Transcript Highlights:

• However, this project, with the support of this committee and the governor, is 100% state funded.
• However, this project with the support of this committee and the governor is 100% state funded.
• So we are incredibly thankful for what you all have done to allow us the funding in order to follow up
• At Whiting Field, we looked at that gate that the Department of Commerce grants helped fund to serve
• I just had a quick question about Lockheed Martin's Center for Innovation.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and Domestic Security met for its first meeting of the 2025-26 session and heard presentations from Major General John Haas, Adjutant General of Florida, and Tim McGregor, executive director of the Florida Defense Support Commission. General Haas reviewed the Florida National Guard’s missions, statewide footprint, domestic disaster response, and federal deployments, emphasizing the Guard’s role in hurricanes, border-related support, and other state operations. He also discussed recruiting and retention, noting that recruiting remains strong but retention is challenged by the Guard’s high operational tempo, and he outlined efforts to expand force structure, improve facilities, and modernize units, including Camp Blanding upgrades, new armories, additional infantry, engineer, military police, and aviation assets, and the Air National Guard’s F-35 conversion. Members asked questions about recruiting methods, typical brigade size, and how many personnel would be needed to reduce the average duty burden back toward the statutory 39 days. Haas explained that Florida’s large population helps recruiting, especially through community and school outreach, but that the state’s frequent domestic missions make the current 12,000-member force too small for its workload. He said the Guard’s high tempo is the main reason members leave for the reserves and argued that more force structure is needed to reduce strain. Committee members also discussed prior efforts to influence National Guard stationing decisions based on population shifts and domestic mission demands. McGregor then described the Florida Defense Support Commission’s work to protect military installations, prevent encroachment, support workforce and economic development, and improve the military-friendly environment for service members and families. He highlighted the commission’s grant programs, the military benefits guide, and a spouse license reciprocity matrix, as well as site visits to installations and defense-related facilities across the state. Members asked about Lockheed Martin’s innovation and simulation work in Orlando and discussed the value of military spouse reciprocity compacts. No bills were heard, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The district of innovation rules that were mentioned.
• House Bill 120 expands proven innovative programs that align educational opportunities with...
• Development through rural pathways excellent partnership offering funding for high-demand fields like
• Without funding, we started working with five other high schools, and so now we're at about 1,800 kids
• This funding helps us to do that, and we greatly appreciate everything that you're doing.

Bills: HB 1022 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HJR5 , HB6 , HB 120 , HB210 , HB1458 , HB 1188 , HB3126 , HB6 , HB120 , HB210

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• He is the impetus behind a lot of the major innovative things on economic development that you're seeing
• .to view potential sites, understand their current level of pre-development, while also creating a fund
• New Mexico can drive innovation around clean energy.
• He has that vision and that innovation, and he also knows how to get things done.
• Representative Small helped lead this effort to get funding for a five-year economic strategy.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Typically, you receive working drawing funding in 2027, and then construction funding sometime in July
• Again, three budget cycles, three different deadlines for funding.
• We use innovative investigative bundles and we're developing innovative programs to disrupt mostly distribution
• It comes from the cannabis fund. No, thanks for clarifying that. It comes from the cannabis fund.
• fund is in good standing.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several CalVet budget updates first. CalVet reported progress on the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, explaining that DGS is revising the earlier feasibility study to reflect a smaller footprint and lower grading costs, with updated numbers expected by the end of April. Members and public commenters emphasized the project’s importance and asked whether additional budget authority or trailer bill language was needed; CalVet said it may need more spending authority but wanted to return after the revised study is complete. The committee also reviewed the Yountville skilled nursing facility replacement project, where CalVet said construction is nearing completion, a certificate of occupancy was received, and the new 240-bed facility will replace Holderman Hospital while older buildings will be repurposed for lower levels of care. CalVet also defended eliminating about 178 vacant positions at Yountville and West Los Angeles as a fiscal and staffing efficiency measure, saying current care levels can still be met and that retention and hiring efforts are improving. The committee then took up the Department of Cannabis Control’s enforcement and legal affairs proposal. DCC described the size of the illicit cannabis market, said enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, and asked for additional sworn staff, a new Redding-area field office, and more analysts to focus on distribution networks, organized crime, environmental harms, and high-priority public safety cases. Finance supported the proposal as a targeted investment, while the LAO had no additional comment. Members asked about funding impacts and local co-location options, and DCC said the request would be funded from cannabis excise tax revenues and could help shift sales into the legal market. Public testimony from the cannabis industry strongly supported more enforcement against illicit retail and said it would help legal operators compete. DCC also presented its hemp enforcement and regulation proposal tied to AB 8. The department said the law closes loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthens enforcement across agencies, and prepares for hemp to enter the cannabis regulatory framework in 2028. DCC requested staff for a civil enforcement unit, field-testing equipment, lab capacity to detect synthetic cannabinoids, a track-and-trace specialist, and a policy specialist. Members asked about enforcement in informal retail settings and consumer confusion, and DCC said the biggest problems have been smoke shops and online sales. Public commenters from the legal cannabis industry supported the proposal, saying intoxicating hemp has harmed the regulated market and created public safety risks. The Cannabis Control Appeals Panel then requested ongoing funding of $3.4 million to support 12 positions and its quasi-judicial appeals function. The panel said that with provisional licenses largely phased out, more annual licensees now have appeal rights and the workload is beginning to increase, with two cases currently on the docket. The LAO recommended limiting funding to three years and requiring a workload and comparative analysis before making the funding permanent, while Finance supported ongoing funding as consistent with the panel’s permanent statutory role. Members questioned the panel’s compensation and workload, noting that the five-member body is paid at a high statutory rate despite historically meeting only quarterly, though panel staff said the work now includes substantial case preparation and monthly hearings. Finally, the Department of Consumer Affairs introduced two proposals: $2 million ongoing for the Contractors State License Board’s IT needs and $251,000 plus one limited-term position for the Board of Pharmacy to implement Proposition 34-related licensing policy and reduce barriers to licensure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask that the committee members consider fully funding nonpublic pupil aid, transportation funding,
• I ask that the committee members consider fully funding nonpublic pupil aid, transportation funding,
• I ask that the committee members consider fully funding nonpublic pupil aid, transportation funding,
• I ask that the committee members consider fully funding nonpublic pupil aid, transportation funding,
• I ask that the committee members consider fully funding nonpublic pupil aid, transportation funding,

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The Heights funds still available.
• </c> funding, and I encourage a green vote. funding, and I encourage a green vote.
• </c> green new scam funding. Okay. green new scam funding. Okay.
• </c> addressing that lost of loss of funding? addressing that lost of loss of funding?
• ,</c> federal funding, federal funding, quite<00:32:24.160><c> frankly,</c><00:32:24.760><c> is</c><00

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Transportation supports this method primarily because it allows for innovation and can
• There have been multiple occasions this session where this committee has heard testimony about the funding
• You have more innovation, and you have greater accountability. The innovation is important.
• Innovative idea.

Bills: SB35 , SB1113 , SB1365 , SB1394 , SB2243 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2199 , SB2200 , SB 35

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• And this year, thanks to Innovate Alabama's innovative entity... to Innovate Alabama's innovative entity
• And the good thing about having each of you, as long as they are seeking to fund your education here,

Bills: SB278 , HB459 , HB61

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education, local board of education, attendance credit, core curriculum, religious education, Bible class

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, House Bill 1370 establishes a primary care trust fund to fund primary care providers.
• flow and who's going to control funds.
• Who's going to control the flow of funds?
• Who's going to control the flow of funds?
• The Stabilization Fund is an innovative measure to overcome some of the key barriers that other states

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access. The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms. The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funds in, funds held securely, being able to be operated on any time of the day, the week, the year,
• Funds in, funds held in case is.
• </c> you send funds, right? you send funds, right?
• </c> public sort of uh funding initiatives. public sort of uh funding initiatives.
• </c> sort of stimulus uh over that funding. sort of stimulus uh over that funding.

Summary: The commission met with a quorum, approved the agenda, and approved the November 12 minutes after a motion, second, and unanimous voice/online consent. The chair said the meeting would include two presentations—one from Noah Herman of Fortress Global and one from John Kicko and team from Hedera—followed by discussion of the commission’s next steps and public comment. The chair also noted he was still seeking a clerk for note-taking. Herman’s presentation focused on stablecoins, blockchain use cases, and operational considerations for states and other institutions. He described Fortress as an enterprise crypto-wallet and treasury platform serving corporates, governments, and nonprofits, and used examples such as Save the Children and a large global commodities firm to illustrate custody and treasury management on blockchain rails. He said stablecoins are designed to maintain a U.S. dollar peg, are increasingly backed by treasuries and subject to greater transparency, and are being adopted by major firms and payment companies because they can improve speed, reduce cost, and simplify payments. He also highlighted market growth, including claims that stablecoins now represent a significant share of on-chain activity and are a major holder of U.S. Treasuries. He identified custody as a key issue for state and institutional use, outlining qualified custody, managed custody, and self-custody models. He said the main practical challenge for the commodities client was moving funds safely and quickly across global time zones and that blockchain rails could solve problems that traditional banking rails could not. He framed the broader trend as one of accelerating institutional adoption, citing recent acquisitions and product launches by Visa, Stripe, Citi, and PayPal as evidence that stablecoin infrastructure is becoming mainstream.

Transcript Highlights:

• AND WE HAVE JD WHITE PARK INNOVATION GOOD MORNING WAIVING IN SUPPORT.
• THE STATE DOES NOT FUND THEM.
• THERE IS NO DIRECT FUNDING.
• THIS COMES THROUGH THE BUSINESS FUNDING SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
• AND LOAN FUND.

Transcript Highlights:

• RDA funds or general funds.
• Uh, RDA funds or general funds—uh, is there anything specific that the project would have to happen within
• </c><00:55:37.440><c> your</c> commentary on your Innovation your commentary on your Innovation your
• c> have</c> funding Federal funding levels have funding Federal funding levels have dropped<01:21:11.679
• A member asked a question about federal LIHEAP funding, noting that funding is about 15% down compared

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Now an accumulating fund balance started to grow after that moved to Medicaid, and an accumulating fund
• </c> about uh the healthcare access fund about uh the healthcare access fund which<00:08:00.440><c> in
• </c><00:08:54.200><c> balance</c> uh in accumulating fund balance uh in accumulating fund balance surrounded
• </c><00:33:41.519><c> is</c> care and the healthcare access fund is care and the healthcare access fund
• And for... wants to fund um maternity is that right wants to fund um maternity is that right is<00:58

Bills: HF10 , HF27

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:14:46.880><c> efficient</c> promise to nurture innovation, efficient promise to nurture innovation
• </c><00:14:53.839><c> the</c> House language and fully fund the House language and fully fund the healthy
• Without this authority, those funds.
• The<00:27:13.440><c> funding</c><00:27:13.840><c> supports</c><00:27:14.320><c> critical</c> The funding
• </c> fund the future for all of Minnesota. fund the future for all of Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got to put funding in place to make this work.
• But obviously we need funding for that.
• And we have to be serious about the funding.
• We want to fund this; it kind of was $6 million to fund LSU for the training.
• So this is just one more innovation.

Bills: HB62 , HB124 , HB182 , HB193 , HB198 , HB203 , HB223 , HB237 , HB469 , HB486 , HB574 , HB779 , HB796 , HB919 , SCR2 , SB4 , SB36 , SB38 , SB109 , SB152 , SB168 , SB195 , SB216 , SB221 , SB236 , SB404

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: Louisiana Women's Policy, gender equality, policy research, commission membership, women's representation, Domestic Violence, judicial experience, legislation, criminal law, family law, HB182, sexual assault, rape kit, forensic examination, forensic medical exam, sexual assault survivor, sexual assault nurse examiner, SANE, emergency department, hospital staffing

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's a lot more funds, then many more of the applications.
• If it's a lot more funds, then many more of the applications.
• If it's a lot more funds, then many more of the applications.
• Even if there's no funds, no funding for it, because then we then decide how much to put in, and then
• If it's a lot more funds, then many more of the applications.

Summary: The committee took up House File 3732, with the author moving both the bill and two separate amendments. The DE1 amendment would create a healthcare workforce grant program to let the Department of Employment and Economic Development identify and fund healthcare workforce shortage areas, while the A1 amendment would establish an Office of Community Investment to provide strategic grant management and help align grants with legislative priorities. Both amendments were adopted, and the bill was laid over for later consideration. The bill author explained that the healthcare workforce proposal is meant to address shortages that market forces alone have not solved, citing examples such as CNA training and rural oncologist recruitment. The Office of Community Investment was described as a way to improve grant oversight, set clearer goals, and strengthen collaboration between agencies and the legislature, drawing on the model of the Office of Justice Programs. Testimony from the Mong American Partnership strongly supported the healthcare workforce grant program, describing successful CNA and phlebotomy pathways, but also noting long waitlists and the need for flexible funding. Members discussed the importance of locating training opportunities in greater Minnesota and in communities with workforce gaps, so distance and travel barriers do not limit access. Several legislators said the proposal would help create good-paying jobs, strengthen healthcare access, and support overworked healthcare workers. The bill’s sponsors also emphasized that codifying grant programs can speed up future funding decisions and improve accountability, and they said the measures would return for further consideration in a few days.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is how nonprofits are funded.
• Funds that we now aren't able to use in our programming and provide more services.
• But the bill is not the reason why SNAP is not being funded next.
• support innovation.
• Again, they are working with small staffs, just to, again, like no one has excess funds.

Committee: House A&B Finance Subcommittee

Summary: The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions. Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation. Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is a new fund revenue fund stream that we're finding out of some of these things so.
• $2.5 million from federal funds, capacity funds.
• funds.
• through the Housing Trust Fund.
• All we can furnish is the funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• included funding for a state-funded study as well.
• Included funding for a state-funded study as well. Yeah.
• What is the one-time funding?
• our current grant funding.
• So yes, I completely agree: sufficient ongoing funding is key, but funding isn't enough.

Transcript Highlights:

• respectfully are out of control, in this state, Texans' tax dollars being used against their values to fund
• Members, Brownsville leads in innovation, space exploration, cross-border trade with an amazing focus
• Our people of Brownsville contribute greatly to Texas's progress, fostering innovation, diversity, and
• economic, cultural, and professional fabric of this great state of Texas, contributing to industries, innovation