Video & Transcript Research : 'Project 25'

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KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations.(2-4-26)

Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:
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  • online<00:25:33.120> renewal<00:25:33.600> or<00:25:34.000> email<00:25:34.400>
  • We've cut<00:25:38.880> down<00:25:39.120> on<00:25:39.440> our<00:25:39.760>
  • So this cost will<00:25:41.919> not<00:25:42.080> affect<00:25:42.480> us<00:25:
  • > by<00:25:45.600> projection.
Summary: The Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with House Bill 387. The bill was presented as a measure to ensure veterinarians are not subject to controlled-substance reporting requirements through regulation or other means, while also revising the controlled substance council to remove an emergency medicine physician and an acute care nurse and add two veterinarians. Supporters said the change was needed because veterinary reporting would be overly complicated, especially in rural Kentucky and for large-animal practices. The committee adopted the committee substitute, approved a committee amendment, and passed the bill unanimously, including the title amendment and emergency clause. The committee then heard House Bill 45, which would modernize Kentucky CPA licensure. The sponsor and the State Board of Accountancy said the bill updates outdated rules, supports workforce mobility and remote practice, reduces barriers to interstate commerce, and adds a new licensing option to address time and cost concerns for candidates. The committee passed the bill unanimously. House Bill 48 followed, a long-updated physical therapy practice act revision. Testimony said it would clarify and streamline the statute, add definitions for physical therapist assistants, change certification language to licensure, allow expungement of minor non-patient-harm violations, clarify sexual misconduct language, adjust disciplinary and fee-setting provisions, and ease requirements for some internationally trained practitioners. The committee again passed the bill unanimously. House Bill 212 was next and would allow licensed veterinary technicians, under direct veterinarian supervision, to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets. The sponsor and Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association said the change would help shelters, humane societies, and mass vaccination clinics, improve recordkeeping, and address rising rabies concerns in Kentucky. The committee approved the bill unanimously. Finally, House Bill 49 was presented by Representative Matt Cook and the Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors as a scholarship program funded by $5 from each annual license renewal plus fines and penalties, aimed at encouraging Kentucky students to enter engineering and surveying and remain in the state for six years after graduation/licensure. Members asked about the service commitment and funding source; the sponsor said the program would use existing funds and not raise renewal rates. The committee passed the bill unanimously, with the chair noting it as a positive example of board modernization.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
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  • <00:25:12.480> And<00:25:12.640> the<00:25:12.880> moratorum<00:25:13.679>
  • bill<00:25:26.640> and<00:25:26.799> October<00:25:27.200> 1st<00:25:27.600
Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on July 30, 2025, approved the June 25 minutes, and received a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Medicaid provisions in H.R. 1. The presentation outlined more than 20 Medicaid-related provisions, emphasizing that the largest federal savings come from work/community engagement requirements, changes to provider taxes, limits on state-directed payments, more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion populations, and related eligibility/enrollment changes. She said the fiscal effects are backloaded, with most reductions occurring in the later years of the 10-year window, and noted potential significant impacts on hospital payments and state financing. She also described new funding opportunities, including a $50 billion rural health transformation fund and a new home and community-based services waiver with associated grants. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on Kentucky’s pending community engagement 1115 waiver and how it would interact with the new federal requirements. Board members asked whether the waiver had been approved, what the cabinet’s contingency plan would be if CMS does not approve it, and what the timeline is for compliance. Cabinet representatives said the waiver has not yet been approved by CMS, remains under public comment, and that the state will wait for CMS guidance before moving forward; if needed, the state would amend the waiver or submit a new one. They said the work requirement must be in place by January 1, 2027, with a possible extension to 2028. Castanza also explained that expansion adults with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level would face new cost-sharing requirements beginning October 1, 2028, and that eligibility redeterminations would move from annual to every six months starting January 1, 2027. She then walked through provider tax changes, including a moratorium on new provider taxes beginning October 1, 2026, and a phased reduction in the hold-harmless threshold for existing taxes beginning January 1, 2028, with exemptions for nursing facilities and ICF/IID providers. Board members questioned the timing and likely impact on Kentucky, and Castanza responded that the effect would depend on each tax’s current rate and would phase in over time.
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Transcript Highlights:
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  • :25:10.520> bill<00:25:11.520> as<00:25:11.720> amended<00:25:12.120> by<
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  • into<00:25:53.320> the<00:25:53.760> okay<00:25:53.919> we<00:25:54.039>
Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved prior meeting minutes, and then took up several transportation-related measures. House Bill 664, concerning work zone safety, was amended by the committee to clarify that a peace officer may issue a citation based on images from an automated speed enforcement device. Representative John Blanton said the bill was prompted by the 2019 death of Jared Lee Helton in a work zone and is intended to slow drivers, protect workers, and improve safety. The bill would allow automated devices to transmit speed and rear license plate images to an officer, require active worker presence and warning signage with flashing lights, keep the $500 fine, and direct fines to the work zone safety fund. After questions about whether citations would be mailed and whether a worker must be present, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 664 favorably with expressions of opinion that it should pass. House Bill 682, sponsored by Representative Ken Upchurch, was also amended by a committee substitute and reported favorably. The bill gives cable operators and broadband providers the same reimbursement treatment as other public utilities when their facilities must be relocated for construction projects. House Bill 493, sponsored by Representative Steve Pollock, was taken up next and, after a committee substitute was adopted, was reported favorably. Pollock described the bill as a transparency measure for towing and storage, creating a certification process through the Transportation Cabinet, requiring public rate sheets, and setting rates to be reasonable and customary in Kentucky. The substitute removed an initial $1,500 cap, extended notice timing to up to five days in some cases, and clarified fees related to investigations and fatalities. Senators asked about regional differences in towing rates, and Pollock said the cabinet would consider different situations and that posted rates would govern. House Joint Resolution 5, designating honorary road and bridge names, was amended by both a committee substitute and committee amendment and then reported favorably. Representative Josh Branscum said the resolution honors various Kentuckians and is especially in memory of Russell County Deputy Joshua Fipps, who was killed in the line of duty in September 2024. The committee approved the resolution and a title amendment. Later in the meeting, Senator Armstrong asked to be recorded as voting aye on HB 664, HB 682, and HB 493. The committee also received an update from Transportation Cabinet IT Director Heather Stout on the CAVIS system, including improved performance, upcoming integration with KY ELT, centralized lien management, online boat renewals, permanent fleet plates, rolling replating changes, temporary tag printing, insurance modernization, and an electronic sheriff’s inspection system expected to reduce fraud and streamline transfers. No vote was taken on the CAVIS update, and the committee also began consideration of a referred administrative regulation on hazardous materials endorsement requirements.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations.(6-18-26)

Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:
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KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Agriculture. (2-4-26)

Agriculture

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met with a quorum and first introduced legislative interns before taking up House Bill 309, sponsored by Representative Ryan Dodson and co-sponsored by Representative Scott Sharp. The bill would ban lab-grown meat in Kentucky, with the sponsor arguing it was needed to protect Kentucky’s cattle, livestock, and broader agricultural industries, and citing uncertainty about the long-term effects of cultured meat. Supporters also said the state should defend traditional animal agriculture and that the bill had backing from livestock interests and the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture. Members raised several concerns, including whether labeling rather than a ban would be a better approach, whether the bill could conflict with the dormant commerce clause, and whether it might hinder emerging research or business opportunities in Kentucky. Some members compared the proposal to existing regulation of other products, while others said they supported the intent but were uneasy about a total ban. The sponsor responded that Kentucky should act to protect its farmers and that the issue could be revisited later if new research emerged. After discussion, the committee took a roll call vote. The bill received enough support to advance, with the chair announcing that House Bill 309 passed with favorable expression and should also pass on the House floor. Several members explained yes, no, or pass votes, reflecting a mix of support for Kentucky agriculture and concern about overbroad regulation and possible legal issues. The meeting then adjourned.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • going to play a role and keep your coal active and affordable and reliable, it has to be attached to projects
  • going to play a role and keep your coal active and affordable and reliable, it has to be attached to projects
Summary: The Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard ACR 22, sponsored by Representatives Randy Bridges and Steven Rudy. The resolution declares nuclear generation to be a clean, dispatchable baseload energy source for Kentucky. The sponsors argued that Kentucky and the broader energy market are facing growing demand and reliability challenges, and said the resolution recognizes prior legislative steps on nuclear power, including lifting the nuclear moratorium, creating a nuclear study working group, and establishing the Kentucky Nuclear Development Authority. The sponsors also emphasized nuclear power as part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy and highlighted small modular reactors and spent fuel processing as important future technologies. They referenced Paducah’s former uranium enrichment site and potential laser enrichment work as part of a recycling approach that could reduce waste and support new fuel production. No outside testimony was presented in the excerpt. Members expressed support for the resolution, with several noting its importance for economic development, reliable power, and keeping coal relevant through new energy partnerships. The committee voted favorably on the measure, with all members present voting aye, and the chair stated that the resolution would pass with favorable expression. The committee then adjourned.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Feb 10th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • in their current staffing, would require that they bring on another FTE in order to help get this project
  • It requires the projects that are eligible for This program has changed the landscape of these communities
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance. (3-3-26)

