Video & Transcript Research : 'affordability programs'
Page 170 of 500
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- >
been <00:02:26.800>critical decades, this program has been critical decades, this program - <00:02:50.480>
that with modifications to the program that with modifications to the program - <00:03:07.680>
from annual appropriation to the program from annual appropriation to the program - expansion as an eligible use of program expansion as an eligible use of program dollars<00:03:46.080
- amendment is to make the the program amendment is to make the the program statewide.<00:25:21.760
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPN, CPN DEFER, CPN DEFER Public Hearings 04-11-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- on board with the program. on board with the program.
- Some people can't even afford to do their job.
- to go to money, yet others can't afford to go to the<00:47:35.800>
doctors. - Some people can't even afford<00:47:37.920>
to <00:47:38.079>do <00:47:38.240>their< - It just seems afford to do their job.
Summary:
The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered multiple gubernatorial nominations, beginning with several appointments to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund board. Testimony on the Hurricane Relief Fund nominees was overwhelmingly in support from the DCCA Insurance Division, Hawaii Insurance Council, Hawaii Insurers Council, the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, and various individuals and industry representatives. Nominees Michael Naka, Marie White, Raina Miamoto, Leslie Door, Edward Hike, and Gwen McDonald were discussed, with Miamoto and Hike offering brief remarks about the need to address hurricane insurance affordability, condo coverage, and the importance of attracting reinsurers. The committee spent substantial time questioning Hike about the fund’s strategy, including whether to keep eligibility broad in the first phase to move quickly into the reinsurance market, how much capital would be available, and whether later policy refinements such as owner-occupancy requirements could be added after an initial rollout. Hike said the fund intended to start with broad parameters to secure reinsurance and then consider more targeted changes later, and he indicated further responses to prior committee questions would be submitted later that day. No votes were taken during the excerpted discussion.
The committee then moved to other nominations. Terresa Hernandez was considered for the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic, with support from the board, and she said chiropractic had been a passion for her for seven years. Terrence Aratani was considered for the Board of Nursing, with support from the Board of Nursing, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others. During questioning, a senator raised concerns from constituents about a 2019 grant-related controversy involving a proposed resiliency hub project; Aratani responded that his organization had partnered on a grant-in-aid proposal, later withdrew when the project scope changed substantially, and said no money was transferred to the other group. Cheryl Schultz Hansen was also considered for the Board of Nursing and described her long nursing and teaching background, while a senator asked about alleged pressure on nurses to participate in employee give-back campaigns at Hawaii Pacific Health and the University of Hawaii; Hansen said the campaigns were voluntary and she was unaware of harassment, though she acknowledged managers may feel pressure to encourage participation. The excerpt ends before any final committee actions or votes on these nominations are announced.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2431 5/8/25
Transcript Highlights:
- to the state grant program. to the state grant program.
- supplemental assistance grant program. supplemental assistance grant program.
- resources for the state grant program. resources for the state grant program.
- those programs may need a sunset. those programs may need a sunset.
- program cuts, and massive staff layoffs. program cuts, and massive staff layoffs.
Summary:
The Higher Education Finance and Policy Conference Committee met publicly to compare House and Senate positions on the higher education budget, with the chairs emphasizing transparency and alternating gavel control. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through a spreadsheet of differences across the Office of Higher Education and Minnesota State, including major items such as state grants, childcare grants, work study, tribal college grants, emergency assistance grants, hunger-free campus grants, student parent support, direct admissions, paramedic scholarships, and several medical residency and fellowship programs. The House and Senate also differed on administrative funding, campus sexual assault reporting, and a House FY25 cancellation that would be carried forward.
Members discussed several of the larger policy and funding choices. The Senate explained its increase for Minitex as support for operating costs and statewide access to information. The House explained its cuts to student parent support and other items as necessary to work within a zero target and to prioritize direct aid to students, while the Senate said it focused on direct appropriations and access-related programs. On hunger-free campus grants and emergency assistance grants, the Senate said it was changing the distribution method and direct appropriations rather than reducing the overall money, while the House noted differences in whether nonprofit institutions remained included.
The committee also reviewed Senate-only additions and reductions in Minnesota State, including free course materials, Lake Superior College remediation, and changes to the Kids on Campus appropriation. A representative from Lake Superior College testified that the PAS remediation funding would help address contamination issues at an emergency training site near Lake Superior and that the money was shifted from the Kids on Campus initiative. No final conference agreement or vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee continued discussing differences and testimony.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- I have been in that role for nine years, and I have been a program director for 16.
