Transcript Highlights:

• rate stayed uh<00:19:22.480><c> 24%.
• </c> saying, the um overall vacancy rate saying, the um overall vacancy rate remained<00:20:45.440><c
• </c> the draft of the contract to the vendor the draft of the contract to the vendor we've<00:43:27.160
• </c><00:50:48.200><c> But</c> work that we're asking the vendor But work that we're asking the vendor
• </c> your vendor said they could do it. your vendor said they could do it.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And how many vendors exist? in the marketplace? Is it fairly ubiquitous?
• There's two vendors in the space. And what market share do each of the vendors have?
• In other words, is there one vendor that has 90 percent?
• So I believe one vendor does have more market share than the other.
• Two vendors are both very engaged. in this space, but I do believe one has more than one.

Bills: HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19, HB256, HCR19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• , including updating vendor criteria, revising price display standards, clarifying exemptions from vendor
• including updating for WIC vendors including updating vendor<00:17:27.360><c> criteria,</c><00:17:28.400
• </c><00:17:57.800><c> that</c> amending the criteria for vendors that amending the criteria for vendors
• But you also want the reimbursement rate to go with it. They probably need to go together.
• </c> &gt;&gt; But you also want the reimbursement rate &gt;&gt; But you also want the reimbursement rate

Keywords: 0:06 - Roll Call 0:30 - Approval of Minutes 0:45 - OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 2:08 - FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION CABINET - OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER 2:55 - BOARD OF DENTISTRY 5:30 - BOARD OF OPHTHALMIC DISPENSERS 7:30 - BOARD OF NURSING 8:32 - BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 9:30 - EDUCATION AND LABOR CABINET - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE OF DISTRICT SUPPORT SERVICES 15:35 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH 18:44 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, HEALTH SERVICES AND FACILITIES 23:39 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR MEDICAID SERVICES 1:01:46 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, OFFICE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS 1:03:46 - Next meeting/adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up a series of administrative regulations from several agencies. Early items included Attorney General consumer protection rules on removal sales, health spas, liquidation sales, and nonresident sellers of visual aid glasses; Finance and Administration Controller rules on clearinghouse validation and fraud prevention; and Board of Dentistry rules updating exam requirements, controlled substance prescribing, training for neuromodulators and dermal fillers, infection control, sedation/anesthesia continuing education, and required education on pediatric abusive head trauma and controlled substance ingestion prevention. The committee also approved staff amendments on these items, generally to conform to KRS Chapter 13A, and members asked a brief question about the dentistry controlled-substances changes, which was answered as an alignment with statute. The committee next approved regulations for the Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers, Board of Nursing, and Board of Emergency Medical Services. The ophthalmic dispensers package would revise meeting and recordkeeping language, raise renewal fees, set reinstatement and apprentice-license rules, add complaint and hearing procedures, and repeal a duplicative regulation. The nursing regulations would streamline approval of training programs and require notice and documentation of site visits and deficiencies. EMS rules would create five EMS medical director certifications, set expiration and renewal requirements, require publication of disciplinary sanctions, and exempt currently approved directors before October 1, 2026. Staff amendments were adopted without objection on each set. The Education and Labor Cabinet’s school transportation regulation drew extended discussion. The agency explained the changes were intended to implement Senate Bill 46 and update references affected by later legislation, including an oral amendment to delete a subsection reference tied to KRS 160.380. The committee adopted both the agency and oral amendments without objection after brief questions about the scope of the bill changes and van transportation for students. The committee then heard a lengthy package from the Department for Public Health on WIC and related nutrition program regulations, including updates to infant and child certification periods, documentation requirements, vendor criteria, sanctions, hearing procedures, and high-risk vendor standards. Staff amendments were adopted without objection. Finally, the committee considered the Inspector General’s regulation for freestanding birthing centers, which included both staff and agency amendments. The agency changes would require two neonatal resuscitation program-certified staff, set rules for medical director vacancies and appeals, revise facility and staffing terminology, adjust transfer-agreement requirements, and allow waivers when agreements cannot be secured. Mary Katherine DeLodder of the Kentucky Birth Coalition testified in support, saying the parties had worked through concerns and were ready to move forward. The committee then moved on to Medicaid’s 1915C child waiver regulations, where staff amendments were adopted, but Lucy Heskins of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified against the package because it did not include person-directed services, which she said are required by Kentucky law and important for families using the waiver.

Transcript Highlights:

• um and and as far as making a rates um and and as far as making a smaller<00:42:11.040><c> program</
• We looked at our online exams and the success rate that happened during COVID; there were no failures
• When we spoke to our vendor as we approached last year's bill, Senator Ward worked with us.
• with as we approached last year's vendor with as we approached last year's uh<00:52:43.640><c> Bill<
• To really look at it, and what I saw is that these vendors were able to turn this around in a secure

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And each county can pay for a different vendor, so there's a multitude of vendors out there.
• There's no one set vendor that every county has.
• I would have to go back and have our vendor take a look at the impact of what that might be.
• So our 2025 report certified 4,867 rates across 2,871 taxing jurisdictions.
• The number of tax rates could dramatically go up... ...of taxing jurisdictions.

Summary: The committee first took up House Joint Resolution 169, which would cap spending growth and was described by supporters as a taxpayer protection measure. Representative Taylor opposed it, arguing the legislature was already considering too many tax-related measures at once and lacked a broader strategy. The sponsor said the resolution was about limiting spending, not taxes, and offered a committee substitute that added fees and surcharges into the baseline and addressed tax credits. After discussion, the substitute was adopted and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HJR 169 do pass, with Taylor and Strickler voting no. The committee then heard House Bill 2819, which would allow rounding of cash transactions now that pennies are no longer being produced. The sponsor explained a committee substitute added safe-harbor language to protect merchants from lawsuits over rounding errors. Members asked about the rounding rules and confirmed the bill remained permissive rather than mandatory. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2819 do pass unanimously. House Bill 2746, sponsored by Representative Williams, would create a property tax map feature on the Department of Revenue website showing current levies and assessed values to improve transparency. Supporters said it would help homeowners compare assessments and understand property tax differences, while opponents and agency witnesses raised concerns about the large startup cost, estimated at about $7 million, the need to gather data from many counties, and the fact that some counties already provide similar information. The Department of Revenue and State Tax Commission witnesses said the data would be difficult to compile statewide and that local participation and data standards vary widely. The bill was heard, but no vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2329, which would gradually reduce the assessment ratio for personal property from about 33 1/3% to 18% over three years. The sponsor argued the tax is burdensome, especially for working families and businesses, and said it would encourage a broader shift away from personal property taxation. Supporters echoed that it is a highly visible and unpopular tax. Opponents, including a county assessor, warned the bill would sharply reduce local tax bases, especially in rural counties, and likely force levy increases on real property or cuts to schools and other districts. The hearing ended without a committee vote on HB 2329.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the vendors have any more or less, will the inspection of that be any more or less strict?
• And the vendor won't have to drive to Jeff City, right?
• And we don't have vendors traversing all the way...
• And kind of protect that local control, and we don't have vendors traversing all the way to Jeff City
• page eight, down there line two, the department or local authority may investigate a mobile food vendor

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met in executive session with a quorum present and took up three bills. House Bill 3262 was moved do pass and approved unanimously, 15-0. No discussion was recorded on that measure. House Bill 3157 was then considered with a House Committee substitute ending in .02C. The sponsor explained the substitute cleaned up language with DHSS, clarified definitions, required one license per vehicle, extended the licensing timeline to 30 days, and preserved local inspection authority through collaborative agreements with state reimbursement. Members asked about inspection standards, local control, county reimbursement, and concerns raised by Kansas City; the sponsor said the substitute addressed those issues. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the bill do pass, 15 ayes and 2 present. House Bill 2886 was also taken up with a House Committee substitute ending in .04C. The sponsor said the substitute aligned speed standards with existing technology, adjusted eligibility for middle-mile and related broadband funding, clarified treatment of second-place finishers, and removed language limiting other forms. After brief questions and support from members, the committee adopted the substitute and voted it do pass by 17-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.
• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.
• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.
• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.
• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• individual vendors.
• individual vendors.
• individual vendors.
• individual vendors.
• I believe it's per vendor, but I will double-check per vendor.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard Senate Bill 659, which would exempt the Department of Education from the electronic procurement system for purchases of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed agricultural or food products up to $100,000, and require geographic preference guidelines for locally sourced products. The Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and State Procurement Office all testified in support or support of the intent. DOE said the bill would give it short-term flexibility to buy local items not currently on the vendor list, such as poi and limu, while procurement staff said they would provide written comments and a corrected version of their testimony. Committee members questioned why the bill was needed, why the threshold would rise from the current $24,999 small-purchase limit to $100,000, and whether the department should instead amend its vendor list or RFP process. Members raised concerns about efficiency, administrative burden, whether the bill was a temporary fix for procurement planning gaps, and whether purchases would remain compliant with federal USDA rules if federal school-lunch funds were used. DOE responded that the measure would help it expand local purchasing, support farmers, and allow purchases of products not currently available through existing distributors, and said it was working with partners on food-safety certification and federal compliance. The committees then voted to pass SB 659 with amendments. The Joint Committee on Education approved it 3-2, and the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Environment later approved the amended measure 4-0. The chair noted an amendment and a deferred effective date, and the motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> represent the interests of the rate represent the interests of the rate payers<01:44:05.080><c>
• :40.800><c> that</c> and the the vendors have realized that and the the vendors have realized that um
• That's really came from rate card—we were able to reduce our rate cards a bit, and that resulted in some
• That's your VPN vendor?
• </c><03:50:59.199><c> Partners</c> as holding our our um vendor Partners as holding our our um vendor

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• The disparity between the millage rate. The disparity between the millage rate.
• That's ourselves on a number of vendors. That's ourselves on a number of vendors.
• or one or approved basically one vendor or one or approved basically one vendor or one or two vendors
• as being the only vendor two vendors as being the only vendor two vendors as being the only vendor that
• for legitimate approving vendors for legitimate approving vendors for legitimate reasons.

Bills: HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29, SB 5, SB 262, HB 11, HJR 72, HB 106, HB 18, HB 48, HB 27, HB 37, HB 1481, HB 581, HB 1696, HB 2216, HB 1035, HB 1633, HB 742, HB 754, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 2669, HB 391, HB 517, HB 1024, HB 1607, HB 252, HB 1716, HB 1562, HB 4116, HB 1866, HB 1741, HB 2103, HB 2637, HB 2884, HB 503, HB 1089, HB 2986, HB 972, HB 502, HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of Commit's ongoing challenges included qualified vendor responsiveness and preparedness.
• Despite ongoing outreach, qualified vendors continue to show inconsistent responsiveness and varying
• While DDD evaluates only specific quality of care allegations and assigns a severity rating from zero
• That Access was not providing prior authorization for some vendors.
• They're on an error rate, an all-inclusive rate that covers all the services that they receive in the

Bills: SB1051, SB1114, SB1115, SB1122, SB1132, SB1162, SB1169, SB1171, SB1172, SB1173, SB1174, SB1175, SB1179, SB1188, SB1233, SB1236, SB1242, SB1316, SB1368

Keywords: SB1051, Arizona hospitals, immigration status, patient intake, admission forms, registration forms, health care reporting, uncompensated care, emergency department, lawfully present, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen patients, hospital funding, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, border security, health care institutions, patient privacy, medical access, immigration policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> problem rate goes above 5%. problem rate goes above 5%.
• </c> error rate exceeds 6%. error rate exceeds 6%.
• </c> the error rate is. the error rate is. Follow<05:00:04.080><c> up.
• </c> proven ways to lower that error rate. proven ways to lower that error rate.
• the ripple effect of that impacts to the error rate if our error rate increases.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a shift from that cap rate to an AHCCCS-like cap rate, which is higher.
• So we did the difference between those two cap rates.
• Okay, so the $8.3 million for cap rate adjustments...
• And they say this is a fair rate.
• Rates.

Bills: SB1052, SB1115, SB1118, SB1120, SB1121, SB1124, SB1171, SB1172, SB1174, SB1175, SB1214, SB1233, SB1235, SB1316, SB1345, SB1372, SB1399, SB1458, SB1494, SB1496, SB1564, SB1602, SB1621, SB1628, SB1630, SB1631, SB1668, SB1672, SB1814, SB1821

Keywords: assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, radiation protection

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we were one of five vendors that were awarded the master agreement.
• There was talk of maybe going another direction with a different vendor.
• .<01:04:09.280><c> Um</c> vendor.
• Um vendor.
• There were five vendors that agreement.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky, including Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, Kentucky Legal Aid, AppalRed Legal Aid, and the Legal Aid Society in Louisville. The presenters explained that the four nonprofit programs provide civil legal services in all 120 counties, focusing on low-income clients and matters such as domestic violence, family law, housing, expungement, public benefits, and veterans’ issues. They emphasized that they do not handle criminal defense cases and described statewide efforts such as the kyjustice.org website and Project Renew, which helps people in recovery with legal issues that affect stability, employment, housing, and family reunification. Each organization highlighted regional service challenges and examples of casework. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass described its 33-county service area, its mobile “justice bus,” and expungement work for people in recovery. Kentucky Legal Aid focused on disaster response after the December 2021 tornadoes, including insurance disputes and contractor fraud, and said it has continued to handle repeated FEMA-declared disasters. AppalRed described serving 37 rural counties with limited attorneys, the shortage of lawyers in “rural legal deserts,” and its disaster-response work after flooding and tornadoes, including FEMA appeals clinics and volunteer attorney support. The Legal Aid Society described its Louisville-area veteran services, including Social Security and VA disability cases, veterans treatment court referrals, and homeless outreach. Committee members praised the organizations’ work and noted the importance of their services. In response to questions about funding, the presenters said their support comes from a mix of Legal Services Corporation funds, state appropriations, federal grants such as VOCA, VAWA, and HUD, United Way, and foundation funding. They stressed that many grants are restricted, while state funding is more flexible and useful for emergencies and day-to-day operations. The presenters said current funding does not fully meet demand and requested an increase in the General Assembly’s appropriation from $500,000 per year to $1 million per year, or $2 million over the biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• Survival rates, yet fewer than half of cardiac arrest victims receive CPR before emergency responders
• The maps inform building codes, as you mentioned, insurance rates, and evacuation.
• Importantly, this bill is vendor neutral.
• And how much is the average cost for the schools for each site for this mapping and how many vendors
• neutral bill, we fully support any vendor trying to accomplish this goal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reduce rates for the consumers.
• Can you tell us who the vendors are that are currently competing to try to become the vendor for Citizens
• I can't name the exact vendors because Citizens didn't tell me, but they said four to five vendors we're
• I can't name the exact vendors because citizens didn't tell me, but they said four to five vendors we're
• You mean there's a cap on the fees and the rates that the clearinghouse vendors can charge?

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• reduce rates for the consumers.
• reduce rates for the consumers.
• I can't name the exact vendors because Citizens didn't tell me, but they said four to five vendors were
• You mean there's a cap on the fees and the rates that the clearinghouse vendors can charge?
• You mean there's a cap on the fees and the rates that the clearinghouse vendors can charge?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is kind of the exact quote that we got from our current vendor and the sales tax and use tax map
• They paid for a certain service, and each county can pay for a different vendor.
• There's no one set vendor that every county has.
• I would have to go back and have our vendor take a look at the impact of what that might be.
• So our 2025 report certified 4,867 rates across 2,871 taxing jurisdictions.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Joint Resolution 169 in executive session. Members debated a committee substitute that would cap spending growth by tying it to prior-year spending plus inflation and population growth, and would also include fees and surcharges in the baseline. Supporters framed it as a taxpayer protection and a way to rein in state and local spending; opponents argued it was too much policy change at once and overlapped with existing tax limits. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the resolution do pass, with Ranking Member Taylor voting no. The committee then considered House Bill 2819, which would allow rounding of cash transactions now that pennies are no longer being produced. The substitute added safe-harbor language to protect merchants from lawsuits over rounding errors. Members discussed how the rounding would work and whether it was optional. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted the bill do pass unanimously. In public hearing, Representative Williams presented House Bill 2746, which would create a property tax map on the Department of Revenue website showing current levies and related property tax information. She argued it would improve transparency and help homeowners understand assessed values and tax differences across districts. Department of Revenue and State Tax Commission witnesses said the project would require substantial new data collection and coordination with counties, many of which use different vendors and do not make the needed information readily available; they estimated a first-year cost around $7 million and noted the current sales tax map exists for different reasons tied to remote seller tax collection. No one testified in opposition. The committee also heard House Bill 2329 from Representative West, which would gradually reduce the assessment ratio for personal property from about 33% to 18% over three years. Supporters said personal property tax is burdensome, especially for individuals and businesses, and argued the bill would give local governments time to adjust while reducing a tax they view as unfair. Opponents, including the Boone County Assessor and the Missouri State Assessors Association, warned the bill would sharply reduce local revenue, especially in rural counties where personal property makes up a large share of the tax base, and could force higher real property taxes or cuts to services. The bill’s fiscal note was discussed as very large, and the hearing ended without action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Consumer services contact information rate changes and ensured value.
• Comprehensive Reese, a comprehensive resource center and access to rate filing information.
• capital gains tax rate.
• So if you're wealthy, you can borrow money at very low interest rates.
• The initial purchase would be at at basically the wholesale rate of gold.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I do think that that review process really allows us to ask each time, is there a new vendor?
• , smaller businesses, new vendors.
• An opportunity to add more innovation, smaller vendors, smaller businesses, new vendors that can come
• That's at that current 3% rate.
• And we can tinker with that rate to get that number closer to zero if we need to.

Bills: SB1415, SB1714, SB1962, SB26, SB172

Keywords: nondisclosure agreements, state employment, employee rights, transparency, government accountability, employee suggestions, cost savings, state agencies, incentives, performance awards, efficiency, Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, state procurement, state purchasing, State Purchasing Director, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, OMES, exempt entities, purchasing exemptions, state contracts

Summary: The Committee on Retirement and Government Resources heard several bills dealing with state employment, purchasing, and retirement policy. Senate Bill 1415, by Senator Brooks, would prohibit nondisclosure agreements when a state employee resigns or is terminated, with exceptions for statutorily protected confidentiality such as physician or attorney privilege. Members questioned how the bill would interact with whistleblower protections and sensitive information, but the bill passed 6-1. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1714, by Senator Jett, which would expand an existing state employee suggestion/incentive program to encourage agencies to identify cost savings and efficiencies, require agencies to review recommendations in good faith, and report back on accepted or rejected ideas. Members raised concerns about open meetings, employee notification, written documentation of suggestions, and possible disputes over the value of savings. The author agreed to work on amendments, the title was struck, and the bill passed as amended 5-2. Senate Bill 1962, by Senator Bullard, would move certain purchasing exemptions out of statute and into the administrative rules process so exemptions must be periodically renewed and justified. Supporters said this would reduce personality-driven exemptions and improve oversight, while concerns were raised about ongoing needs and emergency situations. The bill passed unanimously 7-0. The committee also passed Senate Bill 26, which would allow retired teachers to return to work after a 90-day break with a salary set by local districts and a 3% contribution back to the retirement system, and Senate Bill 172, which would tie cost-of-living adjustments for pension systems to funding benchmarks and a rolling average, rather than legislative discretion; both bills passed, with SB 26 passing 7-0 and SB 172 passing 6-1. The chair noted the committee expected at least one more meeting and hoped to finish the following week.