Transcript Highlights:

• A business that closes doesn't end up paying for the resultant unemployment.
• </c><00:14:54.800><c> doesn't</c><00:14:55.120><c> end</c> know a business that closes doesn't end know
• a business that closes doesn't end up<00:14:55.440><c> paying</c><00:14:55.639><c> for</c><00:14:55.759
• over the past year and just has closed over the past year and just wanted<00:22:49.520><c> to</c><00
• It was a company I closed 3 years ago.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Minnesota</c> Pharmacies are closing across Minnesota Pharmacies are closing across Minnesota at
• </c> permanently close. permanently close.
• to</c><02:29:24.200><c> again</c><02:29:24.480><c> thank</c> In closing, I'd like to again thank In closing
• Any closing comments? Thank you.
• Any closing<02:31:20.880><c> comments?</c> closing comments? closing comments?

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that were made previously because other disruptions such as elevator failures or if the pool was closed
• that were made previously because other disruptions such as elevator failures or if the pool was closed
• or other amenities being closed for a certain amount of time, like that takes away from the experience
• <00:27:45.960><c> or</c><00:27:46.600><c> other</c><00:27:47.160><c> uh</c> closed or other uh closed
• or other uh other<00:27:48.320><c> amenities</c><00:27:48.720><c> being</c><00:27:48.920><c> closed<

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 83, which would require hotel keepers to give adequate notice of service disruptions to guests and third-party vendors. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but asked for amendments to restore remedies and add a nonwaiver provision, arguing that without penalties the measure would lack consequences and that consumers should not be able to waive the notice rights. Supporters, including Unite Here Local 5 and individual testifiers, said guests deserve transparency and meaningful recourse when disruptions occur, especially for labor disputes, construction, or other service interruptions that affect the experience they paid for. Hotel industry representatives, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Hawaii Hotel Alliance, and hotel workers/testifiers, opposed the bill in its current form while offering amendments. They said the measure was too broad, difficult to implement, and could interfere with collective bargaining, third-party booking systems, and existing contracts. They also argued that some disruptions are not easily known in advance and that the bill unfairly singles out hotels compared with other industries. One testifier emphasized that notice should be required only for actual, known disruptions rather than potential events, and another raised concerns about applying the bill to properties not directly involved in a labor dispute. After the SB 83 testimony, the committee moved on to SB 2798, which would make permanent and expand statewide the agricultural enforcement pilot program created in 2025 and rename it the agricultural enforcement program. The chair introduced the measure and called on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity as the first testifier, but the transcript excerpt ends before testimony or any vote on SB 2798.

Transcript Highlights:

• Out of the 218 that we currently have employed with us, close to 200 already have graduate degrees or
• Some of them have multiple graduate degrees, and about close to 30 have PhDs or doctorates.
• to 200 already employed with us close to 200 already have<00:58:44.799><c> graduate</c><00:58:45.200
• I apologize, but English is the primary language.
• <01:24:37.400><c> the</c><01:24:37.600><c> achievement</c> closing the achievement closing the achievement

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:27.720><c> the</c> close the close the business<01:02:29.760><c> yeah</c><01:02:29.920><c> so<
• </c><03:33:03.880><c> times</c> correlation between bar closing times correlation between bar closing
• </c><03:54:20.880><c> at</c> that no longer do lunches they close at that no longer do lunches they close
• Having no more cards, we will close the public hearing.
• </c><04:34:27.879><c> the</c> having no more cards we will close the having no more cards we will close

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first discussed scheduling, noting that Town Meeting Day would cancel the next Tuesday meeting, that they would meet Wednesday instead, and that remaining bills would be handled through subcommittees and a likely final executive session on the 19th to meet the deadline for committee action on the 20th. The committee then took up several bills, with repeated roll calls and votes, often placing measures on the consent calendar after committee approval. House Bill 185 on ambulance reimbursement rates was described as a perennial issue and was voted inexpedient to legislate, with members noting concerns that an any-willing-provider approach would make premium impacts hard to evaluate. House Bill 186 on cannabis legalization was retained for further work, with members saying the bill addressed stopping marijuana arrests but that the sales and implementation details still needed more development. House Bill 241 on treatment alternatives to opioids was also retained because the sponsor could not attend and the committee wanted more time to continue work. The committee then considered House Bill 302 on state treasury investments in digital assets and precious metals. The amendment narrowed the proposal, removing more complicated provisions like stable tokens and staking, lowering the authorized allocation from 10% to 5%, and limiting eligible digital assets to those with very high market capitalization; members discussed volatility, the treasurer’s discretion, and oversight through bond-rating concerns. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Other measures moved quickly: House Bill 451 on a paint product stewardship program was amended to remove direct funding and framed as manufacturer-run enabling legislation, then passed and was placed on consent; House Bill 499 made technical corrections to insurance laws and passed unanimously; House Bill 538 on relocating Liquor Commission positions passed unanimously; House Bill 552 on children covered under the state retirement insurance plan was cleaned up to remove a student requirement and passed unanimously; and a blockchain/digital currencies bill was amended to address noise and local regulation concerns for data mining operations, with supporters emphasizing energy-use issues, municipal authority, and a separate commission studying regulation. That bill also passed and was sent to consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, my concern then is why do we have primary and secondary schools?
• They're very close, I would say.
• So that's the primary reason I'm voting I on this motion. Thank you. Senator Richardson. No.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 10 minutes, and then handled a routine agenda of contracts and agreements. It deferred one Kentucky Educational Television contract to the August 2025 meeting because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State, and then approved the remaining routine items on the PSC green list and related contract lists without objection. The most detailed discussion involved two personal service contracts for the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. Officials from the Personnel Cabinet and Department of Employee Insurance explained that the contracts were designed to identify claims errors and overspending, with vendors paid a percentage of validated savings recovered for the plan. Senators asked how the savings were calculated and whether the contracts had changed plan processes; staff said the contracts had produced realized savings, some errors had been corrected going forward, and the vendors report quarterly. The committee approved those contracts. The committee then took up a retroactive Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority contract for a customized College Info Road Show bus. Members questioned why the contract was being presented months after execution, why it involved an out-of-state vendor, and whether the purchase was reasonable and timely. KHEAA staff said the delay stemmed from the need to finalize sustainability and safety details after the RFP, and acknowledged internal process and staffing issues. Several members criticized the retroactive approval process and said they could not validate the purchase from the information provided, but the committee ultimately approved the contract after debate. A final KHEAA discussion focused on the purpose and value of the mobile outreach bus. Staff said the bus supports college and financial aid outreach, especially in rural areas, and has been used for 26 years. Some members questioned the return on investment and whether the state should rely more on broadband and remote outreach, while others supported the program as a way to reach students and families. The committee approved the KHEAA contract, with Senator Douglas voting no and explaining concerns about whether such outreach programs are the proper role of government and whether they are the best use of public funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• and finalized and and on to their closed and finalized and and on to their other<00:15:45.240><c> good
• It's the primary statute dealing with all of this. numbers and and allow things to happen a numbers and
• Just one more question, then we can move on to closing comments.
• </c> then I then we can move on to closing then I then we can move on to closing comments<00:37:14.160
• With that, I think we'll go to closing comments.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Representative Grief, if you can keep it very short in your closing. Thank you.
• Not seeing any, so we'll close testimony. Member discussion and questions.
• So we'll close the bill? Not seeing any.
• Paul, for example, is the MAC's primary reliever airport for MSP.
• Hussein did a great job of closing remarks.

Bills: HF3889 , HF2567 , HF3878

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if you wanted to have a closing comment. makeup n no I I think uh oh Senator John makeup
• wanted</c><00:05:24.280><c> to</c><00:05:24.440><c> have</c><00:05:24.560><c> a</c><00:05:24.680><c> closing
• </c><00:51:40.799><c> um</c><00:51:41.440><c> and</c><00:51:41.680><c> really</c><00:51:41.960><c> close
• </c><00:51:42.200><c> to</c> working on um and really close to working on um and really close to finalizing
• That's their primary way of being reimbursed.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senator Olsen here as the primary sponsor to explain the bill. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
• We will close public comment, committee. What is your pleasure?
• </c> Okay, with that we will close public comment, committee. What is your pleasure?

Bills: HB0028 , HB0080

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: sexual exploitation, child protection, law amendment, explicit conduct, sex crimes, identification cards, nursing facilities, assisted living, renewal process, resident rights, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> light is on and make sure it's close light is on and make sure it's close enough<00:05:22.639><c
• </c><00:07:29.680><c> the</c> Uh seeing none, uh we can close the Uh seeing none, uh we can close the
• With that, I'll close the executive session on Senate Bill 401.
• With that, I'll close the calendar.
• Uh, seeing none, I will close Bill 572?

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were finally able to even come close. We cut our resignation rates by over 50%.
• we finally were able to even come close we finally were able to<01:11:03.120><c> do</c><01:11:03.560
• And just in the last, in 2023 at least, we had almost 488,000 people, 40,000 cases closed, but almost
• </c><01:26:49.320><c> but</c> 488,000 people 40,000 cases closed but 488,000 people 40,000 cases closed
• What Guardians ad Litem do is help ensure children have their primary needs met and that the court has

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I see them up close and personal.
• Um so in see them up close and personal.
• We'll close the executive session on 1731.
• ><c> session</c><03:57:17.600><c> on</c> We'll close the executive session on We'll close the executive
• Close the executive session on HB 1267.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we will close the hearing on Senate Bill 150 and we will open the hearing on Senate Bill
• After this experience, I never again parked in a van accessible spot close to the entrance.
• to the entrance accessible Spot close to the entrance instead<01:05:20.599><c> I</c><01:05:20.680><c
• <01:23:27.400><c> uh</c><01:23:27.520><c> Senate</c><01:23:27.920><c> Bill</c> close uh Senate Bill close
• Seeing none, we'll close the hearing on Senate Bill 156.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that we could not have closed on that purchase without the work of our folks at AOC, and I would
• In closing, I would add that Section 110 of the Kentucky Constitution places the responsibility of managing
• </c> In<00:32:33.120><c> closing,</c><00:32:33.760><c> I</c><00:32:34.000><c> would</c><00:32:34.320>
• <c> add</c><00:32:34.559><c> that</c><00:32:34.880><c> section</c><00:32:35.279><c> 110</c> In closing
• , I would add that section 110 In closing, I would add that section 110 of<00:32:36.000><c> the</c><00

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:09 State of the Judiciary: 00:02:33 The Corrections - KCTCS Reentry Program: 00:49:44 Update on 2022 RS SB 90: 01:27:49, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary met on November 6, 2025, approved the minutes, and welcomed guests including Kentucky Specialty Courts manager Elizabeth Nichols and Boyle/Mercer Family Court Judge Bruce Petri. The committee then heard the Chief Justice of Kentucky, Deborah Lambert, deliver her state of the judiciary address, focused largely on judicial branch funding, facilities, technology, and specialty court programs. Chief Justice Lambert said the branch is facing a projected $14.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and asked lawmakers for supplemental support, access to reserve funds, and higher base appropriations to cover inflation and nondiscretionary costs. She also requested a 15% across-the-board pay increase for judicial branch employees, citing salary gaps with other state workers and declining judicial compensation relative to national averages. She emphasized that the branch has received a clean FY 2025 audit and said the requests were intended to sustain current operations rather than expand them. A major portion of her remarks covered court technology and facilities. She described the move to Chamberlain during Capitol renovations, the purchase of that building as a cost-saving measure, and the need to fund courtroom audio/video systems and a new statewide case management system. She also discussed courthouse maintenance, flood damage, mold issues, security system upgrades, and the $47 million asset preservation fund created last session, while asking for additional local facilities funding and one-time disaster-related support. Lambert highlighted specialty court and statewide program results, including foster care review boards, family recovery courts, court designated worker programs, drug and mental health courts, and the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. She thanked legislators for prior bills and support, including House Bill 1, Senate Bill 26, and the CES law, and said 2026 recommendations will focus on civil commitment reforms under KRS 202C. During questions, Senator Wheeler asked whether some courthouses are being overbuilt; Lambert said most facilities are inadequate, though some may be larger than needed, and that future needs and population changes must be considered. She also noted that virtual hearings and technology have improved efficiency. No votes or formal committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• perfect fit to be a multi-use trail, although previously known as a North Shore Trail, it is nowhere close
• Close to two decades ago, Lake took the initiative to open sections of the trail to ATV use in the summer
• Close to two decades ago, Lake took the initiative to open sections of the trail to ATV use in the summer
• Where I live, in East Central Minnesota, we're right close to Wisconsin, and kind of the joke there is
• Those are no longer permitted to be sold in the primary market, which is brand new in the United States

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, very much until we have them closed.
• I think that's why this body needs it so that we can help you close loopholes.
• It's close to being, I think, in good shape to become law. The issue that this presents...
• It's close to being, I think, in good shape to become law.
• One of the primary concerns in the proposal is how it may operate in practice.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 2.9, it's about when we go into a closed meeting.
• And Senator Bahr, I just like, as a close on that, I'm good with the explanation.
• Seeing none, Senator Xiong, any closing thoughts?
• Seeing none, Senator Xiong, any<02:04:58.040><c> closing</c><02:04:58.360><c> thoughts?
• </c> any closing thoughts? any closing thoughts?

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, the nurse compact allows nurses to obtain their primary state of residence license and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• vacancy occurs in the nomination of, the word is changed to any candidate or nomination made in the primary

Keywords: Consideration of HB 139 -- 00:03:15 Consideration of HB 356 -- 00:08:48, 958, all

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.