Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:39.800><c> of</c> motion uh talked about the price of motion uh talked about the price of
• </c> on fuels with very volatile um prices on fuels with very volatile um prices and<01:47:48.400><c>
• Carbon Price Gap, which is my collection of information that leads me to believe that a carbon price
• Carbon Price Gap, which is my collection of information that leads me to believe that a carbon price
• Carbon Price Gap, which is my collection of information that leads me to believe that a carbon price

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think anybody in this nation, in this state, can afford any higher drug prices.
• Delta, the money that is the difference between the wholesale price and the retail price, and you're
• The amendment does not address acquisition of drugs under the 340B drug pricing program.
• The Speaker therefore finds and rules that the amendment... ...340B drug pricing program.
• This is about taking the difference between a wholesale drug price and a retail drug price, where pharma

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up and passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292, which modifies the paid family and medical leave program. Supporters said the bill uses an actuarial model to set rates and maintains a four-month reserve to improve program stability. It passed final passage 95-1. The House then considered Substitute Senate Bill 5841, dealing with completion of course and financial aid-related requirements. An amendment was adopted to add a financial aid calculator and require outreach to students who indicate they have completed a financial aid form, with supporters saying it would help students understand aid eligibility and access college opportunities. The bill then passed as amended, 92-4. The most extensive debate was on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5981, concerning the 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacy relationships. Members offered many amendments seeking to limit the bill’s scope, add transparency, or direct 340B savings toward patient care, low-income patients, rural areas, or charity care; most were rejected. Supporters argued the bill would help safety-net providers, hospitals, and FQHCs, while opponents warned it would mainly benefit large hospital systems, create administrative burdens, and likely face litigation. After the House adopted the committee amendment and rejected the floor amendments, the bill passed 67-30. The transcript then moved on to other business, including Senate messages and the start of debate on House Bill 2487 on taxes, with one technical amendment to clarify taxpayer definitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• But other than that, we encourage firms to set their own prices, particularly low prices.
• There's a list of what kind of conduct, like fixing prices or rigging bids.
• So setting your own prices does not harm competition.
• So the Unfair Practices Act only regulates predatory pricing, right?
• of production as whether or not a price reduction is appropriate.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on transparency, public health, labor enforcement, health privacy, high-speed rail oversight, and antitrust policy. AB 1544, by Assemblymember Crowell, would strengthen transparency and access to courthouses; the author said it was aimed at protecting press and public access, and the bill was pulled pending quorum. AB 1604, by Assemblymember Stephanie, would ban BPA and other bisphenols in thermal receipt paper by 2027-2028; supporters from Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Californians Against Waste, and a broad coalition argued receipts are a major source of toxic exposure and recycling contamination, while the author said she would continue working with opposition. AB 1859, by Assemblymember Jackson, would let Joint Labor Management Committees visit public works sites to help identify wage and safety violations; labor groups supported it as a low-cost enforcement tool amid a large wage-theft backlog, while contractors and local government groups opposed it as creating private enforcement, liability, and safety concerns. The committee later took up AB 1930, by Assemblymember Burr and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and Equality California, which would require notice to the Attorney General before certain entities respond to subpoenas or inquiries involving legally protected reproductive or gender-affirming care; supporters framed it as a patient privacy and anti-intimidation measure, while opponents said it would shield providers from scrutiny and interfere with lawful investigations. The bill was approved on a 6-2 vote and placed on call. The consent calendar, including several unrelated bills, was also approved. The committee also heard AB 1584, by Assemblymember Jackson, which would create an Office of Civil Rights within the California Air Resources Board to provide training, language access, and compliance oversight. Supporters said CARB needs a stronger legal framework and dedicated office to enforce civil rights commitments, while an opponent argued CARB already has a civil rights office and should expand existing structures instead of creating a new one. The bill was moved to Appropriations after a roll call vote. AB 1608, by Assemblymember Wilson, would expand the powers and staffing tools of the High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General, including public reporting requirements and authority over classifications and purchasing; supporters said stronger independent oversight is needed for the costly project, while opponents criticized the project itself and raised concerns about confidentiality and who should receive reports. The bill was also passed to Appropriations after extended discussion. Finally, AB 1776, by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, would revise California antitrust law to address single-firm conduct under the Cartwright Act. Supporters, including small business and labor advocates, argued dominant firms can harm competition and that the bill would protect small businesses and workers; opponents from business, biotech, retail, housing, and other sectors warned it would create legal uncertainty, expand litigation, and chill investment. The transcript ended during that bill’s testimony and debate, before a final vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We estimate that consumers with a single 400-watt panel will save $250.
• We also have to make sure that during those few hours each year, estimated between 20 and 100 hours,
• They're already paying very high prices for electricity in the state of California.
• Statewide public health costs associated with emissions from these generators are estimated to reach
• cheap, providing a strong price signal for people to use it.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approvals for portable plug-in solar devices while setting safety standards. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and homeowners with high electricity bills by allowing low-cost balcony solar systems to reduce monthly costs, and they emphasized that the devices would not feed power back to the grid. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, solar advocates, and many members of the public. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, overloading, and the need for California-specific building standards. After discussion, the author agreed to committee amendments and later to add compliance with the California Electrical Code in addition to the National Electrical Code; several opponents said that change would move them to neutral. The committee then voted to pass SB 868 out as amended to Senate Judiciary, with some members expressing support while reserving concerns about safety as the bill moves forward. The committee then took up SB 886, dealing with data center electricity use and ratepayer protections. The author said the bill is intended to prevent large data centers from shifting grid and infrastructure costs onto other customers, citing rapid growth in data center demand and examples from other states. Supporters, including TURN and climate groups, said the bill would require data centers to pay for their own grid impacts, pre-fund long-term clean energy resources, participate in demand response, and cover related costs. Opponents from the data center industry, tech and business groups, utilities, and some energy users argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC processes, and could create discriminatory rate treatment or operational problems, especially around mandatory demand response and limits on backup generation. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing a storage requirement with a long-term zero-carbon procurement mechanism, and exempting certain public and utility facilities. Members discussed the balance between affordability, reliability, and clean energy, with the bill framed as a way to protect ratepayers while allowing data center growth.

Transcript Highlights:

• We estimate that consumers with a single 400-watt panel will save $250.
• And then we've got to make sure those few hours, you know, estimates between 20 and 100 hours a year
• They're already paying very high prices for electricity in the state of California.
• Statewide public health costs associated with emissions from these generators are estimated to reach
• cheap, providing a strong price signal for people to use it.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.

Transcript Highlights:

• We estimate that consumers with a single 400-watt panel will save $250.
• And then we've got to make sure those few hours, you know, estimates between 20 and 100 hours a year
• They're already paying very high prices for electricity in the state of California.
• cheap, providing a strong price signal for people to use it.
• The charges alone cost manufacturers roughly one and a half times the equivalent price of gas.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, these are estimates. And again, these are estimates.
• And so you can see your favorite school district and see what that estimated increase is.
• Chairman, takes the same data and illustrates the estimated percentage increase.
• And I don't think you can put a price tag on that. >> Mr. Shinfault? >> Please.
• You can't put a price on that, quite honestly.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have an estimate for that?
• So your estimate, and I know you'll get back to us with your thorough analysis, but the estimate is,
• So I'm not sure where those estimates are coming from. In my experience, that's not the case.
• That would allow for us to price the risk.
• That would allow for us to price the risks associated maybe with your service territory.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:13.839><c> So</c><00:10:14.160><c> every</c> price lunch weights etc.
• So every price lunch weights etc.
• Our modeling last year estimated that this homestead exemption will cost approximately 35 million more
• </c><00:37:08.000><c> that</c> Our modeling last year estimated that Our modeling last year estimated
• the overall fiscal impact of estimate the overall fiscal impact of act<00:41:22.240><c> 73.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:02.240><c> are</c><00:42:02.480><c> going</c> yet another year where prices are going yet
• By conservative estimates, what it would cost if we were to use public dollars to build those homes,
• it would cost, and this is a conservative estimate, $35 billion with a B.
• what it would conservative estimates what it would cost<00:49:14.240><c> if</c><00:49:14.480><c> we<
• </c><00:49:21.200><c> $</c><00:49:21.280><c> 35</c> and this is a conservative estimate $ 35 and this

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The estimated damages in Rio Dell were well in excess of $32 million.
• The estimated damages in Rio Delle were well in excess of $32 million.
• So do we have a rough estimate of, you know, do you have a case study of a recent disaster, how much
• The estimates in the past have been $1 billion for this bill, and I experienced in my county, we've had
• If you came to us with a cost estimate California cost of living crisis.

Summary: The Emergency Management Committee met to adopt its rules and hear a series of disaster- and public safety-related bills. Several measures were placed on consent and approved, including bills sending items to Appropriations, Natural Resources, Judiciary, Labor and Employment, and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 262, by Assembly Member Caloza, proposed a California Individual Assistance Act to create a state grant program for disaster-related costs when federal aid is unavailable; supporters cited Rio Dell’s earthquake recovery as an example, while some members raised concerns about eligibility, cost, and whether the bill could aid undocumented residents. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote. AB 549, by Assembly Member Gabriel, would create an interagency coordination framework for major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics, with supporters emphasizing public safety and anti-trafficking planning. An opposition witness argued the bill could be used to justify prostitution arrests and misuse trafficking funds, but the committee members largely supported the coordination concept, and the bill passed 6-0 to Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 270, by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, would establish a three-year pilot for autonomous aerial firefighting helicopters overseen by the Orange County Fire Authority; supporters described it as a way to extend wildfire response into conditions where crewed aircraft are limited, and the bill passed 6-0 to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, sought to require Ventura County water districts in high fire-risk areas to top off tanks during red flag warnings, maintain backup generators, and harden critical water infrastructure. Water agencies opposed the bill unless amended, citing cost, flexibility, and liability concerns, while the author argued the requirements were necessary after failures during the Thomas Fire; it passed 6-1 to Utilities and Energy. AB 615, by Assembly Member Davies, required emergency response plans to be submitted with initial applications for battery energy storage and other energy facilities and to be reviewed with local responders; it passed 7-0 to Utilities and Energy. AB 1075, concerning privately contracted firefighters, also passed on consent to Natural Resources. Finally, AB 1143, by Assembly Member Bennett, would create a voluntary statewide home hardening certification program through the State Fire Marshal; supporters called it a best-practices approach to reduce wildfire losses and insurance risk, and it passed to Natural Resources. The committee then completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned after all bills were moved out.

Transcript Highlights:

• An estimated $45 million is available in resiliency or mitigation grant funding.
• That $45 million comes from a direct estimation of 20% of the total value of individual assistance and
• , Florida Division of Emergency Management and everything that we usually get estimated, we end up coming
• in with usually more than what they estimate.
• Now, I don't know where some of these places get their estimations.

Summary: The Economic Development Budget Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster costs, recovery operations, sheltering, and major capital projects. He reviewed the 2024 hurricane season impacts from Debby, Helene, and Milton, explaining how FEMA public assistance and state reimbursement work, how cost shares can shift from 75/25 to 90/10 after a federal threshold is reached, and how Florida uses prior storm data and inflation to estimate recovery costs. He also described the state’s faster reimbursement timelines, crediting legislative investments in technology and digital field documentation, and said the division is working to reduce disaster closeout timelines from decades to about seven years. Members asked about debris removal, FEMA de-obligations, local preparedness, and whether regional shelters or co-located emergency operations centers could be used more efficiently. Guthrie said debris assistance is complicated and should generally remain tied to local contracts and planning, though the state will help fiscally constrained communities when needed. He explained de-obligations as FEMA clawing back previously approved funds after later review, and said Florida’s FROC program is helping local governments reduce those risks through standardized documentation, procurement review, and training. He also urged more mandatory emergency-management training for local and state officials and cautioned against weakening the FEMA 50% rule for rebuilding damaged structures. Guthrie provided updates on the new central Florida warehouse in Auburndale and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. He said the warehouse will improve logistics, include cold and ultra-cold storage, and be run by a private vendor with virtual inventory tracking, while the new EOC is designed for Category 5 conditions and expanded partner capacity. He acknowledged budget pressures that reduced the size of the EOC project and said an additional IT request was needed because those costs were not originally included. The meeting ended with praise for FDEM’s work and no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• there seem to be higher than in other areas because suppliers or wholesalers can set those prices and
• can set those prices and do not give small mom-and-pop grocers the same volume terms.
• What is the estimated time of a constitutional convention, ma'am? That would be outside of...
• What is the estimated time of a constitutional convention, ma'am? That would be outside of...
• We've got to have an estimated number. One, you have the cost of $16,554 per day. Yes, ma'am.

Bills: HR3 , HR80 , HB4 , HB172 , HB189 , HB623 , HB944 , HB1185 , HB1199 , HB1222 , SB105 , SB125 , SB461

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We're getting two for the price of two and a half it seems here with this reorganization plan.
• Cannabis consumers are price sensitive.
• as well as increased transaction volumes and updated estimates for future years.
• You can hear from different vendors, get different price quotes, hear about their capability.
• These mandates are estimated to cost $3.7 million one time.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hayes, in estimating the interest over the life of the bond, if you had 30 years and you
• How often does that do those circumstances take place and in trying to estimate the future?
• of the finance cost associated, uh, with a given percent or, you know, there's, uh, estimates of how
• Amount was significantly, was a significant number in addition to the purchase, you know, price of the
• Again, the voter information document reveals that the estimated interest cost was roughly equivalent

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have an estimate for that?
• So your estimate, and I know you'll get back to us with your thorough analysis, but the estimate is,
• So I'm not sure where those estimates are coming from. In my experience, that's not the case.
• That would allow for us to price the risk.
• That would allow for us to price the risks associated maybe with your service territory.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and broader options for reforming California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the scale of wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh trade-offs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described long delays in compensation, housing insecurity, and what they viewed as a system that protects utility shareholders more than victims. They urged greater transparency, clearer accountability for utility spending and safety performance, faster and fuller compensation for survivors, and reforms such as independent audits and better alignment of utility incentives with wildfire prevention and restitution. The second panel began with Tom Welsh of the California Earthquake Authority, who explained that the SB 254 report was intended as a broad inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations. He described the report’s process, including stakeholder submissions, workstreams, and a convergence process, and outlined the current wildfire fund structure: utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims after a covered wildfire, and the CPUC later determines prudency and possible reimbursement back to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon summarized compensation data, saying utilities paid about $38 billion between 2017 and 2024, with major shares going to injured parties, insurers, and public entities, while litigation costs and survivors’ own losses remain substantial. He noted that legal fees and delays reduce the amount survivors ultimately receive. Utility and public-interest witnesses offered differing views on the report’s pathways. PG&E’s Tyson Smith said the report shows inaction is the worst outcome and argued for community wildfire risk reduction, equitable allocation of catastrophe costs, and state-led resilience tools. LADWP’s Fernando Valero emphasized the vulnerability of municipal utilities and cities, and supported inverse condemnation reform, a state-sponsored liability insurance framework, damages and subrogation limits, and stronger insurance access. Consumer Attorneys of California’s John Fisk argued that IOU-caused fires are not natural disasters but the result of negligence and sometimes criminal conduct, and opposed reducing utility liability while supporting stronger oversight and audits. The Public Advocates Office’s Nathaniel Skinner focused on affordability, saying ratepayers already bear large and growing wildfire costs and warning against shifting more costs onto bills without measurable risk reduction and tighter accountability. Committee members then began questioning witnesses about what counts as measurable mitigation, how to define full and fair compensation, and how any fast-pay process should work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, late yesterday afternoon, the JLBC issued a fiscal note, and it estimated that the bills
• And the last JLBC estimate of available funding in the general fund for the first year is less than $70
• I think, because it's a $441.3 million price tag where we don't have certainty of how we're going to
• price tag of the other bill.
• An estimated $79.7 million in 2026 and $67 million in 2027.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The joint House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees met to hear identical conformity bills, HB 2153 and SB 1106, which would align Arizona tax law with the federal Internal Revenue Code as of Jan. 1, 2026, including some retroactive provisions for tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bills would exclude three federal provisions: the higher federal SALT deduction, the new senior deduction as written in H.R. 1, and the deduction for interest on new car loans. They would instead include a $6,000 retirement-income deduction for taxpayers age 60 and older, a $6,000 Roth IRA contribution deduction, a higher dependent tax credit, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. JLBC estimated the package would reduce general fund income tax revenue by about $441.3 million in FY 2026. Members also discussed that the Department of Revenue’s forms had been issued assuming full conformity, and staff and supporters argued the bills were needed quickly to avoid confusion and amended returns during filing season. Committee members and sponsors largely framed the bills as tax relief and a way to provide certainty for taxpayers and preparers. Supporters said the package would help families, seniors, and workers, and noted that the Arizona version was negotiated to keep the overall tax relief roughly comparable to full conformity while shifting benefits away from the SALT deduction and toward child credits, retirement income, and child care. The sponsors also criticized the governor’s executive action and urged prompt passage so taxpayers would know how to file. Opponents argued the bills would reduce state revenue, worsen the budget outlook, and disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations. Several witnesses and members also raised concerns about the child care deduction, the retirement-income deduction, and the business expensing provisions, while supporters responded that the bill was designed to help working families and encourage saving and investment. Public testimony was mixed. The Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club supported the bills, emphasizing early conformity, filing certainty, and reduced confusion for taxpayers and software providers. Opponents included Save Our Schools Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Opportunity Arizona, and several individuals, who argued the package would deepen budget problems and favor the wealthy. One witness objected to a federal school-choice-related provision she said was being tied to the bill, though committee members said the measure before them was a tax conformity bill and not a school finance bill. The hearing included extended debate over the fiscal impact, the governor’s prior requests for some of the same tax changes, and whether taxpayers would need to file amended returns if the legislature later changed course. The transcript ends during testimony from NFIB, with no final committee vote or action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• At an assumed or estimated cost of $3 per member per month.
• </c> so um it's a pretty big sticker price so um it's a pretty big sticker price when<01:19:14.960><c
• buying it through the MCOs at full price.
• </c><01:37:09.119><c> for</c><01:37:09.400><c> the</c> full price for the full price for the medications
• </c> manag Care organizations at full price manag Care organizations at full price is<01:37:32.480><c

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The drug price we use is the same drug price that the federal government has released.
• The drug price we use is the same drug price that the federal government has released, so the national
• But as far as the price, and I understand where you went to as far as what's that actually The price,
• We know the price of the bottle, the price of the label, and in general we have a good understanding
• prices and inflating discounts.

Bills: SB511 , SB512 , HB591 , HB909 , HB938 , HB1154 , HB1187

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: automobile repairs, insurance transparency, repair shop liability, non-OEM parts, policyholder rights, automobile insurance, appraisal process, insurance policyholders, dispute resolution, claim valuation, family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, behavioral health, crisis services, mental health care, insurance coverage, healthcare access

Transcript Highlights:

• A conceptual design and cost estimate was completed in October of '23.
• Uh there's a as as the estimates are.
• Tell us where we're sending them and tell us what that price tag is. come into detention.
• </c> kids out of state and there's a price kids out of state and there's a price tag<00:58:53.359><c>
• </c> price tag is. price tag is. &gt;&gt; We'll<00:59:07.760><c> do.</c> Thank you.

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:01:19 NKU Capital Project Update 0:38:57 DJJ High Acuity Services Update 1:03:53 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The interim Budget Review Subcommittee for Justice and Judiciary received an update on Northern Kentucky University’s capital project to house the Northern Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office and the Northern Kentucky Crime Lab in the former Highland Heights Civic Center building on NKU’s campus. NKU and Justice Cabinet staff described the project timeline: the building was identified in late 2022, lease terms were agreed to in early 2023, a pre-construction evaluation agreement was executed in May 2023, the General Assembly authorized $21 million in April 2024, and the lease and construction agreement were finalized in spring 2026. The project is now being prepared for bid, with construction expected to start in August and occupancy targeted for January 2028. About $1 million has been spent so far on design and related investigations. Testimony emphasized that the vacant building was structurally sound but required major upgrades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roof, windows, a generator, specialized mechanical systems, security, and geothermal work to meet the needs of two separate operations sharing one facility. NKU said it is contributing $3.7 million to the project. Committee members asked about the condition of the building, the urgency of the project, and why the process took so long. Justice Cabinet and real properties officials said the medical examiner’s office had been shut down since roughly late 2017 or 2018, that the state had first sought funding in the 2022 budget for staffing, a lease, and equipment, and that it took time to find a suitable leased location because the facility has highly specialized requirements. Members also asked about operating costs, annual lease costs, and the impact of the office’s absence on families and counties in Northern Kentucky. Officials said the lease cost is based on NKU’s expected maintenance-related expenses, while utilities and staffing are covered through the Office of the State Medical Examiner or Kentucky State Police, with seven medical examiner positions funded in House Bill 500 and two additional KSP positions requested for the crime lab. They explained that, until the new facility opens, bodies from Northern Kentucky are generally transported to Louisville for autopsy, with transportation costs borne by the coroner’s office. No votes were taken, but the committee requested follow-up information, including lease cost numbers and additional details on facility usage and timing.