Transcript Highlights:

• <c> cycle</c><01:23:31.280><c> will</c> We recognize this budget cycle will We recognize this budget
• Why we're here: This is a returning budget request.
• Why we're here: This is a returning budget request.
• Why we're here: This is a returning budget request.
• Why we're here: This is a returning budget request.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:04 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:29 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:50 Kentucky Buy American Act: 00:02:08 Earn As You Learn: KY Building Trades Apprenticeship: 00:30:42 Worker Misclassification in the Construction Industry: 01:02:00 Investing in KY’s Future Workforce Through the Good Business Initiative: 01:20:44 Adjournment: 01:28:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September minutes, and heard testimony on a proposed “Kentucky by America” procurement preference bill. Representative Patrick Flannery described the concept as giving preference in public construction and public works contracts to iron, steel, aluminum, and other manufactured goods made in the United States, while emphasizing he wanted to avoid excessive taxpayer costs and was open to changes. Chad Connley of the United Steelworkers and Dustin Reinsteller of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO supported the idea, arguing it would strengthen domestic manufacturing, keep tax dollars in the local economy, and support jobs; Connley said the bill would include waivers for items not made domestically and noted Kentucky has opted out of the GPA trade agreement. Mike Buckington of Metals Innovation Initiative, testifying virtually, also supported the concept and said Kentucky’s metals sector has seen significant investment and can supply most construction needs, while stressing supply-chain reliability and national security concerns. Members generally expressed support but raised questions about implementation. Representative Branscum asked who would grant waivers and how contractors would know the rules during bidding; Flannery said he was open to revising the language and process. Representative Gentry supported the concept but said the bill would likely need editing to avoid harming businesses or markets. Senator Nun suggested aligning the bill’s definition of a U.S. good with industry country-of-origin standards to make compliance easier. Representative KC Carney asked for data on the impact of similar laws in other states, and Connley said he could provide numbers later but did not have them on hand. Senator Boswell supported the concept and asked about the cost threshold for waivers; Connley said the federal standard is a 25% cost increase, while the prior Kentucky version used 10%, and that the threshold is a key detail. The committee then shifted to an informational presentation on building trade apprenticeships. Eric Elie of the Kentucky State Pipe Trades Association, Nick Brown of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 502, and retired IBEW training director Steve Willinghurst explained how union apprenticeship programs work. Brown described earn-while-you-learn training, with apprentices placed on jobs by signatory contractors and attending classes two nights a week for five years. He outlined the work of plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR technicians, emphasizing that these trades support construction, industrial facilities, distilleries, and other critical infrastructure. No votes or formal actions were taken on the policy topics beyond approval of the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roll call request. Roll call granted. Roll call granted.
• Any other discussion to this request or motion?
• Any other discussion to this request or motion?
• President, I request a roll call. Roll call granted.
• Uh so we're going to recess and budget.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So welcome to Budget Sub 4. We have two panels as a part of today's hearing.
• So that kind of flies under the radar sometimes because it doesn't flow through the state budget, but
• But presumably there will be likely more in the upcoming June budget, as well as a total of $1.5 billion
• There are going to be a lot of folks coming to you requesting help.
• And just by articulating this, it's going to help us make budget decisions.

Summary: The hearing focused on California wildfire resilience, with the first panel discussing statewide funding, policy, and strategic priorities, and the second panel shifting to home hardening and defensible space. The LAO outlined the state’s wildfire risk, the large increase in resilience spending in recent years, and the fact that most funding has been one-time rather than ongoing. Testimony emphasized that wildfire risk varies greatly by region, that the state must balance response spending with prevention, and that success should be measured more carefully than by acres treated alone. Witnesses also noted the importance of local, federal, utility, and Proposition 4 funding sources, as well as the need for long-term maintenance and strategic prioritization rather than scattered projects. Cal Fire leadership and other witnesses stressed that California’s wildfire problem is not uniform: forested areas, chaparral, and wildland-urban interface communities require different strategies. In Northern California and forested watersheds, speakers emphasized fuels reduction, prescribed and cultural burning, strategic fuel breaks, watershed protection, and maintaining forest health. In Southern California, testimony focused on wind-driven fires, ember intrusion, ignition prevention along roads and power lines, and the limits of large-scale vegetation clearing. Several witnesses argued that the state should invest where it can leverage local and regional partnerships, support capacity-building programs like Regional Forest and Fire Capacity, and improve data systems to track treatment effectiveness and project outcomes. Members repeatedly pressed witnesses on how to prioritize limited funds, asking what should be done more of, less of, and first. The chair argued that protecting homes and communities through hardening and defensible space should be a major priority, especially near structures, while also acknowledging the need for broader landscape work and watershed protection. There was discussion of incentives such as insurance discounts, property tax treatment, and community certification for hardened homes, along with the need for multiple payers rather than relying on the state alone. Cal Fire reported new and expanding data tools, including treatment trackers, defensible space inspection dashboards, and a fuels treatment effectiveness program that evaluates whether nearby treatments affected wildfire behavior. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislative Budget Board, they do. their population projections.
• We're Strategy B-2-4, a lot of items within their budget.
• I have a budget of $47 million.
• Why is your budget being reduced, do you know? I don't know, sir.
• The morning after that budget was released is when we found out that the budget had been reduced by 90%

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118A to allow Assembly Member Ramos to have I request
• I request—just a moment, Majority Leader.
• I request unanimous consent to order SB 49, Grove, to the second reading file.
• For these reasons, I respectfully request your support for A.J.R. 10. Thank you.
• I request your aye vote. Thank you. Thank you, Assembly Member Alvarez.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved routine procedural motions, and recognized several guest groups, including First Five California, a fourth-grade class from Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, visitors from Modoc and Lassen counties, and representatives from the Port of Long Beach. The chamber then moved through second reading and concurrence items, with most bills and resolutions being read, deemed adopted, or passed on file without debate. The main floor action centered on ACR 39, designating May 2025 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. Assembly Member Ramos and many caucus members spoke in strong support, describing the crisis as a state of emergency and emphasizing violence against Native women, girls, and two-spirit people, the need for better data collection, agency coordination, tribal sovereignty, and continued action beyond symbolic recognition. The resolution passed concurrence with 67 ayes and 0 noes. The Assembly also passed a series of bills on topics including classified school employee pay stubs (AB 374), allowing voucher preferences in housing (AB 282), authorizing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates (AB 583), student health insurance protections (AB 594), local housing pre-approval programs (AB 1206), veterans education program administration (AB 1509), expanding the Family Urgent Response System (AB 898), Star Wars Day (H.R. 33), local news sale notice requirements (AB 611), mask-wearing protections in public spaces (AB 1326), a Chula Vista university land-use measure (AB 76), undercover officer record protections (AB 1178), and preservation of Clover Valley in Rocklin (AB 1152). Most passed with broad support, though AB 282 and AB 611 drew some opposition. A major debate occurred on AJR 10, which urged the President to reverse cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. Members from both parties discussed wildfire prevention, forest health, staffing, and federal-state responsibility, with some criticizing the administration and others emphasizing forest management and the need for bipartisan cooperation. The resolution was adopted after a co-author roll and final roll vote of 67 ayes and 0 noes. The chamber then adopted the second-day consent calendar, heard an adjournment in memory for Giovanni “Johnny” of East Side Italian Deli, and adjourned until Monday, May 12, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• tell you that nothing will work going forward with both of these provisions on the books and I would request
• </c><00:05:19.960><c> that</c><00:05:20.120><c> you</c> books and I would request that you books and
• I would request that you continue<00:05:20.640><c> to</c><00:05:20.760><c> work</c><00:05:21.040><c>
• We have a budget exceeding $2 billion and problems that are well publicized, well known.
• We have a budget exceeding $2 billion and problems that are well publicized, well known.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: This meeting failed to stream and a back up recording was uploaded in it's place., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is no impact to our state budget.
• So there is no impact to our state budget.
• RSVP is requested but not mandatory.
• </c><00:20:39.000><c> but</c><00:20:39.159><c> not</c> we can RSVP is requested but not we can RSVP is
• requested but not mandatory<00:20:40.480><c> but</c><00:20:40.640><c> we</c><00:20:40.760><c> can</c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members, announced a 24-hour rule for committee amendments, and reviewed basic meeting procedures. After roll call confirmed a quorum, members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. The chair also recognized Representative Thomas for his service to the committee and presented remarks of appreciation as he moved into other duties. The committee then considered House Bill 191, which would extend burial eligibility in Kentucky state veterans cemeteries to certain National Guard and Reserve members who were honorably discharged but never activated under Title 10. Testimony from Rep. Aaron Thompson and KDVA officials explained that the bill aligns with the federal Burial Guard Reserve Act of 2022 and would cover some long-serving Guard and Reserve members, including those who served during disasters such as the Eastern Kentucky floods and western Kentucky tornadoes. Members voiced support, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation after adoption of a title amendment. Next, the committee took up House Bill 152, which would create a supplemental Medicaid payment program for public EMS agencies through voluntary intergovernmental transfers, with no general fund dollars used. Rep. Michael Meredith and EMS chiefs testified that the measure would help public agencies recover more of the cost of Medicaid transports; one example cited was a local agency that could increase reimbursement substantially under the program. In response to questions, witnesses said the existing program for public and private agencies is mandatory, while this bill creates an additional voluntary enhancement for public agencies only, and that the program could be affected if Medicaid match rates change. The committee approved the bill with a favorable recommendation and a title amendment. The meeting ended with announcements about Military Kids Day on February 25 and a Kentucky National Guard Association reception and dinner on February 15, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a waiver request by the City of Donaldsonville for a project in their area.
• As the chair mentioned, the next item on your agenda is a request to approve a match waiver.
• Baker, can you confirm the amount that the city is requesting as far as state funds?
• It came in under what was budgeted.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay met on April 22 and first approved the January 15, 2026 minutes. The committee then elected Representative Bacala as vice chair by acclamation after Senator Womack nominated him and no other nominations were offered. The main item of business was a request from the City of Donaldsonville for a waiver of the local match requirement for a capital outlay project, Project 50-M68-25-01, the Stormwater Resilience Project (planning and construction). Committee staff explained that under a 2025 law, municipalities under 9,500 population may receive a full or partial match waiver if they can show an inability to provide the match without mismanagement or misconduct. Staff said Donaldsonville, with a 2020 census population of 6,695, met the eligibility threshold and recommended approval. Mayor Leroy Sullivan testified that the city has a high poverty rate, has previously managed state-funded projects responsibly, and needs the waiver to address drainage and flooding issues in an area expected to see new development. Senator Lambert moved to approve the waiver, and the committee approved it without objection. With no further business, Representative McFarland moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how do we make sure that we last longer than our five-year period and our budget?
• In our budget request this year, we have about $40 million in bicycle and pedestrian projects and plan
• </c><01:21:28.320><c> request</c><01:21:28.840><c> this</c> Derek um in our uh budget request this Derek
• um in our uh budget request this year<01:21:29.239><c> we</c><01:21:29.400><c> have</c><01:21:29.600
• </c> funding and then two is to give budget funding and then two is to give budget authority<01:30:25.800

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> already $500 million um uh over budget. already $500 million um uh over budget.
• . budget. budget.
• </c> $28 million even though their budget $28 million even though their budget remained<01:17:26.719>
• </c> classrooms while we faced a budget classrooms while we faced a budget reduction<01:23:47.679><c>
• </c><01:39:23.600><c> I</c> school board doesn't have a budget I school board doesn't have a budget I

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FY27 budget recommendations.
• that's carried in the budget?
• As of last note, we in this budget make a payment of $150 million from excesses We in this budget make
• One of the most important features, not only of this budget proposal, but of every budget proposal, is
• This is a good budget. I know after our A good budget.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those reasons, we're requesting a no vote today. Thank you.
• We also just passed in this latest budget significant reforms that would also help developers.
• At the appropriate moment, I would request an aye vote.
• At the appropriate moment, I would request an aye vote. Great. Thank you.
• You know, and I've certainly fought on the Senate side and the budget.

Summary: The committee heard several housing bills, with the longest discussion focused on SB 79, which would allow more housing near high-capacity transit stops and on transit agency-owned land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and strengthen transit systems by putting more residents near rail and rapid transit. Supporters included housing advocates, local officials, environmental groups, and transit-oriented development organizations. Opponents, including many cities, the League of California Cities, and some tenant and legal advocacy groups, raised concerns about affordability requirements, displacement, demolition protections, local control, and the bill’s interaction with existing local planning efforts. The committee discussed amendments to strengthen anti-displacement protections, minimum density, affordability standards, and a local flexibility alternative, and SB 79 was moved out on a due-pass-as-amended vote of 8-1, with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 21, which would amend the Housing Crisis Act to allow limited unit reductions when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with private bathrooms, kitchens, and supportive services. The author and nonprofit housing providers said many SRO buildings are financially unsustainable and that the bill would preserve deeply affordable housing while improving conditions for residents. There was no organized opposition testimony at the hearing, though one business property group registered opposition. Members expressed support for the preservation-focused approach, and SB 21 was approved on an 8-0 vote and sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. Next, SB 92 was heard, a measure to close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much additional commercial floor area a project can receive and preventing the law from being used to justify very large nonresidential projects with only minimal affordable housing. The author cited a San Diego project as an example of the problem, and the City of San Diego supported the bill as a reasonable fix. Several labor and housing groups also supported it, while no formal opposition witnesses testified. The committee accepted amendments, members praised the effort to curb abuse while preserving feasibility, and SB 92 passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to units rebuilt after disaster if they had previously been covered by the Tenant Protection Act. The author and the Los Angeles City Attorney said the bill would help preserve rental housing in disaster-affected communities, especially after the Pacific Palisades fires, and would not create new rent control. Opponents, including apartment, realtor, and property owner groups, argued it would add burdens to rebuilding and could discourage reconstruction. Members raised questions about whether existing law already protects returning tenants and whether the bill was necessary, and the hearing continued into committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in closing, my sincere request, my urgent request, my respectful request to this committee, both
• We have over a hundred requests for housing stability services each month that are new, and at least
• Funding for the program was included in the FY25 and FY26 state budgets at $2.5 million each year.
• We appreciate the Legislature's continued investment in access to counsel through the budget.
• That means families can budget.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of landlord-tenant and home rule bills, with most testimony focused on rent stabilization, tenant opportunity to purchase (TOPA), tenant fees, access to counsel, algorithmic rent fixing, and tenant protections in subsidized housing. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty outlined the hearing procedures and noted that written testimony could also be submitted. Several members and invited speakers emphasized that the committee was hearing from both local officials and residents affected by housing instability, especially in Somerville and other communities facing high rents and displacement. Supporters of rent stabilization and local-option rent control argued that Massachusetts needs tools to prevent displacement while new housing is built. Senator Eldridge, Senator Jalen, Somerville officials, tenant organizers, and residents described steep rent increases, no-fault evictions, and the loss of naturally occurring affordable housing. Somerville’s home rule petition was described as allowing annual increases tied to CPI plus 2%, capped at 5%, with exemptions for owner-occupied two- and three-family homes and a 15-year exemption for new construction. TOPA supporters said it would let tenants or their designees buy buildings before speculative buyers, preserving affordable housing stock; opponents, including small landlords and property managers, argued rent control would reduce supply, discourage investment, and that TOPA could delay sales and harm properties. The committee also heard testimony on bills to curb junk fees and regulate tenant charges, including limits on late fees, lease renewal fees, payment portal fees, attorney’s fees, and other add-on charges. Advocates said these fees can add hundreds of dollars a month and disproportionately harm low-income renters and renters of color. Another major topic was algorithmic rent fixing: Senator Moore and Representative Sabadoza said landlords should not use software such as RealPage to coordinate pricing, citing federal antitrust actions and arguing that competition is essential to lowering rents. Additional testimony supported a statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, with legal services providers saying representation dramatically improves outcomes and can save the state money, and a bill to create an office of tenant protections to better enforce sanitary code violations. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• These individuals then would need to just go and, um, request the governor's messaging if they wanted
• just wanted the public to understand. ...understands that those tax bills we consider impacting the budget
• you should not be sending things out that are not germane because they do more than just revenue or budget

Committee: Senate Senate Committees' Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, all in a budget-neutral manner for this next budget term.
• Uh we also include a budget neutral way.
• </c><01:46:47.679><c> passed</c> come from the earlier uh budgets passed come from the earlier uh budgets
• </c> this legislature and into the budget this legislature and into the budget bill<01:47:16.880><c>
• hard hard um budget cuts at our<01:47:22.880><c> schools.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Marti: Are you aware if the Speaker and Pro Tem have requested an actuary to be done on
• I'm just concerned that funding being an issue with a little bit of budget uncertainty, funding could
• Members, House Bill 3649 is a request bill from the Department of Mental Health.
• It would allow Members, House Bill 3649 is a request bill for the Department of Mental Health.
• House Bill 3650 is a request bill from the Hospital Association to extend the existing rate floor on

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills and moved most of them forward. House Bill 4329, by Pro Tem Moore, passed 6-0 after a brief explanation that it changes the definition of coverage services from “reimbursable” to “reimbursed.” House Bill 3016, by Representative Dobrinski, also passed 5-0; it would create a vision screening program tied to early literacy efforts and establish a revolving fund, with members raising questions about funding, training, timing in larger districts, and whether insurance or outside clinics could help cover costs. Representative Dobrinski said he was open to adjustments and noted the bill is intended to identify vision issues that can affect reading and school performance. Representative West’s House Bill 4118 passed 5-0 after the committee adopted a PCS as the working draft. West described it as a fiscally responsible measure supporting family caregivers, maintaining existing safeguards under the Caring for Caregiver Act, and preserving a nonrefundable tax credit capped at $1.5 million. House Bill 366, by Representative Pogemiller, passed 5-0 and would create a revolving fund for the Health Care Workforce Training Commission to support behavioral health professionals in rural Oklahoma under the Rural Health Transformation Program. The committee also considered House Bill 3649, a Department of Mental Health request bill allowing proceeds from certain real estate sales to be placed in a department trust for future property purchases or development. Questions centered on whether the bill aligned with an RFP involving current state facilities, and the bill was sent to oversight on a 4-1 vote. House Bill 3650, a Hospital Association request bill to extend the managed Medicaid rate floor, was also sent to oversight on a 5-0 vote, with Chairman Stinson saying he intended to amend the end date from 2035 down to 2028 before further consideration. House Bill 3644 was laid over until the following week, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh part of<00:08:33.120><c> the</c><00:08:33.279><c> budget</c><00:08:33.519><c> request</c><00:08:33.839
• request that we've put in of the budget request that we've put in for<00:08:34.640><c> this</c><00:08
• Um but for a why they've requested this.
• That was a request of the is correct.
• </c> requested by industry or anyone else. requested by industry or anyone else.

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:29 Discussion SB 153 01:25 Vote SB 153 10:35 Discussion SB 118 11:36 Vote SB 118 12:48 Discussion HB 380 13:40 Vote HB 380 40:12, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Across our great state, Lord, we need a major miracle to get the budget done quickly and our legislators
• With respect to the budget, as it is abundantly clear to all of you, we will not complete the 2026-27
• state budget by the end of this week.
• And you can count on a co-sponsor request coming in right now.
• But they make me sign that budget form every year in that darn room.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for stopping the April campus shooter. The Speaker then outlined the final week of session, noting the House had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, but that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed this week. The chamber also adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The House took up several Senate bills on special order, largely technical or open-government measures, and passed them with little or no opposition. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and revisor’s changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public-records and meeting exemptions for matters such as Public Service Commission proprietary information, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety records, cybersecurity, emergency shelter contact information, conviction integrity units, and trade secrets. Most passed overwhelmingly, though SB 7006 drew 99-8, SB 7022 on public records for exam integrity passed 101-8 after questions about testing materials and scoring rubrics, and SB 7026 on trade secrets passed 106-3. The most substantive floor debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had become a “slush fund” and had been used for the Everglades detention facility rather than emergencies; several members supported her on fiscal and separation-of-powers grounds, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. The House rejected Eskamani’s amendment and then adopted a Griffiths strike-all amendment adding accountability measures, including spending limits, quarterly reporting, asset tracking, and a sunset/review provision. SB 7040 then passed 82-25. The chamber also passed CS/CS SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which prompted extended questions about vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and foreign passport/I-94 documentation; the bill was still under amendment and debate when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, we need a major miracle to get the budget done quickly and our legislators can return home soon
• With respect to the budget, as it is abundantly clear to all of you, we will not complete the 2026-27
• state budget by the end of this week.
• And you can count on a co-sponsor request coming in right now. President Hunschofsky.
• But they make me sign that budget form every year in that darn room.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Per the analysis, any cost to the IG is minor and absorbable within the IG's budget.
• Municipalities are seeing large-scale requests that require substantial staff time.
• This reflects a broader trend toward more expansive and complicated requests.
• This reflects a broader trend toward more expansive and complicated requests.
• It does not of actual working days when staff are available to process requests.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all