Transcript Highlights:

• We're also ready to work on program integrity.
• I'd like to note that these funding requests were for IT originally for ongoing funding.
• Yes, it was one-time funding.
• 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:

• All right, commissions paid in fiscal year 2022 and prior funded social welfare programs, which included
• All right, House File 2812 will bring back $1.3 million in commissions to fund social welfare programs
• To date, 41 states dedicate funding to these programs.
• These programs play a crucial role in combating gun violence and need to be properly funded and sustained
• used these funds as a means of self-gain rather than allowing programs like this to actually see the

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a base budget decrease in the Medicaid program that is actually saving some funds—about 1.2%
• Okay, so on slide 10, I'll talk about the Medicaid-based program general fund request.
• So going to slide 17, our base program budget request is $323 million general fund.
• Chair, Madam Secretary, so when we talk about the funds to pay for these activities or programs...
• In a social work program where they receive funding to become a social worker, get a degree in social

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you go one by one, let's just talk about the perpetuity funded programs that we have: hospital
• <00:24:23.919> Hospital funded programs that we have.
• Hospital funded programs that we have.
• I think I look at this whole rural health transformation program and funds much like I look at CAR's
• > I<01:06:42.480> look<01:06:42.640> at program and funds much like I look at program

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to charter schools, we have the Public Project Revolving Fund, which is the primary program
• In the PSEOC funding programs is complicated.
• Number one, there's only a handful of programs that PSEOC funds.
• And that is what bars them many times from going for the PSEOC funding. So the NMFA loan program.
• A different fund, different program, something like that.

Transcript Highlights:

• It funds the 988 call centers, but it also funds the mobile crisis response.
• California fallen so far behind on progress of a federally mandated program with dedicated funding, broad
• programs.
• the 988 fund.
• Funding is needed to address the needs of tribal communities and support long-term programming, including

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, those funds are very, very critical to the success of this program because the makeup of our waitlisters
• HUD has a 221(d)(4) program where 30% of the funding can be used for commercial development, unlike your
• Is there any thought of doing funding for them, but is there any kind of thoughts put towards loan programs
• fund we also<05:23:34.000> have<05:23:34.878> uh<05:23:35.080> program<05:23:35.520
• and then do it as a overall funding and then do it as a grant<05:47:57.040> program<05:47:58.040

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "And then I see provide funds to administer federal low-income home energy assistance program.
• If that's correct, could you explain the rationale for decreasing the funding for this program while
• the fun- funding for this program<00:33:48.840> while<00:33:49.080> increasing<00:33:49.720
• > the<00:33:49.800> funding<00:33:50.880> for program while increasing the funding
• for program while increasing the funding for the<00:33:51.080> UK<00:33:51.440> Medicare

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved a motion and then deferred a large batch of 246 contracts totaling about $187.8 million until the April 2026 meeting. It then moved through the agenda and reviewed several pulled items, beginning with four Attorney General contingent-fee contracts. Committee members questioned why the contracts were new, what the $20 million maximums meant, and how the fees would work; the AG’s office explained they were new awards from a September RFP, that the $20 million was an outside estimate tied to a full recovery, and that one contract would require a $380 million recovery to pay out the maximum. The committee voted to consider those contracts reviewed without objection. The Department of Highways then explained an “alternative delivery support” contract, describing it as a procurement method different from the usual design-bid-build model and noting it can help with innovation, speed, timeliness, or cost reduction. After that explanation, the committee again voted to consider the contract reviewed without objection. The Kentucky Horse Park/Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation presented eight legal services contracts; members focused on differing hourly rates and retroactive approval. The corporation said it had selected four firms through an RFP to maintain flexibility and avoid conflicts, would use in-house counsel first, and did not expect to use the maximum rates. Senator Thomas argued the committee’s statutory hourly rate cap is outdated and should be revisited. The committee then approved the contracts. One Transportation Office of the Secretary contract was deferred to the April meeting, consistent with the agency’s prior request. The committee then reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services items from the Department of Community Based Services: three contract amendments and one memorandum of agreement. Members asked about funding sources, service outcomes, and whether the programs reduce future need; the agency said one amendment was a $55,000 increase offset by reductions elsewhere, that the total contract amount with the agency did not change, and that follow-up data show over 90% of children remain in the home after services. The committee approved those items. Finally, the committee reviewed a LIHEAP contract amendment from the Division of Family Support, which the agency said used federal funds, not state general funds, to add newly appropriated federal money for low-income home energy assistance and crisis heating support. Members asked about future funding and were told that continuation depends on Congress. The committee approved that item. It then began reviewing Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities memoranda of agreement tied to Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center staffing; members asked for a count of personnel, and the agency said it would provide that information, after which the discussion continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need the state's help to adapt, adapt, adapt funding programs so innovative multi-benefit projects
• Regarding flood-related science, planning, and funding programs, I want to express, before we get into
• The fifth, or Flood Infrastructure Fund, financial assistance program process is modeled.
• ) project could be funded through this as well as other programs that you have?
• These programs could potentially fund an ASR project if there's a flood mitigation component.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from Strategy A.1.1 to increase funding in B.1.1 and B.1.3 programs for the 2026-27 budget.
• from strategy A11 to increase funding in B11 and B13 programs for the 26-27 budget.
• Increase funding in B-1 and B-1-3 programs for the 26-27 biennium.
• First, DIR requested funding to expand our Regional Security Operations Center program, through which
• We support the exceptional item to expand the ARSOC program, which includes additional funding for the

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid, leaving state officials to shoulder more of the costs of these programs from the general fund
• You know, they put some of these fundings off a year or two, but it's the staffing and the program.
• California is releasing tens of millions of dollars to fund their CalWORKs program.
• And Madam Chair, it says, what will happen to mandatory programs that are funded in the Appropriations
• Advocate for you to fund state programs because they help us, so very grateful for that.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the funds to cover this and we’re planning to add additional positions to our non-state program
• This program's governance and oversight, once the legislature funds the program, is through our LEED
• I wanted to give you a quick snapshot overview of the program, how it's funded, and then a couple of
• Our facilities program, major repairs, that has transportation trust fund regular appropriated, and then
• That program is led by our federal partners, and the timing of projects getting construction funding

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held an informational hearing on the state capital outlay process, with Roger Husser and Matt Baker of the Division of Administration’s Office of Facilities Planning and Control (FPNC) presenting a detailed review of House Bill 2 and proposed improvements. They said FPNC administers about 54% of the bill, while other agencies administer the rest, and emphasized that the capital outlay program has improved significantly over the last few years, with project expenditures more than doubling due to better cash-flow management, staffing changes, and more efficient project administration. They also explained how the bill is structured by priorities, how the priority-one cash line of credit is capped and adjusted for construction inflation, and how the bill has grown into a much larger, longer-range plan than a true five-year program, especially on the non-state side. A major theme was that the bill contains too many dormant, legacy, and low-priority projects, which creates false expectations and ties up funding. Committee members pressed the presenters on culture change, third-party project management, staffing shortages, and the use of technology and statutory interpretation to speed projects without sacrificing compliance. Husser and Baker said they had reduced internal bureaucracy, used staff augmentation because of hiring difficulties, delegated smaller projects to agencies when appropriate, and improved cash-flow analysis so projects can move forward with less money up front. They also discussed overappropriations, dormant projects, and the need to reappropriate unused funds to projects that can actually spend them. The presenters offered several recommendations and considerations: limit the number and size of new projects, reduce scope creep, require more regular endorsement of long-running projects, consider caps on priority-five funding, impose time limits and reporting requirements on non-state grant projects, and possibly require non-state entities to escrow or otherwise demonstrate their match earlier. They also suggested bundling related projects together, expanding that approach beyond the current pilot, and improving transparency by showing full project funding history and the first year each project appeared in the bill. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational, with members generally supportive of the efficiency reforms while also raising concerns about false hope, dormant projects, and the need for clearer expectations and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• Fund automatically go into the general fund.
• general fund and come out of the general fund into the Legacy Earnings Fund.
• fund to that Legacy Earnings Fund.
• So it's just not—those school meal programs have to be self-funded.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized. Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher. After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Current projects funded through the tax credit program include the Bethlehem Redevelopment Association
• Current projects funded through the tax credit program include the Bethlehem Redevelopment Association
• This is an efficient program that leverages private funds and has proven results over the years.
• It has funded programs all across the state and has really had that proven impact.
• The aircraft is funded by us, and we use CDFA tax credits for all of these programs.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He froze all programs.
• He specifically, in the OMB, called out programs related to illegal DEI programs and programs that effectively
• Received $26,000 in SBIR and STTR grants, $9 billion in funding, and I strongly believe in these programs
• , and review funds and programs.
• start is meant to operate at a zero subsidy, meaning taxpayers do not fund these programs; they should

Transcript Highlights:

• But because those funding mechanisms are in two different program IDs and have individual line items,
• But because those funding mechanisms are in two different program IDs and have individual line items,
• through EDN 100 it's system is funded through EDN 100 it's one<00:18:08.000> program<00:18:08.400
• program?
• Assistance Program- Education Program. Assistance Program- Education Program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 18, 2026, and heard four bills. HB 2519 would shift University of Hawaii funding toward block appropriations, a stabilization fund, limited procurement and fiscal exemptions, performance-based metrics, and annual reporting. UH supported the bill, saying line-item budgeting hampers systemwide efficiency across its 10 campuses; the State Procurement Office commented on the procurement exemption. The chair proposed amendments to address concerns from Budget and Finance and procurement, including capping UH’s retained funds at 10%, requiring lapse after three fiscal years, removing CIP-to-operating transfers, narrowing procurement exemptions while keeping Chapter 103B principles, shifting performance metric-setting to the Board of Regents, and requiring annual reporting. The committee then voted to pass HB 2519 with amendments. HB 2409 would establish the Hawaii Geological Survey in Hilo and designate its director as the state geologist. UH Hilo supported the concept but said it would need sufficient general-fund support, estimating roughly $200,000 to start. DLNR and the Attorney General offered comments, with the AG calling it a matter of statewide concern. The chair said the DNR testimony raised public safety concerns and that UH Hilo had not identified a firm funding amount, so the committee voted to defer the bill. HB 2141 HD1 concerned state enterprise zones and would expand eligible business activities and allow DBED to designate up to two areas as enterprise zones with gubernatorial approval. DBED, the Tax Foundation, and other organizations submitted support or comments. After discussion, the chair said the current version no longer fit the higher education committee’s focus and recommended reverting to the original bill, which would limit the zone to Kakaʻako Makai for a biomedical health innovation hub near JABSOM and the Queen’s Cancer Center, with a defective date. The committee voted to pass HB 2141 HD1 with amendments. HB 2233 HD1 would appropriate funds to continue the SNAP-Ed program through UH and the Department of Health. DOH supported the bill and said it had been working on nutrition education and environmental changes; it estimated about $600,000 each for DOH and SEAR, or $1.2 million total. Testimony in support also came from several organizations and individuals, including a senior advocate who described the program’s practical benefits. The chair said the committee would reflect the $600,000-per-entity estimate in its report, and the committee voted to pass HB 2233 HD1 as is before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• outside of the KPDI program to offer additional funding upfront for communities looking to come in for
• Or if we could provide under the grant program funding for the infrastructure, then you can work with
• :03.680> for<00:42:03.920> the grant program funding for the grant program funding for
• Um, but that's kind of where I know Ohio gets a lot of their funding to do these programs.
• got a dedicated fund that helps them fund some of these programs.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update from Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, joined by Matt Wingate and Terry Bradshaw of the Kentucky Association of Economic Developers, on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) and the closing fund. The presentation focused on how KPDI helps communities develop shovel-ready industrial sites by funding infrastructure, engineering, geotechnical work, and other site-preparation costs. Noel emphasized that the program is designed to reduce uncertainty for companies, improve speed to market, and support statewide job creation and investment, especially in rural and eastern Kentucky where development costs are often higher. Testimony highlighted the complexity and expense of preparing sites, with examples of road, water, power, and rock-removal costs, and the importance of third-party evaluation in scoring applications. Noel said the program has 116 total projects statewide, with 20 active projects stemming from pilot efforts and 35 projects already resulting in about 6,381 jobs and $4.4 billion in investment. He cited examples including Crown Holdings, Flash Metals, Phoenix Paper, Pratt Paper, AESC, Sound Elements, Kitchen Foods, Latte, Krueger, Biomass, and Anna Munsman. Bradshaw added that even communities that have not yet landed a project have benefited by building spec buildings or improving access to industrial property. The speakers said the last KPDI round drew $81 million in requests but only $35 million in available funding, and they urged lawmakers to consider whether additional funding or program adjustments are needed. Suggested changes included modestly increasing eligibility or funding flexibility for rural and eastern Kentucky, while maintaining third-party performance metrics, and continuing to prioritize finishing existing parks and creating strong regional sites. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding. ...than to note that most of the general fund has just been one-time funding, largely the transfers
• The agency is just other funds, which is federal funds and special funds.
• is a one-time transfer from the general fund for homeless programs, and then our continuing appropriation
• And again, our homeownership program does not take any general fund dollars.
• And that is through our housing incentive fund and all of our federal programs.

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• because late payments are being Funds made by PED and causing residents financial Gordon Programs continue
• to receive clinical practice funds as late as November or December, which is long after residency programs
• programming.
• We have funding for the Summer Reading Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• All states except for Alaska use provider taxes to fund the non-federal share of their Medicaid programs
• program, the detrimental nature.
• program, the detrimental nature.
• And with the one-year ban on federal funding for programs like Planned Parenthood, what is the first
• A state program to fund these kinds of reproductive health, gender-affirming care, health insurance for

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s Medi-Cal program and on community health effects from recent immigration enforcement actions. Committee leaders said H.R. 1 would sharply reduce federal funding, increase administrative burdens, and worsen access to care, especially for Medi-Cal enrollees, immigrant families, rural communities, and reproductive health patients. The second half of the hearing examined how ICE raids and related federal actions are creating fear, reducing clinic and emergency department use, and disrupting children’s access to schools and early childhood education. Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Bass outlined the main H.R. 1 provisions affecting Medi-Cal: work requirements, semiannual eligibility redeterminations, shorter retroactive coverage, new cost-sharing, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, reduced federal support for emergency and lawful immigrant coverage, and a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for prohibited abortion providers. She estimated millions could lose coverage, with tens of billions of dollars in federal funding at risk. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warned the defunding provision could force clinic closures, service reductions, and loss of access to family planning, STI testing, and cancer screenings. The California Hospital Association said the financing changes could cut hospital revenue by tens of billions over 10 years and threaten access, especially for rural and safety-net hospitals. The Western Center on Law and Poverty argued the law would increase churn, paperwork, and uninsured rates, disproportionately harming working adults and people experiencing homelessness. Committee members asked about implementation timelines, notification systems, administrative costs, the effect on immigrant eligibility, and whether California could delay or mitigate some provisions. Bass said the state was still assessing federal guidance, planning county and provider outreach, and exploring a possible delay for work requirements and a transition period for provider-tax changes. Members also discussed how state budget actions may need to be revisited in light of H.R. 1, and how California might preserve access through state-only funding or other policy changes. In the second panel, CHIRLA, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and the Children’s Partnership described the health consequences of immigration enforcement. Speakers said raids and data-sharing fears are causing anxiety, trauma, and avoidance of care, with Los Angeles County reporting declines in emergency, urgent care, and clinic visits after enforcement actions. The Children’s Partnership said school and early childhood absences are rising in some communities and that enforcement is undermining children’s emotional well-being and access to education. Members asked for more data and discussed possible state protections, telehealth, mobile care, and legal and policy responses to reduce fear and preserve access to health and education services.