Transcript Highlights:

• landscape design company and often shares how excessive regulations, including extensive environmental permits
• And your work is, by statute, not permitted to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget or
• Your work is by statute not permitted to be submitted, quote, to the Office of Management and Budget
• That was made abundantly clear to me during my prior term and will be a key focus of mine, getting the

Keywords: SBA, small business, nominations, Bill Briggs, Casey Mulligan, regulations, capital access, public support

Summary: The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship convened to consider the nominations of Bill Briggs for Deputy Administrator of the SBA and Dr. Casey Mulligan for Chief Counsel for Advocacy. The discussions highlighted the critical role of the SBA in promoting small businesses, with emphasis on overcoming challenges posed by excessive regulations and the need for improved access to capital. Several committee members expressed their concerns over recent layoffs within the SBA and the closure of district offices, which they believe undermine support for small businesses across the nation. The committee meeting saw extensive dialogue about the implications of regulations on small business operations and how the nominees plan to address these issues if confirmed. Public support for the nominees was acknowledged through letters from various stakeholders who advocate for small business interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• have some influence, but if they're going to do an oil and gas lease or whatever that is, a strip mine
• , or whatever that is, a strip mine, or whatever that is, a strip mine, they're<00:27:31.200>
• You know, there might that might take away some of the tension that we've got with landowner permits
• <00:32:36.080> because landowner permits because landowner permits because they<00:32:38.240
• is to you group and that would be mine is to you know<01:04:54.640> look<01:04:54.799> at<

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Mine wasn't from the Gulf. >> Okay.
• >> Mine wasn't from the Gul. >> Mine wasn't from the Gul.
• Uh, it removed the provisions that permit the court to sanction a party for an improper or vexatious
• Members, this is a bill relating to a coal mine in northern Tuscaloosa County.
• And I think every year I done got all mine passed out that I wanted to get out.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see in the language just below in line 80, the specific purpose a city would be permitted
• That's the concern of mine. I believe Removing teachers from the decision-making process.
• That's a concern of mine.
• That's a major concern of mine because when you're talking about education, we need the village.
• That's a major concern of mine, because when you're talking about education, we need the village.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 123, which would change the process for converting a public school to a charter school by requiring approval from a majority of parents at the school, allow municipalities to apply to convert certain schools under limited circumstances, and address surplus school property in districts with declining enrollment. The sponsor said the bill is meant to give parents the primary say and to prevent districts from holding unused property. Opponents, including the Florida PTA, several members, and public speakers, argued the bill excludes teachers, school boards, and other stakeholders, could disenfranchise parents who do not live in the municipality, and could create enrollment, transportation, and equity problems. After debate, the bill passed 13-5 and was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 597 on diabetes management in schools. The bill would allow school districts and charter schools to procure and store glucagon pens for emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia, permit trained personnel to administer them, require 911 to be called after use, and add limited liability protections. The sponsor said the medication is inexpensive and could save lives for the roughly 7,000 diabetic K-12 students in Florida. An amendment clarified that public and charter schools are both covered. The bill drew support from the American Diabetes Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Florida PTA, and members from both parties praised the measure. It passed unanimously and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, which would add walking along freeways, expressways, and their ramps as a hazardous condition requiring bus service for elementary students within two miles of school. The sponsor described personal examples of children walking near dangerous roads and said the bill is intended to prevent injuries and deaths. An amendment narrowed the language by deleting “state highway.” Public testimony included a parent who described her child being hit by a car and urged broader coverage, while members raised concerns about bus shortages and fiscal impact. Most members spoke in support, emphasizing student safety, and the bill was reported favorably after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• RESPONSES TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL EXPERTS WHO ARGUE THE BILL VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION WHICH DOES NOT PERMIT
• Fine: ELECTRONIC DEVICES OFF OR GET OUT. >> IT STATES THE FLSA DOESN'T PERMIT, WHICH IS FEDERAL, IT DOESN'T
• PERMIT AN EMPLOYEE TO WAIVE THE RIGHT SO THAT IS WHAT THIS AMENDMENT ADDRESSED WAS MENTIONING AN EMPLOYEE
• IT COULD HAVE BEEN MINE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN YOURS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
• IT WEAKENS INCLUSION, RESPECT AND EQUALITY WE VALUE LAW SHOULD PROTECT EVERYONE, NOT PERMIT UNEQUAL TREATMENT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the absence of the HUB program, small businesses like mine are kept out of the competitive bidding
• In the absence of the HUB program, small businesses like mine are kept out of the competitive bidding
• We will not stand by to allow this disenfranchisement or permit the HUB program to be undone by one official

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the three heavy industries: mining, construction, and utilities.
• Um, I've taken my concealed carry permits along with my hunter safety.
• Um, I've taken my concealed carry permits along with my hunter safety.
• Um, I've taken my concealed carry permits along with my hunter safety.
• Um, I've taken my concealed carry permits along with my hunter safety.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Permitting alone takes two years, right?
• that point, an emergency hire permit that point, an emergency hire permit holder<01:51:24.159>
• The HSB permit to a full license.
• you can hold an emergency hire permit. you can hold an emergency hire permit.
• stuff anyways with weekly data mining stuff anyways with weekly data mining and<02:37:27.840>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder, I will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct
• As noted by a senator substantively, we believe this bill would permit a state of emergency to be declared
• of emergency to be declared even when no actual supply emergency exists in California, and would permit
• of emergency to be declared, even when no actual supply emergency exists in California and would permit
• But the package is not mine and mine alone. It is, as Mr.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll point out that my kid, 21 years old, working in the sand mines in West Texas, makes more than
• There's a DA's office next to mine. It's a district attorney with seven ADAs.
• That section is entirely permissive; cities and counties may require permits.
• population threshold to adopt boarding home permitting and inspection requirements.
• I've had two phone calls from professional friends of mine. One, and...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for that and uh a good friend of mine um who's now deceased who served there and
• Thank you very much for that and uh a good friend of mine um who's now deceased who served there and
• Thank you very much for that and uh a good friend of mine um who's now deceased who served there and
• <00:57:48.560> um<00:57:48.920> who's<00:57:49.400> now a good friend of mine
• <01:11:35.000> parks guidelines do not permit parks guidelines do not permit parks in<01:11

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a great, great privilege of mine to be able to be before you today. Thank you so much.
• The subcommittees that need to meet in July are permitted to meet outside a regular ALC meeting week,
• The subcommittees that need to meet in July are permitted to meet outside a regular ALC meeting week,

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first adopted the previous meeting minutes, then honored Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service. Members read a resolution recognizing her legislative, constituent, and leadership work at DHS, and the council adopted it unanimously. McDonald thanked members for their support, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, a flag flown over the Capitol, and a commemorative coin. The council then received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and net available for distribution of $6.36 billion. The Bureau of Legislative Research noted collections were running above last year and that the updated forecast reflected a surplus. The Executive Subcommittee report was adopted after members were told it had approved captive insurance premiums and deductibles, a claims administration contract, emergency DHS rules, waiver requests, committee fund allocations, and the cancellation of the regular July ALC meeting in favor of only meeting for urgent matters. Several subcommittee reports were then adopted, including Administrative Rules, Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel. During the Administrative Rules discussion, members questioned the Department of Education about delays and vendor performance under the ClassWallet contract; department officials said they were meeting regularly with the vendor, keeping expense review in-house, and would consider other options if needed. In Personnel, the Department of Commerce clarified that a reallocation request was part of a broader departmental realignment and shared services move, not the Arkansas Workforce Connection waiver. The council also reviewed and took action on several communications, including filing retirement system investment summaries as reviewed, approving rural community grant funding, giving favorable advice for state park acquisitions/expansion, approving special maintenance funding for state parks, and filing proposed Office of State Technology service rates as reviewed before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• In practice now, a manufactured home has to be permitted to be put in a particular location, but the
• In practice, now a manufactured home has to be permitted to be putting in a particular location, but
• I don't think it's a license; I think it's a permit." "It's a permit. A thousand hours.
• So currently the shampooing permit is at 40 hours.
• They should not be shampooing hair unless they have a shampoo permit on top of that, which I'm unsure

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills, a resolution, and one House bill. The committee reported favorably Senate Bill 79 to recreate Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to establish the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, Senate Bill 375 on firefighting foam with amendments clarifying use in declared emergencies, Senate Bill 398 moving manufactured and modular housing oversight under the Contractors Licensing Board with technical and substantive amendments, Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing with an amendment providing for federal preemption if Congress enacts a national licensing regime, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks with consumer-protection provisions and technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably House Resolution 197, as amended, urging the Public Service Commission to study distributed energy generation and storage resources with LSU involvement, and Senate Bill 54, which would allow estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services; that bill drew extensive testimony from supporters and opponents in the cosmetology and aesthetics industries before being reported favorably. Several bills prompted detailed discussion and testimony. On Senate Bill 398, the sponsor and Contractors Licensing Board representatives said the change would improve enforcement and consumer safety for manufactured-home installation, especially tie-downs, leveling, and foundation blocking, while not affecting HUD-regulated construction. On the virtual currency bills, OFI said it currently licenses 37 virtual currency businesses with 33 pending applications, and supporters described the kiosk bill as a response to fraud complaints by requiring clearer disclosures, refund procedures, live customer support, and reporting to OFI. For House Resolution 197, the sponsor, PSC officials, and energy stakeholders said the study would examine the value of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar and battery storage, in light of rising demand and grid reliability concerns; PSC staff and LSU energy experts described the study as focused on market value and avoided-cost benefits. House Bill 744, which would have shifted regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the PSC, generated discussion about constitutional history, rate impacts, and utility consolidation. PSC officials and the sponsor said the current city-council regulation is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921, and they argued that PSC regulation could reduce costs and simplify oversight, but the sponsor ultimately moved to defer the bill rather than force a floor fight, and the committee agreed. The committee then began consideration of Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, adopting technical amendments and then a larger amendment package that revised definitions and compliance provisions; the transcript ends while that bill’s amendment process is still underway, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• In practice now, a manufactured home has to be permitted to be put in a particular location, but the
• In practice, now a manufactured home has to be permitted to be putting in a particular location, but
• I don't think it's a license; I think it's a permit." "It's a permit. A thousand hours.
• So currently the shampooing permit is at 40 hours.
• They should not be shampooing hair unless they have a shampoo permit on top of that, which I'm unsure

Bills: HB744, HR197, SB54, SB79, SB163, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB398, SB469, SCR5

Keywords: public utility, common carrier, regulation, Public Service Commission, New Orleans, constitutional amendment, distributed energy, energy storage, electricity demand, virtual power plants, reliability, hurricane resilience, esthetics, cosmetology, hair services, beauty industry, Louisiana regulation, Louisiana Economic Development, sunset law, legislative authority

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, and first advanced several Senate measures with little or no opposition. It reported favorably Senate Bill 79 recreating Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and Senate Bill 375 on Class B firefighting foam, after adopting a technical amendment clarifying use in declared emergency firefighting operations. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 398, which moves manufactured and modular housing regulation under the Louisiana Contractors Licensing Board and expands inspection and enforcement provisions, after adopting two sets of mostly technical amendments and hearing testimony that the change would improve consumer safety and increase inspection coverage without adding net cost to locals. It then reported favorably Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing, after adopting an amendment providing that any future federal licensing law would preempt the state act, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks, which adds refund timelines, disclosure requirements, customer support, and reporting duties; witnesses from the banking and law enforcement community said the bill responds to common fraud complaints and improves consumer protection. The committee also reported favorably Senate Bill 54, which allows estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services, despite strong opposition from cosmetology board representatives and industry witnesses who argued the service is outside esthetics training, could create scope-of-practice and facility issues, and should instead be addressed by lowering or revising separate blow-dry licensing requirements. The committee then considered House Resolution 197, which urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to study the feasibility and value of distributed energy generation and storage resources. After adopting technical amendments and a second amendment changing mandatory language to requests and urging the PSC to coordinate with the LSU Energy Institute, the resolution was reported favorably. Testimony from solar and energy industry representatives, the PSC, and LSU focused on how distributed resources, batteries, rooftop solar, and virtual power plants could improve reliability, reduce costs, and help meet rising demand; members also discussed how the study would evaluate market value, avoided costs, and capacity benefits. Questions centered on methodology, grid impacts, and comparisons to Texas’s ERCOT system and Winter Storm Uri, with PSC officials emphasizing that the study would help determine whether such resources benefit ratepayers. Representative Wright presented House Bill 744, a proposed constitutional amendment to transfer regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the Public Service Commission. He argued the change could reduce rates through consolidation and eliminate duplicative regulatory costs, while PSC officials explained the city’s authority is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921 and that Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana operate as separate companies with different regulatory environments. After discussion of rate impacts, utility structure, and whether the proposal should instead become a study, the bill was deferred. The committee then began Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, which would give consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain uses of personal data; the sponsor introduced the bill and the committee started considering technical and substantive amendments, but the transcript ends before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure you do when you pair it in yours or mine. Thank you.
• Let me make sure that that everyone in the audience understands that we don't permit props and reading
• T 2 is store health, all the sheils mine and not to bring confusion. Thank you. Thank you.
• Many districts have not set out options which mine does. Media centers have been decimated.
• I know because it changed mine with a full want to believe it or not, Sydney, you're not smoking.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other than mine, just very good, Madam Chair. Do you mind? I've got a couple of things. Yes.
• House Bill 34 would correct an unintended loophole that could have permitted adversarial investments

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the weekend, we lost a supporter of mine, who was also a very good friend.
• , better known as SBI, permission to revoke a permit to purchase if the person...
• But you got to, um, is that mine? Oh, yeah.
• They acted, they created land use rules, and they denied the permit for that.
• Then it says on page 6, the General Assembly... ...permit denial.

Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered prayers and moments of silence for community members who had recently died, and recognized several guests and family members in the chamber. After routine communications and passage of consent calendar 29, the chamber took up a series of measures on the main and colored agendas, with several bills and resolutions passing by voice vote or roll call. Among the measures approved were House Concurrent Resolution 157, which as amended requested a State Lottery report on options to support traditional lottery retailers; Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program; Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecommunications carriers; Senate Bill 339 clarifying health directive forms in mental health facilities; Senate Bill 235 on manufactured home community rent increases; Senate Bill 325, as amended, updating fire prevention and volunteer fire/EMS background check rules; Senate Bill 309 on inmate work and discharge of incarceration-related balances; Senate Bill 324 on deadly weapons and constable agency representatives; Senate Bill 293 on youth camp child care licensing; Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery; and Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to marry regardless of race or gender while preserving religious freedom. House Bill 188, changing Delaware primary elections to allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after debate. Two measures drew extended discussion and amendments. Senate Bill 233, requiring snow and ice to be removed from vehicles, was tabled once, then later amended and passed after debate over whether the law was workable for truck drivers and other vehicle operators; a proposed truck-related exemption amendment failed. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a pilot program for artificial intelligence and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, privacy, and educator oversight, alongside concerns from members about data, bias, and long-term effects. Several items were tabled or reconsidered during the session, and the House adjourned after completing the day’s business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Normally I save mine till the end, but um Tim, I'd like to take uh I would like to take uh 281 out of
• Normally I save<00:08:48.720> mine<00:08:49.040> till<00:08:49.279> the<00:08:49.519
• 50.480> but<00:08:51.040> um<00:08:52.000> Tim,<00:08:52.320> I'd save mine
• till the end, but um Tim, I'd save mine till the end, but um Tim, I'd like<00:08:52.720> to<00
• Permit the court to appoint a temporary guardian or conservator or grant other temporary relief for a

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• off-site uh physician uh that permits off-site uh physician supervision<00:55:58.160> uh<00:55
• Ryan Stanton, close friend of mine.
• Ryan Stanton, close<00:59:59.359> friend<00:59:59.520> of<00:59:59.599> mine.
• c><00:59:59.839> We<01:00:00.079> actually<01:00:00.319> have close friend of mine
• We actually have close friend of mine.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled several referred administrative regulations, including a package from the Board of Respiratory Care described as a substantive housekeeping update to its regulations and incorporated materials. There were no questions from members, and the committee also heard from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, which was present in case questions arose but did not require action. Members then took up an amendment to the state health plan for facilities and services, specifically 900 KAR 5:02. Wesley Duke explained that a previously proposed criteria related to mega-voltage requirements, originally suggested by the Kentucky Hospital Association, was now being removed because the association no longer considered it necessary. The committee moved to accept the agency amendment, with a motion and second, and approved it without opposition. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, a “food is medicine” resolution sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer. Supporters from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association described the initiative as a voluntary, statewide effort already adopted by 52 hospitals, aimed at improving patient health while supporting Kentucky farmers and local food systems. Members discussed access to healthy food, grocery-store availability, school nutrition, and the need to reduce barriers to local procurement; the resolution was adopted unanimously after a roll call vote, with one senator briefly explaining a late vote due to weather. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 12, which would allow mid-level practitioners to serve as the leader of a Level IV trauma center under physician direction. The sponsor and witnesses from Appalachian Regional Healthcare argued the change would help address rural trauma-care shortages, align with national standards, and improve access without changing scope of practice or other trauma-center requirements. Several members raised questions and comments about rural access, liability, costs, and the broader health impacts, but no vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A good friend of mine, Darren Jordan, is here. I went to high school with him.
• A good friend<00:01:23.520> of<00:01:23.680> mine,<00:01:23.840> Darren<00:01:24.159
• Jordan,<00:01:24.479> is<00:01:24.640> here<00:01:24.960> I friend of mine
• , Darren Jordan, is here I friend of mine, Darren Jordan, is here I went<00:01:25.360> to<00:01
• The legislation permits city governments to have audit procedures performed under an agreed-upon procedure

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:06 Attendance Roll Call: 00:11 SB 53 Discussion: 01:54 SB 53 Vote: 09:09 SB 192 Discussion: 10:15 SB 192 Vote: 13:42 HB 290 Discussion: 15:02 HB 290 Vote: 16:08 HB 314 Discussion: 16:45 HB 314 Vote: 19:38 Adjournment: 21:32, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. Senate Bill 53, sponsored by Senator Thomas, addressed Fayette County planning and zoning procedures after a 2024 law was interpreted to limit public comment at certain hearings. Thomas, along with witnesses Walt Gaffield and Zachary Davis, argued the bill would clarify that residents have a right to speak for or against planning matters affecting their homes and neighborhoods. The committee voted favorably on SB 53, with all members present voting yes. The committee then took up Senate Bill 192, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would allow smaller cities to use agreed-upon procedures instead of full audits under certain conditions, with standards set by professional accounting rules and oversight by the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Department of Local Government. Supporters said the bill would help small and midsize cities facing audit costs and a shortage of auditors without reducing accountability. The committee adopted a substitute and passed SB 192 unanimously, with several members explaining their support. House Bill 290, sponsored by Representative Wilson, would change how county law library funds can be used, allowing bar associations to spend money on online legal research tools rather than only books. The sponsor said some local associations have unused funds and need more practical options. The committee passed HB 290 unanimously. Finally, House Bill 314, sponsored by Representative Lockett and Senator Williams, would reorganize oversight of the Kentucky Wired network by consolidating authority and personnel into the Commonwealth Office of Technology amid concerns about KCNA’s management. The bill drew criticism from Senator McDaniel, who called Kentucky Wired a boondoggle and questioned its costs, but the committee still passed HB 314 with favorable expression 9-2 and sent it to the floor.