Transcript Highlights:

• And then it said, 'Do you want a visual of it?'
• And I didn't want a visual because I just imagined people just screaming. So, I said, 'I'm okay.
• </c> And then it said, "Do you want a visual And then it said, "Do you want a visual of<00:31:33.400>
• And I didn't want a visual of it?"
• And I didn't want a visual because<00:31:35.200><c> I</c><00:31:35.240><c> just</c><00:31:35.440><c>

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:

• 366 sends a clear message that exploiting children through the use of computer-generated images depicting
• valuable assets, our children. the use of computerenerated images the use of computerenerated images depicting
• sexually</c><04:16:33.040><c> explicit</c><04:16:33.600><c> content</c><04:16:34.479><c> will</c> depicting
• sexually explicit content will depicting sexually explicit content will not<04:16:34.880><c> be</c><

Bills: HB567 , HB776 , HB2 , HB568 , HB619

Transcript Highlights:

• Immediate depictions of a mental health crisis is not an exaggeration.
• Immediate depictions<01:38:15.760><c> of</c><01:38:15.920><c> a</c><01:38:16.159><c> mental</c><01:38
• :16.400><c> health</c><01:38:16.639><c> crisis</c><01:38:17.119><c> is</c> depictions of a mental health
• crisis is depictions of a mental health crisis is not<01:38:17.520><c> an</c><01:38:17.760><c> exaggeration

Bills: HF3653 , HF2717 , HF3451 , HF3857

Committee: House Education Finance

Summary: The committee first adopted the March 3rd minutes by voice vote after Representative Lee moved them and there was no discussion. Members then reviewed hearing rules on decorum, safety, and participation before taking testimony from Dr. James Densley and Dr. Jillian Peterson of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. The presenters summarized research on mass shootings and K-12 school shootings, drawing on a database of homicides in school settings from 2000 to 2025 and a smaller set of 15 K-12 mass shooting cases. They said school shooters are usually insiders, most often current or former students, and typically young males. They described common patterns including a noticeable crisis before attacks, perpetrators viewing the shooting as a final act, studying prior shooters online, and “leakage” in which most tell someone in advance. They also emphasized that many perpetrators use unsecured firearms from family members and argued that prevention should combine reporting systems, behavioral threat assessment, counseling, mentoring, secure storage, and other layered interventions rather than rely on a single solution. The presenters also discussed broader violence trends in the Twin Cities, saying much school violence is spillover from community violence and that pandemic-era disruptions and weakened trust in institutions contributed to serious violence. They cited a national survey finding that exposure to gun violence is associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of public spaces, especially among young people. During member questions, Representative Wam asked for clarification on the data set and the rural/small-town share of the survey sample.

Transcript Highlights:

• where shell casings might have fallen, so that when you go to trial later, you have an accurate depiction
• go to trial later, you have an when you go to trial later, you have an accurate<01:57:23.520><c> depiction
• </c> accurate depiction of the entire scene. accurate depiction of the entire scene.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• It must be accessible to the visually impaired and available online beginning January 1, 2028.
• It must be accessible to the visually impaired and available online beginning January 1, 2028.
• It must be accessible to the visually impaired and available online beginning January 1, 2028.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• in the long sheet and see what it looks like to us a little bit, you know, because I'm kind of a visual
• I think that would help me visualize how we changed it from what... ...see how it looks in the long sheet
• I think that would help me visualize how we changed it from what the House did on this.

Bills: SB2399

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met to work through amendments and budget items in House Bill 2012/HB 1004, focusing first on long-term care, disability services, and behavioral health. Members discussed competing approaches to a four-plex for medically complex individuals, a value-based care payment withhold for nursing facilities, accreditation requirements for providers, a study of developmental disability services, and funding for Family Voices and Ann Carlson-related services. Several amendments were accepted or set aside after discussion, including a study amendment for disability services and a Family Voices grant amendment that was adjusted to remove “one-time” language so it could continue as an ongoing grant. The committee also agreed to keep or defer some items for conference committee, including the youth crisis stabilization pilot and other long-term care proposals. A major discussion centered on the state hospital project. Members debated whether the $330 million project should remain in the DHS budget or be moved to the OMB budget for construction management. After discussion of costs, alternates, and the role of a steering committee and BND loan language, the committee agreed to remove the state hospital funding and related loan language from the DHS budget while leaving the steering committee language in place. The committee also considered a proposed Altru grant for additional beds and settled on a smaller planning-focused approach, with a $1 million grant and a line of credit concept to be refined later. The committee then turned to behavioral health items, including QRTP funding, nursing home behavioral health training, and a youth crisis stabilization pilot. Members generally supported keeping the QRTP funding level, but were divided on the nursing home behavioral health training and the crisis stabilization pilot, with some preferring to leave those issues for conference committee. The division also reviewed the HHS block grant and underfunding structure, with Donna Ackland explaining salary, vacancy, and flexibility calculations; the committee discussed adjusting the underfund and revenue assumptions but did not finalize every number before moving on. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1577 on wastewater treatment grants. Senator Davison moved to hoghouse the bill into a study-focused version using the proposed amendment language, and the motion passed. The committee then moved HB 1577 as amended with a do pass recommendation; the roll call passed with Senators Cleary, Davison, Dever, and Mathern voting yes, and Senator Magrum not recorded as voting. The meeting adjourned with plans to return later in the day to continue budget work.

Transcript Highlights:

• such as television and commercials, as well as digital media, such as video games, animation, and visual
• Visual effects, video game, extended reality, and other moving image productions the opportunity to receive
• It's visual.

Bills: SB22 , SB 22

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• that climate library and we visualizing that climate library and we call<00:14:22.240><c> it</c><00:
• </c><00:14:46.000><c> that</c><00:14:46.240><c> data</c> also be able to to visualize that data also
• be able to to visualize that data both<00:14:46.880><c> spatially</c><00:14:47.360><c> and</c><00:14:
• 59.040><c> as</c> uh both quantitative as well as well as uh both quantitative as well as well as visual
• </c> visual library for uh disaster research. visual library for uh disaster research.

Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the August meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Jerry Brosky of the Kentucky Mesonet and Kentucky Climate Center. He described the Mesonet’s statewide weather network, now with 84 stations in 78 counties, real-time data used by the National Weather Service, mobile apps, and more than a billion observations. He said recent legislative funding has allowed upgrades such as soil temperature and moisture sensors, cameras at every site, and improved communications and power systems, and has enabled expansion into new counties. He also highlighted products used for flooding, drought, and heat safety, including a wet bulb globe temperature tool being developed with the Department of Public Health. In response to questions, he said counties interested in a station should contact his center, that a station typically costs about $50,000, and that the program is already considering a second Pike County site. The committee then heard from Ryan Drain of Blue Skies and Chris McGee of the American Red Cross on long-term disaster recovery and a software platform called Darcy, short for Disaster Aware and Ready Communities Initiative. McGee explained the Red Cross’s long-term recovery work, including support for recovery groups, direct financial assistance, grantmaking, and coordination with local and federal partners. He emphasized that disasters are occurring more frequently and with repeated impacts, and shared examples from Kentucky and other states showing the need for organized recovery and storm shelter support. Drain said Darcy was developed after the 2021 Mayfield-Graves tornado recovery to replace fragmented spreadsheets and PDFs with a centralized, survivor-led system for preparedness, response, and recovery, designed to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and shorten recovery time. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• global film and television industry, but post-production work, including editorial, sound, scoring, visual
• parent company of Industrial Light & Magic, which I think most of you might know is the birthplace of visual
• lifespan of the movies, the wonderful finished product that we have in editing and sound effects, visual
• of. fan of the movies, the wonderful finished product that we have in editing and sound effects, visual

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• patrons goes beyond his responsibilities to anticipate and address the needs of the blind and the visually
• 57.800><c> the</c> address the needs of the blind and the address the needs of the blind and the visually
• </c><00:26:59.840><c> Please</c><00:27:00.160><c> join</c> visually impaired community.
• Please join visually impaired community.

Bills: HR203 , SB2802 , SB3081 , SB2902 , SB2005 , SB3252 , SB2096 , SB2095 , SB2046 , SB2999 , SB3103 , SB83 , SB2041 , SB3234 , SB3156 , SB3154 , SB2146 , SB2053 , SB2010 , SB2009 , SB2667 , SB3215 , SB2698 , SB2363 , SB2372 , SB2673 , SB2948 , SB2277 , SB2057 , SB3085 , SB3025 , SB2761

Transcript Highlights:

• In visual number one, poster Model 3, California gasoline prices estimate include regulatory cost.
• In visual number two, poster possible California gasoline price estimates, our regulatory environment
• The second visual illustrates possible gasoline prices ranging for California under short-term global
• The visual illustrates possible gasoline prices ranging for California under short-term global disruptions