Banking & Insurance

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 219, a cleanup bill concerning deferred deposit transaction fees imposed by the commissioner. The sponsor and witness explained that the bill stems from earlier payday lending enforcement provisions and a real-time database funded by a fee. They said the 2024 law capped the fee at $3, but the department had to go through a lengthy regulatory process to set it, and this bill would remove the commissioner’s authority to set the fee separately so it remains a flat $3 maximum per transaction. Members discussed the bill briefly, including a clarification that the change on page 1, line 21 replaces “not to exceed” with “of.” Senator Douglas commented favorably on the bill’s simplicity. No opposition or substantive concerns were raised. A motion and second were made, the roll was called, and Senate Bill 219 passed the committee with favorable expression on a unanimous vote. The chair noted it was the only bill on the agenda and that House bills would be considered later.
KY
Summary: The Appropriations and Revenue Committee met to consider House Bill 695 and first adopted a committee substitute. The substitute made a number of Medicaid-related changes, including adding the Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board, exempting federally required Medicaid changes from needing separate General Assembly authorization, revising the treatment of University Hospitals payment programs, clarifying that the community engagement program is mandatory, moving the Medicaid pharmaceutical rebate fund to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and narrowing reporting requirements. It also removed provisions on Medicaid coverage for psychoeducational services and replaced them with reporting on behavioral health and substance use disorder service utilization and expenditures. The substitute further added language allowing the Medicaid program to be administered through fee-for-service, managed care, or other federally permitted delivery systems, incorporated the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Bill, authorized a state plan amendment if needed, and made entities that failed to comply with prior Medicaid managed care reporting requirements ineligible for new MCO contracts. It also shifted responsibility for a behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment scorecard from MCOs to the Department for Medicaid Services. The sponsor noted that all language related to long-term managed care in the waiver program had been removed. After the explanation, Senator Richardson moved to adopt the substitute and Senator Nunn seconded. The committee then voted to pass the measure favorably; the transcript reflects a roll call with no nays and the bill reported out with favorable expression.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
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  • 00:25:55.600> projects.
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Summary: The committee met with a quorum to hear a recap of the 2021 special session legislation, Senate Bill 5, and then receive testimony from the Secretary of Economic Development on the Blue Oval SK project and related economic development issues. Staff explained that Senate Bill 5 appropriated five amounts from the budget reserve trust fund for a project tied to a minimum $2 billion investment: $350 million for forgivable loans through the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, $10,639,600 to pay off a Hardin County loan tied to 47 tracts of property, $20 million for Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training grants, $5 million for KCTCS training grants, and $25 million for a KCTCS on-site training center. Staff also noted there were no job-related requirements in the bill itself. The secretary said the Blue Oval SK incentive was structured as a $250 million forgivable loan rather than the state’s usual pay-as-you-go incentives, with clawback provisions tied to jobs, wages, investment, and changes in ownership or operations. He said the project had already exceeded the $2 billion investment threshold, that corporate guarantees were required from SK On and Ford, and that the agreement’s compliance period begins in December 2026 with payments starting in March 2027 and running through 2038. He said the state’s goal after the joint venture dissolution was to protect taxpayers, support affected workers, and preserve future job creation, while also ensuring the money would be repaid if performance targets are not met. Members asked about the workforce impact, the training programs, and whether the jobs targets would be revised. The secretary said the project had about 1,850 workers at the site, with both production and salaried employees affected, and described state-led job fairs, a job portal, and other rapid-response efforts to help displaced workers find new jobs or training. He said Ford had agreed to continue discussions, invest an additional $2 billion in the site for energy storage solutions, and pursue roughly 2,100 new jobs, while the state sought to keep the company accountable for the full repayment obligation if jobs are not created. One senator raised broader concerns about mega-projects displacing small businesses and creating infrastructure burdens in surrounding communities.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
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  • c><00:25:10.080> you<00:25:10.240> so<00:25:10.480> much<00:25:10.640> and
Summary: The committee met for its fourth budget subreview session focused on personnel, public retirements, and finance. Members approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard from Finance Cabinet staff on two main items: a $7.5 million request related to generator systems and a sheriff’s fees budget request. The generator request was described as a preventive, life-cycle replacement and capacity-enhancement effort for 26 generators serving Frankfort-area state buildings, intended to protect continuity of government and expand beyond basic emergency power to support continuity of services. Members asked detailed questions about how many generators would be replaced, the cost per unit, the scope of the study, and whether the work could be phased. Staff said the $7.5 million would cover a full evaluation and any resulting engineering/replacement work, but the exact number of replacements was not yet known. They estimated the initial study would cost about $500,000 to $750,000, would take six to nine months once funded, and would produce building-by-building recommendations. Staff also said typical generator life cycles vary widely, often around 15 to 20 years but sometimes longer depending on run hours and usage. The committee then reviewed sheriff’s fees, with the Division of Local Government explaining that the state reimburses counties for several statutory sheriff-related costs, especially court security, which accounts for more than 90% of the claims. Staff said the current budget base is about $20 million, while actual spending has been running above $23 million, leading to a $3.5 million growth request to align the base with projected spending and reduce the need for non-general fund expenditure (NGE) adjustments. Members asked about claim volume, county participation, reimbursement controls, and whether the request reflected growth or underfunding; staff said all 120 counties submit claims, volumes have been fairly steady, and reimbursements are governed by statute and signed monthly certifications. No votes were taken on the requests, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
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  • > have<00:25:24.799> we<00:25:24.960> have<00:25:25.080> to<00:25:25.240>
Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 30 (2-19-26)

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yes, the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee will meet today upon adjournment of both chambers
Summary: The House convened with an invocation, quorum call, and routine motions to excuse absent members, suspend rules for co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and approve the journal. The Senate clerk then announced Senate Bills 47, 85, and 159 had passed the Senate and requested House concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports on a number of bills, including measures on on-farm animal health, type 1 diabetes, employment, addictive online platforms, real property appraisers, educators, crimes and punishments, artificial intelligence, stalking, insurance, school food/funds, protective orders, public adjusters, and insurance regulation. Several committees reported bills favorably, including HB 534 on elections, HB 510 on organ donation safety, HB 220 on pension spiking, HB 467 on real property, HB 516 on retirement benefits for probationary employment, HB 589 on retired emergency personnel, and HB 168 on boating under the influence, which was sent to the Rules Committee after its second reading. The House then passed HB 485, a major mental health/civil commitment bill, after adopting House Committee Substitute 1 and two floor amendments. Supporters said the bill modernizes Kentucky’s 202A and 202C mental health commitment processes by adding intermediate treatment options, guardrails for outpatient/community-based care, clearer definitions, longer review intervals in some cases, and data/reporting requirements; they emphasized collaboration with mental health advocates, courts, and stakeholders. The bill passed unanimously, 95-0. HB 43, allowing a 180-day grace period for deputy coroners to complete required training, also passed unanimously, 96-0. HB 139, an elections “continuous improvement” bill, passed 92-1 after adoption of a committee substitute and a floor amendment that bars disclosure/reporting of votes cast for candidates who withdraw, die, or are disqualified and requires notices at precincts; the sponsor described the bill as the product of ongoing consultation with election officials and clerks. HB 414, on booking procedures in local jails, passed 73-18 after supporters explained it would allow DNA collection upon felony arrest, with destruction provisions if the person is not convicted or the charge is reduced or dismissed. HB 297, concerning Kentucky State Fair Board peace officers, passed unanimously, 96-0, to explicitly make those officers eligible for law enforcement fund benefits and related certification/training provisions. After the bills were completed, the House moved into motions, petitions, communications, and announcements. House Resolution 69 was brought from committee to the floor, and members were invited to a Kentucky State Police breakfast and a Louisville night event at the Foundry. The chamber also adopted Citation 32 honoring Dr. Hannah Huffman, who was recognized for her optometry career and leadership in the Kentucky Optometric Association, and Citation 31 honoring Valerie Greenhill, the new president of the Southern Regional Education Board. The House then adjourned.