Transcript Highlights:

• And fund source replacement requests replace the loss of federal or restricted funds.
• And fund source replacement requests replace the loss of federal or restricted funds.
• You shouldn't have to replace it.
• ,<00:50:50.400> new school with new systems, new HVAC, new school with new systems, new HVAC
• You shouldn't have to replace it.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Budget Process 00:02:28 Allotment Process 00:10:30 School Facilities Construction Commission 00:29:10 Role of KDE in School Facilities Funding 00:47:00 Kentucky School Boards Association 01:13:25 Elementary and Secondary School Construction 01:20:40 Perkins V Funding 01:35:32, 958, all

Bills: SB61, SB8, SB58, SB60, SB167

Keywords: school psychologist, school psychology, interstate compact, licensure compact, license reciprocity, portable license, equivalent license, professional licensing, psychology board, school mental health, student services, educational services, interstate practice, reciprocal licensing, background check, continuing education, workforce shortage, military spouse, active duty military, compact commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Capitol HVAC, so the heating... ...of the structure.
• Capitol HVAC, so the heating, ventilation, and cooling systems for the Capitol were also, actually from
• There's a lot of windows to replace, and again we're working in between sessions and in between committee
• And so I was interested in both the Capitol windows and the Capitol HVAC.
• But they needed to be replaced.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met to receive an overview and tour of Capitol complex construction projects funded through the Department of Management Services (DMS). Deputy Secretary Tom Berger gave a historical and project-by-project presentation on the Capitol campus, explaining the evolution of the historic Capitol and the current tower complex, and describing major ongoing work including the Waller Park west entry/ADA and waterproofing project, the east entry security screening area, Cabinet meeting room modernization, historic Capitol re-roofing, the large Capitol HVAC replacement, window replacement, Memorial Park improvements, the Holocaust Memorial, the North Loading Zone, and Knott Plaza upgrades. He noted that the Capitol windows and HVAC work are intended to address aging systems and improve resilience, security, and accessibility, and said the broader Capitol window project will continue over several years. Members asked questions about the African-American memorial, the old bank/archives building with water damage, the roofing material and expected lifespan, the legal definition of the Capitol complex, and the history of early legislative meetings in Pensacola and St. Augustine. Berger said the African-American memorial base is built and the installation should be completed in March or April, while the archives building is owned and managed by the Department of State. He also explained that the roof uses a slate-like material designed for a 50-year life cycle, though major storms could still damage it, and clarified that the Capitol complex can be defined differently in statute versus operationally. Chair Lopez and other members requested follow-up information, including a rendering of the African-American memorial and a table summarizing the Capitol investments and when the facilities were last updated, so members can better explain the spending to constituents. Berger said he would provide the requested information, and the committee then concluded the presentation and proceeded to the tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to require water main replacement, sewer main replacement, fire panel replacement, about $2.6
• We also are needing to replace gas lines.
• We are having to replace roofs, and air conditioner replacement is also another change that we need to
• You need to replace it at that point. It talks about some HVAC repairs.
• “It’s more than six decades old and is in need of repair or replacement, and that’s high.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee held an invited-testimony hearing on LR 425, which examines the Whitehall campus in Lincoln and possible long-term options for youth currently served there. Chair Brian Hardin explained that Whitehall houses two separate programs for adolescent males: a substance use program and a youth-who-sexually-harm program. Testimony from DHHS officials described Whitehall as a Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) that provides about 40 hours of weekly programming, family involvement, school services, and community reintegration activities. Officials said the department is evaluating whether the programs should remain at Whitehall or move to another state-owned facility, with Hastings described as the department’s preferred alternative because it is more residential in design than a youth rehabilitation treatment center (YRTC).

Transcript Highlights:

• We exempt medical devices, HVAC, because HVAC has to deal with dangerous gases and all of that kind of
• We exempt medical devices, HVAC, because HVAC has to deal with dangerous gases and all of that kind of
• ,<00:10:03.519> because<00:10:04.080> HVAC<00:10:04.880> has<00:10:05.120>
• > to<00:10:05.279> deal uh, HVAC, um, because HVAC has to deal uh, HVAC, um, because HVAC
• striking and and replacing that with or. striking and and replacing that with or.

Bills: SF0052, SF0024

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This project at Baron River includes the replacement of all major HVAC equipment and other critical climate
• , and other HVAC equipment.
• This project includes the replacement of all major HVAC equipment and other critical climate control
• , and other HVAC equipment.
• , and other HVAC equipment.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Energy and Environmental Protection met at 9:00 a.m., approved the June 3 minutes, and heard a presentation from the Department of Parks and the Finance Cabinet on Kentucky State Parks capital projects. Commissioner Mark Keelin and Scott Baker described the scope of the state parks system, the ongoing coordination with DECA/Finance Cabinet, and the status of projects funded through House Joint Resolution 76, House Bill 553, House Joint Resolution 56, and House Bill 6. They said 36 of 44 state parks have received renovations or upgrades, with 66 projects completed and 17 under construction, and outlined work on campgrounds, utilities, wastewater systems, broadband, building systems, safety upgrades, ADA improvements, pools, golf courses, marinas, and lodge accommodations. The presenters highlighted several completed or active projects, including campground upgrades at Carter Caves, Ken Lake, and My Old Kentucky Home; utility and grid-resilience work at parks such as Kentucky Dam Village and Kincaid Lake; wastewater projects at parks including E.P. Tom Sawyer, Carter Caves, Dale Hollow, and Blue Licks Battlefield; and building and hospitality renovations at parks such as Lake Barkley, Baron River, and Cumberland Falls. They also noted completed playground upgrades, lock system replacements, beach refurbishment, and golf course improvements, and said the parks system is managing additional internal projects beyond those discussed. The department emphasized that parks often serve as sheltering locations during disasters and that infrastructure replacement is a high priority. Scott Baker then explained DECA’s role in managing the Commonwealth’s capital construction program, saying it oversees about 1,300 active projects across 28 cabinets and agencies, including 149 parks projects. He described DECA’s team-based approach, with dedicated project managers and field staff assigned to parks, and said monthly status meetings and more frequent check-ins are used to keep projects moving. In response to committee questions, Keelin and Baker said projects are assigned to DECA based mainly on the need for architectural or engineering services, while smaller or less complex work can be handled in-house by parks staff or the P11 construction crew. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when those boilers, when those HVAC systems were installed, when the carpeting was last replaced,
• We did a lot of HVAC with ARPA.
• These projects include HVAC renovations and boiler replacements.
• Renovations and boiler include HVAC Renovations and boiler Replacements<01:39:14.199> the<01:
• DHHS elevator replacements.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining that it maintains and operates 96 state buildings and uses annual facility walkthroughs, condition assessments, and rough cost estimates to rank projects for the governor’s capital budget. Officials described how requests are triaged, how the governor’s office and Public Works refine estimates, and how the resulting capital budget book serves as legislative intent for approved projects. They also noted that this year the governor’s office asked for estimates on all selected projects, which increased workload but reduced detail. The department highlighted several requested projects, including $1.5 million for the ERP system sustainability fund, which officials said is critical because the state is upgrading its core financial, HR, and budget system to the cloud. Other priorities included courthouse HVAC and boiler work, brick repointing at the State House annex/main building, window replacement at the Spalding building, and elevator replacement on the hospital campus. Officials also said the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and asked the committee to consider funding closer to historic levels. The committee then reviewed lapse and reallocation items. DAS said most older projects are still in design, bid, or construction because projects now take four to six years rather than two to three, in part due to ARPA-related workload and post-COVID construction backlogs. Members discussed lapsing $81,000 from the completed Spalding roof project and redirecting small remaining balances from several 2019 projects toward the Hillsboro County South cell block project through the Capital Project Overview Committee. Officials also confirmed ARPA-funded projects are expected to be completed before the December 2026 deadline and explained that the ERP system is the main state IT exception outside DOIT’s usual centralized control, though it still requires DOIT consultation and approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• Planning and design phase funding for a combined replacement facility for 824 students was for 120,156
• So who is going to maintain all of this if an HVAC system goes out?
• Who's going to replace it? Those are some questions that I have.
• The SB 9 fund will make the school district responsible for correcting any issues such as HVAC, fire
• Now we have brand new HVAC and a brand new fire alarm system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Renovations and replacements. 3. Growth projects.
• I also think it's important, like when we're looking at doing an HVAC replacement, not only doing the
• HVAC but also doing the.
• I also think it's important that when we're looking at doing an HVAC replacement, not only doing the
• The systems are now beyond their lifespan, and it's really about replacement.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:31.039> its this system and places to replace its this system and places to replace
• natural gas off our system and replace natural gas off our system and replace with<00:07:49.440>
• Replacing our systems $438,000 a year.
• Uh, Chair France and Senator, the Big Cats building is actually going to be replaced.
• Uh, Chair France and Senator, the Big Cats building is actually going to be replaced.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While lighting and HVAC systems often receive the spotlight, mechanical insulation remains one of the
• In fact, poor-quality installation of HVAC systems results in a 20 to 30% increase in energy use.
• As you can see there, many companies now sell LEDs that are drop-in replacements for fluorescents.
• We're going to need replacements of existing generation. Thank you.
• We're going to need replacements of existing generation. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of energy efficiency, building decarbonization, school modernization, and lighting bills. Testimony generally came from municipal leaders, labor unions, environmental groups, and advocates who supported measures such as H. 3529/S. 2294 on building energy and decarbonization, H. 3577/S. 2286 on a zero-carbon renovation fund, H. 3476/S. 2275 on healthy and sustainable schools, H. 3565 on Mass Save zero-carbon assessments, H. 3477 on clean lighting and appliance efficiency standards, and the Dark Sky bills on outdoor lighting. Supporters argued these bills would cut emissions, lower utility bills, improve indoor air quality and school conditions, and direct resources to environmental justice, gateway, and low-income communities. Witnesses emphasized that Massachusetts’ older building stock and school facilities need major upgrades, and that state funding and financing tools are needed to close gaps left by declining federal support. Mayors, labor leaders, and environmental advocates said the proposals would create local jobs, expand apprenticeships, and help municipalities and schools undertake retrofits, ventilation improvements, heat pump installations, and other decarbonization work. Several speakers also defended Mass Save as highly cost-effective while urging new funding sources beyond ratepayer bills for larger-scale building upgrades. One representative asked about the difference between current Mass Save audits and proposed zero-carbon assessments, and the sponsor explained the new assessments would include heat pumps, solar, storage, wiring upgrades, and rate-structure guidance. There was also testimony on the Dark Sky bill, with astronomers and museum representatives arguing that better-shielded, downward-facing lighting would reduce energy waste, protect wildlife and human health, and preserve night skies without compromising safety. Committee members raised concerns about pedestrian safety and whether education might be enough instead of legislation; supporters responded that the bill follows established lighting standards and targets only unnecessary glare and skyward light. On the school bill, an open-shop contractor group opposed the measure, arguing its PLA and apprenticeship requirements would restrict bidding and reduce competition, while labor organizations strongly supported the workforce standards and prevailing wage provisions. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony and several members asked clarifying questions, but the transcript does not show any final action or disposition on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm the replacement of all of those.
• of HVAC systems.
• <00:29:41.840> of through renovation or replacement of through renovation or replacement of
• These systems reduce HVAC uh systems.
• You can expect to replace that cycles.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And you're right, it can be HVAC renovations they need.
• Why would we allow them to roll in deferred maintenance on HVAC?
• In 2014 and 2019, this was done to replace artificial turf.
• What about repairs, like we talked about, HVAC or roofs or something that's a non- Not a new project,
• Set aside monies that would then go to HVAC repair or roof repair or whatnot.

Bills: SB414, SB621, SB2395

Keywords: bond election, ballot proposition, debt obligation, municipal bonds, local government finance, property tax, ad valorem tax, school district bonds, county bonds, special taxing district, voter information document, public debt, municipal finance, tax-supported debt, election ballot language, bond transparency, homestead tax impact, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, public bank

Transcript Highlights:

• was the exact same thing replacement was the exact same thing because<00:16:01.839> those<00:
• And then the way the system is set up, whenever she retires, if the person you replace her with doesn't
• And then the other capital construction project is the replacement of the HVAC, the Libert units.
• <00:26:57.840> of<00:26:58.000> the<00:26:58.240> HVAC, project is the replacement
• of the HVAC, project is the replacement of the HVAC, the<00:26:59.279> Libert<00:26:59.840>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Commonwealth’s Attorneys, County Attorneys, Prosecutor’s Advisory Council 00:00:18 Approval of Minutes 00:20:09 State Treasurer 00:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from representatives of the Prosecutor’s Advisory Council, including county and commonwealth attorneys, on their proposed budget. They described the scope of their work in district and circuit court, juvenile and dependency cases, specialty courts, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, and the Rocket Docket program. The witnesses emphasized that their budgets are overwhelmingly personnel costs and warned that proposed cuts could lead to layoffs, reduced retention, and loss of recently added positions. They also said the General Assembly’s recent salary classification plan had improved recruitment and retention, and that underfunding could reverse those gains. A major topic was the Rocket Docket program, which they said speeds lower-level cases through the system, reduces jail costs, and saves money for both counties and the state. They reported that in one circuit, average jail time for certain cases dropped from about 50 days to about 6 days. They also raised concerns that the Rocket Docket line item may not be clearly included in the committee substitute and asked for clarification on how the budget would treat it. In response, the chair said the intent was to move some of those items into the base budget, though the exact structure was still uncertain. The presenters also discussed a 2022 subsidy for county attorney employees tied to retirement contributions, saying it totals about $1.3 million and should not be reduced because the obligation remains. They said the budget would need to support the salary classification plan extensions, House Bill 8 subsidies, and a new case management system that they described as essential to modernizing operations and improving communication with victims and law enforcement. The chair thanked them for the testimony and indicated the committee would continue reviewing the budget. The committee then heard from Deputy State Treasurer Russell Weber, who reported that the treasury has now returned more than $90 million in unclaimed property to Kentuckians. He said the office faces ongoing fraud issues and requested funding for a dedicated legal counsel and a fraud investigator, along with outreach money to educate the public about unclaimed property. He also outlined several capital requests, including the final year of a printer-system lease and replacement of HVAC equipment in the treasury building. Members briefly joked with him about a mineral-rights bill and coal, but no votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The gymnasium will have an improved community access career technical education space addition, HVAC
• Technical education Space Edition HVAC Technical education Space Edition HVAC upgrades<00:59:48.079
• energy management systems, asbestos abatement, boilers, chiller replacements, air handler units, duct
• <01:04:57.799> Energy Dames alluded to such as HVAC Energy Dames alluded to such as HVAC Energy
• sewer piping and roof Replacements sewer piping and others<01:05:09.079> just<01:05:09.240>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT DOES NOT REPLACE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS NEEDS FOR HUMAN INTERACTION.
• ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE HVAC.
• HOPEFULLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REPLACING A BELT AND REPLACING A CHILLER.
• BUT TO CHECK FOR OPTIMIZATION ON SOMETHING LIKE HVAC, NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE I KNEW A LOT ABOUT THAT I AM
• HVAC, WHY HVAC? IT IS COST SAVINGS.

Transcript Highlights:

• all of the EVAP cooling in prisons with HVAC systems.
• So overall, across the three years, just for that HVAC proposal, it would be about $86 million.
• A whole lot cheaper than an HVAC system. But we can take that offline. It's fascinating technology.
• We have one replacement and two that need to be confirmed.
• I want to be clear: automated enforcement does not and should not replace police officers.

Bills: SB1024, SB1032, SB1059, SB1062, SB1064, SB1097, SCM1001, SCR1004

Keywords: roadable aircraft, registration, vehicle title, license plates, aviation safety, corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, appropriation, Department of Transportation, right turn lane, traffic improvement, infrastructure funding, transportation funding, authorization, road improvements, intersection safety, transportation

Summary: The committee began with a JLBC presentation comparing the baseline budget to the governor’s proposal. JLBC said the baseline shows a positive cash balance in each year, with about $577–$578 million available above statutory formulas, but that major items such as tax conformity, state employee health subsidies, school repairs, SNAP administrative changes, and possible SNAP error-rate costs are not fully funded. JLBC also reviewed executive revenue and spending proposals, including border-security funding, sports betting tax changes, data-center tax changes, short-term rental and water surcharges, and several one-time items that JLBC said appear to be ongoing in practice. Members questioned SNAP error rates, Medicaid/Access enrollment and costs, possible fraud involving Access-to-Marketplace shifting, prison receivership risk, and the need for more oversight of waste and fraud. The committee then heard and passed SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million to fund the Independent Correctional Oversight Office created last year. The sponsor and several advocates said the office is needed to provide independent oversight, improve transparency, help whistleblowers, and reduce the risk of federal receivership over the prison system. Testimony from advocacy groups and former incarcerated individuals strongly supported the bill, and the committee approved it 10-0. Next, the committee considered several transportation appropriations. SB 1064 would provide $3 million to Flagstaff for improvements along U.S. Route 66; the mayor and local planning officials described safety problems, congestion, and housing growth along the corridor, while some members objected to using general fund dollars for roads instead of HURF and to bypassing the normal transportation board process. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1059 would appropriate $9.2 million for a right-turn lane at SR 87 and SR 260 in Payson, and SB 1062 would appropriate $1 million for a left-turn lane at US 60 and Superstition Mountain Drive in Gold Canyon; both were supported by local witnesses citing congestion and safety concerns and both received do-pass recommendations, 7-3 and 6-4 respectively. The committee also began hearing SCR 1004, a voter-referral measure to prohibit photo enforcement systems, with the sponsor and public commenters arguing that photo radar is unconstitutional, abusive, and tied to ticket revenue, but the transcript cuts off before any committee action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our HVAC systems are outdated, and we lack adequate gym, athletic, and community spaces.
• Their building project includes a new boiler system for heating and cooling in their HVAC system, replacement
• <00:36:24.560> uh<00:36:24.720> replacement<00:36:25.119> of their HVAC system
• . uh replacement of their HVAC system. uh replacement of windows,<00:36:26.359> roofs<00:36:27.359
• We're replacing a facility that was originally constructed in the pre-World War II era.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , uh difficulty and I don't wanna hinder that but these are just for public works projects and the HVAC
• It only applies to the HVAC skilled labor.
• Let the record reflect that all action necessary for replacing Senate Bill 66 with an emergency clause
• Let the record reflect that all action necessary for replacing House Memorial 62 on final passage has
• Speaker, gentle lady, do has anybody. thought about the replacement cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specific concerns to be addressed will be replacing boilers necessary for campus HVAC systems and replacing
• <00:10:06.880> boilers addressed will be replacing boilers addressed will be replacing boilers
• HVAC systems and replacing<00:10:10.880> up<00:10:11.120> to<00:10:11.200> a<00
• or replacing up to a dozen aging or underperforming<00:10:13.360> chillers.
• Phase one replaces Hugh Poland and Douglas Keen Halls, two of WKU's oldest residential halls, with a

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum, so no minutes were approved. The committee then heard a presentation from Western Kentucky University President Timothy Kabone, who highlighted WKU’s recent gains in graduation rate, retention, degree production, graduate enrollment, research activity, and financial stability. He said WKU’s FY 2026 budget is structurally balanced without one-time reserves, and he tied the university’s growth to its strategic plan and to Senate Bill 77, which created a pathway for WKU’s first PhD program. WKU’s initial PhD offering is planned in data sciences for fall 2027, and Kabone said the university continues to pursue R2 research status. Kabone also outlined WKU’s budget requests, including a 4.5% base appropriation increase for each year of the biennium, a $30 million increase in the performance funding pool, a $30 million trust fund for tuition waiver reimbursement, and $2 million per year for the Gatton Academy. He also requested continued funding for the Kentucky Mesonet, 8.9% of proposed asset preservation funding, and support for a $280 million new Potter College facility. He emphasized inflationary pressures, rising fixed costs, and the burden of mandated tuition waivers, and said the university supports performance funding but wants the model adjusted to better reward student success rather than enrollment growth. Members asked about WKU’s student housing situation and the transition away from the former student life foundation model. Kabone said the foundation structure had run its course, that the university had lacked adequate oversight under the old arrangement, and that WKU is moving to a public-private partnership with Gilbane and the College Housing Foundation. He said the new model would not increase the university’s debt load and would replace older residence halls with a roughly 1,000-bed complex, eliminate community-style bathrooms over time, and expand living-learning communities. Representatives McCool and Tipton praised WKU’s graduation and retention results and asked questions about the housing project and its timeline. The committee then heard from CareerVXR and KCTCS about a proposed career exploration pilot. Company representatives said the platform uses web-based and virtual reality experiences to show students real jobs and workplaces, with the goal of addressing an “awareness gap” in workforce participation. They proposed a $1.8 million, two-year pilot to reach 50,000 to 60,000 students in three regions, including Hazard Community and Technical College, Southeast Community and Technical College, and western Kentucky. Members asked about cost, funding source, and locations, and were told the request would come through the KCTCS budget. The meeting ended with notice that the next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 26.