Video & Transcript Research : 'native forests'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 1, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Chip, a native of Duluth, Minnesota, was inspired to pursue a career in law enforcement after seeing
- <00:09:47.760>
Chip, <00:09:48.560>a <00:09:48.800>native He knew that he wanted - is a very beautiful state, very blessed state, wonderful resources, beautiful beaches, beautiful forest
- is a very beautiful state, very blessed state, wonderful resources, beautiful beaches, beautiful forest
- A native of Fauler County, Chief Carter has served his hometown as a police officer, corporal, detective
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- This event, now in its 79th year, was founded by a man named Carl Stotz, a Williamsport native.
- This amendment encourages the use of native plants in HOAs, and it does prohibit the HOA from imposing
- significant restrictions on homeowners who wish to use native plants.
- the co-chair of the PA Public Garden Caucus, I see it incumbent upon us to help promote the use of native
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and first handled routine business including postponing approval of the prior journal and confirming a quorum. Several committee reports were adopted, including measures from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, after testimony from Rep. DeLosier and discussion of a constituent’s experience with severe scoliosis; the resolution passed 201-1.
The House then adopted a series of additional resolutions and bills, including Diaper Need Awareness Week, a study on PANS/PANDAS, 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and a resolution commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania. It also passed bills on Sunshine Act agenda notice changes, veteran death notifications, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, township audit deadlines, first responder memorials, road transfers, parole board succession, and restrictions on HOA limits for rooftop solar. The solar bill drew multiple failed amendments on HOA voting rules, native plants, energy-source discrimination, and net metering; one amendment on indemnification for elected officials at special events was adopted.
In final passage votes, the House approved legislation to prohibit NDAs related to data centers, with debate centered on transparency and local control; it passed 171-31. The chamber also passed bills allowing Pittsburgh school administrators to collectively bargain, requiring hunting and trapping education options in schools, expanding SWIF’s equity investment authority, and scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule 3 controlled substance. The Counseling Compact bill and a parole-record privilege bill both passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the House signed those measures for presentation to the Governor. The session ended with referrals of new bills to committees, a motion to adjourn, and adjournment until July 1, 2026.
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- Carl Stotz, This event, now in its 79th year, was founded by a man named Carl Stotz, a Williamsport native
- This amendment encourages the use of native plants in HOAs, and it does prohibit the HOA from imposing
- significant restrictions on homeowners who wish to use native plants.
- the co-chair of the PA Public Garden Caucus, I see it incumbent upon us to help promote the use of native
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a student advocate and family members connected to a resolution on scoliosis awareness. The chamber first took up committee reports from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, and later Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection, agreeing to the reported bills and resolutions. House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, was adopted 201-1 after remarks describing the condition and the advocacy of a young constituent. The House also adopted resolutions designating Diaper Need Awareness Week, directing a study on PANS/PANDAS, recognizing 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania, with broad bipartisan support.
The House then considered several bills on final passage. House Bill 2146, updating the Sunshine Act’s 24-hour agenda notice rule after a court ruling, and Senate Bills 130, 511, 971, 972, 1181, and 1235 were agreed to. House Bill 1239, limiting HOA restrictions on rooftop solar, drew multiple amendments; some were withdrawn, and others failed on tied votes, after debate over HOA governance, native plants, and net metering. House Bill 2219, on license plates and transportation provisions, had an amendment agreed to removing indemnification language for elected officials at special events, and then passed as amended. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, saw an amendment to preserve limited non-competes fail, and the bill passed. House Bill 2359, prohibiting government NDAs related to data centers, passed 171-31 after extensive debate over transparency and local control.
The chamber also passed House Bill 2455, granting Pittsburgh school administrators collective bargaining rights, despite objections that existing appeal protections already exist; it passed 106-96. House Bill 2460, creating hunting and trapping education provisions, passed 180-22 after debate over whether it duplicated existing law and imposed a mandate. House Bill 2499, expanding the State Workers’ Insurance Fund’s equity investment authority, passed 173-29. House Bill 2529, scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance, passed 198-4 amid testimony about overdose risks and concerns about criminalization. Senate Bill 604, joining the Counseling Compact, passed 188-14, and Senate Bill 1259, clarifying parole record privilege and expanding notice to denied parole applicants, passed unanimously 202-0. The House then made referrals and committee assignments, signed the two Senate bills for presentation to the Governor, and adjourned until July 1, 2026.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He's a native of Columbia, Mississippi, and formerly served as a communications director for Mississippi
- He's a native<00:13:46.000>
of <00:13:46.240>Columbia, <00:13:46.800>Mississippi, - ><00:13:47.760>
and native of Columbia, Mississippi, and native of Columbia, Mississippi, and - ><00:13:47.760>
Summary:
The House convened with prayer led by Pastor Darren Leech, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. After confirming a quorum, the chamber dispensed with reading the journal and handled routine introductions. Members welcomed several guests in the galleries, including Mick Bulock of NCSL and multiple youth and community groups. The House also recognized Pastor Leech’s remarks about public service and stewardship.
A series of congratulatory resolutions were taken up and adopted, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. These included resolutions honoring Derek Hall for winning Super Bowl 60 with the Seattle Seahawks, the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars cross country and softball teams for state championships, and other special recognitions. The House also adopted STR 536 and several additional resolutions from the rules calendar, with votes reported at 118 yeas, 0 nays on multiple items.
On the conference calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1150, which merged the engineers and surveying boards, added an exception so title attorneys were not affected, and changed board member terms from six years to four years. The concurrence motion passed 122 yeas, 0 nays. The House also adopted a conference report on item 60 related to state security operations center language, removing a reverse repealer, by a vote of 117 yeas, 0 nays.
Later, members continued introducing guests and honoring school groups, including the Winston Academy football team for its state championship, the Jeff Davis County Mayor’s Youth Council, Columbus High School’s boys basketball team and Mr. Basketball honoree Michael Hood Jr., Heritage Christian Academy, and Mississippi State basketball player Josh Huard, who was recognized for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Award. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. the next day, with the journal left open until the last conference report is filed.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (3-17-26)
Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Ashley Peratt was a native, and I just would ask for a moment of silence for her. Thank you.
- Ashley Peratt was a native<00:02:13.120>
and <00:02:13.880>I <00:02:13.959>just < - 02:14.440>
ask <00:02:14.640>for <00:02:14.760>a <00:02:14.800>moment native - and I just would ask for a moment native and I just would ask for a moment of<00:02:15.120>
silence
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Dec 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- parents, aunts, uncles, cousins—everyone I know—went to the University of Florida, and we are Florida natives
- I'm from Live Oak, a native of Suwannee County.
- I just want to give you a quick rundown about me from Livo, native of Swanee County.
- Just to start with a little bit about me, I am a Florida native, born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmation testimony for a large slate of university and state college trustees. Most of the discussion centered on the nominees’ backgrounds, ties to their institutions, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving university rankings. Several University of Florida trustees emphasized campus improvements, “One UF” integration, institutional neutrality, and ambitions to move UF into the top tier nationally. Other nominees highlighted goals for Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, UCF, Florida State, Florida Poly, the Florida Prepaid College Board, and several state colleges, with recurring themes of affordability, economic mobility, cybersecurity, and keeping Florida students in-state for college and careers.
Public testimony was heard on the Florida A&M appointment, where Elijah Hooks spoke in opposition to the current administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from the university after protesting the selection of President Marva Johnson. During questioning of FAU nominee Tina Vidal-Duart, senators asked about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about reports concerning CDR Health’s contracting practices; she said she was not aware of the foundation issues at the time and noted that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate, so subcontractor pricing affected only the company’s internal margins. Other nominees received little or no questioning.
At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to confirm all nominees except Tina Vidal-Duart separately. Senator Bracy Davis requested the separate vote and opposed her confirmation, citing concerns related to her Hope Florida Foundation board service. Despite that objection, the committee ultimately voted to report Vidal-Duart favorably as well. The committee also noted that one University of West Florida nominee would be taken up at a later hearing because he was unable to attend.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Military and Veterans Affairs Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- with the Navajo Nation just to improve engagement and service quality, and create state support for native
- Something Arizona does that we should note is they've launched of PTSD and wellness grant programs for Native
- So creating support for Native Americans.
- Native veterans' mental health and wellness is a really big deal for me.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jun 27th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- for individuals for services that are on Medicaid, and most of those people on fee for service are Native
- enormous health disparities that exist with regard to alcohol, um, misuse, and one of them is, um, Native
- Thank you, but if we can, I, I would like to see a senator talking about Native Americans and when we
- it's UCLA or I, I'm not remembering who offered the study about the health health disparities for Native
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TOU/WAL Joint Public Hearing - Thu Feb 13, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- the Care for Now leadership committee, which has grown to be 10 organizations serving conservation, Native
- conservation be 10 organizations serving conservation be 10 organizations serving conservation native
- Hawaiian<00:13:27.720>
and <00:13:27.880>Community <00:13:28.399>interests native - Hawaiian and Community interests native Hawaiian and Community interests uh<00:13:29.199>
we're
Summary:
The joint House Committee on Tourism and Committee on Water and Land heard HB 504, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by imposing a $20 nightly charge on stays booked with points, miles, or other rewards-program benefits, with revenues dedicated to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. Supporters said Hawaiʻi faces major environmental funding shortfalls and that visitors should help pay for the lands and waters they enjoy. Testimony in support came from DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Care for Now Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Kuaʻulu, Mālama Puka, Resources Legacy Fund, and others, many citing visitor polling showing strong support for an environmental stewardship fee and the need for a dedicated funding source and community grants.
Opposition or caution focused mainly on implementation and the tax structure. The Department of Taxation said the surcharge would create administrative difficulties because it would be hard to verify the value of points, miles, and similar bookings, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said it supported the policy goal but not the funding source, warning that tourists have limited budgets and may choose other destinations. Some members also raised concerns about the $20 rate and administrative complexity, while others said the concept was creative but needed refinement.
After discussion, the chair recommended passing HB 504 as HD1 with amendments, including noting DoTax’s concerns and changing the effective date for the surcharge to January 1, 2027. Both committees adopted the recommendation and passed the bill with amendments; one member in Water and Land voted with reservations, and several members were excused.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Tomorrow, there will be a joint session for Asian-American, Pacific Islander, and Hawaiian Native Day
- this whole thing was put out to protect New Mexicans from the federal overreach, particularly our Native
- government on notice that we will not tolerate any abuse to our citizens in New Mexico, especially the Native
- what we do know is that, as far as we can tell anyway, there has not been a single issue of abuse of Native
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/19/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Native Americans make up approximately 1% of Minnesota's population.
- Native Americans make up approximately 1% of Minnesota's population.
- Native Americans make up approximately 1% of Minnesota's population.
- for the opportunity to testify and I appreciate being here to speak on behalf of the leaders and Native
- for the opportunity to testify and I appreciate being here to speak on behalf of the leaders and Native
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/05/2026 - House Rural Economic Development
Rural Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- led her to collect and preserve artifacts that helped tell the story of the state's pioneers and Native
- That helped tell the story of the state's pioneers and Native peoples, and she personally restored this
- Arizona's prehistoric Central Highlands, beautifully displayed in ancient tools, pottery, and stunning Native
Keywords:
HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages, tax revenue, broadband, infrastructure, secondary businesses, tertiary businesses
Summary:
The committee began with short presentations highlighting historic sites in Prescott, including the Arizona Pioneer Home and the First Territorial Governor’s Mansion/Charlotte Hall Museum, framed as ways to showcase rural districts and Arizona history. Members discussed the importance of using committee time to feature district-specific projects and tourism assets before moving to legislation.
The main action was on HB 2804, a bill creating a state rural development and housing tax credit tied to the federal low-income housing tax credit for projects in counties under 800,000 population. Supporters, including the sponsor, the mayor of Flagstaff, housing developers, and other local officials, argued the credit would help finance affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents in rural areas where projects are otherwise not feasible. Opponents, including the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued the program is inefficient, difficult to police, and disproportionately benefits intermediaries and developers. After extended questioning and debate about whether the bill truly helps veterans and seniors, the committee passed HB 2804 on a 7-0 vote.
The committee then heard HB 2388, which directs the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers and report findings to the governor and legislature. The sponsor described it as a data-gathering measure to inform future policy, while supporters said it could help assess energy and job impacts, especially for Hispanic workers. One member suggested adding information on utility-rate impacts and waste/storage issues through amendment. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, and the committee adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jul 21st, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And then regarding the first question you had about the initiatives targeting Native Americans, um, in
- compiling... all of this information, and I didn't see per se any initiatives targeting directly Native
- We live in a very deeply rooted traditional Hispanic and Native American lands and cultural traditions
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 3rd, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 1603 will help with the implementation and compliance of the Native American Graves Protection and
- Of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, otherwise known as NAGPRA.
- As many of you may know, NAGPRA was enacted in 1990 to ensure Native American human remains, funerary
Summary:
The committee met to review fiscal aspects of House Bills 1417 and 1425, both part of a broader criminal justice reentry package. HB 1417 would eliminate the $35 public defender application fee and end court-ordered reimbursement of indigent defense costs, while also removing the $55 monthly community supervision fee. Testimony from the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents and the Department of Corrections said the bill would replace lost revenue with general fund appropriations of about $310,000 for indigent defense and $1.5 million for supervision fees, and that the fees are rarely collected and can hinder reentry. Representative Clemene said the bill is intended to reduce barriers to successful community reintegration and improve data and supervision practices.
HB 1425 would create and fund front-end diversion, deflection, and pretrial services programs. Supporters described it as allowing prosecutors and local jurisdictions to divert appropriate low-level offenders from prosecution, establish deflection programs for people with behavioral health needs, and expand pretrial services. The bill includes a pilot program in three counties, a $1 million appropriation to DOCR for one FTE and contracts with local providers, $750,000 to DHS for treatment services, and $55,000 for a study of pretrial services cost savings. Committee members asked several questions about how the pilot counties would be chosen, how the consultant study would be procured, and what services the DHS funds would cover.
The committee also heard House Bill 1603, which would provide a $500,000 matching grant for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act compliance, with $100,000 available to each of North Dakota’s five tribes if matched. Sponsor testimony said the funds would support a Historical Society NAGPRA compliance committee and help catalog and repatriate human remains and cultural items in coordination with tribes. After questions about the federal mandate and the difficulty of identifying artifacts, the committee voted 4-0 to give HB 1603 a do-pass recommendation, with Senator Meyer assigned to carry it forward.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JDC, JDC DEFER Public Hearings 02-19-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- for taking and killing of indigenous species of aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants that are native
- for taking and killing of indigenous species of aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants that are native
- And land plants that are native to the State.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held a decision-making-only agenda and voted on a series of bills, mostly following the chair’s recommendations. Measures passed unamended included SB 1202 on allowing campaign funds for child care and dependent care costs, SB 30 requiring all moped drivers to wear helmets, SB 55 requiring state administrative rules to be posted in a digitally accessible and searchable format, SB 106 on pedestrian conduct more than 200 feet from a crosswalk, SB 344 requiring helmets for skateboard users under 16, SB 849 increasing penalties for harming native species, SB 1337 clarifying Stadium Authority quorum rules, and SB 268 reducing the size of island burial councils and removing certain membership requirements. SB 1511, which prohibits vessels longer than 75 feet from entering Honay Bay, was also adopted, though the transcript includes some inconsistent wording about whether it was amended.
Several bills were approved with amendments. SB 1048 on solicitation of funds from the public was amended to remove a ministerial exception and to require certain charitable organizations and fundraising platforms to file written contracts with the Department before commencing solicitations. SB 109 was amended so that, in specified circumstances, the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi version of a law would be binding when the law was originally drafted in English, translated into Hawaiian, and later amended. SB 66 on county building permits was amended to add a bad date, April 23, 2057. SB 1312, deferred to the 10 o’clock agenda, clarified that “profits from prostitution” includes money or property received from prostitution proceeds even if characterized as reimbursement or debt repayment; it was also passed with amendments.
The committee also adopted a recommendation to pass SB 55 and other measures with the noted excused absences of Senator Gabbard and, at times, other members. Throughout the meeting, no major opposition was recorded beyond one member voting no or with reservations on some bills, and the chair repeatedly announced that the recommendations had been adopted. The meeting concluded after the 10 o’clock agenda, with notice that the committee would meet upstairs for later agendas with WHAM.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Feb 4, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 12
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 114 May 8th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 1.25 25 million for the native 1.25 25 million for the native terrestrial<03:50:45.600>
wildlife - that same amount of money for native that same amount of money for native aquatic<03:51:26.080><
- And just a native aquatic species.
- <03:52:36.160>
fish help um recover our native fish help um recover our native fish populations - about the difference between um native about the difference between um native suckers<03:53:18.880
Summary:
The House convened, took roll, and approved the journal of Wednesday, May 6, 2026, as corrected. Members then made several announcements, including committee meeting notices, a Colorado Farm Bureau burger bash, recognition of Nurses Week, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and a commendation honoring former legislator Dorothy Rupert for her public service and advocacy. The chamber also heard a report that Rep. Flynnel had helped save a life by calling 911 when she witnessed a medical emergency near the Capitol.
Committee reports were received from Appropriations and Business Affairs and Labor, and the majority leader moved a slate of bills to special order for May 7. The House then proceeded to special orders and considered House Bill 1433, which would allow the firefighter behavioral health trust to receive gifts, grants, and donations to sustain services for firefighters dealing with trauma. Supporters described the program as essential for first responders, and the bill passed.
The chamber next considered House Bill 1429 on consolidating administration of public assistance programs. Supporters said it would stabilize the safety net, reduce error rates, and create a transition plan involving counties, state departments, and frontline workers; the appropriations report and the bill both passed. House Bill 1416, which transfers money from the Universal High School Scholarship Cash Fund to support small businesses and the Colorado Small Business Development Center, also passed as amended after debate over the use of the scholarship fund and its prior implementation challenges. Opponents argued the money should remain with students, while supporters said the fund had already distributed most of its original allocation and the transfer would help small businesses without creating a new program.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Commission to Study Stable Tokens (03/10/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- But I think the more that states like yourself can be supportive of non-crypto-native banks that want
- <01:29:12.320>
uh <01:29:12.800>non-crypto <01:29:13.360>native <01:29:13.679> - banks<01:29:14.000>
that native uh non-crypto native banks that native uh non-crypto native - So most blockchains like native token.
- So there's there's another native token.
Summary:
The meeting began with roll call and introductions of commission members and guests, followed by approval of the agenda and a motion to approve the February 10 minutes with a correction clarifying that one quoted statement was misattributed. The commission then moved into presentations.
The main presentation came from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors on implementation of the federal GENIUS Act for stablecoins. The speaker reviewed the OCC’s recent 367-page proposed rule, noting it raises many open questions and design choices for states, and discussed expected upcoming rulemaking from the FDIC, Federal Reserve, and Treasury. The presentation focused on six areas: permissible issuer activities, reserve assets and redemption, risk management and supervision, treatment of state-qualified issuers, capital/operational backstops, and foreign issuers. It also flagged unresolved issues around Bank Secrecy Act/AML requirements and the meaning of “digital asset service provider” activities.
A substantial portion of the discussion addressed yield restrictions, with the presenter explaining the OCC’s broad definition of yield and its rebuttable presumption against issuer-affiliated or related third-party yield arrangements. The speaker said this likely forecloses many existing white-label structures but leaves some room for third-party payments depending on distance from the issuer, and noted ongoing Senate debate over similar provisions. The presentation also covered reserve valuation, liquidity and diversification requirements, redemption timing, and supervisory expectations such as third-party oversight, IT security, exam cycles, and reporting. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- whereas New York patent attorney and diplomat Edwin Stoughton commissioned Julian Scott, a Johnson native
- <00:03:03.200>
Scott, <00:03:03.880>a <00:03:03.959>Johnson <00:03:04.400>native - ,<00:03:05.200>
teenage Julian Scott, a Johnson native, teenage Julian Scott, a Johnson native - Please listen to the reading of the resolution. >> Whereas Vermont native Ann Donahue is a graduate of
Summary:
The House opened with routine proceedings, including a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, then referred three bills to money committees under House Rule 35A: S.197 to Ways and Means, and S.193 and S.278 to Appropriations. The chamber also read and celebrated HCR 304, honoring the display of Julian Scott’s Civil War painting, The Fourth Vermont Forming Under Fire, in the State House and recognizing the people who helped locate and acquire it for Vermont. HCR 303 was also read, extending best wishes for a speedy recovery to Rep. Ann Donahue; members then offered warm remarks welcoming her back to the chamber. Several members introduced guests in the gallery, and caucus announcements were made before the body moved to the calendar.
On transportation, the House took up H.944, the fiscal year 2027 transportation program. The House Transportation Committee reported major differences with the Senate version and, by straw poll, recommended a committee of conference. The House refused to concur in the Senate amendment, appointed conferees, and suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The House then considered S.214, which would allow the NEK Choice School District to pay tuition for pre-K students to nearby New Hampshire public-school programs, with administration by Essex North Supervisory Union and possible waivers from state agencies. Education, Ways and Means, and Appropriations all recommended concurrence, citing limited fiscal impact and improved access for children in Essex County; the bill was read a third time and ordered to third reading after debate that included support for rural access and concerns about relying on out-of-state capacity.
The House also concurred in Senate amendments to H.171, adding “the role of victim advocates” to officer-involved shooting investigation protocols, and to H.577, the Vermont prescription drug discount card program, which added annual reporting requirements and a terminology fix. The House likewise concurred in Senate amendments to H.588, the annual Office of Professional Regulation bill, including changes on rescission authority, substance-use treatment alternatives, CPA language, pharmacy technician authority, fee placement, and background checks. It then concurred in Senate amendments to H.611, a DVHA housekeeping bill, including 340B protections, a one-year delay for the community-based doula certification program, and codification of current HIV-prevention coverage practice. H.921 was postponed for two legislative days. Finally, the House took up S.227 on immigration protocols in Vermont schools, with the member from Williston describing it as a school safety measure that limits collection and sharing of immigration-status information, provides trusted resources to families, and requires a judicial warrant before law enforcement enters non-public school areas for immigration matters.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget review Sub. on Postsecondary Education. (1-22-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- of the things I'm so proud to talk about is, as we think about our Kentucky communities, and I'm a native
- about our Kentucky communities, and<00:03:10.000>
I'm <00:03:10.159>a <00:03:10.319>native - 11.200>
I'm <00:03:11.280>an <00:03:11.440>alum <00:03:11.680>of and I'm a native - I'm an alum of and I'm a native Kuckian.
- 12.400>
and <00:03:12.640>I'm <00:03:12.720>a <00:03:12.879>first I'm a native
Summary:
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to begin hearing budget requests from Kentucky universities. Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden highlighted EKU’s enrollment growth, its large population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students, and its role in producing graduates for Kentucky’s workforce, especially in health care, public safety, manufacturing, engineering, and aviation. He said EKU is seeking support for a Center for Health Innovation, including a doctor of osteopathic medicine program, with a $50 million accreditation escrow and startup funding that would be returned to the state after accreditation. He also described EKU’s health programs, which have strong pass rates and high in-state employment outcomes, and said the university wants continued asset preservation funding, inflationary operating support, and other recurring budget items.
McFaden also outlined EKU’s aviation request, including $10 million for new aircraft and support for an enhanced air traffic control program created in response to a legislative study. He said the program would enroll cohorts of about 30 students, likely attract out-of-state students, and require a $5 million startup investment plus $1.5 million in annual recurring support. He added that EKU’s lab school is seeking a revised funding model tied to enrollment rather than a flat mandated amount. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the medical school escrow, aircraft needs, and program capacity, and McFaden clarified that the escrow would remain intact until accreditation and then be returned to the general fund.
Kentucky State University President Kakpo then reviewed prior capital support that helped repair a dorm and several leaking roofs, and said the university is still addressing campus infrastructure problems. He said KSU’s main request is a new health sciences building to house its growing nursing program and language program, along with $40 million for additional dorm renovations and a carve-out for its aquaculture program. Kakpo said the aquaculture PhD proposal would be federally funded and could bring in more revenue, while the new building would help relieve overcrowding and support KSU’s research role. In response to questions, he said KSU’s campus housing capacity would be about 1,334 beds if all dorms were repaired, and that the university is rotating students through renovated buildings while trying to keep them on campus.
Committee members also raised safety concerns about the December campus shooting at KSU. Kakpo said the incident was isolated, expressed sympathy for the families affected, and said the university has reviewed campus procedures, added police and security positions, and is strengthening safety processes. The meeting did not include any votes or formal actions; it was a budget presentation and question-and-answer session.