Transcript Highlights:

• met from Korea are still ready to defend the nation with their lives, and I'm therefore forever grateful
• met from Korea are still ready to defend the nation with their lives, and I'm therefore forever grateful
• MET FROM KOREA, ARE STILL Ready to defend the nation with their lives, and I'm therefore forever grateful
• So I'm very grateful for, again, Senator Cooney and for the community as a whole, and I vote aye on this
• SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR AGAIN, SENATOR COONEY, AND FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, AND I VOTE AYE ON THIS

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and discharged several identical Assembly/Senate bills from committee so they could be substituted on the calendar. The chamber then took up and previously adopted two commemorative resolutions: one designating April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month and another honoring Korean War veterans. Senators from both parties spoke in support of the Sikh resolution, emphasizing the community’s contributions, service, and the need for recognition and inclusion; the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship and the Sikh guests in the gallery were recognized. The Korean War resolution drew remarks from members recalling family service and the sacrifices of veterans, with repeated calls to preserve their stories and honor their legacy. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills. Among them were measures related to charter bus safety and seat belt awareness, coverage for doula services under insurance, social services/EBT-related changes, education, navigation, highway, public service, and hospital-closure reporting. Several bills passed unanimously or with only one dissenting vote; the social services bill drew the most opposition, with Senator Murray objecting that New York should first address EBT chip technology and skimming before adding new vendor requirements. One bill on the calendar was laid aside for the day. The chamber also adopted a supplemental bill authorizing the South Country Central School District to finance certain deficits, described by Senator Murray as a necessary rescue to keep the district operating and pay staff. Senators discussed the state budget impasse during debate on an extender bill, with the sponsor explaining it was a “clean extender” to keep government running through May 4 and cover payroll, health, education, and other essential payments. Senator Helming raised concerns about the lack of rural health transformation funding and the consequences of the delayed budget for schools, local governments, and hospitals. The extender passed, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, May 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m grateful that you took, I mean, you’ve taken really health care in general, but your creativity in
• And so I'm just really, really grateful that you all are having us back.
• Time is super precious, and so I'm just really, really grateful that you all are having us back.
• the scribble notes down, but this already has made it such a better bill, and we're just really grateful
• But otherwise, again, I just want to renew my gratefulness to all of you for doing the really hard work

Bills: HB99, HB38, HB165, HB127, HB72, HB151, SB40, SB104, SB136, SB164

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm very grateful to Representatives Dow and Armstrong for that.
• I'm very humbled and grateful and also really trying to put this together in a different way this morning
• I'm very humbled and grateful and also really trying to go ahead and put this together in a different
• They continue to offer respect and collaboration, and I am ever so grateful.
• And for that, I'm very grateful.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grateful that you've given us a few minutes today.
• So, we are very grateful to the legislature for your ongoing commitment to supporting nursing education
• So, we are<00:13:40.959> very<00:13:41.440> grateful<00:13:41.760> to<00:13:42.000
• > the<00:13:42.160> legislature<00:13:42.720> for are very grateful to the legislature
• for are very grateful to the legislature for your<00:13:43.200> ongoing<00:13:43.680> commitment

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 4 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Board of Dental Examiners on its FY27 budget request. Board staff said the agency licenses and regulates dentistry and dental hygiene in Mississippi, with nearly 7,500 licenses and permits. They described recent accomplishments, including implementation of a new database and completion of sedation-permit inspection requirements, and said those changes created about $80,000 in savings. The board’s main remaining request was a 3% staff progression costing $20,539; members also discussed a possible $29,000 ITS charge tied to House Bill 1491, though staff said that cost might no longer be needed if the funding shifts back to ITS. The board also explained its revenue sources, including dental, hygienist, and dental assistant x-ray permits, and clarified that the “radiology” permits are for dental assistants authorized to take x-rays. Members asked about fees, renewal cycles, sedation permit classes, and continuing education requirements, and the board said it was fully staffed and did not need vacancy funding. The committee then heard from the Board of Nursing, which said it regulates about 80,000 LPN, RN, and APRN licenses and oversees workforce programs and disciplinary matters. The board emphasized its Office of Nursing Workforce, noting more than $4 million in grants to nursing programs from 2019 to 2024 and thousands of scholarships awarded to nursing students, with recipients required to work in Mississippi for a period after graduation. It said staffing remains a major problem because salaries are not competitive, leading to difficulty filling positions; between October and December, 10 positions were posted and only two were filled. The board said the legislative budget recommendation would eliminate five positions, and it requested $112,466 in salary funding to restore and support staff pay, including a maximum 7% progression for nursing positions, a 4% increase for nonexecutive staff, and a 2% increase for executive staff. The nursing board also requested additional contractual and technology funding. It said House Bill 1491 would increase annual fees by $49,486 plus a one-time $3,000 data migration charge, and it requested $13,800 for an ongoing subscription tied to the military medics program assigned to the board in the prior session. It also said a proposed human trafficking bill would require another $10,000 if enacted. Members asked about the board’s cash balance, renewal cycles, and staffing structure, including investigatory and compliance functions, and the board said it had about 39 current employees and was monitoring roughly 130 people in compliance, including about 30 in a confidential monitoring program for substance use or severe psychiatric conditions. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with members thanking both boards and inviting follow-up questions before appropriations decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are grateful to our steadfast partners, and our...
• We are grateful to our steadfast partners in state government, and we invite others to join us in co-creating
• We are grateful to our steadfast partners in state government and we invite others to join us in co-creating
• We're grateful to have a state legislature that recognizes and supports the critical role that nonprofits
• provide support of great value to LTRGs: training, knowledge, mentoring, and connections, and we are grateful