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• ability because as you do research in that area, biomedical research in that area, the ability to visualize
• ability because as you do research in that area, biomedical research in that area, the ability to visualize
• university has flexibility, and I have some confidence in the management over there. ability to visualize
• a the shape of a ability to visualize a the shape of a protein<00:12:13.200><c> and</c><00:12:13.360

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides a definition of forged digital likeness to mean a visual representation of an actual and
• It provides a definition of forced digital likeness to mean a visual representation of an actual and
• and identifiable individual's voice, which has been modified to be indistinguishable from a genuine visual
• or conduct of the individual and is likely to deceive a reasonable person into believing that the visual

Bills: SB6239 , SB6074 , SB5886 , SB6041 , SB6190

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: tort claims, state liability, Washington law, government accountability, legal process, parole, criminal justice reform, felony, recidivism, rehabilitation, public safety, personality rights, right of publicity, publicity rights, name image likeness, NIL, deepfake, AI-generated content, digital impersonation, forged digital likeness

Transcript Highlights:

• And I thought that was a particularly apt visual.
• And I thought that was a particularly apt visual.
• And I thought that was a particularly apt visual.
• And I thought that was a particularly apt visual.
• I thought that was a particularly apt visual.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• as a city fixes infrastructure and they, you know, tear up a street to replace a pipe, they can visually
• up a street to replace a pipe, they tear up a street to replace a pipe, they can<00:33:05.279><c> visually
• confirm what they have and can visually confirm what they have and just<00:33:07.039><c> add</c><00:
• But at this point, no, the goal is not to do a visual inspection of every single asset.
• It's to rely on records, visual confirmation when we can.

Bills: HB0078 , SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0052 , SF0069 , SF0070

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• President, another factor that I think needs to be considered, and it's expressed by this visual aid.
• And it indicates that, notwithstanding the... ...expressed by this visual aid.

Summary: The Senate first took up and passed several House bills establishing sick leave banks, including House 4182 for a Massachusetts Department of Transportation employee and House 1590 for Eric J. Awaniak. It also advanced and then enacted House 4237, a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill providing interim funding before final action on the general appropriations act. During the session, Senator Collins also recognized Chaplain Clementina Cherry of the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute as a distinguished guest, with remarks entered into the record. The main business was the conference committee report on the fiscal year 2026 state budget, House 4001/House 4240. Senate Ways and Means leadership described the budget as balanced, on time, and fiscally responsible, with $61.01 billion in spending, no new taxes or fees, and a $33 million deposit to the stabilization fund. They highlighted major investments in Chapter 70 school aid, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, unrestricted local aid, MassEducate, universal free school meals, MBTA and regional transit funding, MassHealth, food security, and mental health services. The report also included policy items such as broker fee responsibility, fare-free regional transit, housing studies, a gold star family annuity provision, and a crumbling concrete commission. Minority leader Senator Tarr and others questioned the spending reductions, use of one-time funds, and the treatment of excess capital gains, arguing for greater fiscal caution and concern about future federal actions and long-term spending growth. Supporters responded that the reductions reflected revenue uncertainty, federal policy risks, and the need to preserve budget stability, while using some one-time sources to balance the plan. The conference report was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-2, the emergency preamble for House 4240 was approved by standing vote, and the FY26 general appropriations bill was then enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to dispense with printing a calendar for the next session and adjourned until Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we're having some problems visualizing how this works. What is it trying to address?
• Yeah, we're having a visualization understanding of this.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on alcohol licensing, sales, and consumption issues affecting bars, restaurants, package stores, and local communities. The chair outlined hybrid hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits and instructions for written testimony. The committee heard a local bill for Milford, H. 4169, authorizing an additional off-premises all-alcohol license for Charlie’s Mini Mart, with the understanding that the existing wine and malt license would be surrendered if the new license is granted. A major topic was the long-running debate over happy hour. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association opposed bills such as S. 217, H. 349, and H. 443, arguing that discounted alcohol would intensify competition, create pressure on restaurants to participate, and potentially raise liquor liability and insurance costs. In contrast, Senator Julian Cyr testified in support of repealing the happy hour ban through a local-option framework, saying the bill includes safeguards such as no discounts after 10 p.m., fixed pricing during promotions, and advance posting requirements, and that it could help downtowns and seasonal businesses without creating a public health risk. The Massachusetts Package Stores Association testified on a broad package of bills, opposing measures to reinstate happy hour, allow supplier control over retail shelf space (H. 350), impose a transfer fee on licenses (H. 351), authorize alcohol coupons or discounts (H. 381 and S. 219), and permit Thanksgiving alcohol sales (H. 428). It supported bills requiring beverage alcohol training for off-premise licensees (H. 344), restricting self-checkout for alcohol (H. 366), changing Section 15 grocery-store license rules (S. 213), and several other regulatory changes. The Distilled Spirits Council supported H. 350 on private label spirits, while acknowledging concerns about disclosure and preferential treatment; package store witnesses defended private labels as lawful products they create with manufacturers, and the council argued the bill should address consumer confusion and unfair competitive advantages. The hearing concluded with Chair Chan announcing committee poll results on other bills, including a number of favorable reports and study orders, and the committee then voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• prescription, requires the patient to get regular eye exams because when it's used, there is a risk of visual
• prescription, requires the patient to get regular eye exams because when it's used, there is a risk of visual

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health heard testimony on several measures. HCR 42, sponsored by Representative Perkins, urged Congress to support programs aimed at reducing prescription drug costs for Medicaid and Medicare patients. The sponsor said it would help elderly and low-income residents, while Representative Dahl argued the referenced program could cost more than other pharmacy options and criticized the resolution. No one testified in support or opposition, and the hearing on HCR 42 was closed. The committee then heard SB 878, a pharmacist practice act bill sponsored by Senator Fitzwater. The bill would make permanent several pandemic-era pharmacy practices, including pharmacist administration of certain vaccines, medication therapy plan authority, dispensing of some medical devices and supplies, over-the-counter availability of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine with warning labels and standardized procedures, and nonprofit pharmacy emergency waivers. Supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural areas, reduce delays in treatment, and help pharmacies remain open. Opponents raised concerns about vaccine authority shifting away from the governor, the safety of over-the-counter hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, and whether pharmacists should be treated as equivalent to physicians. The Missouri Pharmacy Association, Walmart, and Walgreens testified in support, and the hearing was closed without a vote. The committee also heard two resolutions. HCR 538, by Representative Hruza, would designate May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month and encourage support for research and advocacy. Members generally supported the resolution, with comments about the severity of ALS and the importance of early communication supports; no opposition was presented. HCR 4661, also presented by Representative Hruza, would encourage awareness and screening for chronic kidney disease, especially among high-risk patients, and promote public-private education efforts around urine albumin-to-creatinine testing. Testimony emphasized the prevalence and cost of kidney disease and the value of early detection. The committee took no votes on these measures and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• girl in Kansas City right now who's going through therapy because she was inaccurately and very visually
• ... ...because she was inaccurately and very visually, violently, falsely told how the process of harvesting

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The Special Committee on Rural Issues met with a quorum and heard testimony on several measures focused on agriculture, broadband, public health administration, and utility eminent domain. Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1383, sponsored by Senator Barbara Washington, would expand a DESE agricultural education pilot program from 20 schools to allow voluntary K-12 agriculture curriculum statewide. Washington said the bill builds on a successful pilot and is intended to help students understand agriculture as a STEM field and broader community issue. Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri N.A., Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, and Missouri Pork Association all testified in support; there was no opposition, and the hearing closed without a vote. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 38 from Representative Louis Riggs, which urges that Missouri’s broadband funding remain in the state and be used for deployment. Riggs said Missouri received $1.7 billion in broadband funding but that more than half had been cut or left uncertain, and he argued the money should stay in Missouri to bridge the digital divide. Missouri Farm Bureau and Missouri Electric Cooperatives supported the resolution, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 1699 from Representative Maisie Christensen, a constituent-driven bill to clarify when county health officers/directors’ authority ends if they are not reappointed. Christensen explained the bill addresses ambiguity in older statutes governing different county public health structures; no witnesses testified for or against the bill. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2169 from Representative Brad Pollitt, which would bar electrical corporations from using eminent domain for wind or solar generation facilities while still allowing grid connection. Pollitt and Farm Bureau argued the bill closes a loophole and protects landowners from having property taken for large renewable projects; Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Corn Growers Association also supported the measure. Ameren testified for informational purposes only, saying it has no plans to use eminent domain for wind or solar and appreciates the grid-connection language. Several members debated whether the bill should also address nuclear energy or broader utility siting concerns, and one witness noted transmission and battery-storage limitations as reasons renewable projects are not built everywhere. The hearing on HB 2169 closed with no vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• girl in Kansas City right now who's going through therapy because she was inaccurately and very visually
• ... ...because she was inaccurately and very visually, violently, falsely told how the process of harvesting

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues