Transcript Highlights:

• We are funding $4 million for a new direct-buy program.
• We are funding $4 million for a new direct-buy program.
• Statutory changes are temporary and expire on July 1, 2027.
• Although provisions of this bill... ...and expire on July 1, 2027.
• The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and environmental/agricultural programs. Major items discussed included school funding increases, workforce and university investments, Medicaid and child welfare funding, corrections operating deficits, housing and hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and state employee compensation. Members asked detailed questions about several budget items. In education, senators discussed teacher salaries, declining enrollment supplements, scholarship funding growth, and charter school capital outlay. In higher education, they asked about Bright Futures, New College funding, and the EASE grant program. In health and human services, senators focused on the iBudget waiver, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, the ADAP HIV drug program, and the use of opioid settlement funds. In criminal justice, questions centered on DOC deficits, inmate health care and food service costs, public defender and state attorney funding, and whether the budget would prevent the need for National Guard support. In environmental and state agency budgets, senators discussed Florida Forever land acquisition, conservation easements, cultural grants, the Emergency Management Trust Fund, and election security funding. After the budget presentations and questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments to place Senate language onto the House vehicles for conference. The chamber passed HB 5001, the appropriations bill, by a 36-0 vote and agreed to conference. It also passed the implementing bill, collective bargaining and state employee bills, retirement legislation, fuel tax and SLERS bills, the court trust fund bill, judicial certification bill, K-12 and higher education conforming bills, and other related measures, generally by unanimous votes. Several motions were adopted to request the House to pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's item number 4, AB 280.
• by July 1, 2027; 90% accuracy by July 1, 2028; 95% accuracy by July 1, 2028; 95% accuracy by July 2026
• Accuracy by July 1, 2028. 95% accuracy by July 1, 2029.
• choice, AB 4 or AB 29?
• Please support AB 4. Thank you.

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard and advanced a series of health-related bills. Early items included AB 583, which would allow nurse practitioners to sign death certificates; AB 492, requiring DHCS to notify local governments when new alcohol or drug recovery treatment facilities are licensed; and AB 280, which would require health plans to improve the accuracy of provider directories through annual verification, enforceable benchmarks, and penalties. Supporters for AB 280 described serious access problems caused by inaccurate “ghost networks,” while health plans and insurers opposed the bill as placing too much responsibility on plans without enough provider participation. AB 636, expanding Medi-Cal coverage for medically necessary diapers for children, also moved forward with support from food banks and anti-poverty advocates. AB 1041, streamlining physician credentialing with a uniform form and deadlines, and AB 787, requiring health plans to help members find in-network providers more quickly, likewise passed out of committee. The committee also approved AB 4, which would allow income-eligible Californians regardless of immigration status to buy coverage through Covered California, and AB 29, which would authorize community health workers and doulas to receive Medi-Cal reimbursement for ACEs screenings. Both bills drew broad support from immigrant-rights, health access, and community-based organizations. AB 416, allowing emergency physicians to place 5150 holds in certain circumstances, passed after supporters argued it would reduce emergency department bottlenecks and opponents warned it could increase unnecessary involuntary hospitalization and transfers to locked psychiatric facilities. Members raised questions about county oversight and training, but the bill advanced on a unanimous vote. Finally, AB 460, modernizing radiology supervision rules to allow real-time remote physician supervision for contrast administration with on-site staff available for emergencies, was approved with no opposition. Across the hearing, committee members repeatedly emphasized access to care, administrative simplification, and consumer transparency, while opponents generally raised concerns about implementation, provider participation, oversight, and unintended consequences. Most measures were reported out on party-line or near-unanimous votes and sent to Appropriations or Judiciary as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• This part would take effect July 1, 2026.
• This section would take effect July 1, 2026.
• This would take effect July 1, 2026.
• This part would take effect July 1st, 2026. there are utility tax.
• This would take effect July 1st, 2026.

