Transcript Highlights:

• programs, and would allow... ...farmers and ranchers in the application process for the grant programs
• grant programs, many farmers do not have the labor... ...private grant writers who can help them access
• grant programs.
• Last year, some researchers from Cal Poly SLO did an independent program evaluation of CDFA's programs
• We are accepting our committee amendments to the completion date of the Farm Research Grant Program to

Summary: The Assembly Agriculture Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then adopted its committee rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by a 5-0 vote. The committee heard a series of agriculture-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and moving forward. AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover would raise the fee thresholds for small public horse events that are exempt from equine medication monitoring rules; supporters said the current limits are outdated and hurt small riding clubs, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 411 by Assemblymember Papin would allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on-farm; supporters cited cost, environmental, and predator-control benefits, while rendering industry representatives asked for amendments to protect existing services and limit the bill’s scope. The bill passed to Natural Resources. AB 482 by Assemblymember Solache would modernize the California Table Grape Commission law and raise assessment caps without increasing assessments themselves; it passed to Appropriations. AB 312 by Vice Chair Alanis would shorten the holding period for ag theft property from six months to three months; it also passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 937 and AB 947 by Assemblymember Connolly. AB 937 would make technical changes to the Organic Transition Pilot Program to improve access to organic transition support, with testimony from a farmer who said the program helped him pursue organic certification; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 947 would expand and refine technical assistance under the Healthy Soils/Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including training, grant writing, matching funds coordination, equipment sharing, and outcome monitoring; supporters said the changes would help small and organic producers access state climate programs, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1486, presented by the chair, would use Proposition 4 funding to start grants for public postsecondary agricultural research farms focused on climate resiliency; members praised the role of CSU and UC research farms, and the bill passed to Natural Resources as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on AB 928 by Assemblymember Rogers, the California Cockfighting Cruelty Act. Supporters argued the bill would help law enforcement target cockfighting and rooster trafficking, reduce avian disease risks, and protect public health and animal welfare; opponents, including poultry hobbyists, breeders, and 4-H-related participants, said it would overreach into lawful poultry keeping and harm heritage-breed and youth programs, urging instead that cockfighting penalties be increased to a felony. Committee members echoed concerns about unintended impacts on legitimate poultry owners and requested continued work on exemptions and language. The bill passed to Judiciary on a 5-2-1 vote, with one no vote and one abstention, and the chair noted that further committee review would continue as the bill advances.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Preservation or KSLIP grant program. Preservation or KSLIP grant program.
• Now, to shift to the second rail grant program, House Bill 1 allocated $7.5 million each fiscal year
• Now, to shift to the second rail grant Now, to shift to the second rail grant program,<00:51:30.079
• Information about each rail grant program, including the applications and the guidance documents

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:20 Road Projects 46:30 Approval of Minutes 46:50 Railroads 57:26 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum, so it could not approve the minutes. The chair announced an Eastern Kentucky University health forum later that day and then proceeded with testimony on alternative delivery methods for road projects. Jason Sawala of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Chad Laroo of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors were sworn in and introduced themselves. Sawala explained KYTC’s use of alternative delivery tools, including design-build, construction manager/general contractor (CMGC), and public-private partnerships (P3s). He said the cabinet’s goal is to deliver the best value to taxpayers in terms of quality, cost, and time, and emphasized that alternative delivery is most useful on projects with special circumstances such as innovation needs, specialized technology, complex constructibility, schedule pressure, or early contractor input. He cited the cabinet’s wrong-way driving prevention project as an example where design-build helped evaluate technologies and coordinate with stakeholders such as EMS and first responders. He also outlined the main tradeoffs: alternative delivery can improve collaboration and sometimes accelerate schedules, but it also brings risks related to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, changing scope, and the need for dedicated staff and compressed decision-making. He stressed that these methods are not a cure-all and are not appropriate for every project, while noting that traditional design-bid-build remains effective for most of KYTC’s work. Representative Branscum responded favorably, saying early contractor involvement is valuable and consistent with his experience in the vertical construction world. No votes or formal actions were taken because the committee lacked a quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 2019 the legislature established a grant program to provide individual student loan debt repayment
• Since then, this grant program has been successful in bringing student loan repayments current and preventing
• 2019 the legislature established a grant 2019 the legislature established a grant program<00:01:
• <00:02:12.160> program process since then this grant program process since then this grant
• <00:04:13.239> we've we began the work on this grant we've we began the work on this grant

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through grant programs administered by DOT.
• Program.
• The first one is grant agreements. Getting out grant Agreements to local communities.
• programs.
• Those and some of our other food programs are NIH and diversity programs.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• reinvestment grant program may be used for.
• , and effective access for student education, the EASE Grant Program.
• program, and $182.6 million for the SHIP program.
• , including $50 million to a new grant program to create or expand food banks and pantries to serve our
• program.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program.
• General Funded Program, the Clean California Program.
• The grant program will leverage local funding to support litter.
• The new grant program would provide not only employment opportunities for clean-up efforts, but also
• People are becoming unemployed, and so we believe that the grant program proposed today is a great idea

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and $20 million for the Wright grant to fund community-based restorative justice programming in our
• I would like to thank the Legislature also for funding the Wright grant program, the Jails to Job program
• I would like to thank the legislature also for funding the Wright grant program, the Jails to Job program
• Farm Worker Housing Grant Program, and the Portfolio Reinvestment Program.
• program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders described as the compromise budget expected to move to the floor later that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core programs from federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget plan, saying it uses higher-than-expected revenues and reserve balances to reject some proposed reductions and fund temporary restorations and new spending in areas such as education, child care, health care, housing, homelessness, and public safety. Department of Finance representatives said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced framework and the effort to address out-year deficits, while noting the plan includes additional spending and revenue changes. Sisney also previewed floor bills including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125, with SB 122 described as a modification to the tax credit proposal and SB 125 as the managed care organization tax proposal. Subcommittee chairs then described the major policy choices in their areas. Health chair Addis said the budget responds to federal health care rollbacks by protecting Medi-Cal, clinics, hospitals, dental care, and other safety-net services, while also supporting reproductive care, gender-affirming care, and county health systems. Education chair Alvarez highlighted increased school funding, expanded learning, special education, teacher support, community colleges, and a change to Cal Grant eligibility for older community college students. Other chairs emphasized child care expansions, homelessness and housing funding, prison closure and criminal justice savings, wildfire mitigation, county support for Medi-Cal and CalFresh administration, and accountability measures tied to homelessness and corrections spending. Several members also raised concerns or priorities, including the impact of the MCO tax on providers, the need for more support for local journalism, transit and climate funding, biotech and R&D incentives, and continued work on Prop 98 and long-term revenue solutions. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, but members broadly expressed support for the budget framework and the need to continue negotiations with the administration before final passage. The committee discussion repeatedly framed the budget as a response to federal policy changes and a choice to protect vulnerable Californians while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The vice chair, citing LAO warnings about future volatility and limited reserves, pressed Finance on whether the budget represented a record-sized state budget and whether revenues were also at record levels, underscoring concerns about the state’s preparedness for a downturn.

Transcript Highlights:

• what's called a CCDF grant.
• It's a federal grant. We pull down $127 million from that grant.
• program.
• Or you have school programs who might apply for a grant with us, You have school programs who might apply
• for a grant with us, or summer programming, and we're pulling that funding out of a different fund,

Summary: The Early Childhood Committee met for an update from the Office of Early Childhood within the Department of Education. Members heard that the office’s goals under the LEARNS Act are to improve kindergarten readiness, support families, ensure quality providers, and expand affordable, accessible child care. Staff reviewed the local lead system, licensing, quality efforts such as CLASS and QRIS, and the two main funding streams: School Readiness Assistance (SRA), a federal CCDF-funded voucher program serving about 14,600 children with a wait list of a little over 3,000, and Arkansas Better Chance (ABC), a state-funded program serving about 21,000 children with authority recently increased to 24,000 slots. A major topic was the difference between market rate surveys and cost analysis studies. Officials said the department is procuring both through an RFP, hoping to begin by August and have results by late in the year. Members pressed for current reimbursement levels, the gap between ABC and SRA funding, and whether ABC funding should be increased to better match costs. Staff explained that SRA rates are set at 75% of the market rate, while ABC per-child funding is much lower, and that ABC slots are limited by the overall allocation. They also explained that some ABC slots were increased by moving children from a discontinued federal pre-K arrangement into ABC to preserve continuity of care. Committee members raised concerns about rural access, infant and toddler shortages, provider stability, workforce pay, and communication with families and providers. Officials said local leads are now helping identify underserved areas, that no county with absolutely no care is known, and that the department is trying to get a truer statewide count of children and providers. They also described efforts to improve communication through monthly provider calls, website postings, and direct case contacts with families. Members discussed possible funding increases, including ideas to reduce the SRA wait list and raise ABC funding, but no formal vote or action was taken beyond approving prior meeting minutes and receiving the update.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• uh an award under the state grant uh an award under the state grant program.<00:24:12.559> Uh
• Today, I want to talk with you all about the Fostering Independence Grants, also known as FIG, a program
• and available resources in the state grant program.
• Um my promise to members grant program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's 108,190 of general funds, and this is for the cybersecurity grant program matching funds.
• trails program. trails program.
• . grants. grants.
• program.
• Flipping over to page grant program.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we would envision this program being... a grant application program and where we would want to work
• There are a number of things that I could talk about that such a flexible. grant funding program could
• Investing in flexible funding grant program empowers communities to address their unique needs the needs
• competitive Federal Transit Administration Bus and Bus Facility Grant Program. the state was awarded
• I'm here to testify for the for the County Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's a grant program, schools have an opportunity to choose or not choose to apply for grants.
• If there's a grant program, schools have an opportunity to choose or not choose to apply for grants.
• grant program schools have if there's a grant program schools have an<00:05:19.680> opportunity
• Grants there are grants uh to apply for Grants there are grants that<00:05:25.080> um<00:05:25.400
• So if a school chooses not to pursue a grant, let's say the non-exclusionary discipline grants, that

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 957, with Representative Bakeberg presenting the bill on behalf of Representative Caw. The bill would give school districts funding flexibility through the 2028-2029 school year and allow them to stagger implementation of certain recently enacted education mandates to fit local needs, except where federal law requires otherwise. An A1 author’s amendment was adopted to clarify that any provision restricted or mandated by federal law would not be delayed. Representative Jordan questioned whether the proposal would let districts opt out of unemployment insurance for hourly workers, raised constitutional concerns about districts choosing which laws to follow, and asked whether opting out of a policy would also mean opting out of associated funding. Bakeberg responded that federal-law conflicts would remain in force, that districts already have substantial local control, and that public school funding generally follows a per-pupil formula, with grant programs remaining optional. He also said the bill is intended to help districts facing financial strain and budget reductions. Jordan argued that the so-called mandates are actually education policies developed through community input, including measures related to mental health support and student protections, and urged a no vote. Bakeberg closed by saying districts need more flexibility to avoid continued budget cuts. The committee then voted to re-refer House File 957, as amended, to the Education Finance Committee, and the motion prevailed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 24, Amend Writer 54 Mobile STEM Lab Grant Program, adopted.
• Item 25, Amend Writer 55, Blended Learning Grant Program, adopted as amended.
• Amend Writer 61 Strong Foundations Grant Program, adopted. 29.
• Item number 13, Rural Economic Development Grant, Texas Rural Business Fund Program.
• Grant Program, adopted at $5 million. Turning to page 8.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, there is I was happy to read the inclusion about the recent grant program.
• You know, Grant and Socorro were listed.
• Hands-on programs for the youth.
• We need to partner up with the state and any other program that can help us get that program off and
• It is a competitive grant.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a federal grant to provide students access to a full range of high-quality education programs
• This is a federal grant to provide students access to a full range of high-quality education programs
• These are discretionary grants to create a comprehensive literacy program, including pre-literacy, reading
• Page 25 is the IDEA grant. Page 25 is the IDEA grant. Again, $20 million federal money.
• Page 59 is the program delivery. Okay, on the administration... Page 59 is the program delivery.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an amended grant, a federal grant, for targeted youth advocacy initiatives for the Southwest
• these grants.
• It helps develop program initiatives or change program initiatives.
• program.
• This program works and we need to utilize it.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Title VI of the Indian Education Formula Grants Program at DOE represents a significant federal investment
• Programs like the Native American Language Grants or the Alaska Native Education Program, which we call
• , programs, programs with tribal set-asides, and broader programs that tribal nations are eligible for
• Native entities began to receive education grants to develop and implement culture-based programming
• Education Grant Program, too, how we're, we are... addressing that achievement gap between native and

Keywords: Native education, Department of Education, federal funding, testimony, treaty obligations, public schools, educational policies, Indigenous students

Summary: The meeting focused on the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education towards Native students, highlighting the importance of federal education programs that satisfy treaty obligations to Native communities. Various witnesses testified about the impact of educational policies designed to support Native students who primarily attend public schools. Concerns were voiced over recent proposals that could potentially undermine these programs, citing the role of federal funding in ensuring successful educational outcomes for Native youth. The chair of the committee emphasized the need for continued federal support and attention to the unique educational challenges faced by Indigenous populations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Need to connect to our programs.
• another program.
• programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Community Services Block Grant,
• The federal program CSD...
• and programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:55:31.160> now<00:55:31.359> yield removal grant program I now I now yield removal
• grant program I now I now yield to<00:55:32.520> my<00:55:32.760> colleague<00:55:33.240
• It also includes $1 million annually for the accelerator grant program, which supports local entrepreneurs
• It also includes $1 million annually for the accelerator grant program, which supports local entrepreneurs
• c> local grant program which supports local grant program which supports local entrepreneurs<00:58

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the sunset on the aggregate supply chain grant program.
• detailing program details for interested businesses.
• Is there a current program under Commerce that gives grants for this?
• So we don't have a program that gives grants currently under the program.
• programs.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development considered a full agenda of transportation, economic development, housing, emergency services, and specialty license plate bills. Several measures were explained and advanced without opposition, including the Department of Transportation agency bill (CS/CS/SB 1662), a Purple Heart toll exemption bill (CS/SB 574), a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate bill (CS/SB 824), a construction disruption assistance loan program for small businesses (CS/CS/SB 324), a manufactured housing assistance bill for local housing plans (CS/SB 1714), a foreign agents registration bill (CS/CS/SB 766), military academy specialty plates (CS/SB 1024), a Safe Coastal Wildlife specialty plate (CS/SB 1246), an emergency services warning-light bill (CS/SB 1644), the Florida Wildflower specialty plate (SB 1152), and a toll exemption bill for 100% disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients (CS/SB 532). The committee adopted amendments on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1662, Senator Collins’ strike-all amendment made a range of DOT-related changes, including the Florida Transportation Academy, seaport and airport accountability provisions, and allowing cranes to move under special blanket permits at night. On CS/CS/SB 324, the committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and a further amendment removing liability language; the bill would create a revolving loan program for small businesses harmed by public works construction, with members raising concerns about eligibility, verification of losses, and public records issues for financial documents. On CS/SB 766, an amendment clarified definitions and aligned the bill with federal FARA standards, including a 20% beneficial ownership threshold. On CS/SB 532, an amendment added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Testimony and debate were generally supportive, with several outside witnesses appearing in favor of the bills, including Florida PBA, the Florida Manufactured Homeowners Federation, the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, the Center for Security Policy, and the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Members highlighted constituent impacts and policy concerns on a few measures, especially the construction disruption loan bill and the disabled veteran toll exemption, where some senators suggested narrowing the scope or adding protections. All bills considered were reported favorably, and senators later requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected tabs before the committee adjourned.