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery. Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps. Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Shana Kirk, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak on SB 418 as the parent of a transgender
• Haney concluded: "I'm very, very happy to support this and grateful for your leadership on this."
• I am here just for the technical questions you may have, but truly we're grateful for all the support
• committee have been looking at these particular issues for appraisers in California, and we're very grateful
• On behalf of the board, we are very grateful to the author and committee staff for the inclusion of the

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a lengthy agenda of Senate bills, with most measures ultimately advancing on party-line or broad bipartisan votes after substantial testimony and several amendments. Early in the hearing, SB 418 by Sen. Menjivar was presented as a health access bill to codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and require coverage for up to a 12-month supply of medically approved hormone therapy; supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care amid federal threats, while there was no opposition testimony. The committee later also took up SB 456, which would exempt muralists from contractor licensing requirements for commissioned fine art murals; supporters said recent enforcement had chilled mural projects and harmed artists and communities, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 641, part of the wildfire response package, and SB 774, a sunset review bill for the Department of Real Estate and Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, also advanced with support and no opposition. SB 775 and SB 776, sunset extensions for the behavioral sciences, psychology, and optometry boards, passed after witnesses described technical changes and the need to keep the boards operating. SB 777, dealing with abandoned cemeteries, drew testimony from local governments, industry, and counties; after amendments removed a local takeover mandate and shifted the bill toward a stakeholder working group and study process, opposition softened or was withdrawn and the bill moved forward to Local Government. SB 790, on interstate reciprocity for online higher education, generated the most debate, with supporters arguing California students and institutions need stronger consumer protections and access to the national reciprocity framework, while opponents said the bill’s terms conflicted with the existing compact; it passed as amended to Appropriations after committee members emphasized continued work on student protections. The consent calendar, including SB 389 and SB 861, was also approved, and the committee adjourned after additional vote changes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be in front of this committee for a 2nd time this week.
• Even though their time was cut way too short, I'm so grateful for the time we had together and for all
• And as we've mentioned earlier, our congressman, Craig Goldman is here, which we're extremely grateful
• So I'm grateful for their support and I ask your favorable support. With that, I close.
• Now, fortunately, we have come to a very reasonable compromise, and I'm, and I'm very grateful, uh, for

Bills: HB 2065, HB 2462, HB 2621, HB 3187, HB 3539, HB 3563, HB 3726, HB 4164, HB 4207, HB 4368, HB 4706, HB 4916, HB 4950, HB 4967, HB 5177, HB 4429, HB 5597

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm forever grateful for my choice and my opportunities. >> But I would much rather you vote no on
• I'm a yes today, but I am very grateful for the sponsor offering the opportunity for those of us who
• I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Vice chair Pizzo with President Gaetz on specifically
• Incredibly grateful for that time, Mr, Chair and would like to ask for your favorable support.
• If anybody has anything to add in our last committee, but I'm just really grateful.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• set aside a handful of dedicated staff to help support SBOE related work assistance we are very grateful
• I'm grateful for, uh, Representative Oliverson's concern about retaining dedicated qualified Texas educators
• In fact, I'm grateful for the attention this committee has given to this urgent crisis.
• I'm grateful for our kids are in public school.
• I'm grateful for the work of social workers and nurses and school counselors.

Transcript Highlights:

• conservation program is that I think I started in the county in 2007, and this program, like, I'm so grateful
• I'm so grateful because they helped us fund how many projects on Hawaii Island.
• <00:14:05.680> so 2007 and this program like I I'm so 2007 and this program like I I'm so grateful
• 07.040> helped<00:14:07.279> us<00:14:07.519> fund<00:14:08.240> how grateful
• because they helped us fund how grateful because they helped us fund how many<00:14:09.120> projects

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard two gubernatorial nominations and one resolution. Governor’s Message 585 nominated Stanley Ruidas to the Game Management Advisory Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR supported the nomination, citing his prior service as GMAC chair from 2020 to 2022 and his work on hunting and wildlife management issues. Ruidas said he hoped to continue as chair and focus on bringing meetings to hunters across the islands and advancing island-specific wildlife management plans. The committee later recommended advice and consent on GM585, and the motion passed unanimously. Governor’s Message 550 nominated Alexandra Kelly Polo to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR and several supporters, including the County of Hawaii and community advocates, praised her experience with land acquisition, conservation easements, and county open-space efforts. Kelly Polo said her work has helped protect thousands of acres on Hawaii Island and emphasized the importance of preserving natural resources and working with community groups. The committee recommended advice and consent on GM550, and the motion passed unanimously. The committee also considered SCR 19/SR 100, which requested DLNR to convene a Kīua Bay advisory working group. DLNR and the Hawaii Tourism Authority offered written support, and members said the working group could help address long-standing issues in the area. The committee recommended passage with technical and nonsubstantive amendments, and the motion was adopted unanimously. In a separate joint portion of the meeting, the committees also advanced SCR 75/SR 58, supporting historic preservation staffing for Lahaina rebuild efforts, with both technical and substantive amendments, and later advanced STR 24 with an amendment to include the 100th Infantry Battalion alongside the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm grateful to my family members here today.
• I am grateful to the President and to Secretary Besant for their trust and confidence.
• It's a profound honor to be nominated for this position, and I'm grateful to President Trump and Secretary
• It's a true honor to be here with you today, and I'm grateful to you and your staff. for the time you've
• I'm grateful to the President for his trust in me and to Secretary Sean Duffy for his confidence in me

Keywords: financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth

Summary: The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.

Transcript Highlights:

• But anyways, we were grateful that they were there to be able to provide some of these essential needs
• She's been open to feedback this entire process, and we're grateful for that.
• I'm grateful. This is just me from a personal perspective.
• I'm truly grateful for your work. I get it. I understand your stance, but my stance has to be.
• Grateful for your work. I get it. I understand your stance, but my stance has to be no.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard a long agenda of bills covering education, public safety, local government, labor relations, and foreign policy. Early measures included HB 1055, which would support Florida State University’s Election Law Center; CS/HB 4073, a Leon County local bill updating career service rules for sheriff’s office employees; CS/HB 253, creating penalties for license plate obscuring devices and misuse of emergency-style lights; and HB 293, codifying the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s Office and creating a liaison and advisory council. Members raised questions on academic freedom in HB 1055 and on church-state concerns and oversight in HB 293, but both bills advanced after supportive testimony from university, faith-based, and law enforcement representatives. The committee also approved HB 4029, a local bill for the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District, and HB 889, requiring classroom driver education for minors before licensure, with supporters emphasizing roadway safety and teen crash reduction. The committee then took up PCS/HB 731, which would require standardized testing for admission to health-related degree programs at state universities. The sponsor argued the bill would ensure qualified applicants and objective admissions standards, while several members and public witnesses raised concerns that it would duplicate existing requirements like the MCAT and create unnecessary barriers; the bill still passed, though with several no votes. HB 1519, expanding Florida’s anti-BDS law to cover academic boycotts, nonprofits, local governments, and certain grants, drew strong support from Jewish organizations and strong opposition from speakers who argued it chilled free speech and punished criticism of Israel. After an amendment narrowing and clarifying parts of the bill, it passed favorably as a committee substitute. The most contentious debate came on HB 1387, a major overhaul of Public Employees Relations Commission procedures and public-sector union rules. Supporters said the bill would streamline PERC processes, improve fairness, and address cases where unions were certified with very low participation; opponents, including teachers and labor advocates, said it weakened collective bargaining and public employee rights. After a strike-all amendment and extensive testimony, the bill passed as a committee substitute. The committee also approved HB 351, which adds extreme speeding to reckless driving and increases penalties, after removing impoundment language in an amendment, and PCB GOS 25-07, preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking judicial waiver of parental notice/consent for abortion. The meeting adjourned after all measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to miss you at the State Capitol, and we are so grateful for all the talent, enthusiasm,
• I was grateful for the chance to celebrate with many of you on Monday, and if you missed Monday's celebration
• We are incredibly grateful for his service to the 48th Assembly District and to the Baldwin Park Unified
• And as his friend, I'm beyond grateful to have had him in my life.
• I'm so grateful for his friendship, and this is an incredible loss for our community and for California

Summary: The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions, including unanimous consent requests and a re-referral of AB 506. The chamber then moved through a series of guest introductions and second-reading items before taking up several resolutions recognizing awareness days and cultural observances. Members adopted ACR 41 on Down Syndrome Awareness Week/Day and HR 24 on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month after extensive bipartisan remarks focused on family experiences, inclusion, bullying, funding for services, and support for people with disabilities. The Assembly also adopted ACR 48 recognizing Women in STEM Day, ACR 49 recognizing California STEM Robotics Day, HR 18 celebrating Nauruze, and ACR 2 marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Each resolution drew co-authors and supportive comments from members across the aisle. The body then debated and passed AB 248, which would remove the state wage cap on county jail inmate labor and allow counties more discretion; supporters framed it as local control and rehabilitation, while opponents argued it would raise costs and conflict with voter sentiment. The Assembly also passed AB 100, a budget-process measure moving a large package of bills to the Senate, and used a substituted roll call for the remaining related bills. Consent calendar items were approved, and the chamber concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric Lopez, Johnny D. Giles, and Roger Diamond, before adjourning until March 24, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to say that we are really grateful for the sponsor for bringing this forward.
• But I did just want to say that we are really grateful for the sponsor for bringing this forward.
• board ballot questions and school board elections, but I did just want to say that we are really grateful
• To that, I am very grateful and proud of the people that have come before me to fight oppressive barriers
• and justice for our LGBTQ community in New Mexico and around the country for many years, and we're grateful

Transcript Highlights:

• We have very good results out and we're grateful for the opportunity to be able to use those folks in
• things that are killing me right now besides personnel is thought the call well use a salary and I'm grateful
• Well, I'm grateful for the increase of funny.
• I was grateful that they change a little bit of it this past year.
• We're grateful for the funds we get.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we begin this time together in our House floor session, may we have humble hearts, grateful spirits
• And one thing I'm really grateful for in this whole process is that all the entities affected were intimately
• line which includes a spur line to the Fairbanks community, which is so essential, and which I'm so grateful
• I am not a gas line expert, so I'm very grateful to folks who have more expertise than me.
• I'm especially grateful to folks in this body and the other body who've been here for a long time and

Keywords: 905, all

Summary: The House met with a quorum, approved the journal, and received messages from the governor and Senate, including notice that the governor vetoed CSHB 16 and allowed HB 14 to become law without signature. The chamber then took up the conference committee report on HB 381, a major Alaska LNG-related bill that revises the project’s tax and regulatory structure. The conference report was explained as a compromise package that, among other things, changes required local contribution language, expands disclosure and notice requirements, adjusts foreign ownership reporting, extends the Phase 1 construction deadline, adds a $10 million workforce development/community impact fund, modifies project labor agreement provisions, and exempts the Alaska LNG project from the new pass-through entity tax while still requiring an informational tax return in 2027. The Speaker also announced the governor had issued a proclamation calling the legislature back into session on July 27, 2026, and said sine die would be moved after debate. Debate on HB 381 was sharply divided. Supporters argued the bill is necessary enabling legislation to improve the project’s financial viability, protect Alaska’s interests, and move the North Slope gas line toward final investment decision, while also adding transparency, foreign ownership safeguards, and labor and workforce provisions. Several members said the conference committee process was collaborative and that the bill reflects hard-fought compromise with the developer, AGDC, labor, and the administration. Opponents focused on the addition of the pass-through entity/S-corp income tax and related reporting requirements, arguing it is a separate tax policy issue that should have been considered in its own bill, creates uncertainty and litigation risk, could harm existing oil and gas and Cook Inlet production, and may discourage investment. Multiple members also criticized the process as rushed and insufficiently transparent, especially the limited opportunity for the minority and the absence of Department of Revenue testimony during conference. No final vote on the conference committee report is shown in the transcript excerpt. The debate continued with members alternating between support for the gas line project itself and opposition to the tax provisions and process used to advance HB 381.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are grateful for recent bipartisan action to direct $9 million in unspent state funds as emergency
• Committee, grateful to do that. Thank you. Thank you, members.
• Committee, grateful to do that. Thank you. Thank you, members.
• heavy lift refining this to be something that we think will be both effective and measured, and I am grateful
• heavy lift refining this to be something that we think will be both effective and measured, and I am grateful

