Transcript Highlights:

• Or other testing that comes up to them for confirmatory testing.
• . testing. testing.
• 19:35.039> testing.
• couple of years. This year we had none. couple of years. This year we had none.
• we'll see you again next year. we'll see you again next year.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on April 17 and approved the prior meeting minutes, then set its next meeting for May 29 at 9:30 a.m. Members also discussed a New Futures effort to collect questions about Medicaid changes and post answers as an FAQ, with a preference that the FAQ live on New Futures’ website rather than the state website. The commissioner’s office said it would coordinate responses and that the issue is still evolving. The main presentation was an HHS update focused on the state public health laboratory and its work during Public Health Lab Week. Officials reviewed the lab’s history, its biosafety functions, and its role in disease prevention, food safety, preparedness, and response. They highlighted mosquito surveillance for eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus, noting that the lab tested more than a quarter million mosquitoes last year and that mosquito testing helps provide early warning for local public health decisions. They also discussed rabies testing, saying New Hampshire’s lab is the only one in the state that performs it, that rabies is fatal once symptoms begin, and that the work is preventable through early prophylaxis. Members asked about federal funding cuts, water testing, and whether CDC changes to rabies testing would affect New Hampshire. The department said it had been affected by an $80 million federal clawback but was managing through other funds and staff reassignments; for the water lab, temporary staff had been hired to continue swimming-area testing. Officials said the state remains able to handle rabies testing and that federal changes would mainly affect areas without similar services. They also answered questions on Jamestown Canyon virus, saying New Hampshire had one human case in 2025 and three in 2024, compared with zero West Nile cases in 2025 and one in 2024, and that weather and protective measures influence mosquito-borne disease levels. Additional questions covered biosafety levels, cyanobacteria coordination with the Department of Environmental Services, and the Brown Building flood mitigation, which was described as about halfway complete with a hoped-for reopening of the west side by June.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so now that we have 12-year term limits, it allows us to look back after a few years and see if the
• This bill requires manufacturers to test for and disclose testing results for heavy metals, including
• So the lawsuit didn't—it just included annual testing, annual reporting, but no testing.
• Like Consumer Reports did testing last year that found that some of the baby formula options had levels
• , where QR code that's going to link to the testing—where is that testing information coming from?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:23.720> 30<00:12:24.040> years long range set 20 years 30 years long range set
• over the years 2017 is the last year over the years 2017 is the last year that<01:54:21.520>
• <02:00:28.119> at<02:00:28.239> the test at the beginning solid test at the test at
• has tested past the test of has tested past the test of times<02:26:00.600> well<02:26:01.080
• Did they have to hire all these $130,000-a-year people to administer a test that’s already been made

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects. Representative Cahill, the prime sponsor, said the bill would raise the annual minimum from $50 million to $60 million and help address a long backlog of school construction and renovation needs after years of a moratorium on applications. He argued that districts forced to build during the moratorium were left to shoulder costs through local property taxes, and he cited examples such as Londonderry, Claremont, and other communities with aging or inadequate facilities. He also said the current aid structure, including paying 80% upfront and 20% at completion, concentrates too much spending at once and limits how many projects can be funded. Several committee members asked about the fairness and structure of the program. Representative Maguire questioned whether aid should be distributed more broadly to all districts rather than only a few selected projects, and Representative Luneau noted that the committee would also be considering related bills on catastrophic aid, special education aid, and the school foundation formula. Cahill responded that building aid has historically been targeted to property-poor communities and that the state should be a reliable partner in school construction. He also said the bill includes a small retroactive component for communities that built during the moratorium, which he described as a compromise. Testimony in support came from Representative Cluder, who described Claremont’s Stevens High School project as a case where a bond issue narrowly failed and the city later had to fund renovations without state aid, contributing to high property taxes. He said the bill would help property-poor communities and urged passage. Tony Weinstein of New Market also supported the bill, saying his community had serious facility and safety needs, had moved forward with scaled-back renovations during the moratorium, and still faced debt-service burdens without state participation. Robert Thompson, superintendent in Hampstead, testified that his district needs an addition for overcrowding, safety, and special education space, and said building aid would help reduce out-of-district placements and transportation costs. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• If those tests are negative, great, we repeat them in one to three years as recommended.
• <00:26:34.000> which<00:26:34.120> you test um or a colig guard test which you test
• is recommended but if those three years is recommended but if those tests<00:26:40.520> are<00
• <00:40:11.800> old daughter last year who was 15 years old daughter last year who was 15 years
• c> years<02:09:52.719> be next two years be next two years be considered<02:09:54.599>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees. The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And alternative test methods, though, are several years out. Several years out.
• >> And alternative test methods though are several<03:44:10.760> years<03:44:11.000>
• from now if an alternative to 5 years from now if an alternative testing<03:53:18.480> method
• . testing. testing.
• tested on them. tested on them.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's something that's huge, but again, if it's a... four-year, multi-year agreement, and we're in year
• We want to turn seven-year projects into five-year and four-year projects.
• We want to turn 12-year projects into seven-year projects.
• Two years became another two years, and another two years, and then we had the California electricity
• We are also hoping to host some hypersonic testing later this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• How are the current testing results being verified, and what testing is being performed at the lab today
• for noncompliance testing.
• I'm with Havard Industries Testing Lab, one of the transparent testing labs here in Oklahoma, or the
• for a period of one year in time from the very last test.
• He served five years. It was called Hard Time. He walked out in two years, and I was the age of 12.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as the passage rates go, students that take the test every year.
• At the end of it, they give them a test called the HESI A2 test. It's a very difficult test.
• At the end of it, they give them a test called the HESI A2 test. It's a very difficult test.
• If you have one bad year of test scores, and you don't find out about your test scores until the January
• So one year, bad test scores, you have one year to fix.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced several health care bills. HB 909, joining the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, was presented with a strike-all amendment and reported favorably as amended by a 13-0 vote. HB 911, the related public records exemption protecting certain biological information, was also adopted and reported favorably as amended by a 14-0 vote. CS for HB 597, allowing schools to procure and administer glucagon for students with diabetes under trained personnel, passed unanimously 14-0 after a technical amendment. HB 519, aligning state law with federal language on controlled substances administered by paramedics, passed as amended 14-0. The committee then took up HB 919 on nursing education programs. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf argued the bill would create accountability for underperforming nursing schools by requiring remediation, tuition refunds in the lowest-performing programs, and public reporting of passage rates. Supporters said it would improve quality and protect students from debt without licensure success, while opponents from private nursing schools warned it could close programs and reduce nurse supply. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably 15-0. HB 1553, which would require health care providers to submit identified uterine fibroid data so the Department of Health can implement the research database previously authorized by law, passed unanimously 15-0. The final bill, HB 883, would allow psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners to practice autonomously; supporters said it would expand access to mental health care, especially in rural and underserved areas, while opponents raised concerns about quality and physician oversight. After lengthy testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably 14-3.

Transcript Highlights:

• to year, every three years.
• change you know year to year every three change you know year to year every three years<00:29:51.159
• the grand state test is the primary test the grand state test is the primary test with<00:34:37.159
• State test.
• granite state test was an adequate test granite state test was an adequate test so<00:41:22.599>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't have test equipment. Now there is test equipment available.
• We didn't have test equipment. Now there is test equipment available.
• We didn't have test equipment. Now there is test equipment available.
• We do about 100 a year on the seacoast, and it's approximately 100 a year.
• That's 100 per year, >> That's 100 per year, >> right?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a transportation work session and executive session, with the chair explaining the format change to allow fuller discussion and possible expert input before votes. The committee first took up House Bill 209, which would have allowed a new vehicle purchased in the model year or before to be inspected in the second year after purchase. Members said the bill was rendered unnecessary by the broader repeal of vehicle inspections, and the committee voted 16-0 to deem it inexpedient to legislate (ITL), with consent. The same outcome followed for House Bill 212, which would have allowed a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle failed an emissions control test, and House Bill 533, which concerned civilian employees and commercial truck inspections. In both cases, members said the inspection repeal made the bills unnecessary, and in the commercial truck bill there were also concerns that the language did not fit federal requirements and referenced state inspection laws rather than federal ones. Both bills were voted ITL 16-0 and adopted by consent. House Bill 298, dealing with vehicle identification number-related issues and antique vehicle authenticity, also received an ITL recommendation 16-0. Members said the proposal raised fraud concerns and could affect the value and authenticity of antique vehicles, and several said the bill needed more work before any future consideration. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 150, which would define electric vehicle charging stations and establish annual testing fees for the Division of Weights and Measures. That bill drew the most discussion: Representative Sykes described a personal experience with a malfunctioning charging station and a large, unclear bill, arguing that consumer protection regulation is needed. Representative Miller said the fee structure seemed high compared with other inspections and that third-party inspectors were not allowed, though he acknowledged some need for consumer protection. Senator David Watters, the sponsor, said the bill should be improved and suggested a lower annual fee and a fund-based approach to build an inspection program over time. Cheryl, the director of Weights and Measures, testified that the division needs authority, staffing, licensing categories, and expensive test equipment to oversee EV chargers, and that current rules do not adequately cover this emerging technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• , two years. puts it off for another year, two years.
• particular test. particular test.
• or taking a test like the immigration<03:18:45.680> test.
• By the way, this this test this test.
• for 10 years and as a citizen, um, you can't walk because you haven't taken this test would break my

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up several school building aid bills. HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing, drew debate over whether the program is effective and whether funds should be allowed to carry forward. Supporters argued the program is underfunded and that even small leftover amounts should remain available for building aid; opponents said non-lapsing funds limit future budget flexibility and that the program creates winners and losers. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend HB 295 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). The committee then considered HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects and include retroactive funding for projects completed in the past. The motion to ITL was supported on the grounds that retroactive payments would be unfair to districts still waiting in line and that the legislature should focus on future projects. Supporters of the bill said the increase was modest and that districts that built during a prior moratorium on aid were left with long-term fiscal burdens. The committee again voted 4-3 to recommend ITL. The discussion also broadened into special education funding and a retained bill, HB 742, concerning catastrophic special education aid and the source of funding. Members debated whether the education trust fund should cover the aid and whether the committee should act now or wait for a separate commission studying special education costs. Several members emphasized that special education costs are rising, that more data is needed on student identification and funding formulas, and that the commission’s report may provide better guidance. The chair said the subcommittee’s recommendations would go to the full committee, and the next meeting was expected to be rescheduled from November 4 to later that week because of election-related conflicts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two years in a row. >> It's two in a row. Two years in a row.
• Um just last year that at 20 years old.
• I hope that answers your question. year. So fully through 25 years. This year.
• . test. test.
• suspension for failing a is a one-year suspension for failing a driver's<04:25:36.880> test.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the second year, and then the third year.
• So the overall test development process, which we just recently went through, as last year was the first
• Then we start filling with field testing, and two or three years down the road we'll have a pretty nice-looking
• And so you can compare, not this year with everything I'm saying, not this year because the test was
• We did this once four or five years ago with the GED test.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ago that they have no way of actually testing for that.
• My 2 year-old any more than you all do.
• We did get the full 15 years because when we talk about a 15 year sentencing guideline for vehicular
• There is the requirement to take that test in.
• stop the testing.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• testing testing >> for<00:31:31.679> for<00:31:32.000> testing?
• The difference that we did with KSP when they wanted to do the 15-year-old testing is we dedicated everything
• they wanted to do the 15-year-old they wanted to do the 15-year-old testing<00:34:00.399> is<
• year, probably 10 12 years into shift. year, probably 10 12 years into shift.
• > big 8 years, 10 years, there's been a big 8 years, 10 years, there's been a big push<00:59:31.599

Keywords: 0:00:15 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:01:15 Maintenance Update 0:21:07 Approval of Minutes 0:21:32 Regional Offices 0:43:47 SHIFT Scoring 1:04:24 Local Assistance Road Program 1:16:41 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum and first received a maintenance update from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials James Ballinger and John Moore. They described how repeated disasters, including floods, tornadoes, and ice storms, have strained routine road maintenance and forced crews to focus on emergency response, snow and ice removal, pothole patching, ditching, signal repairs, mowing, striping, sign work, and other day-to-day upkeep. They said snow and ice costs have averaged about $60 million to $61 million annually in recent years, disaster response has totaled hundreds of millions of dollars over five years, and the cabinet often must carry those costs until FEMA or FHWA reimbursement arrives. They also said maintenance work is increasingly contracted out because of staffing and resource limits, and that competitive pay is needed to retain employees and contractors for around-the-clock emergency work. Members then discussed traffic roundabouts and other intersection designs. Senator Hickden asked about their cost savings and safety benefits compared with traffic signals, and cabinet staff said they would provide life-cycle cost figures later. They emphasized that roundabouts and related designs reduce serious injuries and fatalities, with serious injuries down roughly 70% to 80% and fatalities over 90% in their experience. Chair Douglas and others asked about roundabout sizing for trucks and farm equipment, and staff explained that designers tailor the inscribed diameter to local traffic needs and context. The committee also briefly discussed red-light running and traffic-light cameras, with members stressing the safety risks of drivers ignoring signals. The committee adopted the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and voice vote. It then heard from Sarah Jackson and Matthew Cole on the Real ID and driver licensing transition. They said the cabinet has expanded from almost no regional offices to 35, grown driver licensing staff from 89 to 400, and now issues about 1.3 million credentials annually. They reported improvements in office capacity, queue management, staffing, and compensation, including added workstations, new or expanded offices in Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown, and the use of contract staff. They said statewide average wait times have fallen to just under 30 minutes, and Kentucky’s Real ID adoption rate has risen to 42.9%. Members asked follow-up questions about driver testing and CDL scheduling. The presenters said all permit and CDL testing is coordinated through Kentucky State Police, with written tests available in most regional offices and CDL testing at a smaller number of KSP locations. Senator Douglas asked when the driver testing requirements were last updated, and the presenters said that was set by KSP. The discussion ended with additional questions about which regional offices lack KSP testing presence, but no further action was taken before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They only asked them to test the milligrams; they did not ask them to test any of the other ingredients
• They only asked them to test the milligrams; they did not ask them to test any of the other ingredients
• Would it make more... we have asked them to test what is in we have asked them to test what is in these
• <00:13:39.560> what these cans we only asked to test what these cans we only asked to test
• <00:26:54.640> far they're tested uh they can test far they're tested uh they can test far

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 202, adopting a committee substitute before hearing testimony. Senator Julie Rocky Adams explained that the substitute would require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to promulgate regulations by January 1, 2026 for intoxicating hemp-derived beverages, direct the University of Kentucky to study manufacturing, testing, distribution, sales, and consumer effects of those beverages, and impose a moratorium on their sale until July 1, 2026. Supporters, including Rep. Matt Cook, said the measure was intended as a consumer-protection step rather than a ban, citing concerns about youth access, inconsistent labeling, and the need for a clearer regulatory framework. Members asked about the legal status of the products, whether the bill could unintentionally sweep in non-intoxicating hemp beverages, and whether there was evidence of harm. Senators were told the products are legal under the federal farm bill loophole, but that testing has shown THC levels on sampled cans did not match labels and that current regulations do not specifically address intoxicating hemp-derived beverages. Senator Higdon said CHFS had already been authorized to regulate hemp products and was moving forward with regulations and enforcement, while Senator Meredith questioned whether a moratorium would unfairly punish businesses that had already invested in the market and suggested setting a THC standard instead. Public testimony then shifted to industry opposition. Jim Higdon of Cornbread Hemp said his company had invested heavily in a beverage line and argued the moratorium would function like a ban and harm small businesses. Dee Taylor of 502 Hemp and the Kentucky Hemp Association also opposed the moratorium, saying existing rules already require age limits, behind-the-counter sales, and licensed retailers, and arguing that a cap on milligrams would be preferable to a shutdown. He said retailers were seeing approved and unapproved products in the market and urged work with the Cabinet and ABC rather than a moratorium.

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed this law two years ago.
• Correct, do we have those tests? Say that again. Do we have those tests?
• So, there was a test of 539 and.
• We collected 550 samples in the first year and turned those into they were tested.
• They had two years to promulgate rules, two years to set this up on how it should look, two years to

Bills: HB3270, HB3145, HB3056

Keywords: farmed cervidae, chronic wasting disease, genetic resistance, wildlife management, agriculture, wildlife tagging, hunting regulations, Cervidae family, feral swine, exotic wildlife, conservation, commercial hunting, raw milk, unpasteurized, farm sales, Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, local producers, advertising, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ALSO CERTIFIED EIGHT MARIJUANA TESTING LABORATORIES.
• AGAIN THE POSITION DATA IS PRESENTED BY CALENDAR YEAR.
• ROUTINE INSPECTIONS FOR CURRENT OCCUR TWICE A YEAR AT EACH DISPENSARY AND CERTIFIED MARIJUANA TESTING
• AND THEN THE TESTING LABORATORY INSPECTIONS FOCUS ON THE USE OF INAPPROPRIATE TESTING METHODS AND THC
• NOW IS FOR THE 23 24 FISCAL YEAR.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas offers $45,000 a year for the first four years, and Colorado offers $40,000 a year for $120,000
• over that three years.
• for a chemical test.
• , which only tests for.
• So, in the out years, I'm sorry.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe they proposed a bill last year... ...or perhaps the year before, HB 133, which included health
• For eight years, I was an county commissioner.
• Yet in the seven years—in the nine years I've been in this committee—I have learned everything I have
• So one of the, I guess it sort of leads me in two places around the testing, the water quality testing
• Water quality testing shall include testing for total dissolved solids, total petroleum hydrocarbons