Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I noticed that there are at least two members on the committee who are brand new, first-term
• </c><00:38:50.720><c> that</c> Terry uh Mr chairman I noticed that Terry uh Mr chairman I noticed that
• Unless we have to give notice. We have to give at least a 15-year notice to get out.
• we have to give at least a notice we have to give at least a 15-year<05:33:55.200><c> notice</c><05:
• Notice my shaking hands. But once we adjust to change, it can really be a relief.

Summary: The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected. The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees. Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, you'll notice that while more students are becoming concentrators, the total number of students
• Now,<01:01:29.080><c> you'll</c><01:01:29.320><c> notice</c><01:01:29.720><c> that</c><01:01:30.040><
• c> while</c><01:01:30.360><c> more</c> Now, you'll notice that while more Now, you'll notice that while
• One of the things that's important<01:18:48.000><c> to</c><01:18:48.120><c> notice</c><01:18:48.520><
• is that many of important to notice is that many of these<01:18:49.960><c> are</c><01:18:50.040><c>

Summary: The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability. On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use. The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.

Transcript Highlights:

• The one difference you may notice is on the amendment line 1.6.
• 00:04:33.520><c> difference</c><00:04:33.880><c> you</c><00:04:34.040><c> may</c><00:04:34.240><c> notice
• </c> one difference you may notice one difference you may notice is<00:04:36.360><c> on</c><00:04:36.919
• But at the same time, when you look at the MnChoices, the letters, the notices that are going out, we
• that are going out, we have notices that are going out, we have plenty<01:02:47.680><c> of</c><01:02

Bills: HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Normally wouldn't notice it, but because of the stats that I'm about to read to you about our children
• Thank you, uh Madam Speaker, and Representative Smith, um I noticed uh that you've been changed to be
• uh that on the Smith, um I noticed uh that on the uh<00:24:34.920><c> that</c><00:24:35.080><c> you've
• But I also noticed that there were a lot of folks who took credit for that work last year when we were
• And then we see a bill come back from the other side of the aisle, and we notice that something's gone

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:01.600><c> that</c><00:41:01.760><c> there</c><00:41:01.880><c> are</c> report and noticing
• that there are report and noticing that there are several<00:41:02.360><c> different</c><00:41:02.720
• And they have to have, you know, be able to see them without advance notice. That will do it.
• know, be able to see them without you know, be able to see them without advance<01:13:05.760><c> notice
• That will they'll be advance notice.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• of violation after the issued a notice of violation after the city<01:05:04.160><c> exceeded</c><01:
• The MPCA issued notices of violation in 2020 and 2023 for discharges outside the acceptable period.
• The<01:05:54.640><c> MPCA</c><01:05:55.680><c> issued</c><01:05:56.040><c> notices</c><01:05:56.520><
• c> of</c><01:05:56.600><c> violation</c><01:05:57.240><c> in</c> The MPCA issued notices of violation
• in The MPCA issued notices of violation in 2020 2020 2020 and<01:05:59.080><c> 2023</c><01:06:00.080

Bills: HF4710 , HF4055 , HF3848 , HF3989 , HF4599 , HF3767 , HF3592 , HF3575 , HF3574 , HF3543 , HF4606 , HF4489 , HF3891 , HF3438 , HF3811 , HF3400

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: capital investment, water infrastructure, sewer systems, public funding, municipal development, Eveleth, wastewater treatment, state bonds, environmental compliance, infrastructure, bonds, economic development, local government, transportation, intersection improvements, Lake Elmo, HF4599, St. Joseph, Minnesota bonding bill, bond proceeds fund

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:16:22.639><c> without</c><00:16:23.040><c> any</c><00:16:23.279><c> clear</c><00:16:23.600><c> notice
• </c> liability without any clear notice. liability without any clear notice.
• And then additionally, last year, 2025, we did notice a bump in Minnesota undergraduate students applying
• 54:06.079><c> did</c> additionally uh last year 2025 we did additionally uh last year 2025 we did notice
• a bump in uh Minnesota notice a bump in uh Minnesota undergraduate<00:54:09.119><c> students</c><00:

Bills: HF4362 , HF4252 , HF4440

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun rights, gun control, campus safety, public college, university, postsecondary institution, higher education, visitor carry, concealed carry, open carry, campus policy, Minnesota Statutes 624.714, petty misdemeanor, parking lot carry, firearm possession, public safety, college campus, student carry

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now in the state of Minnesota, we have a 14-day eviction notice period, and this bill would extend
• that into a 30-day notice period, but only temporarily, and it only specific to non-payment of rent
• of Minnesota, we have a 14-day the state of Minnesota, we have a 14-day eviction<00:44:26.400><c> notice
• period, and this bill eviction notice period, and this bill would<00:44:28.240><c> extend</c><00:44:
• </c> would extend that into a 30-day notice would extend that into a 30-day notice period,<00:44:30.000

Transcript Highlights:

• support, when counties<01:03:20.480><c> receive</c><01:03:21.200><c> little</c><01:03:21.599><c> notice
• receive little notice for their action, action, action, when<01:03:24.640><c> families</c><01:03:25.039
• DSP is the reason the stove is off, the meds are taken, and the landlord isn't serving an eviction notice
• > parent</c><01:11:38.320><c> praying</c><01:11:38.719><c> their</c><01:11:38.960><c> child's</c> notice
• The parent praying their child's notice.

Bills: HF3174 , HF3800

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just noticing that, like, okay, we've put out about 40 million.
• I'm just noticing<00:25:25.600><c> that</c><00:25:25.760><c> like</c><00:25:26.320><c> okay</c><00:25
• :26.559><c> we've</c><00:25:26.880><c> put</c><00:25:27.039><c> out</c> noticing that like okay we've
• put out noticing that like okay we've put out about<00:25:27.520><c> 40</c><00:25:27.840><c> million
• requirements and opt out the notice requirements and opt out process<00:48:42.559><c> will</c><00:48

Bills: HF2986 , HF3555

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Notice those are the big drivers in the near term.
• And usually that is not something that any normal person notices.
• You'll notice the darker counties. Those are the ones with the highest energy burden.
• And um and so through that notice same.
• And um and so through that notice and<01:35:31.679><c> comment</c><01:35:32.080><c> period</c><01:35:

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• that project spending is we notice that project spending is highly<00:10:14.160><c> concentrated</c>
• So, while reviewing payments, LOIC staff noticed a few payments that may have been made late.
• The most noticeable thing is that there is no legend.
• </c><00:19:13.600><c> The</c><00:19:13.840><c> most</c><00:19:14.000><c> noticeable</c><00:19:14.559>
• The most noticeable thing or progress.

Summary: The committee heard a staff report on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS), a multi-phase project intended to improve interoperable radio communications for first responders. Staff said Kentucky State Police did not appear to have violated statutes or regulations, but the project lacked an overall master plan, clear milestones, and consistent documentation, which contributed to delays, spending issues, and deployment problems. The report recommended updating the Kentucky Field Operations Guide to reflect SERVS and noted that the project has been funded in phases since 2018, with appropriations totaling roughly $216 million across 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, while about $109 million had been spent by the end of fiscal year 2025. The report raised concerns about project sequencing and oversight. Staff said most spending was concentrated in special mobile equipment, with Motorola accounting for about two-thirds of all SERVS expenditures and the top four vendors making up 81 percent of spending. They also said a sample of Motorola payments suggested possible late payments, though they could not confirm whether interest was paid. Staff criticized the use of master agreements for a project of this size, the lack of a centralized ledger, and the absence of a documented timeline or risk mitigation plan. They recommended stronger procurement and planning requirements, including possible legislative changes requiring approved master plans for large capital projects and additional funding conditions tied to SERVS master agreements. Land acquisition and deployment progress were identified as major bottlenecks, especially in Eastern Kentucky. Staff said the project began in western Kentucky using existing tower sites, but the remaining work is concentrated in harder-to-acquire areas, with more than 95 percent of new towers still incomplete. They said the Division of Real Properties did not begin formal contract work on acquisition until October 2024, despite earlier coordination, and recommended earlier consultation on future projects. Staff also noted that the Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee had not been active in oversight, and survey results showed limited awareness and involvement among first responders. Committee members agreed that the lack of an initial implementation plan and the continuing need for funding reflected broader planning problems, and they discussed the need for a clearer end-to-end game plan rather than continuing to fund the project without a defined completion path.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to make sure<00:35:49.680><c> that</c><00:35:49.920><c> we're</c><00:35:50.160><c> noticing
• is that autism sure that we're noticing is that autism diagnosis<00:35:52.320><c> oftentimes</c><00:
• We were all noticed on... >> We must have it. Yeah. Okay.
• We were all noticed on &gt;&gt; I think so.
• We were all noticed on &gt;&gt; We<01:38:24.480><c> must</c><01:38:24.639><c> have</c><01:38:24.800><

Summary: The commission held an organizational meeting under SB 57 to study the cost of special education, with the meeting streamed publicly at the chair’s request. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that the bill creates two separate pieces, one dealing with SAU structure and the other with a commission on special education costing. He outlined his background in education and special education and said the commission’s work would focus on understanding and controlling special education costs. The commission reviewed its membership requirements and noted several vacancies or unfilled appointments, including the special education advocate, two governor-appointed parent advocates, and a Department of Health and Human Services representative. The members then elected Representative Rick Ladd as chair, Representative Dick Ames as vice chair, and Representative Megan Murray as clerk. Representative Ames briefly described his legal and policy background in disability and special education work in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The chair then walked through the commission’s study topics, including referral rates by IDEA category, reasons for increases in categories such as autism and other health impairment, post-COVID referral trends, pre-referral interventions, Medicaid and 504-related costs, out-of-district placements, dispute resolution, billing practices, privacy, reimbursement, legal services, graduation rates, attendance, and adult learning. Members discussed how special education costs are distributed, noting that the state spends about $977 million annually on special education, with only part covered by state aid and the remainder largely borne by local districts. Testimony also noted that out-of-district placement costs have risen sharply since rate-setting changes around 2018, and that some categories may reflect changes in identification practices, medical factors, or broader population shifts. The commission agreed to continue reviewing the data and formulas in future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, uh<00:44:41.440><c> I</c><00:44:41.680><c> noticed</c><00:44:41.920><c> it</c><00:44:42.160
• it had an hour component in uh I noticed it had an hour component in there<00:44:43.520><c> too,</c>
• We have noticed this fund trending down in recent years as people switch, we believe, from cigarettes
• You will<01:03:18.799><c> notice</c><01:03:19.119><c> that</c><01:03:19.440><c> there</c><01:03:19.680
• there is on this one will notice that there is on this one specifically<01:03:21.280><c> says</c><01

Summary: The committee met to review KHEAA’s student aid programs ahead of the upcoming biennial budget. KHEAA officials outlined the agency’s role administering state grants and scholarships, emphasizing that net lottery proceeds are statutorily dedicated to student financial aid after a literacy appropriation. They focused on the College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), and KEES, and explained that the FAFSA simplification changes significantly expanded eligibility for Pell and CAP recipients. KHEAA said the General Assembly’s additional funding this biennium allowed CAP to be fully funded, and that FY25 spending for CAP reached about $232 million for roughly 72,000 students, up from about 55,000 recipients the prior year. Officials said they are watching current-year application trends closely and expect a clearer funding picture by late fall as awards are actually disbursed and enrollment data comes in. Members asked about how CAP eligibility works, the difference between applicants and recipients, and whether KTG is tied to Pell eligibility. KHEAA explained that CAP is essentially aligned with Pell eligibility, while KTG uses a different need formula and is limited to private colleges in Kentucky. They also noted that schools verify final eligibility after KHEAA’s initial review of application data. Questions about the FAFSA simplification act and federal changes led KHEAA to say they do not expect major effects on state grant and scholarship programs, though federal student loan changes may affect students, especially at the graduate level. The committee also discussed KEES, which KHEAA said has been fully funded since its creation, and dual credit/work-ready scholarships. KHEAA reported that dual credit participation continues to grow and that FY25 spending for dual credit and Work Ready Kentucky totaled about $26.4 million, compared with a $13.1 million appropriation, with transfers from Work Ready used to keep dual credit fully funded. Officials said they will seek growth funding for dual credit in the next budget because the program has expanded and now includes the work-ready component under one statute. Members asked about transferability of dual credit courses and whether students actually use the credits toward degrees; KHEAA said it does not have hard data on every credit’s transfer, but it is seeing positive trends in bachelor’s completion and more high school graduates earning associate degrees. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the July 15, 2025 meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We noticed there were significant deterioration of the brick arches that were part of the issues, and
• We noticed uh there were ceilings.
• We noticed uh there were significant<00:56:33.680><c> deterioration</c><00:56:34.319><c> of</c><00:56
• I've noticed the number of lives it affects.
• Uh I've did notice like the Kentucky.

Summary: The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies. The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• that is, um, mean, uh, I also noticed that is, um, they<00:09:10.800><c> had</c><00:09:10.959><c> the
• I mean, I know we've got to give public notice and comply with the Open Meetings Act because we are a
• I mean, I know we've got to give public notice and comply with the Open Meetings Act because we are a
• Uh first question uh I noticed where 69.
• Uh first question uh I noticed where contract<01:27:42.719><c> number</c><01:27:42.880><c> 46</c><01:

Summary: The Government Contract Committee met with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for Representative McCool after the death of his sister, and approved the April 14 minutes. The committee then reviewed a large agenda of contracts and amendments, beginning with a deferred Office of the Controller procurement involving broker services. Members questioned why a contract that had previously been handled for about $300,000 annually was now priced at about $1 million, and why the procurement was limited to one year. Office of the Controller staff said the prior vendor had held the work for more than 20 years, the work had previously been treated as not practical to bid, and the new RFP was intended to increase competition. They said the technical evaluation was scored before cost was considered, that past performance was not scored because it was seen as unreliable, and that AON received the highest technical score despite not being the lowest bidder. After discussion, the committee voted to take no action and let the contract proceed to the Finance Cabinet, with members noting continuing concerns about the pricing and process. The committee next considered a DCBS memorandum of agreement amendment for language services. DCBS representatives said the additional funding did not come from a new cut elsewhere, but from reduced spending on interpreter services because commonly used forms had been translated into other languages, freeing up funds for the contract. The committee approved the item unanimously. The final major item discussed was an initial contract for the Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists for legal services. Board staff said the board had been without a permanent general counsel since March 2024 and had relied on special and conflict counsel because of unusually heavy litigation, including 11 active cases, plus broader disciplinary and licensing changes tied to recent legislation and an oversight report. They said the contract was a not-to-exceed amount funded entirely by agency fees and that the board was currently running a surplus. Senator Thomas urged support, citing prior legislation and oversight findings about problems at the board and saying the contract was needed to help the board address ongoing litigation and corrective work. The committee approved the contract and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, sending them forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Notice they’re red and they’re blue. This is a wonderful sampling.
• </c> Delaware, uh South Carolina, and Delaware, uh South Carolina, and Kentucky.<00:25:24.640><c> Notice
• Notice they're red and they're Kentucky.
• Notice they're red and they're blue.<00:25:26.960><c> This</c><00:25:27.120><c> is</c><00:25:27.200><
• I noticed in comment I made earlier.

Summary: The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems. Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session. Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• You wait till you get your insurance notices this year, if you haven't already, and your tax statements
• You wait till you get your insurance notices this year, if you haven't already, and your tax statements
• You wait till you get your insurance notices this year, if you haven't already, and your tax statements
• You wait till you get your insurance notices this year, if you haven't already, and your tax statements
• You wait till you get your insurance notices this year, if you haven't already, and your tax statements

Bills: HF2228 , HF46 , HF856 , HF2149 , HF2215

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you’ll notice kind of in the A1 amendment, thank you for adopting that, we did put a dollar amount
• And if you’ll notice kind of in the A1 amendment, thank you for adopting that, we did put a dollar amount
• And if you’ll notice kind of in the A1 amendment, thank you for adopting that, we did put a dollar amount
• And if you’ll notice kind of in the A1 amendment, thank you for adopting that, we did put a dollar amount
• last February from her heat off notice last February from her heat vendor<01:23:21.159><c> after</c>

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• During that tour, I noticed that almost every door of every teacher and every professor in that hallway
• <00:18:13.400><c> I</c> their offices and during that tour I their offices and during that tour I noticed
• that um almost every door of noticed that um almost every door of every<00:18:17.080><c> teacher</c>
• And maybe I'll ask you that and then to the testifier, just see if he's noticed an increase in that.
• </c><00:34:55.679><c> an</c> testifier just see if he's noticed an testifier just see if he's noticed

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy