Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to<00:02:07.800><c> um</c> This<00:02:11.240><c> bill</c><00:02:11.600><c> basically</c><00
• </c><00:02:13.880><c> been</c><00:02:14.040><c> a</c><00:02:14.080><c> few</c> committee.
• <00:02:22.040><c> that</c><00:02:22.840><c> they</c><00:02:23.000><c> didn't</c><00:02:23.200><c> feel
• sales<00:02:43.480><c> tax</c><00:02:43.800><c> diversion</c><00:02:44.280><c> study</c><00:02:44.640
• ><c> this</c><00:02:47.160><c> bill</c><00:02:47.600><c> and</c><00:02:47.760><c> I</c><00:02:47.800>

Committee: Joint Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:02:28.960><c> Church</c><00:02:29.240><c> Parish</c><00:02:29.800><c> in</c><00:02:30.080><c> in
• But,<00:02:32.640><c> he's</c><00:02:32.800><c> also</c><00:02:33.120><c> a</c><00:02:33.200><c> very
• 36.080><c> we</c><00:02:36.240><c> were</c><00:02:36.440><c> up</c><00:02:36.600><c> talking</c><00:02
• > this</c><00:02:38.880><c> got</c><00:02:39.120><c> started</c><00:02:39.560><c> on</c><00:02:39.720
• very<00:02:43.480><c> much</c><00:02:43.720><c> with</c><00:02:43.880><c> that,</c><00:02:44.480><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• This is<00:02:11.360><c> going</c><00:02:11.440><c> to</c><00:02:11.599><c> help</c><00:02:11.760><c>
• <00:02:13.440><c> So</c><00:02:13.599><c> that</c><00:02:13.760><c> when</c><00:02:14.000><c> people<
• ,<00:02:20.080><c> yeah,</c><00:02:20.319><c> we</c><00:02:20.480><c> wanted</c><00:02:20.800><c> to<
• </c><00:02:37.920><c> Uh</c><00:02:38.239><c> HR</c><00:02:39.040><c> 142</c><00:02:39.760><c> urging
• :02:42.720><c> to</c><00:02:42.879><c> expand</c><00:02:43.120><c> the</c><00:02:43.280><c> CA</c><00

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard HCR 142, which urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation to expand the airport greetings program to display art in all neighbor island airports. Testimony from CARES supported the measure, emphasizing that public art and youth art competitions help educate keiki, strengthen cultural understanding, and support economic development through Hawaii’s creative industries. No one testified in opposition, and members raised no questions. Both committees recommended passage of HCR 142 unamended. The measure was adopted by voice vote in each committee, with some members excused. Later, the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard HTR 102, which concerns translating the real estate salesperson exam into Japanese for timeshare-related sales. Supporters, including DBEDT and ARDA Hawaii, argued the change would help Japanese-speaking applicants, improve workforce recruitment, and support Hawaii’s timeshare industry and Japanese visitor market. A representative from APAC Hawaii supported the idea but suggested considering additional languages such as Korean, Chinese, and Filipino. Some senators questioned whether the proposal adequately addressed continuing education and long-term English proficiency, and the Real Estate Commission explained it does not currently issue a limited timeshare salesperson license and that the proposal would not restrict licensees from selling other real estate products. The committee also heard HCR 156, which asks the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to increase its focus on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity to support economic diversification, high-wage jobs, innovation, and national security. HTDC and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council supported the resolution, citing the recent federal discontinuation of the local Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, Innovate Hawaii, and the loss of related staff positions as reasons to reinforce state support. Testimony and discussion stressed cybersecurity, supply-chain resilience, automation, and the need to sustain manufacturing momentum in Hawaii. Both HTR 102 and HCR 156 were recommended for passage as is and were adopted by the committee, with some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:00.320><c> Why</c><00:02:00.399><c> don't</c><00:02:00.560><c> we</c><00:02:00.799><c> why
• <00:02:01.680><c> one</c><00:02:01.840><c> at</c><00:02:02.000><c> the</c><00:02:02.159><c> end</c><00
• the<00:02:03.040><c> agenda</c><00:02:03.360><c> or</c><00:02:03.520><c> do</c><00:02:03.680><c> you
• :05.759><c> till</c><00:02:05.920><c> the</c><00:02:06.079><c> end</c><00:02:06.159><c> of</c><00:02:
• ><c> the</c><00:02:43.280><c> rest</c><00:02:43.440><c> of</c><00:02:43.519><c> the</c><00:02:43.599>

Transcript Highlights:

• Northern</c><00:02:15.040><c> Kentucky</c><00:02:16.040><c> has</c><00:02:16.400><c> since</c><00:02
• :02:18.879><c> a</c><00:02:19.000><c> few</c><00:02:19.200><c> years</c><00:02:19.560><c> back</c><00
• <00:02:20.640><c> relief</c><00:02:21.040><c> from</c><00:02:21.200><c> the</c><00:02:21.560><c> EPA<
• ><c> the</c><00:02:40.280><c> the</c><00:02:40.400><c> cars</c><00:02:41.080><c> are</c><00:02:41.239
• </c><00:02:45.400><c> is</c><00:02:46.280><c> negligible</c><00:02:47.280><c> and</c><00:02:47.519><c

Summary: The committee opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the minutes. After no special guests were recognized, members took up a joint resolution carried by Senator Nemes for Senator Adams concerning reformulated gasoline requirements in Jefferson County and parts of Oldham and Bullitt counties. The resolution would direct the Energy and Environmental Cabinet to revise the state air quality implementation plan to remove the reformulated gas mandate. Senator Nemes argued the requirement is outdated and has little practical effect given modern vehicles and fuel standards, and members voted to pass the resolution unanimously. The committee then heard Senate Bill 179 from Senator Danny Carroll, which would create a nuclear energy development grant program within the Nuclear Energy Development Authority. Carroll explained that the bill would set aside $10 million from the previously appropriated $40 million investment for grants supporting nuclear energy development in Kentucky, with grants capped at $2 million and administered entirely by NEITA rather than through Economic Development. He and several members emphasized the need for Kentucky to invest in nuclear energy to keep pace with states like Tennessee, which was cited as having invested heavily and attracting business activity around small modular reactors. Members expressed strong support for the bill, with Senator West and others praising the initiative and calling it important for Kentucky’s energy future. The committee voted the bill out favorably with an expression that it shall pass. Before adjournment, the chair encouraged members to review the other energy bills that had been heard recently and stressed the importance of moving quickly on energy policy measures. A motion was then requested to close the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> in</c><00:02:09.360><c> bridging</c><00:02:09.759><c> gaps,</c><00:02:10.000><c> and</c><00:02:10.160
• /c><00:02:14.640><c> very</c><00:02:14.879><c> least</c><00:02:15.280><c> we</c><00:02:15.520><c> ask
• operators<00:02:23.280><c> by</c><00:02:23.520><c> fostering</c><00:02:23.920><c> deep</c><00:02:24.239
• </c><00:02:41.280><c> Up</c><00:02:41.599><c> next</c><00:02:41.920><c> on</c><00:02:42.239><c> Zoom<
• :59.360><c> the</c><00:02:59.519><c> one</c><00:02:59.599><c> that</c><00:02:59.760><c> we</c><00:02:

