Transcript Highlights:

• Representative<00:02:20.640><c> Ste,</c><00:02:21.280><c> uh,</c><00:02:22.000><c> Jacob,</c><00:02:23.040
• There<00:02:53.280><c> being</c><00:02:53.519><c> eight</c><00:02:53.760><c> eyes's</c><00:02:54.000>
• :02:55.920><c> not</c><00:02:56.160><c> prevail.
• The calendar<00:02:57.120><c> is</c><00:02:57.360><c> not</c><00:02:57.879><c> adopted.
• </c><00:02:58.879><c> Next</c><00:02:59.200><c> item</c><00:02:59.599><c> of</c> calendar is not adopted

Bills: HF3321

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Our<00:02:02.719><c> heavenly</c><00:02:03.119><c> father,</c><00:02:03.520><c> as</c><00:02:03.759><
• :06.079><c> room</c><00:02:06.719><c> to</c><00:02:06.960><c> do</c><00:02:07.119><c> the</c><00:02:07.360
• somewhat<01:02:04.720><c> um</c><01:02:04.880><c> to</c><01:02:05.040><c> your</c><01:02:05.280><c>
• c> pulled</c><01:02:34.960><c> back</c><01:02:35.119><c> or</c><01:02:35.359><c> overridden</c><01:02
• :40.480><c> favor</c><01:02:40.640><c> of</c><01:02:40.720><c> it</c><01:02:40.880><c> and</c><01:02:

Summary: The joint meeting of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and the House State Government Committee was called to consider House Concurrent Resolution 45, sponsored by Representative Jason Petri. The resolution would support calling for a federal balanced budget amendment through the Article V process. Petri argued that Kentucky’s own constitutional balanced-budget requirement shows the value of fiscal restraint, and he said decades of federal deficit spending and rising debt make a constitutional amendment necessary. Governor Ron DeSantis and Lauren Ends of the National Campaign for a Balanced Budget Amendment also testified in support, emphasizing the growth of federal debt, the risk of a future debt crisis, and the view that Congress is unlikely to solve the problem on its own. Members asked about the mechanics and risks of an Article V convention, including whether the convention’s “sole purpose” language would be enforceable and whether a convention could become a “runaway” process. DeSantis and Ends said states can impose guardrails on delegates, including criminal penalties and delegate-limitation laws, and noted that any proposed amendment would still require ratification by 38 states. They also said that if Congress chose to draft the amendment itself in response to state pressure, that would be acceptable. One witness said 18 states have passed faithful-delegate or delegate-limitation laws. Representative Callaway asked what would happen if the debt issue is not addressed. Witnesses responded that continued borrowing could lead to economic dislocation, higher interest costs, and a debt crisis that would crowd out other federal spending. They said the current debt burden is already more than $100,000 per U.S. citizen and roughly $300,000 per taxpayer, and that a balanced budget amendment would be a first step toward stopping the growth of debt before any long-term paydown could occur. The transcript provided does not show a final vote or other committee action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:25.599><c> Motion</c><00:02:25.920><c> be</c><00:02:26.000><c> tossed</c><00:02:26.239><c> sufficient
• Motion be tossed sufficient to pass.<00:02:27.120><c> All</c><00:02:27.280><c> in</c><00:02:27.440><c
• </c><00:02:28.640><c> Any</c><00:02:28.959><c> oppose?</c><00:02:29.920><c> Motion</c> pass.
• Motion carries.<00:02:30.720><c> I</c><00:02:30.879><c> would</c><00:02:31.120><c> entertain</c><00:02
• Have<00:02:33.920><c> a</c><00:02:34.080><c> good</c><00:02:34.239><c> day.</c>

Committee: Joint Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:35.519><c> And</c><00:02:35.680><c> do</c><00:02:35.760><c> I</c><00:02:35.920><c> hear</c
• &gt;&gt; I<00:02:37.280><c> have</c><00:02:37.440><c> a</c><00:02:37.599><c> motion</c><00:02:37.920>
• Um,<00:02:41.200><c> see,</c><00:02:41.440><c> do</c><00:02:41.599><c> I</c><00:02:41.760><c> have</c
• </c><00:02:49.040><c> One</c><00:02:49.280><c> is</c><00:02:49.440><c> a</c><00:02:49.680><c> new</c>
• One is a new lease<00:02:50.160><c> and</c><00:02:50.400><c> the</c><00:02:50.560><c> other</c><00:02

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any<00:02:02.600><c> uh</c><00:02:02.680><c> further</c><00:02:02.920><c> discussion</c><00:02:03.360
• calendar<00:02:04.040><c> for</c><00:02:04.200><c> the</c><00:02:04.320><c> day?
• Uh<00:02:06.280><c> seeing</c><00:02:06.520><c> none,</c><00:02:06.760><c> all</c><00:02:06.880><c> those
• none, all those in favor, please<00:02:07.880><c> say</c><00:02:08.160><c> I.
• </c><00:02:10.800><c> The</c><00:02:10.840><c> calendar</c><00:02:11.200><c> for</c><00:02:11.320><c>

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Um<00:02:27.920><c> as</c><00:02:28.160><c> I</c><00:02:28.239><c> said,</c><00:02:28.400><c> I'm
• I'm<00:02:32.720><c> also</c><00:02:33.440><c> the</c><00:02:34.080><c> current</c><00:02:34.400><c>
• </c><00:02:36.879><c> Um</c><00:02:37.920><c> this</c><00:02:38.239><c> is</c><00:02:39.040><c> very<
• <00:02:48.400><c> that</c><00:02:48.640><c> we</c><00:02:48.800><c> have</c><00:02:48.959><c> for</c>
• :02:54.560><c> agencies</c><00:02:55.040><c> are</c><00:02:55.200><c> doing</c><00:02:55.360><c> a</c

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance received a presentation from Jim Barnhard, CIO of the Commonwealth Office of Technology, and David Carter, deputy CIO/CISO, on the state’s citizen identity management project. They said the project is intended to streamline citizen logins across agencies, reduce duplicated identity-management costs, improve security by centralizing authentication, and provide a flexible system that can scale with demand. The presenters described major implementation challenges, including integrating with diverse and legacy applications, and said the chosen software-as-a-service vendor was selected because it can connect to many systems and maintain the service in a federally certified cloud environment. The presenters emphasized that the project scope is limited to login, authentication, identity management, and identity proofing, while leaving authorization decisions to the individual applications and agencies. They said the work is being done in phases, beginning with discovery sessions with agencies, then selecting representative applications for onboarding rather than attempting a “big bang” rollout. They also said the vendor agreement includes professional services and knowledge transfer to reduce long-term dependence on outside support, and that the state has already begun outreach to agencies, including initial work with the Finance Cabinet and the Department of Revenue. Members asked about staffing, current spending, future costs, and whether existing systems or contracts could be reduced. The presenters said the project is being supported with existing staff, with no expectation of a large increase in positions, and that the vendor will carry most of the operational load. They said they did not have statewide spending figures with them but could try to gather them, and explained that the negotiated pricing is intended to be all-inclusive, with fixed costs for the first five years and capped increases in years six and seven. They said centralizing identity services should eventually allow the Commonwealth to stand down some duplicated agency-level licensing and reduce overall operational costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:00.640><c> was</c><01:02:00.800><c> a</c><01:02:00.840><c> violation</c><01:02:01.520><c>
• ><c> is</c><01:02:19.360><c> we</c><01:02:19.640><c> have</c><01:02:19.960><c> a</c><01:02:20.080><c>
• c><01:02:26.160><c> are</c><01:02:26.360><c> far</c><01:02:26.840><c> from</c><01:02:27.200><c> it.
• And if you look<01:02:28.400><c> at</c><01:02:28.560><c> New</c><01:02:28.720><c> England,</c><01:02:
• 01:02:42.880><c> County</c><01:02:43.320><c> in</c><01:02:43.480><c> my</c><01:02:43.720><c> office.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.400><c> the</c><00:02:00.480><c> sake</c><00:02:00.640><c> of</c><00:02:00.720><c> time,</c><00:02
• And House Communication<00:02:24.040><c> number</c><00:02:24.360><c> 884</c><00:02:25.680><c> returns
• Senate Concurrent<00:02:26.680><c> Resolution</c><00:02:27.360><c> 100</c><00:02:27.920><c> Senate</
• Resolution 100 Senate Draft 1 that<00:02:28.840><c> was</c><00:02:28.960><c> adopted</c><00:02:29.440
• Beginning<00:02:31.640><c> on</c><00:02:31.760><c> page</c><00:02:32.120><c> four,</c><00:02:32.440><

Bills: HB2241 , HB1163 , HB1514 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SB2135 , SB2466 , SB2727 , SB3082 , SB3097 , SB2861 , SCR100 , SB3096 , SB99 , SB2138 , HB2289 , HB2319 , HB1711 , HB2270 , SB3138 , SB3076 , HB1642 , HB2338 , HB2171 , HB1785 , SB2881 , HB2505 , SB2552 , HB1518 , HB1815 , SB3125 , SB3234 , SCR162 , SB2614 , SB3118 , SB2053 , SB2494 , SB2851 , SB3073 , HB1678 , HB1721 , HB2475 , HB2246 , HB1667 , HB1516 , SB2532 , SB3131 , SB3154 , HB2297 , HB1737 , SB2143 , SB2398 , SB2623 , HB1740 , HB1920 , HB1682 , SB2153 , SB3140 , HB2158 , HB1718 , HB2207 , HB1801 , SB3229 , SB2338 , SB3069 , SB2600 , HB2300 , HB1800 , HB1960 , SB2999 , SB2060 , SB2866 , SB2239 , HB1741 , HB1713 , HB2023 , HB2417 , SB2877 , SB2598 , SB2921 , SB2645 , HB2547 , HB2275 , HB2452 , HB2329 , HB2339 , HB1838 , HB1509 , HB1661 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2344 , HB1888 , HB1707 , SB2340 , HB2474 , HB1576 , HB1853 , HB1804 , HB1854 , HB2095 , HB2050 , HB472 , SB3215 , SB2247 , SB2400 , HB1618 , HB1802 , HB1969 , HB1541 , HB2310 , HB2498 , HB2443 , HB2218 , HB649 , HB2104 , HB1710 , SB2802 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB1894 , HB1891 , HB1890 , SB177 , SB2101 , SB3320 , SB2487 , HB2429 , HB1870 , HB1839 , HB2583 , HB1391 , HB2094 , SB2671 , SB2673 , SB2892 , SB2057 , SB3245 , HB306 , HB2592 , SB3157 , SB3204 , SB3324 , SB2580 , SB2074 , SB411 , SB3025 , SB2934 , SB2567 , SB2125 , SB3238 , SB2367 , SB2599 , SB3007 , SB2001 , SB2756 , SB3029

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:07.759><c> May</c><00:02:07.920><c> we</c><00:02:08.239><c> receive</c><00:02:08.560><c> them
• We<00:02:14.000><c> pray</c><00:02:14.319><c> as</c><00:02:14.560><c> always</c><00:02:15.520><c> in<
• /c><00:02:15.760><c> the</c><00:02:15.920><c> name</c><00:02:16.080><c> of</c><00:02:16.160><c> your<
• the</c><00:02:16.800><c> one</c><00:02:17.040><c> who</c><00:02:17.200><c> taught</c><00:02:17.440><
• All<00:02:21.599><c> right,</c><00:02:22.400><c> members,</c><00:02:23.440><c> let's</c><00:02:24.000

Bills: SB54 , SB126 , SB128 , SB101 , SB102 , SB104 , HB282 , HB298 , SB54 , SB126 , SB128 , SB101 , SB102 , SB104 , HB282 , HB298

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: sunset law, Alabama Surface Mining Commission, environmental regulation, mining, state commission, Alabama Private Investigation Board, regulatory oversight, agency review, continuation, sickle cell disease, healthcare, regulatory commission, public health, regulation, electrical contractors, state agencies, home medical equipment, board continuation, boards, commissions

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we are pleased<00:02:00.719><c> to</c><00:02:00.880><c> have</c><00:02:00.960><c> an</c><00:02:01.200
• ><c> seek</c><00:02:04.320><c> to</c><00:02:04.479><c> respond</c><00:02:04.719><c> to</c><00:02:04.880
• And<00:02:25.840><c> in</c><00:02:26.000><c> order</c><00:02:26.160><c> for</c><00:02:26.319><c> it</
• c><00:02:26.480><c> to</c><00:02:26.560><c> be</c><00:02:26.640><c> a</c><00:02:26.800><c> dam</c><00
• Kentucky<00:02:27.760><c> law,</c><00:02:28.160><c> the</c><00:02:28.319><c> water</c><00:02:28.640><

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee heard testimony from the Energy and Environment Cabinet on the state-owned dam repair program and Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program. On dams, Commissioner Tony Hatton explained the legal definition and hazard classifications for Kentucky dams, noting there are 975 regulated dams statewide, including 76 state-owned dams, and that hazard ratings are based on potential loss of life or property damage if a dam fails. He described the cabinet’s screening criteria, including inundation mapping, engineering condition, and compliance status, and said the cabinet uses a design-bid-build procurement process to manage public funds responsibly. Hatton outlined current and planned dam projects funded from the prior biennium, including Willisburg Lake in Washington County, where work will address hydraulic capacity, unstable downstream slopes, and likely require a coffer dam, flood wall, auxiliary spillway, and raw water line replacement. He also said Big Bone Lake State Park Dam will be decommissioned, Clemens Lake Dam at Morehead State University is in design for a major rehabilitation, and additional projects include Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chenoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and a rehabilitation study for the Mud River at Lake Malone. The cabinet also requested $500,000 for routine repairs and maintenance. Members questioned cost estimates, inflation, and whether it would be better to fund design separately; cabinet officials said estimates are current best engineering estimates, costs have generally stayed within about 10%, and the current funding flow requires all funds to be available before bidding. The committee then received a status update on the electric grid resilience program, a five-year federal formula grant under Section 40101(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Officials said Kentucky has received years one through three of funding, which has been allocated to state park facilities and municipal electric utilities, while years four and five have not yet been received and would go to distribution cooperatives and remaining municipal utilities. Projects discussed included upgrades at Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village, plus municipal projects in Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville. The cabinet said the selected projects focus on hardening infrastructure, replacing poles, wires, conductors, and transformers, improving vegetation management, and adding or upgrading outage management systems. Officials reported that all projects are under contract and moving into subcontracting and construction, while the Department of Parks is finalizing an agreement with Western Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative for the park-related work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:02:21.040><c> would</c><00:02:21.200><c> also</c><00:02:21.440><c> like</c><00:02:21.599><c> to<
• <00:02:28.080><c> early</c><00:02:28.319><c> in</c><00:02:28.560><c> life,</c><00:02:29.040><c> including
• those related<00:02:30.560><c> to</c><00:02:30.720><c> toxic</c><00:02:31.200><c> exposures</c><00:02
• /c><00:02:38.239><c> matter</c><00:02:38.480><c> and</c><00:02:38.720><c> we</c><00:02:38.879><c> are
• </c> Please<00:02:55.360><c> know</c><00:02:55.519><c> that</c><00:02:55.680><c> your</c><00:02:55.920

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:02:50.720><c> you</c><00:02:50.800><c> couldn't</c><00:02:51.160><c> you</c><00:02:51.280><c>
• </c><00:02:52.280><c> I</c><00:02:52.320><c> mean</c><00:02:52.600><c> it</c><00:02:52.720><c> was</c
• I mean it was every day we'd<00:02:53.640><c> kill</c><00:02:53.960><c> five</c><00:02:54.280><c> or<
• and kept<00:02:55.640><c> coming,</c><00:02:55.960><c> kept</c><00:02:56.200><c> coming.
• And they're<00:02:57.000><c> not</c><00:02:57.160><c> scared</c><00:02:57.480><c> of</c><00:02:57.520

Bills: HB483

Committee: House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: decentralized, unincorporated, nonprofit, smart contracts, distributed ledger technology, governance, membership, economic activities

