Transcript Highlights:

• They were working for the Petersburg Parks and Rec Department, and they were in a vehicle with someone
• The vehicle suffered a serious accident, and both young ladies died, and I spoke to at least one of their
• Next... and they were in a vehicle with someone driving this Parks and Rec truck.
• The vehicle suffered a serious accident, and both young ladies died, and I spoke to at least one of their
• But if you were downtown and, God forbid, you were struck by a vehicle, you could sue the driver.

Keywords: 905, all

Transcript Highlights:

• system for out-of-state businesses, as well as a centralized state-run system for Office of Motor Vehicles
• and vehicle sales, and then a cumbersome decentralized system for the rest of our businesses.
• When you buy a vehicle, the state is collecting that money and remitting it to the local entity, wherever
• So it's kind of like just putting a new person in charge of the vehicle.
• I had seen that in 2021 we had passed a bill for vehicle expenses that did get written in as Act 303.

Bills: HB214 , HB217 , HB253 , HB411 , HB440 , HB514 , HB515 , HB543 , HB614 , HB620 , HB658 , HB812 , HB898 , HB961

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, income tax, tax repeal, individuals, estates, trusts, tax reduction, state revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, those are vehicles that are used that have tax on the back end for sure.
• Again, those are vehicles that are used that have tax on the back end for sure.
• Again, those are<00:31:53.840><c> vehicles</c><00:31:54.240><c> that</c><00:31:54.399><c> are</c><00:
• 54.559><c> used</c><00:31:54.720><c> that</c><00:31:54.960><c> have</c><00:31:55.120><c> tax</c> are vehicles
• that are used that have tax are vehicles that are used that have tax on<00:31:55.600><c> the</c><00:

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:11 Legislative Proposal: Representative Blanton: 01:12 • House Bill 220 Approval of Minutes: 10:07 Legislative Proposal: Senator Nunn: 10:24 • Sick Leave Flexibility for School District Employees Adjournment: 34:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Representative John Blanton’s bill on pension spiking and Kentucky Public Pension Authority administration. Blanton said the measure would make a prior court-related pension-spiking fix retroactive to July 1, 2022, so employees who retired between that date and the court ruling would be treated the same as those covered by the earlier legislation. KPPPA staff said they did not think the bill would go beyond the Court of Appeals ruling, but noted it could prompt requests from people who retired before July 1, 2022. Members asked about how many retirees might be affected, whether the language was narrow enough, and whether the bill could open the door to additional claims; Blanton estimated roughly 1,000 retirees would need review, with fewer actually impacted. No vote was taken on the bill in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senator Matt Nunn and Scott County Schools Superintendent Billy Parker present a proposal allowing school districts to offer teachers and other employees a voluntary payout for unused sick days. Supporters said the idea could improve attendance, reduce substitute costs and classroom disruptions, help retain younger teachers, and potentially lower long-term retirement-related costs because the payout would not count toward pension compensation. They emphasized the program would be optional for districts and employees, would require teachers to keep at least 15 sick days in reserve, and would be district-funded rather than a state cost. Members raised questions about budget impact, tax treatment, pension effects, and whether the incentive would actually change behavior; the bill sponsor and witnesses said the payout would be taxed like other compensation and would not affect TRS or CERS benefits. One member requested reporting on how the program would be used, and the sponsor said he would be open to adding that. The sponsor also noted a later committee-substitute change would allow use of accumulated sick leave for observance of religious holidays not otherwise on the school calendar, with a personal statement from the employee.

Transcript Highlights:

• SUVs need to be funded as a transportation alternative to route, uh, as route vehicles for rural districts
• be able to run SUVs that shouldn't be funded at half the rate when we already have to buy our own vehicle
• The vehicle has to be Um, it has to have the blinky lights and all the logos and has to be tailored to
• So you have to come up with a vehicle on your own, pay to get it marked correctly, um.
• And looking at smaller vehicles with the SUVs and getting out to our rural communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Felman, from State Farm Insurance, and chairperson of the insurance industry committee for Motor Vehicle
• What House Bill 390 does is it seeks to create a real-time insurance verification system for motor vehicle
• <00:18:42.039><c> system</c><00:18:42.480><c> for</c><00:18:42.760><c> Motor</c><00:18:43.120><c> Vehicle
• </c> verification system for Motor Vehicle verification system for Motor Vehicle Insurance<00:18:44.440

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:13 HB423 Discussion: 01:38 HB423 Vote: 12:30 HB415 Discussion: 13:50 HB415 Vote: 15:13 HB390 Discussion: 16:30 HB390 Vote: 21:48 HB3 For Discussion Only: 23:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 423, a prior authorization reform measure sponsored by Representative Kim Moser. A committee substitute was adopted to clarify that the bill’s prior authorization exemption program does not apply to Medicaid. Supporters, including the Kentucky Medical Association, said the bill would reduce red tape, improve transparency, and let providers spend more time on patient care. The bill would create a framework for insurers to establish a gold carding or waiver program for certain health services, exclude prescription drugs, prohibit retrospective reviews based solely on an exemption, and require annual reporting by the Department of Insurance and the Department for Medicaid Services. After questions about how exemptions would work and whether the bill addressed repeat prior authorizations, the committee voted to pass HB 423 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 415, sponsored by Representative Pollock and supported by AFLAC representatives. The bill was described as clarifying that health insurance coverage mandates are generally intended to apply only to primary major medical policies. With no substantive opposition or questions, the committee voted to pass HB 415 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 390 from Chair Meredith, presented with support from multiple insurance industry representatives and the Department of Insurance. The bill would move motor vehicle insurance verification data from the old system to the CAVIS database and shorten the reporting turnaround from 30 days to a ceiling of seven days, with the possibility of a shorter period by regulation. After brief discussion and no objections, the committee voted to pass HB 390 with favorable expression. The committee also heard House Bill 3 for discussion only, sponsored by Representative Neighbors and supported by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. The bill would require Kentucky Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for covered clinical services they already provide, aligning Medicaid with existing commercial insurance policy. Supporters argued it would improve access, especially in underserved areas, and could reduce emergency room use and improve outcomes; the bill was not voted on during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 30, Senator Elkins, an act relating to the Motor Vehicle Commission.
• Senate Bill 94, Senator Wilson, an act relating to motor vehicle dealers.
• Senator Wilson, an act relating<00:05:17.320><c> to</c><00:05:17.400><c> motor</c><00:05:17.640><c> vehicle
• </c> relating to motor vehicle dealers. relating to motor vehicle dealers.
• </c> to the operation of a motor vehicle. to the operation of a motor vehicle.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I’m assuming there’s a similar vehicle for the folks that you’re talking about.
• So I’m assuming there’s a similar vehicle for the folks that you’re talking about, but I can’t say that

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 118 relates to non-ad valorem special assessments, like fire assessments, against recreational vehicle
• Square footage used cannot exceed the maximum square footage of a recreational vehicle allowed by law

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Provisions that allow forfeiture can't be allowed for currency totaling $1,000 or less or motor vehicles
• Provisions that allow forfeiture can't be allowed for currency totaling $1,000 or less or motor vehicles
• Provisions that allow forfeiture can't be allowed for currency totaling $1,000 or less or motor vehicles
• of value of $5,000 or Motor Vehicles of value of $5,000 or less<01:31:44.639><c> um</c> less um less
• to improve the way we meet the a vehicle to improve the way we meet the needs<03:19:22.199><c> of</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Various committee members confirmed those were agents as their vehicles sat outside.
• Various committee members confirmed those were agents as their vehicles sat outside.
• 00:30:21.520><c> or</c><00:30:21.919><c> have</c><00:30:22.159><c> business</c><00:30:22.559><c> licenses
• </c><00:30:23.200><c> So</c><00:30:23.520><c> I</c> anymore or have business licenses.
• So I anymore or have business licenses.

Bills: HF3477 , HF3480 , HF3781 , HF3357 , HF3737 , HF3664 , HF3621

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, immigration enforcement, economic impact, Operation Metro Surge, study, appropriation, local government, Legislative Commission on Legislative Security, legislator security, elected official security, staff security, statehouse security, capitol security, legislative district safety, political violence prevention, threat assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• expanded the allowable forms of ID to any that are valid for election day registration, like a driver's license
• ><00:07:57.560><c> passport</c><00:07:58.000><c> Minnesota</c><00:07:58.479><c> ID</c> a driver's license
• passport Minnesota ID a driver's license passport Minnesota ID card card card Etc Etc Etc um<00:08:03.240
• c> data</c><00:19:44.520><c> and</c><00:19:44.679><c> voter</c> Those agencies include Driver and Vehicle
• application would be prior to election day, to go through the verification processes with Driver and Vehicle

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, certainly, the lack of workforce, particularly with licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants
• Then, certainly, the lack of workforce, particularly with licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants
• Then, certainly, the lack of workforce, particularly with licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants
• seeing a situation primarily in our hospitals where a patient comes to the hospital either by private vehicle
• mental health programming and for health care workers, and improving the efficiency of our health licensing

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, there’s a chance that moving forward the same text will pop up in a different vehicle bill down the
• Uh, there’s a chance that moving forward the same text will pop up in a different vehicle bill down the
• Uh, there’s a chance that moving forward the same text will pop up in a different vehicle bill down the
• c><01:06:25.200><c> in</c><01:06:25.320><c> a</c><01:06:25.400><c> different</c><01:06:26.040><c> vehicle
• </c><01:06:26.600><c> bill</c> will pop up in a different vehicle bill will pop up in a different vehicle

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• About 57,000 households in the region do not own a vehicle.
• Uh, especially as vehicle prices and insurance and associated costs with automobiles have grown.
• c><00:45:00.720><c> share</c><00:45:01.040><c> of</c><00:45:01.359><c> motor</c><00:45:01.680><c> vehicle
• </c><00:45:02.000><c> sales</c> there's a share of motor vehicle sales there's a share of motor vehicle
• </c> per person getting on that vehicle per person getting on that vehicle taxpayer<00:48:24.079><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• suppliers from other industries, other electronics industries, but also supply things like the electric vehicle
• board-certified pathologist by training, and I carry an active California Physicians and Surgeons License

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology held a hearing on California’s medical technology landscape, with opening remarks emphasizing the sector’s size, economic impact, and role in jobs and innovation. The first panel contrasted MedTech with biopharma, describing MedTech as hardware- and manufacturing-oriented, more incremental in development, and more dependent on supply chains, land use, and mid-skilled workforce pipelines. Witnesses argued California is the epicenter for MedTech because of its mix of engineering, software, hospitals, and manufacturing ecosystems, and cited clusters in places like Irvine, Fremont, Carlsbad, and the Bay Area. They also highlighted examples such as Penumbra and Vyaire Medical Systems to show how local manufacturing, community college training, and reshoring can support growth. The panel discussed cybersecurity, trade relations, supply chain disruptions, and the need for better coordination with hospitals and regulators, while AdvaMed stressed that medical devices are already heavily regulated by the FDA and should generally be exempt from broader state laws that could create a patchwork of requirements. Members also discussed AI in MedTech, workforce training, and the possible effects of federal NIH funding cuts, with witnesses saying MedTech is less dependent on NIH than biopharma but still benefits from a strong innovation ecosystem. Committee members then asked about AI, affordability, patient satisfaction, women’s health, and the R&D tax credit. Witnesses said AI is helping reduce errors, redundant testing, and imaging time, while keeping clinicians in the loop, and that digital pathology and robotic surgery are improving diagnosis and treatment. They also noted that packaging, plastics, and recycling can affect FDA approvals, and that FemTech is an active and growing area for investment and acquisition. Several members raised concerns about California’s regulatory and incentive environment, including the loss of the R&D tax credit, and witnesses said the absence of tax incentives has made it harder to keep companies and jobs in the state. The second panel featured company representatives from Lyca Biosystems, Intuitive, Saravia Neurosciences, and Newman. Dr. Monroe described digital pathology as a way to digitize tissue slides, improve access to subspecialty review, and enable AI-assisted diagnosis, especially for cancer care and rural areas. Intuitive highlighted robotic-assisted surgery, including the da Vinci system and the Ion bronchoscopy platform, and said its technologies improve precision, reduce complications, and support clinician-led care. Saravia Neurosciences presented an early-stage neurotechnology for dementia that uses MRI-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation and AI-driven personalization, and argued California needs a state translational fund to bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization. Newman, a startup working on home diagnostics, said California’s permitting, zoning, and manufacturing rules make it difficult to scale advanced manufacturing locally and urged streamlining, reduced red tape, and incentives to keep manufacturing jobs in-state. Committee members again focused on tax credits and asked how the state could better support manufacturing, translational funding, and the retention of high-paying MedTech jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs when diesel fuel is doubled, and everything practically in this state is moved by a fossil fuel vehicle
• I'm a resident of Leavenworth in Chelan County, and I'm also a licensed bed-and-breakfast business owner

Bills: HB2559 , HB2135 , HB2133 , HB2442

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, local government funding, housing programs, community development, financial assistance, adaptive housing, disabled veterans, tax preferences, housing affordability, retail sales tax, property tax, senior citizens, tax exemption, permanent legislation, local government, tax authority, sales tax, use tax, real estate excise tax, REET

Transcript Highlights:

• I think if your children are in that vehicle, or it's your family members that somebody's recklessly
• are</c><01:05:28.480><c> in</c><01:05:28.720><c> in</c><01:05:29.039><c> that</c><01:05:29.359><c> vehicle
• </c> if your children are in in that vehicle if your children are in in that vehicle um<01:05:31.039>
• If you have a bail bonds license through a city bond, it sets it at a year.
• What we're doing here is, last year we passed some legislation dealing with wholesale seafood licenses

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• infrastructure projects such as affordable housing, schools, hospitals, water projects, and electric vehicle
• Category 2 gives 55 days for municipal and electric vehicle infrastructure projects.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications met to hear several bills, noting that ACA 9 would be heard at a later date. The committee first approved a consent calendar item, then heard AB 2458 by Assemblymember Bennett, which would extend California Energy Commission appliance efficiency standards to appliances that are rented or leased, not just sold. Supporters included Ceres and Southern California Edison, and the bill was clarified to not affect commercial food processors. The committee also heard AB 2476 by Assemblymember Ellis, which would expand eligibility for pumped storage hydro projects under the state’s central procurement program by removing an outdated pre-2020 funding requirement while keeping the 500-megawatt cap. Support came from Rye Development, GreenGen Storage, and an irrigation district representative, with discussion focused on ratepayer benefits, competition, and grid reliability. The committee then heard AB 2518 by Assemblymember Sharp-Collins, a San Diego County pilot program to set faster utility connection timelines for certain projects, including affordable housing, hospitals, municipal infrastructure, and EV charging projects. Testimony in support came from the San Diego Housing Commission and San Diego Gas & Electric, which said the timelines were feasible and would help reduce energization delays. Members discussed whether the bill would create unintended consequences for other customers, and the author and utility representative said it would complement existing CPUC work and not conflict with SB 410-related proceedings. All three bills received unanimous or near-unanimous committee approval and were ordered to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee also repeatedly reopened and closed rolls to capture absent members, ultimately recording 16-0 votes on the measures that were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• an original-cost type of deal and then having a set depreciation schedule through the life of that vehicle
• Yeah, you know, basically on vehicles, you have that original cost, you have a steep depreciation that

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with an original-cost type deal and then having a set depreciation schedule through the life of that vehicle
• “Yeah, you know, basically on vehicles, you have that original cost, you have a steep depreciation that

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Tax Reform met in executive session and first took up House Bill 3035, which concerned vehicle valuation for tax purposes. The chair offered an amendment to start the depreciation schedule at 85% of MSRP before applying the bill’s existing depreciation table. Members discussed whether the two-step approach would be confusing, whether it effectively created a larger initial reduction, and whether the language would be implemented correctly in the database used by assessors. The sponsor said he agreed with the change and that the goal was a predictable, standardized depreciation schedule. Some members supported the amendment as an improvement, while Vice Chair Simmons said she still had concerns and would vote present. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a committee substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 3035 do pass by a 5-2 vote with 2 present. The committee then considered House Bill 2945, which was described as redefining capital gains and related terms in ways that could affect a range of assets and transactions. Representative Strickler raised concerns about the bill’s breadth and the lack of a fiscal note for the redefinition, warning that the revenue impact could be significant and uncertain. Representative Simmons argued the bill would let Missourians keep more of their money and supported reducing tax burdens. Representative Butz responded that the legislature had already been cutting taxes through income tax reductions, Social Security exemptions, capital gains changes, and SALT-related relief, and urged the committee to let those changes work through the system before making more adjustments. The committee then voted HB 2945 do pass by a 5-3 vote.