Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; All<00:02:09.039><c> right,</c><00:02:09.440><c> minutes</c><00:02:09.840><c> are</c><00:02:
• ><c> of</c><00:02:12.480><c> order</c><00:02:13.120><c> and</c><00:02:13.760><c> uh</c><00:02:13.920>
• :02:16.000><c> like</c><00:02:16.560><c> uh</c><00:02:17.599><c> um</c><00:02:17.840><c> our</c><00:02
• <00:02:30.640><c> tell</c><00:02:30.879><c> us</c><00:02:31.040><c> a</c><00:02:31.280><c> little</c>
• Gentlemen,<00:02:42.720><c> if</c><00:02:42.879><c> you</c><00:02:42.959><c> could</c><00:02:43.120><

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard a presentation from Pike County/Pikeville tourism officials about improving signage for the Hatfield-McCoy historic sites. Bob Scott, Tony Tacket, and Jay Shepard said visitors increasingly come to the area but often cannot find the sites because cell service and GPS are unreliable in the mountains. They argued that clearer signage along routes 119, 319, and 1056 would help visitors navigate the historic loop, strengthen branding, and increase dwell time and local spending. The Pike County presenters emphasized the economic importance of tourism, citing growth in tourist spending from $72.93 million in 2017 to $103.2 million in 2023 and $114.6 million in 2024. They said tourism helps offset the decline of coal, supports local mom-and-pop businesses, and benefits from partnerships with nearby West Virginia sites such as Matewan and other Hatfield-McCoy-related locations. Members asked about cross-state promotion, lodging capacity, and the possibility of a dinner show in Kentucky; the presenters said lodging is up 33% but more is needed, a new Crown Plaza hotel is planned in Pikeville, and a dinner show would require local investment and community buy-in. Committee members from the region spoke in support of the tourism effort and the need to preserve and teach local history. The chair and others said signage would help visitors and noted that a business without signs is no business. The committee then moved on to a separate presentation from the Louisville Sports Commission, introduced by Senator Jason Howell, which began with an overview of the commission’s role in sports tourism and economic development in Louisville.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> we</c><00:02:01.600><c> a</c><00:02:01.719><c> big</c><00:02:01.920><c> island</c><00:02:02.320>
• ><c> know</c><00:02:04.159><c> um</c><00:02:04.280><c> we</c><00:02:04.439><c> have</c><00:02:04.640>
• ><c> as</c><00:02:10.319><c> you</c><00:02:10.440><c> know</c><00:02:10.599><c> our</c><00:02:10.759>
• ><c> are</c><00:02:11.800><c> kind</c><00:02:11.920><c> of</c><00:02:12.280><c> far</c><00:02:13.280>
• :02:14.959><c> I'm</c><00:02:15.080><c> thinking</c><00:02:15.360><c> about</c><00:02:15.560><c> M</c

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<00:02:43.680><c> what</c><00:02:43.840><c> we're</c><00:02:44.120><c> adding</c><00:02:44.520><c>
• we're adding a<00:02:47.320><c> new</c><00:02:47.560><c> section</c><00:02:48.520><c> three</c><00:02
• :02:51.680><c> clarify</c><00:02:52.320><c> that</c><00:02:52.720><c> MKSOA</c><00:02:53.720><c> has<
• </c><00:02:55.800><c> over</c><00:02:56.000><c> the</c><00:02:56.120><c> Mauna</c><00:02:56.400><c> Kea
• ><c> and</c><00:02:57.760><c> clarifying</c><00:02:58.480><c> that</c><00:02:59.040><c> any</c><00:02

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:

• </c><01:02:04.480><c> They</c><01:02:04.640><c> get</c><01:02:04.799><c> a</c><01:02:04.880><c> hard<
• </c><01:02:06.160><c> They</c><01:02:06.400><c> cannot</c><01:02:06.640><c> afford</c><01:02:07.040><
• <01:02:24.319><c> What</c><01:02:24.480><c> about</c><01:02:24.640><c> the</c><01:02:24.799><c> other
• This<01:02:27.440><c> is</c><01:02:27.520><c> just</c><01:02:27.760><c> two</c><01:02:28.000><c> now.
• <01:02:29.760><c> We</c><01:02:29.920><c> have</c><01:02:30.079><c> 21</c><01:02:30.400><c> teams.

Summary: The joint House-Senate higher education briefing focused on how the University of Hawaii athletics department plans to remain competitive in the NIL era, especially as the House settlement and related changes allow new forms of athlete compensation. Chair and Senator Kim opened by framing the issue as balancing competitiveness, sustainability, compliance, and UH’s educational mission. Coaches Laura Beeman and Timmy Chang described how NIL and the transfer portal are already affecting recruiting and retention, with Beeman saying women’s basketball has lost six to 10 recruits because UH cannot yet match offers, and Chang citing examples of players being courted with large sums and the need to retain proven local and out-of-state athletes. Both emphasized that student-athletes should still prioritize education, culture, and team values, while also receiving support that helps them stay at UH. Athletic Director Matt Elliott then outlined UH’s broader strategy. He said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the highest level of the Mountain West, and strengthen the bond with the community. He described NIL as having moved from a largely unregulated period to a new phase in which institutions can directly control some NIL payments, while outside deals still must be reviewed for fair market value. Elliott said UH wants to use NIL to help athletes cover basic needs and build financial stability, while also keeping them academically on track. He noted the department is pursuing fundraising, including a “Boost the Bose” account, corporate sponsorships, and licensing deals, to support NIL opportunities. In response to questions from Senator Kim, Elliott clarified that UH’s approach involves both institution-controlled payments and outside NIL deals: internal payments can be structured at the department’s discretion within the cap, while external sponsor deals must go through NIL Go and meet market-value standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:02:00.760><c> don't</c><00:02:01.320><c> Uh</c><00:02:01.480><c> we're</c><00:02:01.600><c> going
• </c><00:02:01.720><c> to</c><00:02:01.800><c> recess</c><00:02:02.120><c> so</c><00:02:02.200><c> that
• ><c> can</c><00:02:02.600><c> get</c><00:02:02.720><c> quorum.
• </c><00:02:03.120><c> Recess</c><00:02:03.480><c> subject</c><00:02:03.840><c> to</c><00:02:03.920><c
• Recess subject to the call<00:02:04.160><c> of</c><00:02:04.240><c> the</c><00:02:04.320><c> chair.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The Senate Labor and Technology Committee met on April 17, 2026, and considered HCR 112, which asks the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state departments, agencies, and labor organizations to complete a comprehensive review of classification and compensation systems for civil service positions. DHRD, represented by Malia Donlon on behalf of Director Chiba, testified in support, and HGEA also supported the measure. No opposition was noted. The committee initially recessed to obtain a quorum before taking action. After reconvening, the chair recommended passing HCR 112 unamended. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation, with the chair, Vice Chair Lamosao, and Senator Fevella voting aye; Senators Ihara and Moriwaki were excused. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :16.640><c> these</c><00:02:16.800><c> bills</c><00:02:17.040><c> is</c><00:02:17.200><c> now</c><00:
• 02:17.360><c> in</c><00:02:17.520><c> place</c><00:02:17.680><c> under</c> for these bills is now in
• </c><00:02:19.120><c> And</c><00:02:19.280><c> that</c><00:02:19.440><c> concludes</c><00:02:19.680><
• c> our</c><00:02:19.840><c> agenda</c> rule 3.33.
• </c><00:02:20.800><c> The</c><00:02:21.040><c> meeting</c><00:02:21.280><c> is</c><00:02:21.440><c> adjourned

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• here</c><01:02:37.480><c> representing</c><01:02:37.920><c> the</c><01:02:38.000><c> state</c><01:02
• by state<01:02:41.880><c> RSA</c><01:02:42.240><c> to</c><01:02:42.359><c> come</c><01:02:42.520><c>
• and</c><01:02:42.680><c> tell</c><01:02:42.880><c> you</c><01:02:43.079><c> what</c><01:02:43.200><c
• 01:02:46.359><c> and</c><01:02:46.520><c> so</c><01:02:47.400><c> we</c><01:02:47.760><c> discussed</
• <c> ago</c><01:02:50.880><c> today</c><01:02:51.119><c> at</c><01:02:51.240><c> our</c><01:02:51.359>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• to<01:02:18.000><c> the</c><01:02:18.240><c> legislature</c><01:02:18.880><c> state</c><01:02:19.040
• So<01:02:23.040><c> it</c><01:02:23.280><c> just</c><01:02:23.440><c> feels</c><01:02:23.599><c> like
• I<01:02:36.960><c> chair</c><01:02:37.280><c> DC</c><01:02:37.920><c> um</c><01:02:38.400><c> DHS</c
• > last</c><01:02:41.440><c> five</c><01:02:41.680><c> years</c><01:02:42.640><c> and</c><01:02:43.359
• Other subdivisions<01:02:51.040><c> of</c><01:02:51.520><c> DHHS</c><01:02:52.960><c> will</c><01:02:

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 518 and House Bill 652FN, both related to the family court system and child/family matters. HB 518 drew extended discussion about DCYF/DCYF’s role and whether the bill should be retained, amended, or studied further. Representative Love argued the agency is deeply troubled, citing abuse cases, lack of training, and fear among constituents, and said he would vote against ITL while preferring interim study so the bill could still be used as a future amendment vehicle. Other members emphasized that the family division has ongoing reform work underway and that abolishing or moving cases to superior court would not solve the underlying problems. On HB 652FN, the subcommittee chair and Representative Pearson gave a detailed defense of the family division, explaining its history, statewide structure, caseload, and the rationale for specialized family courts. Pearson said the bill would reverse progress by shifting jurisdiction back to superior court, overload dockets, and deprive families of judges with specialized expertise. He pointed to reforms already underway, including simplified forms, more mediation, and review of possible judicial bias patterns. Several members and public comments supported keeping the bill as a tool for reform rather than killing it, while critics argued the family court system suffers from due process, oversight, and rule-of-law problems. The committee also heard broader testimony on family court concerns, including allegations of systemic bias, discovery limits, unsworn witnesses, and lack of oversight, as well as support for mediation as a less adversarial and more effective option. Some members said the judiciary needs more judges and mediators, but that budget constraints limit those improvements. The discussion ended with no final vote recorded in the excerpt; instead, members continued debating whether the bills should be ITL’d or retained for interim study and further reform work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I<00:02:50.800><c> do</c><00:02:51.040><c> not</c><00:02:51.680><c> anticipate</c><00:02:52.480><
• </c><00:02:54.080><c> I</c><00:02:54.239><c> think</c><00:02:54.400><c> we're</c><00:02:54.640><c> going
• 00:02:56.000><c> in</c><00:02:56.160><c> an</c><00:02:56.319><c> exact</c><00:02:56.560><c> session,<
• > I</c><00:02:57.200><c> did</c><00:02:57.280><c> notice</c><00:02:57.599><c> that</c><00:02:57.760><
• So, um, at<00:02:59.360><c> this</c><00:02:59.519><c> time</c><00:02:59.680><c> I</c><00:02:59.920><c

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:29.520><c> right</c><01:02:29.760><c> to</c><01:02:29.920><c> vote</c><01:02:30.400><c> for</c
• </c><01:02:34.640><c> not</c><01:02:34.880><c> get</c><01:02:35.119><c> what</c><01:02:35.359><c> I</
• 01:02:39.520><c> forward</c><01:02:40.240><c> and</c><01:02:40.640><c> advocate</c><01:02:41.119><c>
• :02:47.040><c> was</c><01:02:47.200><c> born</c><01:02:47.280><c> and</c><01:02:47.520><c> raised</c>
• &gt;&gt; Okay,<01:02:50.640><c> let</c><01:02:50.799><c> me</c><01:02:50.960><c> be</c><01:02:51.040>

Bills: HB403 , HB399 , HB392 , HB403 , HB399 , HB392

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, Lamar County, property auction, county commission, online auction, public notice, HB392, Lauderdale County, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, district attorney, chief assistant district attorney, assistant district attorney, assistant district attorneys, prosecutor, prosecutorial compensation, salary supplement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:18.319><c> This</c><00:02:18.640><c> nominee</c><00:02:19.360><c> is</c><00:02:19.680><c>
• </c><00:02:21.920><c> Is</c><00:02:22.160><c> it</c><00:02:22.640><c> because</c><00:02:22.959><c> he's
• </c> Is<00:02:26.879><c> it</c><00:02:27.200><c> because</c><00:02:27.760><c> of</c><00:02:27.920><c>
• So<00:02:53.280><c> the</c><00:02:53.599><c> work</c><00:02:53.760><c> that</c><00:02:54.160><c> he</
• c><00:02:54.560><c> led</c><00:02:54.879><c> us</c><00:02:55.040><c> through</c><00:02:55.360><c> was

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh what we're going<00:02:32.959><c> to</c><00:02:33.040><c> be</c><00:02:33.200><c> looking</c><00:02
• :33.360><c> at</c><00:02:33.599><c> today</c><00:02:34.160><c> is</c><00:02:34.400><c> a</c><00:02:34.640
• /c><00:02:43.840><c> do</c><00:02:44.080><c> not</c><00:02:44.239><c> have</c><00:02:44.480><c> the</
• manpower and<00:02:46.560><c> do</c><00:02:46.800><c> not</c><00:02:46.959><c> have</c><00:02:47.040
• This conveyance<00:02:57.200><c> allows</c><00:02:57.599><c> them</c><00:02:57.920><c> to</c><00:02:58.239

Summary: A presenter from Fast Health Corporation described a proposed Kentucky Health Command System tied to Senate Bill 175, which would create a state-sanctioned AI platform for rural hospitals and telehealth. The company said the system would help rural residents get health information remotely, triage minor issues, and escalate more serious cases to Kentucky providers, with use cases including blood pressure, diabetes, maternity care, smoking cessation, and other preventive-care topics. The presenter argued the system would help rural hospitals compete with out-of-state telehealth companies and keep patients connected to local care. The presentation also emphasized a commercial model the sponsor said would generate new revenue through ads and branded interactions, with the bill reportedly directing 80% of that revenue to rural hospitals and 20% to the state to maintain the system. The presenter said the technology would augment, not replace, doctors and nurses, and claimed it could improve access and convenience in underserved areas. Committee members raised concerns about liability, whether the AI could provide medical advice, and whether there was evidence it had reduced emergency room visits; the presenter said the system could not give medical advice and acknowledged the technology is still very new. The sponsor of the bill said the goal was to help transform rural health care, reduce unnecessary ER use, and capture revenue that would otherwise go to commercial search engines and out-of-state companies. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion ended with questions about branding, loyalty, and the legal limits of the AI system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay,<00:02:46.400><c> next</c><00:02:46.560><c> we</c><00:02:46.800><c> have</c><00:02:46.959><c> HB480
• have HB480 HD1 SD1 relating<00:02:49.040><c> to</c><00:02:49.280><c> workers</c><00:02:49.760><c> compensation
• :02:53.120><c> I'm</c><00:02:53.360><c> sorry</c><00:02:53.680><c> I</c><00:02:53.920><c> don't</c><00
• :02:54.160><c> think</c><00:02:54.319><c> I've</c><00:02:54.640><c> read</c> uh for I'm sorry I don't
• c> conferees</c><00:02:56.080><c> for</c><00:02:56.480><c> HB</c><00:02:57.280><c> 162.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe we gave you<00:02:19.840><c> a</c> you a you a CD1<00:02:22.560><c> and</c><00:02:22.959><c
• > but</c><00:02:23.200><c> we</c><00:02:23.440><c> don't</c><00:02:23.599><c> have</c><00:02:23.760><
• ><c> So,</c><00:02:25.360><c> can</c><00:02:25.520><c> we</c><00:02:25.680><c> push</c><00:02:25.920>
• Absolutely.<00:02:29.280><c> April</c><00:02:29.840><c> 24,</c><00:02:30.319><c> 10</c><00:02:30.560>
• </c><00:02:54.959><c> All</c><00:02:55.040><c> right.

Transcript Highlights:

• The<00:02:01.759><c> University</c><00:02:02.320><c> of</c><00:02:02.640><c> Kentucky</c><00:02:03.200
• :02:05.600><c> to</c><00:02:05.840><c> take</c><00:02:06.079><c> this</c><00:02:06.320><c> on</c> The
• Basically<00:02:25.599><c> what</c><00:02:25.840><c> the</c><00:02:26.080><c> bill</c><00:02:26.400><
• 00:02:28.720><c> these</c><00:02:29.040><c> are</c><00:02:29.520><c> uh</c><00:02:29.760><c> child</c
• ,</c><00:02:31.280><c> child</c><00:02:31.520><c> care</c><00:02:31.840><c> homes</c><00:02:32.800><c

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:

• :34.160><c> before</c><00:02:34.400><c> we</c><00:02:34.720><c> jump</c><00:02:34.959><c> to</c><00:02
• If not,<00:02:37.280><c> let's</c><00:02:37.519><c> do</c><00:02:37.599><c> a</c><00:02:37.760><c> quum
• </c><00:02:38.000><c> call.
• President, All<00:02:45.200><c> right,</c><00:02:45.519><c> clerk</c><00:02:45.760><c> will</c><00:02
• :46.000><c> take</c><00:02:46.080><c> the</c><00:02:46.239><c> call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court says<02:00:22.719><c> you</c><02:00:22.960><c> can</c><02:00:23.119><c> move</c><02:00
• :27.599><c> people</c><02:00:27.760><c> in</c><02:00:27.920><c> the</c><02:00:28.159><c> state,</c><02
• &gt;&gt; In<02:45:25.760><c> the</c><02:45:25.920><c> time</c><02:45:26.080><c> you</c><02:45:26.240>
• &gt;&gt; At<02:45:33.279><c> the</c><02:45:33.439><c> time,</c><02:45:33.680><c> the</c><02:45:33.920
• &gt;&gt; I<02:45:36.720><c> get</c><02:45:36.960><c> I</c><02:45:37.279><c> get</c><02:45:37.359><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Association<00:02:06.880><c> proudly</c><00:02:07.280><c> supports</c><00:02:07.840><c> him.
• Thank you<00:02:08.399><c> very</c><00:02:08.679><c> much</c><00:02:09.000><c> for</c><00:02:09.160><
• </c> Next<00:02:15.160><c> is</c><00:02:15.320><c> Barbara</c><00:02:15.959><c> Kalipi.
• Harry<00:02:45.959><c> is</c><00:02:46.120><c> here</c><00:02:46.640><c> um</c><00:02:46.880><c> labeled
• </c><00:02:49.040><c> Sorry.</c> Okay. Where<00:02:59.360><c> am</c><00:02:59.519><c> I?

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The Senate AEN committee heard and considered four gubernatorial nominations. GM 511 was for Harry Purdy III to the Moloka‘i Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board; testimony in support came from DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Moloka‘i community members, and Purdy described his long background in Moloka‘i homestead farming and the challenges facing new farmers. GM 676 was for Denise Kuano to the same board; the committee noted support from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and it was reported that Kuano could not testify because of a family emergency. GM 771 was for James Gomes to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity; the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council strongly supported him, citing his long agricultural experience, advocacy, and prior board service, and Gomes emphasized ag crime enforcement, land access, water, and support for farmers and ranchers. GM 772 was for Michelle Lefebvre to the Environmental Advisory Council; the Environmental Advisory Council and OPSD supported her, and Lefebvre discussed her work on the council’s exemptions committee and the need for better public understanding of the environmental review process. Members asked nominees questions about barriers for young homesteaders, ag crime enforcement, prior board service, environmental stewardship, and public engagement in environmental review. Gomes said the biggest challenges include lack of experience for new homesteaders, weak enforcement against ag crimes and drug activity on ranches, and the need for more land and resources for agriculture. Lefebvre said the environmental review process often falls short in public understanding and that comments are not a vote but part of an analytical process. After testimony, the committee reported support counts for each nomination and then voted to recommend advise and consent on all four measures. GM 511, GM 676, GM 771, and GM 772 were each adopted unanimously by the members present, with some members excused. The chair then announced the committee would move on to the next agenda item.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:47.360><c> the</c><00:02:47.519><c> first</c><00:02:47.760><c> week</c><00:02:47.920><c> of
• I'm going<01:02:43.599><c> to</c><01:02:43.760><c> tell</c><01:02:43.839><c> you</c><01:02:44.000><c>
• how</c><01:02:44.240><c> we</c><01:02:44.400><c> got</c><01:02:44.559><c> to</c><01:02:44.720><c> this
• </c><01:02:46.400><c> In</c><01:02:46.720><c> August,</c><01:02:47.119><c> we</c><01:02:47.359><c> had
• </c><01:02:53.520><c> And</c><01:02:53.920><c> we</c><01:02:54.160><c> were</c><01:02:54.319><c> advised

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes, then heard a lengthy presentation from the Department for Public Health on Kentucky’s rural health transformation plan and related budget questions. Commissioner John Langfeld said the state received a $212.9 million federal award, one of the larger awards nationally, and outlined five focus areas: maternal and infant health, integrated EMS/trauma response, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, and chronic disease prevention with an emphasis on obesity and diabetes. He stressed that the effort is intended to be integrated, data-driven, and sustainable, and that the federal funds cannot be used for new construction, clinician salaries, research and development, EHR replacement, or to pay for currently billable services. He also said the program carries accountability requirements and that funds can be clawed back if milestones are not met. Members pressed for clarification on duplication with other budget requests, sustainability after the five-year funding period, and how success would be measured. Langfeld said he was not aware of any duplicate funding with the department’s additional budget requests and said the rural health funds were separate from those requests. He also said the program will be tracked through specific metrics and timelines, using both execution measures and outcome measures such as readmissions, with more rapid-cycle feedback to allow course correction. Representative Fleming raised concerns about possible overlap with navigator funding and asked for more detail on the budget breakdown; Langfeld said a detailed line-item budget had been prepared but was still awaiting final CMS approval before release, and that he would explore sharing more information once restrictions were lifted. The committee then heard from the Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory about a request for a new central lab expansion. The presenter described the current 35-year-old facility as outdated and constrained by aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, deferred maintenance, and inadequate space, and said the lab performs critical work with no in-state alternative for many services, including newborn screening, select-agent and biosafety level 3 testing, animal necropsy for rabies, genetic sequencing, environmental and food safety testing, and response to emerging infectious diseases. The project is already in design phase C, expected to finish in mid-April, with construction funding sought at roughly $276 million on top of about $35 million already approved for design. Members asked about long-term operating costs, backup arrangements, and whether the current facility would remain in use; the presenter said the current lab would continue to be used by the department while other divisions move into vacated space, and that the lab has mutual-aid agreements with the Southeast Consortium and universities for contingency support. Finally, the Department for Community Based Services began its budget presentation on SNAP and relative caregiver issues. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons identified the governor’s recommended budget items tied to new federal requirements under HR1, including changes affecting payment error rates. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:02:21.519><c> was</c><00:02:21.720><c> displayed</c><00:02:22.120><c> on</c><00:02:22.239><c> the
• 22.760><c> grounds</c><00:02:23.200><c> until</c><00:02:24.200><c> the</c><00:02:24.599><c> 1980s</c>
• until the 1980s and at that<00:02:26.000><c> point</c><00:02:26.200><c> it</c><00:02:26.280><c> was<
• /c><00:02:26.400><c> moved</c><00:02:26.680><c> into</c><00:02:27.000><c> storage</c><00:02:27.519><c
• ><c> in</c><00:02:31.840><c> 2000</c><00:02:32.840><c> there</c><00:02:32.959><c> was</c><00:02:33.120

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government first considered HJR 15, a resolution to return a Ten Commandments monument to the new state Capitol grounds. Representative Shane Baker described the monument’s history, its removal to storage in the 1980s, and a prior 2000 effort that was blocked by the courts. He argued recent Supreme Court decisions, including Van Orden and Kennedy, support a history-and-tradition approach and said the resolution would direct the Historic Properties Advisory Commission to retrieve and reinstall the monument in Monument Park. Senator Herron raised concerns about religious neutrality and whether other faiths would also be represented at the Capitol. Baker and Chair Petrie responded that the resolution was limited to restoring a specific historical monument and did not bar future proposals for other displays. Senator Armstrong voted no, saying the legal landscape remained uncertain and the state could face costly litigation. The committee approved HJR 15 on an 8-1 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would limit administrative agencies from issuing regulations with an economic impact of more than $500,000 over two years, with exceptions for imminent public health or safety threats, protection of federal or state funds, and compliance with certain court orders. Representative Wade Williams said the bill would rein in costly agency rulemaking and cited LRC data showing only about a dozen regulations in 2024 would have met the threshold, with roughly six after closer review. Senator Chambers Armstrong expressed concern that the bill could tie the government’s hands in emergencies, but the bill passed 8-1. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 73, which had a committee substitute. Representatives Johnson and Tipton explained that one part would add We Lead CS to the list of educational service providers allowed to administer their own retirement program participation, and the other would require the Teachers’ Retirement System actuary to provide additional information on each employer’s share of unfunded liability. The committee approved HB 73 unanimously, 10-0, and then adjourned.