Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:07.519><c> We</c><00:32:07.760><c> got</c><00:32:07.919><c> it</c><00:32:08.080><c> away</
• But<00:32:12.159><c> just</c><00:32:12.640><c> we</c><00:32:12.799><c> we</c><00:32:13.200><c> want</
• c><00:32:13.279><c> to</c><00:32:13.440><c> work</c><00:32:13.600><c> towards</c><00:32:14.640><c> uh
• <00:32:21.360><c> just</c><00:32:21.519><c> need</c><00:32:21.679><c> to</c><00:32:22.000><c> figure<
• <c> because</c><00:32:23.200><c> that</c><00:32:23.360><c> is</c><00:32:23.519><c> a</c><00:32:23.679

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 3:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > um</c><00:32:04.559><c> I</c><00:32:04.799><c> suspect</c><00:32:05.279><c> there</c><00:32:05.519>
• That<00:32:08.240><c> being</c><00:32:08.559><c> said,</c><00:32:09.360><c> have</c><00:32:09.840><c>
• ><00:32:16.240><c> any</c><00:32:16.720><c> potential</c><00:32:17.200><c> changes</c><00:32:17.519><
• We<00:32:20.559><c> have</c><00:32:20.799><c> communicated</c><00:32:21.360><c> with</c><00:32:22.080
• /c><00:32:27.840><c> local</c><00:32:28.159><c> papers</c><00:32:28.880><c> and</c><00:32:29.200><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then recognized a staff member’s birthday and a guest shadowing Senator Adams. It then moved into informational review of Education and Labor Cabinet, Department of Education regulation 702 KAR 3:30, which sets insurance coverage requirements for school district buildings and structures. Department of Education officials explained that districts are expected to carry coverage at replacement cost and said they understand some districts participate in self-insurance pools with backup policies, but they deferred detailed insurance questions to the Department of Insurance. Senators raised concerns that pooled coverage could leave districts exposed if claims exceed pool limits, and the chair asked KDE to follow up with DOI to confirm districts are adequately covered, especially for bondholders. No vote was taken on the informational review. The committee then reviewed emergency ABC regulations 804 KAR 130:01 through 130:04 implementing Senate Bill 100’s new licensing requirements for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product businesses. ABC and Public Protection Cabinet representatives outlined the emergency rules governing enforcement, license applications, denial criteria, and transitional licenses. Retail industry witnesses Shannon Stiglet and Brian Clark said they support licensure in principle but argued the rules add duplicative requirements borrowed from alcohol licensing, create confusion about transitional licenses, and may be too burdensome for the roughly 7,000 affected businesses to meet by the January 1 deadline. They also said guidance has been inconsistent and requested the agency revise the regulations, remove requirements not grounded in law, and provide clearer, separate processes for new and existing businesses. Committee members asked whether the industry had worked directly with ABC and noted the public comment period was still open. Witnesses said they had communicated with ABC and the Public Protection Cabinet, but responses had been uneven and they wanted written guidance. Members expressed concern about the short timeline and the need to avoid disruption so businesses can operate legally on January 1. Representative Marzian asked for clarification that the discussion concerned emergency regulations already in effect while ordinary regulations remain in process. No formal action was taken beyond receiving the informational testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1194, an act amending Title 32, Chapter 32, Article 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, by
• adding Section 32-32-323.03.
• Senate Bill 1194, an act amending Title 32, Chapter 32, Article 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, by
• adding Section 32-32-323.03.
• Senate Bill 1398, an act amending Title 36, Chapter 29, Article 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :39.360><c> in</c><00:32:39.519><c> the</c><00:32:39.679><c> bottom</c><00:32:40.000><c> 10</c><00:32
• fiscal year 24.<00:32:48.720><c> And</c><00:32:48.960><c> keep</c><00:32:49.200><c> in</c><00:32:49.360
• :32:03.600><c> how</c><01:32:03.840><c> we</c><01:32:04.000><c> treat</c><01:32:04.239><c> other</c>
• Maybe it's<01:32:09.520><c> I'm</c><01:32:09.679><c> I'm</c><01:32:09.920><c> just</c><01:32:10.159><
• </c><01:32:10.960><c> Um</c><01:32:11.600><c> it'd</c><01:32:11.920><c> be</c><01:32:12.239><c> I</c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 32 is from the DHS policy bill.
• These all add of discinesia to medication-related sections in chapter 245I.
• Service Standards chapter.
• Sections 30 to 32 are from House File 671.
• chapter chapter 245a<00:13:52.160><c> when</c><00:13:52.440><c> a</c><00:13:52.600><c> program</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:13.880><c> at</c><00:32:14.000><c> the</c><00:32:14.200><c> time</c><00:32:14.720><c> as</c>
• :32:25.600><c> below</c><00:32:26.200><c> what</c><00:32:26.480><c> OHA</c><00:32:26.840><c> believes
• it should<00:32:27.480><c> be</c><00:32:27.960><c> getting</c><00:32:28.919><c> I</c><00:32:29.000><
• </c><00:32:30.960><c> nnk</c><00:32:31.720><c> CPA</c><00:32:32.799><c> audit</c><00:32:33.799><c> it's
• <00:32:39.799><c> by</c><00:32:40.000><c> the</c><00:32:40.120><c> department</c><00:32:40.480><c> of

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's um I guess adding to chapter<01:32:04.480><c> 43110</c><01:32:05.480><c> a</c><01:32:06.119><c>
• which</c><01:32:06.280><c> would</c><01:32:06.520><c> not</c><01:32:07.040><c> include</c> chapter 43110
• a which would not include chapter 43110 a which would not include uh<01:32:08.360><c> potentially</c
• chapter</c><01:32:11.560><c> 432</c><01:32:12.560><c> and</c><01:32:12.960><c> perhaps</c> societies
• under chapter 432 and perhaps societies under chapter 432 and perhaps uh<01:32:13.800><c> Health</c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1494 on hearing aids. Testimony was generally supportive of expanding hearing-aid coverage, with the Insurance Division raising concern about possible federal defrayment issues, SHPDA supporting the goal of hearing augmentation, DCAB strongly supporting the bill as an important access issue, and health plans and insurers asking for amendments. Kaiser Permanente and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans requested changes to add a medical-necessity standard and clarify annual notice language, while HMSA suggested the proposal should be studied by the auditor. The chair noted concerns about federal preemption and the lack of an audit, and deferred the bill in favor of a related resolution calling for a study. The committee then heard SB 1448, an emergency appropriation for the Hawaii State Hospital. DAGS and the Department of Health supported the measure, with the hospital administrator saying the funding would improve the environment of care, support cleaning, and allow a third-party review of the building. Committee members questioned the size of the request and the status of litigation against the design-builder. Administration witnesses said they were pursuing a comprehensive study involving destructive testing, had made a demand on the design-builder to fund the study, and were using different processes than before. They also said the roof work would be handled through a separate CIP request. No final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 1432, relating to the future responsibilities of the Department of Health and land issues at Kalaupapa after the last patient dies. DOH supported the bill in part but said its long-term role would be limited mainly to environmental cleanup, with operations expected to continue under the National Park Service and land-use decisions left to DHHL and beneficiary consultation. DHHL asked that the measure reflect that any land-use or zoning changes on homeland lands require commission approval and beneficiary consultation. Testifiers from Kalaupapa and Maui County, including Degra Vanderbilt-Papa and Council Member Keani Rollins-Fernandez, supported deferring the bill, saying there had been no meaningful community discussion about provisions affecting Kalaupapa’s future management and possible transfer of responsibilities to Maui County. The committee also read into the record written testimony from Gloria Marks emphasizing that Kalaupapa stakeholders must be included in future discussions. Finally, the committee heard SB 955 on fitness-to-proceed examinations. The Judiciary and the Public Defender’s Office both supported raising pay and standardizing expectations for private examiners, but opposed reducing felony fitness evaluations from three examiners to one and opposed expanding use of expedited reports. They argued that a single examiner would reduce reliability, create a more adversarial process, and likely increase costs and contested hearings, while expedited reports do not contain enough information for a proper fitness determination. The Department of Health also supported the bill’s intent but asked to preserve a three-examiner framework and said the goal was to reduce the number of people sent to the State Hospital, where admissions have reportedly risen about 20% year over year since Act 26. The bill remained under discussion in the excerpt, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it it it<00:32:04.799><c> might</c><00:32:04.960><c> as</c><00:32:05.120><c> well</c><00:32:05.279
• and</c><00:32:46.159><c> done</c><00:32:46.320><c> in</c><00:32:46.559><c> four</c><00:32:46.799><c>
• </c><00:32:49.840><c> will</c><00:32:50.080><c> be</c><00:32:50.159><c> any</c><00:32:50.399><c> other
• funding required<00:32:51.679><c> for</c><00:32:51.919><c> the</c><00:32:52.159><c> capital</c><00:32
• That's<00:32:53.600><c> also</c><00:32:53.919><c> provided</c><00:32:54.320><c> that</c><00:32:54.559

Keywords: Opening and Roll Call 00:28 Public safety Cabinet 01:09 Juvenile justice MH Facility: 04:30 Department of Corrections Repair and Replacement: 10:29 Department of Criminal Justice Flat Track 19:05 KSP : 27:02 Department of Public Advocacy : 37:35, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard capital project requests from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for fiscal years 2026-28. The cabinet described its large statewide footprint and said its facilities face significant deferred maintenance, with the governor’s budget proposing full funding for maintenance pool requests, including an additional $60 million for the Department of Corrections’ maintenance pool and cash funding through investment income. Officials said the projects were based on facility assessments and were presented as necessary public safety investments rather than wish-list items. For the Department of Juvenile Justice, the main requests were $35 million for a high-acuity mental health treatment facility and $45 million each for two new female detention facilities. Officials said the mental health facility would fill a gap for youth needing psychiatric care, while the female facilities were needed to support a regional detention model and address overcrowding; they noted the current female population has grown by 50% since July 2024. Members asked about locations, and staff said they were considering western Kentucky abandoned mine land and available land in Fayette and Jefferson counties, with current female placements in Boyd County and Warren County. For the Department of Corrections, officials requested funding for critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roof, and structural repairs, including $15.78 million for Kentucky State Penitentiary utilities infrastructure and additional funding for North Point Training Center projects. They also highlighted two re-entry initiatives: a KCTCS partnership for a re-entry campus at North Point and the East Kentucky Applied Manufacturing Institute at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, both aimed at reducing recidivism through intensive training and job preparation. Members asked about the KCTCS re-entry model, and DOC explained it would be a more immersive, campus-style program than current prison-based vocational classes. The Department of Criminal Justice Training discussed projects at its Richmond campus and the planned Western Kentucky Training Center, including a replacement flat track and campus access road at Richmond and added training features in Madisonville. Officials said the Richmond changes were needed because EKU construction had removed the existing flat track and would affect access, while the Western Kentucky project would expand training capacity and reduce travel for law enforcement agencies. The Kentucky State Police then outlined the final phase of the statewide emergency radio system replacement, estimated at about $17.5 million, and said the system is being built in geographic phases; members asked how long completion would take, and staff estimated roughly four years after funding, assuming no major inflation spikes. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational with member questions and staff responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• just<00:32:05.600><c> to</c><00:32:05.880><c> kind</c><00:32:05.960><c> of</c><00:32:06.080><c> give
• </c><00:32:06.159><c> you</c><00:32:06.279><c> a</c><00:32:06.360><c> little</c><00:32:06.480><c> bit
• bit of perspective<00:32:07.880><c> um</c><00:32:08.559><c> based</c><00:32:08.799><c> on</c><00:32:
• on</c><00:32:11.039><c> on</c><00:32:11.159><c> the</c><00:32:11.320><c> formula</c><00:32:11.720><c
• 32:14.080><c> so</c><00:32:14.240><c> we</c><00:32:14.399><c> lose</c><00:32:14.639><c> a</c><00:32:14.840

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:28.120><c> the</c><00:32:28.400><c> language</c><00:32:28.800><c> of</c><00:32:28.880><c> the</
• <00:32:32.560><c> strike-all,</c><00:32:33.360><c> so</c><00:32:33.640><c> I'll</c><00:32:33.800><c>
• to refer<00:32:34.480><c> to</c><00:32:34.680><c> the</c><00:32:34.920><c> bill</c><00:32:35.280><c>
• as</c><00:32:35.440><c> we</c><00:32:35.520><c> received</c><00:32:35.880><c> it</c><00:32:35.960><c
• as as<00:32:39.000><c> well</c><00:32:39.280><c> as</c><00:32:39.600><c> the</c><00:32:40.200><c> um

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.960><c> changes</c><00:32:01.360><c> to</c><00:32:01.519><c> the</c><00:32:01.679><c> political</
• ><c> contribution</c><00:32:04.000><c> refund</c><00:32:05.000><c> and</c><00:32:05.279><c> Public</c
• <c> Provisions</c><00:32:06.960><c> that</c><00:32:07.559><c> um</c><00:32:08.559><c> uh</c><00:32:08.720
• :27.360><c> then</c><00:32:27.519><c> we'll</c><00:32:28.080><c> um</c><00:32:28.279><c> proceed</c><
• 00:32:35.159><c> by</c><00:32:35.399><c> section</c><00:32:35.960><c> article</c><00:32:36.320><c> by

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:02.240><c> to</c><00:32:02.440><c> register</c><00:32:03.320><c> so</c><00:32:03.519><c> we
• :32:12.880><c> cases</c><00:32:13.320><c> they</c><00:32:13.519><c> they</c><00:32:13.679><c> hire</c
• lobbyists<00:32:14.919><c> to</c><00:32:15.080><c> represent</c><00:32:15.519><c> them</c><00:32:16.480
• </c><00:32:20.760><c> was</c><00:32:20.919><c> an</c><00:32:21.120><c> NTI</c><00:32:22.120><c> and</
• at</c><01:32:04.000><c> a</c><01:32:04.119><c> local</c><01:32:04.480><c> level</c><01:32:05.119><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• all the work<00:32:38.760><c> that</c><00:32:39.720><c> um</c><00:32:40.160><c> the</c><00:32:40.280
• ><c> work</c><00:32:40.480><c> that</c><00:32:40.600><c> had</c><00:32:40.760><c> been</c><00:32:40.920
• been</c><00:32:44.640><c> done</c><00:32:45.080><c> in</c><00:32:45.200><c> the</c><00:32:45.280><c>
• </c><01:32:09.880><c> clients</c><01:32:10.280><c> we</c><01:32:10.400><c> want</c><01:32:10.640><c>
• We talked<01:32:11.400><c> about</c><01:32:12.120><c> all</c><01:32:12.240><c> these</c><01:32:12.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.360><c> it's</c><00:32:01.600><c> the</c><00:32:01.840><c> difference</c><00:32:02.080><c> between
• a person<00:32:03.919><c> um</c><00:32:04.080><c> getting</c><00:32:04.480><c> in</c><00:32:04.799><
• person um getting in college and being prepared<00:32:06.240><c> as</c><00:32:06.559><c> a</c><00:32
• to</c><00:32:08.960><c> sit</c><00:32:09.200><c> out</c><00:32:09.360><c> and</c><00:32:09.600><c> be
• </c><00:32:09.840><c> prop</c><00:32:10.159><c> 48</c><00:32:10.559><c> their</c> that has to sit out

Bills: HF3714, HF4399, HF4176, HF2544, HF60, HF4231, HF4232

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:38.640><c> So</c><00:32:40.000><c> that's</c><00:32:40.640><c> do</c><00:32:40.799><c> you
• 32:44.799><c> make</c><00:32:44.960><c> sure</c><00:32:45.120><c> that</c><00:32:45.279><c> we</c><00
• we can uh utilize<00:32:47.120><c> the</c><00:32:47.360><c> funds</c><00:32:47.919><c> and</c><00:32
• 32:49.679><c> end</c><00:32:49.760><c> of</c><00:32:49.840><c> the</c><00:32:50.000><c> day.
• Really when<00:32:51.279><c> it</c><00:32:51.440><c> comes</c><00:32:51.600><c> down</c><00:32:51.760

Bills: HB1719, HB1742, HB1737, HB2049, HB1725, HB1726, HB1738, HB1799, HB1700

Keywords: housing crisis, manufactured homes, factory-built housing, zoning, relocatable housing units, farm employee housing, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes, agricultural districts, land use, regulation, renewable energy, community development, housing, affordable housing, real estate, state regulation, building codes, construction, permitting

Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1808, an act amending Title 32, Chapter 1, Article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• Senate Bill 1099: An act amending Title 32, Chapter 32, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• Section 32-30-03.0?
• Senate Bill 1124, an act amending Title 32, Chapter 32, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating
• Senate Bill 1124, an act amending Title 32, Chapter 32, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, journal approval, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors and other visitors. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills on topics including public schools and curricula, transportation, health care, child welfare, municipal and county governance, homeowners’ associations, speech, and election-related matters. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others were advanced with committee or floor amendments. Among the more notable debates, senators discussed SB 1094, which would impose civil liability related to gender reassignment surgery on minors; supporters said it would compensate minors harmed by such procedures, while opponents argued it would discriminate against transgender youth, raise malpractice costs, and chill access to care. SB 1813, concerning the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, drew concern about litigation and the need to expand capacity for people with serious mental illness, while supporters said the bill would remove a legal cap and allow more beds to be used. SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures was amended to clarify representative payee requirements and received generally favorable comments, though some members raised concerns about child safety and DCS discretion. The Senate also advanced SCR 1004, a photo radar ballot referral, after an amendment requiring voter approval in jurisdictions that use photo radar; Senator Leach thanked the sponsor for the change. Other bills moved forward included measures on school firearm safety instruction, civics instruction, chiropractic claims, behavioral health prior authorization, psychiatric evaluations, DCS procedures, AHCCCS procurement contracting, county recorder and HOA-related issues, and legislative qualifications. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills after each calendar was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:36.720><c> I</c><00:32:37.040><c> I</c><00:32:37.080><c> knew</c><00:32:37.240><c> there</
• </c><00:32:38.200><c> I</c><00:32:38.240><c> didn't</c><00:32:38.400><c> know</c><00:32:38.520><c> what
• </c> And<00:32:44.840><c> then</c><00:32:45.000><c> our</c><00:32:45.120><c> last</c><00:32:45.400><c
• I<00:32:50.720><c> encourage</c><00:32:51.280><c> anyone</c><00:32:51.680><c> to</c><00:32:52.200><c>
• </c><00:32:54.840><c> Um</c><00:32:55.040><c> we</c><00:32:55.160><c> have</c><00:32:55.600><c> a</c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:54 Pension System Update 00:03:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee held its first official interim meeting after merging the General Government and Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement committees, establishing a quorum and opening with the pledge and prayer. Members then received a briefing from KPPA representatives Ryan Barrow and Aaron Sarock on the state retirement systems, including KERS, CERS, and SPRS, and on the importance of fully funding the actuarially determined employer contribution, supplemental appropriations, and investment earnings in reducing unfunded liabilities. They said the systems have made progress toward a statutory closed amortization target of 2049 and emphasized that supplemental funding lowers current employer contribution rates but does not change that end date. A major topic was federal and state reemployment-after-retirement rules for retirees who return to work with participating employers. KPPA explained that retirees must have a bona fide separation from service, no prearranged agreement to return, and generally a one-calendar-month break in service for retirees on or after January 1, 2024. If a member fails to comply, retirement benefits can be voided, payments stopped, health coverage ended, and benefits repaid. The presenters also noted that rehired retirees do not earn a second retirement account, and employers rehiring them must pay employer contributions and, in non-exempt cases, reimburse health insurance costs. Members asked about the scale of rehired retirees and the difference between employer contribution and health insurance reimbursement amounts. KPPA said that in fiscal year 2025 there were over 3,500 rehired retirees in CERS and over 5,000 in SPRS, with substantial employer contributions and health reimbursement payments collected. They also explained that some positions are exempt from these chargebacks, including school resource officers and certain law enforcement positions that meet statutory criteria. The committee discussed House Bill 213, which allows cities, sheriffs’ departments, and post-secondary institutions to offer health insurance to rehired officers if authorized by the governing body, effective August 1, 2026, and clarifies the fiscal-year basis for certain exemption limits. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stems<00:32:24.640><c> from</c><00:32:24.880><c> the</c><00:32:25.120><c> commission's</c><00:32:25.840
• </c><00:32:29.039><c> Uh</c><00:32:29.440><c> there</c><00:32:29.679><c> is</c><00:32:30.000><c> not<
• Uh there is not it's<00:32:32.720><c> hard</c><00:32:32.960><c> to</c><00:32:33.120><c> say</c><00:32
• 32:46.960><c> to</c><00:32:47.120><c> make</c><00:32:47.200><c> sure</c><00:32:47.279><c> I</c> &gt;&
• ><c> re</c><00:32:57.279><c> and</c><00:32:57.519><c> uses</c><00:32:57.840><c> that</c><00:32:58.080

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with housekeeping items, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and reminded the public that JLCAR’s role is limited to determining whether agency rules are within statutory authority, not to decide policy. Testimony was to be limited, and members noted that policy concerns should be addressed through the legislature rather than the committee process. The first major item was Public Utilities Commission rule 25-215 concerning natural gas suppliers. Staff said the proposal had been postponed because the PUC appeared to lack authority to impose fines and penalties in this rule set, especially suspending or revoking registrations, and recommended either a conditional approval removing those provisions or a preliminary objection for lack of statutory authority. PUC counsel responded that the cited authority had been incorrect, that the Department of Energy now has most registration rulemaking authority, but argued the commission still has jurisdiction over mediation and dispute resolution and may still have authority over fines because natural gas suppliers are not expressly excluded from public-utility status. Committee members discussed the split between PUC and DOE authority and the possibility that the transition in authority had not been fully cleaned up in statute. The committee then voted to grant a waiver of the time limit and postpone the item for another month so the agencies could work with counsel and clarify which parts of the rule could proceed. Members also urged that any needed legislative fix be brought forward quickly, noting that the Senate was not taking up non-germane amendments and suggesting the House as the likely venue for a cleanup bill. The committee next took up Department of Energy EN900 and EN1000 rules. Staff said the EN900 net-metering rules had been postponed previously and that the main remaining issue was a retroactive requirement in EN909.03(b), which the agency agreed to revise so the language would apply only on or after the 2026 effective date of the chapter. The agency described the EN900 rules as implementing net metering authority transferred from the PUC and expanding the chapter to cover municipal group net metering and low- and moderate-income community solar projects. The EN1000 interconnection rules were described as implementing 2024 legislation requiring uniform procedures for distributed energy resources. The department said both sets of rules were developed through extensive stakeholder input and asked for approval subject to the oral amendment already discussed."}】【。json

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:06.200><c> track</c><00:32:06.679><c> the</c><00:32:06.919><c> impacts</c><00:32:07.360><c>
• Senator</c><00:32:26.240><c> p</c><00:32:26.720><c> u</c><00:32:26.840><c> we're</c><00:32:26.960><c>
• ><c> go</c><00:32:27.279><c> to</c><00:32:27.399><c> miss</c><00:32:27.559><c> n</c><00:32:28.080><c>
• so</c><00:32:28.279><c> she</c><00:32:28.440><c> can</c><00:32:28.840><c> tell</c><00:32:29.039><c>
• :32:34.039><c> non</c><00:32:34.919><c> uh</c><00:32:35.039><c> Mr</c><00:32:35.279><c> chair</c><00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:02.600><c> any</c><00:32:02.799><c> other</c><00:32:03.240><c> questions</c><00:32:04.240><c>
• :21.440><c> heard</c><00:32:21.799><c> I</c><00:32:22.000><c> was</c><00:32:22.279><c> the</c><00:32:
• 32:32.240><c> I</c><00:32:32.320><c> was</c><00:32:32.519><c> the</c><00:32:32.639><c> Prime</c><00:32
• ><c> said</c><00:32:40.720><c> we</c><00:32:40.840><c> need</c><00:32:41.000><c> to</c><00:32:41.120>
• <c> have</c><00:32:41.240><c> a</c><00:32:41.399><c> Bill</c><00:32:42.360><c> I</c><00:32:42.440><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all