Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the active Committee of the Whole is called to order. Mr. Majority Leader, Mr.
• And I also want to thank all those individuals who took part in making sure that they lobbied and then
• She's been very actively educating many of our representatives, as well as all the 638 leaders within

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized guests including participants in the Southern Arizona Water Leadership Institute and the Doctor of the Day, and then moved through a series of procedural actions, committee reports, and Committee of the Whole calendars. The chamber considered several House bills dealing mainly with water policy, air quality, local regulation and airport buffers, timeshare sales, advertising/digital goods refunds, elections, probation, radiologic technologies, firefighters, health care, property tax, state agencies, tourism, employment relationships, motor vehicle warranties, the State Fire Marshal, education, and retirement system provisions. Several floor and committee amendments were adopted, including amendments to HB 2428, HB 2875, HB 2877, HB 2029, and HB 2010; one amendment to HB 2029 failed on a 13-14 vote. On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2006, HB 2050, HB 246, HB 262, HB 2089, HB 2090, HB 292, HB 298, HB 2122, HB 2126, HB 2138, HB 2176, HB 2177, HB 2173, HB 2178, HB 2179, HB 2258, HB 2310, HB 2323, HB 2324, HB 2395, HB 2010, HB 2029, HB 2132, HB 2261, HB 2428, HB 2875, and HB 2877, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous or near-unanimous support to more divided outcomes on HB 2026, HB 2132, HB 2261, and HB 2877. HB 2026 drew criticism over assured water supply and commingling concerns, while HB 2029’s statewide water-conservation analysis amendment was defended as a responsible use of public funds. HB 2177 drew supportive explanations from senators noting its importance for tribal waiver-related services. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to SB 1092, SB 1430, and SB 1479, then adopted final readings on those measures. SB 1092, dealing with dangerous crimes against children probation, passed 18-10 after debate over judicial discretion and sentencing policy; SB 1430 passed unanimously; and SB 1479 passed 20-1. The session concluded with the Senate adjourning until April 8, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they had lobbied this body to get the law to such a place that it was very, very hard to get out
• The Committee on Rules will be placed on the active calendar.
• will be placed on the House calendar of the bills and the committee on rules will be placed in the active

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, pursuit videos from Arkansas State Police are wildly popular and keep YouTube channels active
• And is there any lobbying involved with the foundation side of it?" "As far as I'm aware, no, sir.
• If there's an allegation made by a citizen of a criminal activity, we would often refer that either to

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police leadership about efforts to reduce vehicle pursuits and fleeing from law enforcement. Members discussed prior legislation that made fleeing a felony and enhanced penalties when suspects exit moving vehicles, and the State Police reported those changes, along with a social media/public service campaign and work with prosecutors, were associated with a 29% decline in pursuits from 2023 to 2025, or 180 fewer pursuits last year than in 2023. Members also asked about a recent mistaken PIT/TVI incident involving the wrong vehicle; the agency said the family was not injured, had requested privacy, and the trooper involved was terminated. The committee also received an overview of the Arkansas State Police Foundation, which funds scholarships, emergency assistance for troopers’ families, and facilities and training support, with no lobbying role reported. The committee then heard from the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training on officer decertification and hiring accountability. Director Chris Chapman explained that every officer separation must be reported, that files are flagged when conduct may warrant decertification even if it does not meet that threshold, and that hiring agencies must be told about prior misconduct before they can add an officer to their roster. He said the commission now receives more decertification requests than before, with requests rising from 158 in the prior three-year period to 256 in the last three years, and that 147 officers were pending hearings, down from a prior backlog that had stretched to about four and a half years. He also said the commission meets every other month for two-day hearings, and that most decertifications involve integrity or honesty issues. Members asked about open investigations, citizen complaints, appeals, and public access to decertification records. Chapman said resignations during internal affairs or criminal investigations are flagged, citizen complaints are usually handled through supervisors, chiefs, sheriffs, or prosecutors and may lead to decertification review if warranted, and decertified officers can appeal to circuit court. He added that decertification records are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and may be used in civil claims. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion of a possible future committee meeting at the fish hatchery in Lonoke.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a tale of big money lobbying to try and keep something out of a bill.
• I also would like to expand that to incorporating more activity with some of our black veterans.
• Sometimes those activities back off just like people going on vacation, but then they really ramp up

