Video & Transcript : 'predatory funding' :

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division II (03/21/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • 911 dedicated funds and 50% general funds.
  • So it's just a trust fund with—it's not a fund.
  • </c><02:05:43.119><c> the</c> funds and highway funds and the funds and highway funds and the department
  • </c><02:20:18.560><c> which</c> funds in the fish and game fund which funds in the fish and game fund
  • One is to fund that game funds.
Summary: The committee first revisited HB 781, the cell phone bill, after previously retaining it. On reconsideration, members moved to OTP the bill, and it passed unanimously. The committee then moved into the budget tracking packet and adopted an amendment to HB 2 to add the same cell phone policy language, also unanimously, and separately reduced HB 1 by $1 million to match the policy change. Members noted the cell phone language had already been stripped of grant funding language in the House version and that the policy and funding pieces were being aligned across the budget bills. The committee then took up a Department of Education technical amendment to HB 2 on charter school grants, which made timing and administrative changes without altering grant amounts, and adopted it unanimously. Members also discussed but held other education-related items, including adequacy grants, pending broader decisions on overall education funding. Another HB 2 item concerning E-911/state police radio communications prompted a longer discussion about whether E-911 surcharge funds were being used for purposes that should instead be general-funded. After debate over whether to leave the current practice in place or split the funding 50/50 between E-911 and general funds, the committee adopted a joint HB 1/HB 2 change to shift the funding source to a 50/50 split and delete the HB 2 language authorizing the prior use; the motion passed 7-0. The committee also discussed but did not act on several lottery-related provisions, including the video lottery terminal amendment, the increase in maximum ticket price from $30 to $50, and related tax split changes, with members planning to hear from the Lottery Commission on Monday. The meeting ended with the committee beginning review of new amendments in the tracking packet, including a Department of Education request related to Public School Infrastructure Commission grant administration, but no action was taken on that item in the portion provided.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-09 (1:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That funding is part of the funds that funds every student in whatever instructional program they choose
  • That funding is part of the funds that funds every student in whatever instructional program they choose
  • There's more funds per student, and that means the districts have the funds that they need to fund these
  • And if they're not funding the programs with the base funds, but instead funding them with these add-on
  • funded appropriately, and that they're funding appropriately, and that...
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding. The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0. The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Budget Section Regulatory Division Jun 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Funding for CC has come from the general fund or has come from SIF, but there was no new funding awarded
  • And this funding used both SIF and ARPA funds, and I'll give you some details on that funding a little
  • There have been many changes to the funding mechanism for this fund.
  • So the State Energy Research Center Fund is number of Fund 490.
  • the legacy fund, and those became a fixed asset for the legacy fund.
Summary: The committee took roll, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a compliance-report update on the Industrial Commission and related funds and programs. Staff reviewed the status of one-time appropriations and grant programs, including electric grid resiliency, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the salt cavern business-case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members asked about funding balances, reimbursement timing, matching requirements, and how some commitments would affect the State Investment Fund and future biennia. Industrial Commission staff then gave a broader update on the agency’s administrative office, grant management system, leadership transitions at several commission agencies, and active grant rounds. They reported that the grant management system is nearing completion, that several agency leadership searches have concluded, and that the commission’s grant programs currently have 108 active grants totaling more than $165 million. They also described the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority round, the oil and gas research program’s enhanced oil recovery awards, the grid resiliency grants, the salt cavern study, and the research technology park program, noting that some projects are awaiting federal funds or additional matching cash. Ron Ness, speaking for the Oil and Gas Research Council, focused on the state of the oil industry and the enhanced oil recovery “Bakken 2.0” effort. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on better infrastructure, longer laterals, and new EOR methods such as CO2, natural gas, and surfactants. He emphasized the importance of the Bakkeneast pipeline and related gas-utilization projects, the recent DOE funding that will return some money to the research council, and the need to modernize tax and incentive rules for CO2-based recovery. Members discussed the potential economic benefits for oil, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and a broader strategic update. Bank leadership reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, participation lending, student lending, disaster programs, and legislatively directed programs, and said the bank is managing for a flatter deposit base and stronger liquidity because of fintech competition and changing market conditions. They reported improved earnings, with net income rising to about $231 million, and described Rough Rider Coin as a new internal payment rail for North Dakota banks and credit unions, not a public cryptocurrency. Members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster lending, and the bank’s capacity to support state programs while maintaining its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • in one-time funding.”
  • These are things that we have to fund regardless of how much state funding we get.
  • versus growth fund.
  • So the funding is challenging.
  • Some of them may be using state funding. Some of them may be using local funding.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Committee Jun 25th, 2025

Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • General Fund for Bringing Families Home and $44.6 million General Fund for HDAP.
  • The $7 million one-time general fund to backfill the state court facilities construction fund.
  • We also preserved funding for rehabilitation programs through the Right Grant, as well as funding to
  • , through the general fund.
  • (GGRF) to the general fund and the out-year shifts from GGRF to the general fund.
Committee: House Budget
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Mar 25th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • This would be a cash transfer from the General Fund to the General Fund from the 27th payroll fund if
  • Fund.
  • The portion of the Strategic Initiatives Fund back to the General Fund next year.
  • back to the General Fund.
  • Strategic Initiatives Local Grant Fund and move those monies back to the General Fund.
Summary: The committee received a General Fund Daily Update and Budget Monitor presentation from Legislative Services Office staff, who explained that the budget picture was nearly complete, with most general fund agency actions and germane bill impacts already reflected. Members also discussed revenue performance, including that the state was about $89.5 million behind the legislative revenue target and that April revenue reports would be especially important. Staff noted that the estimated ending balance was close to negative $44.1 million, with some uncertainty remaining because of revenue volatility and pending monthly reports. The committee then considered a series of budget-balancing cash transfers and related actions. It approved transfers from the Permanent Building Fund to the Legislature, a 5% reduction in the legislative transfer, a $13 million transfer from the Idaho Broadband Fund to the General Fund, transfers from inactive school district building account subaccounts, and a conditional transfer from the 27th payroll fund if needed. It also approved moving interest earnings from the Budget Stabilization Fund, Water Pollution Control Fund, Permanent Building Fund, and several American Rescue Plan Act-related funds to the General Fund or Strategic Initiatives Fund, along with transfers involving the Fire Suppression Deficiency Account and Strategic Initiatives Fund balances. Several members commented on the policy choices, including support for legislative belt-tightening and concern about using interest earnings transfers, especially from the Budget Stabilization Fund. One member questioned whether those transfers were appropriate if the budget remained balanced, while another asked for clarification on how Strategic Initiatives Fund allocations would be used. Most motions passed with due pass recommendations in both chambers’ committee votes, and the committee adjourned after scheduling another meeting for the following morning to continue work on remaining cash transfers and possible Fish and Game items.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 309 Conference PM - Wed Apr 22, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we must fund critical services of health and safety, and also the kinds of funds that we need
  • </c> funds from BED 142. funds from BED 142. Next,<00:18:15.520><c> BED</c><00:18:16.000><c> 120.
  • New sequence transferring in $118,000 in A funds and $200,000 in B funds for State Fire Council from
  • New sequence transferring in $118,000 in A funds and $200,000 in B funds for State Fire Council from
  • </c><00:23:03.640><c> for</c><00:23:03.720><c> State</c> funds and 200,000 in B funds for State funds
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, June 24, 2026 - AM

Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:
  • funding.
  • those districts that lost funding or received reduced funding in this area.
  • Uh, but once those funds are transferred out of the Those funds are transferred out of the general fund
  • So, within the funding, not asking to change the funding but asking that the change the funding but asking
  • funding from the federal funding for the benefits.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Nov 6th, 2025

Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • As you know, New Mexico has been covering SNAP benefits with $30 million in state funds, with that funding
  • streams from one-time federal funds.
  • State goals with funding.
  • Is there an existing fund, or would we have to create the fund? Would we have to put parameters?
  • Madam Chair, I think we have an ongoing fund, a recurring fund, that bracket.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • this long-term funding gap.
  • within the Texas Water Fund.
  • Our point is that the majority of the water supply funding and/or the funding needs in the state would
  • be funded through... ...programs outside of the new water supply fund.
  • so that all eight programs of the Texas Water Fund, including the new Water Supply Fund, can be funded
Bills: HB3077 , HJR2 , HJR7 , HJR7
Committee: Senate Finance
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • spending in Medi-Cal, which would require more funding from the General Fund.
  • spending in Medi-Cal, which would require more funding from the General Fund.
  • The funding would be through the PACE Oversight Fund.
  • The funding would be through the PACE Oversight Fund.
  • the fund can be deposited in or transferred to the General Fund.
Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Water Sector Commission Feb 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • and through their ARPA funds.
  • It's phase two state funds.
  • It's phase two state funds.
  • with their water sector funds.
  • funds that we set aside.
Summary: The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Chairmen reminded members that no funding had yet been appropriated for future Water Sector awards, so any discussion of upcoming projects remained speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then moved through a series of deadline extension requests for phase two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch Water Corporation, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Each extension was approved after brief discussion, including testimony explaining local match timing, consolidation agreements, and project delays. The committee next considered several phase one ARPA-funded requests. St. Tammany Parish Project 845 received approval for a scope change to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. Tallulah’s mayor gave an extended update on the city’s water rehabilitation project, explaining that the original project had been bid twice, that the state had already completed some emergency work, and that the city wanted to isolate the purchase of four permanent media filters and related electrical work from the original rehab plan. Members questioned whether the request was a scope change or a partial implementation of the original project, but ultimately approved it. The committee also approved additional funding for the City of Kaplan’s sewer project and for Ponchatoula’s sewer project, with Ponchatoula explaining that the increase covered emergency levee repair, miscellaneous equipment and safety items, and a force main reroute around unmarked fiber and other obstacles. St. Martin Parish Water Project 1001 was approved for additional funding after engineers explained that the final well site and related work cost more than originally estimated, though the project remained within the original consolidation plan. West Allen Water Works also received approval for additional funding after its new groundwater well encountered unexpected geologic problems; the contractor and engineers agreed to reduce their fees to preserve the project’s match structure, and members asked that the in-kind match be clearly documented for JLCB. By contrast, Tensaw Water Distribution Association’s large request for additional funding to complete a consolidation with Newelton drew significant concern over cost growth and timing. After discussion of the project’s scope, the need to serve Newelton, and the possibility of future reapplication or further value engineering, the committee voted to defer the Tensaw item to the next meeting for more review. At the end of the meeting, staff reported that 42.11% of ARPA funds remained and reviewed a list of high-risk projects, noting that the committee was trying to ensure ARPA dollars are drawn first and reconciled properly before deadlines. Members discussed the need to ground-truth self-reported project status and potentially adjust procedures to better track construction progress and final draws. The meeting concluded with no subfund or termination items and adjourned after a motion by Senator Bass.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We funded Pasadena City College, we funded Santa Monica, L.A. Harbor College, and L.A. Trade Tech.
  • We funded Pasadena City College. We funded Santa Monica, L.A. Harbor College, and L.A. Trade-Tech.
  • Funding formula.
  • Funding.
  • FTS-based funding under SCFF.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Feb 23rd, 2026

Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • It'll say we have to have it—not the general fund, it'll be in this fund, right? Right.
  • a fund.
  • To the queen fund? No, the king fund. Oh, the prince's... It's possessive. It's possessive.
  • fund...
  • Of the fund, not more than 2% of the value of the fund over the past five years. Correct.
Summary: The Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs held public hearings on three measures. House Bill 2289, sponsored by Rep. Owen, would create a real estate fund to let the state more quickly sell and buy property, with proceeds from sales and other monies deposited for future real property acquisitions. Rep. Owen and Office of Administration witness Hanna-Swan said the current process is too slow and cumbersome, especially when the state needs to consolidate or relocate offices; Rep. Walshmore raised concerns about siloing funds during tight budget years, while supporters said the fund would improve flexibility and efficiency. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Joint Resolution 189, sponsored by Rep. Wellenkamp, proposing a Missouri sovereign wealth fund, or “Show Me Prosperity Fund.” Wellenkamp argued the state needs a long-term investment vehicle to address infrastructure and fiscal pressures, with the Treasurer investing in private markets under strict controls and the fund eventually replacing tax revenue once it matures. Members questioned the source of initial funding, the investment rules, the audit provisions, and whether the fund could be used for broader state spending; no witnesses testified in opposition or support, and no action was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2906, sponsored by Rep. Mayhew, which would raise dollar limits for certain Office of Administration construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair contracts and authorize master agreements for architecture, engineering, and land surveying services. Mayhew and OA said the changes would account for inflation and reduce delays by prequalifying vendors for two-year periods instead of repeating the RFQ process for small projects. An engineering industry witness supported the bill as an efficiency measure, and committee members asked about the contract limits, the master agreement structure, and how the numbers were chosen. The hearing concluded without a vote.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • the fund.
  • </font> <font color="aaaaaa">Local funds is next.
  • Funding says year </font> <font color="aaaaaa">one of re funding.
  • Funding says year </font> <font color="aaaaaa">one of re funding.
  • </font> <font color="aaaaaa">So just give 50% those funds </font> <font color="aaaaaa">funds.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 14th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The next set of funds are the rural infrastructure funds.
  • The next bucket of funding is rural workforce program funding.
  • Visit Florida funding. This is level funding for Visit Florida.
  • The next bucket of funding is rural workforce program funding.
  • Visit Florida funding. This is level funding for Visit Florida.
Bills: S0048
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard the Governor’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the TED silo and presentations from Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, the State Guard, State, Transportation, and Emergency Management. The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, including $18.3 billion for TED agencies, with major allocations for FDOT, Commerce, emergency management, tourism, military affairs, and state operations. Agency heads emphasized priorities such as housing and disaster recovery, workforce and rural infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, defense support, tourism marketing, aerospace and spaceport investment, election audits, historic preservation, road and bridge maintenance, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness systems. Members asked several questions about the use and effectiveness of funding. Visit Florida officials said the public-private match is essential and that they exceeded the required match last year. Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles discussed trooper pay, vehicle replacement, aviation support, and transparency tools such as vehicle camera systems, with senators praising the department’s recruitment efforts. Military Affairs and the State Guard described readiness, recruiting, facility construction, and support for domestic missions, including hurricane response and perimeter security at the Everglades detention site; questions focused on deployment tempo, staffing, and costs. The Department of State explained funding for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and said its arts grant changes were intended to standardize scoring rather than cut programs. Transportation highlighted a $15.4 billion total budget, major work program funding, safety initiatives, seaport and aviation investments, and the elimination of Florida Rail Enterprise funding due to reduced documentary stamp revenues. The committee also heard and passed CS/SB 48 by Senator Gates, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units on a voluntary basis, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs are allowed by right without separate hearings. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several industry and business groups supported the bill, citing the need for long-term rental housing for workers. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • funds.
  • funds from the general fund because they're not healthy and of themselves.
  • fund.
  • that fund every year.
  • Special fund does not help backfill the General Fund.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • , where FY27 the Land-Grant Permanent Fund may distribute $1.7 billion to the general fund, a $164.6
  • So when we first started the program, it was funded using our ESSER funding and federal funding.
  • The full at-risk funding gap of $12.8 million in emergency funding this year, two-thirds of that amount
  • Three-year hold harmless funding for schools with at-risk funding decreases is necessary to honor New
  • Funding this provision is not just a... Protecting the three-year hold harmless funding.
Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN-HRE Public Hearing 04-14-2025

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> and federally administrative funding and federally administrative funding programs<00:05:12.880>
  • </c> um do invasive species or put funding um do invasive species or put funding for<00:09:18.399><c>
  • There hasn't been enough HISK funding historically to fund it.
  • There hasn't been enough HISK funding historically to fund it.
  • </c> provide increase and sustained funding. provide increase and sustained funding.
Summary: The joint AEN-HRE hearing focused on HCR 130, HD1, which urges increased and sustained funding for the island invasive species committees and the Hawaii Ant Lab within the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. The Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent and noted that ISC funding flows through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council budget item via DLNR, while also describing ongoing collaboration with DLNR and efforts to support ant control work. Testifiers from CAPS, the University of Hawaii, the Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and CARES all supported the resolution, emphasizing that invasive species work is underfunded, that the island committees and Hawaii Ant Lab do critical control, research, outreach, and eradication work, and that sustained resources are needed to plan effectively and respond to priority pests such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog. A lengthy exchange followed over whether the resolution was meaningful, since it would be urging the state to fund work the Legislature itself controls. Several members argued that a resolution alone has no legal effect and that funding should come through bills and appropriations instead. In response, the Department of Agriculture said its top biosecurity needs are personnel and chemicals, and noted it is building up its plant quarantine and plant pest control divisions with prior funding and HB 427. Oahu Invasive Species Committee representatives said they rely heavily on Hawaii Invasive Species Council grants, have limited soft funding, and need more stable resources; they also pointed to annual reports and prior testimony as documentation of their work. After a brief recess, the chairs announced they would pass the resolution with amendments to make it more relevant. The amendments changed the title and text to urge the counties, Congress, and other relevant agencies—not the state alone—to provide increased and sustained funding, and added language urging all of those bodies to seek federal grants. The AEN committee then voted to pass HCR 130, HD1, as amended, and the HRE committee also voted to pass it with amendments. The motion was adopted in both committees.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/25

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • , the trunk highway fund, and the general fund.
  • ,</c><00:05:02.560><c> and</c><00:05:02.720><c> the</c> fund, the trunk highway fund, and the fund, the
  • trunk highway fund, and the general<00:05:03.120><c> fund.
  • and the general fund.
  • </c> future funds. future funds.