Transcript Highlights:

• When the goal is power and control, nothing is off limits to abusive parents attempting to coerce the
• And it's not care access is is limited.
• This is really important as we think about limited resources in the state and how...
• It's also a great benefit for those child care providers.
• :19:58.800><c> childcare</c> great benefit for those childcare great benefit for those childcare providers

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its July 30, 2025 meeting. Members then heard a presentation from Roger McCann of the Department for Community Based Services on Kentucky’s 2026-2027 Community Services Block Grant state plan. He explained that the federally funded grant, now about $12 million annually, is distributed through 23 local community action agencies that use flexible funds for locally identified needs such as housing, nutrition, transportation, Head Start, and domestic violence services. McCann said the plan is submitted every two years and that the agencies served about 264,000 Kentuckians and 130,000 families in 2024. Senator Meredith asked whether there was a central place to review local projects, and McCann said regular reports exist and could be shared with members. The committee then approved the CSBG state plan by roll call vote. After that, members received an update on Kentucky’s state-designated domestic violence shelter programs from Angela Yanelli of ZeroV, Mary Foley of Maryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and Elizabeth Martin of the Center for Women and Families. The presenters described ZeroV’s role as the statewide domestic violence coalition, its 15 member programs across all area development districts, and its contract with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide emergency shelter, supportive services, housing assistance, and batterers intervention programming. They emphasized that services are available 24/7 and are trauma-informed, with a strong focus on children and family support. The domestic violence providers reported high demand and rising costs. ZeroV said its network served more than 14,000 adults and children in fiscal year 2025, including nearly 900 children in shelter and more than 500 in outreach, while Maryman House reported operating at 90-92% capacity, with 53 households waiting for emergency shelter and 63 more waiting for intake. Maryman House also described an 8-unit transitional housing complex and plans for a 48-unit apartment complex if tax credit funding is approved. The Center for Women and Families highlighted school-readiness support for children, tutoring, counseling, and family services, including back-to-school supplies and rights information for homeless students. No additional votes or formal actions were taken during the domestic violence presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's overall the benefits versus the burdens, and in this case, absolutely the benefits in regulating
• In this limited situation, it's creating some challenges.
• Lastly, there is no proven safety benefit.
• Please limit it to name, organization, and position only.
• There's no term limits, sir.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Orange is the same thing, but it says maybe you don't care about those non-electric bill benefits.
• so let's pretend there's no benefits so let's pretend there's no Health<00:13:30.760><c> cost</c><00
• There is a financial benefit of this move to clean.
• </c> gets $273 million in total to benefit gets $273 million in total to benefit motans<00:27:14.640>
• </c><01:15:01.440><c> what</c> rules that strictly limit what rules that strictly limit what Commissioners

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Increases in related benefits, and then it's offset by a decrease in the retirement rate.
• Personnel services are increasing due to employee pay raises and related benefits.
• And then the SNAP benefits... Until it reaches 3.5% in 2035.
• The rate is the rate of issue incorrect benefits, either too much or too little.
• One of the benefits from this... Make sure it's robust and it's effective.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation on LSU Health Care Services Division and Lallie Kemp Medical Center. Staff reviewed HCSD’s roughly $74.7 million budget, much of it tied to legacy obligations for former LSU hospital systems and support for Lallie Kemp. Committee members asked about prisoner care, risk management costs, declining admissions and emergency visits, and the hospital’s 340B drug program. Lallie Kemp officials explained that prisoner care serves multiple state and local facilities, that lower admissions largely reflect more patients being placed in observation status, and that the in-house 340B program provides major savings to patients and the prison system. Members also asked about care for unhoused patients and the hospital’s discharge practices, and the hospital said social services works to find placement when possible. The committee then moved to the Louisiana Department of Health budget, which was presented as just under $23.5 billion, with Medicaid making up more than 90 percent of the total. The presentation covered the Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Medicaid. Major items included the new Rural Health Transformation Program, the transfer of several functions from DCFS to LDH under the One Door initiative, changes to SNAP administration, and large Medicaid adjustments driven by enrollment, utilization, and federal policy changes. Testimony also highlighted the statewide crisis hub and 988, the commodity food program for seniors, women’s health and maternal outcomes, and the department’s efforts to modernize technology and reorganize services. Members questioned LDH officials on a wide range of budget and policy issues, including the rural health grant, crisis services, Medicaid redeterminations, provider taxes, physician and hospital supplemental payments, nursing home rates, HCBS funding, and the impact of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. LDH said the rural health grant would support workforce, technology, and care-delivery improvements; that the crisis hub and mobile crisis units are being expanded to improve access and reduce emergency room use; and that the department is working to keep the SNAP error rate below 6 percent to avoid a projected state cost increase. Officials also said they expect to return next year with additional funding requests for HCBS and other programs, while emphasizing that current budget changes are largely meant to realign funding with actual expenditures and new federal requirements. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think by going to a cost-replacement value, I think that's limiting the growth.
• I think by going to a cost-replacement value, I think that's limiting the growth and limiting the assessed
• A lot of times we give the taxpayer the benefit of the doubt because we can support whatever value we
• And earlier, we expect to bill out that limits would limit tax issues to go on the general election ballots
• That's the benefit of doing that. And then... ...down for others. That's the benefit of doing that.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first took up House Bill 2709, including a substitute that combined language from HB 2709 and HB 2671. Members debated an amendment that would have separated the Hancock-by-subclass portion from a personal property tax provision; supporters said it would make the bill cleaner and preserve a separate property tax issue already addressed elsewhere, while opponents argued it would create inconsistency. The amendment failed, the substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2709 and HB 2671 was voted do pass by a roll call of 14 yes and 5 no. The committee then passed HB 1759 do pass by a vote of 12 yes and 7 no, with one member noting that additional tweaks were expected on the floor. Next, the committee considered HB 2925, where Representative Fowler offered Amendment 04H to remove the requirement that property tax elections be held in November and replace it with an affirmative-consent standard requiring both a majority of votes cast and at least 25% of registered voters voting yes. Supporters said the change would avoid forcing local tax elections into a narrow election window and would require broader voter buy-in for long-term tax obligations; opponents argued it would be a major change that should receive more public review and could distort local election participation. The amendment failed 5 yes to 14 no, and HB 2925 was then voted do pass 11 yes to 8 no. In public testimony, Representative Van Schoiack presented HB 2415, which would require assessors to use a cost approach rather than a market approach for valuing buildings, while still valuing land through the market approach. He said the bill was intended to address over-assessment in larger counties and under-assessment in rural counties, and to make valuations more objective. Testimony was mixed: a public advocate supported the idea as a way to address rising taxes and tax sales, while county assessors and other witnesses said assessors already use multiple approaches, that cost approach works best for new or rural properties but can be subjective for older buildings, and that forcing one method statewide could create inaccuracies and large valuation swings. No action was taken on HB 2415 during the hearing. The committee also heard HJR 148 and HJR 111, presented by Representatives Coleman and Taylor, to bring Kansas City Public Schools under Hancock limits like other districts. Sponsors said KCPS is the only district still operating under a special court-imposed arrangement from desegregation-era orders and that the proposal would keep the district at its current levy while requiring voter approval for future increases. KCPS Superintendent Jennifer Collier opposed the measure as written, saying the district does want to come under Hancock but needs to do so on its own timeline and with a planned April 2027 levy proposal that would maintain the current rate; she said the district is now fiscally stronger and has community support, including passage of an 85% bond issue. Committee members questioned the legal basis, the effect on KCPS and charter schools, and whether the proposal would interfere with the district’s planned ballot strategy.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that really benefited us. We'll now open the floor for questions.
• As well as ancillary benefits.
• ... limits the way in which we can finance transactions.
• What limits charter school financing in New Mexico is the limitations on the charter schools themselves
• If they could do more, we would do more, but they have limitations.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• call a convention for proposing amendments under Article V of the Constitution of the United States, limited
• House Bill 558 by the Health and Welfare Committee: relating to federal benefits, amending Title 16,
• chapter to provide for a short title, to define terms, and to establish provisions regarding federal benefit
• by the department, notice and appeal, milestone disbursement of federal benefits, and release of remaining
• federal benefit funds upon termination of legal custody, and declaring an emergency and providing an

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> consideration and we're going to limit consideration and we're going to limit uh<00:01:13.119><c
• There are many benefits to prisoners.
• Do you want someone who's had opportunity to benefit from our programming and get a job?
• Often falls to taxpayers through necessary but expensive public benefit programs.
• </c> >> We need to limit the comments to five minutes, please.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that is uh receiving Medicaid benefits. that is uh receiving Medicaid benefits.
• So people have exhausted their unemployment benefits.
• So people have exhausted their unemployment benefits.
• So people have exhausted their unemployment benefits.
• There's an index it's limited to cost.

Summary: The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile. Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Site plan review is mentioned numerous times in MGL, including but not limited to 40R, which was just
• Site plan review is mentioned numerous times in MGL, including but not limited to 40R, which was just
• But this has left many permitting bodies in the dark as to where the limits of site plan review lie and
• I think there should be a minimum height limit for this chair.
• I think there should be a minimum height limit for this chair.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on zoning, Chapter 40B, and related housing bills. Much of the testimony focused on the “Yes in My Backyard” bill (H. 1572/S. 962), which would expand by-right development of missing middle housing, reduce barriers such as minimum lot sizes and parking mandates, and support duplexes, triplexes, and other small-scale housing. Supporters included housing advocates, developers, local officials, and municipal leaders from places like Cambridge, Salem, and Braintree, who argued that state action is needed because local zoning often blocks needed housing and that the bill would help create more affordable, neighborhood-compatible homes. Several witnesses also backed a companion “Yes in God’s Backyard” bill (H. 2347), which would allow faith-based institutions to build housing on their property by right, with testimony emphasizing the potential for new units, added municipal tax revenue, and partnerships between religious organizations and housing developers. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 1021 to modernize Chapter 40R incentives. Senator Pavel Payano and others said the program’s payments have not kept pace with inflation since 2004 and should be increased to better encourage smart-growth zoning near transit and town centers. Another major topic was H. 2298 on site plan review, which would codify and standardize the process in state law. Rep. Kristin Kassner and witnesses from MAPC and NAIOP said current site plan review practices vary widely across the state, creating confusion, delays, and litigation, while a uniform framework would give municipalities clearer tools to review by-right projects without undermining local oversight. The hearing also included testimony on Chapter 40B reform, including S. 1005 and H. 1537. One witness supported further review of 40B and stronger regional planning, while another backed a proposal to allow certain pre-2010 40B condominium owners to sell at market value under a framework that would recapture some of the subsidy benefits. Committee members asked several questions about local zoning changes, housing goals by county, and how the proposed bills would affect communities. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs indicated that written testimony would be welcomed for technical details and additional comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or some crop that's coming off the land, but wouldn't it seem having that short rail in place is limiting
• And with very limited time, I'd like to simply point out that since 2017, when the...
• We're going to have to limit testimony to two and a half minutes, so please set the timer.
• Almost 60 years ago, your predecessors had the wisdom to recognize the benefits local governments could
• Lastly, the Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office is a limited authority Washington law enforcement

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard briefings and public testimony on several bills. SB 6064 would let qualifying regional fire protection districts or authorities take over administration and enforcement of the International Fire Code within their boundaries, with notice to counties and equivalent jobs for displaced workers; supporters said it would improve consistency and local control, while counties, fire marshals, and builders opposed it as unnecessary and likely to add permitting complexity and delay. SB 6101 would require county coroners to be appointed rather than elected, while preserving appointed medical examiners in larger counties; the sponsor cited the Yakima County coroner controversy as the reason for the bill, and opponents argued it would reduce voter accountability and could increase costs, though some supporters said appointment would professionalize death investigations and improve consistency. SB 6077 would extend from 21 to 28 business days the deadline for assessors and taxpayers to exchange valuation evidence before property tax appeal hearings, with supporters saying the change would give taxpayers a fairer chance to respond and opponents saying the bill should also address long delays in scheduling hearings themselves. The committee also heard SB 5820, which would repeal Clark County-specific Growth Management Act authority allowing freight rail-dependent uses on certain resource lands adjacent to a short-line railroad. The sponsor and supporters said the 2017 law was a poorly written special exemption that threatens agricultural and resource lands and should be repealed; opponents, including the railroad operator, business groups, and local officials, argued the rail overlay supports economic development, jobs, and low-emission freight movement and that the county should retain local control. Testimony on SB 5820 also raised concerns about safety, land-use conflicts, and the meaning of “adjacent,” with some witnesses saying the land is currently underused and others saying it is needed for future industrial and rail-served development. Finally, the committee heard SB 6013, an agency-request bill updating ski-area terminology and safety provisions to include aerial tramways, toes, and conveyors in the state’s ski lift regulations. State Parks supported the measure as a technical update to align safety inspections, insurance requirements, and rider conduct rules with current equipment terminology. The transcript ended before any vote or executive action was taken on these bills, and the chair noted some previously scheduled executive session items were moved to a later date.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do this by looking at speed limits, for example, in a different way.
• We do this by looking at speed limits, for example, in a different way.
• And even then, as I said, half of our boats are reaching that limit.
• And even then, as I said, all of our boats are, half of our boats are reaching that limit.
• So clearly the response to that flooding is going to stretch already limited maintenance budgets for

Summary: The committee first met in brief executive session and advanced Senate Bill 5989 without recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee. Staff explained the bill would redistribute sales tax on aircraft fuel, affecting general fund revenue, which was why it was better suited for Ways and Means. The motion passed by voice vote. The committee then heard a presentation from Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith on WSDOT’s 2025 work and 2026 priorities. She highlighted agency reorganization, safety initiatives, preservation needs, bridge strikes and storm damage, ferry service improvements, major projects such as Revive I-5, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project, fish passage work, and preparations for the World Cup. Members praised the department’s communication and work, and asked about additional paving and preservation funding; Meredith said WSDOT had prepared projects that could be advanced if more money were available. Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary John Vizina and staffer Jenna Forty followed with a detailed briefing on vessel and terminal preservation. They described the aging fleet, the need for new hybrid-electric vessels, the governor’s proposed funding for three additional ferries and life-extension work on older vessels, and the importance of terminal upgrades such as Fauntleroy. Senators asked about service contingency planning, the cost and timing of hybrid versus diesel vessels, and whether additional vessels would require rebidding; staff said hybrid-electric construction is the fastest path and that any expansion would depend on statutory direction and legal review. The committee then heard from local government representatives on preservation and storm recovery. The Association of Washington Cities and the Transportation Improvement Board described city road and bridge needs, limited local funding, and the importance of sustained preservation investment and programmatic grants. County representatives from the Washington State Association of County Engineers, Snohomish County, and the County Road Administration Board discussed the December flooding, road washouts, bridge damage, and recovery costs, emphasizing that counties face large preservation backlogs and need state and federal help for repairs and resiliency.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this chart shows who benefits.
• provide disability benefits which provide disability benefits<03:39:49.359><c> to</c><03:39:49.680><
• c> officers</c><03:39:50.319><c> catastrophically</c> benefits to officers catastrophically benefits
• HR 1682, the benefits that endure for HR 1682, the benefits that endure for lifetimes<04:04:09.439><c
• </c> limits allowable uses and development. limits allowable uses and development.

Transcript Highlights:

• Primary witness testimony is limited to two witnesses in support and two in opposition.
• All additional witnesses will be limited to stating their name.
• All additional witnesses will be limited to stating their name, organization, if they represent one,
• SB 1153 improves wildfire planning and resilience while recognizing the limitations of water infrastructure
• In addition to the extreme monetary costs associated with upgrading systems, operational limitations

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• It's very important, and I think a lot of the surrounding communities would benefit greatly from this
• Pardon me, I'll be keeping my video muted because I'm in a remote area with limited bandwidth.
• We are currently dependent on an emergency dirt access road that limits which emergency vehicles can
• We are further limited by the maintenance of this access road.
• We believe there is limited impact to the timelines.

Bills: HB2550 , HB2645 , HB2109 , HB2134 , HB2323

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> these assessments as medical benefit these assessments as medical benefit costs,<00:30:55.520><c
• but medical benefits are costs, but medical benefits are determined<00:30:57.840><c> under</c><00:30:
• </c><00:31:17.200><c> employer</c> cannot dictate what benefits employer cannot dictate what benefits
• </c> didn't they have it on their benefit didn't they have it on their benefit plan?
• The benefits or taxes to remain.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee with 38 members that represented a diverse range of perspectives, principally people who benefit
• It could also include providing cost and benefits for near-term priorities.
• Benefits counseling continues to be an area where ongoing training is required.
• Because they're doing all of society a great benefit. Thank you very much to this panel.
• Conservatorship is a legal mechanism that significantly limits individual rights and choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you go to page 22, at the top you will see it says salary and benefits.
• If you go to page 22, at the top you will see it says salary and benefits.
• If you go to page 22, at the top you will see it says salary and benefits.
• If you go to page 22, at the top you will see it says salary and benefits.
• So that means we're limited to 100,000 employees, right?

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Division One budget briefing led by Legislative Budget Assistant staff Melissa Rollins and Jack Mullen. They explained staff roles and agency assignments within Division One, noting that Jack is taking over the General Government category while Melissa handles Categories 2 and 3, and that members can contact either staffer with questions. They also reviewed the upcoming budget calendar, including the governor’s budget presentation expected in mid-February, agency hearings beginning around February 17–20, a Division One deadline around March 26, and House Finance reporting deadlines in early April. A major portion of the discussion focused on how to read fiscal notes and the difference between expenditures and appropriations. Staff used sample language to explain that a bill may show an expenditure estimate without actually authorizing funding or new positions, and that a zero appropriation means the agency is not authorized to spend the estimated amount unless the bill is amended. Members asked questions about why a bill could show costs but still not authorize spending or hiring, and staff clarified that new positions require specific legislative authorization and classification detail. They also noted that many bills will have expenditure lines without appropriations, and that amendments may be needed if the committee wants to fund or authorize the program. The rest of the meeting walked members through the HB 1 and HB 2 tracking documents used by the division. Staff explained that HB 1 tracking sheets record additional agency requests not included in the governor’s budget, including requests that may be zero-net transfers, corrections, or new spending items, and that grayed-out items indicate actions already taken. They said HB 2 will be handled through a similar tracking process, with amendments routed through LBA staff and the Office of Legislative Services. Members were told that the division will review agency budgets, class lines, and proposed changes over roughly six weeks, with the goal of preparing a detailed change report for full House Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• These students would be identified by direct certification or educational benefits.
• These students would be identified by direct certification or educational benefits.
• These students would be identified by direct certification or educational benefits.
• These students would be identified by direct certification or educational benefits.
• <01:30:53.239><c> forms</c> benefit forms benefit forms now<01:30:55.040><c> we</c><01:30:55.159><c>

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• this essential benefit to only students qualified as ALICE, and this is for a few reasons.
• limiting this essential benefit<00:09:13.200><c> to</c><00:09:13.399><c> only</c><00:09:13.640><c> stud
• </c><00:09:14.120><c> students</c><00:09:14.440><c> qualified</c> benefit to only stud students qualified
• benefit to only stud students qualified as<00:09:15.120><c> Alice</c><00:09:15.880><c> and</c><00:09
• The benefits of school meals are well documented and monumental for our students and for our society

Committee: Senate Education