Transcript Highlights:

• :14:13.839><c> and</c><00:14:14.000><c> to</c><00:14:14.240><c> help</c><00:14:14.399><c> prepare</c>
• </c><00:14:15.279><c> to</c><00:14:15.519><c> achieve</c><00:14:15.839><c> their</c><00:14:16.079><c>
• The<00:14:17.760><c> library</c><00:14:18.160><c> strive</c><00:14:18.399><c> to</c><00:14:18.560><c>
• Many</c><00:14:26.160><c> of</c><00:14:26.320><c> the</c><00:14:26.399><c> things</c><00:14:26.560><
• spaces<00:14:39.920><c> for</c><00:14:40.160><c> our</c><00:14:40.399><c> students</c><00:14:41.040>

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> we</c><00:14:02.720><c> hear</c><00:14:03.320><c> wine</c><00:14:04.320><c> so</c><00:14:05.079><
• </c><00:14:12.040><c> five</c><00:14:12.360><c> five</c><00:14:12.519><c> and</c><00:14:12.600><c> a<
• percent<00:14:13.160><c> at</c><00:14:13.279><c> most</c><00:14:13.560><c> alcohol</c><00:14:14.040>
• 14:15.440><c> lower</c><00:14:16.440><c> uh</c><00:14:16.639><c> and</c><00:14:17.199><c> the</c><00:
• ><c> 14</c><01:14:06.719><c> years</c><01:14:06.880><c> ago</c><01:14:07.159><c> when</c><01:14:07.320

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 29, 2025, and heard testimony on HB 108, which concerns intoxicating liquor and would expand direct-to-consumer shipping for beer and spirits. Supporters included representatives of Koloa Rum Company, Maui Brewing Company, and Ola Brew, who argued the bill would modernize alcohol laws, help small local producers compete, support jobs and local agriculture, and give consumers more access to Hawaii-made products. They also said Hawaii already has experience regulating direct wine shipments, with age verification and carrier-based delivery systems in place, and that direct shipping could help businesses reach visitors after they return home and diversify beyond tourism. Opposition came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, whose representative said the bill could increase access for underage drinking, especially because liquor commissions do not currently conduct compliance checks on alcohol shipments and may lack capacity to do so. The group also raised tax-enforcement concerns, saying the existing three-tier system makes excise and sales tax collection easier, while direct shipping would require additional auditing. They urged the committee to oppose the bill or defer it until more research is done, and suggested a common carrier reporting requirement to help reconcile shipments. Committee members questioned both sides about whether current law already allows some alcohol shipments, whether a Kentucky distiller could ship directly to Hawaii, and how reciprocity with other states would work. Supporters said the bill is modeled on wine-shipping language and could be amended to clarify reciprocity, while opponents said the bill lacks a common carrier reporting requirement and would place a burden on county liquor commissions. No vote or final action on HB 108 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• it</c><00:14:10.279><c> be</c><00:14:10.680><c> appropriate</c><00:14:11.160><c> for</c><00:14:11.279
• ><c> this</c><00:14:14.399><c> uh</c><00:14:14.720><c> just</c><00:14:14.880><c> so</c><00:14:15.160>
• ><c> the</c><00:14:16.079><c> road</c><00:14:16.399><c> lawmakers</c><00:14:17.399><c> who</c><00:14:
• 00:14:19.680><c> you</c><00:14:19.800><c> see</c><00:14:20.000><c> in</c><00:14:20.079><c> front</c>
• </c><00:14:21.480><c> to</c><00:14:21.600><c> see</c><00:14:21.800><c> if</c><00:14:21.959><c> the</c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1480 on transportation and road usage charging. Supporters included the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, county representatives, and the Tax Foundation, while an automotive industry witness opposed the bill, arguing it would be unfair to rural drivers and those with longer commutes. Committee discussion focused on equity, rural impacts, and whether the measure should be tied to future rail funding. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1480 pass with amendments, including broadening allowable uses of funds, clarifying language on infrastructure and safety, addressing motor scooters, and striking a proposed new subaccount; the recommendation was adopted by both committees, with one no vote in TCA. For SB 970 on taxation, the Tax Foundation said the employer transit tax credit would be more efficient as a direct subsidy program, and the Department of Taxation recommended several changes, including a sunset date of December 31, 2030, anti-double-benefit language, deletion of certain reporting requirements, and an effective date of December 31, 2025. The department estimated the bill would reduce revenues by about $11.6 million over the four-year period it would be in effect. The committees moved SB 970 forward with amendments to include bike share in the credit and add a defective date, leaving the department’s suggested changes for later consideration; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also advanced SB 1008 on parking and SB 1088 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure without amendments. DCAB strongly supported SB 1008, saying it would help counties enforce accessible parking design requirements, and noted a related bill without the EV portion. SB 1088 drew broad support from the Public Utilities Commission, State Energy Office, county and advocacy groups, and individuals; one question raised whether the bill should sunset, but the response was that Hawaii still lacks sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the measure expands eligibility for affordable housing. Both bills were recommended to pass unamended and the recommendations were adopted. The Transportation and Culture and Arts committee then heard SB 1011 on the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program, with testimony in strong support from individuals and the State Archivist, who suggested preserving award recipients’ archives, photos, oral histories, and clippings. The committee also heard SB 441 on the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaii Theatre Center, musicians, and others emphasizing cultural value, workforce stability, and statewide access to the arts. The transcript then moved to SB 1581 on the Hawaii Japan Pacific Peace Monument and SB 1577 relating to the State Foundation on the Arts; on SB 1577, the Attorney General warned that using the Works of Special Art Fund for operating purposes could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of related bonds and recommended deleting section five, while also pointing to the Performing Arts Special Fund as an alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:14:24.759><c> states</c><00:14:25.560><c> class</c><00:14:25.839><c> C</c><00:14:26.079><c> felony
• felony is where<00:14:26.880><c> it</c><00:14:27.000><c> should</c><00:14:27.279><c> be</c><00:14:27.800
• 00:14:29.440><c> we</c><00:14:29.600><c> need</c><00:14:30.399><c> in</c><00:14:30.519><c> doing</c><
• the</c><00:14:31.759><c> state</c><00:14:31.920><c> of</c><00:14:32.040><c> ha</c><00:14:32.800><c>
• emergency<00:14:43.399><c> preparedness</c><00:14:44.360><c> first</c><00:14:44.639><c> on</c><00:14

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Government Operations met on January 31, 2025, to hear several bills related to disaster resilience, the National Guard, veteran services, and memorials. SB 111 on hurricane-resistant criteria drew support from HEMA and DAGS, with one witness suggesting tighter language on funding timing, wind-speed standards, and bathroom access. SB 239 on disaster preparedness, requiring new public buildings and schools to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and serve as shelters, received support from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which said its facilities should be able to withstand such storms but shelter capacity would be limited. SB 998, creating a Hawaii First Responders Memorial study and consultant appropriation, drew support from state and local officials and one written opposition. During the first decision-making segment, the committees adopted amendments to SB 111, including changing the effective date language to July 1, 2026. For SB 239, the committees agreed to amendments removing correctional facilities from the shelter requirement, changing “public buildings” to “state buildings,” retaining the January 1, 2026 construction date, and accepting DAGS language. SB 998 was advanced as introduced. Government Operations lacked quorum and said it would formally vote later, but Public Safety and Military Affairs took action on the measures before it. A second Public Safety and Military Affairs hearing later considered SB 1381, SB 1382, SB 1379, SB 609, and SB 1377. Testimony was generally supportive: the Department of Defense, HEMA, the Office of Veteran Services, veterans groups, and others backed the National Guard, emergency preparedness, veteran services, and veteran cemetery measures, while one witness opposed SB 1379. Members asked why SB 1382 needed statutory changes, and the Adjutant General explained it was to better protect National Guard members during law-enforcement support duties. The committee then passed SB 1381 with technical amendments, SB 1382 as is, SB 1379 with technical amendments, SB 609 with amendments including deleting appropriations and changing the effective date to July 1, 2077, and SB 1377 with technical amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:14:16.800><c> this</c><00:14:16.920><c> is</c><00:14:17.079><c> a</c><00:14:17.440><c
• c> but</c><00:14:39.399><c> even</c><00:14:39.639><c> think</c><00:14:39.759><c> of</c><00:14:39.920>
• :14:43.600><c> that</c><00:14:43.759><c> the</c><00:14:43.920><c> family</c><00:14:44.279><c> has</c>
• evidence<00:14:45.759><c> shared</c><00:14:46.199><c> from</c><00:14:46.399><c> the</c><00:14:46.560>
• :14:41.760><c> I</c><01:14:41.960><c> did</c><01:14:42.159><c> I</c><01:14:42.239><c> did</c><01:14:42.440

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• Three<00:14:02.959><c> years</c><00:14:03.120><c> from</c><00:14:03.279><c> now,</c><00:14:03.440><c>
• a $50 million plant<00:14:07.680><c> and</c><00:14:07.839><c> and</c><00:14:08.399><c> uh</c><00:14:
• <00:14:12.000><c> The</c><00:14:12.240><c> water</c><00:14:12.560><c> allocations</c><00:14:13.120><c
• </c><00:14:16.639><c> 2019</c><00:14:17.360><c> report,</c><00:14:18.480><c> do</c><00:14:18.720><c>
• </c><00:14:34.079><c> They</c><00:14:34.320><c> establish</c><00:14:34.800><c> a</c><00:14:35.040><c>

Bills: HF1531 , HF4017 , HF3399 , HF4146 , HF4019 , HF3677

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: crossbow, crossbow hunting, archery season, deer hunting, bear hunting, turkey hunting, fishing, common carp, rough fish, game and fish, wildlife management, hunting license, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, sunset clause, expiration removal, archery equipment, outdoor recreation, infectious waste, pathological waste

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:14:05.200><c> be</c><00:14:05.320><c> some</c><00:14:05.520><c> of</c><00:14:05.560><c> the</c>
• :08.200><c> we</c><00:14:08.320><c> keep</c><00:14:08.600><c> you</c><00:14:08.680><c> from</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:10.680><c> A</c><00:14:10.760><c> lot</c><00:14:10.920><c> of</c><00:14:11.040><c> our</c>
• </c><00:14:26.160><c> That's</c><00:14:26.400><c> the</c><00:14:26.520><c> goal</c><00:14:26.760><c>
• 00:14:39.560><c> need</c><00:14:39.800><c> or</c><00:14:39.880><c> make</c><00:14:40.080><c> sure</c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:26 Approval of Minutes 00:02:27 LIHEAP Presentation and Public Hearing 00:02:42 Conservation Opportunities in Kentucky 00:29:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide. Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify. After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:08.959><c> Next</c><00:14:09.199><c> Wednesday</c><00:14:09.600><c> night</c><00:14:09.839
• Remember,<00:14:14.800><c> it</c><00:14:14.959><c> is</c><00:14:15.120><c> free</c><00:14:15.279><c>
• ><c> date</c><00:14:20.000><c> like</c><00:14:20.160><c> I</c><00:14:20.399><c> did</c><00:14:20.560>
• Hopefully,<00:14:39.519><c> it'll</c><00:14:39.760><c> be</c><00:14:39.920><c> back</c><00:14:40.240>
• Madam<00:14:51.519><c> Speaker,</c><00:14:52.399><c> members</c><00:14:52.720><c> of</c><00:14:52.880

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our guest<00:14:01.600><c> today</c><00:14:01.920><c> says</c><00:14:02.160><c> that</c><00:14:02.399
• ><00:14:38.720><c> a</c><00:14:38.880><c> little</c><00:14:38.959><c> bit</c><00:14:39.120><c> more,<
• I think<00:14:42.959><c> it's</c><00:14:43.199><c> been</c><00:14:43.360><c> really</c><00:14:43.600>
• you<00:14:46.240><c> know,</c><00:14:46.399><c> closer</c><00:14:46.720><c> to</c><00:14:46.880><c>
• ><c> been</c><00:14:48.800><c> uh</c><00:14:48.959><c> kind</c><00:14:49.120><c> of</c><00:14:49.120>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One<00:14:02.640><c> of</c><00:14:02.720><c> the</c><00:14:02.839><c> challenges</c><00:14:03.480><c>
• > an</c><00:14:05.080><c> infant</c><00:14:05.720><c> and</c><00:14:05.800><c> so,</c><00:14:05.920><
• :14:10.360><c> letter</c><00:14:10.600><c> from</c><00:14:10.760><c> the</c><00:14:10.839><c> state</
• ><00:14:19.720><c> letter</c><00:14:19.920><c> is</c><00:14:20.000><c> going</c><00:14:20.120><c> to<
• <00:14:26.160><c> And</c><00:14:26.360><c> so,</c><00:14:26.520><c> there's</c><00:14:26.760><c> that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We,<00:14:01.519><c> you</c><00:14:01.680><c> know,</c><00:14:02.399><c> probably</c><00:14:02.880><c
• 14:05.760><c> but</c><00:14:06.000><c> we</c><00:14:06.240><c> still</c><00:14:06.399><c> had</c><00:
• .<00:14:08.880><c> You</c><00:14:09.040><c> know,</c><00:14:09.360><c> you</c><00:14:09.600><c> can,<
• </c><00:14:12.560><c> I</c><00:14:12.720><c> still</c><00:14:12.880><c> like</c><00:14:13.040><c> it.
• She had a<00:14:40.240><c> mother</c><00:14:40.480><c> who</c><00:14:40.639><c> was</c><00:14:40.800>

Bills: HB0111 , HB0112 , HB0122

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:14:32.000><c> the</c><00:14:32.079><c> corpus</c><00:14:32.880><c> of</c><00:14:33.000><c> the<
• Requires<00:14:33.920><c> UH</c><00:14:34.079><c> to</c><00:14:34.200><c> establish</c><00:14:34.839>
• Requires student<00:14:41.320><c> athletes</c><00:14:41.600><c> to</c><00:14:41.680><c> be</c><00:14:
• Allows<00:14:47.600><c> an</c><00:14:47.680><c> athlete's</c><00:14:48.320><c> parent</c><00:14:48.560
• <00:14:51.160><c> in</c><00:14:51.320><c> other</c><00:14:51.560><c> areas</c><00:14:52.200><c> agreed

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 3263 SD2, which would create a University of Hawaii NIL (name, image, and likeness) endowment trust fund, require UH to establish an NIL program and distribution criteria, allow student athletes to be compensated through registered athlete agents, permit parents or guardians to assist in some areas by agreement, require annual reporting to the legislature, and appropriate funds. UH Athletics Director Matt Helliot testified in strong support, saying NIL funding is critical to recruit and retain athletes and keep UH competitive, especially as the program moves into the Mountain West Conference. He cited the men’s basketball team’s success and said UH had already raised private NIL money for that team. The Iron Workers Stabilization Fund also supported the bill, calling it a modest but important investment in UH athletics and a way to help keep local talent in Hawaii. One supporter said the bill would help UH compete with larger schools and retain athletes amid rising costs and large NIL deals elsewhere. Another supporter, Cliff LaBoy, said the current NIL environment makes funding essential and argued UH needs more money than the bill’s structure provides. A testifier noted the Senate version’s corpus may be insufficient and said they preferred the House version. During questioning, Helliot said UH’s private fundraising target for the current year was $3 million and that the department was already more than two-thirds of the way there. In decision-making, the chair said the committee would move the bill forward as an HD1 replacing the contents with the House version, remove the blank appropriation section because $5 million had already been inserted into the UH budget through HB 1800, and focus the bill on the framework rather than the funding amount. The committee then voted to pass SB 3263 SD2 with amendments, with all voting members present voting in favor and one member excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Mr.<00:14:28.320><c> Chairman,</c><00:14:29.040><c> um</c><00:14:29.440><c> in</c><00:14:29.680
• ><c> the</c><00:14:29.839><c> budget,</c><00:14:30.639><c> we</c><00:14:31.440><c> uh</c><00:14:31.680
• ><00:14:35.120><c> the</c><00:14:35.360><c> annex,</c><00:14:35.839><c> which</c><00:14:36.079><c> is
• </c><00:14:37.760><c> The</c><00:14:38.000><c> purpose</c><00:14:38.240><c> is</c><00:14:38.480><c> to
• </c><00:14:42.959><c> Um</c><00:14:43.199><c> I</c><00:14:43.440><c> was</c><00:14:43.600><c> able</c

Committee: Senate Capital Budget

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.959><c> and</c><00:14:01.199><c> there</c><00:14:01.320><c> are</c><00:14:01.560><c> technical</c
• <c> no</c><00:14:17.120><c> votes</c><00:14:17.360><c> or</c><00:14:17.519><c> reservations</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:25.279><c> okay</c><00:14:25.680><c> thank</c><00:14:25.839><c> you</c><00:14:26.680><c> that
• our</c><00:14:27.320><c> business</c><00:14:27.600><c> here</c><00:14:28.000><c> um</c><00:14:28.199
• <c> Means</c><00:14:32.680><c> at</c><00:14:32.759><c> 10:25</c><00:14:33.360><c> upstairs</c><00:14:

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and took up a series of bills, mostly approving them with amendments. SB 1032 on campaign finance passed with amendments to change the certification process for business entities, add a severability-type provision if foreign-influence conditions are struck down, and note a related Minnesota federal case. SB 401 on firearms passed with amendments to exclude shotguns, grandfather legally registered devices in place as of the effective date, and add committee report findings; SB 382 on procurement confidentiality passed as is; SB 598 extending deadlines for administrative driver’s license revocation review decisions passed as is; SB 771 on HHFDC board leadership passed as is; and SB 1318 clarifying water pollution enforcement jurisdiction passed as is. The committee also approved SB 1657 with an amendment removing authority to condemn public property, SB 1102 with an amendment making the Fire Council the source of nominees for the aircraft rescue fire fighting chief, and SB 100 with amendments replacing the original substance with a prohibition on fingerprinting nonprofit liquor-license board members during background checks and limiting the bill to counties under 500,000 population. SB 170 and SB 1296, both related to special management area exemptions for affordable housing and disaster-related reconstruction, passed with amendments incorporating Office of Planning, Sustainable Development, and Attorney General changes to narrow and clarify the exemptions. Finally, SB 363, a cleanup bill related to firearm parts and ghost gun laws, was considered with amendments that deleted a proposed new penalty section, revised existing firearms statutes, removed an unnecessary definition, and expanded penalties to include indeterminate imprisonment terms. Despite the amendments, the measure was not adopted because the Vice Chair voted no. The committee then adjourned and announced a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that<00:14:03.920><c> the</c><00:14:04.079><c> clause</c><00:14:04.480><c> now</c><00:14:04.720><c
• I<00:14:26.639><c> think</c><00:14:26.800><c> it</c><00:14:27.040><c> strengthens</c><00:14:28.000><c
• than weakens<00:14:28.959><c> what</c><00:14:29.199><c> we're</c><00:14:29.440><c> trying</c><00:14:
• The second<00:14:31.600><c> instance</c><00:14:32.079><c> of</c><00:14:32.320><c> amendment</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:53.519><c> that</c><00:14:53.680><c> than</c><00:14:53.839><c> we</c><00:14:54.079><c> do.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:21.680><c> of</c><00:14:21.839><c> the</c><00:14:22.000><c> table</c><00:14:22.800><c> show</c><00
• February<00:14:23.839><c> forecast</c><00:14:24.399><c> for</c><00:14:24.639><c> the</c><00:14:24.800
• ><c> and</c><00:14:26.000><c> the</c><00:14:26.240><c> change</c><00:14:26.560><c> compared</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:32.639><c> Total</c><00:14:33.040><c> revenues</c><00:14:33.519><c> for</c><00:14:33.680><
• ><c> billion</c><00:14:38.560><c> 1.8%</c><00:14:40.000><c> more</c><00:14:40.399><c> than</c><00:14:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:14:11.440><c> appropriation</c><00:14:11.839><c> for</c><00:14:12.160><c> a</c><00:14:12.240><
• 12.959><c> is</c><00:14:13.120><c> related</c><00:14:13.360><c> to</c><00:14:13.440><c> PON</c><00:14
• Line 333<00:14:34.320><c> is</c><00:14:34.560><c> a</c><00:14:34.800><c> transfer</c><00:14:35.120><c
• ><c> to</c><00:14:43.920><c> the</c><00:14:44.000><c> U</c><00:14:44.160><c> of</c><00:14:44.399><c>
• ><c> line</c><00:14:48.120><c> 334</c><00:14:49.120><c> is</c><00:14:49.279><c> a</c><00:14:49.519><c

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> if</c><00:14:02.440><c> uh</c><00:14:02.639><c> they</c><00:14:02.839><c> had</c><00:14:03.720><
• 00:14:09.160><c> we</c><00:14:09.360><c> just</c><00:14:09.519><c> struck</c><00:14:10.160><c> that</
• </c><00:14:11.160><c> if</c><00:14:11.320><c> you</c><00:14:11.480><c> have</c><00:14:11.639><c> been
• ><c> cannot</c><00:14:13.399><c> vote</c><00:14:14.040><c> and</c><00:14:14.199><c> it</c><00:14:14.279
• ><c> not</c><00:14:40.120><c> mention</c><00:14:40.600><c> that</c><00:14:41.079><c> change</c><00:14

Keywords: Consideration of HB 684 02:30 Consideration of HB 699 19:10, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum and considered two election-related bills. The committee first took up House Bill 684, sponsored by Representative Jennifer Decker, and adopted a committee substitute. Decker described the bill as a “continuous improvement” measure developed with election officials, clerks, legislators, and citizens. She walked through provisions addressing precinct officer staffing in vote centers, notice to school districts when schools are used as voting centers, absentee ballot replacement when a ballot is not received, retention and disposal timelines for election-related video surveillance, permanent voting assistance certifications, write-in candidate deadlines and posting restrictions, candidate filing details, witness requirements, public posting of candidate information, felony voting language, and school district closure rules for voting locations. Members discussed the school-related provision, the handling of mail-in ballots, and a committee-substitute change removing credit cards and debit cards as acceptable voter ID. Supportive comments emphasized election integrity and the collaborative drafting process. The committee then voted to report HB 684 favorably. The committee next considered House Bill 699, sponsored by Representative DJ Johnson, which would add a pre-certification verification process for candidate filings. Johnson said the bill was intended to prevent ineligible candidates from appearing on the ballot by requiring election officials to verify that a candidate’s residence is in the correct jurisdiction and, in partisan races, that the candidate is registered with the party sought, with appeals going to circuit court. He argued the current system relies on costly legal challenges after filing errors occur. During discussion, Representative Hancock voted no, saying the bill would create an unnecessary administrative burden and that filing paperwork should remain a basic responsibility of candidates, while other members voted yes. The committee ultimately reported HB 699 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:02.800><c> for</c><00:14:03.040><c> work</c><00:14:03.320><c> performed</c><00:14:03.920><c> by</
• second largest<00:14:07.000><c> area</c><00:14:07.560><c> of</c><00:14:07.759><c> funding</c><00:14:
• :11.839><c> on</c><00:14:12.079><c> this</c><00:14:12.680><c> uh</c><00:14:12.920><c> slide</c><00:14
• c> pretty</c><00:14:17.399><c> small</c><00:14:17.680><c> fraction</c><00:14:18.240><c> of</c><00:14:
• 14:34.040><c> um</c><00:14:34.160><c> so</c><00:14:34.360><c> this</c><00:14:34.519><c> slide</c><00:

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> is</c><00:14:02.480><c> try</c><00:14:02.639><c> to</c><00:14:03.279><c> be</c><00:14:03.440><c>
• > we'll</c><00:14:16.560><c> determine</c><00:14:16.880><c> what</c><00:14:17.120><c> kind</c><00:14:
• 00:14:27.440><c> to</c><00:14:27.600><c> make</c><00:14:27.839><c> that</c><00:14:28.079><c> come</c>
• pay for<00:14:30.320><c> because</c><00:14:30.560><c> it's</c><00:14:30.800><c> beneficial</c><00:14
• we</c><00:14:39.600><c> get</c><00:14:39.760><c> into</c><00:14:40.240><c> formal</c><00:14:40.720><c

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Approval of Minutes 00:01:19 Helping Power Kentucky's Growth (LG&E/KU) 00:01:39 Update from Kentucky's Electric Cooperatives 00:47:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the previous meeting, and then heard a presentation from LG&E and KU representatives Caroline Clark and John Bevington on economic development, energy demand, and the utility’s role in supporting Kentucky’s growth. Bevington described the company’s service territory, generation fleet, and recent economic development activity, including 76 projects supported in 2024, more than $2.8 billion in private investment, and over 3,000 new jobs. He emphasized that data centers are now the dominant driver in the pipeline, with 22 data center projects representing about 8.7 of the 9.7 gigawatts of potential demand, alongside other manufacturing and commercial projects. A major focus was how data centers choose sites and how utilities respond. Bevington explained that hyperscale data centers typically approach utilities first because they need transmission-level access, and that utilities then conduct internal analyses, estimate infrastructure needs, and require financial security before proceeding. He said the company is working through formal transmission studies and long-lead infrastructure planning, and noted that Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers helped attract interest. He also outlined the economic benefits of data centers, citing an announced Louisville project of 525 megawatts and about $11 billion in investment, with an estimated $500 million in new tax revenue over 10 years, plus broader job and GDP impacts. Members asked about whether data centers could generate their own power, the reliability of the pipeline numbers given confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and cybersecurity concerns. Bevington said the company does not assume all pipeline projects will materialize in Kentucky and instead assigns probabilities to avoid overbuilding. He also said he was not the right person to address cybersecurity in detail but offered to return to a committee focused on IT or security. In response to questions about future supply, he said LG&E and KU are adding generation through a 120-megawatt solar facility in Mercer County, a 120-megawatt solar purchase in Marion County, and a 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle plant in Louisville, with PSC approval recently granted for additional generation and related system upgrades.