Bills: SB2596 , SB3002 , SB3067

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Summary: The joint committees on Water and Culture and the Arts and on Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 3173, which would create a cultural training pilot program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources, administered by DOBOR, for commercial permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Testimony was largely supportive from Lahaina Strong, which said the bill responds to community concerns and would help commercial operators return with greater cultural understanding and respect. Supporters framed the measure as a way to rebuild Lahaina intentionally and strengthen relationships between industry and community. Opposition came from Trilogy Excursions and the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii. They said they already provide or encourage cultural education, but argued the bill as written is too broad, potentially mandatory, and could create hiring and operational problems for businesses trying to restart after the fire. They asked that any program be voluntary, collaborative, and practical, with clearer details on who must take the training, how often it would be offered, and how it would be coordinated. In response to questions, a witness said most operators would likely participate if the training were accessible and well-marketed, but that the harbor’s limited current operations and staggered rebuilding make timing important. After testimony and questions, the chairs said they appreciated the comments but wanted to move the bill forward without amendments because of a filing deadline, noting that timing and other issues could be worked out in later committees with DLNR, OHA, and stakeholders. Both committees then voted to pass SB 3173 unamended, with one member excused in each committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• :06.759><c> good</c><00:02:06.880><c> morning</c><00:02:07.079><c> and</c><00:02:07.560><c> welcome</
• :02:22.280><c> at</c><00:02:22.400><c> the</c><00:02:22.519><c> Hawaii</c><00:02:22.840><c> state</c>
• ><c> um</c><00:02:25.440><c> we</c><00:02:25.599><c> are</c><00:02:26.599><c> making</c><00:02:27.280
• and are prepared<00:02:40.400><c> uh</c><00:02:40.519><c> to</c><00:02:40.720><c> vote</c><00:02:41.159
• on this measure<00:02:51.879><c> is</c><00:02:52.040><c> to</c><00:02:52.280><c> pass</c><00:02:52.519

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held decision-making and hearing sessions on February 25, 2025, on several measures. In decision-making, the committee passed with amendments SP 588 SD1, SP 1245 SD1 (pharmacists), SB 1287 (transparency), and SP 1298 SD1 (recycling), generally adopting agency-requested or technical amendments and in several cases pushing the effective date far into the future to keep the bills moving. The committee deferred SP 1149 SD1 and SP 281 SD1 for one day, and indefinitely deferred SP 1286 SD1 on motor vehicles after noting no supportive or opposing testimony and that the Office of Consumer Protection wanted to work further with the introducer. In the later hearing on consumer-protection-related measures, the committee heard testimony on SB 419 (insurance), SB 942 (rental applications), and SB 1142 (insurance proceeds). SB 419 would require auto insurance to cover replacement of a damaged child passenger restraint system; the Attorney General’s office suggested language to avoid contract impairment, and the measure was advanced with amendments. SB 942 would bar landlords from rejecting applicants solely for lack of a recent paycheck if they can show sufficient liquid assets or unearned income; testimony was largely supportive, with Realtors asking for clarifying amendments to protect their fiduciary duties, while a witness opposed those changes as an unnecessary burden on retirees and elders. SB 1142 would impose requirements on mortgage services for disbursing insurance proceeds after damage to residential property; DCCA and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement supported it, and the committee advanced it with technical amendments and a defective effective date. Across the actions, the committee repeatedly voted to pass measures with amendments, with the chair voting aye and, on SB 942, the vice chair voting with reservations over the Realtors’ amendments. No measures were rejected in the portions provided, and the committee adjourned after adopting the recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:12.160><c> up</c><00:02:12.480><c> with</c><00:02:12.880><c> solutions</c><00:02:13.600><c
• what<00:02:19.160><c> I</c><00:02:19.240><c> would</c><00:02:19.440><c> call</c><00:02:19.800><c> at
• > lack</c><00:02:23.120><c> of</c><00:02:23.200><c> a</c><00:02:23.240><c> better</c><00:02:23.400><c
• <00:02:47.640><c> a</c><00:02:47.720><c> physician,</c><00:02:48.320><c> but</c><00:02:48.440><c> if<
• Well, we<00:02:51.520><c> would</c><00:02:51.640><c> like,</c><00:02:52.120><c> in</c><00:02:52.240><

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first took up Senate Joint Resolution 116, sponsored by President Stivers. The resolution directs the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky University to work over the next year on a statewide framework to improve health care access, especially in underserved and unserved areas. Members discussed physician shortages, maldistribution of doctors, recruitment and retention, loan forgiveness, scholarships, technology, and the connection between health care access and economic development in rural Kentucky. The resolution was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 116, relating to physician assistants and a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model. The sponsor and PA witnesses explained that the bill was heavily revised through a committee substitute after discussions with the Kentucky Medical Association, physicians, and hospitals. They said the substitute keeps physician supervision in place while allowing health care teams to function more efficiently, and they emphasized that the bill is intended to improve access to care, particularly in rural areas with few doctors. Some members supported the compromise and the collaboration, while others raised concerns that expanding PA practice could worsen long-term physician shortages or reduce incentives for doctors to practice in rural Kentucky. The bill passed the committee 7-2 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• > you</c><01:02:03.359><c> want</c><01:02:03.440><c> to</c><01:02:03.599><c> move</c><01:02:03.680><c
• </c><01:02:11.040><c> We</c><01:02:11.359><c> heard</c><01:02:12.079><c> a</c><01:02:12.319><c> lot</
• most<01:02:33.599><c> prominent</c><01:02:34.000><c> of</c><01:02:34.240><c> that</c><01:02:34.559><
• :02:36.319><c> be</c><01:02:36.400><c> held</c><01:02:36.799><c> in</c><01:02:37.119><c> person.
• > as</c><01:02:47.680><c> members</c><01:02:48.000><c> of</c><01:02:48.240><c> this</c><01:02:48.960>

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; I<00:02:11.840><c> pledge</c><00:02:12.160><c> allegiance</c><00:02:12.800><c> to</c><00:02:
• 13.120><c> the</c><00:02:13.360><c> flag</c><00:02:14.080><c> of</c><00:02:14.239><c> the</c> &gt;&gt
• :14.720><c> States</c><00:02:15.040><c> of</c><00:02:15.280><c> America</c><00:02:16.160><c> and</c><
• Pursuant<00:02:26.560><c> to</c><00:02:26.720><c> clause</c><00:02:27.120><c> 13</c><00:02:27.440><c>
• /c><00:02:30.480><c> 15th,</c><00:02:31.599><c> 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:08.400><c> for</c><02:02:09.280><c> operators</c><02:02:10.000><c> who</c><02:02:10.320><c> are</
• are operating and<02:02:11.440><c> to</c><02:02:11.760><c> your</c><02:02:12.000><c> point</c><02:02
• :12.560><c> if</c><02:02:12.800><c> you're</c><02:02:12.960><c> a</c><02:02:13.119><c> mom</c><02:02:
• :02:14.159><c> um</c><02:02:14.719><c> in</c><02:02:15.840><c> West</c><02:02:16.080><c> Virginia</c>
• have</c><02:02:19.199><c> to</c><02:02:19.440><c> know</c><02:02:19.760><c> and</c><02:02:20.159><c>

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping, including moving standing attendees to an overflow room and asking the audience to avoid interruptions. The task force then heard testimony from Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who presented statewide health trend data showing Kentucky ranked 41st overall and 44th in health outcomes, with especially poor performance on premature death, chronic disease, diabetes, and vaccination rates. She emphasized that Kentucky has the highest rates of residents with multiple chronic conditions, that diabetes remains above the national average, and that childhood immunization rates have worsened. She also highlighted major provider shortages in rural areas, noting that 43 of 120 counties meet shortage criteria and that more than half of primary care providers are concentrated in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Adams urged the task force to focus on prevention, early intervention, access to care, physical activity, and healthier school and community environments, and said the foundation is prepared to share results from its demonstration projects. Task force members asked follow-up questions about the age range for chronic-condition data and whether the diabetes figure reflected type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Adams said the chronic-condition measure spans all ages and that the diabetes figure likely reflects type 2, though she offered to provide the full report. The task force then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee next turned to SNAP benefits and heard from Lisa Dennis, commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, and Roger McCann, director of the Division of Family Support. They explained that SNAP is not only a food assistance program but also a public health and family stability tool, arguing that poor diet contributes to chronic disease and that food insecurity is linked to family stress, child welfare involvement, and neglect-related CPS referrals. They cited research showing that more generous SNAP policies are associated with fewer CPS reports, fewer substantiated reports, and fewer foster care placements, and said SNAP helps reduce risk and promote stability across vulnerable populations including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They also described SNAP-Ed as the nutrition education component that teaches healthy eating, cooking on a budget, and how to use fresh produce, but warned that recent federal legislation eliminates federal funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. McCann outlined the remaining SNAP outreach and employment-and-training components, noting that outreach is typically run by nonprofits with a 50% match and that employment and training funds job-skills programs to help recipients move toward better jobs and self-sufficiency. The discussion emphasized that access to nutritious food, education, and job supports are all part of improving health outcomes and reducing food insecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:04.159><c> added</c><00:02:04.479><c> the</c><00:02:04.799><c> right</c><00:02:05.439><c> part</c
• </c><00:02:07.759><c> And</c><00:02:08.000><c> then</c><00:02:08.399><c> if</c><00:02:08.720><c> you<
• ><00:02:17.360><c> articles</c><00:02:17.920><c> 3</c><00:02:18.400><c> 4</c><00:02:18.560><c> of</c>
• 00:02:42.640><c> general</c><00:02:42.959><c> fund</c><00:02:43.200><c> hit</c><00:02:43.519><c> by</
• </c><00:02:50.879><c> So</c><00:02:51.840><c> I'm</c><00:02:52.080><c> happy</c><00:02:52.319><c> to<

Bills: HB245 , HB138 , HB151 , HB152 , HB245 , HB138 , HB151 , HB152

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: inhalants, controlled substances, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, health, public safety, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision, perinatal care, prenatal care, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• But I have a sister who was hurt in an industrial accident in Minnesota. And she wound up with RSD.
• I mean, Minnesota is way different. ...fan of looking at other states and saying what they've done.
• I mean, Minnesota is way different than we are.
• They're going to, those that are close enough, are going to go to Minnesota and buy it or buy it online

Summary: The working group met for a legislative-only discussion on kratom ahead of a special session, with members agreeing to keep remarks brief and noting a public open house and expert testimony would follow the next week. Staff provided an overview of kratom regulation, describing the substance, its psychoactive effects, reported health risks, federal DEA action on 7-OH, state approaches, and North Dakota’s recent executive action and special session call. Legislators then debated whether the state should prohibit kratom, regulate it, or distinguish between natural kratom and synthetic or concentrated 7-OH products. Several members cited extensive testimony from the 2025 session, including House Bill 1101, which would have scheduled kratom as a Schedule I substance and failed in the House, and House Bill 1566, which evolved into a study. Supporters of regulation emphasized testimony from people who said natural kratom helped with chronic pain or function, while others stressed concerns about addiction, adulterated products, youth access, infant withdrawal, and deaths linked to kratom or 7-OH. Members also discussed enforcement and public health issues, including whether the Good Samaritan law should be updated, how law enforcement would respond under the executive order, and whether withdrawal could drive people toward harder drugs. One member urged a temporary approach until the 2027 session, while others argued the short special session could still address a narrow ban on 7-OH and tighter controls on natural kratom. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans for additional testimony and further legislative hearings during the special session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, thank you, Representative Patricia Mueller from Austin, Minnesota, 23B, and the surrounding areas
• Uh, thank you, Representative Patricia Mueller from Austin, Minnesota, 23B, and the surrounding areas
• Uh, thank you, Representative Patricia Mueller from Austin, Minnesota, 23B, and the surrounding areas
• Uh, thank you, Representative Patricia Mueller from Austin, Minnesota, 23B, and the surrounding areas

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately,<01:02:10.160><c> conveyance</c><01:02:10.640><c> tax</c><01:02:10.880><c> is</c><01:02
• </c><01:02:16.480><c> So</c><01:02:16.799><c> maybe</c><01:02:17.200><c> should</c><01:02:17.440><c>
• &gt;&gt; I<01:02:28.400><c> would</c><01:02:28.559><c> like</c><01:02:28.640><c> the</c><01:02:28.799
• </c><01:02:40.720><c> Uh</c><01:02:40.960><c> Madam</c><01:02:41.359><c> Speaker,</c><01:02:42.480><c
• were adhered to<01:02:56.000><c> um</c><01:02:56.720><c> uh</c><01:02:56.960><c> in</c><01:02:57.359>

Bills: HB1952 , HB1951 , HB1929 , HB2497 , HB2208 , HB2572 , HB1953 , HB2551 , HB2549 , HB1737 , HB1628 , HB1769 , HB2493 , HB2264 , HB1997 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB1805 , HB2180 , HB2184 , HB2219 , HB2469 , HB2233 , HB2519 , HB2141 , HB1904 , HB2201 , HB2410 , HB2007 , HB2385 , HB2444 , HB2349 , HB2235 , HB1872 , HB2416 , HB2291 , HB2292 , HB2263 , HB2359 , HB2455 , HB1509 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB1648 , HB2164 , HB2323 , HB1825 , HB2172 , HB1888 , HB2005 , HB2387 , HB2358 , HB2119 , HB2276 , HB2472 , HB1714 , HB2325 , HB1541 , HB1960 , HB2140 , HB2315 , HB2367 , HB2388 , HB1696 , HB2333 , HB2138 , HB2332 , HB2283 , HB2059 , HB2057 , HB2589 , HB2417 , HB2337 , HB1588 , HB2217 , HB2020 , HB1915 , HB1742 , HB2026 , HB1965 , HB1546 , HB2360 , HB1563 , HB1749 , HB2614 , HB1511 , HB1753 , HB1849 , HB1641 , HB2161 , HB2194 , HB1721 , HB2284 , HB2188 , HB1897 , HB1880 , HB1573 , HB1876 , HB20 , HB2137

Transcript Highlights:

• two federally and restricted<00:02:01.040><c> funded</c><00:02:01.520><c> equipment</c><00:02:02.280
• notified<00:02:09.280><c> the</c><00:02:09.520><c> secretary</c><00:02:09.920><c> of</c><00:02:10.000
• of the finance administration<00:02:11.280><c> cabinet</c><00:02:11.599><c> that</c><00:02:11.760><c
• were<00:02:37.840><c> feat</c><00:02:38.239><c> county</c><00:02:39.040><c> and</c><00:02:39.200><c>
• lease space<00:02:47.440><c> due</c><00:02:47.760><c> to</c><00:02:48.239><c> deteriorating</c><00:02

Summary: The committee first approved the February minutes and noted there had been no March meeting. Staff then provided a series of information items, including quarterly capital project status reports from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, a University of Kentucky equipment purchase report, notice that the committee took no action on certain March transactions, school district debt notices for Fayette and Jessamine counties, lease-space advertisements due to building conditions, a Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission report, and asset preservation project reports from KCTCS and Eastern Kentucky University. The committee then heard and unanimously approved Murray State University’s request for interim authorization to use institutional revenues for a $1.5 million roof replacement at the Curs Center student center. University of Kentucky also received unanimous approval for a $115 million public-private partnership project to expand Parking Structure 7 and the Johnson Center recreation space; testimony emphasized the loss of parking from hospital expansion, increased student enrollment, a planned $21 per semester recreation fee increase, and the goal of improving student retention and campus capacity. Next, the committee received a report on a Kentucky State Police Post 11 renovation in London funded at $1.138 million, with members asking how long the repairs would extend the building’s useful life; KSP said the work was a long-term investment and replacement was still many years away. The committee also approved multiple real property lease actions, including a new CHFS lease in Scott County, several lease renewals for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, CHFS, Transportation Cabinet, and a Secretary of State relocation lease tied to a capital renovation project. Members questioned one Jefferson County lease rate and the witness said it had been in place since 2007. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented three water loan items, which were rolled and then approved: an $841,383 East Clark County Water District loan for waterline upgrades, a roughly $6.13 million Oldham County Water District loan for US 42 improvements, and a $619,180 increase for Canonsburg Water District’s Schopes Road project due to higher-than-expected bids. The committee then approved eight K-12 school facility issuances, including projects in Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Lincoln, McLean, Paris, Somerset, and Spencer counties, covering early childhood, new school construction, HVAC, energy conservation, and renovations. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; I'm<00:02:06.479><c> at</c><00:02:06.719><c> my</c><00:02:06.880><c> house</c><00:02:07.040>
• &gt;&gt; I<00:02:15.840><c> think</c><00:02:15.920><c> it's</c><00:02:16.160><c> our</c><00:02:16.400
• 00:02:18.480><c> on</c><00:02:18.720><c> his</c><00:02:18.959><c> way.
• &gt;&gt; No.<00:02:54.319><c> The</c><00:02:54.480><c> eyes</c><00:02:54.800><c> have</c><00:02:54.959
• </c><00:02:55.200><c> And</c><00:02:55.360><c> it</c><00:02:55.519><c> is</c><00:02:55.680><c> so</c>

Summary: The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission met on February 2 at the Capitol Annex and via Zoom, with a quorum present. The meeting began with the swearing-in of new commissioner Secretary Derek Ramsey, followed by a roll call confirming members’ locations and noting that Commissioner Arnold Simpson was on his way. The commission then approved the minutes from its December 2, 2025 meeting by motion and voice vote. After that, the chair asked for a motion to enter executive session to discuss a potential agreement. The motion to go into executive session was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote. No further public discussion or action was recorded before the commission moved into closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• > a</c><00:02:19.360><c> tree,</c><00:02:19.520><c> you</c><00:02:19.680><c> got</c><00:02:19.760><c>
• I<00:02:20.560><c> think</c><00:02:20.640><c> that'd</c><00:02:20.879><c> be</c><00:02:20.959><c> a</
• If<00:02:28.000><c> not,</c><00:02:28.239><c> Senator</c><00:02:28.560><c> Gabard</c><00:02:29.120><c
• > on</c><00:02:29.440><c> SB</c><00:02:30.080><c> 28</c><00:02:31.040><c> 2983</c><00:02:32.080><c> to
• SP 2986 relating<00:02:54.160><c> to</c><00:02:54.319><c> the</c><00:02:54.560><c> land</c><00:02:54.720

Bills: SB2981 , SB2982 , SB2983 , SB2986 , SB2991 , SB3001 , SB3010 , SB3014 , SB3032 , SB3033

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and considered several Senate bills, generally following recommendations to pass measures with or without amendments. SB 2981 would prohibit minimum off-street parking requirements for new development in urban districts and was adopted unamended, with Senator Awa voting no. SB 2982, which bars foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making election-related contributions or expenditures, was adopted with an amendment adopting Attorney General language for required advertisement statements. The committee also advanced SB 2983, creating a misdemeanor offense for criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property; one member opposed it, suggesting a replanting requirement would be a better environmental remedy, but the bill was still adopted unamended. SB 2986, concerning Land Use Commission authority to amend or revise district boundary amendment decisions when conditions are not met, passed with an amendment addressing a defective effective date. SB 2991, on driver’s license revocations for certain alcohol-related offenses and re-examination requirements, passed with amendments clarifying revocation orders and re-examination procedures. Members then approved SB 3001, which regulates conversational artificial intelligence services by requiring disclosures and protocols to prevent suicidal ideation, with amendments incorporating AG and OCP recommendations, including a personal data definition and broader data minimization language. SB 3010, allowing officials and in some cases private citizens to enter unattended vehicles to protect endangered pet animals, passed with amendments. The committee also adopted SB 3014 on higher fines for taking or harassing protected turtles, SB 3032 clarifying beach and marine deposit prohibitions, and SB 3033 allowing petitions to review beach structure integrity despite a bad effective date; Senator Awa again voted no on SB 3033. The meeting adjourned after the committee noted a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, per statute, priority use of each district's safe schools allocation is the assignment of at
• Members, this is the implementing bill that makes modifications to statutes to conform laws to RGA.
• Please show PCB BUC Twitter. 26-02 reported favorably. Representative McClure, thank you.
• Currently, the way the statute is written creates unnecessary barriers for families.
• It is in statute that you are supposed to fix it when there is a need to increase the number of spaces

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker and gentle lady that, um, the existing uh statute.
• In the statute, and those were now struck and so I think we're leaving sort of a black hole for uh the
• the definition of poor space to the carbon dioxide storage stewardship bill which simply puts in statute
• Statute of limitations has run because that was yesterday. That was legislative day 18.
• Literally, 12:02, we might be in a constitutional crisis right now.