Transcript Highlights:

• So, why advance this legislation?
• This ensures legislative into rule.
• took testimony from both Legislative took testimony from both Legislative Council<00:28:06.720><
• <00:39:08.960> Affairs<00:39:09.600> DCF, Legislative Affairs DCF, Legislative Affairs
• the director of Policy and Legislative the director of Policy and Legislative Affairs<00:39:17.160

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional in honor of Earth Day, then referred three Senate bills to money committees under House Rule 35A: S. 173 to Appropriations, and S. 232 and S. 327 to Ways and Means. The chamber also adopted JRS 50, a joint resolution setting weekend adjournment so the House and Senate would reconvene no later than April 28, 2026. Several members then made announcements recognizing guests and interns in the gallery, including a homeschooling eighth grader, UVM interns, a constituent shadowing a member, family members, and a Civil Air Patrol delegation. The House next took up S. 89, expanding survivor benefits, and passed it in concurrence with proposal of amendment. It then considered S. 157 on recovery residence certification. The Human Services Committee described the bill as making permanent a temporary framework for certified recovery residences, placing oversight with the Department of Health, requiring standards, data collection, and annual reporting, and preserving resident protections such as written agreements, notice, grievance procedures, and alternative housing arrangements. The committee also said the bill would modernize definitions and repeal the sunset on the current framework. Human Services voted 9-0-2 to recommend the strike-all amendment, and Ways and Means reported the bill favorable 11-0-0, noting no fiscal impact unless a future fee is proposed and enacted. The House adopted the amendment, ordered third reading, and moved the bill forward. The final major item was S. 239, creating a child abuse and neglect reporting working group. The Human Services Committee said Vermont’s mandated reporting system has not been substantially reviewed in over a decade and that the bill would convene experts to review the law and recommend updates. Committee testimony emphasized that Vermont has a very high reporting rate but relatively low rates of substantiation and referral to supportive services, and members said the working group should examine reporting before, during, and after a report, including alternatives when in a child’s best interests. The committee’s strike-all amendment added findings, narrowed and prioritized the working group membership to people with direct child-serving or mandated-reporting experience, set deadlines for an interim report by April 1, 2027 and final recommendations by October 1, 2027, and required the first meeting by August 15. The committee also heard from a wide range of child welfare, education, law enforcement, and advocacy witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• guarantee every one of us 133 members agree with, and some provisions that every one of us in this caucus
• Many of the members of our caucus would prefer that the election contest provisions were different, and
• Many of the members of our caucus would prefer that the election contest provisions were different.
• people of Minnesota need us to get to work together, and this resolution is an agreement signed by the caucus
• people of Minnesota need us to get to work together, and this resolution is an agreement signed by the caucus

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up Representative Nisa’s resolution to adopt temporary rules for the 94th regular session. The resolution provided that the House would operate under the same rules as the 93rd session’s permanent rules, with modifications from the February 6, 2025 House organization agreement, until new permanent rules are adopted. Nisa described the measure as the product of a long bipartisan negotiation and urged members to support it so the House could begin its work. Representative Long also spoke in favor, saying the agreement preserved power sharing in the absence of a numerical majority, limited unilateral action in election contests, required bipartisan committee votes and equal bipartisan conference committee membership, and ensured bipartisan negotiation over House rules. Long said the framework would help members work together on issues such as affordable housing, health care, and child care. After discussion ended, the Clerk pro tem called the roll. The House adopted the temporary rules by a vote of 130 ayes and 2 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the Jewish caucus had sent a letter to the Secretary of State. Have been printed.
• Chaz Alamo with the Legislative Analyst's Office...
• This proposal provides broad spending authority without sufficient legislative oversight.
• This proposal provides broad spending authority without sufficient legislative oversight.
• I'm the head of legislative and external affairs with the Office of Data and Innovation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held a May Revision budget hearing on state administration and related issues, hearing presentations from multiple departments and agencies. Early items included the Public Employment Relations Board on funding for implementation of AB 1 and a reduced request tied to AB 288, the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement on a technical College Corps adjustment, and the Secretary of State on building security upgrades, election security grant matching funds, and payroll system readiness costs. The Department of Consumer Affairs presented a Board of Pharmacy modernization request and a General Fund backfill for the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education; the LAO raised no concerns on the pharmacy item but recommended rejecting the private postsecondary backfill and questioned interest-free loan language. The Employment Development Department outlined several large workload and benefit adjustments, including EDD Next document management funding, UI loan interest, DI/PFL benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, school employee benefits, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical reversion correction; the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL increase and the expansion of the document management scope, while members asked about program impacts and timelines. The California Workforce Development Board presented an April adjustment to reimbursement authority for an interagency agreement with Caltrans, which the LAO said raised no concerns. Public comment on that item and others included support for workforce and apprenticeship initiatives, including the Jails to Jobs proposal and renewal of the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, though those were not part of the May Revision package. The Department of Industrial Relations then presented several proposals: reclassifying legal positions, continuing modernization of the workers’ compensation EAMS system, Cal/OSHA data modernization, creating a Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, reappropriating funds for the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship program, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the statutory treatment of the workers’ compensation administrative director’s salary. The LAO generally found the IT and salary proposals reasonable but urged close monitoring of the new emerging technologies unit. Committee members, especially Assemblymember Ortega, pressed DIR on long vacancy rates, wage theft claim delays, low collection rates for Cal/OSHA fines, and whether new resources would improve outcomes; DIR said it was pursuing recruitment, classification reviews, and process modernization, while the LAO noted that staffing alone may not explain the delays. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board also sought to make permanent a 2024 change to the 60-day reconsideration clock, saying it had reduced backlog and interim orders; the LAO had no concerns. Finally, the Department of Human Resources presented a statewide Employee Assistance Program contract consolidation that would lower costs compared with renewing separate contracts and requested one program manager position to oversee the contract and first responder services; the hearing continued with Finance’s response after the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• You should have a letter of support in your materials from the Minnesota Legislative Mental Health Legislative
• transparency or legislative oversight. transparency or legislative oversight.
• violence prevention legislation. violence prevention legislation.
• Caucus. Caucus.
• It's not going to be a legislated It's not going to be a legislated process<01:36:43.560> like

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here as co-vice chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and also as joint author with
• I am here as co-vice chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and also as joint author with
• So last year, we passed legislation, and many of you were supportive of that legislation, to ensure that
• That the California Legislative Jewish Caucus defined our approach in law to combat anti-Semitism.
• That's what we do in cleanup legislation.

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 2189, AB 2615, AB 2496, AB 1750, and AB 1644. AB 2189 would create an $800,000 grant program through the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to support a statewide parent network for special education advocacy and training. Supporters said families need stronger coordination and information to navigate special education, while an opponent argued the bill could duplicate existing family-led organizations. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to Appropriations, held on call for add-on votes. AB 2615, a cleanup bill to AB 715 on antisemitism and instructional materials, drew the most controversy. The authors said it was intended to clarify prior commitments by removing references to professional responsibility standards, refining the “factually accurate” language, and clarifying how discriminatory materials are handled. Supporters said it would help protect students from discrimination, while many educators, civil rights groups, and other organizations opposed it unless amended, warning that the factual-accuracy language could chill teaching and be applied too broadly. The committee chair and members raised concerns about implementation but ultimately supported moving the bill forward; it passed 5-0 and was held on call. AB 2496 would streamline school accountability reporting by making the California School Dashboard the primary transparency tool, phasing out the School Accountability Report Card over time, and making mid-year LCAP reporting optional. Supporters said this would reduce duplication and administrative burden while preserving access to key data; opponents worried families could lose the simplicity and accessibility of the current SARC and that the mid-year update still serves an important purpose. The bill was approved 3-0 and held on call. AB 1750, which would extend full salary for an additional five months for school employees who exhaust sick leave due to illness or injury, was supported as a dignity and retention measure but opposed by administrators over staffing and cost concerns; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. AB 1644 would require a bell-to-bell smartphone ban in TK-8 and recommend it for high school, with exceptions for instructional and safety needs; supporters said phones are harming attention and learning, while opponents argued districts had just adopted local policies and needed more flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Speaker, last year, through the rural caucus, as well as the Vermont Farm Bureau, the Vermont Forest
• year, the rural caucus reached out to<00:05:14.760> you to you to you um<00:05:16.320> and
• All of that input led to legislative All of that input led to legislative land<00:23:52.440>
• Madam Speaker, I move that S. 208 be delayed two legislative days.
• c> truly<00:41:09.000> effective, This legislation, to be truly effective, This legislation

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first passed H.953, an act approving an amendment to the charter of the town of Panton, on third reading by voice vote. It then took up S.325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, where a Lowell member offered an amendment to redefine conserved land for purposes of the conserved land inventory and Vermont’s conservation goals. The Speaker ruled that amendment not germane, and the House sustained that ruling. A separate Williamstown amendment to expand interim housing exemptions was then debated; supporters said it would help housing growth in already developed areas, including rural towns, while opponents from the Environment Committee and Ways and Means said it remained unfavorable and could affect towns that rely on Act 250 review. The House rejected that amendment by voice vote. A Barre City member then offered a wetlands amendment to limit Class 2 wetland buffers in targeted housing areas, arguing it would support housing in designated growth areas while still protecting most wetlands; after discussion, the member withdrew the amendment. The House then passed S.325 in concurrence with proposal of amendment by voice vote. The House next postponed action on S.208, relating to standards for law enforcement identification, for two legislative days. It then considered S.209, prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations. The Judiciary Committee explained that the bill expands existing civil-arrest protections beyond court proceedings to include schools, government buildings, DMV offices, libraries, polling places, social service sites, places of worship, camps, and health care facilities, while preserving exceptions for judicial warrants, court orders, contempt, and court security. The committee also described changes to remedies and definitions, including exclusions for temporary custody during a mental health crisis. Testimony cited included representatives from medical, immigrant justice, legal, library, municipal, faith, education, and civil rights groups; the bill was reported favorably by Judiciary on a 6-5 vote. A Bennington member offered an amendment to S.209 that would remove the governor’s statutory exemption to authorize 287(g) agreements, arguing such agreements can undermine due process, public safety, and trust in law enforcement. The Judiciary Committee had already found the amendment not germane, and the member withdrew it. Debate then continued on the committee-recommended bill, with a Sheldon member speaking from a law-enforcement perspective to argue Vermont already does not conduct civil immigration arrests and warning the bill could create confusion and liability for officers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before final action on S.209 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark for legislation to clarify the operation of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments comes from
• Court officer will notify the Democratic members of the Democratic caucus in rooms A1 and A2 on Wednesday
• Court officer will notify the Democratic members of the Democratic caucus in rooms A1 and A2 on Wednesday

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules recommendations. It adopted two commemorative resolutions: one honoring the Norton Public Library during 2026 National Library Week and another commemorating Middleton’s new Municipal Complex. The House also adopted an order extending until May 22, 2026, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Education on House Order C 5367, and concurred in a Senate petition concerning the Franklin Regional Council of Governments. In addition, Joint Rule 12 was suspended for a petition on assisted living residences, referred to the Committee on Aging and Independence. The Committee on Steering and Policy recommended several bills for House consideration, including a Tewksbury charter change on the town manager residency requirement, a bill reducing tax liability for grandparents raising grandchildren, a bill on fraternal organizations conducting bazaars, a Boston land/easements bill, and a Bourne alcohol license bill. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave these bills second readings, and ordered them to a third reading. It then passed House Bill 4621, changing the Boylston Board of Selectmen to Select Board, to be enacted. Under orders of the day, the House passed to be engrossed House Bills 4702 (exempting certain Leominster police positions from civil service), 5053 (establishing a charter for Orange), and 5097 (allowing Salem to convert seasonal alcohol licenses to annual licenses). House Bill 4201, changing Chicopee’s mayoral term from two years to four years, was amended to specify that the change would be held in 2027, and then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House also adopted an order to meet again the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There haven't been very many public meetings on the calendar so far with the governor and legislative
• Some members of your caucus have raised concerns about the potential Medicaid cuts, and I think someone
• well some background and all of that as well some members<00:14:37.199> your<00:14:37.399> caucus
• <00:14:37.839> have<00:14:38.440> raised<00:14:38.839> concerns members your caucus
• have raised concerns members your caucus have raised concerns about<00:14:39.480> the<00:14:39.639

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um that's my quick caucus or something.
• It just issue not legislative issue.
• <00:43:52.160> fiscal than the joint legislative fiscal than the joint legislative fiscal
• committee to the joint legislative committee to the joint legislative historic<01:35:22.719>
• Um, so if there's no legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moran for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for James Caruso, an employee of the Massachusetts
• For the edification of the members, a Democratic caucus will be at 12 noon in Room A1. Mr.
• These new rules will streamline our legislative process, hopefully ending legislative logjam, and making
• These changes will also streamline the joint legislative process to remote legislative efficiency, including
• to remote legislative efficiency.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House received a gubernatorial message requesting certain fiscal year 2026 appropriations before final action on the general appropriation bill, and referred it to the Committee on Ways and Means. It also adopted several congratulatory and honorary resolutions, including recognitions for retiring members and public servants, and later welcomed a number of guests and honorees to the chamber. The main legislative business was House Bill 423, establishing a sick leave bank for James Caruso of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. After the Public Service Committee reported the bill ought to pass, the House suspended the rules, gave it a second reading, and ordered it to a third reading. Later, the House also took up House No. 1590, a sick leave bank bill for Eric Inakwick of the Trial Court, adopted an amendment adding an emergency preamble, and passed it to be engrossed as amended. A major action of the day was adoption of the conference committee report on the joint rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session. Members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing reforms intended to improve transparency, public access, committee notice, live streaming, posting of votes and summaries online, and more efficient handling of legislation. The report was adopted by roll call, 147-2. The House also approved an order transferring matters from the Joint Committee on Agriculture to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, and from Elder Affairs to Aging and Independence. The House briefly questioned quorum several times, then recessed and later adjourned to meet Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session. The chamber also recognized the retirement of Chief Court Officer Gene DePersio, with remarks entered into the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the chamber from interfering with legislative
• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• The Women's Caucus has led in ensuring there's childcare for women in the trades, and we have worked
• to pass legislation that would make these workplaces better when it comes to PPE, to restroom facilities
• as an ally, in part because I have three daughters, I'm a feminist, and I voted for every Women's Caucus

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then handled routine procedural business, including dispensing with the journal reading, re-referring AB 2022, and rescinding prior action on SCR 112. Several bills on the second reading file and concurrence file were passed and retained, while reconsideration items were continued. The chamber then moved to third reading items and consent calendar business. The main substantive item was ACR 145, by Assemblymember Koloza, declaring March 1-7, 2026 as National Women in Construction Week. Koloza, Davies, Bauer-Kahan, and Arambula spoke in support, emphasizing the need to expand opportunities for women in the trades, improve apprenticeship pipelines, address barriers such as childcare, transportation, safety, and restroom access, and support women-owned construction businesses. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 67 co-authors were added. On the second-day consent calendar, ACR 135 on School Breakfast Week was also taken up for co-authors, with 66 added, and the consent calendar passed 65-0, including ACR 135, ACR 144, and SCR 122. The Assembly also observed an adjournment in memory for Eileen Hubb, and the house adjourned until Monday, March 9 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are up here on the dais behind the speaker. like to recognize our 2025 Tarleton legislative interns
• These young leaders have actively engaged in our legislative process. gaining first-hand experience and
• Teaching students interact with elected officials, participate in mock legislative sessions, and develop
• The nation is here today to learn more about the legislative process, gain exposure to elected officials
• Adjournment today, the Texas House Republican Caucus. We'll have a caucus meeting in. room E2030.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'd like to invite up our co-chair of the POC Caucus, Leigh Kuslansky.
• Paul, to pass legislation to repeal César Chávez Day in Minnesota.
• Paul, to pass legislation to repeal César Chávez Day in Minnesota.
• Paul, to pass legislation to repeal César Chávez Day in Minnesota.
• Pass legislation to repeal César Chávez Day in Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, are you ready to maybe go into the room for a short caucus before we come out and decide? Sure.
• room<00:08:23.919> for<00:08:24.080> a<00:08:24.200> short<00:08:24.680> caucus
• c><00:08:25.280> before<00:08:25.560> we<00:08:25.680> come room for a short caucus
• before we come room for a short caucus before we come out<00:08:26.080> and<00:08:26.360>
• We're back from a short caucus.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The Committee of Conference met on Senate Bill 429, which concerns a non-germane amendment related to the Parents’ Bill of Rights recording statute. Senate staff explained that the bill already exempted public events from the recording restriction, but a drafting issue in the underlying statute could be read to allow recording anywhere in a school whenever a public event was occurring. The proposed fix was a one-word change, replacing “during” with “of,” to make clear the exemption applies at a public event rather than merely during one. A House member asked whether the clarification affected the House amendment, and the Senate responded that it did not; the change was in the underlying statute and was being corrected now to avoid returning next year. The committee then recessed briefly for caucus. After returning, the Senate receded to the House position with the suggested word change in amendment 2026-1997S. The committee took a voice vote, with all members present voting in favor and none opposed. The members then agreed to place the report on the consent calendar, and both the Senate and House indicated they were willing to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• 10 bills on the agenda today, but thanks to the great work of committee staff and the Republican caucus
• 10 bills on the agenda today, but thanks to the great work of committee staff and the Republican caucus
• We do not have an oversight entity that is doing those types of things, and that's why legislators, at
• Similar legislation has been proposed and passed in other states such as Utah, where Sherry Frankie,
• This bill is sponsored by the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and is supported by the ACLU of California

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard a long agenda focused largely on AI-related consumer protection, child safety, and privacy bills. Members first adopted the consent calendar, then took up SB 1050, which would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated or synthetic performers. Supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, Common Sense Media, and labor groups, said consumers should know when an ad depicts a non-human performer and that the bill protects both consumers and workers. Opponents from TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and business groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked a deception standard, could burden accessibility uses and short audio ads, and created litigation risk. The committee voted the bill out on a party-line-leaning roll, with several members noting concerns but supporting continued work on the measure. The committee also approved SB 1111, which creates liability and remedies for non-consensual digital replicas using a person’s voice or likeness, and SB 1146, which targets deceptive AI-generated health advertisements that depict synthetic health care providers. Both measures drew support from consumer, labor, medical, and child-safety advocates and faced no formal opposition. Members emphasized the need to prevent deepfake abuse, especially in health-related ads where consumers could be misled into trusting fake doctors or medical endorsements. Several child- and privacy-focused bills were also heard and advanced. SB 867 would place a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children, with supporters warning about harmful content, addictive design, and privacy risks; some opposition raised definitional concerns and asked for clearer standards. SB 1247 would give child influencers the right to delete monetized content posted during their minority, and it moved forward without opposition. SB 1000 updated California’s AI Transparency Act to align content provenance rules with newer technology and international standards, with support from Google and Adobe and no opposition. Finally, SB 957 would require social media companies to notify users when the federal government seeks their data through administrative subpoenas, give users time to challenge the request, and report disclosures; supporters framed it as a First Amendment and due process protection, while one member opposed it as an overreach against federal law enforcement. All of the measures discussed were reported out of committee, with several rolls left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moore, legislation relative to medication administration in rest homes, severally to the Committee on
• Court officers notified the Democratic members of a Democratic caucus in Room A1 and A2 at 12 noon.
• Court officers notified the Democratic members of a Democratic caucus in room A1 and A2 at 12 new.
• Speaker, I also join my colleague in hoping that the body support this legislation. Thank you.
• Support this legislation. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House received a Governor’s message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions, including honors for Abby Goodman, a resolution reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognition of the Cambodian-American community’s Khmer New Year celebration, and Elks National Youth Week; the House suspended the rules and approved them. The House also concurred with Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes, sending them to the Committee on Aging and Independence. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended a substitute bill, House 5375, with a $2.737 billion general obligation bond authorization, and the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, the House took up House 5375 directly, heard support from members emphasizing Chapter 90 road funding, municipal flexibility, rural road mileage distribution, and broader transportation investments, and then passed the bill to be engrossed by roll call vote, 155-0. The House also passed House Bill 5371, authorizing grants of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston, to be engrossed. In addition, the chamber received and filed the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s report on the March 31, 2026 special election for the 5th Essex District, adopted an order to escort the Governor and Executive Council into the chamber, and administered the oaths of office to Representative-elect Andrew Tarr. The session ended with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• operating engineers, and a legislative operating engineers, and a legislative aid<02:12:26.239><
• <02:19:26.639> days all members have five legislative days all members have five legislative
• <02:52:18.560> is<02:52:18.720> their legislative process, which is their legislative process
• <02:52:33.920> when the legislative process operates when the legislative process operates
• Veterans deserve our best legislative efforts, not legislation that creates more problems than it solves

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus offering testimony in support.
• <00:38:40.560> offering Hawaii Education Caucus offering Hawaii Education Caucus offering
• new for legislative action again? new for legislative action again?
• Next, we have the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus offering testimony and support.
• <01:00:58.720> offering Hawaii Education Caucus offering Hawaii Education Caucus offering

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools. SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations. SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sha moved to inexpedient to legislate House Bill 245. Representative Rhods seconded the motion.
• The motion on the floor is inexpedient to legislate. Vice Chair Roads voted yes.
• uh Vice chair roads yes legislate uh Vice chair roads yes representative<00:16:22.519> PR<00:
• doesn't work for board and um our caucus doesn't work for the<00:30:08.960> school<00:30:09.159
• Representative M said he wanted to state for the other members of the caucus that the sponsor did send

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the founder of the Kentucky Caucus.
• a panel at the national conference of state legislators on the North American wildlife model.
• <00:13:30.000> I'm<00:13:30.240> Rocky of the Kentucky Caucus.
• I'm Rocky of the Kentucky Caucus.
• <00:13:32.880> of Mountain Elk uh foundation legislator of Mountain Elk uh foundation legislator

Keywords: Meeting start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:37 SB 39 discussion: 04:10 SB 39 vote: 26:35, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met with a quorum and first heard a brief presentation from Vice Chair Frommeyer on a resolution recognizing January as Kentucky Mentoring Month. She highlighted mentoring as important for personal, academic, and professional development and cited partnerships such as Northern Kentucky University’s Norse Network Hub and local community mentoring efforts. The committee then took up Senate Bill 39, sponsored by Senator Gary Boswell, which would treat fish in private lakes and ponds as the property of the landowner and allow landowners to extend fishing rights by written or electronic permission. Boswell and supporter Jason Kenner argued the bill would strengthen property rights, reduce burdensome regulation, support selective harvest and stocking decisions, and could boost tourism, local economies, and aquaculture. Kenner also described bass fishing’s economic impact, youth fishing growth, and examples of tournaments and habitat projects in Kentucky. Boswell said the bill does not change fishing license requirements and does not alter invasive species rules except to clarify that largemouth bass, including F1 Florida bass, are not invasive. Commissioner Rich Storm and other members raised concerns that the bill’s language could affect the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fee-based funding, federal grant eligibility, enforcement authority, and creel-limit cases, especially if written permission on private waters were interpreted broadly. Senator Webb said she supported the idea of bass stocking but wanted more guardrails and a pilot approach. Senator Howell asked whether Boswell would consider further work on the language, but Boswell declined to accept a committee substitute or amendment at that time. The committee then voted 8-1 with one pass to report the bill favorably, and the chair announced the bill would be reported with favorable expression that it should pass.