Transcript Highlights:

• The state would have to maintain a Hawaiian burial program for non-Hawaiians, so there would be two burial
• The state would have to maintain a Hawaiian burial program for non-Hawaiians, so there would be two burial
• burial council. burial council.
• council with our going before the burial council with our burial<01:12:10.239> treatment<01:12
• burial burial councils<01:29:39.280> just<01:29:39.760> to<01:29:40.320> recognize<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Water and Land met on March 25, 2025, and first announced it had deleted HCR 3 and HCR 4567 from the agenda pending similar Senate measures. It then heard HR 35/HCR 40, which urges DLNR and other state agencies to work with community groups to co-steward community forests on public lands. DLNR’s urban and community forester testified in strong support, and several organizations and individuals submitted support; there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee next heard HCR 64, asking OPSD to convene a working group on establishing and placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. OPSD and the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Resilience supported the resolution and suggested friendly amendments, including replacing county civil defense representatives with mayors or their designees and allowing subject-matter experts to serve. Members questioned the office’s role, funding, and relationship to other resilience and emergency management offices, and the witness explained it was created after the Maui wildfires to coordinate long-term recovery, with special-project funding and a focus distinct from response and mental health functions. The committee also heard HR 59/HCR 65 on coordinating concurrent reviews of general plan, district boundary, and zoning amendments during land reclassification. OPSD testified with comments and warned that the proposal could facilitate spot zoning if individual landowners could use the concurrent process, recommending it be limited to county-initiated actions. A related discussion followed on HR 118/HCR 122, which would create a collaborative working group on surveying and protecting iwi kūpuna and related coastal erosion issues; DNR, OHA, and others supported it with suggested additions, and testimony emphasized cultural sensitivity and community-specific decision-making. Members asked about burial practices and a recent court ruling, and witnesses said the working group could help guide broader policy and communication. Finally, the committee heard HR 145/HCR 151, requesting DLNR to report on its lease enforcement process and procedures. DLNR said it was recruiting staff to conduct lease inspections but had difficulty filling positions due to compensation, and explained that new or extended leases can include inspection requirements, while retroactive cost-shifting would raise contractual issues. Members asked for information on lease renewal timelines and whether inspection provisions were being added to renewals; DLNR said those decisions are made in public sunshine meetings and agreed to provide additional information. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 840 simply removes the costs for burial fees for spouses of veterans in state cemeteries.
• This is based on the non-service connected burial set by the Veterans Benefits Administration within
• a significant portion of the SOT funds will be solely committed to cover the elimination of these burial
• that if this bill is to continue in the process, an appropriation is funded for the offset of the burial
• Dave Swantek, who will talk about what we use the burial fees for. Thank you for your testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, as you know, the volunteer members of the five island burial counselors play an extremely important
• <00:09:49.600> counselors<00:09:50.080> play<00:09:50.320> an island burial
• <00:10:15.040> Mahalo the Native Burial Council sites.
• Mahalo the Native Burial Council sites.
• <00:10:46.560> So Burial Council is outstanding. So Burial Council is outstanding.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is for Kayla Cruvello being appointed to the Burial Council, better known as law.
• The quality of youthful interest and knowledge for the Burial Councils is unprecedented.
• She's been working in the Burial Council for 5 years.
• for the Burial Councils is unprecedented. unprecedented. unprecedented.
• She's been working<00:04:41.160> in<00:04:41.240> the<00:04:41.280> Burial<00:04

Bills: HB1519, HB1541, HB1737, HB1782, HB1854, HB1860, HB2023, HB2104, HB2276, HB2335, HB2455, HB2468, HB2551, SB177, SB411, SB874, SB2053, SB2069, SB2108, SB2268, SB2360, SB2363, SB2405, SB2407, SB2530, SB2543, SB2568, SB2803, SB2818, SB2851, SB2907, SB2934, SB2969, SB2999, SB3097, SB3103, SB3233, SB3238, SB3245, SB3001, SB3138, HB1946, HB389, HB1510, HB469, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097, SB888, SB2169, SB2367, SB2557, SB2575, SB2698, SB3082, HB344, HB939, HB1688, HB1853, HB2443, HCR103, HCR117, HCR180, HCR112, HCR18, HCR105, HCR173, HCR35, HCR98, HCR42, HCR53, HCR181, HCR101, HCR179

Keywords: campaign contributions, lobbyists, transparency, election funding, ethical regulations, HB1541, Act 057, Department of Health, Hawaii State Hospital, Developmental Disabilities Division, civil service, civil service exemption, HRS 76-16, HRS 334-4, mental health program, state hospital, secure psychiatric rehabilitation facility, associate administrator, project manager, security manager

Transcript Highlights:

• House and Stanley of the Senate, an act relating to veteran burial.
• bill, Senate Bill 1533 by Smith of the House and Stanley of the Senate, an act relating to veteran burial

Bills: SB1475, SB1447, HB2288, SB1521, SB592, SB1533, HB1276, SB201, SB1477, SB1232, SB1255, SB1327, SB1525, SB1721, SB667, SB1436, SB1317, SB604, SB1325, SB1496, SB2007, SB1567, SB2112, SB1980, SB1735, SB1558, SB1491, SB1287, SB1378, SB1369, SB1441, SB137, SB483, SB843, SB1433, SB1257, SB1365, SJR49, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, HJR1094

Keywords: memorial, infrastructure, transportation, dedication, Toby Keith, employees insurance, contract awarding, certifications, state procurement, insurance plan, teachers, retirement, postretirement employment, earnings limitations, Oklahoma, artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI

Bills: SB1475, SB1447, HB2288, SB1521, SB592, SB1533, HB1276, SB201, SB1477, SB1232, SB1255, SB1327, SB1525, SB1721, SB667, SB1436, SB1317, SB604, SB1325, SB1496, SB2007, SB1567, SB2112, SB1980, SB1735, SB1558, SB1491, SB1287, SB1378, SB1369, SB1441, SB137, SB483, SB843, SB1433, SB1257, SB1365, SJR49, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, HJR1094

Keywords: memorial, infrastructure, transportation, dedication, Toby Keith, employees insurance, contract awarding, certifications, state procurement, insurance plan, teachers, retirement, postretirement employment, earnings limitations, Oklahoma, artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this Senate Bill 37 intends to amend KRS 72.450 when dealing with indigent burials.
• currently our fiscal Indigent burials currently our fiscal courts<00:13:42.920> or<00:13:43.160
• in our communities uh Indigent burials in our communities uh only<00:13:51.519> has<00:13:51.759
• :20:30.360> so<00:20:30.559> I'm<00:20:30.679> just<00:20:30.840> not burial
• to visit and so I'm just not burial to visit and so I'm just not quite<00:20:31.240> comfortable<

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00 Senate Bill 126 (Sen. McDaniel): 01:21 Senate Bill 37 (Sen. Elkins): 12:23 Adjournment: 21:06, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up two bills. Senate Bill 126, sponsored by Senator McDaniel, proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon power during the final 60 days before a gubernatorial election and through the transition period, with the stated goal of giving voters more time to learn about executive clemency decisions. McDaniel said the measure was intended to increase accountability and noted it would need approval by both chambers and then placement on the 2026 ballot. Senator Haron raised concerns about whether the proposal could chill pardons and asked about the timing; McDaniel responded that 60 days was chosen because of early voting and the need for public notice. The committee adopted a substitute and then passed the bill with a favorable expression; several members voted aye, Senator Haron passed, and Senator Adams later asked to be recorded as voting aye before adjournment. The committee then considered Senate Bill 37, sponsored by Senator Elkins, which would amend Kentucky law on indigent burials to allow cremation as an option instead of requiring burial, and would require consultation with the county coroner before a decision is made. Elkins described it as a local control measure and said he was working with Rabbi Litman on a possible accommodation for Jewish indigent decedents, since the Jewish community strongly prefers burial and has offered to assume costs in those cases. Questions focused on how long officials must make a bona fide effort to notify a spouse or next of kin and whether the bill would affect current practices; Elkins said it would not change existing policy on that point and suggested a possible floor amendment for additional issues. Rabbi Litman testified in support, explaining the religious importance of burial and the community’s concern about cremation. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed with a favorable expression, though Senator Herron and Senator Tichenor expressed reservations and voted no or passed, citing constituent concerns and the possibility that family members may later seek a burial place to visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• They must first consult with the coroner while making the decision for burial or cremation.
• They must first consult with the coroner while making the decision for burial or cremation.
• <00:02:59.920> the<00:03:00.160> decision<00:03:00.720> for<00:03:01.040> burial
• <00:03:01.440> or while making the decision for burial or while making the decision for burial
• record, our only concern with the bill is that cremation is being presented as an alternative to burial

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:03 Attendance Roll Call: 00:08 SB 27 Discussion 01:36 SB 27 Vote 07:06 SB 40 Discussion 08:11 SB 40 Vote 12:38 Adjournment: 13:31, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met with a quorum and adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 27, sponsored by Senator Greg Elkins. SB 27 would let fiscal courts or local governments responsible for indigent remains choose cremation instead of burial, after consulting the coroner and after a 30-day effort to locate next of kin. The bill also preserves the ability of a religious community to assume responsibility if it has expressed that intent in writing. Jason Hall of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky said his only concern was ensuring cremated remains are interred, not disposed of otherwise, and Rabbi Schlommo Litman of the Kentucky Jewish Council thanked the sponsor for accommodating religious communities and said the bill was a good compromise. After discussion, the committee voted 10-0 to report SB 27 favorably as amended by committee substitute, with members indicating they expected it to pass on the floor. The sponsor thanked the committee for its work and noted the bill’s importance to religious communities. The committee then considered Senate Bill 40, sponsored by Senator Gary Boswell, and adopted its committee substitute. SB 40 changes the process for library board appointments, returning appointments to local judge executives and local boards and modifying the alternate appointment process created by prior law. Testimony from the County Judges Association and the Kentucky Public Library Association indicated the parties had worked together and were in agreement on the compromise. After questions about how the regular and alternate processes would work, the committee voted 10-0 to report SB 40 favorably as amended by committee substitute, also with favorable expression for floor passage. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Lisy, who's going to tell us a little bit about Senate File 388 and the state Veteran Cemetery burial
• <00:53:30.559> fee 388 State Veteran Cemetery burial fee 388 State Veteran Cemetery burial
• each year and the likelihood that the burial fee would have to increase in ensuing years.
• So the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs does not charge a fee for burial in our state veteran
• that the burial fee and the likelihood that the burial fee would<01:03:55.200> have<01:03:55.319

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they just you skip the burial part. Mhm. they just you skip the burial part. Mhm.
• at his home, a natural burial.
• at his home, a natural burial.
• to both burial and cremation.
• burial burial followup. followup. followup.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, have you consulted with the burial councils or burial council members on whether you know how they
• Have you consulted with the burial councils or burial council members?
• member from each of the island burial member from each of the island burial councils<02:53:17.960
• burial councils or burial council burial councils or burial council members<02:53:24.840> I
• <02:54:02.000> councils administration of the burial councils administration of the burial

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. On HB 211 relating to stream maintenance, DLNR supported the intent but requested amendments to clarify that responsibility for removing abandoned property rests with the entity that has jurisdiction or ownership of the stream, and asked for appropriations to help cover cleanup costs. Members discussed existing county authority to clean streams and then seek reimbursement from private owners, and the City and County of Honolulu’s written testimony was noted as arguing the bill conflicts with a federal court stipulation requiring notice and storage of personal property before disposal. On HB 502 relating to land use, OPSD and the Land Use Commission supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the short timeline and the need for rule changes, with OPSD recommending a more permanent county plan-based district boundary amendment process instead of a temporary one. The Department of Agriculture asked counties to make concurrent revisions to ordinances and rules affecting agricultural land partitioning. Testimony also noted the bill is aimed at legacy agricultural subdivisions and would require Land Use Commission rulemaking. On HB 510 relating to declaration of water shortage and emergency, DLNR and the Board of Water Supply strongly supported the measure, saying it would give CWRM a more timely tool to respond to emergencies outside designated water management areas and would require rulemaking, permit classifications, and criteria for declaring shortages. In response to opposition concerns from the Land Use Research Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, DLNR said the rulemaking process would allow public input and that permit classifications could help balance agricultural and other water uses. On HB 511 relating to public lands, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported removing the survey requirement before setting aside public lands between state agencies, saying it would speed Act 90 transfers and save time and money, though one testifier cautioned against misuse of agricultural lands. No votes were taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans Affairs recognizes veterans of the secret war in Laos, and they already receive federal burial
• Veterans Affairs recognizes veterans of the secret war in Laos, and they already receive federal burial
• in state cemeteries service, and burial in state cemeteries are<00:14:28.640> the<00:14:28.800
• <00:19:14.880> eligibility they also deal with burial eligibility they also deal with burial
• bill both talked about the burial bill both talked about the burial eligibility,<00:19:29.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• federal laws governing eligibility for burial in veteran cemeteries.
• Additionally, this proposal will not alter who is eligible for burial in our cemeteries.
• Provisions with the changes the burial Provisions with the changes the state<00:26:12.520> law
• <00:26:16.799> in laws governing eligibility for burial in laws governing eligibility for
• burial in veteran<00:26:17.399> cemeteries<00:26:18.279> and<00:26:18.399> I<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I kind of in my mind, I was thinking, There probably are ranches that have historic burial grounds
• just don't think that we're going to see that many, that crowd, uh, you know, going to that, those burial
• A private burial grounds may designate the routes of reasonable ingress and egress and reasonable hours
• Or does it have to be classified as a cemetery rather than a private burial ground?
• The HDC classification or designation can apply to either a cemetery or a private burial ground.

Bills: HB113

Keywords: HB 113, Texas, Government Code Chapter 1253, general obligation bonds, bond election, voter approval, political subdivision, local government, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds, capital projects, public finance, bond referendum, ballot measure, five-year waiting period, rejected proposition, election law, municipal finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Many burial sites remain undocumented.
• Um, but we still need a burial council to process through that, and um so we still need a burial council
• including an archaeologist and a burial including an archaeologist and a burial site<01:56:25.280
• Um but we still need a burial needed.
• <01:58:24.960> That position on our burial council. That position on our burial council.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation. The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown. For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Call the burial supposed to stop that.
• the area as the Kila family burial the area as the Kila family burial dunes.<00:43:39.119> Till
• We definitely should not<00:44:47.760> have<00:44:48.000> burial<00:44:48.480> burials
• burials that are open or not have burial burials that are open or in<00:44:53.200> a<00:44:53.440
• burial council rep for that region. burial council rep for that region. um<00:45:29.440> on

Bills: HB2611, HB2102, HB1710, HB1868, HB1920, HB1812, HB1733, HB1715, HB1723, HB1724, HB1727, HB1711

Keywords: HB2611, Hawaii antitrust, rental housing, rent price-fixing, algorithmic pricing, algorithmic rent-setting, property management software, pricing algorithms, rent coordination, price-fixing, collusion, cartel, multifamily housing, landlord software, occupancy levels, lease terms, Attorney General, public education program, consumer protection, housing affordability

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2611, which would prohibit algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii’s rental market, require public education by the Attorney General, and establish fines and penalties. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying its language was too unclear and could expose landlords and agents to criminal and civil liability for ordinary rent-setting practices based on public information or assistance from property professionals. Members asked about antitrust standards, tacit agreement, and whether using county-published affordable-rent schedules would be unlawful; the AG said that would not be unlawful if based on public information and without collusion. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Realtors with comments, 50501 Hawaii and General Strike Hawaii, Haloha Project, 13 individuals, and one opponent. The committee then heard HB 2102, which clarifies that residential projects involving ground disturbance in high-risk areas remain subject to state historic preservation review and removes an exemption for lands presumed nominally sensitive. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Department of Planning and Permitting supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity and ensure review focuses on projects most likely to affect historic properties or iwi kupuna, while also urging language refinements to better define sensitive sandy-soil areas and balance preservation with housing timelines. NAP Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing it would undo progress made last session and that the current process already includes protections for inadvertent discoveries and efficiency for lower-risk areas. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported HB 2102, explaining it was responding to beneficiary complaints about late-added language in last year’s law and saying the nominally sensitive-area language should be removed because it was adopted without sufficient stakeholder input and could be harmful to iwi kupuna protections. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and several individuals also supported the bill. Committee discussion focused on how “nominally sensitive” areas are determined, whether project proponents could self-certify areas as exempt, and how high-density residential projects should be treated; SHPD said it uses survey and monitoring data to map sensitivity, that highly sensitive areas like Kīauea are not nominally sensitive, and that some high-density projects should remain exempt if they do not involve new ground disturbance. The hearing included no final vote in the portion provided, but the chair noted 48 individuals in support and continued questioning on the bill’s definitions and implementation.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 840 simply removes the costs for burial fees for spouses of veterans in state cemeteries.
• Currently, a veteran is eligible for burial in a state cemetery.
• <00:30:40.039> allowance non-service connected burial allowance non-service connected burial
• Dave Swan, who will talk about what we use the burial fees for. Thank you for your testimony.
• Unfortunately, our cemeteries have never been fully funded, and so we’ve had to use those burial fees

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Burial privileges at state veteran cemeteries for eligible veterans.
• Eligibility for these benefits requires applicants to pre-file for burial with the National Cemetery
• But the first step for our recommendation is to pre-file for burial so that the NCA can evaluate the
• This is where an individual who has applied for the NCA with the pre-filing for burial.
• process and then our the federal burial process and then our state<00:21:10.960> statute.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• sites in the state properties and burial sites in the state collect<00:51:24.760> data<00:51:
• > collect data on burial site locations collect data on burial site locations and<00:51:27.480> conduct
• Okay, going once, twice, and then we'll proceed with SB 1266, and this is relating to burial sites.
• 1266 and this is relating to burial 1266 and this is relating to burial sites<00:55:27.760> it
• SB 1266 relating to burial sites.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first heard SB 443, which would require agricultural-district lands with solar energy facilities to also be certified as being used for a farming operation. DLNR, the State Energy Office, and the Agri-Business Development Corporation all supported the bill but recommended changes, including shifting the certifying authority from DLNR/BLNR to the Department of Agriculture. The Attorney General also recommended replacing the certification requirement with a condition that the land be used for a farming operation, citing the lack of a clear statutory framework for certification. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the measure but suggested using existing county agricultural dedication processes and raised concerns about conversion of agricultural land. The committees adopted amendments reflecting the Department of Agriculture as the certifying body and the Attorney General’s proposed language, then passed SB 443 with amendments. The committees then took up SB 79, relating to historic preservation reviews for state affordable housing projects. DLNR State Historic Preservation and DHHL supported the bill with amendments, including striking a redundant section and conforming the language to existing law. The committees agreed to those changes, and after a brief recess and decision-making, Water and Land, Housing, and Hawaiian Affairs each voted to pass SB 79 with amendments. The record notes that some members were excused and that the committees adopted the chair’s recommendations. Later, the joint Housing and Water and Land hearing considered SB 26, SB 867, and SB 1170. SB 26 would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within HCDA; HHFDC supported it, while HCDA suggested an alternative approach involving county coordination. The committees amended the bill to incorporate OPSD’s proposed language, add legislative and county representatives to the task force, and include an appropriation for the Mayor Wright project, then passed it with amendments. SB 867, which creates a working group to inventory water resources and streamline well permit approvals for affordable housing, drew broad support and was amended to specify the Department of Health director rather than the Clean Water Branch chief; it also passed with amendments. SB 1170, which would exempt certain Maui affordable rental housing projects from chapter 205A, drew support from housing interests but concern from the Attorney General that it could be unconstitutional; the AG suggested narrowing the bill to disaster recovery and limiting its scope. Testifiers also discussed the Weinberg Court Apartments project and other redevelopment concerns, but the transcript ends before final action on SB 1170 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the passage of the Burial Guard Reserve Act of 2022 at the federal level, this allows Kentucky and
• the state veteran cemeteries to provide burial benefits to a specific group of National Guard Reserve
• the passage of the burial Guard Reserve the passage of the burial Guard Reserve Act<00:07:37.840>
• the state veteran cemeteries<00:07:43.520> to<00:07:43.720> provide<00:07:44.080> burial
• to provide burial benefits to a<00:07:45.800> specific<00:07:46.280> group<00:07:46.520

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members, announced a 24-hour rule for committee amendments, and reviewed basic meeting procedures. After roll call confirmed a quorum, members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. The chair also recognized Representative Thomas for his service to the committee and presented remarks of appreciation as he moved into other duties. The committee then considered House Bill 191, which would extend burial eligibility in Kentucky state veterans cemeteries to certain National Guard and Reserve members who were honorably discharged but never activated under Title 10. Testimony from Rep. Aaron Thompson and KDVA officials explained that the bill aligns with the federal Burial Guard Reserve Act of 2022 and would cover some long-serving Guard and Reserve members, including those who served during disasters such as the Eastern Kentucky floods and western Kentucky tornadoes. Members voiced support, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation after adoption of a title amendment. Next, the committee took up House Bill 152, which would create a supplemental Medicaid payment program for public EMS agencies through voluntary intergovernmental transfers, with no general fund dollars used. Rep. Michael Meredith and EMS chiefs testified that the measure would help public agencies recover more of the cost of Medicaid transports; one example cited was a local agency that could increase reimbursement substantially under the program. In response to questions, witnesses said the existing program for public and private agencies is mandatory, while this bill creates an additional voluntary enhancement for public agencies only, and that the program could be affected if Medicaid match rates change. The committee approved the bill with a favorable recommendation and a title amendment. The meeting ended with announcements about Military Kids Day on February 25 and a Kentucky National Guard Association reception and dinner on February 15, followed by adjournment.