Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? You guys are quiet this morning.
• myself and Senator Morris, we were having had… Ultimately, myself and Senator Morris, we were having discussions
• I believe so, based upon our discussion with the operators. Okay. Thank you very much.
• Are there further questions of counsel, or we can move on to discussion? Is there any discussion?

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Tom Franta, founding executive director of the Mountaineer Charter School Alliance. He described the new nonprofit’s goals of supporting West Virginia charter schools through advocacy, legal and compliance assistance, shared operational services, professional development, communications, and network-building. Franta emphasized that charter schools face major facility and financing challenges, and he urged use of existing public buildings, low-interest revolving loans, credit enhancement tools through the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, and federal matching funds to help level the playing field for charter schools, including both brick-and-mortar and virtual schools. Members asked about what he meant by “level the playing field,” and Franta said charter schools receive 99% of basic state aid but lack access to the full range of public education funding and dedicated facilities support, forcing them to divert dollars toward buildings rather than classrooms. He said the goal is to ensure parents choosing a public charter option can expect appropriate funding. After the presentation, the chair announced Senate Bill 171 was removed from the day’s agenda. The committee then considered Senate Bill 166, which creates an exception to West Virginia Invest grant eligibility so individuals who already have a post-secondary degree may still receive support if pursuing an associate degree or certificate in emergency medical services. The committee reported the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and under the original double committee reference, first be referred to the Finance Committee. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 428, with a committee substitute that splits the bus operator title into three pay grades based on years of service and raises the cafeteria manager title from pay grade D to E. Senators asked whether duties would change; counsel and the sponsor said the bill is intended as a retention incentive, with no change in responsibilities, and that the fiscal note would remain the same. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation, again first referring it to the Finance Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when AI first started going mainstream, whether it was through ChatGPT or discussions about intellectual
• We've learned in our discussions about the delays and project timelines and a need for closer attention
• We've also had recent in-depth discussions regarding the I-Connect system at the Agency for Persons with
• If there's questions that you'd like to discuss with me one-on-one, you know where to find me.
• If there's questions that you'd like to discuss with me one-on-one, you know where to find me.

Summary: The Information Technology Budget and Policy Subcommittee met to consider House Bill 369, relating to digital content provenance and AI-generated images, sponsored by Representative McFarland. McFarland explained that the bill is intended to address concerns about people being misled by AI-generated content, especially on social media, by preserving digital provenance data or watermark-like signatures attached to AI images. He said the measure is meant to support transparency without stifling innovation. A strike-all amendment was adopted that narrowed the bill in response to industry feedback. It removed an initial pilot program for the Division of Emergency Management, deleted provisions dealing with AI in elections, tightened definitions, and delayed the effective date to July 2026. Members asked about user control over provenance data, whether the data could include personal information, and how enforcement would work. McFarland said users may add extra information but are not required to, and that enforcement would begin with a complaint to the Attorney General, followed by notice and a 30-day cure period before possible action under the Fair, Unfair, and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Public testimony included support from an artist advocate, who said AI transparency is needed to protect creators, and support statements from Adobe and Comcast. TechNet appeared for information only and said it appreciated the changes, including the removal of the capture device, the 30-day cure period, and the delayed effective date. The amendment was adopted, and HB 369 was then reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. After the bill, the chair presented the subcommittee’s recommended 2025-2026 IT budget, totaling $528 million, including $146.5 million in general revenue and $382.2 million in trust funds. The proposal reflected a roughly 13% decrease from the prior year and emphasized funding for major ongoing projects such as the PALM/FLAIR replacement, the AHCA FX program, the Department of Revenue’s CAMS modernization, and the APD I-Connect system. No questions were raised, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

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:

• Any discussion? All those in favor please say aye. All opposed, no. Motion carries. Item C.
• Any discussion? All those in favor, please say aye. All opposed, no. A motion and a second.
• Any discussion? All those in favor, please say aye. All opposed, no. Motion carries. Item D.
• Any discussion? All those in favor, please say aye. All opposed, no.
• Yeah, I was just looking at the overtime because we had a discussion this morning and yesterday about

Committee: All ALC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee first took up several personnel and compensation requests. It approved a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism reclassification that would trade three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager. It also approved one-time bonus and recruitment plans for the Department of Commerce and Department of Veterans Affairs, including up to $5,000 bonuses tied to the unemployment insurance modernization project and $2,000 bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the state veterans homes. A Department of Health request to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board was also approved; members were told the position was already authorized and would not increase total positions. The committee then reviewed a Department of Commerce reduction in force affecting the Division of Workforce Services for the Blind and Employment and Training divisions. Secretary Hugh McDonald and Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits explained that the cuts were driven by over-obligated federal funds, a prior realignment, and what they described as long-standing fiscal mismanagement in the Division of Services for the Blind. They said 56 employees remained furloughed, five employees in a separate grant group were still working, and 17 positions were on the permanent RIF list. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the independent board, and whether the layoffs were being handled fairly, including a request for racial composition data on the workforce and the RIF group. Members also discussed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Staff explained that the reports cover average staffing levels over each quarter, and members focused on overtime spending, especially in DHS, the Department of Correction, and the Department of Transportation. OPM said overtime is being reviewed, direct care positions remain exempt from the hiring freeze, and agencies have been hiring more staff since the new pay plan took effect. The committee asked for additional reporting on overtime trends, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So any further discussion on that motion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
• Representative Jeff Ayler's, District 21 Meridian, to discuss House Bill 722.
• Any further discussion on that? All those in favor say aye." "Aye." "Any opposed?"
• Is there any further discussion on that motion? Seeing none, all those in favor...
• Any discussion on that? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee heard and advanced four measures. House Bill 792, by Rep. Monks, clarified the relationship between yard sales and the small seller exemption, including how sales tax applies once a seller exceeds the $5,000 threshold and when activity goes beyond the small-seller limits. The committee asked no questions and voted unanimously to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 722, by Rep. Ayler, corrected timing issues in the new utility tax system created last year, aligning reporting and payment dates with the existing six-month property tax cycle so local governments have revenue figures for budgeting. The sponsor said counties, utilities, and the Tax Commission were all involved and supportive. The committee approved the bill for the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 707, by Sen. Taves, which would create a streamlined process for subdividing land to finance an accessory dwelling unit or secondary residential structure without going through a full subdivision process, while keeping zoning, access, utility, and agricultural protections in place. No one testified against it, and it was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 800, also by Sen. Taves, would reduce zoning barriers for manufactured housing by allowing manufactured duplexes in multifamily zones and lowering square-footage thresholds for single-section and multisection homes; the Idaho Manufactured Housing Association testified in strong support. The committee passed that bill to the floor as well. Finally, members approved the March 4, 2026 minutes and adjourned, announcing a meeting the next day at 2:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So any further discussion on that motion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
• Representative Jeff Ayler's, District 21 Meridian, to discuss House Bill 722.
• Any further discussion on that? All those in favor say aye.” “Aye.” “Any opposed?
• Is there any further discussion on that motion? Seeing none, all those in favor...
• Any discussion on that? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've gathered a list of questions and will be leading this discussion on the community's behalf.
• Throughout this discussion, I hope we can unpack those issues.
• Thank you for coming here today for our discussion.
• That is all the time we're going to have for our discussion today.
• I have some more to discuss as a community. Thank you.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?
• But there's some issues that I would politely like to discuss, not in depth, but just to get the ball
• But in this case, I want to say thank you to Senator Wintrow for involving us in this discussion for
• Discussion on the motion, Senators. Second from Senator Lent. Discussion on the motion, Senators.
• All right, Senators, we are adjourned. from Senator Lent, discussion on the motion, Senators.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved the January 28, 2026 minutes and then heard Senate Bill 1250, which would amend the Public Records Act to exempt photos of deceased individuals from public disclosure while allowing access for family members as defined in the bill. Senator Wintrow said the measure was developed with input from coroners, law enforcement, counties, domestic violence advocates, and the press, and was intended to balance transparency with privacy and dignity for decedents and their families. Public testimony was largely supportive but raised concerns about drafting details. A private citizen argued the bill should better protect existing family rights and questioned the use of discretionary "may" language and potential due process issues. County and coroner representatives, including the Idaho Association of Counties, the Idaho State Association of County Coroners, and Canyon County prosecutors, supported the bill but urged caution, especially about whether access should be mandatory or discretionary, how next-of-kin would be verified, and whether the bill should more clearly address sensitive images involving minors or violent crime scenes. The Idaho Press Club also supported the bill, saying it struck a reasonable balance. During committee questions, members focused on the meaning of "may" versus "shall," how next-of-kin would be determined in complicated family situations, and whether the bill would affect investigative records or only decedent photos. Senator Wintrow and a coroner witness explained that the bill targets decedent photos, not broader crime scene records, and that the next-of-kin order follows a set hierarchy. The committee then voted unanimously to send Senate Bill 1250 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and the sponsor thanked the committee as the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a discussion on that motion? Seeing none, in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.
• Is there discussion on that motion? Representative Haas. Yes, thank you, Mr.
• Further discussion on the motion. The motion is to introduce RS 329-65-C-1.
• Is there discussion on that motion? Seeing none.
• Is there a discussion on the motion?

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved three sets of minutes from February 4, 5, and 6, 2026. It then heard RS 329-65-C-1 from Representative Mitchell, a firearms-related proposal that would prevent counties and cities from restricting lawful carry in county buildings that contain courthouses, while still preserving restrictions in courtrooms, jails, and holding areas. Supporters said the measure would let people conduct ordinary county business without disarming, while opponents raised concerns about security costs and the burden on older courthouse facilities. The committee voted to introduce the RS and send it to the second reading calendar. The committee next considered House Bill 573 from Representative Shepard, which would expand who may teach the concealed carry training course by adding experienced NRA-certified instructors to the list of eligible instructors. Testimony from the NRA and Representative Hawkins said the bill would increase access, lower training costs, and not change constitutional carry or existing permit laws. The committee voted to send HB 573 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 510 and related RS 33245 from Representative Manwaring. The bill would protect public employees who communicate in good faith with the Legislature from retaliation and prevent agencies from imposing internal gag rules, while preserving official agency messaging and confidentiality protections. After discussion about the 15-working-day response period, the committee held HB 510 in committee and then amended the RS to change the deadline from 15 to 10 working days before introducing it and sending it to the second reading calendar. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• She'll be presenting the slides for me today as I move through our discussion.
• She'll be presenting the slides for me today as I move through our discussion.
• Is there any discussion? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Okay.
• Any discussion? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
• Is there any further discussion? All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Employment Relations

Summary: The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met for work sessions on supplemental bargaining for Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA) agreements in general government and higher education, followed by an overview of the collective bargaining process. OFM staff explained that bargaining for the 2025-27 biennium began in 2024, reached tentative agreements, was not ratified in time for the October 1 deadline, resumed, and ultimately produced ratified agreements in August 2025 that were submitted for financial feasibility review under RCW 41.80.010. Staff outlined the tentative agreements’ costs and covered employee counts, including roughly 2,500 FTEs in general government and 2,100 in higher education, with estimated 2025-27 total fund costs of about $22.25 million and $13.5 million respectively. Staff then gave a broader briefing on how state collective bargaining works, including the bargaining calendar, the role of class and compensation review, the June revenue forecast, interest arbitration, and the October 1 submission deadline. They described the groups OFM bargains for, including general government, higher education, health care coalitions, and certain non-state provider groups such as adult family home providers, child care providers, and language access providers. In response to a question from Senator King, staff said the legislature requires bargaining for those non-state provider groups and has also provided interest arbitration for them. Staff also discussed bargaining priorities such as general wage increases, targeted classification adjustments, recruitment and retention, low-wage worker increases, and maintaining the health care premium split. In executive session, the committee voted to keep the current co-chairs, Senator Robinson and Representative Couture, through 2026. Members also voted to recognize that the committee met twice in 2025 and to set the 2026 meeting schedule at two meetings. The motions passed without opposition, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's merit to pieces of the bill, but I really wanted to have a hearing and a frank discussion.
• I'll call the roll and then we'll begin that discussion.
• Begin the discussion at your discretion, Mr. Chairman. Members, any questions? Senator Hinojosa?
• Can we have a discussion of where?
• If there's no other discussion, then we'll open it for invited testimony.

Bills: HCR40 , HB214 , HB214

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: HCR 40, House Concurrent Resolution, Operation Lone Star, border security, southern border, Texas border, reimbursement, federal reimbursement, Congress, immigration, migrant crossings, illegal immigration, Texas National Guard, Department of Public Safety, DPS, human smuggling, cartel, fentanyl, border enforcement, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? Representative Schultz. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Uh, any further discussion? Representative Schultz. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Uh, any<00:03:23.360><c> further</c><00:03:23.680><c> discussion?
• </c><00:03:24.480><c> Representative</c> any further discussion?
• Representative any further discussion?

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the bill that I have is... the bill that I have is... it was born out of discussions with a couple
• We held a joint meeting to discuss the option or availability of doing that.
• HB244 expands the existing prohibitions on classroom... ...existing prohibitions on classroom discussion
• This is banning classroom discussions as such. It also... classroom discussions as such.
• Attempting to stifle discussions of such topics will not change these realities.

Bills: HB332 , HB166 , SB336 , HB447 , HB244

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: computer science, K-12 education, public schools, graduation requirement, digital literacy, coding, programming, STEM, artificial intelligence, AI, computational thinking, technology education, computer literacy, high school credit, middle school, elementary school, teacher training, professional development, distance learning, virtual school

Transcript Highlights:

• We had some discussion on the caucus.
• That's when we created those buckets of expenditures, and there was a big discussion of do we want to
• have a big... ...those buckets of expenditures, and there was a big discussion of do we want to have
• So really, page 13 is what we should discuss. Right.
• The key piece for this is for our system, as has been discussed at length.

Committee: House Government and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee resumed discussion of a campaign finance reporting bill and related amendments, focusing on whether the new reporting system should require beginning and ending fund balances for candidate committees and other entities. Representative Koppelman said he supported the modernization and software improvements, such as auto-populating donor information and aggregating contributions, but opposed making running balances mandatory because he viewed them as unnecessary for reporting and potentially burdensome. He also raised questions about language on contributions and expenditures, including whether certain uses of property or deposits were being classified correctly. Secretary of State Mike Lau responded that the questioned language on pages 5 and 6 was existing law, but said the beginning and ending fund balance on page 13 was important to the new system because it would allow amended reports to populate correctly across years. He said removing that requirement would effectively create two separate systems, and that the vendor could implement changes only if required by law. Members discussed whether the balance information could be hidden from the public, whether a zero-start approach would work, and whether an opt-in checkbox could avoid requiring all filers to use the same format. The committee did not take a final vote. Instead, the chair said the bill would go back to the subcommittee, with Representative Steiner and the Secretary of State’s office to continue working on the issue, and Representative Koppelman included in further discussions. The chair indicated the group would meet again later in the week to try to move the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item F: discussion of the Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Arkansas state plan, Exhibit F, and we'll
• We may have her discuss some of what they're doing at their new nursing school.
• Is there anything else that we would want to discuss besides the state plan and those items?
• As far as days, Representative Warren and I were discussing potential days for our next meeting.
• August 12th, we were discussing maybe the idea...

Committee: All ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL

Summary: The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met with legislative members and agency, advocacy, and provider representatives present. The council adopted its rules and procedures, approved the prior meeting minutes, and authorized the co-chairs to approve special expenses. Members then heard an extensive update on the state Alzheimer’s plan and current developments in diagnosis, treatment, research, caregiving, and workforce issues. David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association described major changes since the first state plan, including the growth of blood-based biomarkers, broader access to amyloid PET scans, and the availability of disease-slowing treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla. He emphasized that Arkansas still faces major barriers in rural areas, including limited provider awareness, insurance coverage concerns, shortages of specialists, and long wait times for memory care and infusion services. He also highlighted caregiver burden, the need for better education and care navigation, and new efforts such as a dementia resource center pilot with UAMS, respite grants, and workforce training. Members discussed the importance of public education on brain health, diet, exercise, and risk reduction, as well as the need to collaborate with chronic disease partners and improve outreach to primary care providers. The council approved four proposed focus areas for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction, brain health, early detection and diagnosis; strengthening family caregiver support; improving access to diagnostics and treatment; and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce training and crisis response. Members also discussed possible legislative or statutory changes to keep the council active and engaged, and they agreed to pursue a future meeting in August, tentatively August 12 in Hot Springs, with additional meetings under consideration for later in the month. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• All members should have received a packet that will guide some of our discussion today.
• We’re going to start the discussion shortly. Thank you. And thank you, everybody.
• I’d like to start with an open discussion and share thoughts.
• And I think that it would be great if we could start with sort of an open discussion with each of you
• And I think that it would be great if we could start with sort of an open discussion with each of you

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Working Group on Education and Training of the Special Commission on Xylazine held its first meeting to begin developing findings and recommendations on education and training for first responders, the medical community, the substance use treatment community, and people who use drugs. Members discussed the need for baseline information on what xylazine is, its clinical effects and harms, signs of exposure or poisoning, wound care, and immediate response steps, while also noting that training should be tailored by audience, geography, and role. Several members emphasized that the training should be practical and action-oriented, helping people recognize xylazine exposure and know what to do next, including whether naloxone is relevant and how to reduce risk and mitigate harm. A major theme was whether the group should recommend a needs assessment or survey to identify what different audiences already know and what they still need to learn. Members suggested that BSAS, DPH, local public health departments, licensing boards, and other stakeholders could help gather this information, and that existing resources such as DPH materials, MADS data, Brandeis materials, and trainings already being funded at BMC should be reviewed. The group also discussed the importance of using plain language for non-clinical audiences while still including clinical detail for providers, and of distinguishing between clinical and non-clinical training tracks. The working group agreed to divide into subgroups: Senator Keenan will focus on first responders, Dr. Simon on the medical community, and Millie Batiya on the substance use treatment community, while Chair Domb will focus on people who use drugs. Staff will send meeting notes, an early draft PowerPoint framework, and a shared Google Drive folder for materials. Members were asked to gather sources and ideas by November 25 ahead of the December 11 public meeting. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, a second, and unanimous thanks to staff and participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to share with the committee members that that was under discussion in another committee
• So, I just wanted to acknowledge that that's continuing to be discussed, reviewed.
• </c><00:02:28.440><c> did</c><00:02:29.000><c> have</c><00:02:29.880><c> a</c><00:02:30.280><c> discussion
• </c> projects, um we did have a discussion projects, um we did have a discussion and<00:02:31.040><c>
• </c> members that that was under discussion members that that was under discussion in<00:02:37.320><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of the April 27 minutes, and a report of informational items. Those informational items included University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s planned use of restricted funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt notices, UK’s use of construction management at risk for five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital project reporting, and UK lease improvements. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request for approval of a $600 million central plants and utility infrastructure P3 tied to the Chandler expansion and other campus facilities. UK said the project would modernize and expand utility capacity, improve redundancy and efficiency, and support 24/7 hospital operations. UK explained that the financing would combine private equity and nonprofit debt, with no UK or Commonwealth debt or upfront payment, and that future availability payments would come from UK Healthcare funds. Members asked about the financing stack, the source of the restricted funds, and whether existing units would be replaced or modernized. The committee then approved the P3 agreement by roll call vote. The committee also considered and approved a lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine facility near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease would cost $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports its long-running partnership with Bowling Green Hospital and planned medical student growth in the region. Members spoke favorably about the local impact of the program, and the lease renewal passed by roll call vote. Finally, the Finance and Administrative Cabinet reported three items requiring no action, including a $2.103 million Transportation Cabinet Department of Aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport. Cabinet staff said the project would be funded by federal aviation money and restricted aviation funds, and later explained that the restricted funds come from a jet fuel tax deposited into the Aviation Economic Development Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• We welcome discussions with you about how those fines could be limited and the responsible funding mechanism
• We welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns further. Thank you for your testimony.
• And we still, in discussions with them, want to work collaboratively to take the best of the programs
• And as you've heard, we do believe that doing that with. ...discussion about it.
• But if you could present everything in writing, absolutely, and happy to engage in any further discussion

Bills: H5243 , H5376 , S3056 , S3057

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Aging and Independence

Keywords: rest home, rest homes, medication administration, medication management, assisted living, long-term care, elder care, older adults, senior care, nursing home, resident care, self-administration, licensed facility, Chapter 111, section 71, Responsible Person, caregiver, direct care staff, care facilities, funding