Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:07.520><c> Uh</c><00:32:07.760><c> member</c><00:32:08.040><c> questions,</c><00:32:08.600
• </c><00:32:15.760><c> I</c><00:32:15.800><c> was</c><00:32:15.920><c> waiting</c><00:32:16.160><c> for
• uh I<00:32:20.040><c> uh</c> I uh I uh in<00:32:20.760><c> reading</c><00:32:21.000><c> the</c><00:32
• ><c> have</c><00:32:22.720><c> addressed</c><00:32:23.160><c> this,</c><00:32:23.320><c> but</c><00:32
• Uh<00:32:31.920><c> the</c><00:32:32.080><c> loans</c><00:32:32.640><c> that</c><00:32:32.920><c> we<

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Yeah.<00:32:25.120><c> I</c><00:32:25.360><c> mean,</c><00:32:25.440><c> I</c><00:32:25.679>
• <c> won't</c><00:32:25.840><c> see</c><00:32:26.000><c> the</c><00:32:26.159><c> end</c><00:32:26.240
• </c><00:32:31.039><c> So</c><00:32:31.279><c> the</c><00:32:31.600><c> the</c><00:32:32.399><c> what<
• let alone an<00:32:36.000><c> agreement</c><00:32:36.320><c> to</c><00:32:36.480><c> stand</c><00:32
• So I<00:32:37.679><c> I</c><00:32:38.080><c> definitely</c><00:32:38.480><c> have</c><00:32:38.720><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and approval of the prior minutes, including a requested correction to Thomas Han’s statement about a Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters subcommittee studying the timber yield tax and current use forest land tax assessment formula. The correction was adopted, and the minutes were then approved as amended. The main agenda item was a hearing of landowners on forest taxation and carbon credits. Several scheduled speakers canceled, so the committee received a letter from Ross Karen, a Coos County landowner and forester, who opposed carbon credit sales because of “leakage” and argued that diverse local markets and productive forests are better than carbon sales. Aean Kelly of White Mountain Lumber and the Randolph Town Forest also testified, saying many Coos County landowners and forest managers have declined carbon credit offers because they do not fit New Hampshire’s working-forest tradition. He argued that carbon agreements should be treated on a level playing field with traditional harvesting and that, if they are to be encouraged, they should face a fiscal adjustment comparable to the timber tax. Kelly also gave a detailed history of the timber tax, explaining that it was created in 1948 to replace uneven local property taxation on standing timber, discourage clearcutting, and stabilize the tax base while preserving working forests. He said the tax was intended to be collected when timber is harvested, not to stop logging, and that a later commission found the 10% rate roughly matched the revenue towns lost. In response to questions, he said pre-1948 assessments varied widely by town and tax collector, and that carbon projects today are already being valued by sophisticated models, so he believes carbon should be included in the assessment system. He also said short-term carbon agreements may simply monetize existing forest value, while 100-year agreements raise enforceability concerns. No votes or other formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :15.240><c> you</c><00:32:15.320><c> feel</c><00:32:15.640><c> or</c><00:32:15.720><c> would</c><00:32
• <00:32:17.040><c> Uh</c><00:32:17.640><c> I</c><00:32:17.760><c> I</c><00:32:17.800><c> we</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:19.160><c> First,</c><00:32:19.560><c> uh</c><00:32:19.600><c> let</c><00:32:19.800><c> me
• will</c><00:32:23.120><c> soon</c><00:32:23.400><c> be</c><00:32:23.679><c> employed</c><00:32:24.240
• c> just</c><00:32:27.880><c> wanted</c><00:32:28.080><c> to</c><00:32:28.320><c> make</c><00:32:28.480

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :40.120><c> of</c><00:32:40.320><c> time</c><00:32:40.720><c> one</c><00:32:40.960><c> year</c><00:32
• :32:43.840><c> we</c><00:32:43.960><c> don't</c><00:32:44.039><c> have</c><00:32:44.120><c> a</c><00:
• ><c> you</c><00:32:49.600><c> um</c><00:32:50.240><c> thank</c><00:32:50.360><c> you</c><00:32:50.440
• :32:52.120><c> to</c><00:32:52.200><c> say</c><00:32:52.320><c> senator</c><00:32:52.840><c> I</c><00
• :32:18.040><c> to</c><01:32:18.440><c> uh</c><01:32:18.560><c> start</c><01:32:18.840><c> us</c><01:32

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:32:24.200><c> a</c><00:32:24.320><c> treated</c><00:32:24.840><c> child</c><00:32:25.679><c> shows
• scores<00:32:27.600><c> than</c><00:32:27.960><c> we</c><00:32:28.120><c> normally</c><00:32:28.559>
• untreated<00:32:30.320><c> children</c><00:32:31.320><c> we</c><00:32:31.600><c> know</c><00:32:32.200
• ><c> we</c><00:32:35.639><c> know</c><00:32:36.639><c> for</c><00:32:37.000><c> MLD</c><00:32:38.000>
• <00:32:54.360><c> a</c><00:32:54.559><c> caveat</c><00:32:55.080><c> to</c><00:32:55.360><c> this</c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:16.240><c> in</c><00:32:16.320><c> front</c><00:32:16.480><c> of</c><00:32:16.559><c> us</
• today would<00:32:17.880><c> basically</c><00:32:18.559><c> put</c><00:32:18.760><c> into</c><00:32:
• committee<00:32:34.039><c> um</c><00:32:34.360><c> and</c><00:32:34.480><c> in</c><00:32:34.600><c>
• Rising<00:32:39.679><c> costs</c><00:32:40.679><c> and</c><00:32:41.000><c> as</c><00:32:41.240><c>
• committee<00:32:42.200><c> evolves</c><00:32:42.600><c> and</c><00:32:42.840><c> as</c><00:32:43.080

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So over the<00:32:05.200><c> interim</c><00:32:06.000><c> we</c><00:32:06.559><c> have</c><00:32:07.360
• > and</c><00:32:27.200><c> where</c><00:32:27.440><c> right</c><00:32:27.679><c> now</c><00:32:27.840
• And then<00:32:36.799><c> we</c><00:32:37.039><c> also</c><00:32:37.279><c> have</c><00:32:37.519><c>
• :32:43.600><c> of</c><00:32:43.760><c> access</c><00:32:44.080><c> to</c><00:32:44.399><c> resources<
• So over the interim,<00:32:54.480><c> we</c><00:32:54.720><c> worked</c><00:32:55.120><c> to</c><00:32

Committee: House Families & Children

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 418 21:23 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 418 22:40 - Discussion of 26RS HB 611 26:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 611 26:52 - Discussion of 26RS HB 598 51:25 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 598, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bomman<00:32:06.799><c> for</c><00:32:06.919><c> bringing</c><00:32:07.200><c> this</c><00:32:07.360
• :32:23.559><c> they</c><00:32:23.679><c> can</c><00:32:24.120><c> pull</c><00:32:24.399><c> this</c>
• :32:32.000><c> them</c><00:32:32.159><c> to</c><00:32:32.320><c> do</c><00:32:32.600><c> it</c><00:32
• do it we do thank<00:32:34.200><c> you</c><00:32:34.320><c> for</c><00:32:34.480><c> your</c><00:32:
• <00:32:37.240><c> any</c><00:32:37.480><c> concern</c><00:32:37.919><c> at</c><00:32:38.039><c> all</

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:03 HB 220: 00:01:49 Discussion in Opposition to HB 220: 00:14:37 HB 136: 00:28:21 HB 201: 00:34:14, 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a full roll call and first took up House Bill 220, which would strengthen Kentucky DUI penalties. The sponsor and a Commonwealth’s attorney testified that the bill would make a third DUI within 10 years a felony, while keeping first- and second-offense penalties the same, and that the committee substitute also adds escalating fines for under-21 DUI offenses and aligns interlock requirements. Supporters argued the change is needed to protect families and respond to repeat impaired driving, citing a fatal case involving a young victim and a repeat offender with a high blood alcohol level and prior DUI convictions. Members asked about treatment, sentencing, and drafting details. The sponsor explained that the existing mandatory substance-abuse treatment requirement for fourth-or-greater offenses would apply to third-or-greater offenses under the substitute, and that a 120-day minimum remains in place. Questions were also raised about removing redundant statutory language and about whether felony treatment could sometimes result in less actual jail time than a misdemeanor; the sponsor and prosecutor said such cases are rare and that the bill gives prosecutors and juries more tools. Representative Blanton supported the bill but noted it does not address fentanyl, and the sponsor said he has a separate bill for that issue. Opposition testimony came from Scott West of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, who said he supported tougher DUI enforcement but opposed felonyizing the third offense. He argued that the current system already imposes mandatory jail and treatment, that felony cases often resolve through plea bargains with parole eligibility that may not increase actual time served, and that the better approach would be stronger mandatory counseling, longer license suspensions, and ignition interlock requirements rather than felony status. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and passed HB 220 favorably by a 19-0 vote. The committee then began House Bill 136, which would require the Department of Corrections to compile and submit annual reports to the General Assembly on corrections and parole outcomes, including time served and supervision data. The sponsor and a witness from the Georgia Center for Opportunity said the bill is intended to improve transparency and give lawmakers better data for policy decisions. Members voiced support for better post-release data and asked whether DOC could implement the reporting; the witness said DOC had not expressed concerns and already submits some reports. Discussion on HB 136 was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> hope</c><00:32:02.520><c> that</c><00:32:02.720><c> one</c><00:32:02.880><c> of</c><00:32:03.000
• And<00:32:09.040><c> along</c><00:32:09.360><c> that</c><00:32:09.600><c> line,</c><00:32:09.920><c>
• </c><00:32:16.800><c> And</c><00:32:16.920><c> I</c><00:32:16.960><c> hope</c><00:32:17.120><c> we</c
• 32:18.040><c> bring</c><00:32:18.240><c> all</c><00:32:18.360><c> that</c><00:32:18.560><c> in</c><00
• into a<00:32:19.480><c> final</c><00:32:19.880><c> best</c><00:32:20.240><c> result</c><00:32:21.240>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:02.799><c> He</c><00:32:03.039><c> said</c><00:32:03.200><c> that</c><00:32:03.360><c> he<
• </c><00:32:10.799><c> to</c><00:32:10.880><c> present</c><00:32:11.279><c> letters</c><00:32:11.600><
• :32:19.279><c> other</c><00:32:19.519><c> judges</c><00:32:19.840><c> that</c><00:32:20.000><c> he</c
• </c><00:32:21.919><c> I</c><00:32:22.159><c> was</c><00:32:22.320><c> able</c><00:32:22.559><c> to</c
• 30.559><c> to</c><00:32:30.720><c> be</c><00:32:30.880><c> treated</c><00:32:31.120><c> as</c><00:32:

Keywords: 0:00:04 Call to Order 0:00:50 Dept for Public Advocacy 0:51:31 Life Learning Center 1:21:06 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:10.480><c> into</c><00:32:11.039><c> a</c><00:32:11.200><c> bidding</c><00:32:11.600><c> in</c
• the<00:32:21.200><c> building</c><00:32:21.880><c> of</c><00:32:22.080><c> course</c><00:32:22.279><
• ><c> bids</c><00:32:23.440><c> come</c><00:32:23.639><c> in</c><00:32:24.159><c> in</c><00:32:24.320>
• 00:32:31.559><c> you</c><00:32:31.679><c> see</c><00:32:32.120><c> there's</c><00:32:32.279><c> an</c
• </c><00:32:36.120><c> handout</c><00:32:37.120><c> uh</c><00:32:37.240><c> a</c><00:32:37.360><c> lot

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• voting<00:32:02.440><c> have</c><00:32:02.679><c> more</c><00:32:03.039><c> people</c><00:32:03.679>
• <c> spoke</c><00:32:11.360><c> to</c><00:32:11.519><c> it</c><00:32:11.720><c> but</c><00:32:11.840><
• ><c> and</c><00:32:16.679><c> it</c><00:32:16.919><c> really</c><00:32:17.279><c> resonated</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:20.919><c> goes</c><00:32:21.240><c> up</c><00:32:21.440><c> to</c><00:32:22.360><c> doors
• :32:29.559><c> wonderful</c><00:32:30.240><c> to</c><00:32:30.480><c> even</c><00:32:31.000><c> think

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• shared</c><00:32:02.200><c> and</c><00:32:02.440><c> have</c><00:32:02.639><c> the</c><00:32:02.840>
• :09.840><c> was</c><00:32:10.000><c> a</c><00:32:10.600><c> problem</c><00:32:11.600><c> uh</c><00:32
• ><c> that</c><00:32:17.279><c> his</c><00:32:17.440><c> son</c><00:32:17.679><c> was</c><00:32:17.919
• /c><00:32:21.279><c> never</c><00:32:21.519><c> notified</c><00:32:22.080><c> and</c><00:32:22.200><c
• 32:41.399><c> to</c><00:32:41.519><c> go</c><00:32:41.760><c> down</c><00:32:42.679><c> and</c><00:32

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:32:02.559><c> or</c><00:32:02.799><c> indirectly</c><00:32:03.279><c> to</c><00:32:03.440><c> a<
• c><00:32:10.720><c> affiliate</c><00:32:11.279><c> company</c><00:32:11.919><c> etc</c><00:32:12.399>
• ><c> to</c><00:32:12.960><c> tighten</c><00:32:13.279><c> up</c><00:32:13.440><c> the</c><00:32:13.679
• <00:32:24.000><c> Any</c><00:32:24.240><c> objection</c><00:32:24.640><c> to</c><00:32:24.880><c> the
• </c><00:32:31.440><c> And</c><00:32:31.840><c> with</c><00:32:32.159><c> that,</c><00:32:32.480><c> we

Bills: HB178 , HB124 , HB96 , HB250 , SB289 , SB317 , HB359 , HB178 , HB124 , HB96 , HB250 , SB289 , SB317 , HB359

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: HB178, Ten Commandments, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama, school display, religious display, Bible, Judeo-Christian, Establishment Clause, church-state separation, religion in schools, founding documents, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Northwest Ordinance, social studies, civics, history curriculum

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:06.000><c> relieve</c><00:32:06.399><c> the</c><00:32:06.640><c> pressure</c><00:32:07.360><
• </c><00:32:11.679><c> And</c><00:32:12.240><c> it</c><00:32:12.480><c> will</c><00:32:12.720><c> cost
• :32:14.559><c> state</c><00:32:14.799><c> as</c><00:32:14.960><c> a</c><00:32:15.120><c> whole.
• We will<00:32:15.679><c> not</c><00:32:15.919><c> have</c><00:32:16.159><c> to</c><00:32:16.320><c> put
• </c><00:32:26.960><c> So</c><00:32:27.120><c> I'm</c><00:32:27.600><c> vote</c><00:32:28.000><c> I.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• two<00:32:02.440><c> families</c><00:32:02.840><c> making</c><00:32:03.200><c> their</c><00:32:03.399
• c><00:32:07.799><c> on</c><00:32:07.960><c> us</c><00:32:08.159><c> for</c><00:32:08.360><c> their</c
• jobs and<00:32:09.159><c> income</c><00:32:09.600><c> for</c><00:32:09.840><c> their</c><00:32:10.240
• <00:32:30.559><c> land</c><00:32:30.919><c> use</c><00:32:31.880><c> I</c><00:32:31.960><c> want</c><
• :44.200><c> program</c><00:32:44.880><c> is</c><00:32:45.000><c> a</c><00:32:45.159><c> net</c><00:32

Bills: HF2103 , HF2793

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• fruit</c><00:32:13.880><c> for</c><00:32:14.080><c> any</c><00:32:14.279><c> kind</c><00:32:14.440><c
• c> bank</c><00:32:22.639><c> account</c><00:32:23.639><c> or</c><00:32:23.880><c> a</c><00:32:24.080>
• ><c> fee</c><00:32:28.080><c> do</c><00:32:28.240><c> we</c><00:32:28.480><c> have</c><00:32:28.679><
• :32:49.919><c> would</c><00:32:50.159><c> recommend</c><00:32:50.679><c> is</c><00:32:50.840><c> if</
• ><c> in</c><00:32:51.559><c> that</c><00:32:51.760><c> situation</c><00:32:52.440><c> they</c><00:32:

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > of</c><00:32:03.200><c> our</c><00:32:03.440><c> past</c><00:32:03.720><c> and</c><00:32:03.840><c>
• > is</c><00:32:28.080><c> those</c><00:32:28.240><c> who</c><00:32:28.399><c> do</c><00:32:28.519><c>
• :32:30.000><c> repeat</c><00:32:30.360><c> it</c><00:32:31.279><c> I</c><00:32:31.480><c> ask</c> ...
• <01:32:13.719><c> that</c><01:32:13.840><c> it</c><01:32:13.920><c> is</c><01:32:14.119><c> essential
• <01:32:30.480><c> health</c><01:32:30.800><c> challenges</c><01:32:31.440><c> we</c><01:32:31.560><c>

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:11.440><c> redc</c><00:32:11.880><c> training</c><00:32:12.559><c> feel</c><00:32:13.000><
• <00:32:16.919><c> to</c><00:32:17.399><c> read</c><00:32:18.399><c> our</c><00:32:18.720><c> goal</c>
• with<00:32:28.320><c> support</c><00:32:28.639><c> from</c><00:32:28.760><c> an</c><00:32:28.919><c>
• c> of</c><00:32:50.159><c> the</c><00:32:50.399><c> impact</c><00:32:50.760><c> of</c><00:32:50.960><
• </c><00:32:56.200><c> on</c><00:32:56.440><c> systems</c><00:32:57.080><c> already</c><00:32:57.440><

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But in<00:32:12.600><c> my</c><00:32:12.800><c> judgment,</c><00:32:13.280><c> over</c><00:32:13.480>
• included, I<00:32:18.240><c> think</c><00:32:18.840><c> we</c><00:32:19.040><c> are</c><00:32:19.160>
• <c> in</c><00:32:19.320><c> the</c><00:32:19.440><c> sweet</c><00:32:19.720><c> spot</c><00:32:20.080
• Culture matters a lot.<00:32:25.440><c> As</c><00:32:25.680><c> all</c><00:32:25.840><c> of</c><00:32
• :32:31.240><c> not</c><00:32:31.440><c> to</c><00:32:31.520><c> vote.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee held a joint hearing recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and focusing on civic education, free speech, voting, and Minnesota’s America 250 commemorations. Opening remarks emphasized the importance of education, Indigenous land acknowledgement, and the idea that democracy depends on informed and engaged citizens. The chair then invited student debaters from the Minnesota High School League to testify about how debate, free speech, and evidence-based reasoning have shaped their education and civic participation. The students argued that debate teaches critical thinking, helps young people engage with difficult issues, and should be protected as part of a healthy democracy; one also urged lawmakers to move beyond empty promises and take action on issues such as eviction moratoriums, ICE collaboration, and protest protections. Commissioner Willie Jett of the Minnesota Department of Education testified that public education is where citizenship first becomes real, and that schools, libraries, and educators help students learn to listen, question, debate respectfully, and understand both the ideals and failures of American history. He said democracy is something each generation must learn and strengthen, and thanked the committee for convening the hearing. Former students Sarah Griffin and Charlie Crocker then offered tributes to Senator Swedzinski, describing how his teaching encouraged civic engagement, disagreement, and action, and how his classroom shaped their lives and public service. Their remarks emphasized that democracy is not a spectator sport and that ordinary people build it through small, courageous acts. Secretary of State Steve Simon followed with testimony on Minnesota’s civic culture and voter participation. He said Minnesota has long ranked near the top nationally in voter turnout, including youth turnout, and attributed that to a combination of good election laws and a strong pro-voting culture. He highlighted school-based civic education efforts such as pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds and the Students Vote mock election program, and noted that Minnesota’s congressional delegation was unanimous in supporting the Voting Rights Act in 1965 as an example of the state coming together on major moral questions. The Minnesota Historical Society then began its presentation on America 250, with Kent Whitworth describing the organization’s role, the new edition of the Northern Lights curriculum, and broader commemorative activities; Dr. Bill Convery introduced historical context about how Americans have celebrated independence and how the semiquincentennial can leave a legacy for future generations.