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:11.440><c> till</c><01:02:11.520><c> the</c><01:02:11.599><c> end</c><01:02:11.760><c> and
• Secretary,<01:02:19.839><c> call</c><01:02:20.000><c> the</c><01:02:20.160><c> next</c><01:02:20.319>
• page</c><01:02:21.760><c> four</c><01:02:21.920><c> of</c><01:02:22.079><c> the</c><01:02:22.240><c>
• Senate bill<01:02:23.040><c> number</c><01:02:23.200><c> 54</c><01:02:23.760><c> by</c><01:02:23.920>
• And<01:02:31.440><c> I</c><01:02:31.599><c> would</c><01:02:31.760><c> move</c><01:02:31.839><c> the<

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 29 senators present. The chamber adopted the previous day’s journal, allowed bill introductions throughout the day, and received multiple House messages referring local bills and proposed constitutional amendments to the Committee on Local Legislation, along with a lieutenant governor’s confirmation referral to the Committee on Confirmations. Committee reports were then received from several standing committees. The Senate confirmed a series of gubernatorial and other appointments, including Michael Kulovitz and Barbara Maul to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Board of Trustees, Logan Glass to the Educational Television Commission, Ed Croll and James Harris to the Alabama Committee on Monument Protection, Matt Barnes to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, Scott Moes and Jeffrey Wilson to the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure, and Jeffrey L. Cameman to the Tuscaloosa County Civil Service Board. The Senate also received favorable committee reports on numerous bills from Judiciary, State Governmental Affairs, Education Policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Health Care, Veterans and Military Affairs, and Local Legislation, with several bills amended or substituted and placed on the next day’s calendar. On the floor, the Senate adopted a special order calendar from the Rules Committee and passed several bills. Senate Bill 101 extended the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors to October 1, 2028. Senate Bill 93, as amended, allowed certain municipalities with populations of 12,000 or more and even-numbered councils to authorize a mayoral tie-breaking vote by council resolution. Senate Bill 115 created a competitive-bidding exemption for certain expenditures of $15,000 or less involving rolling stock, with quote and approval requirements. Senate Bill 131 on county subdivisions was amended and passed. Senate Bill 30, known as “Trey’s Law,” would make certain nondisclosure provisions unenforceable in cases involving sexual abuse victims; the sponsor described it as protecting survivors from being silenced, while Senator Albritton cautioned about the broader effects on settlements and institutions. The Senate also adopted two resolutions: Senate Joint Resolution 19 honoring the life and legacy of Anna Smith Bedsole Holmes, and Senate Joint Resolution 20 commending the Alabama Birth Equity Initiative. The Rules Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the listed bills were taken up and passed or advanced by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> So,<00:02:00.799><c> the</c><00:02:01.119><c> the</c><00:02:01.680><c> first</c><00:02:01.920><c
• </c><00:02:09.759><c> We've</c><00:02:10.080><c> been</c><00:02:10.239><c> working</c><00:02:10.399><
• </c><00:02:14.959><c> Um,</c><00:02:15.760><c> this</c><00:02:16.080><c> includes</c><00:02:16.480><c
• all three<00:02:26.480><c> of</c><00:02:26.640><c> you</c><00:02:26.800><c> will</c><00:02:27.120><c
• </c><00:02:37.760><c> This</c><00:02:38.000><c> one</c><00:02:38.720><c> is</c><00:02:38.959><c> a</c

Committee: Joint Select Natural Resource Funding Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And for people<00:02:01.000><c> who</c><00:02:01.160><c> might</c><00:02:01.400><c> be</c><00:02:02.000
• ,</c><00:02:05.440><c> as</c><00:02:05.600><c> well.
• All<00:02:40.959><c> those</c><00:02:41.160><c> in</c><00:02:41.240><c> favor,</c><00:02:41.520><c> please
• </c><00:02:41.720><c> say</c><00:02:41.959><c> I.
• The<00:02:44.959><c> motion</c><00:02:45.240><c> is</c><00:02:45.360><c> adopted.

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:39.599><c> Um,</c><00:02:39.920><c> I</c><00:02:40.160><c> think</c><00:02:40.319><c> the<
• 02:41.200><c> to</c><00:02:41.360><c> the</c><00:02:41.519><c> board</c><00:02:41.680><c> is</c> thing
• .<00:02:44.160><c> I</c><00:02:44.400><c> have</c><00:02:44.480><c> a</c><00:02:44.640><c> lot</c><00
• ><00:02:47.840><c> bit</c><00:02:48.080><c> over</c><00:02:48.319><c> the</c><00:02:48.480><c> past</
• </c><00:02:49.519><c> So,</c><00:02:49.680><c> I</c><00:02:49.840><c> think</c><00:02:49.920><c> my</

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The Government Operations Committee heard Governor’s Message 663, reappointing Corey Schaefer to the 911 Board for a term ending June 30, 2026. Schaefer described his telecommunications background and five years of service on the board, including recent election as chair. There was no opposition, and the committee recommended advise and consent; the recommendation was adopted with one member excused. The committee then took up a resolution asking the Comptroller and DAGS to work with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunications access for participation in the legislative process. Testimony from library and disability advocates supported the goal, but members raised concerns that the measure was too broad and unclear about the actual problem, whether libraries already had sufficient broadband and equipment, and whether the focus should be on public access and education rather than DAGS. The committee deferred the measure to Thursday for a revised draft. Members also heard a resolution urging all state departments to partner with the Office of Wellness and Resilience on data-sharing agreements. The office and several advocacy groups supported the measure as part of trauma-informed state efforts, but members expressed strong privacy and HIPAA concerns and questioned what data would be shared, for what purpose, and how it would be protected. The committee deferred that measure as well so the office could work with the chair on narrower language. Finally, the committee considered a resolution urging boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of executive directors or equivalent exempt positions. With only one individual testifying in support, the committee recommended a Senate draft to clarify that the measure applies to civil service exempt positions, and the recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> issues</c><00:02:29.000><c> that</c><00:02:29.160><c> have</c><00:02:29.360><c> come</c><00:02:29.519
• turnout</c><00:02:38.440><c> and</c><00:02:38.680><c> voter</c><00:02:39.040><c> turnout</c><00:02:39.760
• ><c> came</c><00:02:43.519><c> to</c><00:02:43.720><c> light</c><00:02:44.000><c> during</c><00:02:44.280
• /c><00:02:52.720><c> at</c><00:02:52.920><c> this</c><00:02:53.080><c> point</c><00:02:53.319><c> I</
• I would be<00:02:53.720><c> happy</c><00:02:54.000><c> to</c><00:02:54.159><c> walk</c><00:02:54.400

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered several bills. House Bill 684, an elections “continuous improvement” measure, drew the most discussion. Rep. Jennifer Decker said it was based on issues identified during the 2024 election cycle and included changes to absentee voting for primary caregivers and other election administration updates. Senators focused on a committee substitute removing credit and debit cards as a second form of ID for provisional ballots; Decker said local election workers had reported people trying to use cards with no photo ID, and she did not want financial institutions determining voter eligibility. The bill also clarified that certain ballots could be issued by hand or by mail. It passed 9-1, with some members voting no or passing because they wanted more time to consider the ID change. House Bill 71, requested by the Kentucky Public Pension Authority, would reorganize KPPA by creating an Office of Financial Management and moving the CFO into an executive director-level role. Testimony said the change was structural only, with no impact on system funding and minimal short-term costs. It passed unanimously, 11-0. House Bill 290, by Rep. Nick Wilson, would allow county law libraries to use funds for online legal research resources, computers, and internet-related equipment. Supporters said libraries had money but were limited to buying books; the bill passed unanimously, with the chair noting it would let libraries use existing funds more effectively. House Bill 555, as amended by committee substitute, addressed audit and reporting requirements for small cities. Supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Auditor’s Office said many small cities struggle to find certified CPAs, and the bill would raise the threshold for less frequent audits, expand the exemption threshold, allow the Auditor’s Office to contract to perform audits, and clarify that state-fund withholding for noncompliance would not apply to contractual or utility payments. It passed 10-1, and the title amendment was adopted. House Bill 160, with a committee substitute, would regulate manufactured housing and local zoning by establishing standards that supporters said were needed to prevent discrimination against modern manufactured homes. Several senators expressed concern about state interference in local zoning, while others supported the bill as a housing access measure; it passed 10-1. Finally, House Bill 455 would create a Unit of Election Investigations and Security in the Attorney General’s Office to handle election-crime allegation review, the voter fraud hotline, prosecutorial referrals, and legislative oversight. Supporters said it codified existing practices and would not require new funding, but opponents objected to placing the hotline in a partisan office. The bill passed 9-1 with one pass, and the committee adjourned after reporting favorable action on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:06.640><c> even</c><01:02:06.800><c> if</c><01:02:06.920><c> we</c><01:02:07.000><c> have</c><01:02
• <01:02:07.720><c> rainy</c><01:02:07.960><c> day</c><01:02:08.200><c> fund</c><01:02:08.760><c> which
• </c><01:02:22.640><c> the</c><01:02:22.760><c> main</c><01:02:23.120><c> street</c><01:02:23.600><c>
• &gt;&gt; I'm<01:02:37.080><c> happy</c><01:02:37.400><c> to</c><01:02:37.760><c> and</c><01:02:37.960
• Two, I<01:02:46.120><c> think</c><01:02:46.400><c> when</c><01:02:46.520><c> you</c><01:02:46.640><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:16.319><c> I</c><01:02:16.400><c> I</c><01:02:16.480><c> I</c><01:02:16.880><c> guess</c><
• 02:21.040><c> was</c><01:02:21.119><c> here,</c><01:02:21.839><c> if</c><01:02:22.079><c> you're</c>
• </c><01:02:23.040><c> you</c><01:02:23.200><c> know,</c><01:02:23.359><c> to</c><01:02:23.599><c> to<
• unfairly.<01:02:34.000><c> So,</c><01:02:34.240><c> no,</c><01:02:34.480><c> I</c><01:02:34.640><c>
• </c><01:02:36.160><c> the</c><01:02:36.240><c> top</c><01:02:36.319><c> of</c><01:02:36.400><c> my</c

Summary: The subcommittee met on HB 510 and HB 112, but the discussion focused almost entirely on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty members in disciplinary proceedings at state institutions of higher education. The chair reviewed proposed amendments already approved or being considered, including revised definitions, confidentiality language for grievance information, removal of the adverse-inference language tied to self-incrimination, changes to cross-examination procedures, and narrowing an emergency exception by removing property damage and focusing on immediate threats to physical health or safety. The committee also discussed whether the hearing officer should have discretion to require a third party to conduct cross-examination, with the sponsor saying the word should remain “may” so the officer can respond to the circumstances of each case. Members opposed to the bill argued that existing campus procedures already provide adequate due process and that the proposal is unnecessary, potentially intimidating to complainants, and disruptive to university policies and collective bargaining agreements. They objected especially to language allowing the accused to be present during cross-examination of an accuser and to the use of the term “victim” before facts are established. Supporters said the bill is intended to ensure basic fairness for accused students and faculty, that the language was revised to address concerns, and that the rights listed are appropriate because serious allegations can have lasting consequences even outside the criminal context. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/caucus over the bill language.

Transcript Highlights:

• here all<00:02:09.800><c> the</c><00:02:09.880><c> way</c><00:02:10.240><c> from</c><00:02:10.479><c
• Everyone,<00:02:17.600><c> please</c><00:02:17.920><c> make</c><00:02:18.120><c> them</c><00:02:18.320
• </c><00:02:20.240><c> Please</c><00:02:20.480><c> stand.
• Jason<00:02:54.080><c> Hal,</c><00:02:54.360><c> the</c><00:02:54.880><c> number</c><00:02:55.160><c>
• Uh<00:02:58.720><c> for</c><00:02:58.840><c> the</c><00:02:58.920><c> record,</c><00:02:59.280><c> Mike

Committee: House Banking & Insurance