Transcript Highlights:

• And I appreciate the fact that, like so many things, the courts, you know, based on current case law,
• One is remote driving, and that is like video game driving.
• Well, if I could say, you know, they aren't the only game in town.
• have any recommendations, any insight as to what the guardrails should look like, could look like, based
• autonomous trucks weighing 80,000 pounds to operate on public roads, not after proven safety, but based

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes the two Twin Cities-based auxiliary operations below the line.
• </c> appropriation is allocated in a base appropriation is allocated in a base plus<00:48:55.880><c>
• </c> faculty and students doing course-based faculty and students doing course-based projects<00:57:32.720
• </c><01:18:25.760><c> on</c> charges to our academic units based on charges to our academic units based
• </c> distribute those increases above base distribute those increases above base driven<01:19:52.400>

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> terms of the community based terms of the community based organizations<00:34:15.520><c> um</c><
• </c> however if this is a community- based however if this is a community- based restorative<00:35:13.920
• </c> the experience of those and skilled the experience of those and skilled nursing<00:43:55.079><c>
• This mirrors that concept based on assisted living law.
• This mirrors that concept based on assisted living law.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The witness explained that they are based out of Frankfort and have attorneys who can assist them all
• </c><00:08:55.360><c> out</c> very difficult for us we are based out very difficult for us we are based
• out of Western one primarily based out of Western Kentucky<00:09:11.200><c> that</c><00:09:11.320><c
• for the districts based on the formula set for the Title grants.
• </c> know they they different criteria based know they they different criteria based you<00:59:52.920

Summary: Chairman Hart called the meeting to order, confirmed a quorum, welcomed Representative Rachel Roarx, and the committee approved the February 11 minutes. The committee then moved through its agenda of PSC and related contract items, including a motion to consider the reviewed contracts without objection. One Department of Highways item was deferred when the virtual representatives were not yet available. The committee first took up Kentucky Housing Corporation contracts. Members questioned outside legal services for foreclosures and bankruptcies, why the work was not handled entirely in-house, and how much of the workload and cost it represented. Witnesses said the agency’s need was largely geographic rather than a lack of expertise, that less than 1% of the loan portfolio is referred out for foreclosures, and that many fees are reimbursable through FHA. Both Kentucky Housing Corporation items were approved. The committee then considered a Department for Community Based Services contract tied to a protest and a temporary renewal with PCG. Witnesses said the contract increase was needed to bridge the gap while the protest and RFP process were unresolved, and that the initial vendor received no funds. The committee approved the item, with Senator Douglas explaining his vote as a preference for straightforward answers. The committee also heard a Northern Kentucky University contract for a Workday ERP replacement, including implementation consulting and separate license fees. University officials explained the move from SAP to Workday, the complexity of the systems, and the need for a consulting partner; they said the total effort would span 10 years and that the contract was priced below comparable institutions. After extensive questioning about cost, budget, and value, the vote ended 4-4 and the chair noted the contract would move forward through the Finance Committee if no disapproval motion was made. Finally, the Office of Inspector General presented a contract for culture change training in nursing facilities funded by civil monetary penalties; witnesses said the goal was to improve staff satisfaction, communication, and resident outcomes, and that the CMP fund balance was about $38 million. Discussion also covered survey backlogs and CMS restrictions on the funds, with the item still under review as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we don't base our budget off of CPI or cost of living, and the base allocation increased by $85
• Again, we don't base our budget off of CPI or cost of living, and the base allocation increased by $85
• Again, we don't base our budget off of CPI or cost of living, and the base allocation increased by $85
• Again, we don't base our budget off of CPI or cost of living and the base allocation increased by $85
• So you're saying that the decrease in the inpatient services base rate is based on projections, not just

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; based on the law. &gt;&gt; based on the law. &gt;&gt; It's<00:48:58.160><c> okay.
• </c> We are maintaining abstinence-based instruction.
• </c><02:23:22.000><c> curriculum</c> that have an abstinence-based curriculum that have an abstinence-based
• um school-based health our youth. um school-based health centers<02:24:08.160><c> and</c><02:24:08.640
• But to say that based upon that.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:22.799><c> uh</c> hospital or institution-based uh hospital or institution-based uh settings
• </c><00:32:38.320><c> on</c> me and I seriously suspect based on me and I seriously suspect based on
• Connelly, should be based on statute.
• </c><01:04:52.720><c> Medicare</c> Health is aggressively gaming Medicare Health is aggressively gaming
• on policy versus oversight based on policy versus oversight failures?

