Transcript Highlights:

• :00:01.599><c> the</c><02:00:01.840><c> data</c><02:00:02.080><c> that</c><02:00:02.320><c> is</c><02
• </c><02:00:04.000><c> around</c><02:00:04.239><c> the</c><02:00:04.480><c> state</c><02:00:04.719><c>
• And this is because<02:00:10.239><c> of</c><02:00:10.480><c> the</c><02:00:10.960><c> tireless</c><02
• She makes<02:00:16.320><c> sure</c><02:00:16.480><c> that</c><02:00:16.639><c> the</c><02:00:16.880><
• c><02:02:00.000><c> have</c><02:02:00.239><c> a</c><02:02:00.560><c> system</c> Um, and now that we can

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> your</c><01:02:25.040><c> question</c><01:02:25.440><c> as</c><01:02:25.680><c> best</c><01:02:25.920
• Other<01:02:27.680><c> questions</c><01:02:28.000><c> from</c><01:02:28.240><c> the</c> Other questions
• <01:02:30.079><c> Seeing</c><01:02:30.400><c> none.
• </c><01:02:30.720><c> Thank</c><01:02:30.799><c> you</c><01:02:30.960><c> very</c> senators?
• Thank you very much.<01:02:31.440><c> Thank</c><01:02:31.520><c> you,</c><01:02:31.760><c> sir.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> any</c><02:02:13.440><c> questions</c><02:02:13.920><c> thank</c><02:02:14.079><c> you</c><02:02
• <02:02:28.360><c> Rachel</c><02:02:28.679><c> Wilkinson</c><02:02:29.119><c> on</c><02:02:29.280><c>
• </c><02:02:34.719><c> thank</c><02:02:34.920><c> you</c><02:02:35.920><c> thank</c><02:02:36.199><c>
• </c><02:02:42.960><c> I'm</c><02:02:43.119><c> as</c><02:02:43.440><c> Smith</c><02:02:44.000><c> and
• <02:02:56.079><c> um</c><02:02:56.400><c> 90%</c><02:02:56.960><c> of</c><02:02:57.119><c> Prior</c>

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure. HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices. HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• diverting</c><01:02:03.599><c> into</c><01:02:03.839><c> a</c><01:02:04.359><c> a</c><01:02:05.359><
• motorist that's<01:02:06.240><c> passing</c><01:02:06.559><c> them</c><01:02:07.119><c> on</c><01:02
• Um,<01:02:09.920><c> I</c><01:02:10.160><c> don't</c><01:02:10.960><c> I</c><01:02:11.280><c> think</
• Chair.<01:02:19.200><c> Thank</c><01:02:19.280><c> you,</c><01:02:19.440><c> Kevin,</c><01:02:19.680>
• <04:02:28.239><c> and</c><04:02:28.560><c> we</c><04:02:29.439><c> um</c><04:02:29.680><c> I</c><04:02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation bills. SB 154 would add the Snow Traveler Foundation to the list of charitable organizations authorized to offer multi-use decal plates through the existing Department of Safety program. Senator David Roford said the bill would create a non-tax funding source for snowmobile trail maintenance, especially after flood damage, and Dan Gold of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association said the foundation would accept tax-deductible donations for projects such as upgraded trail signage. He explained that the association’s 96 volunteer clubs maintain about 7,000 miles of trails and that the sign program is costly. No opposition was presented, and the hearing was closed after questions from members about the foundation’s status and fundraising goals. SB 271 would expand eligibility for veteran license plates to include veterans with a general discharge under honorable conditions. The sponsor’s representative said the change would recognize service members who are already eligible for many veterans benefits but are excluded from plates under current law. Supporters included Phil Grizzo, who argued that general discharges often reflect service that was otherwise honorable, and Kevin Grady of the State Veterans Advisory Committee, which said it strongly supported the bill and was also considering broader statutory cleanup to standardize the definition of veteran across state law. Committee members asked whether the change should be limited to plates or applied more broadly, but the sponsor said broader changes would be a separate policy question. The public hearing was then closed. SB 273, titled “Cheryl’s Law,” would update New Hampshire’s move-over requirements for motorists approaching stopped or standing vehicles on the roadside, including stranded vehicles and those with warning signals. Senator Donovan Fenton said the bill was intended to save lives and honor Staff Sergeant Jesse Cheryl and Brigadier General John Pogo, both of whom died in roadside incidents. He said the measure would require drivers to slow down, change lanes if safe, and move over for roadside vehicles, with the intent of education rather than punishment. Committee members asked about enforcement, the lack of a fiscal note, whether the bill applied statewide, and whether the language could be read as weakening the move-over requirement; the sponsor said it applied to all roads, did not change fines, and was meant to clarify and broaden safety obligations. The hearing continued with additional questions, and the sponsor said state police and other safety stakeholders supported the approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• President</c><01:02:22.480><c> I</c><01:02:22.640><c> rise</c><01:02:22.880><c> in</c><01:02:23.039>
• <01:02:36.079><c> was</c><01:02:36.240><c> to</c><01:02:36.480><c> cure</c><01:02:36.799><c> the</c><
• c><01:02:44.680><c> least</c><01:02:45.319><c> addressed</c><01:02:46.039><c> one</c><01:02:46.480><c
• is eliminating<01:02:50.240><c> the</c><01:02:50.440><c> violation</c><01:02:51.240><c> yet</c><01:02
• > not</c><01:02:58.240><c> come</c><01:02:58.640><c> close</c><01:02:59.400><c> to</c><01:02:59.640><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:01.680><c> and</c><05:02:01.920><c> it's</c><05:02:02.160><c> been</c><05:02:02.400><c> said</c>
• ><c> but</c><05:02:03.280><c> I</c><05:02:03.520><c> will</c><05:02:03.680><c> say</c><05:02:03.760><
• The reason for that<05:02:06.798><c> is</c><05:02:07.280><c> we</c><05:02:07.600><c> have</c><05:02:08.480
• ><c> UNATIL</c><05:02:09.280><c> as</c><05:02:09.520><c> do</c><05:02:09.760><c> the</c><05:02:10.000
• </c><05:02:11.200><c> We</c><05:02:11.360><c> do</c><05:02:11.520><c> not</c> We do not benefit.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• okay</c><02:02:03.199><c> if</c><02:02:03.320><c> I</c><02:02:03.440><c> may</c><02:02:04.239><c> um
• because</c> statute within that section because statute within that section because there's<02:28:53.880
• :50:38.600><c> statutes</c><02:50:39.000><c> that</c><02:50:39.120><c> need</c><02:50:39.239><c> to</
• c><02:50:39.359><c> be</c><02:50:39.479><c> changed</c> rules statutes that need to be changed rules
• statutes that need to be changed but<02:50:40.520><c> the</c><02:50:40.760><c> process</c><02:50:41.160

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years. For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations. Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need. HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:18.880><c> I</c><02:02:19.119><c> am</c><02:02:19.280><c> a</c><02:02:19.440><c> managing</c><02:
• Uh<02:02:28.560><c> I</c><02:02:28.719><c> work</c><02:02:28.880><c> in</c><02:02:29.040><c> our</c><
• </c><02:02:32.000><c> I'm</c><02:02:32.159><c> a</c><02:02:32.320><c> lawyer</c><02:02:32.639><c> by<
• c><02:02:38.480><c> to</c><02:02:38.639><c> do</c><02:02:38.880><c> three</c><02:02:39.119><c> things
• <02:02:46.960><c> litigation</c><02:02:47.520><c> finance,</c><02:02:47.840><c> which</c><02:02:48.080

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:02:00.280><c> you</c><02:02:00.400><c> got</c><02:02:00.560><c> the</c><02:02:00.719><c> developers
• c> then</c><02:02:01.639><c> you</c><02:02:01.760><c> got</c><02:02:01.880><c> the</c><02:02:02.040><
• :02:57.239><c> active</c><02:02:57.800><c> in</c><02:02:58.800><c> you</c><02:02:58.920><c> know</c><
• 02:02:59.159><c> the</c><02:02:59.320><c> use</c><02:02:59.520><c> of</c><02:03:00.000><c> uh</c><02:
• 02:13:01.280><c> but</c><02:13:01.360><c> we</c><02:13:01.520><c> do</c><02:13:01.840><c> exp</c><02:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00:01.040><c> and</c><02:00:01.480><c> um</c><02:00:02.360><c> you</c><02:00:02.480><c> know</c><02:
• </c><02:00:04.800><c> a</c><02:00:05.159><c> uh</c><02:00:05.520><c> Department</c><02:00:06.079><c>
• :00:30.159><c> that</c><02:00:30.320><c> so</c><02:00:30.520><c> this</c><02:00:30.639><c> is</c><02:
• c><02:00:33.880><c> do</c><02:00:34.079><c> a</c><02:00:34.239><c> good</c><02:00:34.400><c> job</c><
• <02:00:35.639><c> the</c><02:00:35.960><c> there's</c><02:00:36.520><c> also</c><02:00:37.520><c> um<

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> the</c><00:02:33.599><c> globe</c><00:02:34.000><c> right</c><00:02:34.239><c> now.
• </c><00:02:34.560><c> It's</c><00:02:34.720><c> a</c><00:02:34.959><c> it's</c><00:02:35.280><c> a</c
• And<00:02:38.879><c> what</c><00:02:39.200><c> has</c><00:02:39.440><c> happened</c><00:02:40.000><c>
• 02:44.879><c> what</c><00:02:45.120><c> we</c><00:02:45.360><c> think</c><00:02:45.599><c> here</c><00
• :02:53.120><c> in</c><00:02:53.440><c> 2030,</c><00:02:54.480><c> they're</c><00:02:54.800><c> going<

Bills: HB0120

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: energy production, natural gas, industrial sovereignty, manufacturing, tax exemptions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She<00:02:22.959><c> was</c><00:02:23.120><c> raised</c><00:02:23.440><c> by</c><00:02:23.599><c> her
• <00:02:24.879><c> to</c><00:02:25.040><c> up</c><00:02:25.520><c> uphold</c><00:02:26.000><c> their</
• </c><00:02:52.800><c> Thank</c><00:02:53.080><c> you.</c><00:02:54.080><c> That's</c> nomination.
• That's all<00:02:54.480><c> the</c><00:02:54.640><c> testifiers</c><00:02:55.200><c> I</c><00:02:55.519
• Is there<00:02:56.640><c> anybody</c><00:02:56.800><c> else</c><00:02:56.959><c> in</c><00:02:57.120>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard nominations for several members of the Burial Council and the Hawaiian Homes Commission. For Burial Council nominations, the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Historic Preservation Division testified in support of Leimana Abunes, Cyrus Sito, Chantel Freeman, and Chadley Shiml Fenig, emphasizing their genealogical ties, cultural knowledge, experience with iwi kupuna, and commitment to preservation and reinterment. Each nominee also briefly introduced themselves and described their background and motivation to serve. Committee members said they had favorable conversations with the nominees and indicated votes would be taken at the end of the agenda. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 773, Shaylin Ornellas, for the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Testimony in support was strong, including 45 written supports and no opposition, along with oral testimony from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and community supporters. Supporters highlighted Ornellas’ education, real estate and development experience, public service, and connection to Kauaʻi and homestead communities. Ornellas said she was answering a call to serve and discussed her background and commitment to the community. Members questioned Ornellas closely about Act 279, the DHHL waitlist, beneficiary consultation, housing options, and the department’s “paper lease” practice. She said Act 279 was intended to help reduce the waitlist, supported broader housing options and beneficiary input, and acknowledged limited familiarity with the technical details of paper leases. One senator raised concerns that paper leases may not guarantee actual lots and urged further research. The discussion also touched on policy issues such as beneficiaries maintaining their waitlist positions after declining offers or taking rentals, with committee members noting these are commission policy choices rather than statutory mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency can, for specific purposes and only as authorized in statute, spend against the general fund
• The agency can, for specific purposes and only as authorized in statute, spend against the general fund
• -1-1-1-1, 02-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-0-1-1-1-1-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1,
• 6, 05-01, 02, 02 6, 02, 02, 06, 02, 06, 02, 06, 02, 06, 02, 06, 02, 06, 02, 02, 02, 02, 02, 02, 02,
• 6, 05-01, 02, 02 6, 02, 02,06, 02,06, 02,06, 02,06, 02,06, 02,06, 02,06,02,02,02,02,02,02,02,022222,022222,022222

