Transcript Highlights:

• The only bad optics here people could say, well, what they did was bad optics.
• But well what they did was bad optics.
• <04:31:27.359> really let me clarify what bad optics really let me clarify what bad optics
• Bad optics are when we take are.
• because of the optics because of the optics um um um to<04:46:26.320> do<04:46:26.638>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you try to go to fiber or paper-based products, the problem is that they are very porous naturally
• and fiber.
• These fibers are embedded both in the substrate and the coating, and when you do that, you get fiber-based
• Or plastic into fiber-based. We deal with a full value chain of people.
• Here we are at PacExpo displaying and launching the first-ever water bottle made from fiber.

Transcript Highlights:

• We saw it through optical readers from people who brought these so we could look through them, and we
• flaring all over in Carlsbad and Hobbs, which is supposed to be used for emergencies, but through the optical
• Maybe they haven't seen it through the optical reader.
• And if you really want to see it, get one of those optical cameras, and the look of that right there

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you concerned about the optics of that to voters, with an election less than two years away?
• In fact, Leader Dth has said over and over... concerned about the Optics of that to concerned about the
• Optics of that to voters<00:05:10.840> with<00:05:11.000> an<00:05:11.160> election

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Minnesota House DFL leaders held a press conference at the start of the 2025 session to argue that the election produced a tied House and that neither party has a majority. They said Minnesota law requires 68 members for a quorum, rejected the Republican view that 67 members would be enough to organize the House, and said Democrats would use parliamentary tools, including denial of quorum, if Republicans refused a power-sharing agreement. They framed their position as preserving the will of voters and called the Republican approach an illegitimate power grab. A major topic was the disputed House seat involving Brad Tabke/Tabkey and the related District 40B residency issue involving Curtis Johnson. Democrats said court testimony showed Tabke won and that overturning the result would disenfranchise thousands of voters, while Republicans were accused of trying to use a temporary advantage to force a special election. On the residency case, Democrats said they had a vetting process, disagreed with the trial court’s ruling, and noted Johnson chose not to appeal. They said they expect David Gottfried to win the upcoming special election on January 28 and that a certificate could issue by February 3. The leaders also discussed how a power-sharing arrangement could work if the House remains tied: committee chairs would be split 50-50, each side could set agendas, and speakership duties could alternate daily. They said this would allow hearings on issues such as fraud oversight, the budget, energy, education, the Social Security tax, the nuclear moratorium, and immigration-related proposals, though they described some Republican priorities as nonstarters. No formal votes were taken, and the event ended with Democrats saying they were still negotiating and hoped to reach an agreement before session begins.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and attaching fiber to poles.
• The first photo, if you can see it in your slides, is of burying the fiber.
• This is a plow laying fiber directly behind; I just wanted to illustrate the work that we're doing.
• You can see it's just a regular bobcat, but they dig a trench, relay fiber, and bury it.
• So we are still fiber first.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chiron is the Kentucky Regional Optical Network.
• Chiron is the Kentucky<00:30:47.800> Regional<00:30:48.240> Optical<00:30:48.720> Optical
• Kentucky Regional Optical Optical Kentucky Regional Optical Optical Network.<00:30:49.680> It's
• I'm really focusing on Kiron, this Kentucky regional optical network, which I really hadn't heard of
• Kentucky regional op- optical network, Kentucky regional op- optical network, which<00:49:24.200>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met and adopted the prior minutes before turning to AI in education. Jeff Gagne of the Southern Regional Education Board described SREB’s Commission on AI in Education, which has organized its work into committees on policy, K-12 instruction, postsecondary instruction, and skills development. He highlighted eight commission recommendations covering statewide AI networks, targeted guidance for different user groups, professional development, standards and curricula, local capacity assessments, risk management, procurement, and AI-ready workforce skills. He also emphasized that states need more specific guidance for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents, and that training is essential because many educators have not been prepared to use AI in instruction. Gagne also summarized two recent SREB reports: one on AI-ready workforce skills and one on AI use in K-12 classrooms. The workforce report recommends embedding AI across standards, strengthening computer science and digital learning standards, collaborating with industry and workforce agencies, building AI competencies into training and upskilling, providing educator professional development, and monitoring readiness. He said the report identifies three skill areas: success skills, industry baseline skills, and technical skills. The classroom guidance report promotes responsible AI adoption, with four pillars focused on increasing cognitive demand, streamlining teaching and administrative work, supporting personalized learning, and developing ethical AI users. He also noted that the report includes an AI procurement tool for school districts. Members thanked Gagne for providing outside examples and resources. One member noted JCPS has an introductory AI professional development offering for educators. Gagne said Kentucky’s David Couch serves on the SREB commission and that the commission’s member list and reports are available on SREB’s website. The committee then heard from Travis Powell of the Council on Postsecondary Education, who said CPE had surveyed campuses and found that Kentucky institutions have broadly embraced AI in teaching, research, student services, and administrative operations. He said all institutions have AI-focused degrees, minors, or courses, and many are integrating AI into general education and across disciplines. Powell also said CPE is considering an AI consortium and that campuses are using AI in research partnerships and applied work, while continuing to focus on ethical and effective use.

Transcript Highlights:

• The optics of that are The optics of that are not good, and so we just said you can't do that either.

Bills: HB191, HB35, HB29, HB123, HB35, HB29, HB191, HB123

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax, local tax exemption, county tax, municipal tax, county commission, municipality, Alabama Department of Revenue, tax exemption, ordinance, resolution, fiscal year, September 1 effective date, notice requirement, local government, tax administration, revenue law, state and local taxation, volunteer firefighters

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that many of their conversations around industrial hemp fiber end up being around cotton fiber
• He added that many of their conversations around industrial hemp fiber end up being around cotton fiber
• He said a lot of their conversations around industrial hemp fiber end up being around cotton fiber as
• it was about $2 billion to do fiber it was about $2 billion to do fiber everywhere<00:41:38.560>
• about 99 um million dollar to do fiber about 99 um million dollar to do fiber in<00:41:52.119>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• where a couple parts of the bill, where we had a situation occur about a year and a half ago where a fiber
• optic company was going through a very densely populated part of Montgomery, the Woodlands, one of the
• So here, under the Utility Code, that fiber company had the right to be in the county right-of-way, and
• And it was only because of the threat of public nuisance that fiber company came... ...to the table and

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending. Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• continue to support modernizing the public safety need to transition from an outdated landline system to fiber-based
• resort seeking to amend their status has increased threefold with specific emphasis put on deploying fiber
• All others have moved forward, recognizing the modern services like fiber-based broadband better meet
• these latest amends, which place this process firmly within the authority of the PUC and triple the fiber
• Comprimiso, Puente Learning Center, Fiber Up My Neighborhood, Unite LA, Michelson 20MM, and of course

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Significantly, the Open Fiber contract was brought before and approved by the board.
• pending litigation uh with open fiber. pending litigation uh with open fiber.
• The request for records I believe came from Open Fiber.
• from open fiber. from open fiber.
• They did do a filing to intervene on a dispute filed with the court with Open Fiber.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Kentucky Office of the Attorney General 00:01:18 LTS Kentucky Managed Technical Services LLC 00:13:41 Kentucky Wired Operations Company 00:34:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its May 21 and June 10 meetings, then heard testimony from the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General on the effect of HB 314 on the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) board. The Attorney General’s representative said HB 314 changed KCNA’s structure and staffing, but did not alter the statutory duties of the board, which still include developing and implementing strategic plans, providing policy direction, monitoring results, and approving fiscal planning. He argued the board is not merely advisory, has operational and budget authority, and that actions taken outside board approval could be ultra vires and without effect. He also noted the board historically approved settlements and contracts, including matters involving Open Fiber, and said the removal of the executive director position reduced direct personnel control but did not eliminate the board’s broader oversight. The committee then heard from representatives of Kentucky Managed Technical Services/LTS, who described a dispute over the Kentucky Wired network refresh and service-provider transition. They said the project agreement required a market test and acceptance of a proposal for both the network refresh and service-provider role, but that their proposals were rejected and the refresh work was later treated by the parties as a change order issue. They said some equipment worth about $3 million had been delivered, transferred, and paid for, while roughly $7 million in additional equipment was canceled by LTS but reportedly shipped to a KCNA warehouse and not paid for. They also said no refresh installation work has been performed, that they continue providing network maintenance to avoid service disruption, but believe the contract has expired and that there is no current agreement for ongoing service-provider work. Committee members asked whether actions taken without board approval would be invalid, whether the board could alter or terminate contractor arrangements, whether the bond disclosures suggesting a successful contract extension were accurate, and what equipment had been purchased or remained in storage. LTS representatives said they would follow up with the committee on the financial delta between the contracted rate and the month-to-month billing they say has been in effect since the contract expired, and on an inventory of in-service equipment and end-of-life dates. They said they want a commercial resolution, but if no resolution is reached soon they may pursue the formal contractual dispute process, and identified September 1 as their stated target date for resolving the matter and completing the refresh.

Transcript Highlights:

• ACCORDINGLY BASED UPON THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY WE HAVE DEPLOYED OVER 1100 MILES OF AERIAL OR UNDERGROUND FIBER
• HAS MENTIONED HERE'S A FIBER TECHNICIAN TRAINING PLAN THAT HAS BEEN DRAFTED BY MIAMI DADE COLLEGE AND
• IF I MAY RECAP WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING IN FIBER AND INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE
• WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE IN THE FUNDING WE PROVIDE THESE COMMUNITIES AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE CANNOT LAY FIBER
• THE PROGRAM IS PRIORITIZING FIBER.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• into a negotiation discussion with you, but when you say you value something one way and yet the optics
• the public optics are not what he explained.
• the public optics are not what he explained.
• , the public optics, are not what he explained.
• Do things, but the optics, the public optics, are not what he explained.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there's not a lot of copper left in some of these networks, and we're overlashing, we're building fiber
• You know, when these thieves cut these fiber cables, these critical institutions can go down.
• You know, when these thieves cut these fiber cables, these critical institutions can go down.
• <00:14:04.560> cables,<00:14:05.200> these<00:14:05.440> critical fiber cables,
• these critical fiber cables, these critical institutions<00:14:06.280> can<00:14:06.400> go

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the optics is bad, but he has every right through free speech in the Constitution to have a PAC
• I know the optics is bad, but he has every right through free speech in the Constitution to have a PAC
• I'm more concerned with doing the right thing than optics. real scandal that affects Wyoming is real
• checks because they say it's bad optics. checks because they say it's bad optics.
• with doing the right thing than optics. with doing the right thing than optics.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fiber to be unnecessarily<00:29:27.039> difficult.
• as dark fiber is.
• Uh, we have not received any money for lit fiber services. arrangement with this firm Excel?
• services, which is on a net basis rather than a gross basis as dark fiber is.
• we've so the legal process if Open Fiber we've so the legal process if Open Fiber disagrees<00:39

Keywords: 0:00:07 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:47 Approval of Minutes 0:01:05 Correspondence and Information Items 0:54:15 Lease Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:56:19 Project Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 1:08:46 Lease Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 1:13:00 Rpt from Office of Financial Mgmt - KIA 1:20:00 Office of Financial Management 1:35:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, of fiber in their diet they should.
• get a lot of fiber and resistant starch. get a lot of fiber and resistant starch.
• And that fiber in my gut, guess what? And that fiber in my gut, guess what?
• And it controls your when you eat fiber.
• apple has 4 and a half gram of fiber. apple has 4 and a half gram of fiber.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met for its third meeting, approved the minutes, and heard testimony from Dr. Jack on behalf of the American Beverage Association and Kentucky Beverage Association. Dr. Jack argued that the “totality of the science” supports low- and no-calorie sweeteners as safe and useful tools for reducing sugar and calories, citing FDA and other domestic and international reviews, clinical trials, and the FDA’s recent healthy-label rule. He also described the industry’s transparency efforts, including a “Good to Know” database compiling ingredient and safety information, and said the beverage industry has voluntarily worked to offer more choices with less sugar. Members questioned him about whether beverage ingredients are restricted in other countries, possible health effects beyond weight and cancer, concerns about metabolic issues and gut microbiome effects, whether sweeteners are addictive, and why companies do not simply remove sweeteners. Dr. Jack responded that most ingredients are permitted in many jurisdictions, that broad food-safety reviews have looked at multiple endpoints and found the ingredients safe, that the gut microbiome is still being studied, and that recent clinical evidence does not show increased sweetness preference. He also said business decisions about formulations are up to companies and noted that cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are metabolically similar. The committee also discussed consumer apps and ingredient-scoring tools; Dr. Jack said the industry’s website presents facts without interpretation and is based on food-safety agency assessments. At the end of his testimony, the chair accepted additional fact sheets for the committee. The meeting then moved on to introduce Dr. Gary Huber, who began testimony by emphasizing integrative medicine, metabolic syndrome, and the role of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress in health, but his full presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd love to use fiber.
• We'd love to use fiber.
• We'd love to use fiber.
• We'd love to use fiber.
• We'd love to use fiber.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're still working to get that finalized, and by the end of FY26, all of our transmitters will be fiber
• Once that is done, we will install fiber at the Velma site.
• Once we have fiber across all of our system, we want to create more learning and other engagement opportunities
• Last question: you talked about moving all of the transmitters to fiber, and Velma, Oklahoma, is the
• Have Velma up to speed on fiber this year? OK, thank you very much.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not to extend those telephone lines; it's to extend the conductivity because those fiber optics

Keywords: 996, all