Transcript Highlights:

• </c> updates and medication training program updates and medication training program approvals<00:04:
• This is the behavioral health article. treatment program within 48 Hours of treatment program within
• This section codifies the Intermediate School District Behavioral Health Grant Program.
• </c> allowable Grant activities um accessing allowable Grant activities um accessing caregiver<00:11:
• </c> Health grant Health grant program<00:12:08.760><c> section</c><00:12:09.079><c> 19</c><00:12:09.519

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ... middle-mile broadband network grant program utilizing up to $85 million in American Rescue Plan and
• programs utilizing $245 million in... grant programs utilizing $245 million in ARPUP dollars.
• We'll start with the middle-mile grant. The grant amount was $82,000.
• Amount of grant expended: $61,599,980.32. Amount of grants remaining is. $21,390,196.
• Alabama Anchor Institute Middle Mile (AIM) phase one and two grant program: 21 projects awarded grant

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill establishes the Renaissance Grant Program to help them rebuild capacity by closing technology
• This amendment removes the portion of the bill that overlaps with the grant program.
• This amendment removes the portion of the bill that overlaps with the grant program.
• codify the grant programs at this time or cause any conflict.
• in the ACA grant program?

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day, a visiting debate student, and later Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol. The chamber then took up committee reports and confirmed a slate of 52 executive appointments by a 39-0 vote. On special order, senators considered SB 250 on rural communities. The bill, described as a “Rural Renaissance” package, would create an Office of Rural Prosperity, establish a Renaissance Grant Program, increase housing and transportation support, and direct new funding to rural education and health care. Two amendments were adopted to update rural health funding and hospital estimates. Members from both parties spoke in support, while raising questions about eligibility and access to grants for certain rural areas. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then debated CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. The bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, tightening payment and audit procedures, and creating a stabilization fund for scholarships. Three amendments were adopted to remove a district declining-enrollment provision from the bill, adjust private-school documentation timing, and clarify withdrawal form and parent-attestation procedures. Senators from both parties supported the measure while noting concerns about oversight, school quality, and future conforming legislation. The bill passed 38-0, and both SB 250 and CS/SB 318 were certified to the House before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you is House Bill 2458, expanding Washington College Grant Program eligibility to post-secondary
• For a brief background, the Washington College Grant is the state's largest financial aid program that
• And I'm hoping that we will make them eligible for the college grant program.
• And I'm hoping that we will make them eligible for the college grant program.
• If we have a grant program that allows that for degree programs, I hope we can consider allowing this

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills related to higher education, workforce training, student protections, campus encampments, and EMT recertification. HB 2427 would require tattoo artists to complete annual human trafficking awareness training through the Department of Licensing; the prime sponsor and supporters said tattoo artists may be among the few people trafficked survivors encounter and could help identify and refer victims, while one opponent argued the bill imposes compelled speech and burdens small businesses. HB 2458 would expand Washington College Grant eligibility to approved non-degree credential programs; supporters from community and technical colleges, workforce organizations, and employers said it would help low-income students access short-term training tied to high-demand jobs, while one member raised concerns about short-term credentials and their long-term value. The committee also heard HB 2474, which would strengthen consumer protections when a private institution or program closes by expanding use of the Student Achievement Council tuition recovery trust fund, requiring teach-out or transfer options, and voiding certain student debts if closure rules are violated. The sponsor and agency witnesses said the bill responds to recent closures and gaps in federal oversight, while Independent Colleges of Washington opposed the bill as overly broad and potentially harmful to program innovation, and asked that private nonprofit campuses be excluded. Testifiers from student groups and a national higher-education advocacy organization supported the measure and argued that protections should also apply to public institutions. HB 2589 would regulate campus encampments at institutions of higher education by requiring advance notice, limiting authorization to registered student organizations or recognized bargaining units, and allowing institutions to impose content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions to protect safety and access. The sponsor said it codifies existing practice and does not ban protest, but several testifiers described recent encampments as disruptive or unsafe, while others warned the bill could chill student expression and should not apply to private nonprofit campuses. Finally, HB 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals from every three years to every six years for EMTs certified in Washington for at least 10 years; firefighters and EMS supporters said it would reduce administrative burden without changing training requirements. The committee took no votes and adjourned after hearing all testimony, with a reminder about amendment deadlines for upcoming bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have outstanding programs.
• The grants include Uh, they provide grants for fire trucks, protective gear, equipment, and training
• programs.
• That's known as the EMPG grant, Emergency Management Performance Grant.
• COVID is still an open grant.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> announced nearly$8 billion in grants announced nearly$8 billion in grants they<00:04:38.880><c>
• </c> that grant has not actually been cut. that grant has not actually been cut.
• </c> a $2.5 million grant. a $2.5 million grant.
• > them</c><01:26:48.800><c> out</c> those grant programs to close them out those grant programs to close
• So, in those smaller programs where some of the money from a multi-year grant is clawed back, that is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It looks like it needs another accounting position to handle a lot of different grant programs.
• This program is phenomenal.
• Same with the single-family program and the homeless programs.
• And as part of my role is to be the director of the grant programs under the purview of the Industrial
• And then, of course, all these grants, all of the grant programs require a match, so minimum 50-50 cost

Summary: The committee met as the Budget Section’s Regulatory Division and first reviewed base budget materials for the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Mineral Resources. Legislative Council explained the blue-sheet budget summaries and historical funding trends. The Housing Finance Agency then reported on its ongoing homeownership, housing incentive, and homelessness programs, noting that its new FTEs are being filled, loan servicing remains above benchmark, and the agency is operating largely on special and federal funds rather than general fund dollars. Housing Finance officials said the Housing Incentive Fund continues to be heavily oversubscribed, with requests far exceeding available dollars, and described how funds are being used for multifamily gap financing, rural single-family development, community land trusts, and homeless prevention/rapid rehousing. Members asked about performance measures, the number of people served, and the relationship between housing costs, wages, and homelessness. The agency said it uses scoring criteria tied to performance and outcomes, and requested that the Legislature maintain or increase funding for HIF, single-family housing, and homeless grants. Committee members also discussed the need to coordinate housing finance efforts with Commerce and broader site-preparation and workforce issues. The Department of Mineral Resources reported that it is on track with its budget, has filled most of its newly authorized reclamation positions, and is moving ahead on several initiatives, including IT modernization through Project North Star, organizational succession planning, and rulemaking for critical minerals and oil and gas programs. The director gave an extensive update on oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals and operational efficiencies are keeping production relatively flat even as rig counts decline, and that gas capture remains around 95 percent. Members asked about oil prices, hedging, spacing units, and the effects of geopolitical events on markets and state revenues. The committee also received an update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with additional oil and gas research funds also committed, and officials said the projects will require public status reports and final reports. The Pipeline Authority described major natural gas transmission projects, including the upcoming Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which recently completed a binding open season after the Industrial Commission selected WBI Energy’s proposal to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Relative to the SB 678 grant program, CPOC continues to be supportive of the governor's proposal to modify
• the grant program going forward and maintain the proposal in the May revision.
• Thank you for your continued support of the Right Grant Program.
• We support the right grant program for rehabilitative programming in CDCR.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, if you sort of assume that grants could be up to $10,000, which is how most of the other state programs
• of the other state programs um that do<00:53:28.640><c> grant</c><00:53:28.960><c> funding</c><00:53:
• And so I think starting it that way, making sure that you've got a program that works, that the grants
• And so I think starting it that way, making sure that you've got a program that works, that the grants
• you've got a program that works, that<00:56:16.240><c> the</c><00:56:16.400><c> grants</c><00:56:16.720

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This program gives grants to get kids outside.
• This is a federal granting program. It is administered by the National Park Service.
• This is now a permanently funded federal grant program.
• So, for example, this is a federal grant program. It's not a quick granting program.
• , and we didn't change anything about the grant process for each of those programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This reflects undersubscribed funding from the Infill Infrastructure Grant Catalytic Program and the
• That includes money through our Multifamily Housing Program, Infill Infrastructure Grant, the CERRNA
• The first is the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program.
• Having said that, the grant portion is... The grant portion is a supplemental part of the program.
• But for the grant program, you know, based on the outcomes that grant program has been able to support

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational presentation on the May Revision’s proposed reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into separate housing-focused and consumer/business-focused entities. Administration officials said the split would improve oversight, streamline decision-making, and create a dedicated California Housing and Homelessness Agency with a new housing development and finance committee. The Department of Finance said funding was needed in 2025-26 to begin implementation, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal without prejudice because the Little Hoover Commission review was still pending and the plan would require ongoing General Fund costs. Members raised concerns about the timing, the lack of alignment with the budget process, and whether the reorganization would improve accountability for homelessness spending; several public witnesses supported the concept but stressed it could not substitute for new housing and homelessness dollars. The committee then took up the Department of Veterans Affairs. CalVet requested funding for phase three of its electronic health care record project and a trailer bill to preserve authority for federal background checks, but the May Revision withdrew requests for deferred maintenance and additional administrative support. The LAO noted deferred maintenance can prevent larger future costs, and the chair criticized the withdrawal of less than $1 million for veterans’ homes as short-sighted given existing repair needs. No vote was taken. Next, the Department of Housing and Community Development presented its budget. HCD said the May Revision provides no new affordable housing or homelessness funding, but does retain existing rounds of funding and proposes a $31.7 million reversion from undersubscribed housing programs. Members from both parties expressed concern about zeroing out ongoing housing and homelessness investments, especially for LIHTC, the Multifamily Housing Program, and HAP. HCD also defended its homelessness accountability and compliance work, saying the unit includes about 30 program staff and six attorneys, with three additional attorneys requested mainly to handle public records and litigation workload. Public commenters largely opposed the lack of new funding and urged continued support for housing and homelessness programs, while some supported the reorganization and accountability efforts. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz proposals. The administration requested authority to increase funding for a federal trade program match if needed, plus reappropriations for administrative funds tied to the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program, zero-emission vehicle operations, and the Women’s Business Center Enhancement Program. It also proposed withdrawing the Cal Competes grant request and reverting remaining funds from the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The LAO said Cal Competes is generally effective but could be cut as a budget solution, while warning that the performing arts fund was close to awards and should be considered carefully. Members objected to pulling back committed funds for performing arts organizations and questioned why the state would withdraw support after applications had already been submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• UNDER THIS PROGRAM FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT STATE MEDICAID PROGRAMS MAKE PAYMENTS TO CERTAIN QUALIFIED
• AND $1,231,307,005 IN THE MEDICAL IN GRANTS DONATIONS TRUST FUND.
• WHY DOES THE COST OF THIS PROGRAM INCREASE AND WHAT IS DRIVING THE COST? >> MR. CHAIR? >> Rep.
• OF THE TRANSFER FROM THE KID CARE PROGRAM FROM MEDICAID OVER TO THE KID CARE TO THE CHIP PROGRAM.
• IN THE PREPAID HEALTH PLAN HOSPITAL DIRECT PAYMENT PROGRAM APPROPRIATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing programs, $2.5 million.
• Section 4 addresses the block grant programs, and I mentioned the underfunding on line.
• Addresses the block grant programs, and I mentioned the underfunding on line 17.
• Line 9 is tobacco prevention control grants of $6,000 to public health units for the programs that they
• Well, what entitlement means is that programs like Medicaid are not capitated programs.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier. The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier. The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• upgrade grants, energy storage incentive grants, microgrid federal grants, electric vehicle rebates
• </c> grants electric panel upgrade grants grants electric panel upgrade grants energy<00:16:10.519><c
• , electric panel upgrade grants, energy and storage incentive grants, the St.
• The electric panel upgrade grants, the energy and storage incentive grants, the St.
• Some of the RDA grants went to a wind-to-ammonia program that actually can start decarbonizing and help

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill establishes the Renaissance Grant Program to help them rebuild capacity by closing technology
• program, aptly called the farm program.
• Parts of the grant require that funds not supplant existing state programs, and it is not necessary to
• codify the grant programs at this time or cause any conflict.
• in the AHCA grant program?

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, doctor-of-the-day introduction, and several recognitions, including a Founders’ Day tribute to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a welcome to a nationally ranked student debater in the gallery. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 gubernatorial executive appointments; after explanation by the Ethics and Elections chair, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program, housing and transportation investments, education funding, and rural health care improvements. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health-care provisions in light of new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding amounts. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing the bill’s focus on rural infrastructure, health care access, and local flexibility. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates explained that the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, tightening enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees, requiring student identification numbers, improving reimbursement processes, and directing the Department of Education to develop a business plan for scholarship funding organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision from the bill, with that issue expected to move elsewhere. Senators discussed transparency, accountability, and protections against overpayments and unverified enrollments, while also noting the need to preserve support for school districts. The bill passed 38-0. After both bills passed, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House. The chamber also heard announcements recognizing Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and scheduled a group photograph for the following Thursday before adjourning until January 22 or upon the President’s call.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we look at this program over the years, it has been very successful, and we have these grants which
• A second priority for us in this session is a county and local historic preservation grant program, and
• </c> that program it's a competitive Grant that program it's a competitive Grant process<01:29:58.159
• So Legacy is the primary vehicle for history organizations outside of this bond-funded grant program.
• And, Madam Chair, Representative Lee, I would also add that if the county and local grant program were

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think one of the core tenets of our program is that it is a confidential program.
• I think it's a reminder that maybe not having, you know, one-off programs, but having a program that
• And I think we are a living program that these programs are working, and I would urge you to continue
• And the programs that Danny mentioned already, I think... ...I’m not alone in this, and the programs
• But amazing programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill establishes the Renaissance Grant Program to help them rebuild capacity by closing technology
• program, aptly called the FARM program.
• Parts of the grant require that funds not supplant existing state programs, and it is not necessary to
• codify the grant programs at this time or cause any conflict.
• Will they also be able to partake in the ACA grant program? Senator Simon.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then received and adopted, by a 39-0 vote, a committee report confirming 52 gubernatorial executive appointments to various state, regional, and local boards and commissions. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities, described as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package. Sponsor Senator Simon outlined provisions creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties facing population loss, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care support. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping grant language tied to new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties generally supported the bill, though some raised questions about eligibility for certain rural areas and how funds would be accessed. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then took up CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General findings by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance-based business plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including changes to the stabilization fund and documentation requirements. Senators from both parties debated transparency, accountability, and implementation concerns, with some also urging future attention to declining-enrollment school districts and the quality of scholarship providers. The bill passed 38-0. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House, welcomed Palm Beach County visitors in the gallery, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Money in the account was to be used for grants to support mental health, dependency treatment programs
• used to issue grants.
• at the sheriff's program.
• They're actually a model that can be used for some of the other grant programs, I think, around the state
• After-school programs? Absolutely!

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing that is done in House Bill 1960 is to make that budget-created grant program a permanent creature
• The second main use of the new tax revenue is creation of a new local investment distribution grant program
• This program would provide grants to counties in proportion to the state portion of the excise tax that's
• In order for a county, however, to be eligible for this new Commerce grant program, they would need to
• So, yeah, Section 204 deals with the tribal capacity grant program, which I mentioned at the beginning

Summary: House Finance met on Friday, January 23rd, and heard three bills. On House Bill 2194, staff explained that the bill would allow a county and a city within that county to both impose the cultural access sales and use tax at the same time, with the county providing a credit for the city tax. Representative Parsley said the change would let more jurisdictions support cultural, arts, science, and school-related programs. Olympia and Thurston County officials testified in support, describing grant funding for cultural organizations, free programming, and school access benefits; a committee member raised a question about how the change could affect county bond obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 2089, which would narrow a B&O tax preference for first mortgage interest by removing the requirement that a financial institution be located in 10 or more states, and direct the resulting revenue to the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account. Staff said the bill would raise significant revenue and have implementation costs for the Department of Revenue. Representative Scott said the bill was intended to restore wildfire funding and limit the preference to community banks, while opponents from the Washington Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Washington warned the bill could harm community banks and mortgage lending if not drafted carefully. The Department of Natural Resources and a public employee representative supported restoring wildfire preparedness funding. Finally, the committee heard a proposed third substitute for House Bill 1960, which would replace property taxation for new or repowered large renewable energy facilities and battery storage systems with a state and local excise tax structure, while also creating a local investment distribution account and a tribal capacity grant program. Staff and the sponsor described the bill as a way to reduce property tax shifts onto nearby taxpayers and provide more stable, predictable revenue for local governments and tribes. County officials, assessors, treasurers, and some clean energy and conservation groups supported the concept but asked for clearer definitions, payment timing, and rate adjustments; utilities and renewable developers said they supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted because of concerns about the rates and the treatment of centrally assessed utilities. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings on all three bills.