Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much. hear from our people that yeah hear from our people that yeah caregiving<00:12:00.240
• credit of 3,000 to support the first credit of 3,000 to support the first 1,000<00:12:58.560>
• Tom we are not hearing you. I don't know Tom we are not hearing you.
• by hearing bills. by hearing bills.
• Um first um my name is Christine.

Bills: HB2488, HB2456

Keywords: disability, communication access, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, healthcare, sign language interpreters, auxiliary aids, weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, obesity, Medicaid, healthcare costs, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're hearing it's unconstitutional, we are the exact opposite opinion.
• Okay, Senator Beard, you go first.
• I think we're going to officially close the hearing on House Bill 1459. Too late. Too late.
• And whoever's first to the plate on this is going to be the winner.
• If memory serves me correctly, you did not act on that amendment during that committee hearing.

Bills: SB2339

Keywords: wildfire mitigation, utility liability, strict liability, electric utility, public service commission, PSC, rural electric cooperative, municipal utility, transmission provider, vegetation management, power lines, reclosers, electrical safety, wildfire prevention, grid reliability, public safety, first responders, ANSI A300, National Electrical Safety Code, community outreach

Summary: The Energy and Natural Resources Committee continued work on House Bill 1459, which concerns rare earth and critical mineral recovery from North Dakota lignite coal. Testimony from UND researcher Dan Ludo and industry representative David Straely focused on the urgency of developing the process quickly, the technical differences between extracting minerals from coal versus ash, and the potential value of elements such as terbium, dysprosium, gallium, germanium, and synthetic graphite. Straely argued the bill is constitutional, limited to minerals within the coal seam, and needed to avoid years of quiet title litigation and provide certainty for development and compensation to royalty owners. Committee members raised questions about landowner rights, compensation levels, possible amendments from the Department of Trust Lands, and whether the bill should be modified to address constitutional concerns or sunset provisions. No final action was taken on HB 1459; the chair said parties could work on language until Monday before the committee revisits it. The committee then returned to House Bill 1579, a high-load study bill with a possible energy infrastructure investment amendment. Jody Smith of the Retirement and Investment Office presented updated language adding guardrails for in-state infrastructure investing, including requiring approved projects to be underwritten and managed by a qualified investment manager or financial institution and to follow the Legacy Fund investment policy. Members discussed whether the amendment had been shared with the House sponsor and noted that the related bill 1330 was still pending, so HB 1579 was being held for the time being. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1566, which had an amendment from the Agriculture Commissioner’s office. The committee adopted the amendment 7-0, then passed a due-pass motion on the amended bill and referred it to Appropriations, also by a 7-0 vote. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal impact, including an estimated $580,000 for two FTEs over two years, and clarified that the study component remains in the bill. Senator Gerhardt was assigned to carry the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would establish the crime of interference with a first responder after receiving a... a first
• harasses the first responder.
• the first responder.
• I would like to conduct the public hearing first and then we will take questions from members.
• I didn't hear you. Is... I'm sorry, I didn't hear you.

Bills: HB403, HB224

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, HB224, Alabama, obstructing governmental operations, first responder, emergency responder, police, firefighter, EMT, paramedic, public safety, harassment, interference with emergency personnel, crime, Class A misdemeanor, emergency scene

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXRFEmbTG7k, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Due to technical issues the first part of this meeting did not live stream. It was recovered from a backup and loaded in it's entirety here: https://youtu.be/52OJuGRkaw8, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• day, very first day of pre-filing.
• When was the first time you found out about this legislation?
• First, thank you for reaching out to the author early on. Appreciate that, Ms. Gonzalez.
• Um, and so I, I hear what you're saying and I agree with what a lot of you're saying.
• Hearing none, the committee stands adjourned, subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB 279, HB 310, HB 365, HB 391, HB 420, HB 422, HB 638

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair hears none, and the bill is left pending.
• However, tax rate hearing... must be held in person.
• They know that for the. first four, five, or six years.
• Chair hears none. The bill is left pending.
• At the end of today's hearing. Thank you, sir.

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• day, very first day of pre-filing.
• When was the first time you found out about this legislation?
• First, thank you for reaching out to the author early on. Appreciate that. Ms.
• Clearly, he's got a vision. hear what he's trying to accomplish.
• Hearing none the chair recognizes Mr. Tepper to close on the bill. Thank you.

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• The comment period for today's agenda items will... ...of this hearing.
• But yet they only have a newspaper that publishes the hearings' notices once a week.
• The chair hears none. The bill is left pending.
• You got it right the first time. I got it right the first time.
• Hearing none... The committee stands adjourned, subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB3557, HB5578, SB973, SB974, SB2068, SB2073

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, incomplete structure, human occupancy, tax exemption, HB 5578, Texas Tax Code, Section 6.062, appraisal district, county appraisal district, chief appraiser, budget hearing, public notice, notice of hearing, newspaper publication, website notice, social media notice, online newspaper, county government, property appraisal

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, can you hear me there? Okay.
• First off, started at 10 years with no exceptions.
• It may have been my first session. Maybe second.
• First, TACA requested the standard permits.
• If anyone else in the room in this room in Part one can hear me well, you can hear me clearly.

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• but I've yet to have actually backed the committee substitute from. 30 We actually have to have the hearing
• I believe the Railroad Commission is required to oversee the plugging of those wells no matter 97 first
• Okay, um, Senator, uh, Senator Hancock recommends that the bill be reported. 123 hearing and seeing none
• Hearing and seeing none, the committee stands in recess, subject to call of the chair.

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the bill is left pending. Members, we're going to hear one of my bills.
• The first witness we have is Freedman.
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted.
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted.
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted.

Bills: HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023, SB 36

Keywords: employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense, registration, public safety, violent offenses, criminal database, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the bill is left pending.
• When I first drafted H.C.R. 118, the president had called it H.C.R. 118 and public appearances for an
• Hearing none, the bill is left pending.
• Hearing none, the bill is left pending.
• So that was our first test. We began.

Bills: SB 36, HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax, employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any appearance forms on the amendment?
• to have open hearings and open requirements about making sure that... ...to have open hearings and open
• Are there any appearance forms? There are?
• We have confirmation hearings on a series of appointments.
• We have confirmation hearings on a series of appointments.

Bills: S1622, S1178

Keywords: financial disclosure, statement of financial interests, ethics, late filing, late-filed disclosure, automatic fine, waiver, Florida Commission on Ethics, public officials, state officers, local officers, state employees, ethics enforcement, government transparency, sunshine law, reporting persons, penalty reduction, first-time offender, election ethics, general revenue fund

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Garcia. The bill would expand state restrictions on foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including creating a state registration framework for foreign agents, banning gifts to public officials from covered foreign entities, requiring ethics training on foreign influence, tightening procurement limits for information technology and critical infrastructure, restricting sister-city/sister-state encouragement, revising linkage institute rules and tuition provisions, and criminalizing certain conduct tied to foreign governments or unauthorized enforcement of foreign law. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect election technology, software development, federal foreign-agent registration, educational exchanges, and the treatment of organizations such as CARE; the sponsor said the bill focused on ownership/control and foreign countries of concern, not specific components or general participation in events. An amendment by Senator Grall was adopted to clarify definitions, align penalties with willful violations, and specify that new ethics training content is additive. The committee then heard supportive testimony from Kelly Curry of State Armor and Rob Pierce of American Global Strategies, both of whom argued the bill would help Florida counter foreign influence, protect data and infrastructure, and improve transparency. CS for SB 1178 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure under specified conditions, including that the filer submitted the disclosure before the maximum fine accrued and had not previously received such a waiver. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified in support, saying the bill preserves transparency and compliance goals while making the fine and appeals process more workable. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. Finally, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments in tabs 3 through 26. No separate votes were requested, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointees was recommended favorably to the full Senate by roll call vote. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• It being our first session, I'll go over some of the general conduct stuff that we do every session.
• Uh, first, we got two bills on the agenda today. Um HB 40 by Representative Gray.
• First, we got two bills on the agenda today. HB 40 by Representative Gray.
• Uh, first, we got two bills on the agenda today. Um HB 40 by Representative Gray.

Bills: SB19, HB40, HB27, HB40, HB27, HB40, HB27

Keywords: contraceptive rights, healthcare access, civil action, Attorney General, contraception enforcement, prostate cancer, health insurance, screening, high risk, cost-sharing, African American men, savings accounts, catastrophe, emergency funds, financial security, state laws, criminal justice, parole, Board of Pardons and Paroles, risk assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very surprised to hear the testimony that she submitted an application and that she did not hear
• Can I go back to the first thing I said?
• So, I hear that.
• And I'm not hearing the argument for it.
• Let's start with the first one.

Bills: HB 265, HB25

Keywords: youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid, public health, child protection, camp operator, camp counselor, Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very surprised to hear the testimony that she submitted an application and that she did not hear
• So I, I hear that.
• And I'm not hearing the argument for it.
• So it does appear the order is.
• Um, so let's start with the first one.

Bills: HB 265, HB25

Keywords: youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid, public health, child protection, camp operator, camp counselor, Health and Safety Code

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOmICMkM7U4, 2026-06-21T07:17:07+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:49 Importance of Utilities in Economic Development 00:01:56 Making Kentucky First in Good Business 00:55:39, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itiR7wEDfls, 2026-06-21T07:17:01+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Due to technical issues the first part of this meeting did not live stream. It was recovered from a backup and loaded in it's entirety here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugWHsqc67Qg, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO5RHfooI7E, 2026-06-21T07:16:59+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Due to Technical issues the first part of the meeting was not live streamed. LRC staff have loaded the complete meeting as it would have appeared during the live stream here., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• First I'd like Thank you Mr. Chairman.
• who utilize the services is the first who utilize the services is the first question.<00:26:16.000
• The first I mentioned earlier is the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund.
• First question is why wasn't that included?
• the in lieu mitigation program first the in lieu mitigation program first began,<00:54:35.560>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:26 Approval of Minutes 00:02:27 LIHEAP Presentation and Public Hearing 00:02:42 Conservation Opportunities in Kentucky 00:29:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide. Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify. After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.