Transcript Highlights:

• We have 14.6 billion in economic impact to the Commonwealth because of tourism.
• </c><00:20:06.080><c> of</c> still working to compile the impacts of still working to compile the impacts
• </c> would They had to have a lasting impact would They had to have a lasting impact so<00:47:38.800>
• Does that make a lasting impact in the different communities? I live in Louisville.
• c><00:53:29.720><c> different</c> lasting impact in the different lasting impact in the different communities

Summary: The committee met for an interim update from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with presentations from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. Secretary Lindy Casebier reported that Kentucky tourism has posted record growth for four straight years, with $14.6 billion in economic impact, 97,000 tourism-related jobs, and 81 million travelers spending more than $10.4 billion in 2025. He said the Historical Society and Arts Council help create visitor experiences that support those tourism gains. The Kentucky Historical Society focused on America 250, the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staff described a community-driven approach built around themes such as “Revolutionary Experiment,” “We the People,” “Power of Place,” “Crossroads in Kentucky,” and “Doing History,” organized under heritage tourism, education, signature events, and legacy projects. They said the effort has included Liberty Tree plantings in nearly every county, partnerships with local organizations and KET, grants to cabinet agencies and historic sites, and preservation projects in 19 counties. They highlighted Harrodsburg 250 as an early kickoff, along with grant-supported events, exhibits, and educational programs across the state. The Historical Society also described public engagement events tied to the commemoration, including Two Lights for Tomorrow, a food drive in Franklin County, a July 8 historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State Capitol, and planned participation at the Kentucky State Fair. They said the General Assembly’s support enabled a grant program that has funded 250 events and programs in 43 counties, totaling more than $720,000, and that the work is intended to build a lasting legacy beyond 2026. The Kentucky Arts Council said it received America 250 grant funds to support artists, arts organizations, communities, and nonprofits for public art, artwork creation, and related programs. The council reported 55 funded projects and $466,000 awarded statewide, with examples including a Burkesville summer arts and history camp and a Fayette County community singing project. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• insured that will frankly entrust their care to some of the hospitals that are heavily, heavily impacted
• I can say that the underpayment will be dramatically negatively impacting hospitals when they are paid
• systemic in terms of the health of the hospitals and the health of the hospitals being negatively impacted
• aren't going to have health care, whether it's in Los Angeles, whether it's in Kern, whether it's in rural
• Hospitals in our communities are under financial stress for a variety of factors, especially in rural

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• but I'm sure that's... you know, as I recall, I believe even on this one, it's a fairly significant impact
• Ashley's impact has instead has. Ashley’s impact extended beyond her home and into her community.
• But he took a chance on me, and for six years, I was the chair of Agricultural and Rural Development.
• It also involves the transfer of funds. transferring $10 million to the Rural Economic Action Plan, and
• So based on your observation about the impact of COLAs in this body awarding COLAs, wouldn't you agree

Bills: SB1365 , SB2139 , SB1595 , SB1303 , SB2180 , SB2072 , SB1772 , SB1209 , SB137 , SB1944 , SB372 , SB1636 , SB1256 , SB1827 , SB2104 , SB1226 , SB1876 , SB1966 , SB80 , SB1148 , SB1147 , SB1149 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1164 , SB1159 , SB1165 , SB1174 , SB1156 , SB1158 , SB1163 , SB1175 , SB1176 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1157 , SB1146 , SB1481 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SCR20

Transcript Highlights:

• And for our industry, that is beginning to have an impact on the ability to get developments approved
• And for our industry, that is beginning to have an impact on the ability to get developments approved
• We have been working hard to share data with the Senate and the House on the impacts of 389 so that it
• $4 million in allocation from the liquor tax account, it's still going to have a really negative impact
• If only the small rural communities could do that.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• In our initial assessment of these impacts in California, approximately 5,442 mobile homes in 36 mobile
• Newberger, providing registered opposition for the California State Association of Counties and the Rural
• Newberger, providing registering opposition for the California State Association counties and the rural
• We've got to the impact to impact the ability to expand public transit in my region.
• SB 79 could still impact... So I understand you mentioned L.A. Metro. Was that—did I hear? No?

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• testing, not homes or addresses or anything like that, but we're going to be able to uh Show what impact
• in groundwater or well water off-site currently, or are you planning on doing that to see what the impacts
• but it is highly plausible, like the 20 million, I think it's 12 or 20 million we got for rip, the rural
• We need to prevent any new contamination and clean up the old mess that is still impacting our communities
• , contaminating water, land, sacred places, and also impacting our, our public health.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• health care providers, pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals from disciplinary actions or licensing impacts
• bill also expands the access to telehealth services, making sure more people, especially our folks in rural
• provisions that CAP is advocating for would produce immediate and cost-neutral changes that would impact
• While this measure may impact only a small number of residents in California, it will have a profound
• We are requesting that the bill is written severely limits the potential impact of this legislation.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON THIS I'M OPEN TO OTHER WAYS WE CAN TRY TO MITIGATE THE LIABILITY IMPACTS
• I HAVE MANY, MANY QUESTIONS BUT I WILL START WITH THE ONE OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AND THE IMPACT ON THAT
• MEDICAL MALPRACTICE DOES IMPACT THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS OVERALL IN FLORIDA.
• ONE-THIRD OF RURAL HOSPITALS ARE OPERATING IN A NEGATIVE MARGIN.
• AROUND THE FACT THAT THE BILL WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE LITIGATION, WHICH COULD HAVE THREE MAIN IMPACTS

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budgets are partially based on projected voter turnout, but legislation has a big impact on us.
• Some of the big impacts that have caused us to grow recently, especially our staffing costs, but some
• And some of the big impacts that have caused us to grow recently, especially our staffing costs, but
• Like the reason, like, you have fiscally constrained counties or also your rural counties, might be a
• state force, federal force, is so much land that comes... ...or also your rural counties.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met to review how county budgets are developed and how constitutional officers fit into that process. Davin Suggs of the Florida Association of Counties gave an overview of county budgeting, explaining the statutory framework, the role of property taxes and TRIM notices, the fiscal-year timeline, fund balances and reserves, and the Department of Revenue’s oversight. He emphasized that county budgets include the board’s budget plus the budgets of constitutional officers, and that relationships and communication are critical to resolving budget issues. A panel of constitutional officers then described their offices’ budget processes and responsibilities: Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discussed law enforcement budgeting and the importance of negotiated agreements with county commissions; Alachua County Property Appraiser Aisha Solomon explained the June 1 budget deadline, valuation methods, and the appeal process for property assessments; Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller Angelina Coleniso outlined the clerk’s court and finance duties, the county-side budget process, and the clerk’s personal liability under section 129.09 for unlawful expenditures; Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Early described the cyclical nature of election costs, staffing, equipment, and the impact of turnout and election law changes; and Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keene explained that tax collectors’ budgets are reviewed by the Department of Revenue, with fee offices funding themselves through service charges and budget offices relying on county support. Members asked about personal liability for unlawful spending, conflicts between clerks and county commissions, property valuation and storm damage adjustments, reserve levels, and whether tax collectors can retain excess fees. Responses noted that clerks must refuse illegal expenditures, property appraisers use market-based assessments with VAB and court review available, counties should maintain healthy fund balances for cash flow and emergencies, and tax collectors generally must zero out year-end balances and distribute excess revenues to taxing authorities. The committee took no votes and adjourned after thanking the panelists for their testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:04.800><c> on</c> both ways um in terms of impact on both ways um in terms of impact on M&
• </c><01:38:46.840><c> our</c> business taxes um that will impact our business taxes um that will impact
• </c><02:41:30.479><c> our</c> and authorizations may not impact our and authorizations may not impact
• ><c> ability</c> property value that impact the ability property value that impact the ability for<02
• </c><03:02:17.120><c> of</c><03:02:17.399><c> technology</c> to the impact of technology to the impact

