Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:30.079> $50,000<00:12:31.360> to<00:12:31.600> us.
• to serve<00:12:39.120> and<00:12:39.279> we<00:12:39.440> want<00:12:39.519>
• We will move on in our agenda to our committee report to LRC and my co-chair, Mr.
• of the lawsuit. uh to our committee report to LRC and my uh to our committee report to LRC and my co-chair
• add a few remarks about our like to add a few remarks about our committee<00:18:25.760> report.

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:

• >> Are<00:18:15.520> you<00:18:15.760> able<00:18:16.160> to<00:18:16.480>
• <00:18:26.400> back<00:18:26.559> to<00:18:26.640> you.
• So uh we have a fund that we<00:18:56.960> allocate<00:18:58.000> to<00:18:58.320> the
• c> report of this committee is to provide a report of this committee is to provide a report on<00
• to this report is I I think that we need to<01:18:09.199> where<01:18:09.520> is<01:18:

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Discussion of the KentuckyWired Network 00:00:55 Discussion of the Water Resource Information System 00:35.40 Discussion of Geographic Information Systems 00:52:30 Discussion of Committee Report to LRC 01:15:05, 958, all

Summary: The Information Technology Oversight Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a presentation from Leadcore representatives Jimmy Bird, Mike Murray, and Rebecca Moss on the Kentucky Wired network. Leadcore described its role as the design-builder and service provider under the KCNA contract, saying the network was built with roughly 13,200 feet of fiber, mostly aerial, and that the use of non-armored cable was a Kentucky-side decision made to reduce cost. They also said aerial construction and non-armored cable increase maintenance challenges, including storm damage and squirrel-related damage, and reported FY25 service activity of 104 break-fix events, 30 maintenance replacements, 64 storm-damage events, and nearly 13,000 feet of fiber replaced to date. Committee members questioned whether the original project anticipated this level of replacement and whether any forecast existed for maintenance under non-armored cable. Leadcore said it did not do a formal forecast and could not say whether the replacement rate was above or below norms, though it acknowledged the decision not to use armored cable came from the Kentucky side of the contract. Members also asked about whether replacements caused network degradation; Leadcore said it tries to replace cable at existing splice points to avoid degradation and, where needed, uses armored cable for replacement sections going forward. The committee then explored Leadcore’s relationship with Excel and KCNA. Leadcore said it has a service-level agreement for KCNA-related fibers but not for dark fibers used by Excel, and that Kentucky Wired fibers get priority on service requests. It said outages are reported through a 1-800 number and that it was not aware of any access problems to the huts. On the tech refresh, Leadcore said its understanding is that maintaining the network is its responsibility, but the technology refresh is not; it said only a very limited amount of refresh has occurred and that this did not match the original contract intent. Leadcore also said it had not been asked to defer maintenance. The chair closed by saying the testimony would inform a committee report and that he intended to recommend clawing back or withholding some previously authorized Kentucky Wired and refresh funding until an audit is complete, with the committee to vote on a report later.

Transcript Highlights:

• 50 to 80 mi access to an ILA every 50 to 80 mi along<00:47:29.240> that<00:47:29.400> network
• :50:04.520> the<00:50:04.640> committee,<00:50:04.920> I<00:50:05.000> can
• :50:31.080> to<00:50:31.280> the<00:50:31.640> agency,<00:50:32.200> and<
• fiber<00:50:34.120> directly<00:50:34.680> to<00:50:34.920> agency<00:50:35.440
• In<00:50:47.360> addition<00:50:47.840> to<00:50:47.960> that,<00:50:48.280>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 KCNA Request for Proposal Process 00:00:01 Overview of KWIC Board and Funding of Kentucky Wired Network Refresh 00:18:10 Zayo Network Services 00:34:40 Discussion of Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Funding 00:57:32, 958, all

Summary: The committee first focused on a disputed KCNA procurement for a statewide network-related RFP. Members questioned why the RFP had been labeled non-technical, whether COT should have reviewed it, and whether the KCNA board could direct that it be withdrawn. Finance and Administration Cabinet counsel Barbie Dickens said the RFP was authorized by KCNA working with procurement services after termination of the prior contract and breach notices, was issued in November 2025, paused during a protest, later resumed, and remained an open procurement. She said the agency—not the board—directs the procurement process, though she acknowledged an agency and OPS could cancel or reissue an RFP if needed. Legislators pushed back, citing KRS 154 and House Bill 314 as evidence that the KCNA board controls contracts and operations, and one member said the board had requested the RFP be withdrawn. Dickens said she could not predict the outcome and was not KCNA’s counsel. The discussion also touched on whether the current director had asked to stop the RFP and whether that request had been denied, with no final action taken during the exchange. The committee then turned to Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Corporation and the Kentucky Wired refresh project. Jim Barnhart described the structure of the nonprofit corporation, the role of Quick and Quack in the financing and operations arrangement, and the board membership, noting that the refresh funding had been approved in the 2024-26 capital budget. He said the equipment upgrade is necessary because of end-of-life hardware and software support issues, and that the refresh would expand capacity, lower risk, and reduce operating costs. Barnhart said some equipment had already been received, the rest would be purchased later, and the project should begin before September and take about a year to complete. When asked about contract disputes involving Ledcor and whether the vendor had an ongoing contract, Barnhart and the authority representative said they had not been notified of any issues and were not directly involved in that contract dispute. Committee members also raised concerns about a prior market test and whether a lower-cost bidder had been blocked from a previous RFP process. Barnhart said he understood Quack could make that decision and that the Commonwealth did not have input so long as the network was maintained, but he was not involved at the time. A legislator then read from the KCNA statute and argued that the board, not agency staff, is supposed to direct KCNA contracts and operations, saying House Bill 314 did not change those duties. The chair agreed the committee’s intent was for the board to control KCNA and direct contracts, and the discussion ended with a transition away from the KCNA dispute toward future testimony, including a presentation from Zayo Networks on open access networks and broadband infrastructure.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxoRNF8J9_E, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:12 HB220 Discussion 02:28 HB220 Vote 06:36 HB256 Discussion 07:50 HB256 Vote 17:05 HB371 Discussion 18:44 HB371 Vote 22:41, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Next order of business<00:12:32.959> is<00:12:33.120> a<00:12:33.279> report<00:
• <00:12:34.240> Mr. business is a report of committees.
• Clerk,<00:12:34.880> please<00:12:35.120> report. Clerk, please report.
• Services Committee has met<00:12:40.079> and<00:12:40.240> report<00:12:40.560> the
• House Bill 402, an<00:18:06.720> act<00:18:06.880> relating<00:18:07.120> to<00:

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 07:18 Calendar/Second Readings 12:04 Report of Committees 12:31 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 13:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 16:50 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 20:44 ConC and Rules Report 23:01 Adjournment 25:50, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 95 members present. Members approved excusing absences, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from January 14, 2026. The clerk reported second readings of House Bills 176, 184, and 265, and the Health Services Committee reported favorably on House Bills 178 and 280, as well as House Joint Resolution 24, which would direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to withdraw a previously submitted 1115A waiver application for a mandatory community engagement program; those measures were advanced to first reading and placed on the calendar. During announcements, members noted a KPA breakfast the next morning, a House Committee on Local Government meeting cancellation, a POB meeting after adjournment, a “Bags of Hope” service project for children in foster care, an open house for higher education leaders, and a Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee meeting after adjournment. The House then received a large batch of new bill and resolution introductions covering school bus safety, education, literacy funding, local public agency transactions, Alzheimer’s services, tax-dollar restrictions, curriculum, public holidays, trophy catfish, electric generating unit decommissioning costs, sexual offenses against children, fertility treatment, medicinal cannabis, workers’ compensation, occupational license fees, pension supplemental payments, certificate of need, end-of-life patient-directed care, risk protection orders, affordable housing, physician continuing medical education, constitutional term limits for governor and lieutenant governor, jail booking procedures, educators, farmland preservation loans, domestic violence, and several resolutions including Burn Awareness Week, Profound Autism Day, and Suits and Sneakers Day. The House recessed for a Committee on Committees meeting, then received the committee’s report assigning numerous bills to standing committees and making several membership changes, including appointing Representatives Burke, Gentry, and Camuel to specified committees and removing Representatives Gentry, Watkins, and Stevenson from others. No floor amendments were introduced. The House then adjourned by unanimous consent until 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2026.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4T4r94Se5M, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:50 KY State Auditor Discussion on Unemployment Insurance Audit for FY 2021 02:24 Committee Questions for KY State Auditor 18:21, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I<00:12:00.000> am<00:12:00.200> a<00:12:00.320> proud<00:12:01.240>
• yes<00:12:01.640> for<00:12:01.839> my<00:12:01.960> uncle<00:12:02.440>
• taken up this issue.<00:12:33.640> Happy<00:12:33.880> to<00:12:33.960> take<00
• And I'd recommend<00:15:28.280> to<00:15:28.400> this<00:15:28.680> committee<00
• to come before Uh any other uh business to come before the<00:19:50.200> committee?

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:11 Discussion SB 97 01:06 Vote SB 97 12:42 Discussion SB 189 14:11 Vote SB 189 18:12, 958, all

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs0RVhAlJcg, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00 PSS 1 to Senate Bill 193: 0:43 Votes on Senate Bill 193: 10:00 PSS 1 to Senate Bill 101: 12:18 Votes on Senate Bill 101: 18:28 Senate Bill 118: 19:13 Votes on Senate Bill 118: 27:11 Adjournment: 28:13, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• :12:28.720> Um<00:12:29.080> I<00:12:29.240> get<00:12:29.440> tickled<00
• :12:29.800> when<00:12:29.920> one<00:12:30.000> of<00:12:30.040> my<00:12
• company<00:12:33.800> in<00:12:33.880> the<00:12:33.960> summer<00:12:34.320
• to coming before your committee over in to coming before your committee over in the<00:19:29.440
• to vote yes to get it out of<00:40:35.440> committee.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:07 Discussion SB 97 01:21 Vote SB 97 13:27 Discussion HB 3 15:12 Vote HB 3 17:15 Discussion HB 184 17:54 Vote HB 184 18:42 Discussion HB 355 19:34 Vote HB 355 39:50, 958, all

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt6BMBMWubM, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:05 HB 566 Discussion 02:02 HB 566 Vote 02:37 SB 114 Discussion 04:22 SB 114 Vote 10:50 SB 119 Discussion 12:18 SB 119 Vote 19:04, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsREwaYBtfA, 2026-06-21T07:17:04+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:09 Meeting Start 00:15 Roll Call 00:36 Approval of Minutes 01:05 Information Items 03:30 Project Report from Postsecondary Institutions 05:26 Project Report from Finance and Administration Cabinet 15:20 Lease Report from Finance and Administration Cabinet 25:00 Report from Office of Financial Management 31:50 Economic Development Fund Grants 39:50 Office of Financial Management 45:22 Next Meeting/Adjournment, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• :43.520> meeting<00:02:44.360> this her to being here at our meeting this her to being
• benefit our youth of ways to benefit our youth concerning<00:50:14.760> learning<00:50:15.280
• <00:50:19.440> Do<00:50:19.520> you<00:50:19.600> want<00:50:19.760> to
• Do you want to tell to<00:50:20.160> introduce<00:50:20.560> ourselves?
• <00:50:21.480> Um<00:50:21.960> I'm<00:50:22.120> Nima to introduce ourselves

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:24 Approval of September 18, 2025 Minutes: 00:02:03 Discussion on the Condemnation of Agricultural Land: 00:03:12 Discussion on the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative: 00:50:00 Adjournment: 01:19:10, 958, all

Summary: The Joint Agriculture Committee met in October with a quorum present and approved the September minutes. The main presentation focused on condemnation of agricultural land and eminent domain, featuring testimony from Stephanie Barnett of a family-run livestock and farming business in Todd County, with support from Kentucky Farm Bureau. Barnett described a state road project that would take about 29 feet of frontage and affect entrances, fencing, a sign, drainage, a water well, and parking, saying the process involved poor communication, correspondence sent to the wrong address, and limited opportunity to negotiate changes such as a turning lane or relocated entrances. She said the business was not opposed to progress, but wanted the property restored and fairly compensated for the full impact on the operation, not just the land value. Committee members broadly agreed that eminent domain is sometimes necessary but should be handled with more transparency, communication, and fairness. Several members said the issue affects both rural and urban property owners and raised concerns about fair market value, compensation for agricultural infrastructure improvements, long-term impacts on farm operations, and the cost and delay of litigation. One member asked about the firm involved and suggested hearing from the people responsible for the correspondence problems; Barnett said she would share names after negotiations conclude. Another member noted that the maps had already been drawn before the landowner was brought in and said local meetings and clearer public input could reduce conflict. Chairman Dossett said he was interested in pursuing legislation for the upcoming session focused on property owner protection, fair treatment, and fair compensation, not just for agricultural land but for all Kentucky property owners. Members discussed possible ideas such as requiring better notice, more public transparency, and accounting for related costs like wells, fencing, drainage, and access changes. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the approval of minutes and the discussion of potential future legislation.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjN0dZheiXw, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:13 SB 50 Discussion 03:12 SB 50 Vote 17:30 SB 14 20:20, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkGr-eDMdyo, 2026-06-21T07:17:04+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Business-led Solutions to Kentucky’s Workforce Challenges 00:02:50, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• are constantly going to where the threat<00:08:32.479> is<00:08:32.959> to<00:08:33.200
• <00:10:18.000> stop<00:10:19.120> um to stop um to stop um those<00:10:21.680> minors
• to gain access uh to using the platform to gain access uh to children.<00:10:34.000> Uh<00:10
• to<00:14:17.199> date.
• to to demolish these<00:20:21.520> houses<00:20:21.919> because<00:20:22.160> they<

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:30 Office of the Attorney General 00:01:50 Kentucky River Authority 00:12:50, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met without a quorum at first, then heard an update on child exploitation enforcement efforts from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Criminal Investigations. The presenters described the specialized investigation and prosecution unit funded in House Bill 6, saying the added resources allowed them to hire four staff members and expand work on cyber tips, search warrants, arrests, forensic processing, victim advocacy, and training for local law enforcement. They highlighted a recent rescue of a 5-year-old victim from a Discord-related case and said the office had also filed a civil lawsuit against Roblox, alleging the platform lacked adequate age verification and allowed predators access to children. Senators asked about the lawsuit, and the presenters said Kentucky was one of only two states to sue Roblox and that the complaint was based on evidence collected by the office. The committee then received an update from the Kentucky River Authority on lock and dam repairs funded in the 2024-2026 budget. The authority reported progress on three capital projects: upper guide repairs at Locks 2 and 3, design and repair work at Dam 7, and design work to reopen Lock 5 for navigation. Officials explained that river construction is limited by flooding and fish-spawn restrictions, and they described the engineering and safety issues involved in replacing guide walls and repairing Dam 7’s spillway. They also said the authority had demolished three obsolete lockmaster houses and filled a fifth lockmaster position, while continuing to work on pay retention for those employees. Members asked about the transfer of the lock and dam properties from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the permitting process through the Division of Water, and the timeline for reopening navigation. The authority said the Corps had transferred the properties to Kentucky, that permits for river work are handled through the Division of Water and the Army Corps, and that Locks 1 through 4 are open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Officials said Lock 5 would add 14 miles of navigation if reopened, but that it would still take a few more years before that project is complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:50.880> to<00:12:51.600> these<00:12:52.399> new<00:12:52.880> egg
• c> to<00:12:57.920> get<00:12:58.079> into<00:12:58.320> going<00:12:58.639>
• :18:13.840> to<00:18:14.000> buy<00:18:14.160> into<00:18:14.480> practice
• to buy into practice could access up<00:18:16.160> to<00:18:16.480> $100,000<00:18:17.360
• ago using a finance<00:18:56.799> to<00:18:56.960> buy<00:18:57.280> into<00:18

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:

• refuse to be our legal representatives refuse to be the<00:12:01.320> voice<00:12:01.680>
• It<00:12:03.640> is<00:12:03.760> my<00:12:03.920> intention<00:12:04.320> to
• 00:12:17.440> to<00:12:17.560> try<00:12:17.760> to by our own legal counsel to
• try to by our own legal counsel to try to prevent<00:12:18.440> me<00:12:18.640> from<00
• not connected<00:50:10.080> to<00:50:10.200> Kentucky<00:50:10.640> Wired?

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Report of KCNA Board Meeting 00:00:09 KCNA Transition to COT 00:35:55 KCNA Request for Proposals 00:42:00 Kentucky Wired Operations Company 00:42:30, 958, all

Summary: The Information Technology Oversight Committee met, approved the January 12, 2026 minutes, and then heard testimony from KCNA Chair David Couch, KCNA Director Jim Barnhart, and KCNA General Counsel Adam Adkins about the ongoing dispute involving KCNA, Excelacom, and the implementation of House Bill 314. Couch said the board and vendor had recently shown some willingness to work toward a settlement, and he emphasized the importance of KCNA’s broadband service to K-12 schools, noting that litigation had already cost about $1.4 million and could cost another $1.4 million if it continued. He also said the board had identified five immediate goals, including reconnecting 38 K-12 sites, de-escalating disputes, better understanding KCNA finances, protecting the state’s bonding rating, and examining whether duplicate networking hardware could be consolidated. A major portion of the discussion focused on whether House Bill 314 changed KCNA’s authority and how much control the Finance and Administration Cabinet and KCNA’s legal counsel have over operations and contracts. Senator Williams argued that the board now has authority to set policy, implement policy, and approve budgets, and questioned why the cabinet appeared to be exercising operational control. Adkins responded that HB 314 changed the reporting chain from the general government cabinet to the finance cabinet but did not alter the board’s authority, and said budget work on the Ice Miller contract predated HB 314. Couch and other members disputed that interpretation, saying the board had not been properly informed about a recent extension or increase in legal spending and that the board’s directives were not being followed. Representative Hodgson asked why the board could not terminate a contractor if it was not carrying out the board’s wishes, and Adkins replied that Ice Miller was not a party to the board’s contract and that the Finance and Administration Cabinet signs such agreements. The exchange ended with committee members and KCNA representatives agreeing to disagree on the meaning of the statute and the extent of board authority. No formal action was taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:28.840> want<00:18:28.919> to<00:18:29.039> stay you uh Senator storm if
• c> to<00:50:04.520> get<00:50:04.839> someone's<00:50:05.319> attention<00:50
• attention as to what<00:50:07.440> this<00:50:07.680> is<00:50:07.920> and<00:50
• :08.119> what<00:50:08.280> could<00:50:08.520> happen<00:50:08.760> to what
• that is a great<00:50:17.200> ad<00:50:18.000> to<00:50:18.839> um<00:50:19.040

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:05 Roll Call: 00:00:14 SB 26: 00:01:50 SB 64: 00:18:29 SB 73: 00:22:54, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Chair Storm, would protect parents and prospective parents with disabilities by barring disability alone from being the sole basis for denying an adoption petition or terminating parental rights. Testimony from Judge Marcus Vanover and Crystal Adams described the bill as a product of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health and its work groups, cited Kentucky and national cases and federal ADA guidance, and said the bill would require consideration of supportive services, clearer documentation, retention of records, and conforming language changes. Senator Carroll asked how the bill would apply to a hypothetical adult child with special needs; witnesses said the bill is aimed at adoption and termination proceedings where the Cabinet is already involved, not proactive service requests. The committee approved SB 26 by a unanimous 7-0 vote and sent it to the floor with favorable expression. The committee next considered Senate Bill 64, also sponsored by Chair Storm, which would expand the definition of key infrastructure assets to include telecommunications services such as telephone lines and broadband and make damaging, tampering with, or rendering those services inoperable a Class D felony. Representatives from Charter/Spectrum and AT&T testified that copper theft and vandalism have increasingly damaged fiber and other facilities, citing more than 20 incidents in Kentucky in 2024 affecting over 30,000 customers and diverting resources from broadband expansion. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then passed SB 64 by a 7-0 vote with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Julie Adams, which would create a felony offense for sexual extortion, allow victims or their representatives to bring civil actions, include the offense in Kentucky’s sex-crime definitions, and require school-based notification and education efforts along with resource information for students. Senator Adams and witness Lady T. Thompson described sextortion as a fast-growing online crime targeting minors, often through social media, gaming, and messaging apps, and argued that stronger penalties and prevention efforts are needed. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SB 73.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:12 Roll Call 00:00:25 SB 9 Discussion 00:02:05 SB 9 Vote 00:21:50 Adjournment 00:26:14, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :12:54.560> to<00:12:54.800> how<00:12:55.040> strong that's that just speaks to
• how strong that's that just speaks to how strong this<00:12:55.680> demand<00:12:56.000> for
• <00:45:08.880> we<00:45:09.119> start<00:45:09.280> to<00:45:09.440> see<
• before we start to see the cow herd<00:45:11.280> increase?
• Because I think we've<01:50:27.920> got<01:50:28.000> to<01:50:28.239> start<01:

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:18 University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics Presentation 00:02:18 Farm Credit Mid-America Presentation 01:12:41, 958, all