Transcript Highlights:

• c> rather than utilize a traditional rather than utilize a traditional general<00:07:15.919> contractor
• <00:07:18.240> That general contractor bidding process.
• That general contractor bidding process.
• And a lot of it will depend on how hungry the contractors are and how much competition we get on bid
• And a lot of it will depend on how hungry the contractors are and how much competition we get on bid

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:01:19 NKU Capital Project Update 0:38:57 DJJ High Acuity Services Update 1:03:53 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The interim Budget Review Subcommittee for Justice and Judiciary received an update on Northern Kentucky University’s capital project to house the Northern Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office and the Northern Kentucky Crime Lab in the former Highland Heights Civic Center building on NKU’s campus. NKU and Justice Cabinet staff described the project timeline: the building was identified in late 2022, lease terms were agreed to in early 2023, a pre-construction evaluation agreement was executed in May 2023, the General Assembly authorized $21 million in April 2024, and the lease and construction agreement were finalized in spring 2026. The project is now being prepared for bid, with construction expected to start in August and occupancy targeted for January 2028. About $1 million has been spent so far on design and related investigations. Testimony emphasized that the vacant building was structurally sound but required major upgrades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roof, windows, a generator, specialized mechanical systems, security, and geothermal work to meet the needs of two separate operations sharing one facility. NKU said it is contributing $3.7 million to the project. Committee members asked about the condition of the building, the urgency of the project, and why the process took so long. Justice Cabinet and real properties officials said the medical examiner’s office had been shut down since roughly late 2017 or 2018, that the state had first sought funding in the 2022 budget for staffing, a lease, and equipment, and that it took time to find a suitable leased location because the facility has highly specialized requirements. Members also asked about operating costs, annual lease costs, and the impact of the office’s absence on families and counties in Northern Kentucky. Officials said the lease cost is based on NKU’s expected maintenance-related expenses, while utilities and staffing are covered through the Office of the State Medical Examiner or Kentucky State Police, with seven medical examiner positions funded in House Bill 500 and two additional KSP positions requested for the crime lab. They explained that, until the new facility opens, bodies from Northern Kentucky are generally transported to Louisville for autopsy, with transportation costs borne by the coroner’s office. No votes were taken, but the committee requested follow-up information, including lease cost numbers and additional details on facility usage and timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• All you get from removing the rider is uncertainty, and that's hard on our members, it's hard on contractors
• All you get from removing the rider is uncertainty, and that's hard on our members, it's hard on contractors
• But, you know, I own an independent insurance agency and I've got several contractors, I carry their
• So how do we bring a balance between how, you know, to me, we allow the contractors to make this decision
• <01:07:27.200> to contractors to contractors to make<01:07:28.880> this<01:07:29.120>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You make the time that it takes to do the job some benefit. benefit to the contractor, you know, thought
• . contractors when they are able to meet the schedule.
• Contractors know that the construction contracts are going to be starting to slow down.
• But in addition to that, all those projects stack on top of each other that then increase the contractor
• So those contractor payouts are the highest they have ever been.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:15.760> one of an indefinite contract to one of an indefinite contract to one contractor
• 18.839> give<00:52:19.000> them<00:52:19.200> x<00:52:19.440> amount contractor
• and then give them x amount contractor and then give them x amount of<00:52:19.839> projects<
• They're sitting there acting like they belong to DOE, and they're outside contractors.
• the project management of the projects, like they are similar to our staff, so they oversee other contractors

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:58.880> subcontractors<00:10:59.760> to<00:11:00.000> ensure contractors
• subcontractors to ensure contractors subcontractors to ensure they're<00:11:00.640> following<
• They need that contractor program.
• <01:15:56.800> They They need that contractor program.
• They They need that contractor program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 209, which would require schools seeking building aid for construction or reconstruction projects to use an owner’s project manager. The chair explained an amendment that would remove the bill’s requirement that the manager be engaged before application and instead revert to current law, while updating the project threshold from the older $1 million figure to a more current amount and clarifying that the manager’s role is to protect the project owner’s interests. Members asked about the cost of hiring a project manager over several years before a project is funded, the 1.5% fee in rule, and whether the rules already define the manager’s duties. The chair said the amendment addressed those concerns by leaving the timing to current law and relying on existing administrative rules for qualifications and responsibilities. The committee then voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 209 OTPA, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then moved to SB 99, which concerns allowing students enrolled in career and technical education programs at receiving comprehensive high schools to take additional academic courses there. The chair said the bill was intended to make it easier for students to access CTE without being blocked by scheduling conflicts in their sending schools, and to clarify how agreements between sending and receiving districts would work. He described concerns about the bill’s cost formula, transportation, part-time versus full-time status, and whether the proposal could unintentionally create open-enrollment or athletic-transfer issues. He said the amendment would mirror existing treatment for homeschool and charter school students, use a familiar funding model, and limit participation to students already enrolled in one or more CTE classes at the receiving school. The chair also emphasized that comprehensive high schools already have a statutory definition and that the bill would help more students participate in CTE, which he said currently reaches only a relatively small share of students statewide. He noted that transportation would be covered only when a CTE bus is available, otherwise students would be responsible for arranging travel as under current practice. After brief discussion, the committee voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 99 OTPA, also placing it on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• standard that requires a selection based on the lowest bid, which limits their ability to select contractors
• SB 1154 allows districts to evaluate contractors' experience, safety records, technical expertise, and
• If this bill passes, many highly qualified contractors, which include small and family-owned businesses
• This only gives an advantage to one class of contractors, those based on labor affiliation.
• of bills and hope that you'll join me in opposing the bill and ensure that every company, every contractor

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School employees, contractors, and volunteers who work with children are already subject to these requirements
• I'm the contractor with the DIAA that is the compliance coordinator.
• I'm the contractor with the IA that is the compliance coordinator. So the question again sir.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Legislature and the Governor to clarify the report and include compensation of independent contractors
• Massullo: We will certainly continue to look at all stakeholders' ideas and I would like to thank our contractors
• It wasn't necessarily for a contractor to come in and try to sneak in under the wire.

Bills: S0598, S0934, S1260, S1300, S1452, S1510, S1566, S1580, S1668, S7034

Keywords: funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any provisions in place if a contractor decides to, like, break up a project, $7,500 here,
• This bill addresses Representative Nixon's comments about making sure that a contractor can't break up
• It also addresses the retention policy for contractors' paperwork to five years of written record of

Summary: The committee first took up HB 455, a local bill for the City of Lake Wales that would allow open containers in a downtown arts district. The sponsor said the city had invested heavily in the area and wanted to support business growth. An amendment clarified that the allowance was intended for cups, not bottles taken from restaurants, and the bill was then adopted favorably without opposition. Members then heard HB 1049 on building permit requirements, which would remove permits for certain work under $7,500 and for battery or backup power systems, while also preempting local governments from adding extra permitting rules. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying modular homes on RV lots, and another addressing contractor “splitting” of projects to avoid the threshold and requiring five years of record retention. County and local-government groups raised concerns about inspections and permitting, while several business and advocacy groups supported the bill. It passed favorably. HB 1175, dealing with safety design standards for office surgery suites, was presented as a measure directing the Florida Building Commission and State Fire Marshal to establish new standards to improve safety and efficiency. There was no amendment or public testimony, and it passed favorably. The committee then spent extensive time on HB 221, which would let workers waive the state minimum wage for certain work-based learning, internship, or pre-apprenticeship positions for up to nine months, later narrowed by amendment to 252 days, or 126 days for minors with parental consent, and defining the program as structured learning. Supporters framed it as a way to expand apprenticeships and help small businesses offer training opportunities; opponents argued it would create free or subminimum labor, invite abuse and coercion, and raise constitutional concerns. Despite strong opposition testimony from labor, civil rights, and policy groups, the bill passed favorably after debate. The committee also heard HB 4035, a Palm Beach County local bill requiring applicants for a certificate of competency to pass the licensing exam before applying to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. The sponsor said it would streamline and modernize the process, and members discussed it briefly in support. The transcript ends before the final action on that bill is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think what I see is we've got small contractors and big contractors, and we don't have as many middle-sized
• contractors anymore, which I think hurts competition.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Sandoval, Registered Lobbyist for Associated Contractors for New Mexico. We support this bill.
• But in the longevity of bonding, you don't want to overload a system when you don't have enough contractors
• recently done an analysis of their procurement processes and how they procure new contracts and contractors

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Sandoval, Registered Lobbyist for Associated Contractors for New Mexico. We support this bill.
• But, in the longevity of bonding, you don't want to overload a system when you don't have enough contractors
• recently done an analysis of their procurement processes and how they Procure new contracts and contractors

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• We use county contractors. In 36 of our counties, we have satellite offices.
• balance point in terms of having effective satellite offices, but we also have some really effective contractors
• can apply to us for investigators and experts, so we are there for that outside support for those contractors

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe a little early to expand, but I will say a lot of defense contractors, we've spoken to a lot of
• Defense contractors that are really interested, some of them came and visited Texas Tech and they're
• Our diverse ten- sector partners include defense contractors like KBR, manufacturing companies like Volpus

Bills: HB 1105, HB1527, HB1787, HB1972, HB2081, HB3296, HB3976, HB4071, HB4234, HB4438, HB4701, HB5092, HB5150, HB5180, HB5265, HB5333, HJR203

Keywords: tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, laboratory fees, emergency medical services, peace officers, criminal justice, law enforcement, degree programs, public institutions, HB 1787, HPV, human papillomavirus, college health, university health, student health, public health education, prevention program, screening, early detection

Transcript Highlights:

• we heard previously relating to the contract requirements for a contract between a single source contractor
• relating to certain contract requirements regarding a contract between a single-source continuum contractor
• Davis's bill that we heard previously relating to the receivership of a single source continuum contractor

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 929 by Johnson relates to certain deadlines and other timing factors affecting mechanics, contractors
• SB 929 by Johnson relates to certain deadlines and other timing factors affecting mechanics, contractors
• SB 929 by Johnson relates to certain deadlines and other timing factors affecting mechanics, contractors

Bills: HJR99, HB1399, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HCR35, SB14, HB 12, HB1522, HB422, HB675, HB204, HB748, HB912, HJR99, HB1399, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HCR35, HCR123, HCR124, HR57, HR87, HR111, HR228, HR230, HR322, HR624, HR625, HR626, HR627, HR628, HR630, HR631, HR634, HR635, HR636, HR637, HR638, HR639, HR640, HR645, HR646, HR648, HR649, HR651, HR652, HR653, HR654, HR664, HR665, HR668, HR675, HR676, HR678, HR679, HR680, HR683, HR686, HR688, HR689, HR694, HR695, HR697, HR698, HR699, HR472, HR622, HR632, HR633, HR643, HR655, HR657, HR660, HR661, HR662, HR663, HR667, HR670, HR674, HR681, HR682, HR696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• MAKES AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE FOR AN EMPLOYER TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST APPLICANT EMPLOYER CONTRACTOR
• THIS BILL WILL PROTECT STATE AGENCY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS CONTRACTORS AND NONPROFITS
• THE BILL REALLY DOES PROMOTE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS TO HARASS TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS BY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is wise in theory but must contractors is wise in theory but must be<01:20:21.120> handled<01
• <01:44:07.760> more<01:44:07.920> accountable<01:44:08.320> to the contractors
• more accountable to the contractors more accountable to their<01:44:08.719> counties?
• It could be done uh fiscally neutral and the contractors would know that's just part of doing business
• And there's<01:48:17.840> some<01:48:18.080> contractors<01:48:18.719> who<01:48

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , contractors like myself must work across all the program types.
• All contractors in the New Hampshire Saves program operate within these qualified programs.
• , contractors like myself must work across all the program types.
• , contractors like myself must work across all the program types.
• , contractors like myself must work across all the program types.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Contractors Disaster Improvement Contractors Disaster Mitigation<01:56:17.960> Services<01:56
• So, we're creating a lot of confusion for contractors that operate inside of the same space here.
• actual licenses that the the contractors actual licenses that the the contractors are<01:57:37.480
• <01:58:37.680> With<01:58:37.840> that solicitation from contractors.
• With that solicitation from contractors.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 129 members present, read the prior journal, and then took up a series of third-reading bills. Early action included unanimous passage of HB 159 (mail theft), HB 412 (child support and driver’s license suspension), HB 912 (trap-neuter-return policies for community cats), HB 914 (Worcester County Board of License Commissioners membership), HB 558 (Prince George’s County wine festival licenses), HB 1400 (shellfish aquaculture penalties), and HB 1463 (Anne Arundel County Board of Education constituent services liaison). HB 582, dealing with Prince George’s County alcoholic beverages licenses and voter registration requirements, drew brief debate over whether it removed or retained a voter registration condition; it ultimately passed 119-12. HB 846, a property tax exemption for the Hagerstown multi-use sports and events facility, passed 126-7 after a system delay interrupted proceedings. Several bills prompted more substantive discussion. HB 1218, the Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act, drew opposing explanations over a proposed public registry of properties with housing violations; supporters said it would help identify serious housing problems and improve compliance, while opponents objected to publicly naming private properties based on administrative findings. It passed 99-36. HB 525, the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, passed 135-1 after questions about enforcement, with supporters comparing it to ordinary classroom discipline. HB 1483, allowing out-of-state clinical professional counseling and social work providers to use telehealth for continuity of care, passed 135-0 after clarification that it applies to people moving into Maryland and allows a six-month continuity period. HB 1504, the Pedestrian Safety Act, passed unanimously. Later, HB 664 (Cecil County alcoholic beverages license quota) passed 134-1, and HB 837 (cardiovascular pre-screening for student athletic activities) passed 133-2 after the sponsor explained that reporting requirements were removed for cost reasons and the bill now mainly requires screening questions. HB 925, regulating PFAS in sewage sludge applied to farmland, generated the most extended debate: one delegate argued the bill’s limits were too weak and lacked liability for industry actors, while supporters said it establishes the first limits, requires wastewater treatment plants to reduce PFAS, and leaves room for future tightening; it passed 130-7. HB 1370, authorizing a pilot stop-sign monitoring program in Rising Sun, passed 109-26. HB 649, expanding Maryland Commission on Civil Rights enforcement to higher education discrimination claims, passed 100-35 after supporters said current protections are stronger for K-12 than for colleges. The House also passed HB 512 on compensation for Anne Arundel County license commissioners and inspectors, and the session continued into HB 661 on commemorative months.