Transcript Highlights:

• In Section 23, this is the prohibition on Medicaid coverage for prescription drugs for weight loss.
• , and it only prohibits coverage for drugs prescribed primarily for weight loss.
• </c><00:15:44.600><c> management</c><00:15:45.040><c> in</c> disorders or or um weight management in
• 15:45.959><c> capture</c><00:15:46.640><c> weight</c><00:15:47.120><c> loss.
• </c> general to only capture weight loss. general to only capture weight loss.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to consider the Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 2, a major Medicaid bill. Members first adopted the substitute and then adopted Amendment 9770. The bill was described as a lengthy rewrite aimed at aligning Kentucky Medicaid policy with federal requirements under HR 1, while also preserving program integrity and addressing due process concerns. Senators and staff repeatedly emphasized that the measure was the product of extensive meetings with providers, associations, and work groups. The sponsor’s section-by-section summary highlighted several key changes: delaying and reducing cost-sharing requirements; pushing eligibility redetermination deadlines to the federal date; restoring some flexibility for hardship waivers; allowing self-attestation as a last resort; modifying MCO audit provisions; clarifying non-emergency medical transport GPS costs; expanding waiver attestation authority to nurse practitioners and licensed psychologists; adding qualified aliens to waiver eligibility to comply with federal law; requiring Medicaid data sharing with the oversight board; limiting changes to Medicaid benefits without General Assembly authorization; narrowing the prescription drug exclusion to drugs prescribed primarily for weight loss; and delaying the dental ASO transition until 2029. The substitute also deleted a proposed auditor review requirement and retained an emergency clause. Committee discussion focused heavily on the policy and fiscal implications of the cost-sharing and recertification provisions. Senators raised concerns about whether the co-pays would be effective or simply shift costs to providers, whether the recertification process would burden the Cabinet and cause eligible people to lose coverage, and how the bill would affect people transitioning from Medicaid into work. Supporters said the lower cost-sharing amounts were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, protect providers, and comply with federal law, and they noted that the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board would help shape future changes. A public witness, Maggie Chisholm, gave emotional testimony about her daughter’s experience with a Medicaid waiver and argued that policy delays and administrative disconnects can harm vulnerable families. No final vote on the bill itself was recorded in the excerpt, but the substitute and amendment were adopted and testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's one of the exemptions, and there are a number of other exemptions.
• Gross is crossed out in line eight, but right to define gross negligence is crossed out.
• Gross is crossed out, but we're still referencing gross negligence in line five, right?
• Well, gross. Oh, sorry. highlighting. Well, gross. Oh, sorry. Follow<01:33:35.040><c> up.
• Um, gross gross gross is<01:33:40.080><c> crossed</c><01:33:40.480><c> out</c><01:33:40.719><c> in</c

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gross income: 447,000. Commercial slaughter 2,900 head.
• We need agricultural building exemption codes for meat processors.
• Get building code exemptions for meat processors. 7. Put them under an agriculture exemption. 8.
• We do Custom exempt. We also do wild game processing.
• And continue to do Custom Exempt and Wild Game. And the other.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• A person who sells or gives kratum to an underage person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
• with synthetic mitragynine, synthetic 7-OH, or other synthetically derived compound is guilty of a gross
• This would remove the proposed Public Records Act exemption for proprietary information and financial
• So just to be clear, in my head, are there any PRA exemptions that remain in this bill?
• The most substantial thing the substitute does is remove the Public Records Act exemption, and beyond

Bills: HB2291 , HB2629 , HB2439 , HB1078 , HB1701 , HB2207 , HB2501 , HB2361 , HB1932

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: kratom, consumer protection, regulation, health safety, substance control, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public health, tobacco regulation, smoking cessation, vapor products, health policy, youth prevention, pet insurance, insurance regulation, animal welfare, claims processes

Transcript Highlights:

• A person who sells or gives kratom to an underage person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
• with synthetic mitragynine, synthetic 7-OH, or other synthetically derived compound is guilty of a gross
• This would remove the proposed Public Records Act exemption for proprietary information and financial
• So just to be clear, in my head, are there any PRA exemptions that remain in this bill?
• The most substantial thing the substitute does is remove the Public Records Act exemption, and beyond

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2291, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, and then moved into executive session on several bills. Staff explained that HB 2291 would license kratom retailers and processors, set age 21 purchase limits, require labeling, child-resistant packaging, independent testing, an LCB-approved product directory, and an 11% excise tax, while banning certain synthetic or adulterated kratom products and restricting online/mail sales and public consumption. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to regulate natural kratom while banning the synthetic or chemically altered forms, and several witnesses supported stronger youth protections and product standards. Others opposed the bill’s licensing fee, statewide preemption of local bans, or the regulatory approach, while some testified that natural kratom helps with pain or recovery. The hearing on HB 2291 was then closed without action. In executive session, the committee took action on multiple bills. HB 2439, dealing with cigarette, vapor product, and tobacco product policy, was amended and reported out with a do pass recommendation; the adopted amendments limited Consumer Protection Act enforcement to the Attorney General, adjusted coupon language, and restored state preemption over local retail regulation. HB 1078 on pet insurance, HB 1701 on shared liquor-license premises, HB 2207 on bonded beer warehousing, and HB 2501 on real estate oil-tank disclosure were all reported out with do pass recommendations, with HB 1701’s substitute removing a Public Records Act exemption and HB 2207’s substitute aligning beer warehousing more closely with spirits warehouse rules. HB 2361, which raises the maximum small loan amount, was amended to make inflation adjustments biennial and to change publication requirements, then passed out of committee. The committee also approved HB 1932, which would authorize cannabis consumption events in regulated environments. The substitute bill would create a cannabis consumption event organizer license, allow limited adult-use events subject to local approval, and establish permit and budtender training requirements; members discussed the bill as a way to provide lawful consumption spaces while others objected to expanding cannabis access. In the final votes, HB 2439 passed 12-3, HB 1078 passed unanimously, HB 1701 passed 14-1, HB 2207 passed 14-1, HB 2501 passed unanimously, HB 2361 passed 13-2, and HB 1932 passed 11-4, all with do pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we wanted to make sure that in doing that they weren't losing their tax exemption to continue to develop
• So we wanted to make sure that in doing that they weren't losing their tax exemption to continue to develop
• third and the bill be placed on final passage Senator Slatter moves that the rules to be suspended and gross
• reading considered the third and the bill be placed in final passage hearing no objection so ordered and gross
• Just very briefly, I'm happy to report that within this bill there are exemptions.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB6016 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5609 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5975 , SJM8016 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB5909 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB6045 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5762 , SB6032 , SB6066 , SB6082 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6319 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB5046 , SB5387 , SB5637 , SB5647 , SB5839 , SB5888 , SB5962 , SB6018 , SB6037 , SB6047 , SB6078 , SB6130 , SB6147 , SB6151 , SB6197 , SB6220 , SB6256 , SB6311 , SB6343

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• It did extend our municipal bond exemptions, which certainly helps local governments get funding for
• You look at some of these counties that don't have the ability to generate gross receipts tax.
• you have to start paying that shared amount until you get under the... six, and then you have an exemption
• This was about 16,000 veterans in New Mexico that had a line of service duty and were exempted.
• We do have an initiative asking to please make sure that those exemptions are filed within our existing

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• regulations of contests or exhibitions, to provide for fines and penalties, to provide relative to taxes on gross
• And it also increases the gross receipts for major events up to $250,000.
• And it also increases the gross receipts for major events up to $250,000.
• “Amendment 16 adds an exemption to information affirmatively and voluntarily provided by the consumer
• the state fire marshal, to provide for enforcement of the code by municipalities and parishes, to exempt

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on Wednesday, April 22, with a quorum present and heard several bills. HB 1195, relating to the Louisiana State Athletic Commission, was amended with technical changes and a fee-related amendment tied to student athlete agents, then reported favorably. Members asked about criminal penalties and whether the bill would affect prison athletic events; the author said he would follow up on those questions. HB 798, the Broadband and Cable Price Notice Act, was amended to clarify definitions, federal compliance, notice requirements, and severability, then reported favorably after extensive debate over whether providers already give adequate notice, whether a separate notice is necessary, and whether the bill would be preempted by federal law. Charter Communications testified in opposition, saying the bill was duplicative and would add costs, while the author argued it was needed to ensure clear, conspicuous notice of price increases and cancellation rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• This removes the intent section, makes all of the personal information listed in the bill exempt from
• disclosure rather than exempting enumerated personal information that can be used to distinguish or
• It adds types of personal information that will be exempt to include...
• It specifies that a residential address is only exempt if it's not maintained by the agency; it's an
• Representative Walsh. ...conservation districts in my district about the weight that this puts on their

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2514, which would create a work group to plan a Global War on Terror Memorial on the Capitol campus. The prime sponsor and supporters, including veterans, Gold Star family members, and military advocates, said the memorial would honor Washingtonians who died in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who later died by suicide, while helping secure private fundraising and a concrete plan for the project. No opposition was recorded during the hearing, and the bill was later closed without a vote in the transcript excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 2661, which would create a temporary task force to study public records request abuse, including frivolous, retaliatory, or harassing requests, and consider possible reforms. Supporters from cities and school-related organizations said some agencies face heavy costs, legal review burdens, and repeated or overly broad requests, especially in schools. Opponents from open-government and media groups argued the bill misdiagnoses the problem, could restrict access, and should instead focus on better staffing, training, technology, and compliance. The hearing ended without a vote in the excerpt. In executive session, the committee voted to advance several bills. It reported out proposed substitute House Bill 2637, which expands Public Records Act exemptions for certain personal information, on a 4-3 vote; House Bill 2632, which updates terminology for noncitizens, on a 4-3 vote; proposed substitute House Bill 2499, on conservation district governance and disclosure rules, on a 4-3 vote after rejecting two amendments; House Bill 2198, concerning the statewide credential catalog and online repository, on a 6-1 vote; and House Bill 2520, allowing emergency meetings outside a county seat and clarifying Open Public Meetings Act procedures, on a 7-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• In grossed House bill, 5366, It will be advanced third reading.
• House Bill 5366 would exempt records, files, and other documents relating to the West Virginia Judicial
• Engrossed House Bill 5687, relating to reducing the tax rate imposed on the gross value of metallurgical
• Engrossed House Joint Resolution 42, Homestead Exemption. Second reading of the resolution.
• It also clarified that future modifications to the exemption would be by general law and set by the Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 243, introduced by Assemblymembers Hibbetts and De Silva, establishes certain partial tax exemptions
• Bill 243, introduced by Assemblymembers Hibbetts and De Silva, establishes certain partial tax exemptions
• The motion carried, and AB 381 was ordered reprinted and grossed to the general file.
• The motion carried, and AB 462 was ordered reprinted and grossed to the general file.
• Assembly Bill 221, introduced by Assembly Member Edgeworth, exempts certain offices of physicians and

Transcript Highlights:

• It exempts a couple of new categories of products from these requirements.
• The first one, by Representative Dye, Lips 491, addresses the global gross revenue associated with de
• This amendment simply re-moot or exempts lubricants from the emissions covered under the CCA.
• So, you know, the proposed substitute does cover this in giving that exemption for five years.
• So, you know, the proposed substitute does cover this in giving that exemption for five years.

Bills: HB2104 , HB1903 , HB1909 , HB1982 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2210 , HB2215 , HB2271 , HB2345 , HB2355 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2397 , HB2418 , HB2429 , HB2442 , HB2479 , HB2481 , HB2681 , HB2688 , HB2714

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, energy assistance, low-income, utility costs, state program, energy affordability, court unification, task force, Washington courts, judicial administration, court reform, access to justice, local court rules, uniformity, centralization, rural courts

Transcript Highlights:

• We tie into adjusted gross income, and we no longer need that mathematical change like we did when it
• We tie into adjusted gross income, and we no longer need that mathematical change like we did when it
• </c><00:13:52.759><c> and</c> aviation fuel construction exemption and aviation fuel construction exemption
• </c> period of time purchases would be exempt period of time purchases would be exempt and<00:14:00.279
• </c> changing that period that the exemption changing that period that the exemption is<00:14:12.120>

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, crosswalks are exempt in this bill.
• Uh unless it are exempt in this bill.
• All seven states connected to Kentucky have some form of milk transportation exemption.
• This specific weight limit will put us at or below the limit of many other states.
• </c><00:55:54.799><c> This</c> milk transportation exemption. This milk transportation exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• because it's an Indian tribe, we need special legislation to have that parcel of the property tax exempt
• </c> parcel of the property tax exempt. parcel of the property tax exempt.
• Uh, this bill extends an exemption that's already in law.
• </c><00:03:57.520><c> that's</c> bill, uh, extends a exemption that's bill, uh, extends a exemption that's
• </c> into, uh, was given property tax exempt into, uh, was given property tax exempt status.<00:04:15.040

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet when tragedy strikes, it's the chief who bears the weight of responsibility.
• People under the age of 18 were exempt from the changes we made in the SNAP benefits.
• Under 18, they were exempt.
• If you're under 18, you're exempt from the change that we made. I want to speak, Mr.
• ...hideous monster and let the weight of 20 millions crush and destroy it forever.

Bills: HR1399 , HCR108 , HR1398

Keywords: HCR108, H. Con. Res. 108, War Powers Resolution, Lebanon, Lebanese Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, military withdrawal, troop removal, concurrent resolution, Congressional war powers, executive war powers, foreign policy, Middle East, diplomatic facilities, security cooperation, cease hostilities, military engagement, war authorization, non-authorization of force

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 3296 simply seeks to extend the same exemption from the calculating of gross annual sales
• </c><00:04:36.479><c> from</c> seeks to extend the same exemption from seeks to extend the same exemption
• ><c> that</c><00:11:10.160><c> we've</c> Um the exemption rationale that we've Um the exemption rationale
• </c> this is a needed exemption. this is a needed exemption.
• We believe House File 3802 provides a narrow exemption to the certificate of need law.

Bills: HF3296 , HF3802

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy conservation, data centers, electric sales, energy optimization, utility regulations, energy regulation, certificate of need, renewable energy, power production, energy efficiency, Minnesota statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh exempting those from the 14-day advanced notice.
• Uh exempting those from the nature.
• Um, and it exempts churches and nonprofits from that.
• Um, and it exempts churches and nonprofits from that.
• :29:47.840><c> nonprofits</c><00:29:48.399><c> from</c> exempts uh churches and nonprofits from exempts

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• from the valve that are currently exempt from the valve exercising<00:30:07.440><c> plan.
• ><c> of</c><00:38:04.400><c> of</c><00:38:05.359><c> measure</c><00:38:05.760><c> that</c> very gross
• type of of of measure that very gross type of of of measure that allows<00:38:06.400><c> us</c><00:38
• We don't know how long we will be exempted from furlough, but we're here and we're making the best of
• We don't know how long we will be exempted from furlough, but we're here and we're making the best of

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill received an update from the Hawaii Department of Health and EPA Region 9 on regulatory oversight of the Red Hill facility, the Navy drinking water system, and ongoing environmental investigation and cleanup. The agencies reviewed the authorities governing the work, including DOH’s emergency orders, EPA’s 2023 administrative consent order, and the older 2015 agreement, and explained that the newer framework is being used for most current oversight because it includes closure, remediation, drinking water protections, and stronger community engagement requirements, even though some requirements overlap. EPA and DOH reported major milestones and current work. Defueling was completed in March 2024, with about 104 million gallons removed, and the agencies said this eliminated the risk of another catastrophic release. They described the current tank-closure phase, expected to finish in July 2029, along with site assessment, site investigation, remediation, and long-term monitoring that may continue through at least 2040. They also summarized drinking water actions: emergency response flushing and sampling after the 2021 spill, lifting of the public health advisory in 2022, completion of extended drinking water monitoring in 2025, and ongoing system improvements such as repairs, flushing plans, valve work, complaint-response protocols, and upgrades to storage tanks and pumps. Members asked several questions about monitoring results, the meaning of TPH, the status of the 2015 agreement, and the Navy’s groundwater model. EPA said its sampling and the Navy’s results were in alignment during extended monitoring, and that it plans to issue a summary report covering the full response period. On the groundwater model, EPA and DOH said they have not yet approved it for decision-making, are reviewing it iteratively with outside experts and University of Hawaii data, and may approve it for specific uses in the future. DOH said its latest comment letter states the model cannot yet be used for decision-making purposes, and noted that UH’s separate modeling work is contingent on funding and may not be completed until next spring. The agencies also said they continue community outreach through open houses, webinars, neighborhood boards, legislative hearings, and fuel tank advisory committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The final bill before you is Substitute House Bill 2140, exempting land classified under current use
• House Bill 2140 exempts land sold or transferred to a governmental entity from additional tax when the
• We have in Gross second substitute House Bill 2418 before us.

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee held its final hearing of the session and took executive action on four bills. House Bill 2272 updates terminology related to ski areas and winter sports activities, including ski lift device inspection and liability insurance language. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2418 revises local permit review processes for residential projects, including completeness determinations, deadlines for reviews by certain entities, fee refunds for missed deadlines, and requirements for a responsible official and single point of contact; a proposed striking amendment clarified referral procedures for special purpose and public utility districts and adjusted timelines from calendar to business days. The committee also considered Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2451, which changes local tax increment financing rules by adding sunset and construction-start deadlines, modifying project analysis requirements, and creating a negotiation, mediation, and arbitration process with impacted taxing districts. Substitute House Bill 2140 exempts certain land transferred to a governmental entity from additional tax when the transfer supports development under current use classification and the land remains in current use or is used for supporting infrastructure. Fiscal notes were discussed for the bills, including notable local government costs for HB 2418. All four bills received do pass recommendations and were sent to the appropriate next committees: HB 2272 and SHB 2140 to Rules, E2SHB 2418 to Rules after adoption of the striking amendment, and E2SHB 2451 to Ways and Means. Votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, with one senator noting concerns about the cost and implementation burden of HB 2418 and voting without recommendation. The meeting then concluded with thanks to staff and a brief celebration before adjournment.