Transcript Highlights:

• I think we did have some of those discussions.
• Any further discussion or questions on the motion? Mr.
• Any further discussion or questions on the motion? Mr.
• Any further discussion? Representative Birch: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Any further discussion? Representative Birch. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any further discussion? Will the secretary please call the roll?
• Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, would the Secretary please call the roll?
• Is there any further discussion?
• Is there any further discussions? Members, you've heard the motion.
• Is there any further discussion? Yes. Madam Chair? Please. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Senate Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Committee of Reference

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not aware of that being what was discussed.
• So we have just had that discussion with TJD.
• So let's discuss taking that off the table.
• So let's discuss taking that off the table.
• And today I wanted to discuss three issues.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we have board discussion of planning issues.
• But historically, we've just done the asset preservation. >> So, any discussion about that?
• But historically, we've just done the asset preservation. >> So, any discussion about that?
• , you know, that there is one more opportunity to discuss any potential changes at that time.
• , you know, that there is one more opportunity to discuss any potential changes at that time.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:11 Approval of Minutes 00:02:00 Information Items 00:02:25 CPE Special Report 00:03:26 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:31:48 A. Attorney General 00:32:10 B. Court of Justice 00:36:41 C. Cabinet for Economic Development 00:50:44 D. Kentucky Public Pensions Authority 00:56:06 E. Board Discussion of Planning Issues 01:05:12, 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board opened its fourth meeting, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes by unanimous voice vote, and then heard information items and agency presentations. The main substantive presentation came from the Council on Postsecondary Education, which outlined its capital planning recommendations for the 2026–28 biennium. CPE staff described the role of Kentucky’s research and education network (Kron), including connectivity to cloud services, Internet2, identity services, and new local AI/inferencing capacity, and argued that the network is now essential to higher education, health care, and extension services. They said the network’s recent upgrades were driven by privacy, security, redundancy, and the need to support modern research and AI workloads at lower cost than commercial providers. CPE also presented its broader higher-education capital request: $700 million for asset preservation and $1.73 billion for new construction, for a total recommendation of about $2.4 billion. Staff said they do not plan to recommend IT projects or equipment in this cycle, despite reviewing 48 IT submissions totaling nearly $1.4 billion and equipment requests totaling $322.6 million. For asset preservation, they said the recommended allocation method would remain based on each institution’s share of Category 1 and 2 square footage, and they noted that the state’s prior facility assessment is now 12 years old, with deferred maintenance still estimated in the $7–9 billion range. For new construction, they said the requests are heavily focused on STEM and health-related facilities that are difficult to retrofit into older buildings. Board members asked about how asset-preservation amounts were determined, including why Northern Kentucky University’s request was much larger than its prior allocation. CPE staff responded that campus size, building age, and institutional prioritization affect the requests, and that schools are asked to submit more projects than are likely to be funded. The board then moved on to an Attorney General capital plan overview, where senior counsel Will Schroeder began describing the office’s technology needs and the office’s prior reliance on a 2020 appropriation to replace legacy systems and improve security.

Transcript Highlights:

• My discussions with DBEDT, they didn't want to put a number there yet.
• You know, we haven't had the discussion.
• It has not been brought up with our administration for discussion.
• Any discussion? Seeing none. Chair votes yes. Senator Kim, I. Senator A's excuse.
• Any discussion? Seeing none. Chair votes yes. Vice Chair votes yes. Senator Kim, I.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard testimony on several bills, with much of the discussion focused on Enterprise Zones and related economic development measures. On SB 125, the committee heard support from DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and the Farmers Union. Members questioned how the bill would affect job-creation requirements and learned that existing companies and new companies are treated differently under the program, with existing companies generally subject to a 15% annual employment increase and new companies to a 10% increase, while the bill would extend the program period from seven to nine years. DBEDT also said the program has been effective, citing 1,162 jobs created or maintained at a cost of about $1.2 million, and noted that agriculture, manufacturing, and wholesaling are the main sectors involved. The committee then took up SB 729, also relating to Enterprise Zones, which would expand eligibility to better accommodate local manufacturers and value-added businesses that sell directly to retail rather than only wholesale. Testifiers from the Holua Collaborative and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying it would help small manufacturers and agricultural producers add value and adapt to internet-era sales patterns. A committee discussion clarified that the bill would add value-added processing as an allowable activity within the zones, and DBEDT explained that the current rules were written for a wholesale-dominated market. The Attorney General’s office also testified, raising a supremacy clause concern and recommending language changes to avoid conflict with federal law. On SB 129, relating to labeling requirements for fish, the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture both raised concerns about federal preemption and enforcement. The AG explained that federal law governs fish labeling but includes an exception for processed fish, and recommended narrowing the bill to processed fish and defining that term to fit the federal carve-out. The Hawaii Longline Association supported the bill but suggested excluding canned tuna while including products such as poke, sashimi, and sushi. The Department of Agriculture said it does not currently enforce this kind of labeling requirement and would need to determine whether another agency should handle enforcement. The committee also heard SB 581, which would establish an aerospace and aeronautics development program within DBEDT. Testimony was generally supportive, but members pressed for a fiscal estimate, and the bill’s sponsor said a prior version of the office had operated on about $400,000 annually with a small staff. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:06:59.800><c> and</c> I appreciate having the discussion, and I appreciate having the discussion
• </c> I look forward to further discussing I look forward to further discussing this<00:07:01.640><c>
• Senator Muhammad, we will continue the discussion. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Members, discussion? Questions? before? Members, discussion? Questions?
• 10.920><c> the</c> appreciate all the discussion the appreciate all the discussion the committee<01:37

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear the discussion of the times that we're having here.
• > of</c><00:33:39.680><c> the</c><00:33:39.800><c> times</c> discussion of the times discussion of the
• </c> discussion that we're having here. discussion that we're having here.
• </c> homes, and we had a private discussion. homes, and we had a private discussion.
• members, questions, discussion, Uh members, questions, discussion, amendments.<01:07:40.080><c> Senator

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a section that applies all of everything we've just discussed.
• </c> of everything we've just discussed. of everything we've just discussed.
• </c> clarification on a previous discussion clarification on a previous discussion point.<00:29:27.200
• </c><00:48:11.440><c> members</c> &gt;&gt; any other discussion members &gt;&gt; any other discussion
• I you know very a thoughtful discussion.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any discussion?
• </c> discussion of the committee substitute? discussion of the committee substitute?
• Is there any discussion of the committee substitute?
• Is there any discussion?
• </c> from Clark for discussion of the matter. from Clark for discussion of the matter.

Keywords: This version of the House chambers was retrieved from back up and uploaded. The original live stream contained issues where audio and video got out of sync., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee reports on several bills. Reported measures included House Bills 1 and 2 from Appropriations and Revenue, along with bills on animal control officers, emergency services revenue, postsecondary education, proactive postsecondary admission, vehicle lights, motor vehicle operation, motor vehicle dealers, and machine gun conversion devices. The chamber also took up Senate Bills 52 and 124 for concurrence, and House Bill 1 was moved from rules to the orders of the day for immediate action. The House then considered House Bill 568, which would regulate public adjusters by prohibiting new licenses, allowing renewals for current licensees, imposing conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, capping fees at 5%, and barring adjusters from negotiating claims. Supporters described it as a consumer-protection measure responding to complaints and investigations, especially after recent storm-related exploitation. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 95-1. The House next debated House Bill 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program and authorize the Secretary of State to administer the state’s participation without using state general funds. Supporters argued it would bring federal scholarship dollars into Kentucky for K-12 students, including public school students, and could generate significant private donations for scholarship-granting organizations. Opponents raised concerns about shifting resources away from public education, the speed of the process, and a proposed waiver of Eleventh Amendment immunity. A motion to table the bill failed by a wide margin, and members continued debating the bill and its implications for public schools and state sovereignty.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know health and human discussion.
• Any other discussion on that bill?
• Any other discussion on that &gt;&gt; All right. Any other discussion on that bill? bill? bill?
• Seeing none, any discussion All right.
• Any<01:53:47.840><c> discussion</c> Any discussion on the floor amendment?

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there discussion on the amendment?
• Is there any further discussion?
• Any further discussion?
• </c> Transportation any further discussion Transportation any further discussion representative<00:40
• </c><00:46:14.559><c> in</c> and we've had that discussion in and we've had that discussion in committee

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
• I had a question just going back to an earlier discussion we were having.
• And, Chair Robbins, I'd like to have Director Doson discuss that.
• </c> is coming back and they're discussing is coming back and they're discussing that<01:43:29.040><c
• </c><01:43:39.520><c> those</c> necessarily um they will discuss those necessarily um they will discuss

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Discussion on this bill. Representative Shambert. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
• Was that not the core of the discussion we had in the commission?
• all three years that we discussed it, the benefits, anything about the pilots we definitely discussed
• </c><01:32:52.159><c> It's</c> um we we definitely discussed. It's um we we definitely discussed.
• Seeing seeing no more discussion, Okay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on HB 302, which would add precious metals and digital assets as potential investment options. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli said she took no position on the bill and did not see an immediate fiscal impact or operational problem, but explained that the state’s operating funds and rainy day fund require liquidity and stability, so they would not be suitable for volatile assets like precious metals or digital assets. She said the only funds that might potentially use such investments would be certain trust funds held in perpetuity, which are managed by an outside investment advisor under a contract and investment policy. Members asked about the treasurer’s current investment practices, including the types of funds managed, the role and discretion of the investment advisor, the state’s risk profile, and whether the bill would affect existing authority. Misipelli said the office follows RSA 11 and related statutes, with different objectives ranging from conservative to aggressive depending on the fund, and that the advisor meets with the office regularly, with formal performance reviews on a quarterly basis. She also said the office recently centralized management of about 40 trust accounts totaling roughly $60 million into five combined portfolios under a five-year contract with an RFP-selected vendor. When asked whether precious metals or digital assets are already indirectly available through mutual funds, she said that was possible for some mutual funds, but she was not certain about digital assets. Representative Ammon, the bill’s sponsor, said similar legislation had passed the Oklahoma House, the Texas House and Senate, and had advanced in Arizona. He argued the bill was intended to give the treasurer more tools to help balance portfolios and hedge inflation, noting concerns about federal debt and inflation. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair ended the questioning after thanking the treasurer and asking her to remain available in case further questions arose.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, I think when it the discussion about secrecy and...
• And, you know, I think when it the discussion about secrecy and...
• And, you know, I think when it the discussion about secrecy and...
• And, you know, I think when it the discussion about secrecy and...
• Any discussion on ought to pass on the amendment?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion's carried.
• He asked how the software team is involved in the payment error rate discussions.
• So how are they involved in the payment error rate discussions?
• So Chairman Devere, Senator involved in the payment error rate discussions?
• Discussion and staff directives. Senator Cleary? Mr.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, the roll was taken, and the March 18 minutes were approved. Members then received several project and program updates, beginning with CHI St. Alexius’s behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks. St. Alexius reported that the Bismarck project remains on track for June 2027 completion, with demolition underway and final design work nearing completion. Williston reported construction is progressing, staffing recruitment is underway for psychiatrists and other staff, and an air handler replacement is creating a roughly $750,000 unbudgeted barrier that will slightly delay the timeline. Grand Forks reported its expansion is about 30% complete, with no major barriers beyond weather, and leaders said the project should be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2027. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented a series of budget and program updates. Donna Ockland explained several recent line-item transfers as technical corrections that net to zero and do not require new spending, then reviewed salaries, wages, and FTE counts, noting the department remains within its authorized staffing levels. Pat Rainer followed with an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying 12 opportunities have been posted, 422 applications received, and $8.4 million obligated so far, with a goal of obligating the full $199 million by September. He described grants for workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community gardens, school wellness, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, equipment, technology, EMS, and other initiatives, emphasizing that the program is intended to be transformational and tied to metrics. Members asked extensive questions about how rural eligibility is defined, how grants will support both rural facilities and hub hospitals, and how future years of funding will build on current awards. The committee also heard an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller, who said North Dakota has been accepted as a demonstration state, implementation is underway in Williston, North Central/Minot, Fargo, and Dickinson, and care coordination and service counts are increasing. Rebecca Askins then reviewed SNAP payment error rates, saying the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89%, with the state aiming to get below 6% through policy updates, training, data tools, and a quality assurance team. Members pressed her on the causes of the error rate, the role of the SPACES software system, and the need for accountability and improvements. Finally, Dirk Wilkie reported the state laboratory project reached substantial completion on June 12 and is on budget at about $69.95 million, though a service elevator had to be redesigned because it was too small for equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So >> That later on we can discuss >> That later on we may discuss that. Is that correct?
• Is there any discussion? All right. Is there any discussion? >> Senator Rothfuss.
• All those in discussion on that motion. Or is there a second?
• >> We have a second. >> Discussion. >> All right.
• Is this going to be for the board only for discussions, so. Any discussion?

Committee: Joint Management Audit Committee

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the motion, any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. All opposed, nay.
• For the motion, any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. All opposed, nay.
• For the motion, any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor, say aye. All opposed to N.A.
• Any discussion?
• So we So when JCCR met, there was no discussion of TRIF funds.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several guest recognitions, including a student honored for a national Mandarin speech contest, a Ms. Black Arizona candidate, and a Madison Elementary School reusable-tray pilot program. The body also recognized interns and approved the prior journal. The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars and adopted committee reports recommending passage of a series of budget-related bills. The main legislative business centered on the 2026-27 budget package and related omnibus measures, including appropriations, budget implementation, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, K-12 education, state property, revenue/taxation, and transportation bills. Most of these measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, with repeated debate focused on the tax omnibus and the overall budget’s policy choices. Supporters argued the package provided affordability, tax relief, conformity with federal tax changes, reduced government spending, and reforms to entitlement and other programs; opponents argued it favored corporations and wealthy taxpayers, cut health care, food assistance, housing, tourism, wildfire response, and education, and would forfeit federal matching funds. Several members specifically criticized the failure to close the data center tax exemption and to raise sports betting taxes, while supporters defended those provisions as pro-business and pro-growth. There was also discussion of fund sweeps, including university research funds, housing trust funds, and other agency balances, with opponents saying the sweeps targeted encumbered or already-committed money. After debate, the Senate adopted Committee of the Whole reports and advanced the bills, and later took up House bills introduced and placed on third reading, with members explaining their votes on HB 4138, the General Appropriations Act, largely along party lines. At the end of the session, the Senate processed messages from the House requesting the return of SB 1160 and SB 1786 for reconsideration, and the Senate requested the House return HB 2415 for reconsideration. The chamber also introduced and placed several House budget bills on third reading, including HB 4138 through HB 4153, continuing the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for having me here today to discuss the state of the AV industry.
• It's not an autonomous vehicle, and there's some discussion of that.
• Thank you for an opportunity to discuss AV policy in California.
• We have had discussions with several first responder organizations.
• Has there been any discussion about just getting the nomenclature on the same?

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done the discussion.
• Any discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
• Seeing no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Chairman Hurlbert. Aye.
• So I’d, if we can, I appreciate the discussion.
• So I'd, if we can, I appreciate the discussion.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We should be able to to handle that because we want to hear from you before we begin our discussions
• Get all the public comments in before we start our discussion.
• And so we're inviting the panelists to offer insights as we have our discussion.
• The more predictable and easier this discussion is to have. Great, thank you, Dr. May.
• So I'm just urging that these be prioritized in these discussions. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all