Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members of the committee, thank you for considering our funding request.
• Chair and members of the committee, thank you for considering our funding request.
• Chair and members of the committee, thank you for considering our funding request.
• Chair and members of the committee, thank you for considering our funding request.
• addition to seekings the state funding addition to seekings the state funding it<00:11:02.480>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Touching on that, we have developed the Readiest program.
• Should there be additional funds? Is there room for improvement?
• And part of that challenge that we've also been seeing is the shortage of housing development.
• Is it the infrastructure funding?
• They are targeting workforce training programs. We're partnering with them.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So labor and workforce development, this is nearly exclusively the state's unemployment insurance program
• state budget consists of the state's special funds and state... bond funds.
• , 9% of their budgeted funds.
• And our workforce development programs.
• That education funding largely goes towards funding our IDEA funding so children with special needs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• funding.
• And for general uh fund funding.
• And can you talk a little bit about the funding, how it's currently funded?
• >> Um, so we received funding from SFA to partner in the construction of the fund.
• All the construction<01:26:34.960> funds. construction funds. construction funds.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We let out the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development program that got a very large one-time
• <00:42:19.720> housing<00:42:20.119> development Minnesota WorkForce housing development
• Minnesota WorkForce housing development program<00:42:21.079> that<00:42:21.240> got<00
• The 2023 appropriations were $60.5 million for the workforce and affordable home ownership development
• and affordable home on Workforce and affordable home ownership<01:03:54.640> development ownership

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members. Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they have rolled out plans to lay off half of HUD's workforce.
• mortgages and what could that mean for available workforce housing?
• They're using our middle-income housing fund, which we developed as a follow-on, to be able to build
• I think about workforce housing.
• Workforce housing, things like that.

Keywords: affordable housing, government investment, barriers, legislative solutions, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing the significant issue of affordable housing in America. Members expressed concern over the persistent barriers faced in the housing sector, despite substantial government investment aimed at alleviating these issues. It was highlighted that government interference plays a critical role in complicating the housing landscape, and discussions revolved around potential legislative approaches to mitigate these challenges. Several witnesses provided testimony, contributing to a thorough exploration of the topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would add that we also focus on workforce development while promoting the efficient use of financial
• <00:03:29.840> Workforce<00:03:30.319> Development<00:03:31.120> so<00:03:31.280
• > you Workforce Workforce Development so you Workforce Workforce Development so you can<00:03:
• education nonprofits Workforce education nonprofits Workforce Development<00:04:05.920> and
• <00:15:12.560> Development<00:15:13.560> um ed and Workforce Development um ed and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, the transportation and economic development space is the third largest funded in the
• fund.
• The next bucket of funding is rural workforce program funding.
• These are funds that would go down to the local workforce boards once again this year.
• They support development of a skilled workforce, and most importantly, they ensure your Florida National

Bills: S0048

Keywords: housing, accessory dwelling units, affordable housing, local government, zoning regulations, military families, density bonus, homeownership, property taxes

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness. In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• ... certain state corporations and authorities from general funds to special and revolving funds.
• Although there is a bill to allow for transitional funding, transitional funding, this change in source
• of funding reduces the reliance on taxpayer funds, totally saving a total of over $8 million in the
• development, economic development and development, diversification, and environmental sustainability
• Continued investment in education and workforce workforce development, $618 million, including $478 million

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Education and Workforce Development, housing, homelessness, and stabilizing Hawaii's property insurance
• <00:03:03.080> Development education and Workforce Development education and Workforce Development
• address healthc care Workforce address healthc care Workforce shortages<00:08:06.479> in<
• fiscal years and increasing special fund fiscal years and increasing special fund ceiling<00:16:
• development.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee met in decision-making only and first took up HB 300, the Senate majority budget package. The chair described the bill as a response to economic uncertainty and reduced revenue forecasts, and outlined a wide range of appropriations and staffing changes across state agencies, including agriculture, education, health, public safety, housing, labor, natural resources, and corrections. The package emphasized one-year funding for many new programs, vacancy reductions, and investments in services such as preschool, mental health, wildfire mitigation, cybersecurity, public access, and workforce development. HB 300 was recommended to pass with amendments and was adopted unanimously, with members voting yes and no reservations noted only as procedural responses. The committee then acted on HB 794 and HB 795, both recommended to pass with amendments by changing the defective date to 2050; both measures were adopted without discussion. On the 101 agenda, HB 400, the Judiciary budget bill, was recommended to pass with amendments. The bill included vacancy reductions, security funding, permanent staffing for several court and justice programs, and support for civil legal services, immigration-related services, and technology licenses. HB 400 was adopted. HB 410 was also adopted with amendments and a defective date change to 2050. On the 102 agenda, the committee passed several bills either unamended or with targeted amendments. HB 3, HB 134, HB 177, HB 237, HB 648, HB 713, HB 735, HB 1391, and HB 1462 were passed unamended. HB 214 passed with amendments expanding eligibility for retired employees to fill labor-shortage or succession-planning positions, including certain management positions excluded from collective bargaining; one member raised concerns about school resource officers and community fit, which the chair said could be addressed in the committee report. HB 441 passed with amendments to direct cigarette tax funds to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a discussion about whether e-cigarettes should be included. Other measures passed with amendments included HB 448, HB 667, HB 727, HB 740, HB 806, HB 1020, HB 1345, and HB 1365, generally involving date changes, blank appropriations, or technical language. HB 1391 was adopted with a reservation from Senator Kim. The meeting concluded with HB 1462 adopted unamended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding educator workforce, we support full funding for the GSTG and NBCI programs and suggest that
• those funds to afford the rainy day fund account?
• Are LEAs asking for the funding, using the funding, fully expending the funding?
• They're funded through Title III funding.
• funding, fully funding ethnic studies, AB 101.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only their funding share must be kept at not to exceed 10% of the overall funding.
• It requires the district workforce education funding steering committee to hold public meetings.
• Balding loan fund.
• The study aims to provide policymakers with data driven insights to guy workforce development, education
• Chair. >> This bill allows charter schools directly access funding through the workforce development

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DEVELOPMENT.
• IN WAYS THAT ENHANCE INSTRUCTION, PROTECT STUDENTS AND SUPPORT WORKFORCE READINESS.
• EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ARE ESSENTIAL.
• THIRD, DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE AND FUNDING PLAN, FOURTH, INVEST STRATEGICALLY AND PROFESSIONAL
• IT IS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND I COMPLETELY SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT MR.

Transcript Highlights:

• is transferring funds to the General Fund regularly.
• The Keep Arts in School voluntary contribution fund also supports workforce employment with teacher stipends
• by $1.1 million General Fund one time and increases that special fund funding by a dollars General Fund
• funds.
• This proposal aims to reduce local development impact fees on state-funded affordable housing projects

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Workforce needs are also becoming more acute.
• I do want to address, before I close, workforce development.
• Workforce development in the maritime industry is extremely important, and it's something that we're
• So workforce development is extremely important to us.
• Without the federal funding and the state funding, a lot of what we need to happen in ports would not

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework allowing counties and municipalities to designate certain roads for utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) under local conditions, including driver licensing, insurance, and speed-limit restrictions below 55 mph. Senator Wright said the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and mirror the local-option approach used for golf carts. Supporters included a retired Volusia County sheriff and county commissioner, who argued UTVs are safer than golf carts and are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are designed for off-road use, lack federal safety standards, and pose crash and tire-blowout risks on public roads. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash severity, but the committee ultimately voted to report SB 356 favorably. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding, beginning with a moment of silence for JaxPort COO and former FDOT employee James Bennett. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port Tampa Bay, and the Port of Palm Beach described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the need for continued state and federal support for dredging, bulkheads, cranes, rail, and terminal expansion. Senators asked about ROI, trade shifts, intermodal connections, fuel and LNG availability, leverage and reserves, and operational risks such as flooding, sea level rise, and channel depth; port officials emphasized resiliency, private partnerships, and long-term master planning. The committee also confirmed appointees to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority in one vote, with no objection. Finally, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, explaining that coordinated statewide use of LiDAR and aerial imagery could reduce duplication, improve emergency management and planning, and support insurance and storm-damage assessment. FDOT recommended a formal statewide coordination program, shared procurement and cost-sharing agreements, dedicated staffing, and statutory updates to Chapter 334 to support interagency agreements and recurring funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• source, right, for a funding mechanism to be deposited into the Stadium Development Special Fund.
• <00:51:02.119> Development ask right now Workforce Development ask right now Workforce Development
• major investments in Workforce major investments in Workforce Development<00:52:45.200> but
• <00:53:11.640> Development<00:53:12.079> Council Colorado Workforce Development Council
• <04:13:27.960> Development<04:13:28.439> experience have um Workforce Development experience

