Transcript Highlights:

• He's one of the graduates of our program. Good morning.
• Um bit of a of a history, if you will.
• ,<00:29:45.760> if adoption of this of this technology, if adoption of this of this technology
• and and all of that kind of stuff. and and all of that kind of stuff.
• So, one of my concerns is all of that.

Keywords: Call to Order 00:17 Department of Corrections 01:35 Community Transitional Services 06:47 Administrative Office of the Courts 23:06 Department of Criminal Justice Training/ KSP 45:49 Adjournment 59:14, 958, all

Summary: The Public Safety and Judiciary Committee met without a quorum, so approval of the January 3, January 20, and February 3 minutes was postponed. The committee then heard an update from the Department of Corrections on halfway house and Recovery Kentucky funding and operations. Deputy Commissioner Hillary Daily said DOC contracts for up to 1,752 halfway house beds and 780 Recovery Kentucky beds, with 16 halfway houses and 13 Recovery Kentucky centers statewide. She reported 6,329 admissions in fiscal year 2025, average daily populations of 1,041 in halfway houses and 494 in Recovery Kentucky, and explained that Recovery Kentucky placements are more restrictive, generally excluding violent and sex offenders, while halfway houses serve probationers, parolees, and sex offenders who need treatment. She also described programming such as MRT, parenting, adult basic education, and trauma-focused services, and said some facilities offer supervised visitation. Daily said no new funding request was included in the current budget, though DOC has sought rate increases in prior cycles. Community Transitional Services director Barbara Stum also testified in support of halfway houses as re-entry and substance abuse treatment centers. She said CTS primarily serves men coming out of prison or returning to prison who need treatment, and that halfway houses provide security, accountability, treatment, employment support, and help with home placement. Stum said the state moved substance abuse treatment into the community in 2010 to avoid sending people back to prison for treatment, and argued halfway houses are the least expensive form of incarceration. She cited daily rates of $33.61 for CTS beds and DOC figures of $37.33 to $44.33 per day, compared with higher prison and jail costs, and said reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation since the last increase in 2019. She said staffing and supplies are the main pressure points, with counselor pay below market rates, and noted two counselor vacancies. A former resident, Michael Bird, testified that CTS helped him recover and re-enter the community successfully. The committee also received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of the video arraignment/video conferencing system. AOC officials Zach Ramsey and Charles Buyers said the system is now fully implemented in all courtrooms and is used for video arraignments and other Zoom-based court proceedings. Buyers described the pandemic-era transition from older, inconsistent equipment to improvised laptop/webcam setups, then to a more integrated vendor-supported system with touchscreen controls and a judicial support specialist position for training and operation. He said 324 courtrooms are already up to the current standard, with 128 remaining on an older bundle, and that there are no technical barriers to continued use. AOC said it is seeking $3.8 million in recurring annual funding to keep the systems upgraded and current, and plans to upgrade 46 systems in fiscal year 2026 across 15 counties.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 145 00:02:50 Consideration of HB 567 00:08:00, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a product of all of that collaborative process.
• So oversight of the of the test itself.
• November of 2029. November of 2029.
• 13th of 2025. Okay. 13th of 2025. Okay.
• November of 2029. November of 2029.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 139 -- 00:03:15 Consideration of HB 356 -- 00:08:48, 958, all

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, the executive director of CootOT becomes the director of KCNA, and CootOT employees fulfill
• Uh, the executive director of coot is responsible to keep all of our agencies connected.
• Essentially, the executive director<00:03:15.519> of<00:03:15.920> CootOT<00:03:16.480>
• Uh the executive<00:04:38.160> director<00:04:38.400> of<00:04:38.560> coot<00:04
• :39.680> is executive director of coot is executive director of coot is responsible<00:04:40.880

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:56 Approval of Minutes 02:26 Discussion of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Related Legislative 02:43 Presentation of Geoengineering and Related Legislation 07:42, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the prior meeting’s minutes. Senator Williams then presented a discussion draft involving KCNA and COOT/Kentucky Wired governance changes. He said the proposal would make the COOT executive director the KCNA director, place the education CIO as chair of a new board of constitutional officers, terminate existing KCNA employees at inception, and return KCNA funds to the general fund. He described the measure as a temporary holding pattern focused on customer connectivity until an audit is completed next summer. Senator West asked whether the bill would change existing Kentucky Wired contracts, and Williams said the contracts would remain in place and COOT would simply handle the work without an extra layer of bureaucracy. No vote was taken; the item was for discussion only. The committee then heard a presentation on geoengineering and related legislation from Rep. John Hodgson, Sen. Rollins, and retired meteorologist Randy Baker. They described geoengineering as attempts to alter climate or weather, including solar radiation modification, stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and cloud seeding. The presenters distinguished these activities from ordinary jet contrails, crop dusting, ground-level emissions, and airport fog control, and said the proposed Kentucky bill would exclude those ordinary activities. They argued Kentucky lacks a current prohibition on weather modification, said the bill would protect farmland, crops, animal agriculture, aquaculture, and human health, and cited public concern, federal uncertainty, and similar legislation in other states. They also said cloud seeding is used in some western states but remains scientifically unproven and potentially harmful. Members asked about enforcement, federal preemption, and whether other states’ actions could affect Kentucky. The presenters said high-altitude spraying would be difficult to hide, that satellite imagery could detect large releases, and that the bill was intended as an assertion of state sovereignty even if federal law later changed. They also said there were no known active geoengineering projects in Kentucky. The discussion remained informational, with no committee vote or final action taken on either topic.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoLGsK0Qql0, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Pledge of Allegiance: 00:00:26 Attendance roll call: 00:00:58 Consideration of HB 277: 00:03:49 Consideration of HB 212: 00:15:16 Consideration of HB 141: 00:22:56, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP1FSdOJSIw, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman’s opening statement, and recognition of guests: 00:00:01 Discussion and passage of HB 100: 00:04:50 Discussion and passage of HB 18: 00:16:36, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• implementation of of uh House Bill 257. implementation of of uh House Bill 257.
• year's<01:10:26.920> graduates of of of last year's graduates of of of last year's graduates
• are operated out of the um office of are operated out of the um office of career<01:13:07.840>
• of of education member a lot of board of of education member eligibility<01:20:28.200> questions,
• /c> Um also uh one of the findings of the Um also uh one of the findings of the report<01:35:24.360><

Keywords: 0:00:03 - Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:43 - Approval of October 14, 2025 and November 4, 2025 Minutes 0:01:15 - Acceptance of Office of Education Accountability Report: Analysis Of Student Discipline Data in Kentucky Schools 0:02:10 - Implementation Update on 26 RS HB 257 0:49:38 - Career and Technical Education in the Assessment and Accountability System 1:13:50 - Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 1:47:27 – Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability. On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use. The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:45 - Discussion of 26RS SB 173 15:44 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 173 17:23 - Review of Referred Admin Regs 17:53 - Discussion of 26RS SB 18 19:05 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 18 20:06 - Discussion of 26RS HB 583 42:06 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 583 43:16 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 103 45:56 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 103 47:14 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 113 54:06 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 113 55:20 - Adjournment, 958, all

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF1ArOYiACI, 2026-06-21T07:17:04+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00:00 Meeting Start 00:00:11 Roll Call 00:01:45 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 00:02:21 Discussion of The Federal Early Childhood Policy Landscape 00:14:55 Discussion of the Family Child Care Network 00:41:06 Discussion of the YMCA Child Care Realities & Considerations 01:11:11 Discussion of Early Childhood Educator Pathways & Educational Supports 01:31:33 Discussion of the Little Purples Academy, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Have you ever walked in and fired thousands of people without any analysis of the cost of benefits?
• Of course, Senator. And also, as deputy, execution would be my job.
• Feinberg, earlier you said execution would be your job, and it's part of the job, but I don't think it's
• The responsibility of an executive officer in the military is not only to execute their commander's vision
• Ultimately, I I will follow the chain of command and execute what he wants, as long as it's lawful.

Keywords: Steven Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense, national security, budget cuts, military readiness, global threats, Department of Defense

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the nomination of Steven Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense. The committee emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in response to a complex array of global threats posed by adversarial coalitions, including China, Russia, and Iran. The discussions highlighted concerns regarding budget cuts and personnel reductions within the Department of Defense, showcasing the challenges posed by the current economic context and the pressing need to maintain military readiness and capabilities. Various members expressed their apprehensions about how impending layoffs and budget reductions would impact the defense workforce and national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Association of Personnel Executives.
• Association of Personnel Executives.
• Association of Personnel Executives.
• Association of Personnel Executives.
• Association of Personnel Executives.

Keywords: 00:14 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:10 Information Items and Introduction of Personnel Cabinet 02:44 Discussion of KHRIS HR system and need for replacement 05:52 Discussion of Challenges in managing HR for employees and records 09:16 Discussion of Employee Health Plan Record Management 12:56 Software and Hardware Discussion 16:15 Security Concerns 17:00 Costs, Staffing, and Implementation 24:09 Discussion of Data Integration and Hosting 32:20 Payment Methodology 35:20 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance held its first meeting and heard a presentation from personnel cabinet officials on a major request to replace the Kentucky Human Resources Information System, known as CHRIS, which currently handles HR, payroll, tax compliance, and health plan administration for state government and several local offices. Officials said the system supports payroll for about 48,000 employees, covers all three branches of government and 24 sheriff and county clerk offices, and stores records for nearly 475,000 current and former users. They explained that SAP has said the system will reach end of life and lose support by 2030, creating risks around security, maintenance, and tax compliance if it is not replaced. Commissioners and staff emphasized that the replacement is needed not just as an upgrade but as a full system replacement, especially because the current platform no longer receives meaningful HR enhancements and will eventually lose security updates and tax tables. They also described the Kentucky Employees Health Plan as a major driver of the project, noting it serves nearly 300,000 covered lives, many school boards, pre-65 retirees, and more than 700 entities, with significant complexity in billing, premium collection, and regulatory compliance. Officials said the new system would help address current manual workarounds, support changing insurance rules, and better protect personally identifiable and health information. Members asked detailed questions about the $151 million request, including why the estimate had risen by more than $50 million, what would happen if the project missed the 2030 deadline, how progress would be tracked, how vendor costs were estimated, and what the largest cost components would cover. Officials said the increase was mainly due to inflation and changing requirements, and that there was no real backup plan if the replacement was not completed before support ends. They said the project would be managed through an RFP process expected in July 2026, with kickoff in January 2027 and go-live by July 2030, and that oversight would include an enterprise steering committee, monthly updates, and existing quarterly COT reporting to LRC. They also explained that the largest share of the request is for implementation and integrator services, with additional amounts for software licensing and hosting, independent verification and validation, dependent verification, FSA administration, and limited contract support, and that payments would be tied to deliverables and acceptance testing.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avs_C83yra4, 2026-06-21T07:17:05+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:08 Discussion of Local Electronic Records Portals 00:02:53 Discussion of Local Records Grants 00:24:28 Discussion of Library District Board Selection 00:42:17 Discussion of Property Valuation Process and HB 44 00:48:47 Discussion of Sheriffs’ Transportation Costs 0:1:43:13, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Brandon Reed, Executive Director, Kentucky Office of Policy under the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
• Of the 50%, 65% of that is state funds, and 35% of that goes down to the counties, 118 counties, not
• /c><00:14:17.000> funds follow today so of the 100% of the funds follow today so of the 100% of
• c><00:14:37.480> that<00:14:37.639> is healthare of the 50% 65% of that is healthare of
• Reed does over there as executive director for the Kentucky Office of Policy. Thank you all.

Keywords: 00:00 Meeting Start 00:45 Attendance Roll Call 01:50 Introduction of New Members 07:10 Discussion of HB 24 09:36 Roll Call Vote 12:20 Discussion of HB 216 19:25 Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The Agriculture Committee met for its first meeting of the 2025 session, with the new chair opening the meeting, confirming a quorum, announcing the House’s 24-hour rule for committee substitutes and amendments, and welcoming several guests and new committee members. The chair also emphasized agriculture’s importance to Kentucky’s economy, citing crop revenue and the broader economic impact of the sector. The committee first considered House Bill 24, which would raise the audit threshold for conservation districts from $750,000 to $1 million. Supporters said the bill updates an outdated threshold and helps reduce the burden of costly audits amid inflation. The bill received a motion and second, no opposition was raised, and it passed by roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 216, presented by the vice chair and Brandon Reed of the Kentucky Office of Policy. The bill would allow certain Department of Agriculture employees to apply for grants or loans while preserving the existing prohibition for employees who oversee those programs. Testimony explained that the office’s funding comes from tobacco master settlement dollars, with a formula that directs money to agriculture and other purposes, and members discussed the importance of keeping those funds in Kentucky. The bill passed with favorable expression by roll call vote. Before adjournment, members made additional welcoming remarks for local officials and guests, and the chair noted the National Farm Machinery Show and tractor pull as a major event for Kentucky agriculture. The committee then adjourned.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFSJyEdA7hM, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, The live stream of the July 30th meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children ended slightly before the end of the meeting. This upload restores the final portion of the meeting, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• applies to crimes of max of 365 days.
• of the offense, including abuse of authority, breach of public trust, or misuse of public resources.
• abuse of authority, offense including abuse of authority, breach<00:02:14.879> of<00:02:15.040
• breach of public tr trust or misuse of breach of public tr trust or misuse of public<00:02:16.879
• > limitations of limitation statute of limitations of limitation statute of limitations provisions

Bills: SB2731, SB2830, SB2914, SB3072

Keywords: sentencing, nonviolent offenses, misdemeanor, prison reform, criminal justice, public servant, misconduct, statute of limitations, fraud, abuse of authority, breach of trust, lawmaker safety, political violence, confidentiality, personal information, Hawaii Revised Statutes, theft, mandatory sentencing, felony, prison

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on a decision-making agenda and considered four Senate bills. SB 2731 would cap misdemeanor jail terms at 364 days and allow people previously sentenced to one year to seek modification; the chair recommended passage with amendments limiting the change to nonviolent offenses, and the measure was adopted with one no vote. SB 2830 would extend the statute of limitations for misconduct-in-office offenses by public servants to allow prosecution during service and for 10 years afterward; members discussed tightening the definition of misconduct in office while leaving the public servant definition unchanged, and it was adopted with amendments. SB 2914, which would prohibit public disclosure of legislators’ personal contact information and certain voter and campaign records, was deferred because the chair believed existing law already covered much of the issue and wanted to see how that law works over time. SB 3072 would require a mandatory 12-month minimum sentence for first-degree theft involving property or services valued over $250,000; the committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the sentence could be imposed as a condition of probation or before parole, and it was adopted with the vice chair voting with reservation. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of over of at complete the development of over of at least<00:04:34.639> $5<00:04:34.960>
• of the effects of there's an awareness of the effects of exclusionary<00:25:50.000> zoning<00
• > or backlogs of tens of thousands or backlogs of tens of thousands or hundreds<00:25:57.760>
• One of the main drivers of the cost of a home is the land.
• of higher rates of occupied in an age of higher rates of remote<00:47:16.720> work.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:05 Roll Call 00:00:12 Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:03:12 Discussion of Housing and Land Use 00:21:58 Discussion of Short Term Rental Policies 01:03:17 Adjournment 01:15:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its June 4, 2025 meeting and then heard a series of presentations focused largely on housing and land-use policy. Senator Robbie Mills and Representative Josh Bray discussed two 2025 housing measures: Senate Bill 50, which would create residential infrastructure development districts to help local governments finance infrastructure for new housing developments through special assessments and local debt, and House Bill 7, which would let local governments identify development areas and rebate new property tax revenue to developers as an incentive for housing growth. They said Kentucky faces a statewide housing shortage of roughly 210,000 units, projected to grow if building patterns do not change, and argued that regulatory relief and financing tools are needed to increase supply. Representative Rebecca Rymer presented House Bill 371, which would require local permitting when an industry’s residual waste landfill is located in a different county from the industry itself. She said current law lets such landfills bypass local review, leaving host counties with no say despite road impacts and other local burdens. She said the bill would preserve the existing exemption when the landfill and industry are co-located, and noted support from KLC and KO. Representative Steve Doan also described House Bill 806, a statewide backyard chicken bill that would allow domesticated hens, prohibit roosters, set a minimum of six hens that local governments could not go below, and preserve local authority over setbacks, sanitation, maintenance standards, and egg sales. He said it would override outright local bans but not HOA restrictions, and cited a current Northern Kentucky dispute and ADA litigation as reasons for the proposal. The committee then heard a broader discussion on housing and land use from Charlie Gardner of the Mercatus Center and Nolan Gray of California YIMBY and the Bluegrass Institute. They outlined categories of land-use regulation, described the recent growth of state-level housing reforms nationwide, and cited examples such as ADU legalization, smaller lot sizes, reduced parking minimums, streamlined permitting, and single-stair or other building-code reforms. They argued that housing shortages are a statewide concern, that localities often have incentives to block growth, and that state intervention can reduce costs and uncertainty without compromising health and safety. Members asked about the housing shortage estimate, the effect of red tape on safety and local authority, and how state reforms could be phased in; the presenters said reforms often include lead time, can be targeted to larger jurisdictions, and should focus on reducing time and cost while maintaining basic standards.

Keywords: HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrKctj7bGQM, 2026-07-02T01:22:43+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting of the Special Committee Senate State of Hawaii COVID-19 Friday, April 3, 2020 Agenda The special committee will convene to assess and advise the Senate regarding the State of Hawaii's COVID-19 plans and procedures to include, but not limited to: 1) Confirm the development of the state departmental plans and procedures; 2) Review and assess current state departmental plans and procedures; 3) Review and assess whether state departmental plans and procedures are properly and timely implemented to safeguard public health and safety; and 4) To communicate and disseminate information obtained therefrom. The special committee will be meeting with the following: 11:00 AM Office of the Governor Ms. Linda Chu Takayama, Chief of Staff 11:30 AM Department of Human Resources and Development Mr. Ryker Wada, Director 12:00 PM Department of Agriculture Ms. Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, Chair 12:30 PM Department of Education Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Senator, my understanding of that executive order is that it does recognize that the President has
• I'm concerned about the impact of the March 27th executive order and what it will have on agency morale
• So will you take any steps to actually measure the impact of this executive order on services that many
• going to be invoked as part of the process of reducing the footprint of the Department of Education.
• Um, as you well know, of course, the president has already issued executive orders with respect to the

Keywords: nominations, Scott Cooper, Eric Ulan, federal workforce, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, accountability, collective bargaining

Summary: The committee convened to discuss the nominations of Scott Cooper for Director of the Office of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget. This meeting highlighted the critical roles both positions play in managing the federal workforce, which comprises over two million civilian employees. Concerns were raised regarding the current administration's approach to federal employment, citing issues like mass firings and the undermining of collective bargaining rights. Members expressed the need for better accountability and transparency within the federal system, emphasizing the importance of attracting talented public servants.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair calls up Shelley Botkin, executive director of the Texas Broadband Association.
• on up so the Chair… calls up Shelly Botkin, Executive Director of the Texas Broadband Association, testifying
• You are Taylor Kilroy, Executive Director of the Texas Public Power Association.
• Bill Roy, Executive Director of the Texas Public Power Association, and I'm testifying on House Bill
• Executive director of the Texas Public Power Association, and you're testifying neutral on House Bill

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all of this information is done ahead of all of this information is done ahead of time<00:14:13.720
• <00:14:49.480> um kind of a cohort of professionals um kind of a cohort of professionals um
• c> believe, on behalf of all of us, and believe, on behalf of all of us, and especially<00:34:55.200>
• at the end of the day bring back some of at the end of the day bring back some of the<00:47:21.680
• <00:51:27.280> of Director of the Department of Director of the Department of Corrections<

Bills: SCR180

Keywords: wildfire, fire hazard, Lahaina, West Maui, Maui wildfire, vegetation management, fuel reduction, defensible space, fuel breaks, invasive grasses, emergency access, evacuation route, fire lane, state lands, public safety, Office of the State Fire Marshal, community risk reduction, hazard mitigation, brush clearance, wildland-urban interface

Summary: The committee opened by noting it was likely its last hearing of the 2026 session, then took up several resolutions. SCR 54, on appointing a hydrogen fire safety expert and training on hydrogen-related protocols, and SCR 59, on allowing certain health care professionals to practice without a license during a state of emergency, drew no testimony. Members discussed SCR 59 as a response to past emergencies and the need for pre-approved, updated registries of professionals who could be deployed quickly in emergencies. SCR 62 SD1, which asks the 911 Board to form a working group with the disability community to address access issues in emergency and 911 responses, received testimony from disability advocates and the 911 Board. Testifiers said the measure should ensure an integrated system with EMS infrastructure, real-time access for dispatchers and field personnel, and public education about the system; they also noted that Smart911 is no longer being used on Oahu and Maui and that a statewide, integrated approach is needed. Members agreed to work the suggested language into the resolution. SCR 179, urging Maui County to enforce fire code provisions on brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access, was noted as having no testimony but continuing to raise important issues. SCR 74, calling for an audit of no-bid contracts issued under emergency proclamations from 2020 through 2025, drew strong support from a late testifier who tied the measure to emergency procurement concerns after the Lahaina wildfire and COVID-era contracting. The witness argued that procurement rules should not be waived in ways that compromise safety, and described concerns about unlicensed contractors and construction problems in a state housing project. Members asked about the scope of the audit and whether it would interfere with criminal investigations; the witness said the audit should cover a broad range of contracts, including nonprofit contracts, and should not be limited to the wildfire period. The committee also heard SCR 28 SD1 on creating a Hawaii Vietnam Veterans Medal, with support from the Department of Defense and veterans advocates, who said the resolution is intended to do the groundwork for a future appropriation and to determine eligibility and distribution procedures. Finally, SCR 60 SD1, requesting updates on the “Breaking Cycles” rehabilitation and restorative justice study, received support from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Correctional System Oversight Commission, and reform advocates. The department asked that reporting be annual rather than quarterly because of the complexity of the OCCC project, and supporters said the measure would promote transparency and help ensure the study’s recommendations are implemented. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.