Transcript Highlights:

• partnership awards.
• partnership awards.
• they did awarded uh the blue ribbon award<02:26:56.720> for<02:26:56.960> school<02:26
• also awarded uh business community they also awarded uh business community partnership<02:27:01.920>
• awards.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the income eligibility from $125,000 to $150,000 for dependent students to receive the minimum TAP award
• provide student loans to assist all students in New York State pursuing higher education, with an award
• TO PROVIDE STUDENT LOANS TO ASSIST ALL STUDENTS IN NEW YORK STATE PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION WITH AN AWARD
• Without meaningful updates to the award amounts and relinking TAP to tuition rates, many families will
• WITHOUT MEANINGFUL UPDATES TO THE AWARD AMOUNTS AND RELINKING TAP TO TUITION RATES, MANY FAMILIES WILL

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Higher Education Conference Committee met to discuss budget priorities for SUNY, CUNY, community colleges, TAP, student aid, and capital funding. Chair Toby Ann Stavisky emphasized the need for increased operating and capital support, protection against enrollment-based funding losses, no tuition increases, a review of TAP because it has not kept pace with living costs, and action on student loan access and research funding cuts. Assembly Chair Alicia Hyndman outlined the Assembly’s higher education proposal, including $475.7 million to expand TAP eligibility, raising income thresholds for TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship, creating a graduate tuition assistance program, adding community college operating aid, expanding the Opportunity Promise Scholarship, forgiving SUNY hospital debt service, increasing CUNY operating support, restoring opportunity program funding, creating a $110 million student loan support program called New York Rises, and funding five-year capital plans for SUNY and CUNY plus additional ECAP grants. Members broadly supported making higher education more affordable and accessible, while highlighting district-specific needs. Senator May praised SUNY Reconnect, community college workforce programs, hospital debt service relief, and a five-year SUNY capital plan. Senator Gonzalez framed the budget as an investment in economic mobility. Senator Griffo supported affordability, operating and capital aid, and additional support for medical schools and hospitals. Assembly Members Walker, Colton, and Fall backed TAP expansion, opportunity programs, disability supports, SUNY Downstate’s transformation, and capital needs at CUNY and SUNY campuses. Assembly Member Smullen, speaking for the minority conference, urged a five-way budget process, said TAP has not kept pace with inflation, and called for a more stable long-term funding model for community colleges. He also stressed aligning higher education with workforce needs. Assembly Member Pirozzolo pointed to the College of Staten Island as an example of the benefits of investment and warned that employers recruiting students directly from high school could weaken higher education unless colleges continue strengthening trade and career training. The meeting ended with no vote on the budget items, and the chairs adjourned the conference committee after concluding remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS YEAR'S REVIEW LOOKS AT THE NUMBER OF DEGREES AWARDED IN EACH PROGRAM IN THE SYSTEM OVER THE PAST
• WE HAD ESTABLISHED THRESHOLDS FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREE WE LOOKED AT PROGRAMS THAT DID NOT AWARD 30 DEGREES
• WE LOOK AT THE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES AWARDED IN PERFORMANCE BASED FUNDING AND THE GRADUATE DEGREES AWARDED
• WE LOOKED AT THE NUMBER OF DEGREES AWARDED ACROSS THE YEAR FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROGRAM. >> Chair: YOU
• >> Chair: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> WE PROVIDED THE UNIVERSITIES WITH A NUMBER OF DEGREES AWARDED IN THE

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee, we're currently in the process of awarding those funds.
• We're just looking to award four million into this specific program.
• So, a little bit depends on the size of that award.
• So to answer your question, there would be more ...or work for the really small awards.
• Higginton, is the award total of $490,000, which... ...be reduced by whatever fees you charge.

Bills: HF2784, HF2785, HF2778, HF2281, HF2576, HF2280, HF2579

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• He said recipients named in legislation still have to go through the same pre-award risk assessment as
• risk assessment as other same pre-award risk assessment as other grantees<00:07:09.160> that<
• And I get to have the final authority over those award decisions.
• And I get to have the final authority over those award decisions.
• :52.799> award<00:51:53.480> letter<00:51:54.480> although official paper award

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh language uh on the state grant award.
• Um showing that on state grant awards.
• <00:31:55.440> and 42% decrease in their state awards and 42% decrease in their state awards
• And that's even prior to making an award.
• And then, of course, making an award.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Public contract awarded in violation of this provision.
• Some of the contracts that these district agricultural associations award are worth up to $40 million
• I took, uncovered that the CEO of that fair, not once but twice, changed the scores of the RFP to award
• In that particular case, the Superior Court ruled the Public Contract Code did not apply to their award
• In that particular case, the Superior Court ruled the Public Contract Code did not apply to their award

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met to hear one bill, SB 1223 by Senator Padilla, which would require district agricultural associations and fairs to follow competitive bidding standards under the Public Contract Code and prohibit sole-source contracting. Senator Padilla and his witness argued the bill was needed to close a loophole exposed by litigation and investigations involving fair contracts, citing alleged bid tailoring and favoritism in San Diego and Orange County fair contracting. They said the measure would promote transparency, accountability, and fair competition, while noting that existing exemptions and guidance should allow smaller fairs to continue routine procurement without difficulty. Committee members asked how the bill would affect small and rural fairs and what steps managers would need to take to comply. The author and witness responded that the bill was aimed at large contracts where abuse had occurred, and that fair managers generally already know how to write RFPs so more than one bidder can qualify. The vice chair indicated support after receiving clarification, and the chair and other members spoke in favor of the bill as a safeguard against corruption. No opposition was presented in committee or public comment. The committee then voted to send SB 1223 to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call showed the measure passing with eight aye votes. Before adjournment, the chair also recognized the committee’s chief consultant, Victor, and secretary, Nicole, for their long service and upcoming retirements, thanking them for their work with the Agriculture Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And no such honor of retirement was awarded to the New Mexico flag with the Zia symbol.
• When it came time for her to select a project to earn the highest award.
• lies where you would be, that the department would be promulgating rules for the award.
• Or wouldn't there follow the appropriation of the funding along with this award?
• Award from IAIA. Thank you, Madam Chair. That's all the questions I had.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is relative to the award of attorney fees and costs in workers' compensation claims.
• c><00:27:29.039> relative<00:27:29.480> to<00:27:29.640> the<00:27:29.760> award
• <00:27:30.080> of this is relative to the award of this is relative to the award of attorney
• /c><00:55:55.520> Court<00:55:56.359> may<00:55:56.599> also<00:55:56.960> award
• of Labor or local Court may also award of Labor or local Court may also award the<00:55:57.440><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Between 2023 and 2025, OBAI awarded $117 million to 21 projects to serve 22,549 locations.
• We've awarded 119 grants to every judicial district in the state, bar one.
• Last year we only had 675,000 To award in grants against that 8.5 million in requests.
• . $500 to award, which is nothing compared to the amount of requests we get.
• As we've mentioned several times, you award crime reduction grants.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have included a $2.5 million award have included a $2.5 million award supported<00:14:20.040>
• ations uh some comes from uh sub awards ations uh some comes from uh sub awards from<00:24:33.039
• <01:21:54.880> uh conditions our most recent Awards uh conditions our most recent Awards uh
• With respect to these awards, these awards form the totality of awards that support the projects that
• The $16 million per biennium is allocated to the totality of the awards, and approximately 20 awards

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee met and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The chair noted that agency overviews from the Office of Higher Education and other state agencies were not available, so the committee proceeded with University of Minnesota presentations instead. The committee also reviewed posted committee rules. University of Minnesota representatives gave an overview of the university’s research enterprise, describing it as a system of five campuses with a possible expansion to St. Cloud, and highlighting research strengths across campuses in agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, and the Twin Cities flagship campus. They said the university has more than $1.3 billion in annual research expenditures, receives most of its research funding from federal sources, and is ranked highly for both overall research and interdisciplinary research. Examples discussed included the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Forever Green initiative, and research tied to sustainable crops, health, and commercialization. Members asked questions about specific research areas, including biodegradable or renewable plastics, wheat research, food dyes, health and environmental toxins, and the market for winter camelina and winter pennycress. University staff said they could follow up with more detailed information and explained that the winter crop work is intended to become market-driven over time, while also improving soil health and creating new revenue streams for farmers. They also clarified that the university’s federal research funding includes money from NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and other agencies, and that the “other” funding category includes foundations, subawards, and internal university seed funding. The committee then heard a second University of Minnesota presentation focused on partnerships, commercialization, and workforce development. Testimony highlighted collaborations with industry and government partners such as U.S. Steel, 3M, Medtronic, Cisco, and defense-related industry leaders, as well as programs supporting microelectronics, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable aviation fuels. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee ended the segment by moving on to the next testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• I quote, "Municipalities receiving HPM grant awards have already satisfied all grant requirements at
• the time the award is made.
• quote, "Municipalities receiving HPM I quote, "Municipalities receiving HPM grant<00:15:52.079> awards
• have already satisfied all grant awards have already satisfied all grant<00:15:54.240> requirements
• grant requirements at the time the award grant requirements at the time the award is<00:15:55.920

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so CPE has through a competitive award so CPE has through a competitive award process<00:05:20.880
• And we ended up awarding all four.
• awarded in November November 1st. awarded in November November 1st.
• We had not awarded the RFP yet.
• We had not awarded the RFP yet. So, we We had not awarded the RFP yet.

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:

• They were awarded $13.8 million in a Hurricane Michael program.
• They were awarded $19.7 million of Hurricane Michael CDBG-DR funding.
• They were awarded $19.7 million of Hurricane Michael CDBGDR funding.
• As of today, we have awarded $1.7 billion through 436 grants directly to local governments across 52
• We simply manage and pass through the awarded funds. There are four eligible property types.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum and heard two bills, a confirmation, and two agency presentations. SB 48 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead exemption for the owner-occupied portion, limit parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum leases, extend density bonuses for military-family housing, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. SB 34 by Senator Sharief would expand the Historic Cemetery Program, particularly to help historic African-American cemeteries preserve and maintain themselves by allowing sale of excess vacant land only if proceeds are used for long-term upkeep; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors by unanimous vote. In addition, the Department of Commerce presented on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida, describing more than $4.3 billion in HUD disaster recovery funds since 2017, housing repair and replacement efforts that have completed more than 5,200 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects across the state. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and clawbacks from a prior vendor; Commerce said it had ended the earlier vendor relationship, imposed about $3.6 million in financial consequences, and now uses stronger oversight and competitive procurement for contractors. The Division of Emergency Management then presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds used. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is intended to reduce repetitive flood losses, keep homeowners in their communities, and serve as a national model; he reported more than 12,000 applications, about 1,500 prioritized for review, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about assistance for seniors who cannot meet the 25% match, the wait-list process, contractor selection, and the mix of project types, and Guthrie said contractors were selected through competitive procurement and that most projects are elevations, though some may become reconstructions or acquisitions depending on inspection results. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE'VE HAD $190 MILLION AWARDED FOR THIS.
• AND WE APPLIED FOR THAT GRANT AND WERE AWARDED THAT GRANT AND THROUGH THAT AWARD WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE
• WE HAVE AWARDED 612 CREDENTIALS. AS A RESULT OF YOUR BELIEF IN US.
• THE OPEN DOOR GRANT WE WERE AWARDED ENABLED US TO TRAIN 64 GROUP LEADERS.
• THEY WERE AWARDED $4 MILLION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• codify into law, that we are going to say is part of the Colorado for all and other buzzwords, some equitable
• It's why people are leaving Colorado. equitable thing drained far more equitable thing drained far more

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened after a brief recess for Appropriations, approved the journal from February 9, 2026, and then moved to third readings. House Bill 1038, concerning county commissioner redistricting, drew opposition from Representative DeGraaf, who argued the bill was an unnecessary state intrusion and criticized its emphasis on diversity and representation. Despite that, the bill passed third reading 40-25. House Bill 1020, dealing with field drug tests in drug possession cases, passed unanimously 65-0. House Bill 1040, concerning the sterilization rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, prompted extensive debate. Supporters, including Representatives Bradley, Bottoms, Brooks, DeGraaf, and Garcia, said the bill strengthens consent protections, prevents forced sterilization, and addresses Colorado’s history of discriminatory sterilization laws. Several speakers also raised concerns about broader consistency in protecting minors and vulnerable people, and Representative Luck noted a related organ-transplant conforming amendment that he hoped the Senate would refine. The bill passed 65-0. The final bill discussed was House Bill 1003, modifying the small business recovery and resiliency loan program. Representative DeGraaf opposed it, arguing it would extend government-backed loans and debt under vague hardship criteria, increase inflation, and amount to taxpayer-funded plunder. During that exchange, the chair cautioned him about name-calling after he referred to colleagues as “emo reps.” The transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, before any vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is equitable. And I do stand here, or sit here actually, in strong support of this bill.
• working with all stakeholders, families, vendors, DOR, and CDCR to ensure that reforms are both equitable
• And so we're trying to make it more equitable and understanding.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes. Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s first, and then also lowers the maximum grant awards from 85 to 75 and from 75 to 65...”
• Awards of reimbursement are limited to no more than 10,000 employees trained.
• Total awards to any qualifying employer are limited to no more than $50,000 per fiscal year.
• Awards of reimbursement are limited to no more than 10,000 employee trained.
• Total awards to any qualifying employer are limited to no more than $50,000 per fiscal year.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up several House bills with strike-and-insert amendments. House Bill 5510 was amended to incorporate provisions from Senate Bills 1065 and 928, modernizing Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and adding rules for low-proof spirit alcohol products, including a $1.25 per gallon tax; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 5453 on school funding. After discussion of a proposed block-grant system and supplemental aid for special education, the committee adopted an amendment replacing much of the bill with weighted funding for level two and level three special education students, exempting those funds from block grant rules and limiting their use to direct instruction. The committee also adopted a clarification to extend the special education funding to charter school students and reported the amended bill to the Senate. House Bill 5412, dealing with multi-year technology licensing contracts for local fiscal bodies and science-of-reading training for K-5 teachers, was amended to clarify contract language, delay implementation dates, change “endorsement” to “training,” and require charter school teachers to participate; it was then reported. The committee next amended and reported House Bill 4006, which creates aerospace development and workforce grant programs, changing the funding mechanism to use Department of Commerce reporting and personal income tax proceeds rather than direct employee withholdings. It also took up House Bill 4009, combining voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors with microcredentialing and an expanded apprenticeship tax credit, adopted the Finance Committee amendment, and reported it. Finally, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program was amended to raise the annual employer reimbursement cap from $50,000 to $100,000 while keeping the $10,000 per-employee limit, and the committee reported the bill. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ensures we can responsibly manage the budgetary implications while moving towards a fairer and more equitable
• <03:09:22.600> more moving towards a fairer and more moving towards a fairer and more Equitable
• <03:09:23.319> tax Equitable tax Equitable tax structure<03:09:25.720> I<03:09:26.200><
• with this, with the telephone poles, and have also been dealing in general with making assessments equitable
• assessments Equitable assessments Equitable across<03:24:39.479> and<03:24:39.680> I

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 135, introduced by Representative Michael Harrington. He said the bill would codify a portion of the New Hampshire Constitution to bar New Hampshire businesses from being required to collect sales or use taxes for other states unless Congress mandates it, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision created an onerous compliance burden for businesses. He described the patchwork of state and local sales tax rules, thresholds, and product exemptions as extremely complex and said the bill was intended to push the issue back toward Congress and the courts. Members questioned whether the bill’s reference to a “foreign government” would apply to other U.S. states, whether the proposal would conflict with the Supremacy Clause, and whether it would create standing for businesses to challenge Wayfair. Harrington responded that “foreign government” meant any government other than New Hampshire, that he believed the state could challenge the decision in court by passing a law contrary to Wayfair, and that businesses were already being harmed by compliance costs. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was an unfunded mandate or simply a private compliance burden, and Harrington argued that the state itself would not be collecting the taxes, but businesses would still face recordkeeping and administrative costs. Sam Garland of the Department of Justice then testified. He said the department was not taking a formal position on the bill, but offered technical comments. Garland acknowledged that Wayfair created significant compliance burdens and noted that states have become somewhat more uniform, with all states now having a $100,000 economic nexus threshold, though not all use the 200-transaction threshold and local tax variation remains substantial. He said the department’s concerns were legal, describing the issue as uncharted constitutional territory involving both vertical and horizontal federalism. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• award yet.
• :36.359> yet haven't got actually gotten an award yet haven't got actually gotten an award yet
• we've had some people set get Awards we've had some people set get Awards let's<04:04:29.800>
• <04:04:31.239> paid let's say a million dollar award paid let's say a million dollar award
• He reviews and evaluates awards and issues a decision, which is either an award or not an award.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.