Transcript Highlights:

• So even borrowers who are below the poverty line, or even earning zero dollars per year, will be required
• that would be available, the minimum monthly payment might be pretty low if their income drops to zero
• c><01:33:15.440><c> income</c><01:33:16.000><c> drops</c><01:33:16.400><c> to</c><01:33:16.560><c> zero
• </c><01:33:16.800><c> or</c><01:33:16.960><c> they're</c> their um income drops to zero or they're their
• um income drops to zero or they're below<01:33:17.360><c> the</c><01:33:17.520><c> poverty</c><01:33

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The grant amount was then reduced to $173,526, with zero funding received by Hal Maholu as of the submission
• This past June, AmeriCorps zeroed out $3.5 million of our federal funding, which should have started
• This past<01:40:43.600><c> June,</c><01:40:44.080><c> Americanore</c><01:40:44.639><c> zeroed</c><01:
• 40:44.960><c> out</c><01:40:45.199><c> $3.5</c> past June, Americanore zeroed out $3.5 past June, Americanore
• zeroed out $3.5 million<01:40:46.320><c> of</c><01:40:46.560><c> our</c><01:40:46.719><c> federal</c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk. Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience. Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• and they will not leave the states and go back to your first question, it will cost the Commonwealth zero
• and they will not leave the states and go back to your first question, it will cost the Commonwealth zero
• cost back to your first question it will cost the<01:43:36.880><c> commonwealth</c><01:43:37.760><c> zero
• /c><01:43:38.159><c> dollars</c><01:43:39.199><c> and</c><01:43:39.440><c> we</c> the commonwealth zero
• dollars and we the commonwealth zero dollars and we have<01:43:39.920><c> two</c><01:43:40.320><c> scholarships

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00:00 Approval of Minutes: 0:01:45 Federal Education Updates 0:02:12 Dual Credit Updates: 0:43:38 Kentucky State University's Doctoral Program Request: 01:27:08 Postsecondary Accreditation: 1:49:05 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 2:14:48 Adjournment 2:16:31, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Austin Reid of the National Conference of State Legislatures on education-related provisions in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). Reid said the law is projected to increase the federal deficit over 10 years, with major savings coming from Medicaid, student loan changes, and SNAP. He focused on how those changes could affect schools, including possible effects on free and reduced-price meal certification, state funding formulas that use SNAP as a proxy for low-income status, and Medicaid-funded school services for students with disabilities. Reid also outlined the new federal scholarship tax credit, which gives a dollar-for-dollar credit for donations to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations. He said families up to 300% of area median income may benefit, the program begins in 2027, and states must opt in and designate eligible organizations. He noted unresolved questions about whether states can add their own criteria and said Treasury regulations will be important. He also described the expansion of 529 plans to cover more K-12 and postsecondary expenses. On higher education, Reid explained a new workforce Pell grant option for short-term programs, with states and governors playing a role in determining eligible programs. He said the programs must meet placement, completion, and earnings measures and that implementation is expected to be tight before the July 1, 2026 effective date. He also reviewed student loan changes, including lower institutional loan limits, prorated borrowing for part-time enrollment, new caps on graduate and Parent PLUS loans, and a new earnings-based accountability standard that could make some programs ineligible for student loans if graduates earn too little. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Between that and trying to take some of the out-of-state waste, we don't, we can't zero it out.
• Between that and trying to take some of the out-of-state waste, we don't, we can't zero it out.
• the out of state waste, we don't<00:41:07.760><c> we</c><00:41:07.920><c> can't</c><00:41:08.079><c> zero
• </c><00:41:08.960><c> We</c><00:41:09.119><c> can't</c><00:41:09.359><c> fix</c> don't we can't zero
• We can't fix don't we can't zero it out. We can't fix it<00:41:09.760><c> overnight.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the analysis is supposed to be zeroed out, the calculation and the guardrails that the legislature
• this point, but you know, and we just got done with the discussion on math and this fiscal note says zero
• this fiscal the discussion on math and this fiscal note<00:49:16.160><c> says</c><00:49:16.400><c> zero
• But</c><00:49:18.160><c> when</c><00:49:18.400><c> these</c><00:49:18.640><c> extra</c> note says zero
• But when these extra note says zero.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to make sure they have some kind of stability to then move into usually a zero- or one-bedroom
• /c><01:36:47.280><c> into</c><01:36:48.159><c> usually</c><01:36:48.560><c> a</c><01:36:48.800><c> zero
• </c><01:36:49.119><c> or</c> then move into usually a zero or then move into usually a zero or one-bedroom

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting. The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings. Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we did take testimony on the entire notion that we have 5,000 kids in home study who we have zero
• that we did take testimony on the entire notion that we have 5,000 kids in home study who we have zero
• that we did take testimony on the entire notion that we have 5,000 kids in home study who we have zero
• kids</c><00:28:44.320><c> um</c> The entire notion that we have 5,000 kids in home study who we have zero

