Transcript Highlights:

• or the Pell Grant.
• We start typically packaging with our federal grants, followed by Cal Grants.
• UC grant program.
• Pell Grant, for example.
• Those are individual, not different Cal Grant, same person getting different Cal Grant?

Summary: The subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s budget proposals and higher education financial aid trends, with a major focus on the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), Cal Grant spending, and the effects of recent federal student aid changes. The Department of Finance said the budget would fully fund Cal Grant at projected levels and reduce MCS coverage from 35% to 17.5% of unmet need in 2026-27, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office supported considering the reduction as a cost-saving measure given out-year deficits. UC and CSU representatives opposed the cut, saying MCS is important to affordability and debt-free degree goals; they estimated average awards would fall substantially and that campuses do not have funds to backfill the loss. The Student Aid Commission said the proposal would reduce aid but simplify administration, and members questioned how lower awards would affect students, borrowing, and work-study options. No vote was taken, and the issue was held open for possible future action. The committee then discussed federal changes to student loans and Pell Grant policy under H.R. 1, including caps on Parent PLUS loans, elimination of Grad PLUS loans, and new proration rules for federal direct loans based on enrollment intensity. The LAO said these changes would likely push some borrowers into the private market, especially graduate and professional students and some parents of students at private institutions. CSU said the changes would affect thousands of graduate and part-time students and could reduce access by about $97 million in loan availability for part-time borrowers, while UC said the new definitions of professional degrees were too restrictive and would reduce access for nursing, teaching, law, dentistry, and other programs. Community colleges said they use relatively little federal loan aid but are monitoring Workforce Pell. Members raised concerns about workforce impacts, social mobility, and whether the state should consider alternative loan programs or other ways to reduce student costs. This issue was also held open. In the segment financial aid update, the LAO reported Cal Grant spending is projected to rise to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by more recipients and higher awards tied to UC and CSU tuition increases, while CSAC said FAFSA and CADAA applications are up significantly year over year. CSU, community colleges, and UC described their aid packaging and rising aid totals, with CSU reporting over $5.5 billion in aid to 381,000 students, community colleges reporting over $4.3 billion to more than 920,000 students, and UC reporting $3.17 billion in grant aid to undergraduates. Members asked about Cal Grant reform, application trends, and long-term outcomes; UC and community colleges pointed to alumni and wage dashboards, and the LAO noted the state’s Cradle to Career data effort. The committee then took public comment, including testimony on library funding and other education-related priorities, and concluded by holding the issues open without formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• grant program.
• State Grant um is that that PEL grant State Grant um is that that PEL grant does<00:15:46.959>
• correspondingly cut our grants as well. correspondingly cut our grants as well.
• grant.
• Any changes to the PEL Grant program has an outsized impact on state grant spending.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, yes, that 50% would subtract out PEL grant, and then the remainder would be state grant.
• the remainder would be state grant. the remainder would be state grant.
• and PEL grant go above that.
• and PEL grant go above that.
• state grant and the PEL or the PEL grant state grant and the PEL or the PEL grant and<00:33:52.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• higher education grants.
• grant grant program.<00:04:19.840> Um,<00:04:20.320> on program.
• injury grants. injury grants.
• grant. So, it's page five. grant.
• grants as well. So, appreciate that. grants as well. So, appreciate that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• grant.
• Another new grant at the office is the Inclusive Higher Education Grant.
• The Inclusive Higher Education Grant is again a new grant. It was established in 2023.
• Grant.
• the designation grants.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• how valuable the the um state grant was. how valuable the the um state grant was. Yes. Yes.
• Let's be clear, as we can see in the Pell Grant shortfall and now the state grant shortfall.
• grant money.
• Um before I and I grant money.
• participate in the state grant program. participate in the state grant program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We tested grant payments, grant monitoring activities, and grant closeout evaluations.
• grant grant procurement processes. grant grant procurement processes.
• :13.120> grant grant monitoring activities, grant grant monitoring activities, grant closeout<
• grant management work. grant management work.
• 09:08.160> different<01:09:08.480> grants grants, the thousand different grants grants,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• named grants as well?
• named grants as well?
• named grants as well?
• named grants as well?
• grants to them.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant. Thank you, Mark Grant.
• Grant. Thank you, Mark Grant.
• Grant. Thank you, Mark Grant.
• Grant. Thank you, Mark Grant.