Summary: The House Finance Committee heard briefings and public testimony on several bills related to local tax authority and exemptions. HB 2559 would let cities and counties impose an additional 4% lodging/short-term rental excise tax starting in 2027, with revenues dedicated to affordable housing programs and up to 15% for administration. Staff explained existing lodging tax limits and estimated substantial local collections, while the prime sponsor and supporters argued it would give local governments a needed tool to address housing shortages caused in part by short-term rentals. Opponents, including short-term rental owners and hosts, said the tax would hurt tourism communities, reduce supplemental income for owners, and should not single out one lodging segment. The hearing on HB 2559 was suspended and later reopened for additional testimony; no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 2133, which would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose nonprofit senior citizen centers. Staff said the exemption is currently set to expire in 2028 and that the bill would remove it from the automatic 10-year sunset. The sponsor and a veteran/senior center perspective emphasized that the exemption helps keep senior centers open and supports isolated older adults. A question was raised about whether a broader nonprofit community center with senior-focused space would qualify, and staff said they would follow up. The hearing on HB 2133 was then closed. HB 2135 would increase and extend the adaptive housing sales and use tax remittance for disabled veterans, raising the individual lifetime cap from $2,500 to $5,000, increasing the statewide annual cap, and extending the program’s expiration to 2038. Staff said the fiscal impact would be minimal because use is low, and a veterans coalition representative supported the bill as a way to ensure more federal grant dollars go toward home modifications. The hearing on HB 2135 was closed. The committee spent the most time on HB 2442, an eight-part local government tax and fund-flexibility bill. It would expand uses of existing REET revenues, allow cities to adopt an affordable-housing REET under certain conditions, authorize county public utility taxes with a low-income assistance set-aside, create a new local sales tax for children and family services, broaden housing-related sales tax uses, restructure mental health and veterans property tax levies, extend levy lid lift periods, and allow rental car tax revenues to be used for criminal justice purposes. Supporters from counties, cities, housing groups, and some local officials said the bill would provide needed fiscal flexibility and new tools to address housing, public safety, and service demands. Opponents from utilities, realtors, water and sewer districts, wireless carriers, auto dealers, and tax critics argued the bill would raise regressive costs, especially on housing and utility customers, and that some provisions lacked a sufficient nexus to the original taxes. The hearing on HB 2442 was closed after extensive testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you mentioned Ephesians 4:30—4:32, which talks about kindness and compassion.
• And was that the case in July of last year? Yes, sir.
• Actually, I had a conversation with him at lunch at camp on July 2nd or July 3rd.
• On July 2nd? No, the counselors arrived before the campers on July 1st. June 27th. We actually...
• These people were all strangers to me before July 4th.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 will come to order.
• Prior to July 1 or July 5 of last year, a project needed to finance at least half of its total costs
• That totals over $630 million of federal 4% credit.
• with 4% tax credits plus the state enhanced LIHTC.
• CPI generally runs between 2% and 4%.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4. The Secretary will read the caption.
• House Bill 4 effectively dismantles that district.
• Members arise in strong opposition to House Bill 4 on the map before us.
• House Bill 4, we draw.
• Members, I rise in support of House Bill 4.

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB4 , HB1 , HB3 , HB20 , HB22 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , HB4 , SB2 , SB5

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> One passed by Congress last July. One passed by Congress last July.
• The key date here is July 1, 2026.
• The key date here is July 1, 2026.
• We will be meeting on Monday, July the 6th instead of July the 7th.
• the</c> Monday, July the 6th instead of July the Monday, July the 6th instead of July the 7th.<02:12:

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Julie Ann Rolf for Department of Finance.
• Julie Ann Rolf for Department of Finance.
• Julie Ann Rolf again for Department of Finance.
• “We will begin hiring the staff in July and beyond.
• And so we’ll begin that process in July.”

Transcript Highlights:

• The account received an initial infusion of $1 million, and that remained that way until 2022, when $4
• bill would do would be to add $1.5 million to the agricultural emergency account in 2026, beginning July
• that uh remained that way until<00:00:47.239><c> 2022</c><00:00:48.239><c> when</c><00:00:48.399><c> $4<
• ><00:01:09.799><c> 2026</c><00:01:10.799><c> that</c><00:01:11.000><c> begins</c><00:01:11.439><c> July
• There's $4 million sitting in the dairy line item that has not been used.

Summary: The committee took up House File 1101, which would add $1.5 million to the agricultural emergency account beginning July 1, 2026. Chair Anderson explained that the account was created after the 2015 bird flu outbreak, has been funded in the past, and currently has about $1.2 million remaining. He said the bill would strengthen the state’s ability to respond to livestock disease emergencies and support the Board of Animal Health and Department of Health. Representative Hansen offered the A1 amendment to shift $1.5 million from an unused $4 million dairy line item into the emergency account, arguing the funds were sitting unused, a federal farm bill was uncertain, and the money could help with immediate food testing and emergency response. Chair Anderson opposed the amendment, saying the dairy funds had been set aside for that purpose, he expected federal action in the coming months, and he was unsure the emergency account statute allowed the money to be used for food testing. He recommended a no vote. A roll call was taken on the A1 amendment, and it failed by a vote of 6-7. After brief additional comment in support of the bill, House File 1101 was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to a very slight positive 0.2 to 0.4. to a very slight positive 0.2 to 0.4. 4%. 4%. 4%.
• </c><00:50:37.920><c> uh</c> we're talking about in July uh we're talking about in July uh contributed
• Uh July August.
• /c><01:11:54.239><c> uh</c> business taxes uh increased 27.4 4 uh business taxes uh increased 27.4 4
• </c> set to uh produce 4% statewide revenue. set to uh produce 4% statewide revenue.

Summary: The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile. Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, please report Senate Citation 4 in its entirety. >> Senate Citation Number 4.
• </c> 4 in its entirety. 4 in its entirety.
• Citation Number 4.
• Senate citation 4 is adopted. have it. Senate citation 4 is adopted. Thank<00:15:29.040><c> you.
• </c><00:17:15.120><c> Rocky</c> the Senate join Senator Julie Rocky the Senate join Senator Julie Rocky

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened with an opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then completed roll call, excused absent senators, and approved the journal from February 3, 2026. The chamber received second readings for Senate Bill 5 on Kentucky-grown agricultural product procurement and Senate Bill 73 on tallow-based cosmetic products, and heard committee reports advancing Senate Bill 18 with a committee substitute, along with Senate Bills 33, 85, and 132. The House also communicated passage of House Bill 1694 and requested concurrence. Senate Bill 162, relating to children, was introduced, and Senate Bill 34 was passed over while retaining its place on the calendar. The Senate adopted Senate Citation 4 recognizing National School Counseling Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school counselors in student academic and mental health support. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 71 honoring Dr. Samantha Shaver for her service as president of the Kentucky Dental Association; the sponsor and other members praised her leadership and oral health advocacy. Later, the Senate received a committee report posting Senate Bills 5, 12, and 73 to the regular orders and referring several bills to committees, including Senate Bills 129, 136, and 183 to Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor, Senate Bill 71 to Education, and Senate Bill 9 to State and Local Government. Members made several co-sponsorship requests for bills including Senate Bills 9, 12, 33, 132, 143, 153, 154, 159, and 183. A lengthy floor statement from the Senator from Clay praised Senator McConnell’s long service and recent federal funding achievements for Kentucky, including education, transportation, defense, and economic development projects. The Senate also received a floor amendment to Senate Bill 33, introduced Senate Bill 163 on unemployment insurance and Senate Resolution 78 honoring the CSX Santa Train, and then adjourned until 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are funding $4 million for a new direct-buy program.
• We are funding $4 million for a new direct-buy program.
• The program has since grown to a $4 billion program over the years.
• Statutory changes are temporary and expire on July 1, 2027.
• Although provisions of this bill... ...and expire on July 1, 2027.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are funding $4 million for a new direct-buy program.
• The program has since grown to a $4 billion program over the years.
• And so, in my opinion, That we are receiving from $4 billion to $8 billion.
• Statutory changes are temporary and expire on July 1, 2027.
• Although provisions of this bill... ...and expire on July 1, 2027.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget and related implementing bills. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented a $115 billion General Appropriations Bill, saying it reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major budget areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental/agricultural agencies. Highlights included increased funding for school safety, teacher and scholarship funding, workforce education, Medicaid and kid care, corrections operations, judgeships, affordable housing, hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and arts and cultural grants. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Senators discussed the Emergency Management Trust Fund, cultural arts grant allocations, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salary support, charter school capital outlay funding, Bright Futures and EASE funding, New College funding, DOC deficits and inmate health care/food service costs, the ADAP HIV drug program, Medicaid reductions for non-critical access hospitals, and the use of opioid settlement and COVID relief funds. Chairs explained that some apparent reductions reflected shifts below the line or reclassification, that the ADAP appropriation would only cover about six months, and that some vacant positions were being removed as part of a right-sizing effort. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed weapons permit processing, elections security funding, and arts grant selection and proviso language. The Senate then substituted House bills for the Senate budget and implementing measures, amended them into the Senate posture, and passed them. HB 5001 (the appropriations bill), HB 503 (implementing bill), HB 5201 (collective bargaining), and HB 5205 (retirement) all passed 36-0 and were sent to conference. Other budget-related bills also passed, including SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, SB 2510 on court trust funds, SB 2512 creating 13 circuit and 12 county judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health. Most of these passed unanimously, with the Senate requesting the House either pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• This past July we had over 80.
• At 4 32 a.m.
• 4th to the July 18th.
• 5th to July 10th happen again.
• July 1869, September 1915, July 1932, August 1978. and July 1987.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, the Federation of Sportsmans will be holding its annual mixer in the cafeteria from 4 to 7.
• 30 at the cap uh cap plaza and the 4:30 at the cap uh cap plaza and the legislative<00:12:52.800><c>
• </c><00:22:00.559><c> 1st,</c> January 1st, 2026 through July 1st, January 1st, 2026 through July 1st
• </c> Section 4 sets the effective dates. Section 4 sets the effective dates.
• </c> Sections 1 and two take effect on July Sections 1 and two take effect on July 1,<00:22:10.480><c

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's get into July.
• So let's get into July.
• So let's get into July.
• So let's get into July.
• So, let's get into July. A they do. So, let's get into July.

Summary: The committee met on September 18, 2025, approved the July 10 minutes, and received Brandon Reid’s monthly report on Kentucky agriculture development and finance activity for July and August. Reid emphasized the long-running structure created under House Bill 611 and Senate Bill 28, the role of county agriculture development councils in all 120 counties, and the importance of the program as a national model for supporting Kentucky agriculture. He also introduced new staff and interns, including a new loan programs manager, Rachel Coward, and project manager Kylie Davis. For July, the development board reported $3.4 million invested in agriculture and the finance corporation reported $3.1 million in loans. Highlights included 11 county council meetings, site visits, program reviews, and 18 project reports. July approvals included county agriculture incentive programs, deceased farm animal removal programs, youth incentive programs, county/state projects, infrastructure loans, an agriculture processing loan, and beginning farmer loans. Staff also noted that all 120 counties had submitted their required five-year comprehensive plans on schedule. Bill McCloskey then highlighted several funded projects, including Dino’s Farm LLC in Jefferson County, which received support to purchase a meat processing facility and equipment, with the goal of creating market opportunities for goat, sheep, and cattle producers and establishing Kentucky’s first halal meat processing facility. Other projects included a veterinarian facility project to address large animal vet shortages and Grow Appalachia at Berea College, which provides technical assistance and market support for small-scale and eastern Kentucky producers. Members discussed the need for programs such as high tunnels and other small-scale opportunities in rural areas, and staff noted related resources such as CAPE and NRCS funding. For August, the board reported $500,000 in development board investments and just over $3 million in finance corporation loans, along with fewer staff activities than July but continued county council, site visit, and project review work. August approvals included county agriculture incentive programs, deceased animal removal programs, youth incentive programs, county/state projects, agriculture infrastructure loans, beginning farmer loans, and a horticulture incentives loan. Additional project updates included another veterinary equipment purchase, emergency safety equipment in Graves County, and a food safety and efficiency incentive for Jared Cornet.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> over 4 years. over 4 years.
• :02:07.800><c> of</c><01:02:07.880><c> 2026,</c> effect on July 1st of 2026, effect on July 1st of 2026
• </c> July 1st of 2027. July 1st of 2027.
• That's so those on July 1 of 2029.
• July 1 of<01:03:02.960><c> 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Highlanders claimed a 4-3 victory in double overtime.
• And the land use Senate is in section 4.
• The remainder of the bill still goes into effect on July 1, 2026.
• </c><00:21:40.120><c> 1,</c> effect July 1, effect July 1, 2027.<00:21:42.240><c> The</c><00:21:42.360
• </c> still goes into effect on July 1, 2026. still goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Operations, and then on page 4, line 10 is the benefit payment.
• So in the current year, we cut Medicaid by 4% all the provider rates.
• The courts this year have said we can pick it up until July. In the house.
• And by July, the 3% and 4% holdbacks for Medicaid were put in place.
• President, I move that the Senate recess until 4:30. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I'm thinking about this holiday, the Fourth of July, which I do every year, I reflect on what it
• The Fourth of July reminds us. It reminds us that we are one people.
• The values declared on July 4, 1776, and defended ever since.
• John Adams, in a letter to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776, said this quote regarding the July 4th celebration
• It is 29 noes, 4 on the urgency. It is 29 noes, 4 on the bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with a ceremonial Independence Day observance featuring a prayer, color guard, Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem by Philo Abit, followed by acknowledgments of the event organizers and the California Military Department’s flyover. The body then moved to business, beginning with Assembly Bill 126, the education budget trailer bill. Senator Laird described major education investments, including a 4.31% LCFF COLA, increased special education funding, teacher pipeline support, universal school meal funding, kitchen infrastructure grants, homelessness support, and pregnancy disability leave for K-12 teachers. Senators Nilo and Choi opposed the bill, criticizing Proposition 98 funding maneuvers and transparency concerns, while Senator Perez supported it as a historic investment. The bill passed on a 28-8 vote. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 67, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Senators from both parties spoke at length about patriotism, the nation’s founding ideals, immigration, civil rights, and the need to acknowledge America’s historical injustices while celebrating its democratic promise. The resolution passed unanimously, 36-0. The chamber also confirmed Jesse Melgar, Tom Epstein, Joseph Williams, and Mark Beckley to or for reappointment to state boards and departments, each by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Later, the Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to SB 830, a Bay Area regional ballot-measure administration bill, after supportive remarks from Senators Arreguín and Cortese; the concurrence passed on a 29-4 vote. The consent calendar was then approved, with one item later reconsidered and removed. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of former Madera County Supervisor Max Rodriguez, whose public service and community leadership were praised, and with remarks from the President Pro Tem reflecting on the Independence Day observance before the Senate recessed and announced its next meeting date.