- Within the past five years, our program and organization has been struggling with securing affordable
- , despite the fact that our program has not had any claims against it.
- This issue affects not only my program, but also... The growing liability insurance coverage issue.
- Distinct from most other proposals on this subject matter, it does not stipulate a program.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on a wide range of state, probate, and family bills, with chairs Edwards and Day outlining strict testimony limits and accepting written testimony. Early testimony focused on H. 1911/S. 1138, which would clarify that a durable power of attorney may create a trust if that authority is expressly granted; sponsors and elder law advocates said the bill would resolve uncertainty created by the Barbetti decision and align Massachusetts with other states.
A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1102, a proposal to establish medical panels in Probate and Family Court. Supporters, including attorneys, parents, physicians, and advocates, said neutral three-doctor panels would help judges resolve disputed medical issues in guardianship and custody cases involving children, elders, and people with disabilities. Testifiers described cases where medical treatment was blocked or contested by one parent or guardian, arguing the panels would provide impartial expertise and protect vulnerable people. The committee also heard support for bills addressing disability discrimination in family court, military parents’ custody rights, and a shared parenting bill, H. 1710, which drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and others who said a 50-50 presumption could harm survivors and children.
The committee also took testimony on several probate and court-administration measures. Senator Lovely supported a bill on nominee trust partition, and Senator Comerford and probate officials backed legislation to codify additional registry staff positions and modernize registry operations. Other bills discussed included foster care liability insurance, with providers warning that rising premiums and loss of coverage could force program closures; health care proxy storage and activation; access to decedents’ email accounts; uniform trust decanting; the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act; heirs’ property partition protections; a constitutional right to health care; alimony-related reforms; child-centered family law; and a right of disposition for funeral arrangements. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Omnibus state government policy bill, HF1837, passes Minnesota House 5/1/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, we're able to withhold payments from programs when it's determined there's a credible allegation
- It requires agencies to notify the program within 5 days and the reason for the withholding.
- any other in public programs to any other government<00:15:12.480>
entity. - to withhold payments to uh to program to withhold payments to uh to program participants<00:15:31.519
- allegation of fraud and that the program allegation of fraud and that the program participant<00
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Aug 25th, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We have all regular programming up there, as well as our post-secondary program which focuses on life
- So we were the first program.
- You can't afford that.
- It's a bilingual program.
- it and operate it. program it a little bit.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 23rd, 2026
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- After searching online, I found what seemed like an affordable loan at a 13% rate.
- California faces urgent affordability challenges. Housing construction costs continue to rise.
- The Legislature may want to ensure that the lending programs already authorized by this Legislature here
- The Legislature may want to ensure that the lending programs already authorized by this Legislature are
- I've tried to put a number of programs under the I-Bank, and, you know, I think important programs both
Summary:
The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, sending AB 2028, AB 2425, and AB 2795 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also announced that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed committee rules on written testimony and decorum before proceeding through the file order.
AB 2116, which would regulate merchant cash advance and related small-business financing products under the California Consumer Financial Protection Law, drew strong support from the author and advocates who said it would close oversight gaps, require registration, prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default, and improve transparency for small businesses. Supporters included small business advocates, consumer groups, local officials, and community organizations. Opposition from the Revenue-Based Finance Coalition argued the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation, used inconsistent definitions of small business, and could restrict access to capital; they said amendments were being discussed. The committee passed AB 2116 to Appropriations.
AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, would create a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said the state pays billions in interest to private lenders and could better use public funds for housing, infrastructure, climate, and small business lending. Opponents from the banking and credit union sectors raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, use of public funds, and the bill’s implications for existing financing structures. After discussion, the committee passed AB 2243 to Appropriations on a roll call vote, with some members voting no.
AB 2350, as amended, would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products tied to rental housing to prevent predatory fees, high interest, and eviction risk for renters. The author and supporters emphasized the bill’s consumer protection goals, while industry representatives opposed it unless amended, saying they had not seen final language and wanted the bill narrowed to avoid broader impacts on the financial services sector. The committee passed AB 2350 as amended to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
HF16, legislation to regulate data centers in Minnesota, passes House 6/9/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, and they've been one of the most successful programs that has ever been in this state.
- Uh, and they've been one of the most successful programs that has ever been in this state.
- Uh, and they've been one of the most successful programs that has ever been in this state.
- <00:12:09.200>
food, <00:12:10.079>who <00:12:10.399>can't be able to afford - food, who can't be able to afford food, who can't maintain<00:12:11.440>
our <00:12:11.839>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25 - Part 1
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:23:46.320>
such humanitarian immigration programs such humanitarian immigration programs - Minnesota's police department cannot afford another lawsuit.
- Minnesota's police department cannot afford another murder like George Floyd's.
- Minnesota's police department cannot afford another lawsuit.
- I'm the policy program manager at Violence Free Minnesota.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight Dec 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We're after fair, just, reasonable, and affordable results.
- Affordability. My office has been beating this drum for a while.
- At least for affordability, their entire industry is based upon pricing and what's affordable and what
- I mean, Amazon was built on this concept of affordability.
- I mean, Amazon was built on this concept of affordability.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met with a quorum present and heard an update from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of the Office of Public Counsel. Trierweiler described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate cases and related proceedings, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service hearings to challenge unsupported utility costs while seeking outcomes that are “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable.”
A major focus of the presentation was the office’s work on large utility dockets, especially the Florida Power & Light rate case, as well as other recent cases involving Duke, TECO, Sunshine, and St. Joe. Trierweiler said the office had settled some cases but not others, had two appeals pending, and had filed motions for reconsideration where required. He also discussed storm cost recovery, affordability concerns, and the new challenge of data center tariffs and related energy and water demands. He said the office brought in new experts on affordability and data centers and was trying to get ahead of those issues through workshops and settlement efforts.
Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how the office evaluates a fair profit for utilities, the role of settlements and counterproposals, and the impact of data centers on energy and water use. Trierweiler said customer voices come in through hearings and correspondence, that utilities are entitled to a fair return but not imprudent costs, and that the office is concerned about data center growth and its resource demands. No votes were taken, and the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 15th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 098 Apr 21st, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <03:51:26.880>
Madam program. Madam Majority Leader. Madam program. - purpose of cloud seeding programs. purpose of cloud seeding programs.
- Home Ownership Program.
- <04:55:05.280>
Madam Affordable Home Ownership Program. - Madam Affordable Home Ownership Program. Madam Majority<04:55:06.000>
Leader.
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal from April 20, 2026. Members then made announcements about committee schedules, open enrollment, and the Bolder Boulder event, and welcomed guests from the Leadership Program of the Rockies. The House also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 20, recognizing April 9, 2026 as Home Education Day in Colorado, on a 60-2 vote with three excused. Supporters described home education as a longstanding family choice and emphasized parental rights and educational flexibility.
The chamber then received committee reports, including an Appropriations Committee report advancing House Bills 1052, 1132, 1143, 1226, 1343, and 1344 to the Committee of the Whole. The Majority Leader moved several bills to special orders for April 21, 2026 at 9:20 a.m., and the motion was adopted without objection.
The Committee of the Whole took up House Bill 1028, concerning second language diploma endorsements for graduating high school students. After adopting the appropriations report, the House passed the bill. Supporters said it would recognize bilingualism and Colorado’s diversity. The committee then considered House Bill 1143, concerning background checks for non-employment-based educational opportunities. The bill sponsor said it would allow qualified people without Social Security numbers to participate in internships, clinical placements, and volunteer opportunities by using alternative identification. Several members opposed the bill and supported amendments, arguing for employer or institutional choice, narrower definitions, and concerns about constitutional rights, tax compliance, and the breadth of the bill. Amendment L6 failed, and the transcript ends amid extended discussion of Amendment L7 regarding enforcement against public entities, with no final action on the bill shown in the excerpt.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It touches upon Internet Crimes Against Children programs.
- It touches upon Internet Crimes Against Children programs.
- rent and they can't afford Medicaid and health care, right?
- They can't afford to feed their children. They can't afford their house.
- Then they can't afford a lawyer.
Summary:
The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing it as a major criminal enterprise in Florida driven by online recruitment, local victims, and organized traffickers. She outlined Miami-Dade’s task force, victim-centered prosecution practices, training efforts for schools, hotels, transit workers, and other partners, and community-supported services such as the Project Phoenix shelter and Thrive Clinic. She also urged better interstate communication about known traffickers and noted that prior legislative changes, including restrictions on tattooing minors, came from trafficking cases. Senators asked about school-based exploitation, technology and social media recruitment, and information-sharing with other states; Fernandez-Rundle said training and technology remain essential and offered to share materials and tour the facility.
The committee then considered CS for SB 656, which Senator Bradley said would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force funding program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a needed response to online child exploitation and was reported favorably by unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892 by Senator Martin, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related designations by reducing paperwork delays tied to clemency and requiring clearer notice before pleas; it too was reported favorably unanimously.
The most extensive debate centered on SB 164, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil damages for the death of an unborn child. Senator Graal said the bill uses existing statutory language defining an unborn child and is intended to let parents recover damages when negligence causes a pregnancy loss. Supporters argued it recognizes unborn life and should be strengthened; opponents warned it would function as a personhood measure, create liability risks for doctors, businesses, friends, and family members, chill miscarriage and abortion-related care, and worsen Florida’s OB-GYN shortage. Several speakers raised concerns about abuse by rapists or abusive partners and about impacts on IVF and emergency care. The committee heard extensive questioning about the bill’s scope and its relationship to existing criminal statutes, but no vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 28th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- It touches upon Internet Crimes Against Children programs.
- It touches upon Internet Crimes Against Children programs.
- Crimes Against Children Grant Program in order to better align with the mission.
- rent and they can't afford Medicaid and health care, right?
- They can't afford to feed their children. They can't afford their house.
Keywords:
wrongful death, unborn child, civil liability, medical provider, parental rights, habitual felony offenders, violent crimes, enhanced penalties, criminal justice, recidivism
Summary:
The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing Florida’s high victim counts, the role of online recruitment, common victim and trafficker profiles, and several case examples involving sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and interstate trafficking. She highlighted Miami-Dade’s task force model, partnerships with law enforcement, schools, businesses, and shelters such as Camillus House’s Project Phoenix and the Thrive Clinic, and said the office relies heavily on technology, training, and victim-centered prosecution. Members asked about school-based trafficking, warning signs, social media platforms, and information-sharing about offenders across states; Fernandez-Rundle said more training and better interstate communication are still needed.
The committee then took up CS for SB 656, which would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a timely tool to combat online child exploitation and was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related violent offender designations by clarifying notice and clemency-related paperwork requirements; it too was reported favorably unanimously.
The remainder of the meeting focused on SB 164, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to recognize unborn children in civil law and allow recovery when a pregnancy is lost due to another’s negligence. Opponents from the ACLU, reproductive rights groups, medical insurers, and domestic violence advocates argued the bill is overly broad, could function as fetal personhood legislation, and could expose doctors, friends, family members, businesses, and abusive partners to lawsuits while chilling medical care, IVF, and pregnancy-related treatment. Supporters from pro-life organizations urged broader language and stronger protections for unborn children. No vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 04/01/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- It is similar to how we regard those who are enrolled in medical programs, to the tribal medical program
- uh program um with their tribal medical uh program um with their with<00:26:55.360>
their <00: - <00:52:00.920>
was when the medical cannabis program was when the medical cannabis program - enroll in the medical cannabis program enroll in the medical cannabis program I'm<00:53:37.599><
- SF 690 sunsets the current successful program and replaces it with a producer responsibility program
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, they, you know, that program was incredibly robust, you know.
- are facilitated through programs at the public education department.
- I just want to highlight our small local public body program.
- We are number four in the nation now because of that program.
- And Broadband Accessibility BEAD Program: 382 million.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Higher Education and Workforce Development Apr 28th, 2026
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- So that But, Rendered in the form of employee hours donated to such programs.
- Economic Development, DED, they administer the funds, but DNR administers the program.
- Representative Wilson said that DNR administers the program.
- I am fortunate because my school has a well-resourced program and dedicated mentors.
- It's something that they should afford on a local issue.
Summary:
The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Representative Wilson on behalf of Representative Riggs. The bill would create a 20% state income tax credit, capped at $10 million annually beginning in tax year 2027, for donations to registered school robotics/STEAM programs. Eligible contributions were described as cash, equipment, software, materials, supplies, and possibly employee volunteer hours, with a six-year sunset. Committee members asked for clarification on whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, whether volunteer time by parents or other non-experts would qualify, which state agency would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Wilson said the bill would need clarifying language, including on volunteer eligibility and the reporting department, and said he was open to revisiting the percentage and other details with the sponsor.
