Transcript Highlights:

• have telehealth, and I think organizations like the Kentucky Society of Medication could use their energies
• <01:04:09.599><c> could</c><01:04:09.920><c> use</c><01:04:10.160><c> their</c><01:04:10.480><c> energies
• </c> of Medication could use their energies of Medication could use their energies to<01:04:11.920><c

Summary: The subcommittee met on October 14, approved the minutes, and then took up a large group of staff-suggested amendments to multiple regulations. Those staff amendments were approved without objection and were described as technical changes needed to comply with KRS Chapter 13A and other governing law. The committee then moved out of order to consider Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure regulation 2011 KAR 9:270, which governs buprenorphine prescribing and related standards. Board representatives said the regulation has been updated over time since 2015 and that the current amendments are intended to streamline the rule, remove outdated federal references such as the X-waiver, narrow education requirements to addiction-related topics, and create exceptions for settings like emergency rooms and certain pain treatment situations. The agency amendment would also allow buprenorphine monoproduct for up to 30 days when a patient is transitioning from a full opioid agonist, and would add physicians certified in addiction medicine as eligible specialty consultants. Board officials said the regulation was developed through a two-year process with a work group, informal outreach to medical organizations, and multiple comment periods, and they argued the rule is working because overdose deaths have declined and provider numbers have increased. Several witnesses and committee members raised concerns that the regulation remains too restrictive. Senator Rocky Adams noted that major medical organizations had said the proposed language could restrict access and worsen overdose risk, and he questioned whether the committee was being asked to choose between conflicting expert views. Opponents, including a medical student, a recovery advocate, and Dr. Colleen Ryan of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine, argued the rule is outdated, creates unnecessary barriers to buprenorphine treatment, and should be repealed or substantially revised to align with federal guidance and evidence-based care. They said rigid requirements can discourage treatment and that addiction should be treated like other chronic illnesses. No final vote on the medical licensure regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, and the discussion ended with the chair preparing to hear from additional opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we use it for Energy and Environment Cabinet.
• we</c><00:09:09.480><c> use</c><00:09:09.720><c> it</c><00:09:09.920><c> for</c><00:09:10.160><c> Energy
• </c><00:09:10.480><c> and</c><00:09:10.560><c> Environment</c> Um, we use it for Energy and Environment
• Um, we use it for Energy and Environment Cabinet,<00:09:11.520><c> the</c><00:09:11.760><c> Transportation

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then focused first on the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s legacy systems and two specific projects. COT officials said many agencies have made progress moving off legacy applications, with remaining mainframe systems slated to be retired through RFPs or other work orders. They also described a legacy funding pool of $10 million per biennium used to help agencies transition. The two projects discussed were the Kentucky aerial photography and elevation data program, which provides statewide aerial imagery and lidar data for GIS, E911, environmental, transportation, and other uses, and a citizen identity and access management system intended to give residents a single login for state services. Officials said the GIS program costs about $1.2 million annually to host and maintain, with data acquisition costing several million more per year, and that the citizen identity system would cost about $2.5 million per year after an initial three-year COT investment. Members asked about duplication of funding, licensing, local government use, and whether multi-factor authentication would be required; COT said the GIS data is being acquired as statewide unlicensed data and that MFA would be available but not yet mandated statewide. Committee members pressed COT on costs, overlap with cabinet-level IT spending, and the practical benefits of the GIS and identity projects. COT explained that GIS hosting is generally covered through enterprise assessments billed quarterly to agencies, while the new aerial data is intended to benefit the whole state and local partners. On the identity project, officials said it would centralize authentication for citizens who use state systems, improve compliance with zero-trust and NIST-related security expectations, and reduce help desk and maintenance burdens through self-service account tools. Members also discussed whether the system would extend to local governments; COT said it would be a Kentucky.gov-style state login for users inside the state identity infrastructure, not a local-government system. The Department of Education then testified that it does not operate mainframes or major legacy systems, having moved long ago to cloud-based, off-the-shelf products and vendor-supported services. KDE officials described a strong emphasis on staff cybersecurity awareness, standardized statewide systems, vendor risk-sharing, and reducing sensitive data exposure, including efforts to move away from student Social Security numbers. They also highlighted a transition from Microsoft Active Directory to Identity Automation, which they said will improve identity management and make multi-factor authentication universal across K-12. In response to questions about Kentucky Wired and internet service, KDE said all 171 school districts and KDE agencies have been moved to a new next-generation internet service through ENA by Zayo, with strong satisfaction, e-rate savings, and better reliability. Officials warned that any internet disruption would immediately affect attendance, grades, student records, payroll, security systems, and communications across the K-12 system.

Transcript Highlights:

• establishes an account and a process for agencies to seek funding for projects that relate to renewable energy
• relate seek funding um for projects that relate to<00:31:07.520><c> renewable</c><00:31:08.000><c> energy
• </c><00:31:08.480><c> and</c><00:31:08.799><c> storage</c><00:31:09.200><c> and</c> to renewable energy
• and storage and to renewable energy and storage and charging<00:31:09.840><c> stations</c><00:31:10.320

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:05.760><c> and</c><00:28:06.240><c> in</c><00:28:06.559><c> energy</c><00:28:06.960><c> and
• </c> insurance laws. and in energy and insurance laws. and in energy and natural<00:28:07.679><c> resources
• They're more energy efficient, and they're built to modern housing codes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought with new energy, and again it just, the commission just didn't respond.
• </c><01:27:21.280><c> you</c><01:27:21.360><c> know</c><01:27:21.440><c> new</c><01:27:21.679><c> energy
• </c><01:27:22.080><c> and</c><01:27:22.560><c> and</c> thought with you know new energy and and thought
• with you know new energy and and uh<01:27:23.440><c> and</c><01:27:23.679><c> again</c><01:27:24.000

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's an additional crime for our law enforcement to spend time, energy, and resources if they were
• enforcement<00:25:11.200><c> to</c><00:25:11.440><c> spend</c><00:25:11.600><c> time,</c><00:25:11.840><c> energy
• ,</c><00:25:12.080><c> and</c> enforcement to spend time, energy, and enforcement to spend time, energy

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• content moderation choices by these platforms, but a tangential case—TV Missouri—showed where the energy
• And meet escalating energy demands. Those are the three big things.
• the leaders in AI to continue that, and with the light and rain. regulatory touch and all the above energy
• of effort that goes into this process versus an open process, I would much rather see the state's energy

Bills: HB149 , HB252 , HB643 , HB1442 , HB1500 , HB1672 , HB1851 , HB1893 , HB2028 , HB2768 , HB2818 , HB149 , HB252

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, employment compensation, state agencies, salary payments, general appropriations, government efficiency, public works, contractors, payment bonds, government contracts, construction law, transparency, open meetings, government accountability, public access

Transcript Highlights:

• We want people to reduce that kinetic energy.
• 00:24:26.880><c> kinetic</c> want people to reduce that kinetic want people to reduce that kinetic energy
• :28.240><c> have</c><00:24:28.400><c> a</c><00:24:28.559><c> crash,</c><00:24:29.039><c> then</c> energy
• So if they do have a crash, then energy.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• This role would be my priority, and I have the time and the energy to make this commitment.
• </c><00:38:28.960><c> time</c><00:38:29.480><c> and</c><00:38:29.640><c> the</c><00:38:29.880><c> energy
• </c><00:38:30.560><c> to</c> and I have the time and the energy to and I have the time and the energy

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commerce and Energy Committee, which oversees Medicaid, is expected to cut $880 billion.
• 00:35:10.800><c> and</c> spending reductions the Commerce and spending reductions the Commerce and energy
• committee</c><00:35:11.839><c> which</c><00:35:11.960><c> oversees</c><00:35:12.400><c> Medicaid</c> energy
• committee which oversees Medicaid energy committee which oversees Medicaid is<00:35:13.200><c> expected

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• as mine, who have a child with a life-threatening disease, deserve the right to focus all of their energy
• to Focus all disease deserve the right to Focus all of<00:32:58.679><c> their</c><00:32:58.960><c> energy
• and</c><00:32:59.480><c> attention</c><00:32:59.960><c> on</c><00:33:00.120><c> saving</c> of their energy
• and attention on saving of their energy and attention on saving that<00:33:00.639><c> child's</c><00

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

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

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So our concern really, and where we think the energy needs to be focused, is enforcement and education
• 35:31.280><c> the</c> concern really and where we think the concern really and where we think the energy
• 35:32.200><c> be</c><00:35:32.400><c> focused</c><00:35:32.720><c> on</c><00:35:33.000><c> is</c> energy
• needs to be focused on is energy needs to be focused on is enforcement<00:35:33.839><c> and</c><00:35

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ours, because we're a state agency, as you know, with our clean energy, we're a little bit more flexible
• Ours, because we're a state agency, as you know, with our clean energy, we're a little bit more flexible
• Ours, because we're a state agency, as you know, with our clean energy, we're a little bit more flexible
• Ours, because we're a state agency, as you know, with our clean energy, we're a little bit more flexible

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jack Rudderman, and I serve as New Hampshire Housing's energy and legislative affairs advisor
• and I serve as New<01:32:36.480><c> Hampshire</c><01:32:36.840><c> housing's</c><01:32:37.520><c> energy
• </c><01:32:38.000><c> and</c> New Hampshire housing's energy and New Hampshire housing's energy and legislative

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• President Biden's administration has imposed needless regulations on the American energy industry.
• regulations<00:07:33.039><c> on</c><00:07:33.199><c> the</c><00:07:33.360><c> American</c><00:07:33.800><c> Energy
• </c> regulations on the American Energy regulations on the American Energy industry<00:07:35.240><c>

Bills: HR29

Keywords: Okinawan immigration, cultural heritage, historical contributions, sister city relationships, military history, education, cultural identity, Okinawan Americans, Okinawa, Hawaii, Japanese American, immigration anniversary, diaspora, Asian American history, Pacific Islander, sister city, sister state, Kenjinkai, karate, World War II

Transcript Highlights:

• S-3183 by Senator Scutari modifies various provisions of the New Jersey Affordable Energy Incentive Program

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and your excitement, energy, and passion emanates from you.

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard two main bills. AB 1934 by Assembly Member Bennett would create a voluntary home hardening certification program under the State Fire Marshal’s Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee. Supporters, including local governments, counties, fire-related organizations, and conservation groups, said the certificate could help guide future incentives for wildfire resilience and home hardening. Senators discussed how long certifications should last, whether recertification should be required, and how the program could align with local fire inspections and future state incentive funding. The bill was advanced to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. The committee also heard AB 2411 by Assembly Member McKinner, which would create a process to train and deploy out-of-state law enforcement officers as temporary supplemental security for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The author, the Los Angeles mayor’s office, and the Los Angeles Police Protective League supported the bill, saying the Games will require far more officers than California can supply on its own and that out-of-state personnel should augment, not replace, California officers. Opposition from PORAC and the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs focused on ensuring California POST standards, accountability, and proper training, while also raising concerns about recruitment, retention, and cost. Committee members generally supported the concept but emphasized that California officers should remain the primary source of personnel and that federal involvement should be limited; the bill was sent to the Senate Public Safety Committee. The committee also took up a consent calendar of additional measures, which were approved. After several roll calls and calls placed on absent members, both AB 1934 and AB 2411 ultimately passed the committee 9-0, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to add, as I just got off a plane two hours ago, that the hope, the orgullo, the energy in Cabo

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 11 minutes, review a legislative funding update, finalize subcommittees, and plan for an upcoming visit by President José Neves of Cabo Verde. The minutes were approved after a motion and second. The chair reported that Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment was partially adopted, securing $125,000 for the commission, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial approval; the portion allowing new commissioners to be added later was not adopted, leaving one vacancy unresolved for now. Members discussed organizing the work into subcommittees. The commission ultimately voted to create four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. There was discussion about whether legislators should serve on the fundraising-related group, with concerns raised about ethics and a suggestion to rename it Organizational Development. Several members volunteered for multiple committees, and the chair asked members to confirm assignments within about two weeks so subcommittees could begin meeting before the next full commission meeting. The commission also planned for President Neves’s visit on Friday, with a smaller commissioner-only meeting at 10:30 a.m. followed by a larger community gathering from 11 a.m. to noon. Members were encouraged to attend, bring guests to the public event, and help identify commissioners who could speak at the smaller meeting. In public comment, members suggested meeting with leaders of other cultural institutions to learn from their experience, discussed compiling a fuller calendar of Cape Verdean events across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and noted that the commission’s website and public meeting materials are already available online. The meeting adjourned by motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to add, as I just got off a plane two hours ago, that the hope, the orgullo, the energy in Cabo

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 11 minutes and review progress on its work plan. Members recapped prior discussions about commission structure, summer engagement, data collection methods, and limited funding. The minutes were approved after a motion and second. The group then received a legislative update: Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment securing $125,000 for the commission was partially adopted, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial action, while a separate provision to allow commissioner appointments at any time was not adopted and may be pursued through another vehicle. A major focus was finalizing subcommittees. The commission agreed by vote to create four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. Members discussed possible ethics issues around legislator participation in fundraising, prompting a suggestion to rename that group to Organizational Development. Several members volunteered for multiple committees, and the chair asked commissioners to confirm assignments within about two weeks, with a June 22 deadline mentioned for responses. Staff support for the summer was also noted. The meeting also covered an upcoming visit by Cabo Verde’s president, José Neves, including a commissioner-only session and a larger community event, with encouragement to invite guests and use the opportunity to build support for the proposed cultural center. In public comment, members discussed gathering best practices from other community centers and cultural institutions, and the need to connect with existing Cape Verdean organizations and historical resources. Commissioners also shared updates on summer and July events, including Cape Verdean Independence celebrations, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.