Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I respectfully urge your support for this important legislation.
• The bill creates a blend of employment law and workers' compensation law.
• If it is a case concerning an employee's entitlement to workers' compensation benefits or the compensability
• So I appreciate this bill; I think it's a great bill.
• While we're starting with this pilot, we're hopeful that this model will prove itself.

Bills: HB1654, HB1691, HB2545, HB2652, HB3799, HB4144, HB5008

Keywords: peace officers, firefighters, employment protection, worker's compensation, job security, maximum medical improvement, government employment, firefighter cancer benefits, emergency medical technicians, compensation claims, cancer exposures, firefighting hazards, workforce training, rural development, grant program, job-specific training, Texas Workforce Commission, child care, single-parent, subsidized

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 SB 172 Discussion 00:10 SB 172 Roll Call Vote 06:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to consider Senate Bill 172, which would address utility fuel adjustment charges and include an emergency clause. The sponsor, Senator Philip Wheeler, explained that the bill is intended to give the Public Service Commission another tool to help consumers by allowing fuel costs from recent winter storm spikes to be spread over several months instead of being collected all at once. He emphasized that the bill does not eliminate the fuel adjustment clause or reduce the total amount owed, but is meant to ease the immediate burden on households facing large charges. Members asked about how the bill would work and whether other entities, such as the PSC or Attorney General, could already do something similar. Wheeler said utilities have sometimes done this in the past, but the bill would make the process clearer and more usable, especially for investor-owned utilities, and the emergency clause is needed so utilities can request the relief in time for the current situation. Representative Fugate clarified for the public that the bill would not raise rates, but would simply spread a charge like $100 over multiple months. Representative Smith raised a separate issue about a different co-op charge, and Wheeler said that was outside the scope of the bill but reflected a broader need to give the PSC consumer-friendly tools. The committee then took a roll call vote and reported the bill favorably for passage on the House floor. The motion passed with broad support, with Representative Chester-Burton passing and Representative Watkins voting present. The chair also announced that the committee would not meet again that Thursday and would have no further meetings that week.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m going to start with a brief conversation with you about the underlying bill itself, talk with you
• under a weekly installment model someone would have to be late for payments before the lender can start
• And then, as it started moving through the process, I was approached by some folks in that non-vehicle
• I’m going to start with a brief conversation with you about the underlying bill itself, talk with you
• We appreciate you being here supporting your group and vote.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:06 SB145 Discussion: 00:34 SB145 Vote: 03:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 145, first adopting a committee substitute. Senator Givens explained that the bill addresses retail installment contracts under KRS Chapter 190 by adjusting the timing for collection/enforcement on past-due vehicle installment payments, with the substitute also aligning KRS Chapter 371 for non-vehicle retail installment contracts such as furniture and appliances. The substitute raises a fee from $10 to $15, a change described as updating an amount that had not been revised since 1996 and bringing the two chapters into alignment. Members discussed the bill in general terms, noting its relevance to weekly installment arrangements, buy-here-pay-here car lots, and consumer purchases of household goods. One member said the proposal made them somewhat nervous because of possible effects on consumers with low-value items, but stated there were no known concerns and that they trusted the sponsor’s judgment. No opposition was voiced during the roll call. The committee voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 145 as amended by the committee substitute, and the bill passed. After the vote, members thanked Senator Givens, and there was brief discussion that the bill had not yet reached the point of being ready for consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we're about two and a half now, so we've made great progress. It's been painful.
• So anything that exceeds the actuarial... made great progress. It's It's been made great progress.
• that caused us to get in such bad shape with this retirement system before 2017, 2018, when they started

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:54 Pension System Update 00:03:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee held its first official interim meeting after merging the General Government and Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement committees, establishing a quorum and opening with the pledge and prayer. Members then received a briefing from KPPA representatives Ryan Barrow and Aaron Sarock on the state retirement systems, including KERS, CERS, and SPRS, and on the importance of fully funding the actuarially determined employer contribution, supplemental appropriations, and investment earnings in reducing unfunded liabilities. They said the systems have made progress toward a statutory closed amortization target of 2049 and emphasized that supplemental funding lowers current employer contribution rates but does not change that end date. A major topic was federal and state reemployment-after-retirement rules for retirees who return to work with participating employers. KPPA explained that retirees must have a bona fide separation from service, no prearranged agreement to return, and generally a one-calendar-month break in service for retirees on or after January 1, 2024. If a member fails to comply, retirement benefits can be voided, payments stopped, health coverage ended, and benefits repaid. The presenters also noted that rehired retirees do not earn a second retirement account, and employers rehiring them must pay employer contributions and, in non-exempt cases, reimburse health insurance costs. Members asked about the scale of rehired retirees and the difference between employer contribution and health insurance reimbursement amounts. KPPA said that in fiscal year 2025 there were over 3,500 rehired retirees in CERS and over 5,000 in SPRS, with substantial employer contributions and health reimbursement payments collected. They also explained that some positions are exempt from these chargebacks, including school resource officers and certain law enforcement positions that meet statutory criteria. The committee discussed House Bill 213, which allows cities, sheriffs’ departments, and post-secondary institutions to offer health insurance to rehired officers if authorized by the governing body, effective August 1, 2026, and clarifies the fiscal-year basis for certain exemption limits. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our work supports districts of all sizes in the Commonwealth, from large urban systems to small rural
• Is having this a continual support issue for the students? Do we have outages?
• <00:13:40.320> Do<00:13:40.480> we support issue for the students?
• Do we support issue for the students? Do we have<00:13:40.800> outages?
• And it started essentially in 2023. Okay.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Zayo Group 00:00:50 Committee Report to LRC 00:18:12, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Michael McCurley, president of Zo Education and a senior vice president with Zo Group, about the company’s role in providing broadband and managed network services to Kentucky schools. He said Zo Education serves all Kentucky K-12 public school districts in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, offering more bandwidth at lower cost than the prior provider and also providing cybersecurity and network protection. He emphasized that reliable connectivity is essential for instruction, testing, remote coursework, and school administration. McCurley also addressed the ongoing contract dispute involving the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Open Fiber Silicom, saying Zo Education is not a party to the litigation but is concerned about possible disruption to schools and students. In response to committee questions, he said the company incurred unexpected costs when it had to reroute connections and build alternate network paths, including one school move that cost more than $50,000 to serve a site generating under $2,000 per month. He said outages and incidents are more frequent when Kentucky Wired access is unavailable, and that Zo could not have bid at its current price without access to Kentucky Wired. Committee members discussed the broader implications of the dispute and the state’s broadband structure. Senator Williams said the committee’s priority is avoiding disruption to students and noted concerns about infrastructure purchases and upgrades tied to the network, saying he had not seen clear contractual support for some of the expenditures. He also referenced a future audit and said the committee should preserve options and taxpayer funds. The committee then reviewed its report to LRC, including changes related to infrastructure purchases and water asset management technology, and agreed to submit the report without a committee vote. The chair announced the next meeting would be in January, with no December meeting scheduled, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we helped in cash support from KHS.
• supported during crisis. supported during crisis.
• So we would appreciate your support. right now the support we we already have right now the support we
• ,<00:16:09.839> but we know people will come to support, but we know people will come to support
• So would appreciate your<00:16:13.839> support. your support. your support.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:20 Kentucky Humane Society 00:01:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Alyssa Gray, president and CEO of the Kentucky Humane Society, on the organization’s statewide animal welfare work and its request for a $5 million matching contribution from the General Assembly for a new Kentucky Animal and Community Campus in Louisville. Gray said KHS, an independent nonprofit founded in 1884, serves cats, dogs, and horses, reaches 96 counties, provides shelter relief, spay-neuter services, low-cost veterinary care, and disaster response, and has supported communities during recent tornadoes and floods. She described the new campus as a hub for disaster housing, shelter transfers, veterinary training, and expanded services to reduce overpopulation and relieve pressure on county shelters and local governments. Members asked about the campus’s location, staffing, veterinary student involvement, and the scope of KHS’s services. Gray said the new site would be next to KHS’s current spay-neuter clinic on Preston Highway, that the facility would include shelter medicine, high-volume spay-neuter, and a low-cost clinic, and that it could host veterinary students and interns for hands-on training. She also explained that KHS works with county officials and shelters to move animals during crises or cruelty cases, can connect counties with partner organizations when KHS is full, and provides mobile clinic services and occasional grant support for rural shelters. Committee members praised the presentation and discussed how KHS could fit into disaster recovery planning. One member suggested the organization could be folded into long-term recovery efforts because of its role in post-disaster animal care. The presenter said KHS wants to be a formal disaster response resource and already works with the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and other partners. No vote on the funding request was taken during the meeting. At the end of the meeting, the committee noted it still lacked a quorum, so approval of the minutes was postponed to the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for October 15. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• > got<00:02:34.319> a<00:02:34.400> lot<00:02:34.519> of<00:02:34.640> great
• <00:02:34.800> ones you're in we've got a lot of great ones you're in we've got a lot of great
• positive step in fixing the issue of the high egg prices and what I would say is making groceries great
• again is what they're trying to great again is what they're trying to accomplish<00:05:02.800> on
• He said the last thing is continued support for agriculture economic development as they see results

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:19 Department of Agriculture 00:01:29, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met with Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell to discuss the Department of Agriculture’s current budget priorities and the impact of recent legislative investments. Shell praised funding for the Farms to Food Bank program, saying it helps food banks serve Kentuckians, especially seniors, while also supporting farmers. He also highlighted County Fair Grant funding, noting a $250,000 increase helped finance a record nine county fair projects, and he described the Raising Hope rural mental health, suicide prevention, and farm safety program as life-saving, citing one event in Owensboro where 14 people were sent to the hospital after health screenings. Shell also addressed emergency preparedness and bird flu response, saying the department’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response is working effectively and that Kentucky has not had affected commercial or backyard flocks, only some wild geese cases. He discussed federal efforts to address egg prices and avian influenza, including biosecurity, farmer relief, and research funding, and said he expects those actions to affect prices in the coming months. He also urged the committee to codify Senate Bill 28 and referenced House Joint Resolution 371, which he said would allow the department to retain $5 million for rural economic development efforts aimed at attracting processors and other large-scale operations. In response to questions from Representative Hart, Shell said the department’s disaster role is mainly to coordinate response plans and identify agricultural needs for state and federal relief, rather than provide direct relief funding itself. He said recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky has mainly affected hay supplies for livestock producers, and that the department is working with the Cattlemen’s Association and UK Extension to locate affected farmers and secure hay donations. Shell closed by asking for continued support for agriculture economic development and for improved staff recruitment and retention, saying the department struggles to compete with other state agencies for employees. The meeting ended with thanks and adjournment, with the next meeting announced for the following Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Christy Gund in support. Noel Lindamman in support. Janet Thiar in support. Natasha Lum in support.
• Shane Aino in support. Cheryl Bellamy in support. Nancy Moser in support.
• support. Lauren Ba Fouay in support. support. Lauren Ba Fouay in support.
• in support. Shane Aino in support. in support. Shane Aino in support.
• support. Barbara Service in support. support. Barbara Service in support.

Bills: SB2055, SB2152

Keywords: civil rights, helpline, investigator, data analysis, Aloha United Way, reporting, confidentiality, community support, mandatory retirement, Hawaii Constitution, judiciary, justices, judges, 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard SB 2055, which would create a Civil Rights Commission helpline for reports of harms from federal deployments in Hawaii and require annual reporting and a public hearing. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission supported the concept but said the bill should be broadened to cover civil rights and human rights violations more generally, and recommended using existing 211/Aloha United Way infrastructure. Testimony was largely in support, with a few opponents. Members focused on whether the proposed line was really a 24-hour legal hotline or a reporting/referral mechanism, what jurisdiction the commission would have over federal employees, and the estimated costs. The committee chair indicated the bill would move forward with amendments, including adopting HCRC recommendations and adding appropriations for Aloha United Way, database/website development, and staffing. The committee then heard SB 2152, a proposed constitutional amendment to raise the mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices from 70 to 75. Judge Robert D.S. Kim, the Office of the Public Defender, Earthjustice, Community Alliance on Prisons, the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, United Public Workers, the League of Women Voters, ILWU Local 142, CARES, and others testified in support, arguing that experienced judges improve stability, reduce vacancies, and preserve institutional knowledge. Opponents or skeptical comments were limited, but one member questioned whether the measure was just a temporary fix rather than a broader solution to judicial succession and mentoring. Members also asked about existing retention and fitness safeguards, including Judicial Selection Commission retention hearings and the Commission on Judicial Conduct’s ability to investigate complaints about a judge’s physical or mental ability to serve. The discussion noted that the measure would still leave those processes in place. No final vote on SB 2152 was taken in the portion provided, but the committee appeared to be moving toward decision-making after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• support. Janelle Fiesta in support. support. Janelle Fiesta in support.
• . support. support.
• support, but it says here in support. support, but it says here in support.
• And that's um in support. support. support.
• >> Support. >> Support. >> Support. >> Support. >> Support.

Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on several bills related to student health and safety, University of Hawaii programs, and workforce development. For SB 2969, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Witnesses described the ongoing physical and mental health impacts of the August 2023 Maui fires, said the study has identified serious untreated conditions and connected participants to care, and emphasized its role in serving survivors and training students. The committee also heard support from the Department of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Lung Association, Maui residents, and study staff. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2657, which would establish an Alzheimer disease and related dementia research center at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. University of Hawaii and Alzheimer’s Association representatives supported the bill, saying a local center would improve coordination of existing research, build state capacity, and help Hawaii compete for future NIH designation and federal funding. A family member affected by Alzheimer’s also testified in support, citing the disease’s impact in Hawaii. In response to questions, the university said the proposal would follow a five-year phased plan, with the first year funding used to recruit a senior neuroscientist and staff person, at an estimated cost of about $375,000, and that the effort would still strengthen Hawaii’s research infrastructure even if federal funding is not secured. For SB 2612, which clarifies immunity for Department of Education employees and agents who assist students with medication administration under certain conditions, the Department of Education said the bill is intended to protect volunteers and help ensure students can participate in school activities even when staffing is limited. The committee discussed how volunteers would be selected and whether every school would have someone available, and DOE said schools currently rely on health attendants, nurses, and trained volunteers. The committee also briefly discussed liability language and gross negligence exceptions. The hearing then moved to SB 2412, which would fund a bachelor’s degree program in sign language and sign language interpretation at UH Mānoa with a future master’s pathway. Testimony from interpreters, educators, and university officials emphasized the shortage of interpreters, the need to retain local talent, and the program’s role in building a pipeline; university representatives said the initial request would fund a faculty/staff position as a first step, with additional funding needed later. No final committee action or votes were announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just saying that maybe as part of the solution, we could start it sooner. Okay, great.
• So, I think that this is a start of a very, very great idea.
• So, I think that this is a start of a very, very great idea.
• So, I think that this is a start of a very, very great idea.
• So, I think that this is a start of a very, very great idea.

Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 3263, which would create a state-supported endowment for University of Hawaii athletics NIL (name, image, and likeness) funding. University of Hawaii Athletics Director Matt Eliott supported the bill, saying NIL requires both immediate funding and a longer-term sustainable solution. He asked for several changes: lowering the initial endowment target from $10 million to $2 million so the fund could start sooner, allowing NIL reporting by team rather than by individual student-athlete, and clarifying that athletes may choose whether to use an agent, while still allowing certified agents or a parent/guardian if desired. Committee members raised concerns about using taxpayer dollars for athlete compensation, the burden on a small-state budget, and whether the university could realistically raise the required matching funds. Several senators questioned whether the university had a concrete fundraising plan and whether the endowment would meaningfully help UH compete with larger programs. Eliott said UH is already fundraising privately for current NIL obligations, had raised more than $1.6 million toward a $3 million annual goal, and would continue fundraising for both short-term needs and the endowment match. He also said the university is not trying to compete with Power Five schools on the same scale, but to be successful at its own conference level. Members also discussed transparency and privacy, with some senators arguing that if state money is used, the public should know how it is spent, while Eliott said individual student-athlete NIL information should remain private and team-level reporting would be preferable. He confirmed international student-athletes are eligible for NIL and said about 60 to 70 UH athletes are currently participating, with more than 100 expected next year. The discussion also touched on UH’s Mountain West media rights and local TV rights, with Eliott explaining that the conference distribution is expected to remain around $3.5 million and that local TV rights would be negotiated separately. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Until today. >> Okay, great. >> Yes, sir. Until today. Okay, great. Great.
• We'll start our meetings promptly on time.
• Okay, great. >> Great. Well, welcome both these guys. Um, glad to have you on the committee.
• We'll start our meetings promptly on time.
• We'll start our meetings of that.

Bills: HB87, HB96, HB28, HB87, HB96, HB28

Keywords: HB87, Marengo County, coroner, deputy coroner, county commission, expense allowance, mileage allowance, travel reimbursement, local act, local legislation, county general fund, public official compensation, county office, Section 45-46-60, Alabama Code, salary increase, allowance increase, National Signing Day, athletic scholarships, military enlistment

Transcript Highlights:

• It helps support and appropriations.
• <00:02:24.800> We started. Um, they're doing wonderful. We started.
• been supported with a development funds. been supported with a development funds.
• Great, sometime then.
• Great presentation today. >> Good stuff. Great presentation today.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:18 KOAP Report 00:58 Approval of Minutes 53:58, 958, all

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee met on June 11 but did not have a quorum, so it could not approve the prior minutes. The committee then received a compliance and program update from Brandon Reed and Bill McClowski of the agricultural development board, who said the office is fully staffed, has digitized most records, and has added a Facebook page to share board actions, projects, and compliance work. They also reported that the board and finance corporation continue to operate with strong county-council participation and that the office had completed numerous site visits, program reviews, and project closeouts over the reporting period. The presenters reviewed monthly funding actions from December through May, including board approvals ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, with a December finance meeting delayed by a snowstorm. They highlighted that the Kentucky Agriculture Finance Corporation now has 57 loans generating more than $2 million per month in payments, and that the revolving loan program has grown to support more than $24 million annually in repayments available for relending. They also noted that 75% of the portfolio is in beginning farmer loans and that the office had recently surpassed 1,000 active loans. Several projects were discussed in detail. These included a grain facility in Callaway County supporting organic corn production for expanding egg-layer operations, a Union County cattle business expansion, a West Liberty Veterinary Clinic project to build a working cattle facility, a Grayson County farmers market project, a Casey County veterinary services project, and a packing warehouse for the Kanye family to support specialty crops. The presenters emphasized that county and state tobacco settlement funds are often combined, sometimes with participation loans, to leverage local investment. They also stressed the importance of supporting greenhouses, farmers markets, specialty crops, and large-animal veterinary services as key agricultural priorities. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the lack of quorum and the informational presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a summer mushroom and we've got some great old growth forest and nature preserves in Letcher County
• old growth forest and got some great old growth forest and nature<00:04:12.480> preserves<00:
• If you mention a mushroom, a lot of people start thinking about drugs and, you know, negative things
• So, thank you all for your patience and thank you for your support of these students.
• patience and thank you for your support patience and thank you for your support of<00:19:40.799>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 01:17 SB 19 Discussion: 02:23 SB 19 Vote: 16:41, 958, all

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 01:00 HB 506 Discussion: 02:26 HB 506 Vote: 18:04, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a continuation and builds upon the great work that this General Assembly did in passing the Kentucky

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:28 HB 692 Discussion: 01:11 HB 692 Voting: 05:01, 958, all

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:13 HB 506 discussion: 01:52 HB 506 voting: 35:03, 958, all

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:28 SB 197 discussion: 02:26 SB 197 voting: 32:15, 958, all

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:04 HB 168 Discussion: 01:20 HB 168 Voting: 05:12, 958, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 168, with Representative Fleming presenting a committee substitute after additional stakeholder discussions. Fleming explained that the substitute returns the boating-related penalties to the original monetary fine structure rather than mirroring DUI penalties, while keeping the requirement that officers seek a warrant for blood testing in fatal or serious-injury cases. He also described a communications change intended to speed emergency response on the water: 911 dispatchers would notify state police, who would then contact Fish and Wildlife, addressing delays in prior incidents. Representative Fugate asked for clarification about which agency would respond to boating accidents and fatalities. Fleming confirmed that Fish and Wildlife would remain the primary responding agency and that the substitute would not require state police or local departments to investigate boating incidents on the lake. After questions concluded, the committee called the roll and adopted the committee substitute. The committee then voted on the bill as substituted, and House Bill 168 passed out of committee favorably. Members and the chair praised the sponsor for continuing to work with stakeholders and improving the bill through the committee process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I think this is a great bill, Senator Nees, uh, and certainly one that I strongly support.
• think<00:03:54.640> this<00:03:54.799> is<00:03:54.879> a<00:03:55.040> great
• <00:03:55.200> bill, Um, I think this is a great bill, Um, I think this is a great bill, Senator
• Uh, and certainly one that I<00:03:58.560> strongly<00:03:58.879> support.
• I do want to say I strongly support.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:25 SB 129 Discussion: 01:14 SB 129 Voting: 03:35, 958, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Economic Development, Labor, and Tourism met for its fourth meeting and considered one bill sponsored by Senator Mike Nees concerning unemployment insurance and the SCUF (Service Capacity Upgrade Fund). Senator Nees explained that the bill would lower employer rates tied to the fund, while continuing to support unemployment insurance system upgrades. He said the fund was created after problems with the unemployment computer system and that employers had borne the cost successfully. Nees also described a planned floor amendment, agreed to by the chamber and cabinet, that would cap the SCUF fund at $15 million and redirect contributions to the regular unemployment insurance fund if that fund falls below the prior year’s level. He said this would prevent overfunding technology while ensuring benefit payments remain protected. Committee members responded favorably, with remarks praising the bill and joking about government spending and the unemployment system’s handling during COVID. The committee first reported the bill favorably on a 9-0 vote, then later recorded additional votes from members and guests, bringing the tally to 11-0 in support. The chair announced the bill would be reported with favorable expression and that it would have the same recommendation on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:40.959> of the opportunity to speak in support of the opportunity to speak in support
• Um, want to be supportive of it.
• Um, want to be supportive of it.
• Um, want to be supportive of it.
• Great.

Keywords: Meeting start: 00:00 Roll call: 00:05 HB 227 discussion: 01:10 HB 227 voting: 49:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to consider House Bill 227, a time-sensitive measure focused on social media use by minors. The bill sponsor, Rep. Matt Lockett, and supporters including counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, the Attorney General’s office, and the Family Foundation argued that social media is addictive and harmful to children, contributes to mental health problems and exploitation, and that the bill would give parents more control while regulating addictive features rather than banning speech. Supporters said the bill is narrowly tailored, content-neutral, and designed to withstand constitutional scrutiny; the Attorney General’s office said it would defend the bill if challenged and described ongoing multi-state litigation against major platforms. One committee member also described seeing inappropriate AI-generated content on a 16-year-old’s phone as an example of the problem the bill seeks to address. Opposition testimony came from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, NetChoice, and the Computer and Communications Industry Association. They argued the bill raises First Amendment concerns because it conditions minors’ access on parental consent, regulates how private platforms communicate with users, and could function as a de facto speech ban. They also warned that the age-estimation requirement could force platforms to collect more sensitive data, creating privacy and security risks, and that the ban on “addictive features” was overly broad and could sweep in personalized feeds, notifications, autoplay, and other common tools. Opponents said the bill could especially harm vulnerable youth who rely on online access for community or safety information and urged the committee to craft a constitutional alternative. During questions, members asked how the state could enforce the law against national companies and were told enforcement would come through the Attorney General within Kentucky and potentially through multi-state litigation. Members also discussed the bill’s practical effects, including advertising revenue from youth users and the need for guardrails to protect children. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s scope, parental consent, age estimation, and liability provisions, but no final vote or other committee action was shown in the excerpt.