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an amazing development to have research progressing at this rate.
• We'd certainly like to see more funding added to this. We're at $200,000.
• In terms of workforce development, that was one piece — you know, strength and dementia training, care
• Workforce training would kind of fall under that.
• Regarding the BOLD funding, is this money still available nationally?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We should invest in workforce development by addressing labor shortages and expanding trade education
• It requires Workforce Solutions to manage this fund. Is that correct?
• funding at risk?
• Fund creation.
• Ways to fund the fund in addition to the moneys that are collected through payrolls.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding for the UC Davis Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein... ...research and development
• This can include things like lower utility rates, workforce development funding, allowing for accelerated
• So today I'm excited to update you on some of the advances in both research and workforce development
• made a huge impact on our education and workforce development training, so the Future Foods Fellows
• I think funding to support research advances both in the kind of science and technology development,

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focusing on California’s alternative protein sector and the role of public institutions in expanding plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated protein options. Chair Ash Kalra opened by highlighting prior state investments in UC research centers, the importance of student engagement, and the hearing’s three panels: reducing the carbon footprint of institutional meals, addressing market challenges to scaling alternative proteins, and advancing future food research and workforce development. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan also briefly praised the committee’s work and its relevance to climate and health goals. The first panel featured Friends of the Earth, UCLA Dining, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Megan Jones described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts expand plant-based meals, reduce water and carbon footprints, and improve student satisfaction. Pete Angelese explained how UCLA Dining uses concept-driven venues, sustainable purchasing, and marketing nudges to increase plant-forward choices, while Dr. Michelle Wood outlined Los Angeles County’s 2024–2025 board motions to expand plant-based options in county food venues and programs, including joining the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and how student and consumer behavior can be influenced. The second panel addressed market barriers to scaling alternative proteins. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner emphasized that the sector faces a cost-and-scale trap, high capital needs, and financing gaps, and they recommended grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and workforce development. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat argued that the category has faced a recent downturn due to consumer skepticism, industry attacks on “fake meat,” and pricing pressures, and said the key to renewed growth is increasing demand through better taste, health, pricing, and messaging around “plant protein.” Panelists also discussed hidden subsidies and structural advantages for conventional animal agriculture, and committee members raised questions about iBank loan guarantees and supply chain challenges. The final panel highlighted UCLA’s research and training efforts. Dr. Amy Roet described the Future Food Fellows program, which trains students across disciplines in science, communication, leadership, and community-building, and supports research on scalable, safe, and nutritious alternative proteins. Corinne Smith shared her cultivated meat research and student leadership in the Alternative Proteins Project at UCLA. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and terminology strongly affect acceptance, with “plant protein” and “complementary proteins” testing better than “fake meat.” The hearing concluded with support for continued public investment, clearer messaging, and expanded education and workforce pipelines to help California remain a leader in alternative protein innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:25:10.360> will in the case management Workforce will in the case management Workforce
• This investment would fund the development of free, accessible training modules, tools for tracking and
• Services focus on developing Services focus on developing implementing<01:29:35.320> a<01
• fund the development of investment would fund the development of free<01:31:08.080> accessible
• a more inclusive and effective Workforce a more inclusive and effective Workforce provide<01:39:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all