Transcript Highlights:

• From energy to manufacturing, biotechnology, many businesses could not run without the first-class meeting
• I think we would be concerned as a community if our water supply... our transportation, our energy infrastructure
• thousands of acres of farmland offline in my district because you know solar is a very acreage intensive energy

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• that there is a great letter in the packet talking about remaining competitive in the global clean energy
• the cornerstone of our industry's efforts to compete and innovate and to address current and future energy
• the cornerstone of our industry's efforts to compete and innovate and to address current and future energy

Transcript Highlights:

• through CCAP to build an academic building. classrooms, we know the need is there and this is the energy
• and reuse as it relates to the oil and gas industry and tech is always been involved in the area of energy
• , without water... the Texas quote-unquote miracle comes to a grinding halt, and if we don't have energy

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, consumer spending, uh, this is excluding food and energy.
• </c><00:30:32.559><c> which</c><00:30:32.799><c> everyone</c> excludes food and energy which everyone
• excludes food and energy which everyone always<00:30:33.360><c> makes</c><00:30:33.520><c> the</c><00
• </c><01:38:26.080><c> Um,</c><01:38:26.800><c> I</c> inflation less food and energy.
• Um, I inflation less food and energy.

Summary: The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile. Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• charge rolling out extreme rules targeting the production of fuel and electricity, driving up our energy
• of fuel and electricity driving<00:25:15.799><c> up</c><00:25:15.960><c> our</c><00:25:16.120><c> energy
• /c><00:25:16.440><c> costs</c><00:25:16.760><c> even</c><00:25:16.960><c> more</c> driving up our energy
• slow down critical INF infrastructure slow down critical INF infrastructure and<00:25:26.240><c> energy
• projects with excessive of and energy projects with excessive of red<00:25:28.679><c> tape</c><00:25

Transcript Highlights:

• Expanding absentee voting is not only a matter of convenience; it is a matter of equity and justice.
• </c><00:34:00.360><c> and</c> convenience it is a matter of equity and convenience it is a matter of
• equity and Justice<00:34:01.480><c> by</c><00:34:01.720><c> passing</c><00:34:02.080><c> cacr</c><00:
• Eligible voters may decide that it is simply not worth their time, energy, and money to vote absentee
• Linda Bundy: Eligible voters may decide that it is simply not worth their time, energy, and money to

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• also a section of HB 2 that created additional hiring freeze restrictions for the Office of Health Equity
• also a section of HB 2 that created additional hiring freeze restrictions for the Office of Health Equity
• integrity, office of legal and regulatory services, the employee assistance program, office of health equity
• 14:56.400><c> health</c> assistance program, office of health assistance program, office of health equity
• , um bureau of facilities equity, um bureau of facilities information<01:15:01.040><c> services</c><01

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• They are Energy Star rated.
• They are Energy Star rated.
• They are Energy Star rated.
• They are Energy Star rated.
• now live in my community and can live the American dream of owning their own homes while building equity

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• The energy input from the sun is really amazing. I'm a home gardener.
• The energy input a great deal cheaper.
• You need really strong lights, and that takes a lot of energy.
• You need really strong lights, and that takes a lot of energy.
• You need really strong lights, and that takes a lot of energy. >> Any other questions?

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• They want clean energy. That's something that Minnesota is leading on.
• They want clean<00:08:07.000><c> energy.
• </c><00:08:07.480><c> That's</c><00:08:07.760><c> something</c><00:08:08.000><c> that</c> clean energy
• That's something that clean energy.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Speaker, just wanted to let members of House Energy and Digital Infrastructure know that we have
• just wanted to let uh members<01:34:12.360><c> of</c><01:34:12.480><c> House</c><01:34:12.720><c> Energy
• </c><01:34:13.120><c> and</c><01:34:13.240><c> Digital</c> members of House Energy and Digital members
• of House Energy and Digital Infrastructure<01:34:14.280><c> know</c><01:34:14.520><c> that</c><01:34

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh but we also know that basics for people things like housing and energy costs, utilities, health care
• basics for people things like<00:43:06.800><c> housing</c><00:43:07.599><c> and</c><00:43:08.000><c> energy
• </c><00:43:08.560><c> costs,</c> like housing and energy costs, like housing and energy costs, utilities

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• 43.760><c> preserved</c><00:20:44.320><c> and</c><00:20:44.640><c> renewable</c><00:20:45.120><c> energy
• </c><00:20:45.760><c> So</c><00:20:45.919><c> I</c> be preserved and renewable energy.
• So I be preserved and renewable energy.
• 00:43:59.920><c> sustaining</c><00:44:01.280><c> uh</c> The ecosystem provides us life-sustaining energy

Bills: SB2489 , SB2310 , SB2372 , SB2426 , SB2334 , SB2925 , SB3323

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to agriculture, invasive species control, trees, reef protection, and land use. SP 2489 would require Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity leases to include access, invasive-species control, and termination provisions; DAB and DLNR supported it, as did several outside groups, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council raised concerns about notice, cooperation with lessees, and placing penalties on leaseholders for preexisting infestations. The chair noted six testifiers in support, one opposed, and three with comments. SP 2310 would appropriate funds to remove overgrown vegetation from the Kohola stream. DAB supported the bill but explained that the work already completed by its contractor stopped at a DOT boundary, and that the affected parcel appears to be a DOT highway segment on ceded lands; the committee discussed whether the appropriation should instead go to DOT. SP 2372, on exceptional and significant trees, received support from DNR and Outdoor Circle, with testimony describing trees as critical infrastructure and suggesting technical amendments to committee membership and the process for recommending trees to county councils. SP 2426, which would authorize DNR to contract with private parties to maintain sunscreen dispensers at state beaches and promote mineral-based sunscreen as reef-protective, drew support from DNR and reef advocates, while another witness questioned the science behind claims about mineral versus chemical sunscreens and urged broader environmental solutions. SP 2334 would impose a land conversion fee on agricultural land converted to other uses, create a fee fund for programs including healthy soils, and require state agricultural lands to use a conservation metric. DAB offered comments, and testimony from climate and farm groups generally supported the conservation goals but questioned references to programs not yet in place and objected to language excluding solar and wind uses, with one witness urging that agri-voltaics remain allowed. SP 2925, concerning coconut trees, would recognize them as food, water, and cultural resources, require signage for landscape palms, set labeling standards, and create a tax credit for naturally managed consumable coconut trees. DAB shifted from opposition to comments, DNR supported, and testimony from cultural and subsistence advocates strongly backed the bill as a response to coconut rhinoceros beetle impacts; committee questions focused on enforcement of signage, inspection resources, and the proposed tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• which gas is vented from the barrel to a piston that moves separately from the bolt group so that the energy
• upon initiating the firing sequence, fires the first chambered cartridge and uses a portion of the energy
• A licensee under Title I of the Federal Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or its contractor for purposes of
• A licensee under Title I of the Federal Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or its contractor for purposes of

Transcript Highlights:

• which gas is vented from the barrel to a piston that moves separately from the bolt group so that the energy
• upon initiating the firing sequence, fires the first chambered cartridge and uses a portion of the energy
• A licensee under Title I of the Federal Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or its contractor for purposes of
• A licensee under Title I of the Federal Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or its contractor for purposes of

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered an invocation, and handled several announcements and courtesy motions, including excusing some members and relaxing the dress code. The chamber then adopted committee reports on several bills, including Senate Bill 50, Senate Bill 30, and Senate Bill 43. It then moved to third reading of Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate Bill 17, the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act.” SB 17 was read at length and explained by Senator O’Malley and co-sponsor Senator Bergman as a gun crime prevention measure aimed at dealer security, employee training, recordkeeping, reporting requirements, inspections, and a ban on future dealer sales or transfers of certain firearms and accessories, including high-capacity magazines, .50-caliber rifles and cartridges, gas-operated semi-automatic firearms with detachable magazines, and machine guns. Supporters argued the bill targets the retail-to-criminal pipeline, improves accountability, and would help reduce gun trafficking and violence. Opponents argued it infringes on constitutional rights, would not stop criminals from obtaining guns, and would burden law-abiding citizens and dealers. The chamber then debated Floor Amendment No. 1 by Senator Brantley, which would have struck Section 7, the portion banning certain weapons and devices. Supporters of the amendment said Section 7 was the most constitutionally vulnerable part of the bill and would likely be litigated, while opponents said the section was central to the bill’s purpose and consistent with Second Amendment case law. The amendment failed on a roll call vote, 15-22. A second amendment by Senator Block, which would have exempted certain under-21 employees from the bill’s age restriction if they were military members, veterans, or had completed hunter safety or 4-H programs, was then taken up and debated, with supporters emphasizing military training and youth firearms education as evidence of responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• finally, we're also fulfilling our statutory responsibilities to promote affordable and reliable energy
• affordable responsibilities to promote affordable and<00:15:55.680><c> reliable</c><00:15:56.160><c> energy
• </c><00:15:58.240><c> Now,</c> and reliable energy for Kuckians.
• Now, and reliable energy for Kuckians.

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Counties, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, the Minnesota Biofuels Association, Growth Energy
• /c> the Minnesota Bofuels Association, the Minnesota Bofuels Association, Growth<00:03:36.920><c> Energy
• ><c> the</c><00:03:38.080><c> Friends</c><00:03:38.319><c> of</c><00:03:38.480><c> the</c> Growth Energy
• , the Friends of the Growth Energy, the Friends of the Mississippi<00:03:39.480><c> River,</c><00:03:

Summary: The Agriculture Conference Committee met for an initial organizational and comparison session on House File 2446, the agriculture broadband and rural development bill. Members introduced themselves, noted that no conference target had yet been set, and agreed to begin with a side-by-side review of House and Senate positions. No oral testimony was taken; instead, the chair listed written testimony submitted by a wide range of agricultural, environmental, local government, food bank, and industry groups. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the major funding differences. Both bills included some shared items such as operating adjustments, wolf and elk damage compensation, and certain technical changes, but they differed on several major appropriations. The House generally proposed larger increases for meat inspection, local food purchasing, and the Board of Animal Health, and added items such as county inspector grants, biofertilizer innovation, a biosolids/PFAS-related study, a soil health study, broadband installation study funding, an Agri Works program, an Agri Support program, a milk grant program, and several House-only transfers and grants. The Senate included items such as a climate coordinator position, biofuel-related reductions and policy changes, livestock processing funding, farm-to-school and urban agriculture changes, MARL funding, cottage foods licensing updates, and several Senate-only pass-through grants and transfers. Staff also noted differences in the agriculture emergency account transfer approach and in how the two bodies handled the Second Harvest Heartland and related food distribution provisions. House Research then reviewed the policy language differences in the bill. The House language included provisions allowing more flexible use of grant administration funds, unpaid prior-year claims, county inspector grants, and updates tied to its own policy article, while the Senate language included the climate coordinator, PFAS-related commercialization language, cooperative development grant permissive language, and other Senate policy changes. The committee did not take any votes or final actions at this meeting; the session was informational and focused on identifying differences for later negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• thoughtful leader on the subcommittee for us as chairperson, so we’re very grateful for his time and energy
• </c><00:38:24.200><c> his</c><00:38:24.440><c> time</c><00:38:24.599><c> and</c><00:38:24.800><c> energy
• </c><00:38:25.480><c> as</c> grateful for his time and energy as grateful for his time and energy as

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on February 2 and first approved the draft minutes from the prior meeting, with minor corrections to the meeting date and attendance notation. DHHS Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly then gave a department update, describing the current uncertainty around federal priorities and funding, and provided two substantive reports: progress on the new Hampstead Youth Development Center and an update on the department’s review of an ALS registry proposal. She said the YDC project is underway with tree clearing, fencing, stormwater and site-prep work, and remains on track for completion by June 30, 2026 and operation by August 30, 2026. The center currently has 12 youth, and the new design is intended to provide flexibility for fluctuating census levels. On ALS, Tilly explained that HB 576 had prompted the department to examine whether a registry could be built, but the estimated cost of a HIPAA-compliant system was about $750,000. She said DHHS is reviewing whether existing data sources, such as hospital discharge data and CHIS claims data, could provide useful information, but noted both are incomplete for registry purposes. Committee members discussed whether the Rare Disease Advisory Council, Dartmouth, or existing cancer registry infrastructure could help reduce costs. DHHS said it is neutral and willing to continue exploring alternatives, while members emphasized the value of a registry and the need to consider shared infrastructure and funding. The committee also heard from Jenny Horan of the Alzheimer’s Association, who presented the subcommittee’s report on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She said the subcommittee spent the past year gathering information on dementia care, abuse and exploitation issues, caregiver strain, and available services, and is now moving into a second phase focused on identifying gaps and developing a state plan. Members asked about geriatric psychiatric capacity and long-term care availability; Horan said the state has limited capacity and that the plan will help clarify where needs are greatest. She offered to return for follow-up questions at a later meeting. Finally, Olivia May of DHHS presented the quarterly report on the 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage extension. She said New Hampshire implemented the extension after federal and state action, and the first claims data are still emerging because of reporting lags. In the initial cohort studied, 95% received some medical services during the extended period, 52.4% received mental health or substance use disorder treatment, 26.7% received preventive visits, and 3.2% received heart or hypertension services. Members asked about return on investment and whether higher federal matching rates are being used appropriately; DHHS said it claims the highest possible match based on eligibility group and will return with more data over time. The committee then heard the annual therapeutic cannabis program report from Michael Holt, who said the program had 1,475 registered patients as of June 30, 2024 and that growth has slowed, with New Hampshire having the lowest per-capita medical cannabis enrollment nationally.

Transcript Highlights:

• is also University of Minnesota Day here at the Capitol, and uh, it was just a pleasure to see the energy
• pleasure</c><00:57:06.640><c> to</c><00:57:06.839><c> see</c><00:57:07.280><c> the</c><00:57:07.440><c> energy
• </c> it was just a pleasure to see the energy it was just a pleasure to see the energy of<00:57:08.119

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• to use, and when we make these appropriations, we're just saying, hey, put this money to good use—energy
• money</c><00:29:37.000><c> to</c><00:29:37.200><c> good</c><00:29:37.399><c> use</c><00:29:37.760><c> energy
• </c> this money to good use energy this money to good use energy Transportation<00:29:39.200><c> whatever

Committee: Senate Finance