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a sports mom and I'm very grateful for that. I've got five kids.
• I am a sports mom and I'm very grateful for that. I've got 5 kids.
• And I'm grateful there's things that I've learned being in this role representing 40-some thousand people
• And I'm grateful I've been able to lock arms with people across the aisle to get things done.
• I'm so grateful my kids are out of high school and they got to play girls' sports and be safe and be

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We come before you today with grateful hearts and for the privilege of gathering in this place for public
• We are grateful for their leadership and their unwavering commitment to bettering our state.
• <00:17:18.880> We<00:17:19.120> are<00:17:19.280> grateful<00:17:19.919>
• We are grateful for in their footsteps.
• We are grateful for their<00:17:20.400> leadership<00:17:20.880> and<00:17:21.199> their

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate opened with an invocation by Reverend Dorene Robinson of Weman Memorial AM Church in Baltimore, followed by a quorum call showing 41 members present. The chamber then spent much of the session recognizing guests and visitors, including members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Morgan State Choir, the Winston Churchill High School varsity golf team, the Elijah Cummings Youth Program, students from several schools, faith leaders, and other community guests. Several senators also introduced personal guests and offered birthday recognitions, including Mrs. Eliza May Robinson and the Secretary of the Senate. On the legislative side, Senate Bill 988 on judicial facilities, stops, detention, and arrest limitation rules was introduced and referred to the Rules Committee. Bond initiatives were also read and referred to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The chamber took up Senate Bill 108 on wetlands enforcement, but the minority leader said members still had questions, and the bill was special ordered until Friday without objection. The Senate also adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring the Winston Churchill High School varsity golf team for winning the 2025 4A/3A Maryland State Golf Championship, including recognition of senior captain Zoe Kusak’s individual title. Another resolution congratulated Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, North Atlantic Region, for its advocacy and community service. The session ended after committee schedule announcements and a motion to adjourn until the next day, with the Senate agreeing to adjourn until Thursday, February 26 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're truly servant leaders for Kentucky, and as a citizen, I'm grateful that we have people like you
• So, we're grateful for your support and happy to answer any questions that we may that you may offer
• You're truly servant leaders for Kentucky, and as a citizen, I'm grateful that we have people like you
• So, we're grateful for your support and happy to answer any questions that we may that you may offer
• So, we're grateful for your support and happy to answer any questions that we may that you may offer

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:32 Approval of Minutes 01:46 Public Protection Cabinet 19:05 Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet 33:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee met without a quorum at first, then approved the minutes once a quorum was reached. The first presentation was from the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction within the Public Protection Cabinet. Commissioner Max Fuller and Deputy Commissioner David Moore reviewed the department’s licensing structure, noting about 50 license types and roughly 42,000 active licenses, with most tied to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. They compared Kentucky’s fees and requirements with neighboring states and said Kentucky is generally in line or slightly below surrounding states when local and contractor licensing requirements elsewhere are considered. The department also described staffing and inspection pressures. Officials said boiler inspections have a measurable backlog, with about 18% of state-jurisdiction boilers and pressure vessels past due statewide and a higher percentage in Jefferson County. They said building code plan review turnaround has risen from about 30 days to roughly 33–35 days, and that some areas are struggling to maintain same-day plumbing inspections and three-day HVAC inspections. Members asked whether the agency could handle increased housing construction, especially in rural areas; the department said it had requested additional plumbing staff and a plan reviewer, particularly for the Bowling Green/Warren County area, and noted that electrical inspectors are stretched across the state and are also pulled into disaster response work. The committee then heard from Kentucky Venues and the Kentucky State Fair Board on the Kentucky Exposition Center renovation and related operations. David Beck, board chairman David Williams, CFO Tony Shrek, and others said the project is progressing ahead of schedule, with keys to the new building expected in December and the facility already booked for future events. They reported strong tourism and economic impact, including record activity at the Exposition Center and downtown convention center, and said the Farm Machinery Show and other events continue to drive demand. Members asked about budget status, and the presenters said inflation, delayed access to funds due to the RFP/design process, and added costs have left them short of money to finish all planned work. They identified phase three funding needs, including food and beverage service improvements and completion of Freedom Hall seating, and said they are considering bringing food and beverage operations back under their control to improve efficiency and revenue. The meeting ended with no formal votes on the presentations and an announcement that the committee would meet again the following Tuesday.