Transcript Highlights:

• EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program, which will expand state grant and loan programming for
• The MPCA site assessment program is a multi-faceted assessment program with priority given to sites with
• , including the Community Grants Program. the Community Grants Program.
• . pass-through grant appropriations as well as other grant programs.
• Earlier this afternoon, we heard the community grant program.

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• source for the reinsurance program source for the reinsurance program without<00:03:15.159> this
• Nations have medical cannabis programs Nations have medical cannabis programs uh<00:16:04.839>
• under 152 and the future medical program under 342 align authority of the agency of the medical program
• Thank you. current medical program under 152 and current medical program under 152 and the<00:25:16.720
• the future medical program under the future medical program under 342<00:25:20.039> and<00:25:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a program that helps youth there.
• And we have this program that is used for economic growth.
• And we have this program redevelopment.
• program to just expand it a little bit. program to just expand it a little bit.
• There's the grant like we currently do a lot of. programs. Do you think Minnesota needs programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He became a leader in his program.
• People in those programs.
• program.
• And as you stated, we transferred our programs over. Do we have any ongoing programs?
• So we can say that step program...

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:37.360> which eligibility to this program which eligibility to this program which remains
• means could could get into this program means could could get into this program where<00:14:53.920
• , from public schools with this program, from public schools with this program, and<00:32:20.640>
• Any further... programming at will without board programming at will without board participation.
• education uh tax credit program. education uh tax credit program.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:10.360> that and this was an excellent program that and this was an excellent program
• the um, as was shared as the the program the um, as was shared as the the program has<00:08:29.480
• We talked about the uh, program.
• . program. program.
• program? program?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• first registered apprenticeship program first registered apprenticeship program in<00:04:58.639>
• I think that we're looking at programs every year, and we do review small programs every year, and we
• Academic program. So, uh, whether you're H... My unit, my office, does not offer programs.
• We'll blank out the... that uh looks at these um programs that that uh looks at these um programs that
• participating in the current programs participating in the current programs offered<01:15:49.880

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing covered Senate Bill 426, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Human Services, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, the Attorney General’s office, the Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the University of Hawaiʻi’s early childhood educator project, and a Zoom testifier who described the importance of investing in high-quality early childhood education. Committee discussion focused on the program’s estimated cost, with figures of about $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15 million in 2026-27, and on whether the program would require ongoing base-budget funding. The committee recommended technical, non-substantive amendments, including a statewide-concern amendment and a deferred effective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1622, which would appropriate funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaiʻi to support statewide artificial intelligence initiatives. University representatives described the proposal as the product of campus-wide input and outlined five pillars: governance and policy, outreach and engagement, research and development, workforce development, and AI tools for key sectors such as health care, creative industries, manufacturing, data science, astronomy, and climate change. Members questioned staffing distribution, tuition, enrollment timing, housing, campus placement, and whether positions would be permanent or temporary; the university said it planned about 10 positions across campuses, would start with internal resources, and would house the effort under the Vice President for Research and Innovation initially. The committees recommended an SD1 with the appropriation amounts blanked out, a July 31, 2050 effective date, and committee-report language on housing and West Oʻahu, and the higher education and labor/technology committees adopted the amended recommendation. Finally, the Higher Education Committee took up Senate Bill 1488, a housekeeping measure to consolidate existing University of Hawaiʻi conference center statutes into a single revolving fund structure, and Senate Bill 636, which would fund retention and internship coordinator positions and broader enrollment management efforts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. SB 1488 drew university support and no opposition. SB 636 prompted substantial questioning about Hilo’s declining enrollment, current retention rate of 72.8 percent, and the scope of the request, which includes not only two named positions but also about $432,000 for enrollment management initiatives such as data analysis, IT support, and other student services. Hilo said it is targeting 3 to 5 percent annual enrollment growth and that the positions would support recruitment, retention, internships, and data-driven enrollment strategy. The committee pressed for a clearer broader plan, but the discussion in the transcript ended before a final vote on SB 636 was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:24.800> and that look at Equalization programs and that look at Equalization programs
• <00:15:35.880> so in the funding for those programs so in the funding for those programs so
• postsecondary enrollment options program postsecondary enrollment options program there's<00:24:
• , that are cost-based programs.
• , that are cost-based programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21st minutes by voice vote. Members then resumed a school finance overview focused on how Minnesota’s “base” budgeting system works and how future committee targets are set above or below that base by the Ways and Means chair, in consultation with fiscal staff. Staff emphasized that school funding decisions are tied to the state budget base and that changes made by the tax committee can affect school levies and school finance more broadly. The presentation then turned to property tax fundamentals. Staff explained that roughly 65% of school district revenue comes from state aid and about 20% from property taxes, with property tax revenue applying to school districts rather than charter schools. They reviewed the two main school tax bases—referendum market value and adjusted net tax capacity—along with class rates, sales ratios, and equalization. They also described tax credits, especially the school building bond agricultural credit, which helps reduce the property tax burden on agricultural land in Greater Minnesota. Members discussed student choice programs and how funding follows students. In response to questions from Representative Quam, staff explained postsecondary enrollment options (including direct enrollment and College in the Schools) and online learning, noting that funding generally follows the student to the serving institution or district. Staff also reviewed Minnesota’s pupil-counting system, including average daily membership and pupil weighting, and explained that students attending charter schools, other districts through open enrollment, or online programs are counted where they are served. The presentation concluded with broader school finance context: funding sources, equity and adequacy goals, constitutional and statutory authority, and the state’s school data systems (EUP/FARS, MARS, and STARS). Staff also began reviewing long-term enrollment trends, noting the impact of the baby boom, later growth from the mid-1980s through about 2000, and projected modest declines in public school enrollment through 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• support of this program. support of this program.
• your support for this critical program. your support for this critical program.
• It's the program who's it's the program?
• the program. That's sure that's fine. the program. That's sure that's fine.
• roadside landscape partnership program. roadside landscape partnership program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We tested eight programs based on risk factors such as enrollment caps, program admissions, and program
• Assistance Program.
• That's the smaller program.
• And then underneath the capital program, you have what's called the direct investment program.
• And then that's one program underneath the capital program, and the other one is the Angel Match program

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through the program. through the program.
• the program to begin with? the program to begin with?
• part of the program. well as this part of the program.
• When that program started it program.
• The kids smile program program program um<01:26:47.040> provides<01:26:47.679> dental<01

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the October 13 minutes and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, including a deferred list from the September 2025 agenda. Members questioned several agencies about the purpose, cost, and duration of the items before them, with repeated motions to consider the contracts reviewed without objection passing by roll call. The Office of Energy Policy and Energy and Environment Cabinet presented a solar-and-battery program. Members asked about panel and battery lifespan, warranty coverage, who would pay for replacement or disposal, and whether the program made sense in Kentucky. The agency said panels and batteries generally last 25 to 30 years, warranties would cover replacement during the warranty period, EPA guidance would govern disposal, and federal funds would cover program expenses. Officials estimated the program could reduce participating homeowners’ utility bills by about 70%, with a minimum required savings of 20%. The Department for Community Based Services explained a new vendor contract for SSI initial and redetermination work for children in out-of-home care, saying the work is federally required, the department lacks in-house capacity, and the contract replaced a prior vendor after an RFP protest and rebid. The Department of Highways described umbrella traffic engineering contracts for smaller highway safety projects, noting they are used for spot improvements and are nearing full utilization. The Kentucky Historical Society said its contract funded a temporary exhibit tied to 250th anniversary programming, and the Board of Medical Licensure discussed an amended audit contract, explaining that annual audits were adopted after an auditor’s recommendation and that the board is funded by state allocation plus fees and fines. The Department for Natural Resources/Abandoned Mine Lands gave the most extensive presentation, describing a $5 million engineering services contract as part of a much larger workload increase driven by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, with projects prioritized by citizen complaints and safety impacts; the agency said the contract supports design and oversight for community-scale mine reclamation projects that exceed in-house capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state and a community grant program the state and a community grant program could<00:44:17.920
• administer a Federal grant program administer a Federal grant program through<00:49:20.160> the
• bill this grant could this grant program bill this grant could this grant program through<00:49:
• partnership with our DOD repe program partnership with our DOD repe program and<01:01:51.200>
• Not going to cut the REEP program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• The state program provides program.
• The existing available for the program.
• This bill authorized under the program.
• have to be enrolled in the DMC program. have to be enrolled in the DMC program.

Bills: HF3298, SF3832, HF3528, HF3516, HF3972, HF4118

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, dairy assistance, investment relief, agriculture support, food production, economic relief, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, dentistry, licensure, registration

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs all work together.
• The program supported 188 educators in FY25.
• program?
• Great programs. Great comments.
• These are voluntary programs.

Bills: SB2

Transcript Highlights:

• Musical Awards programming that we are continuing to implement.
• So previously we were collecting data through only our program.
• Understanding of the programming, we're looking at leadership.
• Chair, the "Call Me Mr." program is at Clemson University.
• Those programs are shrinking and shrinking and shrinking.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we run some programming through there.
• I just want to highlight a few of these programs for us.
• The other one is our paramedic program.
• students, and how you're kind of marketing that program.
• Valley City, obviously you saw our nursing program there.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, we have 543,000 students in scholarship programs.
• The funds, as per each county, as for each program, are articulated in the budget.
• Now, she may have definitions about it that lead to, you know, structural programs or building programs
• Now, she may have definitions about it that lead to, you know, structural programs or building programs
• Take up tab 2, SB 508 on Family Empowerment Scholarship Program by Senator Jones.

Summary: The committee first heard the Pre-K-12 education budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 and voted to adopt it as the committee’s recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed $34.7 billion budget includes increases for the FEFP, Family Empowerment Scholarships, VPK, school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. Members asked no questions on the budget before it was advanced, and staff was authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then passed CS/SB 1402, which expands eligibility for dropout retrieval services to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer only dropout retrieval services. An amendment to clarify the grading calculation was adopted without objection, and the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also took up SPB 7030, a comprehensive scholarship-program bill sponsored by Senator Gates, which would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding as its own categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, change payments to a monthly schedule, require background checks for paid instructional providers, mandate annual FTE audits by the Auditor General, and standardize reimbursement and eligibility procedures. After extensive discussion and public testimony, the bill was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 508, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide for students with existing plans such as IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services, and the bill was reported favorably. Public testimony included support from parent-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about administrative burden and the scope of the required disclosures. The meeting concluded after the final roll call votes and adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• A residency program is a one-year program where we work with the soon-to-be teacher and an expert teacher
• post-baccalaureate programs.
• I see that currently the residency program is funded through the Grow Program, which is going on through
• I see that currently the residency program is funded through the Grow Program, which is going on from
• Chairman, the program will be evaluated, and if it's a good program, it would go into the general fund

Bills: HB30, HB120, HJR1, SB210, SB306

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• , which is a program that the district works with our communities to try to support which is a program
• , and then our river community assistance program... ...as addressed by our ag cost share program and
• and then our river community assistance program as addressed by our ag cost share program and then our
• So it's a very important program.
• Now, if we cut this budget into the six statutory programs, programs one through three account for about

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for our regional river cost-share program, which is a program that the district works with our
• which is a program that the district works with our communities to try to support which is a program
• and then our river community assistance program as addressed by our ag cost share program and then our
• So it's a very important program.
• Now, if we cut this budget into the six statutory programs, programs one through three account for about

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from all five water management districts for FY 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year largely because major projects were completed or because grant/appropriation funding is not yet fully reflected in preliminary budgets. Committee members repeatedly asked how districts project operations and maintenance costs, how projects are selected, and what share of staff and spending is devoted to core missions versus administration or regulatory work. Northwest Florida Water Management District said its preliminary budget is $93.4 million, down about 15%, with 97% of spending tied to core responsibilities and a request for additional regulatory services funding. Suwannee River Water Management District presented a $70.4 million budget, emphasized its rural/agricultural character and spring protection work, and highlighted the Water First North Florida reclaimed-water recharge project; members also discussed its need for an additional FTE to handle consumptive use permit reviews tied to a new lower Santa Fe rule. St. Johns River Water Management District presented a $181 million budget, highlighted major water supply, water quality, flood protection, and land management projects such as Taylor Creek Reservoir, Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Lake Jessup restoration, and said about 93% of its budget supports core missions. Southwest Florida Water Management District presented a $227.6 million budget, with major spending on alternative water supply, water control structure repairs, watershed projects, and land management; officials said 93.4% of the budget supports core missions and discussed rising construction costs for aging infrastructure. South Florida Water Management District presented the largest budget at $1.05 billion, focused on Everglades restoration, flood control, water supply, and ecosystem recovery; the director described major reservoirs and treatment projects, the EAA Reservoir, and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The committee took no formal votes on the district budgets and adjourned after the presentations and questions.