Transcript Highlights:

• And it increases the price of the project.
• Or if they never put the reactor online, then there would be a clawback to ratepayers.
• The other was if the item was never placed online.
• And you've said that these modular reactors can be put online within three years, right?
• Well, that's what we know online.

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• in 99% of all annual report filings online.
• Together, the price tag was about $2.5 million from our special revenue fund.
• We let them pay online. We let them bring personal checks.
• No online bidding for $25 million over the tax.
• We don't have any ability to do online bidding. Why are you selling them?

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State’s office described its FY27 budget, emphasizing efficiency gains from technology, election security work, and business services. It said it is operating with fewer staff than a decade ago, but rising costs and outdated statutory fees are creating deficits in service of process and other operations. The office asked the committee to consider either increasing fees or allowing it to retain a larger share of business-service revenue, and it also proposed creating an Office of Entrepreneurship to help small businesses navigate state government, grants, permits, and related services. Committee members questioned the Secretary of State’s office about fee increases, the current 50-50 split of certain revenues with general revenue, and whether the proposed entrepreneurship office would duplicate existing services. The office said it would complement, not replace, Commerce, SBDC, or grant programs, and would report metrics and policy recommendations to the legislature. The Attorney General then requested a one-time $2 million special revenue appropriation to hire additional lawyers and support staff, citing increased litigation, federal and state legal work, and the need to defend new laws. He also discussed embedded DMV lawyers handling DUI revocation hearings and said the arrangement costs the office just over $200,000. The State Auditor reported that his office is largely self-funded through special revenue and said he wants to reduce reliance on general revenue over time. He highlighted savings from renegotiated leases and an open government contract, discussed the need for more auditors in the Chief Inspector’s Division, and described fraud recovery and P-card operations. A major topic was delinquent land sales: the auditor said the office sold about 17,000 parcels last year and believes online bidding and better marketing could generate substantially more revenue, with the surplus potentially shared among counties, the state, and other programs. Members also asked about securities fee changes, fairness hearings, fire department audits, IT/cybersecurity, and how surplus proceeds from delinquent land sales should be handled. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's some Redfin data that the median sales price in 2023 of a condo in Seattle was $250,000 less
• There's some Redfin data that the median sales price in 2023 of a condo in Seattle was $250,000 less
• I think we'll go ahead and hear from OIC, and then we'll go to the rest of our online testifiers.
• We'll hear from Dan and then Mike online. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• We'll hear from Dan and then Mike online. Thank you, Chair Taylor.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2239, which would allow family burial grounds on privately owned land and exempt them from private cemetery requirements, while imposing limits such as recording burials with the county auditor, setbacks, and a cap on the burial ground covering no more than 10% of the parcel. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help rural landowners and families, including Native communities, keep burials on land with family and cultural significance. Testimony from a farmer and the Washington Cattlemen’s Association strongly supported the bill as a way to honor family ties to land. A question was raised about what happens if a later property owner wants to disturb an existing burial ground; staff said the bill requires notice but is silent on that issue. No action was taken on HB 2239 in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2304, a follow-up to last year’s condominium liability reform, expanding the option for declarants to use a 2-10 warranty for stacked-flat or mid-rise condominium buildings up to four stories. Supporters from housing, real estate, builders, AARP, Habitat for Humanity, the City of Seattle, and others said the bill would reduce liability barriers, increase condo production, and create more attainable and accessible homeownership options for first-time buyers, older adults, and people with mobility challenges. The Office of Insurance Commissioner supported the bill but suggested technical language changes to avoid referring to the warranty as insurance. Members asked about consumer protections and the distinction between warranties and insurance, and staff and testifiers noted existing layers of protection. No vote was taken on HB 2304 in the transcript. In executive session, staff summarized House Bill 2095 on vulnerable users of public ways and House Bill 2248 on Secretary of State filing processes. For HB 2095, staff described a proposed substitute and several amendments, including changes to education requirements, civil liability language, protected areas, punitive damages thresholds, and liability rules. For HB 2248, staff said the proposed substitute made cleanup and consistency changes to corporate filing provisions. The committee then moved the proposed substitute for HB 2248 out of committee with a due pass recommendation, and it passed 11-0 with two excused members. Action on HB 2095 was deferred to a later date.

Transcript Highlights:

• five times higher than the price of California.
• in utility prices in New York have been caused by the price of natural gas, not renewables.
• IN UTILITY PRICES IN NEW YORK HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE PRICE OF NATURAL GAS. NOT RENEWABLES.
• price of natural gas.
• Those are the things raising energy prices, right.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• has done for all prices.
• Competition, competitive prices in 2024 compared to monopoly prices in 1996 are considerably lower, in
• Oh. with it online. I never had anyone come to my door.
• The rates, the wholesale prices that they had to purchase.
• The war in Ukraine and the squeeze on natural gas prices.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone else in person or online who'd like to testify on this measure?
• </c><00:11:37.880><c> who'd</c> Anyone else in person or online who'd Anyone else in person or online
• </c> for MAC pricing if needed. for MAC pricing if needed.
• We share the goal of protecting online.
• </c><00:44:59.800><c> without</c> ways to protect kids online without ways to protect kids online without

Bills: SB2433 , SB2047 , SB2425 , SB3045 , SB2761 , SB3001 , SB2852 , SB2471

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2433 SD1 relating to condominiums, which would direct the condominium education trust fund toward educational resources for unit owners and require the Real Estate Commission to ensure owners’ interests are represented in funded activities and related rulemaking. Supporters, including the Hawaii Real Estate Commission and a condominium owner advocate, said owners need a seat at the table in condo governance and education efforts. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was necessary, with the Real Estate Commission indicating it could already use the trust fund for owner education and that owners are already considered stakeholders, though not through a specific commission seat. No vote was taken during the excerpted discussion. The committee then took up SB 2047 SD2 HD1 on pharmacy benefit managers, which would set requirements for maximum allowable cost reimbursement, allow reverse-and-rebill claims after successful appeals, and authorize fines for violations. The Insurance Division offered comments, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association supported the measure with amendments and suggested future PBM reform funding, and Kaiser Permanente requested a technical amendment. A committee question raised whether the staffing and resource request for implementation was too large for a bill focused only on MAC pricing, and the witness said he would provide more data to the next committee. No final action was shown. Next was SB 2425 SD2 HD1 on health insurance and substance use disorder treatment, requiring insurers to honor written assignments of benefits to SUD providers and prohibiting anti-assignment clauses. Supporters described patients being unable to access treatment because of high out-of-pocket costs and said direct payment would reduce harm for people in recovery. HMSA opposed the bill but said it would begin direct payments to non-participating SUD facilities effective March 27, while continuing to object to the assignment-of-benefits portion because of fraud and balance-billing concerns; the Hawaii Association of Health Plans also opposed. Members questioned HMSA about reimbursement mechanics and why the bill was needed if coverage policies were already changing. Finally, the committee heard SB 3045 SD1 HD1, which would require coverage of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies, including for Medicaid managed care, under certain conditions. DHS and the Insurance Division offered comments, while SHPDA, Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation, and others supported the bill, citing inconsistent access and a case in which a woman allegedly died after being denied a CGM. HMSA said it already covers medically necessary CGMs and had updated its policy in 2025 for type 1 and insulin-dependent patients, but it raised concerns about expanding mandated coverage to type 2 and gestational diabetes and about supply impacts. The committee also discussed whether the bill duplicated existing coverage standards and why it had been introduced repeatedly. No votes or final dispositions were included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The prices that they have marked on the shelves are not the same price that people are paying at the
• He gave the price of an F-150 as $48,134 and said the Durango is $42,000.
• The F-150 is priced at 48,134, and like we said, the Durango, 42.
• And when we hire these folks, it takes about three years to get them online.
• Twenty years after boats have been online, twenty-five years after boats have been online, not as many

Summary: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway presented the Office of the Attorney General’s FY 2027 budget request and outlined her office’s priorities: reducing violent crime, targeting illegal and unregulated activities she described as a “vice squad” focus, protecting Missourians from fraud, and improving the office’s legal work. She highlighted major cases and enforcement efforts, including litigation over insulin pricing, Dollar General pricing practices, a criminal prosecution in Hermann, the Jackson County assessment dispute, and a new lawsuit involving Misha’s board policy. Committee members asked about cybercrime enforcement, cooperation with federal authorities, VLTs, ballot and referendum litigation, and the office’s approach to diversity-related legal issues. Hanaway said cybercrime and no-call enforcement rely heavily on multi-state and federal cooperation, and she emphasized that many cases begin with citizen reports. Members also questioned the cost and scope of ongoing election-related litigation, including redistricting and referendum cases, and Hanaway said her office is defending the laws and ballot processes as required. She estimated roughly $600,000 in staff time over about six months for the referendum/redistricting work combined. Several members raised concerns about the Misha lawsuit and whether similar statutory provisions elsewhere in state government could raise the same legal issues; Hanaway responded that the case involved a board rule, not a statute, and turned on whether the requirement functioned as a quota. The committee also discussed child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, Medicaid fraud, and the use of outside counsel and pro hac vice fees. Hanaway said the office is using non-GR funds where possible and is not requesting pay increases this year. The Missouri Office of Prosecution Services then presented its budget. Officials explained that MOPS trains and supports prosecutors statewide, including on DWIs, child sex cases, and new prosecutor training, and that its budget request matches the governor’s recommendation. Members asked about support for local prosecutors, the nine counties without elected prosecutors, and the new conviction integrity unit; staff said the unit’s positions were shifted between line items and that the office can help answer prosecutorial questions through its general counsel. The committee then moved to the Department of Public Safety budget. DPS reviewed funding for crime victims notification, law enforcement recruitment and retention, drug task forces, academy scholarships, Blue Star grants, local crime prevention, school safety, World Cup security, 988 trainings, wastewater testing in schools, and other programs. Members asked about the $59 million federal FIFA World Cup grant, school safety app funding, and wastewater testing participation; DPS said the World Cup funds require no state match, the app funding is being phased out, and schools opted into the testing program. The committee recessed before finishing the DPS book, with plans to return later.

Transcript Highlights:

• school, GEMP Online.
• online...
• school, GEMP Online.
• online...
• Online model, which IHLA, I succeed, other entirely online models, and they would not be available for

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• You can go to your heart's content and look at this committee meeting all you want online at OKsenate.go
• And if we believe in the free market, fixed pricing is not helpful.
• And while I do agree that there could be a list of prices that the patient could pay, there might be
• a situation in which a dentist negotiates with a patient who's not even able to pay that list price.
• When those spirits come into the state that are ordered online, the state gets no excise tax.

Bills: SB1732 , SB1217 , SB1443 , SB1455 , SB1457 , SB1459 , SB1465 , SB1944 , SB1946 , SB1218 , SB1942 , SB1352 , SB2132 , SB1920 , SB1285 , SB1304 , SB1305 , SB1326 , SB1590 , SB1767

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: professional licensing, licensing fees, home inspection, home inspector, Construction Industries Board, CIB, contractor license, journeyman license, apprentice registration, alarm endorsement, code inspector, electrical license, plumbing license, mechanical license, permit fees, renewal fee, reciprocity, poultry house contractor, poultry house wiring, environmentally controlled poultry house

Transcript Highlights:

• But one carrier might provide Plan G at a cheaper price.
• But one carrier might provide Plan G at a cheaper price.
• So they'd keep their same set of benefits, but at a cheaper price.
• So you can find it online. It just got the memorial versus bill got missed.
• I will go online. I have Dana, Dick, and Barbara. Go ahead, Dana.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 21, as amended, which would create an annual birthday-based open enrollment period for Medicare supplement policyholders age 65 and older, allowing them to switch to equal or lesser coverage without medical underwriting. The Aging and Long-Term Services Department and the Office of Superintendent of Insurance supported the bill as a consumer protection measure for seniors who are locked into rising premiums, while AHIP opposed it, warning it could raise premiums for existing policyholders. The League of Women Voters and AARP supported the measure. After debate over premium impacts and market stability, the committee voted 6-4 to give SB 21 a due pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 20, dealing with prior authorization for medications used to treat serious mental illness. An amendment to change the bill from limiting prior authorization to once every three years to once every 12 months was debated; insurers supported the annual review, while nursing, disability, and mental health advocates argued that more frequent prior authorization would add burden and delay care. The committee tabled the amendment 5-4, then passed the unamended bill on a do pass vote. Testimony emphasized that the bill would not change how often patients see their doctors, only how often insurers can require prior authorization. Next, Senate Bill 101 was heard, which repeals the delayed sunset of the Health Care Delivery and Access Act so the hospital provider tax can continue. Sponsors and the Health Care Authority said the program has generated substantial federal matching funds and supports hospitals, especially rural facilities. AARP, Health Action New Mexico, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and the New Mexico Hospital Association supported the bill. Committee members asked about how funds are distributed and reported; the agency said distributions are based on Medicaid discharges and hospitals must report on spending. The bill received a do pass. The committee also approved House Memorial 52, which requests a study group on health insurance premium affordability for working families and small employers. Supporters from Blue Cross and Blue Shield and AHIP said the memorial would help identify cost drivers and improve transparency. The committee then passed House Bill 132, as amended, creating a workers’ compensation presumption for certain occupational conditions affecting police officers. Supporters from labor, state police, OSI, and business groups said it would help recruitment, retention, and recovery, while members discussed the removal of back pain from the presumption and the reinstatement of PTSD. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 14, which expands the state’s health professional loan repayment program and creates a broader advisory structure to address workforce shortages. The bill would cover physicians and many other health professions, with a large appropriation and special provisions for part-time service and loan repayment terms. The sponsor described it as a competitive recruitment tool, and numerous health care, labor, and consumer groups testified in support. The sponsor also described a proposed amendment to reallocate physician funds to other eligible health professionals if there are not enough qualified physician applicants, but the committee was preparing to move on when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The most important factor in an insurance transaction is the price.
• The price that the client pays and the performance of the entity providing the services are what matter
• The individual factors that make up that price aren't really significant in that there's a variety of
• different sales mechanisms in the insurance business, and those price factors differ widely, but in
• the end, the price is just about the same.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• These high prices are causing people, particularly younger families, to leave our state.
• Our housing shortage requires more housing supply at all price points. Exactly.
• We have sky-high home prices and have experienced a higher increase in housing prices in Massachusetts
• So yes, we’ve had a surge, a recent surge in housing coming online.
• Is there anyone else here, either present in the room or online, who signed up to testify?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on zoning, Chapter 40B, and related housing bills. Much of the testimony focused on the “Yes in My Backyard” bill (H. 1572/S. 962), which would expand by-right development of missing middle housing, reduce barriers such as minimum lot sizes and parking mandates, and support duplexes, triplexes, and other small-scale housing. Supporters included housing advocates, developers, local officials, and municipal leaders from places like Cambridge, Salem, and Braintree, who argued that state action is needed because local zoning often blocks needed housing and that the bill would help create more affordable, neighborhood-compatible homes. Several witnesses also backed a companion “Yes in God’s Backyard” bill (H. 2347), which would allow faith-based institutions to build housing on their property by right, with testimony emphasizing the potential for new units, added municipal tax revenue, and partnerships between religious organizations and housing developers. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 1021 to modernize Chapter 40R incentives. Senator Pavel Payano and others said the program’s payments have not kept pace with inflation since 2004 and should be increased to better encourage smart-growth zoning near transit and town centers. Another major topic was H. 2298 on site plan review, which would codify and standardize the process in state law. Rep. Kristin Kassner and witnesses from MAPC and NAIOP said current site plan review practices vary widely across the state, creating confusion, delays, and litigation, while a uniform framework would give municipalities clearer tools to review by-right projects without undermining local oversight. The hearing also included testimony on Chapter 40B reform, including S. 1005 and H. 1537. One witness supported further review of 40B and stronger regional planning, while another backed a proposal to allow certain pre-2010 40B condominium owners to sell at market value under a framework that would recapture some of the subsidy benefits. Committee members asked several questions about local zoning changes, housing goals by county, and how the proposed bills would affect communities. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs indicated that written testimony would be welcomed for technical details and additional comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The procurement of materials takes longer, which actually leads to increases in pricing.
• Our National Association releases annually a priced-out data point.
• priced out of that market.
• And we're already in a very price-constrained market.
• And lastly, home prices are a concern. They're also a function of an incredibly complex market.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on comprehensive plan implementation, permitting reform, and subdivision and infrastructure coordination. Pierce County and the City of Redmond described their recent comprehensive plan updates, emphasizing major efforts to add housing capacity, middle housing, transit-oriented development, climate and shoreline protections, and preservation of existing affordable housing. Both jurisdictions said the work took years and required extensive public engagement, and both stressed that frequent statutory changes, late-issued state guidance, and overlapping review requirements created “implementation fatigue” and added cost and delay. Redmond in particular said mid-course legislative changes forced supplemental environmental review and additional analysis, while Pierce County asked for more technical assistance and more consistent guidance across agencies and neighboring jurisdictions. On permitting, an architect from AIA Washington, WABO, and the Master Builders Association argued that delays in plan review and subdivision approvals are a major driver of housing costs. They described long review timelines, repeated comment cycles, and inconsistent local processes as barriers that increase financing, labor, and weather-related costs and can cause projects to stall or be canceled. Proposed solutions included provisional or phased approvals for certain housing projects, stronger use of pre-application meetings, clearer and more objective standards, self-certification by licensed professionals in limited cases, and limits on repeated review cycles. WABO and local officials cautioned that pre-application and phased-review processes can help but require staff time and careful coordination, and they noted that many delays actually arise earlier in land use, environmental, or utility review rather than the final building permit stage. The Department of Commerce and consultant Clay White presented preliminary recommendations from a task force on integrating special purpose districts into Growth Management Act planning. The task force recommended earlier and broader notification of water, sewer, school, port, and other service providers during countywide planning policy updates, comprehensive plan amendments, permit notices, and grant applications; better coordination of utility and transportation capital projects; possible GIS tools to share capital facility plans; more regular updating of coordinated water system plans; and stronger alignment of school siting and funding with anticipated growth. They said the recommendations were intentionally light-touch because local governments are already absorbing many new requirements and because independent districts are reluctant to give up decision-making authority. Finally, FutureWise and the City of Spokane discussed subdivision reform. They supported administrative approval of subdivisions in urban growth areas, retention of key notice and access protections, and clearer rules for exemptions such as boundary line adjustments and estate-related lot divisions. Spokane described local reforms such as smaller minimum lot sizes, unit lot subdivisions, and reduced-process short plats for simple infill, while warning against additional notice requirements and appeals to city councils for technical plat decisions. Speakers repeatedly urged the committee to avoid adding major new mandates while local governments are still implementing recent housing and planning laws.

Transcript Highlights:

• The procurement of materials takes longer, which actually leads to increases in pricing.
• Our National Association releases a priced-out data point annually.
• In Washington, for every $1,000 increase in the median price of a home, almost 2,000 households are priced
• And we're already in a very price-constrained market.
• And lastly, home prices are a concern. They're also a function of an incredibly complex market.

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on comprehensive plan updates, permitting reform, special purpose district coordination, and subdivision reform. Pierce County and the City of Redmond described their recent comprehensive plan updates, emphasizing housing production, transit-oriented development, middle housing, preservation of affordable housing, and the need for technical assistance and clearer state guidance. Both jurisdictions said the planning process took years and was complicated by overlapping state requirements, changing legislative mandates, and multiple review authorities. Redmond in particular said mid-course legislative changes forced supplemental environmental review and added significant cost and delay, and both local governments asked for more stability, clearer statutes, and better-aligned timelines. Presenters from the architecture, building official, and development sectors focused on permitting delays and proposed ways to speed housing delivery. Dave Boucher of AIA Washington argued for a provisional construction permit process for projects stamped by licensed professionals, along with mandatory deadlines and fewer stalled review cycles. Tim Woodard of WABO described existing tools such as pre-application meetings and phased approvals, noting they can improve certainty but also require staff time and careful coordination. Representatives from Master Builders and D.R. Horton said permit and subdivision delays add substantial cost to housing, citing studies showing months of delay and tens of thousands of dollars added per home, and urged administrative approvals, concurrent review, self-certification, and limits on repeated review cycles. The committee also reviewed a Commerce-led task force report on integrating special purpose districts into Growth Management Act planning. The task force recommended early invitation and notice to water, sewer, school, port, and other service providers during countywide planning policy and comprehensive plan updates, better coordination on grants and capital projects, updated water system coordination plans, and improved school siting and funding alignment in fast-growing areas. Speakers stressed that the recommendations were intended to be light-touch and focused on better communication rather than major statutory overhaul, while also noting that rural and slow-growing areas should not be burdened with the same requirements as rapidly growing jurisdictions. On subdivision reform, FutureWise and the City of Spokane discussed making more subdivision decisions administrative, preserving vesting, clarifying exemptions, and reducing unnecessary notice and appeal steps. Spokane described local reforms such as smaller minimum lot sizes, unit lot subdivisions, and reduced-process “minor engineering review” for simple plats, while raising concerns about new notice requirements and appeals to city councils for technical plat decisions. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the theme that local governments, builders, and state agencies need clearer, more coordinated rules to reduce delay and uncertainty while still protecting safety and planning goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dolan, Fowler, Hales, Harbison, Jobe, Keathley, Murphy, Overcast, Price, Taylor, Van Schoiack, Warwick
• It was something that came out of the, you can go look online, Securities Exchange Commission.
• Price? Taylor? No. Aye. Price? Taylor? No. Ben's going? Aye. Warwick? Williams? Yes.
• Price? No. Van Schoiack? Aye. Warwick? Williams? Aye.
• Price? Taylor? No. Van Schoiack? Aye. Warwick? Williams? Aye. Warwick. Williams? Aye.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• THE ORANGE LINE IS REPRESENTING THE MEDIAN SALES PRICE.
• NOW WE HAVE THE MEDIAN PRICE FOR FLORIDA IN ORANGE HERE AGAIN.
• THE MEDIAN PRICE HAS GONE UP FROM 2022 – 2024 FROM THE STATE AND THE NATION.
• WE HAVE SEEN A FLATTENING IN THE SALES PRICES.
• SINCE 2022, THE PRICES IN BOTH THE STATE AND THE NATION HAS RISEN.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is one more item that, Representative, you should take into account, which is the price.
• There was a big price drop from 2023, basically, or 2022 to 2024 and 2025.
• So, plus the price drop over the last two, three years. Thank you.
• And then plus the price drop over the last two, three years, that has coalesced into...
• Of course, you know, the price of oil as a whole is important.

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• So that drives the price up because of how special that project is. If that helps. No, no, no, no.
• So that drives the price up because of how special that project is. If that helps. No, no, no, no.
• So that drives the price up because of how special that project is. If that helps. No, no, no, no.
• So that drives the price up because of how special that project is. If that helps. No, no, no, no.
• So, you know, that drives the price up because of how special that project is. If that helps.

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100, then heard from the Kentucky Department of Tourism on a contract with the United Kingdom and other European markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar international marketing contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the work includes marketing, public relations, familiarization trips, and media outreach. After questions about costs and effectiveness, the contract was approved by roll call. Members then reviewed Finance Cabinet facilities contracts 29 and 48 for engineering and architectural services tied to project design, including a specialized lab expansion project. The chair raised concerns that the fees seemed high for services that do not include construction, while the agency explained the work covers design for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural planning, and that the lab project’s specialized pathogen-related work limits the pool of firms. The committee voted to approve the contracts. The Attorney General’s office then presented an opioid abatement agreement. Senator Meredith asked how the commission coordinates with other state behavioral health efforts, and staff explained that the commission allocates settlement funds based on applications and includes related agency representation to help avoid duplication. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a behavioral health contract for 988 chat and text services, which will expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage to 24/7 and move more of the state’s calls, chats, and texts from a national center to local specialists. A related amendment for the Voices of Hope overdose response contract was approved after staff said the increase simply extends services into the next fiscal year. Finally, the committee approved a DCBS contract for the Building Bridges Initiative, which provides training and peer mentoring for residential child care providers, and then approved three contracts for the Council on Developmental Disabilities. Those contracts were explained as necessary because the council is the designated state agency for federal DD Act funding, and one questioned item involving an advocacy and sexuality initiative was described as part of the council’s five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, systems change, and capacity building. The committee also discussed a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit, with staff saying the organization was chosen for its statewide network and ability to gather raw data, while members raised concerns about whether the study should distinguish between lack of food and poor diet. All of the reviewed contracts were approved by roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• outlets in the UK talking digital online outlets in the UK talking about<00:04:43.199><c> everything
• Uh, so you know that drives the price up because of how special that project is. If that helps any.
• Uh, so you know that drives the price up because of how special that project is. If that helps any.
• Uh, so you know that drives the price up because of how special that project is. If that helps any.
• </c><00:09:11.920><c> up</c> you know that that drives the price up you know that that drives the price

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100 on a roll call vote, with Chairman Douglas voting no but the items still passing. It then took up a Kentucky Department of Tourism contract involving the United Kingdom, France, and Germany/Austria/Switzerland markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the effort supports marketing, public relations, and familiarization trips. The committee approved that contract as well, with Chairman Douglas voting yes after expressing support for tourism promotion. Next, the committee reviewed two Finance Cabinet facilities and support services items involving engineering and architectural services for a specialized lab expansion project. Members discussed why the design work was expensive, and the cabinet explained that the project’s pathogen-related complexity required specialized firms. Chairman Douglas said he believed some architectural and engineering reimbursement rates were too high and should be reexamined, but the committee still approved the items by roll call. The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office and the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission on an MOA related to substance use disorder funding. Senator Meredith asked how the commission’s work coordinated with behavioral health programs, and staff explained that the commission allocates funds based on applications and includes relevant state officials. The contract was approved. After that, the committee considered behavioral health items: one new 988 chat-and-text contract to expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage, and a Voices of Hope amendment that doubled funding to continue services into the next fiscal year. Officials said the 988 contract would move more chats and texts in-state, and that the Voices of Hope increase reflected continuation of SAMHSA-funded services; both were approved. Finally, the committee reviewed DCBS contracts, including a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit and a Building Bridges Initiative training contract. Members questioned whether the food survey group’s advocacy role created a conflict, but DCBS said the organization was chosen for its statewide network and that the cabinet would receive the raw data. For Building Bridges, DCBS said the program began in the fall and provides training and peer mentorship for residential child care providers, with results still too early to assess. Both items were approved. The last set of contracts, under the State Treasurer for the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities, prompted questions about why the funding flowed through the treasurer’s office and about a sexuality-related capacity-building initiative. Staff explained the treasurer serves as the designated state agency for federal DD Act funds, and that the sexuality initiative is part of a broader five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, system change, and capacity building; the committee then moved to approve those contracts as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counting the people online and those that have checked in, a quorum is present.
• And so that's no longer a part of the purchase price as well.
• </c> he was trying to include into the price he was trying to include into the price of<01:36:16.960>
• And so the article that price as well.
• purchase price.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate