Transcript Highlights:

• >> Well,<00:55:13.760> Star<00:55:14.000> Valley<00:55:14.319> High<00:55:
• I'm<00:55:15.200> going<00:55:15.280> to<00:55:15.359> let<00:55:15.440> these
• /c><01:55:17.840> I<01:55:18.239> just<01:55:18.480> needed<01:55:18.800> to<
• stand and<01:55:20.800> um<01:55:21.520> and<01:55:21.760> ask<01:55:22.000>
• It<01:55:24.400> seems<01:55:24.639> to<01:55:25.040> I<01:55:25.360> have

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It showed a great need in all 55 counties throughout the state.
• methodology that showed that there was a great need of care for in-home personal care services in all 55
• The bill is introduced to enact a Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which has been enacted by five
• The bill is introduced an act as a respiratory care interstate compact which has been enacted.
• The bill is introduced to enact the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which has been enacted by five

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the March 5, 2026 minutes, and then took up several health- and human-services-related bills. House Bill 5086, concerning peer support programs for covered caregivers, was explained as creating training and testimonial privilege protections; the committee adopted an amendment clarifying that boards may still require participation in a board-designated professional health program, and then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass. House Bill 5004, an educational bill on PANS and PANDAS, was supported by the sponsor, who described his family’s experience and the importance of earlier diagnosis; it was reported to the Senate without amendment. House Bill 5327, which would require the Department of Human Services to create an ALS services program, also received supportive testimony from the sponsor and members, but the transcript reflects the bill being reported as House Bill 537; it was moved forward without amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 5096, which would remove personal care and intellectual/developmental disability waiver services from certificate-of-need review. The sponsor argued the change would reduce regulatory burden and expand access, while a county aging-program director testified that certificate-of-need revenues help fund senior meals and services and that eliminating the requirement would reduce important support for aging providers. After a division vote, the motion to report the bill failed 3-9. House Bill 4695, allowing PEIA patients to switch to an alternative medically appropriate covered treatment without new prior authorization if it costs no more than the original treatment, was explained as carrying an estimated $13 million annual cost to PEIA and was reported to the Senate. The committee also advanced House Bill 5582, enacting the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, after discussion of a committee amendment removing a new-background-check-at-initial-licensure provision; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported. Another House Bill 5582, concerning the TANF drug screening program, was described as removing the sunset date and allowing oral fluid testing in addition to urine samples; it too was reported. Finally, House Bill 5466 renamed the batterer intervention program as an abuse intervention program and allowed live synchronous virtual delivery with an in-person option; the sponsor said the change would expand access statewide, and the bill was reported to the Senate. The committee then adjourned.

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63, SB 3

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63, SB 3

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:31.680> I've<00:55:31.920> been<00:55:32.079> working<00:55:32.240>
• our<00:55:37.440> communities<00:55:37.920> for<00:55:38.160> about<00:55
• <00:55:46.319> by<00:55:46.480> a<00:55:46.640> 50%<00:55:47.119> rate
• ,<00:55:56.799> um<00:55:56.960> has<00:55:57.280> not<00:55:57.440> been
• <00:55:58.720> adequate<00:55:59.280> to<00:55:59.520> make<00:55:59.680>

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• bill good morning chair Hall and members of the committee HB 141 is an effort to adopt a revised interstate
• The original ICPC framework has become outdated, leading to delays in placement and interstate coordination
• That the existence of the interstate compact is really around efficiency and Really, this is a cost-saving
• understanding is that there's really no change because her private adoptions to day go through the interstate

Bills: HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215, HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• section 41 do not apply to any licens... 1982 do not apply to any license requirement imposed by the interstate

Bills: HB43, SB81, SB178, SB138, SB89, SB183, HB27, HB188, HB199, HB190, SB117, HB43, HB27

Keywords: criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, custodial sexual misconduct, sexual misconduct, inmate abuse, prisoner exploitation, correctional staff, jail staff, detention center, probation officer, parole officer, Department of Corrections, Department of Youth Services, sheriff, county jail, municipal jail

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the recent reconstruction of Interstate 40, the critical Appalachian artery between North Carolina
• interstate crossing, which is another really important project.
• Boulevard, NFHWA. $102 million for Caltrans, $56 million for SJV, Air Pollution Control District, $55
• Roadways in Arizona, and part of what we call the future Interstate 11 between Phoenix and Las Vegas.
• There's also the replacement of four bridges on Interstate 40 in northern Arizona that were not built

Keywords: surface transportation, infrastructure reauthorization, bipartisan collaboration, safety, federal programs, funding challenges, bureaucracy, transportation needs, critical projects, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the development of the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. Discussions centered around key principles aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the transportation network, reforming federal programs for efficiency, and addressing the diverse transportation needs across various states. Members emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration to streamline processes, eliminate bureaucratic delays, and ensure timely funding for critical infrastructure projects. There were also notable conversations about specific projects and funding challenges, reflecting the urgency for action and commitment to modernizing America's infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• As<00:55:03.920> I'm<00:55:04.160> not<00:55:04.240> the<00:55:04.480> sponsor
• look<00:55:07.920> at<00:55:08.079> this<00:55:08.319> bill<00:55:08.640
• <00:55:11.119> I<00:55:11.359> know<00:55:11.520> that<00:55:11.680> we
• ><00:55:21.760> state<00:55:22.079> as<00:55:23.440> it<00:55:23.760> has
• work<00:55:34.480> through<00:55:34.720> it<00:55:34.960> with<00:55:35.119

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What's<00:55:14.840> your<00:55:14.960> best<00:55:15.640> estimate,<00:55:16.520
• <00:55:39.760> I<00:55:39.880> would<00:55:40.040> say<00:55:40.200> more
• <00:55:40.480> so<00:55:41.040> uh<00:55:41.120> more<00:55:41.320> than
• Um I<00:55:43.080> would<00:55:43.320> say<00:55:43.680> probably<00:55:44.280><
• Uh<00:55:56.600> when<00:55:56.760> it<00:55:56.840> comes<00:55:57.080> to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:10.319> That<00:55:11.520> kind<00:55:11.760> of<00:55:12.240> that
• But uh<00:55:18.240> anyway,<00:55:18.800> I<00:55:18.960> would<00:55:19.280>
• 55:41.679> where<01:55:42.400> a<01:55:42.800> lot<01:55:42.960> of<01:55
• :55:48.080> in<01:55:48.320> at<01:55:48.480> a<01:55:48.639> much<01:55:
• <02:55:36.399> 18<02:55:36.960> I<02:55:37.520> 42.<02:55:38.240> No.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is<00:55:57.760> that<00:55:58.240> Is<00:55:58.360> that<00:55:58.560> the
• c><00:55:58.600> way<00:55:58.720> I'm<00:55:58.800> reading<00:55:59.160> it
• Some<01:55:48.200> youth<01:55:48.360> have<01:55:48.480> also<01:55:48.720>
• <01:55:57.120> It<01:55:57.240> caught<01:55:57.440> fire<01:55:58.360> and
• <01:55:59.280> get<01:55:59.560> it<01:55:59.720> out<01:55:59.880> of

Bills: HB2323, HB2324, HB1509, HB2164, HB2165, HB2367, HB2619, HB1765, HB2187, HB1864, HB1452, HB2314, HB1898, HB2558, HB2319, HB1643, HB2121

Keywords: workers' compensation, treatment plans, vocational rehabilitation, electronic submission, reporting requirements, occupational safety, hoisting machines, discrimination protection, Department of Labor, safety standards, treatment plan, injured worker, medical treatment authorization, employer response deadline, secure electronic transmission, facsimile, fax, mail submission, denial of care, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard several administration bills related largely to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. On HB 2323 HD1, which would modernize workers’ compensation notice and filing procedures, DLIR and other agencies testified in support of the original bill language but said HD1 removed key components and weakened the bill’s clarity and continuity. HB 2324 HD1, which would repeal state hoisting-machine certification requirements and the separate crane operator certificate, drew support from DLIR; members asked about whether the change would affect safety or local operators, and DLIR said OSHA-compliant certifications already exist and the union supported the change. HB 1509 HD1, which would require faster employer responses to treatment plans and impose penalties for nonresponse, received support from DLIR and others, while DHRD said it wanted an amendment. The committee also took up HB 2164 HD1 on compounded prescription drugs in workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill as a way to define compounded drugs and curb inflated pricing, but DHRD and a medical provider opposed it and asked for amendments. Testimony focused heavily on whether the definition should include 503B compounding facilities and whether physician dispensing should be limited to the first 30 days after injury. HB 2165 HD1, dealing with unemployment insurance eligibility and removing the two-year limit on recouping overpayments, was supported by DLIR but opposed by Unite Here Local 5, which argued it would make it harder for striking workers and other claimants. Members questioned the impact of changing reporting deadlines from calendar days to business days and raised concerns about future benefit offsets; DLIR said the bill was needed for federal conformity and that the committee would revisit the offset percentage and effective date. Later, the committee heard HB 2367 on pay transparency, requiring salary ranges in job postings and removing the small-employer exemption. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and an individual testifier supported the bill, saying pay transparency promotes fairness, trust, and pay equity; one testifier described being underpaid compared with a predecessor and said posting ranges would save applicants’ time. HB 2619 HD1, concerning homemade food products and farm kitchens, received generally supportive comments from the Department of Health, which requested an amendment to preserve flexibility in future rulemaking. HB 1765 HD1, on spear-fishing safety warnings, drew support from a safety educator and comments from DLNR; supporters said warning labels would help prevent hypoxic blackout deaths and were low-cost and easy to implement. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 55, an act relating to the rights of parents. Representative Fister.
• House Bill 55, an act relating to the rights of parents. Representative Fister.
• House Bill 55, an act relating to the rights of parents. Representative Fister.
• House Bill 55, an act relating to the rights of parents. Representative Fister.
• House Bill 55, an act relating to the rights of parents. Representative Fister.

