Transcript Highlights:

• even more what can happen across party even more what can happen across party lines<00:10:39.279><c> section
• 40.200><c> and</c><00:10:40.320><c> 240</c><00:10:40.800><c> of</c><00:10:40.920><c> the</c> lines section
• 77 and 240 of the lines section 77 and 240 of the Commonwealth<00:10:41.600><c> Constitution</c><00:
• <00:10:46.040><c> last</c><00:10:46.279><c> time</c><00:10:46.480><c> those</c><00:10:46.720><c> sections
• </c> governor the last time those sections governor the last time those sections were<00:10:47.320><c

Keywords: Consideration of HCR 67 02:28 Discussion of SB 126 08:05, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum, recognized a student page from Covington Catholic High School, and then took up House Concurrent Resolution 67, sponsored by Representative Emily Callaway. The resolution would create a Kentucky Restoration of Voting Rights Act task force to study restoration of civil and voting rights for people who have served their sentences and shown rehabilitation. Callaway said the task force would include legislators and representatives from state offices and advocacy groups, and she noted the issue should receive serious attention as part of civic participation and reentry. Members asked about differences between the House resolution and a similar Senate measure. Callaway explained that her version was more specific about membership and included state agency representatives and advocacy organizations. Representative Blacket said he preferred the House version and noted expungement had also been discussed. Representative Marzian said she would vote no, arguing the Secretary of State already handles election integrity and that the proposal was unnecessary and costly. Representative Roberts supported the resolution, saying the current process for restoring voting rights can be expensive and lengthy. The resolution passed with favorable consideration. The committee then heard discussion-only testimony on Senate Bill 126 from Senator Chris McDaniel, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon power. McDaniel argued the power has been abused and said the amendment would not eliminate pardons, but would restrict them to the 60 days before an election and the period between the gubernatorial election and inauguration so voters could weigh in. He cited high-profile pardons and commutations as examples and said the measure had previously been supported by law enforcement groups. Representative Lockard and another member expressed support, saying pardon power can be undemocratic and that the timing of mass pardons after elections is troubling. McDaniel said the 60-day window was chosen as a practical period for information to reach voters. No vote was taken on the bill, and the meeting adjourned after a visiting district judge was recognized.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move the A2 to reflect accurate titles in that section of the P100. Thank you. Any discussion?
• 22.400><c> that</c> A2 to reflect uh accurate titles in that A2 to reflect uh accurate titles in that section
• I just wanted to confirm for the legal fees section if there have been any changes to policies from previous
• c><00:16:15.600><c> the</c><00:16:15.720><c> legal</c><00:16:16.040><c> fees</c><00:16:16.440><c> section
• </c><00:16:17.240><c> if</c> confirm for the legal fees section if confirm for the legal fees section

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They increased the number of civil sections from 2023; that is, they moved judges in some cases from
• With regard to legislative oversight, section 43.51, Florida Statutes, requires the Office of the State
• We have additional information on research in the last section of the annual report.
• law against constitutional challenges brought under the access to courts provision in Article I, Section
• The amendments proposed by the work group add language to section 119.0714, Florida Statutes, to create

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through. The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support. Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This role is outlined in General Law Section 195, which is appointed by the governor, but we are all
• The bill also includes an important section that will help us better understand the size, the scope,
• Though we look forward to working with you, the concept of this section makes sense.
• Education of primary care providers: Section 2 of the bill calls for a training curriculum for primary
• Data collection and research is under Section 3, and the emphasis on collecting data about chiropractic

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of bills, with testimony first focused on H. 1315/S. 824, which would require insurance coverage for pain management options during IUD insertion. Representative Sabadosa, Planned Parenthood clinicians, and policy advocates said sedation can reduce fear and trauma, improve access to effective contraception, and should be reimbursed so providers can continue offering it. A Tufts OB-GYN resident also testified that pain control should be standard care for intrauterine procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee then heard extensive testimony on firefighter health bills, especially H. 1230/S. 690 requiring insurance coverage for cancer screenings for firefighters. Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts leaders, a Dana-Farber oncologist, and firefighters themselves described occupational exposure to carcinogens and personal stories of late-stage cancer detection, arguing that early screening can save lives and reduce long-term costs. Representative Crichton and Representative Howitt also spoke in support, and Representative Ayers testified for H. 4012, which would require neurological disorder screenings for firefighters. Committee members expressed support and sympathy, but no action was taken. The hearing also covered H. 3946/S. 756 on hearing aid coverage, with testimony from students, adults with hearing loss, disability advocates, and HLAA representatives describing the educational, social, and financial barriers caused by lack of coverage and urging broader insurance mandates. Later, Representative Donahue and Representative Vargas testified for H. 1337 to expand insurance coverage for opioid antagonists and related medications, including naloxone dispensed at discharge. The committee additionally heard testimony on H. 1134 to improve chronic pain care coordination and non-opioid access, and H. 4162 to improve ostomy supply coverage and access to certified ostomy care, with patients and clinicians describing denials, quantity limits, and non-medical switching. The transcript ends while testimony on H. 1315/S. 824 is still ongoing; no votes or formal committee actions are recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 1 of this bill creates a Human Services Steering Committee to oversee Minnesota's IT systems.
• </c><00:01:02.880><c> Section</c><00:01:03.320><c> 1</c><00:01:03.520><c> of</c><00:01:03.680><c> this
• </c> Section 2 of this bill provides one-time funding for fiscal year 2027 to modernize county human
• And so if you look to section two, that list, we don't know how long that could take.
• And so if you look to section benefits.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That is in—sorry, apologies, I'm getting the exact section, but that is outlined in Section E.
• Other Senate, Section E. We have concerns with that expansion of causation. Okay.
• This is not the amended one, but it's 798.83.2 and in section C of that, it says management shall not
• Now this is not the amended one, but it's 798.83.2, and in section C of that, it says management shall
• So that over time, the number of homes that are in compliance with Section 4291, as it is evolving, and

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard SB 934 by Senator Wiener, which would extend the statute of limitations for malpractice claims arising from conversion therapy and clarify how expert testimony and scientific evidence may be used in those cases. Supporters, including a survivor, a licensed therapist, and LGBTQ advocacy groups, described conversion therapy as harmful and argued survivors often cannot come forward within current filing deadlines. Opponents, including civil justice and conservative legal groups, argued the bill was a workaround to recent Supreme Court rulings and raised concerns about free speech, evidentiary standards, and whether the bill could chill legitimate therapy. Committee members largely focused on whether the bill was limited to conversion therapy malpractice claims and not broader gender-affirming care; the bill was moved on a 7-2-1 vote to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. The consent calendar was also adopted on a 6-0 vote and placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1092 by Senator Allen, a housing bill aimed at manufactured home parks. The bill would give residents or their designated representatives a right to make a competitive bid when a park owner intends to sell, lease, or transfer a park, with notice and response periods intended to give residents time to organize financing. Supporters said the measure would preserve naturally occurring affordable housing, especially for older and lower-income residents, and help resident-owned cooperatives or nonprofits buy parks before investor buyers do. Opponents from park owner and realtor groups argued the bill would burden private property rights, devalue parks, and create unconstitutional takings and litigation risk. Committee questions centered on the bill’s timelines, whether residents would have 120 days to express interest and another 120 days to close, and whether the purchase agreement would be binding if accepted. The author and supporters said the second period was needed for due diligence and financing, while opponents said the structure could still delay sales and reduce market value. Several members expressed support for the bill’s goal but asked for further clarification or possible tightening of the timing and good-faith provisions; no final vote on SB 1092 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• midwife had finally given up, called the doctor, who responded to the hospital for an emergency C-section
• The amendment adds the term 'strategic spaceport hub,' creates a section on economic development for
• Porras, I want to focus on Section 16, the Community Association Court Program that's on page 59.
• With respect to all other contracts, section 3 of the bill applies to contracts executed or renewed after
• With respect to all other contracts, section 3 of the bill applies to contracts executed or renewed after

