Transcript Highlights:

• AFTERNOON , THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT HB 697, THE PRESCRIPTION REDUCTION INCENTIVE AND COMPETITION
• THAT WILL PROVIDE COST BURDEN FLORIDIANS RELIEF SO THEY CAN GET MEDICALLY NECESSARY MEDICINE AT COMPETITIVE
• WE'VE SEEN OF COURSE THE REDUCTION OF INNOVATION AND CLINICAL TRIALS, SMALL MOLECULE DEVELOPMENT WITH
• THIS BILL RESPECTS INNOVATION WHILE REJECTING PRICE GOUGING AND IT RESTORES COMPETITION WITHOUT RESORTING
• THIS LEGISLATION TAKES A MEASURED MARKET-BASED STEP TOWARDS A MORE COMPETITIVE TRANSPARENT AND PATIENT

Transcript Highlights:

• That requires ERCOT to develop and implement an ancillary service to procure.
• This is a crucial development as we plan for future energy needs. **Mr.
• ERCOT is still in the process of developing this.
• Ultimately, competition within the market is the biggest check on rates.
• Ultimately, competition within the market is the biggest check on rates.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• funding for pre-development activities.
• One of Habitat's biggest costs are development fees.
• Using the framework for development impact fee disclosure and transparency developed in AB 1820 (Chiu
• Housing Development Corporation.
• I am with Mission Housing Development Corporation.

Summary: The committee heard AB 736, a proposed $10 billion Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, with Assembly Member Buffy Wicks and numerous housing, local government, labor, and advocacy groups testifying in strong support. Supporters said the bond would fund multifamily housing, permanent supportive housing, homeownership, preservation, farmworker, tribal, and other programs, and argued that the state needs new capital because prior bond funds are exhausted and many shovel-ready projects are waiting. Habitat for Humanity California opposed the bill unless it was amended to dedicate 10% of bond proceeds to Cal Home for affordable homeownership, and several senators said they supported the bond but wanted Cal Home strengthened. The committee voted do pass to Senate Appropriations, with the measure placed on call for absent members. The committee also heard SB 1361 by Senator Durazo, which would limit local governments from using SB 79 transit-oriented housing requirements as a reason to stall or condition planned transit projects. Los Angeles Metro, the Building Trades, and several cities and advocacy groups supported the bill, saying it would protect transit investments, jobs, and federal funding from opposition tied to future density around transit stops. Several groups that had initially opposed or been concerned about the bill, including West Hollywood, Streets for All, Greenbelt Alliance, California YIMBY, and the Bay Area Council, withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. The committee approved the bill as amended to Senate Local Government, with the measure also placed on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1003, creating an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infrastructure needed for infill housing, and SB 1014, which would require local agencies to provide early, good-faith estimates and itemized lists of required on-site and off-site improvements for housing projects. Both bills were supported by housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and industry groups, who said the measures would reduce uncertainty, late fees, and project delays. The committee advanced both bills as amended to Senate Appropriations, placing them on call. The committee also took up SB 908, which streamlines energy-code-compliant window replacement and limits aesthetic review, especially for residential replacements; it passed as amended to Appropriations after support from affordable housing and green building groups and no opposition. Later, Senator Allen presented SB 1092 and SB 1093 on mobile home park preservation and post-disaster protections. SB 1092 would give residents notice and an opportunity to make a competing bid when a park owner intends to sell, with supporters arguing it would help preserve unsubsidized affordable housing and protect displaced residents, while park owner representatives argued it would devalue properties, create litigation risk, and interfere with market transactions. SB 1093 would require more communication, access, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after disasters, and would restore certain resident reimbursement rights; supporters cited the Palisades fire and survey data showing residents lacked information and access, while opponents said the bill imposed onerous timelines, liability issues, and penalties and could force owners into rebuilding or compensation assumptions they disputed. Both bills were discussed at length, but the transcript ends before final recorded votes on them.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the state of Florida, a non-competitive salary is reported, but what's reported most frequently by
• But to the faculty issue, we're in direct competition with the hospitals when it comes to faculty.
• There's increased competition for placements, especially in pediatrics, maternity, and mental health.
• It's very competitive.
• We're in competition with the hospital.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to focus on nursing education funding, workforce supply, and Florida’s low NCLEX pass rates. The chair emphasized that Florida ranks last nationally in nursing exam pass rates and said the committee wants to use budget decisions and a forthcoming nursing bill to improve outcomes. The Florida Center for Nursing at USF presented preliminary workforce and education data showing RN supply is moving toward equilibrium with demand through 2037, while LPN shortages are projected to worsen, especially in some regions. The center also reported on enrollment, retention, faculty vacancies, and NCLEX trends, noting Florida still underperforms the national average but has shown some recent improvement, including higher RN pass rates in 2024 despite fewer test takers. The center highlighted that students who test sooner after graduation tend to pass at higher rates. A panel of nursing education leaders from public universities, state colleges, technical colleges, and private institutions described how prior state pipeline and line-item funding helped expand enrollment, simulation labs, faculty hiring, student support services, and partnerships with hospitals. UNF, Galen College, College of Central Florida, Keiser University, and Lorenzo Walker Technical College each reported strategies such as expanded simulation, mental health and social work support, test-prep and remediation, and efforts to grow faculty pipelines. Several speakers said faculty recruitment and retention remain major barriers because of salary competition with hospitals, faculty debt, and aging faculty. Technical college representatives also stressed the need to strengthen LPN pathways, English-language support, and LPN-to-RN bridge programs. Members asked for ideas to improve NCLEX outcomes and discussed possible policy options, including student loan forgiveness, critical shortage supplements for faculty, incentives for students to test soon after graduation, and possible changes to timing or regulation around NCLEX eligibility. Several witnesses supported more flexible or recurring funding, while noting that one-time line funding has been useful for simulation, scholarships, and faculty support but is harder to sustain. The committee adjourned after the discussion, with the chair saying the ideas would be considered in future funding and policy decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to... the growth, the development of small businesses.
• AB 404 gives us modern tools to stay competitive and sustainable.
• AB 404 gives us modern tools to stay competitive and sustainable.
• AB 404 is a smart, balanced approach that supports local economic development while preserving regulatory
• It's one small step ahead of modernizing Nevada's craft brewing industry and getting closer in competition

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• identification of really our competition identification of really our competition in<00:41:20.960
• A sunny day has more competition; a rainy day has less competition for those tee times.
• <00:57:05.600> standpoint, just from a uh competition standpoint, just from a uh competition
• you know, from a competition standpoint? you know, from a competition standpoint?
• <00:58:15.080> uh there's a whole pile of competition uh there's a whole pile of competition

Bills: HF1016, HF2800, HF156, HF3051, HF526, HF2658, HF2062, HF2801

Keywords: local government aid, Baldwin, taxation, base year formula, municipal funding, population aid, aid penalty forgiveness, Minnesota, city funding, appropriations, HF156, lawful gambling, veterans organizations, licensed veterans organization, Minnesota gambling law, gross profits, lawful purpose, real property repair, facility maintenance, capital assets

Transcript Highlights:

• ...for an apartment developer would yield significant competitive advantages for that developer over
• there's not a lot of incentive currently to develop that area.
• a significant competitive advantage.
• Thank you. ...requiring a significant competitive advantage over developers that are willing to get in
• President, this solar development tax credit has a sunset.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:24:55.600> a<00:24:55.760> uniform course is to develop a uniform course is to develop
• And so, that's any competitive food is.
• And, of course, competition is important.
• They work on meal development, menu development, and then they might also just work with the staff there
• <01:35:01.199> and schools for professional development and schools for professional development

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the August 20 meeting, and then heard testimony from Representative Steven Doan on House Bill 439, a school nutrition bill aimed at restricting certain ultra-processed foods in schools. Doan said the bill was inspired by his own health journey and his work in agriculture, and he described the measure as targeting specific chemical additives in foods served during the school day, not concession sales or after-hours activities. He said the bill would phase in later to give schools time to adjust and noted that the list of restricted additives was drawn from efforts in other states and advocacy groups. Members asked about the chemical abstract numbers, fiscal impact, summer meal programs, fundraisers, and whether the bill would affect parent-provided items; Doan said he had not done a fiscal note and explained that the bill was intended to apply only during instructional time on school property. Committee members generally reacted favorably, with some raising practical concerns about cost and implementation. One member asked about high fructose corn syrup, which Doan said was not included because it is too pervasive in the food system. Another member noted that schools already limit some homemade items and asked about the line between school-provided and parent-provided food. Doan also said the list was based in part on Turning Point USA materials and similar laws in other states, and he referenced federal efforts to define ultra-processed foods. The committee then heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials Matt Ross, Lauren Moore, and Katie Embry on school meals and nutrition programs. They outlined Kentucky’s school lunch, breakfast, summer meals, and other USDA child nutrition programs, including participation and reimbursement figures, and explained how community eligibility provision schools, meal patterns, offer-versus-serve, smart snacks, and local wellness policies work. They said USDA and FDA are currently seeking public input on a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods, that there are no current USDA requirements specifically on ultra-processed foods, and that schools already operate under federal and state rules governing competitive foods, including a state time restriction on smart snacks. They also discussed local purchasing, noting its benefits but also the procurement and staffing challenges schools face. No votes or final actions on the bill were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's been a great development, I think. Sarah Garlick, I see you, hand raised. Yeah, hi.
• We are a quasi-government nonprofit agency under the Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
• our request for proposals, making sure that we're incentivizing proposals that are particularly competitive
• And then we get to work with the Office of Labor and Workforce Development to understand what that group
• And then we get to work with the Office of Labor and Workforce Development to understand what that group

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met and began with roll call, but did not have a quorum, so approval of prior minutes and an inspirational quote were tabled. A planned presentation from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee was canceled shortly before the meeting, and the agenda shifted to an informal discussion with two Treasury employees, Steve Kroder and Bill Collievis, about veterans with disabilities in the workplace. Kroder and Collievis described barriers veterans face, including stigma, employer misunderstanding, the need for frequent medical appointments, invisible disabilities such as PTSD and other service-connected conditions, and challenges for Guard and Reserve members balancing service with civilian work. They also discussed supportive practices in public employment, the need for better outreach to employers, the role of local veterans service officers, Military OneSource, TAP, and the importance of helping veterans navigate benefits and transition services. Commission members responded by emphasizing education, employer outreach, and possible resource-sharing through the commission’s website and toolkit. The committee then heard a presentation from Commonwealth Corporation on its Young Adults with Disabilities employment grant program. Staff explained the program’s funding, eligibility, training and placement model, and data from the prior cycle, including participant demographics, completion rates, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and wages. Members discussed benefits counseling, underemployment definitions, stigma around addiction as a disability category, and the need to connect grantees and participants with work incentives and benefits information. Commonwealth Corporation said grantees now receive training on benefits impacts and that the agency is open to further partnership. The meeting ended with a brief update on a planned commission event focused on youth and young adults with disabilities, inclusive workplaces, PCAs, and job coaches. Organizers said they were still securing a venue and were considering a hybrid or virtual format, with participation from youth organizations, the PCA Council, and the Arc of Massachusetts. The subcommittee then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe it's a consensus bill. that asks the PUC to develop, through rulemaking, an alternative to
• Projects, economic development projects are highly energy-intensive, and what we do now has worked to
• Bill 5196 provides a practical, structural solution to this issue by requiring state agencies to develop
• As been discussed, these credits are driving nuclear restarts, upgrades, and over 30 new development
• And we have to develop a domestic industry to ensure that we are competitive both internationally and

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was immediately put on the competitive team.
• He was immediately put on the competitive team because he has a natural talent.
• So they put him on the competitive team.
• It helped me develop social...
• Basketball helped me feel equal to my classmates and friends, helped me develop social skills, and made

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee took up several bills, beginning with CS/SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and the oversight required. The bill was reported favorably without opposition. The committee then heard SB 1256 on pharmacy audits, which would require PBM audits of pharmacies to follow uniform standards and provide due process protections; pharmacists testified in support, describing current audits as burdensome and conflicted. That bill was also reported favorably. Members next considered CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services. An amendment was adopted removing provisions on civil damage caps and phasing out direct disposers, and the bill was then reported favorably. SB 632, dealing with transportation network company insurance, would set coverage requirements for the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup; an opponent argued the existing insurance framework should not be reduced, but the bill passed on a divided vote and was reported favorably. CS/SB 786 on trusts, creating a nonjudicial process to close uncontested trusts and discharge trustees, was supported by banking and legal groups and reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid, health insurance, and HMO coverage for orthotics and prosthetics. A delete-all amendment clarified eligible recipients, and the bill drew extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the high cost of activity limbs and the benefits for children’s health and participation. Several senators praised the testimony and the policy, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1588 on legal tender refined last session’s gold-and-silver law, and SPB 7044 created related public-records exemptions for custodians of gold and silver; both were reported favorably, with SPB 7044 adopted as a committee bill. The meeting ended with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was immediately put on the competitive team.
• He was immediately put on the competitive team because he has a natural talent.
• So they put him on the competitive team.
• It helped me develop social...
• Basketball helped me feel equal to my classmates and friends, helped me develop social skills, and made

Bills: S0326, S0598, S0632, S0786, S1110, S1256, S1380, S1588, S7042, S7044

Keywords: curators, estates, court appointment, fiduciary duty, bond requirements, removal, surrogate, funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 7042 on legal tender and SB 1380 before taking up the remaining agenda. The committee first reported favorably C.S. for SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and what oversight applies. It then reported favorably SB 1256, which standardizes PBM pharmacy audits by requiring uniform audit standards, scope, frequency, penalties, and due process protections for pharmacies; testimony from pharmacists emphasized concerns about conflicts of interest, excessive audits, and disproportionate penalties, while preserving fraud investigations. The committee also reported favorably C.S. for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services after adopting an amendment that removed provisions on civil damages caps and phasing out direct disposers; the bill updates licensure and contract rules and addresses unclaimed remains. SB 632, which sets insurance requirements for transportation network companies during the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup, was reported favorably despite opposition from an attorney who argued the existing coverage framework should not be reduced. C.S. for SB 786, creating a nonjudicial process to close out undisputed trusts and discharge trustees, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 1110, a major bill expanding Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity limbs, and requiring annual reporting. After adopting an amendment clarifying eligible recipients, the committee heard extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the medical, developmental, and financial importance of prosthetic coverage, and members spoke in strong support before the bill was reported favorably. Later, the committee considered SB 1588, which implements last session’s legal tender law by refining definitions, narrowing custodian provisions, eliminating unnecessary examination requirements, and repealing the sunset clause; members raised questions about verification and anti-money-laundering concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7044 as a committee bill to expand public records exemptions to records relating to newly regulated custodians of gold and silver. The meeting concluded with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• OVER THE SUMMER AND FALL AHCA ELICITED INPUT AND DEVELOPED AN APPLICATION BASED ON THE STATE'S NEEDS.
• CASE AND FINALLY SENATE BILL 318 DIRECTS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS TO DEVELOP
• A BUSINESS PLAN TO COMPETITIVELY AFFECT SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATIONS AND HOLD SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS
• WITH A SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION IN THE WAY WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST BUT RATHER ESTABLISH COMPETITIVE
• WORK THAT'S GONE INTO IT THAT OUR STAFF HAS PUT IN, A LOT OF BALANCE IN THAT FIRST AMENDMENT THAT WE DEVELOP

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 47, the Senate accepts the House offer to add a subwriter for law enforcement for the workforce development
• 47, the Senate accepts the House offer to add a subwriter for law enforcement for the workforce development
• 47, the Senate accepts the House offer to add a subwriter for law enforcement for the workforce development
• > eliminate The Senate accepts the House offer to eliminate ongoing funding for economic development
• proposes to adopt a sort of a blend of the House and Senate original language to provide 10% of competitive

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It constitutes an unfair method of competition.
• When consumers have full access to pricing information, competition works.
• It constitutes an unfair method of competition.
• When consumers have full access to pricing information, competition works.
• And under the Clayton Act, competition.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development programs to the Department of Higher Education.
• So, I see nothing but good in here and might add some competition out there that would be healthy for
• millions and billions uh developing millions and billions uh developing these<02:12:12.800> methodologies
• and algorithmic development and whatnot. and algorithmic development and whatnot.
• reasonable develop and publish reasonable procedures. procedures. procedures.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several committee reports and conference committee permissions. It also adopted a Senate resolution recognizing the 125th anniversary of Western Colorado University (SR 8) by a 35-0 vote, with remarks highlighting the university’s history, workforce role, mountain rescue team, athletics, and ties to Gunnison and the Western Slope. The resolution was adopted and co-sponsors were added. The chamber then took up third reading and final passage on several bills. Senate Bill 152, concerning automated vehicle identification systems, was amended on the floor with a technical correction and passed 32-3. House Bill 1322, creating civil actions related to conversion therapy efforts, prompted emotional testimony from Senator Mullica about his mother and passed 23-12. House Bill 1123, addressing sexual abuse prevention in jails, passed 27-8 after a technical amendment. House Bill 1226, reducing emissions from certain electric generating units, passed 22-13. House Bill 1076, modifying transportation statutes, passed 28-0, and House Bill 1207, requiring employer disclosure of demographic workforce data, passed 23-12. Senate Bill 115, a postconviction relief measure for certain older incarcerated people, was amended and debated at length. Supporters described it as narrowly tailored to a small number of eligible inmates and emphasized victim-rights protections and exclusions for serious offenses; opponents remained opposed. The bill ultimately passed 18-17. The Senate then approved a Committee of the Whole report advancing Senate Bill 181 and several House bills—1338, 1344, 1336 as amended, 1227, 1314, 1028, 1282, and 1317 as amended—to third reading and final passage, and later adopted the consent-calendar bills in special orders without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recess is where children develop critical life skills.
• These skills are not only part of healthy human development, but they directly impact kids' ability to
• It is equally important that we are focusing on the full development of our future leaders and giving
• I do agree with the fundamental goal of ensuring school board members receive professional development
• We want that process to follow the competitive bidding model for projects over a million dollars.

Bills: HB2040, HB2142, HB2255, HB2379, HB2482, HB2575, HB2600, HB2764, HB4033, HCR2015

Keywords: public education, adoption, sex education, parental rights, student health information, school safety, resource officers, mental health, training, infrastructure improvements, Arizona Teachers Academy, teacher preparation, education funding, public schools, scholarships, teacher certification, community colleges, school district, governing board, training requirements

Summary: The committee on Education heard a series of bills and took action on each. HCR 2015, a resolution supporting at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity for K-12 students and posting dietary guidelines in schools, drew testimony from advocates for recess and student wellness; it was approved 6-0. HB 2040, which would require schools to provide adoption information when contraception or STI topics are discussed and add adoption-related content to sex education, drew opposition from Reproductive Freedom for All and the Arizona Education Association, but passed 4-2. HB 2255, extending Arizona Teachers Academy eligibility for community college students from two to four years, passed unanimously 6-0. HB 2764, creating a voluntary state seal of computer science proficiency for high school graduates, also passed 6-0. The committee then considered HB 2600, requiring written parental permission for students in grades 6-8 to join school clubs or organizations. The ACLU of Arizona opposed the bill, arguing it would suppress participation in clubs involving sensitive identities or topics; the bill passed 4-2. HB 2379, which requires school district governing board members to complete recurring training on school finance and related duties, was amended to narrow the re-election consequences and then passed 4-2. HB 2142, establishing a school safety center and council within the Arizona Department of Education to provide training, technical assistance, and risk assessments, received mixed testimony over its funding source and council makeup but passed 4-2. Later, HB 4033, which would require more detailed bond election pamphlets and separate ballot propositions for certain school bond projects such as stadiums, administrative buildings, and teacher housing, drew opposition from the Arizona Education Association over added barriers to school funding, but passed 4-2. HB 2482, capping job order contracting for building renewal grant projects at $1 million and requiring verification against artificial project splitting, drew concerns from builders and school board groups about slowing repairs and limiting procurement flexibility; it passed 4-2. Finally, HB 2575, the Anti-Semitism and Education Act, which would bar public schools and higher education institutions from teaching or promoting antisemitism and create reporting and discipline procedures, drew strong support from Jewish community representatives describing school and campus incidents, and opposition from the ACLU and AEA over free-speech and liability concerns; the transcript cuts off before the committee vote on this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that time, I've started and developed over 33 wineries and been involved with planting over 1,000
• We've got the Texas High Plains, which for over 30 years has developed and grown the vast majority of
• Together with our members, we've studied various permits throughout the nation, and we developed the
• For example, as Senator Hall mentioned, this could create a lack of competition or potentially put us
• It is extremely competitive. Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's likely to be some competition for new ongoing funding.
• To develop this infrastructure, I believe we don't have a choice but to look at it from a system-wide
• Universities are anchor institutions and stewards of place, developing solutions to pressing societal
• and economic challenges through research, service, and targeted workforce development.
• Again, this is a place where we're the best in the world in a really competitive, ultimately competitive

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that are Central to the the development that are Central to the the development of<00:20:56.280>
• <00:31:53.480> great all research and development great all research and development great
• <00:37:23.599> those actively in the market to develop those actively in the market to develop
• want to have new things and developing want to have new things and developing our<00:52:18.520><
• <01:22:28.560> has Dynamic Fields where competition has Dynamic Fields where competition has

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met for an introductory session to begin the new legislative session. Members and staff went around the table introducing themselves and describing their agricultural backgrounds, including farming, livestock, crop production, county government, and related research or staff roles. Chair Paul Anderson emphasized agriculture’s importance to Minnesota’s budget and economy, welcomed new members and staff, and noted that the committee would have a full agenda. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Extension, and the Forever Green initiative on the GREE program (Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer). Testimony described GREE as a state investment created in 2015 to support agricultural productivity and growth through research, education, extension, and technology transfer. Speakers highlighted its broad focus areas, including crop and livestock genetics, soil health, water quality, nutrient management, microbial science, agroecological innovation, and technology stewardship, as well as rapid-response funding for emerging issues such as waterhemp, PRRS, and avian influenza. University witnesses said the program has brought in faculty and extension educators, generated sponsored research awards, and leveraged state funding into additional grants and contracts. They cited a reported roughly 12-to-1 return on investment and said the state has invested about $39 million since 2015. They also noted additions such as a deep winter greenhouse program and a tribal representative on the advisory group. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.