Transcript Highlights:

• And sustained funding, not temporary pilot programs. and sustained funding, not temporary pilot programs
• We have an MMIP drone program.
• possibly use the drone program.
• And again, I'm asking support for the continuation of the funding for the grant funding program throughout
• And grants have And grants have moved forward.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an informational hearing on the state’s response to the missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) crisis, with an added focus on foster youth and child welfare. Opening remarks from the chair and members emphasized that California has made some progress through the Feather Alert, DOJ coordination, grant funding, and MMIP summits, but that the crisis remains severe and requires ongoing, not one-time, investment. Members repeatedly noted the need for stronger statewide coordination, better data, and more consistent attention to tribal communities and foster youth. Tribal leaders described the crisis as rooted in jurisdictional gaps, poor data collection, and lack of urgency from law enforcement. Witnesses from Hamul, Chachancey, Tahon, Yurok, and Hoopa tribes shared personal accounts of missing and murdered relatives, criticized inconsistent responses, and called for regional response agreements, direct tribal access to data, sustained funding, and clearer law enforcement protocols in Public Law 280 settings. Several leaders said Feather Alert and state grants have helped build infrastructure and partnerships, but stressed that trust-building, training, and accountability are still uneven across the state. The second panel featured the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Justice’s Office of Native American Affairs, both of which reported on implementation improvements. CHP said it has tightened Feather Alert practices, increased activations, improved outreach and training, appointed a tribal liaison, and expanded human trafficking training. DOJ described work under AB 3099 and AB 1334, including a Public Law 280 advisory council, improved crime reporting and data systems, MMIP outreach, and a tribal police pilot program with the Yurok Tribe. Members also raised the need to better support tribal courts and ensure protection orders are enforced. The final panel focused on foster youth as part of the MMIP crisis. Advocates from Pitt River, the California Tribal Families Coalition, and Coyote Valley said Native children are disproportionately represented in foster care and are at heightened risk of going missing or being exploited. They argued that foster care, trafficking, poverty, housing instability, and historical trauma are all connected to MMIP, and called for stronger ICWA implementation, culturally grounded services, better coordination with social workers and law enforcement, and immediate use of Feather Alert when Native children are missing. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with continued calls for legislative, budgetary, and policy action.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs and others.
• The one problem with these grants is that they come with a local match that can vary.
• and build those grant programs.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, we envision phase one of the grant program to focus on mission
• That would be the recipients of the grant. Okay. Thank you for that.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 18 creates the following grant programs for rural hospitals.
• There are four grants established under House Bill 18: the Financial Stabilization Grant to support and
• This program is in addition to... to the Pediatric Teleconnectivity Resource Program for rural Texas
• It also cleans up the structure of the four grant programs to clearly separate the specific requirements
• of those four grant programs from the information required for all the grant programs.

Bills: HB18, HB742, HB754, HB1644, HB2187, HB1887, HB 1275, HB37, HB1503, HB1699, HB1700, HB2735, HB1741, HB1731, HB1675, HB18, HB37

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting, good faith report

Transcript Highlights:

• All of them have successful programs.
• , including the Texas program, are run by prosecutors.
• They don't generally create the programs nor do they commit to those programs.
• table, which would be extremely helpful to the program.
• It was similar to a federal grant.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• truck<00:36:51.720> driver new grant program to fund truck driver new grant program to fund
• Another thing, House File 1242 creates a new grant program to foster the training of commercial truck
• Training programs range from four weeks to four months, while grants for tuition, room, and board for
• situations you know while the F grant situations you know while the F grant program<00:57:24.599
• > join suspect the F grant program will join suspect the F grant program will join others<00:58

Bills: HF1167, HF1242

Keywords: Northern Lights Express, NLX, Minneapolis-Duluth rail, passenger rail, intercity passenger rail, high-speed rail, Duluth, Minneapolis, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, transportation funding, rail appropriation, general fund, trunk highway fund, rail project cancellation, infrastructure spending, commercial driver training, CDL, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Roll call granted. requested. Roll call granted.
• Roll call granted. A call requested. Roll call granted.
• Roll call has been granted. requested. Roll call has been granted.
• , the DOJ stop violence at school grant, and the local food purchasing assistance program.
• 03:38:18.480> program, program after assistant program, program after assistant program, people

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been, again, a very successful program. I think it has been a very successful program.
• to match those federal grants.
• We're also trying to finish the grant opportunities, the federal grant and state grant opportunities.
• programs benefiting local entities.
• To send extra money to those programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This does affect also eligibility for programs like the Job Growth Grant Fund.
• More broadly, for grant programs and financing programs that maybe are not explicitly tied to these target
• But a lot of our work, a lot of the grant programs, finance programs, incentive programs that we provide
• Some of our grant programs, the Department of Education actually has to review, depending if it's a workforce
• programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the Keep Arts Fund supports the administration of art grant programs in schools across the state
• Specifically, we have arts and youth programming, and this goes directly towards those grants.
• I just don't want to see a grant program start to be able to pick winners and losers, right?
• And I have seen too many state programs, whether it's our ADU grants for 40,000, somebody else gets in
• Farmworker Housing Grant Program, CalHome, and, of course, HAP. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• You may find this hard to believe, but when offered between grants and loans, applicants prefer grants
• I'm sorry, my apologies: loans to grants, 60% loans, 40% grants.
• Then there was the Water Conservation Grant Fund, which is exactly like it sounds: it's a grant fund
• Then there was the Water Conservation Grant Fund, which is exactly like it sounds: it's a grant fund
• So next we will move to another program I am extremely proud of, and that's the Water Conservation Grant

Bills: HB2024, HB2053, HB2097, HB2116, HB2117

Keywords: stormwater, recharge mapping, water resources, groundwater, appropriation, Arizona, irrigation, non-expansion areas, water management, agriculture, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation, state budget, interstate water compact, Colorado River Compact, water litigation

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then heard House Bill 2024, which would expand the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority’s water supply development definition to include snowpack augmentation and related planning and facility work. Supporters argued cloud seeding and drone-based silver iodide deployment could increase snowpack and water supply at relatively low cost, while opponents raised concerns about weather modification, uncertainty in the science, and possible environmental or health effects. After debate, the committee approved HB 2024 on a 6-4 vote, with some members expressing reservations and requesting more information before floor consideration. The committee next considered House Bill 2053, which would direct the Arizona Department of Water Resources to update stormwater recharge mapping statewide and provide $100,000 for the work. The sponsor and ADWR said the bill would expand on prior state-land mapping and help identify recharge opportunities on private land; ADWR was neutral and said it could do the technical mapping but could not make legal determinations about appropriable surface water rights. Salt River Project opposed the bill’s language on surface-water rights, arguing that determinations about unappropriated water belong to the courts and that site-specific recharge projects could affect downstream rights. The committee adopted the Griffin amendment and then passed HB 2053 as amended on a 6-4 vote. Chelsea McGuire of WIFA then gave a broad presentation on the agency’s revolving funds, conservation grants, and long-term augmentation efforts, describing past investments, current grant awards, and seven potential augmentation projects under development. She said WIFA’s current budget ask was essentially for no additional cuts, while members asked about costs, project qualifications, and public-private structure. The committee then took up House Bill 2097, which would impose a six acre-feet-per-acre groundwater pumping cap in irrigation non-expansion areas, add reporting and well-measurement requirements, and set a $150 penalty for violations. ADWR said the bill could require additional staffing and that the cap and substitution provisions had technical concerns; environmental groups argued the cap was too high and could still encourage overpumping, while supporters said it would finally place a limit on INA pumping. HB 2097 passed 6-4. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million to the Colorado River Litigation Fund; the sponsor described it as a contingency for ongoing Colorado River negotiations, and the committee moved the bill forward after brief discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm going to select my PA grants field with an X and I'm going to enter in a grant amount of $207.
• So I'm going to select my PA grants field with an X and I'm going to enter in a grant amount of $207.
• So I'm going to select my PA grants field with an X and I mean, enter in it a grant amount of $207.
• What we don't understand is all these programs operate in different programs.
• And some of these programs are 75/25, 50/50.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:14.840> of we'll start with program of we'll start with program of all-inclusive<00
• <00:01:28.479> was authorized or this program was authorized or this program was authorized
• You mentioned the D Day program as one of the sites that they can get those programs.
• We do operate a flexible grant funding called the Transitions to Community program, or the Whatever It
• We do operate a flexible grant funding called the Transitions to Community program, or the Whatever It

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I was asked to provide some brief background on the tribal youth diversion grant program. state and community
• It provides competitive grants to tribes to implement diversion programs using trauma-informed, community-based
• other important positions in this program.
• from a highly-restricted program.
• Diversion program funding.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3,000 is for EMS grant programs. House Bill 3,000 is for rural EMS grant programs.
• This particular program and bill will set up a grant program in which they will have access to those
• The Secretary will read the caption: House Bill 3,000 relating to a grant program to provide financial
• They, as you know, Senator, do a lot of different grant programs, as we're well aware, including the
• Grant program as well, that we are all in on nuclear energy and the industry that is coming forth.

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 8:00 p.m. that day, also allowing the Secretary to make the calendar available as soon as practicable. The chamber then took up and passed several House bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 2128, relating to a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue capabilities, passed unanimously. HB 4157, on liability protections for commercial spaceflight and exploration, passed 28-3. HB 2240, concerning certain void marriages, passed after adoption of a Birdwell amendment extending filing deadlines to 90 days for certain active-duty service members and Foreign Service officers. HB 367, on verification of excused absences for students with severe or life-threatening illnesses, passed unanimously after clarifying school district forms and TEA model forms. HB 1506, expanding expedited handgun license eligibility to certain retired county court judges, passed 29-2. HB 4449, on alcohol sales in annexed municipal areas, passed 29-2. HB 3812, on health plan prior authorization requirements, passed 30-1. The Senate also announced a long list of bills and resolutions signed in the presence of the Senate. A major portion of the meeting centered on HB 521, a voting-related bill on curbside voting for voters with disabilities. Senator Paxton described it as an anti-misuse measure requiring a signed eligibility form for curbside voting, creating a 20-foot electioneering buffer, limiting election officer assistance in marking ballots unless a second officer is present, and adding reporting requirements for people who assist seven or more curbside voters. Senators Miles, Menendez, Johnson, Campbell, Cook, and others questioned whether the bill would burden disabled voters, create a de facto registry of volunteers, and impose a harsh Class A misdemeanor penalty for failing to complete the form. Paxton said the bill was intended to protect legitimate curbside voters and curb abuse, and the chamber adopted Paxton Floor Amendment No. 1 after a recorded vote. Zaffirini’s Floor Amendment No. 2, allowing an escorting voter to receive his or her own ballot at the curbside or entrance, was adopted. Menendez’s Floor Amendment No. 3 to reduce the penalty failed. The bill was then passed to third reading on a 20-11 vote, with a motion by Senator Miles to have the exchanges reduced to writing and placed in the journal adopted. The Senate also passed HB 3000, creating a grant program for rural ambulance service providers, after a comptroller-related amendment; HB 5616, establishing the Texas Presidential Library Promotion Program and funding for traveling exhibits, after narrowing the bill to mobile exhibits only; HB 4211, addressing certain residential property interests controlled by entities, which passed 30-1; HB 1178, creating temporary educator certificates for out-of-state certified educators and military spouses, which passed unanimously; HB 2243, creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention, which passed after debate over the need to streamline education mandates; and HB 42, increasing and reallocating the constitutional Higher Education Fund appropriation by 50% to $1.18 billion, which passed 31-0. Finally, HB 2512, a Fort Worth-specific bill limiting ETJ release for land subject to active development agreements, passed after debate over broader ETJ and de-annexation policy, with a local-only clarifying amendment adopted and a proposed broader amendment withdrawn. The meeting ended with the Senate beginning consideration of HB 3372, which would bar school district administrators from receiving financial benefits tied to outside consulting or contracting with education entities, though the transcript cuts off during questions on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• and these programs a paid leave program and these programs have<00:04:41.280> seen<00:04:41.600
• > sent<00:26:24.559> that the grant program and we've sent that the grant program and we've
• The way that the process works is that you do first request information from us about the grant program
• grant is meant to help assistance grants grant is meant to help a<00:33:38.320> small<00:33:38.640
• > serious<00:55:54.880> program<00:55:55.280> integrity program has serious program

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a federal grant to provide students access to a Perkins grant.
• 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, I'm
• Federal grant. Yeah.
• For interns and program staff for psychology internship programs.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the drinking water program.
• that in federal grant dollars.
• We have secured grant, federal grant and loans.
• Whether it's a FEMA grant at 75%, or whether it's a DWR grant at 75%, it'd be about 18.5.
• through their cost share program.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky 7 1915 C waiver programs. Kentucky 7 1915 C waiver programs.
• the waiver program. the waiver program.
• Same program.
• grant in Kentucky.
• <01:54:00.360> in program with the block grant in program with the block grant in Kentucky

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're managing programs and volunteers; they have a lot going on.
• , geo bonds, and state grants and aid, which do have a lot of restrictions.
• As Shel or Aspen said, this is our most expansive grant program.
• They come and utilize the resources and participate in literacy programming.
• It puts money in the ground and helps local nonprofits and programming.

Bills: SB61, SB62, SB99

Keywords: rural libraries, funding, cultural affairs, education, community support, appropriation, state investment, public resources, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of these programs, a lot of the 32 programs, are established programs.
• A grant program, and it can apply to—you know, obviously we're not paying for something that's already
• So for that grant program, is that program construct already in place, and your better funding would
• grant program.
• Taking a step back to our existing Senate Bill 1 sea level rise grant program, it is a separate funding

Keywords: 988, house, all