Transcript Highlights:

• > for caregivers for loss of mobility for caregivers for loss of mobility for dementia<00:13:29.519
• For the last several years, the DLS team, as well as the contracted architects that are specialized in
• the increase uh for the increase uh for for<00:35:34.960> Kentucky<00:35:35.359> for
• Kentucky for state fiscal year 27 for Kentucky for state fiscal year 27 which<00:35:37.440> is
• cost for this budget. cost for this budget.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:01 Department for Public Health Budget Request 00:01:46 Department for Community Based Services Budget Request 00:31:58 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) 00:57:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes, then heard a lengthy presentation from the Department for Public Health on Kentucky’s rural health transformation plan and related budget questions. Commissioner John Langfeld said the state received a $212.9 million federal award, one of the larger awards nationally, and outlined five focus areas: maternal and infant health, integrated EMS/trauma response, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, and chronic disease prevention with an emphasis on obesity and diabetes. He stressed that the effort is intended to be integrated, data-driven, and sustainable, and that the federal funds cannot be used for new construction, clinician salaries, research and development, EHR replacement, or to pay for currently billable services. He also said the program carries accountability requirements and that funds can be clawed back if milestones are not met. Members pressed for clarification on duplication with other budget requests, sustainability after the five-year funding period, and how success would be measured. Langfeld said he was not aware of any duplicate funding with the department’s additional budget requests and said the rural health funds were separate from those requests. He also said the program will be tracked through specific metrics and timelines, using both execution measures and outcome measures such as readmissions, with more rapid-cycle feedback to allow course correction. Representative Fleming raised concerns about possible overlap with navigator funding and asked for more detail on the budget breakdown; Langfeld said a detailed line-item budget had been prepared but was still awaiting final CMS approval before release, and that he would explore sharing more information once restrictions were lifted. The committee then heard from the Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory about a request for a new central lab expansion. The presenter described the current 35-year-old facility as outdated and constrained by aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, deferred maintenance, and inadequate space, and said the lab performs critical work with no in-state alternative for many services, including newborn screening, select-agent and biosafety level 3 testing, animal necropsy for rabies, genetic sequencing, environmental and food safety testing, and response to emerging infectious diseases. The project is already in design phase C, expected to finish in mid-April, with construction funding sought at roughly $276 million on top of about $35 million already approved for design. Members asked about long-term operating costs, backup arrangements, and whether the current facility would remain in use; the presenter said the current lab would continue to be used by the department while other divisions move into vacated space, and that the lab has mutual-aid agreements with the Southeast Consortium and universities for contingency support. Finally, the Department for Community Based Services began its budget presentation on SNAP and relative caregiver issues. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons identified the governor’s recommended budget items tied to new federal requirements under HR1, including changes affecting payment error rates. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• continuing education hours and for waivers for completing specified requirements, add provisions for
• 28.720> for hardship, creating barriers for hardship, creating barriers for completing<00:02:29.440
• for a deferral by the agency. for a deferral by the agency.
• an application, 375 for biennial renewal, and 400 for reinstatement. increase fees for application from
• general counsel for ELC. general counsel for ELC.

Keywords: :54 – Board of Pharmacy 2:00 – Board of Social Work 3:44 – Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy 4:43 – Board of Registration for Professional Geologists 7:27 – Board of Imaging and Radiation Therapy 8:33 – Board of Emergency Medical Services 10:38 – Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources 17:37 – Transportation Cabinet 18:37 – Department of Education 25:00 – Department of Workplace Standards 27:06 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services, 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a series of agency regulations, most of which had staff-suggested amendments. The Board of Pharmacy regulation on remote prescription processing was amended to make grammatical and KRS Chapter 13A compliance corrections, and the Board of Social Work regulation on continuing education, telehealth training, waivers, and related fees was deferred at the agency’s request. The Occupational Therapy Compact rule update and the Professional Geologists fee increase regulation both received staff amendments and were approved, with the geologists’ board explaining the increases were driven by rising oversight costs and declining revenue. The committee also reviewed emergency regulations from the Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, the Board of Emergency Medical Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and the Department of Workplace Standards. The EMS package covered licensing classifications, compliance audits, ambulance service rules, and electronic forms; the Transportation Cabinet’s emergency rule established procedures for street-legal special purpose vehicles; and Workplace Standards’ emergency rules updated Kentucky requirements to align with federal standards and House Bill 398, including shortening the discrimination complaint filing deadline from 120 days to 30 days and adjusting appeal procedures. Staff amendments were approved where offered, and members asked several clarifying questions about the rationale and effect of the workplace and EMS changes. The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources explained rules on aircraft and drone use in taking wildlife and on reciprocal hunting and fishing agreements with neighboring states. The agency said the drone restriction was intended to align with federal law and address hunter complaints, while the reciprocal agreement rule was a cleanup of older agreements that had lapsed or been overlooked; the committee deferred the wildlife regulation 301 KAR 2:031 at the agency’s request. The Department of Education also presented multiple KHSAA-related and standards updates, including academic eligibility, sports timing, health and physical education standards, and career studies/financial literacy standards; staff amendments were approved, and members questioned the athletic forms and the designation of KHSAA as the state’s athletic agent. Finally, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented emergency regulations to support a pediatric teaching hospital expansion and related certificate-of-need changes, which the agency said were aimed at improving pediatric and neonatal access to care; staff amendments were approved, and the committee concluded by setting its next meeting for October 13 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• they're asking for money for PAS, would they're asking for money for PAS, would we<00:04:17.280>
• Thanks for the project. Thanks for the project.
• > Johnson,<00:26:51.520> for<00:26:51.679> for Representative Johnson, for for Representative
• Johnson, for for authoring<00:26:52.320> it.
• Uh thank you. for you you know for us having to travel for you you know for us having to travel back<

Bills: HF333, HF2712, HF1064, HF1069, HF1113, HF2207, HF204, HF2867, HF2924, HF746, HF1530, HF2587, HF1078

Keywords: HF333, Duluth, Lot D, redevelopment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds, public infrastructure, seawall repair, utility connections, demolition, debris removal, transportation improvements, site preparation, soil correction, economic development, DEED, capital appropriation, general obligation bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a motion for favorable report and a second from Representative Hollis.
• that is uh if you shipbuilders for that is uh if you remember<00:06:53.880> that.
• I'll ask for a favorable report. I'll ask for a favorable report.
• The chair will entertain a motion for favorable report as amended.
• <00:08:48.320> going making this a committee for going making this a committee for going forward

Bills: SB325, SB370

Keywords: AIDT, Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute, Department of Commerce, procurement, competitive bidding, contract review, legislative oversight, economic development, workforce development, Strategic Workforce Plan, state purchasing, state contracts, public procurement, exemption, higher education, universities, community colleges, public hospitals, health care procurement, transportation procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• change that this is doing is saying that the county commission may appoint, versus shall appoint, the contract
• They talked to us all during a meeting. >> Yeah, I remember it being discussed for a long time, but now
• employee who they want to be a contract employee who they will<00:01:48.880> not.
• <00:02:14.720> a >> yeah I remember it being discussed for a >> yeah I remember
• it being discussed for a long<00:02:15.120> time<00:02:15.440> but<00:02:15.680> but

Bills: HB606, HB606

Keywords: HB606, Alabama, Department of Transportation, DOT, public highways, utility relocation, right-of-way, state right-of-way, road construction, bridge, tunnel, toll road, interstate highway, defense highway, utility facilities, broadband, telecommunications, cable, electricity, gas

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been trying to give a message for a while.
• I've been trying to give a message for a I've been trying to give a message for a while.
• in origin in order to qualify for benefits. >> I am carrying this for Senator Coleman.
• Hear none. criteria for which awards are awarded by criteria for which awards are awarded by uh<00:08
• Thank you, members, for your time. Anything I for the cars. They have some hard law enforcement.

Bills: SB332, HB362, HB323, SB332, HB362, HB323

Keywords: public works, construction management, project delivery methods, alternative delivery, administrative rules, public advisory council, contracting, bidding procedures, protests, transparency, local government, public meetings, accountability, education, electric utility, transportation, oversize vehicles, transport permits, state highway system, firefighters

Transcript Highlights:

• trucks pulled over at one time and ...five trucks pulled over at one time, and that's just strictly for
• This completes our agenda for the meeting.

Bills: HB517, SB110

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Bills: HB 112, HB 199, HB 621, HB 1349, HB 2214, HB 3466, HB 3698, HB 3699, HCR 9

Keywords: science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant

Bills: HB 112, HB 199, HB 621, HB 1349, HB 2214, HB 3466, HB 3698, HB 3699, HCR 9

Keywords: science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being here, and thank you for your work on this.
• They're trying to contract for the construction of a power plant, and they could be adjacent to each
• We're not trying to get a formal commitment; that's more for a signed contract, but we're trying to make
• To develop, they would sign a contract with the transmission company for whatever infrastructure needs
• to... where a temporary lease is created by a contract for sale but has a term of not more than 90 days

Bills: SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 1495, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2154, SB 2167, SB 2184, SB 2211, SB 2268, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The meeting of the committee commenced with the establishment of a quorum, where members discussed and voted on five significant bills related to energy efficiency, insurance regulation, and public utility governance. Notably, Senate Bill 2717 was presented, incorporating feedback to foster collaboration among various state agencies for improved energy efficiency performance. This was followed by a detailed discussion on Senate Bill 1642, which proposed changes to the Texas Department of Insurance's executive structure to optimize management and consumer focus. Each bill saw active participation from senators who moved to adopt committee substitutes for clarity and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, indicating a proactive approach to legislative issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• For sure.
• They're trying to contract for construction of a power plant with them, and they could be adjacent to
• They're trying to contract for construction of a power plant with them, and they could be adjacent to
• They're trying to contract for construction of a power plant with them, and they could be adjacent to
• less than 30 days or where a temporary lease is created by a contract for sale but has a term of not

Bills: SB438, SB512, SB647, SB648, SB1495, SB2121, SB2145, SB2154, SB2167, SB2184, SB2211, SB2268, SB2349, SB2443, SB2629, SB2702, SB2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, voting favorably on SB 1612, SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789. SB 1612 was reported favorably with objections to the local and contested calendar, while SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789 were reported favorably, with SB 1642 and SB 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council; SB 1642 would add an executive director to the Texas Department of Insurance structure; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards and clarify PUC authority and remedies. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from CEO Pablo Vegas on the updated long-term load forecast, which showed a much higher unadjusted growth projection driven largely by data centers. ERCOT described an adjusted forecast using historical delays and lower realized build rates, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, and the importance of SB 6 for demand response and flexibility. The committee then heard and left pending SB 2629, which would allow condominium and property owners’ association meetings and voting by electronic means; SB 2702, which would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies without a separate TCEQ license; SB 2167, which would let TDLR pause new license applications tied to human trafficking emergency orders or pending SOAH cases; SB 2349, which would exempt short-term leases and certain leasebacks from flood disclosure requirements; SB 2121, which would tighten the data broker registry law; and SB 2443, which would authorize TDLR electronic delivery of notices and other documents. Testimony generally supported these bills as cleanup, modernization, or workforce-streamlining measures, with some members expressing caution about electronic meetings and emphasizing in-person accountability. The committee also heard SB 2902 on coerced debt and identity theft, with testimony from a law professor and family violence advocates supporting stronger protections for survivors and suggesting a police report as an additional proof option. SB 512, a refiled bill restricting money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2145 on allowing certain TIF boards to meet virtually in narrow circumstances, SB 2268 on extending Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in some cases, SB 1495 creating an EV supply equipment advisory board, SB 2154 regulating delivery network companies under a statewide framework, SB 2184 lowering the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18, SB 2211 on combining data centers, power generation, and produced-water desalination projects, and SB 647 on title theft protections and clerk authority to refuse fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after brief testimony and questions, with members focusing on reliability, regulation, and safeguards against fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being here. Thank you for your information.
• For sure.
• They're trying to contract for construction of a power plant with them, and they could be adjacent to
• "They would sign a contract with the transmission company for whatever infrastructure needs to get built
• less than 30 days or where a temporary lease is created by a contract for sale but has a term of not

Bills: SB438, SB512, SB647, SB648, SB1495, SB2121, SB2145, SB2154, SB2167, SB2184, SB2211, SB2268, SB2349, SB2443, SB2629, SB2702, SB2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first voted out several pending bills. Senate Bill 1612 was reported favorably to the full Senate with objections sent to the local and contested calendar. The committee then adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported Senate Bills 2717, 1468, 1642, and 1789, with 1642 and 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council and add agencies to it; SB 1468 and SB 1642 were discussed as changes affecting utility and insurance-related structures; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards, with the author saying it would clarify PUC authority and create more practical statewide standards. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from Pablo Vegas, who said Texas load growth remains strong but ERCOT is adjusting its large-load forecast downward using historical delays and realization rates for data centers and other large loads. He said the adjusted forecast is still very high, but more realistic for planning, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, demand response, and the role of Senate Bill 6 in helping model large data centers as flexible load. The committee then took testimony on a series of bills and left most pending after public comment. SB 2629 would allow condominium and property owners associations to hold meetings and vote electronically; testimony supported it as a way to improve access, though some members expressed concern about overuse of virtual meetings. SB 2702 would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies instead of requiring a separate TCEQ license, and was supported as a workforce and public health measure. SB 2167 would let TDLR pause new massage-establishment license applications when an applicant is subject to a human trafficking emergency order or pending SOAH case. SB 2349 would exempt short-term residential leases and certain leasebacks from floodplain disclosure requirements while allowing the notice to be included in the lease packet. SB 2121 would tighten the data broker registry law from the prior session, and SB 2443 would allow TDLR to use electronic delivery for notices and contested-case documents. Additional bills focused on consumer protection, housing, and regulatory administration. SB 2902 would help victims of coerced debt and identity theft stop collection efforts by requiring proof such as a court order or FTC report; advocates said it would protect survivors while still preventing fraud. SB 512 would bar money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations in a way that forfeits account funds, and supporters framed it as a protection against private financial penalties. SB 2145 would allow public improvement districts and tax increment finance districts to meet virtually with at least one member physically present, while SB 2268 would give the PUC flexibility to extend Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in certain cases. SB 1495 would create an advisory board for electric vehicle supply equipment standards, SB 2154 would extend statewide regulation to delivery network companies, SB 2184 would lower the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display licenses from 21 to 18, SB 438 would expand confidentiality protections for SOAH administrative law judges, SB 2211 would treat digital products and desalinated water as industrial products to support combined energy-water projects, and SB 647 would strengthen title-theft protections by improving notice and clerk authority to reject fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after testimony, and several drew support from industry, consumer, or advocacy witnesses along with some member concerns about electronic meetings, licensing, and data accuracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• and for your Each of the commissioners and to say to you, thank you for your dedication and for your
• And so thank you for your support. Thank you for. Across Virginia.
• And so thank you for your support. Thank you for leaning in.
• So thanks for doing them. Thanks for thinking of Region 8. Yeah.
• for multiple organizations. $1,500 for single organizations, no match required, up to $3,000 for multiple

Keywords: Virginia Commission for the Arts Board Meeting, 976, house, all

Summary: The Virginia Commission for the Arts meeting opened with attendance, a welcome from Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffrey Smith, and approval of Commissioner Allison’s remote participation. Smith praised the commission’s role in supporting arts education and community life, and commissioners thanked him for the administration’s support. The commission then approved the March 2026 minutes, with Allison and Vanessa Thaxton Ward recused because they were absent from that meeting. Commission updates highlighted staff changes, including the arrival of communications and office specialist Tess Lidar, and several developments affecting arts organizations in Richmond, including the closure of Art 180 and the pause in operations at Swift Creek Mill Theater. Staff also reported strong communications growth, the upcoming return of Artworks in 2027, and progress on accessibility initiatives, including expanded grant application questions, an Open Door Arts cohort, site visits to area agencies on aging, and a forthcoming creative aging/futures grant opportunity. A separate report on the Small Town and Rural Arts pilot in Region 8 described in-person convenings, a digital toolkit, and lessons learned about place-based work, funding language, and the value of regional partners. The commission then approved FY27 grant recommendations across multiple programs: General Operating Support short form and long form panels, Operating Support for Small Arts Organizations, Creative Communities Partnership Grants, and Community Impact Grants. Commissioners who observed panels reported that the review process was organized, thoughtful, and increasingly focused on sustainability, accessibility, community engagement, and clear financial and strategic planning. Several recusals were noted, including Commissioner Armstrong on Opera on the James, Commissioner Grebeck on Prince Edward County, and others tied to specific organizations. The commission also approved the FY27 allocation budget, which uses state funds, NEA support, carryforward funds, one-time appropriations, and interest from the Arts Fund to increase grant support and launch new programs such as lifelong learning, accessibility microgrants, artist catalyst, and capacity-building grants. In additional actions, commissioners approved updates to the FY27 capacity building and lifelong learning grant guidelines, revised the teaching artist roster background check policy, and voted to repeal the existing VCA policy manual so staff can draft a new one aligned with agency and board responsibilities. Staff explained that the repeal would not leave the agency without coverage because state HR, procurement, and statutory grant-making requirements remain in place. The meeting then turned to a broader bylaws review led by the Attorney General’s office, prompted by the need to address a secretary vacancy and other governance gaps.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, July 17, 2026, 957, house, all

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, July 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, July 16, 2026, 957, house, all

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, July 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, July 16, 2026, 957, house, all

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 957, house, all

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 960, senate, all