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:

• Seeing<00:02:32.480><c> none,</c><00:02:32.800><c> we</c><00:02:32.959><c> have</c><00:02:33.120><c>
• S263,<00:02:38.959><c> an</c><00:02:39.200><c> act</c><00:02:39.440><c> relating</c><00:02:39.760><c>
• to</c><00:02:39.920><c> the</c><00:02:40.080><c> use</c><00:02:40.319><c> of</c> S263, an act relating
• enforcement systems<00:02:43.599><c> by</c><00:02:44.080><c> municipalities,</c><00:02:45.519><c> introduced
• by Senators<00:02:46.800><c> Perchick</c><00:02:47.440><c> and</c><00:02:47.599><c> Chittentin.

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:

• 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<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><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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• </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:

• 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:

• Paul, Minnesota. Pledge of Allegiance.
• Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, May 15th, 2025.

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:

• 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:

• 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> new</c><00:02:06.520><c> committee</c><00:02:07.000><c> for</c><00:02:07.439><c> the</c><00:02:07.560
• </c><00:02:10.039><c> this</c><00:02:10.160><c> time</c><00:02:10.319><c> of</c><00:02:10.479><c> year
• year but I<00:02:11.440><c> uh</c><00:02:11.560><c> chair</c><00:02:12.000><c> Nicole</c><00:02:12.400
• ><c> loen</c><00:02:12.800><c> of</c><00:02:13.000><c> the</c><00:02:13.720><c> um</c><00:02:14.720><
• <c> of</c><00:02:15.239><c> the</c><00:02:15.319><c> energy</c><00:02:15.640><c> and</c><00:02:15.760

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before the Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Chair Nicole Lowen and other legislators opened the meeting by framing the issue as important statewide and encouraging recycling, composting, and proper use of the curbside bins. The city’s Department of Environmental Services, led by Director Roger Babcock and Deputy Director Mike O’Keefe, then presented the background and siting process. ENV explained the legal and technical constraints that shaped the search, including the 2019 Land Use Commission decision requiring closure of Waimanalo Gulch by March 2, 2028, and the 2020 Act 73 restrictions on landfill siting near residences, schools, hospitals, conservation districts, airports, and tsunami inundation areas. They said a landfill advisory committee reviewed six candidate sites in 2021-2022 and rejected them because they fell within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. After further evaluation and an extension of the naming deadline, the city selected a site in central Oahu near Wahiawa, on agricultural land currently used as a Dole pineapple field. City officials said the selected site was chosen as the best of the evaluated options and, in their view, could be permitted under state and federal law. They described planned environmental protections, including a modern sanitary landfill design with double liners, leachate collection systems, monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring, and said the existing Waimanalo Gulch landfill has operated for 35 years without leachate leaks. They also emphasized that the site would still require a special use permit, Department of Health approvals, an environmental impact statement, and other public permitting processes, and that public engagement would continue over the next several years.

Transcript Highlights:

• Co-chair<00:02:30.800><c> Funky</c><00:02:31.200><c> From</c><00:02:31.520><c> Meire</c><00:02:32.000
• </c><00:02:35.120><c> And</c><00:02:35.360><c> I</c><00:02:35.680><c> don't</c><00:02:36.400><c> uh</
• </c><00:02:44.160><c> I</c><00:02:44.400><c> would</c><00:02:44.560><c> like</c><00:02:44.720><c> to<
• </c><00:02:48.080><c> and</c><00:02:48.319><c> then</c><00:02:48.480><c> we</c><00:02:48.720><c> will
• </c><00:02:52.000><c> And</c><00:02:52.160><c> I</c><00:02:52.319><c> just</c><00:02:52.480><c> want<

Summary: The Make America Healthy Again task force held its first meeting to set interim priorities rather than take formal action. Co-chairs and members said the group’s goal is to identify practical policy ideas to improve Kentucky’s poor health outcomes, with an emphasis on prevention, and to gather input from members and outside stakeholders. Roll was called, several members were present, and the co-chairs noted the meeting would be limited in length and would not include a lunch break. Members identified a wide range of possible focus areas, including childhood and adult obesity, nutrition in schools, food deserts, agriculture and support for local farms, health responsibility, physical activity, mental health, and provider education on nutrition. Several speakers stressed that Kentucky’s health care costs are rising unsustainably and that prevention is cheaper than treatment. Others emphasized that the task force should work with agencies, hospitals, universities, and experts, and should narrow its work to a few actionable areas rather than “chase every rabbit.” There was also discussion of food as medicine, improving the quality of food in schools and hospitals, and making healthier choices more accessible and affordable. Members referenced conversations already underway with industries, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and agricultural leaders. No votes or formal motions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the main action was the exchange of priorities and direction for future task force work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:16.720><c> Um,</c><00:02:17.280><c> both</c><00:02:17.520><c> of</c><00:02:17.680><c> us</
• </c><00:02:19.360><c> We</c><00:02:19.599><c> are</c><00:02:19.760><c> both</c><00:02:20.160><c> uh,<
• ><c> think</c><00:02:23.440><c> this</c><00:02:23.599><c> is</c><00:02:23.760><c> a</c><00:02:23.920>
• > um</c><00:02:29.280><c> what</c><00:02:29.520><c> this</c><00:02:29.840><c> work</c><00:02:30.160><
• :02:33.680><c> of</c><00:02:34.000><c> a</c><00:02:35.040><c> uh</c><00:02:35.280><c> work</c><00:02:

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met without a quorum, so the minutes were not approved. The main presentation was from retired economics professors John Garren and Dr. Kums, who discussed their Bluegrass Institute research on teacher compensation in Kentucky since the Kentucky Education Reform Act era. They said teacher base salaries, adjusted for inflation, have declined over the last decade, while state-paid “on-behalf” benefits such as pension and health insurance contributions have risen sharply; they argued total teacher compensation has increased modestly overall, but less than per-pupil funding. They also presented broader context on staffing growth, declining average daily attendance, Kentucky’s low share of teachers among total school staff, and flat or weak NAEP and ACT performance trends, including widening white-Black score gaps on NAEP. Members questioned the methodology and interpretation of the compensation figures. Representative Bojanowski argued the on-behalf calculations may overstate teacher compensation because they include insurance and pension costs that also benefit classified employees and retirees, and he asked for clarification on the denominator used to derive the per-teacher amount. Representative Truit said the presentation could be misleading if it implies teachers earn $94,000 in salary, and he objected to framing pension stabilization payments as teacher pay. The presenters responded that they were using total compensation, not salary alone, said they had divided total personnel-related on-behalf payments by the relevant staff count, and promised to review and send a technical explanation. Representative Truit and Chairman Typton both emphasized that compensation should be viewed as salary plus benefits, not salary alone, and noted that pension contributions are part of the cost of employing teachers. The presenters said their intent was to show the full compensation package and its relevance to labor supply and teacher shortages, not to claim that individual teachers earn the total compensation figure as salary. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the decision to revisit the minutes at a later meeting due to the lack of quorum.