Transcript Highlights:

• This is just a matter of can we continue to keep the pension sound?
• This is a statutory state question; it is not going to the ballot to put in the.
• We continue to expand and expand government and expect them to continue to pony up more and more money
• Government will continue to grow and grow and grow. I can do more with 10 people.
• They have that statutory authority, whoever gets elected at that time.

Bills: HB3257, HB3176, HB3544, HB3619, HB3546, HB1782, HB2293, HB4358, HB3081, HB3983, HB3790, HJR1023, HB4139, HB3297, HB3041, HB3673, HB4105, HB3338, HB3048, SR33, SCR21, SCR20, HB4030, HB4031, HB4032, HB4034, HB4036, HB4037, HB4038, HB4040, HB4041, HB4042, HB4043, HB4045, HB4046, HB4047, HB4048, HB4044, HB4050, HB4051, HB4052, HB4053, HB4054, HB4056, HB4057, HB4071, HB4065, HB4067, HB4072, HB2992, HB4338, HB4170

Keywords: veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, artificial intelligence, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development, social AI companions, minors, emotional attachment, safety protocols, civil penalties, parental controls, geographic information

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:09:16.720> then continue with the presentation, then continue with the presentation, then come
• uh they've developed under the statutory uh they've developed under the statutory and<00:30:25.520
• We're going to see that growth continue.
• And so, we want to that growth continue.
• <00:37:54.720> the I look forward to continuing the I look forward to continuing the discussion

Bills: HF3426, HF3428

Keywords: natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, land acquisition, real property, trust fund, commissioner approval, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, conservation easement, land purchase, state land, public lands, property acquisition, value assessment, tax assessed value, Metropolitan Council, Board of Water and Soil Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Statutory changes are temporary and expire on July 1, 2026.
• I want them to have the ability to continue doing that.
• It's continuing to be a work in progress.
• It requires all families to verify continued eligibility prior to each payment.
• [Amendment explanation continues.]

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statutory changes are temporary and expire on July 1, 2026.
• I want them to have the ability to continue doing that.
• It's continuing to be a work in progress.
• It requires all families to verify continued eligibility prior to each payment.
• It requires all families to verify continued eligibility prior to each payment.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper and committee chairs highlighted major spending priorities including a 4% raise for state employees, continued health insurance contributions, investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and workforce development, along with reductions tied to long-vacant positions. Education funding was a major focus, with increases for K-12 public schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, nursing initiatives, tutoring, and university performance funding. Health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and agriculture/environment budgets were also outlined, including Medicaid, mental health, corrections staffing, affordable housing, beach restoration, citrus recovery, and water projects. Members then questioned several budget choices, especially K-12 funding. Senators Polsky and Smith raised concerns that the Senate’s AP and dual enrollment funding changes could disadvantage public schools, while Burgess argued the budget preserves the money in the FEFP and gives districts more flexibility rather than reducing support. Questions also addressed voucher availability, school stabilization funding, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted 171 consent amendments and three late-file amendments, then approved SPB 2500 as a committee bill. It also favorably reported implementing and conforming bills for state employees, retirement, natural resources, judgeships, K-12 education, higher education, and health and human services, along with SB 7022 on Florida Retirement System contribution rates and elected-officer DROP options, CS/SB 1320 on the Resilient Florida Trust Fund, SB 7014 ending the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund, SB 7028 on cancer research, CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality and oversight, CS/SB 168 on mental health diversion and behavioral health data, SB 114 creating an insurance and risk management research center at FSU, and SB 180 on emergency preparedness and post-storm recovery. Most bills were reported favorably with little or no opposition, though SB 180 drew discussion about local-government authority after storms and the need to balance recovery speed with local safety and planning concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS IS WHAT THE FLEET DROP DOWN MENU IS AND IT HAS TO BE THE SAME BECAUSE YOU RECOGNIZE WE HAVE TO CONTINUE
• BEAR IN MIND AGENCIES HAVE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY AND EMS HAS STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY.
• AGENCY DATA BUT WHAT WE CAN GIVE THEM IS THE RECONCILE THE FLEET WAVE DATA AND THE TESTAMENT TO CONTINUE
• SOMETHING WHERE THERE ARE 30 SOMETHING STATE AGENCIES THAT YOU ARE HAVING TO RELY ON BUT YOU HAVE NO STATUTORY
• TO DO COMMITTEE ON JUST FLEET AGAIN THIS YEAR BUT THANK YOU DMS FOR COMING FORWARD AND HELPING US CONTINUE

