked about the cost of sustainable aviation fuel, whether taxpayers would be subsidizing it, and whether food crops would be diverted from food use. Kaylor responded that the market is increasingly using second-generation and waste-based feedstocks, that federal incentives can cover much of the price differential, and that SAF is a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel with some efficiency benefits. He said demand comes from both U.S. and foreign carriers, including major U.S. airlines that have made emissions-reduction commitments. Members also raised the possibility of locating production in Appalachia to create jobs closer to feedstock sources; Kaylor said that approach has worked in other states and could fit Kentucky’s logistics network. The committee then heard from Leif Elder of the Utah Department of Transportation, who introduced himself and said he would discuss advanced air mobility legislation in Utah. The transcript cuts off before his substantive presentation, and no further votes or actions were recorded after the question-and-answer discussion on alternative aviation fuels.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the Border Transportation, we're asking for 6 helicopters.
• Uh, we just had a, a conversation with one of the new representatives about, about a helicopter.
• We launched a helicopter within 30 minutes using their, their, their night vision, uh, and their flare
• Airplane into Oklahoma, uh, uh, a helicopter into Seguin, another airplane into Houston, uh, that were
• So, uh, it'll be a big savings in, in fuel, uh, uh, airplane and helicopter fuel, uh, travel per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• Helicopters do better than fixed aircraft in high winds, but with an unmanned autonomous drone, autonomous
• helicopter. envelope significantly further?
• for the budget request that goes along with this and what is the what is the total cost of the helicopter
• What would what what is the anticipated cost of one autonomous helicopter?
• You know a new helicopter of this type, I know because we just bought two of them, are almost 30 million

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our hearing protection product is being qualified for Army helicopter air crews.
• The helicopter proceeded to lower a rescue basket down to us. to the winds of the helicopter, the rescue
• Our fires, fire attack helicopters deployed that were used recently during the Palisades and Eden fires
• My father was in a horrific helicopter accident, and his best friend died on impact.
• He was in the back seat and had your harness on, and despite the helicopter being destroyed, he actually

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next is Jack Harter Helicopters. Jack Harter Helicopters is not available on Zoom, Chair.
• Up next is Jack Harter Helicopters. Jack Harter Helicopters is not available on Zoom, Chair.
• Up next is Jack Harter Helicopters. Jack Harter Helicopters is not available on Zoom, Chair.
• Finally, we remove the appropriation section for the helicopter section of the bill, add to section 5
• Some of the noise and safety issues for helicopters and other things.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1480 on transportation and road usage charging. Supporters included the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, county representatives, and the Tax Foundation, while an automotive industry witness opposed the bill, arguing it would be unfair to rural drivers and those with longer commutes. Committee discussion focused on equity, rural impacts, and whether the measure should be tied to future rail funding. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1480 pass with amendments, including broadening allowable uses of funds, clarifying language on infrastructure and safety, addressing motor scooters, and striking a proposed new subaccount; the recommendation was adopted by both committees, with one no vote in TCA. For SB 970 on taxation, the Tax Foundation said the employer transit tax credit would be more efficient as a direct subsidy program, and the Department of Taxation recommended several changes, including a sunset date of December 31, 2030, anti-double-benefit language, deletion of certain reporting requirements, and an effective date of December 31, 2025. The department estimated the bill would reduce revenues by about $11.6 million over the four-year period it would be in effect. The committees moved SB 970 forward with amendments to include bike share in the credit and add a defective date, leaving the department’s suggested changes for later consideration; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also advanced SB 1008 on parking and SB 1088 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure without amendments. DCAB strongly supported SB 1008, saying it would help counties enforce accessible parking design requirements, and noted a related bill without the EV portion. SB 1088 drew broad support from the Public Utilities Commission, State Energy Office, county and advocacy groups, and individuals; one question raised whether the bill should sunset, but the response was that Hawaii still lacks sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the measure expands eligibility for affordable housing. Both bills were recommended to pass unamended and the recommendations were adopted. The Transportation and Culture and Arts committee then heard SB 1011 on the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program, with testimony in strong support from individuals and the State Archivist, who suggested preserving award recipients’ archives, photos, oral histories, and clippings. The committee also heard SB 441 on the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaii Theatre Center, musicians, and others emphasizing cultural value, workforce stability, and statewide access to the arts. The transcript then moved to SB 1581 on the Hawaii Japan Pacific Peace Monument and SB 1577 relating to the State Foundation on the Arts; on SB 1577, the Attorney General warned that using the Works of Special Art Fund for operating purposes could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of related bonds and recommended deleting section five, while also pointing to the Performing Arts Special Fund as an alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• The coders are the uh helicopters that we often used for domestic operations.
• We help them build the security gate to allow access between Leonardo helicopters and Nas Whiting Field
• He is a West Point graduate and former Army helicopter pilot.
• Southern Command helicopters or we were down at the U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Miami.
• So the Leonardo helicopters to I want to give a shout out to them because the we do use them in our in

