Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioners to provide administrative assistant staffing until the project planning design and engineering
• I think it's currently budgeted at 1 million dollars and it's for the planning design and engineering
• And industrial engineers, design machines, machines that could take off your arm if you're not using
• So it sounds as a board certified specialist when they have not achieved board certification as a pretty
• Chair is 2 for human and machine cognition is a nationally recognized senator of scientific and engineering

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Classic books like The Little Engine That Could, Corduroy, and Where the Wild Things Are from Dolly,
• Classic books like The Little Engine That Could, Corduroy, and Where the Wild Things Are from Dolly,
• Plus, we’ll outline discovery for birth certificate enrollment.
• <00:10:25.680> We<00:10:25.920> can for birth certificate enrollment.
• We can for birth certificate enrollment.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: Senate Joint Resolution 54, sponsored by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong, was heard in committee on expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Kentucky. Testimony came from Libby Settles, Bill Shy, and Lindsay Westerfield, who described the program’s impact on early literacy and family reading habits, and outlined ways to increase enrollment. Proposed expansion ideas included automatic enrollment for children in foster care, outreach through WIC and health departments, and exploring enrollment through the birth certificate process. Witnesses also highlighted related efforts such as bilingual books, Braille Tales, and a prison-based reading space program tied to Imagination Library books. Supporters emphasized the program’s low cost and broad educational benefits, citing statewide coverage, 52% enrollment of eligible children ages birth to five, and a goal of reaching 65%. Members asked about sustaining local matching funds and handling children who move between counties. Witnesses said local partners use a five-year cost estimator, diversify funding through grants and foundations, and rely on postal change-of-address systems to transfer enrollments seamlessly. Senator Chambers Armstrong also noted that about 2,200 foster children eligible for the program were not enrolled and said the resolution would help address that gap while protecting confidentiality. The committee adopted a small oral amendment removing the word “is” from line 19 on page two, then approved the resolution as amended on a 10-0 vote with favorable expression. Members spoke in support of the measure, praising the program’s literacy benefits and bipartisan history, and the committee then voted to roll the amendment into the committee report. The resolution was reported favorably and was said to be expected to pass the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Provides the certificate of compliance must be signed by the private provider and any duly authorized
• This bill places a clear duty on board members to verify licensure and certification before hiring, a
• I would do everything I can to be invisible and talk about engineering groups in our office, as well
• I would do everything I can to be invisible and talk about engineering groups in our office as well as
• You sample it, you get it lab tested, you get a certification if somebody can testify to it, but then

Bills: S0468, S0822, S1234, S1260, S1580, S1706

Keywords: animal cruelty, reporting, veterinary, protection, liability, regulation, community association, management certification, Florida Statutes, certified manager, association governance, building permits, inspections, offsite construction, local government, housing, property regulation, construction standards, state of emergency, emergency response

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills. SB 468 would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians to report suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement or animal control and allow release of patient records in good faith; it was reported favorably with support from animal welfare groups. SB 1706 narrows eligibility for the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to buildings with at least 80% owner-occupied units and residents at or below 80% of area median income, and it also passed favorably. SB 1234 on building permits and inspections was amended extensively to clarify permit exemptions, private-provider rules, and timelines, then reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1260, dealing with building inspections after emergencies, was amended to require state-term contracts for inspection vendors and then passed. SB 822 would require professionally managed community associations above a budget threshold; an amendment raised the threshold to $750,000, added a parcel-count trigger, and allowed direct-hire credentialed managers, after which the bill was reported favorably. SB 1580 would increase penalties for illegal gaming operations, add enforcement tools, and clarify procedures for veterans organizations; after removing a fantasy sports provision, it also passed favorably. The committee also heard from several appointees and reappointees to the Public Service Commission and Florida Gaming Control Commission. Public Service Commission nominees Anna Ortega and Robert Payne were questioned closely about utility hardening projects, ratepayer costs, and the role of the Office of Public Counsel. Gaming Commission reappointee Julie Brown and appointees William Spacola, John DeQuilla, Peter Cutterman, and Tina Rep discussed illegal gaming enforcement, audits, agency operations, and their backgrounds in law, regulation, law enforcement, and public service. Several members raised concerns about contract timing and evidence handling at the Gaming Commission, while others praised the nominees’ experience and service. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 1 through 7. Members then requested favorable placement on the record for specific bills, including SB 468, SB 1234, SB 1260, SB 1580, and SB 1706, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many U.S. citizens simply do not have ready access to birth certificate passports, or naturalization
• Many Texans simply do not have a passport or birth certificate on hand. 1.3 million voting-age Texans
• I did it recently to get a birth certificate and a naturalization certificate costs seven hundred and
• I couldn't tell you where my birth certificate is right now.
• Like you said, I said, I would have to have my birth certificate at the ready.

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• He would like to be a computer engineer so that he can create some really cool video games.
• We will have a certificate of recognition.
• We'll introduce those first before the certificate.
• Once we're done with guests, we'll yield back to Senator Paul to do the certificate.
• Certification Act, defining terms, providing for eligibility for U-Visa certification, providing for

Transcript Highlights:

• But by January of 2022, the Division of Engineering and Contract Administration, or DECA, was talking
• <00:13:43.519> and of 2022, the Division of Engineering and of 2022, the Division of Engineering
• They all have those certifications on the KSP side, I don't know. >> Follow Mr. Sure. >> Go ahead.
• They all have those certifications on the KSP side, I don't know. >> Follow Mr. Sure. >> Go ahead.
• >> Um, have those certifications on the KSP side? I don't know. >> Follow Mr. Sure. >> Go ahead.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:01 Staff Report on Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System- 00:01:09 Kentucky State Police and Finance and Administration Cabinet Response to Staff Report- 00:48:37 Adjournment-01:34:512, 958, all

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:

• <00:36:37.839> of complete a delayed certificate of complete a delayed certificate of marriage
• This is an certificate of marriage.
• the delayed certificate of marriage. the delayed certificate of marriage.
• you talk about the the late certificate you talk about the the late certificate of<00:41:39.920>
• Our firm along with economic engine.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Calthorpe, an engineering and architectural firm based in California that worked on AB 2011... H.D.
• Calthorpe, an engineering and architectural firm based in California that worked on AB 2011; the Cascady
• Calthorpe and engineering and architectural firm based in California that worked on AB 2011. engineering
• So now we have to start thinking more about the actual engineering and the design and how we get to a
• We look at a lot of death certificates, birth certificates.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard a series of work-session presentations focused on transit-oriented development, commercial-to-residential redevelopment, building code implementation, housing market trends, and the Covenant Homeownership Program. The first presentation, from the Urban Institute, reviewed research on HB 1491 and TOD feasibility, arguing that Washington has made major progress but faces diverging conditions across transit areas. The presenter said rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and lower rents in some markets have made many projects less feasible, and recommended targeted infrastructure funding for lower-market communities, adjustments to MFTE and affordability requirements by local market conditions, more support for very low-income housing in high-market transit areas, minimum density standards near stations, expanded public land/joint development tools, and better tracking of TOD outcomes over time. Committee members asked about AMI calculations, immigration’s effect on construction labor, developer input, and whether a tracking mechanism had been removed from the bill. The Department of Commerce then outlined implementation of HB 1491 and demonstrated the new Washington Zoning Atlas, which is live and intended to help visualize zoning, overlays, and station-area conditions. Commerce said local governments will designate station areas, update zoning and MFTE policies, and handle anti-displacement measures, with Vancouver and Spokane first to implement and Puget Sound following later. Staff described a timeline for updated MFTE guidance, station-area implementation guidance, a TOD model ordinance, and later rulemaking on variances. The committee also heard from the Lieutenant Governor’s office on a report about converting commercial properties to housing, which found substantial potential for redevelopment on vacant or underused commercial land, especially near transit, but noted barriers such as ground-floor retail mandates, affordability requirements, infrastructure costs, private covenants, and slow implementation. The office urged by-right residential use on commercial land and faster rollout of new housing laws. The State Building Code Council updated the committee on its three-year code cycle and several legislatively directed actions, including minimum dwelling size, emergency shelters, and especially single-exit stairs and multiplex housing. Council staff said those code changes are nearing completion and will provide prescriptive solutions, while noting that elevator size and requirements were not changed and would require separate legislative direction if the committee wanted to revisit them. Members discussed the cost impacts of building and energy codes and the council said it is required to consider economic impacts and is increasingly looking at performance-based approaches. Later, the Washington Center for Real Estate Research presented its annual housing report, showing that higher mortgage rates have sharply reduced affordability, flattened house prices in many cities, and slowed single-family permitting and completions, while multifamily construction has recently cooled after a prior surge. Finally, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission reported strong first-year results for the Covenant Homeownership Program, which provides zero-interest down payment assistance to eligible first-time buyers with family ties to Washington before 1968; the program assisted 547 homebuyers in its first fiscal year, with more than $60 million loaned, and the agency said participation has continued to grow after income-limit changes enacted in 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you are aware, the board of engineers As you are aware, the board of engineers was<00:22:36.320
• The first engineer license was engineer number one, and shortly, I think we will register an engineer
• > was<00:24:52.960> engineer The first engineer license was engineer The first engineer
• afford on their own for an engineering afford on their own for an engineering program.<00:28:16.640
• that require medical certification that require medical certification perhaps<01:52:51.840> if

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 22 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Mississippi Auctioneer Commission, which requested level funding. PJ Lindsay reported the agency granted 29 new auctioneer applications and 9 new firm applications, received 3 complaints, resolved 1, signed 1 consent order, and issued 1 suspension. Members questioned the commission about its cash balance, reserve levels, and a large variance between prior spending and the FY26 request; staff explained the difference was tied to technology and contractual costs, including planned computer system updates and out-of-state conference travel for board members. The commission also noted that auctioneering oversight is important because an estimated $4.5 billion will flow through Mississippi escrow accounts in 2025. The Board of Optometry then presented its budget and organizational changes. Board leaders said the board had transitioned away from a state employee model to a management company arrangement with JBAR/Cornerstone, which they said saved about $43,000 and improved service and efficiency. They described the creation of a licensing database and a new back-end system, and said the board was generally seeking level funding with a small increase for computer equipment tied to the new system. Committee members asked about the impact on PERS contributions, the former employee’s retirement, the board’s cash balance, lease arrangements, and whether licensees had complained; the board said the change required legislative approval, the former employee retired, the cash balance was about $399,900, and service complaints had decreased. The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors reported a busy FY2025, including moving most licensure applications online, accepting supporting documents by email, expanding K-12 and college outreach, hosting student interns, visiting ABET-accredited schools, decoupling the surveyor exam registration process, and awarding about $400,000 in grants to engineering programs. The board said it licenses about 15,000 engineers and surveyors plus 8,500 interns, with most registrants from out of state, and that its fees are among the lowest nationally. For the budget, the board requested level funding overall but also sought a new investigator position, 5% salary progressions, increased travel funding for national meetings and STEM outreach, more contractual money for internships and IT modifications, additional supplies, and restoration of a $600,000 grant program that is funded every other year to support university and community college engineering and surveying programs. The board said its operations are supported by fees and that its cash balance is about $1.6 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to present SB 1398, Green Globe Certification.
• State and local jurisdictions are also increasingly recognizing multiple certifications side by side.
• I want to be clear that USGBC's concern today is not competition between green building certification
• However, we do not believe the solution is to bypass the DGS for just one certification.
• However, we do not believe the solution is to bypass the DGS for just one certification.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because a quorum was initially absent, and it heard several bills focused on nonprofit support, alcohol regulation, immigration-related funding restrictions, outdoor advertising, and green building standards. SB 1240 by Senator McNerney would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and reimbursement processes; supporters, including the Child Care Resource Center and the Little Hoover Commission, said nonprofits provide essential services but face delayed payments and burdensome bureaucracy. Committee members raised accountability concerns, but the author emphasized the bill does not dispense grants and would cost about $1.7 million in the first year. The bill was later approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 917 by Senator Laird, which would remove the estate-grown grape requirement for wineries selling at farmers markets, allowing more family wineries to participate; winery and grape grower representatives said the change would help direct-to-consumer sales and local growers. SB 1171 by Senator Caballero would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants; supporters from immigrant-rights groups described ICE detention and raids as harmful and inhumane, while some members spoke in favor of using state funds to avoid indirectly supporting ICE-related activity. Both bills advanced on party-line or near-party-line votes and were sent to Appropriations or Local Government as noted in the roll calls. Senator Rubio presented SB 1195, which would expand tied-house exemptions for certain entertainment, convention, and sports venues in specified counties, and SB 1228, which would allow a small number of existing outdoor advertising displays to continue operating despite a statutory sunset. Supporters said SB 1195 would create economic opportunity and clarify current law, while SB 1228 was described as a narrow fix to preserve legally permitted signs and local revenue; both bills passed the committee and were sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1398, which would recognize Green Globes as an alternative green building certification for state projects alongside LEED; supporters argued it would add flexibility and competition, while the U.S. Green Building Council opposed bypassing the Department of General Services’ equivalency review. The bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent calendar and adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The certification<00:20:58.880> by<00:20:59.120> the<00:20:59.520> educational certification
• by the educational certification by the educational commission<00:21:00.640> for<00:21:00.880
• story that just broke at the beginning of this month in India where 100,000 medical, nursing, and engineering
• story that just broke at the beginning of this month in India where 100,000 medical, nursing, and engineering
• story that just broke at the beginning of this month in India where 100,000 medical, nursing, and engineering

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 173 from Senator David Givens, which would create a legislative review process for the state health plan and state plan amendments, modeled after the administrative regulations process. Givens argued the legislature should have a stronger policy role in reviewing the plan, saying the bill would allow lawmakers to find components deficient rather than approve them outright. He tied the proposal to Medicaid spending growth and projected enrollment changes, saying the state needs a new oversight tool. Committee members generally supported the concept, though Senator Berg expressed concern that the legislature lacks the executive branch’s healthcare expertise. The bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Chairman Meredith, which would create a pathway for certain internationally trained physicians to practice in Kentucky without repeating residency in the United States. Supporters said the bill is aimed at addressing Kentucky’s physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and cited projections of a statewide shortage of about 3,000 physicians by 2030 and a shortage of primary care doctors in particular. Testimony from Cicero Action and Baptist Health emphasized that many foreign-trained physicians are already fully trained, that residency slots are limited, and that the bill could help fill shortages in underserved counties while preserving quality through existing exams, ECFMG certification, English proficiency requirements, primary source verification, and mentoring/oversight. Several members raised questions and concerns. Senator Berg asked about verification, required exams, and oversight, and Senator Tishner raised concerns about fraudulent credentials in some countries and whether the bill could admit underqualified physicians. Witnesses responded that applicants would still have to pass the same exams, obtain ECFMG certification, and undergo primary-source credentialing and employer oversight. Supporters also argued the bill would not displace U.S.-trained physicians because it would use otherwise limited residency capacity more efficiently. After discussion, the committee adopted the bill and reported it favorably by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• You back to your engineers having a hard time recruiting engineers.
• In with our engineering school at UW.
• ,<01:55:57.600> you and so, to attract good engineers, you and so, to attract good engineers
• , cartridges, instructor certification, cartridges, instructor certification, and<02:36:45.920>
• engine after it blew over. engine after it blew over.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State Board for Educator Certification, and SBAC is empowered to take action against the certification
• . certification things like that.
• Does that just mean they don't have a teaching certificate?
• Kind of certification whatsoever.
• through alternative certification programs?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, I am an engineer.
• There are engineers that know more about the power flows in and out of the state.
• These projects all are going to require certificates of need.
• Today's title that Selena and I picked is "Research as the Engine of Innovation."
• The spaceport is truly beginning to fulfill its mission as a long-term economic engine.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the second year, these fire marshals must provide proof of certification of basic fire marshal training
• ensures those appointed as fire marshals in unincorporated counties meet professional, consistent certification
• that all large-scale infrastructure investments face cost inflation, labor shortages, and evolving engineering
• ... ...engineering needs.
• So then, once they start engineering, they go, "Oops, to build the plan that we sold to you, it costs

Bills: SB3038, SB3045, SB3065, SB3069, SB3071, HB2025, HB2149, HB3370, HB4205, HB4506, HB5424, HB5652, HB24, HB3687, HB24

Keywords: Fort Bend County, Municipal Utility District, MUD, special district, Rosenberg, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, ad valorem tax, bond issuance, assessments, fees, taxes, eminent domain, road district, storm drainage, infrastructure financing, development agreement, municipal consent, temporary directors, public utility district

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the one about the certification bill. >> Yes.
• camp then you can get the certification camp then you can get the certification you<00:35:14.720
• Rick Roberts, a retired vascular surgeon and chemical engineer.
• I have degrees in mechanical engineering from Auburn and a BA and a master's degree in aeronautical engineering
• I've worked with jet engines.

Bills: SB174, SB39, SB40, SB206, SB200, HB169, HB345, HB381, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• a certificate that it wouldn't be paid until it was sold, is what I'm getting at, Mr.
• You have a certificate of completion, or it is sold, one or the other.
• The certificate of occupancy doesn't trigger the tax payment.
• Good luck, because now you've got to get an engineer. Yeah, you've got to— ...go buy raw land.
• Good luck, because now you've got to get an engineer.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have diverse industry here, from positions that require a certificate to a baccalaureate degree and
• We have diverse industry here, from positions that require a certificate to a baccalaureate degree and
• They become the teachers, nurses, engineers, and entrepreneurs who will build the Minnesota of tomorrow
• They become the teachers, nurses, engineers, and entrepreneurs who will build the Minnesota of tomorrow
• They become the teachers, nurses, engineers, and entrepreneurs who will build the Minnesota of tomorrow

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we use digital engineering and digital manufacturing?
• For years, the Army was buying Chinook helicopter engines from Honeywell.
• Once Honeywell got the engine moved to a commercial engine, what do you think happened to the price?
• You know, there's a reason SpaceX locates their R&D engineers on the production floor.
• The number of things they have to sign, the number of certifications is ungodly.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Justin Hardy, the County Engineer in Lee County, and I've got serious concerns with this bill.
• I talked to the engineers, and this... ...Roads.
• I talked to the engineers, and this is my visual aid.
• Director for Operations at Alabama DOT, here speaking on behalf of myself, Director Cooper, and Chief Engineer
• That scale was calibrated on a certain day; that's their certification.

Bills: SB110, SB64, SB42

Keywords: weight limits, trucking regulations, transportation, enforcement authority, portable scales, SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants