Video & Transcript : 'Chapter 32' :
Page 341 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/23/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a lot<00:32:24.960><c> of</c><00:32:25.039><c> agriculture,</c><00:32:26.080><c> a</c><00:32:26.240
- ><c> from</c><00:32:27.440><c> home</c><00:32:28.000><c> and</c><00:32:28.240><c> then</c><00:32:28.399
- benefit,<00:32:31.600><c> you</c><00:32:31.760><c> know,</c><00:32:31.919><c> so</c><00:32:32.159><c
- Would you be willing<00:32:34.559><c> to</c><00:32:34.720><c> share</c><00:32:34.960><c> one</c><00:32
- So<01:32:02.159><c> other</c><01:32:02.480><c> states,</c><01:32:02.960><c> we're</c><01:32:03.280><c
Committee:
House Agriculture Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 02/25/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:12.559><c> It's</c><00:32:12.799><c> been</c><00:32:12.960><c> a</c><00:32:13.120><c> while
- </c><00:32:20.399><c> Uh,</c><00:32:20.720><c> so</c><00:32:20.960><c> yes,</c><00:32:21.200><c> this
- </c><00:32:43.600><c> margin</c><00:32:43.919><c> between</c><00:32:44.240><c> all</c><00:32:44.480><
- Uh,<00:32:50.640><c> dairy</c><00:32:50.960><c> with</c><00:32:51.120><c> an</c><00:32:51.200><c> I</
- c><00:32:51.440><c> is</c><00:32:51.679><c> a</c><00:32:51.840><c> state-f</c><00:32:52.080><c> funed
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (8-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Yeah,<00:32:01.440><c> I</c><00:32:01.600><c> I</c><00:32:01.919><c> don't</c><00:32:02.080>
- Real<00:32:05.360><c> property</c><00:32:05.679><c> folks</c><00:32:05.919><c> would</c><00:32:06.159
- ><c> to</c><00:32:07.600><c> to</c><00:32:08.159><c> know</c><00:32:08.399><c> the</c><00:32:08.640><
- > we</c><00:32:18.000><c> started</c><00:32:18.240><c> the</c><00:32:18.480><c> RFP</c><00:32:18.960>
- 32:32.000><c> less</c><00:32:32.240><c> so</c><00:32:32.399><c> as</c><00:32:32.640><c> we</c><00:32:
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03
Approve Minutes from July 10, 2025- 00:02:41
Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System Testimony- 00:03:38
Investment of State Funds- 00:46:13
Department of Juvenile Justice Update- 1:11:34
Adjournment- 1:54:08, 958, all
Summary:
The committee opened with roll call, welcomed a new member, approved the July meeting minutes, and then took up testimony on the statewide emergency responder voice system, also described as the state police radio system replacement project. John Hicks, secretary of the governor’s executive cabinet and state budget director, testified that the project is unusually complex because it combines multiple IT replacements, land acquisition, and tower construction. He said the existing system dates to the early 1970s and that the administration is treating the project as a priority, with work proceeding in phases and weekly coordination among the Justice Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, and Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Hicks said the project has already spent about $110 million, with nearly 1,900 portable radios acquired, microwave replacement completed at 56 sites and underway at 76 more, and routers, switches, and network upgrades addressed. He explained that because the State Police are not set up to handle real property work, the administration brought in outside real property consulting vendors through an RFP, and three vendors are now qualified to help identify and negotiate sites. He said the goal is to speed up land acquisition and tower construction while the State Police continue the technology work, and he emphasized that the project is intended to close coverage gaps for state police first and later benefit local governments and other first responders.
Members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s cost and pace. Representative Petri noted that about $218.8 million has been authorized since 2018 and questioned whether the project could stretch into 2030 or later, asking what more the General Assembly could do to help. Representative Blandon also raised concerns about the long timeline and the risk of the project becoming another costly, delayed infrastructure effort, while asking when the vendor RFP was completed and whether any sites had been acquired since then. Representative Sharp asked whether there was a detailed plan and timeline, and Hicks responded that the technology side is well defined but the property acquisition side must proceed site by site because each location depends on ownership, access, power, and other factors. Hicks said the west-to-east phasing has been a smart approach and that the executive branch should improve performance to beat the current timeline expectations.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (02/10/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- 01:32:01.920><c> and</c><01:32:02.119><c> all</c><01:32:02.280><c> of</c><01:32:02.440><c> us</c> up
- </c><01:32:09.880><c> and</c><01:32:10.080><c> planned</c><01:32:10.560><c> way</c><01:32:11.199><c>
- ><c> with</c><01:32:12.320><c> our</c><01:32:12.520><c> partners</c><01:32:12.960><c> that</c><01:32:
- ><c> you</c><01:32:25.440><c> for</c><01:32:25.600><c> your</c><01:32:26.159><c> testimony</c><01:32:
- 32:29.639><c> funds</c><01:32:30.639><c> with</c><01:32:30.920><c> respect</c><01:32:31.920><c> to</c
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:02.559><c> They</c><00:32:02.799><c> went</c><00:32:02.960><c> from</c><00:32:03.279><c> 1
- So<00:32:08.399><c> it</c><00:32:08.559><c> was</c><00:32:08.640><c> a</c><00:32:09.039><c> it</c><00
- :32:09.360><c> was</c><00:32:09.440><c> a</c><00:32:09.679><c> tough</c><00:32:09.840><c> thing.
- were a couple<00:32:12.159><c> of</c><00:32:12.320><c> other</c><00:32:12.480><c> counties</c><00:32
- c><00:32:34.640><c> bill</c><00:32:35.039><c> in</c><00:32:35.279><c> the</c><00:32:35.440><c> past.
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Mar 28, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 41
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- With reservations,<00:32:01.039><c> please.</c><00:32:01.600><c> So</c><00:32:01.960><c> ordered.
- Representative<00:32:03.519><c> Alos.</c><00:32:04.559><c> No</c><00:32:04.799><c> vote.
- So ordered.<00:32:06.880><c> Representative</c><00:32:07.279><c> Matsumoto,</c><00:32:08.080><c> same
- Same<00:32:33.120><c> request.</c><00:32:33.840><c> So</c><00:32:34.000><c> ordered.
- Thank you, Madam Speaker.<00:32:40.640><c> With</c><00:32:40.880><c> reservations,</c><00:32:41.679><
Summary:
The House met with 47 members present and 4 excused, approved deferral of the journal reading, and received no messages from the governor. In Senate communications, the chamber received a Senate concurrent resolution and several House bills returned from the Senate with amendments; Representative Todd moved to disagree with the Senate amendments, and that motion carried by voice vote.
The main business was adoption of large groups of standing committee reports. The House adopted reports 1662 through 1696, then 1697 through 1714, and later report 1715, with several members noting “no vote” or “with reservations” on specific measures. One extended floor exchange centered on a measure concerning emergency access in West Oahu, where Representative Souza argued for a second access point for Makakilo residents and referenced wildfire evacuation concerns; other members raised points of order under Rule 287, and the Speaker ruled on the debate. The House also suspended the rules to consider certain Senate bills on third reading by consent calendar.
On third reading, the House passed Senate bills listed on page 18, including SB 100 and SB 112, with recorded no votes from several members and support with reservations from Representative Iwamoto, who said SB 100 was a home rule issue better handled at the county level. The chamber then heard announcements, including Representative Takayama’s request for donations of new or gently used women’s business attire for the YWCA Dress for Success program. The House adjourned until 12:00 noon Monday.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- .<00:32:00.320><c> uh</c><00:32:00.399><c> we</c><00:32:00.720><c> see</c><00:32:00.960><c> that</c><
- to decrease<00:32:06.159><c> and</c><00:32:06.399><c> that's</c><00:32:06.640><c> why</c><00:32:06.880
- </c><00:32:23.840><c> Uh</c><00:32:24.080><c> thank</c><00:32:24.159><c> you,</c><00:32:24.399><c> Mr
- 55.679><c> we</c><00:32:55.919><c> see</c><00:32:56.080><c> that,</c><00:32:56.320><c> you</c><00:32:
- > what</c><00:32:59.360><c> we</c><00:32:59.519><c> see</c><00:32:59.600><c> at</c><00:32:59.760><c>
Committee:
House Higher Education Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 01/21/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- the</c><00:32:05.080><c> numbers</c><00:32:06.159><c> um</c><00:32:07.159><c> in</c><00:32:07.320><c
- 32:10.639><c> moved</c><00:32:11.080><c> just</c><00:32:11.279><c> under</c><00:32:11.559><c> $2</c><
- in<00:32:13.200><c> total</c><00:32:13.639><c> through</c><00:32:13.960><c> the</c><00:32:14.360><c>
- </c><00:32:19.440><c> if</c><00:32:19.559><c> you</c><00:32:19.720><c> take</c><00:32:19.919><c> a</c
- </c><00:32:25.000><c> our</c><00:32:25.159><c> home</c><00:32:25.360><c> buying</c><00:32:25.720><c>
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (3-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:32:06.799><c> of</c><00:32:06.960><c> our</c><00:32:07.240><c> kids</c><00:32:07.919><c> and</c><
- 00:32:08.080><c> so</c><00:32:08.919><c> this</c><00:32:09.039><c> is</c><00:32:09.200><c> a</c> the
- </c><00:32:10.080><c> I</c><00:32:10.159><c> mean</c><00:32:10.360><c> I'm</c><00:32:10.519><c> not</
- ><c> that</c><00:32:15.080><c> this</c><00:32:15.240><c> is</c><00:32:15.480><c> the</c><00:32:15.840
- 00:32:18.120><c> now</c><00:32:18.919><c> and</c><00:32:19.120><c> so</c><00:32:19.840><c> I</c><00:32
Keywords:
Call to Order 00:00
SB 100 Discussion 00:05
SB 100 Vote 06:42
SB 202 Discussion 08:35
SB 202 Vote 43:17
SB 17 Discussion 47:37
SB 17 Vote 48:08
SB 22 Discussion 49:22
SB 22 Vote 52:55
SB 133 Discussion 53:55
SB 133 Vote 55:15
SB 190 Discussion 56:00
SB 190 Vote 56:38
Adjournment 57:19, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 100, which would place cigarettes, vapes, and related nicotine products under the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) system, add enforcement tools against bad actors, and regulate nitrous oxide/laughing gas sales to those under 21. Supporters, including youth advocates Mallerie Jones and Griffin Kian Neth, argued the bill would reduce youth access to nicotine products through retail licensing, compliance checks, and escalating penalties. Higdon said the bill targets illegal sales rather than most retailers, and noted the measure also updates House Bill 11 from the prior year and raises the retail license fee from $250 to $500. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then passed the bill on a roll call vote, with members voting yes and no opposition recorded in the transcript.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 202, focused on cannabis-infused beverages. Senator Julie Raque Adams said the bill was intended to create common-sense public health guardrails for a rapidly growing product category sold in gas stations, liquor stores, and vape shops, and to address enforcement gaps. She explained the committee substitute would define cannabis-infused beverages at a 5-milligram limit per 12-ounce can, place enforcement under ABC while keeping CHFS manufacturing and testing rules in place, require a University of Kentucky report back to the General Assembly, allow existing higher-dose inventory to be sold through June 1, exempt festivals and fairs until January 1, 2026, and allow stores to obtain licenses to continue selling the product. The committee adopted the substitute and then heard testimony from hemp-industry representatives and a consumer.
Opponents of SB 202/SB 22, including Dee Taylor of the Kentucky Hemp Association, Cornbread Hemp co-founder Jim Higdon, Annie Rouse of Cannabuzz Barn, and consumer Nancy Roberts, argued the bill would hurt a legal Kentucky hemp industry, reduce consumer access, and force sales into liquor stores. They said the 100-milligram beverage referenced in debate is actually 10 servings with a resealable top, that hemp retailers educate customers, and that the industry already operates under 2024 regulations and needs better enforcement rather than new restrictions. Higdon and Rouse objected to the 5-milligram cap, the on-premise sales ban, the move to ABC enforcement, and the taxation approach, warning the bill could wipe out a large share of business and jobs. No final vote on SB 202 was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 216, 18 February, 2026; 11:00 AM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- >> So,<00:32:13.440><c> may</c><00:32:13.600><c> maybe</c><00:32:13.919><c> we</c><00:32:14.080
- </c><00:32:16.159><c> I</c><00:32:16.399><c> just</c><00:32:16.559><c> wanted</c><00:32:16.720><c> to
- ><c> um</c><00:32:19.279><c> it</c><00:32:19.600><c> it</c><00:32:20.000><c> was</c><00:32:20.159><c>
- It's an<00:32:23.200><c> issue</c><00:32:23.519><c> that</c><00:32:23.919><c> has</c><00:32:24.159><c
- :32:32.720><c> we</c><00:32:32.960><c> could</c><00:32:33.760><c> uh</c><00:32:33.919><c> as</c><00:32
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group (RHG) - Tue Jan 27, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:03.519><c> Closed</c><00:32:03.919><c> custody</c><00:32:04.799><c> used</c><00:32:05.120>
- sentences<00:32:07.440><c> 21</c><00:32:07.760><c> years</c><00:32:08.000><c> or</c><00:32:08.240><c
- Inmates<00:32:15.360><c> designated</c><00:32:15.919><c> close</c><00:32:16.240><c> custody</c><00:32
- they are<00:32:22.159><c> all</c><00:32:22.399><c> to</c><00:32:22.559><c> mix</c><00:32:22.720><c>
- c><00:32:44.240><c> or</c><00:32:44.480><c> to</c><00:32:44.640><c> a</c><00:32:44.799><c> medium</c>
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (7-16-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um you<00:32:08.559><c> know,</c><00:32:08.720><c> people</c><00:32:08.960><c> will</c><00:32:09.200>
- <00:32:10.720><c> the</c><00:32:10.880><c> ark</c><00:32:11.200><c> and</c><00:32:11.440><c> the</c>
- "<00:32:12.080><c> The</c><00:32:12.240><c> reality</c><00:32:12.559><c> is</c><00:32:13.760><c> um</
- they</c><00:32:15.200><c> want</c><00:32:15.279><c> to</c><00:32:15.360><c> see</c><00:32:15.519><c>
- </c><00:32:21.600><c> So</c><00:32:22.080><c> we</c><00:32:22.320><c> we</c><00:32:22.559><c> have</c
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call: 01:04
Approval of June Minutes: 02:35
Ark Encounter Impact: 10 Years: 03:25, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for its second Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology meeting, approved the June minutes, and then heard a presentation from representatives of the Ark Encounter on its 10-year anniversary. Eddie Lutz and Anna Katherine Scalf described the Ark as a major tourism anchor in Kentucky, citing nearly 9.3 million total guests, about 1 million annual visitors, 16,871 bus groups, and a largely out-of-region audience. They emphasized that the Ark and the nearby Creation Museum together draw about 1.5 million visitors a year and have helped drive hotel development, restaurant activity, and other tourism spending in Northern Kentucky and surrounding areas. They also previewed future expansion, including a large first-century Jerusalem model in the welcome center and a 40-day Christian music festival with more than 120 concerts.
Members asked about the project’s financing, location choice, and business structure. The witnesses said no taxpayer dollars were used to build the Ark, but the project did receive a Kentucky tax incentive/rebate program, which they said helped bring the attraction to the state. They said Kentucky was chosen in part because of the available land off I-75 and because the Ark and Creation Museum are close enough to encourage overnight stays. In response to questions, they explained that Answers in Genesis is the nonprofit parent organization, the Creation Museum is nonprofit, and the Ark Encounter operates as a for-profit entity owned by a nonprofit; revenue comes from ticket sales and events, while development was funded through private donations. They also said staffing can reach about 1,400 employees seasonally, though they did not know the occupational tax details.
Several legislators offered supportive comments and personal observations about the Ark’s draw for out-of-state and international visitors, including license plates from many states and stories of travelers extending their stays to visit. The witnesses and members also discussed broader tourism collaboration in Kentucky, including partnerships with Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky attractions, and nearby hotels and businesses that benefit from Ark-related traffic. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the June minutes.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/10/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- come</c><00:32:22.720><c> from</c><00:32:22.960><c> the</c><00:32:23.120><c> nano</c><00:32:23.440><
- ><c> back</c><00:32:25.120><c> when</c><00:32:25.279><c> we</c><00:32:25.440><c> had</c><00:32:25.519
- </c><00:32:31.840><c> barrels,</c><00:32:32.320><c> which</c><00:32:32.559><c> would</c><00:32:32.720
- :33.360><c> to</c><00:32:33.600><c> sell</c><00:32:33.919><c> wine</c><00:32:34.399><c> or</c><00:32:
- bring their products<00:32:35.440><c> to</c><00:32:35.600><c> a</c><00:32:35.760><c> wine</c><00:32:
Committee:
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- of deletion<00:32:10.080><c> of</c><00:32:10.240><c> lines</c><00:32:10.480><c> 7</c><00:32:10.720><
- </c><00:32:20.720><c> Now,</c><00:32:20.960><c> that</c><00:32:21.120><c> takes</c><00:32:21.360><c>
- </c><00:32:31.360><c> want</c><00:32:31.519><c> to</c><00:32:31.600><c> lose</c><00:32:31.840><c> my<
- <00:32:51.519><c> to</c><00:32:51.919><c> bring</c><00:32:52.159><c> forward</c><00:32:52.880><c> or<
- Um,<00:32:58.240><c> I</c><00:32:58.559><c> have</c><00:32:58.799><c> issues</c><00:32:59.200><c> I'd
Committee:
Senate Commerce
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 051 Mar 6th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The<00:32:10.720><c> committee</c><00:32:11.039><c> will</c><00:32:11.200><c> come</c><00:32:11.360><
- ><c> 95</c><00:32:26.799><c> from</c><00:32:26.960><c> the</c><00:32:27.039><c> consent</c><00:32:27.440
- </c><00:32:30.799><c> Um</c><00:32:31.120><c> on</c><00:32:31.360><c> that</c><00:32:31.679><c> I</c>
- /c><00:32:33.120><c> the</c><00:32:33.279><c> bill</c><00:32:33.440><c> of</c><00:32:33.679><c> the</
- </c><00:32:38.080><c> please</c><00:32:38.399><c> read</c><00:32:38.559><c> the</c><00:32:38.799><c>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:14.240><c> I</c><00:32:14.480><c> heard</c><00:32:14.720><c> in</c><00:32:14.960><c> this<
- talking<00:32:31.279><c> about</c><00:32:32.320><c> um</c><00:32:32.960><c> an</c><00:32:33.360><c>
- ><00:32:39.039><c> a</c><00:32:39.279><c> lot</c><00:32:39.600><c> in</c><00:32:39.840><c> the</c><00
- </c><00:32:41.600><c> we</c><00:32:41.760><c> talk</c><00:32:42.000><c> about</c><00:32:42.720><c> uh
- ><c> get</c><00:32:44.720><c> up</c><00:32:44.880><c> to</c><00:32:45.440><c> a</c><00:32:45.600><c>
Bills:
HF2436
Keywords:
child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:32:03.600><c> asking</c><00:32:04.000><c> I'm</c><00:32:04.159><c> like</c><00:32:04.399><c> this<
- this is the<00:32:04.799><c> way</c><00:32:04.960><c> schools</c><00:32:05.440><c> clearly</c><00:32
- um<00:32:18.000><c> yes</c><00:32:18.320><c> so</c><00:32:18.559><c> many</c><00:32:18.799><c> things
- </c><00:32:19.120><c> but</c><00:32:19.600><c> um</c><00:32:20.640><c> may</c><00:32:20.799><c> I</c>
- mean just<00:32:21.360><c> I</c><00:32:21.720><c> don't</c><00:32:22.720><c> I</c><00:32:22.960><c>
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 066 Mar 20th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:19.880><c> Do</c><00:32:20.000><c> I</c><00:32:20.080><c> need</c><00:32:20.320><c> to</c>
- <00:32:25.040><c> You</c><00:32:25.120><c> just</c><00:32:25.320><c> move</c><00:32:25.480><c> the</c
- >> I<00:32:26.480><c> move</c><00:32:27.240><c> amendment</c><00:32:27.800><c> L.004</c><00:32:
- As I had stated<00:32:52.200><c> earlier,</c><00:32:53.040><c> this</c><00:32:53.280><c> is</c><00:32
- c> in</c><01:32:00.320><c> the</c><01:32:00.480><c> bill,</c><01:32:01.240><c> it</c><01:32:01.360><c
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:05.920><c> I</c><00:32:06.000><c> mean</c><00:32:06.640><c> even</c><00:32:06.920><c> when
- So it<00:32:18.400><c> seems</c><00:32:18.680><c> like</c><00:32:18.920><c> a</c><00:32:19.240><c> it
- ><c> have</c><00:32:24.480><c> to</c><00:32:24.600><c> take</c><00:32:24.880><c> our</c><00:32:25.040
- :32:26.680><c> of</c><00:32:26.760><c> our</c><00:32:26.840><c> own</c><00:32:26.960><c> finances.
- um change<00:32:31.320><c> in</c><00:32:31.600><c> in</c><00:32:31.800><c> the</c><00:32:32.320><c>
Committee:
Senate Finance
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (5-13-25) - Reupload Part 2
Transcript Highlights:
- We<00:32:03.120><c> are</c><00:32:03.519><c> tasked</c><00:32:03.919><c> with</c><00:32:04.880><c> um
- ><c> the</c><00:32:07.279><c> governor</c><00:32:08.399><c> and</c><00:32:09.120><c> every</c><00:32:
- </c><00:32:22.240><c> That</c><00:32:22.559><c> one</c><00:32:23.279><c> um</c><00:32:23.519><c> is</
- access</c><00:32:32.399><c> be</c><00:32:32.640><c> a</c><00:32:32.799><c> full</c><00:32:33.200><c>
- help<00:32:41.919><c> people</c><00:32:42.159><c> with</c><00:32:42.399><c> developmental</c><00:32:
Summary:
The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100 on a roll call vote, with Chairman Douglas voting no but the items still passing. It then took up a Kentucky Department of Tourism contract involving the United Kingdom, France, and Germany/Austria/Switzerland markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the effort supports marketing, public relations, and familiarization trips. The committee approved that contract as well, with Chairman Douglas voting yes after expressing support for tourism promotion.
Next, the committee reviewed two Finance Cabinet facilities and support services items involving engineering and architectural services for a specialized lab expansion project. Members discussed why the design work was expensive, and the cabinet explained that the project’s pathogen-related complexity required specialized firms. Chairman Douglas said he believed some architectural and engineering reimbursement rates were too high and should be reexamined, but the committee still approved the items by roll call.
The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office and the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission on an MOA related to substance use disorder funding. Senator Meredith asked how the commission’s work coordinated with behavioral health programs, and staff explained that the commission allocates funds based on applications and includes relevant state officials. The contract was approved. After that, the committee considered behavioral health items: one new 988 chat-and-text contract to expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage, and a Voices of Hope amendment that doubled funding to continue services into the next fiscal year. Officials said the 988 contract would move more chats and texts in-state, and that the Voices of Hope increase reflected continuation of SAMHSA-funded services; both were approved.
Finally, the committee reviewed DCBS contracts, including a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit and a Building Bridges Initiative training contract. Members questioned whether the food survey group’s advocacy role created a conflict, but DCBS said the organization was chosen for its statewide network and that the cabinet would receive the raw data. For Building Bridges, DCBS said the program began in the fall and provides training and peer mentorship for residential child care providers, with results still too early to assess. Both items were approved. The last set of contracts, under the State Treasurer for the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities, prompted questions about why the funding flowed through the treasurer’s office and about a sexuality-related capacity-building initiative. Staff explained the treasurer serves as the designated state agency for federal DD Act funds, and that the sexuality initiative is part of a broader five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, system change, and capacity building; the committee then moved to approve those contracts as well.