Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:47:20.160><c> to</c> state who are federally authorized to state who are federally authorized
• to levy property taxes with approval from the county.
• to levy property taxes with approval from the county.
• Uh, but again, if it's just counties, it's about 4.1% a levy.
• Uh, but again, if it's just counties, it's about 4.1% a levy.

Bills: HF1698 , HF632 , HF1352 , HF2197 , HF618 , HF1248 , HF1697

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, please report for Thursday, January 15th: House Bill 176, an act relating to prior authorizations
• House Bill 265, an act relating to regulatory authorizations by the Commissioner of Insurance.
• House Bill 405, an act relating to occupational license fees levied by a board of education.
• license fees levied by a board<00:18:23.919><c> of</c><00:18:24.080><c> education.
• an appropriation Authority, making an appropriation therefore<00:18:38.240><c> and</c><00:18:38.559>

Transcript Highlights:

• or authorizes setting these fees.
• or authorizes setting these fees.
• We authorized $78 million.
• We have to have you have an authorized dealer look at this, and that delayed, and then the authorized
• We have to have you have an authorized dealer look at this, and that delayed, and then the authorized

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, any more questions of the author?
• Senator West, do you have a question for the author? Members, any more questions of the author?
• Assessment authority.
• The 3% and the 2.5% levy limit is incredibly good targeted tax relief.
• Levy itself for the jurisdictions, and that's been my laser focus.

Bills: SB4 , SJR2 , SB 4 , SJR 2

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature authorized $5.6 million for our project at that time.
• </c><01:08:15.160><c> $5.6</c> Bill the legislature uh authorized $5.6 Bill the legislature uh authorized
• I've done 25 different budgets and levies, and the last 10 years our goal is to keep our levy to 2% to
• That almost doubles or adds 50% to the project cost on the local levy.
• I've done 25 different budgets and levies, and the last 10 years our goal is to keep our levy to 2% to

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• filled 97% of that authorization.
• , and plant facility levies.
• Down school bonds, levies, and plant facility levies.
• Last year, the lottery expended 79% of its authorization, or $6.8 million.
• However, the Legislature did authorize $177,000.

Summary: The committee first heard a report from the Joint Millennium Fund co-chairs on recommended uses of Millennium Fund dollars. The recommendations included one-time funding for juvenile safety assessment centers and child advocacy centers, ongoing funding for the Upper River Youth Leadership Council Recovery Center, $5 million for a statewide drug awareness media campaign, and $25 million one-time for Medicaid claim payments to reduce the general fund impact in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the Medicaid recommendation because the fund had previously been directed away from Medicaid; the co-chairs said the request was made in light of a revenue downturn and was intended as one-time funding, with any unused balance returned. The report was accepted by unanimous consent. The committee then reviewed the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. Legislative staff summarized the division’s consolidation of licensing boards, staffing, fee-balance management requirements, and the governor’s and committee’s budget recommendations, including vehicle replacement and IT hardware requests. Administrator Russ Barron said the division has reduced overall expenditures since consolidation, improved licensing and inspection timeliness, and used fee changes, fee holidays, and board mergers to keep board balances within the target range. Members questioned rising personnel costs, the use of opioid settlement funds for prescriber DEA fees, the continued need for a 10% transfer exemption, vehicle replacement timing, and how complaints and discipline are handled; Barron said complaints drive investigations, boards set fees subject to legislative approval, and a universal discipline bill could improve consistency. Finally, the committee heard the state lottery budget. Staff described lottery revenues, prize payouts, dividend distributions to schools and state buildings, and a small one-time request for replacement computers. Director Andrew Arulenandum said the lottery has reduced management layers, renegotiated major contracts for significant future savings, and is trying to improve performance without relying heavily on paid advertising. Members asked about the role of lottery detectives, the return on advertising spending, and the need for MacBooks and iMacs; he said detectives investigate theft and other lottery-related crimes, advertising results are hard to isolate from jackpot size, and the Apple equipment is needed for in-house design work. The committee concluded its business and adjourned, with a reminder about upcoming budget-setting work sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes a provision that was in HB 1177 by Leader Soroy that creates an exemption for leases of tangible
• parks when such parks rent at least 75% of their lots to mobile home owners that are under long-term leases
• It clarifies that the new property tax levies for municipal service taxing units and dependent special
• It grants authority to the Public Service Commission and certain agencies to oversee various aspects
• Members, this bill authorizes the Board of Historic Black Cemetery to generate revenue for maintenance

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two fallen service members, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement officers and visiting students and advocates. Members then adopted the special order report and moved into the special-order calendar. The first major item was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which was explained as a broad measure covering sales tax holidays, property tax changes, tax credits, pari-mutuel tax reductions, vacation-rental tax collection, and decoupling from federal tax changes. Members asked about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution and the package’s mix of consumer and housing provisions, while opponents objected to the gun-related tax holiday. The bill passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations 107-0, with supporters saying it would strengthen Florida’s competitiveness in commercial aerospace. CS for SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed unanimously after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened specialty-plate financial and nonprofit requirements. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed 100-0 after supporters said it built on prior PBM reforms by requiring fairer pharmacy reimbursement and limiting forced losses on drugs. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed 109-0 after an amendment clarifying fingerprinting requirements, and CS/CS HB 527 on insurance claim denials passed 100-0 with a requirement for human review before claims are denied or reduced solely by AI. The House also passed CS HB 1449 on the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program 100-0 after narrowing the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims at or below $50,000. CS HB 93 on protection from surgical smoke passed 178-0 after extensive emotional debate, with supporters describing it as a long-sought patient and worker safety measure requiring smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers. Later, CS HB 1217 on prohibited governmental greenhouse-gas policies passed 29-0 after questions clarified that it would bar net-zero policies and related funding arrangements but not general energy efficiency or incidental emissions reductions; opponents argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts, while supporters said it protected energy reliability and affordability. The House then began debate on CS/CS HB 1461 on advanced nuclear reactors, with sponsors describing a framework for licensing and oversight of small modular and microreactors and supporters arguing it would help meet future energy demand and improve reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the request of the author, I am giving a one-day notice.
• Members, this is for co-authors. All members vote who desire to vote.
• Members, this is for co-authors. All members vote who desire to vote.
• This is for co-authors. Thanks. All members vote who desire to vote. This is for co-authors.
• This is for co-authors. Clerk will close the roll, tally the votes. There are 55 co-authors added.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:11.840><c> Senate</c><00:08:12.120><c> file</c> &gt;&gt; Uh you've also authored Senate file
• &gt;&gt; Uh you've also authored Senate file 3859,<00:08:13.480><c> which</c><00:08:13.640><c> would
• for 2026 than owners paid last levies for 2026 than owners paid last year.<00:15:13.760><c> To</c><00
• So that end, you've authored Senate File 4749, which is bipartisan, and it's a task force on housing
• So that end, you've authored Senate File 4749, which is bipartisan, and it's a task force on housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator McIntosh, thank you to the author. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Thank you to the author for your changes.
• Do we pass by the author, seconded by the chair? Will there be questions of the author?
• There be questions of the author on Senate Bill 1484.
• Further questions of the author? Seeing none. Will there be debate?

Bills: SB1421 , SB1427 , SB1484 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1591 , SB1642 , SB1794 , SB1837 , SB2044

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Transcript Highlights:

• He said there was no statutory authority because the statute is silent and does not prohibit or authorize
• Now, to me, the good news, and there is good news, we authorized in House Bill 1018, we authorized $78
• Now, to me, the good news, and there is good news, we authorized in House Bill 1018, we authorized $78
• We have to have you have an authorized dealer look at this, and that delayed, and then the authorized
• with levies between 17 and 18 mills.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings and then filled a vacancy on Legislative Management by appointing Senator Braunberger after a caucus recommendation. Members then took up an unusual appeal from the North Dakota Gaming Commission after the Administrative Rules Committee voided a rule that would have raised the poker tournament entry fee from $300 to $1,500. Legislative Council explained the administrative rules process and the grounds for voiding a rule, while Gaming Commission representatives argued the commission had statutory authority and that the issue should be left to the full Legislature. Several members raised concerns about legislative intent, precedent, and whether the matter should wait for the regular session. On a motion to disapprove the Administrative Rules Committee’s finding and restore the rule, the committee voted no, so the voiding of the rule remained in place. The committee then reviewed the fiscal impact statement for Constitutional Measure No. 1 on congressional age limits. Staff reported no current fiscal impact because no litigation had been filed, though members noted the possibility of future legal challenges if the measure were enforced. After that, the committee began hearing proposed bills for the upcoming special session, starting with several kratom-related measures. Representative Wolff withdrew her bill, saying it was redundant, while Representative Heinert presented a bill to legalize and regulate natural kratom for adults 21 and over under the Attorney General, with licensing, labeling, penalties, and a public health campaign. Senator Axtman presented a companion bill targeting synthetic kratom derivatives, placing them on the controlled substances list with penalties similar to marijuana. Legislative Council later outlined Representative Johnston’s separate kratom bill, which would regulate kratom under the Department of Agriculture with product registration, licensing, and enforcement provisions. The committee also heard Senator Hogue’s bill to address funding for the State Historical Society’s military museum project. He argued the state was in breach of contract and that delaying action would increase costs, so his bill would authorize a $35 million line of credit to keep construction moving while fundraising continued. Members questioned the relationship between the proposed line of credit, existing SIF funding, and the private fundraising requirement, but no vote was taken before the meeting moved on. Finally, Representative Sue Ann Olson began presenting a bill requiring the Class D driver’s license test to be administered in English, arguing it was a safety measure because road signs are in English and law enforcement encounters can be complicated by language barriers. The transcript cuts off before her testimony concluded or any action was taken on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Levi. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
• Thank you, Levi.
• I don't know if you have the authority or not to do that.
• First, yes, the 11 townships have taken that authority back.
• We go through levy inspections for quality control by the Corps.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> KSP also needs to replace their leased crime lab in Jefferson County with, ideally, a new construction
• taxing service that a system like this provides, the Commonwealth has one of the most local taxing authorities
• :21:56.640><c> most</c><00:21:57.039><c> local</c><00:21:57.679><c> taxing</c><00:21:58.159><c> authorities
• </c><00:21:58.960><c> in</c> ...of the most local taxing authorities in the country.
• Uh, when you look at 120 counties, 400-plus cities, 171 school districts, they all can levy taxes.

Summary: The committee heard capital plan presentations from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the Personnel Cabinet, and the School Facilities Construction Commission. The Justice Cabinet described its large portfolio of more than 900 facilities across the state and said decades of underfunded maintenance have created a backlog of repairs. Requested projects included a high-acuity mental health treatment facility for juvenile justice youth, two female detention centers to support the regional detention model, major corrections repairs and replacements, a new kitchen at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, a new dormitory at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women, completion of a new Eastern Kentucky prison, DOCJT training facility upgrades in Richmond and Madisonville, State Police radio system replacement and post construction, a combined Frankfort headquarters/Post 12 facility, and expanded crime lab and storage capacity. When asked about the high cost of the EKCC kitchen project, staff said construction inside an operating facility raises costs and that building a new adjacent kitchen would be more economical in the long run. The panel also asked about Fish and Wildlife officers training at DOCJT; staff said they do and that the training is funded through the CLEFT fund. The Justice Cabinet also said the recently enacted Senate Bill 4’s AI inventory and registry requirements would be part of its enterprise application and AI inventory system work. The Personnel Cabinet requested funding to replace CHRIS, the state’s human resources and payroll system, which supports payroll and benefits for about 48,000 employees and the Kentucky Employee Health Plan for roughly 192,000 members. Staff said the current SAP-based system went live in 2011, is approaching end of support in 2030, and has not received functionality enhancements since 2016. They said the replacement is estimated at $151 million, with most of the cost tied to professional services and software, and that the project would begin in July 2026, go live by July 2030, and require a stabilization period through 2032. In response to questions about outsourcing payroll or reusing existing systems, staff said the complexity of state HR, payroll, tax updates, and integrations with other agencies makes outsourcing or partial reuse impractical. The School Facilities Construction Commission introduced its role in helping all 171 school districts address unmet facility needs, focusing on core school facilities such as roofs and elementary buildings rather than athletic projects. No votes or formal actions were taken during the excerpted discussion; the meeting consisted of presentations, explanations of requested projects, and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes a provision that was in HB 1177 by Leader Soroy that creates an exemption for leases of tangible
• parks when such parks rent at least 75% of their lots to mobile home owners that are under long-term leases
• It clarifies that the new property tax levies for municipal service taxing units and dependent special
• It grants authority to the Public Service Commission and certain agencies to oversee various aspects
• Members, this bill authorizes the Board of Historic Black Cemetery to generate revenue for maintenance

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two service members killed in the Middle East, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members adopted the special order report and then began taking up the special order calendar. The first major measure was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which included a hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday, a back-to-school holiday moved earlier in the summer, property tax changes for mobile home parks and other exemptions, reductions in pari-mutuel taxes and fees, extensions and expansions of several tax credit programs, vacation-rental tax collection changes, and a full decoupling from federal tax changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill drew questions about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution, housing and home-hardening provisions, and family tax relief, while opponents objected to the firearm-related tax break. HB 7031 passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, which updates business development rules, board membership, and creates a strategic spaceport hub designation. CS/CS HB 639/CS SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened financial and nonprofit requirements for plate sponsors. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed after debate on pharmacy benefit manager reforms requiring equal reimbursement, prohibiting forced losses on drugs, and allowing consolidated appeals. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed with an amendment clarifying fingerprinting provisions, and CS/CS HB 527 passed with a human-review requirement for insurance claim denials so AI cannot be the sole basis for denying or reducing claims. Additional bills approved included CS HB 1449, which limits use of the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program when a claim is already in the federal process and, by amendment, narrows the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims of $50,000 or less; CS HB 93, requiring surgical smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers, which passed overwhelmingly after emotional bipartisan praise for the sponsor’s multi-session effort; and CS HB 1217, which prohibits governmental entities from adopting net-zero greenhouse gas policies, after Democrats argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts and Republicans argued it protects energy reliability and affordability. The House also passed CS/CS HB 1461 establishing a framework for licensing and regulating advanced nuclear reactors, with supporters framing it as a step toward reliable, affordable, cleaner energy. Later, CS HB 1229 on residential homes for medically or technologically dependent children was explained as creating a licensure program for medically complex children’s homes and was rolled over for final passage as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's author of this on the house side?
• I'm one of the co-authors of population.
• Um, subject to the state general levy.
• </c> also the state general levy. also the state general levy. Chair<01:57:39.199><c> Gomez.
• I know that he's author of this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did put a whole bunch of the tax authorization bills together, so that will give you a little bit
• And it gives the attorney general the sole authority to grant that.
• We feel they are the appropriate authority. and we work with them.
• levy.
• That has, and we've had it for many years, and it's been an excellent... ...small levy.

Committees: House Local Government , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds a definition of student engagement metrics for purposes of authorizing the use of biometric It
• adds a definition of student engagement metrics for purposes of authorizing the use of biometric data
• First-class school districts retain that authority themselves.
• First-class school districts retain that authority themselves.
• But if a district, for example, didn't pass a levy, I'm not sure what the plan is.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Roel is a pediatric neurosurgeon, Rhodes Scholar, best-selling author, former All-American Florida State
• This bill requires the FHSAA to adopt bylaws that authorize a coach employed by the school or school
• This bill requires the FHSAA to adopt bylaws that authorize a coach employed by the school or school
• And I think that's just way too much power and authority to give to the executive branch.
• With this bill, eligible mobile homeowners who own their homes that are placed on leased land will be

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, we increase federal fund spending authority by $38.3 million
• <00:07:21.640><c> $318</c> authorize capital projects totaling $318 authorize capital projects totaling
• </c><00:08:54.920><c> capital</c> In the Treasury, we authorize capital In the Treasury, we authorize
• We<00:24:46.600><c> authorize</c><00:24:47.240><c> authorize</c><00:24:47.760><c> asset</c> We authorize
• authorize asset We authorize authorize asset preservation<00:24:48.640><c> pools</c><00:24:48.920><c

Summary: The Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 503, the legislative branch budget, adopting a committee substitute and reporting it favorably. The chair said the Senate version fully funds defined calculations, provides 2% raises in each fiscal year for legislative employees, removes a paragraph on operating expense reductions, and includes $1 million in the first year for a judicial branch salary study. House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, was then amended and reported favorably; changes included 2% annual raises for judicial employees, revised operating expense language, $1 million each year for county current services, retention of Boyle County fit-up language, reporting requirements for smaller capital projects, full funding for nine judges added in 2022, and removal of furlough prohibitions and certain budget implementation language. Both bills passed the committee unanimously with favorable expressions to the floor. The committee then considered House Bill 500, the executive branch budget, adopting a committee substitute before hearing a lengthy summary of major spending and policy changes. The chair described statewide 2% annual employee raises, agency base reductions with many exemptions, increased school safety and 911 funding, veterans and military funding, local government and severance-related changes, attorney general and auditor funding, pension and retirement system support, education funding changes including SEEK, postsecondary and scholarship provisions, public safety and corrections funding, and multiple capital projects. The chair also highlighted Medicaid-related provisions, including added waiver slots, increased state-directed payments, a 2.5% reduction in managed care vendor payments for plan years 2027 and 2028 with savings redirected to fee-for-service rates, and additional funding for behavioral health and public health programs. The bill was reported favorably after members explained their votes, with several noting they had only recently received the full 228-page bill and wanted more time for detailed review. Finally, the committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 900, an appropriation measure for government agencies, and reported it favorably. The chair said the bill remains a work in progress and that one-time funding requests from across the Commonwealth and across party lines would continue to be addressed as the process moves forward. All measures considered during the meeting passed the committee with unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1002 , HB1065 , HB1155 , HB1916 , HB2264 , HB1078 , HB1687 , HB1701 , HB1717 , HB1795 , HB1859 , HB2088 , HB2091 , HB2107 , HB2109 , HB2110 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2151 , HB2152 , HB2155 , HB2165 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2228 , HB2229 , HB2230 , HB2235 , HB2238 , HB2242 , HB2245 , HB2249 , HB2253 , HB2254 , HB2269 , HB2272 , HB2283 , HB2304 , HB2317 , HB2340 , HB2343 , HB2385 , HB2406 , HB2417 , HB2426 , HB2445 , HB2452 , HB2472 , HB2492 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB2606 , HB2664 , HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1717 , HB1795 , HB1859 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2151 , HB2155 , HB2165 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2242 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2317 , HB2343 , HB2385 , HB2406 , HB2417 , HB2426 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB2606 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2111 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2199 , HB2206 , HB2296 , HB2360 , HB2436 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2510 , HB2525 , HB2532 , HB2543 , HB2605 , HB2624 , HJM4012 , HB1759

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU