Video & Transcript Research : 'concurrent enrollment'
Page 81 of 355
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, the intention is to wait for the Senate concurrent resolutions, which are pretty much similar to
- We stand in support of House Resolution 58 and House Concurrent Resolution 64. Thank you.
- to conduct current reviews concurrent to conduct current reviews concurrent reviews<00:25:27.159
- landowner um applies for this concurrent landowner um applies for this concurrent process<00:28:
- We are voting on HCR 65 and HR 59 concurrently.
Summary:
The House Committee on Water and Land met on March 25, 2025, and first announced it had deleted HCR 3 and HCR 4567 from the agenda pending similar Senate measures. It then heard HR 35/HCR 40, which urges DLNR and other state agencies to work with community groups to co-steward community forests on public lands. DLNR’s urban and community forester testified in strong support, and several organizations and individuals submitted support; there were no questions or opposition noted.
The committee next heard HCR 64, asking OPSD to convene a working group on establishing and placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. OPSD and the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Resilience supported the resolution and suggested friendly amendments, including replacing county civil defense representatives with mayors or their designees and allowing subject-matter experts to serve. Members questioned the office’s role, funding, and relationship to other resilience and emergency management offices, and the witness explained it was created after the Maui wildfires to coordinate long-term recovery, with special-project funding and a focus distinct from response and mental health functions.
The committee also heard HR 59/HCR 65 on coordinating concurrent reviews of general plan, district boundary, and zoning amendments during land reclassification. OPSD testified with comments and warned that the proposal could facilitate spot zoning if individual landowners could use the concurrent process, recommending it be limited to county-initiated actions. A related discussion followed on HR 118/HCR 122, which would create a collaborative working group on surveying and protecting iwi kūpuna and related coastal erosion issues; DNR, OHA, and others supported it with suggested additions, and testimony emphasized cultural sensitivity and community-specific decision-making. Members asked about burial practices and a recent court ruling, and witnesses said the working group could help guide broader policy and communication.
Finally, the committee heard HR 145/HCR 151, requesting DLNR to report on its lease enforcement process and procedures. DLNR said it was recruiting staff to conduct lease inspections but had difficulty filling positions due to compensation, and explained that new or extended leases can include inspection requirements, while retroactive cost-shifting would raise contractual issues. Members asked for information on lease renewal timelines and whether inspection provisions were being added to renewals; DLNR said those decisions are made in public sunshine meetings and agreed to provide additional information. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Apr 2, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 44
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We are in receipt of communications transmitting the noted Senate concurrent resolutions, all having
- We are in receipt of communications transmitting the noted Senate concurrent resolutions, all having
- Nos. 1787 and 1788, as listed on page 13, and that the accompanying House resolution and House concurrent
- <01:05:57.079>
resolutions <01:05:58.079>please for house concurrent resolutions please - for house concurrent resolutions please file<01:05:58.599>
your <01:05:58.760>committee
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- just e e e e e e e<00:52:26.520>
e All right, we're going to open the hearing for House Concurrent - c><00:59:30.920>
a under because this is not merely a under because this is not merely a concurrent - resolution that is the manner concurrent resolution that is the manner in<00:59:33.319>
which - opposition the house concurrent opposition the house concurrent resolution<01:21:42.280>
six< - concurrent concurrent resolution<04:15:56.080>
um <04:15:56.520>so <04:15:56.880>I'll
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education to require objective, science-based evidence for pedagogical methods. The prime sponsor said the bill is a verbatim reintroduction from the prior session and argued that current federal definitions are too vague, allowing subjective surveys and other weak evidence to justify teaching methods. He said the bill is limited to pedagogy, not subject matter, and is intended to improve student outcomes, reduce fad-driven practices, and potentially save money by limiting unnecessary retraining and new materials.
Members asked repeatedly about the bill’s scope, including whether it would affect classroom teachers, curriculum content, and existing instructional approaches such as phonics versus whole language or queuing. The sponsor said the bill applies to state and local education bodies and educator training policies, not individual teachers in their classrooms, and that teachers would retain flexibility. He also said standardized testing could be part of a scientific study but is not itself a study, and that textbook providers could be asked to furnish the studies supporting instructional guidance included in their materials.
Several members raised concerns about the fiscal note and possible cost shifts to local districts and taxpayers. The sponsor disputed the idea that the bill would necessarily create major new costs or require additional staff, saying any costs would likely be limited and that the department is already applying federal evidence-based rules. He also said if some current methods are not science-based, updating them would be justified even if there were some initial expense. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:09:02.240>
Listen it ought to pass in concurrence. - Listen it ought to pass in concurrence.
- <00:12:54.000>
Listen it ought to pass in concurrence. - Listen it ought to pass in concurrence.
- State courts have concurrent jurisdiction over the U.S. Constitution.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-15 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- concurrence with proposal of amendment? concurrence with proposal of amendment?
- . that it ought to pass in concurrence.
- Listen to the to pass in concurrence.
- <01:00:37.320>
with ought to pass in concurrence with ought to pass in concurrence with proposal - the bill ought to pass in concurrence the bill ought to pass in concurrence with<01:00:56.840>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Report of a committee: The Committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred
- Report of a committee: The Committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred
- The committee on rules in the two branching acts concurrently to whom was referred to the Senate order
- The Committee on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently, to whom was referred the petition accompanied
Summary:
The Senate convened on February 19, 2006, with a Pledge of Allegiance and remarks noting the Commonwealth’s observance of Iwo Jima Day. The chamber also adopted a congratulatory resolution for Elizabeth Beth Renaud on her retirement from public service to the city of Salem.
Members then acted on several local and procedural matters. House Bill 4272, authorizing Hudson to grant one additional off-premises wine and malt beverages license, was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed. The Senate also adopted orders extending committee reporting deadlines for the Environment and Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee and the Transportation Committee, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees.
Later, the Senate passed to enact House Bills 3977 and 4438, concerning alternate members for Beckett’s Conservation Commission and a fall annual town meeting in Swampscott. The chamber also adopted an order placing House Bill 4769, the “build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation” bill, on the Orders of the Day for immediate second reading with Ways and Means text as the amendment. Another petition, filed by Senator Brownsberger and others regarding violations of the U.S. Constitution under cover of law, was referred to the Judiciary Committee after suspension of the necessary rules.
The Senate concluded with an order to adjourn until the following Monday at 11 a.m. and a motion to adjourn in memory of Phyllis Chapman of Hingham, followed by a moment of silence. The motion prevailed and the Senate adjourned in her memory.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 19th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly concurrent resolution 93 by Assemblymember Dixon relative to aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase
- And assembly concurrent resolution 95 by Assemblymember Caldwell relative to the 2025 International Day
- Assembly concurrent resolution 93 by Assemblymember Dixon relative to aromatic L amino acid.
- And assembly concurrent resolution 95. Ayes 64, noes 0. Members, quorum call is in place.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 23rd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly Concurrent Resolution 68 by Assembly Member Avila-Farias.
- Assembly Concurrent Resolution 87 ACR 83 by Assemblymember Wilson. The clerk will read.
- Assembly Concurrent Resolution 83 by Assemblymember Wilson, relative to ship building.
- Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to present Assembly Concurrent Resolution 83, which formally proclaims
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, your committee on ways and means has had consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 252 and
- I move that my floor amendment to House Concurrent Resolution 252 be adopted.
- I move that my sub-floor amendment to House Concurrent Resolution 252 be adopted.
- Chair, I move that my sub-floor amendment to House Concurrent Resolution 252 be adopted.
- And the reason why we're moving this as a House concurrent resolution is for the obvious concern that
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/04/2026 - House Transportation & Infrastructure
Transportation & Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, I move that House Concurrent Memorial 2007 be returned with a do pass recommendation. Mr.
- Chair, I move that House Concurrent Memorial 2007 be returned with a do pass recommendation.
- You've given House Concurrent Memorial 2007 a do pass recommendation. The do pass recommendation.
- Chair, I move that House Concurrent Resolution 2004 be returned with a due pass recommendation.
- You have given House Concurrent Resolution 2004 a due pass recommendation. Thank you, officers.
Keywords:
lighting laws, construction equipment, farm equipment, vehicle safety, Arizona Revised Statutes, salvage vehicles, insurance claims, abandoned vehicles, salvage auction dealers, vehicle title, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, law enforcement, neighborhood electric vehicles, alternative fuel, vehicle license tax, tax exemption
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- incident, depending on the severity, can result in Superior Court jurisdiction for a felony or concurrent
- current law so a youth can be eligible for diversion if they are charged with an offense that has concurrent
- And also you've heard that students have been forced out of school or not allowed to enroll.
Summary:
The committee hearing began with opening remarks from the House and Senate chairs outlining procedures for a large public hearing with more than 100 witnesses on 64 legislative proposals. They explained time limits, rules for in-person and virtual testimony, written testimony procedures, and the committee’s reporting deadline. Testimony then moved through a series of juvenile justice, child protection, and civil liberties bills, with witnesses generally urging favorable reports or, in one case, opposing expanded juvenile court transparency and child advocate access to records.
Several witnesses supported bills aimed at juvenile justice reform. Representative Hendricks backed H. 1744 to prevent child labor exploitation and trafficking, citing federal findings of child labor in seafood processing and calling for stronger penalties and a ban on minors working in such facilities. Senator Gomez supported S. 1131 and S. 1121 to reduce juvenile fees, fines, restitution burdens, and bail-related costs, arguing they worsen racial and economic disparities. Senator Crean and other advocates supported S. 1051/H. 1695 to expand juvenile diversion eligibility, while multiple witnesses from juvenile justice and immigrant advocacy groups supported H. 1657/S. 1058 to expand juvenile expungement and to limit sharing juvenile fingerprints with federal authorities, describing recent ICE detentions of Chelsea students and the resulting fear in immigrant communities. Witnesses also supported H. 1918/S. 1240 to narrow the youthful offender statute, raising the minimum age and reducing mandatory adult-style penalties for youth.
The committee also heard testimony on child safety and bodily autonomy bills. Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan supported H. 1752 to protect children left in extreme temperatures, explaining it would create civil penalties, allow emergency responders to remove children from cars without liability, and add criminal penalties when serious injury results. Representative Thurber and Senator O’Connor testified for H. 2011/S. 1227, a bill prohibiting coercion or mandates for health-related interventions, including vaccinations, and allowing legal remedies for violations. Senator Jalen supported S. 1136/H. 1847 to prevent false confessions by requiring recording of interrogations and banning deceptive tactics, and several innocence-project and legal-services witnesses described wrongful convictions tied to false confessions and coercive interrogations. Another major topic was H. 1626, which would require age verification for pornographic content and launch an education campaign about online sexual exploitation; Representative Cruz and survivor Udoz Wallace testified in support, describing nonconsensual image sharing and deepfake harms.
Not all testimony was supportive. The Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed S. 1035, which would increase transparency in juvenile court proceedings, and H. 1689, which would expand the child advocate’s access to confidential juvenile records, arguing both would undermine privacy and trauma-informed protections for children and families. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the session consisted of opening remarks and public testimony on the listed bills.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 24th, 2026 at 09:09 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Then it went over to the Senate, came back, and somehow on concurrence, we grew that amount.
- Then it went over to the Senate, came back, and somehow on concurrence, we grew that amount.
- Care Authority to administer state health benefits and, if there is additional revenue because enrollment
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-26 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation is needed because without concurrent legislative jurisdiction, juvenile misconduct is
- This legislation is needed because without concurrent legislative jurisdiction, juvenile misconduct is
- Concurrent legislative jurisdiction would give juveniles living on military installations access to the
- Committee Substitute for House Bill 351, a bill to be entitled an act relating to concurrent legislative
- Committee substitute for House Bill 351, a bill to be entitled in act relating to concurrent legislative
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then took up a long special order calendar and passed a series of bills, often by substituting House companions. Early measures included trust law modernization to create a nonjudicial trustee discharge process, military affairs changes expanding leave and retirement-related provisions, a bill to prepare for the end of penny use by standardizing cash rounding, and a podiatric medicine bill regulating cellular or tissue-based products and informed consent. The Senate also approved veterans court expansion, RV park assessment clarification, alcohol-loss tax deduction authority, bail bond and pretrial release revisions, and a military-installation jurisdiction bill to allow juvenile cases on bases to be handled in state juvenile court under certain conditions. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with the bail bond bill passing 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and confirmation that existing law on return of charitable bail funds would remain unchanged.
The chamber then paused for a lengthy farewell presentation honoring Senator Lori Berman, featuring a video, remarks from many senators, and Berman’s own closing speech reflecting on her 16 years of service, her legislative priorities, and her call for civility, bipartisanship, and continued support for issues such as school safety, Israel, anti-Semitism, and affordability. After the tribute, the Senate resumed and passed additional bills, including one expanding insurance coverage definitions for portable electronics and eyewear, a workforce and nursing education funding bill broadening support for health science programs, a recovery residences regulatory streamlining bill, a felony battery enhancement bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, and a child welfare bill extending visitor thresholds in out-of-home placements, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices program. The chamber also advanced a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and adding a House provision on recent legal name changes; debate began on that measure as the transcript ended.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 502, a bill to be entitled an act relating to concurrent legislative
- This legislation is needed because, without concurrent legislative jurisdiction, juvenile misconduct
- Concurrent legislative jurisdiction would give juveniles living on military installations access to the
- Committee Substitute for House Bill 351, a bill to be entitled an act relating to concurrent legislative
- Committee Substitute for House Bill 351, a bill to be entitled an act relating to concurrent legislative
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including guests from the press, Florida State women’s soccer, and former Senator Janet Cruz. Members also announced there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and proceeding quickly to third reading and final passage.
Among the measures approved were bills modernizing trust settlement and trustee discharge procedures; revising military affairs laws, including leave protections, retirement eligibility, and assistance programs; creating uniform cash-rounding rules as Florida prepares for the end of the penny; refining podiatric medicine rules on cellular/tissue-based products and informed consent; expanding veterans’ court access statewide; clarifying RV park special assessments; establishing concurrent state-federal jurisdiction for juveniles on military installations; reauthorizing alcoholic beverage loss deductions; and revising bail bond and pretrial release laws, including training, electronic notices, forfeiture timing, and related procedures. Members also passed bills on eyewear insurance licensing, expanding the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund into health science education, streamlining recovery residence regulation, enhancing felony battery penalties, and updating child welfare rules to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success program permanent, and create a best-practices program.
Several bills drew brief supportive remarks, especially those affecting veterans, the National Guard, foster youth, and military families. One bail bond bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor stating the current statute would remain unchanged. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously; the bail bond measure passed 36-1, while the others noted here passed with no or minimal opposition. The Senate also adopted an amendment to the military affairs bill and a delete-all amendment to the military-installation jurisdiction bill before final passage.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman on her farewell. Members from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, preparation, collegiality, advocacy on issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, Israel, anti-Semitism, breast cancer, school safety, and family law, and her effectiveness in committee and on the floor. Berman delivered an extended farewell speech reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, her district, and her legislative priorities, and the Senate ordered her remarks spread upon the journal before recessing and later returning to continue the calendar.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 is a very simple measure with a very simple message.
- So we're hearing testimony on Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and on Senate Bill 240.
- Anyone else wishing to testify on for or against a concurrent resolution 42?
- Public testimony on Senate Concurrent Registration 42.
- That concludes our testimony on Senate Bill 240 and on Senate Concurrent Resolution 42.
Keywords:
biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- couch surfing, or dropping out entirely because they cannot afford to stay housed while staying enrolled
- , couch surfing or dropping out entirely because they cannot afford to stay housed while staying enrolled
- The bill concurrently provides for SMIC climate strategies by giving the Coastal Commission new tools
- clarify that nonprofit public benefit corporations that provide nonspecific mental health services may enroll
- that this bill will hopefully, if it gets out of the Senate and out of here today, come back on concurrence
Summary:
The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services.
Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously.
After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom were referred several Senate
- The committee on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate order
- The committee on rules, acting concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate order granting the committee
- The committee on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate order
Summary:
The Senate took up several local and committee matters on third reading and passed them to be engrossed, including House 3916 authorizing Westfield to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer, House 4233 amending the Malden charter, and House 4401 concerning special revolving funds in Athol. The Malden and Athol bills were amended on the floor before passage, with substitute text inserted from Senate documents. The chamber also suspended rules and Joint Rule 12 as needed to handle committee reports and referred a House petition on condominium owners’ rights to the Judiciary Committee.
A substantial portion of the session focused on extension orders for committee reporting deadlines. The Senate adopted extension orders for the committees on election laws, cannabis, and revenue, after brief procedural discussion about suspending the rules to consider them forthwith. The Revenue Committee order was amended to remove two bills, leaving four bills in the extension order and setting the new deadline at March 6; the other extension orders set deadlines of January 30 for election laws and January 27 for cannabis. Senators discussed the importance of moving these matters forward efficiently, particularly those involving tax relief and cannabis policy.
The Senate also adopted an order for adjournment, setting the next meeting for Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Further introductions, if not, Madam Clerk, on page two introduction of measures: Senate Concurrent Resolution
- two introduction of<00:02:11.959>
measures <00:02:12.480>Senate <00:02:12.879>concurrent - <00:02:13.360>
resolution of measures Senate concurrent resolution of measures Senate concurrent
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- House Communication number 1 informs the Senate that the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution No
- House Communication number 2 informs the Senate that the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution No
- Senator Wai moved for the adoption of House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2.
- House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2 have been adopted on pages 48 to 52.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on State Government (3-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- HCR 50 is a concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Research Commission to establish the Kentucky
- House Concurrent Resolution 50 establishes the Kentucky Discipline of Government Efficiency, which is
- Roberts HCR 50 is a concurrent Roberts HCR 50 is a concurrent resolution<00:36:46.880>
directing - House Concurrent Resolution 50, as amended by the committee substitute, receiving 16 yes votes, 3 no
- resolution 50 as yes house concurrent resolution 50 as amended<00:49:09.720>
by <00:49:09.880>
Keywords:
Consideration of HB 491 02:14
Consideration of HB 738 07:58
Guest presentation by Taiwan Consul General Elliott Wang 25:20
Consideration of HCR 50 36:37
Consideration of SB 19 49:29, 958, all
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.