Video & Transcript Research : 'credential of value'

Page 8 of 500
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I've always been kind of a history nerd, or at least most of my adult life, and like some of the things
  • of dollars a year to all sorts of of dollars a year to all sorts of charitable<00:08:43.159>
  • of someone of another stronger case of someone of another faith<00:10:15.079> and<00:10:15.279
  • separation of of around um sort of separation of of church<00:15:08.480> and<00:15:08.680>
  • Many of you may know this; some of you may not.
Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first took up HJR 15, as amended by a committee substitute, which would return the granite Ten Commandments monument to permanent display on the new State Capitol grounds. Representative Baker described the monument’s history, its removal during construction in the 1980s, the 2000 effort to restore it, and recent Supreme Court changes that he said make the historical-tradition analysis more relevant than the former Lemon test. Members asked about the monument’s location, possible amendments to allow other faiths to place similar monuments, and church-state concerns. Several members explained their votes by saying they supported the historical display but wanted further discussion about religious representation. The resolution passed the committee 16-1 with two pass votes and was reported favorably to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 30, sponsored by Representative Blanton, which addresses pension spiking in the Kentucky Public Pension Authority. Blanton said the bill codifies a court ruling clarifying that across-the-board pay raises are not pension spiking and noted support from fire, police, and state employees. Representative Tipton reminded members that pension bills should be reviewed by the Public Pension Oversight Board first and said this bill had been reviewed there without issue. The committee approved HB 30 unanimously, 20-0, with favorable expression. House Bill 71, sponsored by Representative Duval, was next. KPPA Executive Director Ryan Barrow said the bill was requested by KPPA, vetted by the Public Pension Oversight Board, and would restructure KPPA by creating an Office of Financial Management and moving the current CFO into an executive director-level role overseeing that office, without affecting system funding requirements. Representative Johnson supported the measure as an administrative codification of current practice. The committee passed HB 71 unanimously, 20-0, with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 182 from Representative Frasier Gordon, which would prohibit state government from using the word “free” to describe taxpayer-funded services. Gordon said the bill is intended to increase transparency and ensure taxpayers are credited for funding public services, while not changing any programs or benefits. Members questioned how the bill would be enforced, what alternative wording should be used, and whether the restriction could affect communication with low-income or low-literacy residents; Gordon said terms like “provided at no cost” or “paid for by taxpayers” would be acceptable and that the bill contains no penalty. The committee passed HB 182 17-3 with favorable expression and sent it to the House floor.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 01:12 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That concludes explanations of the bill. Be questions of the author, questions of the author.
  • What we see is that as retirees retire, they have a lot of wealth of knowledge.
  • I think you mentioned in a previous line of questioning wealth of knowledge, wealth of experience.
  • of 100% of the surface owners.
  • A developer secures approval of a master development district through the consent of 100% of the surface
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • of trying to head it off at the point of training of our teachers.
  • And so, I think he's very well positioned, not just because of his credentials or his credibility, but
  • to take a lot of interventions and a lot of resources.
  • Number of factors, but certainly, we do kind of lay out.
  • of the loopholes of abuse in the Department of Human Services.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • appointee of the state board of appointee of the state board of elections<00:03:34.000> on
  • 56.320> of<00:08:56.480> learning limitation of 12 hours of learning limitation of 12 hours
  • I'm the citizen-at-large member of the board of examiners of psychology, and I'm the chair of the regulations
  • Um, so, West Virginia also licenses a couple of different credentials, uh, like Kentucky.
  • > like of different credentials, uh like of different credentials, uh like Kentucky.<00:12:57.760
Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met for its January meeting, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and welcomed the new regulations compiler. The first item was a repealer from the Council on Postsecondary Education, 13 KAR 2:111, which was explained as necessary because Senate Bill 77 from the 2025 session removed the regulatory authority for advanced practice doctoral degree programs at comprehensive universities. No questions were raised, and the repealer moved forward without objection. The subcommittee then reviewed a large package of State Board of Elections regulations with staff-suggested amendments. The package would update definitions and election procedures, require e-poll books to be ready before polls open, change the standard and timeline for removing an election officer, add oversight by a State Board appointee on election days, recognize the Kentucky party, require voter registration records to be added to electronic voter records, require ballots to fit all races and questions on a single sheet, adjust precinct consolidation petition deadlines, and update incorporated forms and identification references. The package was approved without objection. The Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Regulatory Relief also presented multiple regulations with staff amendments, covering funeral planning declarations, cemetery companies, pre-need cemetery merchandise and funeral/burial contract sellers, and crematory contract sellers. These changes were described as adding specificity, streamlining forms and reporting, and bringing the regulations into compliance with KRS Chapter 13A; they were approved without objection. The Board of Examiners of Psychology presented several regulations, including compact rules, grace-period extensions, and significant fee increases for applications, renewals, reinstatements, exam retakes, and reciprocity. Board representatives said the increases were needed because many fees had not been raised since 2002, the board was operating at a deficit, and legal and administrative costs had risen sharply after the termination of state legal services. Members expressed concern about the size of the increases, but the chair said he would not hold the matter up and would raise the issue with the committee of jurisdiction. The subcommittee also approved staff amendments for the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s air quality regulations and the Education and Labor Cabinet’s education regulations, which updated nontraditional instruction procedures, waiver requests, instruction topics, superintendent assessment requirements, and academic standards. The meeting ended with the next meeting scheduled for February 9 at 1 p.m., and the agenda was adjourned without further objection.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 24th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • of Oklahoma Tulsa.
  • Many of them were duplicative. Many of them we were overpaying.
  • So, if we don't fund any of that, any of those uninsured patients, how is it gonna survive?
  • fund some of these things.
  • Uh, Senate Bill 2159 will make wheat the official crop of the state of Oklahoma.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 10th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our.
  • Members of the Senate, it is my honor to present Amandaisher for The Nurse of the Day, Amanda, has built
  • He attended the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, class of 1970.
  • So, if all the pages for the second week of session would please come to the front of the chamber.
  • My plans are to either attend the University of Vanderbilt or the University of Harding to pursue a degree
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • of the League of elected by the members of the League of Cities<00:16:11.120> in<00:16:11.440
  • of the cost of city streets and roads. of the cost of city streets and roads.
  • Um, there was I guess part of the platform is more of a I guess expansion of different types of sales
  • <00:35:14.560> I terms of the number of applicants. I terms of the number of applicants.
  • can think of? can think of?
Summary: The committee received reports on special purpose governmental entities from the Department for Local Government and the Fire Commission. DLG staff described SPGEs as limited-jurisdiction political subdivisions and reviewed the department’s registry, reporting portal, compliance monitoring, and planned system upgrades such as a two-way message center, automated noncompliance notices, and tracking for new entities and board expirations. They reported that, as of October 10, 2025, 69% of SPGEs were active and discussed compliance data by cycle, fiscal year, and district type. The Fire Commission reported that fire department mergers have reduced the number of departments by 16 since last year, largely because of volunteer staffing shortages, while financial disclosure compliance had risen to 94%. The commission also noted 509 compliance reviews, 19 in-house inquiries, seven referrals to outside agencies, and one recent federal prison sentence in a theft case. Members asked whether DLG advises SPGEs on tax rates; staff said it only performs calculations and the entities set their own rates. Questions to the Fire Commission focused on whether department reductions meant station closures; officials explained that most changes were mergers that keep physical buildings in place while combining personnel and finances to meet minimum staffing requirements. They said the trend is spread across the state but is especially pronounced in rural areas. The Kentucky League of Cities then presented its 2026 legislative agenda. Its priorities included modernizing city revenue options, increasing equity in road funding, fixing tax increment financing issues, addressing transient room tax collection from web-based platforms, strengthening emergency response coordination, clarifying massage parlor regulation preemption, correcting unintended consequences of House Bill 606, improving newspaper publication rules, and modernizing procurement statutes. KLC also said it supports allowing all cities to collect restaurant tax revenue, wants cities to receive a larger share of road funds and EV-related revenues, and seeks state collection and remittance of any future local sales tax to comply with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. Members asked about best-value bidding, road-fund equity, Airbnb tax litigation, EV prevalence, and disaster funding applications; KLC said cities currently must accept the lowest bid, the road split should better reflect city street costs, the Airbnb tax case remains pending, EV data by locality has not been studied, and allowing cities to apply directly for disaster funds would reduce reliance on county officials. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the September meeting minutes.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on State Government (3-19-26)

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just a couple of things real quickly.
  • of the Commonwealth<00:04:20.400> of<00:04:20.519> Kentucky.
  • of applause today for his work. of applause today for his work.
  • with a piece of legislation. with a piece of legislation.
  • the one of the positions the way we of the one of the positions the way we were<00:09:11.400> allowing
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on State Government (2-19-26)

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • state-owned real property throughout the disposal process, protecting both the value of the property
  • unpredictability of these types of events.
  • die as a result of an act in the line of die as a result of an act in the line of duty<00:22:48.320
  • > these<00:22:57.280> type<00:22:57.440> of unpredictability of these type of unpredictability
  • members of the committee. members of the committee.
Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. House Bill 220, sponsored by Rep. John Blandon, addressed pension spiking for Kentucky Public Pension Authority systems by extending the effective date back to July 1, 2022. Blandon explained it was intended to correct a gap left by last year’s legislation affecting retirees who received across-the-board raises during the court period. A retired Kentucky State Police captain testified in favor but asked that the retroactive date be moved back to 2021. Members asked about fiscal impact, and Blandon said the bill would have only a very small percentage impact on CERS. The committee approved HB 220 unanimously, 17-0, with favorable expression. House Bill 467, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson, dealt with the disposal of surplus or underutilized state-owned real property. A committee substitute was adopted first. Johnson said the bill would let local governments and private citizens identify abandoned or dormant state property earlier in the process, while preserving existing fair-market-value disposal procedures. Committee members clarified that the bill concerns real property, not personal property, and asked about pricing and the current disposition process. Johnson and others explained that the bill would not change fair-market-value requirements but would move local involvement to the front end. The committee approved HB 467 as amended by the substitute, 17-0. House Bill 516, sponsored by Rep. Chris Lewis, would allow probationary police officers and firefighters in certain retirement systems to purchase service credit for up to 12 months of probationary employment and would extend line-of-duty death and disability coverage to probationary employees. Lewis said the bill was developed with the FOP, Professional Firefighters, and input from the Kentucky League of Cities, and that any retirement cost would be offset because both employee and employer contributions would be paid. Committee members confirmed the bill had been heard in PPOB and discussed the cost structure and the six-month window for purchasing service credit. The committee passed HB 516 favorably, 18-0. House Bill 589, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Deetsz, created a framework for cities and chapter 75 fire districts to rehire retired firefighters under strict conditions, similar to existing rules for retired police officers. A committee substitute was adopted that required minimum employer retirement contributions, required a CPAT retest after a one-year separation, and expanded eligibility to chapter 75 fire districts. Deetsz said the bill was aimed at staffing shortages and preserving experienced personnel while protecting the retirement system. A city official and a Kentucky League of Cities representative testified in support, describing labor shortages and the value of bringing back experienced firefighters to mentor younger staff. The committee approved HB 589 as amended by the substitute, 18-0, and then adjourned.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Members of the following order of business will be observed today: prayer, pledge of allegiance, introduction
  • Of the council, youth ambassadors, staff members, a whole lot of great Cherokees and the friends of Cherokees
  • Instead, because of the Courage of especially one individual and the swift response of the others.
  • of you.
  • It's great because of all of you because people like you.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
  • The first four pages of House Bill 73 is actually a list of those agencies, while one agency, We Lead
  • of data as we lot of information a lot of data as we analyze<00:05:20.080> our<00:05:20.280><
  • of the breakdown of each individual employer's share of the actuarial accrued liability, as determined
  • He said they can earn up to a maximum of 75% of the pay they had.
Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. House Bill 73, as amended by committee substitute, added We Lead CS to the list of agencies participating in the Teachers’ Retirement System administrative provisions. The sponsor explained the bill corrects an oversight involving a computer science education service provider established in 2022. A question about fiscal impact was answered with no expected fiscal note or actuarial impact. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 73 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 441 addressed teacher shortages by expanding the number of retired teachers and critical-shortage-area teachers school districts may hire. The sponsor said districts could hire retired teachers up to 10% of staff and critical shortage area teachers up to 10%, replacing lower current limits and a temporary COVID-era provision that had expired. Members asked about work limits, salary rules, and how often shortage areas are identified; the sponsor said retired teachers remain subject to existing earnings limits, critical shortage teachers are paid at least a rank-two, 10-year salary, and shortage areas are identified annually by the Commissioner of Education. Supportive comments noted the bill was a stopgap and that long-term solutions should include recruitment, retention, and pay. The committee passed HB 441 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 462 would allow county clerks to correct marriage applications or licenses by affidavit, without requiring a lawsuit in circuit court, when there are obvious errors or omissions. The Kenton County clerk and another clerk testified that the change would help people who need corrected records for Social Security, Real ID, inheritance, and other legal purposes, while still preserving data needed by Vital Statistics. Members described the bill as a practical efficiency measure. The committee passed HB 462 19-0 with favorable expression, and the meeting then adjourned.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's part of the SPG laws.
  • of of >> September.<00:03:54.239> September.
  • The language, like I said, most of the language is pretty much identical on all of them.
  • that's kind of confusing some people. that's kind of confusing some people.
  • the gist of what I want to talk about. the gist of what I want to talk about.
Summary: The committee first took up two fire commission regulatory amendments. Bruce Roberts, director of the Fire Commission, explained that one amendment updates financial disclosure reporting rules to align with changes to KRS 95A.55, including revised definitions, reporting requirements, and moving compliance reviews from every four years to an annual basis. The second amendment changes the deadline for fire departments to submit state aid documentation from July 31 to September and adds flexibility for departments affected by natural disasters by allowing a waiver process for missing, lost, or damaged documents. The committee approved the agency amendment by motion, second, and voice vote with no opposition. The main policy discussion centered on a proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for people convicted of felonies after they complete their sentence and probation/parole. Senators Hickden and Herren said the proposal would restore only voting rights, not citizenship or the right to run for office, and would still exclude certain offenses such as treason, bribery in an election, sex offenses, violent offenses, and offenses against a child. They argued that Kentucky is one of only three states without automatic restoration, that the current governor’s executive order is temporary, and that the issue should be settled by constitutional amendment. Members asked about the relationship to expungement, costs, and whether election-related crimes should be included among the exceptions; the sponsors said expungement is separate and that they were open to refining the language. Several members voiced support, and the sponsors said they hoped to continue working on the proposal before the next session. The committee also discussed a practical issue involving schools used as polling places and conflicts with KDE testing days. The chair raised the possibility of adjusting testing schedules or using NI days at affected schools, while members noted that county clerks already have authority to use tax-funded buildings for elections and that schools have long been used because of ADA accessibility. Some members suggested a simpler fix would be to prevent KDE testing dates from overlapping with election dates, rather than changing NI-day rules or limiting clerks’ authority. The committee then approved the minutes and adjourned.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • The first matter of business before the committee is approval of the minutes.
  • <00:03:41.599> of<00:03:42.200> where high notes the bullet points of of where high
  • <00:05:09.560> by twice the weight of U of those earned by twice the weight of U of those
  • copy of all leave policies and a copy of copy of all leave policies and a copy of all<00:25:48.960
  • EMS Eddie slung Kentucky Board board of EMS Eddie slung Kentucky Board of of of EMS<00:35:34.800>
Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and welcomed new members before taking up Council on Postsecondary Education regulations 13 KAR 2:120 and 13 KAR 2:130. The regulations, as amended by staff and agency amendments, update public university and KCTCS performance funding models to conform to 2024 Senate Bill 191 and the performance funding work group’s recommendations. Changes discussed included replacing the underrepresented minority metric with an underrepresented students metric defined as first-generation students, adding an adult learner metric, increasing the low-income degree premium, adjusting small-school and nonresident credit-hour weights, revising data aging and progression metrics, and adding STEM+H criteria in 13 KAR 2:120. Travis Pal of the Council on Postsecondary Education explained that the changes reflect the work group’s three-year review process and that the work group ultimately voted to define underrepresented students as first-generation students and to apply half-weighting between research and comprehensive universities for the new metric. Michael Frasier of the Kentucky Student Rights Coalition and Eastern Kentucky University student government opposed 13 KAR 2:120, arguing that the regulation improperly applies weights where the statute does not clearly authorize them and that the funding changes disadvantage comprehensive universities and vulnerable students. He asked the committee to find the regulation deficient or, alternatively, recommend legislative clarification and a revised fiscal analysis. Pal responded that weighting has been part of the model since 2017, that CPE was following the statute and work group recommendations, and that the model could be changed by future legislation. Members asked about the timing of the broader performance funding review, and Pal said the full model is reviewed every three years, with the next work group cycle beginning in 2026. No motion to find the regulation deficient was made, and the committee allowed the regulations to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The committee then approved a staff amendment to Teachers’ Retirement System regulations 102 KAR 1:195 and 102 KAR 1:340, which require annual reporting of accumulated sick leave, leave policies, and salary schedules to TRS and make technical changes to the final average salary calculation and related definitions.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 28th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • admission of evidence?
  • and has probative value.
  • Why don't we do it in every single type of case instead of just these two types?
  • Second, and perhaps more importantly, the prosecution must show that the probative value of the propensity
  • of violence.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 28th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ferris of Colgate as the director of corrections to serve at the pleasure of the Governor, members, that
  • of Oklahoma.
  • the board of regents of the University of Oklahoma for a seven-year term ending March 1, 2033.
  • of the Year.
  • of fentanyl is presumed to be the cause of death.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
  • of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, all these activities that are going on statewide.
  • awareness of the broad spectrum of Kentucky history that is out around the Commonwealth.
  • of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, all these activities that are going on statewide.
  • moved to that early early part kind of moved to that early early part of<00:08:29.199> June of
Summary: The House State Government Committee held its first meeting of the session, established a quorum, welcomed new members, and heard only one item of business: House Bill 313, sponsored by Representative Kim King. King said the bill would add a Kentucky History Month recognition and tied it to recent local anniversary celebrations, arguing it could support education, economic development, and tourism. Kentucky Historical Society Executive Director Scott Alvi testified in support, describing the proposal as part of a broader effort to create a legacy around the nation’s 250th anniversary, coordinate statewide history events, and promote heritage tourism. Members asked why June was chosen and whether an emergency clause should be added so the measure could take effect in time for this June. King said June was selected because it aligns with Statehood Day and Boone Day and leads into July 4th, and she said she was open to the emergency-clause idea, though any amendment would need to be filed in writing later. The committee then voted on the bill and passed it 19-0, with no opposition. The chair noted the bill would next go to the House floor and closed by joking that the meeting was unusually short.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • /c> note the removal of nearly 3/4 of a note the removal of nearly 3/4 of a million<00:03:09.280>
  • of some of the federal the spending of some of the federal incentive<00:17:58.720> dollars<00
  • of the Department of Agriculture."
  • :30.480> of is an employee of the department of is an employee of the department of agriculture
  • <00:36:00.880> that to kind of kind of piggyback off of that to kind of kind of piggyback off
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:02:51.159> adoption<00:02:51.640> of discussion all in favor of adoption of discussion
  • of the volume of stay contains the half of the volume of the<00:31:04.320> world<00:31:05.320
  • 91% of government spending out of 91% of government spending out of Kentucky<00:38:20.599> in
  • <00:40:37.839> the of the Senate and the speaker of the of the Senate and the speaker of the
  • the money of the taxpayers and citizens of Kentucky.
Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 491 by Representative Steve Riley. The committee adopted a proposed committee substitute, then heard that the bill would raise the threshold for certain capital project and equipment purchases from $200,000 to $500,000, remove a requirement for a special board meeting when replacing a board of regents member, allow certain employees or contractors to perform capital construction work up to $500,000, remove limits on retired police officers working at postsecondary institutions, and speed release of pension information to employers. Members asked about reporting and oversight of the higher threshold, and the witness said the records are maintained by institutions and available upon request. HB 491 passed on a 19-0 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 738 by Representative Griffey, relating to state personnel and the constitutional officers. The bill would give independently elected constitutional officers more flexibility to hire unclassified employees and set salaries for classified employees up to the midpoint without Personnel Cabinet approval, while leaving pay scales, appropriations, and funding limits unchanged. Representative Griffey and witnesses from the auditor’s office said the measure was intended to reduce red tape, address salary compression, improve pay equity, and help recruit and retain staff; they also said it would allow offices to fill policy roles needed for audits and other work. Members questioned the fiscal note, salary caps, and whether the bill would affect future budget requests. The bill passed 18-1, with one pass, and the chair noted it would move favorably to the House floor. After those bills, the committee briefly welcomed Taiwan’s consul general, Elliot Wang, and Representative Adam Bowling spoke about Kentucky’s relationship with Taiwan, including trade, investment, and prior assistance during disasters. Wang described Taiwan’s economic ties with the United States, ongoing trade and investment developments, defense and education cooperation, and people-to-people exchange programs, noting Kentucky was the first state to sign an education cooperation MOU with Taiwan in 2021.