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the best place in the world to train helicopters, military helicopters.
• We need to get our helicopter training back in full service over at Silver Bell Army Heliport.
• We can't be ready if the country's five or six years behind in training helicopter pilots.
• And that's what they do: they train helicopter pilots.
• Our Lakota helicopters were on active duty for about a year assisting with that mission.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that covers everything from manpower to helicopters to whatever's needed during that time.
• <00:11:01.200> to from manpower to helicopters to from manpower to helicopters to whatever's
• disaster first three, so that equates about $9.16 an hour for a person rescuing people off of a helicopter
• disaster first three, so that equates about $9.16 an hour for a person rescuing people off of a helicopter
• A person rescuing people off of a helicopter in contaminated water with top-powered lines in a valley

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 297, sponsored by Rep. Chris Lewis, would make Kentucky State Fair Board police explicitly eligible for inclusion in the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund and related certification provisions. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to correct a technical gap, noting the officers are already POPS-certified and that Louisville Metro Police Department would provide annual training. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. House Bill 364, sponsored by Rep. Steve Bratcher, would provide hazardous duty pay for Kentucky National Guard members called to state active duty for natural disasters or emergencies, limited to the first 72 hours of a declaration. Supporters described the risks faced during the initial response period and said the measure recognizes the time and family sacrifices of part-time Guard members. In response to a question, the sponsor said the fiscal note was undetermined because disaster frequency cannot be predicted, but noted federal reimbursement has covered Guard emergency expenditures in past events. The committee passed the bill favorably. House Bill 436, sponsored by Rep. Wesley, addressed mental health for first responders and was described as a request from search and rescue personnel. The sponsor said the measure had passed the House unanimously in a prior session. Guests from the Kentucky Fire Commission and Kentucky Professional Firefighters were introduced, and the committee reported the bill favorably without opposition. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional presence and votes, the chair announced Military Kids Day on February 19, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lakotas are the LUH helicopters that we often use for domestic operations.
• Out in the Milton area, and we got a tour of the Leonardo Helicopters facility through grants provided
• We helped them build a security gate to allow access between Leonardo Helicopters and NAS Whiting Field
• He is a West Point graduate and the former Army helicopter pilot.
• I want to give a shout-out to Leonardo Helicopters, too, because we do use them in our Air Force, and

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and Domestic Security met for its first meeting of the 2025-26 session and heard presentations from Major General John Haas, Adjutant General of Florida, and Tim McGregor, executive director of the Florida Defense Support Commission. General Haas reviewed the Florida National Guard’s missions, statewide footprint, domestic disaster response, and federal deployments, emphasizing the Guard’s role in hurricanes, border-related support, and other state operations. He also discussed recruiting and retention, noting that recruiting remains strong but retention is challenged by the Guard’s high operational tempo, and he outlined efforts to expand force structure, improve facilities, and modernize units, including Camp Blanding upgrades, new armories, additional infantry, engineer, military police, and aviation assets, and the Air National Guard’s F-35 conversion. Members asked questions about recruiting methods, typical brigade size, and how many personnel would be needed to reduce the average duty burden back toward the statutory 39 days. Haas explained that Florida’s large population helps recruiting, especially through community and school outreach, but that the state’s frequent domestic missions make the current 12,000-member force too small for its workload. He said the Guard’s high tempo is the main reason members leave for the reserves and argued that more force structure is needed to reduce strain. Committee members also discussed prior efforts to influence National Guard stationing decisions based on population shifts and domestic mission demands. McGregor then described the Florida Defense Support Commission’s work to protect military installations, prevent encroachment, support workforce and economic development, and improve the military-friendly environment for service members and families. He highlighted the commission’s grant programs, the military benefits guide, and a spouse license reciprocity matrix, as well as site visits to installations and defense-related facilities across the state. Members asked about Lockheed Martin’s innovation and simulation work in Orlando and discussed the value of military spouse reciprocity compacts. No bills were heard, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had heard the State Patrol made a rescue with our new Trooper 7 helicopter this last week.
• All right, still need to get a ride on that helicopter. I haven't done that yet. It's pretty cool.
• uh, this last new Trooper 7 helicopter uh, this last week.<00:45:42.240> There<00:45:42.359><
• that we funded a few years helicopter that we funded a few years ago.<00:45:58.720> So,<00:45
• I haven't done that that helicopter.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Naval Special Warfare unit consisting of SEALs, special boat operators, and a Navy helicopter squadron
• It is from the helicopter that could see above the water the boarding that was going on.
• Army in August 1969 in Underwood Helicopter Training in Fort Eustis, Virginia, before beginning his service
• Army 247th Brigade, Second Assault Support Helicopter Company, 269th Aviation Battalion.
• On July 10, 1970, Specialist 4th Class Ricky Wittner was serving as crew chief on a helicopter that was

