Video & Transcript Research : 'wellness program'

Page 133 of 500
VA
Transcript Highlights:
  • There were federal—there's the federal program, there's state programs, and they were new programs that
  • This is a new program.
  • This is a new program?
  • Hopefully we can do—we can take best practices from our UI program, as well as we are taking best practices
  • And so I think it’s important that we recognize that when we do things—well-meaning, well-intentioned
Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education May 1st, 2025

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • To clarify what the difference between the two, the LOTC program is actually a middle school program.
  • for having such a program.
  • Well, thank you for being with us this morning. Thank you.
  • I'm going to design the allotment and the, the bonus program or the incentive program exactly like floral
  • Well, and if I could, uh, did you have anything else?
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Transportation Feb 4th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • since inception of the program.
  • The first local program I will talk with you about is the small County outreach program or Skype.
  • The next program told you about is the county incentive Grant program or sick guy.
  • Well, there's a you know, there's a lot of great airport grant programs that the state administers today
  • The feel payroll as well.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • These programs work.
  • The quote I hear from kids all the time is, well, they treated me like a criminal, so I might as well
  • to parent support programs and therapeutic programs.
  • Well, we have to look at it: who are these young people?
  • or perhaps in districts as well.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on diversion programs and services for high-risk youth, with no bills before the committee and no votes taken. The chair and members emphasized that the session was intended to hear from invited testimony and discuss how to strengthen diversion, reduce court involvement, and improve outcomes for youth. The committee heard first from the Office of the Child Advocate and diversion providers, who described the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program, its statewide expansion to 10 of 11 court counties, and its reported success rate of about 80% completion without reoffending. Testimony highlighted that diversion keeps youth out of court, connects them more quickly to community-based services, and can address needs such as mental health, education, and substance use. Witnesses also pointed to racial and ethnic disparities in arrests versus summonses, regional variation in diversion access, and the need for clearer statutory authority, more funding, and broader use of pre-arrest diversion. Committee members asked about the difference between arrest and summons, who can initiate diversion, why arrest rates have increased relative to summonses, and how diversion might prevent harmful downstream consequences such as detention or immigration enforcement involvement. Witnesses said police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges can refer youth to diversion, and argued that local policy, training, and legislative changes could expand use. They also discussed the impact of detention on youth, including stigma, lost school time, and the lack of credit for time served in the juvenile system. Testimony from Citizens for Juvenile Justice focused on prevention, school discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline, arguing for more restorative practices, better data, and legislation to limit suspensions and expulsions, especially for younger students and nonviolent conduct. They also raised concerns about DCF-involved and foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the juvenile system. The final panel, the Children's League of Massachusetts and transition-age youth providers, shifted to child welfare and young adult supports. They supported reducing court involvement in child requiring assistance cases, expanding family resource centers, and strengthening services for transition-age youth leaving DCF or DYS custody. Providers described housing instability, homelessness, and the need for education, employment, behavioral health, and supportive housing services for young adults ages 18 to 23. Across the hearing, witnesses consistently argued that early intervention, community-based supports, and diversion are more effective than court processing or detention for most youth, and that the legislature can help through funding, statutory clarity, expanded eligibility, and stronger data collection.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 02/20/25

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • , which in part leverages federal, state, and local cybersecurity grant program dollars, as well as the
  • , which in part leverages federal, state, and local cybersecurity grant program dollars, as well as the
  • , which in part leverages federal, state, and local cybersecurity grant program dollars, as well as the
  • and local cyber security grant program and local cyber security grant program dollars<00:15:14.440
  • Well, thank you, Mr. Chair.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Jan 15th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • program.
  • Well, the PACE program is a voluntary program for organizations to come in.
  • program, so there are separate programs.
  • as well.
  • So just for... ...through the Medicaid managed care program as well.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a base budget overview for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which was presented as a $46.8 billion starting point for the silo. Staff explained that HHS accounts for about half of the state base budget and roughly 36% of general revenue, with AHCA and Medicaid making up the largest share. The committee then reviewed the PACE program for the elderly, including its eligibility, service model, growth in applications, slot funding and reversions, and the agency’s plan to move from the federal three-way agreement to a more detailed two-party contract to improve accountability, transparency, and reporting. Members raised concerns about unfilled slots, reversions, rural access, and the need for clearer return-on-investment data; the agency said it would follow up on some of those questions. The committee also heard from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on its statewide dental program. APD described its history of appropriations, the failed January 2024 solicitation, and a new up-to-$11.5 million solicitation focused on preventive care, community partnerships, teledentistry, and coordination with other services. Members questioned overlap with Medicaid dental coverage, the effect of Medicaid unwinding on APD clients, and whether state dollars were duplicating federally supported services; APD said it tries to act as payer of last resort and that services would continue during procurement. Public testimony from an APD stakeholder and the Florida Dental Association emphasized Medicaid eligibility problems for waiver recipients, low reimbursement rates, limited access to anesthesia and hospital-based dental care, and concerns that proposed Medicaid changes could reduce access for special-needs patients. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs then presented on state veterans service officers and benefits assistance. FDVA highlighted its role in helping veterans access federal benefits, reporting about $27.9 billion in federal dollars flowing into Florida and a high return on state investment. The department said it has increased outreach, claims processing, and services, and has trained staff to identify mental health concerns through its Overwatch program. In response to questions, FDVA discussed plans to expand adult day health care at a new veterans nursing home and possibly at existing locations with additional state funding. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed its presentations and adjourned without objection.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • You were talking about states doing pilot programs. We do pilot programs. We do pilot programs.
  • Well, Mr.
  • Well, Dave has been a tremendous asset to the state and run a phenomenal program for us.
  • Well, Mr.
  • And very well-defined protocols. We also do survey work for the child care assistance program.
Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • Can you hear me well? Yes.
  • PA program, the only public PA program in the Commonwealth.
  • They pay their employees well.
  • This program changes lives; it changed mine, and every student who went through the program will tell
  • This program changes lives, it changed mine, and every student who went through the program will tell
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Jan 15th, 2026 at 09:10 am

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • Well, I think, Mr.
  • Well, that's all right, that's enough explanation. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, very well. Go ahead.
  • That as well in a really big way.
  • Well, our adult education system also supports our integrated education and training programs, as Secretary
Keywords: 996, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (02/27/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a program specialist position that is vacant as well at this time.
  • ><00:03:44.000> specialist program we have a program specialist program we have a program specialist
  • this program this program well<00:19:59.600> this<00:19:59.960> um<00:20:00.159>
  • Well, the program itself, there are two programs that are run: there's the Housing Champions program
  • well well on our these funds so we're well well on our way<00:52:35.079> to way to way to that
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.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, we provide that.
  • Moving to the trustee programs, one of my favorites is the music incubator program.
  • Okay, well, thank you.
  • our child care programs.
  • We kind of facilitate the leases as well, and all of that is plugged into our programming, so.
Bills: SB 1
Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/19/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:59:28.079> Uh<00:59:28.400> program as a legislature as well.
  • Uh program as a legislature as well.
  • . well. well.
  • on the part of the program. on the part of the program.
  • here as well. here as well.
Bills: HF2825
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 3rd, 2025

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a two-part program.
  • It's well north of $16 billion now.
  • Uh, it's, it's a wonderful program.
  • Well, all of us, uh, are. Passing.
  • Well, thank you so much, sir.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • of existing programs.
  • COLA or other program expansions for preschool, just as it does for all other Proposition 98 programs
  • , literacy coaches and reading specialist grant program, mathematics professional learning program, National
  • federal program, because the federal program is not available for every district in California.
  • still cannot access these programs.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard the Governor’s May Revision proposals for TK-12 education, beginning with a Proposition 98 overview from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Finance said the May Revision increases the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee by about $6.4 billion relative to the Governor’s January budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, continued full payment of the outstanding settle-up obligation in 2024-25, and a reduced $3.9 billion settle-up amount in 2025-26. Finance also described larger mandatory and discretionary deposits into the Proposition 98 reserve, ending with an estimated $10.3 billion reserve balance. The LAO said the overall estimates were reasonable, but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget tools, including reserves, to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the remaining settle-up amount, the risk of revenue volatility, and possible alternatives such as advance payments or other reserve strategies. The second panel covered Department of Education proposals and trailer bill language. Finance outlined additional state operations funding and positions for CDE, along with trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, teacher-related programs, and other technical cleanups. The LAO supported the overall structure of the package but recommended changes to several items, including rejecting some additional one-time community schools, literacy, math, multilingual screener, and inclusive college proposals, while supporting the ongoing LCFF and special education increases and raising concerns about the paid pregnancy disability leave proposal’s cost and implementation complexity. CDE supported the special education increase, community schools, literacy and math investments, homelessness funding, and the paid pregnancy leave proposal, while asking for more funding for county office support, clearer homelessness definitions, and continued preschool parity. Members also asked about immigrant student supports, community schools reporting, and the rationale and cost estimate for the paid pregnancy leave proposal, which Finance estimated at $218 million annually. The final panel addressed the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Finance proposed additional legal staffing for SB 848 implementation and educator misconduct caseloads, a fee increase for clear credential renewals from $100 to $125, a $5 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to build a transcript review platform, $2 million ongoing for transcript review staffing, and $30 million one-time for the statewide residency technical assistance center. The LAO had no concerns about the legal staffing, supported the transcript review platform if the fee increase and ongoing staffing were adopted, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because existing funding runs through 2029. The Commission explained that the misconduct workload has grown over several years, that AI would assist but not replace human review in transcript matching, and that the residency technical assistance center helps recruit and retain teachers and support rural districts. Public commenters largely supported special education, discretionary block grants, community schools, literacy investments, homelessness funding, and teacher credentialing alternatives, while some urged rejection of the settle-up proposal and preschool COLA reduction.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • CTE programs.
  • Programs.
  • Requiring that even high school programs are aligned directly to post-secondary programs.
  • This program is significant.
  • Students with IEPs were able to participate in this program as well and receive the same type of work-based
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Higher Education - 02/26/26

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • . programs. programs.
  • First up, we have Megan Flores, who is the manager of state financial aid programs, as well as Nicole
  • So great program, love it.
  • in bachelor degree programs. in bachelor degree programs.
  • support for these programs.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 18th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • in our program.
  • Without our programs...
  • Well, thank you, Madam Chair.
  • Madam Chair, Representative, well, I'm really glad you're asking about the summer food program.
  • The summer EBT program again, continue that program, and make that as automated as possible.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 10th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've also maintained funding for rural law enforcement programs, as well as $331 million. with $331
  • Well, name the programs that you are going to shortchange. by taking 70 million dollars away from Medicaid
  • So similar to the Medicaid program. Well, surely somebody has a ledger and tallies up how many...
  • Well, with respect to the $70 million that you're moving out of the Medicaid program You said it's not
  • Well, did you not know that seniors are the high has the highest utilization of the Medicaid program?
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Higher Education - 02/13/25

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:09:27.800> with have some two plus two programs with have some two plus two programs with
  • <00:20:01.480> as duth is starting to grow as well as duth is starting to grow as well as
  • Well, I'm Lori Carroll.
  • North Star Promise-like programs have cropped up across Minnesota and North Dakota as well.
  • North Star Promise-like programs have cropped up across Minnesota and North Dakota as well.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 01/21/25

Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <01:21:56.719> as<01:21:56.840> well state and our own State program as well state
  • and our own State program as well so<01:21:57.239> there<01:21:57.360> are<01:21:58.239
  • There's hazardous waste, the RCRA program, the federal program, as well as solid waste permitting that
  • as well as SSTS program, which is subsurface sewage treatment systems or septic tanks.
  • management as well as um ssts<01:32:56.520> program<01:32:56.960> which<01:32:57.080><
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: Chair Foung Hawj opened the Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee meeting by welcoming members, agency staff, and constituents, and by outlining the committee’s shared-power arrangement for the session. Members introduced themselves and described environmental activities from the interim, including gardening, outdoor recreation, farming visits, Great Lakes work, and a tree-planting trip in Thailand that Hawj said symbolized cultural unity and environmental stewardship. Ben Stanley, the committee’s nonpartisan counsel, then explained the co-chairs’ operating agreement: Hawj would chair the meeting, Senator John Hoffman would chair the next two meetings, then Hawj would chair the following two, with the chair rotating after each pair of meetings. Agendas would be set jointly, additional meetings would require both chairs’ approval, and passing a bill out of committee would require a majority of all committee members, or seven votes. At Senator Tory Westrom’s request, the agreement was to be emailed to members in writing. Stanley also reviewed the committee’s jurisdiction, which includes environmental and natural resources bills, legacy funds, and agencies such as the Environmental Quality Board, Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, along with several related councils and boards. Fiscal analyst Dan Mueller then gave a budget overview of the committee’s agencies, noting that many current biennium appropriations include one-time general fund money that drops back in the 2026-27 base budget. He highlighted funding levels for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, Metro Parks, Conservation Corps, BWSR, the Minnesota Zoo, the Science Museum, and the Metropolitan Landfill Contingency Action Trust Account, and said the committee’s base-budget area totals about $2.2 billion. He also reviewed the Legacy funds, estimating available 2026-27 appropriations of about $327 million for Outdoor Heritage, $31.7 million for Clean Water, $133 million for Parks and Trails, and $185 million for Arts and Cultural Heritage. No votes or bill actions were taken at this meeting.