Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Vang, would you like to move that House File 2279 be laid over for possible inclusion
• I'm here to speak in strong support of House File 2279.
• strong<00:04:29.440><c> support</c><00:04:29.680><c> of</c><00:04:29.840><c> House</c><00:04:30.080><c> File
• </c> strong support of House File strong support of House File 2279.<00:04:32.000><c> This</c><00:04:
• Representative Vang renews her motion that House File 2279, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, we're only to testify about bills before us, so I only will, but I will point out that I filed
• I did file a different bill that explicitly is broader entities, just about anybody who wants to, to
• why I filed this bill that I'm testifying on right now with the bracket was that what we were hearing
• This bill, as filed, will allow A sheriff and constables enter into contracts without any consideration
• I didn't, first of all, I didn't file it for the constables.

Bills: HB336 , HB554 , HB849 , HB 1033 , HB1338 , HB 1246

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriff, constable, contracts, county governance, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales, seasonal fireworks sales, Fourth of July, Independence Day

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Concurrent Resolution 67 is, uh, I spoke a little of it on the floor when I filed it
• after I filed it.
• I waited to file it because of the recent disasters.
• timely, and this is a product of the last couple years of my work on the issue. uh and I waited to file
• it because of uh and I waited to file it because of the<00:10:52.519><c> recent</c><00:10:52.920><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate VMAP Committee met with a quorum and heard several measures focused on public safety and emergency preparedness. Senate Bill 266, sponsored by Vice Chair Aaron Reed, would allow Kentucky State Police troopers to engage in secondary employment under a policy set by the commissioner. Reed argued the change would improve morale, recruitment, retention, and compensation opportunities. Senators Boswell, Nunn, and Higden asked about when the extra work would occur and whether the commissioner had been consulted; Reed said the policy would be left to KSP leadership and cited examples such as convention centers and events like the Derby. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to the floor. The committee then adopted a committee substitute for Senate Concurrent Resolution 67, which creates a task force to study disaster preparedness, mitigation, and related issues such as flooding, wind events, insurance, communications, and coordination among state and local agencies. The sponsor described recent severe weather and flooding across Kentucky and said the resolution was intended to help the state identify risks and best practices, save money, and save lives. Senators discussed whether the National Guard should be included, and the sponsor said they would not object to adding a representative. The resolution passed unanimously. House Bill 234, presented by Representative Wade Williams with the Kentucky Police Chiefs Association, would add airport police departments to the list of agencies eligible for grants funded through confiscated or abandoned firearms sold through the Kentucky State Police auction process. Williams said the grants support life-saving equipment such as tasers and bulletproof vests and that airport police had been inadvertently left off the eligibility list. Senators asked whether the change would reduce funding for other departments, and Williams said he did not expect a detrimental effect. The bill passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with an invitation to legislators to attend a National Guard briefing and aerial flight event, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill on the calendar for today is House File 4074. The chief clerk will report the bill.
• </c> Lilly moves to amend House File 4074, the second engrossment.
• Lilly moves to amend House File 4074, the second engrossment, as amended.
• Third reading, House File 4074 as amended. Third reading. Discussion.
• Third reading, House file third reading.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4074, the second engrossment of the retirement bill, was presented as a broad pension package with changes affecting multiple public retirement systems. Rep. Lilly described provisions including bringing St. Paul teachers closer to parity with TRA, reducing the COLA waiting period for police and fire retirees from two years to one, lowering the retirement age for certain probation, corrections, and 911 telecommunicator workers from 60 to 55, addressing a State Board of Investments fix, and creating or continuing work on Secure Choice and other retirement-related issues. Members also noted help for volunteer firefighters, EMS-related workers, and a local fix for Maple Plain’s volunteer fire system. The bill was repeatedly described as bipartisan and the product of successful working groups and negotiations with the Senate. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing the importance of public pensions, the impact of inflation on retirees, and the value of the bill’s targeted improvements for workers who are often not covered by Social Security. Rep. Johnson, Rep. Hill, Rep. Vega, Rep. Robbins, Rep. Cha, and others praised the work of the pension commission, staff, and the co-chairs. They highlighted the St. Paul teachers changes, the police and fire COLA adjustment, and the bill’s efforts to honor promises made to public employees. Some members also pointed to the importance of work groups as a way to develop better long-term solutions. The main point of debate centered on the duty disability amendment, which would have addressed disability issues for first responders. Supporters said the issue is serious and needs a work group solution rather than piecemeal changes, while Rep. Johnson and others warned that the proposal could create problems by treating psychological injuries differently from physical injuries. Rep. Roach said the body should not have passed the prior law and urged a fix for disabled law enforcement and first responders. After discussion, Rep. Lilly withdrew the A3 amendment. Earlier technical amendments A9 and A10 were adopted by voice vote, with members noting they were non-substantive and intended to keep House and Senate language identical and avoid a conference committee. The bill then moved to third reading as amended, with members urging a green vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• find the original owner that you bought it from and you can't find your bill of sale and you can't file
• can. ...original owner that you bought it from and you can't find your bill of sale and you can't file
• So, as mentioned, this is not changing the actual deadlines or the timelines that you have to file suit
• So, as mentioned, this is not changing the actual deadlines or the timelines that you have to file suit
• The main differences are, one, trying to set when the time starts for you to file a suit to challenge

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't know what the value of that is beyond what the existing file is.
• Don't know what the value of that is beyond what the existing file is.
• Don't know what the value of that is beyond what the existing file is.
• Don't know what the value of that is beyond what the existing file is.
• So, is beyond what the existing file is.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to consider the Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 2, a major Medicaid bill. Members first adopted the substitute and then adopted Amendment 9770. The bill was described as a lengthy rewrite aimed at aligning Kentucky Medicaid policy with federal requirements under HR 1, while also preserving program integrity and addressing due process concerns. Senators and staff repeatedly emphasized that the measure was the product of extensive meetings with providers, associations, and work groups. The sponsor’s section-by-section summary highlighted several key changes: delaying and reducing cost-sharing requirements; pushing eligibility redetermination deadlines to the federal date; restoring some flexibility for hardship waivers; allowing self-attestation as a last resort; modifying MCO audit provisions; clarifying non-emergency medical transport GPS costs; expanding waiver attestation authority to nurse practitioners and licensed psychologists; adding qualified aliens to waiver eligibility to comply with federal law; requiring Medicaid data sharing with the oversight board; limiting changes to Medicaid benefits without General Assembly authorization; narrowing the prescription drug exclusion to drugs prescribed primarily for weight loss; and delaying the dental ASO transition until 2029. The substitute also deleted a proposed auditor review requirement and retained an emergency clause. Committee discussion focused heavily on the policy and fiscal implications of the cost-sharing and recertification provisions. Senators raised concerns about whether the co-pays would be effective or simply shift costs to providers, whether the recertification process would burden the Cabinet and cause eligible people to lose coverage, and how the bill would affect people transitioning from Medicaid into work. Supporters said the lower cost-sharing amounts were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, protect providers, and comply with federal law, and they noted that the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board would help shape future changes. A public witness, Maggie Chisholm, gave emotional testimony about her daughter’s experience with a Medicaid waiver and argued that policy delays and administrative disconnects can harm vulnerable families. No final vote on the bill itself was recorded in the excerpt, but the substitute and amendment were adopted and testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• So third parties aren't encouraged to file lawsuits.
• I don't. so third parties aren't encouraged to file lawsuits and then also a little flexibility in the
• while this bill specifically only deals with commercial, Progressive would like the opportunity to file
• The budget process, which is for a future year, is different than tax, the tax filing system, which is
• By the time Department of Revenue puts out forms in January, the tax filing season has begun.

Bills: HB2091 , HB2140 , HB2320 , HB2384 , HB2398 , HB2502 , HB2780 , HB2918 , HB2939 , HB2950 , HB2999 , HB4020 , HB4026 , HB4029

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: insurance, financial surveillance, regulations, assessments, Arizona Revised Statutes, investment, state treasurer, gold bullion, treasury management, financial regulations, school districts, bonds, financial advisors, elections, municipal advisors, cost of borrowing, lease agreements, school property, tax exemptions, impact aid revenue bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• Someone files a reconventional demand. The reconventional demand is over my jurisdictional limit.
• Actually, that can be a determination amongst the attorneys once the suit is filed.
• If the attorneys deem that it is complex or if they can file it into the complex litigation section,
• The way we initially approached the bill as filed was focused on where we are expanding it to the adult
• Someone has to file an application.” “You're a public defender you're talking about?”