Transcript Highlights:

• Naval Special Warfare Unit consisting of SEALs, Special Boat Operators, and a Navy Helicopter Squadron
• On the night of the operation, it is from the helicopter that could see above the water the boarding
• Army in August 1969 and underwent helicopter training in Fort Eustis, Virginia, before beginning his
• Army 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company, 269th Aviation Battalion.
• On July 10th, 1970, Specialist 4th Class Ricky Whitner was serving as crew chief on a helicopter that

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the US Naval Special Warfare unit consisting of SEALs, special boat operators, and a Navy helicopter
• And it is from the helicopter that could see above the water, the boarding that was going on.
• Uh, born in Houston, Ricky Whitner enlisted in the US Army in August 1969 and underwent helicopter training
• Before beginning his service in Vietnam with the US Army. 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company, 269th
• On July 10th, 1970, Specialist Fourth Class Ricky Whittner was serving as crew chief on a helicopter

Transcript Highlights:

• used to use the helicopter to do that<00:25:23.000> documentation.
• And we didn't have a helicopter, we didn't have drones, any of that, but it's a big field.
• And we didn't have a helicopter, we didn't have drones, any of that, but it's a big field.
• And we didn't have a helicopter, we didn't have drones, any of that, but it's a big field.
• And we didn't have a helicopter, we didn't have drones, any of that, but it's a big field.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These aircraft are also presumably quieter and simpler to maintain than helicopters.
• I think right now helicopters operate in the airspace.
• We know that it’s hard, and we want to integrate in the exact same way helicopters do, so as to minimize
• Are we at the same airspace height as helicopters?
• So if you would have had the eVTOLs taking off, they have to go up kind of like a helicopter before they

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met and first received an update from FDOT on the Sun Trail shared-use nonmotorized trail program. FDOT said the program, created in 2015 and expanded by 2023 legislation, now includes connections to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and received a one-time $200 million appropriation plus increased annual funding. The department reported programming about $180 million of that funding, completing 42 construction projects totaling nearly 95 miles in 21 counties, and installing trail counters and QR-code surveys to measure usage and economic impact. Members expressed support for the program and asked no substantive questions. The committee then heard a presentation on FDOT’s locally administered state transportation funding programs, including SCOP, SCOPM, SCRAP, SIGP, and TRIP. FDOT explained these programs support local roadway resurfacing, bridge repair, drainage, paving unpaved roads, and safety or capacity improvements, with varying state match levels depending on the program and eligibility. FDOT said its adopted five-year work program includes more than $1.4 billion for local transportation improvement projects. A member asked whether toll revenues from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties fund these programs; FDOT said it would research the funding source and follow up. The committee’s main discussion was a panel on advanced air mobility (AAM), including FDOT and industry representatives from Supernal, Joby, Atlantic Aviation, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, and Eve Air Mobility. FDOT described its AAM planning work, advisory committee, local government guidebook, and upcoming training, while panelists emphasized Florida’s leadership, the likely use of existing airport and heliport infrastructure first, and the expectation that private investment will fund much of the early vertiport buildout. Members raised concerns about community acceptance, privacy, zoning, airspace congestion, security, and lessons from scooters and drones. Panelists repeatedly stressed a “crawl, walk, run” rollout, local government coordination, multimodal connectivity, and public outreach. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the panel.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to hear a lot about helicopters. All right, whenever you're ready.
• The current helitack base lacks the infrastructure to support the new Blackhawk helicopter, forcing it
• So, we have 14 air attack bases and 11 helicopters.
• Of the approximate 40 large helicopters available to contract nationally, CAL FIRE secured 16 of them
• The cost disparity between "call when needed" and exclusive use for large helicopters can differ by more

Keywords: 988, house, all