Transcript Highlights:

• I'm joined today with Anna Granas from Wilder Research, part of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.
• This is the fun part: what did we learn? Why do we care? Why does this matter?
• not even part-time um and if<00:30:21.679><c> it's</c><00:30:22.000><c> not</c><00:30:22.159><c> a</
• I'm glad you brought the technology part of the role of a library media specialist.
• So thanks for bringing up the technology part.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are in large part what we have used in the past, with some minor changes.
• what we have used in the past large part what we have used in the past lead<00:10:17.760><c> clor</c
• So parts of it become public, other parts are nonpublic and public, and then even when the parts that
• So parts of it become public, other parts are nonpublic, and then even when the parts that do become
• ><c> that</c><01:25:50.199><c> we're</c> in the IG part of statutes that we're in the IG part of statutes

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not part of financial aid; it is completely separate.
• It is not part of financial aid; it is completely separate.
• It is not part of financial aid; it is completely separate.
• It is not part of financial aid; it is completely separate.
• </c> have a a researcher with me that is part have a a researcher with me that is part of<01:20:35.960

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses. The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then. Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pandemic particularly in the early part pandemic particularly in the early part from<00:40:24.560
• Do you have a number of part-time? We have two part-time in the Bureau of Program Quality.
• </c> attorneys that have been that are part attorneys that have been that are part of<03:31:28.319><c
• </c> that's part of it obviously being part that's part of it obviously being part of<03:40:58.880><c
• </c> um uh uh not I don't think they're part um uh uh not I don't think they're part in<03:43:39.279>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work. Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract. White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I got that part.
• In the third part of the bill, where we But in any of it, so let me ask you this, in the third part of
• No, that part I got.
• So I got that part.
• You were a part of that, correct?

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:00.400><c> But</c> to any kind of part of the law. But to any kind of part of the law.
• So what you're saying is that the HPD officers have to sign on to be a part of it.
• So what you're saying is that the HPD officers have to sign on to be a part of it.
• So what you're saying is that the HPD officers have to sign on to be a part of it.
• </c><01:02:32.280><c> civil</c> those are all for the most part civil those are all for the most part

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1976, relating to dementia training for law enforcement, and HB 2443, relating to disaster services for people with disabilities and access or functional needs. For HB 1976, the Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board opposed the bill’s process and cost, arguing there was no documented training gap because existing CALEA accreditation already includes mental illness response training that covers dementia. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, disability advocates, caregivers, and several individuals, said dementia-specific training would help first responders better handle real-world encounters and avoid harmful misunderstandings. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including changing mandatory language to permissive language in several places and removing a deadline for the first annual training cycle; the recommendation was adopted unanimously. For HB 2443, testimony was strongly supportive. The Disability Communication Access Board, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and individual testifiers said the bill would strengthen emergency planning and response by adding a Disability Integration Specialist and better integrating people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into disaster preparedness, sheltering, and FEMA coordination. Several speakers emphasized recent storms and rescues as evidence of the need. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including changes based on Attorney General comments and adding specialized communications and comprehensive communications planning provisions previously contained in another bill; that recommendation was also adopted unanimously. The transcript then moved to a separate mini hearing on HB 1768, relating to immigration enforcement. Supporters, including the ACLU of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would prevent local law enforcement from entering 287(g)-type agreements or otherwise participating in federal immigration enforcement, citing civil rights concerns, community trust, and the need for police to focus on local public safety. One testifier raised concerns that local cooperation could help avoid mistakes in enforcement, while supporters responded that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that local agencies should not be deputized for civil immigration arrests. The excerpt ends amid extended member questions and discussion, without showing a final vote on HB 1768.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:34.160><c> is</c><00:16:34.399><c> in</c> The the part that's encouraging is in The the part
• We came up with the part in 2023.
• c> that is really essential. um part of our that is really essential. um part of our 2026<01:16:05.679
• Do the owners of Blaine cleanup part.
• </c> location as part of that legislation. location as part of that legislation.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But one part of the answer is housing.
• And that's what the core part of this bill is about.
• We need all cities across the state to do their part.
• At a across the state to do their part.
• </c><01:16:27.920><c> of</c> I've been very proud to be a part of I've been very proud to be a part of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's probably our I've lived here now for the better part of 20 years.
• Um, I've business part of healthcare.
• So that has been a major part.
• I don't know because I was part of that?
• </c> unacceptable. you are going to be a part unacceptable. you are going to be a part of<01:04:59.359

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I'm sorry I forgot to mention that part I'm sorry I forgot to mention that part at<00:04:48.160>
• Um, we do have a, um, like kind of a part in statute where tax expenditures have eight-year sunsets.
• Swanson to explain the more technical parts of it. This was included in the 2023 tax bill.
• </c><00:23:25.279><c> of</c> of more technical part of of more technical part of it<00:23:27.000><c>
• </c><00:51:08.000><c> of</c> smaller part of smaller part of their their their sales<00:51:12.240><c>

Bills: HF2274 , HF1932

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers

Transcript Highlights:

• I am part of 19 that were States.
• I'm part of Nexus Community Partners.
• I'm part of time. I'm Nicole Tabata.
• </c> cooperative in the works, um taking part cooperative in the works, um taking part in<00:14:52.760
• , Was there another part to your question, Senator?

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask you all humbly, please step in and do your part to keep us safe, too. Thank you.
• I ask you all humbly, please step in and do your part to keep us safe, too.
• </c> humbly, please step in and do your part humbly, please step in and do your part to<00:19:01.840>
• She was part of our children's daily lives and she was taken from us.
• </c> awful and I think the the hardest part awful and I think the the hardest part was<01:15:31.840><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On that, a two-part answer.
• There are three parts to the DEI definition in the bill.
• I think it's all part of our reckoning with what happened in the past.
• In my part of the state, of course, still reeling.
• For site selection and feasibility on the part of the hyperscaler.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> taking part on this insurance front, Mr. taking part on this insurance front, Mr.
• of the school and take classes part-time.
• of the school and take classes part-time.
• of the school and take classes part-time.
• </c> Um there's a there's a second part Um there's a there's a second part there.<01:38:40.360><c> We

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we get to that part in the agenda. agenda. agenda.
• They would not be part of mandated. They would not be part of those<00:18:04.799><c> requirements.
• </c> uh the other part is availability. uh the other part is availability.
• </c> number of transports which is in part number of transports which is in part due<00:46:06.160><c>
• I'm going to work part-time." And those are great.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, with one member abstaining because of absence and one member opposing. The main informational items were a Department of Health and Human Services update on the rural health transformation grant and a public health briefing on vaccines, followed by a quarterly budget and staffing update and an annual report from the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias. Commissioner Lori Weaver reported that the department submitted the rural health transformation grant application on November 4, described it as reflecting input from communities and providers statewide, and said CMS review and budget negotiations would follow before final approval on December 31. She said the grant could support hiring as long as administrative costs stay within the 10% cap, and that the governor’s office will oversee administration with HHS. Ian Watt then testified that New Hampshire remains committed to vaccine access, including through the universal purchase program and annual respiratory virus guidance for flu, RSV, and COVID-19. He said the state continues to use evidence-based review for vaccine policy, noted the CDC’s change regarding the combined MMRV vaccine for the first dose in young children, and said New Hampshire’s school vaccine mandates remain at nine for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, with statutory exemptions still in place. Department staff also said there have been no supply or funding problems affecting childhood vaccine access. Nathan White, the department’s CFO, reviewed the DHHS budget and vacancy trends. He said DHHS makes up a large share of the state budget, that about 31% of its budget is general funds subject to lapse, and that lapse projections are difficult because much of the budget is driven by utilization rather than personnel. He reported current projected general fund lapse of just under $20 million, compared with about $39 million in the statewide surplus statement, and explained that only about a third of DHHS general funds can actually lapse because of statutory restrictions. He also said the department has about 400 unfunded positions, contributing to roughly a $30 million general fund reduction across the biennium, and that the hiring freeze has pushed vacancy trends upward while critical direct-care positions are being prioritized. The Alzheimer’s subcommittee reported six meetings this year, presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and work toward a new state Alzheimer’s plan. The subcommittee is developing a needs-assessment survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers, with the goal of using the results and other data sources to inform the plan. Its recommendations focus on integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease and aging outreach, embedding brain health into systems of care, adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS, and continuing partnerships with statewide organizations. Members also discussed recent research and prevention efforts, and the committee noted that a separate bill is being pursued to include Alzheimer’s and dementia in existing public health awareness campaigns.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if small towns is maybe perhaps Brookline is part of the Nashua one, you know.
• </c><00:18:44.440><c> of</c> takes into account that center part of takes into account that center part
• </c><00:36:39.839><c> of</c> consistent with other um parts of consistent with other um parts of Statute
• </c> building or land so that it becomes part building or land so that it becomes part of<02:03:01.079
• So that's the cost-neutral part.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community Board 12 in the Bronx is part of the district that I represent, as you well know.
• Community Board 12 in the Bronx is part of the district that I represent, as you well know.
• We know number four fuel oil is still used in certain parts of Western New York.
• WE KNOW NUMBER FOUR FUEL OIL IS STILL USED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF WESTERN NEW YORK.
• And a big part of that is because the costs are not disclosed. There is no transparency.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions, including students from Brooklyn and St. John’s University, followed by adoption of the resolution calendar with exceptions for two items. The chamber then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, Workplace Violence Prevention Month, the one-year anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in the Dominican Republic, New York Constitution Day, and the Month of the Military Child. Senators speaking on the maternal health resolution emphasized racial disparities in maternal mortality and the need for culturally competent care; the workplace violence resolution highlighted hospital safety programs; the Jet Set resolution was adopted in memory of the victims; and the Constitution Day speech reviewed New York’s delayed but eventual support for independence in 1776. The military child resolution stressed the sacrifices of military families and support for children of service members. All of these resolutions were adopted, and the resolutions were opened to co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the third reading calendar, passing several bills and laying others aside. Measures passed included bills on public health, environmental conservation, executive law, public authorities, and consumer protection. One notable debate involved a bill to require transparency from private arbitration organizations handling consumer cases; supporters argued it would provide basic public data and guard against conflicts of interest, while opponents said it would burden a useful dispute-resolution process and intrude on privacy. The bill passed after debate. Another debated bill would phase out number 4 heating oil statewide; supporters said cleaner alternatives exist and the fuel is harmful to public health, while opponents raised cost and transition concerns, especially for colder regions. That bill also passed. The chamber also considered a bill to create a rebate program for battery-powered landscaping equipment, funded through utility-related mechanisms administered by NYSERDA. Supporters said it would reduce air and noise pollution and help companies transition, while opponents argued ratepayers should not subsidize landscaping equipment. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. Finally, the Senate began discussion of a housing-related bill aimed at preserving manufactured home parks by enabling nonprofits or municipalities to acquire development rights and keep the land dedicated to that use, with the sponsor explaining that the goal is to protect affordable housing and help residents remain in their homes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just additional folks who want to weigh in on this part? Yes, Michael Bocador.
• That will be a separate initiative from somewhere, but it is not part of this bill.
• And areas like mine, the part of the grid that I share with the Pro Tem, is probably the softest part
• Senator Allen: “For my own part, I’m going to want to thank you.
• We can see there's parts we're aligned on and parts we're not.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and authorize additional funding to support renewable natural gas projects by reducing interconnection costs. Supporters said high interconnection costs and the current tax treatment are major barriers to methane reduction projects; opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, raised ratepayer cost concerns and objected to rate-basing and additional public funding. The author said amended language would remove the rate-basing provisions and instead urge the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Community Impact Mitigation Program for the Diablo Canyon plant through 2030 to continue funding local emergency preparedness, fire protection, public safety, and school district costs. The County of San Luis Obispo and labor groups supported the bill, while TURN opposed it as a statewide ratepayer subsidy that could be funded from existing PG&E revenues instead of higher rates. Members discussed the bill in the context of the 2022 Diablo Canyon extension deal and the possibility of a future longer extension. SB 1215 by Senator Cortese would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing and evaluate progress, with amendments aimed at affordability and limiting system upgrade costs. Supporters said renters are largely locked out of home charging and that prior utility programs proved cost-effective; no opposition testified. SB 1359 by Senator Stern would require more deliberate CPUC review before major gas system investments, emphasizing electrification and non-pipeline alternatives. Gas utilities and several industry groups opposed it, arguing it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and change the regulatory compact. The committee also heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Senator Gonzalez, which would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Water agencies, environmental groups, and local governments supported the measure, while one member expressed concern that it lacked a funding source and could not overcome Proposition 218 limits; the bill was moved to Appropriations and the roll was left open. Finally, SB 1098 by Senator Perez would restrict the use of long-running memorandum and balancing accounts by investor-owned utilities, require exceptional circumstances for new accounts, and add sunset and cost-sharing requirements. Consumer advocates and large energy users supported tighter oversight, while the utilities and business groups opposed the bill as too rigid and potentially harmful to flexibility for wildfire, emergency, and safety-related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is part of the projects that we've identified in the booklet.
• </c> authorization on your p on your part authorization on your p on your part regarding<00:47:59.680
• And so part of it is, you know, we want to expand and use lands that are adjoining.
• And that also is being in part financed by part of the GET revenues that were set aside by the Maui County
• part financed by<01:25:51.120><c> part</c><01:25:51.360><c> of</c><01:25:51.440><c> the</c><01:25:51.760

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Act 279 working group met for an informational briefing with DHHL on its use of the $600 million appropriation and progress on the department’s implementation plan. The chair reviewed the working group’s oversight role, noting that it was created to monitor expenditures, project development, and progress toward reducing the Hawaiian Homes waitlist, and that the group must submit a progress report before the 2026 session and a final report before the 2027 session. DHHL said it had provided an updated booklet reflecting the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s February 2024 recommendations and a detailed accounting of encumbrances and project progress across the islands. DHHL highlighted several implementation themes: innovative financing and construction methods, land acquisitions and exchanges, technology, beneficiary services, and partnerships with counties and private entities. The department described a “project lease” model that gives beneficiaries access to a project rather than a specific lot, with options such as turnkey homes, owner-builder, self-help, or rent-to-purchase arrangements depending on financial qualification. Officials said this approach is intended to serve lower-income beneficiaries, expand access for people on the waitlist, and allow beneficiaries to receive support services such as financial literacy and down payment assistance. The department reported that roughly $511 million had been encumbered for infrastructure, about $152.8 million for acquisitions, financing, and beneficiary services, and about $36 million in other covered costs, with about $588.9 million encumbered as of December 31 and about $120 million expected to be spent by that date. Officials said the original implementation plan covered about 2,722 units, while the updated plan projects roughly 6,000 to 7,000 leases and 2,472 lots to be occupied. They also described phase-two needs for additional funding, including projects on Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu, and said they would need continued legislative support, including possible bonding and private activity bond set-asides, to complete remaining projects. Members discussed the distinction between encumbered and spent funds, and DHHL explained that encumbrances reserve money for specific contracts while construction spending occurs over time through progress payments. The department also showcased examples of innovative projects, including a high-rise project in urban Honolulu financed through a mix of private activity bonds, tax credits, and state funds, and an acquisition-based project in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi using multiple funding sources. DHHL emphasized partnerships with the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County, and said it is still assessing future projects to keep infrastructure costs manageable and ensure homes are safe and affordable for beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do Yes, so as part of the invoice review, as part of the case management, they are looking at both
• And I do Yes, so as part of the invoice review, as part of the case management, they are looking at both
• And I do Yes, so as part of the invoice review, as part of the case management, they are looking at both
• And I do Yes, so as part of the too.
• , as part of the case invoice review, as part of the case management,<00:20:21.080><c> they</c><00:20

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the September 19 meeting minutes and then took up a deferred University of Kentucky personal services contract amendment for guardianship services. UK officials explained that the contract covers court-appointed guardians for patients who cannot make medical decisions and are not eligible for state guardianship, with the work funded by UK Medical Center agency dollars rather than the general fund. Members questioned the large increase in the not-to-exceed amount, the number of cases, the hourly billing structure, and whether there are safeguards to prevent unnecessary costs or reimbursement issues if a patient later has resources. UK said the increase reflects shifting work from a prior firm, anticipated new cases, a move from a monthly fee to hourly billing, and the need for a second firm because one prior attorney died and another firm has had difficulty appearing in court promptly. The committee ultimately approved the contract, while Senator Thomas said he would vote aye but urged future review of attorney fee limits and broader guardianship statutes, which he described as outdated and inconsistent. The committee then deferred three Office of Energy Policy memorandum of agreement items to the November 2025 meeting without objection. After that, it approved the remaining agenda items, including the contract lists and deferred items not separately selected for review. The final major item was a University of Kentucky personal services contract related to fundraising and philanthropic outreach. UK representatives said the contract supports marketing and donor engagement efforts to grow the university’s endowment pipeline and philanthropic support. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its questions or took final action on that item.