Transcript Highlights:

• THAT IS A THREE YEAR GRANT.
• FOR OUR WORKFORCE GRANT.
• UCR AGRICULTURE PROGRAM, YOU SEE THE US PROGRAM.
• OUR LOCAL BOARD REPORTS THROUGH THE GET THERE FASTER GRANTS PROGRAM 10 PERCENT WERE HOMELESS, 41 PERCENT
• , JOBS FOR VETERAN'S DAY GRANT IN THE GET THERE FASTER PROGRAM ALL COMBINING TO SERVE A TRANSITIONING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for us, with our block grant, our block grant has a 20% set-aside for crisis.
• our managed care program.
• So we administer the program. We apply for grants. We apply for funding. We establish them.
• So we administer the program. We apply for grants. We apply for funding.
• We create programs.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s mental health and substance abuse system, with representatives from DCF, AHCA, two managing entities, and two providers describing how the state’s behavioral health network is funded and operated. Members focused on the implementation of prior legislative investments, especially the $50 million in recurring funding from Representative Maney’s bill and the earlier $126 million community behavioral health appropriation. Witnesses said the newer funds were used mainly for crisis beds, discharge planning, outpatient services, regional collaboratives, and a USF Marchman Act report, while the larger behavioral health appropriation supported CAT, FACT, FIT, forensic teams, residential and outpatient services, and crisis care, with most dollars going directly to services and only a small share to administration. A major theme was access to crisis care and the role of mobile response teams, 988, and central receiving facilities in diverting people from Baker Act admissions and reducing readmissions. DCF and providers said mobile response teams have expanded, are being used to de-escalate crises and connect people to care, and have shown strong diversion results and reductions in Baker Acts in some regions. Members also asked about waitlists, children in crisis, and how to handle people without housing or support; providers said discharge planning is individualized but often constrained by homelessness, transportation, and a lack of safe placements, and several witnesses identified housing as one of the biggest barriers to recovery and stability. The committee also examined provider sustainability, reimbursement, and funding gaps. Witnesses described delays caused by contract timing, cost allocation rules, and Medicaid reimbursement rates that do not always keep pace with labor and operating costs, especially for smaller providers and rural networks. DCF and AHCA said managing entities can provide advances, retroactive rate adjustments, and technical assistance, and that Medicaid managed care plans have network standards and complaint/dispute processes. Members raised concerns about a reported $7 million loss in federal non-sustainable funds, provider closures, and whether there is a formal ombudsman process for disputes; DCF said the federal reductions were known and tied to one-time funds, and that the department generally handles provider issues informally while working with managing entities to preserve continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program, commonly referred to as the REMSA Grant, and the EMS Personnel Training Grant Program.
• The EMS Personnel Training Grant Program offsets the cost of initial and continuing education for EMS
• A new initiative, the Rural Health Board, A new initiative, the Rural Health Transformation Program Grant
• Importantly, the Rural Health Transformation Program grant does not replace existing EMS resources.
• The first one was one for the... ...delinquent account grant program.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have outstanding programs.
• And I think it's a great program.
• Uh, the grants include, um, uh, They provide grants for firetrucks, protective gear, equipment, and training
• , that's known as the EMPG grant, Emergency Management Grant. performance grant.
• Additionally, a modest investment in the Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program, a loan repayment program

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Schwartner, you talked a little bit about this grant program.
• That is correct it would be a grant program by the comptroller for all participants in counties that
• There is a grant program that Paso County could avail themself of and would be participating in.
• It simply removes the population cap. eligibility for the 20 million dollar grant program.
• There's a grant program you've got to apply for. No guarantee. No indemnification for lawsuits.

Keywords: HCR65, HCR19, Senate resolutions, memorial, community impact, legislative proceedings

Summary: The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Job Growth Grant Fund—this Legislature, two years ago in 2023, allowed the Job Growth Grant Fund to
• fund housing programs.
• And so we do fund a number of housing grants through our Small Cities Program.
• Yeah. job growth grant fund this legislature two years ago in 2023 allowed the job with grant fund can
• Between our bureaus, we manage 21 federal grants. Those grants are divided among our bureaus.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if there is a grant, we also say that a grant doesn't excuse and doesn't forget.
• And he ended up with a grant.
• And he ended up with a grant. But so I think that And he ended up with a grant.
• The fact that you have already granted, that the parole board has granted parole, and now this person
• Where they are granted parole.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments, committee referrals, and a budget rule waiver. The committee approved Jim Cervantes and Martin Motto to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors unanimously, and also approved Larry Schingold to the State Mining and Geology Board unanimously. Preston Prince and Stephanie Landergan were approved on 3-2 votes. The committee also approved a Budget and Fiscal Committee request to suspend JR61B10 so budget subcommittees 1 through 5 could meet during the blackout period on May 28. The committee then heard testimony from five appointees to the Board of Parole Hearings: William Munis, Michael Ruff, Rosalind Sergeant Burns, Mary Thornton, and Jack Weiss. Senators focused heavily on recent controversial parole decisions involving child sexual abuse cases, asking how commissioners weigh current risk, what discretion they have, how they use risk assessments and coping plans, and whether parole-board votes in en banc review should be made public. The commissioners repeatedly said they must follow the law, rely on structured, evidence-based assessments, and evaluate current unreasonable risk rather than the original offense alone. They also discussed recidivism data, reconsideration hearings, use of medical-assisted treatment records, and the role of age, time served, institutional behavior, parole plans, and community support. A major portion of the hearing centered on respect for victims and public confidence in the parole process. Commissioners described training and practices for handling victim participation, protecting privacy, and conducting hearings professionally. Senators expressed concern that some commissioners were too deferential to process and not sufficiently accountable in their own judgment, while others emphasized the need for transparency and the importance of the board’s quasi-judicial deliberations. Public commenters largely supported the confirmations, though one witness raised concerns about professionalism and questioning style, particularly regarding Commissioner Weiss. The hearing concluded with public testimony in support of the appointees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant.
• We also have a federal grant.
• We also have a federal grant.
• are facilitated and be very clear versus create a grants program, so to make sure that we abide by Article
• <01:26:09.199> sure create a grants program so to make sure create a grants program so to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ... middle-mile broadband network grant program utilizing up to $85 million in American Rescue Plan and
• programs utilizing $245 million in... grant programs utilizing $245 million in ARPUP dollars.
• We'll start with the middle-mile grant. The grant amount was $82,000.
• Amount of grant expended: $61,599,980.32. Amount of grants remaining is. $21,390,196.
• Alabama Anchor Institute Middle Mile (AIM) phase one and two grant program: 21 projects awarded grant

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pre-K grants.
• with funding and program costs.
• in coming years without major changes to the grant and the program structure.
• At the federal level, there are no real mental health funds because of the changes to grant programs.
• Madam Chair, like grant funds?

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Grant Bosi, deputy chief committee.
• of be that if you were in this program, um, be that if you were in this program, um, LBA<00:16:26.000
• Um, Chair Ward and Grant, Thank you.
• The pro the the program is already open. The pro the the program is already open.
• Um thank you, Grant. So if Warden. Um thank you, Grant.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For item 13, in particular, this isn't really a program-to-program transfer.
• programs each pay period.
• programs each pay period.
• So you said programs.
• So the agency does do regular reports as to which people are getting recipient grants from this program

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to acknowledge the Spay and Neuter Action Program, Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, Action Programs
• So I'm sure I think you've heard that in October of 2025, there were grants issued out of this program
• The money is there for more grants.
• So this grant program is also accessible to a municipality, so municipalities, the tribes that work,
• And I would expect that the study would compare urban composting programs with rural composting programs

Bills: SB38, SB46, SB18

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, SB46, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, compost feedstock, waste characterization study

Transcript Highlights:

• for competitive grants.
• We have agencies for grants because we also provide them funding to give grants to other organizations
• So the idea is to do grants.
• This bill is a community festival grant. This will establish community festival grants.
• A few years ago, the Minnesota Poet Laureate Program was established, and this is a program where we're

Transcript Highlights:

• Safe at Home is a vital program because it provides something many Minnesotans take for granted: the
• the programs. the programs.
• the state's grant process. tools to cancel grants when there's a tools to cancel grants when there's
• Well, a recent audit had someone that granted over $700,000 in a grant.
• with the grants and these programs<03:09:20.640> to<03:09:20.800> help<03:09:21.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, if they make changes to block grant programs, I believe that would probably take an act of Congress
• if they make changes to block grant if they make changes to block grant programs,<00:41:31.200><
• program complete. program complete.
• Roll call<01:00:51.680> granted. call granted. call granted.
• <01:32:48.560> to programs mo most of that was programs to programs mo most of that was programs

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The third objective was to identify funding and grants obtained by the program and determine if funds
• The program received a $50,000 grant from the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, which
• The third objective was to identify funding and grants obtained by the program and determine if funds
• The program received a $50,000 grant from the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, which
• The study abroad, I think, was actually paid for through an external grant that the program pulled down

Summary: The committee first adopted prior minutes and then heard several standing committee audit reports. The executive committee report noted audit and special reports scheduled for the month, one outstanding committee-requested report, and a request to gather information on a possible special report for February. The city/county/local report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of turn-back funds for 17 entities, 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities filing reports, and action on the town of Daisy requiring repayment of misused street funds. The education report filed three higher education audit reports and deferred one Northwest Arkansas Community College report. The state agencies report filed four reports and deferred audits of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism for more information on corrective actions. The committee then received a special audit review of the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UA Little Rock. Auditors said the program received $10 million in desegregation funding and a $50,000 grant, awarded $1.87 million in scholarships to 379 students, and saw 116 students graduate. The review found many scholarship eligibility exceptions, including awards above the maximum and to students who did not meet GPA, enrollment-hour, or full-time requirements, and numerous disbursement documentation and authorization problems. Committee members sharply questioned the program’s oversight, the role of former staff, the use of funds for travel and cultural activities, and whether any improper spending should be referred for criminal review. UALR representatives said the program was overseen as a sponsored program, that some controls were later strengthened, and that Philander Smith only verified enrollment rather than eligibility. The committee voted to table the report until the next meeting and asked staff to gather the federal court order and additional information. Finally, the committee reviewed the annual report on matters referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General for 2024. Staff said 164 matters were referred, with 28 criminal charges filed, 39 still under review, 3 dismissed, 5 pending in court, and 96 not charged; convictions in 20 cases led to fines, restitution, audit costs, and some bond trust fund payments. Prosecutor representatives explained that many referrals do not become criminal cases because of intent, timing, or other legal limits, and said they generally seek restitution even when charges are not filed. Members asked for more standardized reporting, including whether restitution was recovered and why cases were not prosecuted, and discussed possible training and a checklist for future reports. The committee then voted to file the report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for February 12-13.

Transcript Highlights:

• acres enrolled in this program.
• And then the third program is an Appalachian grant program.
• Oh, dear—grant access. How do I do that? Oh, dear—grant access. How do I do that? Oh, dear.
• the cooling corridors program.
• grants.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and related provisions in Governor Healey’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act. EEA officials described the bill’s investments in flooding, land protection, tree planting, wetlands restoration, biodiversity, dams, seawalls, and coastal resilience, along with permitting reforms intended to speed ecological restoration projects. They also outlined current programs on resilient lands, healthy soils, forest climate solutions, forest reserves, and urban tree planting, and said the administration expects natural and working lands to offset up to 7 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that additional strategies will be needed to close the gap to the state’s 10-million-ton offset target. Committee members pressed EEA on the cost of reaching the 30% conservation-by-2030 goal, the loss of a federal USDA grant of about $22 million, the adequacy of current sequestration estimates, and whether the state should consider regional approaches or statutory changes. EEA said current state conservation spending has been about $35 million to $40 million annually, that the Mass Ready Act is intended to help double the pace of conservation, and that federal funding remains uncertain. Senators also raised concerns about PILOT payments for state-owned land, the management of state forests, and the proposed Chapter 91 general license for restoration projects. EEA said the bill’s forest reserve language is meant to create a more durable designation process while still allowing limited active management. Advocates from The Nature Conservancy and Mass Audubon supported stronger investment in land conservation and restoration, saying natural and working lands are a cost-effective climate strategy that also provides biodiversity, water quality, and public health benefits. They urged passage of legislation to increase funding, improve PILOT equity, and strengthen land-use planning and mitigation requirements. They also backed removing Chapter 91 licensing requirements for ecological restoration, arguing that the current process adds cost and delay. In a later panel, a forest scientist and an urban forestry advocate emphasized the carbon and cooling benefits of mature trees, called for greater protection of older forests, and supported bills to expand municipal reforestation and modernize public shade tree law. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The DAG grants? No, no, not the DAG grant. That's the one at Eagle Pass. Correct.
• Moving to the trustee programs, one of my favorites is the music incubator program.
• There is the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Program.
• For some of them, federal grants have been given, and for some they did not receive a federal grant.
• our child care programs.

Bills: SB 1

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

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program that the housing champion program that HB 1196 repeals is not a subsidy, as I originally
• <01:22:08.239> I grants are essentially free money. I grants are essentially free money.
• <01:22:24.639> I municipality's use of grant funds. I municipality's use of grant funds.
• I would close by adding that NHMA views this program as more than just a grant program for municipalities
• champions program and oppose HB196. champions program and oppose HB196.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all