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Summary: The committee first considered CS/HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation. The sponsor said the bill would strengthen OIR’s tools to oversee property insurance, including market conduct and solvency exams, claims handling oversight, mandatory discounts for certain mitigation measures, storage of mitigation inspection forms, and clearer authority over pharmacy benefit managers. An amendment narrowing fingerprinting requirements was adopted, and the bill passed favorably after supportive testimony from OIR and others. Members then heard CS/HB 527, which would require a human review before an insurance claim can be denied or reduced when artificial intelligence or automated systems are used. After an amendment removing the term “algorithm” was adopted, the bill drew opposition from several insurance industry groups, while consumer and labor witnesses supported it. The sponsor argued the measure was needed after reports of AI-driven claim denials, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/HB 637 on farm equipment “lemon law” protections, with an amendment clarifying who qualifies as a consumer, refund rights, repair timelines, and an effective date. The committee next took up CS/HB 1007 on data centers, which would create a regulatory framework for siting and operating large data centers, limit NDAs in some circumstances, set PSC tariff requirements, and restrict certain locations near homes and schools. After an amendment narrowing the five-mile buffer to data centers over 50 megawatts and adding noise-study requirements, the bill drew mixed testimony from business, consumer, and local-government groups, with supporters emphasizing guardrails and opponents warning about competitiveness and site restrictions. The bill passed favorably despite several no votes. Later, the committee approved CS/HB 1291 on the NICA birth-related neurological injury compensation program after a strike-all amendment revised reimbursement and assessment provisions; testimony included support from NICA and concerns from the Florida Justice Association and a family affected by the program. The committee also passed CS/HB 185 on a sales tax exemption for home-hardening products, CS/HB 425 on a historic African-American cemetery preservation program, CS/CS/CS/HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, CS/CS/CS/HB 657 on community associations and HOA/condo reforms, and CS/CS/HB 1221, the DFS agency package. The final bill discussed was CS/HB 1001, which would restrict county and municipal DEI-related actions and contracting; the sponsor explained the strike-all, and members began questioning its definitions and exceptions, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s final disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• When Section 522 funding was cut, it didn't just remove dollars.
• I think the last two folks signed in in this section are not with us.
• I believe that concludes the natural resources section.
• We now go to the last section called All Other.
• Natural Resources section, we now go to the last section called All Other.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on the Senate operating budget proposal, beginning with a staff briefing from James Kettle. He described the budget as built on relatively flat revenue after multiple forecast updates, with substantial mandatory cost growth, especially in Health Care Authority, DSHS, and DCYF. He highlighted major policy-level additions and savings, including large tort liability costs, continued support for long-term services, reductions tied to child care and K-12 items, several assumed revenue bills, and major transfers from reserves and other accounts. Kettle also noted the four-year outlook remained positive overall, with about $1 billion ending fund balance in the final year and roughly $3 billion in total reserves. A committee member asked about a diagram showing the loss of federal funds, and staff said they would follow up. Public testimony then focused first on K-12 education, where school leaders, teachers, OSPI, PTA, and rural district representatives largely opposed the proposed cuts to local effort assistance, transition to kindergarten, bus depreciation, and related school funding items. Many argued the reductions would disproportionately harm rural and property-poor districts and weaken early learning access, while several students and educators spoke in favor of career and technical education and IT Academy funding. The committee also heard support for wildfire prevention funding from the Commissioner of Public Lands, who thanked the Senate for restoring those dollars but raised concerns about recreation program reductions. Higher education testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the Senate proposal compared with the governor’s budget. Community and technical college leaders warned that the budget still shifts compensation costs to tuition and reduces Running Start funding, while university representatives from Western, Eastern, Central, WSU, and UW thanked the committee for avoiding deeper cuts. Private vocational college students and administrators urged extension of Washington College Grant eligibility for students already enrolled, and others asked to preserve IT Academy and related certification funding. In early learning, child care and advocacy groups praised the decision not to cap Working Connections Child Care but warned that child care and transition to kindergarten still bear a disproportionate share of cuts; they also requested continued support for Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Pierce County early childhood programs, including Family Connects. The hearing continued with testimony on employee compensation, mental health, and human services. State employee and retiree groups supported the budget’s COLA and wildfire funding but objected to cuts in retiree health benefits. Behavioral health and public safety advocates supported mentoring, Trueblood-related funding, crisis stabilization, and the Recovery Navigator Program, while others opposed reductions to those programs and to community-based recovery services. In human services, witnesses thanked the committee for funding victim services, child welfare supports, health homes, adult day care, community health centers, energy assistance, and disability services, while urging the committee to avoid further reductions to skilled nursing, case management, and recovery navigation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe it is Section 24 about federal funding.
• Let me get to Section 24, if I may. Mr. Chair, I can answer that question. You're recognized.
• And then I just had a question about Section 107 having to do with CFO authority.
• It actually refers back to Section 106.
• It's a technical section that goes back to the sweeps to GR identified in Section 106 of the implementing

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I have a substitute, a committee substitute, and the amendment simply states this section does
• That's in a different section of the code.
• This moves it to the section of code under a nice law. clerk<00:54:43.040><c> lock</c><00:54:43.280><
• This moves it to the section of code under Annayia's law. agree there'll be a condition of agree there'll
• of code that deals there's a section of code that deals with<00:56:14.480><c> a</c><00:56:14.960><c>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond that, our members have a grave concern regarding sections 5, 6, and 7, or sections 5 and 6, excuse
• Section 6 end runs what in federal law is known as the T.R. Amendment.
• Yeah, paragraph bravo, right, about section four.
• If I had understood... ...right, paragraph bravo, right, about section four.
• And, Madam Chair, Senator, on page 15, starting in Section 8, it just talks about how that compliance

Bills: SB4 , SB7 , SB9 , SB17

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, medical education, salaries, graduate education, clinician pay, health sciences, education funding, faculty salary, University of New Mexico, healthcare funding, general fund, state budget, New Mexico legislation, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, 996

Transcript Highlights:

• EIGHTEEN USC SECTION 32 ON THE DESTRUCTION OF AIRCRAFT AND DRONES ARE CONSIDER AIRCRAFT SUBSECTION LETTER
• THIS AMENDMENT SIMPLY REMOVES SOME SECTIONS OF THE BILL IN ORDER TO CONFORM THE BILL TO MATCH THE HOUSE
• IS THIS IN A STATUTE OR A SECTION THAT WILL BE ADDED TO CHAPTER 489 WHERE THE ROOFING IS COVERED ALREADY
• OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE ADDED TO A SECTION OF THE BUILDING CODE OR IS IT ALREADY THERE WITH
• UNDER ANY OTHER SECTION OF LAW WHEN IT COMES TO PROSECUTING SOMEBODY WHO DESTROYS EVIDENCE WILL BE PUT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you read Section B, it says a municipality or county shall allow the...
• If you read Section B, it says a municipality or county shall allow the establishment in all districts
• And this amendment, especially the section dealing with the preceptorship.
• The bill is drafted is changing sections one, two, and three under 464.019.
• They're changing sections of the law that the statute exempts all accredited schools.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee took up a series of health and human services bills, beginning with CS/SB 1602, which would require emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric care protocols, training, appropriate child-sized equipment and medications, a designated care coordinator, and participation in a pediatric readiness assessment. It was reported favorably. CS/SB 1224 followed, aligning Florida law with federal requirements so paramedics may administer controlled substances in the field under physician or nurse practitioner protocols; it also passed favorably after supportive testimony from fire chiefs. The committee then adopted a strike-all for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which addresses venous thromboembolism by creating a statewide registry, requiring screening and training in hospitals and long-term care settings, and adding assisted living facility response requirements. Assisted living representatives objected to the ALF provisions as unrealistic and potentially harmful, while supporters argued the bill would save lives; the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 1182, requiring continuous glucose monitors to be covered as both durable medical equipment and a pharmacy benefit, also passed favorably with support from AARP. The committee next considered CS/SB 12, a claim bill for a child severely injured after a DCF home visit allegedly failed to meet standards, and it was reported favorably without opposition. CS/CS/SB 954, dealing with substance abuse treatment centers and recovery residences, drew substantial debate. The bill would limit local zoning restrictions on treatment facilities and allow larger recovery residences if staffing ratios are increased; a late-filed amendment reduced the maximum active patients from 500 to 300. Municipal and county representatives warned that the bill could override local reasonable-accommodation efforts and create institutional-scale facilities, while supporters said housing is essential to recovery and that clustering concerns are overstated. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably. CS/SB 1050, expanding the developmental disabilities pilot program statewide and creating a statewide family care council, also passed after extensive testimony from families and advocates. Supporters emphasized the long waitlist and the need for more services, while some speakers opposed managed care and warned about provider shortages and loss of individualized supports. Later, CS/SB 614, requiring a public educational webpage about background screening clearinghouse and level two screening requirements, was reported favorably. CS/SB 1578, which would require coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screening in certain circumstances, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 1060 created a joint legislative oversight committee to review Medicaid operations and financing; members discussed the need for stronger oversight of large midyear spending adjustments, and the bill passed favorably. CS/SB 1240, a Department of Children and Families substance abuse and mental health bill, was amended to clarify Baker Act transfer timing and notification requirements after debate over whether facilities could hold patients too long; it was then reported favorably. Finally, Senator Harrell presented CS/SB 526, a major nursing education bill aimed at Florida’s low NCLEX passage rates. The bill would require nursing programs to use exit exams, remediation, reporting, and stricter oversight, and the strike-all would add graduate preceptorships for low-performing programs and temporary provisional licenses for graduates pending NCLEX passage. The transcript ended while that bill was still being explained, before final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your section on line 34, limitations on common law public nuisance claims.
• Is that what that section states? Thank you. Claims. Is that what that section states?
• Yes, on section, I believe you're reading 100C.02, I think that's what you're reading.
• Okay, so what is the purpose of that subsection under this particular section, Section 100C.02?
• It would seem as though that if a claim falls under subsection 3 is prohibited by this section.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, recognized a Karnes County Day delegation and the Texas Association of Museums, received a governor’s message on Texas Diabetes Council appointments, and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 388 honoring the Texas Association of Museums, and adopted SRs 380, 382, and 387 by voice vote. Senator King was excused due to a family death, and the journal reading was dispensed with. The Senate then moved through a series of bills, most of them on expedited suspension of the regular order and three-day rule. Measures passed included SB 868 on Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program funding for high-wildfire-risk areas; SB 264 exempting certain family motor-vehicle transfers from tax; SB 2112 on oyster mariculture penalties; SB 1484 on catfish labeling and marketing; SB 660 on bollards near hospital emergency rooms; SB 1809 creating offenses for gift card fraud; SB 32 and SJR 81 providing business personal property tax relief and a related constitutional amendment; SB 1267 modernizing boat titling and adding disclosure for hidden hull damage; SB 1470 allowing DPS data sharing for voter list maintenance; SB 2406 and SB 2407 implementing Sunset recommendations for the Sabine River Authority and Lower Neches Valley River Authority; SB 609 on school district compliance with legally required policies; SB 921 on ex parte Medicaid eligibility renewals; SB 2320 increasing DWI penalties; SB 1822 requiring disclosure and oversight of AI-based utilization review algorithms; SB 693 on notaries public and deed theft prevention; and SB 664 setting statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and related judicial officers. One of the most contested items was SB 779 on common law public nuisance claims, which drew extended debate over whether the bill would limit lawsuits against lawful, regulated activities and whether it would preserve private nuisance and other existing remedies. Despite objections, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment by a 17-12 vote, holding it there. Another debated measure was SB 1008 on state and local authority over the food service industry; after a perfecting amendment, it was passed to engrossment and then to final passage. Several bills were adopted or passed with near-unanimous support, while others, including SB 1267, SB 1470, SB 1822, and SB 2320, saw some opposition but still cleared the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• My concern is on page 10, section 4, where we're not talking about actual issues committees, but we're
• My concern is on page 10, section 4, where we're not talking about actual issues committees, but we're
• We had a smoking section in our waiting room. It was surrounded by a knee wall.
• There's not a smoking section on airplanes.
• Chair. there is a non-codified section that any there is a non-codified section that any teacher<00:39

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:05 Attendance Roll Call: 00:17 HB 30 (Rep. Blanton): 01:12 HB 27 (Rep. Osborne: 05:22 HB 45 (Rep. Hodgson): 08:29 HB 211 (Rep. C. Lewis): 15:54 HB 441 (Rep. Tipton): 36:38 Adjournment: 41:20, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first took up House Bill 30, which addresses pension spiking and retired state troopers returning to work. The sponsor and Kentucky Public Pensions Authority staff said the bill would codify court language clarifying that across-the-board raises from the General Assembly do not count as pension spiking, and the committee substitute would also give retired troopers rehired on a year-to-year basis the same vacation, sick leave, and bereavement benefits as new troopers. The committee adopted the substitute and a title amendment, and HB 30 passed 9-0. The committee then considered House Bill 27, which removes an arbitrary 2023 date from the Planned Communities Act that had created confusion over political signage rules in HOA and planned community phases. The sponsor said the change would preserve HOA authority to regulate sign size, duration, and placement while eliminating inconsistent treatment of neighboring properties. The bill passed 10-0. House Bill 45 followed, proposing to ban foreign funding in Kentucky elections and ballot measures and to require disclosure for express advocacy ads related to ballot measures. Supporters said the bill would put ballot measures on the same footing as candidate and PAC restrictions and prevent foreign nationals from influencing Kentucky elections; one senator raised concerns that the language could unintentionally chill participation by noncitizens, especially in one-on-one discussions, and the sponsor said he would work on that issue. The committee adopted the bill as amended, and it passed 8-1. The final major item was House Bill 211, which would create a narrow exemption allowing cigar bars under defined conditions, including a revenue threshold, age restrictions, ventilation requirements, and local permitting options. The sponsor said the bill would not roll back general smoke-free laws but would allow tightly regulated cigar bars and grandfather existing ones from some requirements. Public health witnesses, including a nurse, a physician, and a thoracic surgeon, opposed the bill, warning it would weaken strong smoke-free protections, harm workers and patrons, and reverse progress against tobacco-related disease. The transcript provided did not include a final vote on HB 211.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm having a little trouble finding where in the amendment it references section three that... is that
• still SNL section two starting?
• two starting could find so SNL section two starting could find so um<00:13:28.360><c> see</c> [Applause
• It's now section two and about the energy metering... and I believe that's on line 32.
• so um it's a resources in this section so um it's a it's<00:46:06.119><c> really</c><00:46:06.599><c

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, we specifically oppose section four of this bill, and we kind of just want to reiterate, you know
• we oppose um unfairly targets section we oppose um unfairly targets active<00:28:56.760><c> former</
• So, as you noted in your testimony, D currently has H section 12-1 15-55, which states that shipping
• 12-1 15-55 which currently has H section 12-1 15-55 which states<00:34:54.639><c> that</c><00:34:55.639
• We request that the committee consider adding an additional provision in section 2A to clarify that the

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and removes the section related to conflicting deed restrictions.
• of statute and removes the section of statute and removes the section<00:43:37.280><c> related</c><00
• c><02:05:00.320><c> conforming</c> redundant section and makes conforming redundant section and makes
• It says interactions flagged as violating this section.
• Who's flagging those and this section.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you'll see in here a new section was created to carve those new section was created to carve those
• requirements regarding building or lot size for affected properties before the effective date of this section

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee considered Senate Bill 564 and discussed two related amendments, which were ultimately combined. The main amendment would create carve-outs for wetland buffers and conservation subdivisions, allowing certain facilities or utilities to proceed by conditional use permit or special exception while still requiring site plan review and DES permitting. Supporters said the change would open up developable land and provide a path forward for housing development without an automatic denial. Members also focused on the effective date. The amendment was revised to take effect March 1, 2027, to give municipalities time to update ordinances and, if desired, designate conservation subdivisions. To prevent towns from undermining the bill before it takes effect, a second amendment was added stating that municipalities may not impose additional building or lot-size restrictions on affected properties before the effective date. Senators said this would avoid a “poison pill” response such as increasing minimum lot sizes. After brief discussion, members agreed the amendments were consistent with the bill’s housing and conservation balance. The committee voted unanimously to adopt the combined amendments, agreed to place the bill on consent, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Article 7, Section 2, subdivision E, this is a motion for committee consideration.
• Code Section 1189. There are no memos in support or opposition.
• This bill, incidentally, is also pursuant to Article 7, Section 2, subdivision E, of the Senate Rules

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Higher Education Committee met on May 5 and considered 12 bills, with most measures relating to higher education administration, student services, and professional licensing. The committee advanced a rural teacher loan repayment program for teachers serving underserved rural areas, a SUNY/CUNY mental health staffing requirement, a bill allowing SED access to patient or client records in professional misconduct cases, an AI-in-therapy regulation bill, cross-profession supervision for certain mental health professionals, an extension of limited permits for social workers, continuing education requirements for acupuncturists, and updated supervision rules for physical therapy assistants. One bill reorganizing SUNY police was held for further negotiations with SUNY, SUNY police, and stakeholders. Two Article 7, Section 2, subdivision E motions for committee consideration were taken up. Senator Rose’s bill to withhold financial aid from SUNY or CUNY institutions that permit organizations designated as terrorist organizations was defeated after several senators voted no or without recommendation. Senator Kanzanari Fitzpatrick’s bill requiring anti-Semitism awareness training, incident reporting, and compliance with state reporting rules for higher education institutions was approved and sent to the Codes Committee, with some senators voting without recommendation because they viewed the subject as already covered by existing law. The committee also reported Senator Rivera’s nurse practitioner conformity bill to the floor, and several other bills were reported either to the floor or to Finance depending on their fiscal impact. Most measures were approved without opposition, though some senators voted without recommendation on bills they said overlapped with existing statutes or prior legislation. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.