Transcript Highlights:

• AVAILABLE IN THAT REGION, CORRECT?
• Smith: SO WOULD IT BE FAIR TO ASSUME THAT ONCE WE RUN OUT OF CREDITS IN THAT AREA PERHAPS THERE SHOULD
• WE FIND SOME OF THESE ARE CAUSING FIRES IN OUR LANDFILLS, FIRES IN SOME OF THE RECYCLING VEHICLES THAT
• McClain: I THINK I'VE ONLY GOTTEN TO DO TWO BILLS IN OUR ROLE WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE BUT THINGS ARE
• DIFFERENT IN THE SENATE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a number of bills in different lanes to help fund pre-disaster wildfire mitigation or recovery
• We can do this by making sure the world's most wealthy corporations simply pay their fair share in California
• We can do this by making sure the world's most wealthy corporations simply pay their fair share in California
• Bahamas, in Ireland, in Luxembourg, in tax havens.
• Bahamas, in Ireland, in Luxembourg, in tax havens.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Should I do this in English or continue in Spanish?
• The state had to do that because in 1938, Congress enacted the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which
• And some things that are mitigation are, for example, doing an assessment of what is happening in that
• SB 1012 takes the skills that these individuals have already proven in the field and gives them a fair
• SB 1012 takes the skills that these individuals have already proven in the field and gives them a fair

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime premium costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, argued the bill would restore lost hours and take-home pay after California’s agricultural overtime law reduced schedules. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the proposal would subsidize employers with taxpayer dollars and undermine the principle that employers should pay overtime themselves. The bill was held in subcommittee until more members arrived. The committee then took up SB 1083, a cleanup bill to the prior year’s school employee misconduct database law. The author and supporters said it would add due process protections for classified school employees, require an administrative law judge review before placement in the database, and improve notice and vetting rules for contractors and non-permanent staff. School employer groups and other opponents warned the bill could slow investigations and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved the bill 3-0 and sent it to Senate Appropriations. Members also considered SB 1089, which would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications and expand access through CalRX for chronic weight management and related health conditions. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and medical groups, said the drugs can prevent diabetes and improve health outcomes but remain unaffordable for many. Pharma representatives expressed concerns about the bill as drafted but said they were open to continued discussions. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar 4-0. Later, the committee heard SB 954, which would narrow and add guardrails to last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, including environmental review near disadvantaged communities and labor standards such as prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. Labor, environmental, and community groups supported the bill as a cleanup of an overly broad exemption, while business and manufacturing groups opposed it, warning it would discourage investment and worsen California’s competitiveness. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1299, a fire sprinkler fitter certification bill, was heard and passed 3-0 to Appropriations with support from the sprinkler fitters and building trades and no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Happened in Jackson, Mississippi in 2022 and the city of Atlanta in 2024.
• to 30% and in...
• In terms of the issue of the in 2007. It's been in operation now for some years and it's a home.
• built in their natural and in their human infrastructure.
• Texas is number one in the country in agricultural law. due to disaster and 66% with $3.4 billion in

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, A life-sustaining climate in Hawaii.
• And so, the more money that we can invest in adaptation, mitigation, resilience programs, the more money
• </c> save in the long term. save in the long term.
• Is that fair? climate change. Is that fair?
• in environ in this we are the leader in environ in this climate<01:24:28.560><c> issue</c><01:24:29.440

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken. State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis. Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• > it going to be used in the in the uh it going to be used in the in the uh asphalt<00:32:02.159><c>
• </c><00:48:17.079><c> support</c><00:48:17.400><c> in</c> force in support in force in support in person
• towards climate mitigation and adaptation, are also consistent with the language in House Bill 504,
• of wildfire mitigation plans and other investments in infrastructure improvements, modernization, and
• of wildfire mitigation plans and other investments in infrastructure improvements, modernization, and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> every District but especially those in every District but especially those in the<00:03:26.159><
• </c> Solutions to the Water Crisis in Solutions to the Water Crisis in Hastings<00:05:03.000><c> and<
• Hastings has already qualified for something in the neighborhood of $14 million in these settlement funds
• Shouldn't we have to do that in Hastings?
• It's a drop in the bucket. And there's a need throughout the state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But jobs in climate adaptation and mitigation are among the largest growth areas.
• All of our members work in those fields in wind, in solar, in hydrogen.
• We are invested in time and in that transition.
• And we also want to see what progress is made in terms of mitigation and management from previous plans
• Only a percentage of that would be where mitigation efforts would return a reduction in risk, or even