Transcript Highlights:

• transparency and representation on behalf of countries of concern; and second, the funding of political activity
• We're simply just saying you need to register if you're going to engage in political activities and you're
• I remember the day that I was actually walking out of the office, or out of the building in the lobby

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1416, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new schedule takes effect. Senators discussed whether the bill would affect runoff elections, with the sponsor explaining that runoff timing would shift to the August primary/general election framework. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed, while members cited potential taxpayer savings and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 766, as amended by strike-all, which would require agents of certain “countries of concern” to register with the Division of Elections when engaging in political activity. The amendment narrowed the bill’s focus and aligned terminology with existing state law. After no opposition or debate on the amendment, the committee adopted it and then reported the bill favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. Questioning focused heavily on PSC transparency, the sufficiency of commission orders, Supreme Court criticism of PSC decisions, storm protection plans, utility rate cases, and how the commission evaluates evidence and consumer impacts. LaRosa said the commission had changed its procedures to produce more detailed orders and more robust discussion, and he described ongoing work on rate cases, public engagement, and emerging energy issues such as small modular reactors. Despite concerns raised, the nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of additional appointments in tabs 4 through 27, also reporting them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please activate your machines. Members, please activate your machines as you enter the chamber.
• Senator Boren, Senator Standridge, please activate your machines.
• fighting so that government regulations do not run over the small people who can't afford to have a lobby

Bills: HB1427 , SB1403 , SB1448 , SB1489 , SB1546 , SB1557 , SB1614 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1439 , SB1630 , SB1632 , SB1696 , SB1796 , SB1824 , SB1362 , SB1849 , SB2066 , SB2071 , SB2104 , SB933 , SB1633 , SB1224 , SB1246 , SB1280 , SB1303 , SB1346

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll discuss things that will change our tax base or tax activity.
• And it was lobbied against ferociously on behalf of local governments, which I can understand.
• That are active as a voice for states when it comes to state and federal tax issues.
• And so they've been very active all the way as this bill was being drafted and making its way through

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Leading our retired educators on this Lobby Day we have These members of TRTA include President Ella
• HB 3789 by Hefner relates to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain active and retired
• HB 3806 by Lambert relates to the prohibited activities of state trust companies under supervision in
• HB 3830 by Curry relates to the franchise tax credit for certain watershed protection activities, referred

Transcript Highlights:

• We just want to remind this committee that the imposition upon uh um requires that the lobby matter of
• the imposition upon uh requires<00:15:59.600><c> that</c><00:15:59.839><c> the</c><00:16:00.240><c> lobby
• We currently have only one active station, and that station has very old buildings, and several of them
• station and that station only one active station and that station has<00:39:56.960><c> very</c><00:39
• Uh, there is a concern with the term deliberation, and we also have the comment about the lobbying matter

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 4 and began with announcements about committee protocol, including posting hearing notices and testimony earlier than required and using written HD1 drafts for more complex amendments. The chair also noted the new AV system and asked speakers to be clear because the microphones are sensitive. The committee then took up several University of Hawaiʻi-related measures, with most testimony coming from UH officials, state agencies, and advocacy groups, and no votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1596, relating to student basic needs support at the University of Hawaiʻi, drew support from UH, the Oʻahu Youth Action Board, and an individual. UH said it stood on its written testimony and could answer questions. HB 1597, relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research, received support from UH/JABSOM, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others; the Attorney General’s Office offered a procedural reminder about statewide concern. HB 1970, funding the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the Hawaii Tumor Registry, was supported by UH, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others, with testimony emphasizing the registry’s role in cancer surveillance, prevention, and federal funding. The committee also heard HB 1598, creating a Hawaii Climate Institute. UH testified in support, citing worsening drought, heat, sea level rise, and extreme weather, and said the institute would hire climate modelers and faculty across several schools. Members questioned funding, and UH said it would seek state startup money, possible green-fee support, and federal grants, noting recent federal cuts and the need for permanent positions. HB 1989, on water retention, was supported by UH as a study to slow runoff and improve aquifer recharge. HB 1951, on biosecurity, drew support from UH, DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, students, and other organizations; testimony stressed invasive species threats, the need for biocontrol research and containment capacity, and possible sites for a statewide facility. HB 1952, funding agricultural research station improvements on Kauaʻi, was supported by UH, the Farm Bureau, and others, with testimony noting aging facilities and the need to modernize stations across the islands. Finally, HB 2005, relating to language access, received UH support, with a UH representative noting that credit programs may fit best in a credit-bearing academic program and that Outreach College could be an option for noncredit programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blue Ribbon Lobby Day is more than just a tradition.
• On behalf of the House of Representatives, I'd like to recognize April 15 as Blue Ribbon Lobby Day at
• And welcome to your Capitol on Blue Ribbon Lobby Day. Thank you.
• Stay engaged, stay active, stay focused.
• or off campus, look, I trust that principal and that educator, hopefully, in conjunction with an active

Bills: HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB39 , HB 102 , HB 126 , HB290 , HB300 , HB2143 , HJR2 , HB147 , HJR6 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , SB1

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledges, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Wilson County Day, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day, and Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, along with acknowledgments of visiting groups and a birthday greeting. The chamber also announced committee meetings and then moved into floor business, including conference committee action on Senate Bill 1, the state budget. A series of motions to instruct House conferees on SB 1 were debated and voted on. One motion sought to restore salary for Attorney General Ken Paxton after his impeachment-related suspension; it passed 88-56. Another, from Rep. Olcott, directed conferees to support amendments requiring data collection on the costs of undocumented immigrants in hospitals and prisons; after extended debate and a failed amendment from Rep. Martinez Fischer to also study immigrants’ economic contributions, the motion passed 86-61. The House also adopted instructions to eliminate Texas Lottery Commission funding, to support amendments restricting public education institutions from affirming gender identities inconsistent with biological sex, and to seek an additional $4 billion in property tax relief, with each motion passing on recorded votes. The House then took up a supplemental calendar and passed several bills, including HB 39 on veteran death data, HB 102 on priority registration for certain students entering military service, HB 126 on student-athlete compensation and representation, HB 290 on tuition and fee assistance for members of the Texas military forces, HB 300 on Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program updates, and HB 2143 naming a highway in honor of Army Specialist Joey Lins. The chamber also postponed consideration of HJR 2 and HJR 6. Later, the House considered HB 120 on career and technology education pathways and HB 20 on applied science pathway programs for high school students. HB 120 received a perfecting amendment and was advanced after discussion about workforce preparation. HB 20 prompted extensive questioning about transportation, costs, and how students would access partner campuses such as community colleges and TSTC sites; debate continued as the transcript ended, with members examining how the program would operate and whether approval authority would rest with TEA.

Transcript Highlights:

• 36.000><c> I'm</c> intern here at the state capital and I'm intern here at the state capital and I'm active
• 26:36.799><c> in</c><00:26:37.120><c> many</c><00:26:37.440><c> of</c><00:26:37.520><c> these</c> active
• in many of these active in many of these organizations.<00:26:40.279><c> Currently,</c><00:26:41.279
• ><c> to</c><00:55:03.520><c> prevent</c><00:55:03.839><c> this</c><00:55:04.000><c> from</c> the lobbying
• effort to prevent this from the lobbying effort to prevent this from all<00:55:04.480><c> manifesting

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee met on March 20, 2025, to hear a series of Human Services and Health resolutions. HCR 146, which asks the Department of Human Services to apply for and implement the Elderly Simplified Application Project, drew strong support from disability, public health, and hunger advocates. Testifiers emphasized that the measure could create a more uniform benefits application, reduce repeated paperwork, extend certification periods from one year to three years, and ease burdens on both applicants and DHS staff. DHS said it stood on its written testimony and was available for questions. The committee also heard that a universal application could help people with disabilities avoid delays and denials caused by complex or duplicative forms. The committee then heard HR 170/HCR 174, which requests review of Aloha-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system. Supporters from Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaii and DebtFree Justice Hawaii said the resolution would help advance restorative justice, community service, and culturally grounded rehabilitation, especially if youth fees and fines are reduced or eliminated. Testimony also supported HR 133/HCR 139, which asks the Office of Wellness and Resilience to report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnesses from the developmental disabilities council, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Hawaii Community Foundation, and others said the pandemic’s trauma and behavioral impacts justify a multidisciplinary, evidence-based report, and the office requested more time to complete its findings, suggesting a deadline at the end of 2026. The committee also heard HR 88/HCR 92, proposing a two-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program in Honolulu. One testifier described sleeping in a car and said the pilot could provide a safer option, while the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions said it supported the intent but stressed that a sanctuary is still an unsheltered situation and should lead people toward permanent housing. HCR 180, calling for collaboration among homelessness and law enforcement agencies, received comments that many of the issues are already being addressed locally. HR 103/HCR 107, which would convene a working group to strengthen Title 9 protections, received support from education, women’s, and LGBTQ advocates, who asked for student and queer representation on the working group and said federal Title 9 changes make state action important. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved from one resolution to the next after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• our elections and, you know, whether we are being very mindful about any violations or erroneous activities
• activities mandated by the Political Reform Act.
• I want to say art is not just a fun activity, although it is, but it's about preservation of history.
• So your counter-drug activities plan won't defer, or will still refer to our plan instead of whatever
• They activate corridors, increase community investment, and create sustainable opportunities for artists

Transcript Highlights:

• we conduct our elections and whether we are being very mindful about any violations or erroneous activities
• activities mandated by the Political Reform Act.
• I want to say art is not just a fun activity, although it is, but it's about preservation of history.
• So your counter-drug activities plan won't defer, or will still refer to our plan instead of whatever
• They activate corridors, increase community investment, and create sustainable opportunities for artists

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an item on the vehicle license fee backfill for counties, focused largely on San Mateo County and the related excess ERAF calculation. Department of Finance staff said the administration does not propose the requested $119 million backfill, arguing the payment is discretionary and that the existing statutory formula should continue to operate as written. Senators and public witnesses, including Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier, argued the state has a longstanding obligation to local governments and that San Mateo County faces severe service cuts without the funds; they also discussed whether the issue could be solved through local school district boundary changes or other structural fixes. The chair held the item open after testimony. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department presented SB 851 implementation funding of $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software to track election-related litigation, update voting system standards, and expand vendor notice requirements. Members asked about election security, the impact of recent federal court decisions, the end of federal HAVA funds in 2027-28, and the staffing and timeline needed to implement the law. The committee also heard a $11.8 million General Fund request for the Cal Access Replacement System, intended to replace the outdated campaign finance and lobbying disclosure platform; staff said the project is on track for a November 2026 go-live with a stabilization period afterward. A separate item sought $9.795 million Business Fees Fund for the Notary Automation Program replacement, with the department explaining delays were due to more planning, a 2025 special election, and the need to secure a contractor, with go-live now projected for 2029. All three items were held open. The Department of Veterans Affairs presented its overall status and then its Yountville skilled nursing facility project. CalVet described progress on veterans homes, home loans, housing programs, and mental health initiatives, while noting higher-acuity needs among older veterans and continued support for underserved groups. For Yountville, the department said the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building, though some functions will remain in the old building and other campus projects, including roof and steam system work, are still underway. Members also raised concerns about retroactive tax liabilities for employees whose housing fringe benefits had not been reported, and CalVet said it has corrected the reporting, retrained staff, and is working with employees on repayment and lease adjustments. The committee also discussed a proposal to eliminate vacant positions under Control Section 4.12; CalVet said the positions were long vacant and could be given back without harming operations, while the LAO noted the Legislature had not concurred and keeping them would increase General Fund costs. The item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an informational update on its work and the cultural districts program. The director described the council’s grantmaking, technical assistance, and support for 24 cultural districts statewide, while members emphasized the economic and preservation value of arts funding and urged more investment, including a proposed $50 million General Fund augmentation and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts. Staff explained that the original cultural district funding was reduced and that the program is currently unfunded and lacks dedicated staff, limiting its ability to expand beyond a small share of applications. Members from different regions noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural district designations and pressed the council to broaden access beyond major urban areas. The item was informational only, with no vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• that improve nutrition, expand health care access, prevent chronic disease, and promote physical activity
• or a hospital, and it can start with early information and instruction on nutrition and physical activity
• This report also stated that 75% of Americans believed lifestyle behaviors such as diet, physical activity
• , sleep, and mentally stimulating activities play a very important role in maintaining brain health.
• So there is a grandmother who is very active. Her grandchildren have hemophilia.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands eligibility for psychosocial rehabilitation services by adding health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees to the list of acceptable educational backgrounds. Supporters said the change would help address workforce shortages and improve access in rural areas. SB 314 was then reported favorably; it cleans up prior law so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be used for community psychiatric support and treatment services even if the application is filed after the CSW license has expired, rather than being barred by a timing restriction. The committee next took up several bills by Chairman McMath. SB 26, which repeals facility need review requirements for opioid treatment programs, was reported favorably after members and witnesses said Louisiana has too few OTPs and that removing the review would improve access, especially in rural areas. SB 29, requiring review and reporting of a child’s immunization records in certain unexpected death autopsies, was reported favorably despite questions about whether the bill should refer more broadly to medical records; supporters said the data could help evaluate vaccine-related concerns, while opponents raised concerns about singling out immunizations. SB 30, dealing with telehealth for obesity/weight management, was amended and reported favorably; the committee adopted technical amendments and a conceptual amendment replacing “metabolic condition” with “weight management services,” while witnesses debated patient safety, board authority, and whether the bill should limit agencies’ ability to restrict telehealth in the future. The committee also reported favorably SB 219, which creates an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH. Supporters from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical said the office would strengthen coordination on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health, and cited high Alzheimer’s costs and prevalence in Louisiana. SB 222, which streamlines Medicaid behavioral health administrative requirements and expands telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation, was reported favorably with amendments after supporters described workforce and rural access barriers. SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act,” was reported favorably; it would allow EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies, and testimony from a parent and physician described life-threatening delays under current practice. The committee also adopted SCR 2, updating hospital architectural standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22, requesting a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement expenditures; members said they wanted clearer outcome data and planned to refine the language before floor debate. Finally, HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine was introduced and heavily amended, with the bill shifted under LSBME oversight and a large set of changes discussed, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• healthcare trainees of the OSU Center for Health Sciences, as well as a site for research and other activities
• We are actively engaged in finalizing the operating relationships where we're sharing resources.
• Provides to Ouma, and we pass through to the university to help support those research activities there
• We are trying to take away some of the non-value-added activities that have to be done for nurses, which
• But so I don't have a great answer to be right now because I wasn't actively down here.

Committee: House A&B Health Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• So, they're wandering around the lobby all morning long.
• So, they're wandering<00:24:31.520><c> around</c><00:24:31.679><c> the</c><00:24:31.840><c> lobby</c>
• <00:24:32.000><c> all</c><00:24:32.240><c> morning</c> wandering around the lobby all morning wandering
• around the lobby all morning long.<00:24:32.799><c> Thank</c><00:24:32.960><c> you.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in that elevator lobby right there. That's the only ones I could find.
• It's in that elevator<00:32:32.320><c> lobby</c><00:32:32.720><c> right</c><00:32:32.880><c> there.
• </c><00:32:33.200><c> That's</c><00:32:33.440><c> the</c> elevator lobby right there.
• That's the elevator lobby right there.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a a table in the middle of that uh lobby a a table in the middle of that uh lobby area<00:09:50.640
• </c> their risk for new criminal activity their risk for new criminal activity based<01:00:05.359><c>
• Um, there had been ICE activity, and then the ICE activity reflects that they were deported and came
• </c> any new criminal activity. Okay. Okay. any new criminal activity. Okay. Okay.
• See no more active questions.

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 7, 2024 meeting, and then heard an update on disaster response and courthouse recovery efforts after the April flooding. Representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Franklin County Circuit and District Court Clerk’s office, and the Franklin Circuit Court described damage in Perry, Hardin, and especially Franklin counties. Perry County had limited roof and water infiltration issues with no operational impact. Hardin County’s justice center basement took about 18 inches of water, affecting court records and mechanical/electrical equipment, and court operations were briefly suspended. Franklin County’s courthouse was far more severely damaged, with about four feet of water on the first floor, forcing relocation of court operations to temporary sites, including AOC space and the regional jail for custody proceedings. Witnesses said damaged files from Hardin and Franklin counties were removed, sent to an out-of-state vendor for drying and remediation, and would be returned or destroyed as appropriate. They estimated combined costs for file restoration, building repair, and remediation at about $11 million, with insurance through KCOJ/KO expected to cover only part of the losses and FEMA reimbursement still pending a federal disaster declaration. They also said the Franklin County courthouse’s first floor remains gutted, electrical panels and HVAC systems need major replacement, and the second and third floors may be used temporarily once power and data are restored. Members asked about roof damage in Hardin County, the status of FEMA applications, digitization of court records, and whether Senate Bill 25 restricted funds could be used to cover the funding gap; staff said the funds cannot be spent without General Assembly authorization. The committee also discussed broader record-retention and e-filing issues, with members noting the limits of paper filing and the need for better digitization as a backup in emergencies. AOC staff said they are working with the Supreme Court and state law librarian on what records can be digitized and how long hard copies must still be retained. After the disaster-response presentation, the committee moved on to a separate informational presentation on pre-trial services, with introductions from the executive officer of pre-trial services, the president of the Kentucky District Judges Association, a circuit judge, and the manager of pre-trial services, who began explaining how the pre-trial system works for newer committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, in that effort, we also seek to activate that opportunity population to meet the workforce needs
• </c><00:04:25.040><c> that</c> effort, we also seek to activate that effort, we also seek to activate
• </c> and the result of that is is activating and the result of that is is activating an<00:04:50.560>
• Um, have you all have out in the lobby.
• Uh it will come up again in active.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Kentucky Recovery Vocational Workforce and Re-entry Incorporated, led by Executive Director Jerick D'vor, on its vocational training model for people in recovery and formerly incarcerated individuals. He said the nonprofit operates in Russell Springs and serves students from across Kentucky, offering manufacturing and welding training tied to recovery services through Spark Recovery. D'vor emphasized that the program combines treatment, soft-skills coaching, job placement, and continued support after employment, arguing that training should begin around 90 days into recovery rather than earlier. He reported strong outcomes, including 292 students served, 259 certificates earned, and 250 job placements, with many participants placed in manufacturing jobs and 17 welders trained and placed through the new welding academy. Members praised the program but asked about funding, retention, and employability barriers. D'vor said the pilot was supported by opioid abatement grant funding, and the program now relies mainly on donor contributions and Spark Recovery’s investment in clients, with possible future support from additional opioid abatement funds or 1915(i) mechanisms. He said participants are not charged tuition and that the organization provides soft-skills training and job coaches. In response to questions about long-term outcomes, he said the program does not yet have a full alumni tracking system but is exploring technology options and continues to provide post-employment support for 90 days. After approving the committee minutes, members received an update on college athletics and Senate Bill 3 from University of Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird and University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. They said Kentucky’s NIL framework and reporting requirements are working reasonably well and praised the state for not trying to create a competitive advantage in the evolving college sports environment. Heird reported that 521 student-athletes have signed up for NILGO and about 240 deals have been approved through the system, while noting the need to ensure NIL agreements are legitimate marketplace deals rather than artificial payments. The discussion also touched on the House settlement, the $600 approval threshold, and broader federal changes affecting college athletics.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:32.560><c> for</c> which is the national trade Lobby for which is the national trade Lobby
• role in the addiction and I very active role in the addiction and I think<00:25:04.559><c> that's</c
• uh some collection activity and uh some demographic demographic demographic information<00:37:27.160
• during the whole are and are active during the whole period<00:37:35.839><c> and</c><00:37:35.960><c
• Credit card balances go up, and overdrafting activity, so, you know, overdrawing a checking account,

Committee: Senate Finance