Transcript Highlights:

• :00.080><c> and</c><00:32:00.240><c> back</c><00:32:00.480><c> do</c><00:32:00.799><c> you</c><00:32:
• c> you</c><00:32:04.720><c> ever</c><00:32:05.039><c> left</c><00:32:05.279><c> your</c><00:32:05.519
• ><c> I</c><01:32:06.000><c> my</c><01:32:06.239><c> mind</c><01:32:06.480><c> goes</c><01:32:06.800><
• /c><01:32:11.040><c> love,</c><01:32:11.360><c> a</c><01:32:11.679><c> very</c><01:32:11.920><c> very
• <c> you</c><01:32:13.520><c> all</c><01:32:13.679><c> know</c><01:32:13.920><c> and</c><01:32:14.800>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a Senate message on HB 179, relative to hazardous waste accident fees. Members reviewed the Senate amendment, which would cap the daily non-payment penalty at no more than $1,000 per day and limit the cumulative penalty to 25% of the cost, with no additional daily penalty if the responsible party is following an agreed payment plan. Members discussed the change from the committee’s earlier version, which had allowed penalties up to 100% of the damages, and agreed the revised language was reasonable. The committee voted to concur with the Senate amendment and indicated the bill could be placed on consent. The committee then recessed SB 302, requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners, because a late request for an additional change had not yet been fully reviewed. It next voted on SB 229, relative to the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat. Supporters said the bill would expand retail access to these meats, support New Hampshire farms, and improve food security. Members also noted the Department of Agriculture did not object, that the bill would remove a sunset and keep more workable inspection rules in place, and that the animals involved are largely from closed herds. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 229 and agreed to place it on consent. Finally, the committee considered SB 50, establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities. Members described disturbing testimony about missing, injured, or dead dogs and the lack of clear oversight, licensing, or even a reliable list of kennels in the state. They discussed possible study topics including licensing, inspection authority, standards, penalties, and protections for both pet owners and boarding operators, including disclosure of medical conditions. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 50 and also agreed to place it on consent. After the executive sessions, the committee heard a presentation from the New Hampshire Food Alliance on the state’s first food and agriculture strategic plan, introduced by director Nicole Cardwell, with participation from advisory committee members including Rep. Bixby and Commissioner Sean Jasper.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:32:00.560><c> And</c><00:32:00.960><c> Madam</c><00:32:01.280><c> Chair,</c><00:32:01.560><c> I<
• > and</c><00:32:04.800><c> I</c><00:32:04.920><c> actually</c><00:32:05.800><c> um</c><00:32:06.480><
• And so, I<00:32:16.280><c> would</c><00:32:16.440><c> like</c><00:32:16.600><c> to</c><00:32:16.760><
• ><c> one-time</c><00:32:21.040><c> money,</c><00:32:21.880><c> and</c><00:32:22.040><c> then</c><00:32
• </c> That<00:32:34.240><c> was</c><00:32:34.400><c> a</c><00:32:34.440><c> little</c><00:32:34.640><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:05.279><c> Yeah,</c><00:32:05.519><c> I</c><00:32:05.760><c> think</c><00:32:06.159><c> this
• </c><00:32:09.760><c> you</c><00:32:09.919><c> know,</c><00:32:10.320><c> given</c><00:32:10.559><c>
• </c><01:32:02.880><c> year</c><01:32:03.120><c> of</c><01:32:03.360><c> the</c><01:32:03.920><c> uh</
• :32:22.480><c> full</c><01:32:22.719><c> amount</c><01:32:23.639><c> 6.945</c><01:32:24.639><c> the</
• </c><01:32:28.880><c> Well,</c><01:32:29.360><c> that's</c><01:32:29.600><c> good</c><01:32:29.760><c

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they do any<00:32:34.800><c> other</c><00:32:35.480><c> type</c><00:32:35.800><c> of</c><00:32:36.160
• ><c> board</c><00:32:36.600><c> similar</c><00:32:37.000><c> to</c><00:32:37.160><c> this?
• Uh there<00:32:39.720><c> were</c><00:32:39.880><c> the</c><00:32:40.640><c> closest</c><00:32:41.080
• :43.000><c> I</c><00:32:43.080><c> believe</c><00:32:43.360><c> it</c><00:32:43.400><c> was</c><00:32
• Um Um Um they<00:32:47.040><c> they</c><00:32:47.200><c> bid</c><00:32:47.440><c> on</c><00:32:47.560

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:03.480><c> You</c><00:32:03.600><c> know,</c><00:32:03.720><c> whether</c><00:32:04.000><c> it
• ><c> know</c><00:32:07.680><c> you're</c><00:32:07.800><c> doing</c><00:32:08.200><c> what</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:10.040><c> you</c><00:32:10.160><c> and</c><00:32:10.560><c> you</c><00:32:10.680><c> know
• That's<00:32:14.000><c> my</c><00:32:14.120><c> only</c><00:32:14.360><c> thing</c><00:32:14.600><c>
• :32:16.440><c> have</c><00:32:17.080><c> efficient</c><00:32:17.680><c> government,</c><00:32:18.360>

Bills: HB163 , HB344 , HB163 , HB344 , SB11 , SB92 , SB164 , HB22 , HB89 , SB227 , SB6 , SB11 , SB92 , SB164 , HB22 , HB89 , SB227 , SB6

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: income tax, research expenditures, economic development, tax deductions, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Alabama tax law, educational intervention, State Superintendent, local boards of education, subpoena, accountability, state control, property improvement, private financing, energy efficiency, capital expenditure, local government, volunteer fire departments, federally insured financial institutions, fund management

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:08.560><c> important</c><01:32:09.360><c> to</c><01:32:09.560><c> to</c><01:32:09.720><c> to</
• c><01:32:09.840><c> get</c><01:32:10.160><c> right</c><01:32:10.520><c> is</c><01:32:10.760><c> that<
• </c><01:32:29.520><c> in</c><01:32:29.640><c> the</c><01:32:29.720><c> definition</c><01:32:30.360><c
• 01:32:34.040><c> want</c><01:32:34.240><c> that</c><01:32:34.480><c> to</c><01:32:34.560><c> happen.
• But<01:32:35.800><c> there</c><01:32:35.920><c> were</c><01:32:36.120><c> other</c><01:32:36.600><c>

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:07.440><c> So</c><00:32:07.600><c> I</c><00:32:07.760><c> guess</c><00:32:07.919><c> my</c
• ><c> the</c><00:32:10.880><c> total</c><00:32:11.200><c> budget</c><00:32:11.519><c> request</c><00:32
• </c> &gt;&gt; I<00:32:26.720><c> wanted</c><00:32:27.039><c> to</c><00:32:27.200><c> follow</c><00:32
• :29.039><c> you</c><00:32:29.279><c> made</c><00:32:29.440><c> at</c><00:32:29.600><c> the</c><00:32:
• uh<00:32:38.480><c> a</c><00:32:38.720><c> larger</c><00:32:39.120><c> percentage</c><00:32:39.679><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs. The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform. Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:05.920><c> able</c><01:32:06.159><c> to</c><01:32:06.320><c> do</c><01:32:06.880><c> because</c>
• c><01:32:07.679><c> many</c><01:32:07.920><c> people</c><01:32:08.159><c> here,</c><01:32:08.480><c>
• ><01:32:19.600><c> uh,</c><01:32:19.760><c> Gray</c><01:32:20.400><c> and</c><01:32:20.800><c> the</c
• Committee.<01:32:24.719><c> I</c><01:32:25.040><c> am</c><01:32:25.760><c> Representative</c><01:32:
• Um,<01:32:37.199><c> I</c><01:32:37.440><c> am</c><01:32:37.600><c> a</c><01:32:37.760><c> member</c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:00.559><c> Chair,</c><00:32:00.799><c> my</c><00:32:00.960><c> thinking</c><00:32:01.120><
• 00:32:06.240><c> but</c><00:32:06.559><c> I</c><00:32:06.799><c> don't</c><00:32:06.880><c> think</c>
• :32:11.760><c> the</c><00:32:11.840><c> goal</c><00:32:11.919><c> is</c><00:32:12.080><c> to</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:13.919><c> is</c><00:32:14.159><c> just</c><00:32:14.320><c> refer</c><00:32:14.559><c> it
• </c><00:32:20.159><c> Um</c><00:32:20.399><c> it</c><00:32:20.559><c> does</c><00:32:20.720><c> sound