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why has the growth in the Medi-Cal program more than doubled in seven years in costs?
• In the Medi-Cal program more than doubled in seven years in costs. Do we know that?
• California would be in revolt. Arkansas would be in revolt in the same.
• $30 a month in premium starting in July next year.
• We strongly support California investing in a robust 21st-century safety net that mitigates harms stemming

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the issue as a major federal disruption that would reduce benefits and shift costs to the state, counties, hospitals, and other local systems. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center, each describing projected enrollment losses, higher state and county costs, and implementation challenges. The LAO outlined H.R. 1’s main changes: new and expanded work requirements, more frequent eligibility redeterminations, restrictions on certain non-citizen eligibility, and financing changes affecting provider taxes and federal matching rates. The LAO estimated that 1 to 2 million people could be disenrolled from Medi-Cal and more than 600,000 could lose CalFresh, with additional costs from reduced federal support and possible state and county administrative burdens. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s budget includes about $1.4 billion General Fund in 2026-27 to respond to H.R. 1, with larger out-year reductions in federal funds and projected Medi-Cal caseload losses of up to 2 million by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, while noting the state could choose policies that would reduce some of those losses. The Food Research and Action Center warned that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, worsen health outcomes, and strain local economies and emergency systems. Members questioned the witnesses about procedural disenrollments, regional variation, the overall growth in Medi-Cal spending, the future of the MCO tax, the CalFresh error rate, and the downstream effects on hospitals and county indigent care. Several senators argued that the federal law was driven by tax cuts for high-income earners and would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color. Administration witnesses said some impacts are still being analyzed, that counties and departments are working on implementation, and that the Legislature may need to use statute, reporting, and oversight tools as federal guidance develops. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, it says that the money that would be in the mitigation fund would come from existing PG&E
• Any folks in opposition? ...emergency physicians in support. Any folks in opposition?
• We are in support.
• This policy, both in 2019 and the follow-up here in SB 1117, violates the spirit of that Mitigation Fee
• were rescued in the Super Bowl in 2006 in the prostitution sting operation, they received no answer.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy regular-order hearing on August 5, 2026, with 325 bills on the agenda and a large number of Senate bills moved on consent or by roll call. Early action included two consent motions for numerous Senate bills, followed by individual presentations on measures covering health, housing, energy, labor, insurance, public safety, and environmental issues. The committee also later approved a large suspense calendar and took public comment on bills not heard earlier in the day. Among the bills discussed, SB 999 would delay the publication date of the Health Minimum Essential Coverage Individual Mandate Report; SB 869 would require added-sugar warning icons for high-sugar beverages at large chain restaurants; SB 931 would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Essential Mitigation Fund; SB 952 would give the Department of Water Resources more flexibility to meet clean energy procurement goals for the State Water Project; and SB 1288 would create a framework for notifying and verifying beneficiaries of nonprobate assets. Other measures included SB 1371 on labor disputes and solid waste service, SB 1014 on housing development estimates, SB 1283 on EV charging station permitting, SB 1209 and SB 1244 on insurance enforcement and broker compensation disclosure, SB 1359 on gas utility infrastructure and ratepayer protections, SB 677 and SB 908 on housing streamlining and window replacement rules, SB 1323 on procedures for patients in immigration custody, SB 938 on law enforcement hiring standards for former federal immigration officers, SB 1272 on code enforcement timelines for unsuspecting homeowners, SB 1117 on ADU impact fees, SB 1196 on utility hookup timelines for small energy projects, SB 1299 on fire sprinkler fitter training and certification, and AB 2597 on state claims settlements. Testimony was generally supportive from bill authors, sponsors, and allied groups such as Health Access California, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the California Restaurant Association on SB 869 unless amended, the California Teachers Association, YIMBY and housing advocates, the Casita Coalition, labor groups, and various local government representatives. Opposition or concerns came from restaurant industry representatives on SB 869, SIFMA and banking groups on SB 1288, insurance broker groups on SB 1244, PG&E and county representatives on SB 1359, code enforcement and county organizations on SB 1272, special districts and fire-related local agencies on SB 1117, and some public safety or fiscal concerns on other bills. Several authors noted ongoing negotiations and accepted committee amendments on their measures. Votes were taken throughout the hearing, with many bills passing on A or B roll calls, some with members not voting or voting no. The committee also approved the suspense calendar and later lifted the call on SB 1359 after adding an aye vote. Public comment at the end included opposition to a wildfire mitigation bill not heard earlier, with concerns about CEQA exemptions and herbicide use.

Transcript Highlights:

• List in 2022.
• in Gaza?
• in Gaza?
• in Palestine.
• we work in.

Bills: SB5439, SB6109, SB6304

Keywords: investment, thermal coal, divestment, state investment board, fossil fuels, environmental impact, renewable energy, detention facilities, state funds, privatization, criminal justice reform, Washington State Investment Board, responsible investment, sustainability, corporate governance, 904, all

Summary: The committee first received a work session from the State Investment Board. Staff described the board’s structure, its roughly $230 billion in assets, and its mandate to maximize returns at prudent risk for pension and other public funds. Officials said the board generally invests public equities passively through low-cost index funds, manages a diversified mix of asset classes, and has produced strong long-term returns that help stabilize contribution rates and the state budget. They also outlined the board’s sustainability program, including ESG integration, proxy voting, engagement with companies, climate and DEI blueprints, and a stated view that divestment restrictions can reduce returns and increase costs. Senators asked about deferred compensation, private equity, digital assets, and whether the legislature has altered investment policy in the past. The committee then held a public hearing on SB 5439, which would prohibit new thermal coal investments beginning in 2026 and require full divestment by 2030, with limited exceptions. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with advocates arguing coal is a poor long-term investment, a major climate and health harm, and a small share of the portfolio that can be phased out without major disruption. The hearing also covered SB 6109, which would prohibit investments in private detention facilities and require divestment by 2030; supporters said public funds should not profit from immigrant detention, while staff confirmed the board currently has a small investment in Geo Group. The committee then heard SB 6304, a broader responsible investing bill that would require the board to incorporate ethical principles related to human rights, environmental degradation, corruption, and similar harms, and to adopt proxy voting guidelines and annual reporting. Supporters from labor, faith, civil rights, housing, and Palestinian advocacy groups said the bill would align investments with state values and address harms tied to weapons, detention, surveillance, fossil fuels, and alleged genocide-related investments. Finally, the committee received a briefing on Substitute SB 5945, which would exclude most juvenile convictions from counting as strikes under the state’s persistent offender law, except for first- and second-degree murder and serious sex offenses, and would apply retroactively with resentencing for affected people. Fiscal estimates discussed ranged from about 10 to 48 cases, with costs for public defense, courts, and local prosecution. Public defense officials said the cases would be complex and resource-intensive. Prosecutors and sheriffs opposed the bill, especially retroactive resentencing, citing victim impacts, workload, and public safety concerns, and asked that retroactivity be removed if the bill moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So any system or product design in accordance with that outline of investigation would mitigate those
• So in other words, your risk analysis and the mitigation, the sort of standards you’re proposing, deal
• So the risks that are identified in UL 3700 and that are mitigated recognize the risks that would be
• So the risks that are identified in UL 3700 and that are mitigated recognize the risks that would be
• We give you an opportunity to set up here in the dais, if you like, just to be fair.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.

Transcript Highlights:

• Juice in your in a tank.
• If we can mitigate that tall grass in that country, we, we know on wet years, we tall, we grow tall grass
• I think, you know, I think everybody in the state took mitigation serious after that.
• And, uh, multi-mission aircraft in, in Waco.
• Would, would it be a fair statement that if pole attachment fees were included in competitive bids that

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there Kahali in K? No, no. It's not—they're not building it in Kia.
• in in that area some positive successes in in that area and<00:31:17.799><c> it's</c><00:31:17.960><
• It can't be in a flood zone.
• It can't be in a flood zone.
• </c><01:03:45.720><c> in</c> trying to reduce six trafficking in in trying to reduce six trafficking

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a floor sub in the near future, but we're working on those concerns as a work in progress.
• We have a problem in our health care system in this state, but really across our nation.
• 2022 reduced or mitigated, reduced or mitigated.
• And what's happened is rural Oklahoma, which I live in more but was raised in rural Oklahoma, what's
• This encompasses all of our community providers in every community in the state of Oklahoma.

Bills: SB1673, SB1500, SB1447, SB1646, SB2007, SB1275, SB2074

Keywords: prosthetics, health insurance, medical necessity, patient rights, insurance liability, pharmacy benefits manager, healthcare providers, claims processing, reimbursement, insurance regulation, employees insurance, contract awarding, certifications, state procurement, insurance plan, mental health, substance use disorders, utilization review, benefit coverage, pharmacy

Summary: The Senate Business and Insurance Committee met to consider several bills, with the chair emphasizing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and the impact on local and rural pharmacies. Before taking up the bills, the committee announced that Senate Bills 1620 and 1625 would be laid over. The committee also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1673 to exempt certain state-funded flexible benefit plans, and then passed the bill, which creates the Prosthetic Access and Accountability Act of 2026 and requires health plans that already cover prosthetic benefits to administer them without disability-based discrimination. The committee then passed several PBM-related measures. Senate Bill 1500 requires PBMs to reimburse rural pharmacies within 30 calendar days. Senate Bill 1447 adds safeguards to the Oklahoma Employee Insurance Plan by restricting PBM contracts, including disfavoring PBMs involved in recent lawsuits or those affiliated with insurers, retail pharmacy chains, specialty pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, or drug manufacturers. Senate Bill 1646 strengthens utilization review standards for mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and Senate Bill 2007 prohibits PBMs from reducing reimbursement after a successful appeal and adds administrative fees when they fail to make required adjustments. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1275, which requires upfront disclosure of all fees for short-term rental bookings such as Airbnb and VRBO, with only tax added at checkout. Finally, the committee passed Senate Bill 2074 after extensive debate; it would require fairer and more transparent PBM reimbursement using a Medicaid-based methodology and a professional dispensing fee, with supporters arguing it would help independent and community pharmacies and opponents raising concerns about consumer costs and legal issues. All bills considered in the meeting were reported out with favorable votes, and the meeting adjourned after the chair noted one more meeting would be held the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• billion in federal mitigation and recovery funding.
• So are those kinds of things also included in this whole range of disaster mitigation and planning and
• For those of us not well versed in mitigation, what exactly does that mean?
• For those of us not well versed in mitigation, what exactly does that, not well versed in mitigation.
• And so it's any activity that could be taken against an aerial threat, in this case, UAS is, to mitigate

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy, agriculture, and small businesses, followed by updates on emergency management, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, tsunami preparedness, and World Cup security planning. Office of Financial Management economist Abdelamintrawe Trieri said tariff increases are expected to raise prices, reduce output and employment, and lower state revenue over a four-year horizon, with the hardest-hit sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about updated tariff scenarios, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus deflation in different goods, and whether some manufacturing sectors could benefit; staff said updated numbers would need to be rerun as tariff rates changed. Washington Department of Agriculture representative Ryan Hamm described how tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while also affecting exports of key commodities like wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine. He said some sectors support tariffs on competing imports, but retaliation and market restrictions have hurt exports, especially to China and, in the wine sector, Canada. Department of Commerce representative Andrea Chartock outlined export assistance, business finance, recruitment, and industry-sector development programs, and proposed expanding tariff-resilience support through market diversification, supply-chain optimization, and efforts to attract investment and federal funding. She also noted uncertainty around delayed federal STEP funding for small business export assistance. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Ezell warned that federal disaster and mitigation funding is becoming less reliable, citing the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, delays in FEMA grant processing, and possible restructuring of FEMA that could shift more responsibility to states. He said Washington may need stronger state-funded public assistance, individual assistance, and mitigation programs, along with broader coordination among state agencies and local governments. Cybersecurity staff described state efforts to support local governments through the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, threat intelligence sharing, vulnerability assessments, and a proposed volunteer incident response team, while noting the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the importance of continued state matching funds for cybersecurity grants. Hazard mitigation and tsunami staff emphasized the need for sustained investment in flood, wildfire, earthquake, lahar, and tsunami resilience, including vertical evacuation structures and language-access outreach. Ezell also briefed the committee on World Cup security preparations and federal grants for counter-unmanned aircraft systems, explaining that the state can buy mitigation capabilities but current authority to use them remains largely federal; the committee asked follow-up questions about fan zones, training, and the meaning of drone mitigation. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had this bill in the House, this House bill in the Senate last week.
• We had this bill in the House, this House bill in the Senate last week.
• Have a card in support. Thank you. The board is clear. I have a card in support.
• stays successful in participating in that program and then, essentially, in going after additional federal
• . ...in the amendments.

Bills: SCR58, SB309, SB514, HCR63, HCR69, HB401, HB487, HB722, HB730, HB745, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1024, HB1032, HB1050, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1218, HB1244

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:45.399><c> in</c><00:09:45.560><c> Henry</c> County and farm in Shelby in Henry County and
• office in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to mitigate that, so that's who would deal with that
• office in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to mitigate that, so that's who would deal with that
• office in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to mitigate that, so that's who would deal with that
• office in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to mitigate that, so that's who would deal with that

Keywords: 00:00 – Introduction 00:20 – Attendance Roll Call 01:42 – Introduction of guests 09:15 – House Bill 278 18:16 – Roll Call Vote 19:33 – House Bill 527 23:03 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Agriculture met on March 5 and began with roll call, confirming a quorum. The committee spent much of the opening portion introducing guests, including FFA groups from Barren, Christian, and Pulaski counties, a fifth-grade student shadowing a member, and other visitors connected to agriculture and public service. The chair also recognized former Senator Joey Pendleton, who spoke briefly about his background and mentorship in Frankfort. The committee then heard House Bill 278, sponsored by Representative Josh Bray, which would allow Kentucky to use an existing USDA exemption for small poultry producers to process and sell poultry directly at farmers markets and similar venues. Testimony emphasized that the bill would not loosen food safety standards, but would instead require compliance with federal commercial food processing rules, sanitation requirements, HACCP plans, and labeling tied to the USDA exemption. Members raised questions about avian flu, traceability, refrigeration, and inspection; the sponsor and witnesses said the bill would preserve traceability by limiting sales to direct channels and that avian flu response would remain with the state veterinarian. The committee voted favorably on HB 278. The committee also considered House Bill 527, sponsored by Representative Susan Whitten, which would authorize licensed veterinary technicians to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets under direct veterinarian supervision on the premises. Supporters said the measure would help free veterinarians for other work while maintaining safety, and noted rising rabies concerns in Kentucky. Members asked why ferrets were included, and witnesses explained that ferrets can contract rabies like other mammals and are routinely vaccinated along with cats and dogs. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed HB 527 with favorable expression. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was visionary in 2008.
• In fact, our legislature has had... To be successful in California.
• million in 2024.
• We'll now move to any others in the room in support.
• fact, in which refiners did not want to ...indictments by P66, six counts in fact, in which the refiners

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not a fair society that we all want to live in.
• That's not a fair society that we all want to live in.
• in.
• That's not a fair society that we all want to live in.
• And in response to that, here's what happens. treats people who are in treats people who are in have<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 409 in executive session, with the chair noting a caucus break to explain amendments to several substitute members. Members discussed a proposed amendment to narrow the bill’s felony provisions by limiting them to specific, knowingly dangerous conduct rather than making the offense too broad. The committee also noted a planned floor amendment to add missing “or” language to clarify that the listed acts were alternatives, not cumulative requirements. The amendment was adopted 13-0, and the bill as amended was then reported OTPA by a 13-0 vote. It was initially said to be headed to consent, but members later agreed it would not go on consent because a floor amendment was anticipated. The committee then opened House Bill 667, which would extend protections for medical personnel into emergency room settings. Supporters said the bill was needed because emergency room staff face increasing assaults and existing protections did not fully cover ER circumstances. Several members described firsthand or secondhand incidents involving nurses, EMTs, and other staff being threatened or injured, and argued that stronger penalties would help deter violence and improve prosecution. Others supported the bill but raised concerns about how it might affect people experiencing mental health crises, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities. A proposed amendment from Representative Sher would exempt people experiencing a mental health crisis who have a mental health diagnosis, and also address dementia and certain developmental disabilities. Supporters said the amendment was narrowly tailored and had backing from the Disability Rights Center, NAMI New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Nurses Association. Opponents argued that the criminal justice system already has safeguards such as prosecutorial discretion, insanity defenses, and competency rules, and warned against creating special exceptions that could weaken equal application of the law. After debate, the committee voted 10-3 to report HB 667 ought to pass, with members noting that minority and majority reports would be prepared.