• Grant. Thank you, Mark Grant.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Higher Education Conference Committee reviewed differences among the Governor’s, House, and Senate proposals for state grant parameter changes and their effects on state grant spending, North Star Promise spending, and average student awards. Nonpartisan staff explained that the proposals use different combinations of parameter changes, with the Governor’s and Senate plans modeled to avoid or minimize rationing, while the House plan would require rationing to balance the program. Staff reported projected biennium balances of a positive $29.836 million for the Governor’s proposal, a negative $60.758 million for the House proposal without rationing, a positive $994,000 for the House proposal with rationing, and a positive $3.623 million for the Senate proposal; North Star Promise balances also varied, with the Senate showing a positive balance and the Governor and House with rationing showing negative balances. Staff also said the Senate proposal would extend availability of the state grant appropriation and suspend surplus procedures through fiscal year 2029, allowing the balance to carry forward. The committee then focused on the House-only tuition and fee cap provision, which would limit the tuition recognized for state grant purposes for four-year programs to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities level, with 1% annual increases in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. House members said the cap was intended to address rising tuition, especially at the University of Minnesota, and to produce savings in the state grant program. The governor’s office confirmed the provision was not included in the Governor’s bill. Representatives from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Private College Council opposed the cap, arguing it would reduce awards for low-income students and shift costs to students rather than address underlying tuition pressures; they also said it could discourage enrollment at higher-cost institutions. Supporters from Minnesota State argued the cap would improve fairness because students at lower-tuition institutions are effectively capped lower, while students at more expensive institutions receive larger awards, and they said the legislature should intervene in a variable that has grown substantially over time. Committee members questioned how the cap would work and whether it was tied to the Twin Cities campus rate. Testifiers clarified that the state grant formula is tied to the University of Minnesota level, but because Minnesota State institutions are below that level, the cap effectively limits their students to their own lower tuition while allowing higher awards at the University of Minnesota and private colleges. No formal vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated the committee would continue with item-by-item review of the remaining parameter changes and hear additional testimony from agencies and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, when we look at the block grant, the original block grant started in 1980.
• $2.1 million workforce education grant $2.1 million workforce education grant that<00:02:24.959>
• we look at the block grant, the original block<00:03:00.239> grant<00:03:00.560> started
• somewhere around $160 million in grants somewhere around $160 million in grants to<00:03:27.680>
• $10,000 max per county grant. $10,000 max per county grant.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) 00:00:53 Approval of Minutes 00:23:37, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Board of EMS presented an additional budget request focused on grant funding for local EMS agencies, not agency operations. Officials said the board has 13 full-time staff after losing employees in the 2022 transition back to state government, and that the request would be a 100% pass-through to providers. They initially described two requests totaling $12.91 million: $10.8 million for the EMS block grant and $2.1 million for workforce education tied to House Bill 484, but later said they would withdraw the $2.1 million request because rural health transformation funding appears likely to cover those education needs. Most of the testimony explained why the EMS block grant should be increased. The board said the grant began in 1980 at about $1.2 million and has remained largely unchanged while EMS costs have risen sharply. They cited higher prices for ambulances, stretchers, and cardiac monitors, along with increased labor and reimbursement pressures. Board members emphasized that modern EMS now provides much more advanced care in the field, especially in rural areas, and argued that equipment such as 12-lead cardiac monitors can significantly improve patient outcomes. They said the current grant provides about $10,000 per county, while the request would raise funding to about $100,000 per county and increase the per-capita amount from roughly 26 cents to $2.60. Members also discussed whether the block grant statute should be reformed to target need more directly. Board officials said they had considered making the grant more competitive, but decided against it for now because many counties rely on the annual funding and shifting money away from some areas would create hardship. In response to questions, they said Kentucky has about 160 class one EMS agencies providing 911 response across 120 counties, and that grant awards in recent years reached 91 counties, then 108, then 110 counties. They also highlighted the cost and safety benefits of power loading systems for stretchers, saying they can reduce back injuries and help retain EMS workers, but are often unaffordable for smaller departments. No votes were taken on the budget request during the hearing. After the testimony and questions, the committee approved the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and second, with no opposition, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 58.639> non-degree<00:07:59.159> granting well as respectively non-degree granting well
• Teacher Grant.
• training grants um provide our dual training grants um provide grants<00:54:20.760> to<00:54:
• , or EEPS, grant program.
• grants this year include St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grants to this grantee. grants to this grantee.
• granting any subsequent grants.
• And to granting any subsequent grants.
• look at grant making. look at grant making.
• grant, once the grant if we give them a grant, once the grant is<01:09:31.920> given,<01:09:32.319

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the larger grants.
• of the larger grants.
• of the larger grants.
• of the larger grants.
• of the larger grants.

Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• our 25-27 grants.
• for a grant with MHC.
• grant agreements.
• grant agreements.
• did receive a grant. did receive a grant.

Bills: HF4148

Keywords: Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Outdoor Heritage Fund, executive director, natural resources, conservation, wetlands, prairies, forests, wildlife habitat, fish and game, bipartisan hiring, interview panel, legislative branch, Minnesota Statutes 97A.056, administrative expenses, nonpartisan staff, council governance, environment and natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• competitive grant competitive grant programs<00:15:49.120> and<00:15:49.519> then<
• On line 326 is a grant program for emergency grants for community identity and heritage emergency grants
• identity and heritage emergency grants. identity and heritage emergency grants.
• , an a fourth one, ethnic media grants, an a fourth one, ethnic media grants, that<00:21:21.440><
• the grant um are uh woman run as well. the grant um are uh woman run as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant recipients noted that there was uncertainty about whether the grant would continue to be available
• We had our final round of grants this spring and just issued those final grants.
• The Classified School Employee Grant has also been a very popular grant program.
• So the individuals will get the grant, or, you know, the grant in this case, the award, but they should
• instead of a $20,000 grant, and also in some cases received only a portion of their $10,000 grant and

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an extended discussion on state efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers, with a focus on whether current programs are sustainable and well targeted. Testimony from the Learning Policy Institute, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Education, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described persistent shortages, especially in special education, math, science, bilingual education, and high-need schools. Speakers emphasized that residency programs, Golden State Teacher Grants, National Board incentives, classified employee pathways, and undergraduate teacher pipelines have helped increase preparation and retention, but many of these efforts rely on one-time funding and lack long-term certainty. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the “leaky pipeline,” working conditions, the burden of student debt, and whether the state should simplify and institutionalize support for aspiring teachers rather than rely on a patchwork of grants. The agencies presented data showing continuing shortages and uneven distribution of fully credentialed teachers. CTC reported projected hiring needs of roughly 20,000 to 25,000 teachers annually, with the highest needs in self-contained classrooms, special education, and certain regions of the state. It also noted that emergency permits, waivers, and intern credentials remain high, and that teachers entering through those routes have higher turnover. LPI cited research showing residency-prepared teachers are more effective and more likely to stay, and argued that Golden State Teacher Grants attract candidates who might not otherwise enter teaching and help them complete preparation. CDE stressed that most new demand comes from attrition and urged support for multiple entry points, tuition assistance, and campus-based coursework. Several members also discussed the role of community college pathways, dual credentialing, and support for school leaders as part of retention. The LAO recommended rejecting the educator pipeline proposals under discussion, citing limited evidence of effectiveness and suggesting that any new spending should be more narrowly targeted to the highest-need schools and long-standing shortage subjects. The LAO also said that if the Legislature funds new programs this year, Proposition 98 would be preferable given the state’s fiscal condition. Committee members pushed back on the idea that declining enrollment or layoffs would solve shortages, noting that shortages and layoffs can coexist in different subject areas and regions. The discussion ended with agreement that staff would continue working with agencies on how to make teacher pipeline investments more consistent, coherent, and easier for candidates to navigate. The committee then turned to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Finance proposed $50 million in one-time General Fund support to extend the program for one additional year, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal because the first CSAC evaluation is not due until later in the year and because the funding would be non-Proposition 98. CSAC supported the extension, saying demand has been strong, over 20,000 aspiring educators have been served since 2021, and the agency had to pause applications after receiving more than 9,200 this year; it also said more than 2,500 candidates had already expressed interest for next year. Members asked how many students the new funding would serve, and CSAC estimated just under 5,000 awards at $10,000 each. The discussion also covered whether the grant could be moved into Proposition 98 and how the one-time nature of the funding affects confidence among prospective teachers.

Transcript Highlights:

• The language of the grant, the intent of the grant—we do need grant technical support so that the grants
• Because there are grants out there, the language of the grant, the intent of the grant—we do need grant
• stuff being removed, and then it's grants, grants, grants, and I have no problem giving out grants.
• > I<00:42:52.000> have<00:42:52.160> no it's grants grants grants and I have no it's
• Thank you very much. staff the grants some of the grant staff the grants some of the grant specialist

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1294 HD2, which would create a workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture to address agricultural workforce housing shortages. The Department of Agriculture supported the bill’s intent but emphasized that the first step should be a study to determine actual housing demand, noting many farmers have very low incomes and may not be able to support housing costs. A DHHL representative said the department supports the measure as a first step but does not currently plan to expand housing on its agricultural lands; members also discussed the distinction between agricultural and pastoral leases and asked for follow-up information on lease numbers and ranchers growing feed. Testimony on HB 1294 was overwhelmingly supportive, with farm and farmers’ organizations saying housing is critical to sustaining agriculture and should be located near farm operations when possible. Members questioned how housing eligibility would be enforced and whether federal housing funds could be used. The committee reported 38 testimonies in support, none opposed, and two comments, then voted to pass HB 1294 HD2 with amendments, including a date defect to July 1, 2050; the motion carried with five in favor and the recommendations were adopted. The committee then took up HB 428 HD1, establishing the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to address food shortages and requiring reports before the 2026 regular session. The Department of Agriculture urged the bill’s continuation and appropriations, citing rescinded federal grant programs and a planned $1.1 million application to support food banks and kalo production. Food banks, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and other groups strongly supported the measure, describing rising demand for charitable food assistance, especially for fresh produce and protein, and noting that many families are struggling despite working multiple jobs. Witnesses also described school pantry and backpack programs, food rescue partnerships with retailers, and the need for more stable state support; one witness asked for at least $5 million in funding for farm families. Committee members asked about food insecurity levels, food safety, abuse of food assistance, and how the program would connect farmers with schools and food banks. Food bank representatives said they already work with DOE school pantry programs and inspect all donated food for safety, and they suggested a grant or escrow-style payment model could help farmers by reducing reimbursement delays. The transcript does not show a final vote on HB 428 before the excerpt ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're able to work more closely with the DHS Central Grants and Contracts team to redesign the grant
• One important role within our grant management and contract work is that of the grant manager.
• As a grant manager, the staff oversees the grant-making process, which I'll discuss in a minute.
• of grants management.
• <00:41:14.200> and<00:41:14.319> then Grants and grants and contracts and then Grants

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant.
• Cindy Harley and Mark<00:02:44.239> Grant. Mark Grant. Mark Grant.
• Grant.
• student in the form of a state grant. student in the form of a state grant.
• <01:42:40.000> funding student grant uh, or state grant funding student grant uh, or state

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's largely from grants and a lot of federal grants, as well as, of course, the salaries and operating
• So that everybody that's getting a grant from someplace knows where they're getting a grant, not saying
• Any questions for the commissioner as far as grants? The grant—when was this presented, Chris? Mr.
• No, the grant programs. So you presented a report regarding our grant program?
• Internally, we're refining grant processes by utilizing tools like our D365 to manage our grants from

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.