Transcript Highlights:

• Members,<01:32:11.199><c> any</c><01:32:11.679><c> questions</c><01:32:12.159><c> of</c><01:32:12.480
• </c><01:32:20.880><c> Uh</c><01:32:21.280><c> shall</c><01:32:21.520><c> we</c><01:32:21.679><c> go</
• &gt;&gt; Okay.<01:32:39.600><c> So</c><01:32:39.760><c> for</c><01:32:40.080><c> SB</c><01:32:40.560>
• &gt;&gt; Yes.<01:32:51.280><c> So</c><01:32:51.520><c> for</c><01:32:51.679><c> SB</c><01:32:52.239><
• .<01:32:56.480><c> We're</c><01:32:56.719><c> going</c><01:32:56.880><c> to</c><01:32:57.199><c> add<

Bills: SB3263 , SB3261

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on several bills related to student health and safety, University of Hawaii programs, and workforce development. For SB 2969, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Witnesses described the ongoing physical and mental health impacts of the August 2023 Maui fires, said the study has identified serious untreated conditions and connected participants to care, and emphasized its role in serving survivors and training students. The committee also heard support from the Department of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Lung Association, Maui residents, and study staff. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2657, which would establish an Alzheimer disease and related dementia research center at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. University of Hawaii and Alzheimer’s Association representatives supported the bill, saying a local center would improve coordination of existing research, build state capacity, and help Hawaii compete for future NIH designation and federal funding. A family member affected by Alzheimer’s also testified in support, citing the disease’s impact in Hawaii. In response to questions, the university said the proposal would follow a five-year phased plan, with the first year funding used to recruit a senior neuroscientist and staff person, at an estimated cost of about $375,000, and that the effort would still strengthen Hawaii’s research infrastructure even if federal funding is not secured. For SB 2612, which clarifies immunity for Department of Education employees and agents who assist students with medication administration under certain conditions, the Department of Education said the bill is intended to protect volunteers and help ensure students can participate in school activities even when staffing is limited. The committee discussed how volunteers would be selected and whether every school would have someone available, and DOE said schools currently rely on health attendants, nurses, and trained volunteers. The committee also briefly discussed liability language and gross negligence exceptions. The hearing then moved to SB 2412, which would fund a bachelor’s degree program in sign language and sign language interpretation at UH Mānoa with a future master’s pathway. Testimony from interpreters, educators, and university officials emphasized the shortage of interpreters, the need to retain local talent, and the program’s role in building a pipeline; university representatives said the initial request would fund a faculty/staff position as a first step, with additional funding needed later. No final committee action or votes were announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:01.840><c> or</c><00:32:02.080><c> they're</c><00:32:02.320><c> mixing</c><00:32:02.640><c> it
• other<00:32:03.200><c> substances</c><00:32:03.840><c> to</c><00:32:04.159><c> try</c><00:32:04.320>
• 32:15.600><c> station</c><00:32:16.480><c> versus</c><00:32:16.960><c> something</c><00:32:17.200><c>
• </c><00:32:18.399><c> So</c><00:32:18.720><c> I</c><00:32:18.960><c> think</c><00:32:19.120><c> that<
• But I will<00:32:33.440><c> say</c><00:32:33.600><c> that</c><00:32:33.840><c> right</c><00:32:34.080

Bills: HB0103 , HB0070 , HB0091

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:04.559><c> Ko,</c><00:32:05.039><c> you</c><00:32:05.120><c> saw</c><00:32:05.279><c> anybody<
• <00:32:06.640><c> Anybody</c><00:32:07.039><c> else</c><00:32:07.279><c> I'd</c><00:32:07.440><c> like
• thing</c><00:32:33.519><c> but</c><00:32:34.159><c> I</c><00:32:34.399><c> would</c><00:32:34.559><c
• ><00:32:47.360><c> this</c><00:32:47.600><c> commission</c><00:32:48.320><c> and</c><00:32:48.559><c>
• <c> reason</c><00:32:49.200><c> for</c><00:32:49.440><c> that</c><00:32:49.760><c> is</c><00:32:50.000

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard seven bills on consumer protection, DBEDT-related matters, and tourism/creative industry issues. On SB 2031, DCCA supported aligning state law with the FTC’s 2025 rule on hidden fees and pricing misrepresentations in live event ticketing and short-term lodging; hotel and financial industry witnesses also testified, and senators asked for complaint and enforcement data. On SB 2129, DBEDT and business groups supported a study of minimum wage impacts, with testimony emphasizing effects on hours, employment, prices, and business viability; a senator asked whether the study could also examine the gig economy and business closures, and DBEDT said that may be possible but would require more research and data access. On SB 2259, which would promote dementia-friendly businesses, DBEDT said the measure fit better with another agency and lacked the department’s expertise, while the Executive Office on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association supported the intent and offered to help with curriculum, branding, and training. Testifiers described dementia as a spectrum and said businesses should be trained to communicate effectively with customers and employees living with the disease; suggested amendments included changing the branding language and requiring at least 85% of employees to complete training rather than all employees. A senator also raised concerns about stigma and whether early-stage dementia should affect a person’s ability to function, and the witness responded that people can often function well in early stages. The committee also heard SB 2577 on sports tourism, which DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported as a way to better understand which events draw visitors and economic benefits. SB 2578, creating a film commission, drew broad support from DBEDT, Creative Industries, SAG-AFTRA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, the Hawaii Film Office, and others, but several witnesses urged changes to the commission’s composition and authority, including more labor representation and limits on the commission’s ability to adjust the production cap. Senators questioned staffing, costs, and whether current film office employees should transfer to the new commission, and one senator proposed a friendly amendment to add musicians, SAG, IATSE, and Teamsters, though the department cautioned that too many members could make the commission difficult to manage. The transcript ends during discussion of the film bill, with no final votes or committee actions stated for the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:06.799><c> what</c><00:32:06.960><c> it's</c><00:32:07.120><c> doing</c><00:32:07.279><c> to</c><
• rights<00:32:08.000><c> and</c><00:32:08.159><c> those</c><00:32:08.320><c> kind</c><00:32:08.399><c
• Can you just<00:32:09.200><c> speak</c><00:32:09.600><c> more</c><00:32:09.919><c> broadly</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:34.720><c> Um</c><00:32:35.120><c> definitely</c><00:32:36.000><c> um</c><00:32:36.080><c>
• :32:37.360><c> main</c><00:32:37.600><c> reason</c><00:32:38.080><c> that</c><00:32:38.799><c> ethics

Bills: HF1316 , HF4369

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1316, child support, new hire reporting, centralized work reporting system, independent contractors, payors, employers, payor of funds, withholding orders, income withholding, child support enforcement, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, gig economy, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers, 1099, W-9, W-4, newly hired workers, rehired employees

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.120><c> there</c><00:32:00.320><c> were</c><00:32:00.600><c> to</c><00:32:00.800><c> be</c><00:32
• it</c><00:32:04.480><c> into</c><00:32:04.880><c> the</c><00:32:05.000><c> hands</c><00:32:05.280><c>
• Always good to see<00:32:15.760><c> you</c><00:32:15.800><c> in</c><00:32:15.880><c> Housing</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:24.800><c> behind</c><00:32:25.080><c> those</c><00:32:25.280><c> numbers</c><00:32:25.800
• :32:32.120><c> we</c><00:32:32.240><c> see</c><00:32:32.520><c> and</c><00:32:33.160><c> like</c><00:

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:08.240><c> of</c><00:32:08.480><c> the</c><00:32:09.039><c> 3A</c><00:32:09.600><c> amendment</c>
• </c><00:32:12.080><c> All</c><00:32:12.240><c> in</c><00:32:12.480><c> favor</c><00:32:12.720><c> of<
• </c><00:32:15.360><c> All</c><00:32:15.600><c> oppose,</c><00:32:16.080><c> say</c><00:32:16.320><c>
• Nay.<00:32:17.600><c> The</c><00:32:17.760><c> motion</c><00:32:18.080><c> does</c><00:32:18.320><c>
• :32:49.600><c> it</c><00:32:49.840><c> increases</c><00:32:50.559><c> the</c><00:32:51.360><c> uh</c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> kind</c><00:32:02.799><c> of</c><00:32:02.880><c> those</c><00:32:03.120><c> types</c><00:32:03.279
• :03.679><c> But</c><00:32:03.760><c> I</c><00:32:03.919><c> think</c><00:32:04.000><c> the</c><00:32:
• :32:06.960><c> address</c><00:32:07.200><c> in</c><00:32:07.440><c> the</c><00:32:07.600><c> bill.
• </c><00:32:13.440><c> And</c><00:32:13.760><c> thank</c><00:32:13.840><c> you</c><00:32:14.000><c> for
• c> if</c><00:32:18.080><c> someone</c><00:32:18.399><c> were</c><00:32:18.640><c> to</c><00:32:18.880

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.720><c> uh</c><03:32:01.960><c> because</c><03:32:02.239><c> of</c><03:32:02.520><c> the</c><03:32
• </c><03:32:03.880><c> trail</c><03:32:04.279><c> system</c><03:32:04.880><c> all</c><03:32:05.160><c>
• of the<04:32:07.800><c> 23</c><04:32:08.439><c> studies</c><04:32:09.319><c> that</c><04:32:09.479><c
• </c><04:32:26.640><c> this</c><04:32:26.920><c> impacted</c><04:32:27.319><c> our</c><04:32:27.479><c
• heard</c><04:32:34.080><c> many</c><04:32:34.520><c> weeks</c><04:32:34.760><c> of</c><04:32:35.159><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills in executive session, beginning with HB 568 on subdivision regulations concerning water supply. Representative Donnelly moved ITL, arguing the bill would create costly studies, that towns already have jurisdiction over needed studies, and that the issue was not widespread. The committee voted ITL 9-7. HB 582, dealing with safety requirements for personal watercraft, was also moved ITL on the grounds that existing law already covers the issue and the bill was unnecessary after recent action on personal flotation devices. Representative Derby opposed the ITL, saying the bill was a common-sense safety measure and would restore a misdemeanor penalty, but the committee voted ITL 9-7. The committee then retained HB 595, relative to coastal resilience zones, after members said the bill was important but needed more work and time because of its complexity. Members noted it should be revisited later, and the motion to retain passed 16-0. HB 607, funding the Hampton Beach Area Commission and making appropriations, received an ought-to-pass recommendation 15-1, with support from members who described Hampton Beach as an important economic driver and one dissenting member saying the state should not bear the full cost. The committee also adopted Amendment 2025-3 on HB 624, establishing a local river management advisory committee grant program, by a 16-0 vote; the amendment shifted funding decisions to the Department of Environmental Services based on demonstrated need and a first-come, first-served process. The bill as amended then received an ought-to-pass recommendation 16-0 and was placed on consent. Later, the committee retained HB 629, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams, after members said the dams need attention but the bill required more work because suggested amendments had just been received. That motion passed 16-0. HB 644, concerning drones in state parks, was ITL’d because the Department of Parks and Recreation is already working through rulemaking on UAS use in remote areas, and the committee voted 16-0 for ITL. HB 657, the short notice booking act access for New Hampshire residents to state parks, was also ITL’d at the request of the prime sponsor, passing 16-0. The committee then adjourned and announced a later hearing on HB 663, which would allow the Division of Historical Resources to use a portion of Moose plate funds for administering its grant program; testimony from the sponsor and the division supported the bill as clarifying existing authority, and no final vote on HB 663 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Okay.<01:32:00.159><c> Uh</c><01:32:00.400><c> you</c><01:32:00.560><c> have</c><01:32:00.639
• All those<01:32:01.520><c> in</c><01:32:01.679><c> favor</c><01:32:02.000><c> say</c><01:32:02.239><c
• </c><01:32:04.560><c> The</c><01:32:04.800><c> eyes</c><01:32:05.120><c> have</c><01:32:05.199><c> it
• second</c><01:32:10.719><c> reading</c><01:32:10.960><c> of</c><01:32:11.040><c> bill</c><01:32:11.280
• :32:50.399><c> on</c><02:32:50.800><c> every</c><02:32:51.120><c> vehicle</c><02:32:51.520><c> in</c>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.920><c> We</c><00:32:02.040><c> haven't</c><00:32:02.360><c> been</c><00:32:02.520><c>
• :32:06.360><c> for</c><00:32:06.520><c> a</c><00:32:06.560><c> very</c><00:32:06.840><c> long</c><00:
• <00:32:08.560><c> uh</c><00:32:08.920><c> many</c><00:32:09.920><c> uh</c><00:32:10.280><c> much</c><
• here and<00:32:14.680><c> we</c><00:32:14.800><c> feel</c><00:32:15.120><c> like</c><00:32:15.600><c
• > this</c><00:32:15.840><c> would</c><00:32:16.000><c> be</c><00:32:16.160><c> a</c><00:32:16.280><c>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.080><c> and</c><00:32:00.320><c> that</c><00:32:00.480><c> the</c><00:32:00.640><c> bill</c><00:32
• Members<00:32:11.039><c> Senator</c><00:32:11.279><c> Lucero</c><00:32:11.760><c> moves</c><00:32:12.000
• report</c><00:32:14.559><c> on</c><00:32:14.799><c> House</c><00:32:15.120><c> File</c><00:32:15.440
• </c><00:32:26.399><c> I</c><00:32:26.720><c> ask</c><00:32:26.960><c> for</c><00:32:27.120><c> a</c>
• I<00:32:53.360><c> wholeheartedly</c><00:32:54.080><c> agree</c><00:32:55.360><c> with</c><00:32:55.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but</c><01:32:14.560><c> then</c><01:32:14.719><c> when</c><01:32:15.040><c> they</c><01:32:15.280><
• ><c> to</c><01:32:17.120><c> go</c><01:32:17.280><c> out</c><01:32:17.440><c> and</c><01:32:17.600><c
• So,<01:32:22.880><c> it</c><01:32:23.120><c> was</c><01:32:23.199><c> a</c><01:32:23.360><c> real</c>
• </c><01:32:26.320><c> And</c><01:32:26.560><c> so,</c><01:32:26.719><c> we</c><01:32:26.960><c> tried
• </c> Uh,<01:32:34.800><c> the</c><01:32:34.960><c> next</c><01:32:35.120><c> bill,</c><01:32:35.440><

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:25.039><c> increase</c><00:32:26.000><c> yes</c><00:32:26.519><c> no</c><00:32:27.960><c>
• so</c><00:32:35.120><c> you're</c><00:32:35.279><c> saying</c><00:32:36.279><c> I'm</c><00:32:36.440>
• 32:39.559><c> want</c><00:32:39.720><c> me</c><00:32:39.840><c> to</c><00:32:40.039><c> continue</c><
• 00:32:40.399><c> with</c><00:32:40.559><c> that</c><00:32:41.120><c> I</c><00:32:41.559><c> I</c> do
• </c><00:32:42.440><c> answered</c><00:32:42.919><c> I</c><00:32:43.000><c> think</c><00:32:43.200><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 610, which would fold the Office of the Consumer Advocate into the Department of Energy rather than fully eliminate consumer advocacy functions. The prime sponsor argued the current office is small, funded by a special assessment on ratepayers, and duplicative of DOE work. He said moving the function to DOE would streamline energy policy review, reduce bureaucracy, and better focus the larger agency on lowering residential energy costs. He also disputed claims that the Consumer Advocate is independent, saying the office is appointed through a political process similar to DOE leadership. Committee members and the sponsor discussed whether the bill would actually relocate existing positions or replace them, and whether the Department of Energy would absorb the cost of the transferred staff. The sponsor said the fiscal note shows roughly a million-dollar reduction in both revenue assessment and spending, and that the bill would effectively reduce the office from five positions to three. He also defended his cost estimates for energy-code-related housing impacts and said the Consumer Advocate has sometimes supported policies he считает increase costs, such as energy-efficiency measures and building code changes. He argued the office should focus more on energy supply and generation, including natural gas and nuclear, rather than efficiency alone. Representative Wendy Thomas testified in opposition, saying the Consumer Advocate is an important, fair, and impartial voice for ratepayers and warning that the bill was fiscally irresponsible because the incumbent could still be owed salary and benefits if the office were repealed. She also said the bill’s drafting was confusing and that the Consumer Advocate’s role is to push back on utilities on behalf of consumers. Other members raised questions about whether the DOE would simply inherit the same political appointment structure and whether the bill would meaningfully lower bills. No vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair indicated additional testimony would follow, and the Department of Energy was present to answer questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• in</c><00:32:07.279><c> the</c><00:32:07.440><c> US</c><00:32:07.679><c> means</c><00:32:07.840><c>
• those slots<00:32:08.559><c> are</c><00:32:08.720><c> taken</c><00:32:08.960><c> and</c><00:32:09.120
• ><c> cannot</c><00:32:09.360><c> be</c><00:32:09.519><c> used</c><00:32:10.000><c> for</c><00:32:10.159
• </c><00:32:13.919><c> So,</c><00:32:14.159><c> thank</c><00:32:14.320><c> you</c><00:32:14.399><c> for
• ><c> turn</c><00:32:16.320><c> it</c><00:32:16.399><c> over</c><00:32:16.559><c> to</c><00:32:16.640>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September 25 minutes, and heard several informational presentations on occupational licensing and workforce access. The first major topic was the dietitian licensure compact, presented by Rep. Vanessa Gracel, Whitney Duddy, and Caitlyn Bison. They said the compact would be revenue-neutral, improve licensure portability, support military families, expand telehealth and rural access, and preserve state regulatory authority. Testimony noted that 15 states had joined the compact, including Ohio and Tennessee, and that Kentucky would have a seat on the compact commission if it enacted the measure. Members asked about bordering states and possible telehealth competition concerns; witnesses said they had not seen evidence of harmful effects in other compacts and described the compact as expanding access rather than displacing local providers. The committee then heard testimony on music therapy licensure, with Chris Millet, Laura Elliot Buckner, and Dr. Kimberly Cinemore speaking in support of Senate Bill 42. They described music therapy as a clinical, board-certified profession requiring formal education, supervised training, and national certification, and argued that state licensure would protect the public, clarify scope of practice, and help retain Kentucky-trained professionals. Witnesses said the bill would not require new state funding, could be administered through a self-sustaining licensing structure, and would not prevent others from using music in their work. In response to questions, they said licensure could help open doors to insurance, waiver, and HSA reimbursement, but would not guarantee coverage. Finally, the committee heard testimony on expanding physician access through a provisional licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians. Adam Meyer of the Cicero Institute said Kentucky faces a severe physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and argued that qualified international physicians should not have to repeat residency if they meet strict criteria, including an employment offer, prior training and experience, good standing, U.S. exam passage, and a three-year provisional period before full licensure. Rapender Carr of Baptist Health supported the concept, saying it could help fill hard-to-recruit positions across the state and improve access in rural markets. No votes were taken on these policy topics during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:07.440><c> the</c><00:32:07.639><c> gallery</c><00:32:08.559><c> The</c><00:32:08.760><c>
• c><00:32:19.720><c> also</c><00:32:19.960><c> in</c><00:32:20.120><c> the</c><00:32:20.279><c> gallery
• :23.120><c> the</c><00:32:23.279><c> San</c><00:32:23.519><c> Franc</c><00:32:24.480><c> San</c><00:32
• /c><00:32:47.679><c> all</c><00:32:47.840><c> of</c><00:32:47.960><c> our</c><00:32:48.159><c> guests
• guests Madam clerk<00:32:51.120><c> I'm</c><00:32:52.120><c> I'm</c><00:32:52.320><c> sorry</c><00:32

Keywords: Order of the Day: PENDING, 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:16.719><c> And</c><01:32:16.960><c> they're</c><01:32:17.199><c> but</c><01:32:17.440><c>
• </c><01:32:24.320><c> Um</c><01:32:24.880><c> and</c><01:32:25.440><c> and</c><01:32:26.400><c> I</c>
• ><c> right,</c><01:32:28.239><c> but</c><01:32:28.400><c> it</c><01:32:28.560><c> is</c><01:32:28.800
• And<01:32:35.199><c> um</c><01:32:35.760><c> I</c><01:32:36.080><c> just</c><01:32:36.320><c> think</
• c><01:32:37.120><c> that</c><01:32:37.520><c> we</c><01:32:37.920><c> try</c><01:32:38.239><c> to</c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the November 21, 2025 minutes, making several clerical corrections before adopting them as amended. The edits included adding the date, correcting a misspelled name, clarifying references to a scholarship fund representative’s title, removing an incorrect “DOE” reference, and fixing a few wording errors. The minutes were approved with one abstention from members who were absent. The bulk of the meeting focused on organizing the commission’s work under SB 57 and identifying which special education cost issues should be prioritized for research and reporting. Members discussed a long list of topics, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, increases in referrals since school closures, interventions before referral, costs of non-medically necessary services in IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal and state requirements, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, dispute resolution, Medicaid and insurance use, graduation rates, and adult learning participation. Several members emphasized the need to combine or narrow topics and to gather better data before the report due July 1, 2026. Representative Ames highlighted HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid payments when state appropriations fall short, and explained that the Education Funding Committee recommended interim study. He argued that local districts are bearing too much of the cost and that the state and federal governments should provide more support. Other members raised concerns about rising special education identification rates, possible overidentification, school climate and mental health factors, bullying, staffing, speech therapy access, and residential placements. One member cautioned that DOE website numbers may be inflated or at least difficult to interpret because of how students are counted. Department of Education staff then explained how special education data and costs are monitored. They said student counts are tied to IEPs and SASIDs in the state system, districts are checked through both desk audits and on-site monitoring, and billed services are compared against IEP requirements. They also described IDEA funding, noting that most DOE special education staffing is federally funded, with a large share of federal money flowing through to local education agencies and the remainder supporting administration, monitoring, and training initiatives. Members discussed whether more staff and more robust oversight would improve accuracy and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• concerns um first<00:32:26.720><c> I'll</c><00:32:26.919><c> just</c><00:32:27.039><c> say</c><00:32
• 32:55.080><c> 30</c><00:32:55.519><c> million</c><00:32:55.960><c> square</c><00:32:56.279><c> feet</
• breached</c><01:32:02.000><c> those</c><01:32:02.840><c> but</c><01:32:03.320><c> um</c><01:32:03.560
• 32:51.719><c> is</c><01:32:51.880><c> all</c><01:32:52.159><c> that</c><01:32:52.320><c> debt</c><01:
• 01:32:54.040><c> picking</c><01:32:54.320><c> and</c><01:32:54.520><c> choosing</c><01:32:55.520><c>

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:05.679><c> children</c><00:32:06.200><c> for</c><00:32:06.399><c> whom</c><00:32:06.559><c
• ><c> receives</c><00:32:07.279><c> a</c><00:32:07.440><c> 90%</c><00:32:08.200><c> Federal</c><00:32:
• our<00:32:16.600><c> sort</c><00:32:16.760><c> of</c><00:32:16.880><c> our</c><00:32:17.039><c> base
• ><c> is</c><00:32:19.159><c> known</c><00:32:19.360><c> as</c><00:32:19.519><c> the</c><00:32:19.679>
• c><00:32:27.159><c> result</c><00:32:27.440><c> in</c><00:32:27.519><c> a</c><00:32:27.880><c> .4</c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> a</c><00:32:03.039><c> bit</c><00:32:03.200><c> different</c><00:32:03.440><c> than</c><00:32:03.600
• </c><00:32:05.679><c> Either</c><00:32:05.919><c> a</c><00:32:06.159><c> civil</c><00:32:06.480><c> action
• <00:32:11.679><c> it's</c><00:32:11.840><c> a</c><00:32:12.000><c> civil</c><00:32:12.240><c> action<
• </c><00:32:24.480><c> getting</c><00:32:24.799><c> into</c><00:32:26.000><c> uh</c><00:32:26.320><c>
• > facts</c><00:32:39.519><c> and</c><00:32:39.679><c> issues</c><00:32:40.000><c> here.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission met on November 18, 2025, approved the October 14 minutes, and then took up five motions in ethics matters 24LEC3 and 24LEC6. Those motions included a renewed motion to dismiss and motion to quash by Representative Daniel Gberg, a renewed motion to compel/sanctions and continuance request by Mr. Jenkins, and competing motions in limine concerning evidence and redaction of deposition transcripts. Vice Chair Mike Schaw was appointed hearing officer for the motion practice, and the commission agreed to hear the motions one at a time in open session. Representative Chris Lily joined later by Zoom. Counsel for Representative Gberg argued the remaining allegations were minor, that the commission lacked key exculpatory materials such as an alleged LRC report, policies, procedures, and training materials, and that the record did not support the ethics charges. She also argued the case had been broadened by extraneous allegations and that the respondent had been unfairly prejudiced. Enforcement counsel responded that he had produced all materials in his possession, that any LRC materials were not in the commission’s custody, and that the commission’s probable-cause findings were based on sworn testimony and affidavits already in the record. He argued the motions to dismiss and for summary judgment should be denied because genuine issues of material fact remained and the commission had already found probable cause on three ethics violations. Commission members questioned both sides about the alleged LRC report and whether it was part of the commission’s record. The chair stated the commission had not relied on any LRC report and had not withheld anything, while another member emphasized that the proceeding concerned alleged violations of the ethics code, not LRC sexual-harassment policy. A commissioner also noted the unusual structure of the proceeding and questioned whether the complaints, taken as true, stated a basis for dismissal. The transcript ends during continued discussion of the standard for dismissal and summary judgment, with no final ruling on the motions captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:05.880><c> had</c><00:32:06.000><c> been</c><00:32:06.200><c> offered</c><00:32:06.559><c>
• <c> to</c><00:32:07.399><c> put</c><00:32:07.600><c> your</c><00:32:07.760><c> child</c><00:32:08.039
• child somewhere<00:32:08.720><c> else</c><00:32:09.200><c> they</c><00:32:09.360><c> would</c><00:32
• /c><00:32:11.159><c> to</c><00:32:11.320><c> get</c><00:32:11.440><c> more</c><00:32:11.639><c> money
• or would<00:32:12.279><c> you</c><00:32:12.440><c> have</c><00:32:12.679><c> pushed</c><00:32:13.679

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on HB 563, which would revise the education funding formula for pupils receiving special education services by replacing the current single special education amount with three differentiated categories. Representative Rick Ladd, the prime sponsor, said the bill largely tracks a House-passed version from the prior session with minor figure adjustments, and explained that the proposal uses projected FY26 amounts for three categories based on time in general education versus more intensive placements. He also noted that the bill does not address catastrophic aid directly, but that special education aid, CAT aid, and proration all remain issues for later work sessions. Ladd and supporters argued that weighted categories better reflect actual costs and are more sustainable than treating all IEPs the same. Representative Margaret Drye said the approach was one of the best ideas from the education funding subcommittee and urged the committee to support differentiated aid. Representative Ames asked how the category amounts were derived, and Ladd said Category A follows the FY26 base, Category B is a higher weight, and Category C is a still higher weight for more intensive services, though he acknowledged the exact multipliers were developed earlier and could be revisited. He also said the committee would continue discussing whether the weights are appropriate and how they interact with CAT aid. Testimony from Bonnie Dunham strongly opposed the bill. She argued that funding based on placement rather than actual service need would create incentives to move students into more restrictive settings, could stigmatize children with labels such as "Category C," and would undermine the least restrictive environment requirements under federal special education law. She described her son’s experience in inclusive settings as beneficial and said the bill would have penalized the district for serving him there. In response to questions, she said schools and parents should base funding on the child’s actual needs and costs, not on placement, and urged the committee to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate.