Transcript Highlights:

• they are<00:32:12.720><c> on</c><00:32:13.039><c> the</c><00:32:13.200><c> edge</c><00:32:14.000><c>
• and</c><00:32:14.159><c> that</c><00:32:14.480><c> all</c><00:32:14.640><c> these</c><00:32:14.960><
• doing this<00:32:20.640><c> for</c><00:32:20.880><c> you</c><00:32:21.600><c> is</c><00:32:22.080><c
• like that<00:32:30.960><c> are</c><00:32:31.679><c> are</c><00:32:32.480><c> uh</c><00:32:33.200><c>
• this when<00:32:43.519><c> you</c><00:32:43.679><c> go</c><00:32:43.840><c> after</c><00:32:44.240><

Bills: HF4598 , HF4884 , HF3732

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

Keywords: workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:32:05.120><c> this</c><00:32:05.279><c> is</c><00:32:05.440><c> sort</c><00:32:05.600
• ><c> notion</c><00:32:07.360><c> of</c><00:32:07.519><c> the</c><00:32:07.679><c> critical</c><00:32:
• ><00:32:10.720><c> I</c><00:32:11.159><c> depict</c><00:32:11.799><c> which</c><00:32:12.360><c> I</c
• sort</c><00:32:15.240><c> of</c><00:32:15.399><c> separates</c><00:32:16.399><c> uh</c><00:32:16.880
• 00:32:45.320><c> uh</c><00:32:45.440><c> sort</c><00:32:45.679><c> of</c><00:32:46.120><c> a</c><00:32

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.000><c> there</c><00:32:01.159><c> are</c><00:32:01.360><c> a</c><00:32:01.519><c> lot</c><00:32:
• 00:32:03.519><c> deal</c><00:32:03.799><c> with</c><00:32:04.000><c> the</c><00:32:04.159><c> issue</
• of um<00:32:05.399><c> elicit</c><00:32:05.880><c> drugs</c><00:32:06.279><c> in</c><00:32:06.480><c
• > our</c><00:32:06.919><c> society</c><00:32:07.760><c> um</c><00:32:08.399><c> and</c><00:32:08.600>
• :09.039><c> that</c><00:32:09.399><c> uh</c><00:32:09.600><c> we</c><00:32:09.799><c> spend</c><00:32

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.240><c> if</c><00:32:00.480><c> it's</c><00:32:00.720><c> it's</c><00:32:00.960><c> if</c><00:32:
• <00:32:19.919><c> got</c><00:32:20.080><c> on</c><00:32:20.240><c> the</c><00:32:20.399><c> weight</c
• c><00:32:31.600><c> on</c><00:32:31.760><c> a</c><00:32:31.840><c> wait</c><00:32:32.080><c> list</c>
• 44.640><c> how</c><00:32:44.880><c> long</c><00:32:45.039><c> it</c><00:32:45.200><c> took</c><00:32:
• So, we've got<00:32:48.640><c> to</c><00:32:48.799><c> look</c><00:32:48.960><c> at</c><00:32:49.600>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened by adopting its mission and priorities for reviewing Kentucky’s 1915(c) home- and community-based services waiver wait lists, including evaluating current capacity and bottlenecks, comparing other states’ practices, and considering a tiered priority system based on urgency of need. The chair also announced that, although public comment was not on the agenda, the committee would allow 30 minutes for comments and asked speakers to keep remarks brief. He noted that public comment would not continue in the smaller subcommittees after this meeting, but could still be made at the larger MOAB meetings or by email. Department for Medicaid Services officials Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock then gave a detailed overview of Kentucky’s waiver programs: the acquired brain injury waiver, ABI long-term care waiver, home and community-based waiver, Model 2, Michelle P. waiver, Supports for Community Living waiver, and the newly approved child waiver. They explained each program’s eligibility and level-of-care requirements, described funded, filled, allocated, reserved, and available slots, and said the state had already added new slots from House Bill 500. They emphasized that available slots can coexist with a wait list because of reserved slots for money-follows-the-person transitions, emergency slots, annual slot churn, and waiver-year reconciliation. They also reported that the unduplicated wait list total was 18,948, and gave current wait-time figures by waiver, noting that the numbers change constantly. Members asked about how level-of-care determinations are made, whether all people on the wait list have been assessed, and whether undocumented individuals appear in the counts. The department said full level-of-care assessments are done only when a person is moving off the wait list into a reserved slot, and that only Medicaid-eligible individuals can reach the wait list. Senators and representatives also pressed on the meaning of “churn,” why slots cannot be reissued immediately when someone leaves, and whether people who receive even a small amount of service keep their slot for the rest of the waiver year under CMS rules. Officials said that once a participant receives service during the waiver year, the slot generally cannot be reassigned until the next waiver year, even if the person later disengages. The department also presented county distribution, annual member growth, average total cost per member, and total annual waiver expenditures, saying fiscal year 2025 closed at about $1.8 billion in waiver services. In response to questions, officials said they would provide additional churn data for other waivers, including Michelle P., and would look into the average wait-time calculations requested by members. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.279><c> uh</c><00:32:01.440><c> you</c><00:32:01.679><c> called</c><00:32:01.840><c> me
• said,<00:32:02.159><c> "Hey,</c><00:32:02.399><c> I'm</c><00:32:02.480><c> doing</c><00:32:02.640><c
• </c><00:32:06.320><c> And</c><00:32:06.480><c> so</c><00:32:06.640><c> that</c><00:32:06.880><c> I</c
• ><00:32:07.120><c> that</c><00:32:07.360><c> is</c><00:32:07.519><c> I</c><00:32:07.679><c> think</c>
• > at</c><00:32:08.720><c> this</c><00:32:08.880><c> point</c><00:32:09.039><c> as</c><00:32:09.279><c

Bills: HB0003 , HB0117 , HB0041

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, informed consent, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, law enforcement, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> will</c><00:32:08.080><c> sink</c><00:32:08.440><c> in</c><00:32:08.639><c> to</c><00:32:08.880>
• taking</c><00:32:19.440><c> place</c> here<00:32:22.960><c> with</c><00:32:23.279><c> just</c><00:32
• ><c> a</c><00:32:39.720><c> one</c><00:32:40.039><c> vote</c> majority<00:32:43.399><c> now</c><00:32
• that haven't<00:32:45.919><c> shown</c><00:32:46.200><c> up</c><00:32:46.360><c> to</c><00:32:46.559
• c> they</c><00:32:50.919><c> have</c><00:32:51.360><c> a</c><00:32:52.360><c> house</c><00:32:52.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:02.880><c> be</c><00:32:03.039><c> to</c><00:32:03.279><c> make</c><00:32:03.840><c> distributions
• ><c> school</c><00:32:05.039><c> districts</c><00:32:05.440><c> for</c><00:32:05.679><c> the</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:07.679><c> be</c><00:32:07.840><c> used</c><00:32:08.080><c> for</c><00:32:08.320><c> any<
• </c><00:32:09.679><c> And</c><00:32:09.919><c> so</c><00:32:10.159><c> that</c><00:32:10.480><c> concept
• </c> Next,<01:32:07.920><c> we</c><01:32:08.159><c> will</c><01:32:08.239><c> hear</c><01:32:08.480><

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like<00:32:01.440><c> I</c><00:32:01.600><c> said,</c><00:32:01.760><c> maybe</c><00:32:02.000><c> I<
• ><c> I</c><00:32:04.799><c> know</c><00:32:04.960><c> in</c><00:32:05.200><c> 2324</c><00:32:06.240><
• If you could maybe<00:32:12.080><c> help</c><00:32:12.320><c> me,</c><00:32:12.799><c> yeah,</c><00:32
• &gt;&gt; Sure.<00:32:14.960><c> Uh,</c><00:32:15.279><c> Chair</c><00:32:15.519><c> Kaggel,</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:21.760><c> is</c><00:32:21.919><c> an</c><00:32:22.240><c> impact</c><00:32:23.039><c> on<

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:32:04.880><c> a</c><01:32:05.000><c> little</c><01:32:05.159><c> bit</c><01:32:05.480><c> gives
• ><c> now</c><04:32:57.439><c> be</c><04:32:57.800><c> under</c><04:32:58.000><c> the</c><04:32:58.199
• ><c> has</c><05:32:02.080><c> a</c><05:32:02.200><c> lot</c><05:32:02.440><c> to</c><05:32:02.600><c>
• ><c> and</c><05:32:05.878><c> and</c><05:32:06.680><c> the</c><05:32:06.878><c> the</c><05:32:07.000>
• :32:08.400><c> obviously</c><05:32:09.160><c> we</c><05:32:09.280><c> want</c><05:32:09.440><c> to</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:32:02.480><c> as</c><00:32:02.720><c> anybody</c><00:32:03.240><c> and</c><00:32:03.360><c> I<
• c><00:32:04.519><c> part-time</c><00:32:05.000><c> clerks</c><00:32:05.880><c> who</c><00:32:05.960><
• ><c> two</c><00:32:07.679><c> to</c><00:32:07.840><c> three</c><00:32:08.039><c> days</c><00:32:08.240
• ><c> problem</c><00:32:11.399><c> filling</c><00:32:11.760><c> out</c><00:32:11.960><c> that</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:16.159><c> to</c><00:32:16.320><c> do</c><00:32:16.480><c> it</c><00:32:16.679><c> I</c><00

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:02.240><c> acts</c><00:32:03.159><c> uh</c><00:32:03.279><c> this</c><00:32:03.399><c> is</c><
• </c><00:32:05.880><c> a</c><00:32:05.960><c> corporation</c><00:32:06.440><c> and</c><00:32:06.600><c
• ><c> example</c><00:32:07.720><c> happens</c><00:32:08.039><c> is</c><00:32:08.159><c> when</c><00:32
• 32:16.760><c> we</c><00:32:16.840><c> don't</c><00:32:17.039><c> have</c><00:32:17.159><c> a</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:20.240><c> axe</c><00:32:20.720><c> allows</c><00:32:21.039><c> us</c><00:32:21.200><c> to

Bills: HF747 , HF1014 , HF320 , HF400

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association, MIGA, insurance guaranty fund, insurer insolvency, covered claim, net worth threshold, high-net-worth insured, financial information request, insurance claims, self-insured retention, deductible, commercial insurance, insurance regulation, Minnesota Statutes 60C.09, guaranty association

Transcript Highlights:

• ><03:32:19.760><c> we</c><03:32:19.920><c> could</c><03:32:20.479><c> ask</c><03:32:20.760><c> them</
• c><03:32:24.520><c> yes</c><03:32:25.199><c> uh</c><03:32:26.199><c> okay</c><03:32:27.199><c> um</c>
• </c><03:32:31.000><c> of</c><03:32:31.239><c> documentation</c><03:32:31.960><c> for</c><03:32:32.120
• :32:41.600><c> to</c><03:32:41.680><c> roll</c><03:32:41.920><c> it</c><03:32:42.439><c> over</c> and
• 03:32:53.840><c> thank</c><03:32:53.960><c> you</c><03:32:54.080><c> Mr</c><03:32:54.279><c> chairman

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.159><c> and</c><00:32:00.880><c> uh</c><00:32:00.960><c> then</c><00:32:01.279><c> went</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:02.799><c> stuck</c><00:32:03.120><c> there</c><00:32:04.000><c> because</c><00:32:04.720>
• </c><00:32:41.679><c> took</c><00:32:41.919><c> the</c><00:32:42.159><c> Senate</c><00:32:42.480><c>
• <00:32:54.799><c> we</c><00:32:54.960><c> had</c><00:32:55.200><c> the</c><00:32:55.440><c> revisers<
• ><c> Everyone</c><00:32:57.039><c> was</c><00:32:57.200><c> there</c><00:32:57.360><c> and</c><00:32:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> there</c><00:32:19.919><c> may</c><00:32:20.039><c> be</c><00:32:20.159><c> a</c><00:32:20.320><
• <00:32:24.679><c> all</c><00:32:24.799><c> right</c><00:32:25.000><c> so</c><00:32:25.200><c> next</c
• ><00:32:25.440><c> on</c><00:32:25.679><c> page</c><00:32:26.000><c> 530</c><00:32:27.000><c> what</c
• </c><00:32:53.039><c> uh</c><00:32:53.159><c> helping</c><00:32:53.639><c> facilitate</c><00:32:54.639
• rounds<00:32:57.720><c> for</c><00:32:57.840><c> for</c><00:32:58.039><c> programs</c><00:32:58.880>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Disability Rights Florida, the Florida Chapter
• Chapter 163 tells us that the Legislature conservation set-aside.
• Senate Bill 530 amends Chapter 24 of the Florida Statutes relating to the Department of Lottery.
• Senate Bill 530 amends Chapter 24 of the Florida State statute relating to the Department of Lottery.
• And so they could use Chapter 120 in order to do that as well. Senator Polsky: Thank you.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions before taking up a special order calendar of bills. Early measures included a claims bill for relief to L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which passed 34-0 after substitution from the House version, and a claims bill for the estate of Mark Legata, which passed 35-0 after the amount was reduced in the substitute. The chamber then approved CS for CS for SB 42 on child protective investigations and specific medical diagnoses, requiring investigators to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse; the sponsor described it as a fix for cases where medical evidence is overlooked, and it passed 34-0. A bill on autism education for teachers was also substituted with the House version, amended to replace the Senate language, and passed 35-0 after supportive remarks from members. The Senate next passed a land-use bill, SB 218, adjusting hurricane-related development restrictions so they continue in storm-damaged counties but expire in unaffected counties in 2026, with debate focused on local control and recovery needs; it passed 36-0. The chamber then approved several other measures with little or no opposition: a probate bill modernizing curators of estates (36-0), a Blue Ribbon Projects bill creating a framework for large planned developments with conservation set-asides, which drew extensive debate over local control, growth management, and the bill’s breadth before being temporarily postponed, a state lotteries update (36-0), a diploma requirements bill allowing Special Olympics participation to substitute for PE and clarifying marching band credit (36-0), and a naturopathic medicine licensure/regulation bill that reestablishes a licensing framework and board, which passed 33-3. The Justice Administrative Commission bill was amended to broaden membership to include a judge or senior judge and passed 37-0. The Senate also passed a public records exemption for certain local administrators and their families (31-5), a clinical laboratory personnel bill easing staffing requirements by aligning more closely with federal CLIA standards (37-0), a dry needling bill clarifying occupational therapists may perform the practice (37-0), a financial disclosures bill revising gift/honoraria reporting and restoring a percentage-based reporting option via amendment (36-0), and a child welfare bill expanding when parental drug abuse can be treated as harm or neglect and allowing earlier court intervention and services (37-0). Later, the chamber took up a bill on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and terrorist organizations. The sponsor said it would prevent enforcement of foreign or religious law over the Constitution, create a due-process process for domestic terrorist designations, and bar public funds from supporting terrorism. Senators raised questions about the lack of a time limit on conduct used for designation and whether conviction is required; an amendment was then offered to remove specific references to Sharia law and the bill’s findings, with the sponsor of the amendment arguing the language stigmatized Muslim constituents and singled out Islam. The transcript cuts off during that amendment debate, so no final action on the bill is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:03.840><c> I'll</c><00:32:04.159><c> go</c><00:32:04.240><c> through</c><00:32:04.480><c>
• ><c> on</c><00:32:09.600><c> the</c><00:32:09.760><c> NAPE</c><00:32:10.240><c> to</c><00:32:10.480><
• And Louisiana moved<00:32:18.000><c> from</c><00:32:18.320><c> 42nd</c><00:32:18.880><c> in</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:21.840><c> Not</c><00:32:22.000><c> to</c><00:32:22.159><c> mention</c><00:32:22.399><c> the
• It's the<01:32:42.719><c> same</c><01:32:42.880><c> thing</c><01:32:42.960><c> with</c><01:32:43.280>

Bills: HB0023 , HB0024 , HB0025

Committee: House Education

Keywords: extracurricular activities, public school participation, enrollment, Wyoming, student access, charter schools, application process, authorizers, public hearing, community support, scholarship, education, eligibility, continuous enrollment, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme</c><01:32:46.320><c> Court</c><01:32:47.040><c> is</c><01:32:47.360><c> not</c><01:32:47.520
• :48.000><c> time</c><01:32:48.639><c> that</c><01:32:48.960><c> we</c><01:32:49.120><c> have</c><01:32
• That's<01:32:55.679><c> certainly</c><01:32:56.000><c> the</c><01:32:56.239><c> case,</c><01:32:57.280
• but also breaches<01:32:58.719><c> of</c><01:32:58.880><c> the</c><01:32:59.040><c> public</c><01:32
• safer than<02:32:01.760><c> the</c><02:32:01.920><c> 12</c><02:32:02.160><c> to</c><02:32:02.399><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think all<00:32:01.440><c> of</c><00:32:01.600><c> Havi</c><00:32:02.240><c> has</c><00:32:02.799
• Okay.<00:32:44.960><c> We</c><00:32:45.279><c> do</c><00:32:45.799><c> have</c><00:32:46.799><c> let's
• </c><00:32:47.120><c> see</c><00:32:47.919><c> 2</c><00:32:48.240><c> 4</c><00:32:48.640><c> 6</c><00
• ><c> on</c><00:32:51.880><c> Zoom</c><00:32:52.880><c> and</c><00:32:53.679><c> we</c><00:32:54.000><
• ><c> uh</c><00:32:56.080><c> is</c><00:32:56.480><c> anyone</c><00:32:57.080><c> here</c><00:32:58.080

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Water and Land Committee held a hearing on several governor’s messages for confirmation to land and water-related boards and commissions. The first item was GM 745, confirming Nor Abbott to a second term on the Natural Area Reserves System Commission through June 30, 2029. DLNR and other supporters submitted testimony, and Abbott said his focus has been on watching for potential impacts to marine reserves from nearby land activity and helping ensure those impacts are avoided, minimized, or mitigated through a thorough process. The committee then took up GM 783 and GM 762, both involving the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission. Fenton Pang and Jensen Chop were nominated for terms ending June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029, respectively. Multiple individuals and organizations testified in strong support, including representatives of civic clubs, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, and other community groups. Testimony emphasized Pang’s scientific background, cultural values, humility, and service, and described Chop as a long-time Kahoʻolawe steward with strong ties to restoration work and the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. Chop said his goal is to help more people build a connection to ʻāina and to continue restoration and cultural education efforts on Kahoʻolawe. The final major item was GM 770, confirming Hannah Kihalani Springer to the Commission on Water Resource Management through June 30, 2028. DLNR strongly supported her nomination, describing her as a cultural expert and advocate who can ensure indigenous knowledge is meaningfully included in water policy. Testimony from community members, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, and others highlighted her experience, integrity, and role in protecting customary and traditional water rights, especially for place-based and Native Hawaiian communities. Supporters also said her appointment was important given current water and climate challenges. The chair indicated the committee would proceed to decision-making after the hearing, and no opposition was noted in the testimony summarized here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um,<00:32:02.080><c> we</c><00:32:02.320><c> did</c><00:32:02.880><c> uh</c><00:32:03.200><c> survey<
• they</c><00:32:08.159><c> would</c><00:32:08.320><c> like</c><00:32:08.399><c> to</c><00:32:08.559><
• And that's<00:32:11.039><c> great</c><00:32:11.279><c> news</c><00:32:11.440><c> for</c><00:32:11.679
• :16.559><c> We</c><00:32:16.799><c> did</c><00:32:16.960><c> find</c><00:32:17.120><c> that</c><00:32
• :32:23.679><c> an</c><00:32:23.840><c> appetite</c><00:32:24.240><c> for</c><00:32:24.399><c> those</

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:58 Putting Young Kentuckians to Work: First Year Update 00:04:06 Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative 00:21:59 Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership 00:57:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October minutes, and heard first a progress report on the state-funded “Putting Young Kentuckians to Work” initiative. Workforce leaders from Cumberland Workforce Development Board and Kentucky Works said the HB 1 funding has allowed them to contract with all 10 workforce boards and build new pipelines with high schools, area technology centers, school districts, and community and technical colleges. They reported an end-of-year goal of 3,600 job placements, with 218 placements reported as of October 2025 and enrollment numbers continuing to rise. Testimony emphasized that the program is aimed at disconnected youth and high school seniors, that federal WIOA funds are too limited to support this work alone, and that the flexible state funding has enabled short-term training and placements in fields such as welding, CDL, and CNA. Members asked about barriers to implementation, wage levels, and services for students with disabilities; presenters said the main challenge was building school relationships and that wage growth should improve as students gain more skills and credentials. The committee then received an update on the Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative. Representatives from Greater Louisville Inc. and Commerce Lexington explained that the General Assembly previously provided $250,000 for a consultant to develop a statewide talent attraction and retention strategy, and that more than 13 organizations across the state support the effort. Development Counsellors International described its research process, including statewide stakeholder engagement, and said the goal is to create a Kentucky talent value proposition that combines job opportunities with quality-of-place messaging. They reported that Kentucky faces a shrinking labor force and a projected national worker shortfall, while internal research found 47% of working-age respondents could consider leaving the state within two years because they are not confident in career opportunities. At the same time, they said 96% of surveyed higher education students would stay if offered a full-time job, and 72% of employers expect to expand staffing in the next two years. The presenters said they are moving from research into messaging and an action plan, and that the strategy should be customized and measurable rather than one-size-fits-all.

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.080><c> um</c><00:32:01.279><c> I</c><00:32:01.399><c> heard</c><00:32:01.720><c> your</c><00:32:
• ><00:32:04.639><c> um</c><00:32:04.840><c> to</c><00:32:05.080><c> this</c><00:32:05.200><c> bill</c>
• c> I</c><00:32:05.639><c> don't</c><00:32:05.919><c> see</c><00:32:06.159><c> any</c><00:32:06.360><c
• ><c> tell</c><00:32:09.000><c> me</c><00:32:09.320><c> how</c><00:32:09.480><c> many</c><00:32:09.840
• did</c><00:32:13.480><c> away</c><00:32:13.679><c> with</c><00:32:13.880><c> this</c><00:32:14.440><c

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all