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• toward those with high Medicaid populations and much less of a reduction to those that have almost zero
• 59.240><c> almost</c> reduction to um those that have almost reduction to um those that have almost zero
• . zero. zero.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not like we're starting off from zero, but I think it needs to be refined so we're all on the same
• It's not like we're starting off from zero, but I think it needs to be refined so we're all on the same
• In fact, we've won two national awards the last two years for safety at our organization, with zero lost-time
• 36:37.000><c> our</c><01:36:37.120><c> organization</c><01:36:38.200><c> with</c><01:36:38.440><c> zero

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Surgeons: robotic surgery with zero tremor, perfect precision every time. Estimate around 2032.
• Surgeons robotic surgery<00:30:49.440><c> with</c><00:30:49.679><c> zero</c><00:30:50.080><c> tremor.
• </c><00:30:50.559><c> Perfect</c> surgery with zero tremor. Perfect surgery with zero tremor.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would take those mills to zero, so we just don't collect them. Zero.
• And then for owner occupied only, we collect zero of those 25 mills to make up the other piece.
• We collect zero of the 25 school mills to make up the other piece.

Bills: SF0110 , SF0044 , SF0046

Committee: House Revenue

Keywords: property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The harvest data shows zero acres in 2019 and only 9 acres in 2018, with no data available for 2020.
• So the harvest data shows zero<01:14:36.080><c> acres</c><01:14:37.360><c> uh</c><01:14:37.600><c> in
• :14:39.199><c> and</c><01:14:39.520><c> only</c><01:14:39.760><c> 9</c><01:14:40.080><c> acres</c> zero
• acres uh in 2019 and only 9 acres zero acres uh in 2019 and only 9 acres in<01:14:41.120><c> 20</c><

Bills: HB1974 , HB1853 , HB1973 , HB1574 , HB2619 , HB1966 , HB1643 , HB1671 , HB2558 , HB1854 , HB2173 , HB1575 , HB2229 , HB1535 , HB1978 , HB2508 , HB1549 , HB2187 , HB1550 , HB1977 , HB2314 , HB1871 , HB2319 , HB1591 , HB1858 , HB1898 , HB2372 , HB1765 , HB2012 , HB1706 , HB1962 , HB1963 , HB1975 , HB2009 , HB2083 , HB2224 , HB1877 , HB1959 , HB1626 , HB1665 , HB2488 , HB2456 , HB2548 , HB2207 , HB1832 , HB2079 , HB1985 , HB1618 , HB2486 , HB2242 , HB2045 , HB1703 , HB2236 , HB2480 , HB1976 , HB2287 , HB2288 , HB1777 , HB276 , HB1660 , HB1676 , HB1605 , HB1751 , HB1967 , HB2383 , HB2340 , HB1946 , HB2268 , HB1950 , HB2156 , HB2118 , HB1859 , HB1863 , HB1996 , HB2114 , HB2423 , HB2429 , HB2475 , HB2534 , HB2545 , HB1813 , HB1941 , HB2474 , HB2583 , HB1576 , HB1886 , HB1939 , HB2540 , HB2590 , HB2000 , HB2163 , HB2386 , HB1691 , HB1680 , HB2516 , HB1993 , HB2442 , HB1510 , HB1958 , HB1692

Keywords: HB1974, hearing loss, audiology, audiologist, hearing screening, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tele-audiology, communication access, assistive technology, speech-language pathology, deafness, hard of hearing, public health, kupuna, keiki, dementia, cognitive decline, fall prevention, State Health Planning and Development Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so they're not starting from ground zero.
• Um so so they're not starting from<00:58:07.359><c> ground</c><00:58:07.680><c> zero.
• c> then</c><00:58:09.599><c> you</c><00:58:09.839><c> can</c><00:58:10.000><c> see</c> from ground zero
• And then you can see from ground zero.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I used some of the credit I had and then paid the difference and zeroed it out.
• 01:15:56.800><c> the</c><01:15:56.960><c> difference</c><01:15:57.120><c> and</c><01:15:57.360><c> zeroed
• </c><01:15:57.679><c> it</c> then paid the difference and zeroed it then paid the difference and zeroed

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:00.960><c> Um</c><00:19:01.679><c> zero</c><00:19:02.080><c> through</c> special education
• Um zero through special education aid?
• Um zero through the<00:19:02.640><c> rough</c><00:19:03.200><c> $70,000</c><00:19:04.080><c> mark.
• If the balance in the education trust fund after the issuance of the warrant is less than zero, the state

