Transcript Highlights:

• It spells out the process by which these districts would be adopted.
• It spells out the process by which these districts would be adopted.
• So Indiana actually does this, and so it's optional for school districts.
• school districts are doing it.
• Seeing no further questions, Chair, I'll entertain a motion.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on economic development, infrastructure, and education policy. SB 1530, described as a research and development ecosystem bill, would encourage universities, businesses, and industry to partner to strengthen Oklahoma’s high-tech economy; it passed 29-0. SB 1847, a measure aimed at helping Oklahomans avoid nursing home placement and reduce costs, also passed 29-0. SB 1990 would require the Incentive Evaluation Commission to send its annual report to the Secretary of State and expand its review of incentives to include broader comparative analysis and strategic economic goals; it passed 28-0. The committee also considered SB 2060, the Build Act, which is intended to help small towns finance upfront infrastructure costs for development. Members raised concerns about independent boards, debt, assessments, zoning authority, and accountability, and the author said an adopted amendment was meant to preserve city and county control over planning and infrastructure protections. The bill passed 22-5. SB 1992, a Department of Commerce cleanup bill, passed 27-2. Later, the committee took up SB 1579, a taxpayer bill of rights, which passed 26-0. SB 1778, agreed-upon reading legislation language that cleans up formulas and clarifies the SRA formula and related reading provisions, also passed 28-0. The chair noted upcoming longer Appropriations and J-CAB meetings and then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll conclude, but 30 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have already raised their minimum wage
• Glorioso's district.
• So I know you don't necessarily have any options for exceptions, but would you entertain that?
• ...options for exceptions, but would you entertain that? Representative Melvin. Think about that.
• Why do we, you call somebody John or Sally, why are we even entertaining pronouns?

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 162, which would change the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule appeals process by allowing additional medical evidence submitted in court to be sent back to the medical director for review and a new opinion. The Attorney General’s office explained the bill, noting a 30-day deadline for the medical director to act before the case returns to court. The bill drew support from injured workers and several business and labor groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments and then reported the bill favorably without objection. House Bill 353, which would establish a state minimum wage starting at $12 in 2027, rising to $15 in 2029 and then indexed to inflation, prompted extensive testimony and debate. Supporters, including the sponsor, Invest in Louisiana, the Workplace Justice Project, 10,000 Women Louisiana, and the AFL-CIO, argued that Louisiana’s wages have lagged behind living costs, that many workers remain in poverty despite working, and that higher wages would help families and local economies. Opponents, including NFIB and several members, argued that the market is already setting wages above the federal minimum in many jobs, that a mandate would raise costs, compress pay scales, reduce hours or jobs, and hurt small businesses. After discussion, the committee voted on the bill and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reported Senate Bill 383 favorably with amendments. That bill expands the incumbent worker training program by increasing funding flexibility, shortening the business eligibility period from three years to two, and allowing unobligated funds to roll over. Members and the Louisiana Works secretary discussed workforce training, outreach, and how to connect workers to existing training programs and high-demand jobs. The committee also reported Senate Bill 382 favorably, which repeals the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and began hearing House Bill 422, the “Behind-the-Counter Safety Act,” aimed at workplace violence protections for retail and food service workers, including signage, reporting, and enhanced penalties; the sponsor explained it was intended to address attacks on frontline workers and to give businesses a tool to warn against violence.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up is HB 1737, clarifying the allowable uses within the ag district with respect to farm dwellings
• First up is HB 1737, clarifying the allowable uses within the ag district with respect to farm dwellings
• Um would [clears throat] DLNR entertain<00:33:15.960><c> the</c><00:33:16.040><c> idea</c><00:33:16.480
• the idea if we took some of entertain the idea if we took some of your<00:33:17.560><c> budget</c><00
• the idea of any product going entertain the idea of any product going into<01:38:52.760><c> going</c

Bills: HB1736 , HB1620 , HB1695

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Harris, Idaho State Senate, Legislative District 35. Here to present.
• Senate Legislative District 35 here to present RS 331-30.
• Next we'll entertain RS 330-20. Senator Ward Engelking, welcome to committee.
• Janie Ward Engel King, District 18, Senator, and good morning.
• Thank you, Janie Ward Engel King, District 18, Senator, and good morning, Chairman and Committee.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the gallery are four of my summer interns from my district and capital offices right up here.
• in the 8th Councilmatic District as a council aide.
• I was excited that he hired me to work in the 8th Councilmatic District as a council aide.
• These are all high schools in my district.
• Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and opened with a prayer, a Father’s Day reflection, and a moment of silence for the victims of the Minnesota lawmaker shooting. Members then moved through guest introductions recognizing student legislative programs, Black conservation leaders, interns, and first responders, including an off-duty firefighter who saved a driver’s life. The chamber also heard multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, most notably for former Senator and Los Angeles Councilman Nate Holden, whose civil rights and housing discrimination work was highlighted, along with tributes to Stephen Golden Kranz, Emily Carpenter, and Doug Kranwinkel. On the Daily File, the Assembly adopted ACR 90, Assembly Member Gibson’s resolution recognizing Juneteenth. The measure drew strong support from multiple caucuses, including the Latino, Jewish, LGBTQ, Women’s, and AAPI caucuses, with members emphasizing Juneteenth’s historical significance, the legacy of slavery, and the continuing need to combat racism and inequality. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 66 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 92, Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez’s resolution declaring June 2025 as Electronic Dance Music Month in California. Supporters described EDM as a cultural and economic force rooted in diverse communities and praised its values of inclusion and unity; the resolution received 65 co-authors and passed by voice vote. Finally, HR 45, Assembly Member Castillo’s resolution for Animal Rights Awareness Week, was adopted by voice vote after 55 co-authors were added, with the author and a guest from Sierra Pacific Fur Babies speaking about animal rescue and welfare work. The session ended with announcements and adjournment until June 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:09.119><c> 25,</c> and I represent Hillsboro District 25, and I represent Hillsboro District
• It’s a local option bill that defines social districts and allows municipalities to create social districts
• The city called the social district. What happened? Well, we did the social district.
• </c><01:12:02.000><c> called</c> business owners social district called business owners social district
• </c> Greenville in Hillsboro County District Greenville in Hillsboro County District 36.<01:34:15.760

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Administratively, the county can and is working on a JPA with Hope and Ducor Water Districts.
• In the meantime, if anybody would like to enjoy ice cream, there’s ice cream from my district since you
• In the meantime, if anybody would like to enjoy ice cream, there’s ice cream from my district since you
• It looks like we have a quorum, and then we’ll entertain a motion and we’ll go from there.

Summary: The Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee met with a short agenda and initially lacked a quorum, so the chair began with bill presentations before taking formal action. Assemblymember Macedo presented AB 568, explaining that it would help Tulare County and the Tulare Sub-Basin comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act by providing a stable groundwater sustainability agency structure after the local joint powers authority became fractured. Tulare County grants and resources manager Denise England testified in support, describing the basin’s overdraft conditions, the breakdown of the existing JPA, and the county’s need for a long-term entity to implement SGMA. No opposition testimony was offered. After quorum was established, the committee took up AB 568 and the consent item ACR 107. Members voted to concur in Senate amendments on AB 568 and to approve ACR 107 on the consent calendar, with both measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous aye votes from members present. The chair also noted that Assemblymember Lackey was substituting for an absent member and that the committee would leave the roll open briefly for add-ons before concluding. The meeting ended with final votes recorded, including Assemblymember Lackey’s aye votes on both AB 568 and ACR 107, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Administration, customer service, and entertainment industries.
• Aaron Avery, California Special Districts Association, respectfully with an opposed and less amended
• Good afternoon, Madam Chair, Aaron Avery, California Special Districts Association, respectfully with
• Ethan Nagler, on behalf of the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts, respectfully
• Aaron Avery, California Special District Association, respectfully opposed. Good afternoon.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker protections, AI in the workplace, bereavement leave, and construction labor standards. SB 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would increase public works contractor registration fees, raise prevailing wage and related penalties, and direct half of collected penalties back into the Public Works Enforcement Fund. Supporters said the bill would help combat wage theft and misclassification and strengthen enforcement; opponents argued the higher fees and penalties would burden contractors without fixing enforcement backlogs. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to Appropriations. The committee also approved SB 951 by Senator Reyes, which would require 60-day notice when 25 or more workers are displaced by technology and require reporting on AI-related job impacts. Supporters framed it as a response to rapid AI-driven layoffs and a way to gather real-time data; opponents raised concerns about small employers, proprietary information, and litigation. SB 947 by Senator McNerney, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” would require human review of automated discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and restrict predictive behavior analysis. Supporters said it would prevent biased or mistaken automated decisions; opponents objected to the inclusion of independent contractors, private rights of action, and other provisions. Both bills were advanced to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee also passed SB 1149 by Senator Durazo, which would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person,” including chosen family relationships. Supporters, including AARP and a witness who described losing a long-term partner, said the bill reflects modern family structures; there was no opposition. In addition, SB 1185 by Senator Cortese, applying skilled and trained workforce standards to pharmaceutical facility construction, was approved despite opposition from business and construction groups who said there was no demonstrated safety problem and that the mandate could raise costs and reduce competition. Several other bills on the consent calendar were also approved, and all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> If not, entertain a motion. If not, entertain a motion.
• If not, entertain a motion. Uh title sufficient do pass.
• If not, entertain a motion. Uh title sufficient do pass.
• If not, entertain a motion. Uh title sufficient do pass.
• If not, entertain a motion. Uh title sufficient do pass.

Committee: Joint Business and Financial Institutions

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 210; 28 January, 2026: 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 104, which is in St.
• District 104, which is in St.
• Well, they didn't have to go to the entertainment venues.
• And you also had to show a vaccination car to get into entertainment venues.
• Well, they didn't have to go to the entertainment venues.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 and approved the minutes from the prior week before taking up a series of House bills, many of them with testimony from sponsors, agency officials, and stakeholders. Early action included HB 971, which would direct LDH to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; the sponsor described a significant payment disparity and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also deferred HB 1030 and HB 796 until the following week before moving to other items on the agenda. Several bills dealing with Medicaid and provider regulation were advanced. HB 414, as amended, closes a loophole so health care providers cannot hire unlicensed workers with certain serious out-of-state convictions; amendments addressed effective dates, FBI background-check issues for therapeutic group homes, and delays for direct support professional applicants caused by minor record issues. HB 740, as amended, creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims disputes in the coordinated system of care for behavioral health providers, with amendments clarifying applicability dates and program definitions. HB 786, which prohibits extrapolation in managed care claims recoupments and requires recovery to be based on actual overpayments or underpayments, was also reported favorably. HB 915 set timelines and accountability standards for prior authorization and utilization management in Medicaid managed care and was reported favorably after testimony about delays in care. The committee also heard and passed several bills affecting health professions and facilities. HB 405 simply updates the name of the national acupuncture certification body. HB 1095 allows nursing homes to use alternative power sources while keeping existing generator and fuel requirements. HB 557 defines long-term care pharmacies for policy purposes. HB 779 authorizes expedited partner therapy prescriptions for certain sexually transmitted diseases. HB 933 creates an optional commemorative birth certificate, with part of the fee going to the Office of Women’s Health. HB 796, carried by another representative for the author, establishes a chiropractic preceptorship program with on-site supervision requirements and was reported favorably after questions about student training and patient safety. The committee also heard emotionally charged testimony on HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and patient communication. Several witnesses described the distress caused by current coding language, and supporters said the change would make records more compassionate and understandable; the bill was reported favorably. HB 403 increased the cottage food gross-sales cap, and after testimony from small producers and the committee’s discussion of other states’ higher limits, an amendment raised the cap to $150,000 before the bill was reported favorably. HB 930 modernizes cosmetic-product regulation and creates a small home-based producer exemption under a wholesale-sales threshold; it was also reported favorably. Finally, HB 1041, a no-mandate bill restricting discrimination based on medical intervention status, prompted extended debate over exemptions for schools, hospitals, and other entities, with one amendment failing on a roll-call vote and the discussion continuing over the scope of the bill and federal funding concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, first, if we're going to entertain snarky comments by a bill author, um, I think it's certainly warranted
• thank you chair um first if we're going thank you chair um first if we're going to<00:05:03.720><c> entertain
• 04.840><c> comments</c><00:05:05.400><c> by</c><00:05:05.560><c> a</c><00:05:05.680><c> bill</c> to entertain
• snarky comments by a bill to entertain snarky comments by a bill author<00:05:06.680><c> um</c><00:05
• thank the many many constituents<00:13:31.399><c> in</c><00:13:31.560><c> my</c><00:13:31.720><c> district

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• financing districts.
• AB 1894 was introduced in response to concerns from several water districts.
• I rise in strong support of H.R. 137 on behalf of Assembly District 13.
• AB 1809 extends the sunset authorizing school districts and community college districts to use job order
• Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we'll entertain a motion. So we'll call the roll for quorum. Senators Wiener?
• I will entertain a motion.
• Brendan Rikki, on behalf of Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District. You're sponsoring AB 1919.
• Particularly in my district, I represent the border region, Assembly District 80.
• MTS is a strong ridership market, with almost I represent the border region, Assembly District 80.

Summary: The committee heard several election and democracy-related bills. AB 1116 would expand California’s online voter registration system to allow eligible voters without a DMV-issued ID to register using the last four digits of their Social Security number and an uploaded signature image. Supporters said it would improve access, reduce paper processing, and save money; opponents, including the Secretary of State’s office and county officials, raised concerns about cybersecurity, implementation, and identity verification. The bill was moved on a 2-1 vote to the Committee on Appropriations. AB 1539 would require political party representatives to certify, under penalty of perjury, that presidential and vice presidential nominees meet constitutional term-limit requirements. Supporters framed it as a safeguard against attempts to place ineligible candidates on the ballot, while opponents called it unnecessary and politically motivated. The committee voted 2-1 to send the bill to the Committee on Public Safety. The committee also approved AB 1562, which would let counties randomly select registered voters to serve as poll workers if their board of supervisors approves, and AB 1664, which would require prompt notice to the Secretary of State and Attorney General when election records or voting systems are subject to warrants, subpoenas, or investigations. AB 1562 passed 2-0 to the Committee on Transportation, and AB 1664 passed 2-1 to the Committee on Public Safety despite opposition from sheriffs’ representatives who argued it raised separation-of-powers concerns. Later, AB 1853, which would restrict candidate statements in voter information guides to factual background and qualifications and bar hateful or misleading content, passed 2-1 to the Committee on Rules for further consideration in Judiciary. AB 1919, allowing voters in the Santa Cruz Metro district to decide on transit funding procedures, and AB 2484, allowing San Diego MTS voters to authorize a local transit tax through initiative, also advanced on 3-1 votes to the Committee on Transportation. The committee additionally approved a consent agenda containing AB 1789, AB 2592, AB 2655, and AB 2785.

Transcript Highlights:

• , carriage driving, transportation, ...finds largely what a working animal is: hunting, entertainment
• McCann, in your district, where we had a case, Ms. McCann, in your district, where...
• My name is Brandon Shippy, Senator for District 9.
• Representative Raymond, I represent Legislative District 31.
• and District 9.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and then heard Senate Bill 1241 as amended, known as the Working Animal Protection Act or “Leilani’s Law.” The sponsors said the bill is intended to protect working animals used in agriculture, ranching, hunting, transportation, education, and related activities from local ordinances that would effectively ban or unduly restrict them. Testimony in support came from family members, FFA students, the Idaho Farm Bureau, and others who described working animals as well cared for and important to Idaho’s agricultural heritage. One testifier from Horse and Halo raised concerns that the bill could limit animal welfare oversight or create conflicts when inspections or local rules affect operations, but the sponsors said the bill does not override existing animal cruelty and care laws and still allows the Department of Agriculture to enforce them. The committee then passed SB 1241 as amended to the House floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered Senate Joint Memorial 110, which urges Congress and the President to update federal sugar policy, especially the tier-two over-quota duty, to better protect Idaho’s sugar beet industry from low-priced, subsidized imports. The bill sponsor and industry witnesses from the Snake River Sugar Beet Growers Association and Amalgamated Sugar said world sugar markets are distorted by subsidies in countries such as Brazil, Thailand, and India, and that Idaho growers are facing rising costs and market pressure. The committee approved the memorial and sent SJM 110 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The final agenda item was the annual report from Candy Fitch, executive director of the Idaho Apple, Cherry, and Hop commissions. She reviewed market conditions for hops, apples, and cherries, noting reduced hop acreage, continued pressure on apple prices, and a difficult cherry market affected by crop timing, pricing, and export uncertainty. She also described specialty crop grant-funded promotions, trade missions, and commission budgets, and announced her retirement at the end of June. Committee members thanked her for her long service to Idaho agriculture and to the committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It defines largely what a working animal is: hunting, entertainment, carriage driving, transportation
• McCann, in your district, where we had a case, Ms. McCann, in your district, where...
• My name is Brandon Shippy, Senator for District 9.
• Representative Raymond, I represent Legislative District 31.
• and District 9.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I accepted another promotional position as a deputy district manager in District 3, working out of the
• I accepted another promotionary position as a deputy district manager in district three working out of
• the Caldwell office and then I was promoted again to District Manager in District 3, working out of
• My question is just about ISLITS, if that's okay with the chair to entertain that.
• I will entertain a motion. Chairman, go ahead, Senator. I move that we approve docket 11-1002-2501.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee began its first meeting of the session by introducing two pages, Emmy Roberts of Lewiston and Cooper Smith of Nampa, who each described their backgrounds and interest in serving. The committee then considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Commission on Pardons and Parole: reappointment candidate Scott Smith and new appointee Dylan Hobson. Both testified about their public service backgrounds and approach to parole decisions, emphasizing public safety, individualized review, rehabilitation, and the importance of prison programming and supervision. Members asked about parole factors, the rider program for sex offenders, the role of politics, workload, and whether the system is working well. The committee did not vote on the appointments at this meeting, noting that votes would be taken at a later meeting. The committee then took up several Idaho State Police rule dockets. Lieutenant Colonel Russ Wheatley presented rule cleanups for civil asset forfeiture, the Idaho Public Safety and Security Information System (ISLITS), state criminal history records, and the sex offender registry. He repeatedly stated the changes were non-substantive, mostly simplifying language, deleting duplication, or updating the sex offender registry rule to match a new photo-transfer process after DMV system changes. The committee approved each of those rule dockets after brief discussion and no public comment. The final and most extensive item was the pending Idaho Rules of Administrative Procedure update presented by Chief Administrative Law Judge Brian Nichols. He explained the changes were driven by recent statutory modernization, field testing of the 2024 rules, and a new rule addressing artificial intelligence in administrative contested cases. Nichols said the AI provisions are aimed at transparency, disclosure, and safeguards against misuse, while preserving access for self-represented parties; he also said ALJs themselves are barred from using AI in deciding cases. Members questioned whether avatars should be allowed to present testimony or argument, and some expressed concern about abuse, but the committee ultimately approved the pending rule docket, with one senator stating he would have preferred a stricter prohibition on avatars. The meeting ended after all rule dockets were approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:41.400><c> Incentive</c> and the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive and the Kentucky Entertainment
• :08.720><c> that</c><00:20:08.840><c> we're</c> public school districts that we're public school districts
• He added that sometimes the public has questions about that, and he knows that in his district there
• Additionally, this group is also collaborative with the Lumed District.
• So we're trying to tie Lumed District.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its January 13 meeting and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, with members repeatedly voting to review items without objection. The chair noted the agenda included 227 contracts totaling about $89.5 million, all with vendors registered with the Secretary of State. Most items were approved after brief discussion and roll-call votes. Several contracts drew questions. Kentucky State University explained two four-month contracts tied to its online academic program: one for continued implementation support and one for marketing. University officials said the program is in a transition year under a management improvement plan, that the university owns the intellectual property, and that the marketing effort is aimed at growing enrollment in targeted programs such as business and social work. They reported online enrollment had grown from 74 students to 612, with an overall university enrollment of 2,872, and said the goal is to reach about 1,000 online students by fall. The committee approved both items, though Senator Douglas said he would keep watching university spending. The Department of Education presented a contract cancellation for administrative reviews of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. Officials said USDA changed the review requirement from every three years to every five years, making the outside contract unnecessary because internal staff can now handle the work. The committee approved the cancellation. The Transportation Cabinet also explained an increase to a professional services contract for engineering work on a section of KY 54 in Owensboro, describing it as preliminary design and commissioning work for a multi-section roadway project; the committee approved that item as well. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation sought approval for an amendment tied to its iLottery platform. Officials said the increase reflected higher sales volume, since the contract structure causes prize and platform-related expenses to rise as sales grow. The committee approved the amendment. The Department of Public Health also discussed a perinatal psychiatry consultation program funded by a five-year federal HRSA grant; members raised concerns about what would happen if federal support changes, but no action beyond discussion was noted in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• If anybody has any particular questions, we will otherwise entertain a motion.
• If anybody has any particular questions, we will otherwise entertain a motion.
• If anybody has any particular questions, we will otherwise entertain a motion.
• If anybody has any particular questions, we will otherwise entertain a motion.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:10 HB 13 Discussion 00:01:05 HB 13 Vote 00:03:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee met in special session and took up House Bill 13, a brief measure related to flood relief and tax filing issues. Representative Bojanowski explained that the bill would align Kentucky’s Department of Revenue with the federal deadline for 2024 income tax returns, allowing affected taxpayers and businesses in the FEMA-declared disaster area to extend filing and payment deadlines without penalties, with emergency provisions waiving certain impositions and penalties. The committee adopted PHS 1 to House Bill 13, then voted on the bill as amended. After no further questions, the roll call resulted in 16 yes votes and 0 no votes, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also considered and adopted a title amendment by motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adam Cignon, with California Advocates, on behalf of Mesa Water District, in support. Thank you.
• I played at Whittier College and Senator Archuleta's district.
• At this moment, I will entertain a motion. So moved by Senator Choi. The motion is to...
• I would now entertain a motion. Move by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas.
• I will entertain a motion at this time. Moved by Senator Choi.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the State Assembly Member for California's 7th Assembly District.
• I'm the State Assembly Member for California's 7th Assembly District, including many of our communities
• Public media is not just entertainment.
• I think they're frightening for the entertainment part of our business.
• It's entertaining, thought-provoking, deeply researched, and rooted in science and society.

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media, with Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Akilah Weber Pierson framing public media as essential civic infrastructure for education, local news, arts, emergency alerts, and underserved communities. Local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voiced support, emphasizing public media’s role in trusted information, children’s programming, and community arts access. Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, Rebuild Local News, NPR, KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR described significant budget losses, layoffs, reduced programming, and threats to rural and specialized services. They highlighted impacts on children’s educational content, local journalism, arts coverage, science and documentary production, and emergency alert systems. Several speakers noted that smaller stations in rural or low-broadband areas are especially vulnerable, while larger stations are also cutting staff and delaying projects. They also discussed possible responses such as shared services, cost reductions, philanthropy, and state support, while warning that one-time bridge funding is not a long-term fix. Committee members asked about operational changes, alternative revenue sources, the role of state programs, and whether public pressure could restore federal funding. Witnesses said the loss is already being felt, that restoration appears unlikely in the near term, and that any state support should be structured to protect editorial independence and provide stable, timely funding. The hearing concluded with a shift to labor and production testimony and then to station-specific testimony from KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR, followed by public comment.