Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:11:02.519> written<00:11:03.480> um<00:11:04.079> that<00:11:04.279> I<
• when<00:11:05.600> the<00:11:05.920> um<00:11:06.160> bill<00:11:06.440>
• > and<00:11:10.480> that<00:11:10.680> is<00:11:11.120> that<00:11:11.880
• we we have<00:11:14.880> a<00:11:14.959> lot<00:11:15.079> of<00:11:15.279>
• :11:20.320> of<00:11:20.600> we<00:11:20.720> kill<00:11:20.880> a<00:11:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a work session on several environmental bills, beginning with HP 152, which would prohibit the sale and use of adhesive-based rodent traps. Members discussed whether the bill should be amended to allow professional pest control use while restricting retail sales to the public. Testimony and member comments focused on animal welfare concerns, the relative humaneness and effectiveness of glue traps versus snap traps, consumer education, enforcement difficulties, and whether the bill should instead be limited to professionals. No vote was taken on HP 152 during the discussion. The committee then turned to HB 171, establishing a moratorium on new landfill permits. Representative Gruber distributed an amendment shortening the proposed moratorium from five years to three years as a compromise. Members supporting the moratorium said it would give the Department of Environmental Services time to update rules and reflect recent landfill-siting reforms, while opponents argued that three years was too long, could tie the hands of a future legislature, and might be difficult to pass in the Senate. Others noted the House, Senate, and governor had each discussed different lengths of moratorium, making the bill a likely bargaining position in later negotiations. Throughout the landfill discussion, members emphasized that the three-year version was intended as a middle ground between a one-year proposal associated with the governor and a six-year Senate bill. Several members said the moratorium reflected years of bipartisan work on solid waste and landfill policy and would help create time for new rules to take effect. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or other action on HB 171 during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:00.399> Now<00:11:00.880> that<00:11:01.200> doesn't<00:11:01.519>
• > even<00:11:09.920> if<00:11:10.160> it<00:11:10.320> is<00:11:10.640>
• <00:11:18.800> Yes.<00:11:19.440> Okay.<00:11:19.839> Yes.
• But<00:11:22.079> we<00:11:22.240> do<00:11:22.399> have<00:11:22.560> a<
• 00:11:22.720> July<00:11:23.120> one<00:11:23.360> deadline.

Keywords: Part two will take place after first executive session., 958, all

Summary: The commission first returned from executive session and noted that discussions there were preliminary only and no final agency action was taken. It then approved the budget report, which staff said was within year-to-date budget parameters. Members discussed recommended changes to the code of ethics. Staff proposed four items: defining and prohibiting sexual harassment as ethical misconduct; two housekeeping changes related to lobbyist registration notice and campaign contribution language; and a possible reduction of the post-service waiting period for former legislators to become lobbyists from two years to one year. Members agreed the lobbying cooling-off period was a broader General Assembly issue and voted to recommend only the first three changes, leaving the fourth for later review. The chair noted the July 1 deadline for submitting ethics-code recommendations to the LRC. The commission also approved renewal of a $100,000 contract with Casey Bailey and Mains for Robert Jenkins to continue serving as enforcement counsel, with hourly rates of $125 for the attorney and $40 for the paralegal. Finally, it approved a 3% cost-of-living pay increase for General Counsel Steven Pium, discussed possible conference attendance and informal opinions, and adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:10.159> And<01:11:10.320> friends,<01:11:10.719> she<01:11:10.880>
• Um, but<01:11:19.120> she<01:11:19.360> would<01:11:19.520> be<01:11:19.760>
• She her mind<01:11:21.679> moved<01:11:22.000> a<01:11:22.239> mile<01:11:22.560
• <01:11:37.440> She<01:11:37.760> did<01:11:37.920> not<01:11:38.159> just
• She<01:11:44.400> gained<01:11:44.800> support<01:11:45.199> from<01:11:45.520><

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, approval of the February 12, 2026 journal, and reports that several bills were correctly printed or engrossed. Committee reports then moved Senate Bills 7 and 31 from Health and Human Services, Senate Bills 53 and 54 from Local Government and Housing, and Senate Bill 43 from State, Veterans, and Military Affairs to the Committee of the Whole, with some measures recommended for the consent calendar. The chamber also announced substitute prime sponsors for Senate Bills 260008 and 2631 following Senator Michaelson Jenet’s resignation. The Senate then recessed to hold a memorial for former Senator Faith Winter and later voted to proceed out of order for memorials. Senate Joint Memorial 001, honoring Winter, was read at length and adopted. The memorial described her work on transportation, climate, paid family and medical leave, environmental justice, rural health care, and bipartisan legislation, and it was ordered sent to her family members. The Senate also suspended Rule 31A by a two-thirds vote so current and former House members could address the chamber from the well. Several members and family representatives offered remarks remembering Winter as a mentor, organizer, and coalition-builder. Speakers highlighted her advocacy for paid family leave, transportation funding, cleaner air, women’s leadership, and workplace accountability, as well as her personal warmth and support for colleagues and family. No additional legislative votes or bill actions were taken beyond the memorial adoption and procedural motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:11:10.639> once<00:11:10.800> in<00:11:10.920> a<00:11:11.040> while
• ><00:11:26.399> two<00:11:26.720> is<00:11:26.959> exactly<00:11:27.399> the<
• that their Highway<00:11:30.240> fund<00:11:30.639> The<00:11:30.920> Debt<00:11
• :11:38.720> so<00:11:39.720> in<00:11:39.920> section<00:11:40.320> three
• > well<00:11:54.000> section<00:11:54.519> three<00:11:55.120> says<00:11

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 25, which governs capital budget appropriations and bonding. Members were walked through how the bill is structured: section 1 covers general, federal, and other funds; section 2 covers highway fund appropriations; later sections authorize borrowing, restrict spending to the stated purposes, and explain why community colleges and the university system operate through their boards of trustees. The chair also explained that lapse extensions are needed because capital projects can span multiple years, and that appropriations normally expire at the end of the biennium unless extended. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how to identify unspent balances and whether they should be extended, repurposed, or allowed to lapse. Members discussed that if a project is complete or an agency confirms it no longer needs the money, the remaining balance can be reused for another project or, if not needed, lapse back. The committee also reviewed the meaning of bill references and chapter numbers, and how to read prior-year appropriations and extensions in the worksheet. One example discussed was a 2023 Department of Administrative Services courthouse generators item, and members noted that some agencies may rely on encumbered balances rather than explicit lapse extensions, though the chair said he prefers including the extension for flexibility. The committee identified at least one specific change: the Jeffrey Ringe CTE renovation was removed from the governor’s recommended budget because the required local match was not approved, freeing about $18.5 million for possible reuse. Later, the chair noted that lapse extension 49 on the worksheet was no longer needed and could be removed, leaving an unspent balance of $81,500 available for repurposing. The discussion also referenced a Department of Transportation item, Caroline Stratford Freight Rail Improvements, which the agency asked to keep alive through a lapse extension so the funds would not expire on June 30. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:02.079> I'm<00:11:02.320> sorry<00:11:02.880> uh<00:11:03.279> you
• <00:11:10.320> uh<00:11:10.959> you<00:11:11.120> know<00:11:11.279> we've
• c><00:11:14.320> and<00:11:14.560> we<00:11:14.800> came<00:11:14.959> to
• agreement<00:11:15.680> that<00:11:16.160> uh<00:11:16.240> the<00:11:16.480>
• Any other<00:11:40.959> persons<00:11:41.279> here<00:11:41.440> to<00:11:41.600

Bills: SB2119, SB3131, SB3069, SB3180, SB2137, SB2993, SB2778, SB2672, SB2014, SB2967

Keywords: reimbursement, public employees, travel costs, government travel policy, finance management, job title, administrative assistant, executive assistant, state personnel, civil service, modernization, employment standards, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, comptroller, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, public works special project branch, specialized public works, information technology modernization

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:11:19.519> So<00:11:20.399> if<00:11:20.640> the<00:11:20.800> local
• <00:11:27.920> Now<00:11:28.079> we<00:11:28.320> do<00:11:28.399> have
• :11:38.959> we<00:11:39.120> get<00:11:39.279> a<00:11:39.519> full<00:11
• <00:11:48.399> procurement<00:11:48.800> for<00:11:49.200> any<00:11:49.440>
• <00:11:51.600> is<00:11:51.760> we<00:11:52.000> do<00:11:52.160> a<00

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:49 Approval of Minutes 02:06 Information Items 03:48 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 14:38 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 18:50 OFM – Ky Infrastructure Authority 26:40 OFM – Cabinet for Economic Development 31:50 Office of Financial Management 40:40 Remaining 2025 Meeting Dates 41:25 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and a quorum call, then the committee approved the prior meeting minutes. Staff reported several informational items, including University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, school district debt issues, leasehold improvements, and Kentucky Community and Technical College System bond allocations. The committee then approved a line-item appropriation increase of $350,000 in federal funds for the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Cumberland Forest Conservation Program, along with two Department of Military Affairs projects: the Ashland Readiness Center window replacement and the MATES HVAC replacement at Fort Knox. It also approved four larger maintenance-pool projects without further action: HVAC and smoke evacuation work at the Kentucky State Penitentiary, HVAC and hot water tank replacements at Oakwood, a Green Bank energy-savings performance project across state facilities, and roof replacement at Lake Barkley Lodge. Members asked about the prison project, the roof procurement process, and whether minority-owned firms receive special bidding preference; staff said capital projects are awarded through open low-bid procurement with qualification and warranty requirements, and that minority participation is preferred but not a bidding criterion. Two lease modifications were approved for Franklin County agencies: an expansion and renovation for the Auditor of Public Accounts and a downsizing and renovation for the Kentucky Workers Compensation Funding Commission. The committee also approved Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items, including a Monticello sewer loan, several Cleaner Water Program grants and reallocations, and a House Bill 1 water grant that required no action. Members questioned engineering costs and were told the KIA board reviews technical details and anomalies before approval. Finally, the committee approved six economic development grants: one EDF grant for V Simple in Jefferson County and five KPDI EDF grants for projects in Breckinridge, Erlanger, Todd, and Washington counties. The last action item was approval of Western Kentucky University’s up-to-$10 million general receipts revenue bond issue for athletic facilities. An informational Kentucky Housing Corporation multifamily bond item prompted concern from members about rising per-unit costs for affordable housing, and they requested further explanation from the housing corporation at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:11:02.079> those<00:11:02.680> new<00:11:03.040> contracts<00:11:03.880><
• ><00:11:07.399> of<00:11:07.560> those<00:11:07.760> contracts<00:11:08.240>
• <00:11:13.040> part<00:11:13.360> of<00:11:13.680> the<00:11:14.240> plan
• is a<00:11:23.079> um<00:11:24.079> it's<00:11:24.200> not<00:11:24.360> a
• ><00:11:24.519> formal<00:11:25.200> uh<00:11:25.399> draft<00:11:25.760> of<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. The bill sponsor said the measure was prompted by recent reporting on leachate problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations at a Bethlehem facility and deficiencies at other sites, and argued the bill is meant to improve public health protections without dictating specific treatment methods or hindering innovation. The sponsor also said the proposal was developed with input from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) and industry representatives, and that a forthcoming amendment would revise the bill’s language to better fit the permitting process. The sponsor explained that the amendment would move several requirements out of the contract section and into the planning section, change references such as “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” include landfill expansions, and remove language that could be read as requiring long-term contracts. Questions from members focused on whether the bill would create enforceable consequences if a plan is not followed, whether it would limit operators’ flexibility, and whether existing DES rules already cover the subject. The sponsor said enforcement details should be addressed by DES and emphasized that the bill would not lock operators into any particular contract or technology. The Business and Industry Association testified in opposition to the bill as introduced, saying it appeared unnecessary because DES already regulates leachate through existing rules, including Env 806.53, and has authority to update those rules as technology changes. The witness argued that putting the requirements into statute could freeze the regulatory framework, create conflicts with future rulemaking, and make it harder for DES to respond quickly to new treatment methods or operational issues. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:11:23.680> to<00:11:24.200> 9:30<00:11:25.200> but<00:11:25.560> um<00
• ><00:11:28.800> work<00:11:29.079> here<00:11:29.360> here<00:11:29.560> at
• <00:11:34.839> we'll<00:11:35.160> probably<00:11:35.600> meet<00:11:36.000>
• > from<01:25:23.440> 11:15 11:15 and then from 11:15 11:15 and then from 11:15 to<01:25
• 11:04.080> you<04:11:04.239> can<04:11:04.439> say<04:11:04.720> you<04:11

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony. The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive. HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:14.160> Senate,<00:11:14.560> Senator<00:11:14.720> Elephante<00:11:15.279
• <00:11:18.000> Wakai,<00:11:18.480> and<00:11:18.640> Favlla.
• Okay, I believe<00:11:20.240> we<00:11:20.399> do<00:11:20.640> have<00:11:20.880
• 00:11:22.800> as<00:11:23.200> Finn<00:11:23.519> Wam<00:11:23.839> release.
• <00:11:24.720> Yeah,<00:11:25.120> we<00:11:25.279> have<00:11:25.440> WHM

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A, B, Article 11, C, and D. 7, Article 11. 8, Article 11. 9, Adopt. 10, Article 11. 14, Adopt. 15, I
• I'm used to having all my stuff. 21, Article 11, 27, Article 11. Article 11. Thank you.
• I'm going to go through them. 8, Article 11, 10, Article 11, 11, Article 11, 12, Article 11. 13, Article
• 11, 14, Article 11, 15, Article 11, 16, Article 11, 17, Article 11.
• Article 11 – 18 Article 11. Okay.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.640> in<00:11:00.959> this<00:11:01.560> room,<00:11:02.560> we<00:11
• c> reindeer.<00:11:08.640> Last,<00:11:09.279> when<00:11:09.519> it<00:11:09.680
• here<00:11:51.440> when<00:11:51.600> we<00:11:51.760> talked<00:11:51.920>
• <00:11:55.040> So,<00:11:55.279> let<00:11:55.440> me<00:11:55.519> tell<
• Uh, we were<00:11:58.160> able<00:11:58.720> to<00:11:59.279> reduce<00:11:59.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:13.600> that<00:11:13.960> summary<00:11:14.520> was<00:11:14.760>
• > did<00:11:23.360> next<00:11:24.280> is<00:11:24.839> how<00:11:25.120>
• <00:11:38.280> that<00:11:38.840> funded<00:11:39.360> it<00:11:39.560> for
• c><00:11:39.960> a<00:11:40.320> period<00:11:40.680> of<00:11:40.800> time
• > order<00:11:41.480> to<00:11:41.600> be<00:11:41.840> able<00:11:42.120>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:11:19.839> Is<00:11:20.079> there<00:11:20.240> any<00:11:20.480> further
• <00:11:21.920> We're<00:11:22.160> not<00:11:22.240> going<00:11:22.320>
• <00:11:27.839> bill<00:11:28.079> being<00:11:28.320> what<00:11:28.560>
• > it's<00:11:29.760> in<00:11:30.000> terms<00:11:30.240> of<00:11:30.560
• <00:11:31.760> tackling<00:11:32.240> right<00:11:32.399> here<00:11:32.640>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:07.519> she'd<00:11:07.760> like<00:11:07.920> to<00:11:08.160> speak<
• This<00:11:18.720> amendment<00:11:19.440> um<00:11:19.600> just<00:11:19.839>
• > original<00:11:21.600> bill<00:11:22.240> in<00:11:22.560> allow<00:11:
• <00:11:27.360> in<00:11:27.920> um<00:11:28.160> KOA<00:11:28.560> and
• <00:11:48.800> It<00:11:49.120> would<00:11:49.279> also<00:11:49.920> um

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with introductions and a description of the day’s process: a full committee work session on four bills, with no public testimony, followed by caucus and then executive action. The first bill discussed was HB 113, concerning OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor. Representative Nab presented an amendment that would require a public hearing and Department of Transportation approval, modeled on procedures used in Coös and Grafton counties. Members discussed whether Windsor had already held a local vote or hearing, whether minutes from a town meeting existed, and whether the amendment truly preserved local control. A Windsor resident testified informally that the town had not taken a final vote and that the matter had been left to the state. Committee members also raised concerns about noise, dust, public safety, and the fact that the road in question would connect OHRVs on a state road rather than a trail system. The chair closed the work session on HB 113 and said the committee would return after caucus to vote on the bill and amendment. The committee then took up HB 595FN, relative to coastal resilience zones. Representative Nat said the bill addressed flooding concerns in both coastal and inland New Hampshire, but that the sponsor viewed it as too complex and had recommended breaking the issue into separate parts in future legislation. On that basis, Nat said it was appropriate to ITL the bill, and noted that the sponsor supported that course. No further discussion followed, and the work session was closed. Next was HB 629FN, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams. Representative Darby explained that the original bill had proposed both a waterfront frontage tax and a $5 charge tied to boat registration, but that the amendment would replace the bill by removing the frontage tax, moving the $5 dam-maintenance fee to the boat decal section of statute, and changing the effective date to January 1, 2027. Darby said the larger fee had raised concerns about impacts on current-use property and enforcement, while the revised $5 fee would raise roughly $500,000 to $600,000 annually. Representative Dunn thanked Darby and said the Marine Trades Association supported the revised approach. A question was raised about whether the original prime sponsors supported the amendment; the chair said they were on board, and Darby added that the proposal reflected recommendations from a prior study committee. The committee then closed HB 629FN and opened SB 27FN, relative to dwellings over water. On SB 27FN, Representative Derby said he opposed the bill because it would take away public access rights and amounted to a one-off legislative solution for a private concern. Representative Donnelly asked how many similar structures might be affected and whether the Department of Environmental Services knew of other cases; DES responded that there was one other related case under settlement compliance and no other active cases with the same issue. In follow-up discussion, DES clarified that the proposal was not a shoreland 50-foot setback issue, but rather involved structures extending over public water. The discussion remained focused on the scope of the bill and its potential precedent-setting effect, with no vote taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:05.519> um<00:11:05.959> yes<00:11:06.480> for<00:11:06.800> this<
• :13.480> a<00:11:13.600> lot<00:11:13.800> of<00:11:14.000> federal<00:11
• > of<00:11:19.880> the<00:11:20.200> in<00:11:20.480> total<00:11:21.160>
• > state<00:11:34.360> positions<00:11:35.040> but<00:11:35.279> yet<00:11
• less<00:11:38.720> than<00:11:38.920> 11%<00:11:39.600> of<00:11:39.720>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses. Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze. Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors. The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.

Transcript Highlights:

• :11:14.240> and<00:11:14.640> pass<00:11:14.880> it<00:11:15.680> so<00:11
• :11:16.959> House,<00:11:17.920> have<00:11:18.160> it<00:11:18.320> passed,<
• c> and<00:11:20.880> then<00:11:21.120> hand<00:11:21.279> it<00:11:21.519><
• :11:23.920> have<00:11:24.079> the<00:11:24.320> vote<00:11:25.040> to<00
• 05:11:58.480> r<05:11:58.798> it<05:11:59.040> is<05:11:59.200> rare<05:11

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> um<00:11:15.279> you<00:11:15.399> know<00:11:15.600> just<00:11:16.120><
• > and<00:11:24.560> I<00:11:24.720> last<00:11:24.880> year<00:11:25.040>
• > how<00:11:26.000> kind<00:11:26.079> of<00:11:26.200> how<00:11:26.279>
• do<00:11:26.399> we<00:11:26.560> bring<00:11:26.839> back<00:11:27.480>
• > a<00:11:36.399> lot<00:11:36.560> of<00:11:36.760> benefit<00:11:37.279

Bills: HF1367, HF2732, HF1897, HF1424, HF1383, HF2728, HF2863, HF1685, HF2929

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

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• 05.680> a<00:11:05.920> kid<00:11:06.200> not<00:11:06.440> being<00:11:06.680
• > able<00:11:06.880> to<00:11:07.040> move<00:11:07.360> on<00:11:07.720>
• <00:11:15.240> uh<00:11:15.519> I<00:11:15.639> hope<00:11:15.880> that
• roundabout<00:11:18.399> idea<00:11:18.760> of<00:11:18.920> what<00:11:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first considered two concurrent resolutions. SCR 76, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, would create a Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force to examine the school’s future governance and its relationship with the Kentucky Department of Education. Bledsoe described the school’s long history and said the task force would give the small deaf-school community more voice. The committee adopted the resolution unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up SCR 131, sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, to continue the Efficient and Effective Districts Task Force from 2024. Wise said the prior task force met about 10 times and focused on student achievement and district policy, and the new version would continue that work as a legislature-only task force. The resolution passed unanimously with favorable expression. Members next considered HB 240 on primary school promotion. Rep. Truitt explained that the bill would require students who are not ready in kindergarten to repeat kindergarten, while a committee substitute softened the approach by allowing a school to hold a child back in kindergarten but requiring action in first grade. He said the bill aligns with existing reading-screening efforts and is intended to strengthen early literacy foundations. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression; Sen. Williams briefly explained his support as favoring performance-based advancement. The committee also approved HB 298, which would change the identification of schools for comprehensive support and improvement from every three years to annually, require KDE recommendations during management audits, add professional development in reading and math, and require effective instructional resources. The committee substitute also allowed districts with multiple CSI schools to contract for a turnaround vendor. The bill additionally carried employee-misconduct provisions from prior sessions, including disclosure requirements for applicants; the only change discussed was removing the word “investigation” from one disclosure section. HB 298 passed unanimously with favorable expression, and the committee also adopted a title amendment. Finally, the committee heard HB 424 on employment at public postsecondary institutions. Rep. Tipton said the bill would require performance and productivity reviews for faculty at least every four years, clarify appointment and removal authority for presidents at certain institutions, and expand “cause” for dismissal to include failure to meet performance and productivity requirements. Dr. Ray Horton, speaking for faculty groups, proposed a small substitute that would tie any performance measures to existing employment contracts to preserve academic integrity and avoid unintended changes to tenure processes. Members discussed how tenure works at Kentucky universities, and the committee was still in the middle of considering the proposed substitute when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

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• law now<00:11:02.000> says<00:11:02.360> that<00:11:02.640> even<00:11:02.920><
• now says that even a local elections we're<00:11:03.880> not<00:11:04.080> going<00:11
• <00:11:08.360> Someone<00:11:08.839> could<00:11:09.000> file<00:11:09.240><
• /c><00:11:13.600> followed<00:11:13.920> up<00:11:14.120> on.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The Committee of Conference on Senate Bill 534 met to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill dealing with foreign influence in elections and related election-law provisions. The House members explained that they had spent several hours revising the bill line by line to better fit existing statute, while preserving the substance of the Senate bill. Senator Lang reported that, after meeting with the Secretary of State, his concern about a foreign entity using a lobbyist for procurement matters was resolved, and he said the House language addressed election-law and warrant article issues rather than procurement issues. Senator Rosenwald raised concerns that the House version broadened the bill too far into local elections and could burden or discourage candidates for local offices such as select board, library trustee, or fire commission. In response, House members said the bill does not require local candidates to form committees or file new reports; instead, it prohibits foreign entities from donating to local campaigns and makes enforcement complaint-driven through the Attorney General’s public integrity unit. They said an earlier affirmation requirement had been removed and characterized the change as closing a loophole for foreign funding of local candidates and measures. After discussion, the Senate voted to accede to the House position, with the chair calling the vote and announcing that the ayes had it. The committee then discussed placing the measure on the consent calendar, but that plan was dropped because of an anticipated objection. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

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• <01:11:15.360> as<01:11:15.600> we're<01:11:15.920> looking<01:11:16.239>
• at the availability<01:11:17.440> of<01:11:17.679> care<01:11:17.840> in<01:11:
• <01:11:34.400> There<01:11:34.640> is<01:11:34.880> no<01:11:35.120> APCD
• <01:11:44.640> approach<01:11:45.040> is<01:11:45.199> that<01:11:45.360>

Keywords: 1189, house, all