Summary: The committee meeting began with an overview from the Legislative Budget Assistant Office on how Ways and Means will work with agencies and leadership during the budget and revenue-estimating process. Staff explained that the governor’s budget is still being developed, agencies are cautious about going on record early, and the committee will use worksheets and updated fiscal reports to track estimates. The presentation emphasized that the fiscal year 2025 budget status is a point-in-time snapshot and remains fluid because the annual comprehensive financial report has been delayed, which could change the beginning balances for both the general fund and education trust fund. The budget update highlighted that the general fund is currently stronger than originally assumed, while the education trust fund is weaker. The speaker said the general fund began FY25 with a much larger balance than expected, while the education trust fund came in lower due to higher-than-budgeted adequacy spending and weaker business tax performance. Revenue trends showed the general fund slightly ahead year to date, but the education trust fund down significantly. The committee also discussed unbudgeted appropriations, including attorney general litigation, legal settlements, abandoned property claims, adequacy true-ups, and education freedom accounts, as well as the role of lapses and off-budget items in the final balance. Members asked about the delayed liquor commission audit and whether it could affect revenue forecasts. Staff said the delay was mainly caused by the commission’s switch in point-of-sale systems and staffing losses, but did not expect major ongoing reporting issues. They also noted that liquor fund variances are more likely tied to Medicaid expansion costs than to commission operations. The governor’s office was said to be working on possible budget reductions, but no January request to the fiscal committee was expected. Commissioner Lindsay Stepp of the Department of Revenue Administration then presented an overview of state revenue sources, focusing first on the meals and rentals tax. She explained that DRA administers 14 taxes that account for most state revenue, and that meals and rentals tax growth has slowed after strong post-pandemic gains. She described factors affecting the tax, including employment, inflation, fuel and food prices, wages, and weather, and noted that online platforms like Airbnb have improved compliance by collecting and remitting tax on behalf of hosts. Members asked about short-term rental compliance and how DRA identifies unlicensed rentals; Stepp said referrals, anonymous tips, and platform data help enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, despite this impact, FHPAP is chronically unfunded, and we all know that even after the recent
• </c> leadership and yet despite this impact leadership and yet despite this impact fhpa<00:04:33.280>
• and limits the a bium directly impacts and limits the number<00:09:00.560><c> of</c><00:09:00.760><c
• I just wish we didn't have the fiscal impact that it does, because everything's hard right now.
• </c> moderate income home buyers in rural moderate income home buyers in rural areas<01:05:29.279><c>

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to know what critically important functions have been impacted without the full complement of
• I mean, I've got some rural counties who would love to have a call center. You're recognized.
• Not that somebody in a rural area can't do that, but the support that takes place to run our call centers
• Do you think that these vacancies are impacting your agency's ability to be efficient?
• Has this impacted revenues?

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies. The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit. The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rural areas face deep infrastructure gaps, including broadband.
• Firstly, how the CSU funds enrollment directly impacts student experiences.
• changes that have impacted enrollment.
• Under impaction, eligibility, and emission requirements were modified to Funding.
• And so these programs are directly impacting that.

Summary: The joint Assembly Higher Education and Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the California State University system’s enrollment trends, fiscal pressures, and how state funding should be allocated across campuses. Chairs and members emphasized CSU’s importance to California’s workforce and economy, but also raised concerns about declining enrollment at some campuses, unmet enrollment targets, and whether funding is aligned with student demand. The hearing was framed as preparation for the 2026 budget, with particular attention to campuses such as Humboldt, Sonoma, San Francisco, Channel Islands, and others that have received significant state support or are below target enrollment. In the first panel, CSU Academic Senate Chair Dr. Elizabeth Boyd urged the Legislature to protect academic freedom, strengthen faculty governance, provide stable ongoing funding, end unfunded mandates, support student food and housing security, expand flexible scheduling, improve transfer systems, and maintain regional access rather than over-centralizing programs. Cal State Student Association Vice President Katie Karam said students are feeling the effects of budget shortfalls through fewer course sections, reduced advising and services, longer time to degree, and rising tuition, and she called for transparency, meaningful student involvement in budget decisions, and sustained state investment rather than one-time fixes. In the enrollment panel, CSU Chancellor’s Office and campus administrators described a systemwide strategic enrollment plan under CSU Forward, with efforts to expand access, improve recruitment, and better align programs with workforce needs. Dr. Delcy Perez said systemwide resident enrollment and applications are up, and highlighted direct admissions and outreach partnerships. Campus representatives from Chico State, Cal State L.A., and San Diego State described local recruitment, transfer partnerships, and retention strategies. Members pressed CSU officials on discrepancies between reported enrollment growth and public data, the per-student funding formula, and the use of reserves and reallocation to shift money from lower-enrollment campuses to high-demand campuses. CSU officials said they are reviewing all campuses’ fiscal health, developing turnaround plans, and expect to provide reports to the Legislature in the spring, while also acknowledging the need for longer-term changes to enrollment management and academic program alignment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I like to also think about what this means for rural and what this means for metro counties.
• As you heard, I'm testifying on behalf of all the county organizations we have: rural, metro, suburban
• and what this means for means for rural and what this means for metro<00:20:09.480><c> counties.
• ,</c><00:20:13.680><c> metro,</c> organizations we have, rural, metro, organizations we have, rural,
• </c><00:20:16.200><c> We</c><00:20:16.400><c> are</c><00:20:16.560><c> all</c> And rural, metro, so I'm

Transcript Highlights:

• million in federal funding in Missouri last year and contributed nearly $1 billion in total economic impact
• expenditures in some of the departments that are dramatically... ...big stuff that does directly impact
• I've got some rural counties that don't have a whole lot of money, and Representative Sharp has some
• From a rural standpoint, I'm just kind of, you know, you're not going to solve all the problems here
• So another bright young person out in rural Missouri.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• million in federal funding to Missouri last year and contributed nearly $1 billion in total economic impact
• And I wish we all... ...had this kind of laser intensity on the big stuff that does directly impact us
• And these people that are locked up aren't getting the care out here in the rural areas or wherever,
• jobs until everybody jacked the minimum wage up to double the national average, just saying from a rural
• The impact of priority programs and services offered to citizens.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Missouri National Guard’s FY 2027 budget request in House Bill 2008. Brigadier General Bob Payne outlined the Guard’s dual state and federal mission, recent deployments and state activations, counter-drug work, and the need to maintain readiness and aging armory infrastructure. Members questioned several items, including a proposed internal auditor position required by statute, a World Cup-related NDI, the use of general revenue versus other funds, and a federal match for base operations support at Rosecrans Airport. The presentation then shifted into executive session, where the committee reviewed a House committee substitute and several amendments. One amendment to fund the Missouri State Fair’s Great American State Fair participation with ag and tourism funds was rejected, while an amendment reducing $50,000 in House and Senate legal contingency funding was adopted. Another amendment directing budget information to all committee members rather than only chairs was rejected. The committee then adopted the substitute and voted House Bill 2014 do pass by a 24-0-1 vote. The committee next took up the Department of Corrections FY 2027 budget in House Bill 2009. DOC described a new CERT stipend increase, a reduction in the Office of Director’s Staff, and several core items including professional standards, federal funds, community treatment programming, education grants, population growth pool, restitution payments, human services staff, telecommunications, general services, fuel and utilities, food purchases, food service, staff training, employee health and safety, overtime, adult institution staff, institution E&E, wage and discharge, and individual institutions. Members asked about the CERT stipend, PREA allegations, education funding, restitution payments, the population growth pool, the working capital revolving fund, food service costs, overtime, retention, warden turnover, the prison nursery, and the use of inmate canteen funds. DOC said CERT members are full-time employees who volunteer for additional duty, that staffing has improved but remains a challenge, that the food service increase reflects the end of inventory credits and inflation, and that the department generally spends non-GR funds first when possible. Discussion also turned to whether DOC facilities could be repurposed for pretrial or mental health populations; DOC said it is legally limited to post-sentence inmates and that staffing and labor-market constraints make reopening closed facilities difficult.

Transcript Highlights:

• s life and to make a positive impact on New Mexico youth and to advocate for an end to gun violence.
• Also, I will brag on them as far as through their advocacy already, they have had an impact.
• So they've already had a big impact. So please help me welcome my guests, Peyton and Ariana.
• And a majority of the people that I'm hearing from are moderate Hispanic Democrats who live rural in
• Because as we get into the requirements later in the bill, it could have an impact, Mr.