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 01:02 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 07:51 Stand at Ease 11:46 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 26:33 Adjournment 46:41, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 98 members present. The chamber approved the journal from January 6, excused absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. No committee reports, second readings, or orders of the day were needed. During announcements, a member invited colleagues to a Welcome Back to Frankfurt reception and the House adopted a citation honoring Michael Dean Hilton, with remarks noting his long career in Kentucky politics and lobbying. The House also adopted a citation recognizing Hank Parker. The clerk reported a large number of new filings, including House Bills 35 through 230 and several resolutions and constitutional amendments covering topics such as education, taxes, health care, firearms, housing, labor, elections, agriculture, public safety, and retirement systems. Among the measures introduced were bills on scholarship eligibility, respiratory care, retirement benefits, alcohol licensure, public notices, school curriculum, privacy protection, medical billing, housing, firearms-related issues, Medicaid expansion, cannabis, wage transparency, and healthcare price transparency. Resolutions included one recognizing election principles in Kentucky, one honoring victims of UPS Airlines Flight 2976 and responders, and others on political violence, memorial highways, law enforcement support, and ALS awareness. No substantive votes on legislation occurred beyond the citation adoptions and routine procedural approvals, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other states<00:55:11.680> have<00:55:12.640> on<00:55:13.040> in<00:55:13.359><
• :55:16.000> it<00:55:16.240> is<00:55:16.480> indicative<00:55:17.359> of
• was um the national discrepancy was um the national interstate<00:55:46.160> council<00:55:46.800
• > had<00:55:47.119> sent<00:55:47.359> out<00:55:47.599> requests interstate
• council had sent out requests interstate council had sent out requests for<00:55:48.400> subject<

Keywords: Public Health - Room 216, 27 January, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3, a Medicaid and certificate-of-need measure described as a revised version of a bill vetoed by the governor the previous year. The bill would remove a prohibition on a psychiatric residential treatment facility in one county from Medicaid participation, add 20 beds for a Madison County facility, allow crossover status for a Harrison County hospital, require MC to obtain a certificate of need for facilities outside the original Jackson campus area, increase capital expenditure limits, and remove the provision the governor had objected to. Members discussed whether the bill was really a study item or a substantive new requirement, especially a provision tied to acute adult psychiatric units treating uninsured patients or paying a fee. The chair explained the policy concern as preventing “cherry-picking” of insured patients and shifting more uncompensated care to public facilities. The committee voted that the title was sufficient and the ayes appeared to have it, then voted to rise and report. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2453, a clarifying bill on window tinting/glazing exemptions. The sponsor explained that current law requires a physician’s affidavit for an exception, and the bill would clarify that licensed optometrists, along with physicians, may sign the affidavit for people whose eyes are sensitive to light. After brief questions, the committee again voted that the title was sufficient and the ayes appeared to have it. The chair said the two bills were being moved quickly to the docket room for processing and that the committee would reconvene immediately afterward. The final portion of the meeting was a hearing on Senate Bill 2566 involving the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. The chair explained that the hearing was prompted by complaints from last session about inspectors being overly aggressive, fines for technical violations, and delays or problems with licensing. Board representatives said the newly appointed board had met for the first time, elected officers, and intended to focus on workforce development, easing burdens on the industry, and protecting public health and safety. They said the board had already restored prior passing scores for exams, adjusted work-permit timing to help students, reviewed contracts and staffing, and planned further meetings. Members and the chair discussed possible legislative changes, including mobile barber establishments, reducing fines, and extending license terms from two years to three years, with the chair asking the board to work with Senator Johnson on amendments before the deadline.

Transcript Highlights:

• :55:19.920> study<01:55:20.400> and<01:55:20.639> yes,<01:55:20.880> I'll
• If<01:55:23.360> you<01:55:24.560> motion,<01:55:24.880> I<01:55:25.040> want
• <01:55:25.280> to<01:55:25.440> pass<01:55:25.679> whoever If you motion, I
• So<01:55:28.719> we<01:55:28.880> have<01:55:29.119> it's<01:55:29.679> nothing
• It's<01:55:33.599> back<01:55:33.840> to<01:55:34.000> the<01:55:34.159> drawing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > the<00:55:32.400> production<00:55:32.800> volume<00:55:33.119> to<00:55
• :34.079> on<00:55:34.240> site<00:55:34.480> via<00:55:34.720> rail<00:55
• <00:55:45.040> This<00:55:45.280> project<00:55:45.520> will<00:55:45.760>
• This<00:55:51.839> project<00:55:52.160> provides<00:55:52.480> a<00:55:52.640><
• So<00:55:57.760> information<00:55:58.160> about<00:55:58.319> each<00:55:58.559

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:20 Road Projects 46:30 Approval of Minutes 46:50 Railroads 57:26 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum, so it could not approve the minutes. The chair announced an Eastern Kentucky University health forum later that day and then proceeded with testimony on alternative delivery methods for road projects. Jason Sawala of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Chad Laroo of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors were sworn in and introduced themselves. Sawala explained KYTC’s use of alternative delivery tools, including design-build, construction manager/general contractor (CMGC), and public-private partnerships (P3s). He said the cabinet’s goal is to deliver the best value to taxpayers in terms of quality, cost, and time, and emphasized that alternative delivery is most useful on projects with special circumstances such as innovation needs, specialized technology, complex constructibility, schedule pressure, or early contractor input. He cited the cabinet’s wrong-way driving prevention project as an example where design-build helped evaluate technologies and coordinate with stakeholders such as EMS and first responders. He also outlined the main tradeoffs: alternative delivery can improve collaboration and sometimes accelerate schedules, but it also brings risks related to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, changing scope, and the need for dedicated staff and compressed decision-making. He stressed that these methods are not a cure-all and are not appropriate for every project, while noting that traditional design-bid-build remains effective for most of KYTC’s work. Representative Branscum responded favorably, saying early contractor involvement is valuable and consistent with his experience in the vertical construction world. No votes or formal actions were taken because the committee lacked a quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• :55:06.000> and<00:55:06.240> we're<00:55:06.480> we're<00:55:06.800> just
• So, the ugly question<00:55:10.000> is,<00:55:10.240> is<00:55:10.400> it<00:55:
• :55:15.599> I<00:55:15.920> don't<00:55:16.079> think<00:55:16.160> that<
• that was<00:55:16.720> part<00:55:16.880> of<00:55:17.040> the<00:55:17.200>
• 00:55:19.440> just<00:55:19.680> I<00:55:19.920> just<00:55:20.079> throwing<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two is $155,000 to the Mid-South Soybean Board for interstate collaboration on research projects
• These are persons who are 55 or older who volunteer their time to serve in community engagement projects
• These are persons who are 55 or older who volunteer their time to serve in community engagement projects
• This is an amended contract to continue home studies for foster, adoptive, interstate compact on placement
• This is an amended contract to continue the agreement for home studies for foster, adoptive, interstate

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of appropriation, transfer, contract, and other review items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests in Sections B through F, including funding for prosecuting attorneys, education-related adjustments, school operating needs, labor licensing divisions, ARPA fund returns from Workforce Services, IIJA grants for state police CDL implementation and a forestry-related county grant, reserve fund transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic development, and a Commerce reallocation tied to organizational realignment. Cash fund requests in Section G and budget classification transfers in Section H were also reviewed, along with pay plan requests in Section I, overtime requests in Section J, and multiple methods of finance in Section K. The committee also reviewed discretionary grants in Section L, including agriculture promotion board grants and DHS aging/adult behavioral health grants, plus RFQs, construction contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and out-of-state contracts in Sections M1 through M5. Several items drew questions from members. Workforce Services explained that $225,000 in TANF-related funds would be returned to the federal government because the two-year hold period for uncashed or moved checks had expired. Commerce officials described the $25 million site infrastructure grant program, saying it supports site development, due diligence, and infrastructure build-out at eligible sites of 30 acres or more, including rural communities, with grant agreements and matching requirements providing accountability. DHS and Education officials answered questions about the Care Solace mental health referral contract, saying it is a statewide concierge/referral service that helps schools connect students to Arkansas providers and follow up so students do not fall through the cracks; members asked for more information on provider selection, school-day scheduling, and Arkansas vendor participation. The committee held one item over: the DHS discretionary grant item for the RSVP retired senior volunteer program in L2, after concerns were raised about whether state general revenue was being used effectively and how much administrative overhead the providers retain. Members also questioned several contracts, including a DHS sole-source contract with EMSLink for document management software and a DHS bridge contract with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care for Medicaid inspections of care reviews; in both cases, agency staff explained the need to avoid service disruption and said follow-up information would be provided. A Department of Corrections reentry center contract was discussed for its recidivism results, and ARDOT retirement-system investment contracts were briefly explained. The meeting ended after a lengthy discussion of the Medicaid Trust Fund balance, with DFA and DHS officials saying the state is expected to finish the fiscal year without exhausting the fund, that a restricted reserve of $100 million is available as a backstop, and that the larger question is what minimum balance should be maintained going forward.