Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> prohibition</c> regular session prohib prohibition regular session prohib prohibition against<00
• session at a future meeting.
• /c> and it has been part of part of past and it has been part of part of past practice<00:15:19.519><
• </c><00:16:04.720><c> session</c><00:16:05.199><c> at</c><00:16:05.519><c> a</c> privately in an executive
• session at a privately in an executive session at a future<00:16:06.160><c> meeting.

Keywords: Part two will take place after first executive session., 958, all

Summary: The commission first returned from executive session and noted that discussions there were preliminary only and no final agency action was taken. It then approved the budget report, which staff said was within year-to-date budget parameters. Members discussed recommended changes to the code of ethics. Staff proposed four items: defining and prohibiting sexual harassment as ethical misconduct; two housekeeping changes related to lobbyist registration notice and campaign contribution language; and a possible reduction of the post-service waiting period for former legislators to become lobbyists from two years to one year. Members agreed the lobbying cooling-off period was a broader General Assembly issue and voted to recommend only the first three changes, leaving the fourth for later review. The chair noted the July 1 deadline for submitting ethics-code recommendations to the LRC. The commission also approved renewal of a $100,000 contract with Casey Bailey and Mains for Robert Jenkins to continue serving as enforcement counsel, with hourly rates of $125 for the attorney and $40 for the paralegal. Finally, it approved a 3% cost-of-living pay increase for General Counsel Steven Pium, discussed possible conference attendance and informal opinions, and adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, no, you take that. Take that. Okay. Thanks, man. You did a great...
• Let's reflect that all discussions during closed session were limited to confidential complaints and
• no final agency action was taken during the closed session.
• No final agency action was taken during the closed session. Okay.
• </c> executive session to discuss personel executive session to discuss personel matters matters matters

Keywords: Part two will take place after first executive session., 958, all

Summary: The meeting briefly returned to open session to clarify the record, with a statement that all discussions in closed session were limited to confidential complaints and that no final agency action was taken during that closed session. The body then considered a motion to enter closed/executive session under KRS 61.810(1)(f) to discuss personnel matters. A motion was made and seconded to go into executive session for personnel issues, and the chair called for an aye vote. The transcript ends shortly after the motion was presented, with no further substantive discussion or final action captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to make a motion for Action to recognize the appointment of Denita Kiten as assistant executive
• , 2025, and salary at $90,000 per year, and to recognize the appointment of Lorie Smither as the executive
• appointment of March 16, 2025, and a salary of $80,000 per year, an adjustment to the salary of the executive
• appointment of March 16, 2025, and a salary of $80,000 per year, an adjustment to the salary of the executive
• effective March 16, 2025, to $135,000. ...and I would like to include in that motion to approve the part-time

Keywords: Part three will take place after the second executive session, 958, all

Summary: The committee took up a personnel action package. A motion was made and approved to recognize the appointments of Denita Kiten as assistant executive director, effective March 16, 2025, at a salary of $90,000 per year, and Lorie Smither as executive assistant to the commission, effective March 16, 2025, at a salary of $80,000 per year. The motion also included increasing the executive director’s salary to $135,000 effective March 16, 2025. In the same motion, the committee approved the part-time employment of John Scott as fiscal officer to assist with budget preparation and review at a rate of $50 per hour beginning April 1, 2025. The motion was seconded, there was no discussion, and it passed by voice vote. The meeting then moved to adjournment. A motion to adjourn was made and seconded, and the committee voted to adjourn, with the next meeting tentatively discussed as April 8 but ultimately left without a firm date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we're back in open session. Uh, thank you all, everyone, for their patience.
• Your honor, I'm not sure that was part of what we discussed.
• </c> Your honor, I'm not sure that was part Your honor, I'm not sure that was part of<00:03:43.200><c
• It's a very attractive place for us to be, I think, and for you, too, hopefully.
• Uh and it takes time and uh things.

Keywords: The meeting will take start back after coming out of Executive Session, 958, all

Summary: The commission reconvened in open session and announced it had reached a settlement that would avoid a full adjudicatory hearing. Counsel for Representative Gber waived the hearing and agreed to the settlement, and enforcement counsel recommended acceptance. The commission then voted unanimously to accept the agreed settlement. The matter proceeded to an ethics charge involving a proposed finding of probable cause, an agreed order, and a public reprimand. Representative Gber was sworn in and confirmed that he had seen and agreed to the proposed order, waived the adjudicatory hearing, agreed to the findings of violations and penalties in the agreed order, and waived his right to appeal. The commission accepted the agreement and stated that the matter before it was concluded. After the settlement, the chair noted that pending motions related to the case were dismissed and thanked the witnesses for attending, even though they did not have to testify. The chair and Representative Gber each made brief remarks about the long and difficult process, the complexity of the case, and the hope that it would serve as a learning experience. The commission said signed copies of the agreed order and public reprimand would be available, and then moved to adjourn.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFtuufVH7zQ, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the first part of the up coming live stream for the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. The meeting will be held in in room 169 of the Capitol Annex and will contain both in person and remote members. Part Two will begin if and when the Commission enters into an executive session., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj97hlZQhnc, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the first part of the up coming live stream for the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. The meeting will be held in in room 169 of the Capitol Annex and will contain both in person and remote members. Part Two will begin if and when the Commission enters into an executive session., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sehRd-k41FQ, 2026-06-21T07:17:01+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the first part of the up coming live stream for the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. The meeting will be held in in room 169 of the Capitol Annex and will contain both in person and remote members. Part Two will begin if and when the Commission enters into an executive session., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4koUGHsNCw, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the second part of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission Live Stream. This part will only be used if the Commission enters into executive session and then reconvenes., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2yz8Vwr-TY, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the second part of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission Live Stream. This part will only be used if the Commission enters into executive session and then reconvenes., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh68D-kWeUQ, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the third part of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission Live Stream. This part will only be used if the Commission enters into executive session and then reconvenes., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sobaR-Z0_dw, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the second part of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission Live Stream. This part will only be used if the Commission enters into executive session and then reconvenes., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• c> the</c> but but two different parts of the but but two different parts of the structures<00:10:57.360
• You may, if you will, come take a seat.
• Chair, I will withdraw my question. Thank you, Senator Thomas. That gives me some time for my two.
• take place uh on a result um that will take place uh late<01:14:44.480><c> March,</c><01:14:45.040><
• </c> Well, we will take care of that.

Keywords: This meeting will take place Upon Adjournment of both Chambers. An exact time is not given or known at this time., 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met for its first 2026 meeting, approved the December 9 minutes, and reviewed 337 contracts totaling about $71.8 million. After a motion to consider the routine contract lists without objection passed, the committee pulled several items for discussion, including contracts from the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Department of Highways, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, and Kentucky State University. Most items were ultimately approved by roll call votes. For the Council on Postsecondary Education item, members discussed why the contract was not handled through the usual Finance Cabinet bidding process. Staff explained it stemmed from House Bill 200 and the healthcare workforce incentive fund, which uses a separate competitive award process and steering committee under different statutory standards. The committee accepted that explanation and approved the contract. Department of Highways staff then explained the difference between scour assessments, which evaluate erosion and foundation risk around bridge piers, and load ratings, which assess the bridge structure itself. Members also questioned a larger engineering contract increase; staff said it reflected progression from preliminary engineering to final design on a phased project and estimated the funding split at roughly 80% federal and 20% state. Those highway contracts were approved. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission presented a legal services contract. Officials said the new corporation had identified legal needs, issued an RFP, and awarded four firms to create a pool of counsel to avoid conflicts as the agency now licenses racing, sports betting, and charitable gaming. They also said an emergency contract was needed after a temporary restraining order was issued in litigation involving charitable gaming machines and alleged losses to charities. The committee asked about the litigation and the affected organizations, and the contract was approved. Kentucky State University then defended a marketing/enrollment contract despite financial concerns, saying the work was intended to raise awareness of the university, improve enrollment, and support financial stability. University officials also said they were tightening student payment enforcement and collection practices, including payment plans and holding students accountable for balances. That contract was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then after we've received the first quarterly update, then she will go on site, and possibly one
• And then after we've received the first quarterly update, then she will go on site, and possibly one
• We will take what they propose, run it to CMS, let them take a look at it to make sure it goes through
• It's set up on, like, after two weeks this happens, after two weeks something else happens, you know,
• </c><00:43:48.760><c> after</c><00:43:49.079><c> two</c> after two weeks this happens after two after

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon adjournment of both chambers today. There is not an exact time, there for the live stream has been created with a place holder time of 4:00 PM est., 958, all

Summary: Chairman Hart called the meeting to order, confirmed a quorum, welcomed Representative Rachel Roarx, and the committee approved the February 11 minutes. The committee then moved through its agenda of PSC and related contract items, including a motion to consider the reviewed contracts without objection. One Department of Highways item was deferred when the virtual representatives were not yet available. The committee first took up Kentucky Housing Corporation contracts. Members questioned outside legal services for foreclosures and bankruptcies, why the work was not handled entirely in-house, and how much of the workload and cost it represented. Witnesses said the agency’s need was largely geographic rather than a lack of expertise, that less than 1% of the loan portfolio is referred out for foreclosures, and that many fees are reimbursable through FHA. Both Kentucky Housing Corporation items were approved. The committee then considered a Department for Community Based Services contract tied to a protest and a temporary renewal with PCG. Witnesses said the contract increase was needed to bridge the gap while the protest and RFP process were unresolved, and that the initial vendor received no funds. The committee approved the item, with Senator Douglas explaining his vote as a preference for straightforward answers. The committee also heard a Northern Kentucky University contract for a Workday ERP replacement, including implementation consulting and separate license fees. University officials explained the move from SAP to Workday, the complexity of the systems, and the need for a consulting partner; they said the total effort would span 10 years and that the contract was priced below comparable institutions. After extensive questioning about cost, budget, and value, the vote ended 4-4 and the chair noted the contract would move forward through the Finance Committee if no disapproval motion was made. Finally, the Office of Inspector General presented a contract for culture change training in nursing facilities funded by civil monetary penalties; witnesses said the goal was to improve staff satisfaction, communication, and resident outcomes, and that the CMP fund balance was about $38 million. Discussion also covered survey backlogs and CMS restrictions on the funds, with the item still under review as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will take a little liberty here and say thank you for bringing this legislation forward.
• And we had a rather lengthy list, and we tried to boil it down to five or six things to take a first
• It will create conversations and innovation to take our students to the next level.
• . two. two.
• Before we adjourn, uh, this will be, as far as I know right now, the last education meeting of this session

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:30PM est., 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills near the end of session. House Bill 342, which would require a financial literacy course for Kentucky high school students, was presented by Rep. Michael Meredith and student advocate Patrick Reovi. Meredith explained that a committee substitute addressed Kentucky Department of Education concerns by making the course a required elective anywhere in high school rather than limiting it to junior or senior year, and by retaining flexibility on credit options. Reovi testified in support, arguing that many students lack basic financial knowledge and should graduate prepared to handle budgeting, credit, debt, and student loans. The substitute was adopted, and HB 342 passed the committee 10-0. The committee then heard House Bill 480, a teacher workload and bureaucracy reduction measure. Rep. Shane Baker described the bill as the product of a working group with educators and administrators and said it was intended to reduce redundant requirements and let teachers focus more on students. He said the bill would lengthen the evaluation cycle from every three years to every five, streamline professional development requirements, update continuous school improvement plan filing rules, and limit new reporting mandates. A committee substitute removed the CSIP provisions after discussion with KDE, and members noted concerns about implementation and federal funding implications for mentor training language. The substitute was adopted and HB 480 passed unanimously. House Bill 190, relating to advanced education opportunities, was presented by Rep. Robert Duvall. He said the bill would require districts to adopt policies on advanced coursework and accelerated learning for grades 4 through 12, with local flexibility. He also explained that the House committee substitute changed several provisions from mandatory to permissive, including automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished and parent opt-out language. The bill passed unanimously. House Bill 430, on school bus safety training, was presented by Reps. Mike Clines and Emily Callaway, who said it would reduce regulations, improve bus safety, and fix regulatory issues arising from prior legislation allowing nine-passenger vans for school transportation. A committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, and a title amendment was also adopted. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 208 on technology and public schools. Rep. Josh Bray, Rep. James Tipton, and Nick Spencer of the Family Foundation of Kentucky supported a policy requiring districts to prohibit student cell phone use during instructional time, with exceptions for disabilities, teacher-directed educational use, or incentives. They argued the bill would improve academic performance, reduce bullying and mental health problems, and limit social media access during school. The transcript cuts off during testimony on HB 208, before any committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first part covers our judges, both federal and state.
• That's the first part of the bill.
• The first part covers our judges, both federal and state.
• That's the first part of the bill.
• </c> additional request um that's the first additional request um that's the first part<00:02:10.239>

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:00PM est. Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:08 HB 662: 00:00:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up House Bill 662, relating to personally identifiable information. Representative John Blanton explained that the bill would let judges, including federal and state judges, request redaction of their personal and immediate family information from public records, but that the protection would end if they later made identifying information public themselves. He also said the bill would restrict access to certain medical examiner information tied to insurance-company examinations, while still allowing doctors and hospitals access to know who is reviewing the information. The chair noted a committee substitute with a small change on page 3, line 12, removing name and license number language. After discussion, the sponsor agreed to proceed with the substitute. Senator Nemes moved adoption of the committee substitute, seconded by Senator Carroll, and it was adopted without opposition. The committee then voted on the bill itself. Senator Nemes moved passage, Senator Carroll seconded, and the roll was called. House Bill 662 was reported favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsR-jpyOwTc, 2026-06-21T07:17:07+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This meeting will take place UPON ADJOURNMENT of the Senate. As such, the start time will likely be different from what is listed on YouTube. Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:01:40 House Bill 5: 00:02:28 Discussion in Opposition of House Bill 5: 01:18:30, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 10 is first on our agenda.
• So the bill is in a couple parts.
• two offenses.
• two offenses.
• Now, I think it's important to point out that the executive branch has statutes in place to protect them

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon adjournment of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 4:00PM est. Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:20 HB 10: 00:00:47 HB 399: 00:03:40, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up two House bills. House Bill 10, relating to the rights of real property owners, was presented as a response to squatting. The sponsors said it would create a streamlined process to remove unauthorized occupants from real property, define “squatter” in statute, and keep existing criminal mischief penalties aligned for damage to property. After a motion and second, the bill was approved and reported favorably with the expression that it should pass. The committee then heard House Bill 399, relating to interference with legislative proceedings. The sponsor and the Senate Sergeant at Arms said the bill is intended to protect the General Assembly’s ability to conduct business by penalizing obstructing or impeding legislators or legislative employees and disruptive conduct in legislative spaces, while still allowing protest. They emphasized that the measure would give the legislative branch protections similar to those already available to the executive and judicial branches, and that arrests would be made only at the call of leadership or a committee chair. Members voted to advance House Bill 399 after discussion. One senator explained that while he supported moving the bill forward, he was concerned the language could be broad enough to cover peaceful demonstrations, such as teachers rallying at the Capitol, and said he would need more time before deciding how to vote on the floor. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably with the expression that it should pass, and then adjourned.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1UfBSMI8pg, 2026-06-21T07:17:03+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting will take place sometime upon Adjournment of the House Chambers Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:01:28 HB 594 Discussion: 00:02:42 HB 594 Roll Call Vote: 01:11:37, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a quorum and are duly authorized to conduct business. 508 will be first on the agenda, and
• </c> 34 Mr chairman house Bill 508 does two 34 Mr chairman house Bill 508 does two simple<00:01:32.240
• :34.040><c> the</c> simple things first it requires the simple things first it requires the Cabinet<00
• </c><00:01:52.840><c> class</c> completed agreements via first class completed agreements via first class
• be um and created at no cost um and will be um and will<00:03:04.040><c> be</c><00:03:04.720><c> um<

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 1:00PM est. Roll Call - 00:03 Discussion on HB 508 – 00:34 Vote on HB 508 – 03:52 Discussion on 805 – 05:00 Vote on HB 805 -09:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first adopted a Senate committee substitute covering House Bills 718 and 194, then heard testimony on House Bill 508, House Bill 805, and the committee substitute for Senate Bill 111. HB 508 would let applicants for the Kentucky Employee Child Care Assistance Program view and download the required agreement and submit it by mail, email, or online, codifying a change the Cabinet for Health and Family Services had already agreed to make. The child-protection portion of the committee substitute would require animal control officers to receive training to identify child abuse and neglect, with the sponsor saying the training materials would be provided at no cost to local governments. For HB 805, the sponsor said the committee substitute mainly cleans up last year’s juvenile justice legislation, including changing “plaintiff” to “victim,” narrowing language on confidentiality of juvenile records when information is disclosed in a civil suit, and changing a status offender provision from mandatory to discretionary charging for escape when absent without leave from a DJJ facility. The bill also incorporates “Baby Maya’s Bill,” requiring the Cabinet to physically locate a child within a set time and, in certain cases involving prior removals, contact law enforcement if the child cannot be found. A committee member asked whether the changes would affect public access to records for juveniles transferred to circuit court on felony charges, and the sponsor said they would not. The committee then voted on HB 805 as amended by the committee substitute and passed it 7-0 with favorable expression. A title amendment was also adopted. After brief thanks and comments from members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have House Bill 114.
• of Laurel, and part of Madison.
• part of La part<00:01:08.240><c> of</c><00:01:08.439><c> Madison</c><00:01:09.439><c> and</c><00:01:
• </c><00:02:51.599><c> palaski</c> and part of part of Southern palaski and part of part of Southern palaski
• Where will these dollars go?

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 1:00PM est. Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:17 HB 114 Discussion 00:38 HB 114 Vote 01:56 HB 808 Discussion 02:24 HB 808 Vote 06:30, 958, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Economic Development, Labor, and Tourism met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 114, sponsored by Representative Truett. He explained that the bill clarifies the recreational use statute by expressly adding rock climbing, bouldering, and rappelling, removing liability for landowners who give permission for those activities on their property. After no questions, the committee voted unanimously in favor and reported the bill to the floor with a favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 808, sponsored by Representative Ken Upchurch, which would establish the Burnside Island Development Authority to promote recreation and tourism at General Burnside Island State Park in Pulaski County. Testimony described the authority as a public-private partnership entity that could develop lodging, restaurant, and recreational facilities, with potential for significant tourism and economic development. Members asked about expected economic impact and how revenues would be used; witnesses said direct fees would go back to the authority for the bill’s purposes, and referenced a feasibility study suggesting substantial private investment and indirect tax benefits. Several senators expressed support but also raised questions about whether the proposal had been fully reviewed by Appropriations and Revenue and about the governor’s potential response. The committee ultimately voted to report House Bill 808 favorably to the floor, with Senator Boswell requesting his vote be recorded. The meeting then moved toward adjournment.