Transcript Highlights:

• . >> DAN HENDERSON TALLAHASSEE LEAGUE OF COLLABORATIVE.
• WE FOSTER COMMUNITY COLLABORATION BETWEEN PUBLIC, PRIVATE, FAITH BASED GROUPS, NONPROFITS.
• WE CODIFIED COLLABORATION WITH STATE AGENCIES. SIMILAR TO WHAT SENATOR BURGESS BILL WAS DOING.
• VISIT FLORIDA IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.
• STRONG COMMITMENT TO GETTING VETERANS TRAINED AND HIRED THROUGH INNOVATIVE SERVICES AND STRATEGIC COLLABORATION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also, in close collaboration with the Council General of Korea and other Korean organizations in Hawaii
• </c> belonging we work through collaboration belonging we work through collaboration and<00:56:59.160
• </c> people we serve our collaborative people we serve our collaborative efforts<01:13:48.280><c> have
• <03:51:46.359><c> and</c><03:51:46.560><c> coordination</c><03:51:47.239><c> of</c> collaboration and
• OY Executive Collaborative also not present. OY Creative Media Foundation also not present.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most research today is collaborative, The bill could disrupt federally funded research on which Louisiana
• Most research today is collaborative and often tied to federal funding.
• do appreciate that the council has created and, as it applies to private universities, is more collaborative
• and advisory. ...at universities is more collaborative and advisory, and it's not an override of the
• I can promise you that this effort has been collaborative.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Matt Morris, Latino Media Collaborative. ...simply doesn't perform the way it should.
• Hi, Matt Morris, Latino Media Collaborative.
• Hi, Matt Morris, Latino Media Collaborative, and I stand in support of this measure.
• So I appreciate the chair's collaboration and I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• So I appreciate the chair's collaboration and I respectfully ask for an I vote. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this is a rare moment of collaboration.
• Good morning, Kyle Jones, on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Water Collaborative Action Program, with
• On behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Water Collaborative Action Program with the support if amend and
• needs to answer a simple question: Is it possible to bring our state animal home responsibly, collaboratively
• Just as importantly, this bill strengthens and formalizes collaboration.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair Central Valley subsidence damage and Delta levees to protect State Water Project deliveries. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to safeguard water for 27 million Californians, prevent threats to life and billions in infrastructure, and address long-standing levee and canal vulnerabilities. Testimony in support came from Restore the Delta, the Central Coast Water Authority, and a broad coalition of water agencies, environmental groups, local governments, and business interests; one organization, the California Chamber of Commerce, supported if amended to include federal conveyance infrastructure. No opposition witnesses appeared. Members from both parties praised the bipartisan coalition and discussed funding, beneficiary-pays concerns, and the need to prioritize water infrastructure. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 872 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author and tribal co-sponsors framed the measure as a science-based, consultation-driven roadmap that would not authorize reintroduction but would evaluate habitat, impacts, and implementation. Supporters, including tribal representatives, conservation groups, and animal welfare organizations, emphasized the grizzly’s cultural significance, ecological role, and the value of planning for coexistence. Opposition came from retired and current law enforcement, county officials, ranching and hunting groups, and rural representatives, who raised public safety, staffing, livestock, and wildlife-management concerns, arguing the Department of Fish and Wildlife lacks resources for another apex predator. Committee members debated whether risk, public safety, local control, and potential reintroduction areas should be addressed earlier in the process. The author agreed to consider amendments on those points and on funding and local authority. The committee voted 4-1 to pass SB 1305 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill held on call. The committee also heard SB 1079, which would create a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to identify firefighter needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful wildfire tools. The author said the bill would formalize a pipeline from pilot projects to statewide use and build on existing Cal Fire technology efforts. Support came from Megafire Action, Fireworks, Aurora Tech, and the Orange County Fire Authority; the California Association of Realtors supported if amended to allow nonprofits to administer grants directly to homeowners. With no opposition testimony, the bill was moved on a 2-0 vote and held on call pending additional members. The committee later took up SB 997, a district bill for the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency that would grant lien authority so it can enforce groundwater fees and sustainability plan requirements without relying on civil litigation. Support came from water contractors, rural counties, and county associations; members discussed whether similar authority should be extended to other GSAs. The bill was moved on a 2-0 vote to Judiciary and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• We submitted written testimony in support and in collaboration with the Hawaii Association of Independent
• </c><00:09:09.519><c> with</c><00:09:09.680><c> the</c> support and in collaboration with the support
• and in collaboration with the Hawaii<00:09:10.240><c> Association</c><00:09:10.640><c> of</c><00:09:
• The change clarifies that both school-conditioned and donor-conditioned gifts. collaboration with the
• HIS collaboration with the HIS uh<00:10:21.040><c> leaders.

Bills: SB3123

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: conditional gifts, private education, scholarships, donor conditions, Hawaii education law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up three measures in decision-making. SB 2678, which would create a Judiciary working group to improve family court processes and youth access to legal representation in the child welfare system, was recommended for passage with amendments. The amendments would clarify that members with lived experience are those who have navigated the state child welfare system, replace an actively serving guardian ad litem with a former GAL, allow co-chairs to invite additional experts, and provide compensation for lived-experience members. The committee report would also recommend a $20,000 appropriation, and the motion passed without objection. SB 2528, a Campaign Spending Commission proposal to expand the partial public financing program and raise expenditure limits, was also recommended for passage with amendments and adopted without objection. The committee’s changes would increase the public-funds match to 4:1, raise the maximum public funding available to 20% for statewide executive offices and 25% for legislative and certain county offices, blank out the appropriation in the bill, and instead recommend $7.2 million in the committee report. Technical amendments would also rename the program for consistency and set the bill’s effective date to March 22, 2075. In a joint Judiciary/Education hearing, SB 3123 drew extensive testimony in support from the Governor’s office, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Hawaiian Council, Kamehameha Schools, and many private-school and community representatives. Supporters said the bill would clarify that donor-funded scholarships, grants, and tuition-free educational programs are charitable gifts rather than contractual obligations, giving donors and schools greater certainty and preserving educational access. Some members questioned whether the bill could affect Kamehameha Schools’ admissions practices or allow schools to avoid donor conditions; witnesses responded that the measure is intended to clarify donor intent, not change admissions, and that an opt-out clause would preserve the ability to create contractual agreements if the parties choose. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration, with no final vote reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been really important, and about three years ago, we started building a collaborative of state agencies
• So that workforce collaborative has been a key kind of outgrowth of need.
• The UC-CSU Collaborative for Dual Science Diversity and Learning is doing this kind of work among education
• We don't make it as easy as we could, which is why we put this collaborative together.
• At the state agency level to collaborate, getting a $20,000 residency stipend and a $20,000 Golden State

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 13 requires all managed care organizations to collaborate on the development of a shared scorecard
• Care section 13 requires all Managed Care organizations<00:12:33.639><c> to</c><00:12:33.839><c> collabor
• </c><00:12:34.680><c> to</c><00:12:34.959><c> collaborate</c> organizations to collabor to collaborate
• organizations to collabor to collaborate on<00:12:35.680><c> the</c><00:12:35.839><c> development</c

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 537 Discussion 00:01:30 HB 537 Vote 00:05:15 HB 695 Discussion 00:07:00 HB 695 Vote 00:23:15 HJR 31 Discussion 00:27:40 HJR 31 Vote 00:29:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 537, as amended by PHS 1, which was described as a technical measure needed to ensure Kentucky can receive opioid settlement funds despite changes in bankruptcy court orders. The sponsor and Attorney General’s office explained that the bill does not change the settlement formula or substantive terms, but adjusts the mechanism for receiving the money. After brief discussion, the committee adopted PHS 1 and then passed HB 537 out favorably on a 17-0 vote, with one member recording attendance after arriving late. The committee then considered House Bill 695, also amended by PHS 1, a Medicaid stabilization bill. The sponsor said the measure is intended to hold the program steady while the legislature gathers more information and awaits work by a future Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board. The bill would limit new waivers, state plan amendments, and coverage expansions; require reporting and record retention; create a Kentucky Medicaid Pharmaceutical Rebate Fund; direct certain behavioral health and managed care changes; and include an emergency clause. Members raised questions about the rebate fund, work requirements, and whether the bill could affect coverage or funding, while supporters emphasized transparency, data collection, and preventing new expansions until oversight is in place. Several members spoke in favor of the bill’s goals but expressed caution about micromanaging a complex program and about possible unintended consequences for beneficiaries. Representative Fleming stressed the need for stronger oversight and noted the potential fiscal impact of federal Medicaid changes. Representative Stevenson voted pass, saying the committee should let the new oversight board handle the issue, and Representative Gentry also passed, citing concern about overreach and the burden of data collection. The committee ultimately reported HB 695 favorably on a 16-1 vote with three pass votes. Afterward, members recorded additional yes votes on HB 537 for the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pulling the agency out of the executive branch will impede our collaboration and partnership.
• The amount of collaboration that happens on a daily basis cross-agency with CYFD, the Department of Health
• I think we heard from other secretaries this morning about the collaboration and the coordination that
• Was there any collaboration or conversations with tribes about H.J.? About this bill?
• I mean, there's no reason that they couldn't still be part of any kind of collaborative effort.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• So the expectation is that the board will set a policy this year in collaboration with the Department
• So the expectation is that the board will set a policy this year in collaboration with the Department
• So the expectation is that the board will set a policy this year in collaboration with the Department
• So the expectation is that the board will set a policy this year in collaboration with the Department
• So the expectation is that the board will set a policy this year in collaboration with the Department

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education and Labor and Technology heard Senate Bill 420, which would extend Department of Education workers’ compensation coverage to newly graduated high school students participating in DOE-sponsored work-based learning programs through July 31 after graduation. DOE testified in support, estimating the bill could affect about 50 to 100 students in the first year and saying it would help students gain experience and transition to employment. Members asked about current coverage, costs, and partnerships; DOE said current coverage ends at graduation, there had been no incidents, and the bill would create no additional cost. The committees voted to pass SB 420 with amendments, including an amended effective date, and the bill was adopted. The Committee on Education then took up several education measures. It adopted a proposed SD1 for SB 894, a Farm to School measure that would appropriate funds to help meet a goal of serving 30% locally sourced food in public schools. The committee also heard SB 789 on school cafeteria meal costs; DOE said it wanted the existing requirement lowered from 50% of meal preparation cost to 25% rather than repealed, to align with its administrative package, and explained current prices were about $2.75 while meal costs were about $9. Testifiers from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported removing the requirement entirely or at least reducing it, saying it would avoid large price jumps and move toward free school meals. The committee later voted to pass SB 789 with amendments lowering the threshold to one-fourth of meal cost and changing the effective date. The committee also heard SB 449 on a school facilities planning database. DOE said it supports better planning but believes the database should be housed within DOE rather than duplicated under the School Facilities Authority, while SFA supported the bill as a proactive decision-making tool. The Attorney General’s office suggested clarifying language to make clear references to the Board of Education. In later agenda items, the committee heard SB 423, which would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; EOEL and the board chair supported it and suggested technical language to preserve required representation. The committee also heard SB 1384, a housekeeping bill redirecting repaid early childhood educator stipend funds to the Early Learning special fund after the prior special fund was repealed; EOEL supported it and said about $31,864 was being recouped from nine recipients. Finally, SB 684 would require the Board of Education to adopt rules banning cell phones at DOE schools; testimony was in support, and members discussed the need for a consistent statewide policy, with the board expected to work on one in collaboration with DOE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting the session on time required new levels of collaboration.
• Do you think you guys can knock it out, or is it going to take sustained collaboration to counter, you
• Do you think you guys can knock it out, or is it going to take sustained collaboration to counter, you
• Do you think you guys can knock it out, or is it going to take sustained collaboration to counter, you
• Do you think you guys can knock it out, or is it going to take sustained collaboration to counter, you

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our promotions team collaborate with out of state media to feature Florida vacations in contests and
• Florida Commerce, welcome strategic collaboration that allows businesses to thrive and Floridians to
• individualized path to prosperity, economic self-sufficiency and hope by focusing on community collaboration
• And I'm talking about today is done in close collaboration, alignment coordination with each of those
• And we're continuing our commitment to collaborating collaborating and effectively using our resources

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In drafting the report, our department collaborated with the Department of Health, the Department of
• And also think that we wanted to go ahead and collaborate more with stakeholders, especially with the
• DAB collaborates with these agencies to ensure compliance, streamline processes, and support farmers
• So DAB collaborates uh with together.
• So DAB collaborates uh with this<01:24:43.120><c> agencies</c><01:24:44.480><c> uh</c><01:24:44.639><

Bills: HB1974 , HB1853 , HB1973 , HB1574 , HB2619 , HB1966 , HB1643 , HB1671 , HB2558 , HB1854 , HB2173 , HB1575 , HB2229 , HB1535 , HB1978 , HB2508 , HB1549 , HB2187 , HB1550 , HB1977 , HB2314 , HB1871 , HB2319 , HB1591 , HB1858 , HB1898 , HB2372 , HB1765 , HB2012 , HB1706 , HB1962 , HB1963 , HB1975 , HB2009 , HB2083 , HB2224 , HB1877 , HB1959 , HB1626 , HB1665 , HB2488 , HB2456 , HB2548 , HB2207 , HB1832 , HB2079 , HB1985 , HB1618 , HB2486 , HB2242 , HB2045 , HB1703 , HB2236 , HB2480 , HB1976 , HB2287 , HB2288 , HB1777 , HB276 , HB1660 , HB1676 , HB1605 , HB1751 , HB1967 , HB2383 , HB2340 , HB1946 , HB2268 , HB1950 , HB2156 , HB2118 , HB1859 , HB1863 , HB1996 , HB2114 , HB2423 , HB2429 , HB2475 , HB2534 , HB2545 , HB1813 , HB1941 , HB2474 , HB2583 , HB1576 , HB1886 , HB1939 , HB2540 , HB2590 , HB2000 , HB2163 , HB2386 , HB1691 , HB1680 , HB2516 , HB1993 , HB2442 , HB1510 , HB1958 , HB1692

Keywords: HB1974, hearing loss, audiology, audiologist, hearing screening, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tele-audiology, communication access, assistive technology, speech-language pathology, deafness, hard of hearing, public health, kupuna, keiki, dementia, cognitive decline, fall prevention, State Health Planning and Development Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• , work, let's see, responsibility transfers for Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of
• , work, let's see, responsibility transfers for Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of
• , work, let's see, responsibility transfers for Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of
• the collaborative Urban and greater<01:38:21.080><c> Minnesota</c><01:38:21.599><c> educator</c><01:
• I collaborated with local high school students who helped me produce an educational video in Somali.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about prioritizing collaboration space, working and meeting together.
• They provide a variety of space types: huddle, collaboration, focus, to accommodate varying work.
• </c><00:04:25.759><c> space</c> about prioritizing collaboration space about prioritizing collaboration
• </c> of space types huddle collaboration of space types huddle collaboration Focus<00:05:29.800><c> to
• </c> to bring folks back for collaboration to bring folks back for collaboration and<00:55:34.280><c>

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• DRC is absolutely committed to rolling up our sleeves and working in collaboration with everyone here
• DRC is absolutely committed to rolling up our sleeves and working in collaboration with everyone here
• I'm the co-founder of the Integrated Community Collaborative, My name is Fernando Gomez.
• I'm a self-advocate with the Integrated Community Collaborative.
• I’m affiliated with Community Collaborative.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to note, thank you, Senator, for your collaborative efforts here.
• So I appreciate your collaboration.
• You to continue to try working the bill, so I appreciate your collaboration around that.
• Opposition light and collaboration. Got it. This was our politics in this country.
• Thank you for your willingness to collaborate with all stakeholders and to try to move some positive

Summary: The committee heard three major insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen would give the Insurance Commissioner new authority to require insurers to implement corrective actions found in market conduct and financial exams, with penalties for failure to comply. Supporters, including Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his deputies, said current law leaves CDI without a direct way to compel remediation of repeated violations or obtain needed financial information, while opponents argued the bill expands CDI authority too far, could duplicate existing penalties, and should be limited to legal violations rather than recommendations. After discussion, members and the author agreed to narrow the bill through amendments, including tying it to legal violations, applying penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarifying accounting language; the committee then passed the bill 5-1 to Appropriations, with one member on call. SB 1301, also by Senator Allen, would reform residential property insurance non-renewals by requiring clearer written explanations, giving homeowners a chance to mitigate correctable issues, and prohibiting certain unfair non-renewal bases such as claims below deductible or claims not paid by the insurer. The author and supporters said Californians face unusually high non-renewal rates and often receive vague notices that make it hard to keep coverage, while opponents warned the bill’s original 180-day notice period and reporting requirements were too burdensome and could worsen availability. Senator Richardson said he would support the bill after the author agreed to reduce the notice period to about three months and continue working on a mitigation-based process; the committee then approved the bill 4-1, with one member on call. The committee also considered SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez, which would strengthen regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing CDI to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, expanding prohibited conduct, and tightening insurance and appointment requirements. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the 2022 licensing law left loopholes that allow misconduct to continue and that the bill would improve public safety and accountability. Opponents from the bail industry and crime victims groups argued the bill requires unavailable or impractical insurance coverage, including coverage for willful acts, and could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. Members raised concerns about the insurance language and availability, and the author said the bill was still being worked on with opposition; the committee passed it 4-1, with one member on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would let the Attorney General seek recovery from fossil fuel companies for climate-related costs affecting the Fair Plan and private policyholders. The author said Californians are paying rising insurance and disaster costs while fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change are not, and witnesses from flood and wildfire communities and climate policy experts supported the bill as a way to fund recovery and resilience. Opponents, including business and labor representatives, argued the bill would impose broad liability, invite litigation, and harm jobs and energy affordability. The hearing included extensive testimony, but no vote was taken on SB 982 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Red Lake is a founding member of the Minnesota Tribal Collaborative, a unique collaboration of 10 Minnesota
• Red Lake is a founding member of the Minnesota Tribal Collaborative, a unique collaboration of 10 Minnesota
• The Minnesota Tribal Collaborative was formed to address these disparities as every tribe of Minnesota
• The Minnesota Tribal Collaborative was formed to address these disparities as every tribe of Minnesota
• The staff of the Minnesota Tribal Collaborative will assist tribal staff and reporting and ensure that

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3403, authored by Vice Chair Rep. Kazowski, and first adopted an A1 amendment. The amendment made technical and implementation changes recommended by the Department of Revenue, allowed a small portion of funds for county and tribal administrative costs, and clarified timing and reporting for spent and unspent funds. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was moved to Ways and Means. Rep. Kazowski described HF 3403 as a $50 million emergency rental assistance measure to help stabilize households facing eviction, with $44 million directed to counties and $6 million reserved for tribal nations, administered through the Department of Revenue using the existing local homeless prevention aid formula. Supporters said the bill would provide immediate, targeted help to renters and landlords, prevent evictions, and reduce downstream costs to shelters, schools, employers, and health systems. Several testifiers, including representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Louis County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, social workers, a resident, and tribal housing leaders, said local resources were insufficient to meet rising need and emphasized the impact of federal immigration enforcement and related economic disruption on families, workers, and communities. Testimony highlighted sharp increases in rental assistance requests, rising eviction filings, depleted county funds, and the strain on nonprofit and mutual aid efforts. County and city officials said emergency rental assistance and related legal services had already prevented thousands of evictions, but current funding was not enough. Tribal testimony stressed disproportionate homelessness among Native Americans and supported the bill’s tribal allocation. During member discussion, Rep. Amani Hiltsley said the bill was an economic stabilization tool and requested a roll call vote, noting safeguards against fraud and the broader costs of inaction.

Transcript Highlights:

• We really appreciate um the relationship and collaboration that we have with you all.
• We really appreciate um the relationship<00:10:40.399><c> and</c><00:10:40.720><c> collaboration</c><
• </c><00:13:36.000><c> That</c><00:13:36.320><c> collaboration</c> going back and forth.
• That collaboration going back and forth.
• </c> collaboration across the state. collaboration across the state.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met and approved the August 21, 2025 minutes. The main presentation came from Brandon Reid of the Kentucky Office of Agriculture Policy, who reported that implementation of the Kentucky Agriculture Economic Development Board created by Senate Bill 28 and House Joint Resolution 31 is ahead of schedule. He said the board has been appointed and has met several times, has adopted guidelines and an application process, and has launched its application on the KDA website. He also noted new staffing, including a project manager, and said the office is already working on projects, though some are confidential because of coordination with the Economic Development Cabinet and nondisclosure agreements. Members praised the effort and emphasized the importance of having agriculture represented in economic development work. Reid also described ongoing outreach by Commissioner Jonathan Shell, including farmer appreciation and classroom visits across the state. The committee then heard from Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and Bluegrass Ag Tech Development Corp. executive director Jacob Ball about the Bluegrass Ag Tech Development Corp., a public-private partnership involving Lexington-Fayette, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky, and Altech. They said the organization aims to make Kentucky a national and international hub for ag tech, and that it has already awarded challenge grants to startups. Ball explained that the program focuses on animal protein, nutrition, sustainability, mid-size farm solutions, and Kentucky traditions such as distilling and equine. He reported that two rounds of grants have totaled $925,000, with the first round’s seven companies leveraging that into nearly $7 million in follow-on investment, supporting 56.5 Kentucky jobs and creating more than a dozen new jobs. The presentation also highlighted statewide outreach, including applications and engagement from counties across Kentucky, and the goal of expanding participation in eastern Kentucky. Members expressed support for both initiatives and discussed the value of agriculture-specific expertise in economic development. Reid said the Department of Agriculture and the Economic Development Cabinet maintain regular communication and that the new board gives agriculture a seat at the table for future site and industry recruitment efforts. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota's energy future is best secured through continued collaboration with its neighbors.
• Minnesota's energy future is best secured through continued collaboration with its neighbors.
• Minnesota's energy future is best secured through continued collaboration with its neighbors.
• </c> secured through continued collaboration secured through continued collaboration with<00:28:06.799
• </c><00:42:30.200><c> on</c> quite a bit of collaboration on quite a bit of collaboration on bipartisanship

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house