Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it has a few tweaks based on industry feedback and feedback from the attorney general.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, since your feedback last year, we continue to work to bring as many of these services in-house to
• They do give feedback on what services are provided and what even the fee is. Yeah.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 10 minutes, and then handled a routine agenda of contracts and agreements. It deferred one Kentucky Educational Television contract to the August 2025 meeting because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State, and then approved the remaining routine items on the PSC green list and related contract lists without objection. The most detailed discussion involved two personal service contracts for the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. Officials from the Personnel Cabinet and Department of Employee Insurance explained that the contracts were designed to identify claims errors and overspending, with vendors paid a percentage of validated savings recovered for the plan. Senators asked how the savings were calculated and whether the contracts had changed plan processes; staff said the contracts had produced realized savings, some errors had been corrected going forward, and the vendors report quarterly. The committee approved those contracts. The committee then took up a retroactive Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority contract for a customized College Info Road Show bus. Members questioned why the contract was being presented months after execution, why it involved an out-of-state vendor, and whether the purchase was reasonable and timely. KHEAA staff said the delay stemmed from the need to finalize sustainability and safety details after the RFP, and acknowledged internal process and staffing issues. Several members criticized the retroactive approval process and said they could not validate the purchase from the information provided, but the committee ultimately approved the contract after debate. A final KHEAA discussion focused on the purpose and value of the mobile outreach bus. Staff said the bus supports college and financial aid outreach, especially in rural areas, and has been used for 26 years. Some members questioned the return on investment and whether the state should rely more on broadband and remote outreach, while others supported the program as a way to reach students and families. The committee approved the KHEAA contract, with Senator Douglas voting no and explaining concerns about whether such outreach programs are the proper role of government and whether they are the best use of public funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has not solicited feedback from stakeholders or experts on what these changes would mean to states
• It has not solicited feedback from stakeholders or experts on what these changes would mean to states

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ve enjoyed working with you together on this and appreciate your feedback.
• I've enjoyed working with you together on this and appreciate your feedback.

Bills: SB17, SB1569, SB2420, HB5138, HJR161, HB1937, HB3334, HB5444, HB5137, HB361, HB321, HB5447, HB464, HB678, HB2294, HB4172, HB3225, HB1769, HB5394, HB1837, HB1787, HB2271, HB2440, HB5134, HB5149, HB2151, HB2073, HB2186, HB2025, HB1936, HB1777, HB1663, HB 1306, HB 1290, HB1527, HB4802, HB3462, HB2963, HB2462, HB2560, HB644, HB2725, HB2621, HB2588, HB1443, HB1403, HB3032, HB1557, HB1664, HB2811, HB2088, HB2598, HB3062, HB3134, HB3940, HB4027, HB4097, HB4862, HB4170, HB4157, HB4205, HB4279, HB4377, HB4838, HB5424, HB5294, HB4870, HB4763, HB5639, HB4112, HB2275, HB1677, HB5014, HB3848, HB3797, HB3727, HB3709, HB3177, HB3057, HB4176, HB4202, HB2180, HB3528, HB3658, HCR76, HCR127

Keywords: foreign ownership, real property, national security, criminal penalties, civil penalties, personal information, higher education, privacy protection, governing board, institutional security, software applications, mobile devices, age verification, parental consent, data protection, app store regulation, HJR 161, Texas constitutional amendment, voting rights, non-citizen voting

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received the invocation and pledges, and heard several announcements and recognitions before moving into floor action. Members honored the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, recognized educator Jessica Lopez, and paid memorial tribute to Jennifer Maddenly, along with recognitions for Jeanette Valdez Duran’s food pantry work, TAMACC’s 50th anniversary, and Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement from WFAA. The House also granted permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, set a local consent calendar, and suspended posting rules for a Public Health Committee hearing on SB 2721. The chamber then considered a long series of Senate and House bills, with many passing on record votes. Measures addressed local law enforcement authority (SB 906), veterans highway designation (SB 1229), foster care medical billing (SB 855), massage therapy trafficking safeguards (SB 703), tax ballot language (SB 1025), occupational licensing for people with convictions (SB 1080), lien deadlines (SB 929), liquor sales complaints (SB 1355), higher education application fee waivers (SB 2231), utility data access (SB 1877), pediatric preceptorships (SB 1998), and several House bills on bond forfeiture notice, health workforce coordination, indigent civil commitment representation, consumer transaction cancellations, bird dispersal rules, theft venue for digital property, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, in-state tuition for military-related programs, utility capital recovery, energy waste advisory oversight, gas utility rate recovery, psychedelic therapy study, teacher retirement funding transparency, pension changes, tax payment plans, and voter registration security. Some measures drew notable debate or amendments, including HB 5247, where a ratepayer-credit amendment failed, and HB 2298, HB 4014, HB 510, HB 561, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 30, HB 200, HB 3045, and HB 5111, which all passed after recorded votes with varying margins. A major point of contention was SB 2420, the app store age-verification bill, which prompted extended debate over whether the bill should also require app developers to verify users’ ages. Representative Bryant offered an amendment to preserve developer verification obligations, arguing the bill would otherwise shift responsibility away from app makers; the author opposed it, saying the bill’s approach was more workable and raised concerns about First Amendment issues. Multiple points of order were raised and withdrawn during the debate, and the amendment discussion remained unresolved in the excerpt. The House also postponed further consideration of SB 17, SB 552, and SB 2420 at different points, and recessed for lunch after completing a large block of third-reading votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• happen<01:07:52.240><c> we</c><01:07:52.400><c> took</c><01:07:52.839><c> uh</c><01:07:52.920><c> feedback
• </c><01:07:53.359><c> from</c><01:07:53.559><c> Project</c> We took feedback from Project ADAM and representatives

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• testifiers and I think people who are involved in this process, but I’d be curious to hear their feedback
• testifiers and I think people who are involved in this process, but I’d be curious to hear their feedback

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I look forward to hearing more feedback.
• Representative Davis: I look forward to hearing more feedback.

Bills: HF1, HF2

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• This releases heat while metabolizing and absorbing sunlight, which creates a feedback loop of prime
• It releases heat while metabolizing and absorbing sunlight, which creates a feedback loop of prime conditions

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Association, and the New Hampshire Consumer Protection Bureau early in the process to get their feedback
• Association, and the New Hampshire Consumer Protection Bureau early in the process to get their feedback

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They had some issues with it, and so I've taken some feedback, incorporated it into the bill, and we're
• um I've had some issues with it and so um I've taken<04:06:23.920><c> some</c><04:06:24.160><c> feedback
• /c><04:06:25.279><c> uh</c><04:06:25.439><c> incorporated</c><04:06:26.160><c> it</c> taken some feedback
• uh incorporated it taken some feedback uh incorporated it into<04:06:26.640><c> the</c><04:06:26.880

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They do it suddenly, without expert engagement and feedback, and without consideration of potential harms
• expert They do it suddenly, without expert engagement<04:56:12.160><c> and</c><04:56:12.480><c> feedback
• ,</c><04:56:13.040><c> and</c><04:56:13.280><c> without</c> engagement and feedback, and without engagement
• and feedback, and without consideration<04:56:14.320><c> of</c><04:56:14.958><c> potential</c><04:56

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so those of you that have heard me speak will remember that after feedback from the Minnesota Sentencing
• 10:57.800><c> remember</c><04:10:58.280><c> that</c><04:10:58.640><c> after</c><04:10:59.040><c> feedback
• </c><04:11:00.200><c> from</c> will remember that after feedback from will remember that after feedback

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because what I've noticed in my research is getting that feedback from the college level back down to
• Because what I've noticed in my research is getting that feedback from the college level back down to
• Because what I've noticed in my research is getting that feedback from the college level back down to
• Because what I've noticed in my research is getting that feedback from the college level back down to

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've had fairly continuous feedback from, particularly, the Plymouth State campus, which is part
• 16:09.360><c> fairly</c><00:16:10.399><c> continuous</c><00:16:11.279><c> uh</c><00:16:11.440><c> feedback
• </c><00:16:12.560><c> uh</c><00:16:12.720><c> from</c> uh fairly continuous uh feedback uh from uh fairly
• continuous uh feedback uh from um<00:16:14.320><c> from</c><00:16:14.720><c> the</c><00:16:15.360><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1596, which would raise New Hampshire’s cigarette excise tax from $1.78 per pack to about $2.80, using an inflation-based adjustment since the rate was last set in 2008. Representative Jerry Stringham, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would keep New Hampshire competitive with neighboring states, generate revenue, and help offset other budget pressures. He also described the bill as repealing an income-based premium charge in Medicaid/CHIP-related programs and restoring cuts to the University System of New Hampshire, arguing that the combined package would still leave the state in a positive fiscal position. He said the tobacco tax increase would likely have some cessation effect but would remain low relative to other New England states, and he cited prior testimony from health groups supporting a larger increase. Members questioned the sponsor about how the new rate was calculated, the prior tobacco tax reduction and restoration, whether tobacco companies would absorb or pass on the tax, and the fiscal note’s estimates for Medicaid premium revenue and UNH funding. Stringham said he used Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation data, that the earlier 10-cent reduction did not produce the expected sales increase, and that the current bill would eliminate the premium charges now in the budget. He later clarified that the Department of Medicaid Services had updated the revenue estimate, but said the bill still showed a surplus overall. He also said the federal government already imposes a $1-per-pack tax and that New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase. Two public witnesses testified in opposition to the tax increase. Anna Bettincourt, a tobacco category manager, argued that higher tobacco taxes would unfairly target smokers, reduce New Hampshire’s tax advantage, and likely shift purchases to other states or illicit markets rather than reduce use. She said tobacco companies generally do not lower prices and that Massachusetts’ flavor restrictions had not eliminated sales. In response to questions, she maintained that a smaller increase would still be harmful and that enforcement problems make bans ineffective. The sponsor and some members countered that smokers impose higher health costs and that tobacco taxes are a policy tool for both revenue and public health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Based on feedback from stakeholders, we agreed to Floor Amendment 2711S.
• Based<06:43:45.200><c> on</c><06:43:45.440><c> feedback</c><06:43:45.920><c> from</c><06:43:46.240><c
• > stakeholders,</c><06:43:47.200><c> we</c> Based on feedback from stakeholders, we Based on feedback

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And to offer this again without taking in the feedback of the very people who have had experiences of
• offer this again without taking<00:38:48.800><c> in</c><00:38:49.119><c> the</c><00:38:49.359><c> feedback
• </c><00:38:49.760><c> of</c><00:38:50.000><c> the</c><00:38:50.240><c> very</c> taking in the feedback
• of the very taking in the feedback of the very people<00:38:50.800><c> who</c><00:38:51.040><c> have

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just trying to get feedback as to how effective those things are.
• the public yeah I'm just trying<04:23:32.880><c> to</c><04:23:33.000><c> get</c><04:23:33.239><c> feedback
• </c><04:23:34.000><c> as</c><04:23:34.159><c> to</c><04:23:34.399><c> how</c> trying to get feedback
• as to how trying to get feedback as to how effective<04:23:35.960><c> those</c><04:23:36.159><c> things

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed the Department of Corrections budget, with the chair initially noting that the overall numbers looked close to fiscal year 2024 spending, except for federal funds. Department officials explained that prior ARPA expenditures and delayed revenue recognition had distorted the comparison, and that the corrected general fund spend was about $169.7 million. Members then focused on whether the budget’s staffing assumptions were realistic, especially the shift from overtime to full-time lines and the use of vacant positions to offset overtime costs. The department said it is leaning on vacancy savings, but would return for additional appropriations if unforeseen staffing problems arise. A major portion of the discussion centered on recruitment, retention, and staffing levels. Officials reported a 42% vacancy rate in enforcement ranks, down from 51% in January 2023, with 28 new officers headed to the next academy and 33 new hires already tracked. They said overtime is more expensive than regular staffing because of benefits and that it takes about 11 months for a new hire to break even. Members also asked about the split between incarcerated and supervised populations; the department said it oversees about 1,970 inmates in facilities and just over 4,000 people in the community, with 77 positions supervising the community population and the inmate population remaining the most expensive area. The committee also discussed how sentencing and statutory changes affect incarceration levels, including misdemeanor/felony thresholds and theft thresholds, with the department agreeing that such changes can significantly affect prison and jail populations. Members asked about education and recidivism, and the department said base education is the most important foundation, followed by vocational training, while noting that many incarcerated men lack a high school diploma. The department also described a $1.3 million reduction in contracted forensic evaluation services, explaining that these evaluations are court-ordered competency assessments and are not statutorily required to be provided by DOC. Finally, members reviewed victim services funding and staffing, including VOCA-supported positions, and the department explained that a new victim witness specialist would help support survivors at parole hearings and safety planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• this population, which is why I then reached out to the committee and said, okay, so based on the feedback
• 52.520><c> the</c> committee and said okay so based on the committee and said okay so based on the feedback
• 53.159><c> we</c><01:39:53.679><c> received</c><01:39:53.920><c> through</c><01:39:54.159><c> all</c> feedback
• that we received through all feedback that we received through all the<01:39:54.560><c> sessions</c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we just need to recognize that there is an awful lot of feedback going into the towns from commercial
• an<01:56:48.800><c> awful</c><01:56:49.079><c> lot</c><01:56:49.239><c> of</c><01:56:49.440><c> feedback
• c><01:56:49.960><c> going</c><01:56:50.199><c> into</c><01:56:50.400><c> the</c> an awful lot of feedback
• going into the an awful lot of feedback going into the towns<01:56:50.840><c> from</c><01:56:51.119>

Keywords: 1189, house, all