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, continue. Okay.
• Continue.
• Continue.
• I continue to be frustrated.
• I continue to be frustrated.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair continues welcoming the guests and then calls the roll. Representative Banta is present.
• That was just minor tweaking after a continuing conversation with the League of Cities.
• This is consistent with the statutory requirements of other law enforcement officials to be POP certified
• This is consistent with the statutory requirements of other law enforcement officials to be POP certified
• requirements of other law statutory requirements of other law enforcement<00:27:25.679> officials

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 01:55 Attendance Roll Call 02:10 HB 422 Discussion 03:35 HB 422 Vote 04:55 HB 6 Discussion 11:30 HB 6 Vote 16:45 HB 87 Discussion 20:22 HB 87 Vote 21:43 HB 255 Discussion 24:33 HB 255 Vote 26:19 HB 437 Discussion 29:09 HB 437 Vote 30:25 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 6, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, which would require administrative regulations with a major economic impact of $500,000 or more over two years to go through the legislature. Williams argued the bill would rein in regulatory overreach, improve transparency, and still allow emergency regulations. Several members raised concerns about executive-branch authority and the role of subject-matter experts, while others supported the bill as a way to improve communication and legislative oversight. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 87, sponsored by Rep. Emily Callaway, with a committee substitute adopted first. The bill is aimed at reducing barriers for people with felony records who are seeking occupational licenses, while preserving existing public hiring practices for cities and counties. Callaway said the changes were mostly technical and intended to make the process more transparent, with no fiscal impact. The committee approved the bill, and it passed with the committee substitute. House Bill 255, sponsored by Rep. Amy Neighbors, also passed with a committee substitute. The measure updates and modernizes the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy statutes, which sponsors said have not been substantially revised since 1958. Supporters said the bill clarifies outdated language, defines terms more clearly, and better reflects current practice, including physical therapist assistants. The chairman noted the long effort to update the practice act and praised the work of the stakeholders involved. Finally, House Bill 437, sponsored by Rep. Tony Hampton, was presented as a cleanup bill for alcohol beverage control law. It would limit state and local ABC administrators and investigators from making arrests unless they are POP certified, while leaving their other authority intact. Hampton and supporting witnesses said the change would align the statute with other law enforcement certification requirements and help keep civilian administrators from being put in harm’s way. The transcript ends during discussion of this bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The people are going to continue to support it.
• But if going to continue to support it.
• So, I think we should continue to support those student athletes.
• So, I think we should continue to support those student athletes.
• We matter operate under statutory caps.

Bills: HB0147, HB0127

Keywords: property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, HB0127, recreation mill levy, recreational facilities, public recreation, mill levy, local tax, county commissioners, school district levy, voter approval, ballot measure, general election, tax referendum, special purpose tax, Wyoming taxation, W.S. 18-9-201

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Pratt, continue. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• <01:02:31.800> these uh so, I think we'll continue these uh so, I think we'll continue these
• can certainly continue. Senator Haw. can certainly continue. Senator Haw.
• Senator Fateh and I to continue to work and find agreement on this.
• > expenditures<02:14:34.880> of statutory reduction in expenditures of statutory reduction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• attorneys to look for continuous attorneys to look for continuous improvement<00:15:32.560> in
• So like one of continued to increase.
• are there and they are our continuity are there and they are our continuity and<00:43:17.920>
• provide that history and that continuity provide that history and that continuity for<00:43:33.200
• The statutory authority for that is found in 92.281.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard an update from representatives of the Kentucky County Clerk’s Association on the transition to electronic recording and land records modernization. They reviewed the 2021 task force work, the legislation and budget funding that followed, and the requirements for county clerks to provide online search portals and complete 30-year property record searches, with a 60-year standard expected next summer. Speakers said most counties are still working through scanning and verification, with only a small number fully complete, and emphasized that verification of records is the main bottleneck because it requires staff time and careful matching of indexes to deeds. They also noted limited vendor availability, differences among counties in what records are already digitized, and that the association and land title attorneys are now working more closely on future “continuous improvement” legislation. The clerks also raised related issues, including concerns about deed fraud as more records become searchable online. They said some counties already offer notification services that alert property owners when a document is recorded, which can help owners respond quickly to suspicious filings. They also discussed the filing document storage fee and KDLA digitization grants, saying the funding structure has generally worked but that two grant cycles have been missed. Another topic was whether, once records are fully digitized and searchable, some permanent records should remain publicly accessible or be moved to a safer archive. In response to committee questions, the witnesses said the remaining delays are less about money than staffing shortages and the need for more manpower to complete verification, and they said they would follow up on the balance in the KDLA fund and other details. The committee then received a presentation from an Area Development District representative, who described the districts as regional, nonpartisan service organizations that help cities and counties pool resources, provide technical assistance, and leverage public and private partnerships. He highlighted examples of regional cooperation, including veterans-directed care and other shared programs, and argued that the districts create efficiencies and economies of scale for local governments and the state. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to continue to work on it and basically I'd like to agree to continue this on to next year,
• I'd like to agree to continue this on to next year, which is what's in the bill, as to continue it until
• We think it's important to let that process continue to unfold.
• So I think with continue to unfold.
• <01:41:08.560> to department's report, but um continue to department's report, but um continue

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, continuing her emphasis on holding down the growth in state government.
• I know what we have in reserves, but we can't continue to live off our reserves.
• statutory or board direction that makes that transfer occur on an annual basis?
• Next year is 21.32, and it'll continue.
• And then we'll continue to bring this back before this body every year for renewal.

Summary: The committee first considered revisions to the JBC rules, which staff said were all prompted by acts passed in the 2025 legislative session. The rules were adopted without objection. Members then received a balanced budget presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s FY27 proposal, which he said was built around three priorities: limiting state government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income tax cuts. He highlighted major additions for education funding, EFA growth, pay plan costs, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, corrections medical costs, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction, and Medicaid sustainability, while also explaining a new A/B funding category structure intended to prioritize recurring costs and preserve room for tax cuts. Members questioned Hudson about the cost of income tax reductions, the constitutional balanced-budget requirement, education funding, the Educational Adequacy Fund, Medicaid trust fund balances, and the impact of federal changes on Medicaid and SNAP. Hudson said each tenth of a percent income tax cut would cost about $58 million, the budget remained balanced, public education would still receive historic increases, and the Medicaid trust fund would be monitored closely with additional set-asides proposed. He also said the FY27 SNAP administrative cost increase would be about $18 million. The committee then heard from the Division of Higher Education, which reported institutions were 2.61% more productive overall and that the budget recommendation followed the statutory productivity formula. Questions focused on why some institutions were receiving decreases or large increases, how the formula works, and how the new return-on-investment metric and committee composition would affect future funding. The committee approved several higher education-related actions, including personnel changes for nine institutions and special language for North Arkansas College’s move into the University of Arkansas system. Staff then walked members through the higher education appropriation summary, explaining large percentage increases at several institutions were tied to federal funds or corrected carry-forward issues, including the U of A School of Mathematical, Sciences and the Arts, South Arkansas College, SAU Tech, ASU Mountain Home, and ASU Newport. Members also discussed UAPB’s 1890 extension program and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s land-grant matching funds; officials said UAPB’s recommendation was being aligned with actual spending and that the Division of Agriculture’s Smith-Lever and Hatch matches were included within its overall appropriation. The committee ultimately adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions and then moved on to the Department of Corrections section, with the chair outlining how the committee would proceed through those appropriations by section.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Darby continued: They have incredible acceleration.
• She continued that the key or mode restricts the speed to 50%.
• <02:07:36.559> our accept that and uh we can continue our accept that and uh we can continue
• <03:13:47.359> but would hope to it would continue but would hope to it would continue but
• to help the lacc's meet their statutory to help the lacc's meet their statutory duties<03:18:28.640

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So continue to boo while Democrat military being turned on our own people.
• We do not have statutory control over our federal officers, folks.
• We do not have statutory control over our federal officers, folks.
• Qualified immunity must continue. And if it does not continue, we're going to see so much tragedy.
• His legacy will continue to light up the Coachella Valley and beyond.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• It could just say an exam, or perhaps a statutory change could just be a little bit more generic about
• <00:31:14.120> change<00:31:14.480> could ex the perhaps a statutory change could ex
• I don't know the statutory construction.
• So we could just continue this bill to that subcommittee hearing.
• function I I don't know the statutory function I I don't know the statutory construction<01:00:35.000

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee hearing focused on House Bill 271, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). The chair and several members expressed reservations about repealing a requirement that was only created in 2021, arguing that licensure should include some measurable demonstration of competency and that it is too early to judge whether the current standard is working. Members also raised concerns about the social work compact and the lack of uniformity across states, saying that changing the requirement now could undermine the standards New Hampshire agreed to at the outset. Testimony in support of the bill argued that the LSWA exam is a barrier for applicants because the level is intended for people without formal social work education, and the exam is the same national exam used for licensed social workers. The witness said there is only one LSWA in New Hampshire, so there is little pass/fail data, but noted that the Association of Social Worker Boards reported 78% of its membership favored retaining the exam. Supporters also emphasized that LSWA holders complete 30 hours of training and extensive supervised hours, and that they are not intended to work independently. Opponents or skeptics questioned whether the exam is the right measure for this role and asked for data showing actual failures or barriers. The discussion turned to possible alternatives, including a different exam, a practical skills assessment, or broader rulemaking authority for the board to set LSWA criteria. One suggestion was to amend the law to give the board authority to develop appropriate standards in rulemaking, rather than naming a specific exam in statute. Members also discussed whether the board could create a more suitable assessment and noted that the current law requires a national proctored examination approved by the board, but there is no national exam specifically for LSWA. No final vote or action was taken in the excerpt, and the subcommittee indicated it would gather more information, including the existing rule language, before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see in that column what's in place as a result of this statutory language.
• You'll see in that column what's in place as a result of this statutory language.
• Now, if the trends continue, the more.
• <02:28:38.240> I and will continue to hear more today.
• I and will continue to hear more today.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• compliance with a specific statutory compliance with a specific statutory reference,<00:14:51.600
• /c><00:20:01.640> work continue and pledge to work continue and pledge to work as<00:20:03.080
• support of it and and also will continue support of it and and also will continue the<00:25:20.560
• I Happy to continue working with folks.
• we're continuing to work on. we're continuing to work on.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant them continued vision for the good that is possible and the wisdom and skill to accomplish it.
• Zyla Bryant and wishing her continued success in all of her future endeavors.
• President, and continuing the discussion of interns, I have three here with me in the West Gallery.
• Continuing on with recognizing our interns with us today is Jada Montgomery. Jada, stand up.
• All right, we'll now continue with the order of business. Are there reports of committees?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills. Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package. The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:02.080> to to predict it's going to continue to to predict it's going to continue to
• to make sure that we are continuously to make sure that we are continuously developing<00:59:35.839
• <01:03:16.240> of stop gap, but it's a continuation of stop gap, but it's a continuation of
• It's really for continued 250,000.
• It is continued to do development.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met and approved the July 15, 2025 minutes before hearing a presentation from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA/KIA) on student financial aid ahead of the January biennial budget session. KHEAA outlined its role administering 17 state-funded grant and scholarship programs, 529 plans, and outreach services, and emphasized that net lottery proceeds after a $3 million literacy appropriation are statutorily dedicated to student aid. The agency focused on the major need-based programs—College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), and KEES—along with dual credit, Work Ready Kentucky, teacher scholarship, and National Guard tuition assistance. Officials said the new federal FAFSA methodology created a major increase in eligible students, especially for CAP, and thanked lawmakers for adding substantial funding this biennium to meet the higher demand. Staff explained that CAP is for Pell-eligible, low-income students, while KTG is a need-based grant for students at private Kentucky colleges; both use FAFSA data, but schools verify final eligibility. They said CAP awards are first-come, first-served and that the higher funding level allowed the program to last the full 21-month application cycle in FY 2024-2025, compared with much shorter periods in earlier years. KHEAA reported about $232 million spent on CAP for roughly 72,000 students last year, with current applications running about 10% ahead of the prior year. Members asked about the difference between applicants and recipients, the effect of lower lottery revenues, and whether recent federal legislation would affect state aid; KHEAA said it does not expect major impacts on grants and scholarships, though student loan changes could affect graduate students. The committee also discussed KEES and dual credit. KHEAA said KEES has been fully funded since its creation and that its forecast was within $76,000 of actual need last year. For dual credit, staff said a recent bill consolidated work-ready dual credit and career/technical education under one scholarship program, and KHEAA will seek growth funding because participation and costs continue to rise. The agency said FY 2025 dual credit spending reached $26.4 million across dual credit and work-ready funding, requiring transfers from Work Ready Kentucky to keep dual credit fully funded. Members asked about transferability of dual credit hours and whether the program reduces later college costs; KHEAA said it does not have hard data on every credit transfer, but it does see higher bachelor’s completion rates and lower student debt, suggesting positive effects. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It continued from then.
• Is that something that's important to you all that you would like to continue to pursue?
• That's what they're hoping to continue to do. We could stock it with Fishing Game.
• The question is, what would the statutory change look like in a general sense?
• The land grant has opted to continue to be the individual to bear the burden.