The primary witness in support was Sarah Waldron, an 18-year-old Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team CEO who said she wrote the bill. She argued the credit would help businesses invest in robotics programs, address unequal access across Missouri, and strengthen workforce readiness in STEM and AI. She said the bill was intended to support business employee volunteer hours, not individual volunteer claims, and noted she had drafted an amendment to provide larger credits for under-resourced schools based on free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Committee members praised her work and discussed how to target aid toward rural and under-resourced districts.
One witness testified in opposition, State Public Advocate Arne C. A. C. Dinoff, who said he supported robotics and the student’s effort but opposed the tax credit because of the state’s budget deficit and the broader cost of tax credit programs. He objected particularly to subsidizing volunteerism and said robotics should be supported locally rather than through a state tax credit. The hearing concluded without a vote or other formal action on the bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Taxes Committee considers HF169 3/11/25
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:15:10.440>
this and essential Community programs this and essential Community programs - lots of school groups veterans programs lots of school groups programs<00:15:40.600>
for <00:15 - We donate to area schools programs to help housing and food and secure children.
- We donate to area schools programs to help housing and food and secure children.
- She's applied for a program. She's been told to wait in line.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 169, which would change the tax structure for charitable gambling. Representative Robbins offered and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, described as a technical correction to ensure sports-themed tip boards are not inadvertently taxed under the bill. Robbins then presented the bill as a way to replace the current tiered combined net receipts tax on charitable gambling with a flat 5% rate, arguing charities were being overtaxed and that prior promises of relief had not been fully delivered.
Chair Stevenson pushed back on several of Robbins’ factual claims, correcting the record on the status of E-pull tabs, the share of charitable gambling revenue they represent, and the amount of tax relief already enacted in 2023 and 2024. He said E-tabs were not eliminated, that the revenue split between paper pull tabs and E-tabs is closer to 45/55, and that charities had already received a $15 million tax cut plus savings from reduced developer fees. Robbins responded that the changes still significantly reduced revenue and that the bill was intended as a middle-ground approach.
Testimony largely came from charitable gambling and veterans groups in support of the bill. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities of Minnesota said nearly 1,000 charities depend on charitable gambling, cited high taxes and fees, and said many organizations were seeing revenue declines after the new E-pull tab rules took effect. Dr. Christy Jano of the American Legion Department of Minnesota said charitable gambling funds support veterans, youth, and community programs, and that a flat 5% tax would help posts continue those efforts. Members asked about the size of the revenue drops and how much gambling proceeds go to overhead and operating costs; Jenner said the losses varied by organization and that it was too early to know the long-term effect, while Jano said some expenses are used for property taxes and building upkeep. The committee then moved on to additional testimony, including Tim Angstrom, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.
NH
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Higher Education and Workforce Development Apr 28th, 2026
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Economic Development, DED, they administer the funds, but DNR administers the program.
- Economic Development, DED, they administer the funds, but DNR administers the program.
- DNR administers the program. Yeah.
- I am fortunate because my school has a well-resourced program and dedicated mentors.
- It's something that they should afford on a local issue.
Summary:
The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Rep. Travis Wilson on behalf of Rep. Riggs. The bill would create a state income tax credit for donations to school robotics/STEAM programs, including cash, equipment, software, materials, curriculum, and employee volunteer hours, beginning with the 2027 tax year. The credit would be 20% of the donation value, capped at $10 million annually, with a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, how volunteer hours would be valued and limited, whether the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Department of Economic Development would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Several members also questioned the fiscal note and the impact on a tight state budget.
The main witness in support was Sarah Waldron, an 18-year-old Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team leader who said she wrote the bill. She argued that robotics programs are expensive, that private investment is needed to improve workforce readiness, and that the bill would help schools in both urban and rural areas. She clarified that the volunteer-hours provision was intended for business employees, not general individual volunteerism, and said the bill could be amended to add guardrails and better target under-resourced schools, including a possible tiered credit based on free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Committee members praised her initiative and testimony.
One witness testified in opposition, State Public Advocate Arne C. Dinoff, who said robotics is worthwhile but the state cannot afford another tax credit given the budget deficit and the cumulative cost of tax credit programs. He objected particularly to subsidizing volunteerism and said schools should support robotics locally rather than through a state tax credit. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee adjourned after testimony.