Video & Transcript Research : 'Pell grant program'

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Finance - 03/12/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Last year, PBY administered $17 million in grant funding, and these are important programs that support
  • Last year, PBY administered $17 million in grant funding, and these are important programs that support
  • Last year, PBY administered $17 million in grant funding, and these are important programs that support
  • Last year, PBY administered $17 million in grant funding, and these are important programs that support
  • <01:40:47.639> program the preparation Pathways grant program the preparation Pathways grant
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So let's talk about the grants.
  • You can see that they were on very similar trajectories prior to the first full year of grant program
  • After a full year of implementing the grant program, which was two years of funding, and I'm happy to
  • program.
  • And then after the grant program really kicks in, you start to see those patterns change in positive
Summary: The joint informational and oversight hearing focused on community schools in California, with members emphasizing that the purpose was to examine effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability rather than the Governor’s budget proposal. The California Department of Education described the California Community Schools Partnership Program, created in 2021 and funded with more than $4 billion, including planning, implementation, extension, and county coordination grants. Officials said nearly 2,500 schools are participating and highlighted the statewide technical assistance structure, including the State Transformational Assistance Center, eight regional centers, county offices, and CDE support. Researchers from the Learning Policy Institute and UCLA presented early findings and implementation data. LPI reported reductions in chronic absenteeism and suspensions, along with gains in math and English language arts, with especially large benefits for Black students and other historically underserved groups. UCLA described the Annual Progress Report as a statewide improvement tool showing growth in capacity-building, shared decision-making, whole-child supports, and continuous improvement. Members asked about how the reports measure outcomes, how to interpret outliers, and how to distinguish community schools effects from other concurrent initiatives; presenters said matched comparison methods and deeper case-study work are being used, with additional statewide findings expected in June. Panelists from Oakland Unified, LAUSD/UTLA, San Diego Unified, and advocacy organizations described key elements of success: integrated student supports, strong family and student engagement, collaborative leadership, community partnerships, and school-site decision-making. They gave examples such as wellness centers, dual enrollment, student senates, parent leadership, and community campaigns that built trust and increased participation. Members also raised concerns about sustainability, implementation fidelity, and whether community schools improve participation in LCAP processes. Presenters said major barriers include unclear early guidance, the need for a mindset shift away from top-down models, and uncertainty about long-term funding for coordinators and other staff. The panel’s recommendations centered on stable ongoing funding, stronger technical assistance, shared governance, and embedding community schools practices into district and county systems.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Human services panel hears HF729 2/26/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chair, the A1 amendment will put the bill in a shape that I want, and also it tightens the grant program
  • Finally, section N of the bill establishes a one-time grant program focused on recruiting new home care
  • With the grant programs, I have said it in other areas: I think it is really important that we invest
  • With the grant programs, I have said it in other areas: I think it is really important that we invest
  • <00:21:16.360> program appropriation for the grant program appropriation for the grant program
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • But also, we have three tracks for the grant program.
  • If we come in subsequent with legislation that says you have to use it for a grant program and it has
  • So far, we've had four—excuse me, five—rounds of this program and awarded $424 million... ...in grants
  • It's our Community Resilience Centers grant program. We've had one round of this...
  • So in the first year of grant funds, they established the program.
Summary: The meeting began with a lengthy opening discussion with Secretary Karen Ross of the Department of Food and Agriculture, who reviewed the department’s proposed budget, emphasized California agriculture’s record output, and highlighted major priorities including climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, local food systems, farm-to-school, food hubs, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety. She also warned about federal budget cuts, especially at USDA and FDA, and discussed market access challenges abroad, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the need for automation and workforce training. Members raised questions about the future of Farm to School, the California Nutrition Incentive Program/Market Match, local food procurement, and how to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and food hubs; Ross said the department had strong evidence the program benefits small farms and Title I schools and noted continued interest in building out local food infrastructure. The committee then took up item one on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee previously rejecting 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. LAO and Finance said the vacancies represented a source of budget flexibility, but warned that eliminating them could create program impacts; LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance argued the reductions were part of a broader budget-resiliency exercise and that departments could reclassify or shift vacancies to higher priorities. Members focused heavily on the practical impacts of the cuts. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris argued that Fish and Wildlife staffing shortages were already slowing permits needed for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects, and questioned the value of saving relatively small amounts of money. Fish and Wildlife officials said the department had prioritized mission-critical work and could still meet permitting obligations, but acknowledged limited-term staffing constraints. State Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow maintenance and eventually worsen deferred maintenance. Food and Agriculture said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection and eradication, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate and reclassify positions if needed. The chair and several members signaled concern about the Fish and Wildlife and Parks cuts, while also noting the broader need for budget reductions. The committee then moved to item six, hearing an overview from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Staff described the office’s role in CEQA implementation and said the budget requests were baseline funding to maintain existing functions, including IT services and administrative/legislative support, rather than new programs. The chair asked the presenters to move quickly through background material so the committee could get to questions, and the item began with no votes taken during the meeting.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • , programming, programming, grants<00:14:38.200> that<00:14:38.280> we've<00:14:38.480>
  • program where we've robust grant program where we've supported<00:15:53.200> 250<00:15:53.600>
  • And through this grant programming, we've been fortunate to grant more than $720,000 across 43 counties
  • Uh these create this grant program.
  • <00:20:22.280> program uh the impact that that grant program uh the impact that that grant
Summary: The committee met for an interim update from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with presentations from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. Secretary Lindy Casebier reported that Kentucky tourism has posted record growth for four straight years, with $14.6 billion in economic impact, 97,000 tourism-related jobs, and 81 million travelers spending more than $10.4 billion in 2025. He said the Historical Society and Arts Council help create visitor experiences that support those tourism gains. The Kentucky Historical Society focused on America 250, the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staff described a community-driven approach built around themes such as “Revolutionary Experiment,” “We the People,” “Power of Place,” “Crossroads in Kentucky,” and “Doing History,” organized under heritage tourism, education, signature events, and legacy projects. They said the effort has included Liberty Tree plantings in nearly every county, partnerships with local organizations and KET, grants to cabinet agencies and historic sites, and preservation projects in 19 counties. They highlighted Harrodsburg 250 as an early kickoff, along with grant-supported events, exhibits, and educational programs across the state. The Historical Society also described public engagement events tied to the commemoration, including Two Lights for Tomorrow, a food drive in Franklin County, a July 8 historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State Capitol, and planned participation at the Kentucky State Fair. They said the General Assembly’s support enabled a grant program that has funded 250 events and programs in 43 counties, totaling more than $720,000, and that the work is intended to build a lasting legacy beyond 2026. The Kentucky Arts Council said it received America 250 grant funds to support artists, arts organizations, communities, and nonprofits for public art, artwork creation, and related programs. The council reported 55 funded projects and $466,000 awarded statewide, with examples including a Burkesville summer arts and history camp and a Fayette County community singing project. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

CTE grants and scholarships 3/24/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • programs.
  • programs.
  • programs.
  • state has recognized this with programs state has recognized this with programs such<00:02:53.840
  • what the success of uh these programs what the success of uh these programs can<00:04:23.520>
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: House File 1791 was presented as a scholarship/grant program for students in postsecondary technical or career programs offered through their high schools. Representative Scott and Representative Lawrence described it as a way to help students transition into careers or further education by covering costs such as tools, boots, books, and other work-related expenses. The chair noted the bill would be laid over, with limited time for testimony because of a full agenda. Testimony strongly supported the bill. Steve Collina of the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association said manufacturing is a major Minnesota industry and that the bill fills a gap by supporting K-12 career pathways; he emphasized the proposal would not cost the state or taxpayers. Trevor Quennell, a Centennial High School graduate now at Dunwoody College, said the bill would have eased the burden of buying expensive tools and balancing work, school, and transportation. Eric Trost, an instructor at St. Francis High School, explained that Saints Manufacturing is a student-run, elective business-style program that teaches estimating, quoting, logistics, welding, machining, and employability skills, and he said the grant portion is especially important because many students go directly into the workforce. Naomi Brasky, a St. Francis student and Army National Guard enlistee, said the program has given her real-world problem-solving and communication experience and that grants would help cover costs not included in tuition. Members responded positively, with one noting broader trends away from four-year college and calling the bill common sense. In closing, Representative Lorentzen credited instructor Eric Trost for originating the idea and thanked an audience member, Mr. Yost, for supporting the program. The chair then laid House File 1791 over.
WV
Transcript Highlights:
  • The second new article creates the West Virginia Job Development Grant Program to be administered by
  • The new program would authorize a business primarily engaged in the aerospace industry to apply for grants
  • The new program would authorize a business primarily engaged in the aerospace industry to apply for grants
  • From this pool of money, the state would fund the grants to businesses pursuant to the new grant program
  • Upon the division determining to grant an employer a preliminary award under the program, the employer
Keywords: 994, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Public Safety Committee Meeting - 2025-03-28

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Additionally, we have a grant program for outreach and application assistance.
  • This program is a legislatively created grant initiative for Minnesota law enforcement agencies to help
  • Intervention Program grant program, which will be going under the Youth Justice Office.
  • Crime Intervention Program or other... ...crime victim services grants that will remain at DPS and the
  • Our grant programs work to assist crime victims, reduce crime, intervene, prevent crime, support law
Bills: HF2432
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • You're strengthening Alabama homes, which is your grant program, as taxpayer funded?
  • Once they've done a roof in our grant program, they turn around and sell five more outside of the grant
  • The BOOT program is a competitive grant program that awarded broadband providers to connect unserved
  • The grant programs had to first have your office stood up and the grant programs devised relative to
  • The grant programs had to first your office had to be stood up and the grant programs devised relative
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We have now since gone through a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to redesign all of those and replace
  • We have now since gone through a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to redesign all of those and replace
  • So anything like HMGP programs—hazard mitigation grant programs—where we can look at how we can prepare
  • grant programs a lot easier to achieve.
  • That supports block grants for regions to implement fire programs.
Summary: The hearing focused on lessons from the 2017 Tubbs Fire and how Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and local partners have changed wildfire prevention, recovery, and rebuilding practices since then. Assemblymembers emphasized that the region has become a model for the state, with a shift from suppression to prevention, and panelists described improvements in defensible space, home hardening, vegetation management, alerting, and community coordination. The discussion also highlighted the continuing importance of sharing Sonoma County’s experience with other wildfire-impacted communities across California and beyond. Fire officials and local leaders described specific prevention measures now in place, including Santa Rosa’s vegetation management ordinance, ignition-free/Zone Zero requirements in rebuilding, restrictions on certain mulches, removal of dead and dying trees near roads and defensible space zones, and expanded prescribed burning authority. They also stressed the importance of community organization through block captains, Firewise/COPE-style networks, and the Mark West Area Community Fund. Speakers said these networks helped residents navigate recovery, avoid fraud and bad contractors, coordinate with local agencies, and support neighbors, but they argued that such efforts need more formal structure and stable funding. Water and permitting officials discussed how the fires changed their work. Santa Rosa Water described new regional coordination, generator and backup power upgrades, emergency training, and lessons learned about wildfire-related contamination in water systems, including the need to restore pressure, flush, and test quickly after a fire. Permit Sonoma said rebuilding was balanced by streamlining permits while still requiring safer, more resilient construction, and noted that reduced fees and one-stop permitting helped speed recovery. United Policyholders described helping residents maximize insurance proceeds, organize information, and avoid scams, while warning that insurance availability and affordability remain major barriers and that insurers are increasingly rewarding risk-reduction measures. Across the panels, the main policy requests were for faster and more flexible grant processes, more stable long-term funding for prevention and community programs, stronger support for home hardening and defensible space, better training and tools for local governments and legislative staff, and continued attention to insurance and utility-related resilience. No formal votes or actions were taken in the transcript excerpt; the hearing was informational and ended with a transition toward public comment and further discussion of remaining statewide wildfire policy needs.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences May 7th, 2025

Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a pilot program created in 2022.
  • during the course of the pilot program.
  • These contributions are made to a grant program, and the grant program provides grants to community development
  • These contributions are made to a grant program, and the grant program provides grants to community development
  • These contributions are made to a grant program, and the grant program provides grants to community development
Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on May 7, 2025, with quorum present. The commission approved the October 22, 2024 meeting minutes and then received its annual open government refresher from the Attorney General’s office, which reviewed key requirements under the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including record retention, response deadlines, exemptions, and meeting notice rules. Staff then provided a 2025 legislative session update, noting that the legislature passed 23 tax-preference-related bills, with several signed by the governor and others pending. Highlights included bills that extended or repealed certain preferences, added reporting requirements for newspaper and digital content exemptions, authorized JLARC to adjust its work plan when data is unavailable, and created a new exemption for zero-emission buses. The commission approved updates to the 2026 tax preference review schedule, which includes eight preferences in seven reviews, and approved unchanged testimony questions for 2025. The commission also received the 2025 expedited preference review report covering 52 tax preferences, presented as an interactive table drawing on prior JLARC reviews and Department of Revenue studies. Staff then outlined the process for developing the next 10-year review schedule for 2027-2036, including surveying the legislature, incorporating new and repealed preferences, and considering a possible rolling 10-year schedule. No public comment was registered. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of Ron Buing’s long service on the commission and an announcement that the next meeting would be held August 6, 2025.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Environment and Natural Resources Jan 14th, 2025

Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • program based whatever your... ...also talk about our water quality improvement grant program.
  • And we focus our projects when we're looking at our grant programs at looking at, you know, where are
  • These are all kind of subset grant programs.
  • A lot of these grant programs started in 2019, 2020, some in 2021, 2022.
  • Either I'll turn it down because there's an existing grant program.
Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present, heard opening remarks from Chair Rodriguez and member introductions, and discussed broad priorities including water quality, climate change, budget oversight, and accountability for environmental investments. Members emphasized concerns about nutrient pollution, springs, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and the need for better data and measurable results. The committee then received a presentation from DEP Deputy Secretary Adam Blaylock on the state’s water quality restoration framework. He explained how water quality standards, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), and reasonable assurance plans work together to address impaired waters, and noted that BMAPs are updated every five years with annual reviews in between. He also described recent statutory changes requiring five-year milestones, restrictions on new septic systems in certain areas, and public-facing data tools to track projects and water quality trends. Members questioned whether BMAPs are producing enough improvement and whether the five-year update cycle is too slow. Blaylock said results can take years because of project lag and environmental variability, but that the department can adjust plans if data show they are not working. He also highlighted $2.9 billion in statewide water quality funding since 2019, nearly 1,100 funded projects, and a $1.1 billion water quality improvement grant program that now covers impaired waters beyond BMAP areas. The committee discussed agricultural projects, DEP and FDACS funding roles, and a new dashboard and centralized monitoring platform under development. No formal votes or other actions were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment moved by the vice chair.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Transportation Apr 16th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • There are no grant programs like this available today.
  • This would be the only class that has a grant program. Yes, sir.
  • There are no grant programs that like this available today.
  • This would be the only class that has a grant program. Yes, sir.
  • Many other states have short-line grant programs.
Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes. The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Any questions for Grant?
  • We tested eight programs based on risk factors such as enrollment caps, program admissions, and program
  • Assistance Program.
  • That's the smaller program.
  • And then that's one program underneath the capital program, and the other one is the Angel Match program
Keywords: 908, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/19/26

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • These are places where the federal law sort of eliminated grant programs.
  • <00:20:24.080> It sort of eliminated grant programs.
  • It sort of eliminated grant programs.
  • The TANF Block Grant, which provides a federal source for the Minnesota Family Investment Program, as
  • as a reimbursable grant program.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Programs like the NIH Institutional Development Award, the IDEA program, have transformed rural states
  • Very briefly, you know all that, that you apply for a grant, and the grants are highly competitive.
  • Parikh, it was mentioned when we made the Gates Foundation grants and other foundation grants, don't
  • and Recommended NIH expand the program the IDEA program has had a profound impact in my home state of
  • So the IDEA program should grow. And the IDEA program, besides.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Nov 6th, 2025

Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • It could also include centralizing some elements of your grants process, like statewide grants management
  • grants.
  • This office leverages pre-grant software to identify gaps in agency capacity and even flags grants that
  • Cybersecurity—we do have local cybersecurity grant programs.
  • Program, but also the WIC program, as you know, is another one that potentially could be affected.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Information Technology Committee Jul 8th, 2026

Information Technology Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • BEK was awarded 256 locations with us for a $6 million grant program.
  • Essentially, that puts them out of scope of the grant program. So we were able...
  • Essentially, that puts them out of scope of the grant program.
  • Essentially puts them out of scope of the grant program.
  • So we were able, essentially puts them out of scope of the grant program.
Summary: The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results. In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system. The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Minnesota House passes HF1090 to honor the late former Rep. Mary Murphy - 4/21/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Murphy construction grants program. Anyone who knew Mary knew she was passionate about libraries.
  • Murphy construction grants program. Anyone who knew Mary knew she was passionate about libraries.
  • Real quickly, just sharing some stats about the library construction grants program for all of you.
  • <00:01:24.320> program the library construction grants program the library construction grants
  • Murphy program.
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

School safety facility grant 2/24/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • grant program included in the 2023, um, education budget.
  • Uh, Chair Kisha, members, House File 3492 is a grant program funded with state aid.
  • That's accompanied uh by a reduction in $25 million for from the 2023 3492 is a grant program funded
  • with 3492 is a grant program funded with state<00:05:52.560> aid.
  • that do not have a grant writer.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The committee heard House File 3492, which would create a $25 million grant program for school safety and security improvements, funded by a reduction in a prior appropriation for the Northern Lights Express rail project. The bill would allow grants of up to $500,000 through the Department of Education for school districts, charter schools, cooperative units, tribal contract schools, and nonpublic schools. Staff explained that the bill uses the language of clause 7 of the safe schools revenue statute, focusing on facility security enhancements such as laminated glass, public announcement systems, emergency communication devices, and related equipment and modifications. Testifiers and members generally supported the goal of improving school safety, but there was disagreement about the bill’s scope. Supporters, including a superintendent and a nonpublic school principal, said the bill would help pay for one-time hardening costs like secure entrances, door locks, redesigned offices, and other physical security upgrades, and argued that all schools and students should be eligible. Several members raised concerns that the bill is too narrow and too competitive, could disadvantage districts without grant writers, and should also allow broader uses such as counselors, social workers, SROs, or mental health supports. Others said the bill should prioritize physical security and that one-time dollars are best used for one-time facility improvements. No vote was taken. The chair indicated the bill would be laid over, and the discussion ended with the author saying the proposal is not a fix-all but a starting point for school safety investments.