Transcript Highlights:

• :23.280><c> the</c><01:02:23.440><c> fear</c><01:02:23.760><c> that</c><01:02:23.920><c> that</c><01:
• So we<01:02:28.240><c> have</c><01:02:28.480><c> talked</c><01:02:28.799><c> about</c><01:02:29.359><
• :32.640><c> secondary</c><01:02:33.200><c> act</c><01:02:33.839><c> after</c><01:02:34.160><c> we</c>
• We expect that that<01:02:37.440><c> will</c><01:02:37.760><c> be</c><01:02:37.920><c> completed</c><
• 01:02:38.319><c> by</c><01:02:38.559><c> the</c><01:02:38.720><c> end</c><01:02:38.880><c> of</c> That

Transcript Highlights:

• welcome special guests or provide<00:02:01.840><c> recognition</c><00:02:02.240><c> today?
• Okay,<00:02:05.119><c> seeing</c><00:02:05.439><c> none,</c><00:02:06.799><c> uh</c><00:02:06.960><c>
• ,<00:02:07.840><c> the</c><00:02:08.080><c> only</c><00:02:08.160><c> item</c><00:02:08.399><c> on</c
• <00:02:09.280><c> today</c><00:02:09.679><c> is</c><00:02:10.000><c> House</c><00:02:10.319><c> Bill<
• /c><00:02:10.800><c> 534</c><00:02:12.080><c> sponsored</c> >> And uh Rep.

Summary: The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met to consider House Bill 534, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson, with a committee substitute. Johnson said the bill was the product of interim work with the Secretary of State’s office, the State Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and other stakeholders, and that the committee substitute folded in several election-administration changes. He highlighted provisions clarifying the timeline for felony voter-roll removals, allowing the Board of Elections to work with federal agencies to identify non-citizens on the voter rolls, creating a process for those individuals to prove citizenship and vote provisionally, and changing some KREF board appointments. He also described technical campaign-finance changes and said some provisions might still be adjusted through floor amendments. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, timing, and voter privacy. Rep. Bivens questioned the cost and whether the bill could affect voter records; Johnson responded that the bill itself did not require new equipment or broad new spending, though a special election in a local government failure scenario could create costs. Rep. Hancock and Rep. Marzian argued the bill could create unnecessary burdens on county clerks and questioned whether there was a demonstrated problem to justify the changes. The county clerks’ association, through Rockcastle County Clerk Danetta Ford Allen, opposed the bill as introduced, warning that citizenship checks could wrongly remove eligible voters, that online ballot images or cast vote records could threaten voter privacy and facilitate vote buying, and that the emergency clause would force major changes too close to the May primary. Johnson defended the bill as a targeted response to a real local election failure and said the citizenship data sharing would be limited to name, date of birth, and Social Security number. He also explained that the ballot-image language was permissive and intended to let counties explore emerging technology, but he was open to removing that section or changing the effective date in a floor amendment. He further said he would consider preserving gubernatorial appointments to KREF with Senate oversight instead of shifting appointments to legislative leaders. After discussion, the committee voted 9-2 with one pass to report the bill out, with several members explaining yes votes as support for moving the bill forward while expecting further cleanup, and no votes citing cost, timing, and voter-access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last legislative session, there actually was a civil penalty that was drawn into the statute.
• Our statute is a little bit more broad than the federal statute.
• Ohio has another grooming statute.
• Ohio has another grooming statute.
• When that scenario happened, it was in Minnesota. And yes, that individual was. Okay.

Committee: Joint Protection and Victim Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><01:02:06.000><c> move</c><01:02:06.200><c> on</c><01:02:06.440><c> to</c><01:02:06.640><c
• :02:09.400><c> to</c><01:02:09.520><c> lead</c><01:02:09.680><c> materials</c><01:02:10.120><c> in</c
• This<01:02:12.080><c> measure</c><01:02:12.320><c> would</c><01:02:12.440><c> amend</c><01:02:12.720>
• </c><01:02:13.520><c> the</c><01:02:13.640><c> use</c><01:02:13.880><c> of</c><01:02:14.000><c> lead<
• and we<01:02:33.840><c> stand</c><01:02:34.160><c> on</c><01:02:34.280><c> our</c><01:02:34.400><c>

Bills: SB3326

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several states, including Florida, Kentucky, and Indiana, have clarified this in statute, and others
• I recently spoke to a woman in Minnesota awaiting a bone marrow transplant.
• accidentally destroys your blood or mismatches it or something, you do not have a legal recourse under this statute

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Their positions are described in statute, and one of them is that of a cattleman and rancher.
• violates this prohibition is guilty of a classified felony and provides relevant definitions to the statute
• It's Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska

Committee: House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Committee on Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs began with member and staff introductions, then heard a committee of reference presentation from the Arizona Beef Council. The council described its checkoff-funded promotion, education, and research work for Arizona beef producers, including consumer education, classroom materials, nutrition tours, and social media outreach. After questions about the funding structure and what would happen if the council were not continued, the committee voted to recommend continuation of the Arizona Beef Council for eight years, until July 1, 2034, by voice vote. The committee then considered HB 2155, which also continued the Arizona Beef Council for eight years. Members discussed the purpose of the council and the use of checkoff dollars, and the bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-1 vote. HB 2156, which appropriated money to the livestock compensation fund for wolf depredation losses, was amended to set the amount at $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 and then passed 5-2, with supporters emphasizing rancher compensation and opponents raising concerns about transparency, conflicts of interest, and whether the fund had fully used prior appropriations. HB 2162, requiring at least one Arizona Game and Fish Commission member to be a cattleman or rancher, drew testimony both for and against. Supporters argued ranchers deserve direct representation on wildlife policy, while opponents said ranchers already have influence through the appointment process and that the commission should represent broader public interests. The chair ultimately announced he would hold the bill rather than advance it at that time. The committee then passed HB 2762, which requires disclaimers on cultivated-cell food products, on a 5-3 vote after debate over federal labeling rules and consumer transparency, and HB 2791, which bans the sale of cell-cultured protein and makes violations a felony, also on a 5-3 vote after testimony about innovation, consumer choice, and concerns about the product’s safety and impact on traditional agriculture. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the only way to govern effectively to make Minnesota a state where everyone can flourish and where
• Paul, Minnesota. Wednesday, May 7th, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh without objection<00:02:44.239><c> certainly</c><00:02:44.480><c> we</c><00:02:44.640><c> will</c>
• the<00:02:46.000><c> uh</c><00:02:46.160><c> reverend's</c><00:02:46.720><c> invocation.
• Thank you for<00:02:47.920><c> being</c><00:02:48.160><c> here</c><00:02:48.400><c> with</c><00:02:48.560
• All right.<00:02:50.560><c> Has</c><00:02:50.800><c> everyone</c><00:02:51.440><c> recorded</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:56.160><c> The</c><00:02:56.400><c> clerk</c><00:02:56.800><c> will</c><00:02:57.120><c> take

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Reverend Carissa Serber, and journalized her remarks. Members then welcomed several guests and groups in the gallery, including Maryland Community Action Partnership advocates, Cecil College students and Dr. Mary Bolt, Cecil County Executive Adam Strait, the Maryland Association of Justice, Faith Baptist School students, and several interns and staff members. The chamber also introduced Senate Bill 585 and a bond initiative for the Active Achievers Youth Center, both of which were referred to the appropriate committees or subcommittees. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 255, the Voting Rights Act of 2026 for counties and municipal corporations. Senators questioned the bill’s scope, especially whether it would affect county commissioner election methods, who could bring suit, what “vote dilution” means, and whether the measure was tied to district maps or candidate filings. The sponsor explained that the bill creates a state framework for the federal Voting Rights Act, provides standing rather than a remedy, and applies when a protected class believes its vote has been diluted; political party was said not to be a protected class. The committee amendment was adopted without objection, and the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading. On third reading, Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 29 passed with constitutional majorities. Senate Bill 93 also passed. Senate Bill 141, dealing with election misinformation, disinformation, and deep fakes, was moved back to second reader for a technical amendment and then special ordered to Tuesday. The Senate also held a lighthearted recorded vote on Seahawks versus Patriots, with the Seahawks winning 28 to 8, and then received committee scheduling announcements for upcoming hearings and voting sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dear<00:02:56.720><c> President</c><00:02:57.120><c> Ferguson,</c><00:02:57.880><c> I'm</c><00:02:58.120
• ><c> writing</c><00:02:58.400><c> to</c> Dear President Ferguson, I'm writing to Dear President Ferguson
• , I'm writing to inform<00:02:58.920><c> you</c><00:02:59.000><c> of</c><00:02:59.120><c> the</c><00:
• 02:59.240><c> intent</c><00:02:59.720><c> to</c><00:02:59.760><c> withdraw</c><00:03:00.360><c> an</c

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:02.280><c> well</c><00:02:02.520><c> as</c><00:02:02.760><c> our</c><00:02:03.160><c> uh</c><00
• :02:03.640><c> ways</c><00:02:03.880><c> and</c><00:02:04.000><c> means</c> Okay, so we will move on
• &gt;&gt; Um<00:02:54.240><c> Senator,</c><00:02:54.520><c> I</c><00:02:54.600><c> believe</c><00:02:54.880
• And<00:02:57.720><c> in</c><00:02:57.920><c> that</c><00:02:58.280><c> bill</c><00:02:58.600><c> it</
• c><00:02:58.840><c> is</c><00:02:59.239><c> uh</c><00:02:59.560><c> the</c><00:02:59.680><c> disaster

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:

• > to</c><00:02:02.000><c> experience</c><00:02:02.800><c> what</c><00:02:03.040><c> a</c><00:02:03.120
• </c><00:02:04.560><c> So,</c><00:02:04.880><c> it's</c><00:02:05.120><c> a</c><00:02:05.280><c> it</c
• So,<00:02:09.080><c> everybody</c><00:02:09.479><c> just</c><00:02:09.720><c> make</c><00:02:09.960><
• Any<00:02:16.040><c> other</c><00:02:16.200><c> members</c><00:02:16.520><c> have</c><00:02:16.640><c
• Seeing<00:02:20.360><c> none,</c><00:02:20.560><c> we</c><00:02:20.680><c> will</c><00:02:21.040><c>

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:48.200><c> efficient</c><00:02:48.720><c> use</c><00:02:48.959><c> of</c><00:02:49.080><c> our
• <c> here</c><00:02:50.160><c> this</c><00:02:50.400><c> morning</c><00:02:50.880><c> is</c><00:02:51.160
• is just would just<00:02:51.959><c> be</c><00:02:52.200><c> for</c><00:02:52.320><c> me</c><00:02:52.440
• 02:53.880><c> him</c><00:02:54.600><c> and</c><00:02:54.800><c> let</c><00:02:55.040><c> him</c><00:02
• &gt;&gt; Thank<00:02:59.640><c> you,</c><00:02:59.720><c> Dr.</c><00:02:59.920><c> Hood.

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the July 15 minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Matthew Holder and Dr. Henry Hood of the Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville. The clinic serves people with complex intellectual and developmental disabilities through a transdisciplinary model that combines medical, dental, behavioral, psychiatric, therapy, and other services under one roof. The presenters argued that this population is large-cost but small in number, often receives little provider training, and is vulnerable to diagnostic overshadowing, overmedication, and missed medical or dental problems. The clinic reported that in Tennessee, payer data showed average costs of about $5,200 per member per month before clinic involvement, with a 44% reduction in overall health care spending after patients were seen, including lower emergency room use, inpatient admissions, and prescription use. They said those savings were measured by the payer, not the clinic, and that the savings accrued to Medicaid or managed care payers rather than the clinic itself. They also shared a case example of a patient who had been placed on hospice but improved after diagnosis and treatment at the clinic. Patient and parent satisfaction were described as very high, generally above 95%. The clinic asked for roughly $5 million to expand into Northern Kentucky, estimating 500 to 700 patients would use the new site and projecting annual savings of about $13 million to $19 million once mature. Members asked about the budget, startup and operating costs, where the savings go, and whether the clinic had considered taking full risk or another value-based model. Senator Meredith and others encouraged the clinic to explore an accountable care or risk-based arrangement, while the presenters said they were open to that discussion but had not pursued it yet. The exchange ended with follow-up questions about the clinic’s overall budget structure and public-private funding mix.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> you</c><00:02:05.000><c> for</c><00:02:05.240><c> the</c><00:02:05.439><c> opportunity</c><00:02
• :07.200><c> house</c><00:02:07.520><c> bill</c><00:02:07.880><c> 14</c><00:02:08.560><c> now</c><00:02
• valuable<00:02:28.519><c> piece</c><00:02:28.800><c> to</c><00:02:29.000><c> school</c><00:02:29.360
• :32.640><c> I'm</c><00:02:32.800><c> sorry</c><00:02:33.160><c> we</c><00:02:33.319><c> even</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:35.760><c> it's</c><00:02:35.959><c> the</c><00:02:36.200><c> society</c><00:02:36.720><c>

Summary: The House Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first took up House Bill 14, which would establish Alyssa’s Law in Kentucky public schools. The bill, as amended by committee substitute, would allow districts to implement wearable panic alert systems for school staff beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Sponsor Rep. Kevin Jackson and supporters described the system as a silent badge/button that can alert school offices, 911, first responders, and other personnel, with different button sequences for different emergencies. Testimony from Lori Alade, Alyssa’s mother and founder of Make Our Schools Safe, emphasized that “time equals life” and said the technology can help in active threats, medical emergencies, weather events, and other urgent situations. Students from St. Margaret Mary’s Kentucky Youth Assembly also supported the bill, citing the Georgia school shooting response as an example of how such systems can save lives. Members asked about vendor neutrality, costs, training, and whether the system could be used off campus; sponsors said the bill is intended to be vendor neutral, estimated statewide costs ranged from about $2 million to $6 million, training would be provided before the school year, and they would follow up on the off-campus question. The committee approved HB 14 with the committee substitute attached. The committee then reconsidered and approved House Bill 48, a cleanup measure related to school reporting requirements. The substitute was described as addressing department concerns about eliminating certain reporting forms while preserving district flexibility and reducing burdensome reporting. It would allow schools to maintain or use alternative reporting methods, provide KDE a timeline and guidelines for reporting on Cognia software used for CPS and C-dips, and require a written report to the LRC describing reporting requirements imposed on public schools and districts, with items not reapproved by the legislature sunsetting in 2026. The bill passed the committee with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 190, as amended by committee substitute, which would shift the measure from a planning-and-action bill to a planning-only bill for advanced coursework and codify some gifted-student regulations. Rep. Duvall and Dr. Julia Link Roberts of WKU said the bill is intended to expand opportunities for high-potential students by requiring districts to set policies on advanced coursework or accelerated learning options for grades 4 through 12. The substitute changes the standard from “proficient” to “distinguished,” allows districts flexibility in how they implement the policies, and may require automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished, with opt-out provisions and a principal exception if coursework conflicts with career pathways or CTE access. Members discussed how the proposal differs from current advanced programs, the broader inclusion of students, and district variation in available opportunities. No final vote on HB 190 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Reservations<01:02:13.040><c> and</c><01:02:13.280><c> permission</c><01:02:13.599><c> to</c
• &gt;&gt; So<01:02:17.920><c> ordered.</c><01:02:18.240><c> Representative</c><01:02:18.720><c> Alos.
• &gt;&gt; Uh,<01:02:52.559><c> thank</c><01:02:52.720><c> you,</c><01:02:52.880><c> Madam</c><01:02:53.280
• &gt;&gt; Uh,<01:02:56.799><c> this</c><01:02:56.960><c> bill</c><01:02:57.200><c> will</c><01:02:57.359
• ><c> in</c><01:02:58.880><c> case</c><01:02:59.040><c> anyone</c><01:02:59.440><c> didn't</c><01:02:59.680

Bills: HB2198 , HB2021 , HB1881 , HB1964 , HB1990 , HB2151 , HB2599 , HB2414

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:58.920><c> Madam</c><00:01:59.200><c> Clerk</c> not Madam Clerk not Madam Clerk beginning<00:02
• :01.039><c> on</c><00:02:01.240><c> page</c><00:02:01.479><c> one</c><00:02:01.759><c> Governor's</c>
• <00:02:02.159><c> message</c> beginning on page one Governor's message beginning on page one Governor's
• message numbers<00:02:03.039><c> 727</c><00:02:04.039><c> to</c><00:02:04.240><c> 733</c><00:02:05.079
• ><c> transmit</c><00:02:05.560><c> nominations</c> Governor's message Nos. 727 to 733 transmit nominations

Summary: The Senate met with 21 members present and four excused. The Journal of the previous day was approved, and Governor’s Message Nos. 727 to 733, transmitting nominations to various boards and commissions, were referred according to the order of the day. The body also adopted Standing Committee Reports Nos. 1080 to 1088 without objection. During announcements, Senator Kidani highlighted upcoming Education Week activities, including recognition of outstanding students, educators, administrators, and faculty. She also noted the Friends of the Library’s continued support and announced the annual book fair at the Capitol on Monday, March 17, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Conference Room 224. Senator Dela Cruz introduced Jiha, Mrs. Kim, and Noah to the Senate. At the end of the session, Senator Wai moved to adjourn until 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 17, and Senator Dela Cruz seconded the motion. The Senate adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<01:02:00.319><c> You're</c><01:02:00.480><c> recognized</c><01:02:00.880><c> for</c><01:02:01.119><
• </c><01:02:02.640><c> Let's</c><01:02:02.880><c> go</c><01:02:03.040><c> to</c><01:02:03.200><c> item
• 01:02:07.040><c> and</c><01:02:07.280><c> move</c><01:02:07.520><c> to</c><01:02:07.680><c> invite</c
• ><c> the</c><01:02:29.440><c> one</c><01:02:29.680><c> we</c><01:02:29.839><c> just</c><01:02:30.000>
• <01:02:30.880><c> Is</c><01:02:31.040><c> that</c><01:02:31.119><c> what</c><01:02:31.200><c> your</c

Transcript Highlights:

• :18.319><c> individual</c><01:02:19.119><c> um</c><01:02:19.480><c> I</c><01:02:19.599><c> was</c><01
• 02:25.440><c> okay</c> yeah<01:02:38.079><c> okay</c><01:02:38.440><c> here</c><01:02:38.559><c> we</
• go uh first up<01:02:43.359><c> GM</c><01:02:43.799><c> 512</c><01:02:44.799><c> submitting</c><01:02
• Gator nominee Jaclyn<01:02:51.000><c> Kina</c><01:02:51.400><c> for</c><01:02:51.520><c> a</c><01:02:
• :02:54.839><c> recommendation</c><01:02:55.599><c> is</c><01:02:55.839><c> is</c><01:02:55.960><c> to

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard confirmations for two Hawaii Technology Development Corporation board nominees, Jaclyn Ka and Gregory Oara. Testimony for both was overwhelmingly in support. Supporters for Ka emphasized her Kauaʻi roots, work in workforce development and digital equity, and ability to connect schools, industry, and community needs. In her own remarks, Ka said she wants to bring resources to Kauaʻi and the neighbor islands, strengthen local workforce pathways, and use the HTDC board to help local residents access technology jobs and training. Members questioned Ka about how to reduce reliance on mainland hires for jobs at PMRF and other technology employers, how to better align training with local needs, and how to connect Kauaʻi schools, community college programs, and creative media/digital technology efforts. Ka described KDB’s role in building islandwide digital media and drone clubs, professional development for teachers, and partnerships intended to create a pipeline from school to workforce. She also said the legislature can help mainly by listening and staying informed about local needs. For Oara, supporters highlighted his engineering and semiconductor background, his experience in academia, industry, and startups, and his potential to help HTDC with technology commercialization, IP, and exportable services. Oara said he wants HTDC to better support early-stage companies, improve coordination among universities, government, and the private sector, and create a directory of technical skill sets to connect startups with needed expertise. He also discussed AI, saying Hawaii can contribute by developing smaller, locally relevant models rather than only relying on large-scale data-center infrastructure. The hearing focused on these nominations and testimony; no vote or final committee action was stated in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.399><c> are</c><00:02:00.640><c> able</c><00:02:00.880><c> to</c><00:02:01.200><c> identify</c><00
• :02:01.600><c> it</c><00:02:01.759><c> much</c><00:02:02.399><c> uh</c> team are able to identify it
• /c><00:02:04.079><c> are</c><00:02:04.240><c> the</c><00:02:04.399><c> punitive</c> more quickly what
• ><c> are</c><00:02:06.000><c> in</c><00:02:06.159><c> place.
• </c><00:02:06.960><c> Well,</c><00:02:07.360><c> we</c> >> Sounds like a pretty simple change.

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:27.920><c> Gordon,</c><00:02:28.720><c> and</c><00:02:28.959><c> Co-Chair</c><00:02:29.520><c>
• </c><00:02:35.280><c> And</c><00:02:35.840><c> with</c><00:02:36.080><c> that,</c><00:02:36.400><c> I'd
• </c><00:02:36.640><c> like</c><00:02:36.879><c> to</c> &gt;&gt; Thank you.
• And with that, I'd like to look<00:02:38.000><c> for</c><00:02:38.160><c> a</c><00:02:38.319><c> motion
• </c><00:02:38.640><c> in</c><00:02:38.800><c> a</c><00:02:39.040><c> second</c><00:02:39.280><c> for<

Summary: The committee met for its second Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology meeting, approved the June minutes, and then heard a presentation from representatives of the Ark Encounter on its 10-year anniversary. Eddie Lutz and Anna Katherine Scalf described the Ark as a major tourism anchor in Kentucky, citing nearly 9.3 million total guests, about 1 million annual visitors, 16,871 bus groups, and a largely out-of-region audience. They emphasized that the Ark and the nearby Creation Museum together draw about 1.5 million visitors a year and have helped drive hotel development, restaurant activity, and other tourism spending in Northern Kentucky and surrounding areas. They also previewed future expansion, including a large first-century Jerusalem model in the welcome center and a 40-day Christian music festival with more than 120 concerts. Members asked about the project’s financing, location choice, and business structure. The witnesses said no taxpayer dollars were used to build the Ark, but the project did receive a Kentucky tax incentive/rebate program, which they said helped bring the attraction to the state. They said Kentucky was chosen in part because of the available land off I-75 and because the Ark and Creation Museum are close enough to encourage overnight stays. In response to questions, they explained that Answers in Genesis is the nonprofit parent organization, the Creation Museum is nonprofit, and the Ark Encounter operates as a for-profit entity owned by a nonprofit; revenue comes from ticket sales and events, while development was funded through private donations. They also said staffing can reach about 1,400 employees seasonally, though they did not know the occupational tax details. Several legislators offered supportive comments and personal observations about the Ark’s draw for out-of-state and international visitors, including license plates from many states and stories of travelers extending their stays to visit. The witnesses and members also discussed broader tourism collaboration in Kentucky, including partnerships with Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky attractions, and nearby hotels and businesses that benefit from Ark-related traffic. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the June minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :10.800><c> committee</c><00:02:11.039><c> chair</c><00:02:11.360><c> for</c><00:02:11.680><c> health
• > here</c><00:02:13.440><c> to</c><00:02:13.680><c> talk</c><00:02:13.840><c> about</c><00:02:14.800>
• And<00:02:18.879><c> I</c><00:02:19.120><c> hope</c><00:02:19.200><c> this</c><00:02:19.440><c> is</c
• ><00:02:19.599><c> truly</c><00:02:19.840><c> the</c><00:02:20.080><c> first</c><00:02:20.319><c> step
• <c> resolving</c><00:02:21.440><c> what</c><00:02:21.760><c> I</c><00:02:21.920><c> consider</c><00:02

Committee: House Health Services