Transcript Highlights:

• Extension Service Thomas Poe Cooper Farm Leadership Award, Senator Howell. >> Does that conclude your
• <01:15:23.400> Extension<01:15:24.040> Service Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
• Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Thomas<01:15:25.880> Poe<01:15:26.560> Cooper<01
• :15:27.040> Farm<01:15:27.560> Leadership<01:15:28.120> Award, Thomas Poe Cooper
• Farm Leadership Award, Thomas Poe Cooper Farm Leadership Award, Senator<01:15:29.400> Howell.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a cooperative agreement, not a grant.
• Um, this is<00:15:38.080> a<00:15:38.160> cooperative<00:15:38.720> agreement,<00
• :15:39.720> not<00:15:40.120> a is a cooperative agreement, not a is a cooperative agreement
• initiative leads in executing their initiatives and also ensuring that all of these initiatives cooperate
• and work together because cooperate and work together because uh<00:50:14.480> that'll<00:50:

Bills: HB2246, HB2119, HB1929, HB1953, HB1572, HB2549, HB2594, HB2551, HB2595, HB2548, HB2459, HB1931, HB1604, HB1616, HB1736, HB2233, HB2241, HB1891, HB1803, HB2567, HB2534, HB2399, HB2172, HB1595, HB1811, HB2168, HB1780, HB1781, HB1785, HB2122, HB2012, HB2398, HB1779, HB2296, HB1894, HB1925, HB2019, HB1896, HB2294, HB2298, HB2300, HB2344, HB2345, HB2391, HB2037, HB2201, HB1941, HB1635, HB1943, HB2325, HB1926, HB2490, HB1710, HB2545, HB1976, HB2173, HB1804, HB1563, HB2015, HB1619, HB2475, HB1889, HB2367, HB2187, HB1765, HB1452, HB2231, HB1700, HB1705, HB1626, HB1897, HB1642, HB1523, HB2593, HB815, HB1655, HB1596, HB1732, HB1842, HB2476, HB2478, HB2022, HB1588, HB2575, HB1163, HB2153, HB772, HB1519, HB2050, HB2309, HB2147, HB2329, HB2274, HB2280, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2306, HB2148, HB2088, HB1764, HB2438, HB2117, HB1860, HB2604, HB2118, HB2017, HB2155, HB1832, HB2216, HB1601, HB1934, HB2297, HB2397, HB1893, HB2533, HB1890, HB2454, HB2004, HB2427, HB2207, HB1810, HB1840, HB1644, HB1645, HB1946, HB1648, HB2324, HB2323, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB2164, HB2165, HB2283, HB1691, HB2386, HB2423, HB2121, HB1984, HB1593, HB1671, HB2619, HB1481, HB2314, HB2319, HB1643, HB2558, HB1864, HB1898, HB2214, HB2167, HB2488, HB2009, HB2007, HB322, HB1964, HB2218, HB2616, HB1535, HB1574, HB1977, HB2054, HB2046, HB146, HB2094, HB2181, HB2250, HB2515, HB2444, HB2385, HB1740, HB1724, HB1733, HB1799, HB1725, HB2049, HB2161, HB1970, HB2519, HB1790, HB2416, HB1873, HB2001, HB2151, HB1603, HB1880, HB1753, HB2198, HB1511, HB1991, HB2546, HB1615, HB1939, HB2140, HB2429, HB1870, HB1850, HB1782, HB2137

Keywords: agriculture, federal grants, Hawaii, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, financial support, coffee, pest control, subsidy program, coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust, economy, biosecurity, invasive species, Molokai, advisory board, quarantine, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Cooper — here. Crago — here. Crum — here. Driskill — here. French — here. Gierau — here.
• Cooper, >> No. Cooper, >> No. Cooper, >> No. >> No. >> No. >> No. >> No. Crago, >> No.
• Cooper. No. Crago. I. Driskill. I. Ide. I. French. I. Gierau. No. Hicks. No. Hutchings. I. Jones.
• Cooper. No. Crago. I. Driskill. I. French. I. Gierau. No. Hicks. No. Hutchings. I. Jones. I. Kolb.
• >> No.<00:39:34.800> Cooper. >> No. Cooper. >> No. Cooper. >> No.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative
• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative
• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative
• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative
• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative

Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation
• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation
• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation
• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation
• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members. Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.

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• Let them cooperate to restore the ecological soundness of Mother Earth.
• Let all of humanity cooperate to create a good future for their children and grandchildren.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your bill does enjoy a do pass as amended recommendation, and thank you for cooperation with the committee
• Your bill does enjoy a due pass as amended recommendation, and thank you for cooperation with the committee
• obviously, unlike a vehicle that we would drive, humans would drive, there's just nobody there to cooperate
• automobile industry, the traditional automobile industry, up to this point, has done a tremendous job of cooperating

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• energy provider in the Southeast, and the largest supplier of renewable energy to electric rural cooperatives
• renewable energy to electric rural of renewable energy to electric rural electric<00:11:37.800> cooperatives
• electric cooperatives. electric cooperatives.

Bills: HB381, HB259, HB393, HB399, SB358, SB362, SB363, SB348, SB187

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for cooperating and working so closely with us as elected officials.
• Thank you for cooperating and working so closely with us as elected officials.
• Thank you for cooperating and working so closely with us as elected officials.
• Thank you for cooperating and working so closely with us as elected officials.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the prior journal and took up motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris moved to reconsider and restore Senate Print 3179A, an Environmental Conservation Law bill, to the third reading calendar, and amendments were also received on Senate Print 8491. The chamber then considered and adopted Resolution 1716, designating March 2026 as Greek History Month in New York, with remarks from several senators about Greek heritage, Greek independence, immigration, and the contributions of Greek Americans. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1607, proclaiming March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, with extensive testimony praising Red Cross disaster relief, blood donation, preparedness work, and volunteers; several senators highlighted local volunteers and urged greater support for the organization, including budget resources. The Senate welcomed guests, including Red Cross representatives and students from Brooklyn, and later opened the resolutions for co-sponsorship. The chamber then moved through the calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures affecting mental hygiene, elder law, penal law, public authorities, labor, public service, correction, education, election law, alcoholic beverage control, and state administrative procedure. Most bills passed by wide margins, though some drew recorded opposition, including the public authorities bill and several election, public service, and correction measures. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as a workplace dignity and anti-bullying measure, and Senator Ryan explained his support for the small-business regulatory website bill as a way to simplify access to agency rules and guidance. Senator Skoufis’s Public Health Law bill was also recalled from the Assembly, restored to the third reading calendar, and amended. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator Barry, I assume Cooper Extension Service is okay with doing these. >> Yes, Jonathan Moon.
• Senator<00:10:38.399> Barry,<00:10:38.800> I<00:10:38.959> assume<00:10:39.680> Cooper
• <00:10:40.079> Extension >> Senator Barry, I assume Cooper Extension >> Senator
• Barry, I assume Cooper Extension Service<00:10:40.640> is<00:10:40.880> okay<00:10:41.120

Keywords: Agriculture - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first discussed a bill codifying herd-share/custom slaughter practices for small livestock producers. The sponsor proposed amending the bill to change “sale and/or purchase” to “deposit” and to allow pricing by live weight, dressed weight, or final weight. Members raised concerns that allowing payment by dressed weight could trigger federal USDA inspection requirements and conflict with existing federal rules. After discussion, the committee agreed to keep only the first change, striking “purchase” and inserting “deposit,” and to leave the weight-pricing language unchanged. The sponsor then withdrew the broader amendment, and the bill was reported out with a title-sufficient do-pass motion. The committee next took up a bill authorizing Mississippi State University Extension to assist poultry farmers with management plans, citing delays caused by short staffing at NRCS and DEQ. Members asked whether the extension service was comfortable with the role and were told the assistance would be voluntary and not mandatory. The bill was reported out on a title-sufficient do-pass motion. The committee also approved a bill to allow crawfish farms to be licensed, and a bill on district livestock shows that would let the northeast district show be held at any facility within the county rather than only at the Verona livestock center, which the sponsor said was no longer suitable for the children involved. The committee then considered a meat-labeling bill making technical amendments to last year’s law on cultured meat and related products. After an initial vote was set aside because of a communications problem, the committee reconsidered the bill and adopted an amendment changing a funding reference from “special” to “general fund.” The bill was then reported out as amended. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2631, creating a voluntary Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to protect grain producers if elevators or buyers fail financially. The sponsor said the program would be funded by a per-bushel assessment, capped at $25 million, with possible state seed money still under discussion. Members asked about the source of any additional funds and the history of recent grain failures, and the bill was then moved forward on a title-sufficient do-pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution 69, resolution adjourning the Senate in honor of the 85th anniversary of East Kentucky Power Cooperative
• 41.840> Power 85th anniversary of East Kentucky Power 85th anniversary of East Kentucky Power Cooperative
• 42.880> its<00:29:43.120> rich<00:29:43.679> history<00:29:44.480> of Cooperative
• and its rich history of Cooperative and its rich history of electrifying<00:29:45.600> rural<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation, pledge, roll call, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The House clerk then reported that the House had passed House Bills 134, 214, 281, and 416 and requested concurrence. The clerk also read the second-reading calendar, including Senate Bills 1, 3, 48, 84, 105, and 122, and a new filing, Senate Bill 141 on legal advertisements. The Rules Committee later reported those bills to the regular orders or to appropriations, and the Committee on Committees referred several bills to Agriculture and to Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor. The chamber then took up and passed Senate Bill 20, relating to city government and training incentive programs for appointed and elected local officials. The sponsor described it as a straightforward measure to encourage training for city officials and board members; it passed unanimously, 35-0. Senate Bill 68, relating to the Kentucky Horse Park, also passed unanimously. Its sponsor said the bill would give Horse Park leadership authority to remove individuals restricted by U.S. Center for SafeSport actions in order to protect guests, staff, and participants. Members also adopted Senate Resolution 65 honoring John and Debbie Rogers on their 50th wedding anniversary and Senate Resolution 50 honoring the Lexington Opera House on its 140th anniversary. Several members requested co-sponsorships on bills and resolutions, and announcements were made about Military Kids Day on February 19 and the Black History Celebration beginning February 3 at the Thomas D. Clark Kentucky History Center. New floor amendments were introduced to Senate Bills 3, 34, and 39, and new filings included Senate Bills 142 and 143 and Senate Resolutions 69 and 70. The Senate then adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, February 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• underneath is stating that notwithstanding subsection 7, a section 54.4.13, and that's regarding cooperative
• And in the law, it limits certain entities to only be able to participate in those cooperative purchasing
• So what we want to do is say any entity that's receiving funds from this could benefit from a cooperative
• could utilize two different sections, too, to talk about because you have the subdivision for the cooperative

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Appropriations Division met in a work session on the draft Rural Health Transformation appropriations bill, 25.1392.01000, with no public testimony taken. Legislative Council and the Department of Health and Human Services walked through the bill, which would appropriate about $397.8 million in federal grant funds over two federal fiscal years, provide transfer authority, allow certain federal funds to be used for salaries and wages without counting against existing transfer limits, and authorize OMB to adjust other agencies’ spending authority if they receive grant awards through HHS. The bill also includes several temporary statutory exemptions to help implement the program, plus recipient acknowledgement/reporting requirements, periodic reports to Legislative Management, and an immediate effective date upon filing. Committee discussion focused heavily on how the federal rural health transformation money can be used and administered. Department officials explained that CMS will review projects for allowability and sustainability, that the state has flexibility to move funds among categories, and that the grant is limited to 10% administrative costs. Members asked about whether the funding could support renovations, equipment, ambulances, bulk purchasing, food distribution, and other rural health ideas, and were told many details will depend on CMS approval and the eventual applications. Questions also addressed cash flow, timing of obligations and reimbursements, FTE funding, and whether grant recipients should be told the program will not continue beyond the federal period; officials said the language is meant to prevent expectations of automatic continuation, not to bar future legislative action. The committee also discussed the bill’s use of a two-year appropriation amount, with staff explaining that the state must appropriate enough authority to cover the federal grant cycle and that unused authority would lapse if the full amount is not received or spent. Members raised concerns about whether the bill’s language could limit creativity or future program design, but department officials and several members emphasized the need for flexibility because CMS may reject overly specific directives. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend the bill draft to the full committee; the motion carried on a roll call vote, and the chair said the full Joint Appropriations Committee would take up the bill at the special session next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because there is a lot of potential financial benefit if we can come together cooperatively.
• the Department of Mental Health and I thought, I've got to start a new conversation, a plan for cooperation
• One of the DMH issues is it's difficult to sustain communication that then permits cooperation.
• the hardest part of your job is balancing all of the interests, which is why I think If we join cooperatively

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wynne Williams documents in her book, I was pressing Facebook on its potential cooperation with the Chinese
• We'll be conducting a thorough investigation and ask MEDA to fully cooperate.
• Facebook acknowledging this pressure saying we need to do something if we want to get the party's cooperation
• , the government's cooperation, and what happened next?

Keywords: Meta, Facebook, whistleblower, regulation, China, user data, artificial intelligence, testimony, Congress

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism focused on oversight of Meta's foreign relations and representations to Congress. An essential witness, Sarah Wynne-Williams, a former executive at Facebook, provided testimony outlining significant concerns about the company's practices and its complicity in aiding oppressive regimes. The atmosphere was charged, with ongoing debates about the regulation of big tech companies and the ethical implications of their policies. The committee explored topics such as user data management, whistleblower retaliation, and the need for legislative measures to protect users and enhance accountability in the tech sector. A notable point of contention was Facebook's alleged cooperation with the Chinese government regarding the dissemination of user data and AI tools, leading to serious ethical implications.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said they were simply asking at that time whether universities were cooperating with campuses, and
• <01:19:41.920> with if universities were cooperating with if universities were cooperating
• She said they were simply asking at that time whether universities were cooperating with campuses, and
• She said they were simply asking at that time whether universities were cooperating with campuses, and
• <01:45:40.480> law they are not allowed to cooperate law they are not allowed to cooperate

Bills: HF3432, HF3411

Keywords: resident tuition, employment, higher education, Minnesota, tuition rates, state universities, immigration status, immigration, postsecondary education, privacy, data access, federal officers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The pledge of allegiance will be led by Sloan Cloud, Addie Seolic, Mary Johnson, and Cooper.
• Cooper, what's your last name? Jacobson.
• Cooper Jacobson from Prospect Valley Elementary School, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, led the pledge, established a quorum, and approved the journal from Thursday, January 22, 2026 as corrected. The meeting then moved into announcements and introductions rather than bill debate. Members welcomed the Rocky Mountain Police and Fire Chaplain and recognized First Responder Chaplaincy Day at the Capitol, with remarks emphasizing support for first responders’ physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Several members made brief announcements about upcoming or ongoing events, including a Joint Local Government and Housing Smart Committee meeting, the livestock sale at the stock show, and a Marty GR potluck planned for February 17. One member thanked the Transportation, Housing, and Local Government Committee for canceling some presentations to speed up proceedings. The House also heard a short reading from More Than Pett Coats: Remarkable Colorado Women about Sister Blandina Segale, highlighting themes of service, charity, and overcoming prejudice. The session was light and informal, with repeated references to the Broncos and a group photo in team gear. No substantive legislation was considered, and no recorded votes occurred beyond adoption of the corrected journal. The House then recessed until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is set to enter into a cooperative agreement with us, so we think that we don't need quite
• But we are six to eight months away from entering into a cooperative agreement.
• Once we enter into that cooperative agreement, and then our two top...

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a zero interest loan, essentially bridging the Loan electric cooperatives with political subdivisions
• Um, am I correct that the loans can go to political subdivisions and electric cooperatives? **Mr.
• So I just want to clarify that these funds cannot be used by a cooperative if they are sued for wildfires

Transcript Highlights:

• community included one of the most decorated rodeo cowboys of all time, Trevor Brazil, as well as Tu Cooper
• and the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame, famer Roy Cooper, both of the famed Cooper family.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this industry, the professionalism among the counsel is such that there is transparency and cooperation
• The more cooperation you can achieve. Now, sometimes I reached out and I said, hey,...
• The more cooperation you can achieve.

Summary: The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals. Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects. Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.