Bills: HF3217 , HF2252

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

Keywords: bioindustrial facilities, economic development, renewable energy, advanced biofuels, state funding, HF2252, Minnesota bonding, volume cap, private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, public facility bonds, public facilities pool, unified pool, bond allocation, municipal finance, bond cap, housing bonds, residential rental projects, manufacturing bonds, enterprise zone bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:17.600><c> I'd</c><00:32:17.840><c> have</c><00:32:17.919><c> to</c><00:32:18.000><c> go</
• c> send</c><00:32:25.039><c> a</c><00:32:25.200><c> note</c><00:32:25.360><c> on</c><00:32:25.519><c>
• other screen<00:32:26.080><c> here</c><00:32:26.399><c> and</c><00:32:26.720><c> we</c><00:32:26.960
• I</c><00:32:28.720><c> was</c><00:32:29.360><c> one</c><00:32:29.519><c> of</c><00:32:29.600><c> our
• :32:41.120><c> exactly</c><00:32:41.679><c> what</c><00:32:41.919><c> was</c><00:32:42.159><c> done.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Discussion of the KentuckyWired Network 00:00:55 Discussion of the Water Resource Information System 00:35.40 Discussion of Geographic Information Systems 00:52:30 Discussion of Committee Report to LRC 01:15:05, 958, all

Summary: The Information Technology Oversight Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a presentation from Leadcore representatives Jimmy Bird, Mike Murray, and Rebecca Moss on the Kentucky Wired network. Leadcore described its role as the design-builder and service provider under the KCNA contract, saying the network was built with roughly 13,200 feet of fiber, mostly aerial, and that the use of non-armored cable was a Kentucky-side decision made to reduce cost. They also said aerial construction and non-armored cable increase maintenance challenges, including storm damage and squirrel-related damage, and reported FY25 service activity of 104 break-fix events, 30 maintenance replacements, 64 storm-damage events, and nearly 13,000 feet of fiber replaced to date. Committee members questioned whether the original project anticipated this level of replacement and whether any forecast existed for maintenance under non-armored cable. Leadcore said it did not do a formal forecast and could not say whether the replacement rate was above or below norms, though it acknowledged the decision not to use armored cable came from the Kentucky side of the contract. Members also asked about whether replacements caused network degradation; Leadcore said it tries to replace cable at existing splice points to avoid degradation and, where needed, uses armored cable for replacement sections going forward. The committee then explored Leadcore’s relationship with Excel and KCNA. Leadcore said it has a service-level agreement for KCNA-related fibers but not for dark fibers used by Excel, and that Kentucky Wired fibers get priority on service requests. It said outages are reported through a 1-800 number and that it was not aware of any access problems to the huts. On the tech refresh, Leadcore said its understanding is that maintaining the network is its responsibility, but the technology refresh is not; it said only a very limited amount of refresh has occurred and that this did not match the original contract intent. Leadcore also said it had not been asked to defer maintenance. The chair closed by saying the testimony would inform a committee report and that he intended to recommend clawing back or withholding some previously authorized Kentucky Wired and refresh funding until an audit is complete, with the committee to vote on a report later.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.360><c> we</c><00:32:00.480><c> are</c><00:32:00.639><c> about</c><00:32:01.240><c> it</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:03.760><c> you</c><00:32:03.880><c> were</c><00:32:04.039><c> in</c><00:32:04.159><c> the<
• ><c> that</c><00:32:08.360><c> two</c><00:32:08.600><c> of</c><00:32:08.760><c> the</c><00:32:08.919>
• /c><00:32:22.039><c> the</c><00:32:22.200><c> program</c><00:32:22.600><c> payments</c><00:32:23.000>
• ><c> on</c><00:32:47.600><c> uh</c><00:32:47.880><c> the</c><00:32:48.120><c> last</c><00:32:48.399><

Bills: HF1470 , HF1310 , HF1837

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:25.120><c> uh</c><00:32:25.600><c> in</c><00:32:25.840><c> the</c><00:32:26.240><c> 2017</
• report</c><00:32:28.880><c> um</c><00:32:29.279><c> don't</c><00:32:29.600><c> exist</c><00:32:30.159
• <c> if</c><00:32:34.720><c> there</c><00:32:34.880><c> were</c><00:32:35.120><c> any</c><00:32:35.519
• thereafter</c><00:32:38.640><c> so</c><00:32:38.880><c> that</c><00:32:39.039><c> there</c><00:32:39.279
• :46.000><c> etc</c><00:32:46.480><c> etc</c><00:32:46.960><c> etc</c><00:32:47.679><c> but</c><00:32:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Audit Commission Evaluation Subcommittee met on October 6, 2025, to choose additional program evaluation topics for the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jody Mson Rodriguez explained that the commission had previously selected seven topics from an initial list of 11, with background papers already prepared on five of those items, and that the subcommittee was now being asked to select five more topics for background papers before narrowing the full set to four recommendations later in the fall or early spring. Members discussed several possible topics, especially emergency medical services, non-emergency medical transportation, MinnesotaCare eligibility, child care assistance, medical assistance fraud prevention, and U.S. Bank Stadium. David Kersner of OLA said emergency medical services and non-emergency medical transportation are distinct programs, and noted the EMS topic was evaluated in 2022 while non-emergency medical transportation had not been reviewed since 2011. Auditor Judy Randall said MinnesotaCare eligibility, child care assistance, and medical assistance fraud prevention are better suited to OLA’s financial audit division or special review unit rather than program evaluation, and that financial audits and special reviews do not require Legislative Audit Commission nomination. On process, Mson Rodriguez said the subcommittee had already met its minimum required selections under the commission’s policy and was free to choose additional topics. The discussion also covered whether to broaden the stadium topic beyond U.S. Bank Stadium; staff said the U.S. Bank financing structure alone would be a major undertaking, but they could help craft a future topic focused on maintenance across multiple facilities. No final vote or motion was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue nominations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:21.440><c> So,</c><00:32:21.919><c> as</c><00:32:22.240><c> we</c><00:32:22.559><c> move</
• > we</c><00:32:45.760><c> like</c><00:32:45.919><c> to</c><00:32:46.080><c> roll</c><00:32:46.399><c>
• &gt;&gt; I<00:32:50.960><c> have</c><00:32:51.039><c> a</c><00:32:51.200><c> motion</c><00:32:51.679>
• &gt;&gt; And<00:32:56.240><c> a</c><00:32:56.399><c> second</c><00:32:56.640><c> by</c><00:32:57.039>
• Does<00:32:58.399><c> any</c><00:32:58.960><c> member</c><00:32:59.279><c> object?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee met on July 16 and approved the June meeting minutes. Members received six information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, notice that the committee did not approve a Kentucky Community and Technical College System fire academy maintenance building project, reports of upcoming school district debt issues, leasehold improvements, a Northern Kentucky University asset preservation revision, and prior debt issues from the School Facilities Construction Commission. The committee then heard five project reports from the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Three new projects were presented for action and approved: a $1.3 million White Haven rest area renovation in Paducah, a $6.5 million Boone County north- and southbound rest area remodel and expansion to add truck parking, and a $4.5 million Bluegrass Station Building 14 modernization project funded by a Department of the Army grant. Members asked several questions about the Boone County rest area project, including truck congestion, restroom capacity, staffing, and the need to keep the facility open during construction; Transportation staff explained the project is meant to expand parking and improve facilities. Two emergency projects were reported with no action required: an amended Fort Boonboro flood remediation project in Madison County and a Kentucky Horse Park emergency flood repair project. The committee also approved three new leases after hearing from the Division of Real Properties. The leases included Department of Corrections parking spaces in Louisville, a Kentucky State Police office and lab lease in Hopkins County, and an Education and Labor Cabinet lease in Kenton County that was negotiated at a lower rate. Members asked about lease terms and how local match or negotiated rates were set, and staff explained that lease lengths are generally set by lessors and that the Kenton County lease was reduced through direct negotiation to stay within budget. A separate lease modification for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, involving reception-area renovations, was reported with no action required. Finally, the committee considered seven grant reallocations from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, including six Clean Water Program grants and one EKSF-related reallocation. Members questioned whether some flood-related water infrastructure work, especially an Olive Branch subdivision storage tank project, fit the intended purpose of the funding; staff explained the reallocations were needed to keep federal dollars from being returned and to move funds to eligible projects. The committee initially failed to approve the package on a 4-4 vote, but after a member noted a missed vote and changed to yes, the grants passed with favorable expression. The committee then began hearing three Kentucky Product Development Initiative grants for industrial site development in Russell County, Cumberland County, and Berea/Madison County, with members asking about match requirements, funding sources, and the scope of the projects; the transcript ends during the roll call on those grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:00.159><c> I</c><00:32:00.399><c> have</c><00:32:00.480><c> a</c> service.
• </c><00:32:01.440><c> to</c><00:32:01.600><c> transfer</c><00:32:02.080><c> to</c><00:32:02.880><c> um
• 32:07.679><c> ready,</c><00:32:08.159><c> we</c><00:32:08.559><c> work</c><00:32:08.799><c> together.
• We have<00:32:09.840><c> worked</c><00:32:10.399><c> years</c><00:32:10.960><c> together</c><00:32:11.440
• We<00:32:20.960><c> are</c><00:32:21.120><c> in</c><00:32:21.360><c> this</c><00:32:22.039><c> together

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on the financial and workforce crisis facing Minnesota emergency medical services, especially ground ambulance providers in rural areas. Michael Johnson of the Minnesota Ambulance Association said EMS serves more than 600,000 Minnesotans a year and argued that reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of readiness, staffing, and 24/7 response. He and others called for ongoing EMS sustainability funding of about $50 million, higher Medicaid reimbursement, and continued support for EMT/paramedic scholarships, first responder training, and high school EMS programs. Senator Grant Hoschild and Representative Jeff Backer echoed the urgency, describing EMS as a moral imperative and emphasizing that rural communities cannot wait for ambulances when lives are at risk. Backer, who also volunteers as an EMT, described staffing shortages, reliance on volunteers, and a recent cardiac arrest response to illustrate the importance of local EMS coverage. Becca Hitch of PUM Area EMS said rural services are paid only when patients are transported, not for responding or treating on scene, and that one-time aid helped but did not solve underlying deficits. Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said local governments that hold ambulance licenses are being forced to absorb unrecovered costs through property taxes, and that state support is needed to prevent service failures and rising local burdens. In response to questions, speakers said a 2023 statewide study found about $120 million in need, with roughly half tied to operational deficits and half to volunteer support; last year’s aid included about $24 million for rural services and some improvements in volunteer call pay and equipment needs. They also discussed a proposed 10% Medicaid increase, possible special tax district ideas, and the need to target any new funding toward rural services most at risk.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Mr.<00:32:24.880><c> Chairman,</c><00:32:25.200><c> if</c><00:32:25.360><c> there's</c><00:32
• ><c> move</c><00:32:27.200><c> to</c><00:32:27.440><c> give</c><00:32:27.600><c> the</c><00:32:27.840
• This<00:32:33.120><c> will</c><00:32:33.200><c> be</c><00:32:33.360><c> Senate</c><00:32:33.679><c> Bill
• Uh,<00:32:43.760><c> Representative</c><00:32:44.399><c> Kan,</c><00:32:44.960><c> you</c><00:32:45.120
• :32:56.080><c> in</c><00:32:56.240><c> the</c><00:32:56.399><c> House</c><00:32:56.559><c> of</c> body

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.440><c> that</c><00:32:01.760><c> because</c><00:32:02.799><c> um</c><00:32:03.120><c>
• um<00:32:10.880><c> the</c><00:32:11.120><c> work</c><00:32:11.279><c> that</c><00:32:11.440><c> had
• </c><00:32:11.679><c> been</c><00:32:11.840><c> done</c><00:32:12.080><c> there</c><00:32:12.600><c>
• ><c> you</c><00:32:14.080><c> all</c><00:32:14.480><c> not</c><00:32:14.640><c> by</c><00:32:14.799><
• in</c><00:32:26.159><c> this</c><00:32:26.399><c> area</c><00:32:27.120><c> uh</c><00:32:27.200><c> we

Bills: HF2216 , HF1978 , HF2354 , HF1963 , HF1994 , HF1995 , HF1894

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: assisted living, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, resident rights, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services, elderly, seniors, older adults, disability rights

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:32:05.440><c> we</c><00:32:05.520><c> were</c><00:32:05.600><c> very</c><00:32:05.840
• stifled<00:32:09.320><c> some</c><00:32:09.480><c> other</c><00:32:09.760><c> information</c><00:32:
• have.<00:32:13.120><c> So</c><00:32:13.240><c> we</c><00:32:13.320><c> were</c><00:32:13.400><c> very
• Once we<00:32:14.440><c> got</c><00:32:14.600><c> on</c><00:32:14.680><c> the</c><00:32:14.800><c> other
• ><c> to</c><00:32:16.560><c> make</c><00:32:16.880><c> up</c><00:32:17.000><c> for</c><00:32:17.120><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, and court facility projects. AOC leaders said they do not anticipate problems balancing the outgoing biennium or fiscal year 2026, and explained that the budget changes were driven by the need to reduce costs while preserving required constitutional, court-rule, and statutory services. They also said the new filing fee increases authorized by HB 504 took effect that day and are expected to generate up to $5 million, while the reorganization is projected to save about $3 million in general fund dollars. The bulk of the presentation focused on a major reorganization of the Office of Statewide Programs, which includes specialty courts, family and juvenile services, and pretrial services. AOC said the plan eliminates 170 positions and creates 109 new ones, mainly by reducing middle-management layers, expanding regional service delivery, and cross-training staff. Officials said 110 employees had already been offered or accepted placements, 24 had chosen voluntary separation, and the final number of employees leaving remains fluid until the process concludes around August 1. They emphasized that specialty court programs were not eliminated, but state-funded treatment court contracts and behavioral health liaison positions were removed, with treatment costs shifted to Medicaid or participants where appropriate. Members asked about the process, staffing impacts, specialty court participation, juvenile services, and how AOC will monitor the changes. AOC said the reorganization was developed by leadership, HR, and legal staff under direction of the Chief Justice and approved by the Supreme Court, and that it is intended to improve efficiency and frontline support rather than reduce services. They said specialty court participant levels are being watched closely, that CDW services will continue to use outside providers for programming, and that the agency will keep judges and stakeholders informed as the new structure goes into effect. No votes were taken, and the committee did not approve minutes because a quorum was not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's<00:32:07.520><c> important</c><00:32:07.880><c> that</c><00:32:08.000><c> we</c><00:32:08.120><c
• <00:32:13.800><c> science</c><00:32:14.160><c> and</c><00:32:14.240><c> not</c><00:32:14.400><c> let<
• </c><00:32:15.160><c> France</c><00:32:15.920><c> determine</c><00:32:17.000><c> uh</c><00:32:17.120>
• 17.640><c> and</c><00:32:17.800><c> why</c><00:32:18.400><c> we</c><00:32:18.560><c> label</c><00:32:
• We need<00:32:19.560><c> to</c><00:32:19.640><c> do</c><00:32:19.720><c> it</c><00:32:19.840><c> on</

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 HB 195 Discussion: 05:22 HB 195 Roll Call Vote: 16:33 SB 199 Discussion: 18:34 SB 199 Roll Call Vote: 41:25 SB 5 Discussion: 43:50 SB 5 Roll Call Vote: 46:35 HB 687 Discussion: 48:10 HB 687 Roll Call Vote: 50:15, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:02.080><c> Um,</c><00:32:02.960><c> but</c><00:32:03.200><c> what</c><00:32:03.440><c> I</
• :32:09.200><c> to</c><00:32:09.519><c> purchase</c><00:32:09.760><c> the</c><00:32:09.919><c> airtime
• &gt;&gt; Um,<00:32:14.399><c> I</c><00:32:14.880><c> do</c><00:32:14.880><c> do</c><00:32:15.200><c>
• <00:32:18.320><c> Do</c><00:32:18.480><c> you</c><00:32:18.640><c> know?</c><00:32:19.039><c> Yeah.
• I do want<00:32:28.080><c> to</c><00:32:28.159><c> at</c><00:32:28.159><c> least</c><00:32:28.399><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:17 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:09 Legislative Proposals: HB 213: 00:02:13 HB 516: 00:25:00 HB 589: 00:39:30 Kentucky Public Pension Authority: 00:44:52 Adjournment: 01:14:07, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board met on February 13 and approved the minutes after establishing a quorum. The committee then took up three pension-related bills, beginning with Rep. Callaway’s proposal to allow certain retired police officers with 15 to 19 years of service to be rehired by local law enforcement agencies. Callaway and Brandon Lincoln of the FOP said the bill is intended to help recruitment and retention, especially for departments facing staffing shortages, and emphasized that it would be optional and would not allow double-dipping. Committee members raised concerns that lowering the service threshold from 20 to 15 years could create an unfunded liability and weaken the pension system, and several members said they did not yet fully understand how the pension and insurance provisions would work. The sponsor said she was open to working on the bill, and the chair noted the committee would continue to examine it with help from KPA staff. The second bill, presented by Rep. Lewis with Brandon Lincoln and Jeff Taylor, addressed probationary employees in CS agencies, including firefighters and police officers. The bill would let certain former probationary employees purchase service credit for time spent in probation, and would extend line-of-duty death and disability protections to employees who are injured or killed during probationary service. Testimony said the measure is optional for employers, could be used as a recruitment tool, and would allow employees within six months of the probationary period to buy back the time themselves if they choose. Members generally supported the concept, noted a negligible fiscal note, and discussed whether current employees could buy back older probationary periods; the sponsor said the bill did not appear to allow that, though he was open to further discussion. Throughout both bills, members focused on whether the proposals would create new pension costs or liabilities and how they would interact with existing retirement tiers and contribution rules. Several members asked for clarification on whether rehired workers would contribute to the pension system, whether employers would pay normal cost or any contribution at all, and whether the bills would affect future retirement benefits. The sponsors and witnesses repeatedly said the measures were limited, optional, and intended to address staffing and fairness issues without changing the core retirement system, but the committee did not take final action on the bills during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• really</c><00:32:08.320><c> a</c><00:32:08.480><c> derivative</c><00:32:08.960><c> of</c><00:32:09.200
• </c><00:32:10.000><c> It's</c><00:32:10.159><c> going</c><00:32:10.240><c> to</c><00:32:10.320><c> be
• 32:02.400><c> of</c><01:32:02.560><c> the</c><01:32:02.719><c> school</c><01:32:02.960><c> districts.
• It<01:32:03.520><c> goes</c><01:32:03.679><c> to</c><01:32:03.840><c> the</c><01:32:04.000><c> seek</
• Fiscal<01:32:16.159><c> year</c><01:32:16.480><c> 28</c><01:32:17.600><c> we</c><01:32:17.920><c> see

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum call, the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was from Bo Craycraft of the Judicial Form Retirement System, who gave an update on investment performance, asset allocation, cash flow, and projected employer costs. He reported strong fiscal year 2025 investment results, with both the legislative and judicial retirement plans outperforming their actuarial assumed rates of return and benchmarks, driven largely by U.S. equity performance. He also noted the plans remained near their target asset allocation and continued to experience negative cash flow, though he said that was manageable in context of strong asset growth. Craycraft then discussed a recent experience study and actuarial assumption changes, especially a revised salary growth assumption and a higher cash balance interest credit rate. He said these changes increased projected employer costs, with contributions rising from about $700,000 to a projected $2 million in later years, though he expected the eventual 2025 valuation and investment gains to reduce that estimate. Members asked about mortality assumptions, the impact of the experience study on liabilities, and the sharp increase in the judicial plan’s projected employer cost. Craycraft explained that the increase was driven mainly by the updated assumptions and that no other major plan changes were involved. At the chair’s request, Craycraft also addressed the recent rise in Medicare Advantage premiums for the plan’s health coverage, saying the 2025 increase was largely tied to Part D changes and the Inflation Reduction Act and had been about 45%, but that future growth was expected to be under 5%. After his presentation, the committee moved to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority update, where the next speaker began by saying the funds had exceeded actuarial assumed returns for the fiscal year.