Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota has experienced extensive, well-documented fraud in programs designed to serve the state's
• Across all programs.
• Well, that is consistent.
• Well, as you know, This huge level of fraud that we've seen across Medicaid-funded programs appears to
• public programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This program works. It's a program that prevents violence.
• This program works. It's a program that prevents violence.
• This program works. It's a program that prevents violence.
• This program works. It's a program that prevents violence.
• This program works. It's a program that prevents violence.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• D.I.D. as well.
• as well.
• . programs as well.
• Programs. No ma'am.
• Shield to another program that they wouldn't have something similar in the wellness area that would help

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thomas Chu program specialist sorry as Thomas Chu program specialist sorry as well<00:02:23.200> as
• Lab Hawaiʻi program.
• And those are things that these types of programs, as well as what happens in the ACM programs and the
• Guild of America program for training in both features as well as episodic that will come in about two
• program program support LCC program support<02:16:11.360> uh<02:16:11.599> cademy<02:16

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs focus on the student's home language and learning English, as well as learning academic
• , bilingual programming, not bilingual. ...programming.
• programs.
• ESL programs.
• kids who... participate in a well-run dual-language program, for instance, where they are gaining proficiency

Bills: HB295, HB824, HB1579, HB1581, HB2189, HB295

Keywords: bullying, antisemitism, school policies, school discipline, education, education policy, Texas Education Code, hate speech, student rights, civics education, high school curriculum, government, voting process, elected officials, Texas Seal of Biliteracy, biliteracy, bilingual education, multilingual, language proficiency, high school diploma

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:53.920> they programs they are not one program they programs they are not one program they
• as well. Yeah. as well. Yeah.
• programs? So, that's important as well. programs? So, that's important as well.
• program and the concept of this program program and the concept of this program was<01:37:29.520
• >> Well, let me ask this first. Is there still a school-directed AC program?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, well, I'll flat out say this: EFA program is not going to save the taxpayers money.
• Okay, well, I'll flat out say this: EFA program is not going to save the taxpayers money.
• Okay, well, I'll flat out say this: EFA program is not going to save the taxpayers money.
• Okay, well, I'll flat out say this: EFA program is not going to save the taxpayers money.
• Okay, well, I'll flat out say this: EFA program is not going to save the taxpayers money.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a six-month program.
• Well, I appreciate that.
• Well, I I appreciate that. I >> Yeah. Okay. Well, I I appreciate that.
• >> Well, we appreciate it. >> Well, we appreciate it.
• >> well. And thank y'all for your support. >> well.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from the Nursing Home Administrator Board, whose executive director explained the board’s role in licensing nursing home administrators, the AIT internship pathway, reciprocity, board composition, meeting schedule, and staffing. Members then shifted to an ice-storm-related discussion about nursing home emergency preparedness. Legislators asked whether any facilities lacked power, generators, or water, and urged clearer communication protocols so facilities would report problems directly through the Department of Health and emergency channels rather than through scattered calls to legislators. The board said facilities generally communicate with the Department of Health, that emergency contact information had been distributed before the storm, and that every facility has some form of generator, though not all can power the whole facility. The board also presented a small budget request, including modest salary increases for its two employees and a cloud-migration cost tied to House Bill 1491, with the understanding that statewide funding for that requirement might be handled separately. The discussion then moved to the Department of Health’s budget and operations. Agency leadership said the department has spent the last three years improving county health department efficiency, reducing overhead, and adjusting fees to eliminate program deficits, which has reduced spending by about $10 million and would shift roughly $8 million in general funds away from deficits. The department requested level funding overall, citing inflationary pressures and the possibility of another federal shutdown, but said it could absorb the impact for another year. Members discussed the public health trust created in a prior session, the need to rebuild county health departments, maternal and fetal care initiatives, and the importance of maintaining the $2.9 million in public health program support that has helped expand services such as obesity management, OB care, and home visitation for high-risk mothers and babies. Oversight and compliance issues were also reviewed. Legislators asked about prior problems with grants and sex education funding, and department officials said they had tightened oversight, adopted OpenGov for compliance, and corrected earlier violations so the programs are now in full compliance. They said the agency had improved accountability for both state and federal funds and that transparency remained a priority. The department also highlighted the cannabis program, saying it is now profitable, generating about $9 million in net revenue last year and about $12.5 million this year, with projections of $40 million to $50 million annually as it matures. Officials said they are asking for seed money for the public health trust from cannabis revenue so private-sector donations can be leveraged for long-term public health support. They described enforcement actions including fines, suspensions, license revocations, plant destruction, and referrals to law enforcement, the attorney general, and licensure boards for serious violations. The meeting ended with general support from legislators for the department’s work and acknowledgment of improved health outcomes, including Mississippi moving from 49th to 48th in overall health outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need strong after-school programs. We need strong summer programs.
• Well, thank you, Senator, and it is my goal, if I am confirmed, to get in and assess these kinds of programs
• Spanish-speaking immersion program was a great program for them.
• Yes, the programs have to have accountability. All the programs do.
• Well, certainly...

Keywords: educational reform, federal grants, bureaucracy, wealth disparity, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting engaged in discussions focused primarily on educational reform, the influence of federal grants on local education systems, and the growing disparities in wealth and access to quality education. Members expressed concerns about the bureaucracy surrounding federal funding that hampers schools' ability to obtain necessary resources for improvement. Several members highlighted personal anecdotes from constituents, emphasizing the urgent need for reform to help students succeed in both K-12 and higher education environments. The meeting included public testimonies that provided insights into various community perspectives on these pressing issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Senator, we did consider the impact on the individuals, and the people that are using the program
• Well, EVV is a program in many times PCA that works underneath the home health companies.
• We have no idea how well the program is working in the background. All we see is the bad.
• We don't question the necessity of the programs or how well they work.
• I'm here with concerns as well regarding abuse within the Thriving Texas Families program and their subcontractors

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's a process that works well for the tax credit program, the HCD programs, and other local government
• funding programs.
• Well, first, since you asked about surplus land and state excess land, there are two programs that are
• Well, first, since you asked about surplus land and state excess land, so two programs that are administered
• This Vancouver, Canada, which I know very well from traveling—I mean, not the program, but I know the

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related proposals and policy ideas. One speaker urged changes to the welfare property tax exemption for affordable housing, arguing that annual income recertifications are outdated and burdensome, and proposing a one-time qualification at move-in, streamlined monitoring through TCAC or HCD, and continued exemption protection for projects that remain in compliance. The witness said rising insurance costs and administrative burdens are hurting cash flow and threatening the viability of affordable housing operations. A major portion of the meeting focused on social housing and the SB 555 study. HCD described its ongoing study process, including public engagement with residents, practitioners, and experts, and noted that California already has many building blocks for social housing, such as public land tools, long-term affordability mechanisms, community land trusts, and tenant protections. Community land trust and housing policy witnesses argued that social housing will require legislative action, expanded public subsidy, tax abatements, public land, and simplified financing, and they emphasized the need to reframe the concept for the “missing middle” and middle-class households to build broader political support. Committee members discussed stigma around “social housing,” the need for a rebrand, and the possibility of a pilot program, especially on excess public land. The committee also heard a proposal for a certified professional plan-check system modeled on Vancouver, Canada. The presenter said California’s permitting delays, inconsistent reviews, and staffing shortages add cost and uncertainty even for streamlined projects, and proposed allowing state-certified private professionals to perform plan checks and inspections under state oversight while local governments retain zoning and enforcement authority. Members discussed local control concerns, infrastructure costs, and the need to reduce delays and uncertainty in the entitlement process. Finally, the committee heard testimony supporting changes to HCD loan disbursement so funds can be used during construction rather than only after completion. Witnesses said this would reduce interest costs, improve feasibility, and could produce additional affordable homes with existing funding. The discussion also referenced AB 1053 as the vehicle for implementing that approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then lastly there is the large program which is called the [BEAD program](link from function call) and
• getting more people into the program, not just Statewide procurement, but us as well.
• teeth in that program?
• It's a voucher program, okay?
• as well as external.

Bills: SB 1, SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Program, which launched in 2023.
• Program, which launched in 2023.
• Program, which launched in 2023.
• Program, which launched in 2023.
• recognizing the importance of programs recognizing the importance of mental<00:52:36.520> Wellness

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I think his overall goal was to increase the reach of this program to needy students.
• Then, well, they've got a sister that's entering second grade. They want to do an EA program.
• double as well.
• double as well.
• double as well.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I am going to be walking through a kind of deep dive into the state grant program, as well as touching
• > state grant program as well as um state grant program as well as um touching<00:01:41.799> on
• > or<00:15:56.360> vice grant program to other programs or vice grant program to other programs
• <00:53:13.880> as<00:53:14.040> well<00:53:14.240> as fees are within the program
• as well as fees are within the program as well as what<00:53:14.760> kind<00:53:14.880> of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education on the State Grant program and governor-recommended changes, with some discussion of North Star Promise. Staff explained that State Grant is the state’s largest financial aid program, intended to promote college access and choice for students with the highest financial need, and that it works alongside Pell Grants. They reviewed program eligibility, award calculation, and participation rules, and noted that the program serves a large share of low- and middle-income students, including many dependent students, student parents, BIPOC students, and adult learners. They also described how awards and spending are distributed across public and private institutions and how the agency projects spending using enrollment, tuition, and FAFSA data. A major focus was the current fiscal-year deficit in State Grant. Staff said the program is experiencing a shortfall driven by higher-than-expected enrollment, more students with greater financial need, and major FAFSA formula changes that increased the number of applicants with zero or negative student aid index values. They said the office has already rationed awards where allowed and imposed a FAFSA deadline for spring awards, and does not expect to fund some awards. Officials explained that if the program projects a surplus, they typically adjust the living and miscellaneous expense allowance to spend down funds; if it projects a deficit, they can increase student and family responsibility to reduce award sizes, but the program must stay within its appropriation. Senator Duckworth asked several questions about whether unused funds could be transferred between State Grant and North Star Promise, and how the two programs are treated. Staff said State Grant funds revert to the general fund at the end of the biennium, while North Star Promise uses a special revenue account, and that transfers may be possible but would need clarification under current authority. They referenced a prior legislative transfer from North Star Promise funds to cover a shortfall in the Fostering Independence Grant and said they would follow up on the exact transfer authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the projects funded with the program as well as any recommendations for legislative changes.
• :58:42.719> recommendations program as well as any recommendations program as well as any recommendations
• . well. well.
• Um, so I know this program pretty well.
• It's well, it's still there, but it's not useful, is the capital construction loan program.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . program. program.
• . programs. programs.
• . program. program.
• grant program. grant program.
• . program. program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, when we take these wells, these orphaned wells, and use them for energy storage, will
• and abandoned well issues, but if it gets 10 wells off that list, that's 10 wells we, as a state, don't
• So if we repurpose all these wells, we're basically going to be just like a brand new oil well on your
• So there— ...the cost-share program.
• Where I think this program really works well, and again, I do believe we can, there's a path for this

Bills: HB4338, HB3977, HB2100, HB2975, HB3056, HB3406, HB3720, HB4316, HB3405, HB1907, HB3142, HB3173, HB3270, HB3728, HB2440, HB2596, HB3466, HB3469, HB4338, HB3977, HB2100, HB2975, HB3056, HB3406, HB3720, HB4316, HB3405, HB1907, HB3142, HB3173, HB3270, HB3728, HB2440, HB2596, HB3466, HB3469

Keywords: HB4338, Oklahoma Brine Development Act, brine unitization, produced water, produced water unit, oil and gas wastewater, produced water recycling, reclaimed water, constituent elements, brine rights, solution gas, Corporation Commission, unitization, royalty interests, surface owner, oil and gas produced water, recycling and reuse, wastewater disposal, mineral extraction, lithium extraction

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we've reduced programs. In 2023, the amount of funding we needed was $262 million.
• So we actually do have a very robust program under our Office of Employee Wellness.
• So we do have a peer support program that is run by our Office of Employee Wellness.
• We have our maintenance safety program as well as our shop, which has dedicated money for safety projects
• We have our maintenance safety program as well as our shop which has a dedicated money for safety projects

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department reviewed proposals for EDD Next document management system funding, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit and administration adjustments, WIOA funding changes, UI administrative and benefit changes, school employee benefit adjustments, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to EDD Next. PERB discussed funding tied to AB 28 and AB 1, including litigation-related workload and new jurisdiction over legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language on electronic assessment payments and the DWC director salary cap. CalHR proposed additional funding for a consolidated employee assistance program contract, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs and state contribution changes. Members focused heavily on UI debt and interest payments, asking the administration for a plan to reduce the outstanding loan and relieve employers. Finance said no specific repayment plan was included in the May Revision, while LAO said the state’s UI tax structure is structurally insufficient and that any debt payoff should be paired with tax-system reform. Senators also questioned EDD Next costs and timelines, PERB’s caseload and staffing needs, and DIR’s emerging technologies unit, with LAO noting that the unit would appear focused on physical workplace safety rather than broader AI labor issues. CalHR said the new EAP contract would consolidate services, improve access to clinicians, and lower costs relative to the current model. CalPERS defended higher external management fees as part of a strategy to pursue higher net returns, while some members pressed for more transparency about private investments; CalSTRS said it was not prepared to address investment-strategy questions at this hearing. Public comment in Part A was dominated by advocates urging support for an immigration enforcement emergency relief fund, along with comments supporting the Jails to Jobs proposal, the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, and additional PERB funding. The chair noted that many of the immigration-related requests might fall under other committees and said staff would follow up. In Part B, Finance and LAO outlined judicial branch and DOJ May Revision items, including funding for court interpreter services, appellate court security, lactation room implementation delays, courthouse construction reappropriations, and DOJ budget increases. LAO recommended approving the language-access proposal with a report on reducing interpreter cost growth and reducing the General Fund backfill for state court facilities by $10 million on an ongoing basis.

Transcript Highlights:

• look difficult as well.
• This includes the very important programs we do with HBCUs, all of these transfer programs.
• Beyond the concrete and steel of the campus, we have built a robust academic program that well serves
• state housing grant programs.
• I'm proud to say that one went on to a master's program and two went on to PhD programs.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.