Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:58.480> These Guard airmen and aircraft. These Guard airmen and aircraft.
• Guard budget. Guard budget.
• <00:42:49.599> that wings in the Air National Guard that wings in the Air National Guard that
• And I've been, I was a member of the National Guard or Army Reserves National Guard for nine years, and
• or Army Reserves National National Guard or Army Reserves National Guard<00:48:46.800> for<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities. Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs. The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if the Coast Guard already has this authority, is this maybe duplicating efforts?
• What is the compelling state purpose for this if the Coast Guard already has this authority?
• So it's not so much a matter of the federal authorities through the Coast Guard have that ability.
• I'm also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Florida Army National Guard.
• We're also... ...deployment with the Florida National Guard in 2021.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up five bills related to Florida waterways, vessels, and environmental protection. HB 1149 on vessel accountability was presented as a way to strengthen enforcement against derelict and long-term anchored vessels, create nuisance authority for repeat violators, and shift relocation/disposal costs to owners; it drew support from marine industry and boating groups and passed 15-1. HB 795 would allow voluntary buffer zones near deepwater port channels and turning basins to prevent anchoring or mooring in protected areas; after questions about federal overlap and impacts on other counties, an amendment narrowed the buffer concept and added authority to remove uninsured vessels anchored more than 45 days, and the bill passed 13-3 with committee substitute. HB 1285 defined “migrant vessels” and authorized FWC to remove them more quickly as derelict vessels; a technical amendment was adopted, Monroe County supported the bill, and it passed unanimously 16-0. The committee then considered HB 1133, which would restructure the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by requiring geographic representation on the seven-member board, staggering terms, and limiting warrantless entry onto private land by FWC officers. The sponsor said the goal was to ensure statewide representation and align FWC enforcement with probable-cause standards; an amendment changed board terms from five years to three years, and the bill passed 16-0. Finally, HB 1143, sponsored by Representatives Shoaf and Tant, would prohibit oil and gas drilling and exploration within 10 miles of certain sensitive estuarine and coastal areas and require DEP to weigh environmental and economic impacts before permitting near waterways. Support came from oyster farmers, shellfish groups, conservation advocates, and local residents, while the American Petroleum Institute opposed the setback as too broad and raised mineral-rights concerns. After extensive debate emphasizing protection of Apalachicola Bay, tourism, seafood, and fragile ecosystems, the bill passed unanimously 16-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• to complete eight hours of training, then register and receive the guard card once the registration
• Once the registration is issued, the guard must complete the remaining 32 hours of skills training.
• and begin working once the security guard license is issued without any further delays.
• Because sometimes it can take weeks or even months for a guard license to be issued.
• and begin working once the security guard license is issued without any further delays.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, consumer protection, and sunset-review bills. Early items included SB 1148, which would let aspiring security guards complete all required training before a guard card is issued; SB 342, which would soften the penalty for contractors who were licensed during part of a project but had a brief lapse; and several sunset bills for boards and bureaus, including the Board of Registered Nursing (SB 1302), the Board of Naturopathic Medicine (SB 1303), the Respiratory Care Board (SB 1304), the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (SB 1363), and the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SB 1368). The committee also heard SB 1311, which makes various updates to DCA boards and programs, and SB 1314, which restricts new tobacco retailers from locating within 600 feet of schools or daycare centers and bans nitrous oxide sales and related paraphernalia. Testimony was generally supportive on the training, sunset, and licensing cleanup bills, though several measures drew “opposed unless amended” or neutral positions over scope and implementation details. On SB 1314, supporters including prosecutors and school administrators argued it would reduce youth exposure to tobacco, while gas station, convenience store, cigar lounge, pharmacy, and business groups raised concerns about impacts on existing businesses, transferability of tobacco licenses, and possible de facto limits on future stations; some public health groups shifted to neutral after amendments. On SB 1302, nursing groups supported the board sunset bill, while the California Medical Association objected to allowing out-of-state nurse practitioner transition-to-practice experience to count without a California attestation process. On SB 1304, health facilities and long-term care groups supported the board extension but sought broader clarification so LVNs could perform respiratory tasks consistently across settings. After quorum was finally established, the committee voted to send the consent calendar bills SB 1376, SB 1391, SB 1416, and SB 1315 to Appropriations, and then approved SB 342, SB 1148, SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1311, SB 1314, SB 1363, and SB 1368, all moving forward to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 1314 passed with some no votes, while the other measures advanced with broad support. The hearing ended after additional members were added on the record and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• New York Guard and the Vermont Guard is, I separated from the Vermont Guard earlier this year.
• Vermont Guard, correct? Vermont Guard, correct?
• Guard earlier this year. Guard earlier this year.
• Hampshire National Guard. I think the Hampshire National Guard.
• >> National Guard. Actually, >> National Guard. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the membership of the Employees Retirement System in Texas for certain members of the Texas National Guard
• HB 5176 by Montgomery, relating to retired members of the Texas State Guard, is referred to the Committee
• the membership of the Employees Retirement System in Texas for certain members of the Texas National Guard
• HB 5176 by Montgomery, relating to retired members of the Texas State Guard, is referred to the Committee
• HB 5176 by Montgomery, relating to retired members of the Texas State Guard, is referred to the Committee

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or the Minnesota Air Guard.
• or the Minnesota Air Guard.
• He's our sergeant of the guard.
• He's our sergeant of the guard. He old. He's our sergeant of the guard.
• When we buy honor guard uniforms.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, my ties with the military is my husband, um, was in the Army and the New Mexico Army National Guard
• of internments this year for guard, guard spouses and, and, and, uh.
• And if somebody is unavailable, usually, especially we work closely with the National Guard on if you
• What you have on here, um, resting place for qualified National Guards and reservists.
• If they don't meet that requirement, but they meet the guard requirement for those who have served.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were inside the prison. They were in the bunker. And that's never going to work, right?
• <00:21:05.039> were<00:21:05.200> in<00:21:05.360> the prison.
• They were they were in the prison.
• prison, got out and and never returned. prison, got out and and never returned.
• that we uh know, the private prisons that we uh contract<01:02:15.760> with.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:02 Statewide Emergency Response System Monthly Update- 00:02:23 Shock Probation: Administrative Office of the Courts-00:34:28 Shock Probation: Department of Corrections Oversight-01:04:04 Adjournment-01:12:22, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS) and the supporting microwave network, known as KYeS. Michael Brandon Marshall, the state’s statewide interoperability coordinator, explained that the project began as a replacement for Kentucky State Police’s radio system and has expanded into a statewide public-safety trunked radio system. He reviewed work completed in phases 1 and 2, including upgrades to existing tower sites, construction of new sites, installation of generators and DC power plants, and replacement of microwave routers and stations. He said the microwave upgrade is a separate but necessary part of the project and that the remaining microwave work on existing sites is expected to be finished in 2026, with roughly 20 more sites likely to move from blue to green by the next monthly report if conditions allow. Members pressed Marshall on the pace of deployment and the lack of coverage in parts of Eastern Kentucky. Senator Thomas said the coverage map was especially unfavorable to counties from Whitley and McCreary up to Lewis County and asked when that gap would be fixed. Marshall said the eastern buildout is planned, but those areas have not yet been funded; he estimated that by the end of 2026 the areas around Posts 14, 8, and 11 should be live, while other eastern post areas would remain unbuilt until additional funding is provided. He said the decision to start in Western Kentucky was technical rather than political, based on terrain and the relative ease of building coverage over flatter ground. Senator Wheeler asked whether newer low-orbit satellite systems such as Starlink could reduce the need for tower construction. Marshall said satellite technology could be a useful tool, especially for outdoor or disaster-response communications, but it cannot replace terrestrial radio for public safety because responders often work indoors and need reliable penetration through buildings. He also noted that lower-frequency spectrum such as 700 MHz is better suited for that purpose. Representative Smith asked about contracting and delays; Marshall said the Finance Cabinet’s DECA manages the construction contracts, while his office helps define the scope of work and reviews whether it is adequately met. The committee indicated it will continue to receive monthly updates on the project.

Transcript Highlights:

• were, you know, really hiding even small amounts of marijuana, when they were caught, they went to prison
• were, you know, really hiding even small amounts of marijuana, when they're caught, they went to prison
• for it. marijuana when they're caught they went to prison for it but today you know it's it's now it's

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these facilities and you've talked to the inmates and you've been to the medical portions of these prisons
• I'll be up on your bill today. can do to help people in prison as they have less chances of being homeless
• when they get out of prison with treatment programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The law you're putting in expects him to let a child drown or die, or he goes to prison forever.
• sex offenders who are predators, Representative Deal: those individuals shouldn't be allowed out of prison
• They should rot in prison because they have 100% recidivism rate.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:18:24.720> and<00:18:24.880> the<00:18:24.960> Alabama National Guard,
• provide increased benefits to our Guard provide increased benefits to our Guard members,<00:20:52.240
• National Guard for many years to come. National Guard for many years to come.
• National Guard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. National Guard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• benefits for uh the National Guard benefits for uh the National Guard members,<00:23:20.400>

Bills: HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354, HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• They could have done 6, 8, 10 years and then got out of the National Guard and Reserves.
• and Reserve component veterans Guard and Reserve component veterans their<00:09:05.920> eligible<
• <00:09:14.320> of<00:09:14.440> Reserve about those National Guard of Reserve about
• You mentioned 6, 8, 10 years in the reserves or National Guard. What is it, you know?
• So basically that's anybody that served in the Guard or Reserves, okay? Thank you very much.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate VMAP Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 144, sponsored by Senator Danny Carroll, would require destruction of firearms used in homicides and allow destruction of certain defaced, hazardous, unsafe, or owner-requested firearms, while prohibiting agencies from intentionally damaging firearms before transfer and requiring written agency policies. Senator Tichenor asked about lost auction revenue; KSP said it could not track homicide weapons separately, that auctions bring in about $1.2 million annually, and that most proceeds support Kentucky Homeland Security. Senators Boswell and others said they generally oppose destroying firearms but supported moving the bill forward; the bill passed favorably with no nays. House Bill 191, sponsored by Representative Aaron Thompson and presented with state and veterans’ officials, would align Kentucky law with federal changes to allow additional burials in state veteran cemeteries for certain National Guard and Reserve veterans, their spouses, and dependents who were not previously eligible. Testimony explained the bill would cover veterans who served in reserve components without Title 10 activation, including those who assisted during floods, fires, and tornadoes, and clarified eligibility rules for spouses and children. Senators asked about minimum service and dependent eligibility, and the committee passed the bill favorably and unanimously. Senate Bill 198, sponsored by Senator David Yates, addressed protection of veterans’ benefits by regulating third-party claims consultants. The committee adopted a substitute adding definitions and accreditation-related provisions, and Yates said the bill was intended to curb abusive fee practices and direct penalties to the special license plate fund for veterans. He explained the bill’s fee limits, including a cap tied to three times the monthly increase in benefits and an overall ceiling, while senators questioned whether the cap might discourage good actors and how the dollar limits would work. A veteran witness, Bob Casher, supported the bill and urged more public information on free claims assistance; the committee held further action while allowing guest comments, and the discussion focused on balancing consumer protection with access to legitimate consultants.

Transcript Highlights:

• that legal privilege mail, and now he smokes it, you know, or divvies it up and sells it inside the prison
• can impact housing assignments and access to single cells or a specific unit or a different jail or prison
• We closed two prisons, two major prisons, in the last seven years.
• ...point, David Scarbeck, who is a faculty member at Brown University, writes about the puzzle of prison

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation among public safety agencies held a hearing focused on union and correctional staff testimony. Chair Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger opened by noting the commission’s extensive site visits and prior testimony, and they recognized Correctional Officers Week. Union representatives from KOUF, NCEU, AFSCME, and local county correctional unions described the daily realities of correctional work, emphasizing staff safety, staffing shortages, retention problems, mental health impacts, and the need to preserve local sheriff’s offices and collective bargaining agreements. Testimony centered on several recurring concerns: violence inside facilities, the spread of synthetic drugs such as K2, inmate suicides and suicide attempts, and the strain these issues place on officers, EMS, and local resources. Speakers also raised concerns about gender-identity housing policies, arguing they can create safety and workplace issues for staff, and urged more support for officer wellness, debriefing, and programs like OnSide Academy. Several witnesses argued that county facilities should remain locally controlled and that consolidation with the Department of Correction would weaken programming, staffing, and community-based reentry work. One witness described the Norwegian correctional model as a possible source of ideas for more rehabilitative approaches. Commission members responded with support for correctional staff and asked questions about K2 detection, paperless systems, EMS transports, and possible metrics to quantify incidents and facility needs. Members also discussed the importance of individualized assessments of each facility rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The commission voted to seek an extension of its reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30, and agreed to continue site visits, including the upcoming Barnstable visit and a June 15 hearing. The meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that are in the service areas of low prison. They're performing schools. Is it?
• it would worsen a phone call. >> You agree like many things, the a lot of schools and especially prisons
• So you would agree a facility of any type whether it's a shopping mall or a school or prison built 50
• Senator prison, Vice Chair Pizzo, thank you.
• I think with with a lot of our prison facilities I have visited, there's the kept the school that that's

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the whole debate about rehabilitation, but the reality is when people are in jail, when they're in prison
• And so I don't think this is a time for us to be giving pay increases to people in jail or in prison,
• Folks in Norway are allowed to vote in prison.
• They work... ...are allowed to vote in prison.
• They work outside of the prison, almost all of them, and then come back and earn real wages in their

Summary: The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions, including unanimous consent requests and a re-referral of AB 506. The chamber then moved through a series of guest introductions and second-reading items before taking up several resolutions recognizing awareness days and cultural observances. Members adopted ACR 41 on Down Syndrome Awareness Week/Day and HR 24 on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month after extensive bipartisan remarks focused on family experiences, inclusion, bullying, funding for services, and support for people with disabilities. The Assembly also adopted ACR 48 recognizing Women in STEM Day, ACR 49 recognizing California STEM Robotics Day, HR 18 celebrating Nauruze, and ACR 2 marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Each resolution drew co-authors and supportive comments from members across the aisle. The body then debated and passed AB 248, which would remove the state wage cap on county jail inmate labor and allow counties more discretion; supporters framed it as local control and rehabilitation, while opponents argued it would raise costs and conflict with voter sentiment. The Assembly also passed AB 100, a budget-process measure moving a large package of bills to the Senate, and used a substituted roll call for the remaining related bills. Consent calendar items were approved, and the chamber concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric Lopez, Johnny D. Giles, and Roger Diamond, before adjourning until March 24, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• McGillicuddy's math class, I would go to federal prison.
• Ninety percent will leave prison with the same mental health and substance abuse issue due to only 17%
• get into a situation, and I don't care what they say on the Twitters—no one's put more people in prison
• I can come over and slip this in the side of your jacket, and you're going to prison.
• have to be present, I can come over and slip this in the side of your jacket, and you're going to prison

Summary: The committee first considered the appointment of Michelle Whitworth to the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Whitworth described her 30 years of criminal justice experience, and the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably. The committee then took up SB 1692 on material harmful to minors, adopting a delete-all amendment that shifted the focus to K-12 instructional materials and objections by parents or residents. Supporters argued it would create clearer standards and protect children from pornographic content, while opponents warned it would worsen book bans and remove consideration of literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. After extensive debate and public testimony, the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on several criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1422 increased penalties for certain drone-related offenses near critical infrastructure and for weaponized drones; SB 1360 clarified xylazine’s veterinary use while creating stronger trafficking penalties; and SB 1732 increased penalties for animal cruelty involving minors and for contributing to a minor’s delinquency. SB 776 added an aggravating factor for the assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, and SB 984 added aggravating factors for capital felonies committed where people are gathered for religious, school, or government activities. SB 1640 made domestic violence lethality assessment forms confidential, and SB 1268 updated FDLE operations and increased reimbursement for retired police dogs. All of these bills were reported favorably after brief debate and mostly supportive testimony. Later, the committee approved SB 1084 on sexual cyber harassment, with a strike-all amendment addressing digitally forged intimate images and extending prosecution time limits. SB 1654 updated sexual offender and predator registration rules, including definitions of residence and online reporting for in-state travel, though one witness raised concerns about vague language and employer privacy. SB 1774 created a rebuttable presumption in certain second-degree murder cases when the victim had a controlled substance in their system, drawing criticism that it could devalue victims who used drugs. Finally, SB 1838 strengthened protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, with an amendment adding magistrates, hearing officers, and related staff; defense attorneys warned the tampering language could inadvertently reach zealous advocacy. Each of these measures was ultimately reported favorably, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, we would like to spend more time engaging with our prison and jail population, as well as our
• Chair, we would like to spend more time engaging with our prison and jail population, as well as our
• 00:04:14.360> engaging<00:04:14.799> with<00:04:14.920> our<00:04:15.079> prison
• <00:04:15.840> and<00:04:16.000> jail time engaging with our prison and jail time engaging
• with our prison and jail population<00:04:17.000> as<00:04:17.160> well<00:04:17.320><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met for its first meeting and heard an update from KCTCS President Dr. Ryan Corral. He opened with a brief report on flood impacts across the state, noting damage at Big Sandy and Hazard, support for displaced faculty and staff, emergency student aid, and the use of campuses as shelters and Red Cross sites. He then outlined KCTCS’s role as the state’s largest postsecondary system, serving about 107,000 students across 16 colleges and 70 campuses, with strong enrollment growth, major dual credit and GED operations, and a large workforce-training mission. Corral emphasized student support needs such as food, housing, and mental health services, and said KCTCS wants to expand work with incarcerated populations and recovery communities. Corral also described system changes focused on compliance, stability, leadership development, property disposal, and curriculum review. He said KCTCS has addressed prior audit findings, is conducting additional audits, has sold or is selling several buildings, and has removed 400 underutilized credentials to better align programs with employer needs. He highlighted transfer agreements with the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University, and said KCTCS is working to align training with employers and local governments. He also discussed the system’s response to House Bill 6 and the $90 million appropriated for an efficient operations and innovation plan, including three proposed capital projects: a Somerset Community College facility for diesel, automotive, welding, HVAC, CAD, and 3D printing; replacement of an outdated Louisville building; and a South Central/Glasgow allied health facility to expand nursing and related programs. In response to questions, Corral said the Blue Oval SK training building in Glendale is open and operational, though workforce demand there has been slower than initially expected, and that KCTCS is working with the company and state officials to cover operating costs. Members praised KCTCS’s workforce role and flexibility in meeting employer needs statewide. Representative Moll also commented on the system’s progress and importance to Kentucky’s workforce development. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't fly over military bases, airports, and then we have one over prisons. But to me, now...
• Prisons, but to me now, prisons—most people don't live right up by prisons.
• I understand jails, prisons, and all that type of stuff, but as far as I've not seen an issue where that's

Bills: SB156, SB134, SB108, SB47, SB88, SB89, SB106, SB18, SB9, HB38, HB54

Keywords: habitual felony offender, resentencing, Alabama Department of Corrections, victim notification, criminal justice reform, life sentences, parole eligibility, pardon, parole, law enforcement, GPS monitoring, data sharing, mail theft, stolen mail, criminal penalties, personally identifying information, felony, misdemeanor, expungement, criminal records

Transcript Highlights:

• It needs to be jails and prisons.
• It needs to be jails and prisons.
• It needs to be jails and prisons.
• It needs to be jails and prisons.
• Jails and prisons.

Keywords: 1183, house