Bills: HB111 , HB103 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB145 , HB154 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB38 , HB47 , HB63 , HB64 , HB127 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HM20 , HM51

Transcript Highlights:

• increase that amount because of the not only being the right thing but also the positive economic impact
• </c><00:22:55.679><c> So</c><00:22:55.840><c> I</c><00:22:56.000><c> just</c> economic impact that it's
• So I just economic impact that it's had.
• The cabinet states the program requires participating providers in rural hospitals that treat a high
• </c> participating providers in rural participating providers in rural hospitals<00:41:10.640><c> that

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then took up several administrative regulations. The first was an Office of the Attorney General regulation creating an online submission process for an annual certification report to replace prior quarterly notarized certification forms; there were no amendments or questions. The main discussion centered on Personnel Cabinet regulations 101 KAR 2:034, 2:102, 3:015, and 3:045, which include staff-suggested technical amendments and address state employee compensation and leave. The compensation provisions clarify salary and rehiring/demotion rules, increase critical position premiums from one to three, and update weekend premium and ACE award practices. The leave provisions would provide up to six weeks of paid leave per 10-year interval for birth, adoption, foster placement, or a serious health condition, and allow one paid adverse-weather day per year with supervisor approval. Staff explained that annual and sick leave already accrue and roll over, and that the new six-week benefit was intended as an additional enhancement tied to the 10-year and 20-year sick-leave milestones.

Transcript Highlights:

• county attorneys to spend their time on other matters, and also judges and some of our particularly rural
• county attorneys to spend their time on other matters, and also judges and some of our particularly rural
• 10:47.800><c> um</c><00:10:48.720><c> uh</c><00:10:48.839><c> where</c><00:10:49.040><c> their</c> Rural
• :12:45.160><c> doesn't</c><00:12:45.480><c> address</c><00:12:45.959><c> the</c><00:12:46.160><c> impact
• </c><00:12:46.519><c> to</c> the change doesn't address the impact to the change doesn't address the

Summary: The committee took up House File 1378, an elections administration bill, and first adopted the DE5 amendment. The author described DE5 as a negotiated package combining provisions from several bills on election administration, including notice of temporary polling locations, residence standards for people under civil commitment orders, polling place closure/change notices, absentee voting provisions, special election filing periods, and timelines for filing statements of economic interest. The committee then adopted two additional amendments, A6 and A8, both presented as technical or corrective changes; A8 restored language on off-reservation temporary polling that had been inadvertently left out. Testimony from county election officials and the Secretary of State’s office was generally supportive of the bill’s election-administration changes. Blue Earth County’s Michael Stalberger said the bill would streamline election-day work, improve absentee ballot deadlines, clarify ballot correction procedures, formalize chain-of-custody plans, and speed out-of-court remedies for ballot errors. He also raised concerns about implementation details, including the timing for first chain-of-custody plans, applying candidate filing changes to townships and school districts as well as cities, the short turnaround for college student housing lists, and whether the statewide system could handle new absentee-ballot data fields. Nicole Freeman of the Secretary of State’s office echoed support for the technical cleanup and several policy changes, including removing the permanent absentee application box from voter registration forms, clarifying ballot-board procedures, chain-of-custody planning, and the out-of-court remedy, while also flagging concerns about the absentee application cutoff, city opt-outs from absentee voting, and staffing requirements for absentee locations. Later in the hearing, members discussed a separate proposed amendment, A4/A3, dealing with prohibitions on inducements to vote or register, including lotteries or other chances to win money or goods. The author explained it was intended to clarify existing law and respond to recent examples of large-money election-related giveaways, but after discussion the chair declined to offer the amendment in committee, saying it would likely not have enough support and could be taken up later on the floor. The hearing ended with the technical amendments adopted and the bill advanced with the committee continuing broader discussions on the remaining issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• But unfortunately, the state doesn't have the purview, so I don't think this bill would ever impact another
• Oh, I'm sorry, Madam Chair, members, it doesn't impact things that were produced before the effective
• Anything produced before that wouldn't be impacted. So it would just be going forward.
• So music, TV, movies, video games, all are impacted by this bill.
• So music, TV, movies, video games, all are impacted by this bill.