Transcript Highlights:

• A good friend of mine, Darren Jordan, is here. I went to high school with him.
• A good friend<00:01:23.520> of<00:01:23.680> mine,<00:01:23.840> Darren<00:01:24.159
• Jordan,<00:01:24.479> is<00:01:24.640> here<00:01:24.960> I friend of mine
• , Darren Jordan, is here I friend of mine, Darren Jordan, is here I went<00:01:25.360> to<00:01

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:06 Attendance Roll Call: 00:11 SB 53 Discussion: 01:54 SB 53 Vote: 09:09 SB 192 Discussion: 10:15 SB 192 Vote: 13:42 HB 290 Discussion: 15:02 HB 290 Vote: 16:08 HB 314 Discussion: 16:45 HB 314 Vote: 19:38 Adjournment: 21:32, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. Senate Bill 53, sponsored by Senator Thomas, addressed Fayette County planning and zoning procedures after a 2024 law was interpreted to limit public comment at certain hearings. Thomas, along with witnesses Walt Gaffield and Zachary Davis, argued the bill would clarify that residents have a right to speak for or against planning matters affecting their homes and neighborhoods. The committee voted favorably on SB 53, with all members present voting yes. The committee then took up Senate Bill 192, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would allow smaller cities to use agreed-upon procedures instead of full audits under certain conditions, with standards set by professional accounting rules and oversight by the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Department of Local Government. Supporters said the bill would help small and midsize cities facing audit costs and a shortage of auditors without reducing accountability. The committee adopted a substitute and passed SB 192 unanimously, with several members explaining their support. House Bill 290, sponsored by Representative Wilson, would change how county law library funds can be used, allowing bar associations to spend money on online legal research tools rather than only books. The sponsor said some local associations have unused funds and need more practical options. The committee passed HB 290 unanimously. Finally, House Bill 314, sponsored by Representative Lockett and Senator Williams, would reorganize oversight of the Kentucky Wired network by consolidating authority and personnel into the Commonwealth Office of Technology amid concerns about KCNA’s management. The bill drew criticism from Senator McDaniel, who called Kentucky Wired a boondoggle and questioned its costs, but the committee still passed HB 314 with favorable expression 9-2 and sent it to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have mine, and I don't know that they're pertinent to passing the compact.
• I want to add mine. And I... I want to add mine.
• I want to add mine. And I always have a concern when we join a national entity.

Bills: HB10, HB12, HB34, SB130, SM21

Keywords: physician assistants, interstate compact, medical services, licensure, cross-state practice, military families, regulatory authority, physical therapy, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare, military spouses, criminal background check, HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• real-world solutions to things like access to water, affordable energy, safer ways to extract minerals and mining
• real-world solutions to things like access to water, affordable energy, safer ways to extract minerals and mining
• It was the New Mexico School of Mines, and the Institute of Mining and Technology is now known today

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of you all probably have examples in histories and mining industry.
• Like, what's the deepest copper mine in the world? 95% recovery? How deep are they going to get it?
• But just the point of it is, if we can't get more than 6% and other industries that are mining and extracting
• a resource from the ground are getting 90-plus percent, And other industries that are mining and extracting

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 2397 and a proposed amendment creating a development incentive well program for North Dakota oil and gas production. Representative Dockter explained the amendment as a way to encourage exploratory and innovative drilling in light of the state’s financial outlook and the growing share of stripper wells. Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and DMR geologist Timothy Nashim presented background on the Bakken and Three Forks formations, with Nashim describing research showing that Middle Three Forks second-bench development can add reserves in some areas but not others, and that roughly 600 additional wells in the strongest area could yield about 250 million barrels of oil. Continental Resources representatives William Houser and John Argo supported the amendment. They said the bill would give a temporary oil extraction tax exemption for certified development incentive wells, limited to 36 months or 300,000 barrels, and would also update tax treatment for gas used in enhanced oil recovery and on-site electric generation. They argued the measure would encourage new technology and testing in existing spacing units, complementing House Bill 1483, which they said focused on geographic expansion into non-Bakken and non-Three Forks areas. Argo said Continental still invests heavily in North Dakota but is shifting rigs elsewhere because of economics, and he urged incentives to spur exploration and preserve the basin’s long-term future. North Dakota Petroleum Council executive director Ron Ness also supported the concept, calling it a targeted, low-risk way to encourage innovation and future barrels. Committee members asked about royalty treatment, the difference from House Bill 1483, pressure maintenance, and how the program would be administered. DMR said the amendment should clarify that the operator bears the burden of proving a well qualifies and that only one incentive well per stratigraphic interval should be certified. No vote was taken; the committee paused to work on revised language and indicated the bill would likely need further adjustment, possibly in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• have learned firsthand climate change's impact on our future, making this issue especially urgent for mine
• issue especially future, making this issue especially urgent<00:23:30.480> for<00:23:30.720> mine
• urgent for mine and future generations. urgent for mine and future generations.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health met on April 2, 2025, and heard several resolutions focused on student mental health, autism data collection, school heat exposure, and climate change as a public health issue. Testimony on HCR 96/HR 92 supported encouraging the University of Hawaii to evaluate and expand student mental health services; the University of Hawaii testified in support, and a student speaker said expanded services would make students more likely to seek help. The committee also heard HCR 145/HR 139, which urges state agencies to collaborate on planning for Hawaii’s participation in CDC autism prevalence surveillance; supporters included the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and an autism advocate who said Hawaii needs better local representation in the data. The committee then heard HCR 186/HR 179, requesting a study of heat exposure management in Department of Education and charter schools. The Department of Health and the climate change and health working group supported the measure, citing rising temperatures, heat-related illness risks during outdoor activities, and the value of wet bulb globe temperature standards. Finally, the committee heard HCR 188/HR 182, declaring climate change a public health emergency and calling for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the climate change and health working group, and a Native Hawaiian physician emphasized climate-related health harms such as heat illness, wildfire impacts, chronic disease, and inequities; one member opposed the measure as politicized and said it could dilute attention from other urgent problems. In decision-making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass HCR 96/HR 92, HCR 145/HR 139, and HCR 186/HR 179 as is. For HCR 188/HR 182, the committee recommended passage with amendments, specifically a House draft one for technical clarity, consistency, and style. During the vote on the climate emergency resolution, Representatives Elos and Garcia voted no, while the rest of the members present supported the recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• represent family members of mine. represent family members of mine.
• Oh, those are mine. Those are mine. So, hello. Hello there. Hi.
• like those are mine. Oh, those are mine. like those are mine. Oh, those are mine.
• Those<02:08:11.679> are<02:08:11.840> mine. Those are mine.
• A close friend of mine was being crushed by a toxic school environment.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is something that is probably one of the core values of mine.
• It is something that is probably one of the core values of mine.
• It is something that is probably one of the core values of mine.
• It is something that is probably one of the core values of mine.
• And so in 2023, we had one of the mine.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's mine: nobody filed a bill. No.
• From this microphone, here's mine: nobody filed a bill to address the things we're talking about.
• there, and I know that Senator Baldwin can answer questions on these because he's answered several of mine

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a representative of the mineral and mining industry, I have had the great benefit of the knowledge
• I have also heard countless briefings from the state geologist to the mining board on the many services
• By a coincidence of timing, I heard the survey briefing the State Mining Board on an earthquake cluster

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals. SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor. The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.

Transcript Highlights:

• And their and their, their numbers are are astronomical too, just like mine in my district.
• Yeah, uh, so talking to a friend of mine who's a really good superintendent, he's It mentioned all of
• Those are TEA figures, not mine. So, like I said, we've got a problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• we wish you the... that Mike is not only my constituent of that Mike is not only my constituent of mine
• 27.000> heals<00:05:27.400> from<00:05:27.560> fingon<00:05:28.120> high mine
• but he also heals from fingon high mine but he also heals from fingon high school<00:05:28.600> fingon

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:24:47.560> will<00:24:47.720> lift<00:24:47.920> mine<00:24:48.280> eyes
• <00:24:48.640> unto<00:24:48.920> the<00:24:49.040> hills I will lift mine eyes
• unto the hills I will lift mine eyes unto the hills from<00:24:50.560> whence<00:24:50.840>
• Bringing it back takes away the Democratic power of many voters across this state, including mine.
• The map should reflect true mine. The map should reflect true Democratic<00:46:41.120> values.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm talking to you and I don't have mine. Thank you. >> Is that better?
• I'm talking to you and I don't have mine. Thank you. >> Is that better?
• you and<00:03:09.040> I<00:03:09.200> don't<00:03:09.280> have<00:03:09.440> mine
• and I don't have mine. Thank you. and I don't have mine. Thank you.
• <00:53:01.040> and<00:53:01.440> tell the five counties that are mine and tell the

Keywords: 0:00:08 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:38 Approval of Minutes 0:01:02 Information Items 0:02:17 Lease Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:06:42 Project Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:15:03 Lease Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:24:00 Rpt from OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 0:42:55 Economic Development Fund Grants 0:53:38 Rpt from OFM – New Debt Issues 1:16:33 Remaining 2025 Meeting Dates 1:16:45 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• the current redistricting efforts that threaten to silence the voices of diverse communities like mine
• Redistricting to suppress communities like mine is an insult to democracy. It's a moral one.
• Redistricting to suppress communities like mine is an insult to democracy.
• Neighborhoods like mine are split and divided, and our trust in government weakens.
• As a point of privilege as a citizen of Texas, I would like to share mine as well. I'm confused.

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met virtually for its West Texas regional hearing, established a quorum, and explained that the hearing was part of a series of statewide information-gathering sessions before any map was filed. The chair outlined the Zoom procedures, the two-minute testimony limit, and the availability of written comments through the committee’s public portal. Senators also discussed the logistics and transparency of the process, including the expectation that any proposed map or amendment would be made public once filed and that additional hearings would follow. Senator Blanco, whose district includes West Texas and the border region, said the area’s communities of interest should be kept together and warned against repeating the loss of representation that followed the last redistricting cycle. Senators Alvarado, Hinojosa, Miles, and others debated the value of virtual hearings versus in-person hearings, the number of people who had testified, and whether the committee could subpoena witnesses after the regional hearings ended. The chair said he was awaiting legal guidance and would consider a subpoena motion at a formal meeting the next day. A lengthy exchange also occurred over the tone of public testimony and the chair’s view that some comments directed at Republicans and the president had been offensive or historically inaccurate. Invited witnesses and public commenters largely opposed mid-decade redistricting and argued that any new map should reflect population growth, especially among Latino and other minority communities, and comply with the Voting Rights Act. Nina Perales of MALDEF said the hearings were not meaningful without a draft map and testified that Texas has a long history of discriminatory redistricting; senators questioned her about litigation, DOJ’s July 7 letter, and the 2021 congressional map. Tania Chavez Camacho, Luis Figueroa, and several El Paso residents emphasized that maps should preserve communities of interest, avoid cracking and packing, and be transparent and participatory. A smaller number of witnesses supported redistricting, including one El Paso resident who said the current districting leaves the area underrepresented and another who argued that some communities want to return to a map closer to the earlier District 16 configuration. Several witnesses also criticized the DOJ letter as inconsistent with the state’s position that the 2021 maps were drawn race-blind, while others said the current process was too rushed and lacked sufficient public input.

Transcript Highlights:

• State Chamber's board chair is very much involved in this and he's a really great guy and a friend of mine
• State Chamber's board chair is very much involved in this and he's a really great guy and a friend of mine
• and<01:10:07.120> a<01:10:07.239> friend<01:10:07.360> of<01:10:07.480> mine
• /c><01:10:07.719> so<01:10:07.840> I'm<01:10:07.960> just guy and a friend of mine
• and so I'm just guy and a friend of mine and so I'm just very<01:10:08.400> curious<01:10:08.800

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The views I express today are mine.
• Mine has. I know my neighbors have.
• Mine has. I know my neighbors have.
• Mine has. I know my neighbors have.
• cloud, they're no longer mine. cloud, they're no longer mine.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we also address mine would say.
• <00:50:07.760> When your spine, it certainly did mine.
• When your spine, it certainly did mine.
• Without it, I do from centers like mine.
• about the several constituents of mine about the several constituents of mine that<02:55:23.600>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.
• I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met to approve the March 9 and March 11 minutes and then took up the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012. Counsel explained that the bill would limit Public Service Commission approval of rate increases and certain electric transmission line certificates unless the costs to West Virginia ratepayers are shown by a preponderance of the evidence to be proportionate to, or generally commensurate with, the benefits received, and would require written justification for approvals. The proposed strike-and-insert amendment removed most of the bill’s original provisions and inserted the contents of the engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 669, leaving only the transmission-line certificate provisions from HB 4012. The Vice Chair moved adoption of the strike-and-insert amendment, and the committee approved it. The Vice Chair then moved to report the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended, and that motion also passed. The committee adopted a title amendment and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.
• I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the March 9 and March 11 meetings. The committee then took up an engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012, which as explained by counsel would limit the Public Service Commission’s ability to approve rate increases and certain utility-related approvals unless the costs to ratepayers are shown to be proportionate to the benefits, with written justification required for approved increases. The bill also addressed PSC approval of certain electric transmission lines and related service commitments. The committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment that removed most of the House bill’s provisions and inserted the contents of engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 669, which had previously passed the Senate, while retaining only the portion related to certificates of public convenience and necessity for certain transmission lines. After the amendment was adopted, the committee voted to report House Bill 4012, as amended, to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. The committee also adopted a title amendment and then adjourned. No opposition votes were recorded on the motions described in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also help towns like mine, Methuen, Mass., thrive, and they are a true part of that community.”
• Families need a pathway out, just like mine had.
• Mine is a success story, the American dream, from public housing to uniform to the skies.
• We need a legislature sure to have rent controls to protect families like mine.
• And yet families like mine have to ask every single month: how do you think, not just about economics

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.