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review and amend the minutes from its previous meeting, correcting the date, several spelling and wording errors, and clarifying references to a scholarship fund and a member’s title. The minutes were then approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair then turned to the commission’s work plan under SB 57, emphasizing the need to prioritize the statutory topics and identify which issues require additional research, documentation, and possible spreadsheets. Members discussed a broad range of special education cost drivers and policy questions, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, whether referrals increased after COVID school closures, intervention processes before referral, the cost of services required under IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal law, state law, and DOE rules, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, district sharing of resources, dispute resolution, graduation rates, and adult learning outcomes. Several members raised concerns that school environments, mental health, bullying, and possible overidentification may be contributing to rising special education numbers and costs, while others cautioned that some reported district percentages may be inflated or unclear because of how the data are counted. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid when state appropriations are insufficient and require the governor to draw a warrant to cover shortfalls. Representative Ames explained that the bill had been recommended for interim study because the commission is already examining special education costing, and he highlighted the gap between FY24 special education costs of about $977.1 million and state aid of $33.9 million for catastrophic aid, $67.4 million for differentiated aid, and $50.8 million in federal IDEA funds, leaving local districts to cover about $825.1 million. He argued the commission should ultimately make clear that both the federal government and the state should contribute more. The Department of Education, through Melissa White, answered questions about data and oversight. She said special education counts come from IEPs entered into the state system using SASIDs, that DOE monitors districts through both desk audits and on-site visits, and that billing is checked against the services listed in each student’s IEP. She also said DOE’s special education work is largely federally funded, with roughly $56.7 million received through IDEA this year and about $49.1 million flowing through to LEAs, while the department retains a small amount for administration and statewide support activities. Members also discussed how adequacy calculations use special education counts from the state system and how those figures are reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that we are really starting from zero as you know, Adam, about how many fortified roofs we
• So I think that we are really starting<00:54:17.680><c> from</c><00:54:17.839><c> zero</c><00:54:18.160
• as</c><00:54:18.559><c> you</c><00:54:18.720><c> know</c><00:54:18.880><c> Adam</c> starting from zero
• as as you know Adam starting from zero as as you know Adam about<00:54:19.760><c> uh</c><00:54:20.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they're reporting zero seclusion uses, they'd want to explore that.
• So if they're reporting zero seclusion uses, they'd want to explore that.
• If they're reporting zero seclusion uses, they'd want to explore that.
• c> for</c> It really did drop their need for restrictive procedure and seclusion, um, virtually to zero

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, what we've done, we've built this from ground zero working with our colleagues at the cabinet.
• what we've done, we've built this from what we've done, we've built this from ground<00:29:37.520><c> zero
• working</c><00:29:38.640><c> with</c><00:29:38.880><c> our</c><00:29:39.120><c> colleagues</c> ground zero
• working with our colleagues ground zero working with our colleagues at<00:29:39.760><c> the</c><00:29

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board’s fourth meeting focused primarily on a presentation from University of Kentucky and University of Louisville health leaders about the state university directed payment program. Mark Birdwhistle and Ken Marshall described the program as a long-running, value-based Medicaid arrangement that began in 2019, uses university-provided matching funds rather than provider taxes, and ties a portion of payments to quality outcomes. They said the program has improved measures such as tobacco cessation, diabetes control, depression screening, and cancer screening, while supporting access to specialty care, medical education, and workforce training. They also emphasized that Kentucky’s model is nationally notable and has helped improve health rankings and generate cost savings. A major topic was the federal reconciliation bill signed July 4, which the presenters said will reduce directed payments by 10% annually for 10 years beginning in 2028. UL Health estimated a first-year loss of about $75 million and a cumulative loss of about $600 million over the decade; UK estimated about $100 million in the first year, for a combined first-year impact of roughly $175 million. Both speakers warned the cuts could affect access to care, training capacity, and the sustainability of Kentucky’s value-based model, though they expressed hope that congressional action could alter or delay the changes. They also noted that 340B drug pricing changes could further strain already thin operating margins, but did not provide exact figures during the meeting. Committee members responded positively to the program’s reported outcomes and the institutions’ role in Kentucky health care. Senator Berg praised the quality of care and shared a personal example of being advised to stay at UofL for breast cancer treatment. Representative Moer highlighted Kentucky’s strong cancer-control score and asked for more explanation of the value-based payment structure; the presenters said the system is built around ongoing measurement, accountability, and collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended August 27 minutes by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were at a zero. You know, we were in the black. And since that time, we're negative $364,000.
• > We</c><01:34:54.080><c> were</c><01:34:54.159><c> at</c><01:34:54.320><c> a</c><01:34:54.480><c> zero
• We were at a zero. You pay off debt. We were at a zero.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the net cost across the two biennia is zero. the Browerville School District expected the Browerville
• So the net cost uh across the two bienia<00:13:53.680><c> is</c> bienia is bienia is zero.<00:13:55.600
• 57.600><c> a</c><00:13:57.920><c> provision</c><00:13:58.320><c> from</c><00:13:58.480><c> the</c> zero
• On line 63 is a provision from the zero.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all