Bills: HF3378

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• no matter what a committee has decided, we are all sent here by our constituents to make decisions based
• here by our constituents to make sent here by our constituents to make decisions<00:15:45.440><c> based
• on what they sent us decisions based on what they sent us here<00:15:48.079><c> to</c><00:15:48.320>
• And it may be late in the game, but again, like I said, and some of them mentioned it in here.
• This effort was not based on Republican values or Democrat values, but on Vermont values.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it is based on the national audit telling us that compared to others, you're prosecuting a lot of
• A skilled violinist, champion rower, and science fair standout. He also had a sense of humor.
• A skilled violinist, Bowdoin College.
• Minnesota state law does not authorize state and local officials to arrest an individual based on an
• individual based on an immigration<01:34:56.840><c> detainer.

Bills: HF2354 , HF3621 , HF3429 , HF3483

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• But the model for the reports is based on Yellow Book standards. makes it sound like there there are
• </c><00:12:54.959><c> on</c><00:12:55.199><c> Yellow</c><00:12:55.519><c> Book</c> reports is based on
• Yellow Book reports is based on Yellow Book standards<00:12:58.600><c> thank</c><00:12:58.800><c> you
• We have individual skills, strengths, and weaknesses, but together we can make a team that should be
• strengths and weaknesses but skills strengths and weaknesses but together<01:40:03.320><c> we</c><01

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> parents to make those decisions um based parents to make those decisions um based on<00:20:21.440
• Thank you. based on big tech knowing where your ch based on big tech knowing where your ch where<00:24
• It's not the whole game, is a big win.
• Everything in a prediction market is done live based on what people actually think.
• Now therefore, The base serves as an indispensable The base serves as an indispensable strategic<03:43

Transcript Highlights:

• I can tell you that you all appropriated a number for us based on that.
• And that's not based on them being pessimistic.
• It prohibits actions based on these eliminated programs to wind them up.
• This is now an exclusive list based on direction from the working group. The working group.
• And I think Gaming Commission would also be considered a governmental entity, right? Okay.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• President, Senator, I think when you have that kind of support, you probably have covered your bases
• I'm not trying to question their knowledge base and their passion, and I understand the need for such
• But based on what you said, these devices matter.
• President, it's based on the value of the asset. I'm sorry, could you repeat that? Mr.
• President, it's based on the value of the asset. I am.

Bills: SB273 , SB37 , SB100

Summary: The Senate convened on the 30th day of the 2026 session, established a quorum, heard an invocation from Chaplain Harry Eberts, and received several announcements and House messages. The chamber then took up multiple concurrence and third-reading items, including Senate Bill 273, Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 100, Senate Bill 41, House Bill 34, House Bill 20, House Bill 43, House Bill 38, and House Bill 256. The body also heard that House Joint Memorial 2 was moved from the President’s table to the calendar, and later received messages from the House on several other Senate and House measures. The most contentious action was concurrence on Senate Bill 273, which concerns correction facility loss of revenue for counties affected by the loss of ICE detainees. Senators debated the economic impact on Torrance, Otero, and Cibola counties, with supporters arguing the bill provided partial relief and critics saying it did not come close to replacing lost jobs and revenue. The Senate ultimately concurred with the House amendments by a vote of 22-18. On Senate Bill 100, which would have expanded burglary-related definitions to include an “extension of a dwelling,” several senators argued the House language was too broad and legally vague, and the Senate voted not to concur, sending the bill back to the House. Senate Bill 41, with a technical correction and addition of second-degree criminal sexual penetration, was concurred with by voice vote. Among the bills passed on third reading, House Bill 34 updated school nurse licensure rules and supervision pathways and passed 38-0. House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill, clarified retirement and survivor-benefit provisions, and passed 39-0 after questions about whether it affected PERA’s unfunded liability; sponsors said it did not. House Bill 38 expanded insurance coverage for powered mobility devices and prosthetics, including coverage for batteries and in-state provider requirements, and passed 38-0. House Bill 256 expanded cardiac emergency response planning and AED requirements to athletic activities and schools, including private schools on a phased-in basis, and was debated over cost and scope before passing. House Bill 20, which would allow Native American designation on driver’s licenses and IDs, prompted extended discussion about tribal support, documentation, and possible profiling concerns; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• To the nurses with us today and to those caring for patients across our state, thank you for your skill
• To the nurses with us today and to those caring for patients across our state, thank you for your skill
• Thank you for your skill, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to Colorado families.

Transcript Highlights:

• chairman, and we were talking about this privately, and I said, well, the Senate loves skin in the game
• Well, this is skin in the game. The State Fair can pay for part, and the state can pay for part.

Summary: The conference committee for Senate Bill 2009 met to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions, focusing mainly on a $100,000 item tied to State Fair improvements. House members explained that the money was intended for facility upgrades such as locker rooms, showers, restrooms, concessions, and safety areas used by youth hockey, rodeo, and other events, and the House position remained that the State Fair should share costs on the fence and campground restroom-related work. Senate members said their priority was security improvements and argued that those safety provisions should be funded as a straight grant rather than requiring a match, though they were open to other matched items. After further discussion and a brief recess, the House proposed moving the $100,000 from the original line item into the security infrastructure funding, reducing the amount the State Fair would need to match on that project. Senate members indicated they were agreeable to that change and noted that State Fair personnel would likely prefer the money be directed to security. The committee did not take a final vote in the transcript, but members appeared to reach tentative agreement to shift the funding toward security and continue discussions on the remaining match requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't even, now at LSU games, you can't even have it. Hey, good Lord.
• The drawdown, it's a free-floating base plant. If you draw it down, now it attaches to the bottom.
• Based on what I've seen on it. Cole, you've seen that too? Oh, yeah, sir, you're right.
• So there's not a whole lot of money coming into the account to do this activity based on the current
• I don't know, but they were approached by game wardens and were told that they were breaking the law,

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1209, which would pause new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals after December 31, 2026, while allowing existing agreements to continue and renew through 2036. The author said the bill is intended to force a broader, data-driven review of Louisiana’s surface water management and to improve funding for aquatic plant control, especially giant salvinia. An amendment was adopted to broaden the description of how the aquatic plant control fund may be used and to require annual reporting on agreements, withdrawals, revenues, deposits, spending, and non-monetary consideration. Department officials said the current program is voluntary, underfunded for monitoring, and that the bill could create a gap for new users if no replacement mechanism is enacted. The bill was reported favorable as amended after testimony from supporters including the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and opposition concerns from industry representatives were noted but not formally presented. House Bill 599 was then heard, which would prohibit the sale of Louisiana running surface water outside the state. The author argued that out-of-state sales, especially involving Toledo Bend and Texas, would be short-sighted and could harm Louisiana’s long-term water interests. Supporters said Louisiana lacks a water budget and should preserve water for in-state needs, while the Department of Conservation and Energy noted that the state currently has no mandatory process for such agreements and that the bill would not affect Sabine River Authority authority. The committee reported the bill favorable. Finally, House Bill 1206, dealing with permitting and reporting of water usage at data centers, was discussed. The substitute bill and amendment would give the department authority to monitor and regulate groundwater and surface water withdrawals, require public hearings, and improve transparency through reporting and a universal project identifier. The author and supporters said the bill was prompted by concerns in communities affected by large data center projects and the lack of public hearings on water use. Department officials agreed that more comprehensive data and a clearer framework are needed, but the author voluntarily deferred the bill to continue working with the department on a broader measure for next session. The committee also heard House Bill 1171 on allowing airboats in the Mar-Paw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, but after extensive debate over noise, habitat impacts, and existing restrictions, the discussion was ongoing in the portion provided and no final action on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The love you describe is not something we do and is not determined based on...
• Force or Army Air Corps on Christmas Eve, 1944, to his Army Air Corps parents at McDill Air Force Base
• might request, I know it's, I don't want to mess with it right now because we're kind of late in the game
• on science, based on data, based on what other states have done, if we do this and if we stick with
• So do you know how much the base literacy allocation will be per student?

Bills: SB1290 , SB1530 , SB1847 , HR1050 , SB169 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1991 , SB1778 , SB1579 , SB1992 , SB3 , SB2028 , SB1928 , SB2127 , SB2117 , SB1439 , SB1930 , SB330 , SB1191 , SB2110 , SB2134 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1613 , SB1246 , SB1976 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB2071 , SB259 , SB1314

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, and heard an invocation, a Veteran of the Week recognition for Colonel William S. Hartzell, and several guest introductions and special presentations, including the Coeta Tigers wrestling team, the Murray State College shotgun team, and visitors from Taiwan. The chamber also recognized the Psychologist of the Day, Nurse of the Day, Doctor of the Day, and Pages of the Week, along with committee meeting announcements and a motion to adjourn at the end of business. Members then considered and passed a series of bills. Senate Bill 1290 on 211 services passed 82-0 and its emergency clause also passed. Senate Bill 1530 on state government and innovation/research funding passed 58-27. Senate Bill 1847 on Medicaid home and community-based services passed 78-10 with its emergency clause. Senate Bill 169 increasing longevity pay for state employees passed 85-4 with emergency. Senate Bill 1377 requiring DHS to provide duffel bags and hygiene items for foster children passed 88-4 with emergency. Senate Bill 1990 on the Incentive Evaluation Commission passed 88-4. Senate Bill 1991, a cleanup measure redirecting certain lease and land-sale revenues to O-CAMP, passed and its emergency clause also passed. The House also adopted H.R. 1050 reaffirming Oklahoma’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, followed by remarks from Taiwanese officials. Senate Bill 1778, the Strong Readers Act, passed 87-5 with emergency after discussion about reading screeners, funding tiers, and an optional second-grade assessment. Senate Bill 1579, described as a taxpayer bill of rights related to ad valorem tax, drew extended debate over property taxes and state savings before passing 85-0. Senate Bill 1992, defining strategic financial partners for an income tax credit, passed 65-24. The House then moved to adjourn until Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• the commissioner to conduct a study of market-based rates within the waiver services program.
• Um, like, then that's the end, and uh they can submit evidence based upon not knowing anything.
• </c><01:44:54.480><c> Thank</c><01:44:54.639><c> you,</c> the game. So A4 is withdrawn.
• Thank you, the game. So A4 is withdrawn. Thank you, Senator<01:44:55.119><c> Rasmmanson.
• Um and the people, the young base.

Summary: The joint hearing opened with chairs explaining that the program integrity omnibus bill is a combined draft assembled from individual member bills and governor proposals, many of which had already been heard in committee. Members emphasized the compressed end-of-session timeline, said the language was not yet ready for enactment, and invited continued revisions as the bill moves next to judiciary and finance. Several speakers stressed the need for bipartisan collaboration, while also warning that the Legislature must act this session on program integrity rather than defer reforms. The fiscal staff then walked through a spreadsheet showing the bill’s overall budget effects and major provisions. The package includes DHS proposals on transforming human services, market- and receipt-based rate reform, enhanced program and payment integrity, uniform service standards, nursing facility rate changes, ICS reforms, and a repeal/redesign of housing stabilization, along with child care assistance integrity and human services redesign items in DCYF. Staff highlighted that the bill combines multiple sources, including governor proposals and member bills, and noted several items that are also in the supplemental human services budget. Committee discussion focused heavily on prepayment review, remote supports, ICS, and provider accountability. Chairs said the bill would codify prepayment review with a 60-day notice requirement after providers were caught off guard by prior rollout, and that remote supports and ICS language were placeholders or under active debate. One member argued the system needs stronger standards but cautioned against harming compliant providers, while another urged the committee to learn from good providers and warned against repeating failed implementations. Staff also reviewed thematic indexes covering billing and service delivery oversight, EVV, administrative reform, licensing and background studies, provider enrollment, sanctions, and child care provider compliance training. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided. The hearing ended with staff beginning the index walkthrough and members indicating that posted amendments would be considered as the bill advances through the remaining committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• We base our judgments on whether this is appropriate in terms of maybe age-based.
• We we we base our our that, right?
• on replacement or cost-based value.
• </c><06:29:27.200><c> on</c> property and land to be based on property and land to be based on replacement
• :43:26.558><c> master</c><06:43:27.040><c> schedule</c> based on my overall master schedule based on

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Summary: The committee convened for a day of public hearings on nine bills, with plans to later execute several early bills and possibly additional measures under House Rule 44. Chair Diane Pauer outlined time limits for sponsors and testimony, announced a lunch break around noon, and noted substitute members would be arriving later. The first hearing was on House Bill 1107, which would allow municipal budget committees to have one to three alternate members. Representative Valon, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to help towns like Epping deal with quorum problems during the compressed budget season and noted that alternates are common on other local boards. The New Hampshire Municipal Association testified in support, saying the bill would increase flexibility and help fill seats. Committee members raised concerns about whether alternates should be elected, how they would be selected, whether they would be sufficiently informed to vote, and whether the bill’s one-year term language and rescission provisions were clear. The sponsor and NHMA said the process would be consistent with other local boards, that alternates would typically be appointed after elections, and that they would follow up on possible statutory clarification. The hearing closed with six remote supporters, one paper supporter, and no opposition reported. The committee then heard House Bill 1118, sponsored by Representative Colby, which would raise the daily amount municipal employees may hold before remitting funds to the treasurer from the current $1,500 limit to $3,500. Colby said the existing thresholds are outdated, have not been updated in about 20 years, and create burdens for smaller towns that must make frequent bank deposits, sometimes far from town offices. She said the bill would improve efficiency and allow staff to focus more on serving residents, while still allowing municipalities to keep lower limits if they choose. Members asked about how the remittance process works in practice, what amounts municipalities typically collect, and whether the change reflected a broader trend of updating cash-handling thresholds. The sponsor explained that the bill only changes the dollar thresholds in the relevant statutes and does not require municipalities to adopt the higher limit. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1118 is reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allow us to make some actionable decisions based on that.
• Speaker, this bill essentially shifts from a percentage-based tax on smokeless tobacco to a weight-based
• tax based on how much tobacco is in the can or being purchased.
• And do you know if there'll be any impact for those folks based on this bill?
• Not playing games. And I appreciate you listening to me. I do.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights