Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a pediatrician at the Mankato Clinic, and I'm the president of the Minnesota chapter of the American
• <00:07:33.199><c> of</c><00:07:33.319><c> the</c><00:07:33.400><c> Minnesota</c><00:07:33.919><c> chapter
• </c> the president of the Minnesota chapter the president of the Minnesota chapter of<00:07:34.319><c
• 00:09:40.720><c> for</c><00:09:40.880><c> the</c><00:09:41.000><c> Minnesota</c><00:09:41.480><c> chapter
• </c> the governor for the Minnesota chapter the governor for the Minnesota chapter of<00:09:41.959><c

Transcript Highlights:

• 297A, the sales tax chapter, and it is a tax.
• 297A, the sales tax chapter, and it is a tax.
• 297A, the sales tax chapter, and it is a tax.
• 297A, the sales tax chapter, and it is a tax.
• , the sales tax chapter, and it is a tax.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• There's just a small reference to it in chapter 13, which governs data practices, so it's removing that
• , and then the rest of it is chapter 297D.
• <00:02:47.239><c> uh</c> chapter uh chapter uh 297d<00:02:49.200><c> and</c><00:02:49.319><c> then</c
• tax reference in chapter 609 so when<00:02:55.560><c> you</c><00:02:55.680><c> look</c><00:02:55.840
• </c> the Americans for Prosperity chapter the Americans for Prosperity chapter here<00:04:19.880><c>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• This is kind of a new chapter, is that right?
• My great niece has just started a chapter at Brenham High School.
• And I can well say I've read over their chapter constitution.
• But I did have a lot of chapters. But I did have a lot of chapters.
• chapter.

Summary: The joint Senate and House Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education convened for its first public hearing, adopted its proposed rules without objection, and framed the hearing as an organizational, invited-testimony-only session. Members repeatedly condemned political violence and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying the committee was created in response to concerns about civil discourse, intimidation, and hostility on college campuses. Several members emphasized that the goal was not to suppress speech but to protect open expression while maintaining order, due process, and institutional accountability. The first witness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Wyn Rosser, outlined implementation of Senate Bill 37. He described the General Education Advisory Committee, which is reviewing broad core-curriculum knowledge and skills and may recommend reducing the current 42-hour core, while leaving review of specific courses to individual institutions. He also explained the new Office of the Ombudsman, the board’s role in supporting it, and existing training and certification requirements for governing board members. Members asked about enforcement tools, transparency, and whether the ombudsman would investigate complaints involving censorship, retaliation, or political bias; Rosser said some enforcement exists in certain laws, but he deferred on the exact scope of the ombudsman’s investigatory authority and on issues outside the agency’s role. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis testified that UT Austin supports free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse, and he described three areas of focus: speech on campus grounds, classroom discourse, and how people treat one another. He said the university enforces time, place, and manner rules, expects professors to present alternative views on controversial topics, and has created internal reporting and appeal processes for students and faculty. Members questioned him about heckler’s veto incidents, protests, off-campus participants, complaints about professors, hate speech, and whether the university would protect speakers and students from disruption or unfair targeting. Davis said the university would not tolerate disruptions, would use due process and factual review, and is working to align campus practices with the new law and regents’ expectations. Ricky Adam Jr. of Turning Point USA’s Club America described the group’s campus and high-school organizing, praised Charlie Kirk’s approach to open debate, and said the organization is expanding in Texas. He raised concerns about school administrators and a counselor at an Early College High School in Killeen allegedly interfering with a student club and withholding footage, and committee members said they would seek information and, if necessary, use legislative process to investigate. Members from both chambers reiterated support for free speech, criticized political violence and campus suppression of viewpoints, and stressed that future hearings would continue examining implementation and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• tribal medical cannabis program patients, which is currently the status quo and already allowed in chapter
• 152 for the state's allowed in chapter 152 for the state's medical<00:03:26.360><c> cannabis</c><00:
• 152 to chapter 342.
• </c><00:51:27.599><c> 152</c> from being regulated under chapter 152 from being regulated under chapter
• 152 to<00:51:28.680><c> chapter</c> to chapter to chapter 342<00:51:30.520><c> uh</c><00:51:30.720><

