Transcript Highlights:

• Where'd you stand on the construction manager piece that came up earlier?
• At that time, so you want, you wanted the construction management piece, correct?
• It has been, uh, open to audit. Uh, you can go on any text. website today and follow any.
• I don't think the design build has that type of scrutiny and probably needs some audit factors to that
• Design, build and construction management now is, is almost 2/3 of the market.

Bills: SB 35, SB 1113, SB 1365, SB 1394, SB 2243, SB 2245, SB 2589, SB 2199, SB 2200

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• criteria based on performance and compliance areas, such as governance, access, fairness, case flow management
• and I worked vigorously to improve each of the four performance measures: governance, case flow management
• When we had the audit of the courts regarding the guardianship standards, Webb County Court at Law Number
• They don't want the public to know their statistics in terms of case management and technology, etc.
• There's statistics in terms of case management and technology, et cetera.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1574 by Senator Zaffirini, which would codify the Texas Judicial Council’s Centers of Excellence Program for courts and judges. Testimony from judges and the Office of Court Administration emphasized that the program promotes transparency, procedural fairness, mentoring, and public trust. A committee substitute expanded eligibility to justices of the peace and municipal judges and removed a merit-pay reference to eliminate fiscal impact. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the substitute and later voted it out favorably, though it was not certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 2774 by Senator Hinojosa, which would amend the Tax Code’s retail trade definition to include industrial uniform and linen rental businesses so they qualify for the lower franchise tax rate. Supporters said the change would put rental textile businesses on equal footing with other rental industries and help Texas employers and customers. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate. Members then considered SB 1211 by Senator Perry, which would broaden the existing fracking-related sales tax exemption for equipment used with non-fresh water sources, including recycled, produced, and brine water. The bill’s supporters argued it would conserve freshwater and reduce litigation over water definitions, while the Comptroller’s office discussed the fiscal note and production-related revenue effects. The committee also heard SB 2873 and SB 2900, both by Senator Kolkhorst and presented by Senator Nichols; SB 2873 would require electronic filers to file electronically, and SB 2900 would eliminate certain Comptroller-related advisory committees and boards. Both were later adopted in committee substitute form and reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HJR 4, sponsored by Senator Parker, proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit new taxes on securities transfers or financial transaction processing. Supporters said it would protect investors, especially retirees, and help position Texas as a financial center. The committee voted to report HJR 4 favorably to the full Senate. In each recorded vote after quorum was present, the measures passed with nine ayes and no nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• criteria based on performance and compliance in areas such as governance, access, fairness, case flow management
• When we had the audit of the courts regarding standards, Webb County Court at Law No. 2, where Judge
• kind of like looking in the mirror and having to change things about what we do in court and how we manage
• They don't want the public to know their statistics in terms of case management, technology, etc.
• Most of mine usually come out of an audit conversation that something's been interpreted differently

Bills: SB1211, SB1574, SB2774, SB2873, SB2900, HJR4

Keywords: hydraulic fracturing, sales tax exemption, oil and gas, environmental impact, water reuse, justice, judicial council, centers of excellence, court operations, recognition program, franchise tax, retail trade, tax classification, business regulation, economic impact, SB 2873, Texas Tax Code, electronic filing, e-filing, tax reports

Transcript Highlights:

• The House passed an audit saying, "Hey, Mr.
• The House passed an audit saying, "Hey, Mr.
• audit saying, "Hey, Mr. secretary, you can<01:50:52.719> audit<01:50:53.040> the<01:50:
• We want this audit don't want a sunset.
• Voting stations are open for 30 seconds. that audits are one of the reasons that that audits are one

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We inspect every school bus in the state, and as a result of a legislative audit back in 2008, we were
• 11.440> legislative um and as a result of a legislative um and as a result of a legislative audit
• back in 2008, we were urged to audit back in 2008, we were urged to publish<00:05:15.480> the
• Incident Management Subcommittee. Incident Management Subcommittee.
• . vehicles, incident management.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have best management practices. practices.
• Managers that are throughout the state, and they'll get a referral.
• They manage their own land. You have nothing to do with managing that. Mr.
• From the state's financial audit system.
• And so how do we manage that? That's the big question.

Transcript Highlights:

• , including prevalence management zones, supplemental feeding, baiting, and surveillance.
• , provide for prevalence, management zone, supplemental feeding, baiting, surveillance.
• care organizations from using extrapolation in the audit of health care providers.
• This bill creates a very straightforward and manageable process to do that.
• This bill creates a very straightforward and manageable process to do that.

Bills: HR188, HR189, HR190, HR191, HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, SCR24, SCR36, SCR39, SB64, SB107, SB152, SB185, SB217, SB232, SB278, SB290, SB294, SB320, SB321, SB419, SB424, SB436, SB440, SB468, SB470, SB476, SB482, SB489, HCR32, SCR11, HB12, HB42, HB205, HB222, HB267, HB324, HB325, HB350, HB478, HB610, HB617, HB679, HB745, HB749, HB797, HB807, HB821, HB896, HB979, HB992, HB1000, HB1024, HB1050, HB1166, HB1172, HB1173, HB1193, HB1207, HB1218, HB1223, SB256, SB180, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB31, HB225, HB608, HB664, HB897, HB977, HB1003, HB1160, HB1180, HB911, HB306, HB366, HB1161, HB1230, HB181, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB772, HB773, HB996, HB1035, HB1058, HB1082, HB1113, HB1189, HB1234, HB1240

Keywords: hunting dogs, field trials, working dogs, dog training, greyhound protection, Farm Bill, federal overreach, sportsmen, sportswomen, wildlife management, conservation, rural communities, Louisiana hunting, hunting tradition, animal welfare, dog breeders, dog owners, outdoor recreation, Kathy Taylor, musical achievements

Transcript Highlights:

• And last year, two years ago, we had a mandate to audit our MyKids system, our case management system
• Um, but it should not, to go audit them.
• <01:34:07.600> which our required a IT security audit which our required a IT security audit
• We have different case management software for NBN and MBI.
• We have different case management software for NBN and MBI.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Office of Capital Post Conviction. Director Chrissy Noble described the office’s work representing death-row clients in state postconviction, federal habeas, clemency, and related matters, and said the Legislature has historically funded the office with enough flexibility to handle unpredictable cases. She highlighted four pending actual-innocence cases, including matters involving false forensics and a shaken-baby syndrome challenge, and noted that such cases often require multiple experts. She also cited a recent example where the office was appointed to a case shortly before an execution date was set, and said flexible spending authority allowed the office to secure experts and file on time. The office asked to retain any remaining special-fund cash balance into FY26 and said it had not requested additional salary funding for FY26 because the increase was already handled through flexibility; members praised the office’s work and no vote was taken. The committee then heard from the Ethics Commission. Staff explained requests for salary realignment, additional funding for a part-time hearing officer who handles public records and open meetings cases, and a small amount for fuel/food that was described as a system-related placeholder. The commission said it had a backlog because complaints have become more numerous and complex, and that more funding would allow the hearing officer to process more cases. Members also discussed a prior $10,000 system request that had lapsed and was later found to have been underestimated; the commission said the earlier figure came from an initial quote and the later $25,000 estimate reflected the actual cost. The chairman and members commended the commission’s work, and no formal action was taken. Finally, the Administrative Office of Courts presented its budget requests. The office outlined a deficit appropriation request tied to county-funded court reporter increases, funding for two newly appointed judges, special-judge appointment costs, and death benefits for a court administrator in Warren County. The discussion then focused on judicial salaries, with the office noting Mississippi ranks near the bottom nationally in trial and Supreme Court judge pay, though a cost-of-living adjustment would place the state around 27th. The office said its request follows State Personnel Board recommendations and that it is also seeking a possible increase in filing fees to support the Judicial Operations Fund, which helps cover salary costs not paid from general funds. Members discussed redistricting, special appointments, and the possibility of using fee revenue rather than general funds to support future increases; no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• completely random audit, if you will. completely random audit, if you will.
• This is not an audit.
• This is not an audit. It applies here. This is not an audit.
• And the second point on audits: if it's less than 3%, we get an audit, right?
• audited? audited?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's where I was previously a superintendent and business manager at Hill City.
• I know some of the concerns working as a business manager, there's a UAR code for every single penny
• I know some of the concerns working as a business manager, there's a UAR code for every single penny
• I know some of the concerns working as a business manager, there's a UAR code for every single penny
• as a business manager there's a uar<00:18:14.480> code<00:18:14.799> for<00:18:15.000>

Bills: HF957, HF877

Keywords: education, mandate relief, school funding, local control, state laws, fund transfers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the biggest changes, though, that we made from last year to this year to make this more manageable
• The Corporation Commission can do risk-based auditing like we do for a lot of things, you know, because
• you just don't have the manpower, you don't have the money to audit every single thing.
• The Corporation Commission can do risk-based auditing like we do for a lot of things, you know, because
• you just don't have the manpower, you don't have the money to audit every single thing.

Bills: HB2134, HB2253, HB2270, HB2402, HB2404, HB2673, HB2941

Keywords: critical infrastructure, foreign adversaries, China, communications, security, law enforcement, disciplinary action, administrative appeals, investigative files, due process, retaliation, county seal, law enforcement authority, sheriff's posse, public safety, county governance, ambulance services, certificate of necessity, emergency medical services, state regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I floor managed... Secondly, I'm the only senator...
• No, I floor managed the ouster of the other only senator to be ousted from this body in Louisiana history
• We're conducting the change, audit, and to review an examination.
• We're conducting the change, audit, and to review an examination.
• House Bill 1039 by Representative DeSotel is an act in Title 47 relative to local sales and use tax audit

Bills: SCR63, SCR12, HB89, HB451, HB595, HB617, HB621, HB730, HB1064, HB1125, HB221, HCR58, SB106, SB206, SB248, SB441, SB104, SB122, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476, SCR9, SCR30, SB57, SB414, SB525, SB35, SB65, SB135, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB276, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB501, SB513, HCR31, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB691, HB712, HB720, HB723, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB29, HB39, HB58, HB67, HB73, HB76, HB77, HB82, HB112, HB121, HB125, HB132, HB134, HB151, HB154, HB155, HB161, HB166, HB187, HB191, HB207, HB211, HB224, HB238, HB241, HB242, HB250, HB260, HB265, HB275, HB300, HB320, HB338, HB339, HB349, HB379, HB399, HB427, HB463, HB464, HB468, HB545, HB550, HB551, HB565, HB588, HB639, HB725, HB782, HB805, HB808, HB834, HB847, HB853, HB858, HB861, HB883, HB916, HB937, HB977, HB1012, HB1027, HB1044, HB1054, HB1091, HB1117, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, HB23, HB136, HB17, HB21, HB51, HB55, HB74, HB106, HB108, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB168, HB215, HB226, HB263, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1033, HB1034, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1237, HB1239, HB36, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB677, HB726, HB789, HB850, HB956, HB966, SB149, SB382

Keywords: fiscal notes, legislation, legislative auditor, state policy, conflict of interest, logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB89, Act 615, district attorney, assistant district attorney, retiree health insurance, group health insurance, retirement benefits, public employee benefits, Third Judicial District, Thirtieth Judicial District

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, heard a guest prayer from Pastor Dr. Michael Linton, and proceeded through routine journal approval and legislative bureau reports. The chamber received numerous House messages on passed Senate bills and House bills, introduced several resolutions and concurrent resolutions, and recognized Former Legislators’ Day with remarks honoring deceased former members and welcoming back past legislators and other officials. The Senate also adopted SCR 63, which asks the Legislative Auditor to review how fiscal notes are developed and prepared, after an amendment clarifying the study’s scope and a 33-0 vote. The body then took up a series of Senate bills returned from the House. It concurred in House amendments to SB 106 (crime scene recordings/public records), SB 206 (blood pressure testing in schools, narrowed to athletes), SB 248 (polling place closures for very small precincts), SB 104 (highway memorial designation), SB 122 (bridge preservation), SB 180 (disabled veterans’ homestead exemption transfer language), SB 260 (youth athletics safety training/Coach Safely Act), and SB 476 (garnishment service wording). It rejected House amendments to SB 441 on pre-kindergarten programs. SB 57 on nutrition cleanup, SB 414 on medical debt protection, SB 525 on unclaimed property purchases, SB 501 on postsecondary health information postings, and SB 276 on bail bond producer affidavits all advanced or passed, with SB 57 and SB 414 ultimately passing and SB 525 and SB 501 also receiving final passage. The Senate also adopted SCR 30, a resolution urging Congress to ensure accountability and release of Epstein-related files, and later took up SB 513, a pilot program involving average bid/design-build contracting for certain airport-related projects, which passed 25-10 after extended questioning about its purpose and safeguards. SB 484, revising higher education governance and removing LUMCON language in favor of a study commission, passed 36-1. In personal privilege remarks, senators recognized Louisiana Arts Day and introduced guest Ed Tillman. The chamber then began a long series of House bills, including HB 462 on the Capital Area Road and Bridge District board composition, HB 547 on photographing voter registration information, HB 613 on marking driver’s licenses with citizenship status, HB 691 on voter-roll verification through the federal SAVE system, and HB 712 waiving certain OMV fees for homeless individuals; several of these bills were explained and moved toward final passage as the session continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is of effort or poor management.
• home care and manage long-term care. home care and manage long-term care.
• So we are audited by the federal government every year, and then we are also audited usually by state
• He ended as a county manager.
• to hear from the actual case managers to hear from the actual case managers and<01:19:18.239>

Bills: HF4421, HF1937, HF4675, HF4715, HF4684

Keywords: county cost share, economically distressed county, human services finance, substance use disorder treatment, SUD services, civil commitment, state aid, county levy, poverty threshold, tax-exempt acreage, property tax exemption, Minnesota human services, county fiscal relief, local government finance, chemical dependency, behavioral health, PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services

Transcript Highlights:

• So the assets under management have grown tremendously In addition to the 14 funds that we manage for
• And in this case, it is specifically the money we need to pay fund managers who manage public funds.
• Budget It has not grown linearly with our assets under management, but our public fund manager fees are
• We manage 14 and then also manage funds on behalf of 25 clients.
• we're managing 14 different funds with different objectives, and we have to manage them differently,

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• decisions prepare for retirement manage decisions prepare for retirement manage Investments<00:27
• allows me to manage client investments and provide financial planning for a fee.
• allows me to manage client investments and provide financial planning for a fee.
• allows me to manage client investments and provide financial planning for a fee.
• We will not develop on our land, and we will get a forest management plan and we'll follow it.'

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have increased the number of audits and on-site visits to EIDBI businesses.
• and<01:07:16.920> legislators' We welcome DHS audits and legislators' We welcome DHS audits
• I could take a pencil and a pad of paper and go in and manage that office better than it's being managed
• I could take a pencil and a pad of paper and go in and manage that office better than it's being managed
• I could take a pencil and a pad of paper and go in and manage that office better than it's being managed

Bills: HF3542

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• office of the state construction manager office of the state construction manager pilot<00:37:34.720
• > be<00:41:47.839> here Managing Director Paris can be here Managing Director Paris can
• Uh 25 years and within that management.
• If you're looking for people management.
• <00:44:58.240> will what the new construction manager will what the new construction manager

Bills: SB2543, SB2014, SB2115, SB3095, SB3264, SB2114, SB2117, SB2246, SB2519, SB3055, SB3131, SB3144

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but in any event, because of how we managed our that you've got a big job to do and so I that you've
• very much want to get out of U managing very much want to get out of U managing our<01:28:36.199
• They get managed for us by the federal government, as they do with all other states.
• account in Washington so we don't manage account in Washington so we don't manage those<01:30:38.040
• It was part of our LBA audit, and I still think it's appropriate.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the project manager for FAST Enterprises, maintaining the M Drive system for DPS.
• the ISO standard recommends on a device and audit log.
• What is your position or concerns with an audit log if we did do an instituted digital ID?
• the ISO standard recommends on a device and audit log.
• What is your position or concerns with an audit log?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, you know, all of those uh those funds, our health insurance, our pension, they're managed also
• Owners arrive at an agreement with the general contractor or construction manager to handle all of the
• The project manager and superintendent coordinate the various subcontractors with their foreman.
• The project manager and project.
• The project manager and superintendent<01:04:42.319> coordinate<01:04:42.720> the<01:04

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:04 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:29 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:50 Kentucky Buy American Act: 00:02:08 Earn As You Learn: KY Building Trades Apprenticeship: 00:30:42 Worker Misclassification in the Construction Industry: 01:02:00 Investing in KY’s Future Workforce Through the Good Business Initiative: 01:20:44 Adjournment: 01:28:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September minutes, and heard testimony on a proposed “Kentucky by America” procurement preference bill. Representative Patrick Flannery described the concept as giving preference in public construction and public works contracts to iron, steel, aluminum, and other manufactured goods made in the United States, while emphasizing he wanted to avoid excessive taxpayer costs and was open to changes. Chad Connley of the United Steelworkers and Dustin Reinsteller of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO supported the idea, arguing it would strengthen domestic manufacturing, keep tax dollars in the local economy, and support jobs; Connley said the bill would include waivers for items not made domestically and noted Kentucky has opted out of the GPA trade agreement. Mike Buckington of Metals Innovation Initiative, testifying virtually, also supported the concept and said Kentucky’s metals sector has seen significant investment and can supply most construction needs, while stressing supply-chain reliability and national security concerns. Members generally expressed support but raised questions about implementation. Representative Branscum asked who would grant waivers and how contractors would know the rules during bidding; Flannery said he was open to revising the language and process. Representative Gentry supported the concept but said the bill would likely need editing to avoid harming businesses or markets. Senator Nun suggested aligning the bill’s definition of a U.S. good with industry country-of-origin standards to make compliance easier. Representative KC Carney asked for data on the impact of similar laws in other states, and Connley said he could provide numbers later but did not have them on hand. Senator Boswell supported the concept and asked about the cost threshold for waivers; Connley said the federal standard is a 25% cost increase, while the prior Kentucky version used 10%, and that the threshold is a key detail. The committee then shifted to an informational presentation on building trade apprenticeships. Eric Elie of the Kentucky State Pipe Trades Association, Nick Brown of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 502, and retired IBEW training director Steve Willinghurst explained how union apprenticeship programs work. Brown described earn-while-you-learn training, with apprentices placed on jobs by signatory contractors and attending classes two nights a week for five years. He outlined the work of plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR technicians, emphasizing that these trades support construction, industrial facilities, distilleries, and other critical infrastructure. No votes or formal actions were taken on the policy topics beyond approval of the prior minutes.