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KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on State Government (3-19-26)

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just a couple of things real quickly.
  • of the Commonwealth<00:04:20.400><c> of</c><00:04:20.519><c> Kentucky.
  • </c> of applause today for his work. of applause today for his work.
  • </c> with a piece of legislation. with a piece of legislation.
  • the one of the positions the way we of the one of the positions the way we were<00:09:11.400><c> allowing
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on State Government (2-19-26)

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • All in favor of adoption of the committee substitute, please say aye.
  • unpredictability of these types of events.
  • </c> die as a result of an act in the line of die as a result of an act in the line of duty<00:22:48.320
  • ><c> these</c><00:22:57.280><c> type</c><00:22:57.440><c> of</c> unpredictability of these type of unpredictability
  • </c> members of the committee. members of the committee.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • , introduction of doctor and/or nurse of the day, correction of previous day's journal, House and Senate
  • But then the life-changing message of resurrection confronts the greatest of fears.
  • And thank you for giving us the gift of new life in the power of your resurrection.
  • And thank you for giving us the gift of new life in the power of your resurrection.
  • of hope and support for thousands of Oklahoma families affected by autism.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • of Allegiance; introduction of doctor and/or nurse of the day; correction in the previous day's journal
  • The first witnesses of Easter.
  • But then, the life-changing message of resurrection confronts the greatest of fears.
  • And thank you for giving us the gift of new life and the power of your resurrection.
  • of hope and support for thousands of Oklahoma families affected by autism.
Summary: The House convened, the roll was called, and the chamber proceeded with the day’s order of business, including an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several floor presentations and announcements. The chaplain delivered a Holy Week message centered on Easter, resurrection, and overcoming fear, followed by the Pledge and a series of recognitions for guests and birthdays. Representative Rosecrants presented a citation recognizing April 2 as World Autism Day and Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, with members from the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma present in the gallery. The House also welcomed students from MacArthur Middle School, Leadership Guthrie, and the Tuttle High School football team, which was recognized for winning the 2025 Class 4A state championship. Additional announcements noted the Artemis mission’s progress, committee meeting schedules, and other personal and district updates from members. No bills were debated or voted on in the portion provided. The only formal action taken at the end of the meeting was a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection, and the House adjourned until Monday, April 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • The first matter of business before the committee is approval of the minutes.
  • </c><00:03:41.599><c> of</c><00:03:42.200><c> where</c> high notes the bullet points of of where high
  • </c><00:05:09.560><c> by</c> twice the weight of U of those earned by twice the weight of U of those
  • </c> copy of all leave policies and a copy of copy of all leave policies and a copy of all<00:25:48.960
  • EMS Eddie slung Kentucky Board board of EMS Eddie slung Kentucky Board of of of EMS<00:35:34.800><c>
Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and welcomed new members before taking up Council on Postsecondary Education regulations 13 KAR 2:120 and 13 KAR 2:130. The regulations, as amended by staff and agency amendments, update public university and KCTCS performance funding models to conform to 2024 Senate Bill 191 and the performance funding work group’s recommendations. Changes discussed included replacing the underrepresented minority metric with an underrepresented students metric defined as first-generation students, adding an adult learner metric, increasing the low-income degree premium, adjusting small-school and nonresident credit-hour weights, revising data aging and progression metrics, and adding STEM+H criteria in 13 KAR 2:120. Travis Pal of the Council on Postsecondary Education explained that the changes reflect the work group’s three-year review process and that the work group ultimately voted to define underrepresented students as first-generation students and to apply half-weighting between research and comprehensive universities for the new metric. Michael Frasier of the Kentucky Student Rights Coalition and Eastern Kentucky University student government opposed 13 KAR 2:120, arguing that the regulation improperly applies weights where the statute does not clearly authorize them and that the funding changes disadvantage comprehensive universities and vulnerable students. He asked the committee to find the regulation deficient or, alternatively, recommend legislative clarification and a revised fiscal analysis. Pal responded that weighting has been part of the model since 2017, that CPE was following the statute and work group recommendations, and that the model could be changed by future legislation. Members asked about the timing of the broader performance funding review, and Pal said the full model is reviewed every three years, with the next work group cycle beginning in 2026. No motion to find the regulation deficient was made, and the committee allowed the regulations to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The committee then approved a staff amendment to Teachers’ Retirement System regulations 102 KAR 1:195 and 102 KAR 1:340, which require annual reporting of accumulated sick leave, leave policies, and salary schedules to TRS and make technical changes to the final average salary calculation and related definitions.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's part of the SPG laws.
  • of of &gt;&gt; September.<00:03:54.239><c> September.
  • The language, like I said, most of the language is pretty much identical on all of them.
  • </c> that's kind of confusing some people. that's kind of confusing some people.
  • </c> the gist of what I want to talk about. the gist of what I want to talk about.
Summary: The committee first took up two fire commission regulatory amendments. Bruce Roberts, director of the Fire Commission, explained that one amendment updates financial disclosure reporting rules to align with changes to KRS 95A.55, including revised definitions, reporting requirements, and moving compliance reviews from every four years to an annual basis. The second amendment changes the deadline for fire departments to submit state aid documentation from July 31 to September and adds flexibility for departments affected by natural disasters by allowing a waiver process for missing, lost, or damaged documents. The committee approved the agency amendment by motion, second, and voice vote with no opposition. The main policy discussion centered on a proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for people convicted of felonies after they complete their sentence and probation/parole. Senators Hickden and Herren said the proposal would restore only voting rights, not citizenship or the right to run for office, and would still exclude certain offenses such as treason, bribery in an election, sex offenses, violent offenses, and offenses against a child. They argued that Kentucky is one of only three states without automatic restoration, that the current governor’s executive order is temporary, and that the issue should be settled by constitutional amendment. Members asked about the relationship to expungement, costs, and whether election-related crimes should be included among the exceptions; the sponsors said expungement is separate and that they were open to refining the language. Several members voiced support, and the sponsors said they hoped to continue working on the proposal before the next session. The committee also discussed a practical issue involving schools used as polling places and conflicts with KDE testing days. The chair raised the possibility of adjusting testing schedules or using NI days at affected schools, while members noted that county clerks already have authority to use tax-funded buildings for elections and that schools have long been used because of ADA accessibility. Some members suggested a simpler fix would be to prevent KDE testing dates from overlapping with election dates, rather than changing NI-day rules or limiting clerks’ authority. The committee then approved the minutes and adjourned.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> of Kentucky Office of Regulatory Relief. of Kentucky Office of Regulatory Relief.
  • </c><00:07:47.280><c> from</c> of the approval of certification from of the approval of certification
  • ,</c> in need of some of those supports, in need of some of those supports, parents<00:42:03.040><c>
  • </c> And so, one of one of those grounds for And so, one of one of those grounds for deficiency<00:47
  • I want to say August of<00:51:50.760><c> 2025.</c> of 2025. of 2025.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up a series of administrative regulations from several agencies. Early items included Attorney General consumer protection rules on removal sales, health spas, liquidation sales, and nonresident sellers of visual aid glasses; Finance and Administration Controller rules on clearinghouse validation and fraud prevention; and Board of Dentistry rules updating exam requirements, controlled substance prescribing, training for neuromodulators and dermal fillers, infection control, sedation/anesthesia continuing education, and required education on pediatric abusive head trauma and controlled substance ingestion prevention. The committee also approved staff amendments on these items, generally to conform to KRS Chapter 13A, and members asked a brief question about the dentistry controlled-substances changes, which was answered as an alignment with statute. The committee next approved regulations for the Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers, Board of Nursing, and Board of Emergency Medical Services. The ophthalmic dispensers package would revise meeting and recordkeeping language, raise renewal fees, set reinstatement and apprentice-license rules, add complaint and hearing procedures, and repeal a duplicative regulation. The nursing regulations would streamline approval of training programs and require notice and documentation of site visits and deficiencies. EMS rules would create five EMS medical director certifications, set expiration and renewal requirements, require publication of disciplinary sanctions, and exempt currently approved directors before October 1, 2026. Staff amendments were adopted without objection on each set. The Education and Labor Cabinet’s school transportation regulation drew extended discussion. The agency explained the changes were intended to implement Senate Bill 46 and update references affected by later legislation, including an oral amendment to delete a subsection reference tied to KRS 160.380. The committee adopted both the agency and oral amendments without objection after brief questions about the scope of the bill changes and van transportation for students. The committee then heard a lengthy package from the Department for Public Health on WIC and related nutrition program regulations, including updates to infant and child certification periods, documentation requirements, vendor criteria, sanctions, hearing procedures, and high-risk vendor standards. Staff amendments were adopted without objection. Finally, the committee considered the Inspector General’s regulation for freestanding birthing centers, which included both staff and agency amendments. The agency changes would require two neonatal resuscitation program-certified staff, set rules for medical director vacancies and appeals, revise facility and staffing terminology, adjust transfer-agreement requirements, and allow waivers when agreements cannot be secured. Mary Katherine DeLodder of the Kentucky Birth Coalition testified in support, saying the parties had worked through concerns and were ready to move forward. The committee then moved on to Medicaid’s 1915C child waiver regulations, where staff amendments were adopted, but Lucy Heskins of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified against the package because it did not include person-directed services, which she said are required by Kentucky law and important for families using the waiver.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
  • The first four pages of House Bill 73 is actually a list of those agencies, while one agency, We Lead
  • of data as we lot of information a lot of data as we analyze<00:05:20.080><c> our</c><00:05:20.280><
  • of the breakdown of each individual employer's share of the actuarial accrued liability, as determined
  • He said they can earn up to a maximum of 75% of the pay they had.
Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. House Bill 73, as amended by committee substitute, added We Lead CS to the list of agencies participating in the Teachers’ Retirement System administrative provisions. The sponsor explained the bill corrects an oversight involving a computer science education service provider established in 2022. A question about fiscal impact was answered with no expected fiscal note or actuarial impact. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 73 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 441 addressed teacher shortages by expanding the number of retired teachers and critical-shortage-area teachers school districts may hire. The sponsor said districts could hire retired teachers up to 10% of staff and critical shortage area teachers up to 10%, replacing lower current limits and a temporary COVID-era provision that had expired. Members asked about work limits, salary rules, and how often shortage areas are identified; the sponsor said retired teachers remain subject to existing earnings limits, critical shortage teachers are paid at least a rank-two, 10-year salary, and shortage areas are identified annually by the Commissioner of Education. Supportive comments noted the bill was a stopgap and that long-term solutions should include recruitment, retention, and pay. The committee passed HB 441 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 462 would allow county clerks to correct marriage applications or licenses by affidavit, without requiring a lawsuit in circuit court, when there are obvious errors or omissions. The Kenton County clerk and another clerk testified that the change would help people who need corrected records for Social Security, Real ID, inheritance, and other legal purposes, while still preserving data needed by Vital Statistics. Members described the bill as a practical efficiency measure. The committee passed HB 462 19-0 with favorable expression, and the meeting then adjourned.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • /c> note the removal of nearly 3/4 of a note the removal of nearly 3/4 of a million<00:03:09.280><c>
  • :30.480><c> of</c> is an employee of the department of is an employee of the department of agriculture
  • <00:36:00.880><c> that</c> to kind of kind of piggyback off of that to kind of kind of piggyback off
  • We don't have a lot of customs that come in and out having port access, etc.
  • Some of the more bordered states around the<00:51:28.000><c> ocean</c><00:51:28.319><c> ports</c><00:
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • The U.S. also gives Taiwan Global Entry status, and Taiwan becomes one of the only seven... uh finished
  • of the volume of stay contains the half of the volume of the<00:31:04.320><c> world</c><00:31:05.320
  • </c> 91% of government spending out of 91% of government spending out of Kentucky<00:38:20.599><c> in
  • </c><00:40:37.839><c> the</c> of the Senate and the speaker of the of the Senate and the speaker of the
  • the money of the taxpayers and citizens of Kentucky.
Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 491 by Representative Steve Riley. The committee adopted a proposed committee substitute, then heard that the bill would raise the threshold for certain capital project and equipment purchases from $200,000 to $500,000, remove a requirement for a special board meeting when replacing a board of regents member, allow certain employees or contractors to perform capital construction work up to $500,000, remove limits on retired police officers working at postsecondary institutions, and speed release of pension information to employers. Members asked about reporting and oversight of the higher threshold, and the witness said the records are maintained by institutions and available upon request. HB 491 passed on a 19-0 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 738 by Representative Griffey, relating to state personnel and the constitutional officers. The bill would give independently elected constitutional officers more flexibility to hire unclassified employees and set salaries for classified employees up to the midpoint without Personnel Cabinet approval, while leaving pay scales, appropriations, and funding limits unchanged. Representative Griffey and witnesses from the auditor’s office said the measure was intended to reduce red tape, address salary compression, improve pay equity, and help recruit and retain staff; they also said it would allow offices to fill policy roles needed for audits and other work. Members questioned the fiscal note, salary caps, and whether the bill would affect future budget requests. The bill passed 18-1, with one pass, and the chair noted it would move favorably to the House floor. After those bills, the committee briefly welcomed Taiwan’s consul general, Elliot Wang, and Representative Adam Bowling spoke about Kentucky’s relationship with Taiwan, including trade, investment, and prior assistance during disasters. Wang described Taiwan’s economic ties with the United States, ongoing trade and investment developments, defense and education cooperation, and people-to-people exchange programs, noting Kentucky was the first state to sign an education cooperation MOU with Taiwan in 2021.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
  • of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, all these activities that are going on statewide.
  • awareness of the broad spectrum of Kentucky history that is out around the Commonwealth.
  • of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, all these activities that are going on statewide.
  • moved to that early early part kind of moved to that early early part of<00:08:29.199><c> June</c> of
Summary: The House State Government Committee held its first meeting of the session, established a quorum, welcomed new members, and heard only one item of business: House Bill 313, sponsored by Representative Kim King. King said the bill would add a Kentucky History Month recognition and tied it to recent local anniversary celebrations, arguing it could support education, economic development, and tourism. Kentucky Historical Society Executive Director Scott Alvi testified in support, describing the proposal as part of a broader effort to create a legacy around the nation’s 250th anniversary, coordinate statewide history events, and promote heritage tourism. Members asked why June was chosen and whether an emergency clause should be added so the measure could take effect in time for this June. King said June was selected because it aligns with Statehood Day and Boone Day and leads into July 4th, and she said she was open to the emergency-clause idea, though any amendment would need to be filed in writing later. The committee then voted on the bill and passed it 19-0, with no opposition. The chair noted the bill would next go to the House floor and closed by joking that the meeting was unusually short.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, the first matter of business is approval of the minutes of the last meeting.
  • c><00:08:08.160><c> you</c><00:08:08.319><c> know</c> of of obesity plus uh you know of of obesity plus
  • Some of the continuity of care.
  • </c> Commonwealth of Kentucky and um most of Commonwealth of Kentucky and um most of our<01:23:36.000
  • </c><01:44:01.440><c> of</c> importance of safe regulation of importance of safe regulation of tobacco
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up Department for Medicaid Services regulations 907 KAR 23:010 and related rules. DMS explained that one regulation would establish a beneficiary advisory council and another would remove language barring coverage of GLP-1 drugs for obesity-related use. The department said coverage would still be limited by prior authorization and clinical criteria, with use tied to underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and that the pharmacy and therapeutics committee would help set the detailed standards. Members discussed the potential health benefits, but several raised concerns about cost, timing, and whether the legislature and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board should review the policy first. DMS said the drugs are already on the formulary, that current Medicaid users with diabetes are already covered, and that the fiscal impact was estimated using current utilization, rebates, and expected savings; the department also said it would only cover the drugs if subject to rebates. The committee then voted 5-1 to find 907 KAR 23:010 deficient. The committee next considered several emergency regulations from the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control implementing SB 100. The rules covered tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing, including the application form, denial standards, and transitional licensing. ABC counsel said the department had received about 5,500 applications and issued nearly 5,000 licenses, with additional provisional licenses issued to avoid interruption in sales after the law’s effective date. He said some applications remained pending because inspections and photographs revealed possible unauthorized nicotine vapor products, and the department was seeking documentation before approval. A staff amendment was adopted without objection before the ABC presentation continued.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> approval of the staff amendment? approval of the staff amendment?
  • </c> office of the attorney general? office of the attorney general?
  • </c> State Board of Education. Thank you. State Board of Education. Thank you.
  • </c> office of claims and appeals. office of claims and appeals.
  • </c> I have a couple of questions, Mr. I have a couple of questions, Mr.
Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met to reorganize its leadership for the new term, renewing Representative Derek Lewis as House co-chair and Senator Steven West as Senate co-chair. The committee then approved the minutes and moved through a series of agency regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection. Among the regulations reviewed were an Attorney General rule changing how a commission reviews and distributes funds and how grant reporting is handled; Personnel Board changes abolishing and renaming certain job classifications and adjusting probationary periods; an Education and Labor Cabinet rule removing references to local board of education members; several Public Protection Cabinet rules covering Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation procedures; an Alcoholic Beverage Control rule on direct-to-consumer shipping forms; and a Medicaid Services emergency regulation establishing the Kentucky Trauma Hospital Rate Improvement Program for rural hospitals serving many Medicaid patients. The committee also heard that the Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation regulations included both staff and, in one case, an agency amendment, which were approved. The most extended discussion came on the Department for Community Based Services’ regulation increasing per diem rates for private child-placing therapeutic foster care levels 2 and 3. Committee members questioned the estimated $10 million biennial cost, the source of the funding, and why the cabinet had not yet filed regulations implementing Senate Bill 151 on kinship care. DCBS staff said the rate increase was discretionary and intended to address placement crises for children with high needs, while acknowledging they could not personally explain the budget decisions. A kinship caregiver testified in support of the rate increase but urged the cabinet to also implement SB 151 and expand support for kinship families. The committee expressed frustration over the lack of SB 151 implementation but stated the rate increase itself was appropriate and allowed the regulation to proceed.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • It was a result of a lawsuit, and this funding formula sort of came out of that to help sort of equalize
  • 00:03:51.360><c> of</c> this funding formula sort of came out of this funding formula sort of came out
  • </c> and distribution of funds sort of. and distribution of funds sort of.
  • Very proud of all of you understanding. Very proud of all of you all. all. all.
  • </c> on behalf of the university, of course. on behalf of the university, of course.
Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the September 17 meeting, and heard a presentation from Kentucky Department of Education staff on SEEK school funding and KDE on-behalf payments. KDE explained recent SEEK changes, including the guaranteed base per-pupil amount, attendance-based calculations, second-month and January growth, the 2022 change funding kindergarten at 100% instead of 50%, and the existing add-ons for at-risk students, exceptional children, limited English learners, home/hospital instruction, and transportation. Staff also reviewed tier one funding, noting the 2024 increase from 15% to 17.5% and explaining that eligibility depends on local tax effort and property wealth. They also described Senate Bill 6 from the 2025 session as a reporting proposal to include on-behalf costs in education spending totals. KDE staff then outlined on-behalf payments made for districts, including roughly $458 million for Teachers Retirement System contributions, $942 million for health insurance, about $12 million for technology costs, and additional SFCC debt service outside KDE’s appropriation, for a total of about $1.5 billion. Members asked how a future Senate Bill 6 would affect local contributions and whether folding on-behalf payments into SEEK would shift costs among districts. KDE and Senator Gibbons clarified that the bill was intended only as a reporting mechanism and would not change local contribution or district payments; it would simply present a broader total of state education investment. The discussion also noted that Kentucky’s reported SEEK amount alone does not capture all state education spending. Members raised questions about home and hospital instruction data, saying local concerns suggest growth in some communities even if statewide numbers appear stable. KDE said the statewide figure has been relatively consistent but offered to provide district-level trend data. Co-Chair Petrie also asked about the accuracy of SEEK projections and on-behalf calculations, referencing prior concerns from the Office of Education Accountability. KDE responded that it works with the state budget director’s office in a consensus forecasting process and has been reviewing demographic and property-assessment data, including exceptional child counts, to improve forecast accuracy.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, today's the 9th of March. Um, Ken Fleming, co-chair of Medicaid Oversight Board.
  • </c> some of the exercise equipment some of some of the exercise equipment some of the<00:14:51.760><
  • about some of the some of the talk about some of the some of the problems<00:15:04.639><c> that</c><
  • Some of the problems of the bill itself.
  • c> of</c><00:41:53.280><c> health</c><00:41:53.520><c> care</c> kind of level of health care kind of
Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board met on March 9 with a quorum present and no minutes to approve. The chair reordered the agenda to hear House Bill 689 first. Representative Amy Neighbors presented HB 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek CMS approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning January 1, 2026, with retroactive payments for that year. She said the bill is intended to improve access to care in rural and underserved areas, support workforce retention, and generate about $29 million annually in federal Medicaid funds without using general fund dollars. Representatives from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare testified in support, describing staffing and subsidy pressures, lower Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, and the importance of the program for maintaining access and quality in rural and safety-net settings. Committee members noted the bill had already passed the House Health Services Committee unanimously and discussed broader concerns about Kentucky’s low reimbursement rates and the need to consider other systems not covered by the proposal. The board then heard Senate Bill 2011 from Senator Donald Douglas and Cody Hunt of the Kentucky Medical Association. The bill would address a Medicaid coding issue by ensuring that coverage limits do not reduce payment to fewer than two evaluation and management service units per provider, per patient, per day. Douglas argued the current one-visit, one-issue limitation forces multiple visits, increases no-shows, and prevents providers from treating the whole patient. Hunt explained that the bill is meant to correct a longstanding regulation that limited E&M services to one per physician per recipient per date of service, which can prevent providers from coding additional medically necessary work during the same visit. He said DMS has already filed a regulatory amendment to fix the problem, but a statutory change is still needed to prevent the issue from returning. He also said the bill is not intended to change reimbursement policy, only coding rules, and that MCO payment practices vary. Members generally supported the concept. Senator Berg asked about fiscal impact and private-payer billing; Hunt said there should be no fiscal impact because the bill does not change payment policy, only coding. Representative Moore said the proposal could reduce costs and improve convenience by avoiding extra visits. Chairman Meredith said the bill illustrated problems with fee-for-service care and supported moving toward a more holistic delivery model. Dr. Schuster raised a drafting concern about the bill summary language, and Hunt responded that the regulatory amendment should address the issue generally for providers. No votes were taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • have</c><00:28:44.320><c> federal</c> number of of counties that have federal number of of counties
  • And perpetrators of of crimes are cut.
  • </c><01:02:56.319><c> Police</c> of Cities, with the Chiefs of Police of Cities, with the Chiefs of Police
  • of the question of what kind of terms of the question of what kind of papers<01:04:20.400><c> do</c>
  • </c> any of those types of of matters, right? any of those types of of matters, right?
Summary: The committee met for its sixth meeting, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the October 21 meeting. The main agenda item was a presentation from Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) leaders and county officials on jail funding and jail-system reform. Speakers said county jail costs have reached crisis levels, citing large and rising general-fund subsidies in counties such as Hardin, McCracken, and Warren, and noting that county general-fund contributions to jail funds have increased by 76% since 2019. KACo outlined a three-part legislative approach for the upcoming session: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and redefining the model for housing state inmates in county jails. On regional jails, they proposed one-time state construction funding, statutory changes to allow former county jails to serve as 96-hour holdover facilities, broader participation of jailers on regional jail authority boards, an increased supplement for closed county jails, and a one-time payment for counties that close local jails and join regional facilities. Union County Judge Adam Onan described his county’s savings from contracting with Webster County and said regionalization can reduce costs where feasible. Harlan County Judge Executive Dan Mosley focused on pre-trial felony detainees, saying counties bear the full cost of housing people awaiting trial for long periods, sometimes years, and that pre-trial time is later credited toward state sentences. He argued the state benefits from that credit and referenced prior bills that would have reimbursed counties for time-served credit. Shelley Hampton then proposed replacing the current per diem model for state inmates with contracts requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs and to support programming such as substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academics. No votes were taken on the jail proposals, and the meeting ended with the presentation and discussion of the county recommendations.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on State Government (2-12-26)

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • All in favor of the adoption of second.
  • the incoming administration. ...out of the state government of about 30,000 people, about 800 of them
  • the of the undermine the policy of the of the incoming<00:11:22.160><c> administration</c><00:11:23.120
  • happen</c> event of of something bad happen event of of something bad happen happening.<00:13:26.720
  • week of September of each year as Unclaimed Property Week.