Bills: HF1672 , HF1877 , HF1735 , HF1734 , HF1271 , HF1634 , HF1615

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So do you then put it into this chapter, the penal chapter 710, or do you put it into the agriculture
• chapter, HRS 711?
• the pinoo chapter it into this chapter the pinoo chapter 710<00:44:48.119><c> or</c><00:44:48.280><c
• </c><00:44:51.160><c> HRS</c> agriculture chapter HRS agriculture chapter HRS 170<00:44:53.440><c> thank
• </c> Declaration of necessity in chapter Declaration of necessity in chapter 1677-1<01:16:31.239><c>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have before us House File 12, and it is written to amend chapter 121A and statute, and even
• chapter is athletic programs sex discrimination.
• This chapter is Minnesota’s Title IX.
• This chapter is Minnesota’s Title IX.
• This chapter is Minnesota’s Title IX.

Transcript Highlights:

• 91 the Hawaii rulemaking under chapter 91 the Hawaii administrative<01:05:37.599><c> procedures</c><
• Um, so this bill would only, I believe, exempt reconstruction from Chapter 205A, which has to do with
• </c><01:24:14.520><c> 91</c> bill can be achieved through chapter 91 bill can be achieved through chapter
• </c><01:28:15.239><c> 91</c> can also do things Within Chapter 91 can also do things Within Chapter 91
• </c> would still have to go through chapter would still have to go through chapter 91<01:28:40.080><c

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 347 relating to goats. The Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments and said its Division of Forestry and Wildlife was available to answer questions. Testimony on the bill was largely opposed, with speakers arguing it would amount to a “free-for-all” rather than game management and urging deferral. DLNR responded that bag limits can be adjusted by area and game management unit under adaptive management rules, and that hunters typically take out their catch. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1278, on which DLNR testified in support. The record in the excerpt does not include discussion of the bill’s substance beyond the department’s support, and no action or vote is shown. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 144, relating to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and proposed exemptions from Sunshine Law requirements during the transition period. The authority’s vice chair testified that the body is a startup agency with a complex transition from the University and needs to be able to discuss strategic planning, operational formation, and other day-to-day matters with more than two members present. Opponents, including the Public First Law Center, Hawaiʻi Environmental Alliance, and community members, argued the bill would cut the public out of the deliberative process, allow decisions to be hashed out in private, and set a poor transparency precedent. One testifier also raised cultural and environmental concerns about Mauna Kea. Committee members questioned whether existing law and narrower guardrails could address the authority’s concerns, and the authority said it had already proposed a narrower alternative but the bill returned in similar form. The excerpt ends before any final committee action on HB 144 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of years back, there were about 85 chapters statewide, and today we have over 230 FFA chapters
• </c><00:18:19.480><c> in</c> a phenomenal growth of FFA chapters in a phenomenal growth of FFA chapters
• ><c> in</c> today we have over 230 FFA chapters in today we have over 230 FFA chapters in Minnesota<00
• It's Chapter 38, and Chapter 38 grants these county ag societies their formation and powers.
• through the alumni chapters existing.

Bills: HF711 , HF653

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I am 23 years old, and I am a part of the Bayard chapter with Florida Youth SHINE.
• legislative chair on the statewide board for Florida Youth SHINE and the president of the Jacksonville chapter
• the legislative chair on the statewide board for florida ushine and the president of the jacksville chapter
• is Nicole Williams, and I'm here on behalf of Florida Youth SHINE, representing the Treasure Coast chapter
• My name is Michaela Dallaroo, and I'm a part of the Southwest chapter of Florida Youth SHINE.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Other Affairs considered four bills. SB 1690 on early childhood education was amended with a delete-all amendment that would require DCF and local licensing agencies to publicly post inspection reports and annual data on child deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse in child care facilities, revise notice requirements for certain child care homes, add website disclosure requirements for exempt facilities, address insurance coverage for family and large family child care homes, and create the Florida Endowment for Early Learning. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably, with support noted from United Way of Florida. The committee then heard SB 1022 on children’s initiatives, which would create two new children’s initiatives in Bay County and Pompano in Broward County. The sponsor said the bill would expand local service networks for children in disadvantaged communities with no state fiscal impact. The bill was reported favorably after support was noted from representatives of Florida Children’s Initiative and others. SB 996 on dependent children drew extensive testimony from Florida Youth SHINE members and other foster youth advocates, who supported the bill’s focus on lived experience, regular consultation with youth-serving organizations, public reporting on implementation, and normalcy in foster care, including allowance to help youth learn budgeting. The bill sponsor said it would help make the system more responsive to youth needs. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 1642 on temporary cash assistance eligibility, narrowing a SNAP-related eligibility carve-out to people who were victims of human trafficking at the time of a drug conviction. The sponsor said the change would remove barriers for trafficking survivors while keeping existing program requirements in place. Both SB 996 and the amended SB 1642 were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, under current law, Section 78 of Chapter 10, Massachusetts National Guard members who did not
• This bill would extend eligibility for benefits under Chapter 115, the Chapter 115 program, to members
• What it does is allow those who currently serve in the Guard and Reserve access to Chapter 115 benefits
• while they remain... ...access to Chapter 115 benefits while they remain serving in good standing.
• The Adjutant General, as currently defined under Chapter 33 of the Massachusetts General Laws, holds

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Summary: The committee held a hybrid public hearing on seven House bills and seven Senate bills related to the Massachusetts National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserves. Opening remarks covered hearing procedures, livestreaming, testimony limits, and expected reporting dates, and chairs noted the committee’s focus on Guard and Reserve issues. Testimony then moved through several bills, including S. 2465 to expand the National Guard welcome-home veterans bonus to all deployed Guard members regardless of residency, H. 3876/S. 2462 to authorize military-style headstones for long-serving or deceased Guard members, and S. 2482/H. 3833 to establish a Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Salem. Supporters of the bonus and headstone bills argued they would correct inequities and better honor service; Senator Lovely described the museum proposal as a way to preserve the Guard’s history in Salem and potentially support federal funding for the project. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 3829/S. 2471, the “Defend the Guard” proposal that would bar Massachusetts National Guard deployments into active combat absent a formal congressional declaration of war. Supporters argued the bill would restore constitutional war powers, reduce repeated undeclared deployments, and protect Guard members’ mental health and state readiness. Opponents, including retired Guard leaders and current service members, warned it could conflict with federal law and Title 10 authority, undermine federal funding and training, and harm readiness, force structure, and unique Guard capabilities. Committee members repeatedly questioned the bill’s legal authority, constitutional basis, and practical effects under the Supremacy Clause and Title 10, and several witnesses were asked to submit additional written legal support. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3831, which would extend Chapter 115 benefits to currently serving Guard and Reserve members who do not meet federal veteran-status thresholds, and on related proposals to clarify Guard command structure and the duties of the Adjutant General. Supporters said these changes would improve access to benefits, reduce confusion in the chain of command, and strengthen discipline and responsiveness. Separately, the National Guard Association of Massachusetts backed H. 3860/S. 2458, the Guard Enlistment Enhancement Program, as a recruiting tool, while opposing the Defend the Guard bills. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chapters had, I think, gotten up to 26 or plus chapters of rules.
• Typically, we have between five and seven chapters.
• The chapters had I duplicative pieces.
• Typically, we have chapters of rules.
• </c><00:13:44.880><c> So,</c> between five and seven chapters. So, between five and seven chapters.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its October 3 meeting unanimously. It then reviewed follow-up status on prior performance audits, beginning with the Department of Corrections’ sex offender treatment program. DOC said all audit items from the 2016 review were resolved except one related to tracking benchmarks, progress, and recidivism. Officials explained that a new offender management system, Chorus, was recently implemented but has had rollout problems affecting operations, including restitution checks, and that they hope the system will be stable enough within about six months to begin tracking the needed metrics. Members asked about treatment inside prison and after release; DOC described in-prison treatment, parole aftercare, probation and parole oversight, administrative restrictions, and reassessment if conditions are not met. The committee next heard from OPLC on the Real Estate Commission audit. OPLC reported that all but one finding is substantially or fully resolved, with the remaining issue involving review of applicants’ adverse financial history and liabilities. The delay is tied to ongoing rulemaking, and OPLC said the commission is amending its criteria and integrating universal application procedures into board rules. The office estimated substantive completion by March 2027, with rule filing expected sooner. The committee then took up the Board of Pharmacy audit, where OPLC said most findings remain partially resolved because the board is in the middle of a major rule overhaul and a new licensing software project. Officials described a shift toward a compliance bureau and more routine, risk-informed inspections, rather than inspections driven only by complaints, and said updated manuals and forms will follow the new rules and technology. Finally, the Legislative Budget Assistant reported on ongoing audits. For special education, staff said they are writing the report, have 25 completed observations, and have expanded to 70 identified observations, with a full draft expected in the first quarter of 2026 and a final report by summer 2026. For education freedom accounts, 40 observations have been identified, 15 finalized, and a draft is expected by midspring with a fiscal committee presentation in summer. For the Doorway program, the audit plan was finalized with DHHS help, financial activity was isolated, fieldwork is expected to finish by Thanksgiving, and a draft report is planned for January or February 2026, with a final report by March or April 2026. The committee discussed scheduling its next meeting for February 6 at 10 a.m. and emphasized the value of follow-up on older audits; the meeting adjourned after members agreed the follow-up process should continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is the chapter that requires legislative oversight over regulations.
• And this is the chapter that requires legislative oversight over regulations.
• And this is the chapter that requires legislative oversight over regulations.
• </c><00:13:41.519><c> 13A</c> Kentucky in accordance with chapter 13A Kentucky in accordance with chapter
• this is the chapter that requires legislative<00:13:45.320><c> oversight</c><00:13:46.040><c> over</

Summary: The Senate Committee for Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor heard two bills. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, was presented with testimony from Major League Baseball in support of exempting minor league baseball players from Kentucky wage-and-hour treatment. Witnesses said the bill would preserve the negotiated collective bargaining structure for players, avoid impractical time-tracking requirements, and keep Kentucky aligned with other states. Senators discussed minor league salary levels, the importance of baseball to Kentucky communities, and the bill’s relationship to minimum wage law. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill with unanimous support from members present. The committee next heard Senate Bill 103 from Sen. Danny Carroll, which would require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to adopt regulations under Chapter 13A, limit reciprocal agreements with other states until in-state provider contracts are exhausted, establish procedures for service fee memos before a new fiscal year, and require an annual report with operating and financial information. Testimony from community rehabilitation providers and disability advocates emphasized that the bill would increase transparency, protect local providers, and improve services for people with disabilities seeking competitive employment. They said Kentucky has a large disability population, that many working-age individuals with disabilities are not employed, and that better oversight could help address workforce shortages and reduce reliance on public assistance. Senators asked about the disability population, age ranges served, funding, and recent changes to provider rates and selection processes. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 103 unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1672, an act in Title 36, Chapter 29, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section
• Senate Bill 1672, an act amending Title 36, Chapter 29, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• Senate Bill 1752, an act amending Title 13, Chapter 34, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 13
• On Monday, March 16th, 2026, please join the Arizona Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.
• Please join the Arizona Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.

Transcript Highlights:

• 77.55, shoreline substantial development permits required under chapter 90.58, State Environmental Policy
• Act permits required under chapter 43.21C, and wastewater discharge permits required under chapter 90.48
• 77.55, shoreline substantial development permits required under chapter 90.58, State Environmental Policy
• Act permits required under chapter 43.21C, and wastewater discharge permits required under chapter 90.48
• It would, and I guess... ...under chapter 90.48.

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2550 and House Bill 2645, then moved to executive session on three other bills. HB 2550 would require certain community and technical college students enrolled in degree- or certificate-seeking programs to be allowed to ride transit for free as a condition of transit support grant eligibility. Staff said the current program already requires zero-fare access for riders 18 and under, and the bill would expand that requirement to CTC students. Testimony from the sponsor, students, and transit advocates supported the goal of reducing barriers to education, while the Washington State Transit Association raised implementation concerns, including how eligibility would be verified and the potential loss of fare revenue and added administrative costs. The fiscal note discussion estimated local impacts of roughly $10 million to $12 million per year for affected transit agencies. HB 2645 concerned the emergency replacement of the closed Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165. The bill and proposed substitute would declare an emergency and give WSDOT expanded authority to expedite bridge replacement by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. The sponsor and many local residents, business owners, recreation advocates, and emergency responders testified that the bridge closure has cut off communities, limited access to Mount Rainier and public lands, and significantly increased emergency response times. WSDOT testified that it is already moving forward with planning and design for a replacement bridge, but said much of the timeline is driven by federal requirements such as NEPA, historic preservation, and endangered species review. No vote was taken on HB 2550 or HB 2645 in the transcript. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for HB 2109, which allows certain towed vehicles with debris on them to be covered instead of cleaned before transport, and passed it out of committee 27-0. The committee also adopted an amendment to HB 2134, which updates regional transportation planning requirements related to greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reductions, and passed the bill out 16-12. Finally, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2323 creating the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops involving neurodiverse individuals, then passed the bill out of committee 28-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• The payroll chapter, Chapter 25, requires all agencies except higher education to use HRMS, the Human
• Chapter 90 discusses the requirements around the use of AFRS, the Agency Financial Reporting System.
• The payroll chapter, Chapter 25, requires all agencies except higher education to use HRMS, the human
• And Chapter 90 discusses the requirements around the use of AFERS.
• WAM is currently under development, and we have several chapters that are available for review on our

Committee: Joint Joint Higher Education Committee

Summary: The Joint Higher Education Committee met with introductions from members and then held a work session on higher education and statewide accounting practices. OFM Deputy Director Sarah Rupp explained how state and university accounting/reporting differ, including current AFRS/SAM requirements and the transition to Workday/WAM, and described what higher education data are currently included in state reporting versus what will remain excluded, such as transaction-level detail and vendor payment information. University of Washington and Washington State University officials then described the complexity of their institutions’ financial structures, including multiple campuses, auxiliary enterprises, component units, hospitals, clinics, bonds, and other reporting obligations, and how they submit summarized data to the state while maintaining more detailed local accounting systems. The Education Research and Data Center also presented the public four-year finance dashboard created under Senate Bill 5512, emphasizing that the metrics are best used to examine trends within institutions rather than direct comparisons across schools; members asked about data availability and federal reporting delays, and ERDC said it was on track to update the dashboard with newer data and additional metrics. The committee then heard a presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Workforce Education Investment Account (WIA). Joel Anderson reviewed WIA’s creation under House Bill 2158, its revenue sources, and its intended purpose of supporting postsecondary attainment, high-demand fields, student aid, and workforce education. He said WIA revenue has grown substantially, especially after recent tax changes, and noted that most current appropriations go to higher education, including the Washington College Grant, community and four-year institutions, and some workforce-related programs. Members asked whether WIA supports apprenticeships and trades, and Anderson said it has in some cases, though nearly all current appropriations are now within higher education. Anderson also highlighted a major policy shift in the 2025-27 budget: WIA is now being used to supplant some general-fund higher education spending, especially a large transfer for University of Washington general operations. He said this has reduced the general fund share of higher education funding and increased the share from WIA, raising concerns about whether the account is still being used as originally intended. He also described how WIA is increasingly covering Washington College Grant caseload growth and faculty compensation costs, and said WSAC is working to improve public documentation of ongoing and carry-forward appropriations. The committee did not take any substantive votes on the presentation topics and then moved toward executive session and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2720, an act amending Title 12, Chapter 1, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by section
• The testimony from the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics did highlight the serious
• Senate Bill 1566, an act amending title 9, chapter 4, article 8; title 11, chapter 2, article 4; and
• title 12, chapter 8, article 2.1, and section 12-13-119, relating to residential construction.
• Senate Bill 1172, an act amending Title 41, Chapter 14, and section 41-1971, relating to the Department

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 249, amending Title 30, Chapter 4, Article 2, A.R.S., by adding Section 33-682 relating to
• House Bill 2075, amending Title 15, Chapter 5, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Section 15-503.01 relating
• It begins a new chapter in our state law addressing artificial intelligence, not with fear.
• House Bill 2756, amending Title 30, Chapter 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, and Title 40, Chapter 2, Article
• House Bill 2943, amending Title 37, Chapter 2, Article 2.2, A.R.S., relating to state lands.

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends the definition of application or use of a pesticide in the pesticide control chapter.
• It reorganizes the list of uses chapter.
• the weights and measures chapter, and 296A, which is the petroleum tax chapter, on pages R31 through
• and measures chapter and the weights and measures chapter and 296A<00:47:36.160><c> which</c><00:47:
• </c> 296A which is the petroleum tax chapter 296A which is the petroleum tax chapter that's<00:47:39.200

Summary: The Agriculture Conference Committee met for an initial organizational and comparison session on House File 2446, the agriculture broadband and rural development bill. Members introduced themselves, noted that no conference target had yet been set, and agreed to begin with a side-by-side review of House and Senate positions. No oral testimony was taken; instead, the chair listed written testimony submitted by a wide range of agricultural, environmental, local government, food bank, and industry groups. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the major funding differences. Both bills included some shared items such as operating adjustments, wolf and elk damage compensation, and certain technical changes, but they differed on several major appropriations. The House generally proposed larger increases for meat inspection, local food purchasing, and the Board of Animal Health, and added items such as county inspector grants, biofertilizer innovation, a biosolids/PFAS-related study, a soil health study, broadband installation study funding, an Agri Works program, an Agri Support program, a milk grant program, and several House-only transfers and grants. The Senate included items such as a climate coordinator position, biofuel-related reductions and policy changes, livestock processing funding, farm-to-school and urban agriculture changes, MARL funding, cottage foods licensing updates, and several Senate-only pass-through grants and transfers. Staff also noted differences in the agriculture emergency account transfer approach and in how the two bodies handled the Second Harvest Heartland and related food distribution provisions. House Research then reviewed the policy language differences in the bill. The House language included provisions allowing more flexible use of grant administration funds, unpaid prior-year claims, county inspector grants, and updates tied to its own policy article, while the Senate language included the climate coordinator, PFAS-related commercialization language, cooperative development grant permissive language, and other Senate policy changes. The committee did not take any votes or final actions at this meeting; the session was informational and focused on identifying differences for later negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director with the National Association of Social Workers Kentucky chapter.
• My question for the bill sponsor: I also pulled the KRS chapter KRS chapters 600 through 645, which defines
• My question for the bill sponsor: I also pulled the KRS chapter KRS chapters 600 through 645, which defines
• My question for the bill sponsor: I also pulled the KRS chapter KRS chapters 600 through 645, which defines
• My question for the bill sponsor: I also pulled the KRS chapter KRS chapters 600 through 645, which defines

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 9, which would create oversight for Medicaid-related policy through a board modeled after the Public Pension Oversight Board. Sponsor Rep. Adam Bowling said the measure was intended to bring legislative, executive, and stakeholder voices together to vet issues and make better-informed Medicaid policy. Members generally supported the concept, though some questioned the proposed board’s party breakdown and whether the language should be updated now rather than later. After discussion, the committee voted 19-0 to pass HB 9 favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 495, which Rep. Hail said would protect mental health care professionals, institutions, and ordained ministers from discrimination when providing what the bill calls protected counseling services. He described the bill as a parental-choice measure that would allow counseling aligned with family values and said it also creates a civil cause of action for harmed parties. Opponents argued the bill would shield conversion therapy, with Dr. Eric Russ, Brandon Long, Dr. Brandon Creech, Brenda Rosen, Chris Hartman, and Dr. Bobby Glass testifying that conversion therapy is discredited, harmful, and associated with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide risk. They said professional medical and counseling organizations oppose such practices and urged rejection of the bill. During questions, Rep. Layman pressed the sponsor on whether the bill would protect therapies even if a child was not in distress and on whether the committee should be endorsing a practice discredited by professional organizations. Rep. Hail responded that he viewed the issue as a parental choice and said he believed the bill protects providers offering those services. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HB 495, with no final vote shown on that bill.