Video & Transcript Research : 'Section 45.003'
Page 49 of 500
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 2A is a new section reflecting our shared concern about building solar on agricultural lands.
- Section 3 is a new section that expands at the PUC's request the list of people the PUC can hire when
- new section that expands Section 3 is a new section that expands at<00:08:41.800>
the <00:08:41.919 - in the next section. in the next section.
- new section which creates Section 4 is a new section which creates a<00:09:21.240>
new <00:09:
Summary:
The House took up two committee of conference reports. On House Bill 639, relating to genetic data privacy, members suspended the rules for immediate consideration and adopted the conference report. The conference compromise settled a dispute over cure periods by allowing a 30-day cure period for business activities of genetic data privacy businesses, effective January 1, 2027, with the cure period lasting 18 months and then repealing on June 30, 2028. A House member explained the House had sought a narrower cure period than the Senate, and the final report was adopted by voice vote.
The House then suspended the rules to take up House Bill 710, relating to defining electricity generating facilities, and also adopted that conference report by voice vote. The bill updates the definition of a “single plant” to focus on facilities using the same point of interconnection, clarifies the change is not retroactive and applies only to new permit and certificate applications, and adds a Department of Public Service report on farmland conversion to solar by January 15, 2027. It also expands Public Utility Commission hiring authority for complex renewable energy cases, creates a decommissioning fund for abandoned clean energy facilities, requires the PUC to report on the decommissioning fee formula, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026. The conference committee reported unanimous support.
After the two reports were adopted, the House stood at ease, then returned briefly for announcements. Members offered remarks thanking the Speaker for her service after news she would not run again, invited members to view an end-of-year legislative slideshow, and wished a member from Randolph a happy birthday. The House then adjourned until the next day at 10:00 a.m.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- The next sections of the bill section.
- Then section six is a section added by the other body.
- Section six, um, this is our VHIP section.
- >
section <01:54:22.000>is <01:54:22.080>section section uh my last section is section - section uh my last section is section eight,<01:54:22.880>
which <01:54:23.080>are <01:
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Jan 28th, 2026
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- Replace lines 116 through 117 on page five with the following: Commission section 4, section 22-10B-7
- <00:09:29.360>
22-10B-7 and to and to repeal section 22-10B-7 and to and to repeal section - Replace lines 116 through 117 on page five with the following: Commission section 4, section 22-10B-7
- Replace lines 116 through 117 on page five with the following: Commission section 4, section 22-10B-7
- Sections one, two, three, and four.<00:10:17.920>
Section <00:10:18.240>six, <00:10:18.959
Bills:
SB54, SB126, SB128, SB101, SB102, SB104, HB282, HB298, SB54, SB126, SB128, SB101, SB102, SB104, HB282, HB298
Keywords:
sunset law, Alabama Surface Mining Commission, environmental regulation, mining, state commission, Alabama Private Investigation Board, regulatory oversight, agency review, continuation, sickle cell disease, healthcare, regulatory commission, public health, regulation, electrical contractors, state agencies, home medical equipment, board continuation, boards, commissions
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Banking & Insurance (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, I'm going to go through five sections to this bill.
- Section four reiterates that we are going to treat... section number two uh in this section section number
- first section it's about bill uh the first section it's about three<00:04:52.759>
pages <00:04 - technology as we move forward uh section technology as we move forward uh section two<00:05:01.800
- <00:05:26.479>
four protection laws uh section four protection laws uh section four reiterates
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and first introduced a guest before taking up House Bill 701, sponsored by Representative Adam Bowling. The committee adopted a committee substitute by voice vote. Bowling explained that the substitute removed the bill’s mining-related language and added clarification that the bill does not require anyone to accept digital assets as payment. The bill was described as a measure to modernize Kentucky’s approach to digital assets and blockchain technology, protect the right to hold and transact in digital assets, and clarify that certain crypto activities are not securities; it also preserves authority for the Attorney General to pursue fraud under existing consumer protection laws.
Members asked questions about why Kentucky should act before federal regulators fully resolve whether digital assets are securities or commodities, whether the bill affected local zoning authority, and how the measure addresses consumer protection and money laundering concerns. Bowling and a Coinbase representative said the bill is intended to provide clarity, align Kentucky with emerging federal developments, and avoid stifling innovation. They noted that Coinbase remains subject to federal AML/KYC rules and that recent federal litigation over staking and securities issues had been dismissed. Several members said they supported the bill as a way to put Kentucky in a leading position, while others expressed uncertainty about the security-versus-commodity question.
The committee then voted on House Bill 701 as amended by the substitute. The bill passed on a roll call vote, with most members voting yes. Representative Camuel passed, saying she wanted more time to understand the issue, and Representative Grossberg voted yes with reservations. Representative Hancock and others said the bill’s regulatory clarity and consumer protection aspects were important, and Representative Lockett said the measure would help Kentucky be ready once federal regulators decide how crypto should be classified.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 04/08/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So starting on page one, Section 1, this is Representative Meyers' House File 791, Section 2, designating
- These are changes requested by the Department of Administration: Sections 24 and 25 on page 14, Section
- 26 on page 15, and Section 27 on page 16.
- And there are a couple of sections later, but on Section 17, excuse me, page 17, we switch back to Vice
- Halfway down the page, Section 30.
Keywords:
HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 01/21/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Read the last section. >> Section 11, this act shall take effect immediately. >> Call the roll.
- >> READ THE LAST SECTION.
- >> SECTION 5, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. >> CALL THE ROLL.
- >> READ THE LAST SECTION.
- >> READ THE LAST SECTION.
Summary:
The Senate met on January 20, 2026, approved the Journal, and adopted the resolution calendar. It then took up Senate Resolution 1324, sponsored by Senator Stec, which memorializes the Governor to proclaim January 25-31, 2026, as Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals Week. Senator Stec described the work of medicolegal death investigators and recognized guests from several districts; the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship.
The Senate then considered a series of bills on the calendar, including measures amending the Insurance, Labor, Workers’ Compensation, Public Health, State Finance, State Technology, Environmental Conservation, Criminal Procedure, Executive, and Veteran Services laws. Most bills passed with broad support, though several drew negative votes from individual senators or small groups, including Calendar 34 (Insurance Law), Calendar 47 (Environmental Conservation Law), Calendar 61 (Public Health Law), and Calendar 74 (Veteran Services Law). Senator Murray briefly explained his support for Calendar 62, a Criminal Procedure Law bill, suggesting additional confirmation for victim notifications if email notice is expanded.
The Senate also discharged Assembly Bill 9436 from Rules and substituted identical Senate Bill 8773. After completing the calendar, the Majority Conference committee assignments were filed in the Journal. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, January 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated as legislative days.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- the legal representation in Section 2; and the venue section, Section 3, Subdivision 4.
- 13.82, and under that section.
- section.
- Let's see, what section are you looking at?
- So the intention in repealing Section 209.06 is that this section was put in back in the 50s, I believe
Keywords:
medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- We are deleting that section.
- House Bill 707 is<00:49:02.559>
section is section is section 224.<00:49:04.559>Uh, <00 - 396<00:57:38.319>
through section, bless you, section 396 through section, bless you, section - that's sections 396 to 403. that's sections 396 to 403.
- That's section 465.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:19:09.039>
Sections <00:19:09.760>one through the sections. - Sections one through the sections.
- >
adigent <00:19:15.840>and That's that section around adigent and That's that section - The last section of the bill that is not the effective dates is section 43, and this is, I think, why
- Now the last section of the bill that is not the effective dates is section 43, and this is, I think,
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- to one section.
- to one section.
- Section.
- to an RCW or a section.
- of another section.
Summary:
The Statute Law Committee met on December 10, 2025, approved the June 10, 2025 minutes, and received a publications update noting that the 2025 RCW volumes and session laws are available, with sales continuing a gradual decline but generally tracking prior years. The committee also heard that the office remains fully staffed and financially stable, with projected year-end funds remaining and a healthy publications fund balance.
A major discussion centered on a proposal from retired Judge Ann Levinson to make the code more reader-friendly when chapters are repealed and recodified, especially after the civil protection orders reform in E2 SHB 1320, which consolidated multiple protection order laws into new chapter 7.105 RCW. Levinson argued that current disposition-table language such as “repealed by” can be confusing to the public and may appear to signal legislative disapproval, and suggested adding a simple pointer to the new chapter. Code revisers explained their current practice, the limits of their editorial discretion, and the technical and policy concerns involved, while expressing support for some form of “see also” guidance and noting that hyperlinking session-law citations in disposition tables may also help readers find the new law.
The committee also discussed office operations, including a planned move from the modular offices back into the rebuilt Pritchard building, expected in late 2026, with improved space, storage, and enclosed offices. Staff proposed changing regular Monday-through-Thursday office hours from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. to 8 a.m.–7 p.m., with exceptions for active work, client requests, and floor action; the proposal was supported by a chart showing that many evenings have no work after 7 p.m., though late nights would still occur during busy periods. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of retiring staff, including editor Barb Sage after 37 years of service, and a farewell to Vice Chair Sam Thompson, whose successor had just been selected.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on H.F. 1141 - Omnibus Housing finance and policy provisions- 05/08/26
Transcript Highlights:
- On R6, on the House side, section one, this section will be imposing a limit on the Minnesota Housing
- <00:02:12.400>
one, on R6 on the house side section one, on R6 on the house side section one - , On the program money transfer section, section 6, section 22, R9, both bodies require the agency
- 16A section 28. 16A section 28.
- modify a section of law Section 30 would modify a section of law that<00:16:08.960>
prohibits
Summary:
The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs.
Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony.
Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- 12 this begins a series of section 12 this begins a series of sections<01:07:49.839>
from <01: - 1240 then on uh top of page 11 section 1240 then on uh top of page 11 section nine<01:08:52.759>
- Sections 24 and 25 are on page 14, section 26 is on page 15, and section 27 is on page 16.
- 24 and 25 on administration uh sections 24 and 25 on page page page 14<01:10:36.880>
section < - <01:10:47.800>
17 sections later but um on Section 17 sections later but um on Section 17
Keywords:
HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 5, February 13, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 398 do pass. Section 399 do pass. Section 72 do pass. Section 77 do pass.
- Section 80 do pass. Section 81 do pass. Section 85 do pass. Section 91 do pass. Section 96 do pass.
- Section 98 do pass. Section 101 do pass. Section 102 do pass. Section 103 do pass.
- Section 151 do pass. Section 157 do pass. Section 160 do pass. Section 205 do pass.
- Section 206 do pass. Section 211 do pass. Section 220 do pass. Section 270 do pass.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 16, extending the sunset for crossbow hunting. Section 17, repealing the shotgun zone.
- Section 17, repealing the hunting. Section 17, repealing the shotgun<00:02:16.160>
zone. - :20.720>
youth Section 18, authorize authorizing youth Section 18, authorize authorizing youth - Sections 35 through 39 decisions.
- continue working on the policy section. continue working on the policy section.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 21st, 2025 at 09:15 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 7, other funds.
- So that's what Section 11 does. Section 12 deals with the gas tax distribution.
- Section 14 is Section 14 is removed because that was the excise money that was going to be used from
- Section 21.
- Section 23 is the motor vehicle tax collection transmitted to the state treasurer, or from Section 15
Summary:
The committee met to consider Senate Bill 2012, the Department of Transportation budget, with Representative Brandenburg presenting a detailed House amendment package and Speaker Robin Weisz explaining the overall funding strategy. The discussion focused on restructuring transportation funding streams, including moving Prairie Dog money into a flexible transportation fund, adjusting gas tax distributions, increasing the legacy earnings transfer from 7% to 8%, and authorizing a $155 million bond for Highway 85. Members also discussed DOT operations, bridge funding, rest areas, electronic titling, and the use of funds for grants to counties, cities, and townships. A separate provision would let the DOT consider whether local ordinances or policies unreasonably restrict permitted agriculture or energy projects when scoring grant applications, which drew significant debate about local control and whether the language was punitive.
Testimony from Brandenburg and Weisz emphasized that the plan was intended to provide more predictable funding, preserve the ability to match federal dollars, and direct money where needs are greatest through a grant process. Weisz said the package was designed to simplify multiple revenue buckets, ensure DOT can meet federal match requirements, and free up money for the general fund while still supporting transportation needs. Several members raised concerns about whether cities, counties, and townships would receive as much as under the prior Prairie Dog structure, whether the bridge allocation was correctly reflected in the bill, and whether the local-policy language would penalize subdivisions that oppose energy projects. Supporters argued the state needed to protect revenue tied to energy development and that local governments would still receive distributions plus additional grant opportunities.
The committee adopted the House amendment to SB 2012 by a vote of 19-1-3, then rejected an amendment to remove the local-policy language on a 5-15-3 vote. The committee then passed SB 2012 as amended on a 20-0-3 vote, with Representative Brandenburg designated as the carrier. The chair announced that Senate Bill 2014 would not be taken up at that time and the committee recessed until called back.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It was previously in Section 48-09-03 and it's moved up to Section 1 for clarity.
- Section 3 is a section regarding security that's provided by the offeror.
- Section 1 of the bill.
- It was previously in Section 48-09-03, and it's moved up to Section 1 for clarity.
- The original language says all monies received under the provisions of this section and Section 48-09.01
Summary:
The task force approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, striking language about contracting with a security vendor. Members then reviewed a draft bill on concessions procurement (LC 27.0161), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, update language for vending and merchandising machines, and clarify where concession proceeds are deposited. OMB explained the bill and said it was open to further changes, including language to address artificial fragmentation, clarify which government entities are covered, and possibly set contract-length limits. Members raised questions about whether the bill would apply to school districts, park districts, airports, and other political subdivisions, and about whether concession agreements could direct proceeds to nonprofits or other secondary recipients; OMB said the statute is intended to require proceeds to go to the government entity’s operating fund or general fund.
OMB also reported on other survey suggestions. It said a proposed general authority for agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is best limited to high-volume agencies. On legal notices, OMB said it had made progress with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernizing online notices, improving ADA compliance, and discussing rate and definition changes. On click-through agreements, OMB and the Attorney General’s office concluded no statutory change was needed after revising internal guidance; the $20,000 threshold was described as a practical cutoff for adhesive, nonnegotiable software terms. OMB also said issues raised by the Center for Distance Education on alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures had been resolved through policy clarification.
The University System gave a brief update on its collaboration with OMB and said it was continuing to review concessions, surplus property, and capital project statutes with all institutions involved. The task force then discussed a draft bill on requirements for new or expanded spending, intended to require agencies to identify program purpose, needs, alternatives, success measures, and budget details, and to report on outcomes over time. Members and staff debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how much should be real-time versus periodic, and whether the bill should include full implementation costs for pilot programs. Legislative Council staff said the new program evaluation division is still being built out, that staffing remains limited, and that the office plans to continue working with OMB and the executive branch to refine the proposal before the next meeting. No final action was taken on the draft bills beyond directing further work and follow-up for the next meeting.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/12/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Read the last section. Section 5.
- Read the last section. Section 4.
- Read the last section. Section 2.
- Read the last section. Section 3.
- Read the last section. Section 2.
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the journal, and took up a series of motions to discharge identical Assembly bills to the Third Reading Calendar, along with committee reports and amendments. The chamber also received an introduction from Senator Gonzalez honoring Maria Raine and her advocacy for guardrails on AI chatbots after the death of her son, and later adopted a Rules Committee report sending several General Business Law bills directly to Third Reading. The resolution calendar was adopted with some exceptions, and the Senate recognized several previously adopted resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Barnabas McHenry, Arthur Jones Jr., Floyd Todd Peterson III, the Lexington School for the Deaf, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Apraxia Awareness Month, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, Prevention Week, Physician Anesthesiologists Week, and Golf Day in New York.
The Senate then considered and passed numerous bills, many on consumer protection and public policy topics. Measures included bills on General Business Law, Public Health Law, Correction Law, Environmental Conservation Law, Executive Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Public Officers Law, Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, Public Housing Law, Education Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills were laid aside, including a Public Health Law bill by Senator Fernandez and a Public Service Law bill by Senator Parker. The chamber also passed a concurrent constitutional resolution by Senator Stec proposing an amendment to Article 14.
During floor debate, senators explained votes on several measures. Senator Ramos spoke in support of paid sick leave for domestic workers, describing the bill as a long-overdue labor protection for a workforce historically excluded from such rights. Senator Fernandez described her bill as the Manufacturer Disclosure and Transparency Act, aimed at requiring notice and public disclosure of certain pharmaceutical patent settlement agreements to improve transparency and competition in prescription drug pricing. Senator Ryan and Senator Martins supported a bill restricting hidden algorithmic price manipulation online, and Senator May supported a bill limiting excessive rental car fuel charges as part of a broader consumer protection package. The Senate also passed a memorial highway bill naming a portion of Route 19 in LeRoy for Lieutenant Gary A. Scott, with Senator Borrello explaining the veteran’s service and sacrifice.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/26/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm going to do a really quick walkthrough of the sections of each section of the bill, and then Diana
- >
a <00:08:09.520>bank's Section three um clarifies a bank's Section three um clarifies - working on that um that section as well. working on that um that section as well.
- Section 10, I know, is one of the sections with an amendment related to this.
- those two sections. So, yeah. those two sections. So, yeah.
Keywords:
Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (3-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- On the second page of that memorandum, Sections 4 and 5, and Sections 28 and 29, being found on pages
- It is for clarification purposes. collected uh page four section three collected uh page four section
- second page of that memorandum sections second page of that memorandum sections four<00:35:42.960
- Are you referencing sections 11 through 14, tourism development, section one?
- one okay tourism development section one okay section section section one<00:53:15.400>
and <00
Keywords:
Meeting start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:12
SB 28 Discussion 00:01:33
SB 28 Vote 00:04:05
SJR 26 Discussion 00:05:32
SJR 26 Vote 00:07:10
HB 741 Discussion 00:08:30
HB 741 Vote 00:14:00
HB 544 Discussion 00:15:40
HB 544 Vote 00:28:15
HB 775 Discussion 00:31:20
HB 775 Vote 00:56:00
HJR 33 Discussion 01:00:25
HJR 33 Vote 01:01:40, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met on March 11, 2025, with a quorum present and first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 28. The bill would create a framework for using $5 million previously set aside for agricultural economic development through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, including loan and grant programs. Members asked about changes in the substitute, and the sponsor explained that it revised the board composition to include members with more experience in finance, lending, and economic development. SB 28 was approved 20-0 and reported favorably.
The committee then approved Senate Joint Resolution 26, which directs the Department for Medicaid Services to provide the Legislative Research Commission a report on pharmacist pay parity and the cost of allowing independent pharmacists and pharmacies to be reimbursed by Medicaid for services within their scope of practice. The sponsor and Kentucky Pharmacists Association representative described it as a request for information rather than a policy change. The resolution passed 20-0 and was reported favorably.
House Bill 741, relating to public water and wastewater systems, was next. The sponsor said the substitute incorporated Kentucky Infrastructure Authority recommendations, clarified best management practices, and allowed storm water inflow and groundwater infiltration reduction projects to be scored more fairly alongside water projects. Members discussed how the bill narrows eligibility to systems most in need and refines the scoring process for the program created last session. HB 741 passed 20-0, was reported favorably, and received a title amendment.
The committee also considered House Bill 544, a branch budget bill amendment creating a new SAFE fund for the most recent Eastern Kentucky flood disaster, indexed to the relevant presidential disaster declaration. The bill would allow state money and other funds to support local governments, utilities, school districts, and other eligible recipients for recovery costs, planning, and short-term liquidity, with reimbursement provisions if FEMA or other sources later pay. Members discussed the amount of available funding, the use of prior SAFE fund balances, and the emergency clause. HB 544 passed 20-0, was reported favorably, and a title amendment was adopted. The committee then began House Bill 775, relating to development areas, and adopted PHS 2 and a committee amendment; the sponsor started explaining the bill’s provisions on development areas, tax increment financing, brewers’ electronic filing, distilled spirits property tax language, income tax reduction conditions, tourism development incentives, and other tax-related sections, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.