Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cook moves that House Bill 713. HB713 do pass and be printed.
• Senator Cook. There being 8-0. House Bill 713 is favorably reported.
• Senator Cook? Aye. There being eight ayes, zero nays, House Bill 426 is favorably reported.
• Senator Cook? Senator Cook? Aye. There being 8 ayes, 0 nays, House Bill 2655 is favorably reported.
• Senator Cook? Aye.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alvarado, Bettencourt, Borris, Blanco, Campbell, Cook.
• Alvarado, Benkert, Bernal, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton.
• Senator Cook, you're recognized for a motion. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator Cook, you're recognized for a motion. I move final passage.
• Senator Cook, you're recognized for a motion.

Bills: SB128, SB203, SB317, SB393, SB397, SB731, SB781, SB801, SB867, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1232, SB1262, SB1444, SB1483, SB1782, SB1798, SB1861, SB1897, SB1944, SB2023, SB2082, SB2215, SB2309, SB2497, SB2549, SB2566, SB2603, SB2607, SB2617, SB2688, SB2797, SB2799, SB2841, SB2891, SB2919, SB2928, SB2969, SB2994, SB3070, HB11, HB12, HB26, HB33, HB34, HB45, HB48, HB130, HB148, HB198, HB210, HB303, HB647, HB668, HB677, HB762, HB791, HB1022, HB1041, HB1188, HB1240, HB1242, HB1261, HB1318, HB1397, HB1465, HB1520, HB1535, HB1729, HB1778, HB1950, HB2003, HB2027, HB2029, HB2559, HB2596, HB2607, HB2692, HB2712, HB2742, HB2768, HB2775, HB2788, HB2802, HB2894, HB3474, HB3594, HB3611, HB3698, HB3699, HB3700, HB4187, HB4753, HB4804, HB4850, HB4885, HB5061, HB5238, HB5560, HCR90, SJR34, SB529, SB541, SB693, SB963, SB1173, SB1646, SB1734, SB1833, SB1968, SB2544, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB128, SB2309, SB1861, SB2617, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB511, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB2891, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2799, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1782, SB1944, SB1232, SB2969, SB2497, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB781, SB524, SB2233, SB2683, HB1393, HB2559, HB26, HB2607, HB3810, HB388, HB12, HB2712, HB2692, HB1633, HB1318, HB685, HB4753, HB2742, HB303, HB198, HB1535, HB762, HB148, HB1520, HB5061, HB2286, HB1606, HB1041, HB132, HB11, HB45, HB48, HB1261, HB1465, HB1778, HB2596, HB5238, HB33, HB1188, HB210, HB1022, HB1458, HB5560, HB1240, HB1950, HB2027, HB2768, HB2788, HB2791, HB3146, HB3698, HB3699, HB1893, HB3700, HB4850, HB4187, HB1397, HB4885, HB4804, HB3751, HB3611, HB2775, HB2061, HB2003, HB1729, HB1242, HB791, HB2029, HB647, HB2522, HB4738, HB3033, HB3594, HB3474, HB2563, HB2802, HB34, HB128, HB130, HB581, HB668, HB677, HB766, HB2259, HB2960, HB2358, HB2894, HB4384, HB2663, HB748, HB793, HB1193, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3104, HB5180, HB4739, HB1584, HB4344, HB4238, HB4219, HB3806, HB3805, HB3804, HB3803, HB3229, HB3228, HB1922, HB1522, HB431, HB3597, HB1612, HB4224, HB754, HB1314, HB2254, HB2789, HB3560, HB4643, HB1237, HCR90, HCR98, SJR60, SB1319, SB1978, SB3038, SB3045, SB1633, HB3126, HB2856, HB3114, HB3041, HB3505, HB4205, HB5652, HB3687, HB5424, HB4506, HB3370, HB2025, HB4273

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, student privacy, numerical class rank, education policy, academic programs, high school, monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, SB 393, Sparks, Middleton

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cook. Here. Senator O'Connor. Here. Senator Hall. Here. Senator Hinojosa. Here.
• Senator Cook. HCR64. Senator Eckhardt. Aye. Senator Kolkhorst? Aye. Senator Hinojosa? Aye.
• Members, any questions for Senator Cook on the bill?
• Senator Cook. Senator Hinojosa. Senator Hall. Aye. Senator Hinojosa. Senator Kolkhorst.
• Members, any questions for Senator Cook on the bill?

Bills: SCR3, SCR30, SB2375, HCR35

Keywords: cowboy culture, Bandera, cultural heritage, historical significance, Texas identity, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature, statutory revision, code corrections, laws omitted, legislative updates, spaceports, tax-exempt bonds, aerospace investment, Texas space economy, Federal legislation, 1185

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cook — Yes. Representative Massaroni — Yes. Representative McPherson — Here.
• Representative Cook — Yes. Representative Massaroni — [not captured in this excerpt].
• Bivins, a second by Representative Cook. Bivins, a second by Representative Cook.
• By<00:15:09.680> Representative<00:15:10.520> Cook.
• All those in By Representative Cook.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:02 Attendance Roll Call 00:24 SB 73 Discussion 02:40 SB 73 Roll Call Vote 05:05 SB 155 Discussion 06:48 SB 155 Roll Call Vote 14:00, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cook. Aye. Hinojosa? Aye.
• Cook. Eckhardt? Hinojosa? Aye. Menendez? Aye.
• Cook. Eckhardt. Hinojosa. Aye. Aye. Menendez. Middleton.
• Cook. Eckhardt. Hinojosa? Aye. Kolkhorst. Menendez. Middleton.
• Cook. Eckhardt. Aye. Hinojosa. Kolkhorst. Middleton. Menendez.

Bills: HCR111, HB5655, HB5689, HB5690, HCR46, HCR83, HCR81, HCR84

Keywords: beekeeping, pollination, agriculture, local economy, Combes, Bee Capital of Texas, water management, eminent domain, bond issuance, Fort Bend County, public infrastructure, special district, government validation, local authority, bonds, Cole Ranch Improvement District, Hunter Ranch Improvement District, property taxes, infrastructure funding, local governance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration met with a quorum and considered several local and uncontested measures, mostly resolutions designating official Texas titles for places and observances. HCR 111 would name Combs the official Bee Capital of Texas; HCR 81 would name Milam the Gateway Capital of Texas; HCR 84, as a committee substitute, would name Pineland the Sawmill Capital of Texas; and HCR 83 would name Rusk County the Syrup Capital of Texas. The committee also heard HCR 46, designating January 12 as Nathan Gage Ingram Day for a 10-year period ending in 2035, honoring the Roanoke Navy SEAL who died during a mission off Somalia. No public testimony was offered on any of these resolutions, and each was reported favorably to the full Senate by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes, then placed on the local and uncontested calendar for May 28, 2025. The committee also considered HB 5655, which would create a water control and improvement district in Fort Bend County to provide drainage improvements for about 912 acres owned by TPHTL Hatcher LLC. Senator Kolkhorst explained that the district powers were intended to address flooding and drainage in a low-lying area. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate with no opposition after no public testimony was offered. In addition, HB 5689 and HB 5690 were heard as local bills validating and updating the powers and prior acts of the Coal Ranch Improvement District No. 1 and the Hunter Ranch Improvement District No. 1 in Denton County; both were reported favorably without testimony or questions. At the end of the meeting, the committee reviewed the proposed May 28, 2025 local and uncontested calendar, noted that some bills had been removed due to penalties, fiscal notes, or significant opposition, and specifically removed HB 4202. The remaining calendar, with that exception, was certified by unanimous vote. The committee then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Huntington to alienate and discontinue the use of certain park lands to the Huntington African American Museum

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The local government committee met for its fifth meeting of the year and considered 15 bills, with the chair noting there may be one more meeting to finish the agenda. Members present included Senators Baskin, Fahy, and Rolison, and the committee moved through the bills with brief motions and seconding throughout. The committee reported several measures, including bills on making housing a state policy, directing a study on real property tax saturation, requiring notice to adjacent municipalities for certain zoning changes, authorizing the Town of Huntington to alienate park land for the Huntington African American Museum, requiring CPR training for 911 dispatchers and call takers, allowing the Johnson City School District to create an insurance reserve fund, incorporating the New Hartford Volunteer, Exempt Firefighters, Benevolent Association, creating a Suffolk County real property tax exemption for certain volunteer auxiliary police officers, and extending various local finance and public authorities provisions. One bill, S4504 by Senator Griffo, which would prohibit unfunded state mandates on municipalities and school districts and create a Mandate Review Council, was reported to the Education Committee, with the chair noting opposition. Several bills extending the effectiveness of local finance-related laws were reported to the Finance Committee, including measures on statutory installment bonds, installment loans, refunding bonds, and Environmental Facilities Corporation powers. The committee also reported a bill on county tribal detention agreements and another on base adjusted proportions in the Real Property Tax Law. During discussion of the 911 CPR training bill, members noted an amendment was being worked on to require the training every four years. Most bills were reported unanimously or with no recorded opposition, and the meeting concluded after the final bill was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Cook here. We have a quorum to operate. Representative Huff here.
• Representative Matt Cook, 72nd District. Hi, good morning.
• cook cook yes<00:18:13.120> the<00:18:13.280> bill<00:18:13.600> passes<00:18:14.080
• representative Wilson yes chairman cook representative Wilson yes chairman cook yes<00:41:21.280
• Chair Cook: Yes. Chair Cook: Congratulations, Representative Moser.

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 00:05 HB 566 Discussion 01:34 HB 566 Vote 16:42 HB 39 Discussion 19:15 HB 39 Vote 23:10 HB 70 Discussion 24:48 HB 70 Vote 27:36 HB 72 Discussion 28:58 HB 72 Vote 39:45 HB 79 Discussion 41:45 HB 79 Vote 42:58 HB 223 Discussion 45:34 HB 223 Vote 46:24 Adjournment 47:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 566, which would implement the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation created last year. Chairman Cook described major provisions affecting charitable gaming, horse racing, sports wagering, and quarter horse racing, including locking charitable gaming fees in statute at a slightly lower rate, expanding charitable gaming board representation, preserving existing gaming technology, allowing school districts to hold charitable gaming licenses, and setting up self-funding for the new corporation through administrative set-asides from gaming-related funds. The bill also addresses uncashed vouchers, cross-training of investigators, ethics and employment provisions, and a three-year quarter horse breeding incentive intended to grow the industry. A committee substitute made two technical changes: clarifying voucher money stays with the track facility and making the school district itself the license holder. The substitute and then the bill both passed favorably, with several members noting concerns from last year but supporting the revised structure. The committee then heard House Bill 70, an interstate compact for dietitians. Sponsor Representative Vanessa Grossl and witnesses said the measure would allow reciprocity with other compact states, improve workforce mobility, help military families, expand patient access and telehealth, and reduce administrative burden on the licensing board. The committee substitute created a third license category for educational interpreters, but that language actually belonged to the next bill; for HB 70, the committee voted the bill favorably without reported amendments. The bill passed unanimously or near-unanimously and was sent to the House floor. Next, House Bill 72 was presented by Representative DJ Johnson to amend the law governing limited x-ray machine operators. The sponsor explained that current law effectively prevents limited x-ray operators from working in the same facility as other imaging equipment, which he said creates compliance problems, disrupts training, and can force practices to move equipment or lose employees. The bill would allow limited x-ray technicians to operate in the same facility as other imaging equipment. During discussion, some members noted opposition from students and others in the field, and the sponsor invited industry witnesses to explain their concerns. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 72 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cook. Representative Jones. Yes. Here. Representative Cook. Representative Jones.
• Cook, you ready to do yours? Yes, Mr. Chairman. The—pardon you. Okay. Let me do Mr. Cook.
• Cook lays out the substitute to House Bill 115.
• Cook? See any?
• Cook to close. Thank you, Chairman.

Bills: HB115

Keywords: public funds, lobbying, political subdivision, government spending, transparency, HB 115, taxpayer-funded lobbying, local government lobbying, county association dues, municipal lobbying, lobbyist registration, Chapter 305, Government Code Section 556.0056, Local Government Code Section 89.002, county government, city government, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, state association of counties, sheriffs association

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence reconvened with a quorum present and announced it would likely not vote that night because of confusion over the bill list; members were told a definitive list would be circulated the next morning and a formal meeting would be scheduled later. The chair then heard a series of bills, generally taking testimony and leaving each pending without action. House Bill 1847 would set maximum caseload standards for private attorneys handling indigent criminal appointments through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission; House Bill 2417 would expand compensation eligibility for some wrongfully imprisoned people; House Bill 2813 would require earlier and more specific victim notice of scheduled court proceedings; and House Bill 2309 would expand state and local authority in certain civil asset forfeiture cases involving human trafficking, health care fraud, and organized crime. Each bill was laid out by its author or a member, with no opposition witnesses registered, and each was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 4733, which would require sealing records for people acquitted of charges when they were not convicted on the related allegation; House Bill 2328, which would modernize expunction service by encouraging electronic notice, setting a standardized fee when electronic service is unavailable, extending clerk retention of expunction orders, and preserving certain mental health commitment orders; and House Bill 115, which would revise Texas’s “junk science” post-conviction writ law by providing counsel, changing the relief standard, requiring written decisions, and easing procedural barriers. Testimony on HB 2328 was mixed: county clerks supported the bill as a cost-saving modernization, while legal advocates warned that permanent retention of expunction orders could undermine true expunction and create privacy risks. HB 115 drew support from innocence and defense organizations, with some concern about a provision affecting subsequent writs. All were left pending after testimony. Later, the committee heard House Bill 2046, which would allow affirmative family-violence findings for any Penal Code offense rather than only Title V offenses; testimony from a Dallas County prosecutor and a committee member emphasized that family violence can involve arson, burglary, fraud, and other non-Title V conduct, and the bill was left pending. House Bill 1765 would tighten restrictions on no-knock warrants by requiring higher-level approval, judicial review, and identifiable officers; members discussed the dangers highlighted by the Harding Street raid and similar incidents, and the bill was also left pending. The meeting ended with the chair noting that some bills had been removed from the agenda at the author’s request and that members should be prepared to finalize the vote list the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Cook — yes. Chairman Cook — yes. Bill as amended passes.
• >> Chairman<00:08:58.399> Cook, >> Chairman Cook, >> Chairman Cook, >>
• >> Chairman<00:15:55.519> Cook. >> Chairman Cook. >> Chairman Cook.
• >> Chairman<00:21:06.000> Cook.
• >> Chairman<00:26:46.240> Cook, >> Chairman Cook, >> Chairman Cook, >>

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 00:05 Roll Call 1:00 HB 357 Discussion 4:53 HB 357 Vote 6:40 HB 45 Discussion 8:00 HB 45 Vote 9:29 HB 48 Discussion 15:00 HB 48 Vote 16:25 HB 212 Discussion 20:17 HB 212 Vote 21:50 HB 49 Discussion 25:55 HB 49 Vote 27:16 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with House Bill 387. The bill was presented as a measure to ensure veterinarians are not subject to controlled-substance reporting requirements through regulation or other means, while also revising the controlled substance council to remove an emergency medicine physician and an acute care nurse and add two veterinarians. Supporters said the change was needed because veterinary reporting would be overly complicated, especially in rural Kentucky and for large-animal practices. The committee adopted the committee substitute, approved a committee amendment, and passed the bill unanimously, including the title amendment and emergency clause. The committee then heard House Bill 45, which would modernize Kentucky CPA licensure. The sponsor and the State Board of Accountancy said the bill updates outdated rules, supports workforce mobility and remote practice, reduces barriers to interstate commerce, and adds a new licensing option to address time and cost concerns for candidates. The committee passed the bill unanimously. House Bill 48 followed, a long-updated physical therapy practice act revision. Testimony said it would clarify and streamline the statute, add definitions for physical therapist assistants, change certification language to licensure, allow expungement of minor non-patient-harm violations, clarify sexual misconduct language, adjust disciplinary and fee-setting provisions, and ease requirements for some internationally trained practitioners. The committee again passed the bill unanimously. House Bill 212 was next and would allow licensed veterinary technicians, under direct veterinarian supervision, to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets. The sponsor and Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association said the change would help shelters, humane societies, and mass vaccination clinics, improve recordkeeping, and address rising rabies concerns in Kentucky. The committee approved the bill unanimously. Finally, House Bill 49 was presented by Representative Matt Cook and the Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors as a scholarship program funded by $5 from each annual license renewal plus fines and penalties, aimed at encouraging Kentucky students to enter engineering and surveying and remain in the state for six years after graduation/licensure. Members asked about the service commitment and funding source; the sponsor said the program would use existing funds and not raise renewal rates. The committee passed the bill unanimously, with the chair noting it as a positive example of board modernization.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook.
• Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton.
• Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook.
• Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook.
• Alvarado, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Creighton.

Bills: SCR46, SB31, SB39, SB227, SB330, SB401, SB407, SB467, SB482, SB500, SB506, SB512, SB527, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB647, SB648, SB659, SB663, SB715, SB732, SB758, SB801, SB816, SB847, SB870, SB884, SB1020, SB1055, SB1065, SB1137, SB1169, SB1181, SB1283, SB1383, SB1395, SB1410, SB1433, SB1490, SB1558, SB1574, SB1626, SB1666, SB1718, SB1727, SB1756, SB1757, SB1845, SB1924, SB1964, SB1972, SB2018, SB2031, SB2075, SB2076, SB2080, SB2111, SB2117, SB2154, SB2161, SB2173, SB2206, SB2225, SB2253, SB2268, SB2314, SB2322, SB2351, SB2371, SB2476, SB2533, SB2540, SB2570, SB2589, SB2623, SB2658, SB2660, SB2692, SB2693, SB2717, SB2722, SB2753, SB2779, SB2877, SB2880, SB2900, SB2920, SB3031, HJR4, SB5, SB260, SB1786, SJR3, SJR18, SB1, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR46, SCR48, SCR19, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1433, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1924, SB2253, SB2018, SB2206, SB584, SB1085, SB1490, SB2314, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB1137, SB636, SB2056, SB1558, SB884, SB227, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1626, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB1055, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB648, SB647, SB512, SB1721, SB2268, SB2366, SB1013, SB2692, SB2570, SB2797, SB2111, SB2371, SB2383, SB646, SB1169, SB1754, SB1718, SB2779, SB2004, SB1756, SB2119, SB527, SB2322, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB407, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB3031, SB2877, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB2117, SB715, SB2330, SB1964, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2658, SB1574, SB2900, SB2753, SB2398, SB401, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB2031, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, HJR4, HB135, HB1109, SCR30, SCR3, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, HCR35, HCR64

Keywords: Texas beef, cattle industry, agricultural heritage, Texas strip steak, economic growth, SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Molly Cook.
• >> I'm Molly Cook. I have I was a teacher >> I'm Molly Cook.
• problem for Miss Cook. Thank you. problem for Miss Cook. Thank you.
• to Miss Cook as well. Thank you. to Miss Cook as well. Thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony, Miss Cook. Thank you for your testimony, Miss Cook.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• chairman cook chairman cook here<00:01:31.600> we<00:01:31.759> have<00:01:31.880>
• cook cook yes<00:04:33.400> bill<00:04:33.759> passes<00:04:34.320> look<00:04:
• cook cook yes<00:16:37.319> House<00:16:37.560> Bill<00:16:37.800> six<00:16:38.360
• cook cook yes<00:21:12.159> House<00:21:12.400> Bill<00:21:12.600> 87<00:21:13.600
• Chairman Cook: I'm a yes. Congratulations.

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 01:55 Attendance Roll Call 02:10 HB 422 Discussion 03:35 HB 422 Vote 04:55 HB 6 Discussion 11:30 HB 6 Vote 16:45 HB 87 Discussion 20:22 HB 87 Vote 21:43 HB 255 Discussion 24:33 HB 255 Vote 26:19 HB 437 Discussion 29:09 HB 437 Vote 30:25 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 6, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, which would require administrative regulations with a major economic impact of $500,000 or more over two years to go through the legislature. Williams argued the bill would rein in regulatory overreach, improve transparency, and still allow emergency regulations. Several members raised concerns about executive-branch authority and the role of subject-matter experts, while others supported the bill as a way to improve communication and legislative oversight. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 87, sponsored by Rep. Emily Callaway, with a committee substitute adopted first. The bill is aimed at reducing barriers for people with felony records who are seeking occupational licenses, while preserving existing public hiring practices for cities and counties. Callaway said the changes were mostly technical and intended to make the process more transparent, with no fiscal impact. The committee approved the bill, and it passed with the committee substitute. House Bill 255, sponsored by Rep. Amy Neighbors, also passed with a committee substitute. The measure updates and modernizes the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy statutes, which sponsors said have not been substantially revised since 1958. Supporters said the bill clarifies outdated language, defines terms more clearly, and better reflects current practice, including physical therapist assistants. The chairman noted the long effort to update the practice act and praised the work of the stakeholders involved. Finally, House Bill 437, sponsored by Rep. Tony Hampton, was presented as a cleanup bill for alcohol beverage control law. It would limit state and local ABC administrators and investigators from making arrests unless they are POP certified, while leaving their other authority intact. Hampton and supporting witnesses said the change would align the statute with other law enforcement certification requirements and help keep civilian administrators from being put in harm’s way. The transcript ends during discussion of this bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the decades since, these works have surfaced in museums, galleries, and private collections around
• In fact, the September 2025 report from the World Jewish Restitution Organization found that U.S. museums
• Additionally, among 160 major museums in the United States, only 21% provide easily accessible object-level
• Additionally, among 160 major museums in Additionally, among 160 major museums in the<03:26:01.240>
• That deadline was intended to encourage museums and holders to complete provenance research on the relevant

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cook. Aye.
• Senator Hughes, Senator Blanco, Senator Sparks, Senator Cook.
• Senator Blanco, Senator Sparks, Senator Cook.
• Senator Hill. is Senator Blanco, Senator Sparks, Senator Cook.
• Senator Hughes, Senator Blanco, Senator Sparks, Senator Cook.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Cook. Chairman Cook. >> Yes.
• Chairman<00:10:23.920> Cook. Chairman Cook. Chairman Cook.
• Chairman<00:14:10.959> Cook, Chairman Cook, Chairman Cook, >> I'm<00:14:12.240> a
• Chairman<00:17:17.439> Cook. Chairman Cook. Chairman Cook.
• Chairman<00:20:10.240> Cook, Chairman Cook, Chairman Cook, >> I'm<00:20:11.600> a

Keywords: 0:02 ROLL CALL 1:44 SB 145 DISCUSSION 5:15 SB 145 VOTE 6:50 HB 36 DISCUSSION 9:15 HB 36 VOTE 10:45 HB 92 DISCUSSION 13:22 HB 92 VOTE 14:30 HB 628 DISCUSSION 16:30 HB 628 VOTE 17:50 HB 245 DISCUSSION 19:20 HB 245 VOTE 20:45 HB 584 DISCUSSION 25:23 HB 584 VOTE 27:55 ADJOURNMENT, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 145, which updates Kentucky’s laws governing caterers’ licenses and related ABC regulations. Senator Julie Rocky Adams explained that the bill clarifies where and how licensed caterers may sell and serve alcohol, standardizes food-to-alcohol revenue requirements, and removes administrative barriers. A committee substitute was adopted that also changes a tobacco-related license deadline from January 1, 2026 to July 1, 2026. Members discussed ABC staffing concerns, but the sponsor said those costs had not been specifically addressed. The committee substitute and then the bill as amended both passed unanimously and were sent to the House floor. The committee then considered three interstate compact bills. House Bill 36, the respiratory care compact, was presented as a straightforward compact aimed at helping military families, protecting the public, and improving real-time disciplinary data sharing; a committee substitute correcting immunity language was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. House Bill 92, the dietitians compact, was described as improving portability of licensure, reducing burdens on licensees and states, supporting military families, and enhancing investigative and disciplinary information sharing; the committee substitute added background checks, and the bill passed unanimously. House Bill 628, the athletic trainer compact, was presented as a new compact with enough states moving forward to meet the threshold for establishment; members noted it had become a Department of Defense priority, and it also passed unanimously after a committee substitute. House Bill 254 was then taken up as a bill to exempt certain temporary emergency housing structures from plumbing code enforcement, based on experience during disaster sheltering when new trailers could not be used quickly because of inspection delays. A committee substitute corrected a drafting issue that had unintentionally affected temporary structures, and the bill passed unanimously. Finally, House Bill 584, which removes a permanent ban on a physician reapplying for DEA prescribing authority after rehabilitation and restoration of their medical license, was debated more extensively. The sponsor said the bill preserves DEA discretion while allowing a second chance after a lengthy rehabilitation process; KMA had not taken a position. Several members explained their votes, and the bill ultimately passed. The committee then recorded votes on the day’s bills and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cook, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Representative Cook, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• I'm Harrison County 4-H for Delaney Cook.
• it's really incredible that Miss Cook it's really incredible that Miss Cook wants<00:19:26.840><
• ma'am representative cook ma'am representative cook yes<00:24:30.679> representative yes

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met with a large group of 4-H and FFA students and guests in attendance, and members repeatedly highlighted the importance of those youth programs to agriculture and future leadership. The committee first took up House Bill 356, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative. The sponsor explained that the substitute broadened the bill beyond hands-on farming to include agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning, while also lowering the starting age from 6 to 5, removing the requirement that participants have access to farmland, and changing the program into a pilot focused on urban youth. Testimony from a 4-H student and Kentucky 4-H leadership emphasized that the goal is to remove barriers and provide access to agriculture education for all youth, including those in urban areas. Several members spoke in support, noting the value of urban agriculture and youth exposure to the field, and one member asked whether urban community gardens would fit within the concept; the sponsor said the substitute was designed to allow that kind of access. The committee then voted unanimously to pass HB 356 as amended, and also approved a title amendment. After HB 356, the committee moved to House Bill 315, a foreign adversary land bill intended to limit certain foreign entities’ ability to purchase land in Kentucky. The sponsor said the bill was carried over from a prior version drafted by a former representative. The chair then recognized Tim Shank, general counsel for the Kentucky Bankers Association, who testified in opposition to the mechanics of Section 8 dealing with foreclosure. He said banks are already heavily regulated and must screen borrowers through federal systems such as FinCEN, and warned that the bill’s provisions could create problems for community banks that make agricultural loans and potentially limit access to credit if the issue became widespread. The transcript ends during discussion of HB 315, before any final committee action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a Polish Constitution Day dinner at the Polish Heritage Museum in Winona.
• It was a Polish Constitution Day dinner at the Polish Heritage Museum in Winona.
• It was a Polish Constitution Day dinner at the Polish Heritage Museum in Winona.
• It was a Polish Constitution Day dinner at the Polish Heritage Museum in Winona.
• It was a Polish Constitution Day dinner at the Polish Heritage Museum in Winona.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 183, the $280,000 per biennium appropriation for the Bell Museum, which was previously part of
• <00:24:59.600> which<00:24:59.840> was<00:25:00.000> previously the Bell Museum
• um which was previously the Bell Museum um which was previously part<00:25:00.559> of<00:25:00.640
• A reduction of $140,000 per year for the Bell Museum, the state's legislative-designated natural history
• museum, will have challenging impacts on their operations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• architectural drawing of the capital is architectural drawing of the capital is preserved at the Pratagon Museum
• and the preserved at the Pratagon Museum and the preserved at the Pratagon Museum and the circular canvaliered
• But at our um library, there is a museum at our um library, there is a museum at our um library, there
• is a museum that we have inside the Pratt library that we have inside the Pratt library that we have

Bills: SJR 12, SCR 39, SB 27, SB 29, SB 241, SB 406, SB 414, SB 464, SB 568, SB 578, SB 609, SB 660, SB 689, SB 693, SB 785, SB 857, SB 879, SB 921, SB 922, SB 955, SB 985, SB 993, SB 996, SB 1008, SB 1035, SB 1036, SB 1059, SB 1098, SB 1120, SB 1122, SB 1147, SB 1188, SB 1197, SB 1209, SB 1227, SB 1245, SB 1267, SB 1307, SB 1321, SB 1332, SB 1386, SB 1396, SB 1453, SB 1484, SB 1494, SB 1536, SB 1537, SB 1596, SB 1610, SB 1664, SB 1741, SB 1814, SB 1822, SB 1841, SB 1948, SB 2065, SB 2155, SB 2188, SB 2230, SB 2406, SB 2407, SJR 36, SJR 12, SJR 81, SJR 50, SCR 22, SCR 12, SCR 39, SB 406, SB 689, SB 765, SB 62, SB 666, SB 888, SB 687, SB 847, SB 1248, SB 504, SB 857, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 241, SB 304, SB 1023, SB 204, SB 609, SB 670, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 1539, SB 447, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 1215, SB 1302, SB 583, SB 673, SB 681, SB 1172, SB 955, SB 957, SB 1120, SB 541, SB 266, SB 1415, SB 53, SB 1352, SB 785, SB 1450, SB 1502, SB 1566, SB 414, SB 1062, SB 711, SB 746, SB 1404, SB 1448, SB 507, SB 1026, SB 1349, SB 1355, SB 1433, SB 1434, SB 1596, SB 1403, SB 667, SB 1059, SB 1567, SB 310, SB 311, SB 505, SB 1209, SB 1210, SB 1470, SB 264, SB 1029, SB 1358, SB 1364, SB 1569, SB 1376, SB 1228, SB 519, SB 1350, SB 462, SB 827, SB 1585, SB 1396, SB 1484, SB 1273, SB 1741, SB 927, SB 1227, SB 1229, SB 1353, SB 1464, SB 1709, SB 1729, SB 1733, SB 1744, SB 1772, SB 1841, SB 2188, SB 1147, SB 879, SB 1008, SB 1536, SB 2016, SB 1453, SB 1173, SB 1163, SB 996, SB 27, SB 568, SB 1370, SB 1321, SB 1101, SB 860, SB 993, SB 693, SB 1610, SB 1537, SB 1332, SB 1307, SB 963, SB 493, SB 922, SB 984, SB 619, SB 1098, SB 1122, SB 455, SB 522, SB 1057, SB 1239, SB 1254, SB 1255, SB 1259, SB 1341, SB 1664, SB 1877, SB 464, SB 1277, SB 32, SB 732, SB 660, SB 731, SB 921, SB 268, SB 1822, SB 1188, SB 1589, SB 397, SB 2230, SB 1058, SB 1036, SB 1267, SB 2112, SB 1930, SB 532, SB 1035, SB 2155, SB 508, SB 29, SB 292, SB 291, SB 901, SB 1333, SB 1436, SB 1494, SB 964, SB 779, SB 1378, SB 2312, SB 1719, SB 1386, SB 287, SB 2143, SB 1245, SB 261, SB 1247, SB 1948, SB 2406, SB 2407, SB 1882, SB 1197, SB 1814, SB 618, SB 38, SB 393, SB 2065, SB 1371, SB 1394, SB 1365, SB 2243, SB 2226, SB 2039, SB 1919, SB 1895, SB 1598, SB 1493, SB 1810, SB 1791, SB 1706, SB 1644, SB 1238, SB 783, SB 458, SB 22, SB 651, SB 897, SB 1809, SB 1080, SB 745, SB 826, SB 989, SB 1320, SB 1437, SB 2320, SB 2289, SB 1171, SB 664, SB 1637, SB 27, SB 29, SB 857, SB 879, SB 922, SB 1098, SB 1453, SB 1536, SB 1741, SB 2188, SB 2230, SB 406, SB 689, SJR 12, SR 358, SR 361, SR 362, SR 368, SJR 74, SJR 76, SB 2408, SB 2409, SB 2461, SB 2462, SB 2463, SB 2464, SB 2465, SB 2466, SB 2467, SB 2468, SB 2469, SB 2470, SB 2471, SB 2472, SB 2473, SB 2474, SB 2475, SB 2476, SB 2477, SB 2478, SB 2479, SB 2480, SB 2481, SB 2482, SB 2483, SB 2484, SB 2485, SB 2486, SB 2487, SB 2488, SB 2489, SB 2490, SB 2491, SB 2492, SB 2493, SB 2494, SB 2495, SB 2496, SB 2497, SB 2498, SB 2499, SB 2500, SB 2501, SB 2502, SB 2503, SB 2504, SB 2505, SB 2506, SB 2507, SB 2508, SB 2509, SB 2510, SB 2511, SB 2512, SB 2513, SB 2514, SB 2515, SB 2516, SB 2517, SB 2518, SB 2519, SB 2520, SB 2521, SB 2522, SB 2523, SB 2524, SB 2525, SB 2526, SB 2527, SB 2528, SB 2529, SB 2530, SB 2531, SB 2532, SB 2533, SB 2534, SB 2535, SB 2536, SB 2537, SB 2538, SB 2539, SB 2540, SB 2541, SB 2542, SB 2543, SB 2544, SB 2545, SB 2546, SB 2547, SB 2548, SB 2549, SB 2550, SB 2551, SB 2552, SB 2553, SB 2554, SB 2555, SB 2556, SB 2557, SB 2558, SB 2560, SB 2561, SB 2562, SB 2563, SB 2565, SB 2566, SB 2567, SB 2568, SB 2569, SB 2570, SB 2571, SB 2572, SB 2573, SB 2574, SB 2575, SB 2576, SB 2577, SB 2578, SB 2579, SB 2580, SB 2581, SB 2582, SB 2583, SB 2584, SB 2585, SB 2586, SB 2587, SB 2588, SB 2589, SB 2590, SB 2591, SB 2592, SB 2593, SB 2594, SB 2595, SB 2596, SB 2597, SB 2598, SB 2599, SB 2600, SB 2601, SB 2602, SB 2603, SB 2604, SB 2605, SB 2606, SB 2607, SB 2608, SB 2609, SB 2610, SB 2611, SB 2612, SB 2613, SB 2614, SB 2615, SB 2616, SB 2617, SB 2618, SB 2619, SB 2620, SB 2621, SB 2622, SB 2625, SB 2626, SB 2627, SB 2628, SB 2629, SB 2630, SB 2631, SB 2632, SB 2633, SB 2634, SB 2635, SB 2636, SB 2637, SB 2638, SB 2639, SB 2640, SB 2641, SB 2642, SB 2643, SB 2644, SB 2645, SB 2646, SB 2647, SB 2648, SB 2649, SB 2650, SB 2651, SB 2652, SB 2653, SB 2654, SB 2655, SB 2656, SB 2657, SB 2658, SB 2659, SB 2660, SB 2661, SB 2662, SB 2663, SB 2664, SB 2665, SB 2666, SB 2667, SB 2668, SB 2669, SB 2670, SB 2671, SB 2672, SB 2673, SB 2674, SB 2675, SB 2676, SB 2677, SB 2678, SB 2679, SB 2680, SB 2681, SB 2682, SB 2683, SB 2684, SB 2685, SB 2686, SB 2687, SB 2688, SB 2689, SB 2690, SB 2691, SB 2692, SB 2693, SB 2694, SB 2695, SB 2696, SB 2697, SB 2698, SB 2699, SB 2700, SB 2701, SB 2702, SB 2703, SB 2704, SB 2705, SB 2706, SB 2707, SB 2708, SB 2709, SB 2710, SB 2711, SB 2712, SB 2713, SB 2714, SB 2715, SB 2716, SB 2717, SB 2718, SB 2719, SB 2720, SB 2721, SB 2723, SB 2724, SB 2725, SB 2726, SB 2727, SB 2728, SB 2729, SB 2730, SB 2731, SB 2732, SB 2733, SB 2734, SB 2735, SB 2736, SB 2737, SB 2738, SB 2739, SB 2740, SB 2741, SB 2742, SB 2743, SB 2744, SB 2745, SB 2746, SB 2747, SB 2748, SB 2749, SB 2750, SB 2751, SB 2752, SB 2753, SB 2754, SB 2755, SB 2756, SB 2757, SB 2758, SB 2759, SB 2760, SB 2761, SB 2762, SB 2763, SB 2764, SB 2765, SB 2766, SB 2767, SB 2768, SB 2769, SB 2770, SB 2771, SB 2772, SB 2773, SB 2774, SB 2775, SB 2776, SB 2777, SB 2778, SB 2779, SB 2780, SB 2781, SB 2782, SB 2783, SB 2784, SB 2785, SB 2786, SB 2787, SB 2788, SB 2789, SB 2790, SB 2791, SB 2792, SB 2793, SB 2794, SB 2795, SB 2796, SB 2797, SB 2798, SB 2799, SB 2800, SB 2967, SB 3034, HJR 1, HJR 4, HB 9, HB 13, HB 22, HB 135, HB 143, HB 195, HB 908, HB 1392, SB 861, SB 1013, SJR 74, SJR 76, SB 2408, SB 2409, SB 2461, SB 2462, SB 2463, SB 2464, SB 2465, SB 2466, SB 2467, SB 2468, SB 2469, SB 2470, SB 2471, SB 2472, SB 2473, SB 2474, SB 2475, SB 2476, SB 2477, SB 2478, SB 2479, SB 2480, SB 2481, SB 2482, SB 2483, SB 2484, SB 2485, SB 2486, SB 2487, SB 2488, SB 2489, SB 2490, SB 2491, SB 2492, SB 2493, SB 2494, SB 2495, SB 2496, SB 2497, SB 2498, SB 2499, SB 2500, SB 2501, SB 2502, SB 2503, SB 2504, SB 2505, SB 2506, SB 2507, SB 2508, SB 2509, SB 2510, SB 2511, SB 2512, SB 2513, SB 2514, SB 2515, SB 2516, SB 2517, SB 2518, SB 2519, SB 2520, SB 2521, SB 2522, SB 2523, SB 2524, SB 2525, SB 2526, SB 2527, SB 2528, SB 2529, SB 2530, SB 2531, SB 2532, SB 2533, SB 2534, SB 2535, SB 2536, SB 2537, SB 2538, SB 2539, SB 2540, SB 2541, SB 2542, SB 2543, SB 2544, SB 2545, SB 2546, SB 2547, SB 2548, SB 2549, SB 2550, SB 2551, SB 2552, SB 2553, SB 2554, SB 2555, SB 2556, SB 2557, SB 2558, SB 2560, SB 2561, SB 2562, SB 2563, SB 2565, SB 2566, SB 2567, SB 2568, SB 2569, SB 2570, SB 2571, SB 2572, SB 2573, SB 2574, SB 2575, SB 2576, SB 2577, SB 2578, SB 2579, SB 2580, SB 2581, SB 2582, SB 2583, SB 2584, SB 2585, SB 2586, SB 2587, SB 2588, SB 2589, SB 2590, SB 2591, SB 2592, SB 2593, SB 2594, SB 2595, SB 2596, SB 2597, SB 2598, SB 2599, SB 2600, SB 2601, SB 2602, SB 2603, SB 2604, SB 2605, SB 2606, SB 2607, SB 2608, SB 2609, SB 2610, SB 2611, SB 2612, SB 2613, SB 2614, SB 2615, SB 2616, SB 2617, SB 2618, SB 2619, SB 2620, SB 2621, SB 2622, SB 2625, SB 2626, SB 2627, SB 2628, SB 2629, SB 2630, SB 2631, SB 2632, SB 2633, SB 2634, SB 2635, SB 2636, SB 2637, SB 2638, SB 2639, SB 2640, SB 2641, SB 2642, SB 2643, SB 2644, SB 2645, SB 2646, SB 2647, SB 2648, SB 2649, SB 2650, SB 2651, SB 2652, SB 2653, SB 2654, SB 2655, SB 2656, SB 2657, SB 2658, SB 2659, SB 2660, SB 2661, SB 2662, SB 2663, SB 2664, SB 2665, SB 2666, SB 2667, SB 2668, SB 2669, SB 2670, SB 2671, SB 2672, SB 2673, SB 2674, SB 2675, SB 2676, SB 2677, SB 2678, SB 2679, SB 2680, SB 2681, SB 2682, SB 2683, SB 2684, SB 2685, SB 2686, SB 2687, SB 2688, SB 2689, SB 2690, SB 2691, SB 2692, SB 2693, SB 2694, SB 2695, SB 2696, SB 2697, SB 2698, SB 2699, SB 2700, SB 2701, SB 2702, SB 2703, SB 2704, SB 2705, SB 2706, SB 2707, SB 2708, SB 2709, SB 2710, SB 2711, SB 2712, SB 2713, SB 2714, SB 2715, SB 2716, SB 2717, SB 2718, SB 2719, SB 2720, SB 2721, SB 2723, SB 2724, SB 2725, SB 2726, SB 2727, SB 2728, SB 2729, SB 2730, SB 2731, SB 2732, SB 2733, SB 2734, SB 2735, SB 2736, SB 2737, SB 2738, SB 2739, SB 2740, SB 2741, SB 2742, SB 2743, SB 2744, SB 2745, SB 2746, SB 2747, SB 2748, SB 2749, SB 2750, SB 2751, SB 2752, SB 2753, SB 2754, SB 2755, SB 2756, SB 2757, SB 2758, SB 2759, SB 2760, SB 2761, SB 2762, SB 2763, SB 2764, SB 2765, SB 2766, SB 2767, SB 2768, SB 2769, SB 2770, SB 2771, SB 2772, SB 2773, SB 2774, SB 2775, SB 2776, SB 2777, SB 2778, SB 2779, SB 2780, SB 2781, SB 2782, SB 2783, SB 2784, SB 2785, SB 2786, SB 2787, SB 2788, SB 2789, SB 2790, SB 2791, SB 2792, SB 2793, SB 2794, SB 2795, SB 2796, SB 2797, SB 2798, SB 2799, SB 2800, SB 2967, SB 3034, HJR 1, HJR 4, HB 9, HB 13, HB 22, HB 135, HB 143, HB 195, HB 908, HB 1392, SB 861, SB 1013

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chairman<00:00:52.559> Cook. >> Chairman Cook. >> Chairman Cook.
• >> Chairman<00:40:52.400> Cook, >> Chairman Cook, >> Chairman Cook, >>
• Chairman Cook, probably a good bill.
• , >> Chairman Cook, >> Chairman Cook, >> yes.<00:45:27.280> House<00:45:
• >> Chairman<00:48:12.960> Cook, >> Chairman Cook, >> Chairman Cook, >>

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 00:02 HB 526 Discussion 01:12 HB 526 Vote 37:51 HB 424 Discussion 41:41 HB 424 Vote 44:40 HB 459 Discussion 45:57 HB 459 Vote 47:26 Adjournment 48:21, 958, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 526, while House Bill 254 was removed from the agenda at the sponsor’s request. HB 526 would make bar membership and dues voluntary for Kentucky attorneys, and the sponsor argued it protects constitutional rights, prevents compelled association, and would not stop the Kentucky Supreme Court or Kentucky Bar Association from offering services such as CLE, ethics support, and lawyer assistance programs. He also argued Kentucky lawyers should not be forced to fund speech or activities they may disagree with, and urged passage of the bill. Representatives of the Kentucky Bar Association, including its president and the chair of the Young Lawyers Division, opposed the bill. They said the KBA is an arm of the Supreme Court rather than a private association, and that mandatory dues support nonpolitical services such as free continuing legal education, legal research, the Kentucky Lawyers Assistance Program, ethics guidance, mentorship, disaster relief work, and the Legal Food Frenzy. They warned that changing to a voluntary system would reduce infrastructure, increase costs for lawyers, and potentially shift more regulatory and service burdens to the Supreme Court. Members questioned whether the bill would actually prevent the KBA from continuing its programs and asked about other states’ bar structures. The sponsor and supporters pointed to Indiana and other states with voluntary bar membership, while KBA witnesses said Kentucky’s current system is efficient and constitutional and that many services are not truly free but are funded through dues. The discussion became heated at points over whether KBA testimony itself constituted political speech, and the chair intervened to keep the meeting moving. The transcript ends during member questions, with no final vote on HB 526 shown.