Transcript Highlights:

• Our team currently manages $23.5 billion worth of open federal grants from 56 different grant programs
• Two is FEMA has a program called the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, referred to as HMGP.
• The Flood Management Assistance (FMA) grant program is another key flood grant program that we manage
• In this program, the FMA is part of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs.
• program, and that grant was denied.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS AMENDMENT REMOVES THE PORTION OF THE BILL THAT OVERLAPS WITH THE GRANT PROGRAM.
• PARTS OF THE GRANT REQUIRE FUNDS NOT SUPPLANT EXISTING STATE PROGRAMS AND IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO CODIFY
• IN THE GRANT PROGRAMS AT THIS TIME OR CAUSE ANY CONFLICT.
• Simon: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, AHCA WILL SET UP THE GRANT PROGRAM FOR THOSE INDIVIDUAL COUNTIES TO
• GRANT PROGRAM.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of these families, the 18 mothers that came forward, but what turned out to be a grant program was
• this<00:04:50.400> program grant program was exactly this program grant program was exactly
• So I think about, you know, we had the after-school program grants that was one-time funding.
• So I think about, you know, we had the after-school program grants that was one-time funding.
• c><00:15:15.040> onetime program grants um that was onetime program grants um that was onetime

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• “So this program doesn’t. There’s two different programs.
• The CCDF block grant is a 100% federal program.
• So this program doesn't. There's two different programs.
• There's the ABC program that is tax debt. that is. There's two different programs.
• The CCDF block grant is 100% federal program.

Summary: The committee met to adopt prior minutes and reports from its executive and standing committees, including counties and municipalities, educational institutions, and state agencies. Those reports covered routine audit activity, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, and several state agency audit items. The committee also reviewed and adopted the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025 and the related single audit report, both presented by Legislative Audit staff. The state financial report showed unmodified opinions on the state’s financial statements and described total assets of about $41.9 billion and liabilities of about $11.1 billion, along with retirement system assets of $39.9 billion and a net pension liability of $9 billion. Two material weaknesses were identified: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and a Division of Workforce Services methodology change for unemployment-related estimates that was not properly documented or approved. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed; it resulted in 33 findings, 14 with questioned costs totaling $16.6 million, and qualified opinions for the Summer EBT program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Members questioned agency officials in detail about the Summer EBT questioned costs, DHS unresolved findings, broadband grant documentation, cyber security controls, workers’ compensation liabilities, and child care funding and reporting. DHS explained that the Summer EBT issue involved drawing federal funds in advance rather than as benefits were redeemed, and said the process has been corrected. Broadband officials said the questioned $6.6 million reflected documentation-detail disagreements across many invoices rather than missing payments. OST officials described new logging, endpoint detection, and phishing-training efforts, and DFA and Education officials addressed specific audit findings and corrective actions. The committee ultimately moved to hold the two large statewide reports over until the August meeting for further review, with discussion continuing on whether to release some agency staff in the meantime.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our green fertilizer grant program supports rural electric cooperatives registered as 308A or 308B with
• transition our green fertilizer grant transition our green fertilizer grant program<00:18:30.400
• um as we've always said with new Grant um as we've always said with new Grant programs<00:20:50.440
• program we also received an urban farm conservation<00:21:15.200> minig<00:21:15.480> Grant
• Really thinking about changing my practices, and I think I'm going to apply for that grant program, you

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why you have a land grant.
• We also have a great soil health testing program.
• What was the community program? Community IPM, integrated pest management.
• So there's a question on the veterans program.
• We have so many programs. It's great.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee met and first took up five bills. It reported S.593 (land used in agricultural production), S.879A (the Garden Protection Act), S.3277 (transfer-on-death beneficiaries for farming implements), and S.4754 (creating an Office of Urban Agriculture). S.1529A, the Carbon Farming Act, was moved to the Finance Committee. The committee briefly discussed S.4754, with Senator Borrello asking about its status and members noting strong support for urban agriculture and food-system resilience; the bill was then reported to Finance by voice vote. The committee then heard from Julie Suarez, Associate Dean for Land Grant Affairs at Cornell CALS, who described Cornell’s role in research, extension, and public service across New York agriculture. She highlighted Cornell’s economic impact, growth in FFA participation including new urban chapters, dairy investment, and the potential of the maple industry, while emphasizing the need for continued agricultural science funding to address climate change, invasive species, and market challenges. She also pointed members to Cornell programs supporting food entrepreneurs, soil health, small farms, veterans entering agriculture, and community integrated pest management. Members asked questions about tick increases, with Suarez attributing them to deer, rodents, climate change, and invasive species, and said Cornell’s community IPM program offers landscaping and prevention guidance. She also explained Cornell’s land-grant and contract-college structure, including its statutory mission and state support. The meeting ended after members expressed interest in further outreach and informational sessions, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 622 is for a grant to the Program.
• Carlton grant extension. Carlton grant extension.
• , including PCA Choice, the CFSS budget model, the CDCS program, and the consumer support grant.
• , including PCA Choice, the CFSS budget model, the CDCS program, and the consumer support grant.
• , including PCA Choice, the CFSS budget model, the CDCS program, and the consumer support grant.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• as<00:39:54.160> the color grant program as well as the color grant program as well as the
• Pathway Grant Program, which is more in line with the best practices around how those types of programs
• This is in a teacher support program around Grow Your Own grants.
• aid program, we also passed a grant aid program, we also passed a grant program<00:41:48.000>
• :42:05.280> grant<00:42:05.760> program support personnel pathway grant program support

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, granted. Yes, granted. Just use. Just.
• Granted.
• Granted.
• Granted.
• Granted.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and read several committee reports and communications into the record. Members also observed moments of silence for two young people who had recently died, and the prayer and pledge were offered before the chamber moved into business. Consent calendar number 28, consisting of several resolutions, passed by voice vote. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and retirement remarks for Representative Jeff Holowski, who was praised by colleagues for his work on financial literacy, veterans’ issues, health care, diabetes policy, and constituent service, as well as for his military service and community involvement. Holowski thanked staff, colleagues, and his family, and said he was retiring to spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. The chamber also recognized former Representative Harvey Kenton as a guest. The House then acted on several measures. Senate Bill 286, as amended by House Amendment 1, passed 40-0 and extends consumer protections and dealer equity standards to ATVs, side-by-sides, and vessels. Senate Bill 179, which updates the Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission and its bench book/data analysis process, passed 27-14. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 23, the housing supply and affordability bill, was presented with extensive explanation and questions about local control, zoning, and implementation, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and directing flags at half-staff, was also discussed in emotional remarks about overdose losses and the state’s ongoing response. The House later recessed for party caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal and state workforce dollars and grants become available to support the programs, and teacher
• Federal and state workforce dollars and grants become available to support the programs, and teacher
• Federal and state workforce dollars and grants become available to support the programs, and teacher
• Federal and state workforce dollars and grants become available to support the programs, and teacher
• to develop their own grants to develop their own apprenticeship<00:19:50.360> programs<00:19:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriation for a housing down payment assistant program. Is that a grant? Is that a loan?
• So many of our federal grants, Mr.
• GROW program fund, and so the money from the big fund spends into the program fund.
• A program called the ZIP Program, Zero Interest Home Builder Program.
• So we have programs available.

Transcript Highlights:

• It sets forth criteria for grant programs of the divisions of arts and culture, historical resources,
• It specifies that the grant funds can be used for activities and programs in support of America 250 and
• programs across the department.
• And it specifies that any grant funds are awarded and expended for activities and programs that are not
• Programs that are not harmful to minors instead of activities and programs that are appropriate for all