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:03.199><c> to</c><02:02:03.520><c> small</c><02:02:04.320><c> with</c><02:02:04.639><c> access</c
• So concur<02:02:14.880><c> we</c><02:02:15.119><c> say</c><02:02:15.520><c> and</c><02:02:15.760><c>
• Let sunlight<02:02:17.599><c> be</c><02:02:17.840><c> something</c><02:02:18.239><c> we</c><02:02:18.560
• 02:02:47.599><c> made</c><02:02:47.760><c> a</c><02:02:47.920><c> variety</c><02:02:48.239><c> of</c>
• We are pleased<02:02:53.280><c> to</c><02:02:53.520><c> report</c><02:02:53.840><c> that</c><02:02:54.159

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• within<01:02:36.200><c> the</c><01:02:36.559><c> district</c><01:02:37.559><c> period</c><01:02:38.000
• <01:02:43.200><c> parent</c><01:02:43.760><c> or</c><01:02:44.000><c> guardian</c><01:02:44.359><c> of
• of a student<01:02:44.880><c> may</c><01:02:45.160><c> also</c><01:02:45.480><c> apply</c><01:02:45.760
• <01:02:46.680><c> of</c><01:02:46.799><c> the</c><01:02:46.960><c> student's</c><01:02:47.319><c> resident
• :48.079><c> if</c><01:02:48.200><c> the</c><01:02:48.400><c> parent</c><01:02:48.920><c> or</c><01:02

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:02:03.840><c> because</c><00:02:04.079><c> of</c><00:02:04.240><c> our</c><00:02:04.399><c> 90minute
• :02:08.319><c> limit</c><00:02:08.640><c> for</c><00:02:08.800><c> all</c><00:02:09.039><c> testifiers
• c> we</c><00:02:10.560><c> will</c><00:02:10.720><c> have</c><00:02:10.879><c> a</c><00:02:11.120><c>
• countdown timer<00:02:12.319><c> on</c><00:02:12.560><c> the</c><00:02:12.640><c> Zoom</c><00:02:12.959
• Okay, let's get<00:02:14.879><c> started</c><00:02:15.120><c> with</c><00:02:15.360><c> SP</c><00:02:

Bills: SB874 , SB2097 , SB2098 , SB2126 , SB2154 , SB2153 , SB2160 , SB2123 , SB2110

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, plant propagation, small farms, midsize farms, sustainable farming, Hawaii, data analysis, market study

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns. The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program. SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them. Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment list,<00:02:23.520><c> and</c><00:02:23.760><c> the</c><00:02:23.920><c> Kentucky</c><00:02
• ><c> those</c><00:02:27.520><c> items</c><00:02:27.840><c> selected</c><00:02:28.319><c> for</c><00:02
• :29.599><c> Do</c><00:02:29.840><c> I</c><00:02:29.920><c> have</c><00:02:30.000><c> a</c><00:02:30.160
• </c><00:02:42.160><c> All</c><00:02:42.239><c> those</c><00:02:42.400><c> opposed,</c><00:02:42.800><
• So<02:08:12.000><c> it</c><02:08:12.239><c> was</c><02:08:12.400><c> a</c><02:08:12.639><c> a</c><02:

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:

• <02:21:16.040><c> FY</c><02:21:16.760><c> 27</c><02:21:17.760><c> you</c><02:21:17.920><c> saw</c><02
• </c><02:24:11.840><c> a</c><02:24:12.240><c> um</c><02:24:12.920><c> uh</c><02:24:13.080><c> a</c><02
• <02:41:09.520><c> it</c><02:41:09.680><c> need</c><02:41:09.800><c> to</c><02:41:09.920><c> be</c><02
• ><02:43:25.680><c> it</c><02:43:26.080><c> we</c><02:43:26.200><c> do</c><02:43:26.399><c> the</c><02
• <02:43:31.520><c> I</c><02:43:31.640><c> just</c><02:43:31.760><c> want</c><02:43:31.880><c> to</c><02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on HB 563, which revises the adequacy education grant formula, including differentiated aid for free and reduced-price meals, English language learners, and special education, and also restores fiscal capacity disparity aid. Members explained that for FY 26 the formula largely stays the same with the usual 2% increases, while FY 27 would raise the base cost and several aid categories, including a substantial increase in special education differentiated aid. Supporters said the bill recognizes higher special education costs and separates fiscal capacity disparity from the extraordinary needs grant, which they argued better targets property-poor communities. A major point of discussion was the fiscal capacity disparity aid component. Some members asked for more detail on how the formula affected individual towns and how much money was being allocated. The sponsors said the spreadsheet showed the impacts and estimated the fiscal capacity disparity portion at about $13.3 million, benefiting roughly 40 communities, with Manchester the only municipality expected to receive less under the new approach. They also said the change partially rebalances money that had shifted heavily toward larger cities under the extraordinary needs grant and that the special education increase is new money, not taken from the hold harmless or extraordinary needs funds. Several members supported the amendment as a good-faith step and a bipartisan compromise, while others expressed frustration that they did not have enough time or information to review the spreadsheets in detail before voting. After extended debate, the committee recessed for lunch to allow the spreadsheet to be distributed and reviewed, with the understanding that the bill would continue later in the day and then move on to the other bills on the docket.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:02:04.119><c> of</c><01:02:04.200><c> the</c><01:02:04.319><c> committee</c><01:02:04.760><c>
• ><c> with</c><01:02:05.319><c> the</c><01:02:05.400><c> S</c><01:02:05.599><c> Club</c><01:02:05.920>
• <c> hoi</c><01:02:06.839><c> um</c><01:02:07.079><c> we</c><01:02:07.440><c> uh</c><01:02:07.720><c>
• c> we</c><01:02:08.160><c> really</c><01:02:08.400><c> appreciate</c><01:02:09.200><c> and</c><01:02:
• and um you know<01:02:10.400><c> support</c><01:02:10.839><c> much</c><01:02:10.960><c> of</c><01:02

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:19:24.080><c> make</c><02:19:24.160><c> the</c><02:19:24.319><c> motion</c><02:19:24.559><c> of,<
• &gt;&gt; OTP<02:19:28.399><c> is</c><02:19:28.719><c> the,</c><02:19:29.040><c> uh,</c><02:19:29.200>
• </c><02:19:37.679><c> We</c><02:19:38.000><c> had</c><02:19:38.479><c> a</c><02:19:38.800><c> a</c> &
• So,<02:41:20.240><c> um</c><02:41:20.880><c> I</c><02:41:21.120><c> I</c><02:41:21.520><c> you</c><02
• ><02:41:53.200><c> if</c><02:41:53.200><c> if</c><02:41:53.520><c> in</c><02:41:53.840><c> fact</c><02

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all