Bills: HB9 , HB10 , HB16 , HB44 , HB46 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB153 , HB164 , HB233 , HB242 , HB436 , HB455 , HB571 , HB594

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, legal holiday, Acadia Parish

Transcript Highlights:

• Late-filed amendment barcode 252-648 by Senator Trumbull.
• Without objection, show the late-filed amendment introduced.
• Late filed amendment barcode 252-648 by Senator Trunow.
• Without objection, show the late-filed amendment introduced.
• But objections show the late-filed amendment introduced.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no weekend conference. The chamber then took up a long special-order calendar of bills, generally moving each measure through third reading and final passage, often by substituting House companion bills. Early measures included trust law modernization (SB 786/HB 895), military affairs changes and Guard retirement corrections (SB 474), rounding rules for cash transactions as pennies phase out (SB 1074), podiatric medicine regulation and informed-consent requirements (SB 1092), veterans court expansion (SB 50/HB 199), RV park special assessment clarification (SB 118), concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile offenses on military installations (SB 502/HB 351), alcoholic beverage loss deductions (SB 678/HB 1137), and bail bond/pretrial release revisions (SB 600). Most passed unanimously or near-unanimously; SB 600 passed 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and an amendment aligning with the House version and prosecutors’ concerns. The Senate also considered bills on portable electronics and eyewear insurance (SB 772), the linking industry to nursing education fund and health science workforce programs (SB 1246), recovery residences and behavioral health licensing (SB 1030, with a technical amendment on background checks and probationary licenses), felony battery enhancements for repeat offenders and offenses against law enforcement (SB 436), and child welfare changes including foster-home visitor screening, a permanent statewide Step Into Success program, and a best-practices repository (SB 1718). These measures were explained by sponsors as efforts to streamline regulation, improve workforce and health-care training, strengthen public safety, and reduce administrative burdens while preserving safeguards. Votes on these bills were overwhelmingly favorable, with final tallies typically 36-0 or 37-0. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell tribute to Senator Lori Berman. Members from both parties praised her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, and family law. Berman delivered a lengthy farewell reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her caucus leadership, and the importance of dignity, respect, and public service. The Senate adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and then recessed before returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• of dollars and months of time either obtaining unanimous written consent from all beneficiaries or filing
• Late-filed amendment barcode 252-648 by Senator Trunow.
• Without objection, show the late-filed amendment introduced.
• Late-filed amendment barcode 817402 by Senator Alvarez: between lines 117 and 116 insert amendment.
• Show the late-filed amendment introduced.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several introductions and announcements before moving to a long special-order calendar. Early bills passed included a trust law measure allowing a nonjudicial process for trustee settlement and discharge, a military affairs bill expanding leave protections and retirement eligibility for certain Guard and Coast Guard-related public employees, a penny-rounding bill for cash transactions, a podiatric medicine bill restricting certain cellular/tissue-based products and adding notice and consent requirements, a veterans’ courts bill expanding access to those courts statewide, an RV assessment clarification bill, a military-installation jurisdiction bill giving juveniles on bases access to state juvenile justice resources, an alcohol-tax deduction bill restoring DBPR’s authority to allow deductions for unsellable alcohol, a bail bonds bill revising training, fees, remission timing, and electronic procedures, an eyewear insurance bill updating definitions for modern products, a nursing education fund bill expanding support to health science programs, a recovery residences bill streamlining regulation and background-check rules, a felony battery bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, a child welfare bill extending visitor definitions, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices repository, and a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and, via the House version, adding a name-change disclosure provision. Most of these bills were substituted with House companions where applicable and passed on near-unanimous votes, with one recorded dissent on the bail bonds bill. Several measures drew brief debate or explanation. Senator Wright’s military affairs bill was amended to restore two Florida National Guard special project officer positions to retirement eligibility, and Senator Gates’ veterans’ courts bill was described as a way to better address PTSD, brain injury, and substance-abuse-related offenses through problem-solving courts. Senator Trunow’s bail bonds bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor saying the current statute would remain in place and that further discussion could occur later. Senator Massullo’s podiatric medicine bill was framed as a bipartisan patient-protection measure, and Senator Leak’s felony battery bill was presented as closing a loophole that allowed repeat violent offenders to avoid enhancement. The chamber also took up a candidate qualification bill that would create an enforceable party-affiliation requirement and, in the House version, restrict recent petition-based name changes for candidates. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell ceremony for Senator Lori Berman, with family, staff, former colleagues, and guests in attendance. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, Everglades restoration, and other constituent services. Berman’s own remarks reflected on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, and her belief in dignity, respect, and practical problem-solving. The Senate then adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and recessed before returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Late-filed amendment barcode 252-648 by Senator Truenow.
• Without objection, show the late-filed amendment introduced.
• Late filed amendment barcode 252-648 by Senator Trunow.
• Without objection, show the late-filed amendment introduced.
• Without objection, show the late-filed amendment introduced.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• prepare campgrounds of all types, including youth camps, for natural disasters, Senate Bill 1, as filed
• Senate Bill 1, as filed, implements heightened requirements applicable only to youth camps.
• Lastly, Senate Bill 1, as filed, requires camps to post and maintain a website listing all camps in the
• of signature or at initiation of registration, ensure that they have a legal guardian or parent on file
• Give us an address to mail it to, or let us check our files.'

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, when AT&T filed an application before the Public Utilities Commission seeking targeted relief
• You have to file an application. The application is reviewed at the FCC.
• So AT&T filed an application to be relieved of their carrier of last resort obligations in nearly all
• And instead, in the three months between the application, when the application was filed in March 2023
• , it was filed incomplete.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have Senate File 2406, the UMB emergency grants appropriation.
• I am honored to testify regarding Senate File 2406.
• </c> support Senate file support Senate file 246<00:28:01.279><c> which</c><00:28:01.480><c> continues
• The bill we’re about to hear about is Senate File 2516.
• Blair: The bill we’re about to hear about is Senate File 2516.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the omnibus bill, House File the omnibus bill, House File 24<00:00:53.199><c> 36.
• I will move House File 2436 before for.
• Starting with mine, House File A13, I mean amendment A13.
• </c> $500,000 in the agreement for House File $500,000 in the agreement for House File 1915.<01:20:49.440
• </c> um, House File 1915. um, House File 1915.

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to please support Senator Ric's efforts in House File 1142. Thank you.
• I'm here to testify against Senate File 1142.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on Senate File 1142.
• </c> vote against Senate file vote against Senate file 1142<00:41:20.240><c> thank</c><00:41:20.400><
• With that, Senate File 1142 is laid over and we are adjourned.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They also said they are not aware of any complaints filed with the board for non-compliance with the
• First part, do you agree that all these problems would go away if you and your client would just file
• If I get an X-ray uh file uh practicing.
• </c><04:39:27.279><c> The</c><04:39:27.439><c> litigation</c> filed in the approval.
• The litigation filed in the approval.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on a piece of legislation that pertains to ranked choice voting, as well as several local and late-filed
• bench, to speak in support of the local option ranked choice voting legislation that I have again filed
• And I want to thank both my dear colleagues, Representative Holmes and Senator Rausch, for filing this
• We are prepared; the commission was appointed, filed their report, and the town council moved to file
• We are prepared, the commission was appointed, filed their report, and the town council moved to file

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a public hearing focused primarily on ranked choice voting (RCV) legislation and several local home rule petitions, along with one petition to authorize remote participation in Concord town meetings. Chairs Keenan and Hunt outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would hear both in-person and virtual testimony. The committee also took testimony on Concord’s request for remote participation in open and special town meetings, with supporters arguing it would make town meeting more accessible to residents with childcare, mobility, work, or disability barriers while preserving direct democracy. A large portion of the hearing centered on RCV local-option bills and municipal petitions from communities including Concord, East Hampton, Salem, Chelsea, Arlington, Revere, Amherst, and others. Supporters—among them local officials, legislators, election advocates, educators, veterans, and nonprofit leaders—said RCV would reduce vote-splitting, encourage more candidates, promote more positive campaigning, improve representation, and increase turnout. East Hampton officials described their existing use of RCV, saying it produced record turnout, was easy for voters to understand with education, and could be expanded to multi-winner races without major added cost. Concord and Amherst witnesses said their voters had already approved local steps toward RCV and urged the committee to let municipalities implement the system without further delay. Testimony in favor of the local-option RCV bill emphasized home rule and local control, with several witnesses arguing the state should not block communities that have already voted to adopt RCV. Speakers from MassVOTE, the AFT Massachusetts, Voter Choice Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and Veterans for All Voters said the reform would strengthen democracy, broaden participation, and save money by avoiding low-turnout preliminary elections. Some witnesses also referenced examples from Cambridge, Maine, and Utah to argue that RCV is workable, nonpartisan, and familiar to voters. The hearing ended with no votes or final committee action taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So file item number two is Senator Padilla, SB 887. We invite you to come forward.
• So file item number two is Senator Padilla, SB 887. We invite you to come forward.
• We have filed an opposition letter detailing our concerns with the bill.
• of the EJ groups filed a lawsuit against the Air District, and then they reversed their decision.
• of the EJ groups filed a lawsuit against the Air District, and then they reversed their decision.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our last bill for the day is House File 3730.
• for this opportunity to make some very brief remarks on MDE's education policy bill before us, House File
• 3730, article 4 of House File 3730, specifically<00:19:47.280><c> the</c><00:19:47.600><c> scope</c>
• Um, and with that, I renew my motion to weigh over House File 3730 as amended for consideration at a
• </c> renew my motion to weigh over House File renew my motion to weigh over House File 3730<00:36:39.200

Keywords: 1183, house