Transcript Highlights:

• This is a change from the average commercial rate which was a previous cap.
• And the average commercial rap became that the average commercial rate became the previous cap during
• So this bill reduces the from an average commercial rate to 110% of Medicare for not expansion states
• designated cancer hospitals and reimburse is a difference between Medicaid payment rates and the average commercial
• So we're looking at reimbursements for hospitals about what their the commercial, what the cost of care

Transcript Highlights:

• More importantly, project identification should follow industry standards like the Uniformat code for
• More importantly, project identification should follow industry standards like the Uniformat code for
• Its effectiveness relies on uniformity across all jurisdictions.
• </c><03:36:05.760><c> all</c> relies on uniformity across all relies on uniformity across all jurisdictions
• Its effectiveness relies on uniformity across all jurisdictions.

Bills: SB2003

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Keywords: Mauna Kea, land management, University of Hawaii, astronomical observatories, leasable lands, natural resource management, stewardship authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Education heard testimony and discussed SB 20003, which would require the auditor’s report under Act 255 to include a recommendation on whether the Monarch Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue managing Monaca lands. Testimony focused on the bill’s reversion language, the role of the auditor, and whether the measure gave the auditor too much discretion without clear criteria. The Office of the Auditor’s position, read into the record, was that it had strong reservations because the bill did not provide standards for assessing fitness and asked that the requirement be held or amended. Other testimony suggested a work group with relevant agencies and Hawaiian practitioners to manage the transition and reduce conflict. Committee members debated whether the bill should simply restore the original reversion language or also require an audit-based fitness determination. Several members questioned the need for a 2031 audit when Act 255 already provides for a performance and financial audit in 2031 and noted that the bill could shift authority away from the legislature. In response, the committee chair explained that the measure was intended to restore language removed during conference and to address the transition back to the University of Hawaii if the authority was not meeting the act’s purpose. The committees ultimately recommended SB 20003 be passed with amendments. The amendments would strike the auditor/audit section, add language addressing timelines by providing a 10-year lease extension and sublease extension, and make technical changes including a defective date. The committees voted to adopt the amended measure and send it forward as an SD1. The transcript also included a separate Education Committee hearing on SB 3286, which would require the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan and report to the legislature. University of Hawaii testimony said the system supports the intent but that the bill’s requirements are a heavy lift across 10 campuses and should follow development of a broader academic strategy. Members raised concerns about deferred maintenance, shifting priorities, and the lack of a systemwide plan, while the university said it already has a six-year capital improvement plan but acknowledged it does not fully incorporate the broader academic and housing strategy the bill contemplates.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other one, Swarm Lure 5, is good, but it's a whole lot and it just tapers off, so it's not uniform
• I don't want to misstate my memory on the specific statutory code, so I might send it to the committee

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it’s allowed to be used for residential, commercial, warehousing, and light industrial projects.
• </c><00:16:14.319><c> tax</c> losing over 40% of our commercial tax losing over 40% of our commercial
• </c> that the battery storage is commercially that the battery storage is commercially viable<00:21:50.799
• I'll flat out say I don't want commercial foraging on our public lands.
• </c> consumption or commercial consumption or commercial foraging<01:17:11.320><c> I'll</c><01:17:11.480

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• sale of sex, including increased enforcement of commercial sex laws.
• The classification of commercial sexual exploitation is elevated from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony
• I first experienced commercial sexual exploitation as a runaway, living with my dealer, and having sex
• I'm a survivor of the commercial sex trade. I was trafficked for six years.
• My name is Alison Titchenal, and I am a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation, which is important

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2209 would add 12- or 24-month sentencing enhancements for theft-related offenses when the value of stolen, possessed, or trafficked property exceeds $20,000 or $50,000, respectively. Rep. Mari Leavitt said the bill targets organized retail theft and related violence, emphasizing business losses, worker safety, and links to broader criminal activity. Supporters included prosecutors, retailers, law enforcement, and city officials who described organized retail crime as coordinated, underreported, and harmful to employees and communities. Opponents argued theft trends are declining, existing penalties are sufficient, and sentencing enhancements would worsen incarceration and racial disparities. The hearing on HB 2209 was left open for additional testimony. House Bill 2403 would revise penalties for failure to register as a sex offender or kidnapping offender, including lowering the seriousness level for second and subsequent offenses from level 2 to level 1 in the proposed substitute. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive or neutral. Proponents from the Sex Offender Policy Board, sentencing commission, public defenders, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ representatives said the bill reflects long-negotiated recommendations, better matches the offense’s administrative nature, and may improve compliance by pairing shorter prison terms with community custody and supervision. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 2403. House Bill 1591, in a proposed substitute, would create a sentencing alternative, resentencing option, and conviction-vacation process for defendants who are verified survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, where abuse was the primary and proximate cause of the offense. Supporters, including survivor advocates, prosecutors involved in diversion programs, and researchers, said many incarcerated women are survivors and current law often fails to account for coercion and trauma. Some witnesses urged broader eligibility and less reliance on formal documentation. Prosecutors and sheriffs’ representatives expressed concerns about discretion, potential public-safety impacts, and whether existing sentencing factors already address these cases. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2526, which would rename patronizing a prostitute as commercial sexual exploitation, expand the offense to include providing anything of value, elevate it from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and increase associated fees. Supporters framed it as a response to trafficking, exploitation, and violence against women and children, while opponents—many of them sex workers or survivors—argued it would criminalize consensual adult sex work, push the industry further underground, and reduce safety and income for vulnerable people.

Transcript Highlights:

• ICE agents or someone will go door knock with uniform on her house. That terrorized them.
• agent or someone will go door knock ICE agent or someone will go door knock with<02:54:43.640><c> uniform
• </c> with uniform on door knock her house. with uniform on door knock her house.
• /c><03:11:20.160><c> with</c><03:11:20.360><c> all</c><03:11:20.600><c> the</c><03:11:21.200><c> uniforms
• </c> military action with all the uniforms military action with all the uniforms and<03:11:22.200><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> particularly that allows commercial particularly that allows commercial property<00:20:27.600><c
• </c> &gt;&gt; Are you talking about commercial &gt;&gt; Are you talking about commercial vehicles?
• </c> oversight now of that commercial oversight now of that commercial vehicle.<01:10:14.960><c> That's
• </c><01:11:42.000><c> inspection</c> guidance for those commercial inspection guidance for those commercial
• </c><01:12:01.280><c> motor</c> provide oversight commercial motor provide oversight commercial motor

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The arts are in every zip code, every congressional district. The arts transcend party lines.
• Currently, the federal tax code doesn't adequately address workers' skyrocketing business costs.
• An outdated tax code is making it even harder. Thank you. Solutions are available.
• Whether it's stopping runaway production, updating the tax code, or addressing new technology, when it
• Whether it's stopping runaway production, updating the tax code, or addressing new technology, when it

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we moved these resources from commercial data centers to the universities where we had facilities
• So, at a fraction of the cost of commercial internet, the vast majority of the internet, commercial and
• </c><00:08:44.560><c> cloud</c> moved to to uh commercial cloud moved to to uh commercial cloud providers
• provider and you're you're commercial provider and you're you're talking<00:10:15.839><c> on</c><00:
• providers and it would be commercial providers and it would be extremely<00:11:53.040><c> expensive.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:11 Approval of Minutes 00:02:00 Information Items 00:02:25 CPE Special Report 00:03:26 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:31:48 A. Attorney General 00:32:10 B. Court of Justice 00:36:41 C. Cabinet for Economic Development 00:50:44 D. Kentucky Public Pensions Authority 00:56:06 E. Board Discussion of Planning Issues 01:05:12, 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board opened its fourth meeting, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes by unanimous voice vote, and then heard information items and agency presentations. The main substantive presentation came from the Council on Postsecondary Education, which outlined its capital planning recommendations for the 2026–28 biennium. CPE staff described the role of Kentucky’s research and education network (Kron), including connectivity to cloud services, Internet2, identity services, and new local AI/inferencing capacity, and argued that the network is now essential to higher education, health care, and extension services. They said the network’s recent upgrades were driven by privacy, security, redundancy, and the need to support modern research and AI workloads at lower cost than commercial providers. CPE also presented its broader higher-education capital request: $700 million for asset preservation and $1.73 billion for new construction, for a total recommendation of about $2.4 billion. Staff said they do not plan to recommend IT projects or equipment in this cycle, despite reviewing 48 IT submissions totaling nearly $1.4 billion and equipment requests totaling $322.6 million. For asset preservation, they said the recommended allocation method would remain based on each institution’s share of Category 1 and 2 square footage, and they noted that the state’s prior facility assessment is now 12 years old, with deferred maintenance still estimated in the $7–9 billion range. For new construction, they said the requests are heavily focused on STEM and health-related facilities that are difficult to retrofit into older buildings. Board members asked about how asset-preservation amounts were determined, including why Northern Kentucky University’s request was much larger than its prior allocation. CPE staff responded that campus size, building age, and institutional prioritization affect the requests, and that schools are asked to submit more projects than are likely to be funded. The board then moved on to an Attorney General capital plan overview, where senior counsel Will Schroeder began describing the office’s technology needs and the office’s prior reliance on a 2020 appropriation to replace legacy systems and improve security.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's no governing law on pools like, you know, we had a bill to do away with uh commercial or
• c><00:12:31.839><c> away</c><00:12:32.079><c> with</c><00:12:32.800><c> uh</c><00:12:33.200><c> commercial
• </c> had a bill to do away with uh commercial had a bill to do away with uh commercial or<00:12:33.920
• >> Yes. >> Or if it's commercial, maybe the contractor built the hotel or whatever has their phone.

Bills: HB610 , HB620 , HB582 , HB610 , HB620 , HB582

Committee: House Commerce and Small Business

Keywords: state bank, public bank, government funds, financial services, constitutional amendment, tax abatements, international headquarters, publicly traded companies, economic incentives, Alabama tax reform, social-emotional learning, education policy, parental consent, K-12 education, teacher training, student surveys, disciplinary action, automatic renewal, consumer protection, cancellation policy

Transcript Highlights:

• children's health care by prohibiting cost sharing for children's health care services in large group commercial
• And we've already prohibited cost sharing in commercial plans for school-based mental health services
• Under current law, commercial health plans impose cost sharing at the point of care on most health care
• Chipperberg analysis estimates that this would result in approximately less than 1% increase in the commercial
• large group market and approximately... ...increase in the commercial large group market and approximately

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on January 13, 2026, and heard several two-year bills, with AB 634 (Gonzalez) and AB 298 (Bonta) receiving the most discussion. The chair also announced consent items AB 96 (Jackson), AB 1126 (Patterson), and AB 1366 (Flora), all with motions to do pass to Appropriations. Committee procedures, witness limits, and conduct rules were reviewed at the start of the hearing. AB 634 would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, or sale of tianeptine in California. Assembly Member Gonzalez described the drug as a dangerous substance sold in retail settings and said the bill had been amended to shift penalties from criminal to civil, narrow its scope so employees without authority over sales would not be targeted, allow cost recovery, and avoid a Commerce Clause issue. The California Narcotic Officers Association supported the bill, and there was no recorded opposition. The committee voted the bill out on a do pass to Judiciary motion. AB 298 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for children’s health care services in large group commercial plans. Bonta argued that deductibles, copays, and coinsurance deter care and create financial strain for families, while noting the bill would not change provider reimbursement and that he would pursue cost-saving amendments in Appropriations, especially for CalPERS. Support came from Health Access California, Family Voices of California, and several medical and pediatric organizations, while the Chamber of Commerce and health plan groups opposed it, warning of premium increases and possible employer shifts to self-insured coverage. The committee advanced the bill on a do pass to Appropriations vote, and the chair later noted the bill was on call before final add-on votes were completed. The consent calendar items were also approved, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commercial print payments, 1,733,260. Print equipment lease purchase, 547,243.
• operating expenses at 24 535 947 operating expenses at 24 535 947 B51,733,260 B51,733,260 B51,733,260 Commercial
• 39.680><c> Print</c><05:20:39.920><c> payments</c><05:20:40.240><c> 1</c><05:20:40.560><c> 733</c> Commercial
• Print payments 1 733 Commercial Print payments 1 733 260B6547,243 260B6547,243 260B6547,243 Print<05

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And just as the charter schools require the people going there to wear uniform and read books and do
• And just as the charter schools require the people going there to wear uniform and read books and do
• And just as the charter schools require the people going there to wear uniform and read books and do

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: Education - Room 216, January 6, 2026; 12:45 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:21:24.799><c> that</c><00:21:25.039><c> there</c><00:21:25.280><c> are</c><00:21:25.440><c> uniform
• </c> measure to ensure that there are uniform measure to ensure that there are uniform sentences<00:21

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on March 19, 2025, and heard testimony on several firearms-related bills. HB 125 would require firearm sellers or transferors to provide buyers notice about secure storage laws, expand secure-storage requirements, and clarify criminally negligent storage. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Education supported the bill. The Office of the Public Defender raised constitutional concerns under District of Columbia v. Heller and suggested narrowing the bill so a firearm need not be made inoperable when the lawful owner is home. Supporters, including Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, veterans, and other advocates, said secure storage would reduce accidental shootings, youth access, theft, suicides, and school shootings. Opponents argued the bill was redundant, could criminalize victims of theft, and imposed strict liability. The committee noted 24 individuals in support and 103 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 137, which would impose a mandatory prison term for violent felons who violate firearm or ammunition possession prohibitions. DLE, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, and the Hawaii County Prosecutor supported the measure, arguing it targets repeat offenders and strengthens public safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed mandatory sentencing, saying judges already have discretion to impose lengthy sentences and that mandatory terms can be inappropriate in some cases. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in a felony. DLE and the Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while the Public Defender and several opponents said parts of the bill were redundant or could create definitional problems; the committee recorded five supporters and 70 opponents. HB 995 would amend deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting by the Attorney General and county police chiefs. The Attorney General’s office and HPD supported the bill, with the Attorney General asking for more time for police departments to submit complete data and for the April 1 deadline to be removed. The committee also heard HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended consolidating the new office’s duties with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission to avoid duplication and possibly repealing the existing commission statute. DLE supported HB 664, while the Tax Foundation objected to the special fund. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• > conduct</c> charged with additional criminal conduct charged with additional criminal conduct uniformally
• 19.719><c> probable</c><01:17:20.199><c> cause</c><01:17:20.520><c> as</c><01:17:20.679><c> the</c> uniformally
• using probable cause as the uniformally using probable cause as the BR<01:17:21.120><c> burden</c><01

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, so the ADA, when it was passed for commercial Title III entities, actually required them to what
• curious how modifications<00:12:02.800><c> happen</c><00:12:03.200><c> in</c><00:12:03.360><c> commercial
• </c><00:12:03.920><c> or</c> modifications happen in commercial or modifications happen in commercial
• </c><00:12:14.360><c> for</c><00:12:14.480><c> title</c><00:12:14.760><c> three</c> it came to commercial
• for title three it came to commercial for title three entities<00:12:15.680><c> is</c><00:12:15.800>

Bills: SCR63 , SCR8 , SCR160 , SCR90 , SCR93

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: disability, accessibility, healthcare communication, sign language interpreters, deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, auxiliary aids, building permits, seniors, health care, safety modifications, county regulations, expedited processing, housing ladder, move-up housing, subsidized housing, public housing, affordable housing, housing mobility

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness heard several resolutions focused on disability access, housing, and support for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. SCR 63 SD1 would have the Disability and Communication Access Board study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and revise provider guidance; testimony was strongly supportive, including from the board, a physician, and a family member who described harmful delays in care, and the committee later recommended passage as is. SCR 8 would require counties to act within 45 days on completed permit applications for home modifications needed for an older adult or person with a disability; testimony noted delays in permitting and financing, and the committee recommended passage as is. The committee also heard SCR 160, which urges state housing agencies to create a “housing ladder” program to help individuals and families move from subsidized to unsubsidized housing. Hawaii Public Housing Authority and other agencies supported the concept, and DHS described its family self-sufficiency program and said prior federal resident-services funding had declined over the past 20 years. The committee acknowledged the program may already exist in some form but still recommended adoption of the resolution as is. SCR 90 would ask county planning departments to establish kupuna-friendly building permit requirements for parking accessibility in private businesses. The committee moved it forward with an HD1 for technical amendments; a member raised concern that the measure did not specify the age threshold for “kupuna,” and said they would vote with reservations. Finally, SCR 93 would direct DHHL and the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions to develop a coordinated support and stabilization pathway for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or very low income. DHHL said it is already operating a transitional housing effort called Ka Leo Opu Mama for about 18 beneficiaries using more than $6 million in federal Nah Ho Sa funds, with no dedicated state funding, and the committee recommended passage as is. The meeting ended with the chair thanking testifiers and members and adjourning the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're joined by the CEO of Switch Maritime, Elias Van Sickle, and Seamus Nolan, the Director of Commercial
• I'm Seamus Nolan, Director of Commercial and Government Affairs at Switch Maritime.
• Coast Guard, which clears it for commercial operations.
• Aircraft excise taxes are essentially, generally on most non-commercial aircraft.
• It also imposes that aircraft excise tax on commercial drones.

Bills: SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Seamus Nolan, the Director of Commercial and Government Affairs.
• I’m Seamus Nolan, Director of Commercial and Government Affairs at Switch Maritime.
• It is the first hydrogen fuel cell vessel that is commercially operating in the U.S. and certified by
• Coast Guard, which clears it for commercial operations.
• Aircraft excise taxes are essentially, generally, on most non-commercial aircraft.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for a work session and public hearing on February 19, 2026. In the work session, Switch Maritime presented a proposal for hydrogen fuel cell ferries for Washington State, including a budget proviso directing the Joint Transportation Committee to study hydrogen propulsion and a lease model for future Washington State Ferries procurement. The company described its Sea Change vessel, said the design could be adapted for Washington routes such as San Juan Islands–Anacortes, and emphasized that hydrogen fueling could be delivered through a mobile supply chain without new charging infrastructure. Senators asked about vessel flexibility, size, hydrogen availability, and terminal compatibility. The committee also received an update from WSDOT on the new public-private partnership program authorized in 2025. Staff said the agency is developing a four-phase implementation process, including consultant selection, a steering committee, a program manual, stakeholder engagement, and candidate project identification, with a report due to the transportation committees on September 1, 2026 and program launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The presentation stressed that the program manual will provide flexibility within the statute and that legislative input is being sought on engagement and project timing. The public hearing was on Senate Bill 6352, an omnibus transportation resources bill that revises and expands provisions from last year’s ESSB 5801. Staff outlined sections covering a mobile driver’s license and ID card program, a reduced-fee ID card for older drivers, changes to alternative fuel and aviation taxes and fees, revised sales tax distributions for ferry and multimodal funding, transit and bicycle education grants, fish passage permitting, clean energy siting on WSDOT right-of-way, toll notice procedures, older driver safety outreach, traffic safety camera revenue sharing, and a delay to the tow-truck indigent impound reimbursement program. The prime sponsor highlighted two priorities: digital driver’s licenses and dedicated ferry funding. Testimony was mixed. Supporters included airlines and aviation groups backing mobile ID and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax, transit and bicycle safety advocates supporting grant flexibility and continued bike education funding, and ferry advocates supporting dedicated ferry revenue. Local governments, including Bellevue, Kenmore, and Tacoma, raised concerns about the traffic camera revenue change, saying the shift from net to gross revenue would reduce local safety funding and could discourage new camera programs. The Association of Washington Cities also warned about unintended consequences in the fish passage and traffic camera provisions. RV dealers sought a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, and peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo asked for clarification on documentation requirements. The committee took no final vote and announced it would consider executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think my last count was about 16 or 17 new commercial HVAC units around campus that were about 30 years
• HVAC</c><00:07:05.680><c> units</c><00:07:06.080><c> around</c><00:07:06.400><c> campus</c> new commercial
• HVAC units around campus new commercial HVAC units around campus that<00:07:07.039><c> were</c><00:07
• you've mentioned, you can't hardly get an individual to come do the work for your farm or your commercial
• </c> farm or your your commercial property. farm or your your commercial property.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to hear from Morehead State University President Jay Morgan, who outlined the university’s budget and capital priorities. He described Morehead as a Kentucky-serving, largely low-income student institution with an aging campus, and said the university’s long-term plan is to renovate existing facilities, decommission older buildings, and replace outdated space with more efficient construction. He thanked the General Assembly for prior support, especially asset preservation funding, fire and tornado insurance premium support, and a prior university inflationary adjustment. On the operating side, Morgan asked that insurance premium support continue, that the earlier inflationary adjustment roll forward, and that the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s request for a minimum distribution in the performance funding formula be supported. He noted Morehead has received little or no performance funding in recent years and said that if no additional formula funds are added, the university would prefer a line-item appropriation. On the capital side, he requested continued asset preservation funding and outlined several construction priorities: a new applied science building, a new agriculture science building, a new space science technology building, and a cost-share replacement for the aging Maze Hall residence hall, with the state covering $10 million of a $20 million project and Morehead matching the rest. Morgan also discussed the Craft Academy, saying the current appropriation supports 200 students and that the university would like to increase the line item to expand enrollment by about 20 students. In response to questions from Chairman Tipton, he said Morehead had previously explored but ultimately rejected a public-private partnership model for housing, preferring to own and control its residence halls to keep housing costs manageable for students. He also explained that the land surveying courses in the applied science proposal are a popular part of related programs and that Morehead’s space science program is a major research-and-contracts-driven operation with about 250 students, federal and private research ties, and graduates working both in Kentucky and elsewhere. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes and discussed that upcoming postsecondary budget meetings would continue over the next several weeks to gather input on the new budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wiener to continue the research partnership between the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code
• years, and also to restore the research relationship between the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code
• lastly, Free World is requesting $6 million annually to expand access to workforce training and commercial
• lastly, Free World is requesting $6 million annually to expand access to workforce training and commercial
• also have trailer bill language where we're putting forward efficiencies, where we can look at some code

Keywords: 987, senate, all