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, many involving public records exemptions and government operations. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 342 on an Agency for Health Care Administration public records exemption for employees facing threats; SB 7018 preserving a public records exemption tied to parental consent/judicial bypass records for minors seeking abortions; SB 626 lowering quorum requirements and allowing remote participation for the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys; SB 710 protecting personal information of Crime Stoppers employees, board members, volunteers, and their families; SB 300 extending clerk personal-information protections to appellate court clerks; and SB 302 creating a similar exemption for Judicial Qualifications Commission employees. The committee also approved SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve and narrow public records exemptions related to the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers and the financial technology sandbox, respectively. The committee also heard and advanced several policy bills. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor; Senator Polsky questioned whether the office was duplicative of existing services and raised concerns about religion in state governance, while supporters argued it complements existing networks and helps connect Floridians to services. SB 1144 codifies the Hope Florida program, with supporters describing it as a connector to community resources and critics again raising concerns about overlap, private donations, and accountability; both SB 820 and SB 1144 passed on largely party-line votes with Senator Polsky voting no. SB 804 would redesignate the SS American Victory as the state flagship, but Senator Rodriguez opposed giving up the current flagship designation for the Key West schooner, though the bill still passed favorably. SB 214 designates August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day and passed without opposition. SB 1088 requires certain state customer-service phone lines to offer callback features, and SB 576 makes technical fixes to service-of-process law; both were reported favorably. Additional bills included SB 1524, a broad Department of State measure with a strike-all amendment that revises grant-review procedures, adds an America 250 funding focus, and changes commission-fee and oath requirements; Senator Arrington and Senator Polsky expressed concerns about reviewer qualifications, grant criteria, and the impact on arts and cultural programs, and both voted no while the bill still passed. SB 1640, on confidentiality of lethality assessment forms in domestic violence cases, was amended to allow disclosure to domestic violence centers while barring disclosure to state attorneys, and it passed favorably. SB 1160 expands health insurance premium benefits for certain officers catastrophically injured or killed in the line of duty; supporters from the Fraternal Order of Police appeared in support, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also confirmed eight appointments to the Florida Commission on Community Service, the Investment Advisory Council, the Public Employees Relations Commission, and the State Retirement Commission. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our second recommendation is to increase grant program resources in line with rising costs.
• State grant programs like TIB and WSDOT active transportation are essential to cities.
• So we recommend increased grant program resources to allow the grant award amounts to keep pace with
• Ecology oversees an electric school bus grant program, as well as the performance monitoring for the
• us a grant to explore a program to do an emergency streets treatment.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Right Track Youth Internship Program, $500,000; STEM grants, $3 million in fiscal year 2026; Minnesota
• Program Youth Internship Program 500,000.<00:25:54.960> STEM<00:25:55.600> grants<00:25
• personnel for um the whole new program. personnel for um the whole new program.
• > participants other words, uh program participants other words, uh program participants most<
• offers um tailored uh program that offers um tailored uh program that offers inerson<00:42:53.359

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant program for the Committee on Culture and Recreation and Tourism.
• HB 1819 by Lopez of Bahr relating to administration or grant program to support a family mental health
• HB 1845 by OR relating to the use of funds in rural prosecutor's Office salary Assistance grant program
• HB 2365 by Kitzman relating to grant amounts under the Young Farmer Grant Program for the Committee on
• HB 2395 by Dutton relating to the grant program to provide a public-school pre-kindergarten programs

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, the program awards grants to legislatively named partners to provide financial assistance
• <00:46:27.359> awards<00:46:27.760> grants As you know, the program awards grants As
• you know, the program awards grants to<00:46:28.240> legislatively<00:46:28.880> named
• <00:53:55.680> program<00:53:56.480> for intermediaries for the grant program for intermediaries
• Program results through round one: 929 financial assistance grants totaling $16,312,000, out of what

Bills: HF3217, HF2252

Keywords: bioindustrial facilities, economic development, renewable energy, advanced biofuels, state funding, HF2252, Minnesota bonding, volume cap, private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, public facility bonds, public facilities pool, unified pool, bond allocation, municipal finance, bond cap, housing bonds, residential rental projects, manufacturing bonds, enterprise zone bonds

Summary: The committee first approved the prior day’s minutes as amended, correcting the meeting number from the 46th to the 45th meeting. It then took up House File 3217, which would restore funding for the Minnesota Bioincentive Program. Representative Kisha argued the state should honor commitments made to companies that met program requirements and had not received full reimbursement. Testifiers from the Great Plains Institute and Minnesota Biofuels Association said the program has supported bioeconomy investment, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and generated strong economic returns, but has been underfunded, leaving unpaid claims. Members raised questions about whether the bill was retrospective and whether it should be reviewed by another committee; the bill was laid over for further consideration without a vote. The committee then heard House File 2252, a proposal to modernize Minnesota’s private activity bond volume cap by shifting unused allocation from the small issuer/manufacturing bucket to the public facilities bucket while leaving the overall cap unchanged. The bill’s public finance testifier said the current allocation formula is outdated, housing would remain the top priority, and the change would be budget neutral. Testifiers from the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and Minnesota Biofuels Association supported the bill, saying it would better align financing with rural infrastructure, clean water, manure management, renewable natural gas, dairy processing, and low-carbon fuel projects, and could lower borrowing costs for those sectors. Members questioned whether the bill fit the committee’s jurisdiction and noted it might be more appropriate for another committee; the bill was also laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• grants, programs, and even who apply for grants, programs, and even works<00:09:10.720> of<00
• program, we also have a folk and traditional arts program where the state foundation provides grant
• So we administer grants and aid and the artisan schools. Okay. So this is a really robust program.
• So, just to inform people about the arts and schools program, it's an arts residency grants program that
• So, we were prepared to launch the performing arts grants program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the build-out show you the grants and the build-out programs<00:11:23.080> in<00:11:23.280
• of Health for the Local Provider Innovation Grant Program, $149,876,737 to the Department of Health
• for the Rural Water Associations Infrastructure Grant Program Fund, $3 million to CPS for operational
• of Health for the Local Provider Innovation Grant Program, $149,876,737 to the Department of Health
• for the Rural Water Associations Infrastructure Grant Program Fund, $3 million to CPS for operational

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 19 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received an invocation from Reverend Kenny McGill, and approved dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber then spent a substantial amount of time introducing guests in the galleries, including local officials, electric cooperative and farm bureau representatives, a doctor of the day, and student groups, with repeated recognition of workers involved in storm recovery and other public service efforts. Senators also offered brief remarks of support for Senator Warren Barnett’s recovery. The main business was the appropriations calendar. Senator Hopkins gave an overview of the budget process and projected FY 2027 general fund figures, noting that the Senate was still early in the process, had only considered Senate-originated bills, and was awaiting House bills such as education and Medicaid. He highlighted major budget pressures and items including university professor pay raises, agricultural unit increases, education enhancement funds, CAPEX projects, TRICARE funding, and a veterans home appropriation. He also noted that some bills were final passage while others contained reverse repealers and would go to conference. The Senate then considered several appropriations bills. Senate Bill 3051, the Department of Finance and Administration budget and related agencies, was explained by Senator DeBar; it included reductions tied to vacancy projections, contractual and nonrecurring funding changes, and reappropriations for America 250, the Capital City Water Project, coronavirus fiscal recovery expenses, and Bureau of Buildings invoices. It was adopted and passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 3052, the Governor’s Office and Mansion budget, was presented as final action without a reverse repealer, with funding reduced from last year due to the loss of federal GEAR and EANS funds; it also passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 3053, IHL general support, included a $2,000 professor raise and a $20 million CAPEX item, with a total budget of about $1.673 billion; it passed. Senate Bill 3054, IHL subsidiary programs, was explained as having no dollars over LBR and a total of $87.8 million, with a reverse repealer; after a brief question about the university professor raises, it too was adopted and passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• VPK is a state-funded program, and the budget for the 2024-25 program year is $438 million.
• There's a school year program that includes a 540 instructional hour program.
• How many years is the legislator funded grants? You spoke of grants earlier.
• We have families that don't have the ability to take advantage of said program. ...program.
• The summer bridge program is for VPK children at the end of the VPK program year.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee held its first interim meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. Members introduced themselves, many noting backgrounds in education, school boards, local government, or parenting, and Chair Jenna Persons-Mulicka outlined the committee’s goal of building the fiscal year 2025-26 Pre-K-12 budget. She also reviewed the fiscal year 2024-25 education budget, noting that the Pre-K-12 portion totals about $21 billion, with the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) as the largest driver, along with major funding for VPK, school readiness, and school recognition. She explained that federal COVID relief funds have ended and that recent school choice legislation has affected budget structure. Commissioner Manny Diaz and department leaders then gave overviews of their divisions. Diaz highlighted Florida’s education rankings, record graduation rate, progress monitoring, expanded school choice participation, charter school growth, and teacher salary investments, while emphasizing a focus on literacy, math, and early learning. Carrie Miller described the Division of Early Learning’s school readiness and VPK programs, their funding, eligibility, accountability systems, and the importance of kindergarten readiness. Paul Burns outlined the Division of Public Schools’ work on educator quality, literacy, standards, certification, family outreach, federal programs, and school improvement. Suzanne Pridgen reviewed finance and operations functions, including budget management, FEFP calculations, grants, procurement, transportation, and emergency management. Adam Emerson described parental choice programs, including scholarships, charter schools, schools of hope, virtual education, and home education. Darren Norris detailed the Office of Safe Schools’ responsibilities for risk assessments, compliance inspections, threat management, grants, and training created after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy. Members asked questions about several issues, including whether the Safe Schools office recommends changes to the school safety grant distribution formula, whether early learning eligibility should shift from federal poverty level to state median income, how scholarship payments are verified to avoid funding students who return to public school, and whether daily attendance systems could improve funding accuracy. Other questions addressed hurricane-related survey disruptions, VPK provider reimbursement rates and instructional hours, teacher salary increases, school start time costs, and how voucher schools handle IEP accommodations. Department officials generally said some issues remain under review, supported moving school readiness eligibility to SMI, noted that scholarship and enrollment data are cross-checked and adjusted when needed, and said progress monitoring now helps schools support mobile students. On school safety, officials said exemptions are allowed in statute for some items but not for classroom doors, and that district-specific conditions matter. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond receiving presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, if you sort of assume that grants could be up to $10,000, which is how most of the other state programs
• of the other state programs um that do<00:53:28.640> grant<00:53:28.960> funding<00:53:
• And so I think starting it that way, making sure that you've got a program that works, that the grants
• And so I think starting it that way, making sure that you've got a program that works, that the grants
• you've got a program that works, that<00:56:16.240> the<00:56:16.400> grants<00:56:16.720

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The task force approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then reviewed the structure and statutory requirements for its final report. Staff explained that the report must go to the commissioners of commerce, housing finance, and economic development, as well as relevant legislative leaders, and must include a summary of task force activities, adopted findings and recommendations, tort reform recommendations to reduce insurance costs, any draft legislation, and other necessary information. A draft report, likely excluding recommendations and draft legislation, is expected to be circulated before the first January meeting. Most of the meeting focused on the Fair Plan and whether it could be expanded to help homeowners associations, affordable housing, and common interest communities that are struggling to obtain coverage. Supporters said these groups are facing availability problems and often end up in the surplus lines market, which lacks the consumer protections of the admitted market. They argued the Fair Plan could serve as a third-market option with stronger protections and better access, especially for properties that are having difficulty getting quotes. Several members and witnesses raised concerns that the Fair Plan was never intended to be a broad affordability solution and warned against using it to artificially lower prices below risk-based levels. They said doing so could shift losses onto other policyholders through assessments and potentially weaken the broader insurance market. The Fair Plan administrator explained that any expansion would require substantial research, staffing, actuarial and underwriting expertise, reinsurance planning, IT changes, and likely assessments or other capitalization decisions, and that the plan would need to focus on a limited subset of properties rather than the entire market. No votes were taken on policy recommendations, and the discussion ended with agreement that more information and scoping work are needed before any formal recommendation is made.