Transcript Highlights:

• Um the way<00:12:19.600> we<00:12:19.839> enforce<00:12:20.320> it<00:12:20.639>
• time<00:12:24.320> records<00:12:25.440> and<00:12:26.639> because<00:12
• <00:12:47.440> So<00:12:47.600> that<00:12:47.839> might<00:12:48.079> be
• So<00:12:52.720> is<00:12:52.880> that<00:12:53.120> the<00:12:53.360> only
• > timing<00:12:55.600> um<00:12:55.920> how<00:12:56.160> do<00:12:56.320

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several labor-related bills. SB 2567 would allow public employers to seek temporary restraining orders against harassment of employees; the Judiciary, DHS, DOE, and others supported it, with some asking that coverage be broadened to all public employees. The Judiciary said it would not oppose expanding the bill’s scope. The chair deferred decision-making on SB 2567 to February 13, 2026, to allow further discussion with the Judiciary and Attorney General’s Office. SB 2386 would expand pay-transparency requirements for job listings and lower the small-employer exemption threshold from 50 to 25 employees. Testifiers largely supported the measure, citing transparency and retention benefits, while one opposition was noted. The committee voted to pass SB 2386 with amendments, including changing the effective date to January 1, 2077. SB 2389, the Warehouse Workers Protection Act, drew support from labor advocates but concerns from DLIR and the Attorney General’s Office about enforcement and a prosecutorial provision; after questions about quota tracking and recordkeeping, the chair deferred the bill. SB 2663 would require employers to respond in writing to workers’ compensation treatment plans within seven days and establish related penalties. DLIR opposed the bill as drafted, citing fairness and existing statutory conflicts, while injured workers and labor representatives supported it and described long delays in treatment approvals. The committee voted to pass SB 2663 with amendments, including directing fines to the special compensation fund, clarifying enforcement, and setting the effective date to January 1, 2077. SB 2555 would allow retirees to work in succession-planning positions without losing retirement benefits; ERS supported the intent but suggested an annual reporting requirement and noted existing rehire mechanisms. The committee voted to pass SB 2555 with amendments, including an annual report requirement and the same January 1, 2077 effective date. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.120> what<00:12:01.360> I'd<00:12:01.600> like<00:12:01.680> to<00:12
• wants<00:12:06.560> to<00:12:06.800> specifically<00:12:07.600> advocate<00:12:
• right<00:12:13.519> vehicle<00:12:14.399> in<00:12:14.639> the<00:12:14.880>
• <00:12:18.240> And<00:12:18.560> I<00:12:18.800> don't<00:12:18.880> care
• <00:12:20.480> up<00:12:20.639> because<00:12:20.880> I<00:12:21.040> I

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee Subcommittee on Adequacy and Funding Sources opened its second meeting by reviewing four retained bills assigned to it: HB 651, HB 772, HB 491, and HB 734. The chair said the goal was to compare the bills across the board, consider whether any one of them should be the committee’s recommended vehicle, and then vote on a recommendation to the full committee. He noted the bills would move out before November 21 and be taken up on the House floor in January, while related LSRs were also being developed for the coming session. Representative Ames argued that HB 651 should be the main vehicle because it would substantially raise the adequacy base and adjust differential aid categories to better reflect real school costs, including poverty, special education, and English learner needs. He described the bill as building on court guidance and said the current funding formula is far below actual district needs. He also supported HB 491 as a study vehicle to examine revenue options, saying the legislature needs informed choices about how to pay for the changes. Representative Damon strongly backed HB 651 and HB 491, citing constitutional obligations, the Conval and Rand rulings, and large projected funding increases for districts such as Claremont, Windham, and communities in the chair’s district if HB 651 had passed earlier. Representative Fellows said he has an LSR similar to HB 491 that would study existing and new revenue options using criteria such as revenue potential, administrative cost, affected groups, implementation timeline, and implementation cost, with input from revenue administration and outside agencies. Representative Papich Muller emphasized constitutional separation-of-powers concerns, reading Article 83 and saying he was not comfortable with the broad claim that “cherish” clearly mandates a specific spending level, though he said he intends to follow Supreme Court guidance. Representative Ricky read testimony from a local school board member arguing that the state already imposes many mandates on schools while providing the least funding in the country, and that HB 651 would help restore meaningful local control. No final vote or action was taken in the portion provided, though the chair had indicated the subcommittee would vote before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:12:10.560> talks<00:12:10.880> about<00:12:11.519> potential<00:12:12.000>
• > um<00:12:20.880> are<00:12:21.120> going<00:12:21.200> to<00:12:21.279>
• :12:27.040> terms<00:12:27.200> of<00:12:27.360> they're<00:12:27.680> not
• ><00:12:28.480> want<00:12:28.720> to<00:12:28.880> give<00:12:29.040> them
• <00:12:35.120> And<00:12:35.360> I<00:12:35.600> think<00:12:35.920> New<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [snorts] Seeing<00:12:03.440> none,<00:12:03.680> T<00:12:04.000> sound<00:12:04.160
• Those in<00:12:05.760> favor<00:12:06.000> vote<00:12:06.240> I.
• <00:12:06.399> Those<00:12:06.639> opposed,<00:12:06.880> nay.
• Roll<00:12:07.360> call<00:12:07.519> is<00:12:07.680> open<00:12:07.839> for
• <00:12:08.000> your<00:12:08.079> vote.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:27 Report of Committees 05:14 Orders of the Day 06:02 HB 184 06:16 HB 265 09:38 HJR 24 13:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 19:39 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 26:58 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 28:48 ConC and Rules Report 37:47 Impeachment Committee Announcement 40:50 Adjournment 41:13, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call showing 95 members present. Members approved the prior journal, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and received committee reports advancing House Bill 96 on the Postsecondary Education Working Group and House Bills 34 and 214 on veterans-related benefits. The chamber then considered and passed House Bill 184, which concerns health savings account qualified insurance plans and would delay certain state cost-sharing limits until the federal IRS minimum deductible is met. The bill passed 94-0, and the motion to reconsider was tabled. The House also passed House Bill 265, dealing with regulatory authorizations by the Commissioner of Insurance. The sponsor explained that the bill creates a statutory dissolution process for self-insured workers’ compensation pools and removes the Department of Insurance’s approval role for new pools in response to past insolvency problems. That bill passed 95-0, and the clincher was applied. The chamber then adopted House Joint Resolution 24, as amended by House Committee Substitute 1 and a title amendment, by an 87-1 vote. The resolution directs the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to withdraw a Medicaid 1115A waiver application related to mandatory community engagement requirements, with supporters saying the request is no longer needed under current federal law. Later, the House honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through House Resolution 5, which recounted his civil rights legacy and Kentucky’s civil rights history; the resolution was adopted without objection. Members also announced upcoming committee meetings, withdrew House Bill 292, and received a long list of new bill introductions covering topics including nicotine products, elections, opioid antagonists, local purchasing, vital records, inheritance tax, state parks, unemployment benefits, civic education, psychologists, the Court of Justice, citizenship requirements for elected officials, attorney privacy in criminal cases, sex crimes, and audiology. The Committee on Committees then referred and reassigned numerous bills to standing committees, named new ranking minority members, and appointed an impeachment committee. The House recessed briefly for committee meetings and then adjourned until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are, for this subcommittee obviously, we have our K-12, through 12 issues, community college issues
• K-12 proposals in the morning session.
• So we will do so now for K-12, Prop 98.
• it sometimes K-12?
• So the 30 million January proposal. Wasn't really.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :31.440> and<00:12:32.240> um<00:12:32.399> as<00:12:32.639> it<00:12:32.880
• ><00:12:35.279> think<00:12:35.519> maybe<00:12:36.320> three<00:12:36.880> people
• , um the<00:12:38.560> impact<00:12:38.959> on<00:12:39.200> the<00:12:39.360>
• And um the<00:12:44.320> committee<00:12:44.880> uh<00:12:45.200> voted<00:12:45.839
• Loyal, Senator<00:12:56.720> Westman<00:12:57.120> for<00:12:57.279> the<00:12:

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would<00:12:03.760> allow<00:12:04.079> the<00:12:04.399> entity<00:12
• ><00:12:07.120> the<00:12:07.279> coroner<00:12:07.680> and<00:12:07.839> the
• This<00:12:13.440> can<00:12:13.680> only<00:12:13.839> be<00:12:14.000> done
• 16.000> been<00:12:16.160> made<00:12:16.720> to<00:12:17.279> find<00:12
• Also, if next to<00:12:22.320> Ken<00:12:22.639> chooses<00:12:23.200> not<00:12

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 34 members present and approved the prior day’s journal. The chamber also received a House message that House Bill 96 had passed and requested concurrence. During second reading, Senate Bills 17, 34, 39, and 181 were reported and sent to the Rules Committee, and Senate Resolution 56 was introduced honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig for their mission service. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 27, which would allow local governing bodies, after consulting with a coroner and making a 30-day effort to locate next of kin, to choose cremation rather than burial for indigent decedents; it also preserved options for religious organizations to take possession of a body. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed 35-0. Senate Bill 30, dealing with the Motor Vehicle Commission’s restricted fee account and allowing unused funds to carry forward for commission operations, also passed unanimously 35-0. Senate Bill 40, concerning public library district boards of trustees, was amended by committee substitute and passed 34-1 after debate. Supporters said it would return county library board appointments to local officials and speed appointments, while opponents argued it could politicize libraries and weaken their independence; several members explained their votes, including concerns from library advocates and a defense that the bill still allowed local boards to seek advice. Senate Bill 76, which limits school boards from increasing occupational license taxes above the base 0.5% until a county reaches a population of 500,000, was also amended by committee substitute and passed after its sponsor argued it responded to a disputed Fayette County tax increase and would restore transparency and public trust.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:00.480> It's<00:12:00.640> a<00:12:00.800> very<00:12:00.959> simple
• The motion prevails.<00:12:20.560> The<00:12:20.800> secretary<00:12:21.200> will
• The secretary will give Senate file<00:12:22.160> number<00:12:22.399> 823<00:12:23.200
• 12:25.200> Senate<00:12:25.519> file<00:12:25.760> number<00:12:26.000> 823,<
• c> marked<00:12:33.680> trunk<00:12:33.920> highway<00:12:34.240> 282<00:12:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:31.760> Um,<00:12:32.079> and<00:12:32.320> it<00:12:32.560> includes
• Chair, you can see<00:12:52.480> that<00:12:52.639> it's<00:12:52.880> a<00:12:53.120
• next January. next January.
• :09.360> of<01:12:09.520> the<01:12:09.679> work<01:12:09.760> that<01:12
• <01:12:14.000> of<01:12:14.159> those<01:12:14.960> um<01:12:15.199> that

Bills: HF3379

Keywords: housing stabilization, disability services, predatory funding, provider requirements, housing accessibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:06.079> budget<00:12:06.320> is<00:12:06.560> spent<00:12:06.800>
• <00:12:21.440> is<00:12:21.680> now<00:12:22.000> spent<00:12:22.320> on<
• > and<00:12:23.920> 2%<00:12:24.399> of<00:12:24.560> our<00:12:24.720>
• have<00:12:28.720> at<00:12:28.959> DHS<00:12:29.680> along<00:12:30.000>
• ><00:12:37.360> so<00:12:37.920> um<00:12:38.079> the<00:12:38.240> admin

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thursday, January 8, 2026.
• Thursday, January 8, 2026. Thursday, January 8, 2026.
• >> Oh,<00:12:02.560> he's<00:12:02.720> adjourning<00:12:03.120> till
• <00:12:03.360> 1:00<00:12:03.839> tomorrow.
• Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• alumnist the<00:12:30.040> late<00:12:30.399> physician<00:12:31.000> Noah<00:12
• <00:12:33.560> it's<00:12:33.839> passing<00:12:34.160> two<00:12:34.399>
• > I'm<00:12:48.399> not<00:12:48.600> sure<00:12:48.920> you<00:12:49.040
• :12:50.440> bulk<00:12:50.800> of<00:12:50.920> mola<00:12:51.560> residents<
• :12:55.639> for<00:12:55.880> one<00:12:56.120> dental<00:12:56.480> cleaning

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met on February 6 and began with decision-making items. SB 663, concerning additional positions for the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, was deferred again after the chair said the university’s response did not include the requested details on vacant positions, recruitment status, and fill dates. The chair said the committee needed the full information before considering new positions, and the university apologized for treating the request as informal rather than a formal committee inquiry. The committee then discussed SB 672, relating to capital improvement projects for the Y. Manalo Research Station. University representatives said the project had been identified late because of timing and that they were still developing a broader plan for SEAR research facilities. The chair questioned how the project fit within the university’s existing Board of Regents-approved CIP priorities and whether any current priorities should be displaced. The university said it could not unilaterally reprioritize the budget, and the measure was deferred pending better direction on how it fits into the overall plan. For SB 557, which would require the John A. Burns School of Medicine to direct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention for Maui, the committee heard strong testimony in support from Maui health care providers and community representatives. Supporters described severe shortages of physicians and dentists, long waits for care, and the need for housing, loan repayment, scholarships, transportation, and telehealth support to retain providers. The university said it was willing to help and suggested the work could be done through existing rural health and AHEC efforts. The bill was kept alive for further work, with the chair encouraging the parties to develop a plan. The committee also heard SB 1107, establishing a medical education position at JABSOM to support ECHO-style mentorship and guidance programs. The university opposed the bill, saying it did not believe the measure addressed a problem that needed fixing and that Hawaiʻi already has five ECHO clinics administered through the Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association, not JABSOM. The committee then took up SB 1204, concerning integration of the Kakaʻako medical school and cancer center. University leadership asked for time to develop a plan and timeline, possibly with an external consultant, and requested the bill be withdrawn. The chair expressed skepticism, citing long-standing concerns about the cancer center’s finances and planning. Testimony included support from the American Cancer Society and a patient who warned that integration could jeopardize the cancer center’s NCI designation and clinical trials, while a university vice president said the NIH P30 grant does not require the cancer center and medical school to remain separate and that many NCI centers are integrated. No final votes were taken on the measures discussed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The resolution is adopted. >> Senator from F-12. >> Yes.
• FET 12. FET 12.
• Thank you, Senator from F-12.
• Thank you to you senator from Fed 12.
• Friday, January 30th, Year of Our Lord, 2026.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 34 members present. The chamber approved the journal from January 28, received notice that the House had passed House Bills 56, 320, 366, and 389 and requested concurrence, and heard a report that second-reading bills were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports advanced several measures, including Senate Bills 1, 3, 48, 84, 102, and 122, which were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar. The Senate also received new bills and resolutions, including measures on SNAP benefits, unemployment insurance, medical licensing, proxy advisory services, child protection, disabled veterans, public school construction, and a concurrent resolution encouraging nuclear workforce training at Kentucky universities. The Rules Committee posted Senate Bills 20, 34, and 68 for the next regular orders, and the Committee on Committees referred Senate Resolutions 60, 61, 63, 64, and 65 to the floor. Senate Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3 was introduced. Several honorary and memorial resolutions were adopted, including Senate Resolution 63 honoring Reverend George Clifton Currington, Sr., Senate Resolution 49 honoring Dr. Jacqueline Sugarman, and Senate Resolution 31 designating Suits and Sneakers Day to recognize cancer patients, survivors, and advocates. Senators spoke at length about cancer awareness, personal family experiences, and Kentucky’s efforts to improve screening and treatment access. Announcements were made about an oversight committee meeting after adjournment and a Kentucky State Police Professional Association breakfast the next morning. The Senate adjourned until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• > and<00:12:10.520> we<00:12:10.640> would<00:12:10.840> be<00:12:11.000>
• to<00:12:12.840> comply<00:12:13.720> with<00:12:13.920> the<00:12:14.040>
• with temporary<00:12:44.960> license<00:12:45.440> and<00:12:45.560> they<00:12
• and<00:12:48.360> why<00:12:48.520> will<00:12:48.720> they<00:12:48.880>
• from<00:12:50.160> a<00:12:50.240> grant<00:12:50.560> that<00:12:50.720>

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing<00:12:13.519> none, Senator<00:12:17.680> from<00:12:17.839> Taylor,<00:12
• :18.320> do<00:12:18.399> you<00:12:18.480> have<00:12:18.560> a Senator
• <00:12:19.360> I<00:12:19.519> do,<00:12:19.760> Mr.
• <00:12:20.000> President,<00:12:20.399> I<00:12:20.639> move<00:12:20.800>
• President, I move that the<00:12:21.040> Senate<00:12:21.279> adjourn<00:12:21.680>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then completed the roll call and confirmed a quorum. The journal from Tuesday, January 6, 2026, was approved without objection. No committee reports or floor amendments were presented. Members introduced a series of new measures, including bills on parentage fraud, a state dog breed designation, pharmacist reimbursement, fishing in privately owned lakes and ponds, public library district boards, ad valorem tax rates, energy planning, Kentucky Fire Commission appropriations and an emergency clause, agritourism, school transportation and an emergency clause, end-of-line-of-duty death benefits, mandatory re-entry supervision, battery stewardship, and a joint resolution declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. Several memorial resolutions were also introduced honoring Leonard Len Marian Spalding Jr., Dixie P. Hibbs, and Brian J. Hat. During announcements, senators noted evening receptions at Government Strategies and Top Shelf, and reminded members about workplace harassment training the next day followed by a bipartisan lunch. Co-sponsorship requests were approved without objection for Senate Resolution 7 and Senate Bills 21, 17, and 22. The Senate then adjourned without objection until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, after a final announcement about the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth address.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:12:40.720> how<00:12:40.839> much<00:12:41.080> money<00:12:41.320> we
• we can make,<00:12:42.400> how<00:12:42.600> to<00:12:42.920> we<00:12:43.120>
• > can<00:12:46.880> partner<00:12:47.240> with<00:12:47.520> to<00:12:47.640
• And<00:12:49.280> the<00:12:49.400> education<00:12:50.040> of<00:12:50.160>
• :12:03.440> to<01:12:03.560> be<01:12:03.720> litigated<01:12:04.200> in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Louise Renee Nicole Good was killed in Minneapolis on January 7.
• Luis David Nino Moncaya was injured in Oregon on January 8.
• Luis David Nino Moncaya was injured in Oregon on January 8th.
• Julio Cesar Silas was injured in Minneapolis on January 14th. ...was injured in Minneapolis on January
• Alex Jeffrey Prida was killed in Minneapolis on January 24th.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the prior journal. Members then recognized several guest groups and proclamations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, the Arizona Society of CPAs, the Arizona Airports Association (with a proclamation designating Arizona Aviation Day), and students from Onyose Day Academy in Yuma for School Choice Week. Additional guest introductions included school choice and community advocates. The chamber then handled executive nominations and a long list of bill introductions and committee referrals. Measures covered a wide range of topics, including veterans’ property tax exemptions, ESA reporting and spending limits, public school communications requirements, sentencing and expungement, SNAP work and audit provisions, immigration-related restrictions, water and land issues, election law, domestic relations, health insurance and fertility coverage, and several education, transportation, and public safety proposals. The Senate also moved through second-reading consideration of numerous bills and resolutions, including measures on voting security, prison sentencing, weather modification, water supply, emergency shelters, rural health, reentry programs, and foreign contributions. A large portion of the floor time was taken up by personal privilege statements focused on human rights and immigration enforcement. Senators from both parties spoke about alleged abuses by federal immigration authorities, citing deaths and injuries in several states and calling for investigations, transparency, and an end to excessive force. Separate remarks also addressed a humanitarian crisis in Iran, with a resolution read in support of human rights and the Iranian people. The chamber recessed and later reconvened to continue reading bills and announcements. No substantive floor votes on legislation were taken in the transcript beyond routine procedural actions, and the meeting ended with committee announcements and adjournment until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:04:18.079> that only section, Senate section 12, that only section, Senate section 12
• The adding a January 1st effective date.
• On line 12, there's a few Senate-only provisions.
• On line 12, when they file for office.
• <00:10:25.279> 1st, 189.23 and then adding a January 1st, 189.23 and then adding a January

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The State and Local Government and Elections Conference Committee met on May 13, 2025, to adopt agreed-upon provisions from the elections article. The chair noted they initially lacked a quorum on both sides, but later confirmed quorum was present. Members and staff walked through a grid of proposed sections, covering voter registration and student proof-of-residence rules, public voter information list deadlines, electronic rosters for combined polling places, absentee ballot procedures, candidate filing and ballot preparation notices, write-in candidate timelines, municipal boundary adjustments, emergency polling place signage, county election training, special election filing periods for legislative vacancies, school district election timing, voting system testing, town elections, hospital board elections, and repeal of the voting equipment grant account. Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, including wording fixes, consistency edits, and updated effective dates, with many provisions set to take effect January 1, 2026. One item, line 15, involving a cannabis-related provision, was set aside because an amendment had not been posted and printed in time; members agreed to take it up later. The committee also discussed a mix of House-only and Senate-only provisions, including third-party presidential electors, phonetic spelling on affidavits of candidacy, notification of ballot preparers when candidate names change, emergency polling place procedures, training requirements, and rules for temporary polling places on tribal land. After the staff walkthrough and brief questions, Vice Chair Aldenorf moved to adopt the provisions in the document titled “Elections Provisions Proposed Sections for Adoptions, May 13, 2025,” excluding line 15, and include them in the conference committee report. The motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned, with members noting that work on remaining elections provisions could continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• people<00:12:27.399> out<00:12:28.079> or<00:12:28.320> preventing<00:12:28.680
• from coming<00:12:29.360> here<00:12:30.079> yeah<00:12:30.480> I<00:12:30.639>
• yeah I I I think um<00:12:33.440> I<00:12:33.600> agree<00:12:33.880> with<00:12
• <00:12:36.079> we<00:12:36.160> can<00:12:36.320> look<00:12:36.440> at
• > the<00:12:38.160> whole<00:12:38.440> pandemic<00:12:39.000> thing<00:12

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00 Roll Call 00:20 HB 1 Discussion 02:00 HB 1 Vote 13:10, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met on January 8, 2025, with a full roll call and a welcome to new members. The committee took up its only agenda item, House Bill 1, sponsored by Chair Jason Petrie, which would implement a further 0.5% reduction in the individual income tax rate, effective January 1, 2026, with conforming date changes tied to the state’s existing tax-cut framework under House Bill 8 and the budget director’s certification of reserve and revenue conditions. Jason Bailey of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy testified against the bill, arguing that Kentucky’s recent permanent income tax cuts were enacted during an unusual period of temporary pandemic-era revenue surpluses and federal aid, and warning that another cut could worsen future budget pressures. He said the proposed reduction would cost about $718 million annually when fully phased in and would increase risk to state services, especially in poorer rural areas that rely heavily on state funding. In response to questions, the sponsor and other members described the bill as limited to the income tax rate and said any future reversal would require statutory change. Representative Gentry asked about the broader policy goal of moving toward a more consumption-based tax structure and whether the income tax cuts were intended to support growth and population retention. He said he had seen anecdotal signs of housing and population activity in Jefferson County and surrounding areas, though he acknowledged the difficulty of proving causation. He ultimately passed on the bill, saying he wanted more data and was concerned about benefits flowing more to higher-income taxpayers. The committee then voted 17-0 with 3 pass votes to report House Bill 1 favorably to the House floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• So January of 2027 is really the first most impactful month.
• But both work requirements and those six-month redeterminations start in January.
• But just through January 30th of this coming year, so, you know, tick-tock there.
• But just through January 30th of this coming year, so, you know, tick-tock there.
• Those are important, but again, it's only through January 30, 2026.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused first on juvenile rehabilitation system capacity. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth, and has longer lengths of stay, especially for “post-25” youth who must remain in secure facilities and cannot go to community beds. They described overcrowding at Green Hill School, placement limits at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for more medium-security and specialized mental health beds. DCYF said it is pursuing a Parkland facility proposal, a staffing model decision package, and a broader feasibility study and master plan update. No votes were taken; members were asked to follow up with questions later. The committee then heard on behavioral health system capacity from the Behavioral Health Administration and the Health Care Authority. DSHS described growth in forensic and civil bed need, expansion at Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, and Brockman, and construction of a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State expected to open in 2028. HCA reported progress on long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams, saying the community-based system is being expanded to support step-down care and reduce hospital reliance. Members asked about whether capacity is right-sized, the difference between facility types, and federal match eligibility for services. A federal funding update followed, covering the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371 on SNAP, Medicaid, marketplace coverage, long-term services and supports, K-12, higher education, and hemp regulation. OFM and agency staff said H.R. 1 adds work requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, increases state administrative and benefit costs, reduces Medicaid and marketplace subsidies for some groups, tightens redeterminations, and may significantly affect provider payments and state-directed payments. H.R. 5371 extended federal funding through January 30, 2026 and included some agency appropriations and other provisions, including changes affecting hemp producers. Members asked about SNAP error rates and special enrollment periods. Finally, budget coordinator Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview. She reviewed the state’s near general fund outlook, noting revenue declines since the enacted budget, the effect of reversions, and a preliminary maintenance-level outlook showing a projected increase in NGFO spending over the four-year period. She said the supplemental will reflect updated caseload and cost forecasts and mandatory impacts from H.R. 1, but not policy proposals. No actions or votes were taken during the session.